Chapter 6

The touchdown of the plane woke Cyrus from his slumber on his seat. He rubbed his face and massaged his forehead to ease his throbbing headache. He stood up, picked up an oversized brown-coated jacket, wore a dark shade and filed out of the plane like the rest of the folks. It took about ten minutes for him to check in. He had always loved traveling light, so no luggage came with him apart from the black ATM card in his pocket, a briefcase that held the documents Anderson had given him with some items he claimed would be useful and ten thousand dollars he had withdrawn on his way to the airport.

The people that were meant to pick him up were easy to spot; all dressed in their annoying black outfits, they looked around the airport with trained eyes. He donned the oversized jacket and walked a curve that'd take him past them without an encounter, keeping his eyes straight ahead to avoid drawing attention to himself. He succeeded in leaving the building and hailing a taxi.

“The name's Rodney, what's your destination sir ?” Rodney, a man with a graying hairline and professor-like glasses, asked Cyrus. He watched the large man that relaxed at the back seat with rapt attention.

“I don't know, I'm new on this side of the world. Just drive me around, I'll make it worth your while.” Cyrus responded and slid a thousand dollar bill to Rodney. “I do hope for both our sake you're the good kind of driver. Show me the wonders of LA.”

Rodney picked up the bill and blinked at the rearview mirror “Okay, do you have anywhere in mind?”

Cyrus shook his head. “You'll just drop me at a great hotel after the trip,”

“That's dope. You got to check out the Aquarium of the pacific. My nephew Jimmy went there with his girl and she wouldn't stop talking about it.” Rodney said. Cyrus could feel him brighten up from the sound of his voice. “Or you'll tour the historical museum.”

Cyrus frowned and when Rodney looked up at him with an enquiring gaze he forced himself to laugh “I'm not a fan of the dead. No museums for me.”

Rodney nodded like he understood “Well, the aquarium is a pretty nice start. You could have the Expres tour if you're staying long in the city of Angels.”

“I'll definitely keep that in mind,” Cyrus leaned forward and produced another thousand dollar bill. “The aquarium sounds like a great idea and I hope your nephew had a great time.”

“He sure did. it's good to be young,” Rodney said and smiled, making the bill disappear from sight, he drove off. Cyrus watched the cars moving by for a moment before he opened his briefcase and retrieved the file.  It was a well documented account of the luck running out of a rabbit foot that was hung at the door of a suit at a fabulous hotel “Nirvana Delights” that Anderson had captioned “Evil foot hangs luck.”

“I'll be staying at the Nirvan Delights,” Cyrus said, breaking the silence, he did not miss the sharp and concerned look that Rodney gave in the mirror. “Is there anything you would like to say?”

“If you take my advice, I'll find a better place for your first time in this city. A magnificent place that's better than any other hotel.”

“Is there anything wrong with that one ?” Cyrus inquired. He watched Rodney's eyes divert from his own to focus on the road ahead.

“There're a lot of strange things in this city and the world at large. That hotel is definitely on the list of strange deaths. Let me take you to another one. You don't look like a man that seeks trouble, you'll be better off away from that place.”

“Don't worry, I'm a journalist, here to record and leave. No need to book a room.” Cyrus chuckled to ease Rodney. “I just don't believe in ghosts or things of that nature. There's always an explanation for the events that happen.”  Rodney gave him a suspicious look and was about to respond when Cyrus' phone rang. Cyrus raised his hand to excuse himself and picked the call.

“What're you doing? You left the men at the airport! Cyrus this isn't a joke,” Anderson's anger drifted over the line with his voice.

“I'll get to the hotel but on my own terms, either you accept that or come do the job yourself,” Cyrus said and hung up the line. He smiled when he looked at Rodney “I guess that ends my tour. Take me to the hotel, I need to wrap up work so I'll enjoy the rest of my vacation.”

Rodney nodded and kept on driving in silence. When Cyrus saw the building of the hotel, he paused. The building stretched upward far above the eye level of Rodney's car. He shook his head.

“You don't have a great relationship with your boss, but I can tell he's concerned. Reminds me of my wife,” Rodney said with a smile as he pulled up in front of the Nirvana Delight's Hotel. “That's the hotel over there, my warning, do not stay the night. No matter what, you can always come back the next day.” Rodney said as he brought out a card and handed it to Cyrus.

Cyrus wanted to tell him Anderson might as well be concerned about his own neck but he held it in and said “Thank you,’’

“Call me when you want that tour and I'll show you actual wonders. Have a great day Mr?“  Rodney added

“Dennis Mcmill,” Cyrus said without missing a heartbeat.

Rodney nodded. “Alright, I'll see you around Mr. Dennis.”

Cyrus brought out four thousand dollars and slid it to Rodney, he noticed the man's close attempt at refusal “Have a lovely evening, that bill is on my boss tab.”

“Thank you,” Rodney yelled behind him when he got out of the vehicle and walked up the stairs that led into an expansive lobby. The place had everything you'll find in any luxurious hotel but from where he stood the receptionist, a dark haired lady dressed in matching white and blue like an air hostess, looked bored, he looked around and there was barely anyone in the lobby.

The receptionist brightened when she noticed Cyrus approaching her.

“Welcome to Nirvana Delight's,” She cheered “ I'm Kate, what room would you like to take?”

Cyrus nodded. “It's a family suite, the one with the rabbit foot,” Cyrus enquired. Kate's smile froze and died on her lips. She looked pale.

“I'm sorry sir, that room has been booked and is currently out of commission,” She responded. “There are other equally available rooms that would suit your taste. I can put you in the best room with great staff attention.”

Cyrus typed into his phone and sent to the line Anderson had used to reach out to him. “Room Booked, mission self-terminated.”

 A reply came just as fast, it was like Anderson kept a station beside his phone. “Booked in your name” the reply stated.

“It should be booked for a Cyrus Night and that's me. Please confirm the details.” Cyrus said and slid her an identification document. Katie typed on the screen and nodded.

“Can I have the key to my room?” Cyrus asked.  Kate's mouth opened but she could not form words. She handed them over to him with shaking hands. He took it and headed toward the elevator. She watched him go and shook her head.

Cyrus thought of the room in two words “excessive luxury” because everything you'll think to find in a house was there, he located his bed, a King sized one, and dropped the suitcase. He heard a soft tap, tap, tap sound on the room door he had just closed. He turned around and saw A white furred rabbit foot hung on the door, tapping against the door because of how fast he had closed it.

He opened his briefcase and removed a silver box lined with strange markings on its sides. He unhooked the rabbit foot from the door and locked it inside. He went to his briefcase, thinking that was easy. He placed it and locked the case. Ready to leave the room, he turned, and what stared back at him where the door used to be was a brick wall with no way out of the room. Cyrus swallowed and dropped the briefcase. He carefully removed the rabbit foot from its sealed compartment and the door materialized. He moved closer and tried to open the door but it wouldn't bulge. He hung it back and tried the knob; the door creaked but opened with ease. He stared at the long corridor of the hotel, with various rooms down the lane, and mounted silent curses under his breath. This was going to be harder than it appeared.