Gina (a short story)

Gina was tired, bone tired as they say. Her journey had been a long one and she was ready for the end.  She really was but first she just wanted a small respite, some comfort and sleep to prepare herself for what was to be her last official act.  There were only so many times she could run through the recent events in her head and she wasn’t coming up with any solutions anyway. She knew that she wouldn’t.  Her impassioned pleas for assistance had fallen on deaf ears once again so she knew she had reached the end of her journey. What she needed was to just not be conscious anymore, shut her brain off and rest.

She started looking for the ubiquitous road signs for hotels and motels up ahead.  As if on cue, Gina saw the sign for the Venus Bed & Breakfast.  She followed the directions and in no time at all she was pulling up in front of the most charming little cottage she had ever seen.  There were colorful flowers in every windowsill and the entire place was surrounded by a field of sunflowers.  It was gorgeous and Gina could already feel some of the tension melting away.  As she watched a butterfly flutter and land on her hand she felt a calmness that was alien to her.

The smell of freshly baking bread wafted through the open window causing her to salivate.  Gina hadn’t realized how hungry she was until that moment.  She went inside and was greeted with a fresh slice of hot bread with butter and jam before she could even check in.  “Heavenly,” Gina thought.

Her room was perfect too.  A cozy bed, piles of books served as the only decorations and there was a cat curled up in what looked like a perfectly comfy armchair. “Yes, if this is to be my last night, what a lovely night it will be.” she thought wistfully.

So it was.  The next morning, refreshed yet still determined, Gina went to check out of the B&B but found no one at the front desk.  She searched the cottage and finding it empty decided to just leave her key on the counter and go.  “After all,” she thought, “I have something to do and I don’t want to do it here.”  Then to her surprise the door wouldn’t open.  She checked the back door off the kitchen and all of the windows.  None of them would open.

That’s when she saw the envelope on table with her name on it.  “How strange” she thought as she opened and began to read the letter.


Please find the enclosed receipt for one day at Venus B&B.  You did know that a day on Venus lasts longer than a year that you are used to?  Doesn’t matter if you were aware or not, you cannot leave.  There is no way.  The windows will not break, don’t bother trying.

P.S.  We do hope you enjoy your stay.


“What a pretty prison” she thought as she flicked the blade open and slit her wrists.

~Melanie Thomason



Filed under Stories

10 responses to “Gina (a short story)

  1. Eerie, mysterious, disturbing…..I loved it!

  2. Nan

    YOU are a master of short stories … with surprise endings!! Loved it!

  3. Ooooohhhhhh, love it. Great story.

  4. Well done Melanie, Hotel California had the same issue, “You can check out any time you like, but you can never leave.”

  5. Wow, what an immersive and surprising (and disturbing) story!

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