Okaaaay, um... oh, goodness, where to begin? I guess I might as well start off with a proper hello.

... Hello?

Anyway, welcome to my novelization of the second season of Gregory Horror Show: The Second Guest. I guess other than that I don't have much to say, other than that this beautiful and dark series is by no means mine of any sort. Otherwise we'd all be doomed in despair. Favorites are very appreciated as well are reviews if you ever want to give me any input or criticism on what you think can be improved.

Other than that I can't really think of anything else to say except, well, enjoy!

I never knew something like this would happen to me. Even now, looking back at everything that had happened to that first fogged night, even I would have thought it would have been the hallucination of some drunk. But then I remember once I break myself from my own thoughts, and I realize that it was indeed a reality. Or a fraction or even a format of it. I'm still not entirely sure... wasn't think that was of the world I lived in before, that was for certain. I still remember how it began to the end, so clearly in my mind. With the pain of my own actions, the anger of my mind, and the hatred of towards those around me... I remember how I had broken myself so far enough that not even reality was able to retrace it...

...burrowing only towards the jagged path of eternity.

THE FIRST NIGHT

THE SECOND GUEST

I was walking, walking down the dried and empty path in front of me, cracks and little rocks sprayed to and fro. Trees that were stripped of their color with little to no crackled leaves that limply clung for life to the thin branches above. I brushed one of the strands of my short black hair from my firm but tired face, nearly getting one of them in my faded blue eyes. Well, not exactly blue. It was more of a sort of violet blue, now that I thought about it.

I paused for only a moment to adjust one of the black heels on my feet, feeling one of the pebbles get wedged near the heel. "Damnit..." I cursed quietly as I readjusted myself before I kept walking, feeling the overgrown grass graze against the surface of my black pants. It was hell to see through the fog. Sure, it was not so bad, but the way it hung down on everywhere made it feel as if I were stuck in a greenhouse, even with how cold it was.

As my heels struck down leaf after leaf, struck into the ground step after step, hugging my shivering body, I was only to manage out a single thought from the clouds of confusion that hit me.

What am I doing wandering through this forest...?

The last thing I had remembered was taking a taxi on the way back from my best friend's wedding. And then, I was on my way home.

But...

...How did I end up in a place like this?

I was on my way back to my home in the next town from the wedding. I got to get into a taxi that was surprisingly fine with not paying for anything, especially with the way the damn economy was these days. But... what happened after that? I don't remember much besides after that. Sure, before that, I talked with the prim-prom girl herself, and I took myself a few smokes, but... had I fallen asleep? Son of a bitch, I had no idea what was going on at the time. I felt tired now, though... terribly. It was like I were being crushed by this stupid fog. It was driving me crazy.

I didn't have much room to think though, my gaze returning from the dirt ground to again the dead land nearly engulfing my body. Thank god I didn't garb myself in a dress, wedding or not. Still freezing, though. But, honestly, compared to these things, I was nothing short of an already damned sinner.

My heart began to beat violently against my chest with only a long black sweater with a white work shirt underneath. My breath hitched out cold air that let quick puffs of cold smoke to my face. Why am I even still walking? Why didn't I turn back? But then again... going back might as well have just led me forward. Either way, no matter the direction, I was lost. I couldn't win. But what news was that?

Stranded out in the middle of nowhere. Just perfect. That was quite the wrong move to make, wasn't it? Just fucking great...

A cold breeze scraped my skin, making me recoil slightly. I shuddered, my hand instinctively gripping to adjust it's hold on the dull and patterned red bandana coiled around my neck like a boa.

Then, right through the fog, something began to come into view apart from the pitch black branches. It was a large, much more than a few stories house that could easily at a first glance be mistaken by nothing less than a mansion. A rather abandoned one at that, though. It was brick, but a faded, cracked kind of brick. Only two candles were lit, the ones that had first shone through the cold veil. They were set on each sides of the large wooden door that stood ahead.

This greatly surprised me. What in the hell was a large estate doing in such in a forest like his. And for that matter, I thought, why? What sort of dumbass would take all the money he - or she - had such earned (he or she was more than likely some rich promp, at first I thought) and put all of it away on a house in the middle of nowhere? Then again, who was I to say, as I had ended up here somewhere, hadn't I? Then in that case I was just as stupid...

I looked above the doors, the only wooden words pasted and starting to break were in all capital letters "GREGORY HOUSE" on it. Gregory house? Was that the name of the man in charge, or was it the prior name for the company lingered with this possibly. Either way, there was someone in there that could give me a stay for the night, or even better help me find my way. Never heard of a hotel such as... well, no, that was a lie.

I remembered then that the cab driver told me that there was some kind of... what, a traffic jam? That there wouldn't be enough real good effort to get back home unless I got stuck. Of course, I was too tired to really give a damn, but I was wondering what to do. And then... he told me that there was a hotel I could stay at for the night. Was this it? Guy sure has a hell of a taste alright...

I looked behind me for a final time, towards the tombstones that were stabled into the earth on all sides of the outline of the place. What was with all the death around? Besides all the ruin everywhere, this was the first hesitant urge I felt that there was something damn wrong with this place.

My heels squeaked in a soaked manner, stepping up the concrete steps slowly. I adjusted the collar of the rose I had on my shirt. Had to attempt to look formal at the wedding for my friend, hadn't I? Not that it changed a damn thing either way.

I then reached a drenched hand towards the handle of the door before opening it, a loud groan escaping. Gripping the slightly splintered wood for a moment, I stepped inside, trying to calm my unsteady heart.

Inside, everything looked surprisingly normal. At least, I first thought it was. There appeared to be no such electricity around the establishments, due to the candles laying on the counter beside the door and one staying put on the table not too far off surrounded by plain leather chairs. The walls were peeling, a faded cyan around them.

I gulped down a breath in my dried throat, adjusting another strand of hair over the lot of them. It was a bit hard to describe, honestly, due to the loose strands of my black hair pandering parts of my head. I wish I had gotten myself a damn haircut. The back was fine, but of course its the front that ends up pissing me off.

I glanced back and forth, not a single soul in sight. I couldn't stop myself from scowling then. Had that cab driver ripped me off? Had he just thought it would be a fucking joke to give a person a ride only to just fucking drop me off in the middle of nowhere like some back-tailed bitch?! I tightened my fists up, gritting my teeth. I had had it. First the wedding, then this? No.

I began to turn, cursing like the blaring city lights in my head. I can't believe I had been fooled like this. A hotel to stay at for the night, hah! As if there would be anyone around in some place like thi-

"Would you like a room?" an eerily calm voice asked from behind the receptionist's desk.

I felt my blood freeze, muscles jumping at the sudden voice. I spun around towards the source of the voice... only to stop in complete horror at the sight.

There, at the headesk was a giant...rat? Mouse? Was there a difference? Well, there was a rodent the same height as me seeming to have just been turning the page of a book he was reading when I walked in. His body seemed...human. He had stringy blonde hair on his head, wore reading glasses, and a pink coat over his red and black-striped shirt. He appeared to be old, judging by the wrinkles on his face, and he had these horribly crossed reddish purple eyes. "It's unusual for us to see a woman here this late at night."

My mouth opened wide, seeing this... this mouse in front of me with great shock. I felt my blood curdle, my eyes not helping but to trail up and down the... this man's aged form. Millions of questions rambled through my pounding head like a sledgehammer was compressing into the concrete walls. Most of them consisted of how in the hell a rat could possibly be one; standing and looking like a man, and two; TALKING to me!

I didn't even realize his words before a few moments later, making me gulp down a breath. A room? What the hell was he talking about a room for!? I instantly backed away as far from this damn mouse as possible. "What the fuck?!" I shouted the moment I was able to work my voice correctly. Was he some sort of mutation? Some sick fuck in a costume!? I had no idea...

At the moment though, I honestly didn't care. "Wh... what the hell are you!?" I choked out, feeling my fear turn to irrational hostility. If I didn't get any answers soon, I swore, I'd start to kneed my heel into this man's face! What kind joke was this?!

The larger rat jumped back in response, his glasses falling off his face. "M-miss! Please don't be alarmed! Really, now, you might just be the jumpiest guest that's entered through these doors recently...though I'd be lying if I said I've never seen a reaction like that." He held his hand, er, paw out, offering a friendly smile. "I'm Gregory, the manager of this hotel. My dear, you aren't lost, are you?"

"L... lost?" I questioned quietly. My anger and fear aside from the fact that there was a damn mouse speaking to me started to lessen. I finally softened by hollowed gaze to look as calm as possible. I tried to look at the old mouse, but good lord beyond was it difficult. The way those reddish purple eyes, so crossed yet had enough placement to stare at me made me uneasy. I tried to not stare back though. I felt if I did any longer I'd end up going sick to my stomach.

"I'm not lost, I just... I..." I began quietly, beginning to turn. I stopped myself with my words. I had to get out of here. Who cares if I slept in one of those trees? It'd be better than this. "I'm sorry for bothering you. I need to go." I tried to say as curtly as I could. 'What kind of fucking hotel uses a damn mouse as a manager? Who mentally charged bastard came up with this idea?' I thought angrily to myself.

I was about to put my hand on the doorknob when I heard the sudden snap of lightning bang off in the skies like a gunshot. It was raining now. Great. I'd be suicide going out there now... more than normally. I froze, then slowly looked behind me, a frown pursing my lips. "... I... I guess maybe I might... have taken a... a wrong turn."

"I thought so. It'd be awful for you to have to find your way back on your own, what with this storm and all." The endearing rat grabbed a ring of keys from the set of hooks that was bolted next to him. "hm," he hummed intently, "there are worse things to lose than your 'way'." he said, coming around the desk. "But you are safe now." He chuckled with content as he walked towards the corridor. He grabbed a candle sat on the edge of the desk and added to his statement: "… Just joking. Please, let me show you to your room."

I hesitated for a long moment, eyes glaring in a skeptical manner. Besides the fact this man was a mouse altogether, there was something about him (especially his face) that was still frightening enough to give me goosebumps on my already cold skin. I wondered if it had been best to ask for a map or directions home instead of follow him. Something about this place even at the damn beginning made me long to be more on the outside than in, sudden weather change or not.

However, still I held my concerns in at the time, and just began to follow him up the first flight of stairs past the hallway door. "V... very well, then." I murmured. I moved my arms over myself, hugging myself, trying to keep my gaze to the boarded stairs.

I kept on going, then paused, looking behind myself. I could have sworn I heard a noise... or did I? I was never too sure. Either way, I honestly didn't want to find out. My ears must have been pulling damn tricks on me again...

I was lead on by this mouse until we had reached the halls of what I could only think of what was the first floor. Doors lined along each dried and patched wall, a seated candle between each. Numbers ranging from the two hundreds were labeled in fine bronze near the top, specifying each guest's room.

Then the noise came again, much more louder this time. I had thought it had sounded but an old phone, given this place's state. But upon closer inspection with my hearing, I found it to be the sound of a very shrill alarm clock.

"I'm late for work. I'm late for work!" The sound of a rushed, panicked, and stressed voice could be heard ahead in the halls. Coming from the darkness was what looked to be a man. He had a solemn, bland and wooden face plastered on, garbed of any emotion. He also had a worn out brown hat, beige trench coat, white work shirt, and a blue striped tie.

"I'm late for work. I'm late for work..." He ran up to me in a rush, pulling a card from the pocket of his shirt. "Here's my business card, madam." he said in a haste. He then ran to the old rat, handing him a card also. "Here's my business card, sir." He then continued his run down the halls, the grip on his filled suitcase tightening. "I'm late for work. I'm late for work..." He could be heard running down the old stairs, his voice still being heard with his continuous phrase of panic. "I'm late for work. I'm late for work! I'm late for work!"

I gawked a bit, mostly in confusion. I turned my head, not even bothering to gaze at the card yet to watch the wooden man run off until he and his shadow were out of sight, and his voice was no longer repeating itself. I blinked slowly, cocking a worried and skeptical brow. "...?"

I finally looked down at the card in my hand, written in a careful but incredibly dull text to write out the name of "Stephen Haniwa Salaryman" on it. I hummed hesitantly. That was certainly a name I wasn't familiar with... nor ever really heard of.

The old rat observed the card he was handed, then merely stuffed it in his coat pocket. "That man is one of our new guests. He's been working himself to death." He gave a discerning chuckle at the small joke, then turned toward a door marked "205". He put the key in it, opening it. "Here, this'll be your room, my dear." He stepped back to let me enter.

I couldn't keep myself from shuddering at this rat's chuckle. Something about it sent shivers through and around my entire body with it's kept thoughts. It was starting to piss me off. I didn't like it. Not one bit. After I put the card into my pocket, I stepped inside the room. My eyes trailed around the place cautiously. It was at least as equal to my own room. If not, maybe even a bit better.

The walls were a flushed and faded pink with gentle rose patterns all around. There was also a large cabinet in the corner next to me on the left, and the floors were a deep maroon. The bed was also a bit like that, except just a bit more parched of its color. Besides the shut in window with white laid back curtains, the only thing I could point out was a lone desk and chair, an open book in front of it. There was a cupboard in front of it besides a candle that seemed to hold in perfumes or other accessories.

Stepping inside, I wasn't able to keep myself shuddering. It was almost as damn cold in here as it was on the outside, even with myself garbed with sweater and bandana I only let out a tired breath, though, setting the plain black satchel around me on the bedside. "Hm..."

I was about to gingerly set myself down to let my legs finally rest, then I froze. Beside the flickering candle on the desk sat a vase. And inside that vase was a wilted rose with the most wretched color of red on it. I couldn't help but be disturbed by it, wincing back at the sight.

The elderly rat must have looked at my noticing I had now discovered the wilted flower, which he quickly began to confiscate, "Oh, I'm terribly sorry. This flower won't do." he said, "Let me go and replace it." he said, again, chuckling at his own "jokes" and leaving the room. "It's terribly sad, but I've afraid even beautiful roses must be thrown in the trash once they grow old. Heheh... I hope you'll enjoy your stay..." After another disturbing, low chuckle, he then shut the door of my room, saying one more thing that made my muscles freeze completely.

"...Forever."