Hi there guys! I really hoped that you liked the last chapter, as I really enjoyed writing it. We got some tension going on! What will happen next? Who knows? I don't even know! Well . . . only sometimes. Anywho, I hope you guys like this chapter, and don't forget to send me comments and questions. I love receiving them!

Happy reading everyone!

Lovely Wanderer

Chapter 4 – The Hotel

I took a deep breath. I adjusted my backpack straps on my shoulders and tightened my grip on my suitcase.

No turning back now, I thought as I headed inside.

To say it was fancy would be an understatement. It was so . . . so . . . grandiose. I look around and see Jack across the lobby, leaning casually up against a column. Waving to catch his attention, I head over and greet him. "Hey Jack."

"Hey Dana," he replied.

I took another look around. "Merritt wasn't kidding when he said that our mysterious benefactor was super wealthy," I said, my eyes still drinking in the sight of the grand hotel's lobby.

Jack gave a little chuckle. I turned to look at him.

"What's so funny?" I ask.

"We look so out of place."

I took a glance at our clothes. Jack was wearing a black leather jacket, gray t-shirt, dark jeans, and black boots. I was wearing a grey cardigan, burgundy baby doll, dark skinny jeans, and black flats. I looked at all of the other hotel guests. They were clad in sharp suits with shiny shoes and briefcases or dresses with designer hand bags and lots of sparkly jewelry.

While Jack and I were dressed nicely in my opinion, we definitely stood out like a sore thumb. I guess these elitists will have to get over it, because it seems like we're going to be here for a while.

A cheery voice greeted us. "Hey guys!"

Jack and I turned to see the owner of the voice.

"Hey Henley," we said at the same time.

The redhead had a bright smile on her face and coffee cup in hand.

"This place is really extravagant. A girl can get used to this, right Dana?"

I cracked my own smile. "Right."

"All I'm saying is that we shouldn't be just sitting back and taking it easy while we wait for our benefactor to contact us!" Daniel's voice cut through the lobby and we saw him and Merritt coming to join us. He had yet another scowl on his face.

"Hey Danny, your face is eventually going to freeze like that if you keep scowling," I told him.

That just made him scowl even more.

"Daniel here was just explaining to me how we should get a head start on whatever plans our benefactor has in mind for the show," Merritt told us.

"But Danny, we just got here! Can't we just enjoy the hotel before we dive head-first into our work?" Henley pleaded, with big puppy dog eyes.

I watched him and could tell that he was arguing with his thoughts.

"Fine," he said with a little huff, reluctant to give in to Henley's request.

"Now that we're all here, let's head up to our room. Shall we?" Jack said, brandishing his room key and offering his arm to me at the same time.

I offer him a smile in return. "Yes, we shall," I replied, accepting his arm and linking it with my own.

We all started to head to the elevator. Except . . .

"Hey guys?" We all turn towards Henley. "Can you help me with my bags?"

We shot each other sideways glances.

"Sorry Henley, all our hands are full," Merritt said.

She gave a little snort and walked away, probably to find some unfortunate bellhop. There was no way that we would wait for her to get her bag situation taken care of, so we all piled into the elevator and hit the button to the top floor. I bounced on the balls of my feet in anticipation, my arm still linked with Jack's.

The elevator came to a stop and the doors slid open. Greeting us, was a beautiful hallway. Plush red and gold paisley carpet, ornate wallpaper with alternating thick and thin red and gold stripes, and decorative light fixtures on the walls with shiny teardrop shaped crystals graced the hallway.

I looked at everybody. Jack's mouth was gaping open, Merritt was grinning from ear to ear, and Daniel was trying to look unimpressed, even though his eyes said otherwise.

I was the first to step out of the elevator, and I practically ran to our room. I whipped out my key and slid it in the lock to open it. Opening the door, I took one look and my jaw dropped. It was the most amazing place I would ever stay in.

There was an amazing living room area with a big flat screen TV, two huge comfy couches, and floor to ceiling windows leading to an expansive balcony that gave a gorgeous view of the city and its skyline. Off of the living room was the kitchen, filled with seemingly brand new appliances. An island was in the middle of the kitchen, a granite counter graced the top, with six bar stools surrounding it, giving residents a place to sit and eat. In the right corner of the living room, opposite the kitchen, was a grand staircase that lined the outer edge of the room, leading up to a loft like area. I immediately headed up the stairs, wanting to know what was up there. I paused at the loft. It slightly jutted out over top of the living room. I could see the entire bottom floor from that loft. By this time, the boys had made it into the room. Their reactions were the same as mine.

I smiled, mostly to myself. If this was what the rest of our year was going to be like, I can't wait to see what's next.

I turned from the loft to explore the second floor. I discovered that it was the bedrooms. There were five of them, thank goodness. There was plenty of space in all of the rooms, as a queen sized bed, side tables, desk, and dresser were the only pieces of furniture in the rooms. Henley would have no problem finding space for all of her belongings. At the end of the hall was the bathroom. I walked to the bathroom and peeked inside. It was huge, with one of those showers that had the heads in the ceiling and walls. Next to that was a huge Jacuzzi bathtub. There were three sinks in a row and a huge mirror covering the wall to go with them.

I hear the others' exclamations of wonder and delight as they explore our temporary residence. I walk back down the hallway and see that everyone was claiming bedrooms. But they had already been claimed for us by envelopes addressed to each of us. I walked into my designated bedroom and on the bed was a swan made of towels, pillow mints, and the envelope with my name written in elegant script. I pick up the envelope and pop one of the pillow mints in my mouth. Turning the envelope over in my hands, I found that it was sealed with wax, and in the wax, was a symbol.

The Eye.