The backrooms Begin

Ch. 2 -The Suburbs-

                                              -=/\LOOP THIS AMBIENCE AND PLAY IT/\=-

We are transported to the eerie scene of an average suburban neighborhood, cloaked in the darkness of night. The once-familiar surroundings now emit an unsettling aura, with an eerie silence enveloping the air. No chirping crickets or rustling leaves—only the distant whisper of wind and the ominous swaying of trees.

Within this peculiar setting, a sight unfolds before us. Strange creatures roam the neighborhood, their presence otherworldly and unnerving. These creatures, resembling gigantic eyeballs with three elongated legs, they tower over the houses with an imposing stature. There are four of them, traversing the road with each step causing the asphalt to crack under their weight. The ground trembles with their massive stomps, resonating through the stillness of the night.

A squirrel scurries across the road, oblivious to the impending danger. But before it can reach safety, one of the creatures detects it with a keen eye. In an instant, a beam of energy shoots forth from the eye, striking the unfortunate squirrel. It convulses in agony, its form turning a deep shade of red before disintegrating into a small puddle of crimson. A grim fate befalls the hapless creature, a chilling testament to the powers possessed by these mysterious beings.

As we progress down the road, the reverberation of a soft hum reaches our ears. Remarkably, the eyes react swiftly, their tripod legs propelling them away with a frenzied urgency. Some seek refuge within the confines of houses, while others shatter windows in their haste. Drawing closer to the source of the humming, a familiar sight materializes before us—it is Jon, donned in his hazmat suit. How he managed to navigate from the pool complex to this neighborhood remains a mystery.

As Jon proceeds down the road, he notices the occurrence—the creatures that inhabit the neighborhood seem to keep their distance, refraining from attacking him. They appear wary, observing him from afar with a mixture of curiosity and fear. Some of the creatures cautiously peer in his direction, their eyes fixated on his every move.

One might wonder why Jon chose to bring Shadez, as he now calls the peculiar creature, on this journey. Unlike the other creatures, Shadez did not exhibit fear or hostility towards him. Quite the opposite, it had attacked him initially failing to hurt him and even found comfort in resting upon him—a surprising turn of events for Jon. He addresses the creature through his backpack, hoping it can hear his words. "You're not so bad, unlike these other creatures," he murmurs, acknowledging the creature.

Taking a moment to observe his surroundings, Jon realizes the neighborhood is eerily quiet. A silence that surpasses the absence of usual suburban sounds. Alex, his friend, would typically have greeted him by now. With a sense of anticipation, Jon approaches a specific house and begins walking along the pathway, the sound of gravel crunching beneath his hazmat suit. He continues conversing with the creature nestled in his backpack, seeking reassurance in the solitude. "Finally, a place other than these endless walls, water, and who knows what other substances. You okay back there, little thing?"

The backpack rattles slightly, accompanied by the creature's movements inside, perhaps indicating a desire to be let out. Jon knows they are almost safe, nearing their destination.

As Jon reaches for the doorknob, a chill runs down his spine, sending a shiver through his body. He twists the knob, causing the door to creak open slowly. The wind outside whispers, making the grass sway in synchronized waves. With a sense of trepidation, Jon steps inside, shutting the door behind him. The world outside falls into an eerie silence, amplifying the mystery that lingers within the house.

Walking down the dimly lit hallway, Jon's footsteps echo softly against the aged wooden floor. The air feels heavy, as if carrying weights. He navigates his way until he reaches a particular room, its door slightly ajar. Stepping inside, he closes the door, shutting himself off from the rest of the house.

Sinking into a worn-out chair, Jon takes a moment to collect himself. He unstraps the backpack from his back, carefully placing it on the chair beside him. Within the hidden compartment of the backpack, Shadez, the strange creature, is now wide awake, its curious eyes scanning the confined space, contemplating its escape. Meanwhile, Jon removes the helmet of his hazmat suit, hanging it up on a nearby wall. He lets out a deep breath, the weight of his journey settling upon him as he unzips his hazmat suit.

As the suit falls open, Jon's true form is revealed—a unique anthro being, specifically a goose anthro. In this world, there are three main races: anthro, human, and monster. Scars mark his body, telling tales of the hardships he has endured during his time trapped in this liminal space. One prominent scar stretches from the inside of his right wing all the way to his hand, a testament to past struggles. The left side of his body bears an array of scars, a lot of close calls and battles fought. A scar over his right eye adds an air of mystery, while a large cross-shaped scar across his chest signifies a profound ordeal he has faced. Even his other wing carries smaller scars, reminders of narrow escapes and perilous encounters. As Jon takes a moment to breathe.

He rummages through the items on the desk behind the chair and finds an eyepatch. Placing it over his right eye, he sees a new scratch that is bleeding profusely on his right arm. The wound had been seeping blood even when he wore his hazmat suit, causing discomfort and concern. Despite the bleeding, Jon reaches out to open a drawer on the desk, hoping to find something to tend to his injury. Inside the drawer, he discovers a stash of cloth and tape. "Better than nothing," he mutters, as he skillfully bandages his arm, tightly securing the cloth over the scratch. Although he knows the makeshift bandage will not last long, it provides temporary relief.

With his arm taken care of for the time being, Jon walks back to the chair, picking up the backpack and shouldering it once again. A thought crosses his mind as he gazes at another room within the house. Opening the door, he reveals a bathroom, and an unexpected sight greets him—a hot tub. Jon ponders if Shadez, the mysterious creature he carries with him, requires water to survive. After all, it had been dwelling in a water-filled world earlier. Intrigued by the idea, he places the backpack near the hot tub, positioning it in a way that allows the creature easy access to the almond-scented water. Satisfied with his decision, Jon yawns and exits the bathroom, ensuring that the door is securely closed behind him. Curiosity lingers as he mumbles under his breath, "What in the honk is that thing anyway?" He continues his walk back to his room.

Settling down near the desk, Jon's thoughts drift to Alex. He feels a wave of uncertainty and relief, unsure of Alex's fate or whereabouts. In an attempt to distract himself from these unsettling thoughts, he flicks on a nearby lamp, casting a warm glow across the room. He reaches for a pen from a cup on the desk, coughing intermittently as he does so. Then, with a sense of purpose, he grabs a sheet of paper and starts writing. The pen glides smoothly across the page as Jon loses himself in the act of writing, using it as a means to contemplate and find solace in this mysterious and liminal space of a neighborhood. The scene zooms out, leaving Jon in his solitary state, finding moments of calm amidst the unknown.