Aleena is keeping a detailed journal of her experiences in the colony, meticulously noting the passage of days and weeks as she settles into this new environment. As she writes, she can't help but observe a peculiar phenomenon: some of the homes around the town seem to be vanishing without a trace. At first, she thought it was just her imagination playing tricks on her, but as time goes on, she becomes increasingly aware of the empty spaces where houses once stood. The quiet disappearance of these homes adds an unsettling layer to her daily routine. While she shares her thoughts and observations with others, she keeps this particular concern to herself, feeling a mix of curiosity and unease about what might be happening to the colony, in general.
The house that the
Hound bolted from weeks ago has vanished without a trace. Strangely, no one
seems to recall it ever being there, yet they all remember the man who was
attacked by the Hound. She asked Molly if she recalled the events, and
Molly replied that the Hound somehow breached the fortress around their town
and attacked Will. Aleena looked at her, puzzled, but chose not to argue, as
her memories differed from those of others.
So, she decided
not to mention what she has been witnessing, even Eli doesn’t know. Their
relationship has been marked by his relentless pursuit since their first
intimate encounter. Aleena often tries to distance herself from him, yet there
are times when she finds it impossible to do so. He sometimes waits outside her
door, and while she occasionally lets him in, she makes a deliberate effort to
keep their discussions from becoming too personal.
Still, there are moments when intimacy feels inevitable. Although she could refuse him, an unspoken obligation complicates her choices. It's difficult for her to understand this feeling, especially since their only connection stems from the Backrooms; before that, they were strangers who likely would never have met. This unsettling reality lingers in her mind, especially when she recalls their first intimate moment together, which was not only her first sexual experience but also left her with a lingering anxiety about the possibility of pregnancy.
Molly was part of the group, but Aleena felt a bit uneasy around her. It wasn't that she held any grudges about Eli; rather, it was the fact that Molly was unaware of the intimate history between Aleena and Eli that made things feel awkward. She suspects that Molly, who is a few years her senior, might actually have feelings for Eli, but she could be mistaken in that judgment.
As for her own
emotions towards Eli, she’s uncertain. She’s hesitant to get too close to
anyone since she plans to leave eventually, and the thought of saying goodbye
to friends is something she finds hard to bear. As the party ended, Aleena
learned that the women in town gather once a month to discuss issues that
affect them. While not every woman participates, a significant number do show
up for these meetings.
The town has a population of about 150 residents, which is notable but still far fewer than the number of people who once lived in Ashley before the town was split and one half sent to the Backrooms. After the women departed, leaving only Molly and Syra, Aleena seized the moment to ask about the missing menstrual cycles.
They lounged together, savoring the last bottle of wine, the dim light casting a warm glow around them. Aleena took a deep breath, her mind racing as she contemplated how to broach a sensitive topic. “Syra, I’ve been meaning to ask you something,” she began, her voice tinged with hesitation. “Ever since I ended up in the Backrooms, I’ve noticed that my period has completely stopped. Do you have any idea why that might be happening?” Syra, seemingly unfazed, shrugged her shoulders and let out a dismissive scoff, as if the question was trivial in the grand scheme of their bizarre reality.
“I'm not entirely
sure, but I've heard other women here are going through the same thing.”
Molly chimed in,
“it's probably a good thing, especially since getting pregnant in this place is
the last thing anyone wants.”
Syra opened up about her situation, revealing, “My periods have also ceased, but at my age, it hardly makes a difference.” Aleena, intrigued by this revelation, asked, “Do you have children?” With a heavy heart, Syra responded, “Yes, I have children back home, but they were already in their twenties when I went missing.” As she spoke, a wave of sorrow washed over her, and her expression shifted, reflecting the painful memories of her family that she left behind.
Molly said, “My
periods have stopped too, and the concept of aging is a thing of the past. I’m
28 years old, but I appear somewhat younger than my actual age because this
weird dimension seems to cancel aging.”
“How old were you
when you came to the Backrooms?” Aleena asked.
“I was 23,” Molly
responded. Aleena listened intently, as she processed Molly's words, perhaps
reflecting on her own perceptions of age, the changes that come with it and how
she too will not age at all, so long as she is in the Backrooms.
“Maybe Molly’s not
so bad,”
Aleena thought, as a soft smile grazed her lips.
Later, Aleena
excused herself and made her way back to her room, her expression a mix of
contemplation and sadness. As she climbed the stairs, thoughts of her family
filled her mind, wondering if they were searching for her. She pictured them
putting up flyers with her face on them, declaring her missing. With a heavy
sigh, she reached her door and opened it.
She entered the room and shut the door behind her, assuming Eli was preoccupied with another woman since Molly was out with her and Syra, she didn’t bother going to his room. Honestly, all she wanted was to unwind, be alone for a while. She quickly changed out of her clothes and put on a nightgown she had found in the lost and found box.
Eli needs to stay away
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