Long Needed Break

Pepper took one more breath of the fresh tropical air. The mixed smells of salty sea water, mixed with the ripe fruits sold in little stands placed just off the main road flooded her sinuses. It had been far too long since Pepper had smelled anything that wasn’t old city smoke or expensively brewed coffee. It reminded her of her childhood, of the days she’d spend with her family down in Hawaii during summer vacation.

Pepper checked her two luggage bags at her side. Feeling their weight as well as patting down both of her pockets. Making sure that both her wallet and phone were placed snug against her thighs. The last thing she possibly needed was her losing her two only means of escaping from a strange new city. 

Once everything was accounted for, it was time for the vacation to start.

Pepper had been working for her employers over at H.P Technologies for quite some time as a manager of business transactions. All Pepper did all day was make sure each payment went through perfectly and each location of H.P Technologies received the much needed shipments. If there was any kind of problem, she needed to inform the higher ups and continue on with her day. However, with a research and development company as large as H.P, there were at least mountains of it everyday.

It was all becoming a bit too much for Pepper. During one of her many venting sessions with a close friend of hers, Emma, Pepper expressed her desire to continue working for this company that had done her right for so long.  However, she felt swarmed by all sorts of responsibilities that all seemed to be piling up.

“Why not just take a vacation? I’m sure Richard won’t mind, as long as you have the hours.” Emma said with a bright smile that Pepper was sorely lacking that day. The idea of vacation hours had completely slipped Pepper’s mind and her face matched Emma’s once she had learned that such a thing existed.

***

Pepper walked through the sliding doors of her hotel. As she entered she felt the air conditioner, placed just above the front door, blast cool air right down her back. It was quite the relaxing feeling, especially after sitting in a small stuffy cab for what felt like hours. Pepper took a second to take it all in once more, to the annoyance of the small family that were trying to get in behind her.

The hotel lobby was lined with a bright white ceramic on the floor. Giving the hotel a bright and clean feel. Though there was a golden divider in between the white ceramic and a darker blue carpet. This carpeted area held finely crafted wooden furnishings.

Pepper walked over to the carpeted area, the heels of her shoes clacking against the floor. Pepper ran her hands against a couch that felt rough to the touch. The material was rougher than she was expecting, but as she pushed down into the cushioned seats she felt her hand become enveloped. This gave Pepper a feeling of comfort, feeling the strangely now soft sensation of cloth wrapped completely around her hand.

“Hello miss!” A voice called through the lobby are. Pepper perked her head up, quickly retracting her hand from the couch, and turned to the source. Sat behind the marble counter was a woman, roughly the same age as Pepper, in the standard attire of the hotel staff. A little badge pinned on the respectful lady’s vest read “Mia.”

“Hello!” Pepper replied, sharing Mia’s smile.

“How can I help you?” Mia asked, keeping her smile as she placed her hands on the counter.

“I’m just looking to check in. Name should be Pepper Johnston.”

“Gotcha.” Mia moved from the counter to a small black computer that was placed to her right. Mia’s fingers flew across the keyboard as she keyed in, what Pepper presumed, Pepper’s name into the system. Pepper knew that these things normally took a lot of time, but Pepper would be lying if she said she was just thrilled to be doing this. Pepper would’ve definitely preferred to just be let up into her room, however rules were indeed rules.

Suddenly, the door that sat behind Mia’s counter opened and a large man came in through the door. This man was wearing a similar outfit to Mia’s; though the man had a hat that was smaller, proportionately, to his head. The man closed the door behind him before looking towards Pepper with a sad smile on his face.

“Did I hear that you’re Pepper Johnston? Coming from Wyoming?” The man said as he wrung his hands nervously.

“Uh, yes.” Pepper said with a sideways glance towards the man. “Is there a problem?” Pepper saw the man’s name tag read “Han.” 

“Unfortunately we had a problem with your card online.” Han began to explain, through a series of exaggerated hand motions, that Pepper’s card had continuously declined. Every time they tried to input the credentials the machine just rejected the card each time, refusing to budge.

Pepper, for the first time since getting off the plane, looked at her phone to see that her bank had called her several times. A wave of panic began to flood through Pepper’s body. As well as a small hint of shame.

“Maybe we could do a physical transaction? Maybe then that’ll work?” Pepper suggested. Not wanting to go home after investing so much from just the plane ride over.

“That could work.” Mia chimed in. “Though, if it doesn’t it could freeze your card.” That, out of everything, was the last thing Pepper needed as of right now.

“Maybe we could split the transaction between two cards?” Han asked, dabbing his own head (which was now filled with sweat) with a small napkin. “You’d just have to find someone who would be willing to do that.”

Pepper immediately thought of calling her mother. Pepper’s relations weren’t horrible with her mother, maybe she’d be willing to give some money? Then Pepper thought of how much it was to pay for this room for the week. It would have to be a shared payment of five hundred dollars per individual. Pepper believed in her mom, but she doubted that she had five hundred dollars to spare. Pepper also wasn’t willing to force her mother to do something like this due to a fault in the hotel’s system.

“I could pitch in.” A low voice chimed in from behind. Pepper whipped her head around to find the source. Behind Pepper stood a man that made Pepper’s heart race a little faster.

“The cost is five hundred fifty dollars. Are you positive you really want to do that?” Han asked, gripping the soaked napkin in his hands.

“Please, that’s no problem at all.” The stranger said with a wink towards Pepper. The man was definitely attractive and Pepper didn’t mind the offer, however, there was a feeling deep in the recesses of Pepper’s head. 

Don’t do it… A small voice called to Pepper from inside her head. Pepper shook this strange thought from her head. “He’s willing to help me.” Pepper thought to herself as she swiped her card. 

“Finally!” Han let out as he threw his hands into the air. It seems this problem with Pepper’s card had been bothering him for a while. Pepper was handed a key to her room and thanked the kind gentleman who helped her out today.

“What’s your name?” Pepper asked, enthralled by this man who had suddenly become her hero.

“Adam. Pleasure’s all mine.” The man bowed with a hint of exaggeration that made Pepper laugh a little. The two eventually parted ways, leaving Pepper to head to her room and relax.

***

Pepper had let herself relax the only way she knew how, with a bottle of champagne.

She sat herself down on the balcony of her room bottle in hand with a small glass to her side. Pepper flipped through her phone to find the music that she’d play for the rest of the night. After not being able to decide what she’d like, Pepper eventually just hit shuffle and decided to hope for the best.

Pepper poured a little bit of her bottle, bobbing her head to the rhythm of the song and immediately began to drink. This was the first night she’d stay up late for. This reminded her of her days in college and she didn’t mind one bit. Pepper felt the harsh sting in her throat, followed by the sensational feeling of drunkenness fill her head.

This is how Pepper sat for about an hour. Just enjoying the wonderful sunset in front of her. As the orange of the sky turned to the deeper blue of the night, Pepper returned inside. To avoid the harsh cold that would certainly come with the nightfall. 

Pepper lifted up the blankets of the queen sized bed, fluffed with the softest sheets and pillow this side of the world, and felt herself sink deep into the mattress. Pepper let her eyes fall heavy as she began to drift into a sound sleep. One that she was long overdue for.

One that, about a few hours, was interrupted by that little voice in the back of her head.

Someone’s here…

Pepper couldn’t shake this unknown and uncomfortable feeling that stirred her awake. The digital clock on the hotel room’s alarm read “01:15.” Pepper rolled her eyes at herself and let her head fall onto the pillow again. Half of her face was absorbed by the softness of the pillow.

Get up… You’re in danger…

“Fine.” She thought to herself. “I’ll turn around and prove to you that I’m not in any danger. I’m here. I’m safe. I’m-” Pepper threw herself around, taking the blanket with her. As she turned she saw a large figure, silhouetted against the moonlight that was creeping in from the balcony window.

Pepper let out a guttural scream of fear as she fell off of the bed. Pepper crawled further away from the figure. The figure turned it’s head slightly to reveal the features of the man who had shared his pay of the room with Pepper.

Adam.

Pepper froze in fear as Adam grinned menacingly towards her. Pepper’s heart began to race again, this time out of fear. Adam took a step towards Pepper. Feeling the pressure, Pepper got up and ran for the door. Pepper threw her whole body against the door, attempting to open it once more.

The door didn’t budge. Pepper turned the deadbolt on the door to unlock and then pulled on the handle once more. However, the door remained still. Adam let out a small laugh, watching Pepper’s pitiful display. Pepper held her back against the door and faced Adam.

Adam began taking slower steps closer towards her, the grin growing wider with each step he took. Eventually, tears began to fog Pepper’s vision. Pepper slid down onto the floor and forced her face into her hands. She was cornered. It was all over. Pepper was going to die here, all alone...