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.

(Images are for the reader's entertainment, enjoy)

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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.

NOTE: Images used in this blog are for the reader's visual entertainment, enjoy.

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The Maze from Hell: A Backrooms Tale Chapter 15 Excerpt

(An excerpt from Chapter 15: Vanishings & Other Revelations)

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 by, 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 others. So, she decided not to mention what she had 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. Since stepping into the Backrooms, she has noticed something unsettling: her menstrual cycle have completely vanished. This absence raises a troubling question in her mind, could she possibly be dead? However, she quickly shakes off that dark thought, realizing it’s not a conclusion she can accept. 

Instead, she resolves to bring up her missing periods with Syra, hoping that she might have some insight or explanation for this bizarre phenomenon. In her mind, she sees herself as a 21-year-old woman, however, the peculiar nature of time in the Backrooms leads her to suspect that she has aged. Even though her reflection remains unchanged, she feels the same. It’s a strange dissonance; an unsettling awareness lingers in her mind, hinting at the passage of time that seems to operate differently in this strange dimension. She suspects that others have also stopped aging. After having lunch with Brian, Aleena stopped by the Diner to see Syra. She found her mingling with other local women, as two tables had been pushed together to accommodate everyone. The table was adorned with plates of food and glasses filled with rich red wine, creating a lively atmosphere. 

The women were laughing and chatting, clearly having a great time, and Aleena was no exception, she was enjoying herself too. 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 here. I’m 30 years old, but I appear somewhat younger than my actual age because this weird dimension seems to cancel aging.”

 Aleena looked at her perplexed. “How old were you when you came to the Backrooms?” she asked. 

“I was 23,” Molly responded.

“Oh, wow, time is different here,” Aleena said. Molly continued talking. 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. As she pondered on her return home, a swirl of questions filled her mind. Would she step through the door only to find that time had slipped away from her, leaving her to confront a version of herself that felt foreign and aged? How long has she truly been in the Backrooms? The uncertainty gnawed at her, making her wonder if the price of her journey would be a dramatic transformation, a stark reminder of the time that had passed. Would she return to a world that has moved on without her, or would she find that she had changed in ways she couldn't yet comprehend? She entered her room and shut the door behind her, assuming Eli was preoccupied with another woman since Molly was out with Syra. 

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. It was made of delicate lace and smooth satin, featuring a soft pastel mauve hue reminiscent of styles from the 1950s and early 60s. After brushing her hair and washing her face, she collapsed onto the bed, letting her eyes flutter shut. A haunting silence surrounded the building, with the streets outside devoid of any sound, no birds, no sounds of cars, etcetera, it seemed eerie to her. Soon, she would venture to the seemingly endless grocery level, hoping to discover a door that might lead her back home.

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( I will share more excerpts from my books in the coming month. Images are for the Reader's visual entertainment)