My Interpretation of the Backrooms

 

In my book, Lost in the Backrooms: The Phoenix Files volume 1, Jane and MK embark on a mission to find a missing girl trapped in the mysterious Backrooms. While they are unaware of the true nature of this strange place, Jane has learned a bit about its origins. Years earlier, scientists aimed to create a safe haven for the homeless and those facing financial hardships. They developed a quantum replicator of sorts that manipulates its surrounding area. A device capable of rapidly duplicating spaces, they tested it in a vast warehouse. Initially, the device functioned perfectly, generating a series of rooms and corridors adorned in soothing shades of yellow and white, complete with ordinary beige carpeting.

Nothing about it looks like what the Backrooms appear--presently. The construction of the rooms was still taking place within the warehouse, but one night, the device unexpectedly malfunctioned—possibly due to sabotage. As everyone slept, it activated on its own, alerting the scientists just a little too late. They watched in horror as a message flashed on the large screen: “The bridge has broken, merging is infinite.” A doorway began to materialize in an untouched section of the warehouse, accompanied by a low rumble that escalated, leading the staff to fear an imminent explosion. Efforts to evacuate the residents were frantic, but not everyone managed to escape the chaos that ensued. Some remained trapped.

The device burst open a dimensional doorway and started to suck in everything around it, like a wormhole. When everything settled, which took months, some of the scientists returned--orders from government. They found the main entrance to the warehouse lobby as it was before, but something was different.

 As they explored, they stepped into a bizarre mazelike structure. The warehouse ceiling was replaced with a more office-like design featuring fluorescent lights, transforming the space into a bizarre, non-Euclidean maze. Intrigued by this new dimension, the team decided it was worth exploring further, leading to the recruitment of additional scientists to investigate the mysterious world they believed had been generated by the device.

The device didn’t actually create the liminal purgatory of the non-Euclidean dimension; it merely opened a portal to it. A unique crystal was integral to the device's function, enabling it to connect with the Backroom's realm.

In Volume 5 of the Phoenix Files, MK accidentally finds herself back in the Backrooms, where her biological father resides. He was one of the scientists who didn’t escape before the dimension merged. If you’ve read the first volume, you’ll recognize this storyline. Volume 5 will delve deeper into this plot, and it will be the final time the Backrooms are referenced in any of my books.

By the way, I am working on making Lost in the Backrooms a visual novel, with the help of someone I know who knows how to make one.

Let’s move onto, The Maze from Hell: A Backrooms Tale. The main characters enter the Backrooms by accident; they have no knowledge of the history of the place. Aleena desperately seeks a way out but bumps into Eli, a rich man who has a shady history. In the book, both characters find themselves in a small colony, but as they became a part of the community, the colony started to disappear. The Backrooms energy had pulled the town into its dimension and set it in the wheat fields level, now it is disappearing, so Aleena sees the problem and decides to make that trek back to the front rooms. Eli follows her and by chance they end up together again, navigating through the non-Euclidean maze. They finally find a door that leads them to the front rooms but there’s something different. It is not the reality they came from. And this is where I decided to add that twist into the narrative.

The Backrooms is an intriguing concept that can be explored in various forms of media, such as stories, videos, and films, since it isn't protected by copyright. Those familiar with the Backrooms often have their own unique interpretations of what it entails and how it functions. In my books, I've shared my perspective on the nature of the Backrooms and the mechanics of its non-Euclidean dimension.

NOTE: A24 has the copyright to their movie, but not the actual word, The Backrooms since the word and the concept of the Backrooms is an internet creepy pasta and it's origin is unknown. Thousands of people have created videos, literature and other media involving the Backrooms. If A24 suddenly started asking social media platforms to remove everything related to the backrooms, they would be alienating half of the Backrooms fans. The fans are what made the whole concept popular!

A New Excerpt from: The Stranger Things: Paranormal, Supernatural & Unusual Phenomenon

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The Backrooms: How Does it Work?

 

In my recent book, The Maze from Hell: A Backrooms Tale, when one person escapes, another must fill their void. Aleena and Eli finally find their way out, but they discover that their destination is not what they had anticipated. 

Aleena's sister recalls how they kept in touch for a whole year after she left for Europe with her boyfriend. However, she then reveals to Aleena that her messages suddenly stopped coming. 

When Aleena and Eli entered an alternate reality, it’s likely that their counterparts inadvertently found their way into the Backrooms. Interestingly, Eli and Aleena were strangers in that world, and Eli didn’t even exist there, which brings the focus back to Aleena, who did have a double in that reality. 

Eli was merely an accidental crossover, an extra soul who wandered in. I think of the Backrooms as being quite like the Land of the Lost. 

How, you ask? Well, think back to the 1970s when you might have caught the show as a child. 

In "Land of the Lost," one of the characters, Enik, explains that for someone to escape the Land of the Lost, an equal number of newcomers must enter. 

Could there be a similar concept in the Backrooms? It seems that Aleena had a double who likely stumbled into the Backrooms while Aleena made her exit. 

This concept is quite intriguing, and other writers can definitely incorporate it into their own stories. It's important to note that the Backrooms are not subject to copyright and are free for anyone to use.

NOTE: A24 has the copyright to their movie, but not the actual word, The Backrooms since the word and the concept of the Backrooms is an internet creepy pasta and it's origin is unknown. Thousands of people have created videos, literature and other media involving the Backrooms. If A24 suddenly started asking social media platforms to remove everything related to the backrooms, they would be alienating half of the Backrooms fans. The fans are what made the whole concept popular!

The Maze from Hell: A Backrooms Tale

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Lost in the Backrooms: Chapter 3 The Site (excerpt)

 

Chapter 3: The Site (an excerpt)

When they walked in, Jane looked around. The house has an open floor plan so the kitchen can be seen from the Livingroom. The house is quite spacey and luxurious. There is no furniture in the Livingroom, except two chairs and a corner table set neatly at one corner of the room. A security guard was posted outside to keep curious people away and a cop car parked by the driveway as well. Two of the men in the suits looked at Jane and MK.

 “Hunters, we will give you necessary weapons that you’ll need for your mission,” the taller man said.

 “Okay,” Jane nodded. “While in the Backrooms, you will randomly find wooden box crates that might be filled with almond water and energy bars, you should

pack those in your backpacks when you can. It’s important,” the other man chimed in.

“Why?” asked MK.

 “It is believed that the almond water has healing properties,” said Father Patrick.

“How do you know this?” Jane asked.

“One of the Hunters that was sent into the Backrooms; hurt his hand pretty bad and when he drank the almond water, his wound seemed to have healed quickly.”

“What happened to the Hunter?” MK asked.

The priest hesitated, “He did not make it out but through the bodycam he wore, we got the information we needed.”

 “By the way, the bodycams might glitch and we honestly don’t know how long they will continue sending information back to the base so good luck,” one of the men in the hazmat suits chimed in.

Jane nodded, “Okay, understood.” Another man walked toward them and gave the priest a metal box, containing new weapons. He gave the Father a nod and walked away. Father Patrick set it down on the kitchen counter and keyed a combination number to open the box.

  “Here are weapons that you must carry. Our scientists created these weapons for special assignments like yours. You’ll be the first to handle them.” He handed MK and Jane a retractable silver sword, with a holster and sheath for it. He handed Jane a self-cocking tactical crossbow, and a handgun with pure silver bullets.

 “All items are Blessed. It is unknown if any of these items will be useful against the entities that reside within the Backrooms but through the experiences that other Hunters have had, some of these items do help to deter the creatures in that place.”

“So, the other hunters that went in, never returned?” asked MK. 

The priest closed the box. “We’ve sent other Hunters in the past and only one came back. He is the one who took the infamous picture and posted it anonymously online, against our wishes,” he sighed.

  “Is he still with us?” Jane asked.

  “No, he was let go, sent away for betraying confidentiality.”

Jane gave MK a look, “Well, that’s something we won’t do, we’ll keep everything confidential,” she said.

 “The Hunter’s bodycam went out after two weeks, so it did not send us video footage of the rest of his trip, only when he entered and up to the point when he went into the library.”

  “Library?” asked Jane.

  “Yes, you’ll see it if you come across it. I pray that both of you make it out,” he said with a worried tone, he gulped. MK smiled at him and gave him a hug. 

“We will, I have Jane, and I have Faith,” she said. MK watched the men in the hazmat suits going in and out of the house, then the last one brought in another box, and they begin to set up the equipment, a few feet away from the door to the storage room.

 “So, the hunters that went in had bodycams?” Jane asked.

  “All of them were equipped with bodycams, and yes, they had tracking chips too. The footage that the bodycams showed while in the Backrooms is intriguing and frightening. A Hunter engaged with an entity, used iron which fatally wounded the creature so, I imagine that some of the items you have in your backpacks will help, but it won’t work on the Hounds,” he said.

“The Hounds?” Jane asked.

 “According to the footage that one of our Hunters took, these creatures can be found in all levels of the Backrooms, they have filthy matted hair that obscures a twisted semi canine deformed face, it has human skin, but their bodies look like a jigsaw puzzle made up of human parts, formed and twisted into a monstrosity,” Father Patrick elaborated.

“When you see one, run or fight, either way those creatures will kill you. They have an insatiable hunger for human flesh. It is rumored that if they attack and bite you, you will slowly become one. Your body will reconstruct itself to adapt to the environment of the Backrooms,” one of the men in the hazmat suits informed her.

Jane sighed and looked at MK who was standing a few feet away from them watching as the men started to set up the equipment around the door. 

“So, I guess something like werewolves then.” Father Patrick nodded.

“What else should I look out for?” asked Jane. Father 

Patrick let out a sigh, “I’m not sure but you must use your instincts, and MK can guide you since she has psychic abilities. Use everything to your advantage. God did not create the Backrooms, but we can try to find the people that are lost and bring them back,” he said.

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Hidden Door Only Seen with Black Light: The Stranger Things

 

(Excerpt from The Stranger Things: Paranormal, Supernatural & Unusual Phenomenon.

Chapter 9: Hidden Door Only Seen with Black Light)

 Imagine if I told you there are doors that are completely invisible to the naked eye, only revealing themselves under black light. In this chapter, I’m going to share the intriguing tale of an 18-year-old girl named Stacy, who unexpectedly discovered one of these mysterious doors. Stacy resides in a house that used to belong to her grandmother. After her grandmother passed away, her father inherited the property, which was built back in the 1980s. 

With her parents away on a trip and her brother off at a friend's house engrossed in video games, Stacy found herself alone at home that week when a friend decided to drop by for a visit. A fierce storm was rolling in, and the women opted to stay indoors, choosing to binge-watch their favorite shows until the clock struck midnight. The thunder rumbled ominously overhead, while lightning lit up the night sky, casting eerie shadows throughout their cozy four-bedroom, single-story house. Suddenly, the power went out, prompting Stacy to grab a flashlight and head to the kitchen pantry where her parents stashed emergency lanterns.

She managed to pull out four of them, but when she flicked on the last one, instead of the expected bright LED glow, it emitted a strange black light that filled the room with an unusual hue. "I bet my brother was the one who messed with this light bulb," she said to her friend, giving an exaggerated eye roll. With a slight shake of her head, she grabbed another lantern and strolled down the hallway toward her parents' room. She was on the hunt for a light bulb that would fit the fourth lantern, but despite her search, she came up empty-handed. As she exited the room, balancing both lanterns in her arms, something unexpected caught her attention. She paused for a moment and switched off the LED lantern, keeping the black light flickering. As she swung the lantern to her right, something caught her eye—a strange door intricately carved into the wall! Curiosity piqued, she ran her fingers along the crack of the door, exclaiming softly, “Oh my god, it’s a door! It’s actually real! Where did this come from?” 

Bursting with excitement, she switched on the LED lantern once more and switched off the black light, only to discover that the door had completely disappeared. Confused, she extended her hand toward the spot where the door used to be and whispered, “Wow. Where did it go?” At that moment, her friend walked over, curious about what her friend was looking at.

 “Hey, what’s going on?” she asked, making Stacy jump in surprise. “What’s the matter?” her friend inquired, looking concerned. 

"Check this out," Stacy said as she flicked on the black light, plunging the room into darkness except for the eerie glow. Both women stared in shock, their jaws practically hitting the floor. "What in the world is this?" her friend exclaimed, reaching out to feel the door's surface. Stacy, feeling a mix of curiosity and thrill, gave the door a light knock. Her friend gasped sharply, and her eyes widened. "Stop! You have no idea what's waiting for us on the other side," she warned, and Stacy felt a chill run down her spine. As the door creaked open, the two girls stepped inside with a sense of hesitation. The space was pretty standard, roughly the same dimensions as Stacy's own room. However, it was strikingly monochromatic; every single thing in the room was a shade of white, from the walls to the furniture and even the curtains.

"What on earth is this place?" Stacy exclaimed, making her way to the window to get a better look outside. To her surprise, the weather was clear and bright, with no sign of a storm—just a vibrant, lush landscape bathed in sunlight. "What the heck is going on?" Stacy muttered, both girls now transfixed by the view beyond the glass. Out of nowhere, they picked up the sound of footsteps getting closer from behind. They quickly turned around, but there was nobody in sight. The footsteps came to a halt right in front of them, creating an eerie silence. Suddenly, Stacy's friend let out a terrified scream and bolted out of the stark white room, yelling for Stacy to follow her. "Hurry up!" she called back, panic evident in her voice. At that moment, Stacy could have sworn she felt a chilling breath right against her face. Driven by a mix of fear and curiosity, she reached out to touch whatever was lurking in front of her, only to feel an intense coldness envelope her hand. 

She yanked it away and dashed toward the door, but then froze, glancing back over her shoulder. There stood a tall, bald figure clad in white, completely faceless! Her heart skipped a beat. 

“Who are you?” she shouted. To her shock, the figure echoed her words back to her! Her eyes widened in disbelief as she watched the creature's empty visage start to morph, her own features slowly emerging where there had once been nothing but a blank surface. She quickly ran out and shut the door. From behind the door, they can hear scratching, like large claws eager to get through. Stacy and her friend stood frozen in front of the door as the creature continued to claw at it. She heard it say, “Who are you,” with that creepy vibrating voice that it tried desperately to mimic hers.

(The images used in this entry are for the readers entertainment purposes.)

 

The Backrooms

 

Once again, I have to reiterate that certain elements of the Backrooms, such as the game Backrooms: Realm of Shadows and the Backrooms logo, are indeed copyrighted.

 However, the concept/idea of the Backrooms itself isn’t owned by any individual. This lack of a single owner makes it challenging to differentiate between genuine narratives and fan-created stories, as ideas themselves cannot be copyrighted. 

The Backrooms, technically is a creation of the fan community, with numerous individuals contributing through books, videos, and artwork inspired by this intriguing concept of the Backrooms. 

So, when someone claims that Kane Pixel holds the copyright to the Backrooms, that's a misconception. 

He has copyright to his unique interpretation of the Backrooms, including the videos he produces and his YouTube channel. However, the original idea of the Backrooms predates Kane Pixel's work. In reality, his channel serves as a fanfiction platform centered around the Backrooms. Much like other fan based art, literature & videos.  Overall, do your research and kudos to the creative fans who contributed to the Backrooms lore. 

NOTE: A24 has the copyright to their movie, but not the actual word, The Backrooms since the word and the concept of the Backrooms is an internet creepy pasta and it's origin is unknown. Thousands of people have created videos, literature and other media involving the Backrooms. If A24 suddenly started asking social media platforms to remove everything related to the backrooms, they would be alienating half of the Backrooms fans. The fans are what made the whole concept popular!

(Images used in this blog are for the readers' entertainment only)

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The Backrooms: What Part is Copyrighted 

Path Less Taken Excerpt: The Phoenix Files Vol. 2 Chapter 1

 

Path Less Taken

excerpt from Chapter 1: Dreams

Jane is in her office, reading through case files on her laptop. “Hmm, most are short and solvable. I guess others can take care of them,” she said and took a sip from her coffee. MK finished her last class and headed straight to the office.

 "Hey Jane, has Father Patrick given you any updates on the next assignment?" she inquired, entering with her brown leather messenger bag slung over her shoulder. Dressed in a red tee featuring a black Infinity Symbol on the front of it, faded jeans, and sporting playful ponytails, she looked ready for anything. Jane replied, "Actually, he dropped off a file yesterday while I was in the teacher’s lounge." Curious, MK pressed, "So, where are we headed?" Jane raised an eyebrow, a hint of caution in her voice. "You seem eager to dive into this assignment. Are you sure you're prepared? It involves potential portals and other dimensions," she said, rising from her desk to refill her water cup. MK pondered. She let out a sigh and sat down on the chair in front of Jane’s desk. Jane walked back to her desk and sat down, placing her stainless-steel water bottle next to her.

“I see why you're bringing this up, but you can be confident that I'm prepared. We've been delaying significant tasks for several months now.”

 Jane gazed into those striking blue eyes, which seemed to perceive more than she could. She nodded and said, "MK, we need to discuss this,

especially the dreams you’ve been having." MK paused, her expression thoughtful. "My dreams are complex," she replied.

“I once overheard you murmuring in your sleep during your stay at my apartment, and I can't shake the worry that you're still haunted by nightmares of the Backrooms. Please, share with me what's on your mind.”

 MK rose and approached the coffee maker, grateful for the warm brew Jane had prepared earlier. With a sigh, she admitted, “I do find myself dreaming of that endless yellow maze, but there’s more to it.” As she added two sugar cubes and a splash of cream to her coffee, she stirred it thoughtfully before returning to her chair.

She set the coffee down on a ceramic coaster adorned with a vibrant South of the Border design, a set Jane had purchased during their trip to Baja last year, prior to the Backrooms assignment.

“I’ve been experiencing some strange dreams, almost like they’re real,” she confessed. Jane’s expression shifted to one of concern as she asked for clarification.

“Sometimes, I find myself dreaming about various sections of the Backrooms.” A frown creased Jane’s forehead as she processed this revelation. “What do you mean?”

“I can’t explain it, but I feel a connection to the dark energy that permeates the Backrooms. It’s as if there are people trapped there, not just within the yellow labyrinth.”

“Explain, I want to hear more.” Jane threw a concerned look at her. MK’s connection to that other dimension is disturbing; she fears that the darkness of that place will find her and lure her back in.“In my dreams, I wander through quiet suburbs, expansive farms, and a sprawling city that feels eerily deserted. The fields we traversed linger in my mind, accompanied by the unsettling presence of a man.” MK shivered, as if a specter had brushed past her, she continues, “This man, with pointed ears and skin tinged with gray, remains elusive; his face hidden as he gazes out from a skyscraper overlooking the vast city below. Clad in a muted blue-gray suit, he speaks to me, his words echoing in the silence of the dream.”

“What does he say,” asked Jane, as she is perturbed by MK’s revelation.

MK hesitated before continuing, describing a chilling scene where she witnessed a figure conducting experiments on unfortunate souls who had wandered into his domain. Clad in a white lab coat reminiscent of a doctor, the figure's face remains obscured, leaving only a sense of malevolence in its wake. MK recalled a moment when she felt the figure's gaze upon her, as it acknowledged her with a sinister greeting, "Ah, princess you’re here," causing her to awaken abruptly. Jane reflected on this revelation, her heart heavy with concern for MK's tormentor. She expressed her frustration at being unable to confront this menace, trapped within the confines of MK's dreams. As she contemplated the situation, a nagging feeling suggested that someone within the Backrooms might be attempting to reach out to MK. Jane feels helpless and wants nothing more but to cut that person’s ties to MK, but MK must do it herself. Jane sighed and gulped. “I think that if you find out what his name is, maybe I can have Father Patrick look him up. He might be one of the scientists that became trapped in the Backrooms when the accident happened. Maybe he lives somewhere within that Hellish place and developed psychic powers and can somehow use them to communicate outside of his realm.” 

A look of concern crossed MK's face. Jane quickly reassured her, promising, "We'll figure this out and sever the connection." As she gently took MK's smooth hand, Jane savored every second spent with her. Deep down, she cherished her feelings for MK but lacked the courage to express them. MK responded by clasping Jane's hands with both of hers, a soft smile illuminating her features. MK shifted the conversation, asking, “So, where are we headed next?” Jane opened the file, her face serious. "Katy Lois Tyler has gone missing in Yosemite Park. Here’s her picture," she said, passing it to MK. "She’s beautiful, those green eyes are stunning," MK commented, to which Jane replied, "She’s half Caucasian, I think."

Curious, MK asked how she got lost. Jane explained, "She’s been missing for three months, leaving behind two sons and a loving husband." With a sense of urgency, MK asked, "When are we leaving?"

“I’m waiting for Father Patrick to call with more details,” Jane said, as she stood to grab a donut from the table, MK remained lost in thought, barely noticing Jane’s return. Jane observed the distant look in MK’s eyes, sensing her friend’s preoccupation.

 “What’s wrong?”

“It’s nothing,” responded MK.
“Look don’t let it bother you. I will take care of you. I’ll have your back. This assignment won’t be any different than the others.” She tried to reassure her. MK nodded. “I know you’re right. Thanks for your concern.”

“Not at all, you are very special to me, you’re my partner, we fight the good fight together.” MK smiled, brushed off the aphotic thoughts of her dreams and exhaled. Jane did not want to dwell on the dreams that still haunt MK, but she too has had them, and not good ones either. Her dreams take her into the Backrooms, and in them she is searching for MK but is attacked by a Hound. She slowly starts to turn into one. She can feel her body morphing into the grotesque, repulsive creature. The pain of each bone in her body twisting, contorting into something vile and supernatural, haunts her. The man MK speaks of is in fact, an entity that resides deep within the Backrooms. He once was a Human; he is connected to MK in ways she has yet to find out. MK noticed a flier on the desk.

“One of the local churches is setting up for a festival to raise money for the poor?” said MK.

“Yes, and we are supposed to attend and help with some of the festivities. It will be fun,” Jane said, swaying away from the grim conversation they had earlier. 

 “Good, this is what we need before we go off again. I can’t wait,” MK said with a cheerful smile. 

“The festivities will involve rides, game booths and food venders,” Jane added with a smile. MK nodded and asked, “Great so where do you want to have dinner tonight?” 

“I guess we can go to Manuel’s Mexican food restaurant. I’m feeling Mexican today,” said Jane with a chuckle. Later in the evening, Jane and MK were at the restaurant enjoying a pleasant dinner.

“Hey Jane, fancy meeting you two here” said John as he pulled up a chair and sat at their table. Jane was surprised to see John, but it was a welcome sight. MK, sipping her margarita, turned to John with a curious expression.

“So, what brings you here?” Jane asked. He explained that he had been at the bar already and noticed them walking in. After finishing his drink, he decided to join them, hinting that he had something important to discuss.  His serious demeanor caught Jane's attention, and her brow furrowed in concern, “What’s wrong?” she asked, sensing the weight of his words.

“Have you been having strange dreams?” he asked. Jane suspects that he too has been experiencing similar dreams like her and MK.

 Jane felt a twinge of unease and said, “John, I don’t think this is the place to talk about this.” He acknowledged her concern with a nod, then shifted the conversation slightly, asking if they would be attending the festival.

“Yeah, we are,” MK paused and took a sip from her drink, “before we head to Yosemite,” she said, casting a glance at Jane who hinted that John didn’t know about their assignment.

 “I assumed he was aware,” she said. Curiosity flickered in his eyes as John asked, “So, what’s the good Father’s reason for sending you to Yosemite?” Jane swallowed hard, feeling the weight of the moment, and let out a soft sigh. John casually grabbed a tortilla chip from the bowl beside Jane’s plate, dipped it into the creamy guacamole, and savored the bite.

“We’re on a mission to locate a missing person. She’s been unaccounted for over three months, and due to the supernatural and paranormal elements tied to her disappearance, our organization has stepped in,” Jane replied, as she swallowed hard, feeling the weight of the moment, she took a sip from her drink.

He nodded thoughtfully, processing the gravity of their task. “Are you both prepared to tackle this assignment?” he asked.

MK affirmed with a determined nod, glancing at Jane for support. She returned the look with a reassuring smile, signaling her agreement and readiness to embark on this challenging journey together.

“Okay, well if you need my help, you know where to find me then,” he said. After Jane dropped off MK at her apartment, she went home. John was waiting outside her door. As they entered her apartment, Jane secured the door with a click.

“Would you like something to drink besides alcohol?” she asked, her voice light yet tinged with an underlying weariness. She moved toward the kitchen, filling a glass with water while discreetly grabbing a sleeping pill from the counter. John observed her actions with concern, his brow furrowing slightly. “You never used to rely on anything to help you sleep. Are you having trouble sleeping?” he asked, his tone laced with genuine worry. Jane sighed softly, settling onto the sofa beside him, her gaze drifting over his features. It was then she realized that he, too, bore the marks of sleepless nights.

“I think we’ve all been experiencing some strange dreams lately,” she remarked, her voice barely above a whisper. John chuckled dryly, shaking his head as he removed his boots and set them down on the floor.

 “Strange is an understatement,” he replied, a hint of frustration creeping into his voice, as they both grappled with the unsettling thoughts that had invaded their sleep.

“John, would you like to spend the night here?” He nodded in response, a silent agreement that spoke volumes. “I’m not sure if you or MK have been experiencing nightmares about the Backrooms, but sometimes they feel so real that I find myself back in that unsettling place,” he confessed, his voice tinged with unease. As he rested his head on her lap, he resembled a child seeking solace, a gesture that revealed his vulnerability. “I too have had dreams of that horrific place,” Jane responded softly. 

“What kind of dreams do you have,” he asked her. “Well, I am back inside the Backrooms and,” she paused.

“And what?” he pressed. “Well, I am searching for MK and a Hound attacks me, I then go through the agonizing trial of turning into one.” There was silence for a moment. John gulped and took a deep breath. Jane stood up and moved toward the closet, retrieving a blanket and an extra pillow before settling beside him again. A heavy silence enveloped them, and John swallowed hard, taking a deep breath to steady himself. “What is it?” Jane asked, sensing his unease.

 “In my dream, I’m in the Backrooms too, but I’m hunting you, driven by a chilling intent to kill because you’ve become one of those monsters. It felt like a dark shadow looming over my very existence.” Jane gasped, her expression shifting to one of deep concern as she regarded him, the gravity of their shared nightmares weighing heavily between them.

“It’s not gonna happen John, these dreams are not real. I feel they are being sent to us from the Backrooms, but we should ignore them. We have a connection, you trained me.”

 She smiled and added, “I am your Apprentice, and you are my Master,” she joked as she threw a Star Wars reference in.

“I don’t ever want to go back into the Backrooms but if you end up there again, I will ask Father Patrick to send me in.” John said. Jane nodded. She knew that if she did become one of those hounds, John would have to do what he must do--give her mercy. John slept on the couch and Jane slept in her room. Oddly enough they slept well that night and so did MK. No dark dreams haunted their minds that night, but Father Patrick was another matter. 

His dreams are plagued by a desire, a forbidden desire that haunts him, a secret that burrows deep within and hides from the light. “The Light,” he softly mumbled. “She comes into my dreams.” He tossed and turned in bed, restless and unable to find comfort. Finally, he sat up, took a deep breath, and let it out slowly. He got up from his bed and walked to the bathroom.  “I don’t know how strong I will be God.” He took a Dixie cup from the dispenser and poured water into it. His eyes glanced at the mirror and a woman with raven colored hair and deep greyish blue eyes materialized in the mirror. He gasped and dropped the cup. She smiled and blew him a kiss before she disappeared. He closed his eyes and sighed then went back to bed. 

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The Phoenix Files

A Path Less Taken: Chapter 3-At Yosemite

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