Brenna POV
Was that really what I saw?
It was way too big to be an Akita or a Husky, as I had seen those dogs over and over again in the city, even with the heat being so bad down there. Whatever that animal was that came out of the woods, was at least double the size of a dog.
“There’s just no way. Why would there be one out here?” I asked myself as I tried to get a better look out the window, but the waning light failed me.
I just didn’t believe wolves lived in this area of California. Maybe Washington or Oregon, but a wolf running around in the northern area of the state didn’t make any sense. A coyote maybe, but again, an animal that was much smaller than what I had seen.
I slapped my face a little. Maybe I was just sleep-deprived, and this was the result of the stress I had recently built up.
A buzzing sound came from the nightstand by the bed, when I realized it was the new phone going off.
I looked at the number and felt a smile creep on my face.
“Sorry I forgot to text you earlier, Kat.” I had spaced it.
“I was about to call a search party for you! Didn’t you see the texts I sent?!” Kat was practically scolding me through the phone. She was definitely the sister I never had.
I pulled the phone away and saw a dozen missed texts and eight missed calls in the log.
“I’m so sorry. You won’t believe the day I’ve had here,” I said with a sigh as I rubbed at my eyes.
The need for caffeine would be strong for me tonight.
“Had where? Where are you?”
For some reason, Kat’s voice reminded me of the calls my mom would make it I had been out past curfew as a teen. Thank goodness traffic was always the best excuse and was true nine out of ten times.
“At Varick Manor,” I couldn’t help but say the words with a grin. Even if she couldn’t see, I just couldn’t help but smile at this piece of good news.
“You got the job?!”
Kat didn’t even give me the chance to answer before she squealed so loud, I had to pull the phone away from my ear before she caused permanent damage.
“What’s it like? I bet it’s amazing! I’ve heard so many good things about it!”
“So, you’ve never been here before?” I wonder if she had heard any weird stories or anything about this place. People had a habit of remembering the most random shit about a place.
“Oh, I wish,” Kat said longingly. “I can’t afford it for me and Leo. Too bad he grew up and won’t fit in my suitcase.”
I laughed as I heard Leo saying something to Kat. Knowing him, he was bragging how even though he was the youngest, he was now taller than the rest of us.
“Anyway,” Kat drew out as Leo’s voice got quieter, “I have a buddy from work who has mentioned it before. I’ve always wanted to go. Guess I have a reason to now that you’re there.”
I needed things to look forward to. A visit from Kat and Leo would be a wonderful way to celebrate in the coming months.
“I’d love that. I have to say though, as excited as I am, it’s a little,” I just couldn’t think of the right word, so I settled with, “strange.”
“Strange how?” Kat’s voice cracked.
I didn’t want to worry her, but I had to admit things felt a little too Stepford for my taste.
“Just, strange. Like, everything worked out too well, you know. How could a place be so perfect?”
“Oh, Brenna, you just watch too many horror movies. It’s not like cannibals or anything run the hotel. I’m sure the place has a different vibe than So Cal. Maybe that’s what’s throwing you off.”
Kat had a point. Even though I was in the same state, I found myself in a different atmosphere than what I was used to.
“Maybe. We’ll see how it goes. Tonight’s my first shift.”
“Call me tomorrow whenever you’re awake and fill me in on everything. Got it?” Kat was sounding pushy again. Her telltale sign for when she hadn’t eaten.
“Go eat dinner, Kat,” I said in as stern a tone as I could manage.
“I would if the food would get here already. They are twenty minutes late.” Just as she spoke, her doorbell went off. “Oh crap, gotta go. Love you, Brenna!”
“Love you too, Kat.” I got in just before she hung up the phone to chow down on her delivery.
I put my hair into a high bun and drew a bath. I had meant to before I tried to lay down, but moving wasn’t something I wanted to do.
The hardest part was keeping my bandages from getting wet. I always had the option of getting my arm rewrapped at the infirmary, but the doctor’s actions still confused me. Maybe they just had another patient they were worried about. I was probably just overthinking the whole situation.
As I unpacked the few changes of clothes, it was obvious I would need to get into town and buy more clothes. At least I needed to see if the mail came to the hotel or if I should get a deposit box.
I’d have to make a list of all the items I would need to buy and replace. So I had left behind much, but they were just things.
I’m sure Scott would have gotten rid of it all by now. Even if he expected me to show up, he still would have tossed stuff so I would ‘learn a lesson’. At least, I wouldn’t have to live like that anymore.
Digging through the suitcase, I pulled out a pair of black work pants Kat had bought for me, and a black button-up with long sleeves. The bandage was at least covered. Didn’t want to freak out any guests on my day off.
When I touched my lip, I remembered I needed to clean the piercing. I wasn’t going to take the jewelry out, but it needed to be maintained to keep infection out. After all the trouble it took to get redone, I wasn’t planning on letting it close up again.
I thought about putting on makeup, but I wanted to give my face a rest. I only had one pallet with me, and I would have to go through and replace most of my skincare routine. It was better to give my skin the day off until I could properly cleanse and moisturize.
I grabbed my phone and key card and double-checked my reflection. I hardly recognized myself. Most people would complain about going to work, but here I was excited to have the opportunity of working a job I’ve always wanted.
As I left the room I had to try and remember how to get back to the main hallway. If I could do that, I’d at least be able to grab something to eat and drink at the dining hall before my shift started.
It would help if I could tell these hallways apart from each other. I may have lived in the city, but being directionally challenged made life hell.
There was a group of employees wearing hotel name tags at the end of the aisle. Maybe I could ask them to show me where to go?
The moment I stepped down the hallway though, the entire group looked at me as if I had just walked out of a spaceship. They didn’t look angry but had three sets of eyes staring me down, which made me turn back around in the direction I had come from.
That was weird right? Why would they make that face? My tattoos were covered with the shirt, and my piercing was small, but maybe they felt a kind of way about appearance around here. My hair wasn’t even colored and I was still getting weird looks.
For a moment, I thought maybe it was my skin tone. It wouldn’t be the first time I got weird looks from others. It happened often with Scott’s coworkers when they would mistake me for a server, but looking back I’m not sure those were actual mistakes.
I ended up going in another direction, but now I couldn’t even find my room. Maybe if I went back there, I could start from scratch and get out of this never-ending maze.
The more people I passed on my way, the more I noticed the staring. Each person would look at me with a sort of contempt in their eyes. I wasn’t sure what was going on, but I needed to find my way out of here fast.
I could feel moisture on my cheeks as a few tears slid down. Not now. Not here. I needed to get a grip.
Each step made my breathing more labored. I rounded another corner, still unsure of where I was, and finally leaned against a wall trying to catch my breath.
The harder I tried, the less air I could take in. I felt lightheaded and was sure I was shaking at this point. I slid to the floor, hoping this would pass quickly.
It was bad enough to be having a panic attack gearing up, but to do it in public, was one of my fears. I didn’t want anyone to see me like this, but I had nowhere I could go. I couldn’t even find my room.
I brought my knees up and wrapped my arms around them, hoping to steady myself. There was no fighting it off now I realized as I began to shake. I just needed to ride it out alone.
It’s not like it was the first time. I had always been alone when this happened, so why was it any different now?
The world became quiet around me as my breathing became more rapid. I closed my eyes, hoping this would all be over soon as my panic manifested itself for everyone to see.
Brenna POV
“Are you alright? Miss?” a squeaky voice called out to me.
I couldn’t tell where it was coming from. It sounded like I was underwater and whoever was talking was calling out to me from the surface. The voice didn’t stop speaking though. I tried my best to focus on it and regulate my breathing.
As the fog around me began to fade away, I realized I was seated against a wall in the hallway. I wasn’t alone either.
Next to me was a young woman with a short red bob and striking blue eyes.
“Are you alright, Miss. You’re breathing is more even now.”
I tried to open my mouth but coughed as I realized how dry my tongue had become from hyperventilating for so long.
“Here, I have some water if that will help,” the young woman said as she held the water bottle out to me.
My hands still felt weak, and I tried to lift them, but they felt so heavy. I leaned back against the wall and just focused on my breathing.
“Is it alright, if I help you drink, I mean?” The young woman asked. I wasn’t sure who she was exactly but knowing she had stayed by my side until I could regain some sort of composure meant all the world to me.
I nodded, and she lifted the water bottle slowly to my lips. I took a few sips and immediately felt the cold relief trickle down my dry throat.
“Thank you,” I rasped out. It didn’t even sound like my voice, but I knew it would take a while to shake off the after-effects.
“Does that happen often?” Her question was polite, and she seemed to be genuine with the soft smile she gave me as she waited for my reply.
“It’s been a few weeks. I was hoping they would stop soon, but I guess I was wrong.” I felt some of the feeling return to my hands and reached out for the water bottle.
I took another swig and hoped my lips would stop feeling numb soon. This was the part I hated most. The persistent tingling that made my skin crawl when I started to come out of it. This was going to last for another hour or so at least.
“Do you want to go to the infirmary? It’s just downstairs.”
I shook my head. That was the last place I wanted to go.
“Are you hungry?” the young woman asked shyly. “I know a place, I mean, it’s the same one we all go to.”
She fiddled with her hands before standing up. She put both her hands out for me to take.
Whoever she was, she didn’t have to stop and help me like this, but she did. She hadn’t even made a face or anything while helping me. She was very kind.
“Thank you,” I rasped out as she helped me to my feet.
“No worries. I just couldn’t tell if it was an anxiety attack or a panic attack. Now I know for next time,” she stopped and waved her hands. “I mean, I hope there’s not a next time, but if there is, I got you.”
It was hard to smile, but I managed a soft laugh.
“Oh, by the way, I’m Molly. You must be Brenna, right?”
I felt myself stop at her words. Who was I talking to?
“How did you know who I was?” I tried to keep my voice from cracking, but I was failing miserably.
“Oh, everyone knows,” Molly brushed it off as she looked down the hall. “The news cycle is pretty boring around here, so yeah, everyone knows you’re new. It will pass by the weekend though. Shiny things always catch their attention, but they are easily distracted. So don’t worry about it too much.”
I nodded. That actually did make sense. Even though the hotel was huge, it was still a finite space in the grand scheme of things. Of course, people would be intrigued by the slightest change around them. It was only natural.
I just wish they hadn’t stared at me as they did. It just made me feel so uncomfortable.
As we walked in silence, I could see Molly go to open her mouth and then shut it just as fast. She must have a hard time talking to new people. If I hadn’t just come out of that fog, I would be much more talkative, but it was taking a while to get myself grounded again
“Here we are. I thought I’d never find the stairs.” I felt relief wash over me. At least I wouldn’t be late tonight.
“I got lost a lot when I first came here. You get used to it after a while, though. I’m sure they will have a map for you at the front desk tonight, so you can learn the layout better.”
As we got to the bottom of the stairs, Molly directed me through the crowded lobby. No one was checking in or out, but mostly mingling and chatting with each other.
I tried to keep my eyes focused straight ahead, but I knew the others around us were staring at me.
Molly held the door open to the dining hall for me. Luckily, it was late, so the seating area was practically empty. From the door, I could make out a buffet area as well as a couple of places that offered sandwiches or fried foods.
I took in the room around me when Molly waved me over to a small table against the wall.
“Have a seat and I can get you something to eat. Do you have any restrictions or preferences?”
At first, it surprised me she would ask me that, but then I remembered she worked here, so that was something she would be aware of in any meal situation.
“Just a strawberry allergy,” I said as I took a seat in the two-person booth.
“That’s awful! I’ll make sure to avoid them. I’ll be right back,” Molly put both hands out and waved them up and down at me, “don’t go anywhere, k?”
Molly darted off quickly. She must have been in her early twenties or so.
I couldn’t help but feel lucky we had run into each other in the halls.
Even though the hall was practically empty, I could still see a few heads turn in my direction. It was so strange knowing I was being watched. Maybe Kat was right, and this place just had a different vibe check than what I was used to back home.
The sigh left me before I realized it. This was something I’d just have to adjust to. Eventually, I’d be boring again, and I’ll feel more comfortable whenever that finally happened. I could make it until then.
It’s not like I had a choice, so I would just have to endure for a while. I’ve dealt with so much worse before, so this should be something I could handle now after everything I’d been through.
Molly walked up with an armload of snacks along with an extra water bottle.
“I wasn’t sure what you wanted or if anything sounded good, so take some of this with you during your shift.”
“You didn’t have to bring so much. Thank you.”
I picked my way through to find a sandwich, veggie crisps, a small banana nut muffin, granola bars, and a slice of pizza.
“Eat the pizza first though, you don’t want that when it’s cold,” Molly laughed a little too hard as she sat down.
I didn’t realize how hungry I was until I started eating. Molly scrolled through her phone as I devoured the pizza and the sandwich.
“I wish I could be there,” Molly said as she looked at her phone.
“Where?”
Molly jumped a little at the sound of my voice. I should work on not startling her, she seemed to be a nervous person in general.
“Oh, at this movie premiere,” she said as she held her phone out. The clip playing was at a premiere for one of the big season releases.
“My friend and I used to go and wait outside the premieres in high school. Ended up with quite a few autographs too.”
Luckily those were all tucked away safely at Kat’s place.
“That’s so cool! You must miss the city. I’ve always wanted to go,” Molly said with that dreamy gaze people had when they dreamed about living in the big city one day.
“I hope you get to. It’s not for everyone, but it has its good points.”
No more traffic, public transport, and best of all, no more uncomfortable fancy cocktail parties. As much as I would talk smack about home, it was still the place where I got my start in life.
“What was the best part about it?” Molly asked with wide eyes.
That was the easiest question she could have asked.
“The food. You can’t get all the variety that’s out in the world without being in such a diverse area. There were always new trends to try or new styles I would get to eat without having to travel on a plane. It was all right there whenever I wanted.”
“That’s exactly it! My dream is to try food everywhere I can so I can be a better cook.”
“You should. That would be such a fun life.”
“Maybe one day,” Molly said as she fidgeted with her phone. “I haven’t left the hotel since I was little. It’s where I’m safe, and that’s hard to walk away from.”
I understood what she was saying, at least as much as I could. She sounds like she was practically raised here, so that would make it all the more challenging to leave behind.
“I hope you get to go one day.”
“It’s almost nine! Are you sure you don’t want to go to the infirmary? I’m sure they won’t mind waiting for you.”
“I’m sure. Let’s go.”
Molly pulled out a bag from her purse and put all the extra snacks in it before handing it to me.
Even as I stood up and walked away, I could swear people were watching me leave. Maybe I was just being paranoid at this point. Especially with what just happened on the second floor. Hopefully, tomorrow things would be easier.
We walked into the lobby when I saw someone tall standing at the concierge desk. The closer we got, I realized I knew exactly who was at the counter. Why would he be there though?
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