The Black Pillow

He called his friend to tell him he was visiting and would be staying in an excellent hotel. Every TripAdvisor review was five-star, so he was looking forward to coming.

Friend: "Don't go there, find another hotel, or stay with me, you can't stay there"

Him: "Why not? The reviews are amazing and the place looks great. I don't want to put you out, and I do like a private bed at night"

Friend: "There are rumours and tales. If there is a black pillow on your bed, get out, at least ask for a different room. Visitors who get a black pillow don't leave"

Him: "Don't be daft. If that happened it would be in the newspapers, and it wouldn't be getting all these five-star reviews, I think you are just giveing me urban legends to scare me.

Friend: "Okay, just be careful, and if you see a black pillow get out. I checked on Google and can't find anything about The Black Pillow, but I am worried"

Him: "I can look aftermyself, I will come round to yours after I've checked in"

He arrived at the hotel with a small case. He had come by train so didn't need a parking space. Impressed by the apparent opulence of the place he felt he had made the right decision and checked in. They offered to take his case up but he declined and took his key.

He thought it was unusual that it was a real key, rather than a swipe card, but he thought that it would definitely work. So many times swipe cards didn't work, and he had to go back down to reception to get a new one.

He got to his room, shut and locked the door and was impressed by the room.

Then he saw black pillows.

He remembered the words of his friend.

He turned to leave, but the door was gone.

There was also no window.

He banged on the wall where the door should have been, but it was solid brick.

He began to panic, then thought he could call his friend, but his phone was gone. It had been in his pocket.

He started to get tired, it was like there was a fog in the room.

He dropped onto the bed and fell into oblivion.

He was unaware of the shadow that put the black pillow over his face until he breathed no more.

That was how he was found the following morning

Epilogue One: The Police

The police released this statement:

A young man was found dead in his hotel room yesterday. He had been smothered by a black pillow. There were no signs of anyone else in the room. The only DNA and fingerprints were from the young man.

He had been out the previous night and came back alone according to the hotel reception, but a friend he was supposed to visit said he had not turned up. There is no CCTV in the hotel so the hotel reception's story could not be corroborated.

His mobile phone was checked but there were no calls and the last internet access was to check TripAdvisor.

He was found dead by room service the following morning.

We were informed and investigated, and although he had been smothered, it seemed to be just an unusual accident.

Epilogue Two: The Owner And The Dark One

Owner: "You have another soul, how much longer does this have to go on"

Dark One: "How much longer? You know your great-grandparents signed this pact to ensure their descendants would live in comfort. The hotel is successful is it not? This does not end. If you stop giving souls, you and your friends and family will be rewarded with unspeakable pain and horror".

Owner: "But why? Are you not satisfied"

Dark One: "Why? Because I can, And I am always hungry for more souls. This will never stop. And when you are gone, your children will follow you in serving me"