RNFS.exists() returning false everytime

When using the exists() function, false is returned everytime, even when the file 100% exists. The file is stored in /app/assets.

import React, {Component} from 'react'
import {View,Text,Image,Button} from 'react-native'
import styles from "./styles"
import { Provider as PaperProvider } from 'react-native-paper';
import RNFS from 'react-native-fs';

class CharacterSelect extends Component{

static navigationOptions = {
header: null
}

constructor() {
super()
this.state = {
displayView:null
}
}

async funcy() {

RNFS.exists("@assets/character.json")
.then((exists) => {
if (exists) {
console.warn("BLAH EXISTS");
} else {
this.setState({
displayView:(Oopsie, no character!this.checkCharacterExists()}>)
})
}
});

}

render() {

this.funcy()

const {} = styles
return(


Welcome to RpgDoIt!

{this.state.displayView}

)
}
}

export default CharacterSelect