This is will probably be the last chapter for a couple of weeks. Starting to get busy with school and traveling every weekend and rehearsals and I've fallen behind on pre-written chapters. So please be patient!

CHAPTER THIRTEEN

Isabel was at a total loss. It was such a curveball that had been thrown at her, and she was honestly starting to feel like her life was a horrible fanfiction that she used to write when she was in middle school. Nothing was making any sense, and quite frankly it was giving her a killer headache.

She opened her mouth, but couldn't find the words to say. So, she closed her mouth, settling for the silence, though she found it incredibly unnerving.

There was one question she had, and it was one she didn't want answered. That question was a single word that had the ability to unlock critical information: why? Such secrets could be revealed with that simple little word. Yet, Isabel would prefer if those secrets remained unshared. She'd much rather have this silence than know the gruesome reasoning behind such revolting acts.

To her chagrin, the silence didn't last for very long as she and John were joined by a face that was familiar to both of them.

"Ah, Miss Noble! So glad you're getting this chance to admire my work," James said in his usual extravagant way that made him sound like he belonged more in the universe of Gatsby. He continued, "It is quite magnificent, isn't it? Such craftsmanship and bold choices."

Isabel had known about James' murderous habits. However, she thought she was safe from him. But what of John? She didn't know his habits. He could lash out at any second and it would be the end of her!

She was so ill at ease that she actually felt sick to her stomach. Isabel took a step away from the two men. "I… I think I need to lie down," she said, more of to herself than either of the killers.

"My dear, you look positively ghastly," James announced. "I'll send for Miss Evers. She will escort you back to your room. I'd do it myself, of course, as that is the gentlemanly thing to do. I'm afraid there is important business I must discuss with John."

Honestly, Isabel was relieved that it would be Miss Evers and not James who would walk her back to her room. She needed to get away both James and John. So, she walked out of the secret room in the wall and headed towards the door, where Miss Evers stood on the other side, as expected. Isabel left the hotel room, walking alongside the main in the hallway.

"Miss Noble, your room is right here," Miss Evers stated, brow furrowing as she watched Isabel continue walking along the hall, getting further and further away from Room 63.

"Not anymore," Isabel replied, not even glancing over her shoulder. She needed to change her room. She wanted to be as far away from Room 64 as she could get. If she could leave the hotel, she would. For now though, she'd settle on a room change.

"Isabel."

The use of her first name was enough to make Isabel stop and turn to face a worried looking Hazel Evers.

"You need to leave this place. It's too dangerous for you. You are far too trusting of those who are here."

Leaving was what Isabel was trying to do! But she couldn't. This place had a tight hold on her and she couldn't break free of it. "I don't trust anyone here," she told Miss Evers matter-of-factly.

Clearly Miss Evers believed that to be a lie. "You seem to trust me well enough. And that Sally. You best watch out for that one."

Sally… a ghost with serious abandonment issues. Isabel didn't understand the extent of Sally's obsession with people staying with her. She didn't know what Sally would do to ensure that no one left her.

With that being pointed out to her, Isabel realized that perhaps she was a bit too trusting. Was this Hazel's way of saying not to trust her? If that was the case, then she truly was alone. She couldn't rely on anyone for anything in this hotel.

Well, that just meant one thing: she needed to get help from outside of the Hotel Cortez, and Isabel knew exactly who to call.

"''"""'""""'"""

"I was surprised to get your call. I wasn't very much help to you the last time you needed me."

Billie Dean Howard had not changed at all. She still had the same long blonde hair, the same, perfectly manicured nails.

"Last time, there wasn't much you could do," Isabel pointed out, the scar on her arm tingling in remembrance.

Four years ago, when Isabel had lived in the Murder House, she had been attacked by that demon child that was Thaddeus Montgomery. Afraid of what might happen to her because of the bite, Billie Dean was contacted by Isabel's mother. Isabel had been told that there wasn't anything to be done. Thankfully, nothing bad had come of it, and the only reminder was the scar on Isabel's arm.

"Why are you even here?" Last Billie Dean had checked, Isabel had been living out in New Orleans. So, what brought her here to the Hotel Cortez?

"New book." Something innocent. That was what Isabel hated the most: this was just an innocent adventure that had turned into a fight for sanity. "Except now, I can't leave."

Immediately, Billie Dean knew what Isabel meant. She felt a strong, ghostly presence here at the Hotel Cortez. "This place has a hold on you, doesn't it? You've let it latch onto your soul." Billie Dean looked around the lobby. "This place is a parasite, and it will just drain your sanity."

That wasn't comforting.

"But is there a way out?" That was what Isabel wanted to know. Was there a way for her to get out and not suddenly end up back within the confinements of this place?

That was an excellent question, and honestly, Billie Dean didn't have an answer. But she was never one to admit that. Billie Dean truly was a medium. She was also full of shit.

"Sheer willpower," Billie Dean answered. "This place has a hold on you; you need to break away. Don't let it control you."

"This is a giant haunted hotel, not a controlling boyfriend," Isabel stated with a dash of salt in her voice. She folded her arms across her chest. Billie Dean wasn't being helpful in the way Isabel needed her to be. Just telling her to be strong wasn't enough! Isabel needed to know what she could actually do to get away. Being strong wasn't going to do her any good. "Billie Dean, I need to get out of here. I tried, and I ended up right back here. One second I'm on the road and the next, I'm in this damn lobby!" She was getting so riled up about this and in her opinion, it was for very good reason.

"Yes, I know… I've been thinking of having an episode of my show filmed here. I just need the owner to say yes."

Isabel was rendered speechless for a moment. Here she was, asking for help, and Billie Dean was going on about her goddamn TV show!

Seeing the stunned expression on Isabel's face, Billie Dean's own expression softened. "I know I'm not telling you what you want to hear. But it's all I can say. It's a battle you have to fight alone. The hotel is inside of her your mind. You have to push it out." She placed a hand against Isabel's cheek. "Just be strong."