Chapter 16.7: The Inn of a Hundred Locks
The rain had gotten worse by the time they stumbled out of the alley. Sheets of water soaked their clothes in seconds, and the wind whipped the city lights into blurry halos.
"We're not portal-jumping again tonight," Gia announced, hugging her coat tighter. "You both need rest."
Kyle opened his mouth to argue, but a fresh wave of dizziness decided for him. "Fine."
Felix pointed across the street to a crooked old building wedged between two taller ones. Its warped sign read: The Knot & Candle — Rooms Let, Cheap.
Gia frowned. "That looks… haunted."
Felix grinned. "Perfect."
The Reception
Inside, the inn smelled faintly of lavender and damp wood. A wiry old woman behind the desk peered at them through thick spectacles.
"You'll be wanting rooms?" she asked.
"One room," Gia said quickly.
The woman's gaze lingered on Kyle, noting the dried blood on his jacket. "We've rules here. Lock every bolt before you sleep, keep a candle burning, and if you hear knocking… you don't answer."
Kyle blinked. "Why not?"
The woman just slid them a key. "Because it won't be anyone you know."
A Place to Breathe (Sort Of)
Their room had low beams, patched wallpaper, and exactly eight locks on the door. Felix tested each one. "This place is either incredibly paranoid or incredibly cursed."
Gia lit the bedside candle as instructed, its glow making the rain streaks on the window look like melting silver.
Kyle collapsed onto the bed nearest the wall. "Feels like we've been running forever."
Felix sprawled on the other bed. "We have been running forever."
Gia perched on the windowsill. "At least no one's trying to kill us right now."
A loud knock echoed from the hallway.
They froze.
The Knock
It came again—slow, deliberate.
Gia whispered, "Do not answer."
Felix, smirking, leaned toward the door. "What if it's room service?"
Kyle grabbed his sleeve. "Sit down before you get us murdered."
The knocking stopped, replaced by faint scratching along the doorframe. Then silence.
After a long moment, Gia blew out a breath. "Probably just the wind."
From the other side of the door, a voice spoke—perfectly mimicking hers. "Probably just the wind."
The candle flickered violently.
A Restless Night
They stayed awake until dawn, the candle burning low. No one mentioned the voice.
When they finally left, the old woman at the desk gave them a knowing look. "See? Candle's still burning. You'll be fine."
As they stepped out into the morning mist, Felix muttered, "We are never staying here again."
But Kyle, glancing back at the warped windows, thought he saw a thin slit of red light watching from the upstairs hall.
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