4: Room 1313

The hallway outside Room 1313 was far too quiet.

Winona stood beside Ava while hotel staff moved elegantly through the corridor delivering luggage to different rooms. Soft golden lights glowed overhead, expensive paintings lined the walls, and everything looked perfectly luxurious.

Which somehow made it creepier.

“You know,” Ava said while examining her room key, “normal hotels usually avoid the number thirteen because people think it’s cursed.”

“Comforting.”

Ava grinned. “Goodnight. If I die mysteriously, make me look hot at the funeral.”

“You already look high maintenance enough dead or alive.”

“Love you too.”

They separated at the hallway corner, leaving Winona alone.

The silence felt heavier immediately.

Winona slid her card against the scanner and stepped inside Room 1313.

The suite looked massive. Floor-to-ceiling windows overlooked dark mountains wrapped in rain while warm amber lighting reflected across polished black furniture. A fireplace crackled softly near the king-sized bed, and expensive perfume lingered faintly in the air.

A handwritten card rested on the table.

WELCOME, MISS HART.

WE HOPE YOU SURVIVE YOUR STAY.

Winona stared at it for a long moment.

“See, this is exactly why rich people are terrifying.”

Her phone buzzed.

[Your first activity begins tomorrow at 10 A.M.]

[Until then, guests are encouraged to rest.]

A second message arrived immediately after.

[Please remember tonight’s safety rule.]

DO NOT OPEN YOUR DOOR AFTER 12 A.M.

NO MATTER WHO IS KNOCKING.

Winona tossed the phone onto the bed.

“This show is trying way too hard.”

Still, unease curled quietly in her stomach.

She walked toward the window, watching rain pour endlessly across the mountains outside. The hotel stood completely isolated from the world, surrounded by thick forest and darkness deep enough to swallow everything beyond the gates.

No nearby roads or other buildings.

A soft knock suddenly came from the door. Winona jumped slightly before checking the clock.

11:07 P.M.

Still safe, probably. She opened the door carefully.

The dark-haired man from earlier leaned casually against the hallway wall with one hand in his pocket. Of course he did.

Winona crossed her arms immediately. “Do you always appear outside women’s rooms at night or am I getting special treatment?”

“Special treatment,” he replied calmly.

Annoyingly smooth.

He held up a small silver lighter. “You dropped this in the lobby.”

Winona blinked in surprise before taking it from him. “I didn’t even notice it was missing.”

“I noticed.”

For some reason, that answer affected her more than it should have.

Up close, he looked even more unfairly attractive. Dark hair slightly messy, sharp features softened by tired eyes, and a voice quiet enough to make people instinctively lean closer.

Dangerous face, dangerous voice- dangerous combination.

Winona cleared her throat. “You know, most normal people introduce themselves before appearing dramatically outside hotel rooms.”

A faint smile touched his lips.

“Adrian.”

“Winona.”

“I know.”

Before she could respond, another elevator ding echoed down the hallway followed by loud laughter. Several contestants stumbled out carrying drinks while cameras followed behind them.

The glamorous atmosphere returned instantly, like the strange tension between them had never existed.

One of the contestants spotted Adrian and grinned knowingly. “There you are. We thought you disappeared already.”

Adrian barely looked at them. Instead, his eyes remained on Winona.

“You should try to sleep early tonight,” he said quietly.

“And if I don’t?”

His gaze lowered briefly toward the silver room key in her hand.

“Then don’t answer the door after midnight.”

A chill crawled slowly down her spine.

Winona forced a laugh. “You people are really committed to this creepy hotel theme.”

Adrian looked like he wanted to say something else. But instead, he stepped backward into the hallway shadows.

“Goodnight, Winona.”

Then he walked away.

The moment he disappeared around the corner, the hallway lights flickered once. Winona frowned uneasily before closing the door behind her.

Outside, thunder roared across the mountains.

And somewhere deep inside the hotel, something knocked back.