Chapter Text
You had assumed the creature was an entity at first, albeit undocumented seeing as you didn’t recognize it. It clearly wasn’t human with the stature it possessed, the mask that shifted with its facial expressions, and the black sclera with the glowing pupils. But there was something… off about it at the same time, which is saying something when it comes to the Backrooms. The feeling it gave you… it was different from what you felt around entities. With how long you’ve been in the Backrooms, you’ve developed a… sort of sense when it comes to entities. There’s always at least a tiny tingly feeling in the back of your head telling you that something isn’t quite right. With this creature, you didn’t get that feeling. In fact, it almost reminded you of… the Frontrooms. Earth. Home… Not only that, but it looked as lost as every new wanderer you’ve ever come across.
Swallowing the nervous lump in your throat, you stepped out of the shadows. The creature immediately turned to you, pupils small golden pinpricks in black voids upon its white mask. It radiated a nervous but confrontational energy as it observed you, still and silent. You held out your empty palm to show you held nothing to harm it. “Are you ok?” You asked slowly. It seemed taken aback by your question, almost as if no one had ever asked it that before. “Are you lost? Do you need help?”
It stared at you, claws flexing at its sides. Finally, it spoke, its voice low and raspy from what seemed like lack of use. “Where am I?”
You sighed. Seemed it truly did come from the Frontrooms. How peculiar. But you could ponder that later. Right now, it needed your help. “You’re in… a new place.” You told it, using the usual spiel you’d developed over many years in the Backrooms and many encounters with new wanderers. “A place that is very different from everything you know, a place outside the reality you’re familiar with.”
It blinked. “How do I leave?”
You cringed. This was your least favorite part. “You… can’t. I’m sorry. There is no escape from the Backrooms.”
It seemed incredibly distressed by your answer that it didn’t even acknowledge that you’d given its new permanent home a name, sinking to the floor, face in its hands. You felt terrible for the creature. You could already tell it was incredibly homesick. You hobbled over to it, taking a seat next to it. You kept a small distance so as to not invade its personal space, but you were close enough to let it know you were there. “I’m YN.”
It looked up at you, sitting calmly next to it. “Pierrot.” It, or he you assumed, whispered. “I’m not even supposed to be talking to you… But I suppose that doesn’t matter anymore, does it…?”
You frowned. You hadn’t felt this bad for a wanderer in a long time. Oh, you always felt awful for them, but this one seemed… particularly devastated. He likely had family or friends he was extraordinarily close to in the Frontrooms that he’d basically just been told he’d never see again.
You said it on a whim. “Why don’t you tag along with me?” He was still for a moment before he tilted his head. “You seem very lost and… lonely. Not to mention you don’t know anything about your new environment. But I can help all those problems. I can provide you company, I know my way around, and I know a lot more about this place than almost anyone else trapped here.” You rationalized. You stuck out your hand. “Whaddya say?”
Pierrot finally looked at you then. Really looked at you. The kindness in your eyes… the instant willingness to look out for him… the fact you were a human showing him care…? What a sweet creature you are… He placed his gloved hand in yours. “I’d like that, my dear.”