Page 20 of The Stranger

“Ernest?” I call, cupping my hands around my mouth. “You up, bud?” I ring the bell again, then check the time. It’s just after midnight, so I wouldn’t be surprised if he’s sleeping, though I need him to wake up.

I glance down at the desk, which has a stapler, a cup of pens—most of which are missing their caps—and a planner lying on top of it. Nothing else. He already mentioned that room five is empty, so I’m half tempted to place the cash under the keyboard, take the key, and leave a note explaining what happened. I nearly do it, but I’m scared someone would come in and steal the cash, and two hundred-dollar bills are all I have left. My wallet is full of ones and fives, maybe a few tens, but there’s not enough to cover the cost of the room, meaning I’d have no way to replace the money if it disappeared.

I guess I could tell him I’ll pay him in the morning or he could come to my room to collect, but that feels worse than just leaving it. It feels like stealing somehow.

“Ernest?” I call again, this time louder. “I need that other room.”

When he still doesn’t answer, I sigh and turn back for the door. Outside, I hurry up the long walkway, noticing lights on in two of the other rooms. When I open the door to mine, the bathroom door is still shut, and I can hear the sound of running water.

I lock the door and cross the room to my bed, opening the suitcase and sorting through the clothes I have in search of something she can wear.

Most of my clothes are casual, but there’s a button-down shirt and slacks for church on Sunday. Though I haven’t gone in over a year, my parents attend every week, and I know better than to try and skip when I’m staying with them.

I grab a pair of my nicer sweatpants and a plain T-shirt, toying with the idea of loaning her a pair of boxers, but I decide that’s a step too far.

I pull out a pair of socks, too, and lay them on top of the pile.

As the water shuts off, the door opens, and she steps out, rubbing her hands together. She stops short when she sees me.

“I didn’t hear you get back.”

“I just did.” I wring my hands together in front of me. “I’ve got good news and bad news. Which do you want first?”

“Bad.”

Somehow, I expected that. “I can’t find Ernest. I rang the bell, called his name a few times, and he didn’t come out. Some other couple was in there trying to find him, too.”

Her eyes widen. “And? Do you think something’s wrong?”

I shake my head. “No. I just think he’s sleeping hard and can’t hear us calling him. And I don’t have any idea where his room is, nor do I want to go snooping to find out.”

“Which means?” She glances at the beds warily.

“Which means we’re roomies. You’ll have your own bed. I swear I won’t bother you. If there were any other options, I would take them, but I don’t think we have a choice.”

I expect her to argue, to tell me a million reasons why this is a terrible idea, but instead, she simply sighs and says, “So what’s the good news?”

I pick up the stack of clothes and hand them to her. “I found some clothes you can borrow if you want to take a shower and warm up.”

She stares down at them. “They’re clean?”

I roll my eyes and put the stack in her hesitant arms. “Yes, you stubborn ass. They’re clean.”

* * *

Ten minutes later, I’m lying in bed, one hand above my head, the other resting on my stomach. I’m so exhausted my entire body hurts. I need to sleep, but I can’t. My mind races with more questions as I listen to the steady stream of water in the next room.

What if the roads aren’t cleared tomorrow?

What if the storm gets worse and damages the car?

What if the cell towers aren’t back up?

We have no way to get food here. The bag of M&M’s I bought at the rest area is long gone, and even with Ernie’s promise of cereal in the morning, if we have to stay longer than the one night, that’s going to become a problem. Not to mention the fact that I’ve barely managed to contain her tonight, and by tomorrow, there’s no telling what she’ll attempt in order to escape.

I could hide the keys, I realize, so she won’t try to leave. I’m partially scared she’s going to wait until I fall asleep and then steal my keys and drive away. But there are only so many places to hide them, and I’m quite certain she’ll look in every single one.

I need to clear my head and ease my worries. I need to be out of this space, if only for a few minutes. I slip out of bed and make my way to the door once again, grabbing my coat and slipping it and my boots on.

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