HauntedHotel Entry 20 - Numbers

NUMBERS
I thought it was just a room. I was wrong.
Earlier, I’d checked into Best Western Hotel just opposite Bar Beach and called Simi to tell her I’d arrived. We’d been talking about hanging out whenever I found myself in Lagos and this just seemed to be the perfect opportunity. I had a 3-day conference to attend in Victoria Island and wanted to be close enough. I had family I could stay with on the Mainland but for someone who was used to the free flow of traffic in Abuja, I wasn’t even in the mood for the Third Mainland Bridge traffic.
Besides, staying in a hotel would afford me some much needed privacy. With Simi, anything could happen.
So I was surprised when I told her she should just ask to see me in Room 101c if she wanted to stop by and she went all superstitious on me.
“101c? Of all rooms to choose, you picked that?” “What do you mean? Come on, it’s just a room number Simi.” “I know but there’s been a lot of weird stuff going on, linked to rooms with that number all around the country. I’m not shocked you’re clueless about this though, you don’t even watch TV.” “That’s not accurate lady, I watch the English League.” “Idiot, na that one we dey talk? Watch the news once in a while dude, not every time nerd.” “Okay missy, you win. So I’ll see you later?” “Well if I’m not too tired you might see me tonight. If not, we’ll see after your conference tomorrow.” “Alright then, let me get some rest.” Maybe it was what Simi said but I suddenly felt a need to get out of the room. The air conditioning was set at 22 degrees but it felt like I’d been dumped in a freezer. I switched it off before heading to the bar to get a few drinks and ‘people-watch’ as I like to do whenever I change locations.
Two hours later, I went back to my room to catch some sleep. Simi wasn’t going to make it that evening.
It was still as cold as I left it. My body was a bit warmer from the vodka I’d consumed, so I crept under the duvet and switched on the TV. Simi’s orders – even though watching TV makes me sleep.
I woke up with a start in the wee hours of the morning and for some reason I couldn’t sleep anymore. I didn’t wake up to a nightmare but the dream I had was so vivid. It was getting dark; the sun’s reluctant retreat left a beautiful golden hue in the greying sky. I was alone in town but this time around, I felt I was being watched. I’m always alone in my dreams, I don’t dream of people so I’m used to not seeing anyone. This was different. At every turn, I could feel eyes on me. On every street, in every alley I went into, it was as if I had a penetrating gaze searing into my back. Yet whenever I looked back I saw nothing; no shadows, no footprints, no rustling leaves or disturbed space.
I decided to go to the top of the tallest building to see if I could get a better view or just gaze into the distance. The elevators were working, lights too. The building housed staff of the head office of a top bank but it was deserted now, like everyone closed, put their desks in order and disappeared. I got to the roof; there were a few canopies with chairs under them, probably for staff who felt the need to relax in the evening after work. There was even a scope on a tripod, possible handiwork of an inquisitive employee or director who felt a need to have a closer look at all that’s beneath him.
The scope was intriguing but I ignored it and moved closer to the edge. Looking from above, there wasn’t much to see except enjoy the scenery of concrete punctuating spaces in the skyline. I moved from edge to edge but there was nothing. What did I even think I was going to find? I shrugged as I stood for a few more minutes, deciding on whether to go back down or just take a seat and enjoy another lonely evening. I let out a deep sigh.
Then I was pushed.
That was when I woke up at 1:01. The LED indicator on my phone was blinking as usual – the insomniacs on my WhatsApp group were in action. Pretty sure it would be Kindle, Sossiq, Burner and Frank; crazy night owls as I’d like to call them. I smirked as I opened my pictures folder just so I could send a silly picture to interrupt their flow. The grin however slowly faded from my face at the first picture I saw.
It was a picture of me sleeping in the room with the same clothes I had on.
I checked the picture properties; it was taken at 1:00AM, a minute before I woke up from the dream where I was pushed.
Shit!

• Written by Deoye Falade