Chapter 10: Another Day in Paradise

 

As Aleena opened her eyes, the unmistakable sensation of a hangover hit her. "No," she murmured. The urge to vomit was overwhelming, and she couldn't hold it back as she stumbled into the tiny bathroom. After retching into a metal bucket placed beside the toilet, which was devoid of water, she grabbed a white cup from the sink, filled it with almond water, and swished it around in her mouth. 

She exhaled deeply and gazed at her reflection. Her eyes appeared tired; almost blood shot; she still had on the yellow blouse, but she realized she was not in her skirt—rather, she was dressed in a pair of cotton blue men’s pajama shorts. She hurried out to find Eli asleep on the couch. She regarded him with suspicion, her heart raced. Suddenly, she felt the urge to vomit again and hurried back to the bathroom. Her eyes landed on the bottle of almond water. 

"This will help me feel better," she thought, gulping it down, she started to feel better. 

“It’s amazing that this strange water has magical properties,” she said to herself. After taking care of business in another bucket, she returned to the bed. Then she noticed her skirt lying on the floor. She frowned and struggled to recall what had transpired a few hours ago.

 Reclining on the bed, she exhaled deeply. Eli was snoring away. She rolled her eyes and turned onto her side. A few minutes later he started to wake up, yawning as he slowly sat up, rubbing the sleep from his eyes. 

He spotted Aleena on his bed, watching him with a suspicious gaze; her arms crossed. "What’s the matter?" he asked. 

She shook her head and let out a huff, saying, “What’s the matter?” She frowned. “Well let’s see, why am I in your pajama shorts?"

“Oh that,” he sighed and said, “You spilled wine on your skirt and um,” he paused, choosing his words carefully, “you changed into the shorts.” Aleena cannot remember but it will come back to her eventually. 

“Oh, okay. Well thank you for the shorts.” She got out of bed and walked over to picked up her skirt. “Damn it, I liked this skirt, it fits really well.” 

“And it looks beautiful on you,” Eli remarked awkwardly, trying to ease the tension in the room. 

“I should go back to my room and change. Will you be going to the library today?” She asked him. He shook his head, “No I’m good.” He gave her a smile. 

“Maybe we can have lunch together?” he suggested.

Aleena smiled and nodded. However, a sense of suspicion still lingered in the back of her mind. Her hair was a bit disheveled, and as soon as she returned to her room, she took the time to comb it out. Later, she made her way to the library.The library was always open, and books were scattered all around. She was on the lookout for anything that might provide her with additional information about the town as a whole. She stumbled upon several books, primarily school yearbooks and a town almanac.

“A town almanac,” she whispered to herself. She discovered another book and brushed off the dust. It contained details about the town and its history, with the town's name displayed on the cover.

"Ashley," Aleena murmured. She noted that the town's population was listed as 679, which struck her as strange since it felt like there were fewer people living there now. She settled into a chair, surrounded by a few books resting on the table beside her. The details she found were quite elementary, and none of the books provided her with a definitive understanding of what had transpired in the town or why it had ended up in the Backrooms. She let out a sigh and recalled what Syra had mentioned about a man who could be one of the original inhabitants. "I recall Syra saying he’s a hermit; perhaps Eli and I could pay him a visit," she pondered. Brian entered the room, saying, "Hey, you’re here." His smile widened as Aleena glanced up at him. He took a seat beside her. She expressed her curiosity about how the town came to be in the Backrooms and mentioned that she was searching for details about its residents.

"I honestly have no knowledge about this town, except that when Chris and I were discovered by Kyle and Collin, they brought us here." 

"I was wondering if you could perhaps show me where that recluse lives." Just then, Eli entered the room. 

"Hey, there you are! I thought we were supposed to grab lunch together." His eyes landed on Brian, and Brian could sense the tension.

Brian said,”I can take you to Mr. Dylan right now if you want, but just a heads up, he might not answer. Usually, folks just leave a note under his door and drop off supplies at the front."

Aleena furrowed her brow, "Front door? Does he actually live in a house?" Eli was seated beside Aleena, now focused on their conversation. "Yes, it seems he has his own house. Syra thinks he is one of the town's original inhabitants. Likely the only one left. The rest of us came after the town appeared in the Backrooms."

“Okay, take us,” Aleena said.  

The three of them exited the library and strolled a few blocks away. Brian appeared somewhat nervous since nobody really engages with Harold, and those who do, only speak to him from behind his front door. As they reached the door, Aleena knocked softly. A voice from within responded, “I’m fine, don’t need anything right now.” She exchanged glances with Eli and Brian before clearing her throat.  “Um, Mr. Harold, my name is Aleena, and my friends and I would like to speak with you, if that’s alright.” There was no reply, prompting Aleena to try once more. Harold, I was hoping to get some details about the town's history and any memories you might have. He didn’t respond, but just as Aleena, Eli, and Brian were about to head out, the door creaked open. A man in his fifties appeared, sporting scruffy salt-and-pepper hair and wearing a dirty beige coat with faded jeans. His hazel eyes narrowed as he regarded them with suspicion.

He seemed a bit fragile and slightly emaciated. She looked at him earnestly, expressing her desire to understand the town's history and what had transpired. "Were you here when it happened?" she asked, her voice trailing off. Brian leaned closer and whispered, "Of course he was here." Eli fixed his gaze on Harold, contemplating the weight of the man's experiences, realizing that he had undoubtedly witnessed something truly horrific. Harold narrowed his eyes, clearly wary. 

He asked, "What’s got you so curious?" She hesitated for a moment before responding, "Eli and I just arrived here, and I heard you were around when the town... well, when it became part of the Backrooms." 

Harold exhaled deeply and nodded, acknowledging Aleena's curiosity. He warned her, “I know you might think I’m a bit out there, but here goes.” Aleena pressed him for his story, and he continued. “I had just returned home from work, and my wife and son were at her sister’s place for a birthday party."

He excused himself and took a bottle of almond water from his big ice box before returning to his seat. “I was by myself when I first heard the screams outside. I stepped out to see what was happening and spotted Mrs. Jenkins staring up at the sky. When I looked up too, there was,” he paused, a distant expression crossing his face. A bizarre black void loomed in the sky, casting a shadow over the entire town. One of my neighbors dashed back inside, likely to alert the authorities in the nearby town of Haze. 

Suddenly, the ground began to tremble, and as the darkness expanded, chaos erupted among the townsfolk. I felt the panic rise within me as I attempted to call my wife, but the line was dead. Things took a strange turn when people began claiming to see their deceased loved ones. Harold recounted a particularly unsettling incident where a woman cried out, convinced that her son had come back, even though he had passed away years earlier.” Aleena listened intently, captivated by his tale. Eli urged him to keep going, clearly intrigued by the bizarre occurrences that Harold experienced. Harold inhaled deeply, feeling the weight of the moment. 

“People began to vanish without a trace, prompting me to rush inside and secure my door. Peering through the slats of the blinds, I saw the town swallowed by an ominous darkness. An eerie silence enveloped everything, and then, without warning, a powerful earthquake struck. The house trembled violently, making me feel as if it might collapse right from under me. In that terrifying instant, I screamed and prayed for safety. It all happened so quickly. Harold finished off the last of the almond water, while Eli, Aleena, and Brian contemplated the situation. 

Brian broke the silence, asking, “What happened next.” Harold shrugged and replied, “I finally found the courage to leave my house, realizing that I was alone. With no one around, I decided to stay in my house no matter what. Only venturing out if necessary. Eventually people began to show up.” Eli's skepticism lingered as he inquired, "How did you manage to survive? Where did you find food and water?" Harold replied, "I had stocked up on water and canned goods, particularly spam, for emergencies, but that supply only lasted about a month and a half. I soon realized it rains frequently in this area, so I began collecting rainwater. However, when I took a sip, it tasted..." He hesitated, knowing Eli would understand what he meant to say. 

Aleena nodded in agreement. Eli believed that as more people arrived in town, Harold tended to withdraw into himself. Although the locals were familiar with him, they often regarded him as eccentric or even mad. Aleena looked over at Eli and Brian before saying, "Thanks, Harold, for sharing your story.” After they left, Aleena and Brian headed to the diner located down the street to eat. Meanwhile, Eli opted to return to his apartment but made a brief stop at the restaurant where the man from the party picked up the wine bottles. As he entered, he noticed only a couple of people seated in booths, each absorbed in their own activities. In the back of the establishment, the cook was busy at work while a waitress stood by, waiting to see if Eli was interested in a meal. In this colony, the concept of money was foreign; everyone contributed to the community without expectation of payment. Unlike his previous life, where mortgages and financial transactions were the norm, the Backrooms operated on a different principle entirely. Eli caught the waitress's eye as she made her way toward him. 

He couldn't help but be drawn to her gentle smile, captivating hazel eyes, and full lips, finding her undeniably attractive. Loneliness had been his constant companion, and he yearned for the warmth of affection, hoping that Aleena might be the one to fill that void. However, he was cautious, not wanting to pressure her into a relationship that could make her feel uneasy. The waitress, with a playful wink, broke his reverie, asking, "So sexy, what do you want to eat?" Her light brown hair was neatly tied back in a ponytail, with soft bangs brushing against her forehead. Dressed in a blue and white outfit, she caught Eli's attention. He asked,  “What’s your name?” 

“Molly, and yours?" He introduced himself as Eli Marsh and then hesitated before asking what her plans were for later.

She raised an eyebrow, clearly impressed by his directness. Eli let out a nervous laugh and replied, “I was just curious and…” She cut him off with a playful tone, suggesting, “No worries, we can hang out if you want.” He responded with a knowing smile and a nod, feeling a sense of ease between them. 

Eli said, “I’ll just have toast and ham.” 

The waitress chuckled, “There’s no ham here, but I could get you toast and spam.”

Surprised, Eli asked, “how did you get spam.”

The waitress took a seat beside him and explained that scouts explore the vast grocery level, bringing back whatever they find. It turns out they’ve stumbled upon cans of spam in the aisles, which have become their primary source of meat. Eli grimaced at the thought of Spam, viewing it as a food for the less fortunate. Despite its popularity, he had never actually tried it. “That's intriguing! Where did the wine bottles come from?” 

“Most of them were sourced from this restaurant and another one. We intended to save them for special occasions, like that party we hosted.” Eli felt a twinge of guilt for having taken two bottles without permission. With a slight smile, he suggested, “Perhaps we could enjoy a bottle together later.” 

She laughed and nodded, saying she would check with the cook before heading off to relay Eli's order. After he finished his meal, he told the waitress where he’s staying and left to look for Aleena, only to find that she and Brian had gone to the library after they ate. She looked at Brian with curiosity. "I have a question," she said, pausing for a moment. "When the scouts head out to gather food and supplies, how do they know which door will lead them back here?" Brian took a sip of his almond water and remarked, I’ve only visited the endless grocery level once or twice. There is a door that leads directly to that level and back, but scouts must time their visits carefully, as access to that level is restricted to specific times of the day."  Aleena looked confused and asked how anyone could tell the time in a place that seemed perpetually stuck at noon. Brian nodded and explained that they gauged time by people's feelings; when folks started to feel tired, it was a sign that it was time to rest, so they created a schedule based on that. After a brief pause Aleena asked, “When is the grocery level accessible? When can people visit that level?” Brian contemplated for a moment before responding, “it’s usually available around 7 in the evening.” With that information, Aleena nodded, and they exited the library, parting ways as they headed off in different directions. After a long day of training alongside Syra and another woman, Aleena headed to her small apartment building. As she approached, she glanced up and noticed Eli's light glowing in his room. A thick fog was rolling in, and fatigue washed over her.

She pondered whether it was already 10 PM back home as she ascended the stairs to her apartment. Pausing briefly, she decided to pay Eli a visit. Upon reaching his door, she was taken aback by the unmistakable sounds of intimate moans emanating from within. It was clear that Eli had company, and a frown crossed her face as she processed it. She sighed, clearly unimpressed, and muttered to herself, “Well, I guess he doesn’t need company.” With a roll of her eyes, she turned away and headed to her room, where she promptly locked the door behind her. She lay awake for a while, her mind racing with thoughts of the door that could take her home. Eventually, exhaustion took over, and she fell asleep. A few hours later, she stirred, stretching and yawning as she contemplated the time. “It must be morning.” As she gazed out her window, the familiar midday light flooded in, a constant in her routine, with a soft sigh, she got ready. She slipped into a white tee, an olive-green vest, and her favorite jeans. After dressing, she opened her door just in time to hear a woman descending the stairs. The woman in the waitress uniform waved goodbye, saying, "See you around, Eli." Aleena quickly shut her door but left it slightly ajar to catch a glimpse of her. She couldn't help but scoff at the sight. She paused for a moment before stepping out of her room, locking the door behind her. Just then, Eli spotted her and rushed down the stairs.

 "Hold on a second," he called out. She stopped and asked, “How did you sleep, Eli?"

“Pretty good, actually. I haven't slept like that in ages, well, not since I found myself in the Backrooms," he replied, a faint smirk appearing on his face. She shook her head and added, "I saw a woman leaving." I met her at the diner where she works, and I ended up inviting her over to my place.” 

Aleena laughed softly, saying, “Eli, you really don’t need to share your personal life. If spending time with her makes you happy, then I’m glad for you.” He glanced at her, taking in her appearance, but she quickly averted her gaze. She suspects that he finds her attractive. Aleena shared that she would be part of the lookout group today. Eli asked,  “Syra asked you to join the group?” She confirmed with a nod. 

“Do you want to join me?” He smiled and nodded. 

“Brian’s not going with you?” Aleena glanced at him and she clarified that Brian had other plans. Eli felt a wave of relief knowing that Brian wouldn’t be around but he can't shake the feeling that he's being a bit selfish by wanting all of her attention. The truth is, he struggles to connect with the other townsfolk since most of them hail from different eras. Even Molly, whose company he genuinely enjoys, is from 1996. Aleena, on the other hand, knows about him, and there's a certain comfort in that familiarity that he craves, additionally she is from his timeline. Despite her awareness of his wrongdoings, he is still drawn to her intelligence and allure. Aleena interrupted his thoughts, “I’ll be patrolling the inner ring fortress of the town to ensure its security.”

He nodded in agreement, saying, “Okay, I’ll join you, it gives us some time to explore the rest of the town.” 

Aleena chimed in, “Yeah there’s something I want to check out.”

Eli raised an eyebrow, intrigued by her remark.  “What do you mean?”

She then revealed her discovery about a door that might lead back to their world. “You still want to go back?” he questioned. Her desire to return was evident in her eyes. 

He paused, and she hesitated before turning to face him. They stood in the middle of the street, tension hanging in the air. Eli expressed his concern, “I don’t think you should attempt it.”

Aleena sighed and stated firmly, “I understand that you don’t want to return but I do.” With determination, she headed toward the Diner, where Syra and the rest of the group were gathering. Eli watched her walk away; arms crossed in disbelief. After a moment of hesitation, he shook his head and decided to follow her.

Chapter 11

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