This day. This … – holiday, if one could even call it that. It wasn’t like the hotel was already crawling with ghouls on a daily basis. And she wasn’t just referring to the dead. It seemed every sick twist in the world wanted nothing more than to cozy up with some murderer that moseyed up and down these corridors. Perhaps that was why the woman had stopped waiting around at the counter. Guests were all the same; if you met one freak you’d met them all. Liz had assumed death would give her that one reprieve, to be surrounded by friends and loved ones after a life of fear and agony.
Light eyes left her well worn copy of Wuthering Heights, instead following the dark and evil looking thing skulking around the lobby. He was a sight for sore eyes, even by the hotel’s standards. It wasn’t her job anymore, to greet all those who dragged themselves in and tried to make this place home. But if she didn’t say something, no one would. No one else in this place was careful enough to speak first, instead just blindly reacting then dumping the shit storm on her doormat.
Liz slammed the book shut, finally emerging from her little hiding place to greet the guest with her well rehearsed speech. “Mr. Drake would like to formally apologize, but the hotel is all booked up for the night – “ She started, palms outstretched and resting on either side of the desk. “What with our hotel’s … colourful history and an unfortunate gathering upstairs, we’re overcrowded. If you’re in town for the holiday I’d be happy to get your name for a reservation another night?”
A regal walk follows a new figure into sight. The Crow sees her first, small black eyes transfer the visual to the dead man, facing her un-surprised. Paint-covered brows woefully arch at the words spoken, a harmless assumption, in a mime-like expression. Much too vivid eyes fall upon her, docile, almost gentle. An apology in them — an apology forewarning his real intentions. An undetectable tilt of his head, the apology gain a new heavy sorrow. The bird’s eyes, Eric’s, Liz wasn’t alive — and so the feathery animal told him.
⊰ SHE AIN’T HERE, KID. ⊱ The beaked creature cawed from above. A misfortune. Ms Taylor was dead.
“Apologies, ma’am.” Eric spoke, a delicate, courteous bow of his head at the words. “I’m afraid there has been a misunderstanding.” the bird took a dive, landing on a chandelier. “It is not shelter I seek.” though the junkie floors above might need it. “I must meet someone, you see. They call him Fun-boy.” visceral thoughts emerged like wild beasts to their prey, hungry and unsatisfied, lusting for blood and horrors past. The memory of Shelly, of that night, came to him. There was laughter, grotesque laughter — Fun-boy’s.
A rage boiled inside him, the black-clad man. A hatred and thirst for vengeance beneath his polite demeanor. The crow fluttered away and onto the second level, perching on the rail, its eyes still on Eric. “You’d have my eternal gratitude, Miss Taylor, if you could direct me to make his acquaintance.”
Firm steps took place. A towering shape dressed in black, his boots leaving tracks as he walked into the HOTEL. The rain hadn’t stop. It was DEVIL’S NIGHT, after all — & the midst of rain season in L.A. The dead man made his way into the CORTEZ, the black bird flying in after him. Taking a dive over his shoulder and heading upward, resting near the ceiling, watching the former musician from above.
In a whisper to himself, Eric spoke. “— Seven black birds in a tree, count them and see what they be.” wet, thick soles came into contact with the HOTEL’s carpeted floor. “One for sorrow, two for joy.” at every step, Tin-Tin’s coat swung around his shape. “Three for a girl, four for a boy.” Fun-boy was to be found in some crevice. “Five for silver, six for gold.” the junkie, he would meet his maker tonight. “Seven for a secret that’s never been told.”
⊰ HEY, ERIC. RING THE BELL. ⊱ The feathery creature cawed from feet away.
Eyes scanned the lobby only to find not a soul in sight. Decisive stature approached the front desk, and the man’s electrical-taped hand tapped rhythmically at the miniature bell of silver. Finally murdering the silence. There was a man who resided there. In the depths of the CORTEZ. Someone he’d been searching for. Unfinished business to be dealt with. A blur of memories past came —- his former self had been here once. Funny to think the HOTEL still stood, and Eric, quite untimely, could no longer take a breath. “They’re all going to die.”
