Chapter 4

My accommodation at the motel was worse than I had expected. The bedsheets were dirty and had holes, and to make matters worse, there were a few bugs and roaches on the floor. The good thing is that I was drunk that night and didn't understand a thing. No roaches, no dirt. But the bad thing is that now I had to find a different place to spend my nights at.I should probably sleep at the streets...

I woke up holding a bottle of vodka on my one hand and the cellphone on the other. It was vibrating.''Ahh. Just a few more minutes of sleep." I murmured angrily

Now it was vibrating even more

"Damn it! All I asked was just more sleep! Don't you guys -"

??? - 20 MESSAGES

"What the..."

JAKE

Y/N? Are you okay?You are not answering and that worries me.Please answer.Are you in danger? ...........

I ignored him. I knew he was worried, but I couldn't reveal my secret, that I was in Duskwood.It was for the best...

I spent a few hours inside my room, thinking about a plan. How could my investigation continue? What would be my next step?But it was pointless. I didn't have connections, basically I didn't know anyone here. My friends? In jail. Phil? Also in jail. I searched locations on my map, hoping that something would show me the way.

Bar Aurora: Hasn't helped.Micheal Hanson's house: No way am I going in that psycho's house.Gate of Hope: Hmm. Is there any possibility that Cleo's mum would help? Does she know where her daughter got herself into?

I grabbed my phone and keys and went outside.

"The GPS shows that I must go straight and take a turn to the left, and then right.Ok. You got this Y/N."

As I was walking, I could feel everyone staring at me. Could it be George and his buddies again? Oh please no. I'm not in the mood for that.I want to hope that it was just my imagination.

"You have reached your destination."

"Shut up." I said frustrated at my phone

It was the Gate of Hope.

Cleo's mum was my only lead. But how was I supposed to find her if I don't know how she looks like?

There were many people in the building, making it more difficult to spot her.

I decided to ask around to get information.

"I am sorry for bothering you miss, but do you happen to know the leader of Gate of Hope? I would like to talk to her.""I'm sorry. I can't help you on that."

"Excuse me. Do you happen to know the leader of Gate of Hope?""Oh sure! She is the woman right there." he said pointing with his finger"Thank you sir."

I'd say somehow as expected.Some gray hairs and probably old.She had a bright smile, and seemed a nice person.

"Hi madame!" I said "Hello young lady." She was trying too hard to understand who I was."Have I seen you before?" "I don't think so, no. Well, I believe I should introduce myself. Y/N. A friend of your daughter, Cleo." I said giving my hand"My daughter's?" she asked shaking my hand confused"Indeed madame." I reassured her"Oh yes! She has mentioned your name multiple times. It is a pleasure to finally meet you.What brings you here then?""I regret to tell you that Cleo is in trouble.""Trouble? What kind of trouble?" she asked worried "I am afraid that she has gone missing along with her other friends.""She can't be in trouble, she went on a trip at the woods with her friends.And even if that happened, how do you know?""I was talking with them via internet. On a videocall. Someone must have broken into the house. All I know is that the lights went out and everyone started screaming. ""It cannot be I -"

But before she could finish her sentence, my phone started ringing.

"Excuse me for a moment."

Unknown."Not the man without a face again." I murmered and declined the call

"As I was saying -"

My phone started ringing for once again.

"Who is it?" I demanded

"You have to help me Y/N."

I recognized that voice.

"Phil?''