The Grand Paradise Hotel

Even though Sydney Cubb had returned the key Milo Spatters surreptitiously slipped her way, she had no intention of leaving the east hall alone after only one short visit. At 11:30pm, she quietly stepped into the hall from her room, carrying with her a rather full-looking bag and all the unshakeable resolve she could muster. The hallway was bright as ever, and she expected nothing less, but Sydney was pleased to find it empty as she drew closer to the barricade she'd crossed earlier that day. She noticed almost immediately that the chair she'd used to climb over the barrier had been pushed back to its original seating area, but that wasn't much of a concern. The plush carpeting would mask the sound of moving furniture.

She left her bag by the locked door. Sydney could've picked the lock— the lockpicking set Nick had gotten her ages ago was of course in her bag — but she didn't want to risk scratching the keyhole. Not if it would draw unwanted attention. Jumping the wall was the smarter move again, and so Sydney went to push back one of the armchairs, trying to keep the process as quiet as possible.

Just as she was lining the chair firmly up against the door, Sydney heard a noise behind her and glanced over her shoulder, noticing Zoe Kingman standing in the hall. Surprised, but undeterred, Sydney said "Hold on," before climbing over the plywood wall much as she had earlier, easing herself down for a softer landing. She unlocked the door from the ruined side of the hall, stepping out to push the chair aside and grab her bag. "If you're coming, best be quick and quiet. We're not supposed to be here," she said.

The door was open just long enough for Zoe and Sydney to step into the dark, dusty hall, unaware that Max Kingman and Blaze Cubb had followed them as well.