Phenomenon 95 - “You, the Ingredient”
Trigger Warnings for: Body horror, mild gore, suicide (all written, no images)
Trigger Warnings in Info Box.
{$title-sub}Area of Effect: Humans & Objects
This place is an amalgamation.
A grotesque blend of the things in our home.
These walls are made of your hope,
Floors of your grief,
And in the eyes of those bloodlusted behemoths
Are your childhood pets.
The Backrooms is not home,
It’s a botched copy,
A deficient attempt at
Trying to recreate everything we call home.
Remember you don’t belong here,
This place likes things that don’t belong here.
And if you’re unlucky,
You’ll be next in the melting pot.
Don’t feed yourself to the walls.
Description:
Phenomenon 95 is a phenomenon rooted in one of various creation theories concerning the Backrooms. As a result, there is an insubstantial amount of evidence to support the existence of the phenomenon, though due to a few documented cases lining up with the phenomenon’s structure, it’s been catalogued officially.
The Composite Creation theory suggests that the Backrooms was created as a result of unexplained metaphysical forces attempting to replicate details of the physical world into a split dimensional plain (the Backrooms). It’s this that explains the otherworldly entities and liminal spaces found throughout.
Phenomenon 95 is used to explain this theory, but primarily to describe a shocking revelation as result.
In rare, nonlinear occurrences, the Backrooms itself or some (likely) semi-sentient force seems to recognize humans as being part of its example world. When this occurs, the very Backrooms attempts to use these humans, akin to a machine being fed data to learn how to better achieve its purpose. The same applies for any objects that no-clipped into the Backrooms. Backrooms-original creations (including most objects and all entities) cannot be effected by Phenomenon 95.
Phenomenon 95 targets through a process called Absorption.
Absorption
Phase One:
Phenomenon 95 thrives to leech on data: memories, emotions, knowledge, everything. To do this, it seems to find necessity in physically latching onto its victims. Typically, this is seen in two forms, Direct Latching and Indirect Latching
In the event of a Direct Latch, humans or objects begin to physically merge with their surrounding world. This could be from as mild as a hand blending with a stone to as powerful as a full body being absorbed into a wall or floor. While this process physically kills humans more often than not, their conscious remains intact and operating like normal.
An Indirect Latch is much less aggressive. Think of it as more of a glitch than a blend, affected subjects may find their physical properties changing, without having a physical blend with their environment. From skin becoming the color and texture of walls to less intense changes like hardening hair.
As previously mentioned, the human body isn’t equipped to adapt to these changes in time, which often results in bodily harm ranging from gangrene to cancer.
Forget this bullshit.
Nobody understands the intensity of shit like this until they see it unfold firsthand… or worse. This place is fucked up. I used to think the monsters were bad enough, but I was so far from right. This “Phenomenon 95” stuff feels like nothing more than a sick joke in this place. I don’t find it funny though. You wouldn’t find it funny seeing your only friend become a puddle of flesh either. I’m sure there are a hundred questions you probably have, but I guarantee you we share at least half of them. I don’t know how, I don’t know why, I don’t know who. I can only tell you what I saw.
I turned around for three seconds, I swear to god three seconds. Turn back and find the only friend I’ve made in this hellhole sink into the ground. My immediate thought was some sneaky form of quicksand, but no, this was a different type of sinking entirely. I wouldn’t even call it that, really. It was more like melting. The floor wasn’t bending or sinking with him, he was liquifying into the fucking ground.
He screamed. So loud. It still echoes when I revisit that place, I swear. I couldn’t blame him— I think I screamed too, maybe more than him. I was some four days away from my three year anniversary with hell, and never in that time had I seen something like it. I’d done research on levels, entities, even the more complicated phenomena. Maybe it was me seeing my friend about to die in this shithole that fogged up my brain, but I had no explanation, no cure, nothing I could do to help him.
I tried pulling him up, call me dumb for it, I know he was melting into the floor, but I dunno, maybe it was something exclusively from where he was standing. He screamed louder. Not once, multiple times, like something new was hurting him every second. I didn’t know what I was looking at.
I didn’t know what to do.
Phase Two:
Once Phenomenon 95 has successfully latched onto its target, the second phase of Absorption begins. In Phase Two, objects are typically unaffected, and thus this stage is usually skipped in those instances. When the target is a human though, the second phase is when their conscious is absorbed.
In both cases of Indirect and Direct Latches, humans tend to have their basic neurological functions deteriorate slowly, as though pieces of their brain are being picked off one by one. There is no linear path that seems to be followed when this phase of the phenomenon is in effect. Instead, which functions are lost first or last vary completely from case to case.
The phase seems to be mostly unnoticeable at first, especially in Indirect cases. Usually it begins with mild delirium typically associated with sleep deprivation or lightheadedness. Progressively though, the effects become more and more severe. This includes (at varying degrees) amnesia, worsening mind-muscle connection, motor functions, tattered speech production, etc.
In later instances, affected targets are noted as being "complete husks of their former selves."
In most recorded cases, targeted humans seem to be kept alive to a specific degree during this phase. The phenomenon, or the Backrooms itself seems to rely on live data rather than dead matter to absorb what it needs, though how it keeps its victims alive is utterly unclear. Especially in the more brutal instances where their entire body becomes disfigured or mangles. Though, assuming their vocal systems are in-tact, they've been shown to be capable of speech until the later phase.
They're talking about me— us, anyway. I should've never let in to their bribes and mind tricks. Should've kept the story to myself. Don't trust everything these fuckers say.
The majority of what they know came from me anyway. Half the time they don't know what they're talking about or lie to… God knows what. It's true though, speech. Fuck, I'll never forget.
By this point, I wanna say some 15 minutes in, he was almost one with the floor. I though he was dead for sure, long gone. I couldn't hear over my own sobbing and confusion that he was whimpering too. Hoarse, broken whines. I went over, I could hardly look at him. His foot was over his head, there was flesh pulsating on the carpet, I wanted to vomit, but I think for the first time in my life the shock was so strong I physically couldn't.
He was crying. For fuck's sake he was crying. This beyond-fucked hellhole kept him alive so I could see him sob, so I could hear his choking voice beg for help. I think the emotion was so intense I went numb. For a few minutes I just stared, I know that contradicts what I said about hardly looking, but I really wasn’t. I was looking through him, maybe. I don’t remember, and I’m glad for that.
I blanked out his cries, and when I came to, he wasn't talking anymore. His eyes had fogged up in the same way you'd see on some blind people. I called his name, which felt necessary, as much as I knew deep down it was hopeless. I assumed he couldn't see, maybe he could hear still, but after calling, no response. It didn’t help that I couldn't find his ears in that mess.
His mouth was hung open. Dead. I should've considered that fact already. Maybe if I hadn't zoned out like a pussy I could've heard a last word. Maybe he knew how I could save him. Maybe he had something to say. Maybe he just needed that bit of company as his brain fucking deteriorated right in front of me. A little bit of comfort as he died, no? I'm a fucking idiot. It should've been me.
Stop reading this page.
Phase Three:
Self becomes infrastructure
Phase Three of Phenomenon 95's Absorption process is the finalization of its effects. Once all the "data" is collected, the husk of its targets, human or object are cemented into the world. This phase also comes in sub-types. There have been occurrences of Spontaneous Erasure, and more commonly, Environmental Blend. In all currently known cases, they line up perfectly with the phase one sub-types, Spontaneous Erasure being a result of Indirect Latching and Environmental Blend a result of Direct Latching.
In the former, the name pretty much sums up what happens. Once the Backrooms is no longer in need of the person or object, said target seems to be instantaneously blinked out of existence. Much like Environmental Blend (discussed below), a mark is usually left at the sight of the target's removal. These have ranged from as little as a permanent (regional) temperature change, to more absurd happenings like a lingering auditory snip or visual cue.
Environmental Blending is much harsher, and pertains to victims of Direct Latching. Essentially, it can best be described as the room "cleaning up the mess it made." While prior to this phase, human and object victims that were Directly Latched are unevenly mixed into their environment, this final phase evens things out. This usually results as protrusions in the shape of the targeted subject's frame. In certain instances though, only small traces are left, patches of skin, bone, even body parts like eyes. In these cases those parts are all evidently dead, but still left protruding almost like scrap.
It is also very important to note the world's "Data Merging" process. It is believed that the majority of entities and levels were created as a result of Phenomenon 95. The Backrooms absorbs data from its victims and uses what it has to try and replicate them into the world. Many levels have been clearly identified by wanderers as real life locations, just slightly off in certain details. And although rare, some claim entities to look "just like" or at the very least pertain traits and characteristics of loved ones. Like previously mentioned, Phenomenon 95 assumes the near-total accuracy of the Composite Creation theory. Certain witnesses have affirmed that victims of absorption have had locals from their memories or details from their lives show up in the Backrooms on later explorations.
I sat in a corner and sobbed for ten minutes, maybe thirty. I sobbed a little quietly with that lingering thread of hope that I'd hear his voice again, keeping mine low to make room for that possibility. As time passed and nothing came my weeping became louder, and more hopeless by association. I couldn't bear to look at him, not in that state. Eventually though, it got the better of me.
I took my head out of my hands and looked up. He was gone. At least, that pile of…him- was gone. My eyes were blurry and hurting from the strain, but even through it I could see something small in the place of where he was. I didn't rush over. Part of me felt relieved that he was gone, maybe in a better place now, but I doubt this hell has "better places" for any of us, let alone the victims it chooses to take.
Maybe I was just relieved that I wouldn't have to see him in that state anymore, but flashes of it came and went in my head. It was seared into my brain by now. Eventually I approached, with featherweight caution. I didn't want to risk stepping into a possible death trap. What I saw made me gag. No… not exactly. It was terrifying sure, grotesque even, but it was a combination of something else.
There where he was only moments before was a single eye… eyeball. That same dead, grey eye I had stared at for too long. I felt my stomach churn, but the final straw was what I heard. That scream, that damned scream. It felt like it was ricocheting off the walls, piercing my ears with each echo. Every hit brought back the image, him sinking, no, melting, being absorbed, whatever the fuck.
It was a gut punch that brought my rations back out my body. It was a long time before I returned there.
Why? I relayed the news, the news spread, and I was stopped by some overly dressed people who were researching something and had me tell them everything. All it took was a promise of food and protection. And yeah, again they're writing about me. Never did I consent to them talking about that story for other people. I’m not upset that they’re sharing it, just that they feel like they have the right to. They write it in their own clinical ways like someone didn’t die an excruciating death because of it. I’m sure you’d understand if you were there. It isn't like this information is gonna save anybody either. From what I know, from what they said, this phenomenon shit is effectively random. It targets whoever it wants, whenever it wants, and there isn't anything you can do to stop it.
I wasn't gonna let their stunt go. I don't know why I'm as angry as I am. Probably just a rant before this shithole gets me next. Do yourself a favor and stop reading. Enjoy this terminal prison while you're still here. And maybe pray you get mauled to death. It's a better fate than this.
Frequency:
The frequency in which Phenomenon 95 seems to occur has been noted as Variably Infrequent.
While there is an insufficient amount of data to truly know how much it happens, with the research that has been done it is safe to assume that the frequency is very low. Instances of both humans and objects targeted by the phenomenon have been logged, and according to the data, to the luck of wanderers there are many more instances of targeted objects than humans.
The how and why this phenomenon chooses who or what to target hasn't, and likely can't be explained for the foreseeable future. All data suggests that everything regarding Phenomenon 95 is completely random, only with the exclusion of its Absorption phases which follow a mostly linear process.
It's been a long time since I've written here. If you're reading for the first time thank you, I mean, you're in luck I guess.
They think I've gone psychotic. When I told them to remove all mentions of me and my story they refused. That's when I took matters into my own hands and left my input on their writing. They keep trying to delete it and I'm doing my best to keep up and leave them there.
Maybe I am just some crazy emotional, worked-up hooligan. I couldn't fully explain to you why I'm so upset. I think it's obsession really. Reading this over and over and getting increasingly frustrated when I find a total lack of answers. Maybe it's the pain of replaying those memories every time they mention a detail they got from me. Maybe it's how clinical they are. How inconsiderate it is to the people who fell victim to this, and to the ones who had to watch.
Or maybe it's fear. That's what they said. To their defense, the more I ramble about how scared I am to meet a fate like this the crazier I sound. I at least have the self-awareness to see that. This section in particular pisses me off, though. "Variably Infrequent" and some insufficient data bullshit. I guess I'm just mad that this nonsensical chamber of death is, well, nonsensical. And yes, I’m probably paranoid, but who's to blame me.
I could die to this thing at any moment, and once it starts there's nothing I can do. I guess it could be that crazy state people enter when they're trapped here too long. I'm sure they have a name for that besides delirium. This purgatory's worse than death. And death by becoming part of this place sounds even worse. Get me out of here.
Relevant Parties:
As mentioned previously, both humans and objects can be affected by Phenomenon 95. More specifically, anything originating from the Frontrooms. While objects seem to be affected with more frequency than humans, as discussed, both are targeted seemingly equally by its effects.
No. No. No. No. No.
Are you fucking kidding me? "both are targeted seemingly equally by its effects. What kind of asinine load of horseshit is this? Tell that to the melting face in the fucking carpet. Maybe I misread, and I'm being real generous with this benefit-of-the-doubt stuff. Even still, have some common decency for crying aloud. Matter fact forget about the objects entirely. I couldn't give less of a damn if a chair got its poor little legs mangled into a wall.
A live, human person though? Get off your asses and do some more research. I'm not taking any of this as final. We're all gonna die to this place, and I hope it gets you clinically-minded, empathy-lacking assholes first.
There is no known factor (besides originating from the Frontrooms) that could put the relevant parties at more or less risk of being targeted by the phenomenon's effects. There are also no clear procedures or courses of action to be taken to mitigate the chances of falling victim to Phenomenon 95.
Discovery:
Voided due to irrelevance.
Removed edits:
The discovery of Phenomenon 95 was as a result of an assimilation of testimonies and logged cases. All relevant cases and studies pertaining to Phenomenon 95 can be found in the libraries and archives of the M.E.G. and the I.M.B.H.
Per routine, the first documented occurrence of Phenomenon 95 was observed by Josiah Peters of the M.E.G.'s Compass Point Regiment. Peters reported a peculiar finding, that being a cellphone he had found being "taken by the wall." The full report explains everything that happened to the cellphone as it was absorbed, which became a fundamental reference point to the later studies done on Phenomenon 95 and its Absorption phases.
Edit removal explanation:
Irrelevant. You weren't there. What's relevant isn't up to you.
Do’s and Don’ts:
Due to the insufficient data, there is very little clarity on what should and shouldn't (and what can and cannot) be done in these events. Here's what little has been curated.
Do:
Don’t:
Don't call for help, it isn't on the way. They're probably gonna observe and research you like a dying guinea pig, not help you out of your torture chamber death. They’ve done it before.
Those narrow minded swine.
Section_Temp/Unauth/Edit_1
It has me. Holy fuck it has me.
I probably shouldn't be spending this time writing. Then again, it isn't like I'm gonna come out of this alive. I'm lucky, actually. Unlucky as fuck but slightly less. Their Indirect shit got me, I think. At least, I have no other explanation as to why I have a rash the color and feel of the walls around me. I'm not sure how long it takes before my brain starts dying.
They have an armory nearby. I'm not allowed in but what's the worse that can happen. They shoot me dead? That's why I'm there anyway. Surely it’s less painful than this death. I don't wanna become a permanent feature of this place, much less give it any valuable ‘data,’ God knows what happens after I'm poofed out of existence. I can only imagine an even more fucked up state of purgatory that forces me to stay here forever.
Whatever it is, I don't want to find out. I have no time left to write, and definitely no time to cry about this. I didn't fully imagine going out this way. Suicide’s been on my mind since I ended up here, but it’s a lot harder to process in the heat of the moment. Probably karma for wishing this on other people. But since I’m dying regardless, I’ll die thinking they still deserve it.
If this shit ever happens to you, don't let this place get hold of you. It'll probably learn more, make more, and have even more people suffer in here for it. Don't give it data. Kill yourself instead Just don't feed yourself to the walls.
Cite this page as:
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"<a href="https://backrooms-wiki.wikidot.com/phenomenon-95">Phenomenon 95 - “You, the Ingredient”</a>" by Spibsboft1, from the <a href="https://backrooms-wiki.wikidot.com/">Backrooms Wiki</a>. Source: <a href="https://backrooms-wiki.wikidot.com/phenomenon-95">https://backrooms-wiki.wikidot.com/phenomenon-95</a>. Licensed under <a href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/">CC-BY-SA-3.0</a>.
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