"Good afternoon, I would like to ask if you have any available rooms in your complex?" Samantha asked the receptionist over the phone.
"From today?" came a woman's voice from the mobile."Yes, please," Sam nodded to herself, as if someone could see her."And how long do you plan to stay with us?" the voice on the other end asked again."I can't say for sure, but let's say six months," Sam thought."Just a moment. I'll check that for you," the receptionist replied in a kind, yet somewhat tired voice.Samantha stared out the window at the bustling city. Cleveland was alive even late in the afternoon. People moving, taxis, car sounds, conversations, and noise – all blending into an endless but still captivating soundtrack. In the background, she saw the faint outline of a grayish sky.The taxi stopped at a traffic light.A crowd of people on the sidewalks, seemingly always moving in synchronized rhythm, impatiently awaited the green light. After a moment, the desired green pedestrian light lit up, and they all rushed toward each other, like bowling pins. Sam felt as if she had suddenly found herself in some kind of play, where everything around her happened without her involvement. They didn't collide, though. Never."Hello, are you still there?" the receptionist's voice asked curiously, snapping her out of her thoughts."Yes," Sam replied, staring at the traffic light that had just changed from red to green."Good news, we have a small apartment available for you. Bathroom, hallway, and a bedroom with a closet," the receptionist informed her, waiting for her response with a hint of tension in her voice."Great. I'll take it," Sam sighed in relief. She wouldn't have to sleep on the street tonight."Okay, please give me your first and last name, and the time you'll be arriving.""Samantha Queen, if possible, I'll be there in 5 minutes," she said carefully, though she wasn't sure if she would make it in such a short time."Alright, I'm writing you down. The room is clean and ready, so there's no problem. When you arrive, please check in with my colleague. I'm actually finishing in a minute, but my colleague will give you the instructions and keys," the receptionist said in one breath."Thank you, goodbye," Samantha replied, quickly hanging up and smiling at the taxi driver, who was reflecting her gaze through the rearview mirror.The taxi made a few more turns and finally arrived at a large complex of buildings. This residence, or hotel, was not only a temporary refuge for tourists but also long-term rentals for those who could afford a higher price for accommodation. And Samantha was one of those who could afford it.She opened the taxi door, and the cool air immediately hit her. It wasn't freezing, but she felt the hint of autumn all around. The leaves on the trees were beginning to change color, and the air was saturated with moisture and earth.She got out of the taxi, grabbed her suitcase, paid the driver, and headed towards the complex, looking for the reception among the high-rise buildings.If you can imagine a vast area with a park, a large lake, several buildings towering up to 20 floors, all glassed in – that was it. This complex formed a small, yet closed community. Its architecture evoked a feeling as if she were in another dimension, outside the bustling world around her.Samantha walked along the sidewalk to the first, smaller building where the reception was located."Hello, I just spoke with your colleague. I have a reservation for an apartment under the name Samantha Queen," she explained to the receptionist."Yes, yes, it will be ready in a moment, my colleague left me a note," the receptionist said, tapping a few keys on the computer. She turned to a shelf with cards and handed her the correct one."Here's your key – 312. You can keep the card with you throughout your stay, or if you're afraid of losing it, you can always hand it over to us. If you want cleaning, just hang the sign on your door, it will be in your room. This service is included," the receptionist informed her.Samantha took the card and followed the arrows leading to room 312. The building had seven floors, which was quite convenient – she wouldn't have to get lost in an endless maze of hallways.She approached the elevator and pressed the button to go up. After a moment, the elevator opened, and she noticed it was empty. She cautiously entered and pressed the number three. The elevator moved quietly, so smoothly that she felt as if the whole world around her had slowed down.When she stepped off on the third floor, she noticed her stomach starting to protest. Slowly, she walked down the hallway until she found her room – 312. At the door, her stomach growled again, and this time it wasn't just surprising, but a clear sign that she needed to eat.She opened the door, which lit up green.The hallway light turned on dimly. She saw a spacious apartment with a tasteful yet simple modern design. On the right, there was a wardrobe, and across from it, a coat rack. A mirror on the wall offered a view of her outfit, though after the first glance at her reflection, she wasn't entirely satisfied.

The room on the left was glass-walled, with a double bed that could easily accommodate three people. The light reflected off the glass, designed to provide intimate privacy – even from the outside, no one could see inside.On the right, there was a modern bathroom, enriched with green plants hanging from above, seemingly softening the futuristic look.Sam turned with a smile toward the balcony that connected these two rooms. She could now enjoy the fresh air without feeling enclosed in a cage.

Just as she was savoring this moment, she realized that for the third time, she was being called from work."Hello?" a stern male voice came from the mobile."Are you there yet?""Yes, as planned. Room 312," she answered.The person on the other end hung up. Samantha looked at her phone, opened it, removed the SIM card, broke it, and threw it into the toilet, which she then flushed. The toilet bowl gurgled, and the water swirled down, taking all traces with it. Her stomach growled again, as if her body was still protesting the lack of food.

Before leaving the room, she carefully unpacked her suitcase. She paused for a moment and, with slight nervousness, checked whether her weapons had survived the long journey. Slowly, almost ritualistically, she ran her fingers along the smooth metal surfaces, each weapon in its place. Her absent gaze briefly lingered on one of them – the revolver, which reminded her of the old days. She checked the latches, safety mechanisms – everything was in order.She moved down the hallway, the cool air almost still, with only the sound of her footsteps echoing off the empty walls.When she took the elevator down, her eyes scanned the signs hanging from the ceiling. To the right of the elevator was a sign for the dining room. She followed it until she reached the main doors. She walked down the long glass hallway and finally entered the dining area, where people were bustling.                                                                                                                                                                       

Noise, laughter, and the clattering of cutlery created a buzz. Around the tables, different people met, each with their own concerns and stories, but for a moment, it seemed like one unified mass. She saw a line, which she joined, and slowly waited her turn at the food station. The tables were laden with a variety of dishes, the smell of roasted meat and vegetables mixing with the sweet aromas of desserts, only increasing her hunger. Eventually, she asked for roasted potatoes and chicken with cheese and vegetables.

After paying, she turned towards the people. They reminded her of ants, constantly on the move. She looked around the large room, but there were no empty seats. The tables were full, and the chaos was slowly intensifying.

She decided to walk a bit with her tray, looking for a place to sit. In her mind, she started to form the thought that if she didn't find a seat, she might eat in her room, when suddenly, from behind the crowd, she spotted an empty table where a girl about her age was sitting. Samantha walked up to her, took a deep breath, and with a smile on her face, asked the girl if she could join her.