C2 chapter 2

She stepped daintily along the path on her way to the outdoor table facing the right-wing of the hotel. Asher followed her.

The sun was shining, the air was fresh and clear after the night’s heavy rain, and everything outside the hotel looked washed and bright, totally different from the inside.

Asher breathed the fresh air. Before opening his lips, he was attracted by the group sitting by the table in front of a greenhouse.

It is an odd combination. A high-school-aged girl, an office clerk, and a maintenance-like man. They were greeting Olivia.

She waved back, approached, and took a seat.

After Asher joined them, the sturdy worker said, “I am David Miller. That is Kevin Spiers and Maggie Bradbury.” Both two grinned friendly.

“He is a fresher.” Olivia jumped in.

David got it and continued to give Asher a detailed account, “We are in a game existing in another space. When we are dying we are absorbed here. The game is believed to give us chances to revive after we pass the tenth one.”

“Every game has its rule and mission. If we can find out and finish it, we will pass the game. Plus, we get help from a note.” Kevin looked around, “Who got it?”

No one replied. Then Asher recalled the arm, and turn to Olivia, “I may get one. The words are ‘Grape Hotel’ on a scrap of paper. That body gave it to me.”

“That is it!” Olivia confirmed, “The hotel seems to hide some secrets. Almost all servers are odd. ” Others agreed.

“Be careful. Every game has ghosts.” Maggie warned, with a slight tremble.

“You said body. What is that?” David picked a grape randomly from its vine, which grew out from the greenhouse at his back.

“I am not sure. I think there was a body lying under my bed.” Asher shrugged, “Then I ran away.”

“You made a wise decision.” David indifferently tasted the grape, “Sweet!”

At that moment came two servers with breakfast.

“Dear guests, enjoy your meals.”

Hannah distributed the beverage carelessly, while the waiter laid out food: three sausages, a fried egg, and a basket with three loaves of bread.

Asher sipped his drink, “I thought I asked for coffee. Hannah?”

Hearing that, the waiter, his name tag marked Zeke, made an apology quickly for his partner, “Sorry, Sir. Our fault. She is in a mess for her family affair recently. But maybe you would like the grape juice. Our grapes were picked up this morning. Or I will serve you coffee later.” He waited for the answer.

Maggie took a sip of her juice, “Grape juice is great!” Asher nod to agree.

Then Zeke took a bow, leaving with Hannah without speaking more.

“Weird,” Kevin remarked, holding his lemon juice.

Maggie was taking a loaf of bread out of the basket when a corner of paper caught her sight. She pulled it out scrupulously and it turned out to be a copy of a report.

She read it, “Ada Bush, the hostess of Grape Hotel, has been lost for a week. The police engaged in frequent investigations, but the case is still in the mist. However, there is a rumor that Ada Bush was murdered by her husband Chad Bush.” The last sentence was underlined.

All of them exchanged glances. They were exactly in the Grape Hotel, so their mission should be to find the murderer.

“Maybe her body is under my bed.” Asher queried, “Did she become a ghost？”

Kevin shook his head, “Not sure. It could be. But the game is not so simple. We have to dig the truth. How about asking the waitress, Hannah. She is quite suspicious.”

The sun got lighter and lighter.

Noticing dazzling sunshine, David stood up, “We need to take action respectively now. The time is slipping away. Don does not forget another rule: the game will be upgraded the next day.”He rang a bell.

After discussion, everyone entered their task respectively.