Beneath the Surface [Yandere Creature x Reader]

Chapter 5 - Communication Attempt

The first light of dawn barely penetrated the dense jungle canopy as our team gathered at the edge of the southern quadrant. We were on the brink of an extraordinary discovery, but I couldn't shake the unease that had settled in my gut after last night's encounter.

Dr. Sullivan was practically bouncing with excitement. "Y/N, you lead the way," he said, handing me a walkie-talkie. "Keep us updated as you go."

I nodded, trying to mask my apprehension with a determined expression. The memory of the cavern's ethereal beauty was still vivid in my mind, but so was the unsettling voice that had welcomed me.

What did it mean?

Why did it feel so personal?

As I retraced my steps from the previous night, the team followed close behind. The thick curtain of vines parted under my hands, revealing the entrance to the narrow tunnel once more. I hesitated, the memory of the voice sending a chill down my spine.

"Here we go," I whispered to myself, my voice barely audible over the jungle sounds.

I switched on my flashlight, its beam slicing through the darkness, and began to crawl through the tight opening. The rocks pressed against me, scraping my sides as I wriggled forward. It was a claustrophobic squeeze, but the promise of discovery propelled me onward.

You've got this, Y/N.

Just breathe and keep moving.

"Y/N, how's it looking in there?" Dr. Sullivan's voice crackled over the walkie-talkie, tinged with anticipation.

"I'm almost through," I responded, my voice echoing in the confined space. "It's tight, but I can manage."

Almost there.

Just a little more.

Finally, the tunnel widened, and I emerged into the cavern. The bioluminescent glow greeted me like an old friend, the surreal landscape stretching out before me. The strange trees and shimmering river cast an otherworldly light, and I couldn't help but feel a mix of awe and trepidation.

"I'm in," I said, pulling the walkie-talkie from my belt. "It's... incredible. Just like last night. You all need to see this."

It's like stepping into another world.

But why do I feel so uneasy?

There was a brief silence on the other end, filled only by the static of the walkie-talkie. Then Dr. Sullivan's voice crackled through. "Describe it to us, Y/N. What are you seeing?"

I started to walk, my flashlight's beam sweeping across the cavern. "There are these trees with glowing leaves, and a river of... I don't know, liquid light? It's like nothing I've ever seen before."

I wish they could see this.

It's surreal, almost dreamlike.

As I spoke, the walkie-talkie crackled, and the signal started to break up. "Y/N, repeat that. You're breaking..."

I adjusted the device, moving to a different spot in the cavern, but the static only grew louder. "Can you hear me? There's some interference down here."

Come on, work!

Why now, of all times?

"Try... clearer," came Dr. Sullivan's distorted reply, his words barely intelligible.

Suddenly, through the static, another voice broke through—soft, almost musical, but undeniably off. "Welcome... Y/N."

I froze, the flashlight trembling in my hand. The voice was the same as last night, but now it felt closer, more intimate. My heart pounded as I scanned the cavern, but there was no one there.

Who are you?

What do you want?

"Who are you?" I whispered into the darkness, my voice barely audible over the static.

This can't be real.

I must be imagining things.

The walkie-talkie crackled again, but the reply wasn't from Dr. Sullivan. It was the strange voice, repeating itself. "Welcome... Y/N. You've... found me."

Fear surged through me. I took a step back, my mind racing.

Who—or what—was talking to me?

And why did it feel so... wrong?

The unsettling sensation of being watched grew stronger, and I felt a cold sweat break out on my forehead.

"Y/N, what's happening?" Dr. Sullivan's voice cut through the static, but it was faint, almost drowned out by the eerie echoes.

"I... I'm not sure," I stammered. "There's a voice. It sounds like it's coming from everywhere and nowhere."

I need to get out.

Now.

"Get out of there," he ordered, the urgency clear even through the broken signal. "Come back to the surface."

I didn't need to be told twice. The unsettling sensation of being watched, coupled with the distorted voice, was too much. I turned and hurried back toward the tunnel, the bioluminescent plants casting ghostly shadows on the cavern walls.

Just get to the tunnel.

Keep moving.

Don't look back.

As I squeezed back through the narrow opening, the rocks scraping against me again, I felt a wave of relief. The walkie-talkie continued to emit bursts of static, the strange voice mingling with Dr. Sullivan's increasingly frantic calls.

"Y/N, come in! Are you okay?"

"I'm on my way back," I replied, my voice shaking. "I'm getting out."

Almost there.

Just a few more steps.

Emerging into the pit where the team was waiting, I took a deep breath, the fresh air a welcome reprieve from the oppressive atmosphere of the cavern. I quickly scrambled up the side of the hole, hands shaking as I pulled myself over the edge.

Safe.

I'm safe.

The team gathered around me, their faces etched with concern. "What happened down there?" Mark asked, his eyes wide.

"There's... something down there," I said, struggling to find the right words. "I heard a voice. It was welcoming me, but it felt... wrong. We need to be careful."

How do I explain this without sounding crazy?

Dr. Sullivan's expression shifted from excitement to a more cautious curiosity. "A voice?" he repeated, his tone thoughtful. "We need to analyze this. But first, let's regroup and make sure everyone's safe."

He's taking it seriously.

That's good.

As we headed back to camp, I couldn't shake the lingering feeling of unease. The voice had spoken to me directly, as if it knew me. And it was clear that whatever secrets the southern quadrant held, they were more complex—and potentially more dangerous—than we had ever imagined.

What have we stumbled upon?

And why does it feel like it knows me?