The Motel

I’ve slept in some shitty places but goddamn this one was by far the worst. It was two years ago. I was driving across states so that I could attend my cousin’s wedding. I had been on the road for twelve hours, only stopping every four or so when I needed to use the bathroom, grab a bite to eat, or just stretch my legs. Against my better judgment, I decided to attempt driving through the night. By about I’d say hour twenty I came to regret my decision as my eyelids began feeling heavy.

I groaned at my stupidity and the fact there wasn’t a place around me I could stop at or so I thought. While going up a hill I saw it slowly come into view. It was almost as if it was appearing out of thin air. It read “Mike’s Motel”. Relieved that I had found a place to sleep, I pulled into the parking lot. Once parked, I got out of my car and went inside.

Instantly the smell of must invaded my nostrils. Under most other circumstances I would have left. However, I figured beggars couldn’t be choosers. I went over to the desk and rang the bell. From out of a room with its door marked “hotel staff only” came an older-looking man. I assumed he was either the manager or a worker.

“Do you only want a room for the night?” He asked.

“Yeah, how much does it cost?”

He pointed to a sign that listed the prices for how long someone was to be staying…