It was a mysterious afternoon. The somber clouds were darkening my mood. I was standing alone at the reception of this tiny, two-room Motel on a remote highway, waiting for customers. There was not much to do for a young lady like me except to watch TV and have my occasional espresso. Even a single guest in a few days made me feel lucky. The rainy days are much better. Travelers never preferred night drive especially during heavy rains and used the Motel for the night stay. Right now it is a lazy afternoon and I feel sleepy. I want to avoid a nap at this time as it gives me sleepless night but my eyes feel heavier and heavier. My eyelids finally drop along with my head down at the reception table. I sleep for almost 3 hours without having my Pasta that lay cold on the plate just to wake up to the blasting sound of thunder and rain, shattering the tomb-like silence of the motel. I glance at the antique clock on the entrance wall and its already 7. Time to get my cash register moving. I was hungry but first I wanted to ready myself. I head straight to the washroom, apply some cream to hide the dark circles under my eyes and brush my skinny rosy cheeks rosier. A black lipstick seemed just right for this moment. I think I just heard a cranky sound of a motor engine outside. I peep out of the bathroom window and see a Chevrolet jeep. Two young white men jump out of the jeep and run straight for the entrance, saving themselves from the rain. I quickly come out and switch on the radio. A male hip-hop retro voice fills the place with music, rapid enough to rock and roll. I always had difficulty making friends. Hence I loved strangers and guess this job was just fine for me.
‘Bloody Shit…the storm is like hell.’ shouted one of them.
‘Welcome Sir.’ I stand straight trying to impress. Both were surprised to see a young lady at the reception.
‘Hi… My name is Lilith. How can I help you?’
‘Can we have room for tonight…Miss Lil…what did you say your name is?’ said one of the brown bearded man, scanning me from top to bottom. I rather refer to him as Browny. He was wearing a denim jacket and had a craggy jaw.
‘ It is Lilith sir. Charge for a night is 50 dollars.’
‘Quite cheap ha. Hope this is not some fleabag dear?’ said Browny.
The other rusty-faced man puts down his tanned leather bag on the floor. It looked like some kind of tool bag. I can refer to him as Rusty. He had a marine cut and penetrating eyes.
‘There is no other soul in the motel, are you the only staff here?’ asked Rusty.
‘For today, yes sir, I m the only one. There is two more staff but couldn’t make it due to heavy rain. They come from far off city.’
‘It’s fine, it is fine. Never mind.’ said Browny smiling at me with his eyes rolling down at my bare legs beneath my flowery print skirt.
‘Can we smoke?’ He asked.
Before I could say yes, he had already lit his cigar throwing a pack of thick smoke into the air.
‘Don’t mind this young lady, just asking if there is a liqueur shop nearby.’ asked Rusty.
‘No Sir, the nearest one is nearly 50 miles away. But don’t worry and keep your spirits high. I do have a bottle of some cheap whiskey. The previous customer forgot it in the room and nobody ever comes back here to get his goods. You can have it for 8 dollars.’
‘Deal darling.’ said a glad Browny. I open a large drawer below the reception desk and give them the bottle. But oops, I made a mistake. I instead opened the cash drawer first and quickly shut it. I guess Browny saw the cash.
I walk them towards the room passing the hallway, unlock the room and hand over the keys.
‘Here sir, room number 98.’
‘Hey, who numbered that room 98 lady.’ asked Rusty with an expressionless face.
‘I guess this is some lucky number for the owner of the motel.’ I smiled. ‘And guess what, you both are lucky too as there are only two rooms in this Motel, and you got one. ‘
‘What about the other.’ asked curious Browny?
‘That is not a room, that’s a store.’ I smirked.
‘Anything you need please intercom.’ I said as I walk away from the room.
Both men didn’t seem very decent to me. But then these are the only kind of people one comes across at such lonely motels. The rain outside is thumping furiously as if warning of approaching danger. Nevertheless, I am fearless and wait for a call from the room. It is already 10 and time to lock the front doors. A few minutes later I hear a succession of shrill rings at the front desk.
‘Yes, sir.’
It was Rusty on the other side.
‘Hi, Lilith. We were just wondering if you could have a drink with us. Our apologies for not asking the lady of the house.’
I hear their evil laughter. Both seemed drunk. A shiver spiraled down my spine. Not because I was scared of these men. That was just one part of it. I was scared of the extreme emptiness in my lonely life and felt entirely left out. I decide to join them. My wooden chair creeks as I pull myself on my feet. I pull the strings of clattered old wooden blinds and roll them down. Like a scared cat, I take small steps and walk towards their room. The door was partially open. The old wooden door makes a haunted squeak as I push it gently. Both were waiting for me. I sit comfortably on one of the chairs and Rusty offers me a drink.
‘Water?’
‘No. Neat.’ I said with a breaking voice.
Without a fuss, I gulp the half-filled glass. It was instant gratification. Rusty made me another double large which I accepted delightedly. I breathed easy now and felt rather myself.
‘Can I have a cigar?’ I said.
‘Of course.’ Rusty offers me one and lite the matchbox.
The puff was a feeling of goodness. I start a chat with them.
‘What do you both do anyways’ I asked.
‘We are thieves.’ Both said together with laughter.
There was silence for a few seconds.
‘Seriously. ‘I asked.
‘Hey, just joking lady.’ replied Browny with an edgy smile.
‘Why don’t you sleep here in our room tonight.’ said Rusty.
I felt the heat flushing through my body and heartbeat pounding. I was a little bit in my senses so I politely refused, got up from the chair and waved them goodbye. My legs dwindling and my fingers swinging my sandals.
‘Bye friends for such a lovely evening.’ I walk unsteadily out of the room and then take a quick U-turn. ‘Just for your info, my room is next door.’ I said.
I come back to my room, jump straight on the bed and doze off.
A few hours later, I feel some uneasiness, as if I am dragged some distance. I tried to open my eyes but it seemed impossible. My hands and legs were tied and I find myself in the store of the hotel at the backyard. A place badly lit by a low wattage bulb. I scream and cry out for help.
‘Why the hell did I lose my senses in front of those scoundrels?’ I thought.
I curse my loneliness the cause of my current fate. It seemed past midnight. I could feel blood on my lips and scratches on my body. I had no idea if those two men were still out there or left. They must have taken the cash. Silly me, I opened the drawer right in front of them.
Having eaten nothing since last noon and utterly thirsty and hungry, I was feeling of nausea and slowly losing consciousness. I cry full throttle but remain unheard against the violent thrash of the rain.
Somewhere in this poorly lit store, I could hear the noise of the rats. Not one but many of them. Probably they smelt blood. Mostly the garden equipment lay in the store. I push myself towards the spade. I seriously wished now that those two men come back and save me at least from these rats. The rain is relentless. I hear it thrumming on the metal roof and running down the broken pipe into the mud, and I moisten my cracked lips with my tongue. I wonder if they’ll bring me food and water. I wonder if they’re coming at all… to save me.
I crawl my body on the floor and drag myself towards the door, peeping outside from the gap under the door. I recognized the shoes. They were of Browny. I was sure they are back now to make a final killing. I start crying as they hit the door open. It was Browny with a sharp butcher knife in his hands.
‘Please don’t kill me, please, I beg you. I am already in very bad shape.’ I cried.
‘Hey lady, what happened, we just heard screams.’
‘No, please take the cash, just take me out of here.’ I was trembling.
‘Relax lady. Just listen. We went to your room. It was not locked. We saw blood on your bed and followed the trail. It went on from your room to the hall and this store. Then we just heard your screams and here we are for you.’ said Browny.
‘You frauds! You dragged me here, and now you want to kill me, Please take the money and leave.’ I shouted.
‘Rusty go and make a call from the telephone at the reception.’ orders Browny.
Rusty leaves the room and Browny moves his hand towards me with the knife. I struggle with my self but he is over me now. My heart thudded louder and louder and my breath quickened. Browny bends and there he goes. He cuts the ropes from my hands and legs. Probably he wanted to be at ease when he is over me. I crawl myself to a darker corner. The digging spade laid there with fresh mud still on it. I give a final push to my body, pick up the spade and throw a hard smash on his head. Browny is down. There is blood everywhere and the squeaking rats seemed to scratch every inch of the wall.
Rusty was at the reception trying to make frantic calls to someone. There was a gun lying on the table. I think he was trying to call his other associates and I would never let this happen.
‘Why the hell this phone isn’t working’ He seemed to blabber.
‘The lines are down because of the rain.’ I said.
Rusty turns. Before he could lay his hand on the gun, the spade makes way to its forehead, smashing it down.
It was probably over. I sit down on the chair and relax for some time. The rain had slowed down. I open the drawer. The cash was intact but I knew that. I lite a cigarette and puff the smoke high in the air. I finish a few of them in succession and then bend underneath the table to connect the telephone wire and dial a number. In some time I could hear the screech of a car just outside the hotel. He comes inside and I hand him over the keys of the jeep, few articles, and some money.
‘Where are they.’ he asked.
‘Happy as always, resting in the store.’
It was a clear day the next morning. As usual, there is hardly anyone on this lonely highway. Later in the afternoon and I sip some red wine and snatch a catnap, only to be woken by cloudy weather and drizzle. I look myself in the makeup case mirror and apply my favorite black lipstick and some powder on my rosy skinny cheeks. By now, the rain outside was buzzing incessantly with noise. I think I just heard the sound of an engine slowing down. As I look out of the window, a man is running straight inside. I wonder why aren’t people visiting this place with kids. I loved children.
‘Hi.’ said the stranger.
‘Hi sir, what I can do for you.’
‘Need a room. The storm is bad outside.’
‘Sure sir, please give me your details and the room would cost 50 dollars.’
‘Pretty cheap Mam.’
‘Lilith Sir…my name is Lilith.’
‘Yes, sure. Ok’
‘Let me walk you to the room, sir.’ I unlock the room and hand over the keys.
‘Here you are sir, room number 100.’
‘Hey, who numbered that room 100.’ asked the stranger.
‘I guess this is some lucky number for the owner.’ I smiled. ‘And guess what, you are lucky too as there are only two rooms in this Motel, and you got one.’
‘What about the other room.’ asked the curious stranger?
‘That is not a room, that’s a store, sir. ’ My vivacious blue eyes twinkle. The lightning flashes on my powdered face from a broken window, zigzagging through the mamba black sky.
Author- BHANNU ARORA