By C. S. Wachter
I swallowed past the pain burning like a boulder in my throat. It resisted. I swallowed again, the lump searing into my soul as I trembled.
Again… I was back in the game again. Trapped in this place of darkness.
My car stood as I’d left it—a broken-down heap of trash that had brought me to the doors of the place I’d vowed to never enter again. The place where desires were birthed, and escape is impossible. The Crystal Palace Hotel.
I stumbled across the pavement, my thoughts scrambling, my legs heavy. All was as before. The beautiful enchantress greeted me, her uplifted hand clasping a candle. A flame sputtered to life. A welcoming smile slid onto her face as she beckoned.
To move through that doorway again took every ounce of courage within me. Each hard-won step brought me closer, until I stood before her. Though I was tall for my age, she was inches taller, and she lowered her gaze to ensnare my eyes.
Muttering voices sounded from the hallway, soft at first, then rising. “Welcome. Welcome.”
My spirit recoiled. A wail rose within me. I thought I was fearless, but the terror of being trapped here again was a relentless foe, chasing me with more determination than any opponents I had faced on the football field.
It’s just a game, I reminded myself. But I knew the truth—innocent players entering here believed the false promise: this dungeon would fulfill the players’ every desire. Like roaches in a trap, they entered never to leave.
Fear and guilt circled within me—predators seeking to tear me to pieces. Why hadn’t I destroyed my video of the Crystal Palace Hotel level? After my experience here, I’d stopped posting, afraid to share that final segment.
Bad decision.
If I had shared it, others wouldn’t have fallen prey to their own delusions, my sister included. I warned you, Quinn! I told you not to come! But at twelve years old, her stubborn streak put mine to shame.
Drawing a deep breath, I trekked down the hallway, ignoring the many voices, the laughter, the offers of champagne. I passed the Master’s Chambers. The sounds of revelry and feasting within drove me to hug the opposite wall, avert my eyes, and sprint.
Quinn wouldn’t be found in any of the early rooms. I knew her, knew what she wanted. I plunged ahead to the courtyard and the dancers. Hundreds of bodies shifted and swayed under the silver beams of moonlight in the sticky night air. Scanning, I located Quinn… or rather her vision of how she wanted to look.
Taller than me, her straight, strawberry-blonde hair shifted against her trim waist and brushed the top of her buttocks as she stepped from foot to foot. Her eyes closed, she leaned into a guy dressed in jeans and a skin-tight blue T-shirt. He resembled the star on her favorite poster. Not real! I need to wake her up. We’ve got to get out of here.
I scrolled through my items list once again, reviewing my quick access for ready retrieval, then maneuvered past clueless couples caught like flies in a web on my way to my sister.
“Quinn. Come on. We have to leave.”
Quinn blinked, her eyes dilated one moment and then pinpoints the next, a dreamy smile on her lips. “Who? Oh! It’s you. You know, this place is amazing.” She giggled. “I look so beautiful. And… I’m crazy rich. I want to stay here forever. Look! There’s Marissa from your class. Ask her to dance.”
My plan flashed in my mind again as I caught Quinn’s arm and navigated across the floor. We were almost to the door when she planted her feet and yanked her arm from my grasp.
“What are you doing? I’m not leaving.”
“No, no.” I lied. “I understand. But the Captain sent me to bring you. He has a special surprise. You don’t want to miss that.”
Quinn pursed her lips and narrowed her eyes. “For real? The Captain?”
“Of course, who else?”
“Well in that case, lead on, dear brother.”
I made a right out the door and started jogging. Quinn followed, though her focus shifted between me and the corridor behind us. “Isn’t the Captain’s chamber the other way?”
“Don’t worry. I know a shortcut.” I pulled up my quick access and chose sleeping tonic. Quinn’s eyes went wide, but I spritzed her face before she could protest. She went limp, and I grabbed her wrist, leaned in, and lifted her into a fireman carry.
Breathing a prayer of thanks, I started pounding my way back up the passage to the place where I came in.
Seeing the night watchman ahead, I pulled up my list again and chose longsword. The guard held his hands out, motioning for me to stop. “Relax, young sir. All is good here. Relax.”
I swung the sword, intent on taking down the man who stood between me and freedom. My sword descended in a perfect arc toward the man’s torso, but he vanished, the only sound the swish of my blade through air. I clutched Quinn’s arm tighter and ran. The passage went dark, but still I sprinted on. Doors flashed as I passed. As I neared the exit, I stumbled. Night invaded my senses. I knew no more.
When I regained consciousness, the only thing I remembered was carrying Quinn and running. Quinn! I needed to rescue Quinn!
As I pushed to my feet, an ethereal breeze pimpled the flesh on my arms.
My car stood as I had left it—a broken-down heap of trash that had brought me to the doors of the place I’d vowed to never enter again. The place where desires were birthed, and escape is impossible. The Crystal Palace Hotel…
Can you guess which song from the 1970's inspired this story? Share in the comments!
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Oh. My. Goodness. THIS STORY IS INCREDIBLE. I was completely captivated from beginning to end. The setting is so creepy and vivid, and I was rooting sooooo hard for the main character! *cries*
Thank you! I’m so glad you enjoyed the story.
There’s so much going on here! It took me multiple reads, in a good way. The song is “Hotel California,” right?
You’re correct! If you’re a member of the Havok Horde, you’ll be automatically entered into a drawing for a $10 Amazon gift card at the end of the month.
Woo! I don’t know a lot of songs from the 70s, so I was excited to recognize one!
I’m glad the multiple reads were ‘in a good way’. Thanks for guessing Hotel California.
This is very cool. Great atmosphere.
Thank you!
I’ve written a story to this song as well. I like your version where he’s trying to rescue his sister on a repeated loop. Congrats. :)
Thank you! It was a fun story to write. I’ll have to check yours out. What date did/will it air?
Mine is already published as a short story in an anthology. But Andrew Winch has a story based on the same song here: https://gohavok.com/mision-de-la-noche-andrew-james-winch/
It was so good and kept me interested into seeing what happens next
Thank you!
Wow! Fascinating use of this song. I love different and yet the same it is
Thank you!