The Maze from Hell--Chapter 14 A Terrible Incident

 

(Aleena and Eli have settled in a strange town deep in the Backrooms’ endless wheatfields. The town appeared long before they arrived, but now something is changing—and Aleena is the only one who seems to notice.) This is an excerpt from chapter 14.

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. Eli glanced at Aleena as he secured his pistol back into its holster.

 "Did Syra mention what we should be on the lookout for?" he asked. They walked closely together, but Aleena's mind was elsewhere, distracted by thoughts that had little to do with their mission. Eli halted her momentarily, recalling Syra's instructions.

"Oh, right. She said we need to check for any abnormalities in the residences."

“What does she mean by abnormalities?” Eli asked. “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 busy 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. 

 “Hold on a sec, no I’m not jealous,” she lied.

“If you say so,” Eli teased. Aleena frowned and said,

 “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 a nervous glance and took a deep breath before entering.

  As soon as they stepped inside, they noticed dark vines creeping along one wall of the Livingroom. Suddenly, something caught Aleena's attention, and she gasped as a shadow darted into another room. She gestured to Eli, and they both drew their weapons. Aleena glanced around and saw the walls of the old house subtly shifting. The wallpaper began to resemble the patterns from the yellow maze, making her uneasy. She urged, “We should leave, now.” 

Eli shot a quick glance at her; he moved 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 building. 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?” 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 as the creature 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, ensnaring it. They will manage to take it outside the colony. One gives the final blow that will end its life. 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 when he dies.”

“Why?” Eli asked.
“He will turn into one of them and that’s a fate worse than death,” she responded. Two individuals transported the injured man to the hospital. With just two doctors currently present 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, and his body was incinerated. Nevertheless, she shared with Syra the story of the house from which the Hound had emerged. Soon after, 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 your 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.

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For the curious and the skeptics: the images featured in this blog are purely for your entertainment and aren't part of my books. I’ve created and modified these images using online filters that have been available for about two or three decades. Some of the images also come from stock photos, which many folks use as well. This will be the only time I will address the "image questions" and I hope this answers one individual's question.

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The Maze from Hell: Chapter 6 Excerpt

 

(An excerpt from my book The Maze from Hell-Chapter 6 Into The Suburbs)

Aleena has made her way through various levels of the Backrooms and has now found herself in a strangely familiar suburban neighborhood. She can't recall how she got there, but she vividly remembers being pursued by one of those terrifying Eldritch Horror creatures. She quietly pondered, "I wonder if anyone else is here. It seems oddly quiet." Pausing for a moment, she strained to hear, convinced she detected footsteps echoing in the distance. As she turned, she narrowed her eyes and peered down the street, searching for any hint of activity. She was alone, but her experiences at previous levels had put her on high alert. 

The challenges she faced in those places had significantly eroded her trust in others. One location featured a labyrinth of tunnels constructed from bricks and cement, with each room housing an electrical device that Aleena believes powers the other levels she has navigated through. Additionally, there was a maze of deserted offices, filled only with emptiness, yet within it lurked another strange entity. Lurking behind the windows, the entity is ready to snatch up anyone naive enough to believe they can escape by opening the windows. She saw through its trickery and steered clear of the windows. Then there was the ominous hotel, filled with its own set of bizarreness. The death moths were challenging, yet she successfully evaded them as she flung open a door and dashed through. The scenery transformed, and she suddenly found herself on a quiet neighborhood street. 

"Where am I now?" she wondered, inhaling deeply. The night air was refreshing and brisk, and with each step, her feet crunched over the brittle leaves scattered on the ground. The asphalt beneath her is worn and fractured. Aleena moved forward carefully, gripping the knife tightly in her hand. Her eyes were wide and vigilant. 

She donned the olive-green bomber jacket she had discovered earlier. The white blouse she had been wearing was ripped in multiple spots, so she opted for a slightly damaged white T-shirt she had found instead. It has been days since her last shower, and she probably wouldn’t get the chance to clean up unless she stumbled upon a secure location with running water. She has several bruises on her arms and one on her cheek, but fortunately, none are severe. She accidentally made a deep cut on herself. To control the bleeding, she ripped a piece from an old shirt and wrapped it around her arm just above the wrist, as the blood was starting to attract attention. After sipping the almond water, she noticed about an hour later that the bleeding had stopped. When she took off the bandage, she discovered that the cut had healed.

“Wow, oh my god, this is amazing,” she muttered. It intrigued her, but she didn’t dwell on it. She viewed it as a quiet blessing. She discovered a note tucked away in a desk of the office maze, which said: don't drink the water unless it's almond water. Although she wasn't entirely sure what it meant, she decided to follow the advice. As she moved along, she wished to find something to munch on. The almond water was getting low too. She thinks that every level has a knack for crafting situations that force travelers into tough choices between life and death.

 "Day or night," she said, taking a moment to breathe. "How can anyone really tell what time it is here?" Even though it feels like night where she is, she’s fully aware that every location she’s been to has its own set of eerie challenges ready for the next visitor. She fears that this level is no different. She carefully steps into one of the houses. She thought about calling out to see if anyone was hiding inside but chose not to, fully aware that making any noise could lead to a deadly encounter with some unexpected creature lurking within. She glanced around the living room before heading into the kitchen. The space was a bit messy, but not overly dirty. When she opened the fridge, she discovered it was completely bare.  

“What do I expect?” she thought to herself as she kept searching through the house. Then, she stumbled upon something unusual. In a room on the house's lower level, she discovered a dagger in its sheath. Next, she stumbled upon a flashlight and turned it on to check if it functioned. It did, but the light is weak.

"Damn," she muttered quietly.

 "Maybe there are batteries around here." She searched frantically but found nothing. Suddenly, she heard what sounded like chanting. A look of confusion flashed across her face. She sprinted out, leaving her backpack behind, but the dagger she had found was securely fastened to her belt. As she got closer, she saw a crowd gathered, cheering for a picture that one of them was proudly displaying. She moved in a little closer and gave a timid smile. 

“Hello?” But they didn’t see her, so she took a small step back. Their behavior seemed off. “What’s up with them?” she wondered. Just then, a woman with long blonde hair and blue wide eyes, turned to look at her with a crazed look on her face. She held up an 11 by 14 picture of a blue parrot and exclaimed, “Praise our glorious God, our savior Polly!” Aleena slowly backed away, her heart racing. “Something’s wrong with these people,” she mused. From a distance, she spotted two horrifying creatures sprinting in their direction.

 Her eyes grew wide with terror as she dashed back to the house where she had left her backpack. She locked the door and took refuge behind a curtain, peeking through a narrow gap to observe the approaching creatures. As they got closer, she noticed their unusual shape. They resembled a giant eye supported by optic nerves that twisted into spider-like legs. It was a sight straight out of a nightmare, and they could move with astonishing speed.

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A Time Traveler's Companion: Chapter 15--Excerpt

 

This is an excerpt from A Time Traveler's Companion-chapter 15.

In the last chapter, Remi and Melanie visited the zoo planet controlled by the Greys, where Melanie swiped the Red Jewelry, a valuable gemstone that holds immense knowledge. As they tried to flee, Remi got shot by a Grey just as they reached Jack's ship. They managed to return to Earth, but Remi ended up paralyzed, prompting Melanie to reach out to Mr. Smith for assistance. Jack, however, is skeptical about whether it was a good idea for Melanie to involve Mr. Smith.

NOTE: this novel is written as a first person narrative.

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Jack asked, "Do you really want to be here when he shows up?" She paused, sidestepping his question, and knelt beside me. 

Pressing her lips to mine, she whispered, "Remi, I must go when he arrives. Please forgive me." A tear slipped down my cheek as my body sank deeper into the seat.

 Jack commented, "You know he’ll be angry with you," before adding, "He’s here," as he reached for his pistol. The ramp descended, allowing Mr. Smith to enter, his eyes filled with both fury and concern for my situation. He shot an angry glance at Melanie, who swallowed hard and stammered, "I’m sorry about this." Jack raised his pistol, his look stern. Melanie gestured him to put it down.

 "Enough, save it, I don’t want to hear excuses. Why did you go there in the first place?" He asked with an indignant tone. Melanie remained silent, clearly terrified. I spoke up, my voice barely above a whisper, "Please don’t be mad at her; it was my choice." He scooped me up in his arms, casting a chilling glare at Jack and Melanie before we exited the ship and stepped into the monolith. Melanie clearly struggled with the situation; her distress was palpable, yet I grasped the reasons behind her quick departure. He escorted me to the infirmary, gently placing me on the bed.

“The AI will take care of you, and afterwards, we need to have a serious talk,” he stated firmly. I felt a lump in my throat and began to express my remorse, but he interrupted me, saying, “Save it for later; I want to hear your side of the story.”

Time slipped by and I gradually opened my eyes, to find myself in the infirmary. The walls around me were a deep, shadowy black, while the soft glow of the overhead lights provided a comforting illumination.

I took a moment to check in with my body, stretching my arms and legs effortlessly, and drew in a deep breath, relishing the wonderful feeling of being alive.

 "I know you can hear me; can you please let me know if he’s still upset with me?" I asked the AI; my voice tinged with anxiety. "Yes, he is still angry, but he has feelings for you and will ultimately forgive you," it replied, offering a glimmer of hope. I pondered its words for a moment before asking, "Is he going to go after Melanie?" The room fell silent for a brief second before the AI spoke, “He’s been keeping an eye on her for a while, and he is aware of your little adventures together.” Hearing the AI drop that bombshell made my heart plummet. I responded, "I have a lot of questions, and maybe you can shed some light on them." Its response was a simple, "Maybe." Just then, Mr. Smith entered the room. He loomed over me, his gaze piercing. "How are you feeling?" he asked. I replied, "I'm doing fine.” He responded with a serious tone, "That's good, but I need to have a word with you." His face darkened and I felt the impending discussion swaying in an ominous direction. He helped me up and we walked to his room. 

I was wearing one of the hospital gowns from the infirmary. In that instant, fear gripped me as I stood beside him. Unbeknownst to me, the AI had the ability to sense my emotions and echoed my inner turmoil. 

“She is afraid of you,” it stated, prompting Mr. Smith to shift his gaze toward me. Gripping my hand firmly, he reassured me, “Please don’t fear me, Remi. I regret if I caused you to feel this way, but you hurt me.” As we entered his room, I felt a wave of regret washing over me. "I’m truly sorry," I confessed, my voice barely above a whisper. Clad in a flimsy white hospital gown, I felt exposed, acutely aware of the betrayal that hung heavily between us. I took a seat on his bed, and he settled beside me, the air thick with unspoken words.

"I’ll share everything, from the moment I first met her to this very moment," I said, my heart racing as I began to tell him everything from the moment I met Melanie up until our last adventure. His unwavering gaze met mine, and as I spoke, tears brimmed in my eyes, the fear of losing him looming large in my mind. A heavy stillness enveloped us, and then the AI broke the silence, stating, “She fears she might lose your love.”

“Curse that AI,” I thought to myself. He wrapped his arms around me, drawing me in tightly. As he pressed a gentle kiss to my forehead, he reassured me, “I’m not upset, well, perhaps just a touch, but you’ll never escape my love. You are mine, Remi, and I will never let you go. I love you.” A frown creased my forehead as I reflected on his words. While a sense of joy bubbled within me, the underlying tone of his voice hinted at a troubling possessiveness that sent a shiver down my spine.

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Midnight & Black Dove Coming Soon!

(A new book loosely based on a fanfiction I wrote)

I am currently working on a new book and once I finish it i will be sending it off to the editor I hired. I have two book that i am currently working on. 

Midnight & Black Dove is loosely based on a fanfiction I wrote and available for reading on Wattpad, AO3 and on my fanfiction blog. 

Path Less Taken is not loosely based on any fanfiction, it's a part of the Phoenix Files book series.  

In the coming weeks, I will be posting more excerpts from existing books available on Amazon & GooglePlay.

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The Maze from Hell: A Backrooms Tale--Chapter 5 Aleena's Plight

 

(excerpt from The Maze from Hell:  A Backrooms Tale, chapter 5. Aleena continues her journey through the mysterious Backrooms.)

Aleena roamed through the maze for what felt like days, navigating its twists and turns with no end in sight. She was incredibly thankful for the backpack she found, as it offered a place to store any essentials she might come across. Along the way, she discovered another crate filled with almond water, but unfortunately, there were no energy bars to be found.  With a deep breath, she pressed on, feeling the weight of her surroundings. She suspected that the food she had discovered could be her sole sustenance in this nightmarish Hell. As she moved forward, she noticed a door that stood out, lacking the usual neon red "Exit" sign above it. Taking a moment to gather herself, she prepared to approach it.

 "Should I go in?" she pondered. After a moment of contemplation, she nodded to herself, setting her backpack down at her feet. She unzipped it and pulled out the knife. It is a substantial blade, and although the handle showed signs of wear, it remained a formidable weapon. Earlier, she had heard something eerie, and unnatural. Deep down, she understood that any noise she makes would likely draw whatever it was toward her. She isn't hesitant to wield a knife, but she often wishes she owned a handgun. Her father, a military veteran, taught her the basics of using a firearm, yet she has always been reluctant to purchase one for her own safety. She swung the door open and stepped into a sprawling, vacant warehouse. It was a chilly and musty environment. The atmosphere of her new environment sent a wave of unease through her. She turned quickly, only to discover that the door had vanished. This revelation didn’t shock her; she had encountered similar strange happenings before in the yellow maze.

 She pondered, "I wonder if this place will change and shift as well," recalling how the walls in the yellow labyrinth would transform. She moved a few steps ahead, her heart pounding and fear evident in her eyes. With a tight grip on the knife, she pushed further into the eerie environment that awaited her. She observed a peculiar mist hovering near the concrete floor of the vast, empty space, unsure if it was a warehouse or an underground parking lot, perhaps it was a mix of both. As she moved forward, a foul odor filled the air, and a chill wrapped around her. She regrets not bringing a jacket or something similar. “As if I could have predicted I’d end up here,” she chuckled quietly to herself. Odd, dark puddles are dotted around the place. She paused a short distance from one of them. She pondered, "I wonder if that water is real," and stepped a bit closer.

While gazing into the puddle, a grey, claw-like hand suddenly shot out and grabbed her hair. Startled, she screamed and lunged at the hand with her knife. A loud wail echoed from deep within the puddle.  The monstrous hand released her hair, and she quickly sprang to her feet, dashing away in the opposite direction. 

A quick look over her shoulder revealed a terrifying creature, towering at around 7 feet with grey, grotesque skin, relentlessly pursuing her. It seemed to have emerged from the puddle or perhaps it was the puddle itself, transformed into this nightmarish being that was now in fierce pursuit.  Dashing from one area to another and racing down the hallways, Aleena felt her hope dwindling. Her heart pounded in her chest, and as she veered into yet another corridor, she looked back to find that the creature had mysteriously stopped chasing her. She eased her pace until she finally halted. Leaning against the concrete wall, tears began to roll down her face.

 "No, I won't give up," she gasped for air. "I will find a way out." She continued onward and spotted three wooden crates—two piled on top of each other and one positioned beside them. Hurrying over, she attempted to lift the lid of one crate. It suddenly toppled open, causing her to gasp as she quickly glanced around, anxious that another Eldritch creature might have been alerted by the noise. She rummaged through the crate and discovered three bottles of almond water and two energy bars. 

At the bottom, she came across a white T-shirt, stained and it smelled a bit, but it is still usable, along with an olive-green Bomber jacket that has a pin at the front. The jacket is a bit dirty, yet acceptable to wear. She put on the jacket and shoved the T-shirt into her backpack. With a heavy sigh, she pressed on. After what felt like an eternity of roaming through the hallways and stark concrete rooms, she stumbled upon a corridor lined with metal doors and tried to open them a few times but to no avail. The doors were painted a bright blue and as she walked down the lengthy hallway, she spotted puddles here and there. She stopped for a second, her forehead creased with concern, a worried expression crossing her face as she let out a sigh. She looked up and noticed some water dripping from the ceiling.

“I have to tread lightly,” she mused. As she moved with caution, she noticed a door that was slightly ajar. Out of nowhere, a low, menacing growl emanated from behind it, causing her to freeze in place. Her heart pounded in her chest, beads of sweat formed on her brow, and she gripped the knife tightly in her hand. 

A strange and grotesque creature gradually emerged from behind the door, its pale white eyes glinting beneath tangled hair. She instinctively stepped back, her heart racing as the creature came fully into view and a gasp escaped her lips. Her eyes widened in disbelief as she took at its Eldritch Horror form. It bore a striking resemblance to a dog, but its elongated snout and unsettlingly human-like features gave it an eerie presence that was hard to shake off. The creature's thick, matted black fur hung in disarray, obscuring much of its face and adding to its menacing aura. Its limbs, though slender, exuded a sense of latent power, each ending in sharp, claw-like appendages that hinted at a predatory nature. The combination of its wild appearance and those unsettling pale grey eyes made it a terrifying sight to behold.

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A Time Traveler's Companion: Chapter 8 Excerpt

 

(excerpt from Chapter 8:The Host)

A few more days passed, my memories returned in flashes, I felt less pain in my head, and I asked Leila to tell me what happened.

 “Don’t you want Mr. Smith to tell you?” I shook my head. 

 “I feel embarrassed, I want you to fill me in, please.”

 “Okay, I hope I’m doing the right thing. Mr. Smith said that I should let him know if you start to remember but I think I’ll fill you in a bit before you face him again.” I looked at her wondering if I had done something horrific. As she began to recount the bizarre events that led to my unexpected stay in a high-tech alien medical facility, her eyes widened with urgency.  "You see, those strange creatures that were leaping out of the pond were actually parasitic aliens. Once one of them latched onto your face, Mr. Smith rushed you into the monolith, where the infirmary's advanced AI was able to remove it. We were optimistic about your recovery, so Mr. Smith brought us back home, believing everything would turn out alright."

 "Did we make it back home?" I asked, and she confirmed with a nod. With a heavy breath, she elaborated, "We were unaware that something had been injected into you by that creature. Just a day after he left us, you began to express that you felt unusually cold. Upon our return, he instructed me to reach out if you started behaving strangely." I gazed at her, bracing myself for an unsettling revelation. A sense of dread washed over me. She swallowed hard, "You spent two days resting; your mother assumed you had caught the flu or something similar. You did run a fever, but by the third day, you seemed to improve. I came to see you, and we shared everything we had gone through, except that you didn’t remember the star-fish creature,” she paused. “I must say, I never want to travel with him again,” she added.

 Then I asked, “Tell me what else happened.”

 She took a deep breath and continued, “So, you were changing. It was clear that something was happening. You mentioned migraine, and your demeanor shifted dramatically. During our chat, you abruptly froze, turning to me with an unsettling blank stare that sent chills down my spine. Your eyes held an eerie quality as you stood up and approached the mirror, gazing at your reflection as if it were a novel sight. I couldn't help but joke, “Take a picture, it will last you longer,” and laughed lightly.”

 “I do remember that. There was a voice in my head, something odd that seemed to speak for me,” I said. A worried look shadowed her face.   

“Well, um, you sat next to me on the bed. You then said you felt cold, and I looked at you and wondered if you were feeling well, I touched your forehead to see if you were running a temp. "You might want to rest a bit more," I suggested. Then you embraced me tightly. 

“What’s wrong with you?' I asked. You replied, "I need your warmth; I feel so cold." It struck me as strange since it was a sweltering summer day, with temperatures soaring close to 100 degrees. considered calling Mr. Smith, as he had requested updates on any unusual behavior from you. Just as I reached for the phone he provided, you knocked it from my hand and kissed me with urgency. Something strange flickered in my mouth. I quickly pushed you away and dashed out of the room, escaping what felt like an imminent assault.” I expressed my sincere apologies, unable to articulate the reasons behind my unusual behavior. It felt completely out of character for me, and I couldn't shake the guilt that lingered from actions I couldn't even recall. She responded with a nod, her understanding reflecting the oddity of the circumstances we found ourselves in. She continued, "It seems that whatever you went through on that planet, the only one who can truly help you is Mr. Smith," she remarked, emphasizing the necessity of his expertise in this perplexing matter.

 “Unfortunately, when I ran out of your room, I left the phone behind, and I did not want to go back in there, so I hid downstairs. Your parents weren’t home, and your brother is always out somewhere.”

“When did you go back and pick it up?”

“After you left.”

“What? You let me leave?”

“Well, I waited to see when or if you’d leave your house, it took you a while too. I hid in the closet next to the front door.” Leila shifted in her chair. Flashes of that event came to me and now I understood what was going on. The parasite invaded my body and possessed my mind. I was still there inside but dormant I couldn’t stop what it was making me do, I had no control of my motor skills and my body’s movements. I remember that after Leila ran out of my room, I stared at my reflection in the mirror, I took off my clothes and I heard myself say, “Perfect body, I like this species. The body is easy to repair.” 

My voice sounded strange; it wasn’t me. I went to the closet and looked through my clothes. I picked out an adorable red crop-top with black lace detailing, paired it with a black lace shrug and a black velvet choker and some cute earrings. To complete the look, I threw on a denim mini skirt and slipped into my black closed-toe sandals. Feeling good about my outfit, I headed downstairs and stepped outside. I was fighting every step of the way, until I gave into the parasite. Leila continued her story: “So, after you left, I ran upstairs and grabbed the phone and called Mr. Smith. He arrived quickly but you were nowhere to be found. But you did leave a trail of breadcrumbs,” Leila said.

“What do you mean?” She was reluctant to tell me. “Come on, is it that bad?”

“Well, when Mr. Smith came back, we took your car and drove around looking for you. We spotted you walking down a sidewalk in town. A man walked past, and you stopped and started following him. We called out your name, you glanced but did not acknowledge us. Mr. Smith mentioned that he returned to that planet to collect water samples, revealing that the parasites inhabit and reproduce in the hot spring located at the pond's depths. Apparently, the parasites in that region, only had the warm-blooded local animals to attach themselves to and they would consume the insides and leave the host, but they’ve never been inside an intelligent being before.”

I then chimed in, “That’s why I felt cold because it needs heat. That thing needed body heat.” She gave a nod and continued, “While we trailed behind you in the car, the man made his way into 21 Fitness, and you decided to follow him inside. Once we managed to secure a parking spot, we entered the gym, but since we weren’t members, we had to approach the receptionist for assistance. Mr. Smith presented her with a blank card, and for some inexplicable reason, she assumed we were some sort of investigators. He was in a panic, worried that you might have harmed someone, and unfortunately, his fears were confirmed. We discovered a man sprawled on the floor of one of the sauna rooms, a peculiar greenish-yellow foam seeping from his mouth.

 "She must have just left," I told him. He gazed at the lifeless body and his expression somber,” Leila paused and asked me if I wanted something to drink, I smiled and nodded. She stood up and went to a table where there was a pitcher of water and a cup next to it. She poured the water and brought the cup to me. I took a sip. "What else happened?" I asked her.

“Mr. Smith retrieved his scanner, gliding it over the man's body and then remarked, "It seems he wasn't quite the ideal partner," a concerned expression crossed his face. "The parasite residing within Remi is on the hunt for a companion to reproduce and spawn more of those things," he continued, his tone laced with a hint of empathy. A woman walked in and saw the body.
She screamed and Mr. Smith told her to call 911. “This man died of asphyxiation, and shock. I guess his body couldn’t take it.” After the woman left the room, I asked Mr. Smith, “Have you ever encountered anything like this?"

He shook his head. “We need to locate her,” he insisted, “and I know a hospital that specializes in cases like this.” We walked out of the room and just before we departed, Mr. Smith briefed the security personnel on his findings, carefully omitting any mention of the bizarre parasite incident. As we walked out of the fitness center I asked him, “Won’t they investigate why the man died?”

 He nodded and replied, “Yes, but they might throw it off as food poisoning or something. Right now, our main concern is Remi.” We got back in the car and drove around.”

 “I can’t believe I killed someone,” I muttered. Leila put her hand on my hand to comfort me. “It wasn’t your fault,” she said.

 “What else happened,” I asked, fearing the worse. “Well, I suggested going back home, maybe you had returned to your house. But instead, we found you entering Mr. Leon’s house.” She fell silent.

 “Well, what?” I asked. 

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