Chapter Text
Everyday, when you weren't in a class, you worked at the Nexus Hotel in New York City.
Your job wasn't very interesting and it was tedious and boring. It mostly involved you cleaning every possible thing you could see and serving people while they treated you like you were dirt.
Talking to coworkers and friends was the best way to get through the shifts.
Of course, you couldn't talk during parties or dinner parties or god forbid, when you were cleaning your boss's office.
But right now, in one of the dining halls, you chatted away with your favorite coworker.
"Wow," she gave you a shocked look, "no dorms? No apartments? Not a single one? What will you do? Is the college compensating you?"
"No," you complained. You continued to try and get the stain out of the table you were attempting to clean. "I mean, I even put down a down payment. Now I have nowhere to go but my parents' or try to wait for a new apartment or—"
"Oh?" Your boss's voice made you shiver. Your coworker paled and turned tail. You slowly turned your head to gaze at her, mouth dry.
Big Mama placed a hand on her hip. "Oh, muffin, don't look so scared at the sight of little ol' me!"
Big Mama. You should've known right away what kind of person she was. What kind of person made her employees call her that?
"I'm not," you said shakily, turning to face her the whole way. "Do you need something, ma'am?"
She raised an eyebrow.
"I mean... Big Mama." You lowered your gaze.
"Oh, don't be such a silly billy!" She leaned in and booped your nose. "This is about what you need, darling!"
You looked up at her cautiously.
The last time she had 'helped' you, you went from having your job entail serving a few tables
to having to go room to room to serve and clean after guests. From folding a few towels to doing an entire floor's laundry load. From trying to remember orders to being specially assigned to serve a person's every need for their week long stay.
"Um, I don't need anything, Big Mama."
"I don't like filler words, darling," she reminded you, eyes narrowing.
"Sorry," you almost whispered out. You needed to find an excuse to get away. You glanced at the wall of bells, hoping one would shake so you could go to a different floor.
"Now, dear, I believe you said you didn't have anywhere to stay? What kind of lady would I be if I didn't offer you anything?"
You shrugged helplessly at her. Her smile widened.
"Well, luckily for you, some of my employees live here. It's more... convenient, you know?"
You nodded, knowing that it was just an excuse. An excuse for something. Probably more work hours. More responsibility.
"Big Mama, I have college," you shifted uncomfortably, "I can't work any more hours than what I already do."
"Oh, sweetie! This doesn't mean you'll have more hours! Don't you worry your little noggin' about it!" She reached out and knocked the top of your head.
You winced, taking a step back and rubbing the spot with your hand.
"Of course, I don't have any rooms available on the floors above ground..." She hummed, tapping her chin thoughtfully. "Which I believe can only mean one thing."
You stared at her curiously. Was she suggesting that there were floors that were underground? You thought the lobby was the lowest and it was right when you walked into the building from the street.
"You'll be moved to a new section of the hotel. Not many people like you get to see it! Not more than once, at least. You should consider yourself superiorly special."
"A new section?" You tilted your head. "You mean, the top floors? But I usually only do half of—"
"Oh, no, dear, didn't I just say that I didn't have any rooms available for the above ground floors? You will be going below."
So there were floors below the lobby.
You gave her a questioning look which she giggled at. "Oh, you'll be in for quite the sight. We won't be taking the regular elevators, of course. Only special employees and I are allowed downstairs."
You followed after her like a lost puppy, a sense of dread forming at the glances your coworkers gave you as you passed.
No one had ever spoken of there being a downstairs. But why?
"Big Mama, really, I can find a place to stay."
"Oh, dear. Just humor me a bit. Think about it while I show you around. Trust me, you won't say no!" she giggled.
You walked into her office and she locked the door behind the two door you. She moved a drape and pressed a small button you hadn't noticed before. The wall slid open, revealing an elevator.
You nervously glanced at her before stepping in. She walked in after you, sending you a wink before pressing a button.
It was an awkward few seconds where no one spoke as the elevator began to lower. You didn't dare look at her. Your heart was beating to fast for you to even think of what you were doing to do if she tried to murder you.
You closed your eyes at the sickening feeling of inertia and she placed a hand on your shoulder to steady you.
"Have you been hydrating today?" she asked. You looked up at her, confused by the random question. "Oh, don't worry about it."
The elevator dinged and she straightened up, looking eager. The door began to open.
"Here you are!" Big Mama stepped out of the elevator, motioning to the new lobby with a proud look plastered on her face.
You froze, heart stopping in your chest.
No humans were in the lobby.
There were these animals instead. Humanoid animals, walking on two legs. Some with clothes. Some with glasses. Some sipped on water filled glasses as they waited to be shown to their rooms. They were talking. Speaking English.
A tiger. A wolf. Wait, that one looked human except that they had bright blue skin. Oh and now there was a gigantic alligator who bared its teeth as it laughed.
A green yokai was watching you. He seemingly grinned at your shell shocked expression. Big Mama worriedly peeking her head into your sight and the turtle's big red stripes that ran over his eyes were the last thing you saw before you passed out.