From a Fan to a Flame | Sam Golbach X OC

Chapter 14 | Introductions and Laughter

With the hustle and bustle of check-in behind them, Sam, Colby, Amanda, and Victoria made their way towards the parking lot, the anticipation of their adventure palpable in the air. As they walked, Victoria couldn't shake the feeling of familiarity that washed over her at the sight of Hotel Del Coronado.

Turning to Sam with a smile, she couldn't resist sharing her revelation. "Actually, Sam," she began, her voice tinged with excitement, "I've been to Hotel Del Coronado before."

Sam's eyes widened in surprise, curiosity sparking in his gaze. "Really? That's awesome!" he exclaimed, eager to hear more about Victoria's previous experience at the historic hotel.

As they reached their destination, they set up their camera to film the intro for Sam and Colby's YouTube video. With Colby taking the lead, he launched into their signature greeting. "What's up guys, it's Sam and Colby!" he announced, his voice filled with enthusiasm.

Sam followed suit, introducing their special guests with a warm smile. "Today, we are here with two very special guests," he said, gesturing towards Amanda and Victoria. "We have Amanda, who has been on our channel before," he continued, his admiration for his friends evident in his tone.

Amanda chimed in, her playful banter adding a lighthearted touch to the conversation. "It's good to be back," she remarked, her laughter ringing out into the night.

Sam then turned his attention to Victoria, a genuine warmth in his voice. "And we have Victoria," he announced, his admiration for her evident in his tone. "We met her at a recent meet and greet, and we invited her to come with us."

Victoria couldn't help but feel a surge of gratitude at Sam's kind words. "It's an honor to be on your guys' channel," she said sincerely, her admiration for their work shining through. "You guys go above and beyond for your videos, and I'm genuinely entertained by them."

Sam and Colby exchanged a grateful glance, touched by Victoria's heartfelt words. "Thank you, man," they replied in unison, their appreciation evident in their smiles.

Amanda's playful spirit couldn't resist a quip, adding a touch of humor to the moment. "Since when is Victoria a man?" she teased, her laughter bubbling up uncontrollably.

Victoria played along with a grin, embracing the playful banter. "Since now! It's nice to meet you! I'm Victor!" she joked, her laughter mingling with theirs as they shared a moment of camaraderie and laughter beneath the stars.

Sam took a deep breath, his eyes scanning the group with a mix of apprehension and excitement. "Tonight, we are here at Hotel Del Coronado," he began, his voice steady as he addressed the camera. "But this isn't just any ordinary video. Tonight, we're diving into the unknown, with our guests who happen to be the experts. They've been here before."

Colby's eyebrows shot up in surprise, his curiosity piqued. "Wait, Victoria has been to Hotel Del Coronado before?" he questioned, his tone laced with intrigue.

Victoria nodded slowly, her gaze fixed on the ground. "I have," she admitted quietly, her voice tinged with a hint of trepidation.

"Why did you say it like that?" Colby pressed, concern evident in his voice.

"Because it was scary as shit, man," Victoria confessed, her eyes wide with remembered fear.

Sam leaned in, his interest piqued. "What happened?" he asked, his voice low with anticipation.

Victoria took a deep breath, her hands trembling slightly as she recounted her experience. "The whole night, I kept seeing people that my friend Lucy couldn't see," she began, her voice wavering. "They just stared at us, whispering to each other. And when I went to sleep, I saw this shadow person staring at me. And you need to know that I do sleep walk and talk, but the next morning I woke up in the kitchen of the hotel. I had scratch marks and hand prints all over me and I was surrounded by a circle of, from those big knives, on the floor. "

Colby's eyes widened in horror as he listened to Victoria's tale. "That is scary as shit!" he exclaimed, his voice tinged with disbelief.

"I didn't think I would ever come back," Victoria admitted, her voice barely above a whisper. "But here I am."

As the gravity of Victoria's story settled over them, Sam turned to Amanda, his expression grave. "What about you, Amanda?" he inquired, his voice tinged with concern.

Amanda's gaze flickered, her thoughts drifting back to her own experiences. "When I got here, Kate Morgan stepped forward," she revealed, her voice tinged with unease. "She wanted to tell her story."

Sam's eyes widened in shock. "Wait, wait, wait. What do you mean?" he asked, his voice filled with disbelief.

"This time, I haven't seen her yet," Amanda admitted, her tone hesitant. "But I'm sure she's in the hotel, just waiting for us."

The group fell into a stunned silence, the weight of Amanda's words hanging heavy in the air. "Oh my god," Sam breathed, his mind racing with the implications of what they were about to face.

Colby broke the silence, his voice laced with uncertainty. "What does a dead person look like to you?" he asked, his eyes searching Amanda's face for answers.

"It's kind of a trick question," Amanda replied, her voice soft. "Sometimes I see them, and they look just like you guys. Other times, I can just feel them, or hear them speaking. It really just depends."

Sam took a deep breath, his mind reeling with the revelations they had just uncovered. "Okay, guys," he said, his voice resolute. "Let's do a little exploring."