《Shadow of Doubt》


 Chapter 1 - The Storm

    ¡®They used to say that mankind created fire to fend off the dark. But it was not the dark that mankind fear. It was what lies inside them, the unknown. That was why we instinctively try to explore the secret of what lies inside them. From exploring the deepest of the ocean to the vast unexplored space beyond our solar system. Even the tiniest bit of something that made us, the particle.


    People believed that what they did is in the name of science. Well, some of them do, but that was not the point here. People did not realize that they did it because it was an instinct. It was hidden so well that they forget what it was called, Fear. They feared what will the unknown bring to their peaceful life. It was unraveled only when they were put in special circumstances. So special that made the hidden crack destroyed the strongest dam. Where being there would make your mind go slowly insane. Just like my mind now.


    It had been three days since I woke up in this goddamned place. My insanity is shrinking as time goes by. The only comfort I could find right now was writing this diary. Something I never tried before. Thank God that they had books and pens in this place. Talking to myself all day had been taking a toll on my mind. I started to explore outside when I woke up three days ago. What I found so far is that this place seems to be somewhat of an underground facility. There were no windows on the wall, even the hall outside, and my room only had lamps for light sources. At least they were kind enough to leave food in the kitchen so I did not starve. The study room that I found is full of books. Besides that, I found a door that I believed led outside. The problem is, it was locked.


    From all circumstances until now, I believed the group who locked me up in this place was a psychopath. The cameras at the ceiling. They were in every room watching my every move like a fucking pervert. Second, this escape room situation. Seems they want me to solve some puzzles to get out. Yeah, that was what I believed. Scratch that, it was a situation that I want to believe. If they want to kill me they won¡¯t give me food right? Anyway, that was enough for now. Today I will resume my search. And if I somehow didn¡¯t make it. know that I, Abraham Brooks try my best to survive, in this situation with a sane body and mind.¡¯


    With a long sigh, Abraham closed his diary. He stood up and walked out of his room. like every other day before, the first thing he did was to check the locked door. When he arrived there, he tried to open it by turning the handle and pushing it, but it was met with another failure. Feeling a little frustrated he walks to the study room. When he went inside, the condition is still the same as yesterday. Unclosed drawer and scattered books on the floor. The room was not big, the size is a little bigger than his room. Same dim gray wall with a white floor. Decorated with a few panoramic paintings, a single work desk, and a pair of book cabinets. The books here were varied. There were classic literature, myth, and even biology and physic. He walked lazily toward the book cabinet, picking a book that he had not finished yesterday. Then he sat on the chair behind the work desk. After finding the most comfortable posture he started reading.The narrative has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the infringement.


    In the middle of reading, Abraham glanced at the most eye-catching thing in this room. The black safe box. It required a six-digit combination to unlock it. Afraid of locking themselves forever, he only tried a few times before giving up the other day. Withdrawing his gaze, he continued to read his book about the legend of the thread weaver.


    A few hours passed by while he read. Feeling a little tired he closed the book and put it on the desk. Intending to resume after a short rest. He went out to the kitchen. With a hungry stomach, he went to open the cupboard. He reached out with his right hand grabbing a box of cereal. He strode to the fridge and then took a bottle of milk. Eating cereal is the only breakfast that he could have. There were only cereal and instant noodles. Unfortunately, there was not a stove here.


    While savoring his cereal, his wandering gaze met the painting hanging on the wall in front of him. The painting gave him an impactful feeling when he gaze at it. A fish boat in the middle of the sea. In the razing storm with a huge wave triple the size of the boat on its left.


    ¡°It¡¯s kind of dark to hang it here. But I guess it had that majestic sense of wonder feeling to it.¡± He said while crossing his arms and laying his back on the chair. After appreciating it for a few minutes, he stood up and then cleaned up the kitchen. When he felt like he had enough rest, he went back to the study room. He intended to finished the book today.


    In the middle of the hallway, he suddenly stopped walking. Something had struck his mind. ¡°The storm!¡± He shouted. Feeling excited he ran to the study room. When he arrived, he quickly went to a particular painting hanging between the book cabinets. It was a painting with a storm in it. a panoramic scene of a tall majestic tower. At the end of the hill, it stood tall unaffected by the raging storm.


    ¡°I was right, the clue is the storm.¡± he mumbled to himself. With that, he quickly searched the shelf for any book that related to the storm. Pulling a few books, he gathered them on the desk.


    ¡°There are only five books about them. Well, that is not a lot. I can finish them today.¡± With a smile on his face, he started to read the first book.


    ¡°I need to find a six-digit number in this book, is it the publish date?¡± opening the first book he looked closely. ¡°No the date is an eight-digit number.¡± He frowned. He continued to skim every page of the book looking for the number. When he finished the first book, he continued to read the second book with the same method, and the next so forth. But even after reading all five books, he didn¡¯t find any six-digit number.


    ¡°Fuck! Shit! Aaaarrghhh!¡± he roared loudly. Punching and kicking the desk furiously. Breathing heavily from all the pent-up release, he sat down lifelessly on the floor. He hugged his knees and lowered his head. A sound broke the quiet place, you could hear his sobbing slowly starting. Trembling shoulders and then loud wailing started.


    Slowly as he let go of all his anguish, the tiredness came creeping along. All that hope that left his body and mind took a heavy toll on him. In a messy state, he lay down on the floor. His eyes felt heavy, slowly they closed, hoping that when he woke up this all are only his nightmare.

 Chapter 2 - The Meeting

    Waking up from a short slumber, Abraham felt dizzy. A soft sigh came from his mouth. After calming his mind, a little bit, he stood up and returned to the pile of books. ¡°If it¡¯s not in the book the clue must be somewhere in this room.¡± He sat on the chair while pondering what he missed. ¡°The clue is clearly storm, but what is it?¡± His thought pondered deeper while tapping the arms of the chair. ¡°The painting!¡± he suddenly shouts out loud. He walked again to the exquisite painting. Grabbing it from the wall, he held it tightly as he looked at every inch of it, making sure he wouldn¡¯t miss anything.


    ¡°Found it!¡± He quickly walked to the safe box while the painting was still held in his arm. ¡°Let¡¯s see it again. The date is 04-11-25.¡± He entered the number into the keypad. ¡®beep¡¯ but the safe box didn¡¯t open only making a loud beeping sound. ¡°Shit! Let¡¯s try changing up the number. He tried again two more times by changing the order of the numbers. But still, the safe failed to unlock. ¡°Let¡¯s try with the painting in the kitchen.¡± He ran towards the kitchen, grabbing the painting. With a focused eyed like searching for prey, he stared at the painting for the date. When he found them, he was so excited that he ran back to the study room so fast. Bringing the painting along with him. Afraid that he would forget the date.


    ¡°The second painting date is 25-12-97. Let¡¯s enter it again like the last order.¡± Hoping that this time it will be different. ¡®beep-beep¡¯ unfortunately all he got was that mechanical beep again. ¡°Fuck! What did I miss?¡±. ¡°Wait there is one more in the bedroom¡± coming to that conclusion he ran to the bedroom finding the car that went downhill in the rainstorm photo. Smashing the frame he took the piece of photo. When he flipped it he found the date 21-04-12.


    When he got back in the study room, he didn¡¯t immediately enter the number. ¡°I can¡¯t rush it this time. The last failure made the safe box beep twice. I have to be sure to enter the right combination.¡± He lined up the three pieces and then examined again the number. ¡°Two paintings and one photo, placed in three different rooms.¡± He grabbed some random book and pen to write down the number. ¡°Wait some of the numbers¡­ right, then the order if it is based on the date, it will be¡­¡± this time when he made sure he was right, he entered the number. ¡®click¡¯ when his ear heard that sound, he was so excited that his body can¡¯t keep up with his mind. the only reaction he gave was a wide smile on his face.


    He pulled the safe lid. What he found inside was a single key. He believed that this key is the one to use on the locked door in the hallway. ¡°YESSS!¡± he roared excitedly. ¡°I beat the game! Screw you shithead! Hahaha.¡± While pointing at the camera at the ceiling. He quickly ran to the door outside. when he arrived, he immediately inserted it and unlocked the door. ¡®click¡¯ when he heard that he quickly turned the door handle.This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.


    What he saw outside is nowhere what he imagined. It was a beautiful garden. The lush of variety plants and trees. There¡¯s even a fountain in the middle. He walked slowly to the fountain. ¡°Wow¡­this is gorgeous.¡± He felt awed by the sight. The fountain was very beautiful. Especially the three statues at its center. On the left was a statue of a woman holding a baby in her arms. On the right was a robbed figure holding a book and quill in each hand. The most striking figure is the one in the middle of them. Clad with armor with two swords on her hip. Posing as she seems ready to draw it anytime.


    While appreciating the statue he felt something. He felt a sensation he had never felt for a while. Rubbing his face and arms he looked up. It was a sight of blue sky. ¡°Ahh¡­ I thought I was deep underground. But it¡¯s not the case.¡± Inhaling the fresh air, he felt so relaxed like never before. ¡°I should explore this area. There should be an exit somewhere. Suddenly he heard something. He quickly turned his head toward the source.


    ¡°Whose there?¡± he shouted. Wary that it was the people who locked him here he didn¡¯t rush blindly. While sharpening his sense he walked slowly toward the sound. When he was closed enough to the bushes, with his right hand he reached it. ¡°There is no one here. Is it wind? No that¡¯s impossible, there wall surrounding this garden is pretty high. Maybe an animal?¡± He searched the surroundings cautiously. But he still found nothing. After a few minutes which turned out to be an empty result, the corner of his eyes caught something. A small figure was peeking at the end of the other building. ¡°Hey!¡± he called them. The figure seems startled and then ran inside. Abraham quickly followed him. When he caught a glimpse of them, he could see that it was small. ¡°a kid? In this place?¡±. ¡°Hey kid stop! I¡¯m not a bad guy. I¡¯m trapped here too.¡± When the kid heard what he said, he stopped running. Then the kid turned to Abraham. When Abraham catches up to him. He could see that the kid is no more than twelve years old. A pair of bright brown eyes, a rounded face, and short hair. The kid seems surprised when he saw Abraham. He seems to want to say something but hesitates to say it.


    ¡°Uhm, hello there.¡± Abraham greeted the kid with a smile on his face afraid of scaring the kid.


    ¡°Hello¡± the kid replied softly.


    ¡°Are you all alone here?¡±


    ¡°No, there was¡­ mother. But I couldn¡¯t find her.¡± The kid replied while lowering his head.


    ¡°Ah, I see¡­ so you are the same as me.¡± Abraham tried to say it as softly as he could. Trying hard to reassure him. ¡°You know if you want, we could try to find your mother together.¡±


    ¡°Okay.¡± The kid raised his head while staring at Abraham.


    ¡°Great, so what is your name? my name is Abraham but you can call me brother Abe.¡± He offered his hand to him.


    ¡°My name is Pip.¡± He stared at the hand that was outstretched, then he shook it gently.

 Chapter 3 - The tape and Night Encounter

    ¡°So¡­ Pip, how long have you and your mother been here?¡±


    ¡°Hmm¡­ about a week? I don¡¯t remember too much brother Abe.¡±


    ¡°Then you must know a lot about this place. Can you guide me as I walk around this place? It¡¯s boring to do that alone you see.¡±


    ¡°Okay. Leave it to me, brother.¡± Pip excitedly replied.


    First Pip took Abe to the previous garden. Then he explained that the garden is connected to three buildings. Building A where Abe was locked. Building B where Pip lived with his mother and building C.


    While listening to pip explaining the basic layout. Abe noticed that the sun is not in sight anymore. Calculating the time when he woke up and the sun¡¯s position, Abe concluded that noon is almost over.


    ¡°Pip let¡¯s explore that building first.¡± Abe pointed at building C. Pip nodded and then led the way. Inside the building, the interior was the same as the others. The difference was only the number of rooms.


    ¡°Are these building rooms empty?¡± Abe asked while looking at Pip.


    ¡°I don¡¯t know. I only went here once with mother.¡±


    ¡°I see¡­ then let¡¯s check every single room together.¡±


    Abe walked ahead. They checked the first room which turned up to be a library. They looked around for about a half-hour inside. When they found nothing interesting, they left. The next room they search was a bedroom. From the looks of it, it was intended for a single person.


    ¡°It¡¯s the same layout as my room.¡± Abe mumbled quietly.


    From the looks of it, the room hadn¡¯t been used for quite a while or it had always been empty. There is no trace of someone using it. no scratching mark on the bed or the wall. No writing, nothing. Finding nothing they left the room and then went to the last room.


    When they open the door to the last room, Abe was stunned.


    ¡°What is this room Pip?¡± Abe asked with his feet still stunned on the ground.


    ¡°It looks like an archive room. I¡¯ve never entered this room before.¡± Pip entered the room ahead of Abe. Looking around without touching anything.


    Then Abe followed. The first thing he did was look around the room. Something interesting caught Abe¡¯s eye, an old audio tape recorder. He walked toward it and then pressed the button to play it. The only sound heard was only broken static sound. Then Abe stopped the player. He checked the tape inside the player.


    When the tape came out. Abe found out that the tape seems to be fine. But looking closer at the transparent case, Abe could see that the ribbon tape was entangled.


    ¡°Pip can you help me find another tape like this?¡± Abe handed the tape to pip.


    While pip was looking for another tape. Abe was looking around inside the room. Abe found a file cabinet. But it was locked. Giving up after a few tries pulling the handle Abe searched another place for the key. In the middle of searching for the key Pip shouted loudly.


    ¡°I found it.¡±


    Abe stopped searching immediately, then went toward Pip.


    ¡°There are a lot of tapes inside, brother Abe.¡± Pip said while pointing at the box on the floor.


    ¡°Well let¡¯s try every one of them. We got nothing better to do anyway.¡± Abe said while patting Pip¡¯s head.


    ¡°Hehe, okay brother Abe.¡± Pip giggled happily.


    Then they bring the box full of tapes to the tape player. Looking at the tape inside, every one of them had numbers on them. The first one he tried was a tape with the number fifty on it. When Abe inserted it into the audio player it only made a broken static sound again. When he checked the tape, it was entangled too. Then Abe checked the other one. This time he looked through the transparent case in each of them to check if it entangled or not. He threw the broken tapes on the floor, then kept searching. Pip helped with the search too. Half an hour passed by when Pip finally found one tape with the number 133 on it.


    ¡°Brother Abe this one seems fine,¡± Pip said while handing the tape carefully to Abe. When Abe received it, he checked it again.


    ¡°Hmm, seems fine to me. Let¡¯s try playing it.¡± Checking it for a bit. Abe then played it on the recorder. After a short static sound, there are rustling sounds heard. Then there was a woman¡¯s voice speaking on it.If you stumble upon this narrative on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it.


    ¡®Progress log number fifty-three. Date of examination sixteenth April two thousand five. Time of examination 3.22 PM. The patient¡¯s name is Abraham Brooks. Patient Number 6431204129701. Problem pertinent review of symptoms as follows: Feeling of anxiety sometimes occurring. Abraham confirmed experiencing anxious moods. Sleep disturbance is reported. He confirmed the last two weeks he had not enough quality sleeps. Abraham denied using any other substance besides the prescribed medical pill. He reports that he has been regularly attending group A support meetings. He¡­¡­.¡¯


    ¡°What the hell is this?¡± Abe was baffled. He couldn¡¯t believe what he heard.


    ¡°Is this your counseling session brother Abe?¡± Pip asked while looking at Abe.


    ¡°No-no-no. I had never attended any therapy at all.¡± He answered. Then out of nowhere, Abe felt his head hurt. The pain slowly grew stronger. It felt like hundreds of needles pricking his brain. Abe let out a painful moan. He dropped to his knees while holding his head.


    ¡°Are you okay brother?¡± Pip panicked, and he helped hold Abe¡¯s body.


    The pain lasts for a minute. While Abe felt like a few hours long.


    ¡°I¡¯m okay now Pip. Thank you.¡± Abe slowly stood up.


    ¡°Let¡¯s continue tomorrow brother, we didn¡¯t have a launch yet and it¡¯s almost dark outside I think.¡± Pip urged Abe to rest.


    ¡°Okay let¡¯s rest for today¡±


    Abe and Pip went out of the room. Since they left the room Abe hadn¡¯t said anything. He was still immersed in his thought. Trying hard to remember the memory. If he indeed had gone through counseling he should have remembered. Abe found that the oldest memory he had was from when he was 7 years old. He started to trace his old memories, looking if there were gaps in his memories Abe paused for a second. There were really gaps in between. Some of the memories were not consistent. There were some memories that didn¡¯t connect at all.


    Realizing this, Abe stopped his track, Pip looked back at Abe.


    ¡°Brother Abe!¡± He shouted while tugging at Abe¡¯s right sleeve.


    Feeling the tug on his arm Abe snapped out of his thought. Then looked at Pip. Pip was face was filled with concern.


    ¡°Ah sorry Pip, I was lost in thought for the moment.¡± Abe reassured Pip while rubbing his hand on his head.


    Pip nodded but the concern on his face still didn¡¯t disappear. Seeing that Pip was worried for him. Abe didn¡¯t know what to do. He looked around searching for something that could make Pip ease his concern. Realizing that they were out in the garden he saw something. There was a dark long corridor. It was slightly hidden from where Abe stood. The plants around hide it well.


    Pip saw Abe was staring somewhere, he followed his gaze and then found that Abe was staring at the dark corridor.


    ¡°That corridor is always dark brother Abe.¡±


    ¡°Hmm? Why is it? Is there something there?¡± Abe puzzled


    ¡°There is no light in there, only a metal door. But it doesn¡¯t have a handle or anything. So, I think it¡¯s only a one-way door. If you want to check it, I can guide you there tomorrow.¡± Pip said while his hand still tugging Abe¡¯s sleeve.


    ¡°Okay then. Let¡¯s go eat something then head to your room. And it seems like we missed launch after all¡± Abe looked up, finding that the sky getting darker.


    Then Pip led Abe to his building. The layout is the same as the building where Abe was locked. They had dinner first before resting in Pip¡¯s rooms. The room was very simple. There were only a single bed, a desk, and an empty cabinet. There was no decoration at all. The only thing that contributed that someone live here were dozen drawing scattered on the floor.


    Pip quickly gathered the drawing and places it under the bed. Seeing how quickly Pip move, Abe let out soft laughter. Abe thought that Pip was embarrassed by the drawing so he didn¡¯t mention it.


    ¡°All right let¡¯s sleep Pip.¡± Abe wave at Pip while standing beside the bed.


    Since the bed was not big, they have to snuggle together. Seeing that Pip was already on the bed behind the quilt Abe walked to the light switch.


    ¡°Ahh don¡¯t switch it off!¡± Pip shouted seeing that Abe wanted to turn the light off.


    ¡°Are you afraid of the dark Pip?¡± Said Abe with a grin on his face.


    Pip nodded quickly. Seeing this Abe walked toward the bed and then lay on the bed.


    ¡°Good night Pip.¡± Abe brought his body closer to Pip.


    ¡°Good night brother Abe.¡± He smiled while drawing the quilt closer to his chin.


    <hr>


    In the middle of their sleep, Abe suddenly woke up. The first thing he do was looking at Pip. Seeing that Pip was still sound asleep Abe smiled.


    ¡°This kid is so cute¡± Abe mumbled softly. ¡°And a heavy sleeper at that.¡±


    Abe moved his body searching for a more comfortable position. When he was ready to close his eyes again Abe¡¯s ear picked up something. There was a sound outside.


    Instantly Abe¡¯s body tensed up a little. His breath started to quicken. Abe slowly raised from bed. Looking around to find weapons. But there weren¡¯t any. Abe slowly tip-toed toward the door.


    When he was in front of the door, he slowly put his left ear on the wooden door.


    There was a sound of something moving. But there was no sound of steps. He listened closely to it. The sound was fading. It seems like the sound was getting farther from him. When the sound was gone, Abe slowly placed his hand on the knob handle. Then he turned the lock really slowly.


    ¡®Clicked¡¯


    In the dead quiet atmosphere, the sound was so loud that he felt like it could be heard from every corner of the place. His hand was frozen. A really chilly cold hit his spine. Sweat started to drench his back.


    Then a scratching sound was heard. Slowly it was getting louder. The sound was so loud that it felt like scratching his heart. When it was so loud that he felt like his eardrums were going to tear, the scratching stopped.


    Abe placed his ear on the door once again. It only met with silence. The sound disappeared so suddenly that Abe felt like the last few seconds were only his imagination. Just when Abe let out an exhausted sigh. Abe heard a heavy breathing sound from the other side of the door. It was so heavy that it didn¡¯t sound like human breathing. It was so oppressive that made you feel that the loudest lion¡¯s roar felt cute compared to it. Abe¡¯s body started to quiver. His back right now was drenched with a river of sweat. Right when Abe¡¯s legs couldn¡¯t support him anymore.


    ¡°Abeee~¡± A soft whisper was heard from the other side. It was so abominable that Abe¡¯s body and mind couldn¡¯t handle it anymore. Abe¡¯s world quickly plunged into darkness.