Getting to the Inn wasn't that much of a hassle. It was maybe a 15 minute walk. I started working at the Inn about 2 months ago and it has treated me well for sure. It's never really busy or anything because, well, it's literally a roadside inn. We get maybe 2 or 3 customers a week. Although, sometimes at night when I have to close, I get creeped out to check the rooms. It's a pretty old building and old buildings make noises. I guess I just get paranoid.
My foot slapped onto the pavement leading up to the little wooden porch of the inn. I climbed the few steps to the door and slid my key into the old knob. I used my shoulder to push open the door and stepped into the lobby, the smell of mothballs and wood flooding my senses. I sighed and pushed the door closed behind me. I called a soft hello to the morning janitor who grumbled a "g'morning" to me as he quickly exited the door. I walked behind the front desk and pulled the guest log binder out, displaying it across the desk for any residents who happened to roll in. I scooted up onto the floral print stool and swung my legs back and forth. I glanced at my watch, 4:35. It was a Friday afternoon and I was working the overnight shift. I heard harsh rain pick up outside and the heavy drops pelted the roof. I pulled out my psych book and decided to get a head start on the homework for next week because I knew no one would be coming in.
I slapped my book shut after finishing the fifth chapter and swung my feet off the stool. Glancing at my watch again I saw it was already 7:25. I grabbed my keys and made my way over to the laundry room to find the clean sheets which I folded and left from my last shift. I grabbed the large stack and balanced my keys on top as I hit the lights with my elbow. I walked down the small stairs to get to the first set of rooms. I placed the sheets on the floor and used my key to open the first door and grabbed one set of the too white sheets. The room smelled of fake pine and mothballs. I went over to the unmade bed and started the familiar process of pulling the sheets and tucking the corners. I folded the last crisp line on the bed when I heard a scuffling coming from one of the other rooms. I felt my heart pick up a little bit but quickly laughed at myself for getting worked up so easily, old building, old noises. I grabbed up my keys and locked the door behind me. I bent over to grab the sheets and the noise sounded again from one of the rooms across the hall from me. My face flushed and I felt that uneasy feeling you get when you're being watched or chased. I decided to be brave and open the door. I slid my key in and held my breath as I turned the knob extra cautiously. I slowly pushed open the door with my eyes almost completely shut. The door was completely open and not a thing looked out of the ordinary. I scolded myself for getting worked up until I heard the noise happening again from the other side of the room. My face paled, I could hear it so clearly, it was so close. I was for once completely scared.
