No Vacancy [Tag: Gregory]

[Mathias Berg]

Light began to shine through his eyelids. Mathias slowly tried to open his eyes, while having a massive headache. He lay on the bed and stared at the ceiling. When he realized he was awake, and conscious, he immediately get up to sit. It was close that Mathias didn't shout Maya's name.

However, the man stated that he was no longer in the same room as where he had lost consciousness. He was sitting on the bed and on the other side of the room lay a stranger male on the other bed. The furniture looked old, but well maintained. It could have been worse. The room resembled a hostel room. Mathias no longer knew what to think of the situation: whether he had been rescued and taken to gather strength in an old hostel, or whether he was still a victim of kidnapping.

Carefully he approached both doors. He opened the first one and found it to be a bathroom. The towels and beauty products even looked new and the level of equipment itself was not bad.

C'mon, Mat. Now you must check if you are still a prisoner...

Mathias decided to try the other door, which would probably be the door out of here. Unfortunately, the door handle did not move at all and it seemed the door was locked. He was sure that no savior would lock them in the room, so they were still in the same hell as before. He returned to check on the other man's situation.

Mathias didn't know him, and he wasn't quite sure if he had seen him in the previous room. The man seemed to be breathing normally, meaning he was fortunately alive.

"Sir, are you okay?" he asked and tried to shake him a bit.

[Gregory Hopkins]

Gregory slept like a child. All events in scary places are exhausted him. He wanted that all of that was just another nightmare. Yeah, right. He sleeping home, and see just strange and hilarious dream. A few glasses of wine were clearly superfluous, and he never ever would read a criminal article in those newspapers again. And maybe he must stop to support poaching. He needs to rest and heal his poor back. It seems like it hurts. Maybe a few days he can't walk with his favorite dogs.

But someone started shaking him. It a housekeeper? Oh, why is he bothering him in such a time when the old man planning to rest?
-"Roger, please. I'm not feeling good today. Feed Pogo and bring me a cup of coffee. No. The vine is better." Gregory rolled over on the other side and sleepily opened his eyes. Even in a blurry vision, the man started to understand that the person, who shaking him, was not a housekeeper. And also to was not his room.

Greg slowly gets up from the bad and rubbed his eyes. Obviously, he didn't know this man a front of him and also, the room looks... Pretty usually? Simple interfere and calm colors. That's was better than the cold and stinky rock corridor.
But, that's all means that it wasn't a nightmare. They're really stuck in a strange place with a maniac, who just playing with them.

-"I'm sorry for my question...But who are you? And. What is that place? Are we safe? Where my Kim, Jessica, miss Katherine, and miss Maya? What happens?"
He felt a little bit dizzy. And also his back a still hurts because of fast-falling. He didn't find his cane, and maybe, it will be hard to move without it sometime.

[Mathias Berg]

"Roger, please. I'm not feeling good today." older man said.

Roger? Who is Roger? Maybe he thought everything was just a bad dream. Oh, how much I wish it was... Mathias wondered.

The man got up to sit and rubbed his eyes while he asking, "I'm sorry for my question ... But who are you? And. What is that place? Are we safe? Where is my Kim, Jessica, Miss Katherine, and Miss Maya "What happens?".

Lots of questions that Mathias couldn’t answer. Most of the names were completely unknown to Mathias. The man spoke very politely, like a gentleman. Mathias didn’t have a hard time copying his speaking style, he often did the same with his several clients. Mathias recalled that someone would have spoken the same way in the previous room. Perhaps they had tried together to find an escape or lights.

"I apologize sir, but we're not safe yet. My name is Mathias Berg." Mathias started.

"At first I thought we would have been saved, but no savior would keep us behind a locked door. I'm afraid we can't get away." he told of a door he had tried to open himself.

"Unfortunately I only know Maya. Maybe others are locked in similar rooms like us. Sorry for my ignorance, I hate the lack of information ..." Mathias sighed deeply, feeling a little frustrated. Ignorance was one of the things that made Mathias angry. He always wanted to be one step ahead.

"I hope you're okay, sir. I assumed we were at the same room some time ago, that stinky and wet corridor. Unfortunately, I don't remember your name, so could you kindly tell it again?" Mathias asked and retreated to give the man some room to breathe.

[Gregory Hopkins]

"I apologize sir, but we're not safe yet. " Only those words Gregory afraid for. He wishes that some of the prisoners will be saved now.
"Oh, God, help us, please. I even don't ask for myself. But save the innocent souls from here. They don't deserve such torture". The old man praying for the first time. He don't believe that it would help, but it was all what he can do now.

"My name is Gregory Hopkins. And you can call me just Greg." He tries to smile, but he nervous and the corner of his lips twitched a bit.
-"So, you trying to say, that we still can't leave this place? Oh, glad. At least we can take a light shower before die!"

Gregory noticed how changing Mathias's face. It seems that he didn't understand such a type of humor.
-"Sorry. I'm nervous. It's not the right time for such words."
Gregory tried to get up from bed, but wild pain pierced his back. He accidentally cried out and abruptly sat back. It seems that hit the floor harder than he thought.

[Mathias Berg]

The man seemed like a very nice person. He clearly cared about others more than himself, and Mathias could learn something from him even though he was not the most selfish person in the world.

"My name is Gregory Hopkins. And you can call me just Greg." Gregory introduced himself. He would be best to remember it, for the Creator knows how long they would be stuck in this room.

"It's nice to meet you, Greg. I hope we will found our way out of here soon as possible." Mathias smiled for the gentleman.

"So, you're trying to say that we still can't leave this place? Oh, glad. At least we can take a light shower before die!" Greg said dramatically out of blue.
Mathias didn’t know what to say, he wasn’t prepared for Greg to be sarcastic. Should he had laughed along with him? Maybe answer something sarcastic or?

"Sorry. I'm nervous. It's not the right time for such words." Greg apologized.

"Oh, no worries Greg. I just didn't know what to answer. It's a pretty good idea to throw jokes around so that molding here wouldn't depress too much!" Mathias tried to explain to the man that his joke did not offend him.

The older man tried to get out of bed, but it was clearly painful and difficult.
"Are you okay? Didn't you hurt yourself when you lost consciousness? Is there anything I could do to help?" Mathias rushed to the man and knelt in front of him. He wanted to help a roommate who seemed like a nice guy.
"Maybe we could use something as a cane..." he wondered.

[Gregory Hopkins]

- "Are you okay?" Mathias looks so worried. It's not strange, Gregory can't hide his week side forever.

- "I'm... okay. Maybe. Give me...Five minutes." - The old man answered with a big pause. He waiting when his pain slightly weaken. At least, he can't always ask this young man for help. Even if he looks kind and reliable.
During this time, Gregory looking around and notify a lot of new staff in the interior. Two small nightstands, the big wardrobe and also a bookshelf. There was a little chance, that someone lost something here. And maybe it can be useful. For both of them, or maybe for a future.

- You know, young man, we need to examine this place as well. There a lot of places, where you can find a key to freedom.

Gregory slowly gets up. He limped, and his movement was a bit unsure, but he doesn't ask for help and holding for any stuff, that he can freely touch.

[Perception check - Gregory and Mathias examine the room for something useful]

[Madge Baker]

PERCEPTION CHECK: Gregory and Mathias examine the room for something useful.

RESULT: 4 - Unfortunately Gregory didn't find anything useful.

[Mathias Berg]

Greg tried to convince Mathias he was okay - maybe, somehow. Mathias wanted to help him as much as possible but he knew that asking for help was not always easy. Mathias was rarely able to ask for help from anyone, not even his sister.

"You know, young man, we need to examine this place as well. There's a lot of places where you can find a key to freedom." Greg said and slowly got up.

Mathias hadn’t thought about it. He didn’t think the kidnapper would have left the key for the door, but maybe they would find something that would otherwise only help them.

"You're right," Mathias said and also started looking for possible tips himself. However, the search very soon began to seem numb. The room wasn’t very big, but doing the research required energy as Mathias didn’t want to miss a single detail.

He sat down on his bed and looked around one last time before taking a break.

"I'm sorry, I'm not a professional when it comes to escaping kidnappers. My specialty is rather picky rich customers who want to sell their valuable houses." he sighed and rubbed his tired eyes.

"You must also not overburden yourself, Greg." he also tried to get Greg to take breaks from the constant searching.

[Gregory Hopkins]

The exploring of the room was hopeless. No key, no weapon, no useful items. Maybe, the old man was too tired for such a thing? No, he can't stay here with an empty hand. That's why he tried and tried no matter what happening with him.
Mathias seems so worried. He always tried to help Gregory, but even the young and strong man didn't find something useful. In the end, they just both tired after the long searching.

"You must also not overburden yourself, Greg". The young man sitting on his bad and watching how Gregory still tried to find something in the wardrobe.

"You're right. But I just, don't wanna give up! I must find the way from this freaking place!"
The old man hit the wall with his big fists. This is the first time when he was so angry. But the one who felt guilty was Greg himself.

"Mathias...Do you have someone, that you wanna protect for all costs?". Gregory slowly moved to his bed and set down. He sadly signed and continue his monologue.

"If I were here alone, maybe, I didn't try to accept my death. I made so many mistakes and sins, so I will agree. But now I'm understanding how fool I was and my time is running out. I didn't propose to my love lady because I'm a coward. I'm not a handsome man, not young and also I'm a bit ascetic. How she could love me? And I'm afraid that her daughter didn't accept me as her new father. She isn't a small child and she very emotional teen. And I stayed as a family friend for her and even afraid to call her "daughter". But... I stuck here with her. And those thoughts bothering me whenever I see her ginger head. And I wanna protect her, no matter what. Or I didn't forgive myself for the next mistake. So, I ask you again. Do you have someone dearest here or out there?"

[Mathias Berg]

"You're right. But I just don't want to give up! I must find the way from this freaking place!" Greg hit the wall with his fist.

Mathias understood him. The situation was very hopeless, but it would be very unlikely that they would find a way to get out so easily. Maybe they could try again later. Fortunately, Greg decided to listen to Mathias' recommendation, and he sat down on the bed.

"Mathias ... Do you have someone that you want to protect for all costs?"

The question surprised Mathias. He didn't expect that. He did know the answer, but for some reason the words got stuck in his throat. A little silence descended on the room.

"If I were here alone, maybe, I didn't try to accept my death. I made so many Mistakes and Sins, so I will agree. But now I’m understanding how fool I was and my time is running out,” Greg started answering his own question.

"I didn't propose to my love lady because I'm a coward. I'm not a handsome man, not young and also I'm a bit ascetic. How could she love me?" Greg mocked himself.

"Emotions are hard to deal with. Especially when it's about a very important person." Mathias tried to comfort the man. He wanted to laugh at himself, he was not the best person to advise in such manner. He was a coward too.

"I find the ascetic personality very admirable. Not everyone can do it. If it's any consolation, my first impression of you was very respectful and charming." Mathias praised Greg. He wasn't lying about his first impression, he truly felt that way about him.

"And I'm afraid that her daughter didn't accept me as her new father. She isn't a small child and she's a very emotional teen. And I stayed as a family friend for her and even afraid to call her 'daughter'." .But ... I stuck here with her. "

Mathias somewhat understood his situation. He himself had been in the same role as the girl Greg mentioned. Mathias' mother remarried to man named William. William was very much afraid that Mathias wouldn't really like him, so he didn't forced him to call this his father. However, Mathias was quickly attached to William, and considered him as his father. Of course Mathias was really young back then, and the girl Greg told him about it's in her teen years.

"I got the picture that she would be here too? Was she one of those you mentioned earlier, Kim, wasn't she?" Mathias wanted to make sure he had understood correctly.
"I don't know her, but I'd like to believe she likes you as person at least. I have a stepfather as well as a stepsister and I cannot tell you how much I love them both, especially my sister. I consider them as much my family as my own mother." Mathias talked about his own family. Of course, he couldn’t promise behalf of Kim that she would like Greg. But by the first impression of him, who wouldn't like Greg?

"So, I ask you again. Do you have someone dearest here or out there?" Greg repeated his question. After unraveling his feelings, Mathias felt he owed Greg the same.

"Yes," Mathias replied briefly, "as I said before, so I also know Maya. I have known her for a long time, about over a year or so. She appeared in my life out of nowhere suddenly and I haven't let her go since that ..."

Mathias could have talked about Maya for hours. He didn’t really have anyone to whet his admiration for her, except maybe his sister.

"She doesn't just know that ... well ... that I love her. We're just friends right now, but I want more than that. As you can see, Greg, you're not the only coward in this room. She's behind that wall and I could tell her everything, but here I am. I'm sitting here and confessing my love for her to you and not to Maya." He finally said it out loud that he loves Maya. Mathias was downright angry at himself for not daring to take the initiative towards Maya. He did not always understand what prevented him from recognizing.

"Maybe I'm just afraid I'll lose her if I confess. Maybe I'm afraid the same thing will happen again as what happened with my ex-girlfriend." Mathias covered his face with his palms and took a deep breath. For some reason, talking about emotions took hold of him. It felt good to talk about these things outloud but damn it was still weird for him. It was one of first times he got to do so.

[Gregory Hopkins]

Mathias was a really good listener and he also tried tocher up the old man. Gregory slowly started believing that he did not lose everything.

-"I got the picture that she would be here too? Was she one of those you mentioned earlier, Kim, wasn't she?" The young man asked and the answer was the one node.

- "Yes, this small sunny-bunny my dearest Kim. You are very observant."

Gregory hoped that she alright now. Maybe, they will meet again here and maybe he try...Yes, he must try to say all things to her.

Mathias understand Gregory's feelings well and also confess in his secret fears.

- "Miss Maya! - Gregory brow surprisingly up. - I know her a little, but I see her as a strong and also beautiful women. I'm a bit amazed by her. "

The old man laughed and the kind smile showed on his face.
- "I'm a bit jealous of you, young man. You choose a real treasure!

Greg remembered his first romantic diners with Stephanie, how he shy to confess her, and felt like a small girl with such a woman. But it was his real feelings and he saved those memories in his heart.

- "Mathias. Don't lose her. Maybe this is your last chance to confess her. We don't know what's the beast hidden out this door. So, we don't need to have the beast inside us. You're the nice guy and you worried even about such an old grumpy man like me. I believe, you can carry her in her arms. Promise me, of we went from here alive, you invite me to your wedding!"

He trying to tell that not sound. The wall was not so strong, and sometimes he can hear the mumbling from other rooms. So, he tries to keep this dialogue in secret for miss Maya.

[Mathias Berg]

Greg seemed very surprised that Mathias had feelings for Maya. Were they really that different? Didn’t they look good together?

"I know her a little, but I see her as a strong and also beautiful women. I'm a bit amazed by her." Greg said.

"I couldn't say it better. She's a real wonder woman to me." Mathias praised her.

"I'm a bit jealous of you, young man. You choose a real treasure!" Greg laughed.
"Well you better be! She's the best thing that has happened to me. And apparently I'm not the only one who has hots for her. However it seems I don't have any active competitors anymore. She rejected one man who's stuck here too." Mathias told Greg about the situation. He didn't know if Greg knew who David was, and maybe it would be appropriate not to talk about the man who just got friendzoned.

"Mathias. Don't lose her. Maybe this is your last chance to Confess her." Greg switched back to a more serious tone. Mathias listened intently him. It was easy to take him seriously.

"We don't know what's the beast hidden out this door. So, we don't need to have the beast inside us." it was somehow poetic, but Greg was right. No one knew if they would survive? There was always a possibility they were dead by tomorrow or by hour from now. So why he should be afraid of what Maya might be thinking?

"Promise me, of we went from here alive, you invite me to your wedding!" Greg asked.
"Wow, good that even one of us is sure of a possible happy ending for me and Maya," Mathias laughed. His heart was warmed by the thought of seeing Maya in a beautiful wedding dress. She could choose just about any dress. She wouldn’t have to worry about the price, everything would be covered by him. But most likely Maya might not want a BIG spectacle weddings.

"Thank you Greg. You're very kind for listening my worries. I'm seriously considering making a confession. I just have to think about how I put my feelings into words subtly. I don't want to sound dirty." Mathias thanked Greg with a smile.

Mathias felt a lot of different feelings for Maya, both pure romantic feelings and dirty very naughty and sexy ones.

"And hey, if you and your lady will be married one day, I want an invitation too." he added.

"How exactly did you meet her? Hopefully more romantic than me and Maya. We started fighting when we first met, threatening to complain about each other to our supervisors." Mathias asked curiously.

[Gregory Hopkins]

Mathias truly open his soul to the Gregory. It was obvious, that he not just fall in love with Maya. He adores her, saw like a goddess of Olympus, the beautiful Afrodita, or even better than her.

- "My friend, just put all your sincerely feels in your world. I believe, even such strong and inaccessible women will listen to you. " They're both laughed after invitation on weeding. That's alright, they still didn't lose their hope's about surviving here, in such a strange situation.

"How exactly did you meet her?" Gregory even didn't surprised about this question. He warmly recalls how he first time see Stephanie.

-"Promise me, that you will not laugh, because this story reminds a stupid love story cliche."
Mathias nodded and seem like he really wanted to hear this. He was interested.

-"One day, we just met in the park. I walked with my pug Pogo and she also has a labrador named Luna. Our dogs rub away, started barking and playing with each other, so we accidentally started talking and... I think I fell in love at first sight. She looks like a real lady from the old romantic books. She was so beautiful and she still is. So elegant and clever. I never met before such good and understanding women as she. Sometimes I felt myself as a young shy boy near her and has strong romantic feelings for her. Sometimes I don't even believe for such happiness in my life".

When Mathias told about his meeting with Maya, Gregory tried to not laugh. The youngest people were so emotional sometimes. The old man kindly put his arm on Mathias's shoulder.

- "But it's even don't stop you, right? That means you saw something deeper. Maybe she refused all men because they saw only her visible beauty, but not the inner? And only you can do this."

[Mathias Berg]

"My friend, just put all your sincerely feels in your world. I believe even such strong and inaccessible women will listen to you."

Greg was probably right. Mathias was amazed at how such an independent woman listened to Mathias and took advice from him - most of the time. Greg was ready to tell the beginning of his love story. Mathias promised not to laugh no matter how cliché it would sound.

The story sounded undeniably as if it had been read directly from a storybook or it was a scene from a successful romantic comedy. Mathias was able to identify with the emotion Greg was talking about. A feeling that made his knees weak.

"Sometimes I don't even believe for such happiness in my life." Greg said as he ended his storytelling time. Falling in love was almost like wordwide feeling, many people were able to relate with the feelings it evoked regardless of their background.

"I know what you mean, it's like you're afraid you'll suddenly wake up and everything was a dream." Mathias said.

Speaking of his own first meeting with Maya, Mathias saw Greg try not to laugh. He could not deny that the whole situation was very humorous, especially after what kind of relationship they had formed between after that.

"-- Only you can do this." Greg thought Mathias might be the right one for Maya. Man’s words were convincing, Maya and Mathias were very different kind of people in both personality and background, but still they managed to get along. Something pulled Mathias to her, something always made him come back to her and get her attention and intimacy. Maybe Mathias was meant for her, maybe THEY were meant for each other.

"I'm starting to believe more and more that we would be the endgame. Thanks for the encouragement, sir. I'm very grateful." Mathias got up from his own bed and walked over to Greg. He put his hand on his shoulder as if as a sign of being grateful.

[Perception check - As a 'thank you' Mathias tried once again search the room for something useful]

[Fate]

PERCEPTION CHECK: Mathias tried once again to search the room for something useful

RESULT: 1 – Mathias was so focused on searching around the room that he wasn’t careful enough to look at the ground; accidentally tripping on the matching carpet, he lost his balance, threatening to run into the closest furniture.

Greg can try to make an action roll and save Mathias from his fall due to Mathias trying to hold onto him before he fell. If he won't succeed, Mathias will hurt his side against the table and be left with a bruised rib.