Level 11
Description
The dark streets, under the fleeting shelter of the streetlights.
If you're at least loosely following a linear progression, this level is the most hazardous one you'll have encountered so far. Without a light source of your own, the level is so dark that you won't be able to see even a foot in front of you. If the battery is still alive, phones work. But if you didn't take the proper precautions, that isn't very likely.
The level is an endless series of suburban streets, lined with modest houses. The roads are generally difficult to walk on and prone to potholes and shattered glass. With the exception of a few streetlamps, the entire level is unusually dark. Thankfully, I only spent a short time there. It was a little unsettling to walk through the pitch black with only a small beam of light to guide me. I used the last 20% or so of my phone's battery to light the way. Every time I took a step, I couldn't help but check the ground, but as soon as I lowered the torch, I would no longer be able to see what was in front of me. It always felt like something was following me, just out of reach.
There are a lot of entities on this level. Usually, they stay close to the houses. If you draw their attention with noise or light from a torch will they approach. The majority of them are skilled blind hunters who can easily follow your sounds. You'll have to flee as fast as you can or defend yourself once they've found your trail because it's unlikely that they will lose it. Whatever the reason, they stay away from the lamps' light. So if you need a quick break, stick to them. Avoid remaining too long because if they see you, they can wait just outside the streetlight's range. Entities here are fairly varied and common. If I had to hazard a guess there is maybe one of them for every ten houses you pass by.
There is no water or food available here. If you're willing to take a chance, you might find some in the houses, but I wouldn't risk it. Fighting an entity in open space is difficult enough; doing so in close quarters only gives them the upper hand. I would also advise you to move quickly but carefully through this area. If you can, jog rather than sprint because it is much simpler to make a mistake when moving too fast. And if you're jogging anything following you will be audible and obvious in trying to keep up.
There are occasionally empty cars. These are also a decent place to rest, though they sadly don't work. While they are safe on the inside and can provide you with a momentary reprieve, they are loud enough to attract attention when you open them. This level isn't one where you should stay idle for long, the predators here are smart enough to set up the perfect ambush for you. It is best to always assume that something is watching you and is waiting for you to let down your guard. Just because something hasn't come barreling towards you doesn't mean you are safe. This rule applies to everywhere in the Backrooms though.
Also, keep watch for signs or any sort of indication of where to go. These are the primary exits from the level; if you can't find and follow them, you'll need to search for the much rarer alternate exits.
My stay here wasn't enjoyable. There were seven close calls with different entities, one of note was with this strange bug/human hybrid… thing. It just always seemed to know where I was even when I was hidden. It stank like death and just kept hovering around trying to find me. It looked like a man with wings, or maybe a moth wearing the skin of a person. I can't really recall that time with clarity anymore, not that I got a good look anyway. The important point is that there's all sorts of things out here that we have no idea about. In general, entities are not well documented, but levels like this one might have more creatures on their own than what we've documented for the rest of the Backrooms as a whole. Always watch out. Be careful and stay safe.
- Eric Monroe, survivor on level 12.
Access
Entrances
You can enter through level 10 if you walk far enough. You can also get here from level 9 if you exit the level in a dark area. Level 3 has rare doors that exit out of the houses here.
Exits
You can get to level 12 if you follow the signs for it.