⚠️ Content Warnings ⤴
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Content Warnings
- Language
- Implied and alluded to sexual content
- Themes of toxic codependency and trauma
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"What do most people think of when they hear 'Level 11?' Is it peace? Rest? Home, even? Do they view it as a positive paradise, a safe haven away from the chaos of Backrooms life?
I find that 'most people' do. As a matter of fact, 'most people' can trick themselves into thinking they're back home with their family once they arrive here. The only thing stopping them from making it a reality is the one-way Wi-Fi. 'Most people' view the unending city as their salvation.
I'm not 'most people.'"
-Alexander Black -Spec
January 3rd, 202— I don't fucking know man, I've been here like two years at LEAST.
I found this shitty old thing while cleaning out my workshop— probably's as old as me. I was going to throw it out, but it did start growing on me. The leather covering is sick as fuck. I needed some sort of paper to log things down when technology eventually goes to shit. Things always go to shit. It's the Backrooms.
Anyway, today's adventure is a grocery run. Shouldn't be anything worth writing about, but we all fuckin' know what happens when anyone says that.
Spec closes his notebook, cracking his neck from side to side as he stands up from his seat. "It's time to get moving. Errands await!" As far as he was concerned, today was set up to be one of the most boring days he's had all week. Considering he was one of the types who lost their need for sustenance upon clipping into Level 0, he wondered why he even bothered.
He supposes it's just for a sense of normalcy at this point.
Spec slings his worn sack over his shoulder, slipping his notebook inside. Despite it only being a short trip into Level 6.1, he never left his basement without being ready for the worst case scenario. Like they always said in Boy Scouts— be prepared… right?
He makes his way through the crowded streets of 11. Families of humans and facelings alike dot the sidewalks, making their way towards unknown destinations. It almost feels like being back home.
"Home… what even is 'home' anymore?" Spec wonders, quickly shoving the thoughts down into his core. In the Backrooms, reminiscing about the past served no purpose other than to make you depressed. At least, that's how Spec felt about it anyway.
"Spec? Spec? Is that you? Hey man, how's it going?" a voice shouts, snapping him back to the land of the living.
The voice in question belonged to none other than Frederick "Rust Punk" Kaiser— the de facto ruler of Level 817. Spec had just met him for the first time last week, after Tom had insisted Spec join him as his "second" for his monthly "Guilty Gear" duel with the unhinged tinkerer.
"Kaiser? Shit man, what're you doing in 11 of all places?" Spec replies with a smile, giving the chaotic engineer a fist bump.
"Oh nothing much, just picking up some grub." Kaiser replies, holding up a greasy takeout bag from "DcMonalds."
"You can't be serious. YOU CAME ALL THE WAY HERE FOR THAT?? That shit's disgusting! You literally had to walk through Level 6.1 to get here, why didn't you just stop A N Y W H E R E else?!"
Kaiser smirks, holding up his hands in defense. "Hey, what can I say, I like what I like."
Spec rolls his eyes. "Tracy doesn't know you're here, does he?"
Kaiser gets a bit red in the face from the unexpected jab. "Uh…"
"Well then go on and get, before I make him start harassing you about your health!" Spec says with a smirk, causing Kaiser to groan in annoyance.
"YOU AND FUCKING TOM, MAN. Jesus H. Christ, ALL YOU TWO DO IS HARP ON PEOPLE TO HYDRATE and EAT 'REAL' FOOD… I fucking hate bisexuals."
Spec just rolls his eyes.
"Come on. Throw that out, and let's go get something actually substantial. Hell, I'll send Tom a text— we can meet up for lunch or something. Blanche has been trying all week to stop him from moping around the library after you kicked his ass the other day."
Kaiser laughs as he disposes of his would-be lunch in a nearby trash can, shrugging as he walks back over.
"Hey, works for me."
Just as the two are about to set off, a voice behind them speaks up.
"Uh… excuse me?"
The two turn around to see if it's someone they know, but it's just a random twenty-something kid. No shortage of those around 11.
"Can we help you?" Spec replies.
"It's kind of embarrassing, but I've been wandering around the block for the past half hour trying to find an entrance to 6.1. I thought I heard someone over here mention the number… do you think you could point me in the right direction? I hate to be a bother…"
Spec and Kaiser exchange a look, before Spec laughs and turns on his heel.
"Well, you're in luck. We're headed there now— feel free to tag along. Don't worry, it's no problem."
The newcomer pushes back his hair, dragging his hand down the side of his face as he groans in frustration.
"THANK YOU. Oh my god I've been losing my mind here— every flippin' street is the same, and navigation is a nightmare."
"Don't get out much, hm?" Kaiser interjects.
"Yeah. I needed to get out of the house— staying in 11 is torture. We've got worlds of places to be, but we're stuck inside the concrete jungle because of 'safety.' At least we've got the infinite food courts for scenery, right?" He responds, sarcasm dripping from every word.
"Jesus fucking Christ, tell me about it." Spec chimes in. "Most people think this place is a godsend, I'm not so sure myself."
"God— trust me, it doesn't get better from here. I'm Alexis by the way, nice to meet you both."
Spec and Kaiser introduce themselves, continuing to make casual conversation as the trio makes their way towards the nearest restaurant.
It doesn't take them much longer to arrive. Kaiser has run up ahead, shouting back something about "needing to use the bathroom." He disappears into the entrance, and Spec runs over to catch the door before it shuts. Alexis pauses before entering, turning back to Spec one last time.
"Thanks again for the help, man. You guys are absolute lifesavers."
Spec waves his free hand dismissively in response.
"Don't worry about it, it's just directi—"
Spec's voice cuts off as an intense vibration from the door handle surges up his arm. His heart starts racing. His head starts pounding. It feels like his very existence was coming apart at the seams—- something he was all too familiar with.
Spec looks down at his feet to see the ground slightly shaking, just enough for him to feel the movement chill his whole body. He frantically looks around, confirming that he and Alexis were alone. There was no denying it: something was wrong.
"Hey man… you good? You look a little pale…" Alexis comments, tilting his head to the side.
Red energy flickers across Spec's entire body, arcing into the ground. His hair starts flowing in an invisible wind, and his contacts flick to a glowing red as he confirms his fears.
"R… run…"
