Level -842: ‘Elevator Plus Mirror (EPM)’

Survival Difficulty: Class Undetermined

》Mysterious Properties

》Unknown Information

》Undocumented Entities

Level -842 is the 842^nd negative level of the Backrooms.

Description

Level -842, like Level -933, is an unused remnant of ‘The Behavioral Suite’. Unlike Level -933, this ‘anomalous space’ does not have a ‘therapeutic’ purpose. Level -842 is a behavioral test like the ‘Open Field Test’ and the ‘Operant Box’ found in ‘The Behavioral Suite'. Before Level -842’s design and function can be discussed, below is a detailed description concerning the traditional Elevated plus Maze (EPM) to add context.

Traditional Elevated Plus Maze (EPM)

The Elevated Plus Maze (EPM) is used to assess the neurological, physiological, and behavioral aspects of anxiety. The apparatus consists of a cross-shaped maze elevated above the floor with two opposing positioned closed arms, two opposing positioned open arms, and a center area. (Images and diagrams included for references.) The subject is allowed to explore the maze at their leisure. The subject will be monitored on how many times they enter the open arm and/or the time spent in the open arms. It has been shown that subjects who prefer being in the open arms over the closed arms express low levels of neurological, physiological, and behavioral anxiety. A.k.a. They are not anxiety prone. The test subject are usually rodents.

Elevator Plus Mirror (EPM)

Level -842 consist of an apparatus called the 'Elevator Plus Mirror (EPM)'. The apparatus was created by Dr. Astride F. Nightingale of Level -115. The Elevator Plus Mirror (EPM) is a remodeled version of the Elevated Plus Maze (EPM). Like the traditional EPM, it is supposed to assess the neurological, physiological and behavioral aspects of anxiety. This apparatus is a glass elevator mirror cabin absent the typical sliding cabin doors. The elevator itself has been elevated to an undefined height. There is no way to make the elevator ascend or descend. The temperature inside the cabin is a comfortable 74°F (~23.3°C). Subjects must no-clip either the two 'Frosted White Glass Panels' in front or back, or one of the four side 'Mirror Glass Panels' to exit this space.

Function: Frosted White Glass Panels

Concerning the traditional Elevated Plus Maze (EPM), test subjects who show a preference for the closed arm are said to experience higher levels of fear and anxiety. The closed arm is also the safer option. The same concept applies to the 'Frosted White Glass Panels'. Entering the 'Frosted White Glass Panels' will result in the following:

There is a 85% chance you will be looped back into the elevator.

There is a 5% chance you will exit the EPM and get sent to a level with the survival class of 3.

There is a 5% chance you will exit the EPM and get sent to a level with the survival class of 2.

There is a 2.5% chance you will exit the EPM and get sent to a level with the survival class of 1.

There is a 2.5% chance you will exit the EPM and get sent to a level with the survival class of 0.

Function: Mirror Glass Panels

Concerning the traditional Elevated Plus Maze (EPM), test subjects who show a preference for the opened arm are said to experience lower levels of fear and anxiety. The lower arm is also the most treacherous option as the rodent in the test can fall off. The same concept applies to the 'Mirror Glass Panels'. Entering the 'Mirror Glass Panels' will result in the following:

There is a 60% chance you will find yourself traversing across a narrowing catwalk. The catwalk will narrow until it disappears resulting in you falling into The Void.

There is a 30% chance you will be sent to a level with the survival class of 4 and above.

There is a 10% chance you will be sent to a random level.

Unlike, the traditional 'Elevated Plus Maze (EPM)', the 'Elevator Plus Mirror (EPM)' in Level -842 was designed to assess anxiety in human subjects. Dr. Astride F. Nightingale argues that the only reason the Elevator Plus Mirror (EPM) was not include in the current 'Behavioral Suite' is because it has a 'safer' option and a clear escape.

None of these tests were designed to understand or celebrate the enduring spirit of humanity but only to create impossible and inhumane scenarios to break the human body, mind, and soul.

Colonies and Outposts

Due to the nature of Level -842, you cannot establish a colony or outpost here.

Entrances and Exits

Entrances

Not avoiding the early 20th century elevators within the boiler of Level 5 has a 10% chance of sending you here.
There is a door that occasionally appears in Level 79. This door will have a number on it. If you go through the door labeled -842, you will end up here.
Falling asleep at one of the desks in Level 279 has a 40% chance of transporting you here, but this has not been confirmed.
No-clipping the elevator floor of Level 445 has a 25% chance of transporting you here.

Exits (Again)

If you attempt to leave out of the 'Mirror Glass Panels' there is a
- There is a 60% chance you enter a space of narrowing catwalk and fall into The Void.
- There is a 30% chance you will be sent to a level with the survival class of 4 and above.
- There is a 10% chance you will be sent to a random level.

If you attempt to leave out of the 'Frosted White Glass Panels' there is a
- There is a 5% chance you will exit the EPM and get sent to a level with the survival class of 3.
- There is a 5% chance you will exit the EPM and get sent to a level with the survival class of 2.
- There is a 2.5% chance you will exit the EPM and get sent to a level with the survival class of 1.
- There is a 2.5% chance you will exit the EPM and get sent to a level with the survival class of 0.

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Author: MoonlightSerenity
Images:
Elevated Plus Maze Test | Behavioral and Functional Neuroscience Laboratory | Stanford Medicine by image author is licensed under CC BY 2.0 (replace with the image's Creative Commons policy, if applicable).