The Creepiest Place On The Internet Actually Discovered In Real Life

Although the link to the tweet was broken, the sleuths used the Internet Archive to access a 2003 blog post about renovating a HobbyTown store in Oshkosh, Wisconsin. Interestingly, all the blog’s photos were missing except for the Backrooms image and another picture of the same room from a different angle. They also found a black-and-white photo of the room when it was a furniture store.

Fittingly, the Backrooms photo was taken in the store’s back rooms, now an RC racing track with clean, white interiors.

Following the revelation of its origins, some folks said the Backrooms trend is over. However, its popularity ensures it will remain part of internet history, always existing in those eerie, unused office spaces.

The Backrooms image began circulating after an anonymous 4chan user asked for “disquieting images that just feel ‘off.'”

The now-iconic photo of an eerie office space was posted in response, with its unsettling lore created in the replies and spreading across the internet. The concept resonated with many due to the creepiness of empty office and retail spaces.

The Backrooms became a popular setting for horror stories on Reddit. However, the concept gained mainstream attention through YouTube videos by VFX artist Kane Pixels, further expanding its lore and references across platforms like TikTok and Roblox.

The backrooms are described as a vast, empty space with no windows or doors, only endless hallways with yellowish, dilapidated walls covered in mold.

The floors are covered in a thin layer of moist, yellow carpet. The only sounds are the buzzing of fluorescent lights and the occasional scuttling of unknown creatures.

Entering the Backrooms is described as “noclipping” out of reality, often by accident. Various entities and creatures are said to inhabit the backrooms, including Skin-Stealers, Hounds, and Smilers.

To escape the Backrooms, individuals must navigate through various levels, each presenting unique challenges and dangers. Level 0 of the Backrooms is The Lobby, characterized by a seemingly infinite non-linear space.

The only danger here is death from starvation due to the lack of supplies. Escaping Level 0 involves wandering long enough for the surroundings to change.

After escaping Level 0, individuals enter Level 1 (the Habitable Zone), a massive warehouse with concrete floors and walls. This level has a minimal entity count and includes Dullers, Facelings, Hounds, Skin-Stealers, and Scratchers.

Supply crates containing food and other useful items can be found on this level. Individuals must complete tasks and leave through glass doors or windows to escape.

The Backrooms present various challenges and tasks individuals must overcome to progress through different levels. Escaping can take around two months, depending on the assigned tasks.

Shortcuts are available, such as through Level 153, the Vintage Office Building, which leads to Level 3999, where a red button acts as an escape unit.

The revelation of the Backrooms’ real-world origin showcases the power and the potential pitfalls of online detective work.

While the discovery adds a logical layer to the legend, it diminishes the eerie allure that makes creepypastas so compelling. For enthusiasts, this is a reminder that sometimes the magic lies in the mystery.

Source: Forbes