"I need to get in that room."
"Ma'am, I cannot give you the key to a room. That is against our policy."
"My kids are in there, and they are not answering the phone. I'm not leaving until I know they're okay."
"I'll call the room again."
It was 9:00 in the morning, and Olivia was having a panic attack. She couldn't get in contact with Savannah, Serenity or Karen. She had a missed call from Savannah, and when she called her back the phone was going to voicemail. She didn't have her friend's number. She drove to the friend's house before coming to the hotel. There was no car in the driveway and no one came to the door when she rang the doorbell. Serenity's phone rang and she didn't answer. The same with Karen.
"No answer."
"I need to speak to the manager."
"Is there a problem?"
"My kids are at this hotel, and they are not answering the phone."
"How old are your kids?"
"21 and 14."
The manager shook his head. "I can't help you. If there was only a 14 year old in the room, I would let you in there. I can't give you the key to a 21 year old's room."
"They are not answering their phones."
The manager was stuck between a rock and a hard place. If there was a 14 year old in the room and she was not okay, their hotel would be sued. If there was a 21 year old that didn't want to be disturbed, there would be a complaint to their corporate office.
"I'll go make sure your 14 year old is okay."
Olivia followed the manager upstairs. When no one answered the door, he unlocked it with his key. Olivia walked past him. She was surprised to see Savannah and not Karen. There was an empty pizza box on the floor, plastic cups and a soda bottle. A full bottle of wine was next to the TV with a bowl of popcorn. Karen's car keys were next to her purse.
"Savannah!" Olivia yelled.
The manager shook his head and left. He wasn't going to argue with Olivia.
Savanah opened her eyes and looked around confused. The loud noise woke Serenity.
"Mom." Savannah said, wiping her eyes and looking at the alarm clock.
"What are you doing here and where is Karen?"
"I called Karen. I wanted to stay at the hotel."
Serenity threw the covers off her legs and looked around for Karen. She didn't want to get Karen in trouble. She wasn't in the bathroom or the hallway.
"Where is Karen!"
"I don't know." Savannah said, shrugging her shoulders.
"How can you not know where she is?"
"She never came back from the bar downstairs."
"Serenity, where is Karen?"
The question didn't get an answer from Serenity. She chipped her nail polish and wouldn't make eye contact with Olivia.
Olivia put her purse next to Karen's. "Both of you need to start talking. Now!"