Dr. Wicker's Broken Psyche

Level 2: The Maze Of Pallets

The double metal doors pushed open easily with a slight creak. A blast of warm air hit me, and I welcomed it in my cold and shivering state. The light in the area beyond was much brighter than the area I was currently in. The sudden exposure to it made my eyes sting, and I cringed as they squinted shut.

One hand held onto the flashlight and the other one came up to rub at my eyes. I could still feel the warm air wafting out around me, so that meant the general next level was warmer than this one. The ground was still concrete, but if the overall air was warm then that would help me out.

I lowered my arms once the stinging in my eyes ebbed away a little. Now that my eyes were a little more adjusted and I could actually look into the area beyond, I could see that it was not as bright as I originally thought.

It was much brighter than the area I was leaving, but my dark adjusted eyes perceived them to be much brighter than they actually were.

The area beyond was tinted with an orange glow, from the lights? Probably. Was I absolutely sure of that? I had no idea. The walls were wooden and appeared to be made of some sort of pallet-type material.

The wood was rough and splintery. I was not even across the doorway yet and I could see that. There were many nails or other sharp objects protruding through, letting me see the risk of getting cut if I did not pay attention.

Behind the door was the hallway with the pallets for walls that went for maybe around 30 or so feet before splitting off in the shape of a T

Oh no... Don't tell me there were going to be different routes here! What If I ran into a dead-end!? Would I run out of time?! What if this is where I met up with the infamous player fourteen that would hack me into little pieces if he caught me!?

I shook my head and rid myself of my frantic thoughts before they could take me over. There were endless scenarios of "what if's?" Here. Literally, every single thing was against me here. I just had to keep a careful eye out in case things got bad.

Well... things were bad... Things were really bad right now. I just had to keep an eye out and I would be ok. I would be ok! I will be ok!

I continued to chant how I would be ok in my head as I took the first step through the opening. I could feel the change in temperature immediately. It was like a wall of heat or humidity right behind the doorframe.

My leg was warming up, but the rest of my body that was still technically in level one was still cold/ What would happen when I stepped out of level one and into level two?

There was only one way to find out. It's really not like I had any other option here. The only way out was forward. It was the only way I could go.

I moved my body through the door. Officially passing out of level one, and into level two of this giant, demented game going on. I was a few steps into the new area when the metal doors swung shut behind me.

The sound spooked the Hell out of me and I leaped about a foot in the air. Swinging around wildly to look behind me and see what had just caused said sound. Something told me that the doors would not open even if I wanted to go back. I didn't though.

I gulped down the lump forming in my throat as I turned forward again. The hallway loomed ominously before me. Just waiting for me to start.

As I started forward, I made sure to eye the walls carefully so that I avoided the splinters and metal shards. The pallets were so prickly that I would not even have to push against them to get them caught in my skin.

Another sound started behind me and I jumped in fright again. This time a flare of anger shot through me. Could I not take five steps without getting jump scared in a hazardous place!?