상숙자 Novels & Stories

I banged a fist against the glass. He jerked awake with a sharp snort and squinted at us. “Welcome to Haven Motel,” he drawled amidst a yawn. His battered name tag read: Stan. “Forty dollars a night, cash only.” “I’m not here to book a room,” I said. His sleepy eyes took us in. “Okay, cause I think a threesome including you two hefty broads would break our bed.” Kaela slapped a hand over her mouth to muffle her snort.

"You don't even have IDs. You should be grateful I'm letting you stay at all. I could get fined for this. Try another place if you want—you won't find anyone else who'll take you." She'd run this inn for years; nothing surprised her anymore. These two—too composed, too polished—clearly weren't ordinary travelers. Probably a pair of rich runaways pretending to book separate rooms, though they'd end up together before the night was over. No need to waste another clean room on them. One room would do just fine. Sharon understood. At a time like this, a roof over their head was already a blessing. She took a deep breath. "Alright. One room, then."

But, right now, that's not my major hook. “Chill bro, it's not what you think”. I said, pointing at Garvin. “My friend is really in a bad state, he's too drunk and can't properly stand”. “I need a room for him so he can sleep it off, and I don't want him to create a scene”. I added, trying to make him understand. Just answer my question, and give me the fucking key. I said to myself. “Oh, yeah. We have a spare hostel room upstairs. It's room 312, third floor”. He muttered.

The seventeen pounds were not for food; they were for survival’s architecture—a roof, however temporary. She found the hostel not by map, but by scent. It was in a side-street that smelled of stale beer and damp brick, a narrow building squeezed between a kebab shop and a newsagent. The sign, ‘The Traveler’s Rest’, flickered with a dying neon buzz. The man at the counter didn’t look up from his racing paper. His scent was of cigarette smoke and resigned boredom. “Three nights,” Luna said, her voice sounding too small against the hum of a distant television. She slid twelve pounds across the laminate.

Elara remembered standing in front of the Paul Revere House, her mother's hand warm in hers, both of them smiling. That felt like a different lifetime. A different Elara. She pulled out her phone, powered it on despite every instinct screaming not to, and searched for hostels near South Station. Bay View Hostel - $35/night - Women's Dorm Available Perfect. Cheap. Anonymous. Safe. She booked a bed for three nights using the last of her cash reserves. The confirmation email arrived immediately along with an address in the North End. Elara started walking. The streets were crowded with lunch-hour traffic, tourists and students and businesspeople all moving with purpose. She kept her head down,

Chapter 65: "So, when are you planning on telling us where you're staying?" Spencer asked between bites of his lamb gyro. Hannah nodded. "Yeah, the mystery is making me worry." Jackson chuckled and shrugged. "I'll tell you when I feel like it." Truth was he was certain Spencer and Hannah would not like the fact he'd paid for a month's stay in an motel when he could've been at their home. He didn't want to argue with the couple about his decision; plus, he was tired of relying on his friend's hospitality.

, murmuring herself, she put her phone in her top pocket and went out of the room. He comes back into his house which was not less than any mansion, which had all the facilities and luxuries that grand hotels have but the only difference is that he was the only customer of this hostel, Yes..!!!... Customer!!!!..., because if it was calculated then the result was that out of the twelve months in a year, he remains outside of the house for ten-month.

I need to wake up. At last, I can rest. I did find a place for me to stay. The apartment was near the building, CDU. A dorm, the thing is, that dorm was only for the employees of the SCA building. Wah, so much for a luxurious place for them. Hayyss. Tomorrow, I'll find a school that has a scholarship. ***

“Everybody will be waiting for us.” Dejected, we make our way back. Beth and Quill are already waiting for us, a broad smile on Quill’s face. “We found a bag packer’s hostel. They do breakfast and dinner as well. We booked a room ‘till the evening. Thought it would be better to move after dark.” “How many beds per room?” “Bunk beds.” Beth smiles proudly. “Six per room.” The words are just out of her mouth when Isabel and Anderson hurry towards us, panting, “We’re here!”