“Maybe she has some kind of dummy key, I don’t know. But people break into hotel rooms all the time, don’t they? Maybe they don’t normally lock the door when they leave, but she’s not your average burglar.”
Kate raised an eyebrow at me. “What about the door chain? Was that a party trick too?”
~ Chapter Twelve ~
The sun blinded me. If possible, I felt worse than before.
“Kate?” I didn’t know what wallpaper paste tasted like, but I was sure I’d swallowed a mouthful.
“You are alive. That is good.”
It was a man’s voice, and it sure as hell wasn’t Erik’s. I sat up so fast tiny fireworks exploded in front of my eyes. My brain throbbed a warning. Not so fast, Mister. I can still fuck you up, believe me.
Harold stood at the edge of my bed, smirking at me. Uh oh. What is he so happy about? Sensing that someone else was in the room, I carefully turned my head to the left. Erik was tiptoeing to his bed like he thought I would attack him. When he realized he’d been spotted, he gave me a weak smile. “Hey, man. How are you feeling?” He slipped off his pack and plopped down on the mattress. The bed squealed in protest, and another time it would have made me laugh. But all I could think about was what he’d told Kate about the chain, about not hearing a woman in the bathroom with me. Traitor.
“I’ve been better.” I coughed a little, more for effect than anything else.
“You missed the best part of the trip today,” Harold said. “Yangshuo is famous for its beauty.”
“Great, Harold. Thanks for telling me. I was thinking I couldn’t feel any worse, but I was wrong. Thank you.”
Erik cleared his throat, looking like he wished he were anywhere else. If Harold was offended by my sarcasm, he didn’t show it.
“Erik told me what happened here last night. I am, of course, concerned.”
“What version did you tell him, Erik? The truth, or the one that suggests I’m either a nutcase or one hell of a sleepwalker?”
My roommate couldn’t have looked more upset if I’d slapped him. For a minute, I almost felt sorry for him…almost. “I—I never said that, man. What I said was—”
Harold silenced him with a wave of his hand. “Whatever happened or didn’t happen is not our concern right now. What matters is what we are going to do about it.”
When you go on a tour, the last thing you want is a wishy-washy guide. You want someone who can make difficult decisions, who can take care of business, who can do what needs to be done. Male or female, you need a tour guide with balls. I understood this, but Harold’s take-charge attitude made me wary, at least in this context. Why did I have the distinct feeling that whatever his course of action was, I wasn’t going to like it?
I didn’t have much time to brace myself, but even so, I never would have expected what he said next.
“Erik is going to room with Matt from now on.”
“What?” I gaped at my roommate in shock. He shook his head slightly, but I wasn’t sure what he was trying to say. Was this not his idea, or did he just not want me to be angry with him?
“You are ill. I am responsible for the safety and wellbeing of every person on this tour. I will stay with you, Erik will move in with Matt, and Martin will have his own room. His snoring has been keeping John awake.”
I definitely felt ill now, even sicker than I’d been the night before. If I’d eaten anything that day, I would have been retching all over the place. Share a room with Harold? I’d rather die.
“I’m really sorry, man. It’s nothing against you. Harold thought it would be better if—”
He shut up fast when he saw how our guide was glaring at him. Harold cleared his throat. “This is the best solution. I’m sorry I did not suggest it last night when you told me about the woman who has been bothering you. If she visits you again, I will deal with her.”
I thought of how she had assured me that he wouldn’t go to the government. She had made it sound like Harold had something to hide. But he didn’t act the slightest bit afraid—of her or anyone else. I sucked in a breath as I remembered her request. Erik was still my witness—there would never be a better time to confront our guide. “She knows you. She said she’s the girl you dream about every night, the one you will never forget.”
I’m not sure what reaction I’d expected. Maybe an expression of exaggerated terror, like you see in Japanese horror movies, when the philandering men learn the error of their ways. Or at least a gasp of recognition. But I might as well have asked for a glass of water—Harold’s face remained as expressionless as always.
“The only woman I dream of is my wife, and she is in Xi’an with our son.” Harold nodded at Erik. “Take your things. I’d like everyone settled by dinner.”
I sat up in bed, my mind spinning. “Wait.”
I can’t share a room with him. Think, man, think. “I wouldn’t want anyone to catch this flu. It’s nasty. Why don’t I take the single? Someone else can room with Martin.”
Harold shook his head. “Martin needs his own room. His snoring is too loud.”
“Trust me—when I puke, it’s not exactly quiet. Not to mention the coughing fits. I’m sure people would rather deal with snoring than hear someone barfing their guts out in the bathroom.”
“I am a very sound sleeper. Your illness will not bother me.”
“I can’t get you sick though, Harold. You’re our guide. We need you.” Ugh. Appealing to that man’s ego was enough to make me vomit, empty stomach or not.
“I never get sick—I will be fine. Someone needs to keep an eye on you until you have regained your health. This is my job, not Erik’s or Kate’s.”
Way to twist the knife, Harold. The man excelled at the guilt trip. He made a shooing motion at Erik, who hesitated in the doorway. “Go on, collect your things. We meet in the lobby at six o’clock sharp.” There was a glimmer of amusement in Harold’s eyes as he regarded me. “I assume you will not join us for dinner?”
“No,” I said, my stomach churning at the mere thought of food. Harold nodded, as if everything was decided. Which I guess it was.
As soon as Harold left the room, excuses burst out of Erik like lava from an erupting volcano. “It wasn’t my idea, I swear. He insisted. I didn’t have a choice, man.”
“Don’t worry about it. It’s not your fault.” I hadn’t yet processed what rooming with Harold would mean for me.
“Are you going to be okay? That got a little intense.”
“You should have heard us last night.” I strived to sound casual, like it was all a big joke. “Go on, pack. You heard the man. It’ll be fine.”
As much as I hated to admit it, Harold was right. It wasn’t Erik’s responsibility to clean up my mess, be it puke or an incredibly persistent stalker. If I’d been in Harold’s position, I probably would have done the same. It was the right thing to do, but I questioned the motive.
Erik hurried into the bathroom, seeming more and more eager to leave. Harold had put him in an awkward position, but I was sure he was relieved to be moving in with Matt. I know I would have been.
Since my roommate had mastered the art of unpacking without strewing his belongings everywhere, it didn’t take long before he was ready to go. Even though he hadn’t left, the room already felt empty. I was going to miss him.
“Do you want me to bring you anything from dinner?” Under his mop of blond hair, his face was miserable. Any suspicions I’d had that he’d orchestrated this move were gone, just like that. Why did I feel like I was never going to see him again? He’d be just down the hall.
“No.” My stomach had other ideas, protesting loud enough for Erik to hear. That broke the tension. He laughed.
“Are you sure?”
“Yeah.” I patted my gut, which had been nonexistent before I’d begun the trip and now felt almost concave. “I think it’s best that this stays empty for a while.”
“Okay.” He started toward the door, but he didn’t walk more than two s
teps before turning back. “Matt and I will be in 402. Come get me if you need anything, okay?”
I nodded, not trusting myself to speak. I couldn’t understand why this was upsetting me so much. It’s not like we spend a lot of time in our rooms. I’d rarely see Harold.
“Any time, day or night. Just knock.”
“Go on, Erik. I’ll be fine. Say hi to Matt for me.”
He hesitated. “I just…I want you to know I don’t think you’re crazy. I think this chick is bad news. And maybe Harold can—”
“Not your circus, not your monkeys. You don’t have to worry about it anymore.”
“We’re okay, though, right?”
“Of course.”
He moved in for a fist bump and I touched my knuckles to his, but my heart wasn’t in it. I was already onto the next problem, which was how to avoid sharing a room with Harold.
* * *
The next time I awoke, the room was completely dark. Groping around for my phone, I finally found it partially wedged underneath my pillow. I was surprised to see it was only seven o’clock. The group would still be at dinner.
Moving into a sitting position as slowly as I could, I hoped the headaches and nausea had relented. Thankfully, other than feeling a bit weak, I seemed to be back to normal. I longed to brush the mossy glop off my teeth, but I was worried about what I’d find in the bathroom.
Snapping on the bedside lamp, I waited a few minutes for my eyes to adjust so I could open them without tearing. Every sign of Erik was gone, but a black backpack hung from the room’s only chair. Harold had clearly moved in while I’d been sleeping—he was the one person who could get away with a pack that small.
I considered using the chain to lock him out, but that was silly. Pure fantasy. Sure, things had gotten tense between us, but it wasn’t like he wanted to murder me in my sleep or anything. In a few short days, we’d be moving on to Hong Kong and the final part of the tour. I could make it that long.
“Hello.”
I flinched, nearly falling out of bed. “Jesus Christ! Would you quit doing that?”
She stood by the window. She was wearing the blue dress and her feet were bare again, suggesting she was staying at our hotel. Her face was so pale in the gloom it seemed to have a bluish cast, as if she’d tinted it to match.
“How did you get in this time?”
“The door was open.”
Great. If this was Harold’s way of deterring stalkers, I didn’t have a lot of faith.
“What is wrong with you?” She frowned, and I shivered, feeling a sudden chill.
I resisted the temptation to make a sarcastic reply. “I’m sick, that’s what’s wrong. I missed the best part of the trip.”
“Perhaps it is your conscience that makes you unwell.” Her tone was light, as if she were suggesting something for dinner. In that moment, I would have gladly strangled her.
“Maybe if you didn’t keep breaking into my room and waking me up in the middle of the night, I wouldn’t be unwell.”
“I didn’t wake you up last night. It was your dream, was it not?”
Wait, how did she know about my dream? I sure as shit hadn’t told her. “What, now you can read my mind?”
“It is not so difficult to read a picture book,” she said, smiling at me.
“Fuck you.”
“For a man who likes to think he is funny, you can’t take a joke very well.”
“Maybe I’ve lost my sense of humor. Because of you, I have to share a room with Harold now.”
“Why does this upset you? This is a positive development.”
“A positive development? Are you serious? How is sharing a room with that psycho positive in any way? He’s supposed to be watching out for me and he didn’t even lock the goddamn door.”
“Now you will have opportunity to ask him about me. It is the first step toward keeping your promise.”
“I did ask him. He doesn’t remember you.”
Fury flickered across her face, dark and ugly. It was gone so quickly I thought I’d imagined it, but I didn’t imagine the drop in temperature. The room was positively arctic. Clutching the flimsy blanket to my chest with one hand, I felt for the air conditioner remote with the other.
“He’s lying. Don’t tell me you are fool enough to believe him.”
A moment before, I would have given anything to wipe the smirk from her face, but now I wondered if provoking the psycho was such a good idea. It was a struggle for me to sit upright, let alone defend myself. Raising my hands in surrender, I softened my tone. “Hey, I’m sorry if this hurts you, but Harold is married now. He has a kid. Whatever you guys had going on, he isn’t interested in rekindling it.”
She glared at me, and my stomach responded with a warning lurch. “This is what you think, that we were lovers?” She snorted in disgust. “I’d rather make love to a snake.”
“Well, whatever it is between you, he said he doesn’t remember you, and I don’t think he’s lying.”
“Then you are a fool. He remembers. He cannot close his eyes without seeing my face. I have made sure of that.”
“He’s going to be here in about half an hour. Why don’t you ask him yourself? It’s kind of silly to use me as a go-between when you could speak to him directly.”
She shook her head. “No, it must be you.”
“How many times do I have to tell you? I can’t. Even if he’s bluffing about calling his government friend, which I don’t think he is, he’ll send me home if I keep asking about Hensu. And I won’t be much good to you in Minnesota.”
The thought remained unspoken between us.
You haven’t been much good to me here.
“You are wise to be wary of him—”
“Hey, I’m not afraid of the guy. But I’m already in hock for this trip, and—” I have plans that don’t involve fulfilling the wishes of a crazy person.
“You are lying. You are afraid of him. And if you aren’t, it’s only because you do not know what he’s done.”
“What did he do? Why can’t you tell me? If I knew what this was about, I could ask better questions.” And I’d know, once and for all, if it was a story worth telling.
She ducked her head, letting her hair fall forward to conceal her face. “I am not allowed to talk about it. This is why I need your help. You must be my voice, Jackson.”
“But if you can’t tell me what happened, how am I supposed to be your voice?” I had to fight the urge to scream. Was she crazy? Delusional? Or really good at being the most annoying person on the planet?
“Ask Hongqi. It is the first step.” She moved toward the door. “I have to go now. I will return later.”
Great. But for some reason, the prospect of seeing her again didn’t give me the creeps anymore. She looked more sad than dangerous. As frustrated as I was, I couldn’t help feeling sorry for her.
“Hey, someday you’ll have to tell me how you get in and out of my room.”
She hesitated. “I cannot tell you, because I don’t know how to explain. I couldn’t always do it.”
“Did someone teach you?” I pictured a ninja locksmith, slinking around in the shadows with a ring of skeleton keys. Better a ninja locksmith than a common thief.
“It isn’t something one learns in school. Sometimes, when I want to be somewhere, I focus on it and I’m there. It helps that you invited me.”
For a moment I didn’t have a clue what she was talking about, and then I recalled our initial meeting in the ghost city. “I invited you to sit by my campfire, not to break into my hotel room.”
“No,” she said. “You invited me into your life.”
Before I could ask how to un-invite her, she was gone.
~ Chapter Thirteen ~
I didn’t want to believe it. It wasn’t true—it couldn’t be true.
What I was considering wasn’t possible. This was real life, not some Gothic fantasy. But there were too many things I couldn’t explain, too many things that just didn
’t add up.
Reaching for my phone, I noticed my hands were still trembling. My body was damp with sweat. Praying for Wi-Fi, I pressed the power button and nearly screamed when my phone’s notification blared, letting me know I had texts. The number beside the message icon was truly frightening, but I tapped it anyway, anything for a distraction.
I groaned when I saw Brandi’s name. My finger hovered over the delete option, tempted to send her and her crap into cyberspace. But what I needed, more than anything, was to talk to someone. I really wanted to talk to Kate, but I didn’t know her number and the group still wasn’t back from dinner.
Fine, Jackson.
U made ur point.
I’m not begging for ur forgiveness anymore. What makes u think ur so much better than me? It’s not like u were there for him either.
Fuck u. Srsly.
—B
As annoying as her message was, it did the trick. Trust Brandi to infuriate me so much that I forgot how scared I was. Following my initial impulse, I deleted her stream of angry texts and curled up on my bed, hoping to get at least a couple hours of sleep.
I left the light on.
* * *
I’d been asleep when Harold got in after dinner, but he was still arranging his things in the room when I woke up the next morning.
His bed looked like it hadn’t been slept in. I smiled in spite of myself. Only Harold would make his bed in a hotel. Well…Harold and Erik.
Pushing myself into a sitting position, I stretched my arms to the ceiling. I felt like I’d gone a few rounds with Mike Tyson, but at least I could move without the urge to vomit.
Harold nodded at me. “Good morning. How are you doing?”
“Okay, thanks.”
“Some of the others are meeting in the lobby in one hour for shopping. Last chance for cheap souvenirs.”
He’d warned us the markets in Hong Kong could be expensive.
“I thought you might be hungry. I brought you jian bing. It’s traditional breakfast food. Very good. Try it.”
Harold’s kindness caught me off-guard. I almost regretted provoking him again. But I wasn’t going to get any peace unless I did. Taking a deep breath, I said, “Thank you, Hongqi.”
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