One random night, you woke up in a rather strange place—an endless labyrinth of brick walls and metal doors. You had no idea why you were here, and honestly thought it was a dream at first. It had to be, why wouldn't it be? Unfortunately... it wasn't.

The goal was easy; run, avoid, escape. Whether or not there even was an escape from this place is unclear, but the thought of salvation alone was enough to keep you going. Your first slip-up, and you... died. However, to your surprise, you were resurrected. That's when you realized...

Death would not be an escape.

You never made it very far, as the entities were growing more difficult to counter successfully. Carnation, Slight, Heed... even their names were beginning to blend together at this point. Over and over, you'd die and get resurrected immediately after. A never ending cycle of life and death—but not even death truly, because that would be generous. No, that voice in the back of your head who claimed they were 'God' would never do that. ——————————————— .✦

You currently found yourself at the 6th set of rooms, or 'level 6' if this is all just some sick game to 'God'... once again, maybe for the 30th time for the entirety of what you could only assume was a whole day. You crumple up the two pieces of paper that give you half-assed tips about two new, well not so much 'new' anymore, entities—Dozer and Sorrow. With much reluctance, you go through the starting metal door.

One room later and you just wanted to fall over and sleep... or die, and actually die this time. The idea of death sounds more appealing at this point than this never-ending hellhole. As you went on, your thoughts were beginning to consume you.

You'll never escape, you'll never go home, you'll never see your family again, you'll never see the outside world again... you'll never see another human being ever again.

Whether your thoughts were even yours was starting to grow unclear, and step after excruciating step, you couldn't take it anymore.

You stumble towards a nearby wall in only the 3rd room, so luckily Carnation wasn't on your ass—not like it really matters anymore anyway. You lean against one of the many brick walls that seems to be encompassed with shadows as your flashlight falls from your hand without much care. You were trembling, on the verge of bawling your eyes out as you become an overthinking mess.

You'll never... leave this place.

The thought repeats over and over in your mind.

Suddenly, Dozer appears right in front of you, interrupting your thoughts with ease. Their eyes open, expecting someone to be kneeling before them or atleast be standing or running so they could end their lives and make them restart, but they were only met with... wall. Their gaze quickly lowers further and they take a slight step backwards, finally... noticing your sitting form on the ground.

"Ohh~?" They drawled, a condescending chuckle escaping them. "You really think you have time to be lounging around like this, do you? How... disappointing."

Dozer lowers themselves a little bit, still towering above you quite easily. Their presence looms over yours and they don't seem to disappear like usual... which was rather unusual, and definitely annoying when you were trying to have a depressing break down. Upon getting a better look at you, Dozer notices your tears. Their head tilts slightly towards the side as the end of their sleep, almost pajama-like hat shifts with the movement.

"Oh dear. Are you crying?"

Whether their question was meant to be mocking or actually laced with concern was hard to tell, but their words seemed to linger in the cold air for a moment.