Chapter 10
After a long day of travelling Matt, Molly Leah and Jeff arrived at their hotel in Denver, Colorado.
“ME and Molly are sharing a room.” Matt said as he took a key from the receptionist.
“But we always share” Jeff moaned.
“Not this time Jeff. Are you and Leah going to share?”
“NO!!” Leah and Jeff said in unison, making Matt and Molly laugh.
“Ok. I guess we’ll leave you two to get a room EACH and we’ll see you in the morning.” Matt finished as he grabbed his suitcase in one hand and Molly’s hand in his other.
“Yeh.” Leah moaned as she watched them walked before turning back to Jeff. She moaned again before booking herself a room. She got the key and left Jeff getting his key. As she struggled up the stairs with her suitcase she heard footsteps behind her.
“Wait up.” Jeff called after her. When he reached her side he was carrying his own suitcase. “Let me?” he offered as he held out his hand offering to take her case.
“That’s ok, I can do it. Thanks all the same.” She replied not moving her eyes to even look at him.
“Come on, give it her.” He said as he placed his hand over hers on the handle. When she felt his fingers over hers she jumped and tripped over her own feet and went tumbling to the floor. Jeff put both cases down and offered her a hand, which she refused.
She got back to her feet and dusted herself off. As she bent down to pick up her suitcase she felt Jeff’s hand on her shoulder.
“No you don’t.” he said trying to get her to look at him.
“Jeff I can manage honestly.”
“Let me.” He said this timing grabbing the case and picking it up.
“JEFF!” Leah snapped as he walked off completely ignoring her. She decided she better catch up as she watched him disappear around the corner. She walked quickly after him but she looked at her key and stopped by the door with the corresponding number. She cleared her throat to get Jeff’s attention. He looked over his shoulder and turned back to her. “You took your time!” she said as he set the cases down.
“What did you pack? Bricks?”
“No. The kitchen sink.” She said actually truly smiling at him for the first time in ages.” She put the plastic key into the slot and opened the door. She flipped the light on and looked around. “Great. A window facing the park!” she said excited as she let Jeff past with her case “You gotta look at this!” she said as she stepped out onto the balcony. Jeff followed her and peered over the edge.
“Yeh, doesn’t this place look so beautiful when it’s all lit up?”
“Yeh. Most places do.”
“Have you done much travelling?”
“No. I moved from Alabama when I was 17.” She paused, contemplating whether to tell Jeff more, whether he was interested
“And?” he asked prompting her to continue.
“When my parents were…died, I had no ties, no reason to stay, so I moved. I don’t know why I moved to Utah, I guess it was somewhere different. Away from my prob…. everything, a fresh start.”
“You weren’t going to say died where you?”
“Yes!”
“No you weren’t I can tell. Come on, you can tell me, I know we don’t get on great but I’m a good listener believe it or not.”
“I’m gunna grab a drink you want one?”
“You aren’t gunna change the subject that easily.”
“I just did. You want one or not?”
“No thanks. I better go find my room.”
“What number 207. Must be just up the corridor.”
“Yeh it must be.” She said as she led him of the small balcony.
“Night Leah.”
“Night Jeff.” She said as he opened the door.
“Leah, just remember, I’m here if you ever need to talk.” He said as he picked up his case.
“Thanks Jeff I appreciate it. I know I’m not your favourite person but it means a lot.”
“Your welcome. Night.”
“Night”
Leah couldn’t sleep. The curtains from the balcony blew. Noises echoed through the room. She turned over in the uncomfortable bed once more. She stared at the light from under the door, suddenly it blacked out. Leah had to do a double take as she heard something being put under her door. She froze and waited for the light to come back, which it eventually did. She flipped the light on and walked over to the door where there was an envelope with her name typed on the front of it. She opened it and froze. The same cut out letters. She read it over time and time again. “Trying to run? It will never work. You’re in my grasp, in my reach forever. You will pay.” She walked back to the bed and grabbed her key card and flipped the light off. The tears poured from her eyes as she sobbed. “Not again. This can’t be happening.” She mumbled to herself as she reached the door. She cautiously opened it and stepped out. She slammed it shut and ran crying down the corridor. Not really thinking, Leah stopped out side of room 207. She banged on the door. Her arms over her stomach as she shook and cried. She looked down the corridor to make sure she was alone. She knocked louder on the door before it opened. Jeff stood there rubbing his eyes until her focused on Leah who stood in a frozen lifeless form in front of him. He looked puzzled but she stared him straight in the eye and moved one of her arms out handing him the letter. He looked at it and then straight back to her. He pulled her into the room and sat her on the edge of his bed.
“I think you need to explain.” He said softly as he sat down beside her and wiped a tear from her cheek. She didn’t reply she only cried harder. Jeff immediately put his arms around her and pulled her against him. He moved his hands over her back, calming her as she shook in his arms.
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