The Unwelcome Guest: Room 203

The Grand Oak Hotel had stood proudly in the heart of the city for over a century. Its elegant façade and luxurious interior had seen countless guests come and go, but room 203 held a dark secret that was known only to a few. The staff whispered about it, but never in front of the guests. They said it was cursed, haunted by something sinister that defied explanation.

Sarah Collins, a travel writer always on the lookout for unique experiences, checked into the Grand Oak Hotel on a rainy evening. Exhausted from her journey, she requested a quiet room. The receptionist, an older woman with tired eyes, hesitated for a moment before handing her the key to room 203.

"Are you sure?" the bellboy whispered as he took her bags. "Room 203 has... history."

Sarah laughed it off, thinking it was a ploy to add a sense of mystery. "I'm sure I'll be fine," she said, following him to the elevator.

The hallway leading to room 203 was dimly lit, the patterned carpet worn and faded. The bellboy unlocked the door and quickly handed her the key, muttering, "If you need anything, just call the front desk."

Sarah entered the room, her footsteps muffled by the thick carpet. The room was spacious, with vintage furniture and a large window overlooking the city. She set her suitcase down and began unpacking. A sudden chill filled the air, making her shiver. She glanced at the thermostat, but it was set to a comfortable temperature.

Ignoring the odd sensation, Sarah took a hot shower and changed into her pajamas. She climbed into bed, the plush mattress and soft pillows welcoming her weary body. As she drifted off to sleep, a faint whisper echoed through the room, but she was too tired to notice.

Around midnight, Sarah was jolted awake by a loud thud. Her heart raced as she scanned the room, her eyes adjusting to the darkness. The shadows seemed to shift and move, but she convinced herself it was just her imagination. She checked her phone for the time and sighed. It was 3:03 AM.

Unable to shake the feeling of being watched, Sarah turned on the bedside lamp. The soft glow illuminated the room, casting eerie shadows on the walls. She noticed something strange—the antique mirror on the dresser was fogged up, as if someone had been breathing on it. Slowly, words began to appear on the glass: "GET OUT."

Panic surged through Sarah. She grabbed her phone and dialed the front desk. "Hello? I need help! There's something wrong with my room," she whispered urgently.

"We're sending someone up," the receptionist replied, her voice calm but tense.

Minutes later, there was a knock on the door. Sarah opened it to find the bellboy and the hotel manager standing there. She quickly explained what had happened, and they exchanged worried glances.

"This room has a history," the manager admitted. "Years ago, a guest named Margaret was found dead here under mysterious circumstances. Ever since, guests have reported strange occurrences."

Sarah's heart pounded in her chest. "Why didn't you tell me?"

"We hoped it was just stories," the manager said. "But it seems Margaret doesn't want anyone here."

Determined to get to the bottom of the mystery, Sarah decided to stay another night. She spent the day researching Margaret's death, discovering she had been a young woman staying in room 203 while visiting her fiancé. She had died of a heart attack, but there were rumors of foul play.

That evening, Sarah set up her camera to record any paranormal activity. She lay in bed, waiting for the whispers to start. Around 3 AM, the temperature dropped again, and a figure appeared at the foot of the bed. It was a woman, her face pale and eyes hollow.

"Why are you here?" Sarah asked, her voice trembling.

The figure moved closer, her ghostly form flickering. "He betrayed me," she whispered. "He killed me."

Sarah's eyes widened. "Who? Your fiancé?"

The ghost nodded. "He took everything from me. My life, my future. Now, I'm trapped here."

Determined to help, Sarah promised, "I'll find out what happened to you. I'll make sure he pays."

The ghost's form began to fade, but not before she whispered, "Thank you."

The next day, Sarah delved deeper into the hotel's archives and local records. She discovered that Margaret's fiancé had been a wealthy businessman who had married another woman shortly after her death. With this evidence, Sarah contacted a local historian who vowed to bring the truth to light.

That night, Sarah slept peacefully in room 203, feeling a sense of calm. As dawn broke, she woke to find the words on the mirror had changed: "Thank you."

Sarah left the Grand Oak Hotel, her heart lighter, knowing she had helped a restless spirit find peace. But room 203 remained a place of mystery, its secrets whispered through the halls, waiting for the next curious soul to uncover its haunted past.

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