Sinister Sands Hotel

Prologue

"Kevin, look, I really don't want to kick you out. But this is the third time you've been fired in a very short time, and now I have to cover all the rent again, not to mention everything else."

My roommate, Eric, is on another massive rant. Alright, yes, I'm not doing well in the job department lately, and I understand his frustration. But that twerp, Rudy, had it coming.

"Are you even listening, Kevin? You punched your boss in the face."
This is true; my boss is Rudy, the twerp.

"You have issues, my friend; it's exhausting and-" He's not wrong; I have issues. I could blame my parents or something, but the truth is, I truly am a bit of an arsehole. I don't mean to be, though. "-lucky that he didn't press charges. What I'm saying is, I'm done." Eric is on a roll, and I turn around to look at him. He's red in the face; I can almost see smoke coming out of his ears.

"I'm sorry, Ric. I'll get another job," I shrug nonchalantly, reaching for my soda can. Well, it's technically Eric's soda can which he'll probably rant about next.

"Well, that's nice. Great stuff. You can get a job while living somewhere else. You need to be gone by the time I get back from work. I'm sorry, but I can't do this anymore," Eric takes the can from me.

I shrug, "Sure, okay." We've done this before.

"No, Kevin. I'm serious. You better be gone before I get home because I'm coming home with Colin and Brendan, okay."

Oh, shit. He's bringing in the big guns; he must be serious. Colin and Brendan are his big brothers, both cops.

***

So, this is where I am at this point in my life. Sitting in a dimly lit alley next to Eric's apartment, scrolling through my phone, desperately searching for someone who would allow me to crash at their place for a few days. Someone who I have not pissed off at some point. The list is painfully short, like, only three people. Yes, I realise that I put myself in this position. Would it help if I mention that my dad wasn't a great role model?

I put my phone in my pocket and let out a heavy sigh. "I've really screwed up, haven't I?" I mumble to the stray cat perched on the nearest garbage can. The big, ginger cat narrows its eyes at me. It's as if it's passing judgment on my sorry state. I've hit rock bottom, and now a frigging cat is here, silently judging me.

My phone pings and I fish it out of my pocket. It's a text message from Eric. Maybe he has changed his mind. "Look, Kevin. I feel bad, so I found some job vacancies. I hope it helps."

"Well, thanks a lot, Eric!" I growl angrily at my phone as I give it an exasperated glare. I might as well take a look at the listings. Just as I expected, they all seem to be pretty crappy jobs. 

The cat gracefully launches itself from the garbage can and struts over to where I'm sitting.

"What do you want, Cat? You're a handsome fellow for a stray," I ask. Yes, I'm a whole lot nicer to animals than people.

The cat avoids my attempt at petting it by ducking its head down and pawing at a newspaper page crumpled up near my outstretched legs. 

"Okay, not weird at all," I mumble as I pick up the crumpled bit of newspaper and smooth it out against my leg.

"Well, this looks promising," I tell big, fluffy animal but its already back on top of its garbage can throne.

Temporary Motel Manager
No previous experience needed
Food and board
100 pounds for seven days
Please do not respond to this listing if you are blonde.

Okay, the last sentence is weird, rather discriminating actually. But it sounds like easy money.

 I find a number at the bottom of the listing and carefully dial. After a few rings, an elderly-sounding woman answers.

"Sinister Sands Hotel, how may I assist you?"

*****