“I think so,” she said weakly. Her lashes fluttered, and she made a valiant attempt to sit up but slumped against his chest as her energy failed. “I think I’ll be safe if you can just take me to my room.”
“Yes, miss,” he said. “I’ll get you there, and I can have security keep tabs on you for the rest of your stay, if you’d like. We don’t want our guests to feel unsafe in the Fat Chance. In fact, I feel I should apologize for what’s happened so far.”
“No apology necessary, Captain,” she said. “If you could just help me up…”
Helping her get up and walking her to her room was a somewhat complicated process. The young woman was evidently weakened by her ordeal, since she continued to lean much of her weight on the captain as he led her down the corridor. At the door to her room, he waited while she found her key card and watched while she opened the door. “Do you need any more help, miss?” he asked.
“No, I should be all right,” she said, smiling.
“Good,” he said and took a step backward.
The young woman smiled bravely and began to close the door behind her, then suddenly said, “Oh!” and began to slump toward the floor again.
The captain stepped forward and caught her before the door closed. “Are you sure you’re all right, miss?” he asked. “I can call the hotel doctor.”
“I don’t think I need a doctor,” she said, leaning her weight on his chest. “But maybe you could help me get to my bed.”
“Certainly, miss, and then I think I should call the doctor-just in case.” He picked her up in his arms and carried her through the door to the side of the bed.