Having finished his second year of college, Garrett had a promising future. He was studying computers to become the next programmer of the next cool video game that would have all the kids in a rave. He had at least two more years of school to go and would then go on to find a place to put his talent to work.
But before all this would happen, he would have to face his memory of the past. Since those fateful few hours at the Hilton Hotel eight years ago, dreams of that moment had haunted his sleep. Did he really hear the voice of a ghost in that hallway? Was it really the voice of his dead brother? Could it be possible? There was only one way to find out. He had to go back.
He shut the trunk lid of his bright yellow Mustang convertible after taking his backpack from the otherwise empty compartment. "I don't know if I can stay here," he said, mimicking the words his mother had spoken in this very spot just eight years ago. His hands were sweaty and his heart was already beating at a fast pace even before he entered the lobby.
The Hotel clerk asked him if he had a reservation and Garrett replied, "No. No reservation. I was just wondering if you might have a non-smoking room available."
"Of course, just a moment," the clerk replied. "Yes - we have some non-smoking suites available on the 8th floor or a smaller room if you prefer on the second."
"I'll take the room on the second floor." Garret said without hesitating. He had no desire to stay on the 8th floor. He took his key card from the clerk and made his way to the elevator. He continued to look around as if he were already being watched. He wasn't being watched, but he felt like he was. He found his room quickly and put his backpack softly on one of the beds. He sat on the other, wondering what it was he was supposed to do next. He knew that eventually, he would have to make his way up there. Up there, to the 8th floor. But he decided to wait.
He flipped through the channels on the TV, skipped dinner, and fell asleep before the sun went down. When he woke up several hours later, it was well past midnight and all was quiet in the hotel except for the noise of the TV which he had left on. He hit the power button on the TV set and it clicked off with an electronic pop.
What he didn't know was that Sam was still in room 816 waiting. Waiting for something or someone. What he didn't know is that he would be speaking with him in only a few moments. He stood up, left the room, and headed for the elevator. Cautiously, he pressed the "up" arrow and waited for the elevator to arrive, which it did.
BING, the elevator sounded. The doors slid open and he stepped inside. In seconds, the doors slid closed again and he stood all alone in the small box. His finger pressed the "8" on the control panel and the elevator began to rise.
