Jay hates ghosts. Ghosts are the ultimate form of evil.
Ghosts are people who died and have nothing to lose, yet they act like they do. They have no morals, unlike alive ones who at least pretend to. They follow him everywhere and say the damnest things.
They follow him everywhere and never leave him alone even if he refuses to help them.
He was super anxious when he saw the ghost girl pop out of nowhere. He was ecstatic that he hadn't seen a single ghost in all the 9 levels he passed through.
When he noclipped to the backrooms, he was relieved to not be sitting in a stuffy classroom. surrounded by 9 dead people begging to find their loved ones or take revenge for their sake.
But it seemed that there was no other choice. He had to have some space to make a sound decision on what to do with her.
"Well?" he waited impatiently. The neighborhood wasn't well-lit unfortunately, and it seemed as if it got dimmer.
Alex thought about which realms he went through. She knew many nice ones, the ones that have unlimited gold in them, or the ones that feel like a "fever dream." Perhaps she could take him there if they made it out alive.
As much as she wanted to talk to him, know everything about him, and tell him about how she's stuck for eternity, they were still being hunted, or she was.
"The basement might have an exit," she uttered after much thought. if the house is in a rundown state, with the doors barely on their hinges, then the basement must also be a graveyard.
She had accidentally entered one years ago and went to another realm. it was also less stable, but it was survivable. She saw humans roaming there, so the air must not be poisonous, she thought.
Jay thought about it for a second and nodded.
"Ok, but I'll be standing guard; you go check the basement," he ordered. She rolled her eyes; it won't make a difference, she thought. He was their prey. They'll follow him wherever he goes.
So she went downstairs, the creaking of her every step audible. If she were a ghost, how would the stairs make noise? Jay wondered. It doesn't matter, he thought.
He deliberately sent her down to think about what he should do. Should he go with her? What if she wants to be stuck with him for eternity? He didn't want her following him around everywhere he went in the backrooms. He wanted to meet other humans and live a normal life free from this stupid curse.
But Alex might ruin this plan.
He looked out the window, and the things were still standing there, smiling menacingly. He wondered if they would kill him if we stepped outside. or left the door open. he also wondered if he would stay here forever.
He looked around at the rusty floors and dusty furniture and decided against it. He was also starving. What he would give for a burger right now. Or water.
He remembered the ghost girl's words: "You can escape by following the signs," is what she said.
He gulped. His throat was dry, and he could barely swallow. He had some almond water, a protein bar, and a first-aid kit. It wasn't much, but it was enough.
He had decided on what he should do.
He heard the girl's voice echoing from downstairs. "I think I found something!"
As he heard her footstep get heavier, he unlocked the door.
And ran.