It was late at night. I was riding my bike across town, looking for a place to sleep. The pool area seemed open, but the last time I tried to sleep there, the manager nearly bludgeoned my head in so, definitely not there. Then there was the park. A nice homeless man had let me bunk with him once, but it was so cold I could barely sleep. That meant I had to keep riding until I found somewhere else. Heck, I might just sleep on the road right here.
Suddenly, as I passed the town library, I noticed thick fog creeping in from a particular area. I ignored it and kept riding, but the fog began to spread—slowly at first, but soon it was everywhere. At first, it seemed harmless... until I noticed something strange. It was following me. No matter where I went, it followed.
I rode past a couple of blocks before it finally hit me. I stopped and turned around.
This wasn't normal.
The fog was spreading in straight, deliberate lines toward me. That's when I saw them—shadows inside the fog, morphing into strange shapes, moving closer. My first thought was that it was all in my head. But then one of them stepped out.
It was a tall, thin ghost—pale and translucent, with hollow sockets for eyes and a mouth. Its body floated like a sheet ghost, but its organs and veins hung suspended inside it as it moved. I was frozen to the ground with fear. My mind screamed at me to get on my bike and run, but my body wouldn't move.
The ghost exhaled, releasing a stream of white vapour. Then it raised its finger and pointed directly at me. Slowly, eyeballs began to form in its sockets, and its pupils rolled into place, locking eyes with me.
It was silent for a moment.
Then, four more of them emerged—two from behind, two from in front. I hadn't even seen them coming. Before I could react, they lunged at me and hugged me tightly.
Then everything went black.
When I woke up, I was lying on the ground. My bag was still on my back—but my bicycle was gone. I sat up and looked around, trying to recognize where I was. No tar road, no buildings.
Just a dirt road… leading to a place with a bright flashing sign: Hotel Souls.
"Hotel Souls? What the…" I muttered, stunned.
A chill crept over me.
I reached into my bag for my phone to call someone. But just as I pulled it out, a weird screeching sound echoed across the landscape.
I looked up and saw it.
Perched on a dead tree was a massive bird—easily 6'10". It resembled a vulture but with stubby chicken wings. Its skin was a sickly green, but its wings were lined with bright pink feathers. It was grotesque.
The chicken-vulture let out another screech and suddenly took flight, circling above me. The sound was unbearable—so loud and high-pitched that I collapsed, writhing on the ground. My whole body felt like it was vibrating from the inside out. I screamed, clutching my phone, covering my ears, and shaking uncontrollably.
BAM!
A gunshot rang out.
The bird dropped to the ground with a thud.
I slowly stood up, coughing from the shock and noise.
"What the hell!!" I choked, still breathless.
"I need to leave. Quickly. I need to find something—my phone—I need to call someone."
But when I looked at my hands, my phone was gone.
It had completely vanished.
Panic surged in my chest as I searched the area frantically. Had I dropped it?Was I going crazy? But there was nothing. No trace of it anywhere.
I looked up at the ominous glow of the sign.
I had no choice.
I walked up to the hotel and stepped inside, hoping to borrow a phone. Maybe just one call...
But the moment I entered the lobby, I stopped dead in my tracks.
What I saw was impossible.
The people inside didn't look human. Some were translucent, missing limbs, their intestines hanging out like streamers. Others looked like monsters—sharp teeth glinting as they sipped red fluids from crystal glasses, limbs moving with unnatural independence. A woman with nine fox tails casually smoked nearby, and jackalopes leapt through the room as if it were normal.
I wanted to run. I needed to run.
But then, a teenage girl appeared in front of me, stopping me in my tracks.
She wore a flowy blue Victorian-style nightgown, silver slippers on her feet, and a red ribbon in her hair. In her hand was a small silver stopwatch.
"You're 45 seconds late," she said flatly.
"Excuse me?" I muttered, confused. Was she talking to me?
"I said, you're 45 seconds late. Why are you late? Do humans not know how to keep time anymore?"
She spoke to me like I was supposed to be there. Like I had an appointment.
"Calm down," I said. "I don't even know who you are or where I am."
She laughed, the sound high and strangely pleasant.
"What do you mean, 'you don't know where you are'? Okay, walk with me."
She grabbed my arm and pulled me through the lobby, leading me past creatures that should only exist in nightmares.
"This is Hotel Souls," she began. "It started out as a refuge for ghosts—somewhere to rest, indulge in their favorite human foods, and escape the endless wandering. Word spread, and soon other beings from around the world came to enjoy the luxuries we offer."
I stared at her, still in shock.
"And now," she said with a proud smile, "you have the grandest opportunity to work here."
"To work for you?" I echoed.
"Yes, that's right!" she said with enthusiasm. "You were scouted by our ghosts—granted this gift—to serve the hotel."
"Why was I, of all people, scouted?" I questioned aloud, starting to hyperventilate. This was all too much. I slumped down against a nearby wall, my body trembling.
Mydra just cocked her head to the side.
"Why are you like this? We've been sending the ghosts since you were young. You should've possibly known something."
My head shot up.
"Since I was young? What do you mean, since I was young?" I asked, eyes wide with a mix of fear and intrigue.
Mydra stepped closer, a creepy smile spreading across her face. In a low, unsettling voice, she whispered,
"Well, silly… you didn't think they were just a figment of your imagination, did you?"
I stared at her in horror.
"No," I bellowed.
In a mocking tone, she replied,
"Yes! Geez, I thought you were much smarter. After all, you were once—" "That's enough, Mydra.!!"
A figure cut her off abruptly, he was standing in the shadows, his presence commanding in the room
Go tend to the Salzil family in room 13. The Naga would like someone to groom their tail,"
She nervously, curtsying.
I was just trying to tell"
But in a swift motion, he cut her off, simply saying,
"Get out."
She fled the scene without another word.
The stranger then turned to me.
He began to emerge slowly from the shadows. As he stepped closer, he started to speak.
"You must be Teildrith. You're late," he said with deep annoyance, his tone laced with subtle disgust.
I wanted to say something in return, but fear gripped me tightly—until he fully stepped into the light.
A deep scar ran across his face, and yet, within the warmth of his amber eyes—framed by a cascade of long, jet-black locks—there was an enigmatic allure. The striking contrast of his blond eyebrows only amplified his intensity. He stood at a lofty stature, comparable to my own, exuding youthful vigor.
Clad in a sleek, jet-black ensemble with a subtle sheen and graceful drape, he radiated refined taste. His shirt, buttoned elegantly at the front, featured intricate detailing and full gathering at the yoke. The elasticized cuffs, adorned with double ruffles, revealed an underlayer of delicate lace. A jabot, accented with lace, flowed from a crisply tailored high collar. Completing the look was a blood-red vest and black pants, with a pocket watch chain swaying gracefully from his side.
He looked me up and down, then slowly began to circle around me.
"Nineteen. Acceptable height. In good health. Athletic… a little strong… but not enough," he remarked.
"I'm sorry—not enough?" I asked, confused.
"Yeah, not enough. Look at you," he said, casting another glance over me. He paused, checked the time on the pocket watch, then returned his sharp gaze to mine.
"Right. Follow me."
he said abruptly.
In my fear, I somehow managed to let out a small protest.
"I don't want to follow you. I just want to use your phone. I don't understand who you all expect me to be, but—"
Before I could finish, Braudlin snapped his fingers, and an inexplicable force stole my voice. I froze, unable to speak or even breathe properly. He approached, his presence looming over me like a shadow, and then he uttered quietly—"Follow me, or I'll eat you."
No words came out of my mouth as I stood in shock. I silently followed him. We walked through the lobby, down a dimly lit corridor, until we reached an inconspicuous elevator tucked away in a corner. Braudlin deftly located a hidden lever, triggering a series of intricate gears and pistons that rumbled to life. The elevator's brass doors creaked open, revealing a chamber decorated with polished brass panels and intricate cogwheel engravings. With a metallic clang, we stepped inside the contraption, its interior a fusion of Victorian elegance and mechanical marvel. As Braudlin manipulated a series of levers and dials, the elevator lurched into motion, ascending with a symphony of whirring gears and hissing steam. The interior flickered with the warm glow of gas lamps, casting dancing shadows upon the polished brass fixtures. The air was thick with the scent of bitter, hot, thick oil and machinery. As the elevator rose towards its destination,
As we walked out of the elevator, I couldn't help it. I could see all the workers looking at me, scrutinising me. Some—they all looked at me, some with eyes all judging me. I heard some whispers like, "Look, there's another young one throwing their life away," or "I wonder how much debt they got into to work here," or—here's my personal favourite—"They should have run away when they had the chance. It must be bad if Maestro Anchoretta wants to see them first thing." The atmosphere crackled with tension, each glance a whispered tale of caution amidst the hum of machinery and the clatter of tools. We reached a door, and a bellhop pressed the button. It swung open to reveal a werewolf standing guard, and he growled What's your reason for the visit? Tell Maestro Anchoretta. That new package arrived Braudlin replied curtly, showing some sort of proof. The werewolf groaned and rolled, then proceeded to look at me and just stopped. His eyes grew wide as if he had just seen a ghost himself. He stared for a second, and I started to get uncomfortable.
"Ahem," Braudlin said, trying to get his attention.
He then proceeded to talk to Braudlin, avoiding eye contact with me and trying not to stare.
As we entered, I found myself in a dark, dimly lit room with only fire torches to guide the way.
In the centre of the room was a pool, and within it sat a woman, her long smoking pipe emitting pink and purple clouds that swirled into the ceiling.
He kneeled before the woman, then stood up quickly.
"Braudlin, who is this person you bring before me?"
"They are our new package, Maestro—the one you said was so important to acquire," Braudlin replied, maintaining his cool tone and demeanour. His eyes subtly signalled for me to kneel, and feeling confused, I complied with a half-bow, half-kneel.
Braudlin facepalmed out of embarrassment and quickly whispered, "Get up, stop it"
The woman rolled her eyes at our display. She took a deep draw from her pipe, then exhaled slowly. As the smoke escaped her lips, it began to morph into shapes of people dancing with each other on the ceiling.
I was amazed as I gazed up at the dancing smoke shapes on the ceiling.
"Wow, that's cool", I whispered in awe.
The Maestro chuckled softly.
"Oh, you like that? Watch this," she said, puffing a few more clouds of smoke into the air.
Suddenly, the smoke shapes began to perform a whole dance routine of delicate ballet, leaving me utterly captivated.
"In this very, very boring place", she sighed as she lay back down on her settee She rolled her head in my direction "You look different"
"I do, wait, I dont know you" I replied, realisation dawning upon me. However, she looked so familiar that I knew her. "Never mind, I might not know you, but you look like a couple of people I knew like Elise, yes, her" The maestro began, her tone sombre. Braudlin shot up a look
As she spoke, the maestro opened a bottle of cherry blossom whiskey, pouring it into a glass. She offered me some, I took it, and she took a sip
There was one moment of silence, and she just drifted off and daydreamed for about 20 minutes. I just got up and burst out " Wait, wait, wait," I say, realising how crazy this is
"I mean, seriously, I was just chilling in my own world like 20 minutes ago, and now I'm here surrounded by actual creatures, being pulled in every direction. Why do I have to shoulder her burden specifically? Why me?" I demanded answers, feeling utterly lost and bewildered.
The Maestro reclined, gesturing for Braudlin to speak. He stepped forward, saying,
"So basically, the spirits chose you because you possess something that others in your family don't. They see something in you."
Curious, I asked "Well, what is that?"
Braudlin hesitated, struggling to answer.
"Um, well how to put this"
The Maestro intervened, growing impatient.
Listen, kid, enough with the questions. You work here now, whether you like it or not. Your life in the human world is over. Unless you want your entire lineage to meet a hideous fate, you would do well to stay here,"
And just what is this fate?" I challenged.
The Maestro chuckled.
She looked and Braudlin, and he became nervous
"You know what, Braudlin? They're right — they shouldn't have to stay here."
Braudlin looked shocked and began to whisper, "Wait, but Maestro, I thought we needed them."
The Maestro simply smiled. "Yes, but we can't force them to stay. So… they can leave."
I was pleasantly surprised — until my chest tightened and my limbs turned light. A sharp pain surged through me.
"What's happening?" I gasped.
The Maestro stared down at me, unfazed. "Well, you see, since you don't want to work for the hotel, I suppose you can just be a ghost runner — the one who fetches those who do want to stay. There's no going back to your old life. It's either this… or you become a ghost, like the one who brought you here."
I turned to look at myself in the mirror and screamed, "No! No! I'll take the job, please!"
And just like that, my skin returned to normal.
"Marvellous, you have finally come to your senses, Braudlin, take them to their room"
She said with trying not to laugh
"Yes, Maestro"
And with that, he pulled me back into the corridor and into the elevator
Braudlin returned to his cold, stoic expression.
Meanwhile, the Maestro sat alone in her room, clutching a locket containing a cherished picture of herself and her once-dearest friend, Eevie. She held Eevie in high regard, seeing her as an older sister figure.
What was it about the mortal world that compelled you to leave me behind, Eevie
The Maestro's voice quivered with emotion as a tear escaped her eye, memories of their bond flooding back. A flashback to their past
Running up the stairs and sprinting into her shared basement room, Eevie clutched a mysterious piece of paper as she looked for her friend.
"Anchoretta! Anchoretta!"
Eevie called out, frantically searching for her.
"What, Eevie? It's too early for this…"
mumbled the drowsy 12-year-old Anchoretta, rubbing her eyes as she approached slowly.
"I got it!"
Eevie exclaimed, waving the mysterious piece of paper around with excitement.
Fully awake now, Anchoretta asked,
"What is that thing?"
Eevie looked at her friend and simply stated,
"A ticket to the downstairs ball… with the past kings and queens, from all around the world."
Anchoretta stood there, shocked.
"Wow, Cousin never lets us go to these things. You're so lucky!"
"Well, guess what, piece? I got two—one for me and one for you!"
Anchoretta jumped up and down with excitement.
"Oh my gosh! Thank you, thank you!"
The Maestro looked back on that cherished memory with fondness, but it made her blood boil even more that Eevie had chosen to leave her.
Back in the elevator, Braudlin led me into a deep, dark corridor and down flights of stairs into a bleak, dusty room. "This is where you'll sleep. You'll be sharing this room with Mydra," he announced. The room was something out of a nightmare: the floor was uneven, with one bed on the first level and a ladder leading up to the second bed. The ground was covered in dust, with either mice or ants scurrying around.
Mydra's belongings already cluttered the bottom bed, leaving the higher level for me. Cobwebs hung in the corners, and the sheets were old and stained. The bed frames were slightly broken and had begun to sag.
My dismay at the accommodations was evident on my face. Braudlin seemed to find my expression amusing as he nudged me gently.
Oh, come now, darling, you'll be just fine. We've all had rooms like this, we lived
he reassured me. Climbing up the ladder, I reached the top to find three empty spaces and a set of uniform. Braudlin informed me.
Well, since you're here, let me lay down the ground rules. I'm your superior; your boss reports to me, therefore, you report to me. At the end of each shift, you're to give me a precise report of what happened that night. You don't leave the hotel ever. You don't talk to the guests unless serving them. You do not skip your shifts or think you can sleep in. When it's your job to feed the animal downstairs, FEED THE ANIMAL. Last but not least, do not ever go into the attic. The Maestro doesn't like people going in there, believe me. Understood?
I nod my head yes
good, because you do not do things without my permission, you do not answer the maestro with out my permission, you don't leave the hotel without my permission, you do not sleep without my permission, you do not eat with out my permission, even to breathe, you need my permission"
and with that he turned away and left the room.
I was just left there with nothing—no phone. At least I had my backpack with my clothes and some of my things. Thank goodness for that. I sat on the bed, amused. "At least I should be happy I have a place to stay," I thought, my parents kicked me out of the house when I was 15. My mother preferred alcohol and drugs over raising her kid, and my father believed I was a waste of money. Now i work here at least im wanted tho"
As I sat there staring, the door burst open.
Hello, roommate! I see you got acquainted with your side of the room,
Mydra said, holding clean sheets and a blanket.
Here you go, I stole them from the housekeepers,"
she added, handing them to me.
"Thank you. I was really scared I was going to have to sleep on those," I replied, relieved.
Oh, you'll get used to it. After all,Its not like we live with normies. But these will help you adapt better because it still feels kinda gross to new people,"
Mydra responded with a grin
Did the master give you the rules yet?"
she asks, walking over to her side of the room.
"Yea he did, um what do you mean by normies" i asked a little confused
Mydra responds "We live in the same world as humans, under the same principal and under laws as them but we are the different kind 'the creatures' , 'the monsters' the ones they make folklore about you know those tails kids eat your veggies or else the boogyman will get ya" she made exaggerated hand gestures "except we dont that we just stick to ourselves but are little different despite our looks we are at our still people even if we are not "human" or what ever that means" she looked down all sad
I could feel her sadness
"Uhm im sorry Mydra i didnt im sorry"
She started rummaging through her drawer
"Its ok you will understand soon"
"There you are,"
she exclaims, pulling out a pair of scissors and sitting on her bed.
"Braudlin, scary? He seems cold, but what actually makes him scary?" I question.
She chuckles as she begins cutting her hair.
People will know you're new if you ask a question like that. You've never seen Braudlin mad. Trust me, you don't want to see Braudlin mad,"
she says, chopping away at her hair.
I start putting my sheets and blankets on the bed, getting ready to settle in for the night. As I finish, Mydra turns to me one last time.
"You should know something,"
she says, her voice low and serious.
Listening to the maestro is not always the best move for someone. Trust me, she is like a snake—never trust her, since you're not the only one
You know what to do—and in the middle of her sentence, she just went to bed, leaving me wondering, who the heck is the other one?