Chapter Text
Silence.
Nothing else but pure, uninterrupted silence. More deafening than usual.
It drove them mad.
Isaac rested against the wall, closing their eyes for a moment. Everything hurt. They were barely standing. Lots of scratches and wounds spread across their body, colouring it in unpleasant shades of crimson and violet.
It hurt. And they weren’t even halfway through the hotel yet. How did something like this happen?
A small exhale. The explorer took a second. Then they stood up and began to rummage through the drawer in front of them. A bandage or two would be incredible to find; even if they don’t… really do much.
…
There’s…
…nothing.
That’s fine! Maybe- maybe there’s something in the other drawers! Besides, bandages are pretty common around these parts! There’s nothing to be worried about.
Isaac opened the other drawer.
…
Nothing again.
They closed their eyes once more, taking a deep breath. It was just a few doors before the Library. And Isaac knew that, when injured like this, they were incredibly clumsy.
A shudder went down their spine.
They died an… embarrassing amount of times to Figure. All because they were deaf in one ear, so listening out for it was a nuisance.
…They.. also couldn’t control their heartbeat. They were simply far too anxious.
They despised it with every fibre of their being. If only they weren’t such a coward, maybe they would… oh, I don’t know, try to leave this place? Maybe instead of just starting to get comfortable and give into the pleasure of simple routines, they would be out of here already! Safe and sound! But nooooo, they just had to be like this!
…
No. Getting angry won’t do anything helpful.
It’s… it’s fine. It’s okay! All of this is okay!
They just needed to get through the Library. Easy!
Easy.
Pushing themselves away from the drawer, Isaac giggled nervously, their eye twitching just a bit. They were about to vomit.
Door 46.
Door 47.
Door 48.
Door 49.
…
…
…
Door 50.
Deep breaths, Isaac, it’s okay! You’ll be okay! Just breathe. Yeah. Just- just. Just breathe. So simple! So easy! Actually, I don’t even know why I’m still here! Let’s just go!
Opening the door, they immediately crouched down.
Loud roaring filled the room. Thunderous stomps. Isaac clenched their eyes shut. It’s okay. It’s fine. It’s okay. Breathe in. Breathe out. It’s okay. They began to move towards the desk with a blue glow on it. It’s okay. Everything’s okay. Just another library visit. It’s okay. With trembling hands they would take the note and begin to move back. Eventually, they would stop near the two sofas. Isaac squished themselves into the corner. It’s okay. In and out. In and out.
The whole library smelt of rotten flesh and decaying books that have sat still and not disturbed for God knows how long. There were chunks of… well, something, sprawled across the wooden floor. They weren’t certain what it was exactly. Not that they wanted to be certain, anyway. Isaac’s eyes darted around. They felt their heartbeat speed up gradually. Gosh, they really were a coward, weren’t they? They watched as the Figure stomped around, the ground beginning to shake when it came closer. This was the time to move towards the other side of the library. And off they went.
The first book was right in front of the tourist. They almost missed it until they did a double take, picking it up and opening it. A star and a 2. With trembling hands they would take out the note, staring at it and trying to find a star in the code.
Blurry.
It was all smudged together and not a single bit readable. Isaac was so anxious their vision was getting blurry. It was a miracle that they were still breathing properly. Their head slowly turned to the side, seeking for Figure. No sight.
Until the ground bean to shake once more.
The tourist choked a little, hiding behind a table. It stomped closer, as if something triggered it. But that wasn’t possible. Isaac didn’t make any loud noises… at least, they hoped so.
..unless…
The Figure stopped near the table, opposite of where Isaac was crouching. It stood still for a few seconds, not making any sound. Their heart began to beat more rapidly, spasms and twitches were going around their body. Breath was beginning to get uneven.
Isaac couldn’t move.
They knew that dying didn’t really matter. They knew. It’s just that…
…every time, the pain got worse. And worse. And worse. Andworseandworseandworseandworseand—
RRRROOOAAAAAAAAAARR!
Isaac jolted up and dashed away, Figure following right behind them.
Locker. Locker. I need to find a locker. WHERE-
wait. THERE!
The tourist hurled themselves inside it, slamming the door shut. They clenched their eyes shut, pressing themselves against the hard wooden spine of the locker. Figure grew closer and closer, growling, until it stood right in front of the hiding spot. It leans down and listens intently.
Although Isaac tried to fight against it, their heartbeat grew faster. It was so rapid that their chest began to hurt. It felt as if it was about to get crushed.
Focus. Please. Focus. Please stop. Please. This isn’t the time. Please. PLEASE. LET ME BREATHE PLEASE I CAN’TBREATHE
Figure sensed a heartbeat. Food. It ripped the door open, grabbing Isaac and tearing their head off.
And before they knew it, they were back to square one.