“Here we are! The extravagant Mariposa Hotel.” calmly stated Zachary. “Looks like a nice place,” observed Vanessa. The Mariposa Hotel was located in the middle of a Maine forest. The hotel is within an aging 19th century mansion and is surrounded by trees. The couple strolled inside, arm in arm, and walked up to the counter with big grins on their faces. “Welcome to the Mariposa Hotel. My name is Rodrigo. I hope your journey was pleasant. Many people have trouble finding the place! You will want one room, yes?” “We got lost when we made a wrong turn about 10 miles from here. We drove twenty miles in the wrong direction before we realized! That’s the reason we were late today. I’m glad we finally arrived!” excitedly stated Zachary. “We will definitely only need one room,” winked Vanessa. “I’m glad to hear it! You get the best room in the house, since the hotel is about empty. No extra charge.” “We appreciate that. All we really want is a comfortable bed to sleep on.” yawned Zachary. “The bed is very comfortable. It is a memory foam mattress, top of the line.”  “Sounds great! Let’s get to bed!” exclaimed Vanessa. “Here are your keys. The room is located on the third floor. I hope you enjoy,” grinned Rodrigo. The young couple went up to their room. “Is it just me, or did he give us a menacing grin?” asked the young man. “It was probably just a trick of the light. Let’s go to bed.” “Alright then,” sighed Zachary. The couple cuddled together and quickly fell asleep.

The magnificent couple tossed and turned all night long. They eventually awoke at five in the morning to each other’s screaming. “Are you alright?” worried Zachary. “I don’t know. Are you?” asked Vanessa. “I’m okay I guess. What happened?” “I had a terrible nightmare. It involved you growing more and more distant. It was terrible. Did you have a nightmare?” “I had a similar one about you. Well, at least it was just a dream.” “True. Let’s try and go back to sleep.” “Okay.” They slept soundly until nine o’clock, after which the lovely couple got dressed and went downstairs for breakfast. “Good morrow! How was your sleep?” Rodrigo asked the couple. “It was terrible. We both had nightmares and woke up in a frenzy.” exclaimed Zachary. “I’m sorry to hear that. It’s not something a nice hot breakfast can’t fix!” “We hope so. Which way is the restaurant?” “Go down the hall and turn left. I hope you have a nice breakfast!” “Thanks.” They followed his directions and found the magnificent dining hall. “It really represents the grandeur of nineteenth century architecture!” observed Zachary. “It certainly does!” The dining hall had a magnificent arching ceiling and a long wooden dining table down the middle of the room. Fourteen people could sit at this wonderful table, and many more could sit at the surrounding tables. “It seems so empty! It’s strange that we are the only ones here.” stated Zachary as they sat down at the long table. “It is quite weird. Maybe it’s haunted or something!” “Very funny, Vanessa.” “Are you scared Zachy?” “Not in the slightest.” They were interrupted when the waiter came around to take their order. “I’ll have waffles and sausage.” stated Zachary. “And for you madame?” “I shall have French Toast and bacon.” “Would you all like some coffee?” “Yes, please!” They both exclaimed. “I’ll get that right away!” The waiter scampered off to retrieve this most wonderful of beverages. The couple enjoyed the ambiance in silence for a couple of minutes. “Here are your coffees.” “Thank you very much!” they both stated. “My pleasure. Your food will be out shortly.” Vanessa and Zachary spoke excitedly about the adventures they would have that day. They planned to walk around the woods and enjoy the scenery throughout the day. The forest was supposed to be especially beautiful in the fall. “Here is your food. I hope you enjoy!” They continued talking about plans for the day as they ate. The hungry couple engulfed their meals and finished quite quickly. “That was delicious! Those were some of the best waffles I have ever had the pleasure to enjoy!” exclaimed Zachary. “My French Toast was quite delicious as well.” The waiter came around and gave them the bill. The satisfied couple gladly paid this and went on their merry way.

Zachary and Vanessa made their way outside, where they went for a nice stroll in the woods surrounding the hotel. The autumn leaves were joyous shades of orange, red, and many more magnificent shades. The amazed couple gazed upon these sights and enjoyed them. “Let’s lay down and gaze up at the sky!” Vanessa exclaimed with mirth. “Sounds good to me!” The relaxed couple stared in wonder at the sky above while clouds slowly drifted past. Hand in hand they looked upon the beautiful partly cloudy sky, one of Earth’s many wonders. Eventually, Zachary spotted something out of the corner of his eye. “What’s that?” he asked. “I don’t know. Let’s check in out.” They slowly rose from their relaxed position and walked over to the object he spoke of. “It looks like a piece of rope,” stated Vanessa. “I wonder what that’s doing here?” pondered Zachary. The thick strand was located right under a giant oak tree. The wondrous couple looked up and saw another strand of the same type located upon one of the thick branches. “It looks like the bottom piece broke off of the top one. It must have taken a heavy load to break a rope this thick!” exclaimed Vanessa. “Let’s take some back with us and show it to Rodrigo.” “Sounds good!” The curious couple carried the bottom piece back with them to the lobby.

The couple asked Rodrigo about the rope and his face suddenly darkened. “The woods surrounding this hotel have quite an ominous history. Many suicides have occurred in the dense woods surrounding this mansion. Many residents at this place found an escape in these woods. In fact, the first owner of the mansion exited with the very rope you are holding! ” The couple quickly dropped this fantastic piece of history, then threw it away after regaining their wits. “Thank you for the information, Rodrigo. Don’t you think this is fascinating, Vanessa?” asked Zachary. “Sure babe.” mumbled Vanessa. “Anytime guys. Well, I’m off now. I’ll be back in the morning. You guys have a good night!” “The hotel doesn’t have a night staff?” worried Vanessa. “No, unfortunately we don’t have the budget for it. You can help yourselves to the kitchen, as guests of the hotel. Have a nice night!” Rodrigo answered with a tinge of sarcasm in his voice. “Thanks, you too!” the couple ignorantly answered. The hungry couple made some sandwiches and went up to their room. They enjoyed a nice meal and got ready for bed. “Well, I’m beat. I think I am going to crawl into bed and go straight to sleep. Would you care to join me?” sensuously asked Vanessa. “You know it!” They cuddled together and fell asleep right away, understandable because of the long day they had. Little did they know what hell was to be wrought upon them.

Zachary silently woke up in the middle of the night with a strange realization: he was a loser. His girlfriend would be much better off without him around. She would find a better man that would make her even happier than he could ever hope to. The solution was so simple that he should have thought about it years ago! He must end his life for the betterment of mankind. It would be a win-win situation, the human race would benefit and he wouldn’t have to face his pain anymore. He quietly got out of bed and tiptoed down to the kitchen. There are sharp knives in kitchens, you know. Zachary picked up the largest one he could find with a giant grin on his lovely face. He drove the knife into his wrist and cut down his arm with wonderful technique. He bled out within minutes and died with a smile on his pretty face, laying in a pool of his own blood. Vanessa woke up and wondered where her sweet sweet Zachy was. “Maybe he went down for a midnight snack,” she thought. The curious woman wandered down to the kitchen to find her sweet boyfriend. She loved him dearly, you see, and couldn’t imagine a life without him. When she saw her love lying in his own blood, she was surprised to say the least. The distraught woman cried until no more tears could flow. She proceeded to drown herself in a nearby lake and certainly did not move on to find someone else! Rodrigo returned the next morning, chuckling all the while.