Chapter Eleven: Night Shift:

Around 10:15, Lauren and Doyle walked into the Palm Leaf Motel. She looked like she had just woken up, but struggling to stay that way. He walked up to the desk.

“Welcome to the Palm Leaf Motel,” the receptionist said in a monotone voice. His eyes looked like a dead fish’s. Doyle narrowed his eyes.

“We would like a room for the night,” he said.

“Single or double beds?” the receptionist asked.

“Single,” the male vampire said. He tried to read the human behind the desk. Lauren on the other hand struggled to keep her eyes open. Doyle nudged her in the side.

“Come on, get it together,” he whispered. Lauren mumbled something under her breath before her head dropped forward.

“Is she okay?” the receptionist asked. He did seem to come to life, but only for a second. Doyle quickly brushed him off.

“She just woke up,” he said. “Really long day today. Poor thing barely got any sleep.” The vampire tried shaking his companion.

“Come on!” he said. “Pull it together! Wake up!” Lauren tried, but failed.

“Uh… I’ll look for that room you wanted,” the receptionist said.

“Please do,” Doyle said. He kept his eyes and ears focused around him.  I know you’re watching us, he thought. Are you alone right now? The male vampire slowly turned his head. One lone guest with his newspaper up sat on the couch near the back wall. Doyle narrowed his eyes.

I know you are watching us. Show yourself!

Why would I want to do that now?

Doyle looked behind him. Oh, it’s you. To what do I owe the pleasant?

We are to kill that girl with you there.

Doyle raised his eyebrow. May I ask why?

You know what she is, right?

I have a vague idea.

You know she is a threat to us. We’ve already started having more hunters after us. They aren’t even the strong kind either. Those stupid reporters won’t stop talking about the damage she caused either.

Yes, I watch the news too. Why should I let you kill her?

“We have one room available, sir,” the receptions cut in.

“Double beds?” Doyle asked.

“Yes,” the human replied. “Here you go.” The male vampire snatched the key from him. Doyle picked up the pen and filled in their names in the guestbook on the desk. He shook Lauren once more.

“Come on,” he whispered. “We’re going up to the room now. Wake up. Wake up.” Lauren’s head lifted for a second and then dropped back down. Doyle groaned.

“Do you need any help?” the receptionist asked. The male vampire waved him off.

“We are good,” he said. The human opened his mouth, but Doyle held up his hand, frowning.

“I said, we are good,” he repeated. The growling in his voice warned him to stop. Meanwhile, the leader behind the newspaper smirked to himself. The receptionist lowered his head.

“Thank you,” Doyle said, bowing his head.

“You have a good night,” the human man said as the new guest dragged his companion down the hall. The vampire waved him off as he disappointed down the hall. The leader lowered his newspaper once they were out of sight. He put up two fingers in front of his face.

“They’ve arrived,” he whispered. “Everyone meet up here and get into position.”

“Yes!” his team said. The leader set down his newspaper and rose to his feet.

“You’re free to go,” he told the receptionist. “You’ve served your purpose.” The hunter snapped his fingers and vanished into thin air. Seconds later, the receptionist rubbed his forehead and looked around.

“Huh?” he asked. “What was I doing again?” The young man looked down at his guestbook. He made a strange face as he stared at the writing.

“Who are Mr. and Mrs. Doyle Smith?” he asked. He turned and noticed a key missing on the rank and looked down the hall. The receptionist rubbed the back of his head.

“Hm…” he said. “Am I going crazy tonight?” The receptionist sat down at his desk in the darkened lobby with a blank stare on his face.