Lunacy

It was cool. Uncharacteristically cool. But nice. The wind whistled slightly through the trees still brimming with leaves, some of which dawned new hues. The night was cloudless, stars twinkled richly and the moon was bright and full. One wonders how anyone could lose their way with a moon so bright. 

The hotel was dark, its only light being that of a neon sign. 

Sleep Now Motel​

 Vacancy

The colored lights were a violent violet and a harsh cerulean blue. The sign would occasionally flick on and off, some of the letters becoming dark for only a moment. 

A young boy looked out the window at the sky. His room was clean, cheap, dare he say comfortable. But something wasn't right. Something was unsettling. Maybe it was the off colored green and beige striped wallpaper. Maybe it was the lack of a bible in the nightstand. Maybe it was just the fact that he was alone. Always had been. It was nothing new. But tonight, looking up at an endless sky full of possibilities, so permeated with stars, he felt so melancholic. 

The stars were all together, they were never alone. Where was he? In this shabby motel, full of other miscreants who couldn't find their way in the world perpetually spinning as to make those with unsure footing stumble and cascade down an abysmal rabbit hole of complacency? 

He sighed and turned away from the window. Maybe he should just sleep. Sleeping was nice; it was a free trial on death. 

He chuckled. Sleep Now Motel. How commanding. He flipped and turned again towards the window. He had a picture perfect view of the sign now. It was severe; almost warding, warning all those away from this very spot. He closed his eyes and blinked. He was so tired, so worn out. If he could only fall asleep and stop thinking, stop breathing. 

The lights flickering outside caused him to stop and look up. Some of the sign's letters had gone out. The sign now read,

Leep Now Motel

  can 

How unfortunate. Nothing was good in this motel. Not the sign, or the room, or the damn wallpaper that seemed to be melting off the walls. 

A slight headache started to form, and the boy got up and went into the bathroom. He stared at his reflection in the mirror for a minute. In the reflection, he could still see the malfunctioning sign. It seemed more docile here in the mirror though. Like a message instead of a warning. He shook his head and wrung his now sweaty hands. 

He turned off the light and paced back in darkness towards his bed. He gripped the wall momentarily to steady himself. It was probably just his sweat, but the wall felt like it was melting, he could feel his hand sinking into it. He shook his hands and traipsed towards the bed. 

He fell onto it, ungracefully. It was burning. The sheets were red hot. The whole comforter seemed to be drenched in sweat or blood. He flew back and hit the window. He pressed his hands on the cool glass. They seemed to sizzle. 

He pushed the window out and stuck his head out. He felt the soft wind on his face and took a breath. The sign seemed comforting now; usual, expected. The neon seemed subdued, now a soft lavender and aqua. Almost lulling. Most of the letters had gone dark now, but that only seemed to add to its calming effect. 

Leep

Leep. Leap. From this distance, the second 'e' seemed to transform into an 'a'. Leap? Leaping? From here? He looked down. His room was on the second floor. The taupe colored deck and turquoise railing were the only objects in his foreground. It could be done quite easily. Just a simple trip. A simple freudian slip. And he would be comfortable. 

Isn't that what he wanted? To be comfortable. To not be alone? Well now he was under the stars, under the sign, amongst the cars. He was far from alone now.