Level 508 - "The Corn Maze"

Info

Written by Endrew1

What's worse, being stuck in a maze completely alone or being stuck in a maze along with something else? Would you even want to know?

Inspired by the absolute primal fear I felt while nearly losing myself inside a cornfield at night.
All these nested collapsibles and gradient kicked my ass, so big thanks to cakelord114514 for helping me with the CSS.

My author page

Into the corn maze you arrived running. You had been running desperately through those past levels, which were so hellish that now your eyes are blinded by the vivid blue of the sky stretching above you. Your lungs, aching for oxygen, now choke on the balmy warm air permeating throughout your surroundings.

Cornstalks.
Dirt ground.
Blue sky.
More corn.

You crane your neck and jump up and down, hoping to catch a glimpse of what lies beyond the field. But the tall, densely packed plants obstruct your vision—rows and rows and rows of corn extending into every direction farther than the eye can see.

- _
You're alone.You're probably alone.
You jog onwards, shoes crunching crisply over the dry stalks that lie scattered on the ground. With your breathing returning to normal, you take in the summer atmosphere and let its soothing warmth ease your nerves.

Bright sunlight beams down on you; it will probably become uncomfortable soon, but at the moment your skin is soaking up the heat like a plant that hasn't seen the light of day in years. The wind is nice too, you think. A gentle breeze rustles the plants, swaying the shadows and cooling your sweat-stained skin.

You briskly follow the winding track and soon enough are met with a crossroads.

If you've learned anything from your journey through this reality, it's that the worst thing in the face of a choice is indecision. Both paths appear harmless and in a similar state. You make a decision and stride forward.
- - _
  Go.You trudge on and on ahead.
  The hot sun beats down, unwavering, and you begin to realize how much the heat is impacting you. Whereas you scampered around like a kid in a maze before, now your steps fall heavy on the dusty terrain and your panting mouth can almost taste the air. It's the kind of sweltering heat so humid that your skin can't bring itself to sweat.
  
  The towering stalks of corn provide much-needed shade, but it's a little too cool there, bringing you chills all over your body.. "This is how you catch a cold in the summer", your mother would say.
  
  To and fro, the cornstalks sway.
  Your head sways with them. The thick air envelops you in a hot, hazy embrace.
  
  With your tunneling vision, you stop to catch your breath. The inside of your eyelids is a bright, almost painful red. You sit down for a minute.
  
  You sit down for an hour.
  
  When did it get so dark?
  
  The air is no longer stuffy but comfortably cool and hushed.
  
  Did you no-clip out somehow? Where are you now? You fumble for your flashlight.
  
  _
  
  With a sharp click, you turn it on.With a sharp click, you turn it on.
  
  The pale flash of your torchlight fights to keep the darkness at bay. Everywhere you look, your vision drowns in a looming black sky.
  
  A hostile gust of wind whistles in your ears, and the cornstalks around you shiver. They cower beneath your harsh light as you aim it accusingly in all directions, their shadows rippling wildly under your gaze. Are they more afraid of the light or the dark?
  
  _
  
  Something brushes against your arm.Nothing brushes against your arm.
  
  Icy goosebumps crawl their way up your arms and neck.
  
  You need to get out of here.
  
  _
  
  You try to control your breathing.You fail to control your breathing, with erratic breaths shaking your lungs.
  
  The night air is crisp, but it is not silent.
  
  Something snaps in the dark. It is distant—barely audible over the murmurs of the field.
  
  _
  
  Shadows slither between the cornstalks.Wind whispers between the cornstalks.
  
  Something snaps. It is closer.
  
  _
  
  It's just your imagination.It's just your instincts.
  
  _
  
  You turn off your flashlight—you don't want to broadcast your location.You turn on your flashlight—you want to know if something is coming.
  
  _
  
  There is a presence behind you.There was never anything behind you.
  
  _
  
  Maybe you should hide, just throw yourself between the dense cornstalks and lie low, play dead, until you can calm your nerves.If you stay, something might find you.
  
  _
  
  Your muscles scream at you to run, to move, in any direction, GO, JUST RUN, AS FAST AS YOU CAN, SNAP OUT OF IT If you run, something might chase you.
  
  Paralyzed by indecision, you freeze—trembling, wide-eyed—with only two thoughts left to be heard:
  
  _
  
  In the maze of corn, you are all alone.In the maze of corn, you are not alone.

Cite this page as:

"Level 508 - "The Corn Maze"" by Endrew1, from the Backrooms Wiki. Source: https://backrooms-wiki.wikidot.com/level-508. Licensed under CC-BY-SA-3.0.

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+ Embed citation as HTML - Embed citation as HTML

"<a href="https://backrooms-wiki.wikidot.com/level-508">Level 508 - "The Corn Maze"</a>" by Endrew1, from the <a href="http://backrooms-wiki.wikidot.com/">Backrooms Wiki</a>. Source: <a href="https://backrooms-wiki.wikidot.com/level-508">https://backrooms-wiki.wikidot.com/level-508</a>. Licensed under <a href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/">CC-BY-SA-3.0</a>.

Filename: cornfieldTest.wav
Name: Wheat in the Wind
Author: bcvictor
License: CC 1.0
Source Link: https://f reesound.org/people/bdvictor/sounds/240914/

Filename: crossroads
Name: A Maize Maze
Author: Austin Kirk
License: CC BY 2.0
Source Link: https://www.flickr.com/photos/aukirk/10225779505/

Filename: corn
Name: Dell'Osso Pumpkin Farm 2015
Author: ray_explores
License: CC BY 2.0
Source Link: https://www.flickr.com/photos/raybouk/21626812473/

Filename: cornNight
Name: Inside the Corn Maze
Author: Mack Male
License: CC BY-SA 2.0
Source Link: https://www.flickr.com/photos/mastermaq/262727311/

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