[BEGIN LOG]
>> Well, this is new. Definitely a step up from that pipe-ridden death trap. Brighter, cleaner, cooler… Huh, it looks like an old office complex.
[There is a considerable amount of time in which the only sounds heard are Dr. Stein’s footsteps on the office floor and the occasional sipping of Almond Water.]
Hey… What’s this?
[His footsteps continue shortly before coming to a stop.]
It’s… It’s a vending machine! What the hell…? Huh… It allegedly has different kinds of Almond Water, too. Wonder if it works. I think I’ve got some spare change on me…
[Dr. Stein is heard unzipping and digging into his sling pack. Soon after, the clinking of coins can be heard, as well as clattering and clicking emitting from the vending machine. Between each click, it rumbles and bumps as its contents are dispensed.]
This has to be the cheapest vending machine I’ve ever seen! Or maybe it just wants coins… I don’t know, and quite frankly, I don’t care. It’s got Almond Water!
[Dr. Stein uses the last of his coins on the machine, then is heard shoving the newfound supplies into his sling pack and zipping it back up.]
I might have to come back here later. Heheh…
[The footsteps resume for a short time before stopping again.]
Huh… A storage closet…? Maybe it’s got something useful.
[A few footsteps are heard before the sound is replaced by metallic and plastic objects sliding, bumping, and falling over.]
Nope. Nothing. Just junk… That’s alright, though. I’ve got a solid supply.
Maybe I can close the door. Get some sleep. I’ve been running for the past — what? — forty-eight hours or so on nothing but Almond Water, what little supplies I had when I arrived in Level 0, and the grand total of four hours of sleep I got during the stops and breaks Smith and I took. I don’t think I’ll last much longer…
Heh… Maybe now, I can just sleep comfortably. I won’t have to keep myself and my sling pack pressed up against a wall or anything, worrying about that treacherous bastard trying to steal anything from me in my sleep.
Yeah… That sounds nice.
[There is creaking noise, then the click of a door shutting. There is then audible shuffling and movement, followed by a long sigh of relief before there is complete silence.]
Alright… I’m not gonna end the Log just yet. I’ll put it on pause for now. Pick up where I left off once I wake up.
>> Okay, I’m back… Wasn’t the most comfortable sleep of all time, but damn, it felt good to sleep at all. Looks like I was out for about… Oh, man… Almost twelve hours? Wow… I’m probably lucky nothing tried to kill me during that whole time.
Anyways, I managed to charge my phone as well. This storage closet has some working outlets in it, so I took advantage of the opportunity. Now that I can access the Database again, I should probably spend some time doing a little research before moving on.
>> Huh… Based on what I’ve read, I’m somewhere in Level 4. Allegedly, it’s actually pretty safe here, aside from the occasional Hound or Duller. Definitely better off here than I was in the maintenance halls, which the Database calls Level 2.
I think I also found out what that thing was down there, following us. A Smiler… Heh, Smith’s new playmate.
Anyways, there’s allegedly other people on this Level and a plethora of supplies scattered around, so I’m gonna take a look.
[There is audible movement and the jiggle of a door handle, followed by a click and some creaking before a cycle of footsteps begin.]
Hey, it’s a water fountain over there. Database says it dispenses Almond Water… What better way to start the day?
>> I can hear voices up ahead… Don’t know if they’re friendly or not. They’re faint. It’s been a couple hours of exploring now. Had to come across someone sooner or later.
I’m gonna try and get a little closer.
[All that is heard are the voices in the distance, gradually getting closer and more audible. It takes some time before the words can be made out.]
Unidentified Woman #1: …eed you to prove it. Just like the rest of us.
Unidentified Man #1: Okay, okay! Give me the damned knife. I’ll do it. I swear, though, if the wound gets infected…
Unidentified Man #2: Oh, shut up! It won’t get any more infected than any of ours.
Unidentified Man #1: Whatever…
[There is a pause.]
Unidentified Woman #2: Well, go on… I can do it for you, if you like. I even promise not to cut anything vital. I’ve got some solid medical experience.
Unidentified Man #2: Heheh… Yet you don’t even have the most basic medical supplies on you.
Unidentified Woman #2: Okay, that’s not fair. It was your little stunt that caused us to lose what little I had left!
Unidentified Man #1: GAH! … UUGH! Dammit! Ow…
Unidentified Man #2: Oh, suck it up! You’re fine.
Unidentified Woman #2: Yep, he definitely is. His blood’s red. He’s human.
Unidentified Woman #1: Good. Looks like we’re all clear, then. Can we move on now?
Unidentified Man #2: Fine by me.
[Footsteps are heard drawing closer in proximity. The knife is also heard being unsheathed.]
Stein: Aw, hell. They’re coming…
[The footsteps draw even closer before brief sounds of a struggle are heard.]
Unidentified Man #2: Hey!
Unidentified Woman #1: Hold it!
Unidentified Man #1: Oh! Oh, my—! No! Please, don’t kill me!
Stein: Relax. Just a precaution. I don’t want to kill you, but I will if I have to.
Unidentified Man #1: You guys better not do anything to make him have to!
Unidentified Woman #2: Hey, hey, hey! No one needs to kill anyone! We’re all Wanderers here. Survivors. C’mon, let’s talk about this.
Stein: We will, but only if you put your weapons away.
Unidentified Man #2: You first.
Unidentified Woman #2: Just do as he says. Put down the gun. Nobody here wants any trouble, and we could use the ammunition later anyways.
Unidentified Man #2: … Fine.
[The gun can be heard being slid into a holster.]
Unidentified Woman #2: … And the knife.
Unidentified Woman #1: Ugh… Alright.
[There is a brief pause, then the snap of a button.]
Unidentified Woman #2: Alright, that’s everything.
Stein: Fair enough.
[There is a pause as Dr. Stein can be faintly heard sheathing his knife.]
Stein: Alright, you can relax now.
Unidentified Man #1: Oh… Oh, good…
Stein: Sorry about that, but I can’t be too careful.
Unidentified Woman #2: I understand. It’s hard to trust anybody around here.
Unidentified Man #2: Who are you? Where did you come from?
Stein: You can call me Dr. Stein.
Unidentified Woman #1: Stein? Seriously? You’re kidding, right?
Stein: That’s just what you can call me. It’s not like we’re on a first name basis or anything.
Unidentified Woman #2: Well, let’s hope we can change that.
Unidentified Man #2: Hold on, you didn’t answer my question. Where did you come from?
Stein: I’m somewhat of a… Freelance Researcher back… Well, on Earth.
Unidentified Man #1: Heheh. Not anymore, you’re not.
Unidentified Man #2: How did you get here?
Stein: Not entirely sure, though I think it had something to do with the Rift experiments I was involved in. I was leaving the lab one day, and next I knew, I was in Level 0. Been stuck here, wandering around for a few days, I think.
Unidentified Woman #2: Must’ve been rough.
Stein: Could’ve been better, but I’m alright.
Unidentified Man #1: You wouldn’t happen to have come across any other survivors on the way here, have you?
Stein: I did, but he’s dead now.
Unidentified Man #2: Really? And how, exactly, did that happen?
Stein: He tried stabbing me in the back.
Unidentified Woman #1: Huh… How did you deal with him?
Stein: Personally.
Unidentified Woman #1: Heh… Not exactly the kind of answer I was going for, but I still like it.
Unidentified Woman #2: Sounds like you know how to handle yourself. What would you think about traveling with us?
Stein: I don’t even know who you are.
Unidentified Woman #2: Alright, fair enough. I’ll start. You can call me Nicole. I’m somewhat of a Freelance Researcher myself. Don’t exactly have a group that I stuck with.
Unidentified Woman #1: Name’s Allison. I’m with the Republic of Level 153. I got separated from my supply team before I got mixed up with these guys.
Unidentified Man #1: I’m Trevor… I’m with the Backrooms Analytical Squadrant. I was returning from collecting samples when a Hound cornered me. These people saved me.
Unidentified Man #2: … Fine… Name’s Ben. I’m with the Major Explorer Group, M.E.G. for short.
Stein: Huh… You’re all from different factions, yet you travel together as though you’re a team.
Ben: I guess you could call us that, if you wanted to… But we all have had to test each other for being a Skin-Stealer multiple times while we’ve been together. Trust isn’t exactly a thing here.
Nicole: Truth is, we’re only traveling together because… Well, safety in numbers. We were in some dangerous Levels before coming here…
Ben: Desperate times call for desperate measures.
Allison: Yeah, we’re just sticking together until we can link up with our groups. Nothing official here.
Nicole: We don’t know how much further there is to go, but you’re welcome to join us. I can guarantee you won’t have to worry about backstabbing here. Well, at least not with me.
[There is a pause.]
Trevor: I… I guess we could always use another set of eyes and ears…
Allison: Who knows? Maybe you’ll find a group of your own to join.
Stein: … Hm… Alright. I’m in. I’ll be keeping an eye on you all, though.
Ben: Don’t worry. The feeling’s mutual.
Nicole: Heheh… Yeah. Well, Stein, you’re with us now. Consider us your official human “Welcome” to the Backrooms.
Allison: Hope you enjoy your stay.
Stein: Yeah… We’ll see about that.
[END LOG]