revertrapes

[revertrapes]

Last week my manager asked me whether I could fill him to some meetings that he can't attend in the main office for this monday.

"Sure, why not"

It's not like it's the first time, and also the main office is located in central. Sometimes it's good to move out from your boring office and get some quick escape even tho it's just some meetings.

So here I am, just finishing the last meeting barely past 7 pm. Usually the meeting would take much longer and I had to stay and keep company my boss.

But since is still early afternoon, my boss asked me to visit a storehouse to catch up and check some lists.

"Don't worry, there will be Mr. Simon who will meet you there. There won't be much things to do, just deliver some documents and etc."

"Alright.

.

I thought it was near the main office. Taking the taxi itself took 50 minutes even though the street is crowded as late night rain in mountain.

Finishing the tasks also took more time that I calculated. It's already past midnight, and it's impossible to find transportation back to home.

"Just take a rest here, there's a nearby hotel. Not fancy, but still a hotel"

"Sure"

So Mr. Simon take me to the hotel he mentioned. He booked me a room, and say goodbye after gave me the key.

.

It's a really simple old hotel. Not fancy, barely functioning. Even there isn't any lift, so I had to use steel trailed stairs to the 3rd floor. There isn't much decorations on hall, just a single wilted flower on the corner. The smells isn't bad, but also doesn't feel good. It feels like there's a hidden pile of leaves hidden somewhere.

But at least I can rest and go back quickly in the morning. What you could expect from quick cheap old hotel?

When I enter the room, the interior also doesn't stand out too much. A queen bed, a television hanged on the wall, a working desk and plastic chair, a wardrobe and small rack to place your shoe, I think?

The only decorations in this room are a painting hanged beside tv and some tablecloth.

I throw my bag on the bed and changed my clothes. Good grieves I always bring some extra clothes in my bag. I quickly wash my face, but my luck, the taps suddenly stops.

"Oh come, on!"

Grumpily I take the towel and flung myself to the bed. The bed smells like an old linen. And I wonder how just how old this hotel?

I stare at my ceiling, and realize there's some extra decorations detail in the corner. It looks like a pattern... But the placement is too weird, it doesn't have taste. But it really catches my eyes and it leads to the painting.

I take a closer look to the painting. The classic painting, about a crowded market in the village. There are merch, a beggar, some children, and another busy people. I guess the painter won't take much hassle drawing their faces since they are all on their back.

I go back to my bed and preparing myself to sleep.

"Just take a sleep... quickly fall asleep... And continue tomorrow morning"

.

Or at least that was what I thought.

I can't even sleep. Everytime I close my eyes I can hear a scratch in the walls. Rat, ghost, or even fairy, I don't care, I just can't stand with contrast of the tranquil night and the noise on the walls.

I get out of my bed and take a look to the window. I checked my phone, it's a freaking 3 a.m and I can't sleep. I also notice some notifications and emails, and decide to open my laptop and just do some works.

And that's when the TV suddenly turned on.

"That's surprised me!"

I quickly search for the remote but cannot find it anywhere, so I decided to turn it off by the quick button beside the TV. The last time I got surprised by TV is when I ask the hotel's staff to set up it as a morning alarm since I'm not a morning person.

"Maybe the last setting is still left active"

.

My glance move from TV to the painting again. The painting is made from oil paint, but there's no cover on it. I put my hand on it and swipe it slowly, and I stopped when I feel something texture on it.

The texture is come from a woman face on painting.

"Wait, a face? I thought this painting is consistent about the concept"

I take a closer look, and have conclusion that maybe the woman face is painted later, either by the originals painter or not.

And there's something weird about the face.. Like she looks sad, but actually relieved. The Artist is sure is an amazing one to be able to deliver such emotion in a small spaces.

"Or maybe I'm just over analyzing when the artist just painted it randomly"

I decide to go back to work and hope morning can come faster so I can go back to my own bed.

.

At 6 o'clock I already finished my work and bath, and make up my bed. Being early is easy when you don't sleep at all.

I open the window to get some fresh air and turn on the TV. That's when I realized something on the painting.

Faces.

They all have faces.

Not just a woman, but all the villagers are.

And they have the same expressions.

"Oh shit"

I was debating with myself to keep calm or not, when I realize the woman before is putting some nervous smile.

And she's drawn bigger than before.

I'm sure before she was just a bystander behind the merch, but now she feels like a main object in the painting.

.

That solely send me a cold shiver, and quickly I put my jacket on.

"Let's just have a breakfast outside, let me get out from here first".

I quickly reach my bag and walk outside my room. Walking through hall feels like forever before I reach the stairs.

It was only half way down to second floor when I heard another noise. The handrail, the steel handrail, is making some noise. A noise you made as someone punch the handrail with drumstick as you get down the stairs.

But the noise is getting closer to me.

And faster.

"Oh God"

.

I ran, and ran to the lobby on first floor.

.

Seeing another human never make me feel so relieved before. I ran out of breath, not because the running but more likely from the nervousness.

The hotel staff just look at me without words. When I get my composure back, one of them just calmly said to me

"Are you okay?"

"Yeah... Maybe.. I guess"

.

"I wanna check out right now, please"

"Ok, one second, please have a seat"

I take a look at my surroundings. The lobby is at least better, warmer and has more sense in decorations.

Bugging my mind, I decide to ask the staff

"Excuse me... But I think you have to change the decorations please on the room, especially with painting. It gave you bad vibes to the customer."

"We understand, we humbly thank you for the advice."

"We are planning for some big renovations to the more modern and simple theme, but our late owner still have so many his beloved paintings left in this building"

I give him another confused look.

"Our owner is a painter, his home basically just a museum and he decides to put some of his work here"

"Ah.. I see"

"He is so compassionate with his work. Sadly after his long sick daughter died, he suddenly fell sick and stop all activities"

"But maybe you can change some painting here.. like the one in my room. It feels.. weird, feels like they watch you when you sleep? I know I'm just such a scaredy cat"

I give them my best nervous smile, hope they won't be offended. The staff look at me confused, but then reply me with warm sme

"But, miss... Ah, I think you mistakes something here. Don't worry too much, I think you only a little bit tired."

"...Maybe. I'm sorry."

"No, no, we really appreciate your advice. We hope you have a great rest and experience in our hotel. "

"Okay, I'm gonna book a taxi"

"Here let me help you"

Sigh. Maybe he's right, maybe I'm just overthinking and tired.

.

When the taxi arrived, the staff help me bring my bag and opened the door.

"Thank you"

"My pleasure"

I hold the back the taxi's door when he closed it for me.

"Wait.. Can I ask who is the owner?"

"Sure. The owner is known as RSF. It's his pen name as an artist"

Gulp.

"I know him... He's famous for his landscape painting, right?"

"True."

"Is he... Love to paint people?"

"So far as we know, we've only seen his work in nature genre. Like you only seeing tree, building, and flower?"

"...... Alright. Thank you"

I closed the door and ask the taxi to move.

And make a hard mental note, to not stay in this hotel again