I woke up, with a huge headache, and my face buried deep in the hotel's pillow.
"Ugh," I groaned, sitting up. The covers were all twisted and my underwear was showing because of the position I was in. I blushed and pushed my gown down, the blush almost matching the fiery color of my hair. "What a night…." I took one hesitant glance at the door in front of me, and satisfied there was no laughing now, I began making the bed.
It was when I ran my hands through my hair when I realized just how sweaty I was. I ran my hand down my arm, seeing the sweat glisten in the bright sunlight. "Why am I so sweaty?" I then looked down at the bed, seeing that I probably woke up in the middle of the night and threw the covers off because of one thing: it's very hot in here, almost like there was no air conditioning. I frowned. "Well no wonder why I'm so sweaty. It's so warm in here!"
I made my way over to the air conditioner filter besides the bed, and looked it over. To my dismay, the temperature was the same it was last night—73 degrees. And normally when it was the low 70's I was freezing.
It was then I heard the wind.
Looking behind me, I gasped when I noticed something new.
The balcony door. It was open. Wide open. As if someone walked through here and merely left it open.
Feeling violated, I ran to it and closed it, the wind going away. I locked it for sure, and then leaned back against it, my eyes wide.
Did someone break in here last night? Was it those boys?
Suspicious, I looked back over to where all my belongings were and found everything where they were. I ran a hand through my hair again, feeling the curls tangling in my fingers. Great. I really needed a shower, and pronto.
"Whoever was in here," I told myself softly, "did nothing but walk through. No need to worry, Amber, you didn't get anything stolen. There's nothing to worry about."
So when someone began knocking on the door, I jumped and squeaked, diving behind the bed.
"Room service," A woman called from behind the door.
Relieved, I sighed and opened the door. The woman walked in with a bright smile, and I was shocked to see a young lady. "Good morning,"
"Good morning," I responded shakily, trying to look calm.
Don't make it look like your door was just open all night….did I even close it last night? Maybe I didn't and just forgot….
No I know for sure I closed that door. I'm positive.
"I love your night gown," The woman told me truthfully, taking out a broom. "Where'd you get it?"
"Um, Victoria's Secret."
"The color matches you. I almost thought you were a model when I walked in." She laughed to herself.
I bit my lower lip. "Thanks, but boy you're wrong. Well I'm going to just….take a shower now…."
"There's shampoo and soap and everything."
I held up my bottle of shampoo and conditioner I also bought from Victoria's Secret (boy does that stuff smell good). "I already have some."
"Oh what kind is it?"
"Apple." I hurried back to the bathroom and closed the door, setting the supplies on the counter.
I turned on the water in the shower, feeling the hot water against my hand. I quickly stripped of my clothing, making sure I was alone (I couldn't help but feel like I was being stalked), and got into the shower.
I stood there in the middle of the water for awhile, getting used to the warmth, just when I opened my eyes and screamed.
Clothes. Right on the counter, the opposite side where I carelessly set down my soaps. Good thing I locked the door because that woman's probably wondering what just happened.
"Miss, are you alright?" She called, slightly worried.
"I'm fine, I, uh, just saw a spider." I answered unsteadily, my eyes trained on the clothing. They were grey and I didn't know what they were exactly. All I knew was that they were very filthy and had a few holes here and there.
Whoever broke in sure didn't know how to leave without a trace. They failed in that aspect; that's for sure.
Looking around frantically, I found that, indeed, nobody was in the room. Feeling invaded once again, I quickly put the shampoo followed by the conditioner in my hair. I no longer cared about taking a shower: all I wanted to do now was get out of here.
I jumped out of the shower, not looking at the clothes at all; I dried off as quickly as I could.
"Um, do you see any clothes out there by my bag? I forgot them." I said to the woman through the door, my heart racing as I tried not to look at the clothes.
What if the intruder put a secret camera on the clothes and was watching me right now? Ah, Amber get the heck out of this place!
"Here you go," She slid my jeans and tank top under the door, even though I wanted to wear my regular t-shirt I didn't care. Good thing she added my bra and panties because my other ones were all sweaty.
"Thanks." I dressed swiftly, not caring how I looked in the mirror. I ran my hands through my wet hair, some of the water making my tank top damp, and quickly opened the door.
"You shower fast," The woman commented lightly, washing the windows.
"Um, did you hear about anyone breaking in? Like, anywhere in this building?" I asked shyly.
"No. Not at all." She looked at me in confusion. "Why? Did you see someone break in?"
"No, I just….heard some noises last night." I put everything in my bag and hurried out the door, waving at the woman. Practically running down the halls, I went to the front office and paid them for the night. Soon after that, I was back in my car, pulling out of the parking lot.
"Glad I'm out of there," I muttered bitterly, trying to get the scared feeling out of me, "I don't think I'll stay at a hotel for awhile now."
Soon enough, the traffic was getting heavy on the highways. I sighed in aggravation and pulled to the side, going a back way. "Forget this. I'll just take a back road."
When I glanced up at the review mirror, I saw someone with dark, tinted glasses on their car pull behind me. I shrugged and continued driving normally, trying to ignore the odd feeling in my stomach.
When I was halfway to Texas, I looked back up to see the same car. They looked so weird just coasting behind me, not too far yet not so close.
Once again, I continued driving, trying to ignore the feeling, again.
Soon enough, I've been driving for a few hours. It was late noon, and honestly, I was getting hungry. I glanced back at the bag in the backseat.
"Thank you Grandma for reminding me to pack something to eat," I said cheerfully, putting on my turn signal. I pulled over on the side of the road, seeing nothing but corn fields, and glanced back.
My heart sank.
That car pulled over the exact same time I pulled over.
My hands froze on the wheel and my legs felt numb. Suddenly, I had the urge to take off driving again, especially when I couldn't see the face of the driver.
Stupid tinted windows….why can't they at least make windows able to see through? What's the point of not being able to see through them? Seriously!
It was like the person was just….waiting….
Waiting for what? Me to get out?
Perhaps he's been trying to get my help for the past hours. Maybe I should go help him….
Or maybe he's the guy that broke into my hotel room….or maybe it's even a girl or something….
Getting enough courage, I turned off my car, opened the door, and stood out. My eyes immediately met the darkness of the person's car, still not being able to see through it. I prayed inside my head, going over my will as I imagined the person having a gun or something.
Stay calm Amber….just stay…calm.
I put on a careful smile and walked behind my car, getting closer to the person's vehicle. Still, I wasn't able to see through the glass.
I seriously wonder if it's a girl or a guy.
My breathing rate picked up as I got closer and closer, and soon, I was on the side of it.
As I peered deep into the glass, I could make out one shape. One simple shape.
A white, pale face, staring right back at me through two dark holes.