There is a but a slight chill in the air as you approach the unlit, silent entrance to the structure you knew held so much promise. It had been lively, lit from within with this curious warmth that had all but deserted the stale grounds, your eyes fixed on the doors to the entrance. It was technically illegal, but curiosity had drawn you by its temptation to this point and had little reason to let you go now, as if there wasn't already enough trouble in Morioh to warrant someone coming after you for poking around an abandoned hotel. A deep breath calmed your nerves, excitement once more taking over as you approached the doors, pulling at the handles to find them quite securely locked. It was unsurprising and to be expected, you could always look for another way in. Turning away from the main entrance, your eyes catch a splash of colour amongst the dying grasses, a flower in full bloom lay under the illumination of a street light. That was odd considering the state of the place, but nothing untoward. What does make you perk up, the surprise making you whirl around quickly, is the sound of a door unlocking. Disturbing, and of course it would be best to leave well enough alone for this was a town already filled with unusual and bizarre happenstances, however, you do not. Through sheer curiosity, the thrill of the unknown or just the stubbornness to press on, you once again approach the front entrance to find a door open and welcoming for you to enter. Tugging on the cuff of your sleeve, you feel the electric sensation of adrenaline jump through you, fizzing relentlessly in the pit of your stomach just as uncertainty seeks to tie it into a knot. In spite of this, you are interested in the unlit foyer, only the moonlight illuminating the deserted and silent reception, keys still hanging in boxes, untouched. Plants seem to have been frozen in time, those decorating the lobby as alive as the day the place closed for business. The large windows are unobstructed, the nights vista clearly visible with the curtains as you approach one, looking out at the road and carefully touching one of the plants on a side table as to see if they were real or fake. Your fingers never reach it, as you turn around quickly, the paranoid sensation of being watched permeating your senses. However, there is nothing to be seen in the dark, though this does not put you more at ease. Thinking about it, it would have likely been prudent to use your phone as a flashlight, and you do just that, shining a bright beam into the darkest of corners and finding nothing but dust. Perhaps you were simply creating your own monsters in your head, it was pretty dark in the lobby, the perfect setting for a horror movie or more realistically, a crime should someone happen to be squatting in the now vacant hotel. Of course, you were not defenceless by any means, but the dark and unknown brought forth the most deepest of human fears. Despite it all, you continued, moving from the sitting areas to the reception desk, taking a key from the numbered boxes only to find it the only one. Hadn't there been a multitude of keys just before? You swore you had seen them, but now only this lone key remained for the taking. You were becoming more suspicious by the moment, though you still continued on despite yourself. A loud 'ding' made you jump, whirling around with wide eyes and a rapidly beating heart as the sound reverberated harshly. An elevators panel at the far side of the room had come to life, the doors opening to a warm toned light that was almost welcome had it not been so sudden and almost downright creepy. You enter, as if it was calling to you (hadn't this happened in a video game before?). You look at the numbered key, and go up to the fifth floor. Strangely enough, upon your exit from the elevator, you find the floor lit, even though you hadn't seen a glimmer of light from the outside on any floor. The bizarre wasn't new to you, but this was getting downright confusing, as you treck down the hall to the room to which you held the corresponding key. There was an air of excitement, your mind wandering as to what could be behind the door as your pace picked up, looking for the door that was yours to open. It was at the end of the hall, and your pace slowed as you came to face it, gripping the key in a fist. Slowly, you brought it up to the door, the possibility that there could be something dangerous behind it the last thing on your mind as you threw caution to the wind for this odd treasure hunt. You open the door, slowly turning the key then the handle, and seeing what lay beyond, what your courage and effort had rewarded you with. A gust of wind ruffled you hair and made you close your eyes for a moment as you discovered what lay beyond. An empty room, as quiet as the rest of the hotel. The window was open, the breeze from outside permeating the room and moving the stale air as you stepped inside. What had you been expecting? Some left behind treasure, a danger, a reward? You did not know and the silence of the room betrayed nothing, perhaps this floor hadn't been properly turned off at the breakers, perhaps it was faulty wiring that kept this side lit. It was on the far side of the hotel anyway, you couldn't have seen the lights on from the road regardless. Though, that didn't explain the elevator. As you were stuck in contemplation, you felt that same odd sensation of being watched, but as you turned around, you found yourself faced with a closed door. When had that happened? You hadn't heard the door close nor had you closed it yourself, and the breeze wouldn't be enough to close it either. Something was amiss, and you knew that you should likely leave at once lest you never do again, but even as these thoughts of a dangerous end to your adventure begin, the door creaks open on its own volition, the warm light of the corridor creeping in once more. You dread to see what lies beyond but cannot help yourself, as you reach to open the door, preparing yourself for the worst.. "Surprise!" Beyond lies the familiar faces you had seen many times before upon your visits to this hotel, though some smile, others look away from you, aloof and cold or simply indifferent. However, most are welcoming, as someone you know well steps to the front of the group, hands clasped together. "We missed you" they say, a smile gracing their features. "You didn't need to scare them half to death for a surprise!" Another pipes up "I don't care, just get this over with" was a gruff rebuttal "Hey c'mon! It was pretty fun!" A cheerful statement. You smile, guess this place wasn't abandoned after all.
