Silence

Chapter 4

After a few minutes of constant directions, I found myself in front of a vine full of what looked like... blueberries? I've never seen any fruits growing here before, but here they were. My growling stomach made me stop questioning and reach for the fruits and eating them.

I can't recall ever being able to taste something so sweet. I continued to eat the berries until I was content, and made sure to leave some so I could come back later.

After eating the blueberries I found I had nothing else to do but further investigate my surroundings. I've never left this building and longed to since I realized I was trapped here.

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I was currently in an unfamiliar hall on the uninvestigated third floor of the building. The hall was darker than the ones before it. I looked in every passing room. They all seemed to be the familiar cells of the floor below. Only something felt... off.

The rooms had red markings on the wall from what seemed to be blood. This area seemed to have the most vines out of the whole place. This is odd since vines would have to grow from the ground and up.

"You shouldn't be here," the same soft voice said to me now sounding like a mother scolding her child.

Normally I would listen and head back down. Though, something was pulling me. Curiosity? That's what seemed to make the most sense to me.

"Turn back, this place is dangerous."

The voice urged me to turn around. I just shook my head and continued to venture. The sinking feeling from before only grew. Something was wrong with this place. Even the voice seemed to know this. But then, why can't I just turn around? Why did I want to continue to explore? There was this underlying peace, despite the red flags.

"He's here, you have to leave. Please."

He? Who's 'he'? I questioned in my mind before the question was soon answered. The same deep chuckling from before was now right behind me.

"Why are you here?"

A deep voice said behind me. I froze. I could hear the dripping coming from behind me. I knew exactly what, or maybe who, it was.

"Leave her alone, she has no interest in you," the female voice said.

Though now, I wasn't sure she was just in my head. I could hear her voice echoing throughout the room.

"You."

The Blackened said from behind me.

"No wonder you've survived for this long. She's been helping you."

I stayed silent, fighting any urge to scream. I tightened my grip on my ax and tried to control my shaky breaths.

"Turn around," he told me.

I debated the matter in my head briefly. Wondering he'd attack me right aft-

"Now!"

I slowly turned around and saw the creature's face only inches from mine. Despite not having eyes, I could feel him observing me. His half of a mouth was still dripping the tar-like substance. His uncomfortable focus made me shift my weight a little and try to shake off the fear and act confident. I raised my chin a little and puffed my chest out.

The Blackened saw this and chuckled.

"What a lovely little act you mustered up. Though, I can smell the fear radiating off of you."

His mouth didn't move when he spoke. I didn't show any form of reaction to this. I stayed still and gripped my ax prepared to attack at any form of hostility.