Free The Inn Between by Marina Cohen Page A

or three steps, then hurtled down a few more. She twisted and turned through the hallway that rose and fell, coiling through the hotel like a giant snake. In the back of Quinn’s mind this didn’t seem architecturally right, but she pushed the thought far away. There was no time to think about anything except Emma.
    At an intersection, Quinn halted briefly, catching her breath. She searched left, then right, then straight ahead, unsure which path to take. Kara’s calls had long disappeared and suddenly Quinn felt very alone.
    There had to be an emergency stairwell or an elevator somewhere. If only she could find it. She scrambled a few steps to the left, when she came to a complete and dead stop.
    Ahead, a figure stood by a door. She recognized the yellow-and-black ball cap. Quinn’s heart, already beating out of control, threatened to burst through her rib cage. She could hear blood thudding in her ears, but she willed herself to remain statue still.
    The man was bent, fumbling with a key. He was cursing violently. Quinn was not fifty feet away, but luckily he hadn’t noticed her.
    Slowly, carefully, she took a step backward, certain any quick movement would draw his attention. One foot, then another, her palms cold and clammy. She hesitated, her body tense, like a sprinter waiting for the blast of a gun.
    The key didn’t seem to be working. The man raised his head and cursed, and just as he was turning in her direction Quinn made her move. She wheeled around and, legs pumping, she bolted back the way she’d come.
    Ducking around the corner, Quinn scrambled through the intersection and plowed straight into Kara, sending both of them flying, landing flat on their backs. The clothes Kara had been holding scattered.
    â€œWhat’s wrong with you?” said Kara. “How could you take off on us like that?” But Quinn was already up, dragging Kara to her feet, scooping up their clothes and pulling her toward the upper lobby through the open space.
    â€œQuinn. Stop,” said Kara, digging in her heels.
    Quinn yanked harder, pulling Kara toward the stairs. She scrambled down step after step. Once they reached the bottom, they paused long enough to scan the upper lobby.
    All was quiet. There was no sign of the man with the ball cap. Quinn had been lucky. He hadn’t seen her. She bent over, her hands on her thighs, catching her breath. How could she explain her fear of him? There was no rational reason—just a deep, dark feeling.
    â€œYou have to stop doing this,” said Kara. “You have to stop imagining people are after you.”
    â€œBut Emma,” said Quinn between gulps of air.
    Quinn felt a cool hand on her back. She looked up and saw Persephone.
    â€œAre you all right? Can I help you?”
    â€œYes,” said Quinn quickly, straightening her back, calming her breathing. “I need to get upstairs. I need to find somebody. Is there a way up?”
    â€œThe elevator,” she said, pointing toward the metal cage. “Except, it’s been slower than usual today.”
    â€œIs there no other way, then?” said Quinn. “This is a pretty big building for such a small elevator.”
    â€œIt’s an old building. We’re up to code, of course. There’s an emergency stairwell at the end of each corridor.”
    â€œReally?” said Quinn. “Because I couldn’t find one.”
    â€œOh, they’re a bit tricky to find. Why do you need to go upstairs? Your room is on the first floor.”
    â€œYes,” said Kara. “It is. Let’s go back to our room,” she said to Quinn. “I told Josh to meet us by the door. He’s probably waiting.”
    â€œJust a second,” said Quinn. She turned to Persephone. “I need to find another guest. Can you help?”
    â€œI can try,” said Persephone.
    Kara rolled her eyes but said nothing. Quinn left her standing at the base of the steps. At the front