#HauntedHotel Entry Three - The End

Though there was no one at the front desk when we entered, Shola and I decided to ring the bell. The shrieking sound from the bell alerted the receptionist who came running out panting heavily like she was being pursued by something or someone. She welcomed us and we in turn explained our plight of the day to her and asked for the cheapest room they had.

We got to the room and was left dumbfounded by what we saw. The room can well be described as a presidential suit. I was so excited that I began to run around. Shola had to shush me down before I stopped.

I went for a bath and fell right asleep as soon as my body touched the warm, fluffy mattress. I remembered waking up in a panic. Looking around, the room was dark, my eyes trying to get accustomed to the little light that penetrated the room, trying to figure out where I was, then I remembered activities of the previous day and how we got to where we were.

I looked at my side and saw Shola snoring gently. I was trying to go back to sleep when I heard a faint noise coming from the next room. At first, I thought they were fighting, but it sounded more like they were packing in a hurry because of the sound of zipper and doors closing. Putting my ears close to the wall, I could hear faint conversations and I heard the man saying they were close and that they need to hurry, while the woman was crying silently.

I immediately shook Shola gently so as not to startle her. She opened her eyes and was obviously furious at me, immediately asking me why I woke her up. I had to quietly tell her to listen to what the couple in the next room were saying.

The look she gave me told me something was wrong and before I could ask what she heard, she told me to start packing and that from the conversation she heard, she heard him say people have been reported missing all over the country in mysterious circumstances and that there have been citing of a mysterious object moving around and its heading towards the hotel.

We packed our bags immediately and headed out the door. On getting to the reception, we saw other hotel guest scattered around, talking indiscriminately to each other. Some were crying uncontrollably on the phone and on each other’s shoulder.

An old man came around trying to ease the tensed atmosphere asking everyone to explain what they think happened. Some said that they heard there has been mysterious disappearance recorded around town. A young couple said their nanny called to tell them that she can’t find the baby in his crib. Another said his parents are missing, and some their spouse or relations.

It was at that point I was left bewildered because I knew exactly what was going on and I screamed ‘apocalypse’. They all looked at me and I could see the fear in their eyes knowing that the end has come, and the horror that will befall anyone that fails to disappear. Looking at Shola, we held each other and said a silent prayer, waiting for when the mysterious object will get to the hotel and hoping it’s not too late.

• Written by Danganna Toyin