Surprisingly, they hadn’t encountered any entities or creatures, but rather than feeling reassured, their senses were heightened. They couldn’t shake the feeling that the moment they let their guard down, something would emerge from the shadows.
They traversed the corridors of the office level, their footsteps echoing ominously as they found themselves in the yellow maze once again. Occasionally, they pause, seeking refuge from the oppressive atmosphere that seemed to close in around them. In a hidden nook of the non-Euclidean maze, they gathered closely, finding solace in one another's presence amidst the unsettling surroundings. The air was thick with an unspoken bond, a shared understanding of their situation that enveloped them, as they exchanged hushed words and fleeting glances, each moment a fragile respite from the chaos that lay beyond their secluded haven.
Eli leaned closer to Aleena, his voice barely above a whisper as he shared his playful suggestion. Aleena's eyes widened in surprise, her expression a mix of disbelief and curiosity as she turned to face him fully. "What?" she exclaimed, her shock evident in the way her brows furrowed, and her mouth fell slightly open. With a mischievous glint in his eye, Eli continued, "I was thinking we could revisit some of the fun we had before we left the colony," punctuating his words with a cheeky wink that hinted at shared memories and the intimacy they once shared.
Eli, I’m not sure,” she hesitated, her voice trailing
off as uncertainty filled the air. “We need to remain vigilant.” He nodded in agreement;
the seriousness of the moment reflected in his eyes. Then, without warning, he
leaned in and pressed his lips against hers in a passionate kiss that seemed to
erase all doubt.
It was wrong and dangerous to let their guard down,
but Aleena missed being held and comforted, she needed support, and Eli would
give it to her.
The world around them faded away as they melted into
each other’s embrace, their bodies instinctively drawing closer. The kiss
deepened, igniting a spark that quickly transformed into a fervent exploration
of desire, as they lost themselves in the warmth of each other’s touch,
savoring the intimacy that enveloped them.
As they lay entwined in each other's arms, the world
outside seemed to fade away, leaving only the warmth of their shared intimacy.
The peaceful atmosphere wrapped around them like a soft blanket, but suddenly,
a noise shattered the tranquility, pulling them back to reality. Aleena's voice
broke the silence, barely above a whisper as she asked, "What was
that?"
Eli felt a lump form in his throat, a mix of surprise and concern washed over him. With a sense of urgency, he suggested, "Let’s get dressed," knowing that the comfort of their moment was now overshadowed by an unsettling thought of something approaching.
Once they had dressed, they cautiously stepped out and walked onward. The air felt thick with tension, and they exchanged anxious glances, each silently fearing that an Eldritch horror might emerge from the shadows at any moment, ready to pounce. Each step felt like a gamble, a delicate dance between the known and the unknown, as they braced themselves for whatever might lurk just beyond their sight.
They wandered through a seemingly endless maze of
hallways and rooms, surprisingly not encountering any dark entities along the
way. Eli glanced around, uncertainty flickering in his eyes as he remarked,
“I’m not sure what that noise was earlier, but we should probably keep looking
for another door.” He hesitated for a moment, his thoughts trailing off as they
rounded a corner. Just ahead, a vibrant yellow door caught their attention,
illuminated by a buzzing neon sign above the door that boldly proclaimed “Exit.”
The sight of it sparked a flicker of hope in Eli’s chest, as he wondered if they might finally be lucky enough to find a way out of the Backrooms. They hesitated at the door, worrying that turning the knob would lead to disappointment on the other side.
Both have endured their own unique trials while navigating the treacherous expanse of the Backrooms, a place where reality bends and sanity teeters on the edge. The looming door before them holds the promise of escape, yet it also carries the weight of uncertainty; if it fails to lead them to their desired destination, the consequences could shatter their minds and souls beyond repair. “Are you ready?” he asked, his voice steady despite the tension in the air. Aleena met his gaze and nodded; a silent agreement forged in shared fear and determination. Just as they prepared to step forward, a chilling, inhuman howl echoed through the dimly lit corridors, sending a shiver down their spines and reminding them of the lurking dangers that awaited them.
They were acutely aware that the creature lurking in
the shadows could very well be a hound, yet the prospect of escaping the
torment of their current existence was too enticing to ignore. Each passing
moment felt like a countdown, a relentless reminder that time was slipping
away, and with it, their chances of breaking free from the suffocating confines
of the Backrooms diminished. The air was thick with tension, the thought of
remaining trapped in this nightmarish labyrinth was unbearable, driving them to
seize the fleeting opportunity before it vanished entirely. Eli swung the
door open with a sense of urgency, and they stepped into an alley. As they
turned back, the door was gone.
Aleena glanced at Eli, her eyes reflecting a mix of
curiosity and apprehension as he gently clasped her hand in his, giving her a
reassuring nod. Together, they made their way toward the mouth of the alley,
where the sounds of the city began to envelop them. The street ahead was alive
with cars, bustling pedestrians, and the distant chatter of conversations,
creating a lively backdrop that pulsed with energy. Their hearts raced with
excitement as they realized they were home, though it took a moment for the
reality to sink in.
Aleena exclaimed in delight, “Oh my god, we’re home,”
and they shared a warm embrace before strolling down the sidewalk, soaking in
the atmosphere and the lively energy of those around them. Aleena’s wide smile
was contagious; Eli began smiling too. Stepping out from the shadows, they
find themselves in a vibrant new world that feels both exhilarating and
surreal. The sunlight bathes everything in a warm glow, illuminating the
familiar sights of San Diego that stretch out before them. People bustling
about, engaged in their daily routines, while the sound of laughter and
conversation fills the air. The scent of the ocean wafts in from nearby,
mingling with the aroma of street food from vendors lining the sidewalks. As
they take in the scene, the contrast between the darkness of the Backrooms they
left behind and the lively atmosphere around them is striking, making this
moment feel like a fresh start, a chance to embrace the ordinary yet beautiful
rhythm of life. Eli turned to Aleena, curiosity etched on his face as he asked,
“What will you do now?”
She hesitated, beginning to respond, “I must go home
and…” but her words faded into silence as her gaze fell upon a vibrant poster
plastered on the wall. It featured a band named Mystic, and a wave of
recognition washed over her, reminding her that the group was originally called
Mystique. The lead singer, with her striking dark brown hair cascading over her
shoulders and piercing blue eyes, was dressed in an eye-catching gothic
ensemble that seemed to exude an air of mystery. Aleena couldn’t help but mutter
to herself, “I don’t remember her looking that way before,” as she pondered the
transformation of both the band and the memories that accompanied it.
Eli raised an eyebrow, curiosity etched across his
face as he asked, “What is it?”
In response, she simply shook her head, a gentle smile gracing her lips as she turned to face him. Despite the uncertainty bubbling beneath the surface, she chose to dismiss the warning signs that were becoming increasingly apparent. As she locked eyes with her surroundings, a hint of doubt flickered in her eyes, signaling that something was off. Perhaps it was the prolonged time spent in the Backrooms that had her on high alert, making her instinctively wary of the unexpected and everything she sees but something seemed off. Despite her efforts to stay calm, an unsettling feeling lingered, urging her to remain cautious. Eli squeezed her hand and said, “Don’t worry, we’re home.” He wrapped his arm around her, and she exhaled.
“Aleena, I need to make a call and hopefully I can catch
up on current events since we’ve been gone.” Two women who are in their
30’s passed by, and Eli smiled at them in a flirtatious manner, but they
ignored him and looked at him as if he was a homeless. He just assumed that his
scruffy appearance was the cause for their caution. Aleena looked at him with a
raised eyebrow and she scoffed.
“I guess somethings don’t change,” she remarked. Eli
let out a light laugh. As they strolled down the sidewalk, Eli and Aleena
stumbled upon a booth that resembled a photo booth. Curiosity piqued, Eli
stepped inside and quickly realized it was a free charging station for cell
phones. He raised an eyebrow and pulled Aleena in with him. "What is
it?" she asked, her eyes widening at the electronic panel. She scanned the
instructions displayed above, exclaiming, "This is a charging booth for
smartphones. Wow, cool!" Unbeknownst to them, a small print below the
instructions held a date that would have left them devastated. Aleena still had
her phone, but after everything that had happened, she was skeptical about its
functionality; it would be a miracle if it worked. Eli encouraged her to give
it a try, but she hesitated, explaining that her phone had been dead for quite
some time, resting lifelessly in her backpack.
“It’s free to
charge, just try it,” he insisted. With a mix of hope and skepticism, she
retrieved her phone, noting the cracks on its surface. As she placed it on the
charging pad, a flicker of life returned to the screen. Aleena glanced outside
the booth, observing the stream of people passing by, oblivious to her
presence. Her attention shifted to the cars around them, all of which appeared
to be electric. It struck her as strange; she distinctly remembered a time when
gas vehicles were common too. A chill ran down her spine, an unsettling feeling
that something was off, lingering in her mind. “Your phone’s charged,” Eli
announced, breaking her train of thought. She took it off the pad and scrolled
through her contacts. She called her parents, but her sister answered.

No comments:
Post a Comment