BACKROOMS Part 6
Jenna’s vision faded in and out as the tall, spindly monster carried her. She should have been terrified. She should have fought and ran away. But Jenna found both her strength and will to be gone. Whatever these things had in store for her, she didn’t care anymore.
For a while, all she could hear was the sounds of footsteps as they proceeded to wherever they were going. That changed when water dripped from somewhere close by. Then that awful chanting picked back up again. It grew louder and louder.
It was clear now she was being taken to the source of those chants. She tried to lift her head and look around but every time she did, her vision blurred. Jenna focused on listening instead. The words didn’t make any sense, though. Finally, one was recognizable. Cthulhu.
She tried to clear her mind. This couldn’t be happening. That beast was made up. He wasn’t real. She remembered all the monsters she had run from and the one carrying her even now. Maybe he was real after all. If he was, what did that mean for her?
The Lovecraft topic wasn’t one she ever learned. She knew the name. Everyone knew the name. She wracked her brain trying to remember anything she could about him. There was something about him sleeping and that if he woke up it would be really bad. Why would these people be chanting to him then?
They turned a corner and Jenna saw she would be getting her answers soon. Her vision chose now to clear up. An enormous cave loomed before her. Torches clung to the walls all around creating enough light to see everything clearly.
In the center, a large pool of black water sat stagnate and still as glass. Figures in red robes circled the water. Their covered arms raised high. Now that she was inside the cave, their voices echoed loudly off the walls.
The monster paused only briefly before continuing towards the worshipers. It walked around to the right of them and that’s when she saw a platform. It stood maybe four feet high and seven feet long. The surface was some kind of smooth rock. That was where it was taking her.
In an unbelievably delicate manner, the monster placed Jenna on the platform. It slowly backed away and rejoined the hounds who had refused to enter the cave. One worshiper, who’s robes were darker than the others and trimmed in gold, turned to the creature. “Thank you. You may go about your duties.”
Jenna lay limp on the surface with her head turned towards the retreating monsters. She couldn’t understand how these people could be working with such beings. How were these beasts able to understand these humans? She felt her mind start to slip again. She couldn’t let that happen. For some reason, she felt these cultists were more dangerous than the monsters.
The one with the fancy robes slowly walked towards her. His hood covered most of his head, but she could still see his face. He didn’t smile. His shaven face stayed slack; eyes cold. “Do try to sit up, my dear.”
Jenna did her best but only got propped up on her elbows. She breathed hard. Just that much was almost too much. The man came forward and grabbed her by one arm. He pulled her up to a sitting position. When he was sure she could keep herself upright, he took several steps back. All the while, the others continued to chant.
“My Elder God has called for you and you have come. Each test you have passed. Now you must choose.”
Jenna wasn’t sure her voice would work but she tried anyway. After a few croaking attempts, she finally said, “What do you mean, tests? What choice?”
The man nodded. “Each level, you survived. Most do not. You have proven strong enough. Your mind is still mostly intact.”
She scoffed. “I wouldn’t go that far.” Looking around for an exit, Jenna finally gave up and asked, “How the hell do I get out of here?”
“It is simple. You make a choice. You can choose to be a witness, or you can choose to find another that will take your place as witness.”
“Stop talking in riddles. A witness to what? I just want to go home.”
“If that is what you wish then you must find another to take your place as witness.”
The man was like a repeating robot. It was infuriating. All Jenna wanted was to leave, to go back to her life. She tried to think of someone she knew who wouldn’t mind witnessing who knew what. It couldn’t be that bad. “How long will my replacement have to be a witness?”
“For all eternity.”
Dread crept into her bones. “What will be witnessed?” This was the real question that needed answering.
“Cthulhu’s slumber.”
“Wait..What?” Did she hear that right? Watch a monster sleep? What was the catch? Sounded boring.
“You or someone you choose will bare witness to Cthulhu’s slumber for all eternity until he wakes. It is no simple task. You will slowly lose your mind and not remember who or what you are most of the time. At other times, you will know. Again, at other times, you will know all the secrets of the universe only to forget again.” Now he smiled but it was not a friendly one. “Your choice is to be that witness or place that honor upon someone else.”
