That Corner Room-1

This story could be called a product of multiple what-ifs running in my mind. Inspired in part by stephen king, who, in my opinion can spin a bloody good yarn...yes, 1408. I've put in my opinion about the true nature of fear. However, i think its a pretty common belief, not just my own. Also its about how drugs could screw u up; all the themes that excite me, i've put em here. The only time i ever had as much fun writing a story was 'Metaphor's Game' (look back through the blog)...dark, dark! Hope u like it..

THAT CORNER ROOM

On a cold Mussorie evening, when the mist swirls in almost premeditated shapes and the wind whispers sinister messages in your ear, the last thing you want to do is end up in front of a motel as unwelcome as the Overhead. It's a seedy place, where the doors are rickety and the furniture musty. Tucked away in a remote corner of the beautiful hill town, the receptionist Hari makes no effort to correct the guests' opinion of the place. Serving with a perpetual sneer on his face, making sure that the people don't come here the next time around.

At was at the Overhead that David had to end up. After a day of trudging all over the town, it was too late by the time he realized he had to find a place to lay his head. So he followed hushed directions to the motel. Eyes avoiding his, voices low. It was as if there was there was something they were hiding from him.

But I ended up leaving myself no choice. I'll just have to take what i get, he thought to himself as he entered the foyer and dragged his luggage to the reception desk. Looking around, he wasn't particularly impressed with what he saw. Reaching up to the desk, he looked up to find that famous sneer plastered on Hari's face and shuddered inwardly.

'Good evening. I wanted a room for the night please.'

'I'm sorry sir, but all the rooms have been occupied tonight. It's a rare coincidence, but unfortunate.'

David was feeling the tremors coming and knew there wasn't much time left. He could not believe his luck. He sighed to control his anxiety and looked around. That's when he saw a lone key hanging in the rack behind Hari, all by itself.

'But there's a room key right behind that one. How about that one?'

Hari spun around, and when he turned back around, that sneer was replaced by a different look. It was concern and fear.

'Sir that is not for rent. For certain reasons, we do not allow guests to stay in there.'

'But I cannot stay outside for the night can I?' David replied, his voice rising a few notches.

'People do not stay in that room sir. Those who have, did not have a pleasant experience.

David grew sick of Hari's vague talk, and replied hotly, 'Look I'll pay you extra if you like, just stop wasting my time and give me the damn key!' Scared, Hari promptly placed the keys in his outstretched palm, at which David offered him a smile as fake as it was wide. He looked at the room number on the key.

'667...hmmm, the neighbor of the devil, baby' And so he walked away, laughing at his own joke, not noticing the look of terror that had now settled in Hari's eyes.

The room was the last one on the third floor, tucked away in the corner. The numbering system obviously didn't make sense. David had made up his opinion about the place long ago. But as he felt the urge growing within him, rattling his senses, he knew he had no choice. He reached 667 and opened the door, finding himself in a decent suite. One hall and two small bedrooms, all passably furnished. The yellow lights bathed it in a comfortable glow, and the cold wind glided in through the open windows, overlooking an endless cluster of trees. Nothing sinister, nothing to vindicate Hari's irrational fear. Time to get down to business. He could not afford to waste any more time.

David flung his backpack on the bed and took out his syringe, a needle and a spoon, along with a packet of powder. He put the white powder on the spoon, mixed it with water and held it over his lighter. The solution boiled and bubbled. He suctioned the liquid into the syringe, tapped it and without hesitation plunged it into his arm, sighing as he did so. All the tremors, and his fears melted in the oncoming wave of ecstasy and power. He felt himself being carried away in the flow and let himself free. He never even realized when he had lain on the bed; he was in a totally different place.

David awoke with a jerk, coming out of one of the worst nightmares he had had in a long time. They were becoming more frequent nowadays, but he remembered nothing of them; the drugs were showing their nasty side effects. He rubbed his head as he tried to get his bearings, tried to calm his racing heart. He looked around the room, taking a moment to remember where he was.

That's when he saw something that made his heartbeat skyrocket again. There were two doors where there had been done. There was a reddish-brown glow behind each one of them, as if the room within were on fire. And he saw a hooded figure standing in front of his bed, head held low, eyes indistinguishable. Its being emanated evil and inspired pure, unadulterated fear. For a whole half minute, it was as if time had frozen. The figure stood in the exact same position, no motion, no sound. And David inched closer and closer to losing his grip on reality. Just as he reached what he believed was his tipping point, at the very edge of reason, the figure finally spoke. And then hell finally broke upon David...