As Eli and Aleena strolled deeper into the seemingly endless corridor, their eyes were drawn to a bright yellow door gleaming at the far end. Aleena's finger shot out, directing Eli's attention to the door, her excitement palpable. Eli, however, responded with a heavy sigh, a mix of weariness and determination evident in his voice. "Let’s head over there," he suggested, his tone hinting at both curiosity and a hint of reluctance as they prepared to navigate the long stretch of hallway that lay before them.
They stepped
forward together, their movements careful and deliberate as they approached the
door. When they finally stood before it, Eli felt a lump in his throat and
hesitated for a moment before slowly turning the knob. As they crossed the
threshold, the world around them shifted abruptly, and they found themselves
once again ensnared in the familiar, disorienting yellow maze. Aleena's voice
broke the silence, filled with despair as she exclaimed, “No!”
Eli felt a wave of
dread wash over him, his heart heavy with the weight of their predicament.
In an attempt, to
comfort her, he reassured her, “We’ll find a way out, I promise,” though he
could sense the tension thickening in the air.
Aleena, lost in
her thoughts, replied with a hint of resignation, “We’re never going to leave
this place,” her words echoing the fear that loomed over them both.
Eli turned and
embraced her. She started crying. He gulped.
“Look, we’ll find a way,” he said as he looked into her eyes. She softly nodded.
As they pressed onward, time slipped away, and the once vibrant yellow maze lay eerily still around them. Unlike their previous encounter with the maze, there were no lurking creatures ready to pounce. Leaving an unsettling silence that hung heavily in the air. The emptiness felt foreboding, as if the very walls were holding their breath, waiting for something sinister to awaken.
Aleena leaned closer, her voice barely above a whisper as she said, “This isn’t like the first time.” Eli met her gaze, a silent understanding passing between them. He inhaled deeply, feeling the weight of the moment settle in his chest, and instinctively tightened his grip on her hand. The thought of her suddenly opening a door and vanishing into another part of the Backrooms sent a shiver down his spine; if that happened, he knew he wouldn’t hesitate to follow her, no matter where it led. The air around them felt charged with unspoken fears and hopes, and in that shared silence, they both understood the stakes of what lay ahead.
As they wandered
through the Backrooms, Eli stumbled upon a weathered wooden crate
partially hidden beneath a tangle of vines. Curiosity piqued, he knelt down and
pried it open, revealing a surprise inside: a couple of bottles of refreshing
almond water and a neatly packed box of energy bars. The sight of the
unexpected find sparked a moment of silent exchange between Eli and Aleena,
their eyes locking in a shared understanding of the situation.
With a slight grin, Eli broke the silence, suggesting, "I guess we better take these," recognizing the potential for a much-needed boost on their journey ahead.
They stashed a handful of bottles and some energy bars into their backpacks, knowing they might come in handy later. "We might need these," Aleena said, glancing at Eli as they resumed their trek. As they walked, Aleena could feel the fatigue settling into her legs, each step becoming a little more laborious than the last. Eli, on the other hand, was doing his best to mask his own exhaustion, but Aleena could easily see through his facade. The way he shifted his weight and the slight grimace that crossed his face betrayed him, revealing that both were feeling the strain of their journey. She proposed that they find a quiet spot to rest and grab a bite to eat. As they wandered in search of a secluded room, they noticed a red arrow spray-painted on the wall, directing them down the hallway to the left.
They continued and soon found a white door. Eli opened it cautiously, and they stepped inside. This door led to a different hallway, one that wasn’t the yellow maze. As they walked further, they noticed office rooms lining both sides, but it was clear that no one was around. They were completely alone.
They moved quietly, trying not to make a sound as they explored. Eventually, they discovered an unlocked door and stepped inside. Eli quickly pulled the blinds shut.
“I think we should
stay here for a bit,” he suggested. His proposal elicited a heavy sigh from Aleena;
her expression clouded with unease. After a moment of contemplation, she
acquiesced with a nod, and they settled down to enjoy the almond water and the
energy bars they found.
As they munched on their snacks, Aleena turned to Eli, her curiosity piqued. “Eli, what made you come searching for me?” she asked, her voice tinged with a mix of concern and intrigue.
He grinned and responded, “The town was disappearing, and when I learned that you had left, I felt compelled to follow you. It was a long shot, really, to think I might actually find you, but something deep inside me believed it was meant to be. I like to think that fate played a hand in bringing us together." As he finished, Aleena felt a rush of warmth spread across her cheeks, a blush igniting at the unexpected depth of his words.
“Eli, once we
manage to escape the chaos of the Backrooms, you need to return to your own
life, and I must do the same,” she said, her voice trailing off as she
contemplated the weight of their circumstances. After a brief pause, she
continued, expressing her gratitude, “I truly value your company; it feels
almost a miracle that we found each other in such a bizarre place, but…”
Eli quickly interjected, sensing the underlying tension in her words, “But you’re concerned that I might disrupt your quiet life.”
Aleena offered a friendly smile, suggesting they could always stay connected through Facebook. He chuckled lightly, a mix of amusement and acceptance in his expression. "Of course," he replied, but beneath the surface, Aleena felt a knot of anxiety tightening in her stomach. The thought of Eli returning with her filled her with dread; she knew that if he did, the media would seize the opportunity to spin wild tales, thrusting her into an unwanted spotlight. The pressure of public scrutiny loomed large, and she found herself grappling with how her absence would invite a flurry of speculation.
The last thing she
wanted was to be the center of attention, especially when the truth of her
situation was far more complicated than anyone could imagine. They really
can’t share where they’ve been; no one would believe their story about the
Backrooms. She’s uncertain about what awaits her upon returning, but she’s
certain it’s going to be chaotic. Eli is probably feeling the same way.
The office was furnished with a simple desk and a faux suede black futon that could be transformed into a small bed. They placed their backpacks beside the futon. Eli had taken the precaution of locking the door, anxious about the possibility of an unexpected interruption while they indulged in some much-needed rest. The atmosphere was quiet, almost serene, as they settled in, hoping to recharge before facing whatever challenges lay ahead.
Aleena found
herself questioning the wisdom of trying to catch some sleep, especially given
the circumstances. With the almond water they had consumed earlier and the
energy bars that were supposed to provide a quick boost, she wasn't convinced
that either of them would be able to drift off at all. The combination of these
two seemed to promise more energy than relaxation, leaving her feeling a bit
restless.
She glanced at her companion, wondering if they were both feeling the same buzz of alertness, and whether it was even worth attempting to close their eyes for a moment of rest. The uncertainty of sleep loomed over her like a cloud, making her second-guess the decision to even try.
They both shut
their eyes, yet fatigue was no longer a concern for them. “Damn it,”
Aleena pondered. Eli wrapped his arms around her; creating a sense of comfort
as they lay together in silence. Although sleep eluded them, they remained in
that stillness, lost in their thoughts. Questions swirled in their minds about
their lives, the choices that had led them to the Backrooms, and the uncertainty
of whether they would ever find their way back home. The weight of their
conundrum created a bittersweet blend of hope and despair.
(images used on this blog are for the reads entertainment. The bold text is for those who have eyesight problems.)
