ENTITY NO. 29
THREAT LEVEL
4
Habitat:
Predominantly spotted in shopping areas.
Aggression: 4/5
Hostile to humans only
Intellect: 4/5
Human-level intellect
Danger: 4/5
Life-threatening
Description[]
Mannequins, otherwise known as Statues, are rare entities within the Backrooms. Their appearance resembles that of a normal plastic mannequin, with the exception of sharp, long needles instead of normal arms that are visibly shown during their attacks. Their protection ranges between heavy clothing, body armor, or nothing at all. Mannequins have been shown to possess immense strength and intelligence, which makes it difficult to evade their attacks. Any encounter with Mannequins ought to be avoided at all costs, as their hunting tactics are lethal. Should they come close enough, they will impale their victim from behind, causing one to bleed out to death.
Removing the limbs of Mannequins reveals internal organs, suggesting they are alive. It is widely theorized that Mannequins come to life by some form of ritual, through lighting up 5 candles and pouring Almond Water onto them. Though, this leaves a lot to be desired, as there is no official confirmation on whether it is true or not. Interestingly enough, Mannequins deteriorate over time, which results in unexplained actions and heavy cognitive decline. After their bodies decompose, a strong and unpleasant smell can be felt in the air. This is highly poisonous upon inhalation, so gas masks are essential.
When exposed to damage, a Mannequin’s body will leak an unknown white liquid that appears to be warm and viscous. Research into this has so far been fruitless, as it is unknown how the liquid is circulated and if the role it plays is really similar to humans. All that has been gathered is the fact that it has regenerative properties. Nevertheless, no cases of a Mannequin resurrecting after its death were ever reported. Currently, the M.E.G. is trying to create first aid meds through cracking down on their population. It will be classified as a valuable object in the database once they get the job done.
Behavior[]
There are currently two variations of Mannequins:
The Static Ones[]
The Static One is the first and most common variation of Mannequins.
As their name suggests, they’re mostly static and won’t attack anyone unless disturbed, opting to stalk whoever is passing by. They will stand still as long as one keeps an eye on them. Most of The Static Ones live in groups, which is worth pointing out as 1 Moving One may disguise itself to fool its prey. Upon being alerted, a Static Mannequin will try to kill its victims by stabbing them in the back. If succeeded, the body will be left behind as it returns to its original position.
The Moving Ones[]
Moving Mannequins are perceived as a result of being unable to control their hunger, which is why they will actively pursue and hunt down their victims as a desperate attempt to stay alive. They starve quickly due to intense metabolic demands. Moving Ones comprise mostly naked Mannequins with hunting poses. They prefer to stay in dark areas so as to avoid exposing their ravenous nature; they’re also taller than The Static Ones and produce clicking noises while moving.
While unobserved, they will accelerate towards a person. After getting caught, one will be stuck in a closet, dismembered, and eaten alive or dead, though it is unidentifiable how those with the lack of facial features would do this.
Survival Guide[]
It is best to avoid Mannequins at all costs by staying away from indoor shopping areas and any levels related to that in general. If the situation is critical, try to distinguish different variations of them to ensure you do not mistake one for another. Additionally, proceeding to maintain eye contact with Mannequins while slowly backing down is crucial for ensuring your safety, as they will not be able to maneuver unless someone stops staring at them.
Should one face The Moving Ones, it is highly recommended that they use weapons, specifically long-ranged firearms, to eliminate the threat. If they don't have those lying around, using anything available to either distract or injure these Mannequins should be a prioritized option. Most importantly, do not attempt to tamper with The Static Ones or think of getting close to a Mannequin, as it will use any opportunity to murder a wanderer.
Discovery[]
The presence of Mannequins was first reported in Level 5 by a wanderer named Kevin Riley.
Nervously stumbling around in that eerie hotel complex, Kevin couldn't help but breathe a sigh of exhaustion. After all, he wasn't really up for a nerve-wracking experience after all the time he had spent in that office. While still daydreaming about it, he got wind of a Mannequin standing near the end of the hallway.
Kevin: Why is that thing just... standing there? How odd?
Kevin: Eh. No matter. I still gotta figure my way out of here first.
(The Mannequin began to sprint towards Kevin as he looked away)
Kevin: God, how big is this place even? It feels like I've been walking for ages-
Kevin: Wait... WHY IS THAT THING BEHIND MY BACK NOW?!
(He stared at the Mannequin while slowly backing off)
Kevin: Don't you dare move an inch closer!
Kevin: Why is this asshole so persistent?
(Kevin pulled out a shotgun and aimed directly at its head)
Kevin: Hah! Take that, you moron!
Kevin: Ew... What is that? Looks like cream or something.
Kevin: Either way, seems like this thing led me to The Boiler Rooms.
Kevin: There should be an escape somewhere in here.
Kevin: Guess I'll just continue. Can't stand the stinky moisture any longer.
Addendum[]
"Dreadfulness"
Fear is a powerful thing. For years, it has been used to manipulate and silence anything standing within its path. I am no different. Back when I was still at school, all the bullies would threaten to do terrible things if we ever spoke up against them or fought back. The best we could do was just to expect the unexpected and prepare for the worst to happen. Tough shit, I know.
During the process of becoming an adult, it was even worse. Society always turns on you whenever things don't go their way or they don't get what they want. The world mainly consists of just traitors and backstabbers. Trying to blend in with that hostile environment was indeed one of the toughest things I ever did in my entire life. Not to say that there aren't any good souls on this planet, just that the proportion is very miniscule, to be frank.
These Mannequins actually reminded me of those horrid experiences. It feels like a combination of fear, uncertainty, and surprise at the same time, all crafted into one deadly weapon. The moment you let your guard down is when you wish you could have foreseen the future. Their extraordinary capabilities completely surpass that of a normal person, which makes sense, considering the Backrooms is an abstract dimension filled with various anomalies.
Whenever those damned creatures are close to me, their stance alone already feels menacing enough. I'm willing to bet no one can stare at lifeless-seeming creatures constantly without feeling their heart racing, not even the most courageous individuals. Heck, don't even get me started on what they could do. Just the slightest sensation of pain from those needles already means your days are numbered. Hard to believe? Go see for yourself then; after that, you would listen to me with no questions asked. I'm just being realistic here, not arrogant or fearmongering.
The deceitful nature of these things perfectly demonstrates how people are willing to step on one another if that means survival. I guess it is a part of human nature after all, so maybe that seems justifiable? I have long lost my faith in humanity, so I wouldn't really be able to figure it out. I care little for anything but my own survival, which matters the most. Though, as a last message to anyone who is reading this: Be careful out there, and I wish you luck throughout your journey in this hellhole.
Original Author: David Denicoli
Rewriter: IceCraft
Special thanks to: Cringe & Mr. Taggert for feedback.
Image Credits:
Image 1
Image 2
Image 3 (Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 - Emergence)