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armageddon_20xx t1_ivzmuko wrote

<2/3>

"Calculating," said a cold woman's voice over a dreary Mariah Carey song as she could feel the rapidly moving elevator dropping far into the Earth, well beyond the ground.

"Destination found," the voice said as the elevator stopped.

Her stomach jumped into her throat. Why do I always do this? I always have to be the curious one.

"Welcome to Cavern 517, it's the place you've always dreamed of!" the voice uttered as the doors flew open.

Torches lit a hallway of red stones, on which there were carved ornate diagrams and what appeared to be hieroglyphics of some sort. Curious, she stepped forward onto the floor, wiping the sweat from her brow as a wave of hot air blasted her from the far recess of the blackness in front of her. The elevator door closed with a thud.

She looked behind, seeing that there was no button to call for it. Great, how am I supposed to get out of here?

"Hello?" she screamed into the nothingness.

"We have visitors. Yes, many visitors! Hooray! At last, it's been so long!" the voices chattered from afar, accompanied by the pitter-patter of little claws hitting the stone. She braced herself, fearing the worst when she saw what appeared to be small red furry creatures hopping towards her.

They almost looked like rabbits, except for the lack of ears, the blood-red fur, and the intelligence to speak. She braced her back against the elevator door as dozens approached.

"Welcome to Resort 517!" the one in the front said. "Here you will find the finest hospitality in all of the Caverns!"

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bookworm271 t1_iw84hdo wrote

<3/3>

"Come, we'll show you your lodgings!" one of the creatures said.

Amelia considered. "If you insist, but I'll need to leave soon."

"You may leave whenever you like. "

Amelia is led through the winding passages to a door marked 15. The room was massive and ornately decorated. "I guess I could do one night, " Amelia agreed.

That evening she enjoyed a delicious meal delivered to her room and one of the best night's sleep of her life.

When she awoke, she asked for directions back to her apartment. Her host looked crestfallen. "You may leave whenever you like, but we'd hoped you'd stay longer. Have you tried our spa?"

"I'd love to, but my job -"

"Our concierge service produces doctor's notes."

Amelia grinned, "in that case..."

And so she stayed one night, and another. After a week, she was having difficulty recalling details of her apartment.

One morning a rabbit appeared at her door, saying payment was due. His fur was pale pink. Before Amelia could explain she was unaware of charges, the rabbit bit into her arm, drinking blood, and memories of the elevator flooded back.

The rabbit stepped back, its fur now a deep red. "Payment accepted."

"I want to go home!"

"You can leave whenever you'd like, but perhaps you'd like a last visit to the spa first?"

Amelia's head felt fuzzy. Why was her arm bloody? She smiled, "Alright."

The next night Amelia had an odd dream. She was in an apartment lobby, and a new resident was moving in. With horror, Amelia recognized the place. She rushed forward, "Don't take the elevator!" she warned the newcomer.

Amelia awoke fightened. A nightmare! About an elevator and...she shook her head, and rang for room service to bring breakfast. Resort 517 was home.

WC: 295

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armageddon_20xx t1_iw93bvm wrote

I LOVE this! I had no idea how anyone would end it, but this is just awesome. Definitely got “Hotel California” vibes.

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bookworm271 t1_iw9dfuy wrote

Thank you! You had a great middle. I didn't think of Hotel California, but I saw "resort" and "blood red fur" in your middle and knew I could work with that.

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