This is Not a Horror Story: KJ Not Stories, #3

By Kylie Jensen

In this thrilling and chilling tale of love, betrayal, and revenge, two lovers find themselves drawn to an old motel by the sea, only to discover that it holds a dark and dangerous secret. The eccentric host seems to have secrets of his own, and the place is haunted by the vengeful ghost of a young actress seeking revenge.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Seagull Editions
• Release date: May 18, 2023
• ISBN: 9798223009689

Book preview

Chapter One

Mindy parked her silver Honda Civic in front of the Starlet Arms Motel, a rundown motel perched on the cliffs above the beach. The motel straddled the desert and the coast, offering stunning views of the Pacific Ocean from one side and the desert on the other. The motel was built back in the early 50s, and it showed. The paint on the walls was peeling, and the roof had seen better days. Still, the location was unbeatable, and Mindy was glad she had managed to rent one of the few available rooms.

It was a warm spring day, and the sun was shining brightly. Mindy got out of her car, put on her sunglasses, and walked to the motel's main office. The door was open, and she stepped inside, greeted by the smell of stale cigarette smoke and old furniture. The motel owner, a quiet and middle-aged man, sat behind the counter, reading a magazine.

Hi there, Mindy said, approaching the counter. I'm here to check in. I reserved a room.

The man looked up from his magazine and nodded. Name?

Mindy, she said, pulling out her ID and handing it to him.

He took her ID, typed something on his computer, and handed her a key. Room 6, he said, pointing to a door behind her. Enjoy your stay.

Mindy took the key and stepped outside, feeling the warm sun on her skin. She walked to the room, opened the door, and was greeted by a small but clean room with a queen-sized bed, a TV, and a bathroom. But the best part was the view. A large window overlooked the ocean, and Mindy could see the waves crashing against the shore.

She sat on the bed, feeling happy and relaxed. It had been a long time since she had taken a day off work to enjoy the beach, and she was glad she had managed to do it. She took out her phone and texted Nick, telling him where she was and how beautiful it was.

She waited for him to arrive, watching the waves and listening to the seagulls. She wondered if Nick would like the place, or if he would be put off by the rundown state of the motel. She hoped he wouldn't be, and that they could enjoy the beautiful view together.

After a few minutes, she heard a car pull up outside, and she got up from the bed, feeling nervous and excited. She walked to the door and opened it, finding Nick standing there, smiling at her.

Hey, he said, walking inside and giving her a kiss on the cheek.

Hey, she said, feeling her heart race. How was the drive?

Not too bad, he said, looking around the room. This place is something else, isn't it?

Mindy shrugged. It's not the Ritz, but the view is amazing.

Nick nodded, taking off his jacket and throwing it on the bed. That it is, he said, walking to the window and looking out. I can't believe we're so close to the ocean.

Mindy walked up to him, feeling happy and content. I'm glad you like it, she said, putting her arms around his waist. "I thought it would be a nice change of scenery.

Nick turned around, looking into her eyes. It's perfect, he said, leaning in for a kiss.

They kissed for a few moments, feeling the warmth of each other's bodies. Then Nick pulled away, looking at her with a serious expression.

Mindy, we need to talk, he said, taking her hands.

Mindy felt her heart sink. She knew what was coming, and she wasn’t sure how to address it, as she always believed their triste was a casual and fun one.

Mindy, I want to be with you, Nick said, his voice low and serious. I want something more serious, more permanent.

Mindy felt a pang of guilt mixed with fear. She enjoyed their time together, but she wasn't ready for anything serious. She didn't want to be tied down, to be committed to anyone. She had always been a free spirit, unattached, and she didn't want to change that.

But she didn't want to hurt Nick's feelings either. She put on a smile and said, Nick, let's not talk about that now. Let's just enjoy this beautiful place and each other's company.

Nick looked at her, his face falling. Mindy, I'm serious. I'm considering leaving my wife. I believe we belong together.

Mindy sighed. She knew this was coming, but she didn't want to deal with it now. She didn't want to think about the consequences of their actions. She wanted to live in the moment, to enjoy their time together without any worries.

Nick, let's just enjoy today, she said, pulling him closer. We don't have to make any decisions now. Let's just have fun.

Nick looked at her, a mixture of sadness and frustration in his eyes. Fine, he said, pulling away. Let's just forget about it.

Mindy felt guilty, but she couldn't help the way she felt. She wanted to be free, to live her life without any constraints. She didn't want to be tied down to anyone, not even Nick.

They spent the rest of the day exploring the area, walking on the beach, and enjoying the sun. Mindy did her best to distract Nick, to make him forget about their conversation earlier. She laughed and joked, trying to be carefree and happy.

As the day turned into night, they returned to the motel room, exhausted but happy. Mindy took a shower, feeling the warm water wash away the sand and salt from her body. She got dressed in a comfortable t-shirt and shorts and sat on the bed, waiting for Nick to finish his shower.

When he came out, he sat next to her, looking at her with a mixture of sadness and longing.

Mindy, I love you, he said, his voice trembling.

Mindy felt a lump in her throat. She didn't know what to say, how to react. She cared for Nick, but she didn't love him. She couldn't say the words he wanted to hear.

I care for you too, Nick, she said, putting her hand on