Chapter 3. At the Hotel

Shawn Jensen didn’t rush off after dropping Willow off at the hotel. Contrary to Willow’s expectations, he would probably gossip around the office. Instead, they had coffee together in a restaurant across from the hotel, and Shawn even ordered hot pancakes for Willow. And unlike a man with a title, Shawn didn’t seem to mind. He was mainly silent while he ate. Not a word, not even a glance at Willow’s movements. Very quiet, and that made Willow feel quite comfortable.

“You didn’t go to…” Willow choked but continued, “…to the crime scene? I mean, my house. Or maybe the office?”

“After I ensured you ate enough and returned safely to the hotel.”

“You’re not like most cops.”

Shawn tilted his head slightly. “Do you have much to do with the police, Mrs. Anberline?”

“No, I don’t. I’ve seen it on TV.”

The detective couldn’t help but laugh, and he chuckled softly. The man didn’t answer immediately, just nodded briefly, then sipped his coffee. Then, both hands rested on the table.

“Honestly, we’re just normal people with a job to do. Just like anybody else.” Shawn said.

“You heard my witness, right?” Willow suddenly changed the subject.

“Yes. Although I didn’t hear it directly from you.”

“I’m not going to change that because it’s the truth.”

“That man was stabbed in the chest by you.”

“He’s a monster! I didn’t know he was a man before. Because he was hairy, and his body was almost twice as big. With claws and…” Willow couldn’t go on. She remembered Charlotte being torn apart, her back gaping.

“Werewolf,” Shawn said suddenly.

“What did you say?”

“The description of the creature says it’s a mythical werewolf.”

Willow just stared at this slightly different detective. He was pretty tall, with dark hair and darker skin than most light-skinned people, like an Indian.

“Some say a lycan. Or a skinwalker.” Shawn added.

A small sigh escaped Willow’s lips. “You think I’m making this up?”

“That depends. I need to see the autopsy results and compare them to your story.” The man met Willow’s gaze. Not hard, but deep enough. “Or I could just assume that your story is true. It takes time to find out the truth.”

“Until when? I’m worried about Zoey.”

“We will do our best to find your daughter. You don’t have to worry.”

Willow didn’t finish her pancake, only touching a few bites. She just nodded, wiped her lips and stood up.

“I want to go back to the hotel,” she said.

Shawn said yes and got up. Then he put several dollar bills on the table, including the tip. After that, the two of them left the diner in silence. There weren’t many people in town; it was quiet.

They stopped at the hotel entrance; Shawn nodded politely to Willow to say goodbye. Then he hurried to his car. He was on the phone with someone and looked very serious.

Meanwhile, Willow went straight to the hotel. As Shawn’s car pulled out of the hotel parking lot, a mysterious figure emerged from the shadows of the trees not far away.

The man’s eyes stared intently at the hotel building. Then he turned and disappeared back into the darkness of the night.

***

Willow couldn’t sleep, so she grabbed her coat and headed down to the hotel lobby. It was hushed, and there were no hotel guests. Danville was a small town, with only a handful of visitors daily. So, if the hotel was deserted, that was how it was.

Sitting on the sofa, Willow drifted off, thinking about Zoey. She could faintly hear the receptionist talking, then a hotel guest passed Willow and hurried upstairs. Willow’s eyes caught a glimpse of the man’s tall, well-built body.

The receptionist approached Willow and gave her a concerned look.

“Can I get you anything, Mrs. Anberlin? A cup of tea or milk?” she offered.

Willow just shook her head.

“Are you hungry? There’s soup; we’ll heat it up for you.”

“Oh, no. Thank you.” Willow quickly declined. “I’m just not used to sleeping in strange places.”

“Well, if you need anything… you can call me ahead.”

“Sure.”

The receptionist left Willow with a worried look on her face. Of course, everyone in town knew what had happened to Willow. There had never been any shocking incidents in the city except for petty theft or juvenile delinquents who liked to graffiti on the walls.

What had been a very safe place had suddenly become hell for Willow.

Feeling that her presence made people feel sorry for her, Willow decided to return to her room. There, however, she found it increasingly difficult to sleep. Willow had never had trouble sleeping never had problems that made her depressed. And this night was making her miserable.

“Oh, Zoey. I miss you so much; I really need you,” said Willow, desperate.

She decided to open the door to the balcony and let the breeze in. That could make Willow feel more rested and relaxed. She lay on the bed and looked out at the dimly lit patio.

Just as she was about to fall asleep, whether it was an illusion or not…

Suddenly, she saw a dark shadow standing on the balloon.

“My God!!!” Willow screamed.

She blinked and saw that the shadow was gone.

Cautiously, Willow walked to the balcony, which was completely empty; no one was there. She looked left and right; the three rooms beside her had balconies open. Nothing suspicious at all; everything was just fine.

Was it all of Willow’s imagination?

“Oh shit,” Willow complained quietly.

She hurried to close and lock the balcony door, even pulling out a chair to hold the door shut. Willow pulled back the covers and counted sheep, hoping it would lull her to sleep. Before she knew it, she was fast asleep.

Movement was outside the balcony, the shadow of someone’s body and a hand on the glass door. As if to make sure Willow was completely safe. Then, the figure leaves immediately.