Outside, there was a world of commotion, as the restaurant and hotel staff scrambled for their cars. Inside, Britt and Barkley argued about which bed should be designated as the girls’ bed and which one should be the boys’. Britt’s argument was that the male species in this family used the bathroom facilities more often, during the night. The men should sleep in the bed closest to the bathroom.
Barkley, on the other hand, presented a compelling case that the men’s tidal breathing were deeper, therefore the men should sleep closer to the air conditioner. If he was called upon to do so, Barkley was prepared to draw a diagram, pie chart, and any other assortment of visual aids to prove his point. It was clear that an authoritative figure would have to declare the winner of the debate. Benton hoped that Celeste was feeling up to it.
Benton was feeling incredibly claustrophobic. A fire from within was threatening to cut off his air supply. "Celeste, can I see you outside?"
She followed him outside. Once the door was shut, she looked at him with concern. "What do you want, dear?"
"You, on a silver platter."
"Oh, you silly." She leaned against him. She kissed him longingly. He gazed into her chestnut colored eyes and remembered when he got to be so lucky. He hated to think about it. If it was luck that brought her to him, then luck could change and he could lose her.
She ran her fingers through his blonde hair. They were in the throes of their second embrace when the mood was interrupted by a loud buzzing.
"What the hell?"
"Ben, where is that noise coming from?"
Benton surveyed the area. "I don’t know. It seems to be coming from those cylinder boxes on the streetlights."
"Why?"
"Let’s get inside. We’ll figure it out later." Benton realized that it was getting dark.
Somewhere close, very close, a wolf howled. Somewhere else, a lady screamed. "They’re here! Get inside! Get inside!"
"I think we’re in trouble." Benton said. The color was draining from his face.
"What is it?"
"I left the card in the room."
They both ran to the door and began pounding. "Britt! Open up! It’s Mommy and Daddy! Open up!" Celeste cried out.
Britt opened the door, a half of a foot, not knowing what to expect. Celeste almost knocked her daughter down as she plowed her way inside. Benton followed his wife. As soon as he was through the doorway, he slammed the door shut and gave the deadbolt a flip of the knob. The deadbolt was finding its home in the jamb when something large thumped against the outside of the door. The door shuddered briefly.