《Trapped In A Mystifying Frictional World》


 Prologue

    The entire city was drenched in heavy rainfall. Children happily danced and played in the rain, while adults searched for shelter to avoid getting wet. But amidst the crowd, Emily stood at the edge of the building''s terrace.


    She did not attempt to find cover or join the others in their joyful activities. She simply stood there, consumed by grief and despair. Tears streamed down her face as she struggled to contain her emotions.


    Eventually, her attempts failed and she let out a piercing scream, a flood of tears gushed down her ashen cheeks. She swiped at her eyes but the tears came anyway. She sobbed until her heart was out.


    "Am I don''t deserve to be happy? Why my life is so miserable? Why?... Why did he cheat on me? I always trust him. Do I not matter to him at all?... " she cried out.


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    Emily began to stomp her feet on the floor until she felt severe pain. "My mom never loved me but when I found Jeremy in my life, I thought that now my all grief and pain would be gone forever from my life... But this was all my illusion," In her grief,


    Emily sat on the cliff, she began to pace back and forth. In her despair and confusion, she accidentally lost her balance and fell off the terrace.


    Miraculously, she managed to cling to the edge with her hands, desperately calling for help. But her cries went unheard, drowned out by the heavy rain and the towering height of the 25-floor building.


    Emily struggled to hold on tightly amid the hazardous weather. "Please, God, if this is my last day, grant me a second chance. In my next life, let me find true happiness. I beg of you..." she pleaded out loud.


    Finally, her strength gave way and she fell. As she fell, flashes of both good and bad memories flooded her mind. And as her body collided with the ground, her skull shattered with a sickening crack.


    Meanwhile, on the terrace, Emily''s handbag lay open, revealing a fallen novel. Its title read, "A Silent Killer Of The Motel."

 Chapter One

    A few days before Emily''s death,


    Calm winds were hushed drafts everywhere. Emily walked alone on the road with her handbag, feeling happy after spending time with her best friend. But a thought still creeped her out.


    "Why do the locals say that a devil stays in that place? I didn''t see anything when I went there," Emily questioned herself, Then a rapid flash of her recollections began to rewind in her mind.


    "This place is amazing, don''t you think?" Alice exclaimed, dropping her travel bag in the room. Emily screamed with joy, grateful for her week-long break from work. Now she could fully enjoy Lumina Hills.


    "Let''s freshen up. I''ll go first," Alice said, heading into the bathroom. "Okay," Emily replied, sitting on the bed.


    A few hours later, the once bright yellow sun had turned into a dark red hue as it disappeared behind the massive hills. Emily and Alice walked towards a local man and his wife.


    As they approached, the couple turned to face them. The man, in his forties, and his wife, in her thirties, wore traditional clothes and greeted them warmly.


    "Hello, are you both enjoying your stay here?" the man asked with a smile.


    "We''re having a great time here. By the way, if you don''t mind, can we ask you something?" Emily hesitated.


    "Yes, of course," the lady replied.


    "Why do people begin to disappear from the forest?" Emily asked curiously, with Alice nodding in agreement.


    The couple''s expressions went pale, exchanging nervous glances. The lady tried to hold back her unease before finally saying, "I''m not sure how you''ll react to what I''m about to tell you."


    Emily and Alice were confused, exchanging chaotic looks. The lady stepped closer and whispered, "In this village, people believe that after 7:30 pm, the devil named Damon Shadowcast emerges in the forest."


    "What?.. Damon Shadowcast?.." Alice trembled with fear. Emily, feeling bewildered, thought to herself, "Maybe they believe in rumours. Alice seems inclined to believe this."


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    Alice glanced at her wristwatch, glanced back at Emily with a frightened expression, and said, "There''s only an hour and a half left until 7:30 pm. Let''s explore the mountain a bit more and then go back to our room."


    Annoyed by Alice''s fear, Emily whispered in her ear, "Do you seriously believe this rumour?" Alice raised an eyebrow and replied, "Emily, this isn''t just a rumour. I came across Damon Shadowcast during my research for a report."


    "I''ve even seen that episode about that story, but I still think it''s just a rumour," Emily sighed.


    "Alright, let''s not argue about it," Alice agreed, changing the subject to ask about their meal. The lady informed them that she had arranged a whole traditional meal for them. Emily''s mood brightened upon hearing about the traditional food.


    Cackle!


    Suddenly, a cackling sound pierced through Emily''s ears, snapping her back to reality. She turned around, searching for the source of the sound, but found no one.


    "I don''t think I imagined that," she thought, feeling confused. Amid her confusion, she remembered the book in her handbag and quickly retrieved it. A warm smile danced on her lips as she held the book titled ''A Silent Killer Of The Motel''.


    "Even though I''ve read this book thoroughly once, I still can''t figure out who the main killer is in the story. But I''ll give it a second read because it''s so intriguing," Emily said to herself.


    After marvelling at the book, she returned it to her handbag and continued her journey toward home.


    Little did Emily know, an indescribable shadow was stalking the edge of her awareness, making its way through her world. This mysterious entity followed her every step of the way, its presence felt without even being seen.


    The strange dance of fate entangles Emily in the intricate web of her unknown plans, leading to a tale of unexpected encounters and untold revelations.


    To be continued...

 Chapter Two

    Emily gradually opens her eyes and finds herself in a strange room, lying on a bed. Confused, she sits up and looks around, realizing it''s not her room. She blinked her eyes, trying to make sense of her surroundings, but everything just seemed so unfamiliar.


    "Where am I? This is not my room and I just died by collapsing from my office building but This place doesn''t look like heaven.."


    As she was thinking, her eye fell outside from the panel of the window. In amazement, she ran toward the window. Her eyes widened to see heavy snowfall outside from the window.


    Outside the window, every particle of snow was dense and falling to the ground at a fast pace. The wind was also gusty vigorously in the atmosphere.


    "How can this be possible? It is very rare to see snow in Orlando and this year it is impossible. But snow not only falls but it falls in huge quantities.." she said in a loud voice.


    Emily tried to process all of this information, she couldn''t help but feel a mix of confusion, frustration, and a hint of amusement at the absurdity of it all.


    To figure out where she is, she heads towards the door but stumbles over something, falling hard on the floor.


    Ouch!


    Due to her collision on the floor, she felt severe pain in her spinal cord and on her head. After one to two minutes, she finally managed to stand up from the floor.


    When she stood up, she glanced at the object in frustration which caused her to fall. The object was none other than her handbag.


    Then she bent down to her handbag and took it in her hands.


    When she opened her handbag, she found out that the novel "A Silent Killer of the Motel" and her phone were missing from her bag.


    "I clearly remember putting them in here. Where could they have gone? Focus, Emily! First, figure out where you are."


    Throwing her handbag onto the bed, she walks out of the room and finds herself in a lobby. The corridor stretches in both directions, lined with several rooms.


    "Am I at a motel? Don''t tell me now that I am in Canada."


    She walks straight ahead in search of someone. The path leads her to a fork, with an elevator on the right and stairs on the left. On her way, she had read the ''2nd floor'' mark on the wall so she knew that she was on the second floor. She doesn''t have the strength to walk on the stairs so she prefers the elevator.


    This novel''s true home is a different platform. Support the author by finding it there.


    She walks in the right direction. As she arrived at the front of the elevator, she pressed the ''down'' arrow to reach the recipient''s desk. The elevator arrives, and she steps into the elevator without noticing herself in the mirror which is situated back of the elevator. Then she presses the button for the first floor and waits as the doors close and the elevator begins its descent.


    Within twenty seconds, the elevator arrived at the first floor. the doors open again, and Emily steps out onto the first floor, leaving an empty elevator behind.


    When she step on the first floor, where the reception desk is situated, is like an energetic hub of activity, bustling with energy and excitement.


    The reception desk stands tall, its immaculate wooden surface gleaming under the pale glow of carefully positioned spotlights. Behind them, A team of friendly and knowledgeable staff greet every guest with genuine smiles and open arms. The desk itself is illustrated with tasteful decorations that reflect the local culture and charm of the area vase filled with fresh flowers, a collection of keychains, and a small sign that exhibits the motel''s logo.


    The walls, painted in soothing neutral tones, are decorated with elegant artwork that showcases the local landscape, capturing the essence of the area''s natural beauty. Soft music plays in the background, its gentle melodies adding to the ambience of the space and welcoming atmosphere.


    For a moment Emily forgot everything and just mixed up with this friendly atmosphere. All of a sudden, a thought appears in her mind.


    "Umm, Why this place is familiar to me? Like I have heard about this place before..."


    While thinking, she stepped towards the reception desk. As she reached there, the receptionist quickly sat up from his chair and greeted her. The receptionist was a man who seemed like he was in his 50s.


    "Hello, Ms. Evelyn Baker. Did you sleep well?" He asked in a soft tone.


    "Umm, Evelyn Baker? Who is she? No wait a second. I heard this name in the book "A Silent Killer of the Motel.." she muttered.


    "Mam, I can''t able to hear you. Can you please say it again," He said.


    In the middle of her chaos, her eyes fall on the name badge on his shirt. ''David Johnson'' was written on his name badge. Again she thought "David Johnson was the receptionist of Moonlight Inn Motel in the ''A Silent Killer of the Motel'' novel. Am I in my favourite novel? No no, it can''t be real. Wake up Emily from your dream!"


    "Mam, are you in any problem?" The receptionist asked her again.


    "Umm, can you tell me where am I?" Emily asked in confusion.


    The receptionist was confused by her question and said "Mam, you are at the Moonlight Inn Motel. You came here at midnight due to your car broke down. Remember.."


    Her eyes widened and her eyebrows were lifted.


    "This is not a coincidence anymore. I think my favourite novel has turned into my new life and now I am trapped in this mystifying fictional world,"


    Emily glanced at the extensive beautiful mirror which was before the reception desk. In the mirror, a woman in a black tailored suit, well-fitted clothing in sleek, sophisticated designs with dark red high heels. Her makeup and hair are perfectly polished, completing her authoritative and commanding look. That woman''s personality and face were completely different from Emily''s.


    "So, now I am Evelyn Baker,"


    To be continued...

 Chapter Three

    Subsequently the unbelievable revelation, Emily was sitting on the huge couch at the entrance of the motel. She still can''t able to believe that she has reincarnated into her favourite novel.


    "Why did I get reborn in this serial killer novel?.. I know I like mystery/thriller and crime books the most but I also like romance books. God could have me reborn in a romance book but so Why didn''t they do it?.. Perhaps the devil has heard my wish,"


    A man''s voice drew her out from the profound ocean of thought.  When she glanced at the receptionist''s desk, she spotted a man standing before the receptionist.


    A man was saying something to the receptionist in a worried expression. Emily wasn''t able to hear what he was saying so she stood up from the couch and stepped closer to them.


    "I think something has happened to that man. We should check him out,"


    "OK, sir. We will check on him but first I must call him."


    "Okay, Go on, "


    Then a man glanced at Emily. He greeted her with a warm smile. The man seems in his 30s. He is tall and handsome. His blue eyes can send butterflies to anyone''s belly. He was wearing an outfit well-tailored suit with a crisp, white dress shirt underneath. The suit in a classic navy, fitted to the body to accentuate his physique. A sleek leather belt and matching dress shoes complete the ensemble. The finishing touches include a silk tie and pocket square, adding a touch of sophistication. To further elevate the look, a stylish watch and a cologne with a timeless, masculine scent are essential.


    As Emily came out from his beauty, she greeted him hastily and asked "Mister, if you don''t mind, can you tell me what you were talking about?"


    "Sure, Ms. I made sure to let the receptionist in on something quite out of the ordinary regarding Mr. Jones, who checked into room 10 late at night. As luck would have it, my room was right next to his, and I was waked up from my sleep by a most peculiar sound coming from his room. It was a haunting, eerie screech, like a bird caught in a gusty wind. Concerned for his well-being, I made my way to his door and gave the bell a few presses, but there was no response. Even after knocking with increasing urgency, still, no answer. With the receptionist seemingly absent, I was left to ponder the mystery on my own." he said.


    "Oh, it sounds scary,"


    "Yeah, it is. That''s why I want to see Mr Jones with the receptionist,"


    In her mind, Emily was thinking something else.


    "I read this novel two years ago so I don''t remember much about this book. Even reading this whole novel, I was confused about the real culprit of this book. That''s why I was thinking of reading this book again. But I remember one thing clearly about this book. The thing is, Mr. Jones is found dead at the beginning of the book,"


    If you find this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the infringement.


    "Mr. Jones didn''t pick up my call,"


    Emily quickly turns her gaze to the receptionist. Then she sees the expression on the man''s face out of the corner of her eye.


    That man raised his eyebrows in astonishment.


    "So, now what are you waiting for? Let''s go to their room to learn about his well-being," he hastily said.


    "Okay, sir,"


    As the receptionist said, The atmosphere in the motel''s reception area suddenly became chaotic as the lights began to flicker wildly. As the guests started running for cover, panicked screams filled the air, but amidst the chaos, one man remained sitting quietly. Emily seemed lost in her world, unaffected by the hustle and bustle around her, her eyes distant and unfocused.


    That man, noticing Emily''s unusual reaction, approached her and softly asked, "Are you okay?" But her words fell on deaf ears as Emily was oblivious to the chaos around her, lost in the depths of her thoughts.


    I remember when I read about the lights flickering wildly in this book. When the light flickered wildly, a young man got attacked.¡± she thought in fear.


    The flickering lights and panic around her faded into the background as a thousand different thoughts raced through Emily''s mind.


    As the chaos unfolded, Emily''s calm demeanour seemed almost irrelevant amid the frantic panic of those around her. But deep down, she knew it was important to maintain her composure in such a moment.


    Finally, as the flickering lights became steady and the panic began to subside, Emily snapped out of her daze and focused on that man standing in front of her. "I''m fine," she finally replied, her voice steady despite the confusion in her eyes. "Just trying to make sense of all this madness." And with that, she took a deep breath.


    "AAAAAEEEEEEEEEIIIIEEEIEIEIEEEEAHHHHHH!"


    The loudest scream echoes loudly in Emily''s earlobes. When she looked around, she saw an injured young man surrounded by a crowd of few people. Emily glanced at the man who was with her and said, "Alex, someone is hurt. We should go help him,"


    "Yes, we should go help him," she said and the two headed towards the crowd.


    As soon as they reached, they saw that the blood was pouring out from the young man''s left leg''s thigh. Alex quickly stepped closer to the man and asked the receptionist to bring the medical kit. The receptionist obeyed his order and raced towards a room to bring the medical kit.


    Within a few minutes, the receptionist came with a medical kit and gave it to Alex. Then Alex, without wasting any time, started bandaging the young man''s injured area.


    Alex was so adept at it that it took him just five minutes to bandage the young man''s injured area. Then Alex and the receptionist help the young man onto the couch.


    Emily stepped closer to a woman who was standing close to the young man before he got injured. ¡°Ms., do you know how he suddenly got injured?¡±


    She said in a wavering voice, "I-I don''t know how he got injured. I was so frightened by the flickering lights that I couldn''t see who had injured him."


    Seeing her condition, Emily did not ask her anything more. She advised the woman to drink water to calm herself. As soon as Emily turned her face away from the woman. Her eyes began searching for Alex. Then she saw Alex with the receptionist. She looks away from Alex and her gaze falls on a woman who is standing at the corner of the hall. The woman seems like she is in grief. Then Emily spotted a man who was rushed toward the woman. He seemed to like her husband. Emily barely can able to hear their conversation so stepped a little closer to them.


    "Honey, where is our son?" he asked in chaos.


    "Henry-y, our son goes missing,"


    To be continued...


    ?

 Chapter Four

    "What??? Our son went missing?"


    Her wife tried to hold back her tears, but grief overcame her. Tears streamed down her face like a heavy rain, and she couldn''t control her emotions. With her hands covering her eyes, she cried in agony for her missing child.


    The man ran frantically through the hall, searching for his son at every corner. Unable to find him, he approached the receptionist and showed a picture of his son on his phone, desperately asking for help.


    "Sir, I don''t know where your son has gone but I will try my best to find your son with the other motel''s staff," the receptionist reassured him.


    "So, hurry up," he yelled at him. In a state of panic, the man rushed out of the motel, leaving his wife behind. A kind woman stood by her side, offering comfort and support.


    Emily tries to remember when their son is found at the entrance of the motel. As she tried hard to remember, abruptly she recollected the memory of their son.


    "When that man arrives back at the entrance of the motel, his son will step in the entrance from the back door of the motel. I can remember that I saw an image of a bloody knife which will found in their son''s hand in the novel," she thought to herself and recalled a vivid image of a bloody knife.


    As she pieced together all these terrifying memories, her body began to tremble in fear.


    After two minutes, she spotted that man stepping into the hall from the entrance in grief and walking towards his wife. She busted into tears as she did not find his son with his husband and hugged his husband tightly.


    Mom-m-y.Dad-d-y...


    Everyone in the hall veered around after hearing the dreadful voice of a little boy. A little boy held the bloody knife in hand and slowly stepped towards his parents. But unknowingly the little boy stopped and busted into tears.


    "AHHHHHEEEEAAAHHHH,"


    He screamed in a dreadful voice and fell unconscious on the floor with the blood-stained knife. As he faints, his parents, Emily, Alex, and the receptionist rush to the little boy''s side.


    As soon as his father reached towards him, he immediately held his son in his arms and he and his wife quickly ran to their room which was on the first floor. In concern, Emily, Alex and the receptionist follow them.


    This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.


    As the couple barged into room number four with their son, the mother hurriedly unlocked the door and gestured for her husband to go in first. He carefully laid their son down on the right side of the bed, while the mother sat on the left side, softly stroking her son''s forehead. Tears welled up in her eyes, adding to the tension in the room.


    Emily, Alex and the receptionist stepped into the room and headed towards the bed. As soon as Emily reached the bed, she found the little boy lying unconscious on the bed.


    "According to the novel, the little boy is ten years old and he had some kind of illness. Perhaps the serial killer has done something to him which caused him to fall unconscious. I can only assume this because, in the novel, the author hasn''t mentioned what happened to him,"


    "But why is it that my memory seems to work like a mystery novel, only revealing clues when something dramatic happens?" Emily thought in confusion.


    "Mr. and Mrs.,  can I take a quick look at your son, just to make sure he''s alright?" Alex asked, his voice gentle. They nodded without hesitation. Moving closer, Alex gently took the boy''s hand to check his heartbeat. But as he did, a look of concern crossed his face. "His heart rate seems off. Is he dealing with a serious illness?" he inquired, turning to the boy''s parents with worry inscribed on his features.


    "He had a heart problem which was cured after his heart surgery but still sometimes his heart rate becomes abnormal," Jules says in a wavering voice.


    "Oh, I think he''ll wake up from his unconscious within an hour," Alex assured them.


    "Ok, thanks." The man said and sat on an armchair next to the bed.


    The room is quite spacious. A queen size bed was located in the middle of the room. A sweet little balcony was peeking in on one side, while two inviting armchairs sat on the other. Across from the bed, a TV was mounted on the wall. The walls were painted in a lovely emerald green shade, adding a touch of magic to the room''s ambience.


    Emily was still in shock that she was in this room that was mentioned as one of the exotic rooms in the novel. Every room on the first floor is luxurious.


    "Why do strange things suddenly start happening here one after another?.."


    Alex''s voice yanked her out of the beauty of the room and she glanced at Alex. "Yeah, why do these strange things start happening?" Emily said bewildered not to let them suspect her strange behavior.


    The receptionist hastily said, "Trust me. I don''t know how these things happen."


    "Oh, no. With these strange things happening, we forgot to check on Mr. Jones," Alex said.


    "So, what are we waiting for? Let''s go," Emily said.


    "Yeah, come on," Alex agreed, looking at the pair, "If you two need any help from me, don''t hesitate to come to me."


    "Yeah, sure," Jules said, gently stroking her son''s hair. Harry also nodded in agreement.


    Then Emily, Alex and the receptionist quickly left the room and went straight to Mr. Jones''s room. As they left the room, Jules looked at her husband and said in a nervous voice, "Harry, I have something to tell you."


    Harry furrows his eyebrows, glares at his wife and says firmly, "If that thing has happened again, we will have to leave this place immediately,"


    To Be Continued...


    So, what is your opinion on the blood-strained knife which the little boy held in his hand? Is this knife used by the serial killer to harm that young man while the lights were flickering?


    ?

 Chapter Three

    Subsequently the unbelievable revelation, Emily was sitting on the huge couch at the entrance of the motel. She still can''t able to believe that she has reincarnated into her favourite novel.


    "Why did I get reborn in this serial killer novel?.. I know I like mystery/thriller and crime books the most but I also like romance books. God could have me reborn in a romance book but so Why didn''t they do it?.. Perhaps the devil has heard my wish,"


    A man''s voice drew her out from the profound ocean of thought.  When she glanced at the receptionist''s desk, she spotted a man standing before the receptionist.


    A man was saying something to the receptionist in a worried expression. Emily wasn''t able to hear what he was saying so she stood up from the couch and stepped closer to them.


    "I think something has happened to that man. We should check him out,"


    "OK, sir. We will check on him but first I must call him."


    "Okay, Go on, "


    Then a man glanced at Emily. He greeted her with a warm smile. The man seems in his 30s. He is tall and handsome. His blue eyes can send butterflies to anyone''s belly. He was wearing an outfit well-tailored suit with a crisp, white dress shirt underneath. The suit in a classic navy, fitted to the body to accentuate his physique. A sleek leather belt and matching dress shoes complete the ensemble. The finishing touches include a silk tie and pocket square, adding a touch of sophistication. To further elevate the look, a stylish watch and a cologne with a timeless, masculine scent are essential.


    As Emily came out from his beauty, she greeted him hastily and asked "Mister, if you don''t mind, can you tell me what you were talking about?"


    "Sure, Ms. I made sure to let the receptionist in on something quite out of the ordinary regarding Mr. Jones, who checked into room 10 late at night. As luck would have it, my room was right next to his, and I was waked up from my sleep by a most peculiar sound coming from his room. It was a haunting, eerie screech, like a bird caught in a gusty wind. Concerned for his well-being, I made my way to his door and gave the bell a few presses, but there was no response. Even after knocking with increasing urgency, still, no answer. With the receptionist seemingly absent, I was left to ponder the mystery on my own." he said.


    "Oh, it sounds scary,"


    "Yeah, it is. That''s why I want to see Mr Jones with the receptionist,"


    In her mind, Emily was thinking something else.


    "I read this novel two years ago so I don''t remember much about this book. Even reading this whole novel, I was confused about the real culprit of this book. That''s why I was thinking of reading this book again. But I remember one thing clearly about this book. The thing is, Mr. Jones is found dead at the beginning of the book,"


    This story has been taken without authorization. Report any sightings.


    "Mr. Jones didn''t pick up my call,"


    Emily quickly turns her gaze to the receptionist. Then she sees the expression on the man''s face out of the corner of her eye.


    That man raised his eyebrows in astonishment.


    "So, now what are you waiting for? Let''s go to their room to learn about his well-being," he hastily said.


    "Okay, sir,"


    As the receptionist said, The atmosphere in the motel''s reception area suddenly became chaotic as the lights began to flicker wildly. As the guests started running for cover, panicked screams filled the air, but amidst the chaos, one man remained sitting quietly. Emily seemed lost in her world, unaffected by the hustle and bustle around her, her eyes distant and unfocused.


    That man, noticing Emily''s unusual reaction, approached her and softly asked, "Are you okay?" But her words fell on deaf ears as Emily was oblivious to the chaos around her, lost in the depths of her thoughts.


    I remember when I read about the lights flickering wildly in this book. When the light flickered wildly, a young man got attacked.¡± she thought in fear.


    The flickering lights and panic around her faded into the background as a thousand different thoughts raced through Emily''s mind.


    As the chaos unfolded, Emily''s calm demeanour seemed almost irrelevant amid the frantic panic of those around her. But deep down, she knew it was important to maintain her composure in such a moment.


    Finally, as the flickering lights became steady and the panic began to subside, Emily snapped out of her daze and focused on that man standing in front of her. "I''m fine," she finally replied, her voice steady despite the confusion in her eyes. "Just trying to make sense of all this madness." And with that, she took a deep breath.


    "AAAAAEEEEEEEEEIIIIEEEIEIEIEEEEAHHHHHH!"


    The loudest scream echoes loudly in Emily''s earlobes. When she looked around, she saw an injured young man surrounded by a crowd of few people. Emily glanced at the man who was with her and said, "Alex, someone is hurt. We should go help him,"


    "Yes, we should go help him," she said and the two headed towards the crowd.


    As soon as they reached, they saw that the blood was pouring out from the young man''s left leg''s thigh. Alex quickly stepped closer to the man and asked the receptionist to bring the medical kit. The receptionist obeyed his order and raced towards a room to bring the medical kit.


    Within a few minutes, the receptionist came with a medical kit and gave it to Alex. Then Alex, without wasting any time, started bandaging the young man''s injured area.


    Alex was so adept at it that it took him just five minutes to bandage the young man''s injured area. Then Alex and the receptionist help the young man onto the couch.


    Emily stepped closer to a woman who was standing close to the young man before he got injured. ¡°Ms., do you know how he suddenly got injured?¡±


    She said in a wavering voice, "I-I don''t know how he got injured. I was so frightened by the flickering lights that I couldn''t see who had injured him."


    Seeing her condition, Emily did not ask her anything more. She advised the woman to drink water to calm herself. As soon as Emily turned her face away from the woman. Her eyes began searching for Alex. Then she saw Alex with the receptionist. She looks away from Alex and her gaze falls on a woman who is standing at the corner of the hall. The woman seems like she is in grief. Then Emily spotted a man who was rushed toward the woman. He seemed to like her husband. Emily barely can able to hear their conversation so stepped a little closer to them.


    "Honey, where is our son?" he asked in chaos.


    "Henry-y, our son goes missing,"


    To be continued...


    ?

 Chapter five

    The bone-chilling wind begins to whip through the air. Small snowflakes have now turned into hefty and dense flakes which were collapsing to the ground at a rapid pace. Weather is endeavoring to predict the upcoming snow storm which can arrive at any minute.


    Inside the motel, Emily, Alex and the receptionist were heading towards Mr. Jones''s room. The receptionist was walking at the front, and Alex and Emily were following him. They have reached the second floor where Mr. Jones''s room is. Their numerous footsteps were echoing in the hallway.


    Alex and Emily were walking next to each other. Alex was constantly looking at Emily''s anxious expression. He couldn''t help and finally asked her "Are you feeling okay?"


    Emily hastily glanced at her, smiled and responded "You can guess. Not much but I''m trying to feel better."


    "Yeah, I can understand," he said with concern in his eyes.


    As soon as they reached Mr. Jones''s room, the receptionist began looking through the bunch of keys for a spare key to this room. Alex was looking at the door anxiously as well inquisitive. Meanwhile, Emily notices a grand door located straight to her right in the hallway. The grand door is locked with a padlock. The padlock was dark brown.


    ¡°I think I''ve heard about this huge door in this novel but I can''t remember clearly,¡± she thought in astonishment. Her inquisitive eyes glanced at the receptionist who was still searching for the keys.


    "Mr. David, what''s in that room," Emily said, pointing straight in the right direction. The receptionist and Alex both looked to the right at the same time. When the receptionist saw the grand door to that room, he paused for a second and said hesitantly, "That room is this motel''s storage room."


    "Oh, a storage room. I get it but why is this storage room on the second floor?" she asked doubtfully and turned towards him.


    "Ma''am, I don''t know about this. The owner of this motel knows about this," He said curiously and started looking for the key again. Then in a minute, he finally found the key to this room in the bunch of keys and started unlocking the door.


    As he turned the key in the lock, the old wooden door creaked open and he stepped over the hall. Emily and Alex followed close behind, their eyes scanning the room for any signs of danger.


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    But it was Alex who noticed it first - a small blood stain on the wooden floor. His heart skipped a beat as he realized they were not alone in this room.


    "MR. DAVID AND EVELYN LOOK AT HERE!! NOW!!" Alex exclaimed, pointing at the floor where the blood stain was. They both glanced at the blood stain surprisingly.


    As the memory came flooding back, it suddenly clicked in Emily''s mind. "I could remember that Mr Jones''s lifeless body lying in the bathroom and blood dots must have trailed all the way from the bedroom,"


    As Emily''s gaze shifted, her eyes caught sight of the ominous blood dots trailing all the way to the bathroom. Breath in shock, she cried out, "ALEX!"


    Alex and the receptionist turned to follow Emily''s line of sight, their eyes widening as they too noticed the disturbing path of blood dots leading to the bathroom. A tense silence sweeps in the air.


    Emily said in a low voice, "Mr. David and Alex. I think someone has murdered Mr. Jones and as you can see the blood stains, his body must be in the bathroom now."


    After hearing this unexpected thing from her, both of them became very disoriented and stunned. Both of them made eye contact with each other and glanced at her in perplexity.


    "WHAT ON THE EARTH IS HAPPENING HERE??" Alex cried out.


    As the receptionist sprinted towards the bathroom, Emily and Alex exchanged glances of sheer disbelief before racing after him. Once they went inside, their eyes widened as they saw a real-life horror movie scene - the lifeless body of Mr. Jones was sprawled on the floor next to the bathtub. A pool of blood has been poured out of his stomach and surrounding him. The gruesome sight sent shivers down their spines as they felt the wound in his stomach.


    Mr. Jones''s wide-opened eyes were staring at the ceiling. At this moment, the bathroom had transformed from a place of cleanliness and comfort into a chilling crime scene, leaving the trio stunned and on edge.


    Emily rosed out of the bathroom in disgust and stood in the room like somebody had frozen her in one spot.


    I have not been so scared since I found myself in the twisted plot of a serial killer novel because I still cannot believe that I have been reincarnated in this novel. But ever since I saw a gruesome corpse before my eyes, the thought of stumbling upon that gruesome corpse sends a chill down my spine, and I can''t help but feel a wave of fear. I have never seen such a gruesome corpse in my entire life.


    Something is going on with me. I have read this novel and even this novel is in one of my favourite novels list. Only I don''t know about the real killer of this novel but I remember everything about this novel. But now the things I remembered related to this novel come to mind only when something occurs.


    The only thing I can remember properly is that I have been reincarnated as the main character of this novel and my character in this novel has not died. But now I can''t able to trust anything. I think I may become the next victim of the real killer. I just can''t help but delve deeper into this dark and dangerous world.


    I have to save myself from dying before it''s too late.


    To Be Continued...

 Chapter five

    The bone-chilling wind begins to whip through the air. Small snowflakes have now turned into hefty and dense flakes which were collapsing to the ground at a rapid pace. Weather is endeavoring to predict the upcoming snow storm which can arrive at any minute.


    Inside the motel, Emily, Alex and the receptionist were heading towards Mr. Jones''s room. The receptionist was walking at the front, and Alex and Emily were following him. They have reached the second floor where Mr. Jones''s room is. Their numerous footsteps were echoing in the hallway.


    Alex and Emily were walking next to each other. Alex was constantly looking at Emily''s anxious expression. He couldn''t help and finally asked her "Are you feeling okay?"


    Emily hastily glanced at her, smiled and responded "You can guess. Not much but I''m trying to feel better."


    "Yeah, I can understand," he said with concern in his eyes.


    As soon as they reached Mr. Jones''s room, the receptionist began looking through the bunch of keys for a spare key to this room. Alex was looking at the door anxiously as well inquisitive. Meanwhile, Emily notices a grand door located straight to her right in the hallway. The grand door is locked with a padlock. The padlock was dark brown.


    ¡°I think I''ve heard about this huge door in this novel but I can''t remember clearly,¡± she thought in astonishment. Her inquisitive eyes glanced at the receptionist who was still searching for the keys.


    "Mr. David, what''s in that room," Emily said, pointing straight in the right direction. The receptionist and Alex both looked to the right at the same time. When the receptionist saw the grand door to that room, he paused for a second and said hesitantly, "That room is this motel''s storage room."


    "Oh, a storage room. I get it but why is this storage room on the second floor?" she asked doubtfully and turned towards him.


    "Ma''am, I don''t know about this. The owner of this motel knows about this," He said curiously and started looking for the key again. Then in a minute, he finally found the key to this room in the bunch of keys and started unlocking the door.


    As he turned the key in the lock, the old wooden door creaked open and he stepped over the hall. Emily and Alex followed close behind, their eyes scanning the room for any signs of danger.


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    But it was Alex who noticed it first - a small blood stain on the wooden floor. His heart skipped a beat as he realized they were not alone in this room.


    "MR. DAVID AND EVELYN LOOK AT HERE!! NOW!!" Alex exclaimed, pointing at the floor where the blood stain was. They both glanced at the blood stain surprisingly.


    As the memory came flooding back, it suddenly clicked in Emily''s mind. "I could remember that Mr Jones''s lifeless body lying in the bathroom and blood dots must have trailed all the way from the bedroom,"


    As Emily''s gaze shifted, her eyes caught sight of the ominous blood dots trailing all the way to the bathroom. Breath in shock, she cried out, "ALEX!"


    Alex and the receptionist turned to follow Emily''s line of sight, their eyes widening as they too noticed the disturbing path of blood dots leading to the bathroom. A tense silence sweeps in the air.


    Emily said in a low voice, "Mr. David and Alex. I think someone has murdered Mr. Jones and as you can see the blood stains, his body must be in the bathroom now."


    After hearing this unexpected thing from her, both of them became very disoriented and stunned. Both of them made eye contact with each other and glanced at her in perplexity.


    "WHAT ON THE EARTH IS HAPPENING HERE??" Alex cried out.


    As the receptionist sprinted towards the bathroom, Emily and Alex exchanged glances of sheer disbelief before racing after him. Once they went inside, their eyes widened as they saw a real-life horror movie scene - the lifeless body of Mr. Jones was sprawled on the floor next to the bathtub. A pool of blood has been poured out of his stomach and surrounding him. The gruesome sight sent shivers down their spines as they felt the wound in his stomach.


    Mr. Jones''s wide-opened eyes were staring at the ceiling. At this moment, the bathroom had transformed from a place of cleanliness and comfort into a chilling crime scene, leaving the trio stunned and on edge.


    Emily rosed out of the bathroom in disgust and stood in the room like somebody had frozen her in one spot.


    I have not been so scared since I found myself in the twisted plot of a serial killer novel because I still cannot believe that I have been reincarnated in this novel. But ever since I saw a gruesome corpse before my eyes, the thought of stumbling upon that gruesome corpse sends a chill down my spine, and I can''t help but feel a wave of fear. I have never seen such a gruesome corpse in my entire life.


    Something is going on with me. I have read this novel and even this novel is in one of my favourite novels list. Only I don''t know about the real killer of this novel but I remember everything about this novel. But now the things I remembered related to this novel come to mind only when something occurs.


    The only thing I can remember properly is that I have been reincarnated as the main character of this novel and my character in this novel has not died. But now I can''t able to trust anything. I think I may become the next victim of the real killer. I just can''t help but delve deeper into this dark and dangerous world.


    I have to save myself from dying before it''s too late.


    To Be Continued...

 Chapter Six

    In dread, Emily stood at the door of Mr. Jones''s room. Her inquisitive eyes were fixed on the door of the storage room. Numerous thoughts were spinning in her mind. Whereas, Alex put his hands behind his back, and strolled in the hallway and the receptionist headed to his desk, scouring for something there.


    "There must be something in there. Maybe related to the killer?... I have to go there! But how? Uh," Emily thought and glanced at the storage room door again. Alex who was strolling in the hallway saw Emily glancing towards the storage room.


    "Evelyn, What happened? Why are you looking at the storage room?" Alex said softly and turned towards her. Alex''s questions brought her out of her thoughts with an abrupt scream.


    "AHH,"


    Alex was startled by her scream, he held her hands and asked her with concern "Evelyn! Why did you scream?"


    Emily felt a wave of shyness wash over her as he clasped her hands, but she quickly forced it down, blurting out, "Nothing, Sorry for the scream."


    "It''s okay. I know you must be scared," he said, releasing her hands with a gentle touch. Despite her embarrassment, Emily couldn''t help but feel a flutter in her stomach at the way he understood her fear.


    "I think we and everyone in this motel should get out of here together and inform them about Mr. Jones''s murder to the police What do you say?" He said in a profound voice.


    "Yeah, we should go," Emily said in agreement.


    "So, let''s go to the reception desk. We must also have to inform everyone about this gruesome murder of Mr Jones," he said firmly. Emily nodded and then they both headed towards the first floor.


    When they arrived there, they saw Henry and Jules with their son at the reception desk. They also were carrying their luggage with them. Alex and Emily notice that the couple are arguing with the receptionist.


    Both of them immediately head towards the reception desk to find out about the argument.


    "So, you''re saying you can''t find a cab for us. You know our car has broken down, how are we supposed to get out of here," Henry yelled at him.


    The receptionist said, "Please try to understand me. The weather is so bad that a heavy snowstorm can come at any moment. I am not even able to call the police because of the network problems caused by the weather. "


    "Did something else happen here? Tell me!" Jules asked impatiently.


    Alex exclaimed, "Somebody has brutally murdered Mr. Jones!" The words echoed through the hall, causing a surge of gasps and whispers to spread through the crowd like wildfire. All eyes turned towards Alex, their expressions a mixture of disbelief and fear.


    The once bustling hall fell into a pin-dropped silence, the only sound being the faint murmur of voices as people exchanged fearful glances. The air was heavy with the weight of the news, a sense of unease settling over the room like a shroud.


    Whispers of speculation and fear filled the air, as everyone tried to make sense of the tragedy that had happened to Mr. Jones. Who could have committed such a horrible act? The question sweeps in the air.


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    As the reality of the situation began to sink in, a sense of unease washed over the crowd, leaving them trembling with fear and uncertainty.


    The receptionist announced, "I know everyone must be scared by the sudden murder of Mr. Jones but everyone can''t leave this motel."


    The young man whose leg was injured said from the crowd, "But why??"


    "If you want to know the answer then you can look out from the windows of this motel," The receptionist said and turned to one of the motel''s large windows.


    Outside the window, thick layers of snow were falling from the sky, which were spread all around due to the dangerous winds blowing in the air. The surrounding trees groaned under the force of the storm, some already surrendering to the onslaught of snow and wind. The road was buried under a thick cloak of white, making it almost impossible to distinguish where the road ended and the forest began.


    The receptionist turned to face the crowd of people, his gaze meeting the anxious looks of Emily and Alex. With a clear of his throat, he said.


    "As you can see, we have all heaters running at full blast to combat the freezing temperatures outside. In case of a power outage, we also have portable generators at the ready. I urge everyone to head to your rooms, lock yourselves in, and please refrain from opening your windows," he advised.


    As the murmurs of concern rose amongst the guests, questions about their safety and well-being began to fill the air. The receptionist reassured them as best as he could, hoping to calm them and wished for their trust in him.


    "How can we suppose to believe that we are safe here?" a man raises a question from the crown in speculation.


    "Sir, if you don''t trust us, take the spare key to your room. And we will inform the police as soon as the network problem is resolved. We just need your trust and support," the receptionist pleaded with people.


    After listening to him, some people nodded in agreement to trust him while some people were still not ready to trust him.


    "Here we go again. I just remembered that I had read about the snowstorm and I also recall that someone would be found dead the next morning but I can''t remember that person''s name. From this information, I conclude that a person will be murdered at midnight. I am eager to share this information with Alex but I know I can''t tell him," Emily came out of her thoughts as she saw Alex in front of her.


    "Evelyn, I haven''t asked this question before but I want to ask now. How do you know my name?" Alex asked curiously.


    Oh, no. I completely forgot that she hasn''t told me her name yet but I know her name because I''ve read this novel. What should I say now!.. Umm, okay. I can say this!


    "When I first met you here I overheard your conversation with the receptionist. She was calling you ''Alex'' so I assumed your name was Alex. By the way, are you suspicious of me?" Emily said questioningly.


    "No, no. I was just curious. Sorry if my question hurt you," he said quickly.


    "Oh, I was just afraid that you would be suspicious of me now. It''s a relief that you''re not," Emily said and a warm smile spread on her lips. A feeling of relief spread over both of them and they both smile warmly.


    "I know this dangerous place where someone is keeping an eye on me is not the place to discover love, but it was where I discovered a love she couldn''t ignore. His smile warmed her heart, his presence brought her comfort, and his protective nature captured her attention. She couldn''t help but fall for him, despite the unlikely location. I couldn''t help but wonder if he felt the same way about her. Perhaps one day, I would finally know his true feelings towards me,"


    ???


    Eventually, the long afternoon ends and the night begins but the snowstorm still hasn''t stopped, just took a ten-minute break and started again and the network problem is still not resolved. Alex was alone in his room. He had already closed the door of his room and had also closed the only window of his room tightly.


    He was lying on the bed thinking about all the events that had happened this afternoon but something else was also revolving in his mind. To clear his mind, he stood up from the bed, sat on the armchairs near the window and began glancing out of the window.


    Even though this snowstorm vigorously destroyed things and disturbed everyone''s life but still, he still found this beautiful. For a minute, he omitted all the stressful thoughts and relaxed in the armchair.


    But all of a sudden, The nagging thoughts that had been wandering in his mind all this time bubbled up to the surface and spilt out of his mouth before he could stop them. "How or who has reincarnated me in this novel?"


    To Be Continued...

 Chapter Seven

    Emily tossed and turned in her bed, her mind racing with thoughts that refused to let her rest. Frustrated, she sat up and checked the time on the wall clock. The hands pointed at 10:30 pm, a reminder of the impending task she had set out to do.


    "I have tried to sleep but I can''t able to?" she muttered to herself, her eyes fixed on the ticking clock.


    As soon as she steps inside, she turns on the sink tap takes some water from the running water in her bare hands and splashes it on her face. The cold wave of water refreshed and cleansed the pores of her skin. Then she turned off the running water and wiped her face with a towel hanging near the round mirror.


    The rim of the round mirror was gleaming with blue light that swept throughout the bathroom. The gleaming blue light makes her forget to switch on the bathroom light.


    The blue twinkling light of the round mirror creates an ominous aura in the bathroom that scares her a bit. Then she glanced at herself carefully in the mirror and sighed. She was not used to seeing this new and different face. She used to see a woman who wore glasses and had dark circles under her eyes. When she looks at herself in the mirror after staring at the laptop for eight hours straight, her eyes look like zombie eyes.


    But now her face is not the same as it was in her previous life. Her face now looks like a runway model. Her skin is absolutely clear and flawless. There is no chance of dark circles and pimples emerging on her face. Even her face becomes the ideal face that she wanted all her life. Now she has her ideal face but still not a single aspect of happiness can touch her.


    "I have not yet made any plans on how to save myself from the murderer. I think I should die at the hands of the murderer."


    As she said this, a mysterious black shadow passed behind her which Emily had seen in the round mirror. In dread, her heart was pounding faster. Thoughts of a mysterious dark shadow surrounded her and the mysterious shadow appeared to be a little girl with long hair.


    Frightened, Emily ran out of the bathroom and locked the door behind her. She could hear her heart pounding in her chest.


    ¡°What was that?...¡± she said in a broken voice.


    Then she hastily ran to the bed, lay down and wrapped the blanket around herself. Frightened, she closed her eyes, not daring to open them again.


    "Mom, where are you?"


    She heard the voice of a little girl drowning in sorrow. From the girl''s voice, it seems as if she is scouring for her mother. Emily is confused now. The girl is in this room or the hallway.


    "What''s going on here? I think the girl I saw in the bathroom is just an illusion of mine. Maybe a little girl is searching for her mother in the hallway," she thought and slowly pulled the blanket off her body.


    She got up from her bed and cautiously stepped towards the door. With trembling hands, she opened it and glanced out into the eerie hallway.


    "Hello? Is anyone there?" she called out softly, her voice bouncing off the walls.


    No one responded. Her mind warned her to go back to safety, but her heart urged her to find the lost little girl.


    After a moment of hesitation, she gathered her courage and undertook into the shadows of the hallway. The dim lights above cast a mysterious glow, turning the corridor into a tunnel of secrets.


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    With each step, her determination grew. The hallway seemed infinite, but she kept going, determined to uncover the mystery of the little girl.


    "CRACK,"


    As she walked down the hallway, a loud noise suddenly caught her attention. Curious and a bit scared, she turned towards the sound and slowly made her way towards it. Her heart was racing as she approached the eerie noise, her mind filled with a million thoughts.


    "Did something happen to her? Noo.  Hope she''s safe and won''t become the killer''s next victim."


    Emily prayed for the little girl in her mind and continued walking toward the end of the hallway.  There was an eerie silence in the hallway. Not a single sound was heard but the sound of her footsteps was shattering the alarming silence.


    Suddenly, she felt a warm and gentle touch on her shoulder. Sweat was dripping from her forehead as she froze. She slowly turned her back and saw Alex standing right before her. His upper eyelids were pulled up, and his lower eyelids were tense and drawn up as well.


    "Evelyn, why are you wandering around here? You should be in your room," Alex said in worry as he reached for Emily''s hand.


    "Alex, I heard a little girl calling out for her mom in the hallway, so I rushed out to help. But when I got here, she had vanished. I''m concerned about her, what do we do?" Emily explained, her voice quivering with worry as she held onto Alex''s hands.


    "I understand your concern for the little girl, Evelyn, but to be honest, I didn''t see anyone else around. I believe you may have imagined her because today has been quite intense for you. Let''s head to my room to calm down," he said in concern after witnessing Emily''s worried expression.


    "Okay," Emily said with a nod and followed Alex to his room.


    Upon entering Emily''s room, Alex quickly secured the door, ensuring their safety. He led her to a cosy pair of armchairs next to the window.  Hastily, Alex fetched a water jug from the bedside table and filled a glass with cool, refreshing water.


    He brought the glass with him and Presented glass to Emily, she accepted it graciously and gulped water. Then she placed the glass on the table between armchairs, the room was filled with a sense of calm. As Alex settled into the armchair across her and said "I can''t able to figure out how you can hear a little girl''s voice if she wasn''t in the hallway."


    "That''s what scares me," she said, dabbing her nails on the edge of the chair.


    "As I said before, when I came out of my room I didn''t see anyone in the hallway, but if by chance a little girl was in the hallway when I wasn''t. I would pray that her mother would be able to find her," he said, endeavouring to console her.


    "Yes, I will also pray. I don''t want any girl to suffer like me even in their wildest dreams," she said while remembering some of her bitter memories.


    "What do you mean? You can tell me, but only if you feel comfortable sharing with me," he said and looking into her eyes, he could feel that she had some painful memories.


    "I had recovered from my painful memories but after my-" she stopped in the middle of her sentence. She still hasn''t decided to share her past life with him.


    "What''s yours? Don''t hesitate with me. I won''t judge you at any cost," he said, yearning for her trust in him.


    "Alex, I trust you, but I don''t want to revisit painful memories right now. We''re already stressed and I don''t want to make the situation even more stressful. I hope you understand," Evelyn said, hoping to convey her trust in him.


    "As you wish. I understand your concern. It''s important to avoid unnecessary stress," Alex replied, offering a smile to show he wasn''t offended by her choice not to share.


    "Thank you for understanding me. I think I should head back to my room," Evelyn said as she rose from her chair.


    "Get some rest, Evelyn. You must be exhausted," Alex suggested, standing up to accompany her back to her room.


    "You don''t need to accompany me. I''m feeling okay now," Evelyn insisted.


    "Alright, then. Goodnight, Evelyn," Alex said warmly.


    "Goodnight, Alex," Evelyn replied with a smile, appreciating his understanding.


    Alex dropped Emily off at the door of his room and bade farewell to her. Emily was unaware that a shadowy figure was lurking in the darkness, following her as she made her way back to her room.


    To Be Continued...


    So, What do you think about the mysterious shadow? And do tell me your opinion on the little girl.


    Hope you have enjoyed this chapter. If you have then don''t forget to leave a vote on this chapter and share your opinion in the comment section. Your votes and comments mean a lot to me and motivate me to write more.


    Have a wonderful day :)