14: Warm Water, Cold Secrets

The atmosphere inside the hotel shifted slightly after the challenge ended.

Nobody said it out loud, but surviving together had changed something between them. The panic from earlier slowly faded as the contestants finally left Daniel Cross’s suite and returned downstairs looking emotionally exhausted.

Julian immediately demanded alcohol.

Moira surprisingly agreed with him.

“I usually drink after interrogations,” she admitted while accepting a glass from the hotel bar. “This somehow feels worse.”

Liam sat beside her looking equally drained. “I still think there’s some technological explanation behind all this, but I’m starting to hate every possible answer.”

“That’s the spirit,” Monica said cheerfully while snapping pictures of everyone with an old digital camera she somehow carried around constantly.

Ava stretched dramatically beside Winona while they walked through the lobby together. “I deserve financial compensation for today’s trauma.”

“You’d spend it on cocktails within twenty minutes.”

“Correct.”

As they reached the elevators, Iris suddenly moved closer to Winona with a small smile.

“You were really brave in there,” she admitted quietly. “Most people would’ve panicked after seeing... whatever that mirror thing was.”

Winona shrugged casually even though her heart still sped up whenever she remembered the woman’s face. “Somebody had to talk to the creepy ghost lady.”

Iris laughed softly. “My podcast listeners are never going to believe this story.”

“Honestly,” Winona replied, “this is enough content for my next horror novel too.”

“Please write me as the hot paranormal podcaster.”

“You already call yourself that.”

“Because it’s accurate.”

For the first time since arriving at the hotel, the group actually laughed together.

The tension eased slightly after that.

A few hours later, Ava somehow convinced almost everyone to gather near the indoor pool area behind the hotel lounge. Warm golden lights reflected beautifully across the water while rain continued pouring outside the massive glass windows surrounding the room.

“This,” Ava declared dramatically while kicking off her shoes, “is exactly how traumatized rich people heal.”

Before anyone could stop her, she jumped directly into the pool fully clothed.

Monica burst out laughing and followed immediately while Julian cheered like he was watching professional entertainment.

Soon even Liam and Moira joined them, though Moira still somehow looked intimidating while waist-deep in water holding a wine glass.

Iris sat near the edge beside Winona while dangling her feet into the pool. Across the room, Monica continued taking pictures of everyone while Julian shamelessly flirted with her between poses.

“You know,” Iris said quietly, “for people trapped in a murder hotel, this almost feels normal... like a weird vacation!”

Winona looked around slowly. Ava was splashing Liam while he argued dramatically. Monica laughed so hard she nearly dropped her camera. Even Moira looked slightly more relaxed now. And Adrian stood farther away near the windows watching her.

The moment their eyes met, he tilted his head slightly toward the exit behind him. Winona stood up almost immediately.

Iris noticed and smiled knowingly. “Ah, the mysterious director summons.”

“Don’t make it cheesy.”

“It’s already cheesy.”

Winona rolled her eyes before walking toward Adrian. The second she reached him, he quietly said, “Come with me for a minute.”

“Should I be concerned?”

“Probably.”

“That somehow makes me trust you more.”

A faint smile appeared on his face before he guided her through a quieter hallway leading behind the hotel. The storm outside had weakened slightly now, leaving cold mist hanging over the mountains surrounding the property.

Then Winona stopped walking.

Hidden behind the hotel sat a private outdoor jacuzzi surrounded by dark stone walls and dim lantern lights. Steam curled beautifully into the cold night air while rain tapped softly against the surface of the water.

Her eyes widened. “Okay. This is officially the best thing that’s happened since we got trapped here.”

“That’s exactly why I brought you.”

The warmth in his voice caught her off guard again. Winona stepped closer toward the water while Adrian leaned quietly against the stone railing nearby.

For a moment, neither of them spoke. Then she finally looked at him seriously. “You really remembered all of this before, didn’t you?”

 Adrian stayed silent long enough to give her the answer anyway.

Winona’s playful expression faded slightly. “How many times have you been through this hotel?”

"Once... or twice? I'm not sure." He replied looking confused.

"What I do remember is that... you died."