The Stranger Things: Paranormal, Supernatural & Unusual Phenomenon--Excerpt

 

(This is an excerpt from the book: The Stranger Things: Paranormal, Supernatural & Unusual Phenomenon-Chapter 6 Black Stick Men)

So, what exactly is a Black Stick Man? They are strange creatures, a type of bizarre humanoid that humans don’t come across very often. They’re usually depicted as resembling your classic cartoon stick figure, which makes them some of the most unusual entities people have reported seeing. There’s not a ton of information out there about these odd beings, but plenty of folks have shared their strange encounters with Stick Men, adding to the mystery surrounding them.

These occurrences frequently happen when a witness is feeling extremely tired or under a lot of stress, but that's not the only scenario. You can also find these sightings happening in remote spots, like a lonely stretch of road or an empty highway, or even in other deserted places. This new creature, which isn't paranormal or linked to UFOs, is quite intriguing. I hadn't heard of Stick Men until I started researching for this book. These beings look like simple stick figures, completely lacking any human features. Picture the basic stick figures kids draw, with heads that have no facial details like hair, eyes, or mouths. While some who claim to have seen them say they feel male, they probably don't have a gender since they lack any sexual traits. It's pretty wild! I've encountered shadow people before but never Stick Men. 

I'm curious to see one since they don't seem to pose any threat—at least, I think so. People describe them as having a strange galloping movement, and some even claim they can hover just above the ground! These beings are two-dimensional, which means they look identical no matter what angle you see them from. Quite bizarre, right? I’m really curious to catch a glimpse of one myself. Reports of Black Stick Men have been popping up on message boards and various websites since 2008, and interestingly, they haven’t been featured on shows like Ghost Hunters or other paranormal series, unlike the broader category of shadow people. Lately, I've been hearing more and more stories about people running into these strange figures. Honestly, I can't shake the feeling that something significant is going on.

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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: Author's Notes

 

(At the end of the book, you will find a section titled Author's Notes, which delves into the story, the characters, and the inspiration behind this story. Below are the Author's Notes for Lost in the Backrooms.)

This book is part of an anthology/book series related to supernatural/ paranormal stories, the first book in this series is, Lost in the Backrooms Vol. 1. This is the main character’s first encounter with the non-Euclidean dimensional realm. When I began working on this book, I checked out videos and read various writings to gather more insights on the subject. Most of my research happened online, and since the Backrooms concept isn’t copyrighted and is open to interpretation, anyone can use it for videos, books, art, and other creative projects. 

Not all the books on the Phoenix Files will be related to the Backrooms, in fact the next time the Backrooms are mentioned it will be in Volume 4 and that's several years away from publishing. 

The main characters in this book only skimmed the surface of the Backrooms. They did not go through all the levels. I place them mostly in level 0. According to the lore of the Backrooms, it starts like this: If you’re not careful and no-clip out of reality in the wrong areas, you’ll end up in the Backrooms, where it’s nothing but the stink of old moist carpet, the madness of mono yellow, the endless background noise of fluorescent lights at maximum hum-buzz, and approximately six hundred million square miles of randomly segmented empty rooms to be trapped in. God save you if you hear something wandering around nearby because it sure as hell heard you. 

I found this very intriguing and somewhat scary, but it gave me inspiration for this book. According to some people, most wanderers don’t meet each other in the Backrooms, it’s rare but in my story, I chose to have the characters meet each other so they can fight together and find a way out.

About the main characters: Jane is 28 years old; Father Patrick is in his early 50’s and John, her mentor, is five years older than her. Jane’s sexual preference is loosely mentioned in this book. The relationship between Mary Kate and Jane will grow throughout the book series. I feel that being diverse in character is important to go with the flow of today’s society, despite what certain groups think. As a writer, I feel that it’s important to represent certain groups in society in my writing. Jane is also half Scottish/Irish and native American. Her parents were Hunters but died during one of their assignments. Jane was raised at one of the orphanages that the Church owns and trained to be a Hunter.

 What about the subtle connotation of religion in the story? I grew up Catholic, so I included some religious themes in the story. Jane and MK's faith, bravery, and trust in God really helped them as they looked for a way out. In the narrative, they belong to a church-related group that tackles paranormal and supernatural cases that the authorities shy away from because they can't solve them. Jane and MK were changed by their experiences in the Backrooms. It left a scar and for months they’ve experienced restless nights as any person would if the Backrooms were real and he or she ended up there and came back. They would have PTSD and would suffer some inner turmoil. Unlike Jane’s nightmares, MK’s dreams take her into the BACKROOMS. She is in astral form when she enters, and she can go further into the Backrooms, visiting other levels. There she finds people who have set up small colonies and are living a life there unbeknownst to the outside world.

On occasion, Reyna experiences similar dreams but cannot astral project. Reyna and others who have been thrown into the Backrooms by accident, they were unprepared unlike Jane and MK. Jane and MK are Hunters and have dealt with entities and cryptids in the past, so they were prepared but the Backrooms was something else entirely different. MK found new powers hidden within herself but once they crossed over, she was back to normal, or she thought. Jane and MK ventured through three or four levels before ending up back at level 0. They may have been prepared with weapons and other necessities, but they had no knowledge of what they would find and what to expect while looking for Talia. John arrives at the Backrooms searching for all three of them. I felt that the characters stood a better chance of escaping the Backrooms together. Together they fought monsters and together they found a way out. John and Talia were the first to exit the Backrooms and after some tribulation, Jane and MK found their way out too. The exit may appear anywhere. Portals can appear anywhere at any time. However, in the Backrooms lore, it’s probably not that way. Mary Kate’s connection to the Backrooms will not be addressed until volume 4, when she ends up entering the Backrooms once again. The gentle voice she hears in her dreams is an unknown person who lives in one of the Human based communities in one of the levels of the Backrooms. The next book in the series is called, Path Less Taken vol. 2.

NOTE: For those who need to know, 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!

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Excerpt from: Lost in the Backrooms Chapter 5

 

(Excerpt from Chapter 5: Talia)

“Talia we are with the Church, we’re here to bring you home,” said MK. They could hear the girl breathing heavily, she was scared and hungry. Talia feels defeated and afraid. MK extended her hand into the darkness of the small space; Talia slowly reached out her hand to meet MK’s. MK brought her out. The girl’s dark brown hair is disheveled, her slender frame was crouched tightly within the space. Her clothes are dirty and torn, and her face shows some light bruising; her big brown eyes show fear and distrust.

When she stepped out, in her hand was almond water. “Where did you get that?” asked MK.

“I found it,” she whispered. MK looked at Jane, perplexed. “Come, let’s go, we can’t remain in one place for too long. When we find a good place to rest, you’re going to tell me how you survived and how you accidentally slipped into this place,” said Jane. Talia nodded. They continued onward until they came across what looked like a library, an empty library. “Look at this place Jane,” MK said. Jane looked around, the shelves were empty, no books, only a computer table and some chairs situated at the center. Jane, MK, and Talia quickly walked in and found a secluded corner and sat down. Jane took off her backpack and MK did the same. “I have an uneasy feeling about this place, even though it’s just a library, there’s something about it that gives off a hollowness of darkness and despair,” said Jane, looking around nervously. “Here,” Jane handed Talia an energy bar. “This should help with your hunger.”

“Talia, how did you get that almond water?” Jane asked. Talia gulped, “I found it in a crate. The wooden crate was open, and one bottle was in there.” “You must’ve come across the wooden crate we opened earlier but how? You could’ve been behind us somehow, but we did not see you,” Jane said and pondered. The structure of the Backrooms changes once every hour, so Talia was randomly thrown into different areas of the Backrooms. 

“Did you come across anything unusual while you journeyed through the Backrooms?” asked MK, she could sense Talia’s angst and the trauma she has experienced. MK looked into her brown eyes. She can see Talia’s memories and her experiences in the Backrooms. “Don’t worry we really are from the other side. We were sent here to bring you back. Father Patrick sent us,” MK reassured her. Talia gulped then spoke, “A werewolf or something like it, tried to grab me, but I ran away, and a Hunter shot at it with a gun. I should have stopped but I just kept running. He called out to me; I hesitated but I didn’t trust anything or anyone in here, so I kept on running,” she paused, “Some of these creatures can mimic your voice or someone else’s voice to lure you toward them. I found a crate with one almond water; I drank the water and suddenly I got a boost of energy, and I ran and kept on running.”

“That other Hunter, did he say his name?” Jane asked.

“No, I wasn’t sure if I should trust him. When I ran, he came after me but the walls in here sometimes shift, I think we were cut off from each other. I found the crawl space and hid in it, I don’t know how long I’ve been in there, I don’t know how long I’ve been in this place either.” A tear ran down her cheek, she wiped it off. MK hugged her, “It’s okay, we’re here and we will help you get out.” Jane sighed and gave her a nod. “Don’t worry little one, we’ll get you out,” she said. “So, it’s true, the almond water in here has healing properties," said MK. Jane nodded, “It’s best to keep some around then.”

“Do you remember how you came into the Backrooms?” Jane asked.

“I was angry with my mother for grounding me, so I decided to slip out at night to go with my friends to a party. I climbed down the sturdy vine trellis on the side of the house where my window is, then I jumped down, it was then that I ended up here. It’s as though I fell through the ground. Am I in hell?” she asked. “No dear, but it does come close,” Jane responded, grimly. They remained quiet for a brief moment, before MK's expression shifted dramatically. "I feel something approaching," she exclaimed, her voice tinged with urgency as she rose to her feet. "What do you mean?" Jane also stood, clutching her crossbow tightly.

"It feels like a creature is near," MK replied, taking a moment to focus. She attempted to delve into its thoughts to pinpoint its hiding place, then MK’s eyes looked up.

“It’s in the ceiling,” she whispered. “Talia, go hide under that table and don’t come out until it’s clear,” said Jane. Talia nodded and scurried under the librarian’s desk. Jane looked at the ceiling and noticed that some of the panels were punched out. “The ceiling has some missing panels,” she pointed up. “I can feel it coming closer it will be appearing soon,” MK warned. A strange long dark insect leg stretched downward from one of the missing panels, it looked like spider legs. “There’s nowhere to hide for us, we’re just going to have to face it. Be prepared,” said Jane. MK took out the taser that was in her backpack, the new weapon that the scientist created. The creature managed to squeeze down from the hole, emerging in full view. Talia screamed. “Jane it’s a very large spider or,” she paused, “Well, something like it I guess,” she said, with a shaky voice. Jane gulped. She can see that the creature looks like a spider by all respects, but there are indiscernible features she can’t make out. When they kill it, she will examine it. It lifted itself using its back legs, exposing what looks like a vertical maw, wide open revealing jagged teeth.

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Excerpt from A Path Less Taken Vol. 2

Excerpt from Chapter 4

Path Less Taken Excerpt from Chapter 3

 

In that moment, Maria realized that MK possessed similar powers to her own, a revelation that brought a smile to her face as she considered the possibility that MK might be a witch too. MK's striking sky blue eyes met Maria's gaze, and with a warm smile and a subtle nod, she acknowledged their shared connection. Maria took it as an acknowledgement that MK is a witch. She feels comforted.

“The increasing number of missing people is a cause for concern. A woman who miraculously reappeared after a year and she shared a bizarre story of getting lost, stumbling into a cave," Sean paused and took a drink from his cup.  "and she emerged in either Utah or Arizona. She claimed to have spent time with a Native American tribe, leading her to believe she had possibly traveled through time,” he recounted the story as he casually took another sip of his beer. 

Jane expressed her apprehension by sighing and questioning, “Well, I hope we have the proper weapons to take with us. It seems that we’re in for one hell of a time.” Gabriel reassured the group that they were prepared, citing information from Father Patrick about a portal that supposedly transports individuals to a realm inhabited by the mysterious "Ant People." The mention of these beings piqued MK's curiosity, prompting her to ask further about them.

 “Ant People? What do you mean?”

“Yeah, the woman who came back said they look like giant praying mantises,” he said and added, “she said it's hard to explain and comprehend.” MK remembers the creatures that she and Jane dealt with in the Backrooms. She took a hard gulp from her beer and cleared her throat.

 “I hope we’re ready to tackle another assignment involving otherworldly creatures,” she mused. Maria sensed that Jane and MK must’ve been through a great ordeal that still haunts them. After finishing their meal, they made their way back to their rooms. "Jane, it's a shame we can't share a room," Sean joked. Jane, feeling unimpressed by his comment, was clearly irritated by his lack of awareness of her sexual orientation. She scoffed and shook her head, making it clear that she was not amused.

"I'm perfectly fine staying with the girls," she chuckled, trying to brush off the awkwardness. Once they reached their rooms, they parted ways, each going to their own separate rooms. "Sean seems to have a crush on you," MK teased, trying to lighten the mood.

"Sorry, but I'm not interested," Jane replied firmly, making her stance clear. Maria beamed as she stepped into the bathroom, preparing to freshen up before slipping into her pajamas for the night. Meanwhile, MK leaned closer to Jane, lowering her voice to a conspiratorial whisper.

“You do realize that Maria is a witch, right?” Jane's eyes widened in disbelief, her jaw dropping in shock. “Are you serious?” MK affirmed with a nod, prompting Jane to exhale sharply as she sank onto the bed, her eyes stared at the bathroom door. 

“Look, she’s not malevolent; she’s a white witch, which is precisely why Father Patrick brought her on board. I have a strong feeling she’s been on the organization’s payroll for quite some time now.” Jane let out a scoff, shaking her head in confusion. “How is that even possible?”

“Maybe he felt that we could use her insight. Please give her a chance, Jane. I have abilities and you don’t see me as a witch, right? Look at her as a person with abilities and not a witch. It will be easier to accept her presence,” MK urged.

 Jane nodded, “For you,” she put her arm around her friend and kissed her head. Maria walked out and noticed a tender exchange between them, she smiled.

 "The bathroom is available now," she announced as she made her way to her bed.

"I understand what you are," Jane remarked, her tone laced with suspicion.

 "Please don’t," MK interjected, directing a warning look at Jane.

 "I regret that you harbor such negative feelings towards witches, but not all of us are malevolent," Maria defended herself, her voice steady.

 "She’s aware," MK shot Jane a glance that clearly conveyed a message to keep quiet.

"Could you please explain how you know Father Patrick?" Jane pressed; her curiosity piqued. Maria nodded in response, a hint of surprise crossing her face as she sat on her bed. "I’m actually surprised he hasn’t mentioned me, especially since he wanted me to join this mission with the team."

 "No, he didn’t," Jane replied, her skepticism evident as she scrutinized Maria. With a resigned sigh, Maria continued, "Well, he discovered me and recognized my potential, offering me a chance to contribute positively. "My parents are devoted Catholics and have been since I was a child and they noticed that I had,” she paused. “Certain abilities. They thought that maybe I was possessed but it was the priest who gave me a chance and I was trained by the organization to serve and protect people who encounter magic. I sense magic and guide the Hunters. I am also psychic and that’s why I’m here."

 “Yes, I get it, MK has abilities too,” Jane said. 

Maria glanced at MK, “Are you a witch?” MK shook her head, “I really don’t know what I am, but Jane accepted me, and she’ll accept you too, right Jane.” MK raised an eyebrow and gave her a nod. Jane sighed and nodded. “I will try, that’s all I can say.”

“I know why you feel the way you do about witches and maybe after this assignment is over, I can help you find the person you’re looking for,” said Maria with a nod. Jane smiled and stood up, grabbed her clothes, and walked into the bathroom to shower.

“I believe Jane will accept your help. She just needs time to get to know you,” said MK.

“This case is more than what it seems,” Maria said as she pulled back the sheets on her bed. She is dressed in a white nightshirt adorned with golden printed stars, complemented by matching pajama pants.

“What do you mean?” asked MK.

“Well, there are forces that control space and time. It’s possible that these beings are in possession of something very ancient that can do just that.”

MK pondered, “Maybe this is what I’ve been sensing.” MK decided to skip the shower. Her slim figure was adorned with a cute red nightshirt, which was an oversized tee shirt she had picked up at a thrift store a while back, and a matching pair of sweat shorts. Just as MK settled in, Jane emerged from the bathroom, ready to unwind for the evening. “You’re not gonna use the bathroom?”

 “Well, maybe to pee,” MK chuckled. She got out of bed and walked to the bathroom. Maria was brushing her hair, and she took off her glasses, setting them down on the nightstand.

 “Goodnight Jane, pleasant dreams,” she said.

“You too,” Jane responded and took off her blouse, threw a grey tee-shirt over her head and unstrapped her bra from behind before pulling the shirt all the way down. Maria lay on her side, her gaze drifting to a scar on Jane's back. It wasn't overly noticeable, but it was of a decent size. Curiosity piqued, and she pondered how Jane had got it. Jane caught her looking, "I got this while hunting a velociraptor in Utah. It lunged at me, but thankfully, another hunter took it down before it could sink its teeth into my neck."

  "Really? I had no clue there were still dinosaurs out there," Maria replied, astonished.

Jane sighed, "The world really is an odd place," as she nestled into her bed. Maria pulled the blankets snugly around herself. With her eyes closed, she tried to surrender to sleep, pondering, "I never really thought about dinosaurs walking the Earth, but life is full of unexpected twists, and I've certainly seen my share of strange events." Once MK finished in the bathroom, the three women quickly drifted off into slumber.

 "Have you had a chance to read my letter?" the man mysterious claiming to be MK's father reached out to her through a shared dream. Glancing around, she suddenly realized she was in a different room altogether.

"Please leave me alone. I will read the letter in due time, but I do not wish to remain here."

"But this is where you belong. Return, Princess, come back home." Maria unexpectedly stumbled into MK's dream. As she surveyed her surroundings, she noticed MK engaged in conversation with an enigmatic figure.

The man had his back to her, and he was gazing intently out of a large window from a high rise. She looked around, “It seems to be an office,” she murmured. Intrigued, Maria moved closer to the mysterious man for a better view. Without warning, he spun around and challenged her, “Who are you?” Maria's heart raced as he gradually pivoted to confront her. He possessed three eyes and ghostly pale skin, and when he parted his lips, it revealed a gaping, threatening maw. 

The moment the third eye began to open, a wave of dread washed over her, urging her to quickly wake from the nightmare by murmuring an incantation. Gasping for breath, she sat up in bed, relieved to be free from the terrifying dream. MK was softly murmuring in her sleep. With a sigh, Maria rose quietly and approached her. She tenderly rested her hand on MK’s forehead and whispered a prayer. Gradually, MK’s heartbeat slowed, and tranquility washed over her mind. Maria then slipped back into her own bed, tucking the covers snugly around her and curling up in a fetal position.

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Chapter 6: The Overlords

 

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

 (Images in this blog are for the reader's entertainment)

 

 

Lost in the Backrooms Excerpt Chapter 2

 

Lost in the Backrooms: The Phoenix Files Vol. 1

Excerpt from Chapter 2: Reyna

(This passage comes from my latest book. A few years back, I shared a short story on this blog, and I've incorporated some elements from it into my book for this chapter.)

A day before Jane and MK would drive to the site, Jane picked up MK and they headed to Murrieta, California. The drive was pleasant. Jane is listening to a mixed tape that belonged to her mother. The song Kyrie Eleison by Mr. Mister is playing in the background.

  “Jane, I can’t believe you actually have a tape cassette player in this car,” MK said, enjoying the music. “Yeah, this car belonged to my parents, and they left it to me. They installed a tape cassette player, CD player and a mini-Disc player. I guess at the time mini discs were popular. My parents were old school and took care of all their nick-nacks; the 1996 red convertible mustang is no exception. It’s still in good condition,” said Jane, proudly. They arrived at the condo complex and looked up the address number.

“It’s the same community she lived in back in 2018, but it looks to be a different address. The Church relocated them to another condo,” said Jane, as they both got out of the car and walked down the sidewalk to the condo. Jane rang the doorbell camera. A young woman with long blonde hair tied in ponytails opened the door. Hi, I'm Jane Phoenix, and this is my assistant, Mary Kate Altra. We're here to see Reyna Salano. Does she still reside here?" The woman smiled warmly. "She just finished her shower; please come in," she invited them inside. “Rey, there are two ladies here to see you. It might be from that college you applied for,” the young woman shouted. 

“Okay, I’ll be there soon,” Reyna shouted back as she dried her hair with a towel, put on her clothes and went downstairs. When she walked out to the living room, she eyed them curiously. Reyna cut her hair and now rocks a stylish bob with side-swept bangs. She doesn’t look like she did back in 2018.

 "I'm Jane Phoenix, and this is my assistant, Mary Kate. We were sent by Father Patrick," Jane introduced herself. Reyna's eyes widened in surprise, and she gasped softly.

 "Father Patrick? I understand now," Reyna replied, her expression turning serious.

  "Could we have a moment alone?" Jane requested. Reyna's roommate eyed them with suspicion.

 "Should I step out?" she asked.

  "It's fine," Reyna assured her.

“Are you sure?”

  “Yes, it’s okay,” Reyna reassured her roommate. Mary pressed her lips together and sighed, “Okay then, I will step out to get us something to eat,” she said, with a worried look on her face. She wasn’t sure if she should leave her alone with strangers. Mary grabbed her purse and left. She is worried that if Reyna re-lives the ordeal, that she may have a relapse. Reyna is seeing a therapist, one that the church assigned to her. The Church has a special therapist on hand who counsels victims of paranormal/supernatural experiences. Sometimes, if a paranormal incident happens in the victim’s place of residence, they are relocated, free of charge, and the house or apartment will be privately owned by the Church. It will be looked after until an exorcism is performed, if needed, but in this case, they just keep the condo locked. They can’t guarantee that the portal won’t open if another person was to move in. An exorcism is not an option, in the case of Reyna’s story, the condo must remain locked until further notice. “Reyna, I am sorry, but I must talk to you about the,” Jane paused and took a breath, “About the experience you had 5 years ago. Father Patrick sent us to get information about what you experienced and um,” Jane paused again, feeling uncomfortable bringing up something that clearly still haunts Reyna.

 “Yes, I know but my experience still haunts me, and I still have nightmares,” Reyna cut in, her hands trembling slightly.

  “Please, there is a 13-year-old girl who is lost in the Backrooms, we are Hunters, and we are going to rescue her, but we need more information from you, like what did you see while you were in there, and how you managed to escape,” MK said. Reyna gulped and sighed, “I trust Father Patrick and if you say he sent you then, I will talk to you but please don’t go to the Backrooms, it is a perilous place, and you may never return,” she said.

 “I understand, it’s okay, tell us,” Jane reassured her. She took out a mini recorder. Reyna took a deep breath and started. “I was 18 and attending a local community college while working part-time as a Target associate. One day, my roommates and I went out for our usual Friday hang out. We arrived at Wild Wing Hot Chicken at 8pm to hang out and chat about anything and everything related to social media and boys. After we had been there for an hour, Teresa's boyfriend walked into the restaurant. Teresa waved him over. Her eyes lit up and her smile widened. "Hey babe, what are you guys talking about? I hope it’s not about me," he said and gave her a kiss. 

 "Really? You think every conversation is about you?" said Teresa, with a Latin accent. Teresa loved his cockiness and bravado, but I was never fond of his personality. I often wonder what attracted her to him. After a while, I looked at the time on my phone and I made an excuse to leave early.

 "Hey guys, I'm gonna head home. I have a class tomorrow morning, and I have work after." Teresa looked at the time on her phone.

  "It’s only 9:30, I thought you were gonna stay till midnight? This place doesn’t close until one in the morning. Stay," she insisted. I pressed my lips together and smiled, "Um, no. I need my sleep, sorry guys." 

 "Oh, okay, drive carefully," said Teresa. She turned her attention back to her boyfriend.

 "We'll see you at home," said Mary. I gathered my belongings. "See you guys later," I said. Teresa, Mary, and I are roommates and we’ve been renting the two-bedroom condo for about two years. Mary works at an Amazon facility, she is satisfied with where she works and chooses not to attend college, she says she really doesn’t have the time, and Teresa works at a dental office as a receptionist. At the time, I was the only one attending college and I was the youngest of the three. Teresa was 23, Mary 22 and I was 18. Our sleeping arrangements were as follows: Mary slept on the sleeper couch in the living room, while I took one room and Teresa took the other,” she paused. “Wait, where are my manners. Do you want some iced tea?” she asked. Jane and MK nodded.

 “Sure, that’ll be fine,” MK responded. Recalling the whole incident makes Reyna thirsty.

 “I’ll be back.” Reyna stood up and walked to the kitchen. She poured three glasses of iced tea, set them on a tray and carried the tray to the living room. She set the glasses down on the coffee table in front of them. “By the way, a year ago, Teresa moved out and now lives with her boyfriend, so Mary and I share the same room,” Reyna softly exhaled and took a sip from her iced tea.

 “You don’t like sleeping alone?” asked MK, she suspects that her dreams have tormented her every night since the incident.

  “Yeah, I have nightmares and sometimes they seem very real,” she responded and took another sip of her tea and set it down on the coaster.

 “Continue,” Jane said.

 Reyna nodded, “I drove home and got ready for bed. However, I lay in bed staring up at the ceiling; time went by. Teresa and Mary got home around two in the morning. “2am?" I said to myself and sighed. I rolled over and listened as they talked for a bit, then they quieted down and turned in for the night. A breeze was blowing outside, and I could hear a branch from a tree lightly tapping at my window. I soon drifted off to sleep. Around four in the morning, I awoke with a start. I had a weird vivid dream which jolted me out of sleep, leaving me with a feeling of uneasiness and trepidation. I rubbed my eyes as I lay in bed and stretched my arms over my head. I let out a heavy sigh and sat up.”

“What kind of dream?” MK interjected.

“My dream was a bit jumbled, but I remember being in a strange place that wherever I walked, I ended up back in the same spot where I started. I couldn’t escape. I suppose it was a premonition of sorts, perhaps I should have heeded its warning,” she said. MK and Jane shared a worried look. They knew it might have been the Backrooms she was dreaming about. 

“I could hear Teresa snoring in the next room. Mary doesn't snore, thank God. I decided to go downstairs to get a cup of water. The only light in the room was the dimly lit cabinet lights. I drank some water and placed the cup by the sink on the counter, then tiptoed upstairs. As I walked into my room, I suddenly tripped. A sudden dizziness came over me as well.

 “Damn it,” I said to myself. I was afraid that I would wake them up. As I stood up, I found myself not in my room! I caught my breath and looked around.

“What the Hell,” I said to myself, my mouth dropped. I took a few steps forward. I was faced with randomly generated rooms interconnected with one another. The wallpaper, ceiling and carpet were a dull dirty yellow color. There were fluorescent lights hanging over my head, like the ones found in many buildings from the 70’s or 80’s. I was flabbergasted, and I stood there paralyzed. My heart raced.

“Am I dreaming? Where am I?” I mused. There was a muggy smell in the air and the sound of the florescent lights buzzing overhead was annoying. I realized that this place looked like something from my dream. I was shocked, I didn’t know what to do and I was barefooted too since I just got out of bed and didn’t put on my slippers beforehand.

 The carpet felt moist and gross. I curiously walked forward, not knowing how I got there and afraid that I would bump into something or someone that would harm me. I did not have a weapon, not even my hand taser that I usually have in my purse and my feet were bare. I cautiously walked around the maze of endless rooms, and hallways, while all the while the noise of the fluorescent lights sounded above me like a hoard of bees buzzing around. The place appeared desolate; no other person was around. 

After a while of wandering, which felt like eternity, panic set in and I realized that I would never find a way out. I had the sunken feeling that I wasn’t going to leave at all. I was becoming hungry, thirsty, and weary. I sat down with my back against one of the walls, pondering, reevaluating what happened. I facepalmed, took a deep breath and stood up. I began to run, well more of a jog, then stopped when I heard a sound coming from afar. I caught my breath and listened. There are many strange rooms and hallways but it seems as though I am the only one in here but what was that sound? I thought to myself. I dare not call out for help. I don’t know what was coming toward me, but I turned on my heels and ran back the way I came; however the walls seemed to have changed, I was confused and frustrated. The florescent lights buzzed above, confusing me. One of the walls looked a little different from the others, a little darker in color, but I didn't pay attention to it at the time. 

“Am I dreaming? I must be because this can’t be happening,” I mused, and I heard the sound again, something strange, scrapping along the walls, but the sound was still too far away to be of any concern. The florescent lights above sounded louder and flickered, sometimes the sound was deafening. I decided to continue my journey through the yellow crazy maze and perhaps I will find my way out eventually. My heart pounded in my chest, and I felt like a mouse trapped, trying to find the exit. A part of me wanted to believe that this was a dream, a nightmare but instinct told me that it wasn’t. As I turned a corner, I came across a Nike tee shirt and Nike Air Max shoes. I picked it up and inspected the shoe, I saw some dried blood on it. I gasped and dropped it. I took a step back and looked around, wide eyed. I was worried that whatever killed the person who owned those shoes might still be around. I was dizzy with fear, my heart pounded, and I took a deep breath; continued through the ominous yellow labyrinth.

“There’s a killer in this place, something killing people. I must be careful, or I will end up like that person.” I stopped and listened. My ears strained as I could hear a low growl, but it was still far from me, not a cause for alarm. However, I remained vigilant. I breathed a sigh of relief. The musky smell lingered in the air; the moist carpet squish at every step my bare feet took. Lucky that in some areas, the carpet was somewhat dry. 

“I will find a way out,” I kept telling myself. I have faith. I would find a way out but as I continued to journey through the maze, I turned a corner and stopped. “What is this?” I said to myself. I found a mini camcorder next to the case. I picked it up and looked at it. It was an older model of a Panasonic mini camcorder.

“I wonder where this came from?” I walked to a secluded corner where I felt safe. It had a tape inside, and I played it. I quickly turned down the volume. I held my breath, and looked around, my heart pounding. I waited a few minutes then exhaled. Whatever was out there, did not hear me so I took out the earplugs from the case, placed one into my ear and plugged it into the camera.

The video consisted of these teens who were maybe two years younger than me. The date is April 26^th, 2009, they were ghost hunting at an abandoned old house. As I looked through the video, the footage glitched and became blurry at times.”

Reyna took a sip from her cup. MK is very intrigued by Reyna’s story, for a second, she could see into her mind, her memories, as though she was there. Reyna continues: “The young men, joked around about meeting a ghoul or ghost or coming across something otherworldly.

 “Hey, we might slip into another dimension or something,” one of them joked.

“Very funny,” said the African/American boy who was holding the camera. He turned the camera around and introduced himself and his friends.

“I am Jet this is Mike and Victor, we are the Truth Seekers, we go to abandoned places and search for the paranormal,” he said. “They must have a YouTube channel,” I mused. “Yeah, so we upload a new video every Friday on our YouTube Channel, please give us

a thumbs up on this video and subscribe to our channel,” said Mike. They proceeded to go inside the house and look around. Nothing special, just old furniture and a lot of dust everywhere. The curtains of the house were half hung by the rods, the rooms looked as if whoever lived there before, left abruptly many years ago. Jet had the camcorder and the other two had some ghost hunting gadgets. When Jet entered one of the rooms it was then that the camera glitched and he found himself in the Backrooms.  “What the Hell is this!” he exclaimed as he slowly stood up. At that point the camera must have been facing down because I couldn’t see anything but the carpet. He lifted the camera to check if it was still recording.

“Good, it is recording,” he said, breathing a sigh of relief. He moved ahead at a slow pace, similar to how I did when I first got here. He just kept walking, but eventually, he broke into a run down the hallways, glancing around and breathing hard with each step. I can tell he was afraid and frustrated because I heard it in his breathing, but he kept filming and pushing onward.

 “Wow, I can’t believe this place, it’s endless,” he said to himself. He called out to his friends but there was no response. He began to panic. He stopped for a moment as though he had heard something. He slowly turned around. He heard scratching on the walls but couldn’t see anything. He started to run. On occasion he would turn the camera back to catch something but there was nothing. Then he stopped cold on his feet and was in a room with many columns. He saw something that frightened him.  He points the camera in that direction. The camera caught a grotesque looking creature, something out of Hell. It had the head of a Human but acted like a hound. It crawled on all fours much like one of them. I honestly thought it was a werewolf. The back legs were twisted like the hind legs of a dog, and the claws were sharp. It was as though someone cut the head off a person and sewed it onto the body.

 The most horrific part of the creature was its face. You couldn’t see it under the matted hair, but its eyes glowed as it glared at him. When it opened its wide maw, it had several rows of teeth. I am sure you must’ve seen the video that Father Patrick gave you.”

 Jane nodded, “Yes, and you’re describing exactly what I saw in the video.”

 MK stared into Reyna’s eyes as she told them her story, she could see the Backrooms as vividly as if she was there. Images of the yellow labyrinth flashed in her mind. Reyna continued, “When I saw it on the video my mouth dropped; I was beside myself. “Is that real?” I asked myself. He continued running but I heard on the video the creature close behind. Jet couldn’t find a way out; it was then he dropped the camera and the case; he kept on running, as the camera caught footage of him running away. The creature lunged at him in a heartbeat and that was the end. 

After I watched it, I sprung up and put the camera securely into the case, hung the strap of the case diagonally around me and continued the trek through the Backrooms as quickly as possible. I came across a strange wooden crate, but I ignored it as I heard that familiar sound again, the same sound that was in the video and the same sound I heard earlier. I gulped and stopped. I held my breath, and I slowly turned around. The creature was a few yards away from me, so I ran, as if my life depended on it because it did. It was strong, fast and I could feel its breath on my heels. My heart raced and the only thing that ran through my mind was finding a way out. Then I remembered the strange wall, the weird looking wall. It was then when I heard something say, “Go through it.” Maybe it was my Guardian Angel, I don’t know.  “Yes, that’s where I have to go,” I thought to myself. I can hear my own heart pounding, but I can hear that thing pouncing its feet on the moldy carpet as each step brought it closer to me.I was never very religious but at that moment, I recited the Lord’s Prayer in my head. The creature was hungry, and it was not going to stop until it caught me.

 “God, help me find the way out,” I shouted. As I continued, the creature was gaining on me, then I turned a corner and saw it, the wall. I ran right at it, hoping to make it through or that I would knock myself out, so I wouldn’t feel a thing when the creature’s teeth sank into me. I was thinking that death will be swift. I went right through the wall, but the creature managed to rip a piece of the hem from my bottom pajamas. I screamed as I flowed through emptiness, a void, then suddenly I was thrust into a small room. I hit hard against the door. 

Images are for the reader's entertainment.

Lost in the Backrooms

The Phoenix Files

Chapter 3 Excerpt