the broken door

Allow me to acquaint you with my mother—a complex individual. Ever since my father's untimely demise when I was merely four years old, she underwent profound changes. Copious pills became her refuge, intertwined with a myriad of other misguided coping mechanisms.

Lamentably, I possessed no siblings, leaving my mother as the sole person with whom I maintained a close bond. Regrettably, even our relationship was marred by strain and dissatisfaction.

She incessantly blamed me for misdeeds I had not committed, insisting that my existence bore responsibility for my father's demise. The weight of her accusations and manipulative guilt-trips caused me immeasurable pain. It hurt profoundly, considering she was the only individual to whom I felt connected.

However, let us set aside these disheartening memories momentarily. My current aim was to escape this wretched place and return to my mother's side.

Setting forth, I treaded the path leading to the left, passing a series of doors on either side.

Pondering my course, I muttered, "How might I find my way back to my mother's abode? The distance between us is considerable."

Continuing my march, I unexpectedly caught sight of a shadowy figure observing me fleetingly before vanishing into thin air.

I called out, "Hey!"

I hastened toward the enigmatic presence, but to no avail. The figure had vanished without a trace. My gaze shifted to the right, revealing yet another alleyway.

Pressing onward, I noticed an exit door ahead, yet adjacent to it, on the right, a door tainted with a trail of blood beckoned me.

Compelled by curiosity, I approached the door.

Upon closer examination, it became evident that the door exhibited signs of age and deterioration—a mere push could grant me passage.

Contemplating the situation, I murmured, "This does not bode well. What of the exit door?"

Determined to explore all possibilities, I ventured toward the exit door, attempting to open it. Alas, it remained firmly shut, defying my efforts. I persisted, repeatedly attempting to force it open, yet it steadfastly resisted.

Frustration welled within me as I uttered in exasperation, "Well, damn it! It appears I must venture through that door."

Resigned to my fate, I redirected my focus toward the broken door. Exerting a modest amount of force, it yielded easily, granting me passage into its mysterious realm.

And so, I stepped forward, traversing the threshold into the unknown.

After crossing the threshold, prepared for whatever lay ahead, I beheld the lower level.

My thoughts murmured, 'Curious, this occurrence strikes an unsettling chord within me.'

There it was, the ominous premonition that had always preceded an impending event. I instinctively positioned my right hand near my pocket, where a small blade resided.

Descending the staircase, my senses sharpened, ensuring no surprise assailants would startle my corpulent frame.

Reaching the bottom, I encountered a corridor branching off into two directions. The initial path revealed a securely locked door, while the second route extended to the left, preceding the aforementioned entrance.

Pondering for a moment, I resolved, 'Indeed, I shall venture leftward.'

Thus, commencing my stride towards the door, just before reaching it, I abruptly veered to the left, where a stairway came into view.

Progressing towards the ascent, I ascended the steps until eventually, an open doorway granting access to the outside materialized before me.

Stepping into the open air, I perused my surroundings, casting my gaze to the right, where an enigmatic door beckoned my attention.

Perplexed, I muttered, 'What in the world...'

Observing the slightly ajar door, an uncanny sensation stirred within me, as if an unseen presence lurked behind its threshold.

Compelled to investigate further, I advanced toward the door, only for it to abruptly slam shut with an audacious force.

Startled, I exclaimed!

In that moment, a notification chimed from my mobile device. Retrieving the device, I beheld a message from an unknown sender.

Tapping the message, I unraveled its contents.

Unknown: Divert your gaze to the right.

Message concluded.

Complying with the cryptic directive, I shifted my attention and discovered the second door wide open.

Frustrated, I muttered, 'Aside from this entrance, it seems there is no alternative. It appears I have no choice.'

Turning towards the right, I approached the door, brandishing my knife and proceeding cautiously.

Passing through the portal, I found myself traversing a hallway leading leftward. Continuing my path, I weaved through various directions until an additional door to the left and another path to the right came into view.

A crimson hue caught my attention, and upon closer inspection, I discovered a macabre sight—bloodstains splayed across the ground.

Taken aback, I exclaimed, 'Good heavens... this defies all comprehension.'

And then, suddenly...

BOOM!

The door behind me flung open with great force. Swiftly pivoting, I stood aghast, beholding a humanoid figure—a grotesque, zombie-like being.

To my dismay, the creature clutched a knife.

Surprised, I stammered, 'What on earth?!'

The creature lunged at me, launching a frenzied assault. Yet, regaining my composure, I swiftly evaded its blows, retaliating with a swift slash across its chest.

Momentarily, the creature recoiled.

Seizing the opportunity, I commanded, 'Now!'

Summoning all my strength, I propelled myself toward the creature, thrusting my knife into its skull, vanquishing it. The creature slumped lifelessly to the ground.

Taking a moment to recover, I examined the grotesque being before me.

Uttering in disbelief, 'What in the name of all that is holy... What were those abominations?! Should I seek assistance?'

Raising my phone with my left hand, I dialed the authorities, yet my efforts yielded no response.

Frustrated, I muttered, 'Damn it! It seems I must find my own way out.'

Averting my gaze from the lifeless creature, I surveyed my surroundings, fixating on the source from which it had emerged. My eyes caught sight of a ladder, leading downward into what appeared to be a sewer.

With a mix of exasperation and determination, I approached the ladder, peering down into the murky depths below. The pungent odor of filth assaulted my senses, but I braced myself for what lay ahead.

Descending the rungs, I found myself within the confines of a labyrinthine sewer system. Navigating through its convoluted passageways, I followed various directions until a ladder emerged into view.

Ascending the ladder, I found myself facing a door. Summoning a glimmer of hope, I cautiously reached for the handle, and to my relief, it yielded.

Sighing with gratitude, I stepped through the door, finding myself in yet another corridor with diverging paths—one to the left and one to the right. A familiar sense of unease washed over me, prompting me to grasp my knife once more, prepared for any potential danger.

Moving forward with measured steps, I strained to discern any peculiar sounds. Suddenly, a strange noise pierced the silence, causing me to take a step back in alarm. It was then that I noticed a knife hurtling through the air, narrowly missing me. Its origin was the left side of the corridor.

Reacting swiftly, I lunged toward the left, clutching my knife tightly. And there, before my eyes, stood another deformed figure—this time wielding a sledgehammer with both hands.

Caught between fear and resolve, I hurled my knife with all my might, its trajectory finding its mark in the creature's skull. It collapsed, life extinguished.

Uttering a bewildered cry, I pondered, 'What in the world are these abominations? What unfathomable phenomenon engulfs me? Is this all some twisted jest?'

Drawing nearer to the fallen creature's corpse, I peered down at it, reclaiming my knife from its skull.

Determined to escape this nightmarish realm, I turned my back on the grotesque scene and proceeded along the alternate path, maneuvering through the labyrinth of passageways until, at long last, a door materialized before me.

With trepidation, I gingerly turned the knob, and to my relief, the door swung open.

Exclaiming with a mix of relief and mild amusement, I murmured, 'Thank the heavens... the thought of it being locked—how laughable.'

Passing through the threshold, I found myself once again in a corridor, offering two diverging routes—one leading to the left, the other to the right. An unsettling sensation resurfaced, tugging at my senses, causing me to clutch my knife tighter.

Proceeding with caution, I embarked on a deliberate exploration of these two paths. Suddenly, an eerie sound reached my ears, causing me to take a step back, and there, in front of me, a knife embedded itself into the wall.

It had been hurled from the left side.

Without a moment's hesitation, I lunged toward the left, knife in hand, only to confront yet another deformed humanoid figure—this time armed with a sledgehammer grasped firmly in its hands.

Surprised and alarmed, I swiftly launched my knife toward the creature's skull, using every ounce of strength within me. It struck its mark with deadly precision, and the creature collapsed, vanquished.

Perplexed and overcome with a maelstrom of emotions, I approached the lifeless form, retrieving my knife from its resting place.

Realizing the urgency of my escape, I turned away from the fallen creature and pressed forward, navigating through the winding passages, making a series of calculated turns. Finally, a glimmer of hope emerged—a ladder came into view.

Climbing up the ladder, I reached the top, where a door awaited me. With a mix of anticipation and apprehension, I grasped the doorknob and turned it. To my relief, it opened without resistance.

Uttering a grateful expression, I entered the room, finding myself in a familiar hallway adorned with multiple doors on either side, reminiscent of the layout etched within my memory.

Reflecting upon my surroundings, I murmured, "Ah, yes... this place I know all too well. From here, I can find my way out."

Keeping a firm grip on my knife, I embarked upon the corridor, exploring each room as I moved along. Memories of my grandmother's former residence flooded my mind, evoking both nostalgia and a longing for her presence—may she rest in peace, wherever she may be in the realm beyond.

While gazing at the building before me, I noticed a ladder ascending to the third floor, adjacent to a balcony. Motivated by a glimmer of hope, I climbed the ladder, steadily making my way towards the third-floor balcony, eventually reaching it.

Surveying the scene, I discovered grand windows that beckoned to be opened. Acting upon the impulse, I pushed them open, granting passage into the apartment.

Stepping inside, I found myself in a familiar hallway leading to a grand door at the end, accompanied by several smaller doors on either side—just as I had remembered.

Reflecting on my journey thus far, I contemplated, "Ah, yes... I know this place intimately. From here, I can chart my path to freedom."