The Stairs

They call me. I avoid them getting within 10 feet brings the hair on my neck to full arousal.

The Harlow was built in 1882 as a hotel for aristocrats, then workers and last the Japanese.

It fell into ruin and disrepair until 2019 when it was completely restored.

Impossibly high ceilings beautiful details from the room doors to the crown molding

In the wee hours it transforms back into what it was.

Sitting in the lobby I can hear the faint voices of the railroad workers in the saloon

Hallways have the scent of Japanese cooking

The stairs are where more than one has met their demise

I wander the halls at the witching hour

Feeling a tug on my sleeve I see her

No more than 8 years old dressed beyond her years so inappropriate

Standing at the top of those stairs staring at me

It takes everything in me not to go to her

I know in my heart I will not survive the encounter

She looks so innocent, and she needs me

Then I see the shadow a grown man too friendly to her

Leaning down he kisses her in the most unholy way

He then looks at me daring me to take his prize

He puts his arm around her and turns to walk away

I must stop him

I have the overwhelming feeling this has played out before

There is a reason she chose me

I rushed to the stairs to stop him

The walls are greying the insects apparent

Spiderwebs cover my face as I run through them

When I get to the first step, I feel the shove

As I tumbled down the three flights, I realized it was her

The innocent one who needed me is the finalization of my doom

When I finally come to a stop, I am surrounded by women most my age

One reaches down to pull me up

Everything looks different, ancient, decrepit 

The art and beautiful beige walls are gone

Windows all covered in grime

I feel whispers in my hair 

Its ok 

We got you

No need to fear my love

I feel righteous indignation bubbling to the surface

What the hell is going on

A small voice rises from behind the women

You tried to save me

She slips her small white hand into mine and leads me into the lobby

Which looks like something out of a nightmare

Broken people standing sitting leaning everywhere

She hugs my arm

You are one of us now