Lingering Dreams
The woman retrieved a key from behind the counter, her hands moving with surprising dexterity for her age. "You remind me of someone," she said with a chuckle as she handed over the key. "A large, scary green creature once stayed here. Helped me clean the inn, believe it or not. He was quite nice, even though he looked like he could tear the roof off."
JJ raised an eyebrow but smiled politely. "Sounds like quite the guest."
"Oh, he was. A gentle soul, that one." The old woman sighed, then patted JJ's hand. "You sleep well now, dear."
As JJ turned to head upstairs, the door to the inn creaked open. A man walked in, clutching a flyer in one hand and showing a device screen to the old woman.
JJ paused at the bottom of the stairs, glancing back as the woman's eyes widened in surprise. "Oh no," she muttered softly, wringing her hands. "The poor man."