NOVEL NEXT WORLD Chapter 2: The Nagan Hotel
As Ethan and his crew settled into the luxurious penthouse, he couldn't shake the image of the mysterious lady from his mind. The penthouse was stunning, featuring six spacious bedrooms adorned with intricate woodwork, plush furnishings, and breathtaking views of the surrounding landscape. The living area was expansive, with high ceilings and large windows that let in the warm sunlight, casting a golden hue across the elegant decor. The aroma of freshly brewed coffee wafted through the air, mingling with the faint scent of the sea that drifted in from the balcony. "Guys, we have to check out that hotel tomorrow after breakfast!" Ethan exclaimed, flipping through the strange images on his camera, his curiosity piqued.
Earlier that morning Ethan chatted with his wife over the phone, "I'm just planning to take a walk with the guys." The sound of her laughter echoed through the receiver. "You should really rest, you know." He could picture her shaking her head, a playful smile on her lips. He chuckled, "I'm fine! Just a little adventure." "Ethan, I'm just being cautious ," she teased, brushing off his excitement. "Just take care, okay?" With a soft smile, he kissed her goodnight, aware that it was nighttime back in Canada, before dressing in local attire to blend in. The crew followed suit, donning traditional batik shirts and sarongs, their faces partially covered with lightweight scarves to shield them from the sun and to avoid drawing attention.
Stepping outside into the sweltering sun, they carefully tracked their route, greeting locals with nods and smiles, picking up a few curios along the way—handcrafted trinkets and vibrant fabrics that spoke of the rich culture surrounding them. The streets were alive with the sounds of bustling markets, the calls of vendors, and the distant laughter of children playing. After a 20-minute walk, they arrived at the abandoned hotel, its entrance looming ominously like a mouth ready to swallow them whole. The structure was a crumbling relic of a bygone era, its once-grand façade now marred by years of neglect.
Inside, the interior was vast, with peeling wallpaper that hung like tattered memories and dust-covered chandeliers dangling precariously from the ceiling, creating an eerie atmosphere. The reception area was filled with scattered debris, remnants of furniture and broken glass, and the air was thick with the scent of mildew and decay. Despite the warmth emanating from the rooms, every door they opened revealed emptiness, a haunting silence echoing their footsteps. The elevator, an ancient contraption, looked rusted and precarious, its doors slightly ajar as if inviting them into its dark maw. They decided against risking it, fearing it might collapse without electricity.
Determined, they made their way to the 12th floor, where the hallways were dimly lit and eerily similar, the flickering lights casting long shadows that danced along the walls. As they explored, the atmosphere grew heavier, a palpable tension hanging in the air. Ethan felt a chill creep down his spine as he recalled the warnings they had heard about this place. When they attempted to find the stairs to the 13th floor, they were met with a dead end—a hallway that seemed to stretch endlessly, offering no clue to the elusive stairway above.
Suddenly, a soft sound caught Ethan's attention, a faint whisper that seemed to echo from the darkness. He turned to his friends, their faces pale with apprehension, and whispered, "Did you hear that?" They nodded, eyes wide, as the air grew colder, a shiver running through them. With a deep breath, Ethan led the way, his heart racing as they approached the end of the hallway, where a door stood slightly ajar, beckoning them to uncover its secrets.
As they stepped through the threshold, the atmosphere shifted dramatically. The room was filled with an unsettling stillness, and the walls were lined with old photographs, their subjects long forgotten. In the corner, a mirror reflected their anxious expressions, but something was off—the reflection seemed to linger a moment longer, as if it had its own consciousness. Ethan felt a surge of unease as he raised his camera, capturing the moment, only to discover upon reviewing the image that a he saw a tall woman with normal body proportions but unnaturally long legs and arms, her face bearing a plain expression that contrasted sharply with her haunting beauty. This unsettling revelation sent chills down his spine, heightening the tension as they continued their exploration. He turned around and saw no one besides his crew who were all looking at the things inside the room taking random pictures.
Ethan then caught a glimpse of a woman's hands disappearing into a room next to where they had gathered. His heart raced as he rushed toward the door, driven by an inexplicable urge to uncover who—or what—had just slipped away. He pushed the door open, anticipation coursing through him, only to find the room empty and silent, as if it had never been occupied. The eerie stillness left him questioning his senses; could it have been a figment of his imagination?
When he returned to his crew, he found them laughing and shaking their heads, all in unison declaring that their trip to the abandoned hotel had been a total waste of time. They agreed to head to the pool to spend the rest of their day in the sun, enjoying the lively atmosphere. Although Ethan nodded in agreement, the strange encounter lingered in his mind, an unsettling feeling creeping over him.
As they walked toward the hotel, he couldn't shake off the sense of a macabre pull toward the abandoned building, an inexplicable connection that gnawed at him. Despite the crew's lighthearted banter and excitement for the pool, Ethan's thoughts drifted back to the hotel, the mysterious woman, and the unsettling feeling that something had been waiting for him there. Nevertheless, he pushed those thoughts aside and joined his friends, determined to enjoy the rest of the day, even if a part of him remained tethered to the shadows of the old hotel.
Ethan and his crew made their way to the hotel's swimming pool, a stark contrast to the eerie ambiance of the abandoned hotel they had just explored. As they approached, the sun glistened off the water, inviting and refreshing. The pool was packed with tourists and locals, all eager to catch a glimpse of their idols. The men in Ethan's group, with their amazing fit bodies, dove into the water, showcasing their toned muscles and athletic prowess. Their laughter echoed around the pool, a stark reminder of the carefree atmosphere that surrounded them at that moment.
Fans crowded around the pool's edge, smartphones in hand, snapping pictures and recording videos. The air buzzed with excitement as they chattered about their favorite vloggers, eager to capture every moment. Some fans shouted out questions, while others clamored for selfies, their faces lit up with admiration. The energy was palpable, creating a lively scene filled with the sounds of splashing water and enthusiastic cheers.
Amidst the crowd, Ethan's gaze was drawn to a lady standing still, rooted to the spot. She was undeniably beautiful, with long, flowing hair that framed her face, but there was something eerie about her presence. She wore a simple white dress that billowed slightly in the breeze, contrasting with the vibrant colors of the poolside festivities. Her expression remained blank, and she didn't move or look up, which sent a shiver down Ethan's spine. The way she stood there, motionless, gave off an otherworldly vibe, as if time had frozen around her, creating an unsettling aura that set her apart from the bustling activity around the pool.
Intrigued and unsettled, Ethan pushed his way through the throng of fans, determined to reach her. Just as he was about to tap her shoulder, a group of fans pulled him back, their eyes wide with excitement. "Mr. Blackwood, sir! Could we have your shirt? You're like the greatest vlogger of our time!" they begged, their voices a chorus of admiration.
Ethan, caught off guard but amused, agreed to hand over his shirt on the condition that they wouldn't fight over it. After autographing the shirt and watching the fans erupt in glee, he turned back to find the mysterious lady had vanished without a trace. The sudden absence left him feeling uneasy, as if the strange pull he felt toward the hotel was now extending to this enigmatic figure. What was her connection to the hotel, and why did she appear just as he was about to reach out? The questions lingered in his mind, adding an unsettling layer to what should have been a carefree day.