A long hallway in Level 2.
Overview
Level 2 is the 3rd level of the Backrooms. It is regarded as the first level with a high likelihood of encountering an entity due to the environmental dangers in Level 1 being more prominent.
Structure
Level 2 is a series of claustrophobic hallways lined with varying pipes and cabling. The walls are made of either concrete blocks or conventional bricks. Corridors cross paths on a regular basis, but can also run for kilometers without any bend or turn. Four-way intersections are common as well. Halls commonly shift and change to form new paths. Because of this, the lost frequently get unintentionally split up when traversing Level 2.
Many walls have pipes protruding from them. Normally, these pipes are scalding hot, but can also be icy cold. Despite the vast temperature range, the surrounding pipes appear to be unaffected by neighboring pipes and ambient temperature. Pipes can contain a variety of substances, ranging from an unknown toxic white gas to a viscous dark fluid. Although not entirely certain, the substance within does seem to depend on the temperature of the pipes.
Drawings and writings are regularly found on the walls; however, they are usually unintelligible. It is unknown if these drawings are Forgotten man-made inscriptions or a manifestation of Level 2. Messages found written on things other than structural surfaces remain legible and understandable.
Lighting is inconsistent. While some halls have little to no working light sources, others are totally lit. Instances of lights of an irregular color (blue, red, green, etc.) have been reported. Avoiding areas with little to no lighting is recommended, as Smiler encounters are common there.
Any doors one comes across in the halls are usually locked, and entry cannot be forced. Rooms with beneficial items exist but are seldom found. They are furnished with office chairs, desks, and lockers. Containers within rooms can have food, weapons, and other random items inside. There have also been discoveries of computers with hardware programmed with nonsensical code. Attempting to utilize any of these computers is futile.
Nature
Pipes on Level 2 generate noise constantly. Humming and shaking as liquid moves within them. Ruptures occur regularly and are extremely dangerous. In such instances, the previously described liquids and gases escape. Even if staying away appears simple, fleeing is crucial to survival. Regardless of the fluid escaping the pipes, upon being caught in it, the substance will entrap the victim. Making it extremely difficult to escape.
Generally, Newtonian temperature effects remain with the contents of the pipe. Hot liquids will cause severe burns, and a cold white gas can cause scratches on clothes and skin. Inhaling this gas has a high probability of causing internal organ bleeding, which will almost always lead to a quick and inevitable death.
Entities
While entity encounters are uncommon, one may come across Hounds, Smilers, and on rare occasions, Skin-Stealers. Smilers tend to hide in the rooms of Level 2 given that the lights are off inside, before wanderers discover them.
Recovered Documents
The following recovered document is one out of many describing the first physical hazards the wanderer ever encountered in the Backrooms. It was discovered laying in a supply room.
Passageways
Entrances
- Going into an elevator on Level 0 can send one to Level 2.
- Following a pipe on Level 1 can lead to a tight hallway, directing one to Level 2.
- Going into a narrowing hallway smoothing into concrete on Level 3 leads back to Level 2.
Exits
- Finding a widening hallway with cables will eventually lead to Level 3.
- On extremely rare occasions white doors can be found which will lead to Level 4.
- Going on a staircase rounding up or down takes one to Level 12