Hotel Room

I stepped gingerly into the room, casting my glance instinctively. You only need to be mugged once in your life while walking through a darkened room through the door to know that you should always be aware of your surroundings. Apart from the obvious darkness, it was inky black throughout, nothing out of the ordinary.

I quickly shut the door behind me and heard the familiar click as the door locked itself from the outside. I flicked the light switch and squinted a little as the bright overhead lights came on and cast their unforgiving brightness upon the contents of the room.

It was as I expected from a quiet motel, a simple room with a bed, a dresser, a table, a couple of chairs, and a bathroom to the side. The bed was made, thank goodness, and the curtains were closed. I stood away from the curtains as much as I could---already I felt vulnerable having the lights so bright and my silhouette easily viewed by anyone outside without me having the chance to make sure I was safe.

I hugged the walls of the room towards the bathroom to keep it a look-see. The last time I was mugged, it was from someone who had hidden himself in the bathroom, one of the places that I so happened to not have to go to before I turned in for the night, a mistake that cost me quite a bit of money and anguish in the end. The bathroom door was closed---not a good sign. I took a deep breath and braced myself as I gripped the door knob firmly with both hands, give it a quick twist before pushing hard on the door.

The door swung inwards, creaking slightly. The light of the room did not make its way into the bath room, and I waited impatiently for a few seconds to try and detect any movement from within. Seeing none, I reached over and flicked the light switch that was next to this door. The fluorescent light overhead flickered alive and illuminated the bath room. The shower curtains were drawn; the bath tub was empty. And there was no one sitting at the toilet bowl itself. Safe; for now.

One last place to look: the dresser. It was one of those walk-in cabinet type of dressers, and only because it was cheaper to have one of these built into the building than to have to allow destructible furniture to be put in. I stepped away from the bath room and made my way to the dresser, again careful to stay as close to the walls as possible. The door to the dresser was ajar, not a good sign.

With my heart in my mouth, I swung open that door as quickly as I could. Apart from a couple of abandoned hangers, there was nothing else in there.

I started to breathe a little easier. I guess it will be a good night tonight.