Wake up, the waltz is over!

the rays of the sun like a thief comes on light steps.

Francesco Miller wakes up next to his lover. he smiles as he plays with her hair. he doesn't want to wake her up. Francesco grabs her hands. he stares at the nails. Francesco stands up and walks towards the door. Anton, Norman, and Massimo are waiting for him.

"We need to act." exclaims Anton full of desperation.

"Patience father. the lord grants wisdom to those of calm mind." comments Norman.

"Whatever. I am a retiree old man. I am too weak to be walking around like this. my back is starting to act up. and my knees feel heavier than ever. oh boy, I am craving a good cup of coffee about now. see you later old sports. let me go take a sweet cup of coffee." said Massimo with a wicked smile as he walks away slowly, his shadow takes the form of a dragon.

"If we are to take choices. first, we need to bring everyone under this roof together in one single room so everyone can bring their opinions. second, we need breakfast. I can't think without a full stomach. and just like the old dog, I also need some coffee." said Francesco.

"I go get the people together." said Anton as he walks away.

"I need cookies for my coffee. nothing like traditional Mexican cookies."

it didn't take long for all of them to get together inside the cafeteria. Olga Scmidt is in a corner drinking chamomile tea. she asks for two spoons of sugar with a gentle smile. Albert is holding a bowl of hot soup. he sits next to Olga, and he tries to flirt awkwardly with her. it has been a long time since the old librarian has tried to flirt with a woman.

Marcelo Moreno is in a corner writing in a notebook. he drinks mocha Frappuccino. Marcelo feels inspired for once in a while. Massimo sits next to him. he seems to be drunk. Massimo is holding a bottle of liquor. Massimo talks with passion about the old times. in front of them are Beth and Antonio arguing about movies. Beth asks Massimo for a glass of Vodka.

Catherynne is sitting next to Francesco. Catherynne has her hands all over his torso. she keeps kissing his neck and face. she starts to bite his right ear. she then goes to bite his lips. she whispers naughty things on his ear. Francesco seems to be indifferent to her actions. his left eyebrow is slightly trembling. his hands are sweating. Francesco is silent without even moving.

in a table on a far corner are Norman and Anton seated face to face. Norman is trying to find a way to break the man of faith. he then looks at everyone else. he keeps thinking about ways to corrupt the faith of others. he comes to a conclusion. it would be way easier to just find the people who aren't part of the group. he will start with them.

"Is everything alright?" asks Anton looking pale and sick.

"Yes, everything is fine. it will be even better soon." said Norman with a creepy smirk.

all of them are trying to agree on the next action to take. some of them want to stay inside the hotel until rescue comes their way. others want to leave and find a way out. they can't agree on a single thing for hours. they are all scare. some are desperate and others in doubt.

Francesco stands up furiously. he hits the table. he kicks his chair. he tells everyone that they need to take action. he is desperate to keep them alive. and even more desperate to put an end to the infamous serial killer known as the Craftsman.

after some long arguments and disagreement. finally, they decide that most of them are going to stay inside the safe hotel. Francesco Miller, Massimo Bianchi, and Norman Blackwood are the only ones who will leave. they will search all over the town to find an exit.

Francesco holds a cigar between his hands. he puts the cigar on his mouth. he walks towards the red metal door. he gets ready to leave. Catherynne tells him to take care. Francesco nods and pushes the door open.

he walks on the bright streets. the sun is brighter than ever. it smells like the ocean. there is absolute silence on the streets. Norman and Massimo also come out of the hotel. they stand behind the detective. somehow the streets are creepier in the splendor of daytime with no life form to be seen.

"I will be damn, if this town isn't creepy." said Francesco looking up at the sky.

the three of them are walking around the streets. every store is open. but there are no people nor animals in the outside. Norman turns around. he looks at Jessica, the innkeeper by the entrance of the hotel saying goodbye to them. she smiles peacefully.

Norman puts his hands on his pockets. he takes some candy out. he starts to eat it. Massimo asks about the candy. Norman with an emotionless facial expression explains that those aren't just simple candy, but medicine. special medicine with sweet flavors only for him.

Massimo is holding a green fedora hat between his hands. he cleans the dust off it. he puts the fedora on his head. he fixes the yellow scar around his neck. a classic old school gangster dressing up to the mode of a bygone era. he used to shave his face. now his unkept brown beard with gray and white hairs are reminders of his better past.

Norman on the other side, he is quite young looking and well-kept for a guy who presents himself as a cult leader with a large following. slightly pale with pink touches on the face. a man you are unsure if he is older with a baby face or younger with a mature vibe.

"I believe there is someone in the distance." said Francesco looking a shadow like figure on the distance standing lifeless.

"For a ghost town where the girl running the hotel seems to be the only local. I don't trust any other resident. gunslinger, pull your iron out. gunpowder speaks volumes."

the three of them get closer to the figure on the distance. cautious are the steps they take trying to figure out who is the stranger on the distance.