Some dungeons are better left undiscovered.
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The hum of the nighttime highway was reminiscent of Henry's past. Distinct isolation. The occasional driver was far exceeding the speed limit. Their car whirred past his, an orange glow illuminating the cabin. This isolation brought back less-than-fond memories for Henry Grim.
Henry wasn't a big fan of music. He usually listened to the news while on the road. The station droned on and on about the local economy.
"The hospitality industry has taken a significant revenue loss in the past six months. This change is especially felt in rural areas involving inns and motels because—"
The all-too-familiar sound of a stretching passenger waking up from a long nap caused Henry to look at the noise's source and turn down the radio.
"Hey, Honey."
Henry put on a soothing voice; he knew his wife hated the news and preemptively turned it off.
Lilith yawned and shifted, trying to get comfortable again.
"You're not tired?"
"Me? Tired?" Henry chuckled. "I don't think I've ever been tired."
Lilith rolled her eyes.
"Right... Whatever you say, big man. Just let me know if you can't drive. I can take over for you."
Henry turned to the back seat, and his two daughters were leaning up against his son, all of them out like a light.
Henry faked a yawn.
"Actually, you can take over for the rest, right? I was planning on taking a nap for a moment."
Lilith nuzzled further into the passenger seat.
"You wish."
"Aww, come on. It's only like, another six hours."
A smirk through her tone.
"If you're tired, we can stop at a motel."
"I'll be fine," he said confidently, waving her off. "I've never slept in my life, if you can believe that."
"Whatever you say." She paused, pulling the blanket over herself. "I love you."
Henry yawned for real.
"I love you, too."
He looked back at the road. He had drifted to the other lane without realizing. Bright lights startled him. A blaring horn woke the whole car. Henry corrected the vehicle and exhaled his relief.
"Dad!"
Jasmine hyperventilated. Terrified at what could have happened.
Gwyn blinked excessively.
"Daddy, weren't you a truck driver?"
"Henry...." Lilith adopted a tone suggesting she was extremely disappointed. "Pull over right now."
Another familiar stretching noise from the back-center passenger as Jacob popped his neck.
"What'd I miss?"
In the darkness of a northern mountain town, a red vacancy sign pierced the foggy atmosphere. Restless flurries crowded the windshield.
Lilith glared at Henry as she slammed the door.
"I could've driven here," Henry insisted.
"Just drop it, you got a little nap, now let's get a room and go to bed."
Henry shrank before her.
"I actually couldn't sleep…"
The children shimmied behind them like mindless zombies.
"It's hard to breathe up here," Jasmine complained.
"I can't see anything! The snow is gross and wet," Gwyn seconded.
"You guys complain too much," Jacob said. "But yeah, my neck is still kind of sore."
"It's the elevation, now stop complaining." Lilith, the children's mother, was crabby. Well, crabby was a few levels below whatever she was currently feeling. "My stomach hurts, and you don't see me complaining."
Everyone was tight-lipped in response, Henry especially so.
The Grim family entered the front office. The wallpaper was dated, even by nineties standards. It peeled towards the corners. The potted plants were in desperate need of water or relocation.
Henry held out his wallet to the man at the desk.
"I need a room for tonight."
The man eyed him up and down.
"You ain't from around here."
Yeah, no shit. Henry thought.
"I just need a room big enough for my family."
The concierge leaned over to look past Henry, who was standing with three girls and one boy.
"Best we got is two beds."
"That'll be fine."
"I'll sleep on the floor," Jacob stated as if he were making a drastic sacrifice.
"My hero!" Jasmine batted her eyes at her brother. Her tone clearly sarcastic.
"Okay, actually. You can sleep on the floor."
"Hey! You already offered."
"I want to sleep on the floor!" Gwyn shouted, wanting to be included.
"Guys!" Lilith shouted, rubbing her temple.
"Sorry..." The children all said simultaneously.
The concierge's greasy face was scarred by teenage acne that he probably picked at too often. He drummed his fingers impatiently as he stared skeptically at Henry.
"You gon' buy the room or just chat all night? You're interruptin' my show."
He pointed to a TV playing an old rerun.
"Yes, sorry." Henry pulled out a wad of money. "Just take whatever you need."
The man then stood and looked for the correct key for what Henry assumed to be far too long.
Must be new.
When he found the key, he held it out to Henry. An oversized room tag was attached to the metal trinket.
"Last on the left."
"Thanks." Lilith snatched the key. "I'm taking the kids to bed. You finish up here."
"Bye, papa!" Gwyn said, frantically waving her hands.
"Bye, Big G!" He said, giving her a fist bump. He turned to face his wife. "I saw a diner on the way in. I may get a quick bite. Want anything for the morning?"
"Hungry after your little nap, huh?" She teased. "No, I'll be fine." She reached the exit. "Don't be out too late."
"I won't."
The attendant appeared to be looking at something as Henry turned back to face him. The man's interest soon faded.
"That diner? They got good steak."
Henry grabbed the spare key the concierge offered and finished paying for the room.
"Do they now? I'll keep that in mind."
He pocketed the change.
The man gave an awkward laugh.
"See ya 'round."
His smile was full of neglected teeth.
Henry was tight-lipped.
"Yeah. Thanks, buddy."
The Jeep Cherokee sputtered to life as Henry turned the key. This… less-than-satisfactory motel had outside entrances to the rooms. Henry noted where his room would be. A yawn crept up on him.
He shook his head and made his way down to the aforementioned diner. The parking lot was deserted except for those working there in the middle of the night. Trash was strewn in the parking lot with tire tracks leaving the establishment, not entering it.
The flurries still fell. The mountain air is alluring in a way. The smell of cigarettes soon drowned out the mountain air. Henry entered the building. The smoke-stained wallpaper gave the establishment an amber glow. A faint odor of mediocrity lingered in the air like poorly cooked meals.
He walked to the barren counter and sat on the red stool, its shimmering surface pocked with punctures.
"I'll take the steak."
The woman behind the counter lazily turned her head.
"Hello to you too."
Henry felt embarrassed by his impoliteness. He yawned.
"Sorry, just… tired. Good evening?" He said, unsure of his greeting. "May I get the steak?"
The waitress revealed her Marlboro and took a drag.
"Justin. One steak. Rare."
"Comin' right up." The voice in the back replied.
"How'd you know I'd want it rare?"
"Just look at you."
Henry paused and inspected his attire. Green work coat and white t-shirt. He had no idea why that meant he wanted his steak rare.
"Thank… you?"
"Yeah, don't mention it. Why you orderin' that anyhow? You know it takes the longest, right?"
Henry gave her a perplexed look.
"No, I didn't. The man at the motel counter recommended it."
Her wrinkled face tightened.
"Man?"