Object 6 : "The Mirror"

Object 6 is a large, seemingly ordinary wall mirror hung underneath a green exit sign. It is situated in a nondescript room within Level 0, though this room appears to be exceedingly remote and difficult to locate. The object has not been sighted in other levels, and its movement is consistent with the random reshuffling of rooms typical to Level 0.

The mirror is rectangular in shape, with a height of 97.1 inches (246.6cm) and width of 61.9 inches (157.2cm), with a thickness of 0.24 inches (0.61cm). Its surface is uniformly smooth, apart from a small plaque centered on the mirror’s bottom edge.

The plaque reads as follows:

REALITY

1 Cori 13 | 12

The text's meaning stands undeciphered. The link between the text on the plaque and the mirror's properties has yet to be determined.

I. Extranormal reflection:

To all viewers, the mirror initially appears and behaves as an ordinary wall mirror. However, its anomalous properties begin to manifest within hours of exposure.

The majority of viewers have claimed that the reflection within the mirror is soon replaced with scenes featuring people, places and objects which are integral to their past lives in the Frontrooms, and fondly remembered. Viewers' homes, neighborhoods, schools, and workplaces are usually featured, as well as loved ones, family members and pets.

Viewers generally assert that the scenes depicted are peaceful and ordinary. All characters, objects and places within scenes behave normally and are accurate to the viewer's memory. Viewers also deny seeing the Backrooms and its unique features appearing within these scenes. Intriguingly, some viewers have even claimed to see deceased family members and pets appearing in scenes, as well as places which no longer exist.

Viewers also describe being unable to interact in any way with the scenes depicted in the mirror. However, they unanimously report seeing a version of themselves incorporated into the scenes at all times. A viewer’s counterpart within the reflection will apparently bear close resemblance to their current age and appearance, but dressed appropriately to the scene.

A minority of viewers do claim that they are physically unable to experience the mirror's unusual properties. For these viewers, the mirror continues to function as a standard wall mirror. Research has suggested that most such individuals were born in the Backrooms, or have lived within them for an extended period.

There are also unverified rumors of entirely different scenes reflected within the mirror. These claims range wildly from scenes set within the Backrooms to scenes set in mythical or fictional places. Research into such rumors is ongoing.

The response to the scenes within the mirror varies greatly. As expected, viewers tend to express wistful, nostalgic emotions. Most break down in tears. Some viewers forcefully (and thus far unsuccessfully) attempt to break through the mirror into the scene itself. Though the recorded responses of viewers are generally consistent with their personality, researchers are investigating the possibility of the mirror exerting an additional psychic effect upon their emotions.

Some viewers do find it emotionally difficult to leave the mirror behind. Most viewers report no serious physical, mental or emotional ill-effects after leaving the mirror. Viewers tend to report feeling wistful and nostalgic for many hours after exposure, but it is assumed that this is a natural emotional response. Many also report feeling calm and relieved, and express a sense of closure at being able to experience a glimpse of reality once again.

All photographic and videographic attempts to document the phenomena exhibited by the mirror have been unsuccessful, as they merely yield images of the mirror reflecting an empty room. Researchers therefore speculate that the illusory effects of the mirror might be hallucinatory.

II. Physical properties:

Under intense scrutiny before and during the manifestation of the mirror's effects, no physical abnormalities or technological enhancements have been found on the object. However, the mirror appears to be impervious to scratches and damage in any form, and the mirror cannot be dislodged from the wall by any means.

Attempting to attack or destroy the mirror is strongly discouraged1 due to the risk of damaging it before its full potential is discovered and harnessed. Furthermore, any such attempt poses a danger to Wanderers, as the mirror appears to react defensively to attacks (refer to the attached Audio Log for details).

It is assumed that the mirror itself is responsible for its effects, and not the room around it. The room in which the mirror is placed is indeed consistent with the appearance and behaviour of Level 0. However, it appears to be Euclidian in nature, and does not change in size and shape while unobserved — similar to the Manila Room.

As an apparent side-effect of the room's stable geometry, no-clipping into or out of the room is not possible. Unfortunately, this makes the object incredibly difficult to locate within the non-Euclidian geometry of Level 0. It also appears to be impossible to no-clip through the mirror itself (or at least — not intentionally. Refer to the attached Audio Log for details).

Research on Object 6 is proceeding slowly because of navigational difficulties. Therefore, The M.E.G. encourages anyone with information of the mirror's origin and function to come forward, particularly if an individual named Cori is involved. Anecdotal evidence from anyone who has encountered the mirror is also greatly appreciated.

Rumours about the object had been circulating among Wanderers for years prior to its official discovery. The object came to the M.E.G.'s attention when speculation began of its potential as an exit from the Backrooms. The M.E.G. officially confirmed the existence of the mirror on 3/24/2021, when it was successfully located by M.E.G. Team 'Troglodyte' of Regiment Track Mappers.

Attached below is a transcript of the Audio Log submitted by M.E.G. Team 'Troglodyte' upon return.

The comprehensive testing log on the mirror and its properties is also available here.

Begin Transmission

2nd Lieutenant Evan M. Hope: Hello Base Command, this is Team Leader Evan Hope of Team Troglodyte. We've found what you're looking for. Damn this took a while.

Base: This is Commrunner Jas from M.E.G. Base Beta Command Facility, we hear you loud and clear Trog- Troglo-… why does this have to be your name… Anyway, what’s your status?

Evan: I think we’re here. We’ve found an object matching your description. A mirror and an exit sign. Awaiting further instructions.

Base: Excellent. Please specify the route taken since our last Comms check. We’ll record it for now, in case your team… doesn’t make it back in one piece.

Evan: Really? It's Level 0, we can pretty much no-clip back to base any time. I could just send Savant back with the Carto logs if you need it that urgently.

Base: Your team entered from Level 3. We’re not taking any chances after that incident with Theo.

Evan: If you insist. SAVANT! Get over here.

[Background conversation is audible for about thirty seconds.]

2nd Sergeant Savant J. Pryce: Command, this is Savant speaking. According to my logs we have walked thirty-seven and a quarter miles east since our last Communications check. That makes 246.5 miles since our rendezvous in Manila.

Evan: Don't understand how it would help when everything keeps moving around in here.

Savant: Actually, with enough time and patience, there are a few navigational patterns that aid in non-Euclidian cartography. There are definitely patterns of movement that can get us to specific rooms, especially ones with atypical properties. The Manila Room for example-

Evan: Yeah, we get it Bill Nye, go do something useful. Oh yeah - tell the guys to drink up, we've been walking for hours.

[2SG Savant mumbles inaudibly.]

Base: Thank you, Savant.

Evan: This better be worth it, Jas. I don't like sending my guys out here for nothing. It's been almost a week of this drywall, pissfloor nightmare, and we had to take a detour into the Red Rooms because of Jared-

[In the background, faintly]

Corporal Jared E. Lasky: It was Bailey’s fault!

[Friendly banter is audible in the background for a few moments]

Base: Sorry to hear that. The higher-ups said this was a priority mission, so it's bound to be important. How is your team?

Evan: We’re a little worn out. Permission to set up camp for a couple hours? No way we can conduct research in this state.

Base: Of course. Just one more thing - could you describe what you see? And send us a pic of the mirror.

Evan: Well, there’s nothing notable about the room. Same crap-hole level 0 aesthetic as far as we can see. It’s a square room… maybe as big as the gaming lounge back at Base. No entities in sight.

Base: Okay, but the mirror.

Evan: The mirror, right. It's under an exit sign, like we were told…

[A long pause. The clinking of tent poles and equipment is audible in the background. Loud tapping noises are heard.]

Evan: You sure this thing’s worth looking at? It’s just… a mirror. Like… the kind you’d find in a clothing store on Level 11. Nothing special. There is a plaque on the bottom, can't tell what it's supposed to mean, but it's probably just some product serial number or something. I can take a pic of that.

Base: Okay.

Evan: I swear, if this turns out like the MONTH LONG search for an ORDINARY coat rack from last year… You better be sure there’s something special about this- oh.

Base: You good?

Evan: I've taken a photo, as requested. But it’s… empty?

Base: Come again?

Evan: There’s… I’m not in it. My reflection doesn’t show up. It’s just the room, totally empty. Yo Savant, come see this.

[A long pause.]

Savant: The photographs are indeed… entirely empty. We have tried altering the angle and the lighting, but the result remains the same. Taking a photograph of Evan in front of the mirror causes him to appear in the image, but not his reflection. That is very odd.

Base: Maybe, but it lines up with the reports we've gotten. We’ll talk again at 0800 hours tomorrow. Have a good rest, and keep your comms online in case the mirror does anything strange.

Evan: Alright, pics sent, I will see you in the morning.

Base: Command out.

[The recording on Troglodyte's end continues uneventfully for approximately two hours, during which casual chatter and eating noises are audible]

Jared: So I was telling her, right, I should’ve… what?

Corporal Bailey R. Pauling: GUYS. In the mirror!

Savant: What?

Jared: I don't see anything?

Bailey: It's MY MOM!

[There is a pause. In the post-mission brief, 2LT Evan reported that CPL Bailey rushed towards the mirror at this point.]

Bailey: Mom! Can you see me? Can you hear me?

[CPL Bailey begins banging forcefully on the mirror, to no apparent effect. There is a long pause.]

Evan: Bailey? We don't see anything.

Bailey: My mom! I see her, she's right there, sitting at the kitchen table… it's been years…

Savant: Describe clearly what you see, Bailey. Stay calm and speak slowly. It could be important.

Bailey: I… My mom… she's… sitting down for breakfast… coffee and cereal with soy milk… like she always does.

Savant: Where is she?

Bailey: She's sitting in our kitchen. In- in Redding. Minnesota2. That's where I used to live.

Jared: What does your house look like?

Bailey: Exactly like I remember it. It's an apartment, on the fifth floor. The walls are purple, because my Mom likes purple. There's blue-striped curtains. It's rainy outside and the ceiling's still dripping, and there's a bucket underneath. And my cat, Moss- WAIT. I'm… I'm there too! In the background. I'm feeding my cat.

[2LT Evan reports that the group has, at this point, crowded around CPL Bailey in front of the mirror. He has begun holding the mic up to Bailey to record the audio clearly]

Jared: Still don't see anything. If you're making this up…

Bailey: I'm not, I swear I'm not. I… I'm sitting there in front of my cat. Not fourteen-year-old me, the now me. I'm still in my favourite T-shirt though. It was, like, a blue shirt with a camera printed on, with, like, the UK flag in the lens. And… my slippers. The furry ones the M.E.G. found on me when I fell in here.

[Pause.]

Bailey: I'm changing into my sneakers now. And my mom, I'm hugging her goodbye and leaving for school… I haven't seen her in years. I… I love her so much. I miss her.

[There is a long pause. Sobbing and comforting whispers are barely audible]

Evan: Go take a rest, guys. I'll stay with Bailey and take first watch.

[Silence for another five or so minutes. Evan begins to speak, quietly and thoughtfully.]

Evan: You wanna talk about it?

[A long pause]

Bailey: My mom. She was great, you know? When dad had that accident, and we didn't know if- if we could ever move on. She worked two jobs and still came home and made dinner every night. I miss her. I miss them. I miss when… life was normal. I even miss school. I- I just… wanna be a kid again. To go back to Reality, you know?

[A brief pause.]

Evan: I'm not seeing what you see. But I get what you mean.

Bailey: What was it like… for you? Back there?

[A long pause]

Evan: Not great, dude. My brother… he wasn't the best. His friends liked to come over… they would smoke weed and do- uh… other things. My parents were away a lot. He had to take care of me. He didn't do a good job.

[The next four minutes of the audio log have been cut at the request of 2LT Evan.]

Evan: So you see, it's not all that bad. Now that we're here. We still have each other.

Bailey: sniff Maybe.

[A long pause.]

Bailey: You think there's a way back?

Evan: Well… I really dunno. Never really thought about it. I don't exactly have much to go back to.

[Long pause]

Evan: I think… well, don't take this the wrong way. But I've always wondered, you know. If the Reality we came from was actually… real. If maybe… the Backrooms is Reality. And the place we thought we knew… and we thought we came from… what if that's the illusion?

[Long pause]

Bailey: That's… real depressing.

Evan: Well… more for you than for me, I guess. We don't know if there's a way back. And even if there is, we don't know if life will ever be the same. It's likely everyone we used to know has just moved on at this point. But whatever happens, we've got each other and we have the M.E.G. No matter what this pissfloor shithole throws at us, we'll be alright.

Bailey: Yeah… I guess.

Evan: And hey… if we die… maybe we wake up in our beds, and reality goes on like normal. Not gonna test that out, though.

Bailey: Me neither.

[Long pause]

Evan: Look… we're here for you. Alright? Me and Savant… even Jared. We're a team. Look, my life before might've been shitty, but even I can say it's not easy in here. If you ever need to talk… we're here. And I'm here.

Bailey: Yeah. Thanks Ev.

[Nothing notable is heard for the next six hours and twenty-four minutes. 2SG Savant reports nothing abnormal about CPL Jared's behavior prior to his shift for the night.]

Jared: Shit. Shit SHIT SHIT-

[Abrupt sounds of loud banging.]

Jared: I can't take it any more! I want to go home! LET ME IN-

Evan: JARED, WHAT THE HELL?

Savant: NO!

[A loud thud is heard. 2LT Evan reported emerging from his tent to see CPL Jared holding a large rock from the squad's weapons arsenal in his hands. CPL Jared proceeded to rush towards the mirror intending to smash it. He was promptly tackled to the floor by 2SG Savant.]

Jared: SHIT SHIT SHIT GET IT OFF GET IT OFF GET IT-

Savant: JARED! Pull yourself together!

[2SG Savant and CPL Jared both report that the rock, and CPL Jared's left hand, no-clipped through the mirror. CPL Jared reported losing all sensation in his left hand as soon as it no-clipped. His hand emerged intact, but diseased3. The rock was not recovered.]

[A long pause. Rustling and sobbing noises are audible.]

Evan: You good?

Jared: Can't you see it?

Savant: No.

Evan: What do you see?

Jared: My sister…

[The next forty-five minutes of the conversation have been cut at CPL Jared's request. 2LT Evan notes that CPL Jared's behaviour showed no abnormalities or symptoms of psychosis. CPL Jared is also known to have made similar rash decisions in the past.]

Jared: I think I've seen enough, guys. I wanna leave. Get my hand checked out.

Evan: How is it? Did the Almond Water help?

Jared: Feeling's coming back. Hurts a bit, now. I can move it again. The skin's still all gross though. Hey, the recorder isn't on, is it? If Command finds out what I tried to do…

Bailey: I don't think so, lemme check.

Evan: It's on and transmitting. Can't cover you for this one, dude.

Jared: Oh f-

End Transmission

Glory be to the Man in White.

Written by Kai4C.
Thank you to:
Boifromnowhere
SnomWriting
Team_Elii
for critique and support.

Image credits:

The included image was used in accordance with the Pexels license.

I hereby authorize a full override of this directive for any and all M.E.G. personnel involved in Project Holy Grail.

With a written proposal that has received MY DIRECT APPROVAL, research may be conducted to attempt to damage the mirror with the express purpose of performing a no-clip through. Do NOT inform anyone outside the Project. Do NOT inform anyone outside the M.E.G. I recognize that CPL Lasky received a permanent injury. I know there's a risk that we endanger more personnel, or even lose the mirror.

But don't you see? This Object could be an EXIT.

A way out of this nightmare we've been stuck in for so long. A way back home. If there's even the smallest chance that this is a way out, we have to look into it. No matter what it takes.

— Overseer-A