‘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.

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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.