37 - The Receptionist

"Hello everyone." A lecturer called his students for a brief meeting in his office.

"Sir, you sent for us?" said the leader of the group.

"yes I did" replied the lecturer.

"I have an important research for you guys to carry out from now to 31 July and I need a clear

data on the research."

"Sir, on which location shall we be doing the research." They responded.

"It is at Enugu state, and it will take you three and a half days to complete the research

depending on how serious you guys are."

"you guys have a reward at the end of the research," the lecturer added.

"Ok sir! We will do our best to carry out the research from next week."

"You can leave my office."

A Phone rang.

"Hello! Yes I will be with you shortly."

"Guy, how far? what kept you" said chidi.

"There was so much traffic on my way."

"Ok. Can we go now.?"

This research group from the university was made up of 3 boys and 2 ladies: Chidi, Samuel,

Favour, Matthew and Amina. They set off on the journey by 2pm from Lagos to Enugu. When

they arrived at Enugu, it was getting dark.

"Let us look for a hotel nearby and rest our head, by tomorrow we set out for our research" said

chidi.

"Ok. I can see a hotel at that roadside." said amina. They all set out and moved into the hotel

and paid the fees. The receptionist took them to room 15 and 16.

"These room is so dirty, chidi can't we look for another hotel?"

" Don't worry, madam i know you will enjoy your stay in our hotel." said the receptionist.

"If you say so."

"Can you put on the Generator?"

"Yes madam" the receptionist left quickly.

The group packed out there bags; ladies at room 15 while guys at room 16. They all took their

bath and went to sleep. At midnight, amina heard a strange voice in the bathroom. she quickly

moved to the bathroom to know what was that but the voice quieted.

She call chidi's number. It was off. She tried Samuel's number. It was not reachable. she

ignored the voice and went back to bed. The voice came back again. This time both amina and

favour woke up immediately. Favour called the receptionist number. It was off. She rushed to

open the door but it was locked from outside. She was shouting for help but no one came.

Matthew woke up and called the attention of the other guys they have to break down the door.

Favour and amina were crying. When they ask them what was the matter none of them talked.

They only said "can we leave this place"

"No, it's late and we can't leave now till morning time."

"Ok. let me call the lady at the reception." Samuel went to call the lady for an hour but did not

return back.

the group became worried. Matthew went in search of Samuel.

"Jesus!" Matthew screamed. he immediately ran back.

"What is it!" Amina ask

Matthew was dumbfounded. he will not say what he saw.

"Talk to us. what is it?" Chidi asked angrily.

"I...i­it..it was Samuel"

"Yes Samuel did what?"

"I...saw...the lady eating..."

"Eating what?"

"Eating samuel!"

"You can't be serious."

"Jesus! We are finished!" Amina was shaking feebly. She couldn't hold herself. She burst into

tears.

"What shall we do now?"

"Chidi are you not talking again?"

"What do you want me to do?"

"I should go out there and fight an animal?"

"All we have to do now is to stay together and pray for morning to come" Immediately the voice

came back again. This time it was close at the door. Amina gasped and fainted.

"Chidi, check who that is." Matthew asked Chidi

"Oh! Are you not a man too. You can check, as for me, I am not going anywhere. After this night

I am going back to school"

"To hell with that so called research. I am done!"

Favour quickly picked up her phone and called the lecturer. It rang. It rang again. Chidi was

pacing from one corner of the building to another Matthew was sitting on the bed, clenching his

teeth tight and praying for daylight. The horrible voice started again and this time it seemed to

be inside the house.

Chidi opened Amina's bag and brought out a knife.

"What are you going to do with that knife" Matthew asked. "for protection of course." Chidi

reassured him.

"I'm pressed. I need to use the bathroom" Favour murmured "be careful." Amino whispered.

Favour went inside the bathroom and for a long time she remained there. Half an hour passed

and no one heard from her.

"Is she hiding inside the bathroom." Chidi asked. "Amina please check on favour?" He said

Amina walked into the bathroom.

"Jesus!" Amina cried loudly.

Immediately Chidi and Matthew rushed inside the bathroom. On reaching, they saw favour on a

pool of blood with her head bleeding from the toilet seat. Chidi held amina.

"Amina please you have to hold yourself." He sympathized. "This is not the end of the us. I know

we are going to leave this place safe." His voice wavered in doubt.

"Safe?" Amina cried.

"Safe you say. Tell me where is Samuel now?"

"Where is favour? You are talking about safe." She yelled.

The time was three in the morning and it seemed they were spending forever at the hotel.

"If morning comes, can we escape?" Matthew asked. What he saw already terrified him.

They stayed awake for a very long time.

Gradually the darkness of the night began to fade as light pierced through the Windows of the

hotel.

"Thank God! It's six. Can we leave now?" Amina was joyful. "Yes, we can. Matthew go and

check if the coast is clear" "Who are you asking to go, me?" Matthew said angrily.

"Are you not the leader." He added.

"You better check or we will go down together."

No one replied.

They packed up and went out together.

"Thank God! we made it!" Amina said as they came out in the open street.

"But where is that lady?" Matthew asked.

"I don't know. Let us call the police."

An hour later, the Police came and searched the hotel. They could not find the lady. They could

not find the corpses.

The Hotel was shut down.

• Written by Uzochukwu Elias