“Thanks.” I smiled and collected my belongings before turning toward the glass door. Outside, the deluge continued, and I tucked the key and money into my pocket, before reaching for the door. A shadow fell over me from behind.
Thinking I’d forgotten something, I turned, expecting the lady from the counter. Instead it was one of the men from the couch, wearing a purple silky shirt, open half-way to showcase his hairy chest. He smiled with yellowing teeth, even though he looked to be in his late twenties. He really should take better care of himself, but I somehow doubted he’d appreciate me suggesting he brush at least twice a day.
“You got an appointment tonight?” he asked, slouching against the faded wall with his hands in the pockets of his jeans, while he stared at me with a sly grin. His gaze trailed up and down my soaking wet body.
An Appointment? I had no idea what he was talking about.
“I need to get to my room,” I said, turning back around as two young girls, maybe eighteen or nineteen, rushed inside with an umbrella they shared. A massive man followed them, clearly some kind of guard for the women.
I stepped back as they splashed water everywhere, including on me.
“Bitches,” the guy snapped. “You’re getting me fucking wet.”
They sneered but never said a word as they rushed over to the other man by the couch, taking a seat on either side of him. They all chatted in whispers, and only then did I realize they most likely were hookers and these guys were pimps.
“So?” The purple shirt guy asked. “You up for a fun night? I’ll get you a warm meal.” He glanced down at my bag with its microwaveable chicken meal, chips, and tub of ice cream. “And some fresh clothes. We can all do with a fresh start. I’ll have your back.” He sniffled and rubbed the back of his hand under his nose.
Fresh start. Yes, that was exactly what I needed. I had to stop fooling myself that I’d ever get ahead in my current life, especially with three Vepar on my heels. I knew exactly what I had to do over the next two days. Come up with a plan to leave this city, maybe the state. Relocate to a small town where things were cheaper, where I could keep to myself. Maybe I’d explore getting a job at a school or something better than a cafe. I’d start an online course to get ahead and be able to demand better pay. And a small town would probably have fewer Vepar...or hopefully no Vepar.
I didn’t know where a place like that existed, but I had two days to work out a complete rehaul of my life.
“Yo, you’re being fucking rude, just ignoring me.” His voice climbed, but I didn’t have time for him.
“Thanks for your insight,” was all I said, gaining myself a confused glare. I ignored his attempt at further conversation, and I darted outside where the ferocious wind and rain once again hammered into me.
Within minutes, I stepped into room 222 and slammed the door shut behind me, quickly locking the two flimsy locks available on it. A new sense of excitement and nerves coaxed my pulse into a race. I was doing this finally… making a change I’d been pondering for months. Sure, I just earned a new job, but what good was that if the Vepar were planning on kidnapping me, or whatever they had planned? I’d start new. I’d done it before, and I could do it again.
I switched on the light to see a small room with a double-sized bed against the one wall, brown patchy carpet, and a round table with chairs at the back. Nearby stood a small counter with a coffee machine, packets of coffee, filters, and several cups. Looking around I found a microwave on the bathroom counter. Perfect.
It was a crappy room, but somehow it didn’t feel as terrible as it could. Here I didn’t have to look over my shoulder wondering when the Vepar were going to show up next.
I dumped my bag on the table and prepped my frozen meal, starting the coffee maker up too so that I could help myself warm up. I then stripped off my wet clothes and pulled on the folded robe I found in the bathroom.
Yep, tonight was the start of a new beginning. I giddily picked up the ice cream and plastic spoon that I had gotten from the store and ripped off the lid. For once, I was going to try doing things differently, starting with eating dessert first. I dug into the ice cream and pushed aside the worried thoughts that somehow the Vepar would track me down no matter where I went. If I thought like that, I might as well give up right now.