The metallic hum of the elevator vibrated through Kikidori's feet as he stood inside, staring at the scratched metal doors. He didn't remember how he got here—only that he was here now, surrounded by wood-paneled walls and soft, golden lighting that felt eerily welcoming. Above his head, a lone flickering light buzzed, casting a faint shadow on the floor.
As the elevator descended, the unmistakable tune of elevator music began to play. It was oddly cheerful, with jazzy piano chords accompanied by a light percussion beat. Kikidori couldn't help but tap his foot nervously to the rhythm, though his mind raced with questions.
*Where am I? How did I get here?*
The music stopped abruptly as the elevator came to a jarring halt. A dull *ding* sounded, and the doors slid open, revealing the first room of the hotel. Kikidori stepped out cautiously. The air outside was cooler, carrying a faint smell of dust and old wood. The walls were a deep green, accented by ornate gold trims. A single chandelier dangled precariously from the ceiling, its crystals catching the dim light like ghostly stars.
The room was small, with a worn rug in the center and an abandoned reception desk against one wall. On the opposite end stood a locked door with a brass "1" affixed to it. Beside it, a glowing key sat atop a nearby table. Kikidori took a hesitant step forward, the sound of his shoes echoing unnervingly in the quiet.
"This place is… weird," he muttered under his breath, glancing behind him to make sure the elevator was still there. It wasn't. Instead, the doors were shut, and the panel showed no buttons to call it back. He sighed, rubbing the back of his neck. "Dang it, I guess I'm stuck."
With no other option, he approached the table. The key was oddly warm in his hand, its surface polished to a strange shine despite the rest of the room's worn-down appearance. Turning to face the door, he hesitated. Something about this place didn't feel right. The silence pressed against his ears like a tangible force, and he half-expected something to leap out at him the moment he turned the key.
But nothing happened. The lock clicked, the door creaked open, and Kikidori peered into the next room. It was darker than this one, but the faint flicker of another chandelier could be seen further down the hall. He glanced over his shoulder one last time before stepping through the door, his heart pounding.
The end of Chapter 1.