Chapter 1: The first night

When Astrid next woke up she found herself staring at an unfamiliar ceiling. She blinked, trying to will the grogginess away and reached up to feel her head which she noted was now bandaged.

"Oye! Ruff! She's awake!" Someone called out causing Astrid to sit up too quickly. There was a brief moment of nausea and Astrid covered her mouth with her hand just in case. She blinked as the room came into view, the blurriness all gone.

"Yo, thank goodness you're alright." A blonde woman with her long hair braided in twin ponytails walked up next to her. "I'm Ruffnut, one of the concierges here."

"Where is here?" Astrid asked with a frown.

"Dante's Resort of course," Ruffnut answered. "The ferry got hit with several rogue waves and you got swept overboard when you reached out to help one of the other passengers. You had a nasty bump on the head but Dr. Queen assured everyone that you would be fine."

Astrid blinked. She could hardly remember the journey here. One minute she was boarding, the next she was washed up on a beach. It was then that she noticed something else. She was wearing different clothes. "Did you change my clothes?"

"Oh, yes," Ruffnut said. "Dr. Queen said it was imperative that you not stay in wet clothes. And you were out for several hours."

"Is everyone else alright?" Astrid then asked.

Ruffnut nodded and then said "They already checked in and should be heading to dinner soon. You may join them after you feel better or just rest here more if you want."

"I think I'll join them," Astrid said as she went to stand up. Ruffnut was hovering nearby in case she fainted again. "Where am I anyway?" She then asked as she looked at the white room which housed a lot of medical equipment.

"This the hotel Infirmary," Ruffnut explained as she led Astrid through several doors. They ended up coming out in the lobby and waiting area. The opulence of the reception room actually took Astrid's breath away. The walls looked to be made of solid oak and the room in its entirety gave off a feeling of the Victorian era. On the walls were paintings of famous people and there were also several busts of marble around the room. Astrid recognized some of them.

"Homer, Plato, Heraclitus," Astrid named some.

"You know your historical figures," Ruffnut let out an impressed whistle as they approached the reception desk.

"She can get to know me too," Astrid turned around to see a somewhat short man behind the reception desk wiggling his eyebrows at her in what was supposed to be a suggestive gesture. It wasn't.

"Snotlout, please check the lady in and don't hit on the guests." Ruffnut admonished. "You know he doesn't like you doing that."

"Who's he?" Astrid asked with a frown.

"The hotel owner," the receptionist answered with air quotes. "Honestly, this isn't a hotel. It's Hell OUCH!" Ruffnut had kicked him in the shin and then started the check-in procedures herself instead.

"Your suitcase is here in the lobby. I'll have our bellboy bring it up to your room." Ruffnut said as she typed away on the computer. "Here you go. Your room is on the 7th floor right next to Mr. and Mrs. Preston."

Astrid nodded. She was still on the job after all. Being close to her employers' room was beneficial. Ruffnut then leaned in a bit as she handed Astrid a red and black keycard and a map of the hotel and grounds. "The owner was extremely sorry for the injuries you sustained on your way here and asked us to upgrade you to our Royal Suite."

Astrid blinked. That wasn't something she was expecting. Ruffnut, however, continued talking "I understand that your employers can at times be somewhat difficult. They demanded the best room in the hotel when they checked in so I gave them the Presidential Suite next to yours."

'Aaaah....' now it clicked for Astrid. The Royal Suite must be slightly better than the Presidential one by the wink Ruffnut was giving her.

"Mums the word," Astrid laughed. She wouldn't tell if no one else did.

Astrid blinked as the bellboy who looked exactly like the concierge, but male, stepped off of the elevator and took her suitcase. "Right this way," The bellboy indicated to the elevator, also decked out with oak wood paneling.

"Twins?" Astrid asked.

"Ah, yeah. I'm Tuffnut by the way," The bellboy introduced. "Can I see your cardkey so I know which room?"

Astrid showed him the red and black card and Tuffnut let out a whistle. "The Royal Suite. Hot damn."

She frowned as there wasn't any number on it. "How did you know?" She asked out of curiosity as the elevator doors dinged shut.

"Each room card has different colors," Tuffnut explained. "This may be a hotel but we don't have a lot of rooms because it is so exclusive. Only the 6th, 7th and 8th-floors house the suites. The rest are amenities that the guests can enjoy."

The elevator soon came to a stop and Tuffnut brought her to her Suite. Astrid blinked once the door opened. She took it all in slowly. This wasn't a suite. It was twice as big as her apartment in the city. One entire wall was a giant glass window that overlooked the expansive gardens and sunset. Astrid's brows raised when she noticed the very large maze on the grounds. Her suite had a living room with a wall-mounted 60-inch flatscreen, a bar with complimentary champagne and plush white couches. There was a king-size bed in the next room along with a walk-in closet and the bathroom had a jacuzzi along with a jet-powered shower.

Astrid turned around but Tuffnut was nowhere in sight anymore. Her luggage was neatly placed near the closet and the door had been closed while she was ogling her room. Astrid went to the closet to take a closer look at it because hot damn, she was drooling a bit. The shoes she could fit in there alone. She then spotted a lone clothing bag on a hanger. Astrid frowned, she was sure that it hadn't been there before. There was a card attached to it and Astrid read the handwritten note. All it said was 'For M'lady'. Curiosity got the better of her and she pulled down the zipper. Her eyes became as wide as saucers upon seeing the article of clothing and she quickly zipped the clothing bag closed again.

Dinner time came sooner than expected and Astrid entered the lift after having freshened up. Ruffnut had brought her a change of bandages as well as some antiseptic. The wound on Astrid's head didn't stop her from styling her hair in a bun. She also wore one of the spare business suits that she had in her luggage. The clothing bag in the closet wasn't forgotten but Astrid still blushed thinking about it. The elevator stopped on the 3rd floor where the restaurant, lounge, and bar were located. Astrid found the location of the amenities a bit odd and was contemplating asking one of the staff about it.

The restaurant was posh and held more tables than there were guests. A band playing classical music was on stage and Astrid realized she was one of the last to arrive.

"It's good to see you are well," Mala stood up and walked over to Astrid.

"Yes, the concierge mentioned that I had you to thank for bandaging me up," Astrid replied.

"Think nothing of it. As a doctor, I just couldn't sit back." Mala said as one of the waiters pulled out a chair for Astrid. She blinked when she realized it was Fishlegs.

"Wait.... Weren't you the captain?" Astrid asked with a frown.

"Several of the staff have double duties," Fishlegs answered. "I also work as a waiter when I'm not ferrying people over."

The restaurant doors opened once more and Astrid saw Johann enter. He was still glued to his phone and only put it down once he was seated.

"Can you stop for a moment?" Astrid heard Heather hiss at the man. "We are here to relax."

"Time is money, my dear. Specifically, your money that I am managing." Johann responded.

"Look, could you two not fight this vacation?" Dagur then spoke up with exasperation. "We're here to unwind."

Dinner was a quiet affair. Astrid's employers feigned concern for her, asking if she was alright. Astrid was used to it. They would act all friendly when company was present. She knew they didn't care and it frankly didn't bother her. She was getting paid either way. Johann had pocketed his phone but Astrid still noticed the glares Heather was sending his way. Dagur, the brother she thought, seemed to be oblivious about the glares.

The main course came and Mala couldn't take the silence anymore. "So do any of you know how this hotel became so exclusive?" She asked.

"I honestly don't care," Grimmel answered.

"Well dear husband I do," Mala huffed.

Astrid found them a curious pair. They were married but Mala hadn't changed her last name. Though who could blame her really if you thought about it. Being stuck with the last name Grisly wasn't on top of anyone's list.

"I don't," Astrid said as she sliced off some meat from her Beef Wellington. "I mean so far it looks just like any other hotel."

"Well, the story goes that a rich billionaire bought this island which is off the coast of Berk in international waters." Mala started the story. "There was originally an Asylum here on the island. The criminally insane were sent here decades ago."

"You can't be serious can you?!" Johann spoke up.

"It's what I heard." Mala shrugged as she took a sip of her red wine. "But the place was redesigned to be a hotel, completely self-sufficient. I know some of us saw the Solar panels on the roof when we came in. Apparently, the billionaire was quite famous and the hotel was the talk of the elite. As you can guess, everyone wanted to stay here and cozy up to the man that retreated to live on this private island. But they were sorely disappointed. The hotel didn't open up to the public. Instead each year a select few received invitations to partake in this place's splendor."

'So that's why having an invitation to this place nearly gave Quintin a heart attack.' Astrid mused to herself. She was the one that had to revive the man after he fainted after all. It was all about bragging rights.

"But why is the layout of the hotel so weird?" Astrid now asked. All eyes turned to her as she had to elaborate. "The restaurant is on the 3rd floor. Normal hotels usually have it on the ground floor. Also, the indoor pool is on the 9th floor while the gym and spa are on the 5th. Meanwhile, the 2nd floor has a nightclub and a ballroom. There are seven of us. I doubt we make a clubbing crowd."

Fishlegs who was around heard Astrid and let out a chuckle. "The club is for when there are more guests invited. This time only you seven received an invitation. The entire 6th floor of suites is unused right now." He answered.

When everyone was done with the main course the waiters took the plates away to make room for dessert. A pastry-like dish was placed in front of Astrid. She wondered what it was but she didn't have to wait long. Mala answered the unspoken question.

"It's Baklava, a Greek dessert pastry with chopped nuts and honey." She stated as she took a bite and then hummed in content. "Oh my stars, this tastes just like the one my father used to make." Astrid too took a bite and was pleasantly surprised by the taste. It was delicious.

"You love Greek food Mala?" Astrid asked once everyone was digging in.

"My grandmother immigrated from Crete," Mala explained. "I still remember that dad used to make these pastries. I hadn't tasted them in years after his passing."

"I'm sorry to hear that," Astrid sincerely said.

Dinner passed and then when everybody got up to leave Mala stopped Astrid. "Could you come to my room on the 8th floor in a bit? I want to see how that wound of yours is healing,"

"Sure," Astrid agreed. She was just going back to her room to freshen up. It was already dark outside and after what had happened today she was tired.

Once Astrid had shrugged off her blazer and placed it on the couch in her rooms she quickly splashed some water on her face. She didn't have to worry about makeup because she rarely wore it. Unbuttoning the top button of her blouse, she looked in the mirror while drying her face. Her head still hurt but the pain was fading. Suddenly the lights in her bathroom flickered on and off startling her. They flickered again and Astrid walked out into the living room. Outside of the window, she could see the trees swaying hard. There was likely a storm on the horizon.

Astrid walked out of her Suite and nearly bumped into a maid cart. "I am so sorry Miss," The maid said while blushing.

Astrid just brushed it off. No one was hurt after all. She took a look at the young lady. The woman, Marisol according to her nametag, was young. 'Probably 18,' Astrid thought. She had long dark brown hair that was in a ponytail. The young woman didn't stick around and Astrid also left. The elevator took her to the 8th floor where Mala's Suite was.

Astrid was about to knock when she heard shouting from inside. "....have to bring him up!" That sounded like Grimmel.

"Why are you being such a jerk?! He was my father!" Astrid heard Mala shout. Then the door was wretched open and Grimmel stomped past Astrid, bumping her shoulder out of anger.

"I'm sorry you had to see that," Mala sighed before inviting Astrid in.

"Is everything alright?" Astrid asked hoping that the fight hadn't led to violence.

"He gets a bit touchy when I bring up my father." Mala sighed as she indicated for Astrid to sit down on one of the couches. "They didn't get along very well. Father didn't approve."

Mala peeled off the bandage and inspected the wound. She prodded it a bit and then asked some medical questions.

"Is memory loss part of this?" Astrid asked in return as she indicated towards her head. "Because I can't remember the ride over at all."

"It can be." Mala frowned. "Short term memory loss can happen and you hit your head on the rocks when you were swept away by the current. The wound is healing nicely though."

The lights flickered a bit again and Mala sighed. "The front desk said there is a storm coming when I called about the lights the first time."

"Isn't a storm weird for this season?" Astrid asked now that she thought about it.

"It's supposed to be. Might just be nature having a tantrum," Mala laughed. "You know what, I ordered this bottle of wine but since Grimmel isn't here why don't we enjoy it."

"Is that alright?" Astrid asked.

"The man is probably sulking somewhere again." Mala brushed it off. "He'll turn up when he's cooled his head."

Astrid and Mala got along well. So well, in fact, that three-quarters a bottle of wine was gone by the time the clock read 11:30pm. The women were giggling and playing cards at the table. Astrid was about to top up the glasses when the power went out completely. Now the room was plunged into darkness.

The darkness made the howling of the wind outside much more apparent. The lights flickered back on again after two minutes. Astrid supposed the backup generators must have finally kicked in.

"It's already this late," Mala now observed. There was a knock on the door and Mala stood up to get it.

Astrid saw that it was Tuffnut who had knocked but he didn't seem his cheerful self.

"Dr. Queen, I have to regretfully inform you...." Tuffnut began as Astrid also approached the door. "Your husband has been found dead."