Free The Tooth Collector (and Other Tales of Terror) by Lindsey Goddard Page A

shook from side to side as the vines came at him from every
direction, moving through the grass so fast he didn't have time to
react.
     
    They coiled around his ankles, inching up his
shins. They twined around his wrists. He screamed and tried to
struggle free, but he was no match for their speed and
strength.
     
    The grip on his limbs tightened as Steve was
pulled in every direction. A vine slithered down his throat, but it
didn't silence his screams. He shrieked and writhed and only fell
silent once his appendages were torn from his torso, body ripped to
bloody pieces. The gory chunks of meat were dragged down into the
hungry soil.
     
    Aiyana frowned. She didn't enjoy watching him
die, but Steve would live on through the crops. She'd been raised
to respect the land, to tend it and feed it. She only did what had
to be done.
     
    Her name had meant “eternal bloom” in those
early days, when her people had roamed the wild plains. Her
ancestors were gone, many forgotten, but their gods still held
dominion over earth. As long as her family's land continued to
thrive, she would continue to sate the gods.
     
    And this land would thrive as long as she
lived.
     
     
     
    The
Woman In The Niqab
     
    If you're reading this email, you’ve been
selected as the new night auditor of the Ladford Inn.
Congratulations... I suppose. My memories of the hotel are mostly
fond ones, with the exception of my final week, when I decided I’d
rather take my chances in the unemployment line. Here's to hoping
you are spared the misery of the chilling encounters that sent me
running from the Ladford with my pride dragging behind me like a
dead dog.
     
    I didn’t put in a proper two weeks notice
when I resigned from my position, a grievance that Eleanor was
quick to air (as tends to be the case with most of Eleanor's
grievances). On her bad days, she comes off as a real Ice Queen.
Those steely blue eyes could shatter diamonds if she concentrated
hard enough, I’m certain. But don't be fooled. Deep down she’s a
real softie. She insisted I write this letter, since I've left you
with little to no training. How could I refuse?
     
    She owns four hotels and personally manages
each one, and I understand her concerns with making sure you
receive proper training because—quite simply—she’s too busy to deal
with it. She never sits still. She’s all business, and I'd hate to
play cards with the woman because she's got a poker face to rival
all others. I've seen her use it in response to difficult customers
and hotel drama (all of which you'll come to know too well). She
uses it in other circumstances, too, like when I think she’s caught
a glimpse of the Ladford’s unwelcome guest—the tortured woman who
now haunts my dreams.
     
    I once asked Eleanor if she's seen anything
strange. She donned that poker face and shook her head, and I
couldn’t tell if her response was genuine or a bluff. The slightest
wrinkle of fear crossed her brow, though, and it whispered: Yes.
I have seen her.
     
    But I’m getting ahead of myself. Let’s back
up.
     
    Eleanor has been my supervisor for more than
five years. Despite her tough exterior, she’s always shown me
kindness, which is why I agreed to write this letter. She asked me
to give you some pointers and share with you, my predecessor, all
the expert advice I’ve gathered in half a decade on the job.
     
    This isn’t going to be that sort of letter.
If Eleanor has chosen you for the position, I'm sure you're plenty
bright and capable of handling things on your own. Besides...
there's something more important I need to tell you. Forget about
room keys and guest services for a moment. I need to warn you about
the woman in the niqab.
     
    Three weeks ago, a Pakistani man by the name
of Sameer Ahmed came to stay at the hotel after arriving in the
states. The construction of his new home was running behind. It
would be several days before it was finished and ready to pass
inspection. He was stuck in