Aleena and Eli set
out to explore the town's streets, focusing on the houses believed to be
vacant. As they walked past Harold's place, they sensed he might be watching
them from behind the curtains, but it didn't faze them. Their mission was
clear: to investigate the empty homes for any signs of unusual activity.
“Houses that have unusual structures within,” came the reply. Eli's confusion deepened. He pressed, “What do you mean?”
“If a house appears distorted in any way inside, we are instructed to mark the door, and someone will arrive to seal it off to prevent entry,” Aleena paused before adding,” Syra, informed everyone but I guess you weren’t listening, because you were too preoccupied with flirting with Molly.” She rolled her eyes and smirked at him. He scoffed in response, “Oh now I see, you’re jealous.” Aleena arched an eyebrow and shot him a disapproving glance, shaking her head in frustration.
“We need to check out that house, so let’s focus on our task,” she insisted. Together, they approached a dilapidated white house, where several boards on the fence lay broken and scattered. The door creaked slightly ajar, and Aleena felt an unsettling vibe about it. They exchanged nervous looks and took a deep breath before entering. As soon as they stepped inside, they noticed dark vines creeping along one wall of what seemed to be the living room.
Eli shot a quick
glance at her, interpreting her fear as hesitation, and decided to move toward
the room where the entity had vanished. Just then, Aleena clutched his arm, her
eyes wide with concern as she slowly shook her head. She leaned in and whispered,
“Do you want to end up back in the yellow maze?” The possibility of ending up
back in the yellow maze is strong. The urgency in her gaze made him pause,
realizing that this was more than just fear; it was a serious warning. He
gave her a quick nod, and they hurried out of the house. However, as soon as
they stepped outside, the entity lunged at them, knocking them to the ground
before it sped away down the road. Aleena exclaimed in dismay, “No,” and
without hesitation, she and Eli raced back toward the town hall. As they entered,
they saw Syra with a raised rifle, aiming at them but once she saw who they
were, she lowered the rifle.
“What happened you two?” she asked then suddenly they heard screams and dashed out. A man was being torn apart by a Hound, a terrifying creature that lurks in nearly every level of the Backrooms. His screams echoed through the eerie space as the monstrous being viciously clawed at his leg, leaving a scene of horror in its wake. Syra, Eli, and Aleena fired their weapons at the creature, but it was Kyle's shotgun blast that finally brought it down. Two other men quickly followed up by throwing a net over the beast, ensuring it was secured. Aleena looked around, uncertainty in her eyes, and asked “What do we do now?” With a heavy sigh, Syra replied, “We need to burn the body.”
Syra is alluding
to the Hound, but there’s a possibility that the man who was attacked could
transform into one himself. Two individuals transported the injured man to the
hospital.
With just two
doctors and a handful of nurses on duty, Aleena felt uncertain about his
chances of survival. Later, she and Eli found themselves at the Diner, where
the mood was heavy. Aside from the cook and two waitresses, only four other
people occupied the space, contributing to the overall somber atmosphere. Aleena
was filled with sorrow over the man who ultimately succumbed to his injuries.
Nevertheless, she shared with Syra the story of the house from which the Hound
had emerged. The structure had been boarded up with old wooden planks, its
windows obscured and the door firmly sealed shut.
The men carefully secured a bright yellow tape around the perimeter of the structure, marking it off with precision and intent. Eli, sensing the weight of the moment, leaned closer to her, his expression softening as he reached out to take her hand in his. “Don’t feel bad about what happened,” he reassured her, his voice steady and comforting. The warmth of his grip offered a small solace amidst the chaos that happened a few hours ago.
Aleena sighed, her voice trailing off as she began, “I understand, but…” Eli quickly cut in, his tone firm yet understanding. “But nothing,” he replied, taking a moment to gather his thoughts. “It wasn’t our fault; it was something we couldn’t have predicted, and it’s truly unfortunate.” Aleena nodded in agreement, her expression softening as she processed his words. Just then, the waitress approached their table, placing their meals in front of them with a warm smile. “Thanks,” Eli said appreciatively, and they both dug into their food. After finishing their meal, they made their way back to the building where they were staying, the soft rain was cool and yet refreshing. Eli had a bottle of wine waiting for them in his room, a small comfort to help them unwind after the day’s unexpected events.
He invited her to his room, suggesting they could have a more in-depth conversation there. Aleena responded with a gentle smile, her eyes reflecting a mix of curiosity and apprehension. "Okay," she agreed, and as they settled into the intimate space, the atmosphere shifted. As their discussion unfolded, Aleena's emotions began to surface, and tears streamed down her cheeks. She confided in Eli about her fears, expressing a deep-seated anxiety that she might never return home. In a comforting gesture, he wrapped his arms around her, offering solace in her moment of vulnerability. But then, as if drawn by an unspoken connection, he leaned in and pressed his lips softly against hers. To his surprise, Aleena didn’t pull away.
A fleeting moment
can shift the course of fate,
A tender kiss
ignites a tempest of feelings,
Yet can such
warmth withstand the shadows of the Backrooms,
Where nightmares
linger and hope is all but lost?
This is getting interesting
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