The Backrooms(Book 1)

Chapter 15

Emma was now alone with Mr. Bishop, her facade of confidence wavering after witnessing as her friends were mercilessly dragged away.

"Now," she began, her voice trembling slightly, "I did what you asked. I delivered them to you. You promised me answers about my father. Where is he?"

Mr. Bishop's piercing blue eyes locked onto hers, and for a moment, she saw a flicker of something — regret, perhaps? But it was gone in an instant, replaced by his usual cold demeanor.

"Of course, Emma," he said smoothly. "Your father, Peter Tench, was a dedicated scientist here at A-sync. His work was invaluable to our progress. But he... went missing under mysterious circumstances."

"Missing?" Emma's voice was barely a whisper. "What happened to him?"

Mr. Bishop's smile was thin and unconvincing. "Unfortunately, your father was recording data, filming as our men explored the Backrooms. But when they came back, they realized he had disappeared. We went back to search but found nothing. Your father was one of the first to experience the true nature of the Backrooms. He didn't survive."

Emma's heart sank.

“At least, that's what I thought,” Mr. Bishop continued, “during a very important meeting between the former CEO, Ivan Beck, and Director of the DOE, James Watkins, the sensors in the Backrooms triggered an alarm. It was your father.”

“What, so he's alive!?” She asked in shock. “Where is he? Let him go!”

“Well, I wish I could do that, but Mr. Beck declared to the press that he was dead. If he was found, he'd be a security risk and we would lose our agreement with the Department of Energy. So I told Mr. Beck to take the only rational decision we could.” He paused and checked his watch. “To kill him,” he said coldly.

Emma couldn't believe her ears. She roared in agony. Her father, the man she had admired and loved, was gone because of this place, because of this man. Rage and sorrow welled up inside her, and she felt the weight of her betrayal of Ron and Lewis. She tried to hit Mr. Bishop, but a guard appeared out of nowhere and restrained her. Mr. Bishop remained unphased, not caring in the slightest about her emotions.

"You lied to me," she said, her voice cracking. "You used me."

Mr. Bishop's expression turned steely. "You were a means to an end, Emma. Your cooperation ensured our work continued. It's unfortunate that you feel this way, but the greater good demands sacrifices."

Tears streamed down Emma's face as the reality of her situation hit her. She had betrayed her friends, only to be deceived herself. She hit the guard's groin, and his grasp loosened. She turned and ran from the room and from the facility, Mr. Bishop's cold eyes following her departure.

The guard picked himself up. "What about the girl?" he asked Mr. Bishop.

Mr. Bishop held up a hand. “That won't be necessary, Will. Let her go. She's a tough one. She won't give up. She'll come back, and when she does, she'll bring help from him,” he said, holding up Jeff's passcard.

She drove through the night in Jeff's van, tears blurring her vision, until she reached Jeff's house. She pounded on the door, and when Jeff opened it, his eyes widened in shock at her disheveled appearance.

"Emma? What happened?" he asked, pulling her inside.

Overwhelmed with guilt, "I... I betrayed them, Jeff," she sobbed, collapsing into his arms. "I thought I was helping them, but I was just being used. Ron and Lewis... they're in the Backrooms now, and my father... he's gone because of A-sync."

Jeff held her tightly, his own emotions a mix of confusion and anger. "We'll figure this out, Emma. We'll make it right."

Jeff brought her in, covered her shoulders with a warm towel, and handed her a cup of water.

“What do we do?” Emma asked.

But before they could go any further or formulate a plan, the front door burst open. A-sync men stormed in, their presence suffocating. Mr. Bishop entered last, his demeanor as calm and composed as ever.

"Good evening," he said, his voice dripping with malice. "I hoped it wouldn't come to this, but you left me no choice."

Emma and Jeff stood their ground, defiance in their eyes. "What do you want, Bishop?" Jeff demanded.

Mr. Bishop's smile was devoid of any warmth. "You know, I was actually going to wait it out until you got back,” he said, addressing Emma. “But there was a last-minute decision due to an upcoming meeting. So, I'm here to ensure that our secrets remain just that — secrets. You've seen too much, and unfortunately, I can't allow you to leave."

"You're insane," Emma spat. "This won't end well for you."

Mr. Bishop sighed. "Such a pity. But it's not up to you. Guards, take them."

Emma and Jeff fought back, but they were quickly overpowered. As they were dragged out of the house, Emma's heart pounded with fear and regret.

They were brought back to A-sync HQ, its interior humming with the same energy that Emma had felt in the room they threw Ron and Lewis in. Mr. Bishop stood before them, a look of triumph on his face.

"You're about to join your friends," he said, gesturing to the thick steel door behind them. "Consider this a one-way trip."

“Bishop!” Jeff yelled. “This is crazy! What are you planning, Bishop? Why are you doing this? Do you not see? Our reality can't take this. It isn't just about Willow Creek, or even the world, but this whole Universe!!!”

Bishop’s smile widened. “The Backrooms are more than just an anomaly, Mr. Jeff. They’re a gateway to control time itself. With them, we can bend reality to our will. Imagine the power, the influence... it’s limitless.”

“You’re insane,” Jeff spat. “You can’t control something like that. You’ll destroy everything.”

Bishop’s eyes gleamed with a dangerous light. “That’s a risk I’m willing to take.”

Before they could react, guards seized Emma and Jeff, dragging them towards the portal.

“No! Stop!” Emma struggled, but it was no use.

Bishop stepped forward, his expression triumphant. With a final, sinister laugh, he activated the portal and ordered his men to push them through. Emma and Jeff were engulfed in the light, and then darkness.

The oppressive silence of the Backrooms closed in around them. Emma and Jeff stood in the dim, flickering light, the endless corridors stretching out before them.

Jeff picked himself up, looking around in awe, his number one nightmare coming true. Emma clung to him, whimpering in fear.

Jeff nodded, accepting his fate. “Yup, we're gonna die.”

….