Nowhere Inn

Part One

    It was a pitch-black night, clouds lined the moonlit sky, "Are you sure this is the right place Jack, it doesn't look anything like the picture in the brochure" exclaims Ms. Daniels, "We can't go back now, it's about to rain" answers Mr. Daniels. They make their way up to the inns parking lot. "Yuck, this place is a complete dump, it's old and dilapidated, it looks like the wind could blow it over" says Ms. Daniels, "Well for the time being, we'll have to make the best of it, we'll stay for one night, but at the crack of dawn we'll be on our way" exclaims Mr. Daniels. "Alright honey, I love you" she says to her husband, "I love you too Helen" he answers back. They hurry on up to the inn as the rain begins to come down in a steady drizzle. Jack tries the door, it's locked. He lifts his hand and knocks on the door once…twice…three times, but no answer, a chilling silence surrounds them, except for the wind howling. Suddenly a voice calls out from behind the door, "Hold on a second, I'll have it unlocked in a minute". There is a click followed by the sound of someone running, "Come in" hollers the voice. Jack turns the knob and pulls the door open; the couple walk into the main lobby of the weather beaten old inn, Helen closes the door behind them, then turns back to face a large dim-lit room. In the corner closest to the door sits an elongated desk, and behind it a long shelf with boxes for each rooms key. They look around the room, the walls are barren, and there is nothing to liven up the place. "Welcome to Nowhere Inn" says a voice; they turn around to face a short elderly man sitting behind the desk, "Was he there the whole time, I did'nt even see him" whispers Helen, "Got me" exclaims Jack. The old man partially opens his mouth to smile exposing some grimy dentures, and speaking soothingly. "Hello, my name is Paul, I am the owner of this fine inn" he exclaims extending a gnarled hand. The couple think, (what is he talking about; this place is a complete dump.) "Pleased to meet you" says the Daniels taking his hand and shaking it, his hand feels as cold as ice, Ms. Daniels thinks it feels like death. Helen thinks that he looks like he could fall over and die at any moment. As if sensing her thoughts, he gives her a cheery smile, but she can clearly see something in his eyes, she turns to look away. "Does anyone else reside here in this inn, I mean besides you" asks Jack, "Yes as a matter of fact our maid and butler" he answers. "Anyone else" asks Helen, "Not to my knowledge, we tend to keep a record of our guests who stay here. Let me check, I will be with you in a moment". He removes a leather bound book from beneath the counter and places it down on the countertop. In broken faded letters it reads: (Nowhere Inn Guest Log). "Let me see, hmm…ah yes, our guests from yesterday have already signed out" Paul explains. "That's fine" exclaims the Daniels, "Now then, I'm sure you would like to know a little bit about our staff. Jenkins our butler is how you would say…crazy sometimes, but he is completely harmless I assure you. He is a little eccentric though, especially after his family was killed. Anyway, Helga our maid on the other hand is very kind; she enjoys talking to our guests. She tends to get lonely when no one is around to talk to, especially after her kid's abandoned her so many years ago" he finishes. "I am sorry to hear that" says Helen, she nudges Jack, "Maybe we'll pay her a visit sometime" he says, "I'm sure that she would like that. Now then let's get down to business; a good room is normally fifty dollars, but since I like you two, I am willing to knock it down to thirty" he says to the Daniels with that creepy smile again. Jack reaches into his pocket and removes his wallet; he unfolds it and removes a crisp ten and twenty dollar bill, then hands it over to Paul. Paul pushes a button and a draw pops open; he slowly places the money in the correct spots then closes it. He gets up and turns to face the shelf, then walks along it, and stops at a spot labeled room number nine. He reaches in and removes a key and walks back towards them with it. He hands the key over to Jack, "I'll get Helga to help you to your room" says Paul. He hollers "Helga", suddenly a door opens and a large woman barges into the lobby, she appears to be in her late forties, blonde hair with streaks of grey, small beady green eyes, large arms and hands, she is built more like a man. She seems to be at least seven feet tall, she looked like a character from a Scooby Doo cartoon. Her voice is kind of manly, "My name is Helga, nice to meet you" she says extending her large hand out. The Daniels reach out and  shake her hand, and then introduces themselves. Abruptly Paul fakes a cough to attract their attention, "Helga will you show this lovely couple to their room" he says with a wink. She makes a face then leads them down the hall towards their room, "What room is it" she asks, "It's room nine, thank you" says Jack. The hallway appears to be quite filthy; as if it were never cleaned, even with a maid around constantly dusting all the time, it was still disgusting. The faded red carpet's stained with water and some other substances unknown to them; foul smells of mildew reach their noses setting of Helen's sinuses. Aachooo! "Bless you" says Helga as they continue down the endless dimly lit corridor. The wallpaper is still noticeable, some of it is cracked and chipping, leaving visible spots of wood and stone. Finally they reach room number nine, and stop right in front of it, both turn around to face Helga, "If for any reason you may need something, I'm in room five right down the hall. Well goodnight and I hope you have a pleasant stay" she says as she walks back down the hall into the dark. Jack turns back and puts the key into the lock and turns it until there is a click, then turns the knob and pushes the door open. He fumbles for the light switch and flips it on, the room is instantly lighted and the room comes into focus. It's small and cozy, there are two beds already made with clean sheets and a blanket folded up at the end of each bed, a small bookshelf sits in one corner lined with many books, next to it is a small color television, between the beds is a small antique table with an alarm clock upon it. The couple walk in and close the door behind them; both place their packs on the beds and begin unpacking their clothes. Helen then makes both beds. They get ready for bed, then climb in and swiftly fall asleep.

. . .

    Around two O' clock in the morning, they awaken to the howling of a wolf outside the inn. Jack looks over at his wife and says, "Don't worry, we're safe, I'm here to protect you"he says lightly kissing her on her cheek. Both go back to sleep soundly for the remainder of the night.

    By morning they awake and get dressed, gathering up everything they brought and stuffing it into their bags without even folding it up first. They leave the room, first locking it up; they pick their bags up off the floor and start down the hall toward the lobby to return the key. When they reach the entrance, they notice Paul sitting behind the counter looking quite chipper. He speaks, "Good morning, did you sleep well last night", they look at each other and reply, "Yes". They sense he knows something about the howling they heard last night. "Are you leaving so soon" asks Paul, "As a matter of fact yes, we're leaving" exclaims Jack in a polite manner. "I'm terribly sorry, but that's quite impossible, look out that window over there" he says. The two walk over to the window and peer outside, it's dark and cloudy, rain is pouring down really hard, there's flashes of lightning throughout the sky and the loud boom of thunder shakes the old inn. Something's not right here Helen thinks to herself. "Well I guess we'll stay one more night, but that's all, by morning we'll be on our way" exclaims Jack, "Alright then, you need not worry, you do'nt have to pay again, its on me" says Paul, "Thank you" says the Daniels. Both can feel that something is not right in this old inn, but what could it be. "Oh, I almost forgot, breakfast is being served, if you like; you are welcome to eat, since you're stuck here. If you'll follow me I'll show you to the dining room" announces Paul. They have no choice; their stomachs begin to growl, so they follow him down a hall with brightly colored wallpaper and a nice clean green carpet. (Why is this carpet clean and not the other ones think the Daniels. "Where's the butler" asks Jack, "Well he tends to keep to himself, I believe he may be eating right now" answers the old innkeeper without so much as a glance back. All stop at a large sherry oak door with weird symbols carved into it's surface, seems like some kind of protective barrier that a witch may draw. Inside it is not what you would expect, the room is large, as big as a theatre, and chandeliers hang from the high ceiling, the windows curtains are draped over to keep out the light of the sun. The atmosphere of the room is welcoming, not a speck of dust anywhere,(Helga must always clean this room everyday), in the center sits a long table, possibly fifteen by three feet, and seated at one end is Helga and a skinny little man, must be Jenkins the butler. Two chairs are pulled out, in front of each chair is a plate with food set on the table top, still hot, must have just been put there only a few moments ago. Both take their seats to eat their breakfast and maybe chat with these two very strange characters.


Part Two

    The smell of food is exquisite to their senses; they pick up their knife and fork and begin to dig in. Without so much as a cough or a notice Helga speaks, "Did you sleep well last night Mr. and Ms. Daniels". Jack puts down his fork and knife and finishes chewing the food in his mouth before talking, (it is not polite to speak while you are eating). "We slept well thanks for asking" he answers, "Except for that wolf howling outside" exclaims Helen, "Yes I heard it too, they're coming to get you Barbara, hehehehehe" he finishes laughing with a maniacal laugh. Helga slaps him upside his head making him fall over, "He has been watching too many old horror movies for quite some time now." She exclaims. "Don't scare them like that" she says to Jenkins, he ducks as if she might hit him again, "We weren't scared in the least bit" announces Helen. They finish up their breakfast and head back to their room.

    Helen selects a book off the shelf and jumps onto her bed and begins reading, Jack on the other hand lays down to take a short nap after eating breakfast.

    Hours seem to pass; finally they get up and head toward the dining room for lunch. When they enter, the table is completely empty except for two plates, silverware, and two wine glasses. On each plate are two pieces of fried chicken, a side of green beans, macaroni and cheese, and a buttered dinner roll. A bottle of wine sits between the two plates with a note attached; Jack removes the note and reads:" Compliments of the chef, enjoy", they wonder who cooks the food, Helga doesn't look like she could cook. Jack pops the cork off the bottle and pours the wine into both glasses. "I guess Helga and Jenkins will not be joining us" announces Helen, "I guess not" answers Jack as he pulls he pushes her seat in like a gentleman, and then takes a seat himself. Both dig in to the appetizing food before them… when they finish, they head back to their room, on the way back they notice a door with a sign that reads: Do Not Enter, Employees Only. The Daniels do not have time to fool around, both continue on until they reach their room. When they arrive they fall down on their beds and begin to talk things over, not long after they get back in their room there is an abrupt knock at the door. Helen gets up and walks over to the door and asks "Who is it" in a kind sweet voice, "It's Helga, I was wondering if the two of you might like to keep me company in the guest room, that is if you want to" booms her voice from the other side of the door. "Let's go, I can't stand being stuck in a room for to long, I have to get some fresh air", after a bit of arguing Jack tags along with his wife. So they follow Helga upstairs to the guest room. The room is large, about the same size as the dining room, millions of books line the shelves, many pieces of furniture fills the room, and a large fireplace with a cozy fire burning set against one of the walls, makes the room cozy and warm. All walk over to one of the couches and plop down; Helga takes a seat in a large armchair across from them. It seems that Helga has to begin the conversation, the Daniels feel a little awkward, so they let here talk first. So they talk about all sorts of things, when they were young, the crazy things the done, jobs they held, injuries, and stories about their families. Helga never mentions anything about her children, she just seems to ignore any questions concerning it, (Helen does most of the talking, and Jack isn't the kind of guy that enjoys talking about himself around others.)

    Helga glances down at her watch; she tells them that it is dinner time, so they leave for the dining room. When they arrive, everyone is already sitting at the far end of the table awaiting the Daniels to come in. The drapes are drawn, letting moonlight flood into the dim lit room, which appears creepier with the lights turned down low. They notice that the table is not set yet; Helen asks "what's for dinner". The innkeeper, maid, and butler turn to look a t each other then reply, "You of course". Helen says "I knew there was something weird about them from the start", just as she says this they begin to laugh, "What's so funny" asks Jack getting really serious, "The fact that you feel right into our trap" exclaims Jenkins with that maniacal laugh of his. Suddenly they begin to change, their eyes become bright green and yellow, their ears grow long and pointy, thick dark hair spreads out of their necks, faces and palms. Their face becomes elongated like a dogs muzzle, sharp teeth slide out of their jaws, claws sprout from their fingertips as the transformation comes to an end. These are not regular people, they are werewolves, the Daniels turn around and run towards the door in terror, Jack grabs the handle and tries twisting it, no use it is locked. The lights go out and blood curdling screams fill the night, it last for more than an hour, until the lights go back on. "They were quite delicious" exclaims Jenkins, "I second that" says Helga with blood dripping from the corners of her mouth; Paul is too busy gnawing on one of Mr. Daniels arms, not caring about anything except food. They finish up, Helga cleans up the mess, and then everyone says good night and heads off to their rooms to sleep.

. . .

    In the morning a car pulls up to the old inn, a couple and two children exit the car. "Well my friends, we shall have a feast tonight" exclaims Paul. He unlocks the door and welcomes the family in, "Welcome to Nowhere Inn, may you have a pleasent stay".


THE END OR IS IT…?