suitcase full of nothing

Gage Lancaster. 19. Hailing from Tulsa. It was hard enough trying to fade into the background when I was living in a town with only four hundred thousand people. Looks like I'm fucked now.

[gagelancaster-blog]

signs | journal entry

Every time I close my eyes, that damn painting is all I can think of. 

This is a strange feeling. Writing in a journal. I don't think I've done this since I was a kid and we had journal entries set as compulsory school assignments. Then again, half the time I don't think I really did those either. By the looks of it, there's not much else to do around here, and this was one of the few books on the bookshelf. For all I know, some quack is going to read it as soon as I leave the room. I wouldn't put it past this place. My room's always pristine and tidy no matter what state I leave it in. Clean towels and everything. I guess that'd be the work of that creepy maid who I see from time to time. She must be satisfied uncovering the painting every time I push something in front of it. Maybe it's just one of the perks of the job?

It's always there. And I swear, if it's the last thing I see before I go to sleep at night, I end up having some fucked up dream about the accident even if it was...a while ago. I'm not dwelling on the past on purpose. That'd just be stupid. And counter-productive. It's just almost like this place is meant to remind me of everything that's shit about, well, everything. The books don't help. 'Who needs the future?' Who needs a book called 'Who needs the future?' 

If this place is meant to be some kind of psychiatric rehab, it's not exactly doing its job. I think it might be easier if Grant or Griff were here instead of abandoning me. I didn't realise I was such a downer. I must've been easy to get rid of.

I just don't understand why they both packed bags as well. If they're not here, then, well, where the hell are they?

It's just...every time I close my eyes, my family's all I think of. And that's rich considering as of now I haven't really got one. 

I guess I miss

Fuck it. I could be doing something productive right now. I'm just...yeah, alright.

[gagelancaster-blog]

Part of me thinks I should make an effort to get out.

[garrett-harteve-deactivated2012]

I saw a bar and a diner. Neither of them looked very interesting, but still.

[gagelancaster-blog]

I guess that's a start. Have you checked them out yet?

[gagelancaster-blog]

Part of me thinks I should make an effort to get out.

[athena-justus-blog]

There are a few places around here, but I’m not so sure what’s in them. I haven’t entered them yet. 

[gagelancaster-blog]

Not much of a help then, are you? Sorry...that came out a little rude. Forgive me for being a little on edge.

[gagelancaster-blog]

Part of me thinks I should make an effort to get out.

But on the other hand, where the hell would I even go? 

[galia-harteve-blog]

So what are we supposed to be doing here exactly?

Sit in our rooms all day, be productive members of this community?

[gagelancaster-blog]

How did you usually spend your weekends, Galia?

[gagelancaster-blog]

Some answers would be nice.

[athena-justus-blog]

I’ve been here about a day. And I’ve met a few people. But, um, I’m Athena.

[gagelancaster-blog]

I guess we're kinda in the same boat then. I think we all are. I'm Gage.

[gagelancaster-blog]

Some answers would be nice.

[mollie-maddox-deactivated201208]

It’s nice in Chicago…until things turned bad there. Yeah, it’s really different to here, I’m not used to places being so quiet. Where did you come from before you came here? I came with two, my brother’s called Waylon and my sister’s called Solane. You said you came with two as well, right? Well I’d start from where you woke up at, and then make your way around this town, I guess. I’m not planning on going too far around here though, I don’t want to get lost.

I’m…sorry about that. There must be a reason for your brother to take you to here. Well it seems like we’re both on our own. I’m always around the hotel most of the time though, so if you want to, you can always find me. I have nothing to do anyway.

[gagelancaster-blog]

Fair enough, I guess. Are you running from something? Tulsa, in Oklahoma. It's, ah, not exactly where I wanted to spend the rest of my life- actually, I was hoping to end up in a big city eventually, but right now I think I'm kinda stuck with the opposite. I haven't seen either of them, but I'll keep you posted- yeah, two older brothers. Grant and Griffin. Part of me's convinced that they're just hiding out somewhere just to mess with my head but- I think that's wishful thinking. I know what you mean. I kinda want to spend as little time in my actual room as possible. It's a little disconcerting in there, what with...everything.

Not your fault. I'd think so. When Grant was telling me about it, he didn't really explicitly state what the purpose was- just that it was a chance for a new beginning. Whatever the hell that means. 

I might just have to take you up on that. Seeing as we're both alone.

[gagelancaster-blog]

Some answers would be nice.

[athena-justus-blog]

Yes, there are people here. Just doesn’t seem to be very many.

[gagelancaster-blog]

I'm on my way to figuring out if there are more...but you talk as though you've been here for a while.

[addison-odair-deactivated201206]

Is anyone there?

[gagelancaster-blog]

Yeah. Unfortunately. 

[gagelancaster-blog]

Some answers would be nice.

[mollie-maddox-deactivated201208]

We…well, my dad was sort of in some kinds of trouble with people back when I was in, erm, Chicago. I never wanted to be here though, but they kept saying that this was the only way to keep me safe or something. I’ll look out for them for you, I’m going to try and search for my siblings again today anyway. I’m starting to think that as well, but I don’t want to think that I’m all alone here. I just don’t understand how the rooms knew so much about us, unless someone has told them or something… Same, I’m perfectly fine so I hope this isn’t some sort of treatment or something.

Yeah, I guess. For now. Being alone here doesn’t make me feel any better though. What about you, Gage?

[gagelancaster-blog]

Chicago, wow. I guess that's a big change coming here then. Maybe it's a good thing. For you, I mean. Nice of you to say. I'd look out for your siblings as well, but I have no idea who I'm looking for. How many did you say you came with? Seems to be a lot of families around here. Split up families, that is. Searching sounds like a good plan. Only trouble is, where to start?

I think I can relate to that. Well, one moment you're planning for graduation, the next you're being whisked off by your brothers to this place. Definitely on my own now by the looks of it.

[gagelancaster-blog]

Some answers would be nice.

[mollie-maddox-deactivated201208]

I guess. It’s better seeing people around here than the town being really quiet and creepy. No, I don’t know anything at all. My parents forced me to come to this place, claiming to keep me and my siblings safe. My brother and sister should be around here somewhere, but I don’t have a clue where to find them. And have you seen the hotel rooms? It’s like as if the room knows a lot about your personal life.

Nice to meet you, Gage. I’m Mollie.

[gagelancaster-blog]

Creepy is right. It's kind of nice to see any face at all. Even if it's a stranger. Forced you here? Why wouldn't they come themselves? Some kind of age restriction? Wait, keeping you safe...from what, exactly? I can't find my two brothers anywhere. I think...I don't know. Maybe they left me here. As if it couldn't get creepy enough, yeah, I took a look around. Kinda got me thinking this was some sort of treatment facility. Thing is, I'm pretty sure I don't need anything treated.

So you're on your own too, Mollie?

[gagelancaster-blog]

Some answers would be nice.

[galia-harteve-blog]

Not exactly what I’m used to, but I guess we don’t have much choice, huh? So now you’re stuck here, as clueless as I am? Excellent. As far as I know, some doctor is in charge, put out an ad, roped a few people in and kidnapped my family and I. Other than that, I’m completely lost.

Well, I didn’t see anyone else in the hotel while I was there, but there have to be others, right?

[gagelancaster-blog]

By the looks of it, no. How is it excellent that we're both in the dark? It'd be kind of counter-productive to dwell on that. A doctor? Shit, like a...retreat, sort of thing? Counselling and stuff? I knew they dumped me here. No wonder.

There's another girl living at the hotel that I know of. More my-ageish, I think- but she mentioned a doorman and a maid, I think. Both about as useless as I am.

[gagelancaster-blog]

Some answers would be nice.

[mollie-maddox-deactivated201208]

Only for a day. I don’t know how I got here either. I was asleep one minute and then I woke up in a hotel room. Yes I think people live in there, but I’m still trying to look for my siblings. I guess that’s where I’m staying for now, it’s better than having nowhere to sleep. 

[gagelancaster-blog]

So I'm not a total latecomer, that's...good to hear? I'm not really sure. So you don't know anything about what this is? My brother does, and he's kind of...not here right now, so I'm stuck trying to figure out where he is. Same, I guess we're kind of stuck in the same boat then.

I'm Gage, by the way.

[gagelancaster-blog]

Some answers would be nice.

[galia-harteve-blog]

Yeah, living in a hotel one step up from a Super 8 is a great way to start an involuntary vacation. Lack of consent? Were you kidnapped, too? The only other people I’ve spoken to mentioned something about an ad, like they chose to be here. I’m starting to think there are people who know a hell of a lot more than you and I seem to.

It’s a little disturbing. I know they have to be around here somewhere… There can’t be too many places to look, right?

[gagelancaster-blog]

Sounds like paradise to me. Not quite, more my brother roped me into it. He was approached, and he had it all explained to him, but he didn't do the best job of passing that knowledge along to me evidently. I figured it was like a work placement program or something. Guess not? 

How about we fix that, then? What do you know?

Judging by the scope of the town, I'd say they've gotta be within a half mile radius. Tops.

[gagelancaster-blog]

Some answers would be nice.

[mollie-maddox-deactivated201208]

I wouldn’t bother. I’ve spent most of yesterday trying to look for some answers. And I tried asking this maid in the hotel, she was creepy though. Then I asked the doorman in the hotel, his name’s Aldo, I think. He didn’t seem to bother answering me either.

[gagelancaster-blog]

Yesterday? Shit, how long have you been here? I don't...I don't really know when I got here, only that I woke up only a couple hours back. Right, so the hotel is inhabited then...that's where you're, ah, staying? For lack of a better word, anyway.

[gagelancaster-blog]

Some answers would be nice.

[mollie-maddox-deactivated201208]

It would help if people actually answer your questions.

[gagelancaster-blog]

I'm starting to get the feeling that there's little point in bothering to ask. Who d'you ask, anyway?

[gagelancaster-blog]

Some answers would be nice.

[galia-harteve-blog]

Not at all! A little skepticism is healthy, I always say. Please let me know if you find out anything more than I already have.

I’m Galia, last name not important. I was hoping they’d be around that hotel I woke up in, but I haven’t found them yet.

[gagelancaster-blog]

Guess I will if I see you around. And if I make any progress...you're in one of the hotel rooms too, then? If it's a hotel. I feel like a lack of consent kind of detracts from the purpose of a hotel.

Galia. Wait- are you- actually, never mind. I don't know whether to be reassured that I'm not the only one missing the rest of my troupe, or even more worried.