Page 41 of Immersed
The wooden stairs creaked underfoot as they ascended to the second floor. A long corridor stretched before them, doorways gaping open on either side like hungry mouths. The evening light filtered weakly through boarded windows, creating alternating patches of dim illumination and deep shadow.
“According to the floor plans, these were the private patient rooms,” Zoe said, consulting her tablet. “The wealthier patients got individual accommodations while the charity cases were housed dormitory-style in the east wing.”
Levi nodded, scanning the hallway for anything unusual. “What’s our plan?”
“EVP sessions in the most promising locations,” Zoe replied, lifting a digital voice recorder. “We’ll set these up in different rooms, ask questions, leave them running for ten minutes, then review.”
They entered the first room—a visitor’s area with faded armchairs arranged in a circle, as if waiting for guests who would never arrive. Dust motes floated in the weak sunlight, swirling as they moved through the space.
“Good spot,” Zoe said, placing a recorder on a small table. “I’ll set this while we check the next room.”
As Levi surveyed the space, details jumped out at him—a framed landscape photograph showing a forest clearing unnervingly similar to the meadow where he’d first awakened; a glass display case containing antique medical instruments, including a barber’s straight razor that made his hand twitch involuntarily toward his throat.
“This place has serious energy,” Zoe said, sending a subtle shiver up Levi’s spine. She activated the recorder and spoke clearly: “EVP session one, visitor’s room, second floor. Is anyone here with us? We’d like to speak with you.”
They waited in silence for thirty seconds before moving to the next room—a patient’s quarters with a narrow metal bed frame, a nightstand, and a dresser with a cracked mirror. More recorders were placed, more questions asked to empty rooms.
“That’s weird,” Zoe frowned, checking a device that had gone silent. She tapped it against her palm. “I just put fresh batteries in this morning.”
“I’ve got spares in the van,” Zoe sighed, handing him a second recorder. “Can you set this up in the next room while I run down? I’ll be quick.”
Levi nodded, reluctant to be alone but unwilling to show fear. “Sure.”
“Back in five,” Zoe promised, heading for the stairs.
The moment her footsteps faded, the hallway seemed to grow longer, the shadows deeper. Levi gripped the recorder tightly, fighting the certainty that he was no longer alone.
Levi dropped to his knees beside the dusty nightstand, yanking his small notepad from his pocket. The pencil dug furrows into the cheap paper as words poured out—messy, desperate, nothing like his brother’s neat gaming journals:
6th Loop
scenario changed, ghost hunting in hospital
Killer from before named Asher, now ally?
PREVIOUS DEATHS:
• STRANGLED
• DROWNED
• SHOT
• STABBED
• THROAT CUT
Levi’s breath came in short gasps as he flipped to a new page, sketching a crude map of what he’d seen of the building so far, marking exit points and potential weapons.
The others think this is normal. They don’t know they’re NPCs or hostages or whatever the fuck they are.
The setting sun streamed through gaps in the boarded window, painting the room in bloody crimson. Shadows stretched across the floor like grasping fingers, reaching toward him as daylight faded.
Time’s running out. Night is coming.
Footsteps echoed from the hallway. Levi quickly pocketed his notes, composing his expression into something approximating normal.
Just Zoe coming back. Act natural.
