Chapter 17

That was the last I heard from Ella. By 10.15pm, I got a little worried. I decided to take the risk and head down to check on Ella. Instead of going straight to the ground floor, I would stop on the higher floors and take the stairs the rest of the way.

The corridor was quiet and I slowed down as I got near the lobby and paused to listen. The last thing I wanted was to bump head on into Walter and Ella if they happened to exit the lift at that time.

Suddenly I saw the spill of light onto the carpet at the end of the corridor where Ella’s room was and before I could react, I saw Walter slowly back out of the room, his attention focused on the interior. I immediately ducked into the small recessed space right beside the area marked Pantry.

It was the entrance to the service lift.

My heart pounded and there was a lump in my throat as I could hear the muted slapping of Walter’s slippers on the carpet before it connected with the tiles at the passenger lift lobby. The chime told me he called for a lift and another one told me the lift arrived. I waited for a few more seconds before I darted my head out for a quick peep.

I really really needed to shit and I’m not joking about it. As stealthily as I could, I checked out the guest lift lobby to make sure it was clear. I sprinted to the end of the corridor and I dug into my pocket for Ella’s room card. My knees almost gave way as I took in the sight on one of the twin beds.

Ella was on the bed out cold lying on her side. She had already changed into her shorts and t-shirt, I’m not sure how. Perhaps Walter did the change.

I checked the clothes on the floor and I realised a top was stained with vomit. There was this weird buzzing sound in the room but I couldn’t pin it anywhere. I saw the vibrators by the foot of the bed missing the batteries. Walter must be heading down to grab some.

I immediately sprung into action and I tried to carry Ella up. I lifted her and supported one arm on my shoulder and grabbed her phone, I opened her room door, trying to hold it open with my body as we struggled to get out into the corridor.

She was semi conscious but she could not support her own weight. We staggered out into the open as the door slammed close behind us. Don’t ask me what I was doing. I can tell you honestly that I don’t fucking know what I was doing at that point in time. I really don’t.

I only knew I really needed to shit and Ella was really heavy.

The short distance to my room seemed to have been extended several times as I slowly dragged Ella to my room. I could not fucking believe what was happening. No one would ever believe me even if I swore something this ridiculous happened.