A Terrifying Honeymoon

"That green coat's new, huh? Looks sharp on you."

Mandy strutted out in a green coat, her smile a tad strained, her eyes catching an eerie glint in the dim light.

I was still reeling from the shock.

Just like that, the old lady had vanished again.

I flung open the window, the icy breeze snapping me back to reality.

We were on the second floor—how could she just vanish into thin air?

Mandy was admiring her reflection in the mirror, clearly digging into her look.

But she always said green washed her out, swore she'd never wear it, and even advised me against it.

"Let's roll!" she called, snagging her purse from the sofa and signaling me to come along.

The image of the old woman's tear-stained eyes haunted me.

Suddenly, I wasn't feeling it anymore.

Before I could get a word out, Mandy had already swung the door open and stepped out. Reluctantly, I followed.

To my astonishment, the old woman was now lying motionless right outside our door.

Mandy breezed right past her, unfazed.

How could she just step over someone lying there?

A wave of fear washed over me, but the urge to help prevailed.

I had questions for the old lady, so I didn't chase after Mandy. Instead, I dialed for an ambulance right there.

Mandy circled back, clearly annoyed, "Jess, what's the hold-up? Let's go!"

I couldn't respond in time.

The old lady's eyes suddenly snapped open, pinning me with a stare that turned her pupils into tiny specks.

She lunged at me with gnarled fingers, as if trying to pull me in.

Startled, I stumbled back, barely avoiding her grasp.

"Stop dragging your feet, let's move!"

Mandy yelled from not too far off, her tone steeped in impatience.

If this lady died on my doorstep, that'd be a nightmare to explain.

What's the rush, anyway?

My irritation flared up, "I'm not going anywhere! We need to help her first!"

Mandy had changed. She was different.

Her own grandmother had died from a stroke on the street.

During her wake, Mandy had solemnly promised to help any elder in distress, scam or not.

What happened to that promise?

"Help who?" she retorted with clear frustration.

I pointed sternly at the woman on the ground.

She paused, then burst out laughing, "Jess, are you playing hero now? Help what? It's just a balloon!"

A balloon?!

I spun around.

The old woman was gone.

Where she'd been lying, a pink balloon now slowly rose into the air.

This was surreal!

A cold draft swept up, sending shivers across my skin and raising goosebumps.

Shaking, I pulled out my phone to call the police.

Hearing my call, Mandy's eyes widened, her expression uneasy, "I'm not sticking around for this. You catch up quick, don't keep folks waiting!"

The police were quick to arrive.

Hotel staff were cooperative, promptly bringing up the security footage.

In the video, neither the old woman nor I appeared at all.

She'd been there three times, and I'd been right by her side!

Yet, the footage only showed Mandy entering and leaving.

No trace of me stepping outside, nor of any pink balloon.

How could this be?

The footage must have been tampered with!

My unease grew.

If there was nothing to hide, why mess with the surveillance?

Was the hotel in cahoots with the old woman?

Trying to lure me out to harvest my organs, to sell me off...

But, I had no tangible evidence to show the cops!

Both Mike and Mandy had been acting off all day.

Now, who could I trust?

Beads of sweat dotted my forehead, my hands trembling uncontrollably.

A female officer noticed my distress, exchanged a look with her partner, and then softly patted my shoulder, "Take it easy. Maybe you're just under a lot of stress?"

They clearly didn't believe me.

They thought I was hallucinating.

My voice cracked, barely holding back tears, "No, please believe me. There really was an old woman. She warned that my husband was going to kill me. She knew our names..."

The cops were skeptical and eventually left.

My mind was a whirl, all I wanted was to pack up and leave this bizarre hotel as fast as possible.

In the midst of packing, my phone rang unexpectedly.

It was Mike.

Probably wondering why I wasn't there yet.

After everything that had happened tonight, I had no mood for romance.

I hesitated briefly, then pressed the answer button.

"Jess!" Mike's voice came through, tinged with excitement.

"Mike, I'm just too worn out, don't feel like heading out."

I tried to stay calm, but my voice betrayed my irritation.

"It's all good. The wind's picking up anyway."

"Fancy some grilled durian? There's a vendor nearby, and the stuff looks fresh. Noticed you barely touched your dinner..."

I froze, my response slipping out before I could think, "Aren't you proposing tonight?"

"Proposing?" he repeated, then softly chuckled, "Can't get anything past you."

Guilt washed over me, "Sorry, I didn't realize you had a proposal planned for tonight..."

"Hmm?"

"Who said it was tonight? It's tomorrow! I've booked the restaurant where we first met..."

What?

"Didn't you send Mandy to get me tonight?"

"Jess, don't scare me like that!" Mike's voice wavered, and then he sighed, "I wasn't going to tell you this, but I guess you should know."

"Mandy was in a car accident last night."

"She died at the scene."