Insanity

Steve sat on his bed staring out the window at the first snowfall. It had been snowing since Carrie's sixth birthday which has been a week ago. He knew there was something wrong with this place but, he didn't want to admit it. On the day the family was celebrating Carrie's birthday the little told an outrageous story that she saw her mother in the room she was not suppose to be in, room 237. He was given clear instructions for that room not to be opened to anyone. He didn't know why but, orders were orders. Steve remembered getting angry with her; he unintentionally hit her across the face. For weeks it has been bothering him, there was something wrong with the girl because before he began to apologies to her he saw for a brief moment that the girl's blue eyes turned black as the night.

Now Christine went into that room coming back with bruises on her neck. His wife accuse him of causing the marks when he knew damn well he didn't do it. He wouldn't harm a hair on his own daughter. After that false accusation he began to blame Carrie . Steve knew Annie wouldn't harm Christine so it only left Carrie as the culprit.

Steve Barker got out of bed wanting a drink really bad. He hadn't touched a drop of alcohol for months and hadn't had any craving but, ever since he'd been living in the Hotel he was having withdrawal symptoms. Steve went down to the Gold Room eyeing the bar across the grand room. There were no drinks on the other side of the bar which made Steve irritable. "Ah….I need a drink!" Steve walked over to the empty bar, he sat on the bar stool sighing, "I would give my soul for a dirty martini." He began rubbing his hands in irritation on not having a drink when he heard a British voice, "What will it be, sir?"

Steve looked up, the man was wearing a red tuxedo with a black bow tie. He had neat dark hair with brown eyes that were so dark they were almost black. "What would it be, sir?" asked the bartender. Steve looked over the man and was overjoyed that there was liquor on the other side. "I have two twenties and a ten in this wallet to get me some dirty martinis, Lloyd!" The man by the name Lloyd had a slight smile on his face, his stare was haunting but sincere. "Very good, sir," said Lloyd. As Lloyd began pouring the drink, Steve looked around him, laughing. "Not much of a crowd is there?"

"Don't worry sir, there would be a full house by this coming New Years. You sir are on the list." Steve laughed, taking the drink. He relished the taste of alcohol, it had been a long time since he had any. Steve took a couple of more drinks, he could feel the effects of the dirty martinis coming to him. "Are my family going to be in this party, Lloyd?" Steve slurred, he kept scratching his face since he couldn't feel it. "Of course sir, even your surprise guest is invited."

Steve frowned, "You mean Carrie Regan?"

"Yes, Mr. Torrence, is there a problem?"

"I think there is something wrong with that girl, Lloyd. Ever since she came here she has been nothing but trouble. She tried to kill my daughter, Christine. I'll admit I hurt Christine one time and I regret it but, I'll never actually try to kill her. You know Lloyd, I think that girl isn't human because today I hit her across the face. I swear I didn't mean to do that but it was mean I looked at her eyes and I swear to God that they were black as the pits of Hell themselves."

"You're right, Mr. Torrence, she's not human, she's a Cenobite."

"What?" Steve was confused. Lloyd went under the bar counter coming back up with a gold and black box with intriguing designs on it. Lloyd gave Steve the box, Steve began to observe it. "What is it?"

"It's the Lament Configuration or in other words Pandora's Box. It's how the Cenobite's are summoned."

"What are the Cenobites?"

"They're demons to some and angels to others, Mr. Torrence. They are explorers of pleasure and pain. They use to be human once but, not any more. Carrie on the other hand was born a Cenobite, she's quite unique."

"Why are you inviting her to the party thou? These things sound like monsters to me."

"These monster, sir, are a life force for us. Just having one of them here would keep the party going for a whole year. The little demon's mother is here with us right now in the basement. She was good for a while but her daughter would do so much more for us and for your family, Mr. Torrence."

"My family, but how?" he didn't get his answer. Lloyd and the alcohol were gone with in the blink of an eye. He heard his wife screaming down the hall. "Steve! Steve!" Stephen turned around to see his wife with a bat in her hand. She was beside him now. Her worry concerned him. "What's the matter, honey?"

"There's a mad woman in that room, Steve. Christine told me about it." Annie hyperventilated. "Are you sure?"

"YES" Steve took the bat from his wife. "I'll go look, honey. Now go to Christine and keep an eye on Carrie. I think there's something wrong with her." I know what's wrong with her, she's a demon girl, thought Steve. As Steve was going to look in room 237, Steve began thinking of ways to get rid of Carrie Regan, if that was really her name.