The Door at the End of the Hall

 

The Door at the End of the Hall

Michael noticed the red door on his first night at the hotel.

It stood at the end of the fourth-floor hallway.

There was no room number.

When he asked reception about it, the receptionist immediately shook her head.

“There is no door there.”

Michael laughed.

But when he returned upstairs, the door was still there.

That night, he heard three knocks.

Knock. Knock. Knock.

They came from behind the red door.

Then a woman's voice whispered:

“Please… let me out.”

Michael stepped closer.

“Who are you?”

The voice became louder.

“He locked me in here.”

Michael reached for the handle.

Before he could touch it, someone whispered directly into his ear.

“Don't open it.”

Michael spun around.

The hallway was empty.

He looked back at the red door.

Now there was a small piece of paper taped to it.

It read:

ROOM 406 — OCCUPIED SINCE 1978.

Michael looked at his room key.

406.

The Empty Seat