we, the remainder hd renovation

Your browser lacks required capabilities. Please upgrade it or switch to another to continue.

Loading…

,,,,,,,,,,

''//we, the remainder//'' a game by charm cochran //for the best experience, please play this game fullscreen on a desktop browser.// //this game contains mature themes and isn't intended for anyone under the age of 16. [[read trigger warnings here.|trigger warnings]]// [[now that all is said and done, let's begin.|Antechamber]] <<set $name to 'girl'>>

[[bedroom]] \[[bathroom]] \<div class="center">you wheel your way into the room. same mauve carpet, same framed photos, same brass crucifix. you can see <<link "Momma's chair" "Momma's chair">><</link>>, <<link "a window" "Home window">><</link>>, and <<link "Momma's Bible" "Momma's Bible">><</link>>.</div> [[kitchen]][[hallway]] <<set $indoorturns to $indoorturns + 1>> <<set $scripture to random(10)>>

[[living room]] \<div class="center">you wheel back into the bedroom you and Momma share. shared. your two beds sit against opposite walls of the room. you shared one closet between you. \<<if $floorboard is 'no'>> \you can see <<link "your bed" "Your Bed">><</link>>, <<link "Momma's bed" "Momma's Bed">><</link>>, and <<link "a loose floorboard" "Loose Floorboard">><</link>>. \<<else>> \you can see <<link "your bed" "Your Bed">><</link>> and <<link "Momma's bed" "Momma's Bed">><</link>>. \<</if>></div> <<set $indoorturns to $indoorturns + 1>>

<div class="center">your chair wheels squeak on the floor. the light's been out for a while now. you can see <<link "the fridge" "Fridge">><</link>> and <<link "the cabinets" "Cabinets">><</link>>.</div> [[living room]] <<set $indoorturns to $indoorturns + 1>>

[[living room]] \<div class="center">bad memories circle here. like everywhere else, the lights are off. the tile is worryingly slippery under your wheels. \you can see <<link "the toilet" "Toilet">><</link>>, \<<if $memories is 1>> \<<link "the bathtub" "Bathtub 2">><</link>>, \<<else>> \<<link "the bathtub" "Bathtub">><</link>>, \<</if>> \and <<link "the medicine cabinet" "Medicine Cabinet">><</link>>.</div> <<set $indoorturns to $indoorturns + 1>>

[[stairs]] \<div class="center">no point in closing the apartment door behind you anymore. there was never really any point to begin with—everyone in the Children of Adam is family. you tried your best to water the plant in the corner, at least at first. the overhead light has been out for a while. the darkness turns this space alien and uneasy.</div> [[apartment|living room]][[elevator]] <<set $indoorturns to $indoorturns + 1>>

it's been out for weeks. no point in even trying to force the doors open—you might just get yourself stuck inside. [[back|hallway]] <<set $indoorturns to $indoorturns + 1>>

\<<if $comfort is 'none'>> \the staircase stretches down before you, an insurmountable obstacle by normal means.you have an idea of how to get down, but...without Momma around, you feel so vulnerable. you're not sure you're ready to brave the outside alone. \<<else>> \you have what you need now. you touch your <<print $comfort>> again to remind yourself.but the question is, are you ready?[[go for it.]] \<</if>>[[go back.|hallway]] <<set $indoorturns to $indoorturns + 1>>

[[go back inside]] \<<if $food is 'none' and $hungerturns gte 30>><<link "Alpha Alley" "starvation">><</link>><<else>><<link "Alpha Alley" "Alpha Alley">><<set $hungerturns to $hungerturns + 1>><</link>><</if>> \<div class="center">this is the street you've lived on your entire life. it's lined with other houses. it is so, so quiet. you can see <<link "an overturned garbage can" "Garbage Can">><</link>>, <<link "an abandoned basketball" "Basketball">><</link>>, and <<link "a corpse" "Angel Corpse">><</link>>.<<if $map is 1>> you have a <<link "map" "Ref Map">><</link>>.<</if>><<if $food is 'none'>> <<if $hungerturns lte 10>><<print $starve1.random()>><<elseif $hungerturns gt 10 and $hungerturns lte 20>><<print $starve2.random()>><<elseif $hungerturns gt 20>><<print $starve3.random()>><</if>><</if>></div> <<if $food is 'none' and $hungerturns gte 30>><<link "Throne Street continues East" "starvation">><</link>><<else>><<link "Throne Street continues East" "Throne Street Mid">><<set $hungerturns to $hungerturns + 1>><</link>><</if>> <<set $outdoorturns to $outdoorturns + 1>> [[ ->Alpha Alley]] [[ ->Throne Street Mid]]

<<if $food is 'none' and $hungerturns gte 30>><<link "Omega Street" "starvation">><</link>><<else>><<link "Omega Street" "Omega Street">><<set $hungerturns to $hungerturns + 1>><</link>><</if>> \<div class="center">you wheel down the street where you live, past the rows of squat scarlet residential buildings. you've never heard it this quiet before. you can see <<link "the residential buildings" "Residential Buildings">><</link>> and <<link "a broken crucifix" "Broken Crucifix">><</link>>.<<if $map is 1>> you have a <<link "map" "Ref Map">><</link>>.<</if>><<if $food is 'none'>> <<if $hungerturns lte 10>><<print $starve1.random()>><<elseif $hungerturns gt 10 and $hungerturns lte 20>><<print $starve2.random()>><<elseif $hungerturns gt 20>><<print $starve3.random()>><</if>><</if>></div> <<if $food is 'none' and $hungerturns gte 30>><<link "Throne Street continues West" "starvation">><</link>><<else>><<link "Throne Street continues West" "Throne Street West">><<set $hungerturns to $hungerturns + 1>><</link>><</if>><<if $food is 'none' and $hungerturns gte 30>><<link "Throne Street continues East" "starvation">><</link>><<else>><<link "Throne Street continues East" "Throne Street East">><<set $hungerturns to $hungerturns + 1>><</link>><</if>> <<set $outdoorturns to $outdoorturns + 1>> [[ ->Omega Street]] [[ ->Throne Street West]] [[ ->Throne Street East]]

<<if $hunterkey is 'yes'>>[[Prophet Hunter's house|Hunter's entryway]]<<else>>[[Prophet Hunter's house|Hunter locked]]<</if>> \<div class="center">this section of the street is dominated by Prophet Hunter's mansion. it's the biggest building in the Community. you can see <<if $mystery is 1 or $mystery is 4 or $mystery is 7>><<link "the woman Mystery" "Mystery A">><</link>> and <</if>><<link "a corpse" "Eaten Corpse">><</link>>.<<if $map is 1>> you have a <<link "map" "Ref Map">><</link>>.<</if>><<if $food is 'none'>> <<if $hungerturns lte 10>><<print $starve1.random()>><<elseif $hungerturns gt 10 and $hungerturns lte 20>><<print $starve2.random()>><<elseif $hungerturns gt 20>><<print $starve3.random()>><</if>><</if>></div> <<if $food is 'none' and $hungerturns gte 30>><<link "Throne Street continues West" "starvation">><</link>><<else>><<link "Throne Street continues West" "Throne Street Mid">><<set $hungerturns to $hungerturns + 1>><</link>><</if>><<if $food is 'none' and $hungerturns gte 30>><<link "Seventh Street" "starvation">><</link>><<else>><<link "Seventh Street" "Seventh Street North">><<set $hungerturns to $hungerturns + 1>><</link>><</if>> <<set $outdoorturns to $outdoorturns + 1>> [[ ->Throne Street Mid]] [[ ->Seventh Street North]]

<<if $food is 'none' and $hungerturns gte 30>><<link "Throne Street" "starvation">><</link>><<else>><<link "Throne Street" "Throne Street West">><<set $hungerturns to $hungerturns + 1>><</link>><</if>> \<<if $food is 'none' and $hungerturns gte 30>><<link "North Wormwood Way" "starvation">><</link>><<else>><<link "North Wormwood Way" "North Wormwood Way West">><<set $hungerturns to $hungerturns + 1>><</link>><</if>> \<div class="center">you roll your way down the alley, following the western side of the fence that surrounds the Community. the one-room schoolhouse where you've spent the majority of your days sits to the east, its door slightly ajar. you can see <<link "the fig trees" "Fig Trees">><</link>> and <<link "the fence" "Fence - Alpha">><</link>>.<<if $map is 1>> you have a <<link "map" "Ref Map">><</link>>.<</if>><<if $food is 'none'>> <<if $hungerturns lte 10>><<print $starve1.random()>><<elseif $hungerturns gt 10 and $hungerturns lte 20>><<print $starve2.random()>><<elseif $hungerturns gt 20>><<print $starve3.random()>><</if>><</if>></div> [[schoolhouse]] <<set $outdoorturns to $outdoorturns + 1>> [[ ->Throne Street West]] [[ ->North Wormwood Way West]]

<<if $food is 'none' and $hungerturns gte 30>><<link "Throne Street" "starvation">><</link>><<else>><<link "Throne Street" "Throne Street Mid">><<set $hungerturns to $hungerturns + 1>><</link>><</if>> \<<if $food is 'none' and $hungerturns gte 30>><<link "North Wormwood Way" "starvation">><</link>><<else>><<link "North Wormwood Way" "North Wormwood Way East">><<set $hungerturns to $hungerturns + 1>><</link>><</if>> \<div class="center">this road runs behind the schoolhouse. you've travelled down it several times a week for your entire life—it's the quickest route to the chapel. you can see <<link "a storage shed" "Storage Shed">><</link>><<if $mystery is 3 or $mystery is 6 or $mystery is 9>>, <<link "the woman Mystery" "Mystery C">><</link>>,<</if>> and <<link "a patch of flowers" "Hyacinths">><</link>>.<<if $map is 1>> you have a <<link "map" "Ref Map">><</link>>.<</if>><<if $food is 'none'>> <<if $hungerturns lte 10>><<print $starve1.random()>><<elseif $hungerturns gt 10 and $hungerturns lte 20>><<print $starve2.random()>><<elseif $hungerturns gt 20>><<print $starve3.random()>><</if>><</if>></div> <<if $food is 'none' and $hungerturns gte 30>><<link "Lamb Lane" "starvation">><</link>><<else>><<link "Lamb Lane" "Lamb Lane">><<set $hungerturns to $hungerturns + 1>><</link>><</if>> <<set $outdoorturns to $outdoorturns + 1>> [[ ->Throne Street Mid]] [[ ->North Wormwood Way East]] [[ ->Lamb Lane]]

there's nothing left for you there. the journey up the stairs isn't worth it, anyway. <<if $name is "edith">>leave what's behind behind, lest you lose yourself to it.<</if>> [[go back outside.|Throne Street West]]

<<if $chapelkey is 'yes'>>[[chapel]]<<else>>[[chapel|chapel locked]]<</if>> \<<if $huntershouse is 1>><<if $grove is 0>>[[a break in the trees|The Grove]]<<else>>[[The Grove|Grove No]]<</if>><</if>> \<div class="center">the chapel sits on one side of the road. a dense grove of trees sits on the other. you can see <<link "the church sign" "Church Sign">><</link>> and <<link "the topaz" "Topaz">><</link>>.<<if $map is 1>> you have a <<link "map" "Ref Map">><</link>>.<</if>><<if $food is 'none'>> <<if $hungerturns lte 10>><<print $starve1.random()>><<elseif $hungerturns gt 10 and $hungerturns lte 20>><<print $starve2.random()>><<elseif $hungerturns gt 20>><<print $starve3.random()>><</if>><</if>></div> <<if $food is 'none' and $hungerturns gte 30>><<link "Omega Street" "starvation">><</link>><<else>><<link "Omega Street" "Omega Street">><<set $hungerturns to $hungerturns + 1>><</link>><</if>><<if $food is 'none' and $hungerturns gte 30>><<link "Seventh Street" "starvation">><</link>><<else>><<link "Seventh Street" "Seventh Street Up Mid">><<set $hungerturns to $hungerturns + 1>><</link>><</if>> <<set $outdoorturns to $outdoorturns + 1>> [[ ->Omega Street]] [[ ->Seventh Street Up Mid]]

<<if $food is 'none' and $hungerturns gte 30>><<link "Alpha Alley" "starvation">><</link>><<else>><<link "Alpha Alley" "Alpha Alley">><<set $hungerturns to $hungerturns + 1>><</link>><</if>> \<<if $food is 'none' and $hungerturns gte 30>><<link "Vial Lake" "starvation">><</link>><<else>><<link "Vial Lake" "Vial Lake">><<set $hungerturns to $hungerturns + 1>><</link>><</if>> \<div class="center">most of the detached houses in the community are on this road. the only reason you'd ever come here normally is to pass through to the lake or the pavillion. you can see <<link "miss pearl's house" "Teacher's House">><</link>> and <<link "a trail of footprints" "NWWW Footprints">><</link>>.<<if $map is 1>> you have a <<link "map" "Ref Map">><</link>>.<</if>><<if $food is 'none'>> <<if $hungerturns lte 10>><<print $starve1.random()>><<elseif $hungerturns gt 10 and $hungerturns lte 20>><<print $starve2.random()>><<elseif $hungerturns gt 20>><<print $starve3.random()>><</if>><</if>></div> <<if $food is 'none' and $hungerturns gte 30>><<link "North Wormwood Way continues East" "starvation">><</link>><<else>><<link "North Wormwood Way continues East" "North Wormwood Way East">><<set $hungerturns to $hungerturns + 1>><</link>><</if>> <<set $outdoorturns to $outdoorturns + 1>> [[ ->Alpha Alley]] [[ ->Vial Lake]] [[ ->North Wormwood Way East]]

<<if $food is 'none' and $hungerturns gte 30>><<link "Omega Street" "starvation">><</link>><<else>><<link "Omega Street" "Omega Street">><<set $hungerturns to $hungerturns + 1>><</link>><</if>> \<<if $food is 'none' and $hungerturns gte 30>><<link "pavilion" "starvation">><</link>><<else>><<link "pavilion" "pavilion">><<set $hungerturns to $hungerturns + 1>><</link>><</if>> \<<if $food is 'none' and $hungerturns gte 30>><<link "Wormwood Way" "starvation">><</link>><<else>><<link "Wormwood Way" "Wormwood Way North">><<set $hungerturns to $hungerturns + 1>><</link>><</if>> \<div class="center">this is a less-nice part of one of the more-nice streets in the Community. the houses are still detached, but here you would hear the noise of people at the pavillion and see the graveyard. beryl once said you could hear voices coming from the nearby trees late at night. you can see <<link "a pile" "Pile of Corpses">><</link>> and <<link "a trail of footprints" "NWWE Footprints">><</link>>.<<if $map is 1>> you have a <<link "map" "Ref Map">><</link>>.<</if>><<if $food is 'none'>> <<if $hungerturns lte 10>><<print $starve1.random()>><<elseif $hungerturns gt 10 and $hungerturns lte 20>><<print $starve2.random()>><<elseif $hungerturns gt 20>><<print $starve3.random()>><</if>><</if>></div> <<if $food is 'none' and $hungerturns gte 30>><<link "North Wormwood Way continues West" "starvation">><</link>><<else>><<link "North Wormwood Way continues West" "North Wormwood Way West">><<set $hungerturns to $hungerturns + 1>><</link>><</if>> <<set $outdoorturns to $outdoorturns + 1>> [[ ->Omega Street]] [[ ->pavilion]] [[ ->Wormwood Way North]] [[ ->North Wormwood Way West]]

<<if $food is 'none' and $hungerturns gte 30>><<link "North Wormwood Way" "starvation">><</link>><<else>><<link "North Wormwood Way" "North Wormwood Way East">><<set $hungerturns to $hungerturns + 1>><</link>><</if>> \<<if $food is 'none' and $hungerturns gte 30>><<link "Wormwood Way continues South" "starvation">><</link>><<else>><<link "Wormwood Way continues South" "Wormwood Way South">><<set $hungerturns to $hungerturns + 1>><</link>><</if>> \<div class="center">you never quite understood the purpose of this street. it's more of an intermediary between the places it borders than a location in its own right. you can see <<link "a rainbow" "Rainbow">><</link>>, <<link "a trail of footprints" "WWN Footprints">><</link>> and <<link "a fire" "Fire">><</link>>.<<if $map is 1>> you have a <<link "map" "Ref Map">><</link>>.<</if>><<if $food is 'none'>> <<if $hungerturns lte 10>><<print $starve1.random()>><<elseif $hungerturns gt 10 and $hungerturns lte 20>><<print $starve2.random()>><<elseif $hungerturns gt 20>><<print $starve3.random()>><</if>><</if>></div> <<if $food is 'none' and $hungerturns gte 30>><<link "pavilion" "starvation">><</link>><<else>><<link "pavilion" "pavilion">><<set $hungerturns to $hungerturns + 1>><</link>><</if>><<if $food is 'none' and $hungerturns gte 30>><<link "Sickle Street" "starvation">><</link>><<else>><<link "Sickle Street" "Sickle Street">><<set $hungerturns to $hungerturns + 1>><</link>><</if>> <<set $outdoorturns to $outdoorturns + 1>> [[ ->North Wormwood Way East]] [[ ->Wormwood Way South]] [[ ->pavilion]] [[ ->Sickle Street]]

<<if $food is 'none' and $hungerturns gte 30>><<link "Wormwood Way continues North" "starvation">><</link>><<else>><<link "Wormwood Way continues North" "Wormwood Way North">><<set $hungerturns to $hungerturns + 1>><</link>><</if>> \<div class="center">habitually, you avert your eyes from the fence. this is one of the only places in the Community where you can see outside the compound. that's what makes it so dangerous. you can see<<if $mystery is 2 or $mystery is 5 or $mystery is 8>> <<link "the woman Mystery" "Mystery B">><</link>><<if $food is 'none'>>,<</if>><</if>><<if $food is 'none'>> <<link "a beetle" "Beetle">><</link>><</if>><<if $mystery is 2 or $mystery is 5 or $mystery is 8 or $food is 'none'>>, and<</if>> <<link " a trail of footprints" "WWS Footprints">><</link>>.<<if $map is 1>> you have a <<link "map" "Ref Map">><</link>>.<</if>><<if $food is 'none'>> <<if $hungerturns lte 10>><<print $starve1.random()>><<elseif $hungerturns gt 10 and $hungerturns lte 20>><<print $starve2.random()>><<elseif $hungerturns gt 20>><<print $starve3.random()>><</if>><</if>></div> <<if $dogs is 'no'>><<if $food is 'none' and $hungerturns gte 30>><<link "Chrysolite Boulevard" "starvation">><</link>><<else>><<link "Chrysolite Boulevard" "Chrysolite Boulevard">><<set $hungerturns to $hungerturns + 1>><</link>><</if>> \<<else>><<link "Chrysolite Boulevard" "Chrysolite Dogs WWS">><</link>><</if>> <<set $outdoorturns to $outdoorturns + 1>> [[ ->Wormwood Way North]] [[ ->Chrysolite Boulevard]]

<<if $food is 'none' and $hungerturns gte 30>><<link "graveyard" "starvation">><</link>><<else>><<link "graveyard" "graveyard">><<set $hungerturns to $hungerturns + 1>><</link>><</if>> \<div class="center">this is not a street you like to spend too much time on. you can see <<link "the gate to the graveyard" "graveyard gate">><</link>> and <<link "a lamb" "Lamb">><</link>>.<<if $map is 1>> you have a <<link "map" "Ref Map">><</link>>.<</if>><<if $food is 'none'>> <<if $hungerturns lte 10>><<print $starve1.random()>><<elseif $hungerturns gt 10 and $hungerturns lte 20>><<print $starve2.random()>><<elseif $hungerturns gt 20>><<print $starve3.random()>><</if>><</if>></div> <<if $food is 'none' and $hungerturns gte 30>><<link "Wormwood Way" "starvation">><</link>><<else>><<link "Wormwood Way" "Wormwood Way North">><<set $hungerturns to $hungerturns + 1>><</link>><</if>><<if $food is 'none' and $hungerturns gte 30>><<link "Seventh Street" "starvation">><</link>><<else>><<link "Seventh Street" "Seventh Street Down Mid">><<set $hungerturns to $hungerturns + 1>><</link>><</if>> <<set $outdoorturns to $outdoorturns + 1>> [[ ->graveyard]] [[ ->Wormwood Way North]] [[ ->Seventh Street Down Mid]]

<<if $food is 'none' and $hungerturns gte 30>><<link "Statue" "starvation">><</link>><<else>><<link "Statue" "Statue">><<set $hungerturns to $hungerturns + 1>><</link>><</if>> \<div class="center">don't look at the fence. don't look at the fence. the only reason to really be here is to get to the statue. best not to linger. you can see <<link "the dogs" "dogs eating">><</link>> and <<link "a trail of footprints" "CB Footprints">><</link>>.<<if $map is 1>> you have a <<link "map" "Ref Map">><</link>>.<</if>><<if $food is 'none'>> <<if $hungerturns lte 10>><<print $starve1.random()>><<elseif $hungerturns gt 10 and $hungerturns lte 20>><<print $starve2.random()>><<elseif $hungerturns gt 20>><<print $starve3.random()>><</if>><</if>></div> <<if $food is 'none' and $hungerturns gte 30>><<link "Wormwood Way" "starvation">><</link>><<else>><<link "Wormwood Way" "Wormwood Way South">><<set $hungerturns to $hungerturns + 1>><</link>><</if>><<if $food is 'none' and $hungerturns gte 30>><<link "Seventh Street" "starvation">><</link>><<else>><<link "Seventh Street" "Seventh Street South">><<set $hungerturns to $hungerturns + 1>><</link>><</if>> <<set $outdoorturns to $outdoorturns + 1>><<set $boulevard to 1>> [[ ->Statue]] [[ ->Wormwood Way South]] [[ ->Seventh Street South]]

<div class="center">it's been twenty-four days since everyone else floated up. \you haven't been out since then; Momma doesn't like you leaving the flat without her, and the effort of getting down the stairs hasn't been worth it anyway. \but you ran out of food days ago. your stomach is growling nearly constantly now. you need to find something to eat. \and who... who are you, anyway? \<<link "Delilah." "Name">><<set $name to "delilah">><</link>> \<<link "Edith." "Name">><<set $name to "edith">><</link>> \<<link "Mary." "Name">><<set $name to "mary">><</link>> \<<link "Phoebe." "Name">><<set $name to "phoebe">><</link>> </div> <<set $indoorturns to 0>> <<set $outdoorturns to 0>> <<set $hungerturns to 0>> <<set $memories to 0>> <<set $floorboard to 'no'>> <<set $comfort to 'none'>> <<set $chapelkey to 'no'>> <<set $hunterkey to 'no'>> <<set $food to 'none'>> <<set $desk to 0>> <<set $beach to 0>> <<set $mystery to 1>> <<set $footprints to 0>> <<set $labyrinth to 0>> <<set $dogs to 'yes'>> <<set $dogmeat to 'no'>> <<set $journal to 0>> <<set $grove to 0>> <<set $grave to 0>> <<set $market to 0>> <<set $safe to 'no'>> <<set $truth to 'no'>> <<set $ending to 0>> <<set $map to 0>> <<set $hyacinths to 0>> <<set $poison to 0>> <<set $He to 'He'>> <<set $Him to 'Him'>> <<set $His to 'His'>> <<set $I to 'I'>> <<set $Me to 'Me'>> <<set $My to 'My'>> <<set $Hunter to 0>> <<set $chrysolite to 0>> <<set $kitchen to 0>> <<set $chapel to 0>> <<set $mansion to 0>> <<set $boulevard to 0>> <<set $stage to 0>> <<set $starve1 to ["your brain swims.", "your stomach grumbles.", "you feel a chill.", "your ribs slide against your skin.", "you lick your chapped lips."]>> <<set $starve2 to ['your arms feel leaden.', 'you feel lightheaded.', 'you’re shivering.', 'your peripheral vision is growing dark.', 'you can feel yourself growing weaker.']>> <<set $starve3 to ['your abdomen cramps.', 'your vision is blurry.', 'you feel as if you’re falling.', 'your hands feel swollen.', 'you are so, so tired.']>> <<set $panic to 'look away '>> <<set $lakelook to 0>>

<<if $food is 'none' and $hungerturns gte 30>><<link "Seventh Street continues South" "starvation">><</link>><<else>><<link "Seventh Street continues South" "Seventh Street Up Mid">><<set $hungerturns to $hungerturns + 1>><</link>><</if>> \<div class="center">Seventh Street is the only one in the Community with a median. <<if $food is 'none'>>you can smell something sweet. <</if>>you can see <<link "acacia trees" "Acacias">><</link>> and <<link "a golden staircase" "Golden Staircase">><</link>>.<<if $map is 1>> you have a <<link "map" "Ref Map">><</link>>.<</if>><<if $food is 'none'>> <<if $hungerturns lte 10>><<print $starve1.random()>><<elseif $hungerturns gt 10 and $hungerturns lte 20>><<print $starve2.random()>><<elseif $hungerturns gt 20>><<print $starve3.random()>><</if>><</if>></div> <<if $food is 'none' and $hungerturns gte 30>><<link "Throne Street" "starvation">><</link>><<else>><<link "Throne Street" "Throne Street East">><<set $hungerturns to $hungerturns + 1>><</link>><</if>><<if $food is 'none' and $hungerturns gte 30>><<link "farmland" "starvation">><</link>><<else>><<link "farmland" "Farmland North">><<set $hungerturns to $hungerturns + 1>><</link>><</if>> <<set $outdoorturns to $outdoorturns + 1>> [[ ->Seventh Street Up Mid]] [[ ->Throne Street East]] [[ ->Farmland North]]

<<if $food is 'none' and $hungerturns gte 30>><<link "Seventh Street continues North" "starvation">><</link>><<else>><<link "Seventh Street continues North" "Seventh Street North">><<set $hungerturns to $hungerturns + 1>><</link>><</if>> \<<if $food is 'none' and $hungerturns gte 30>><<link "Seventh Street continues South" "starvation">><</link>><<else>><<link "Seventh Street continues South" "Seventh Street Down Mid">><<set $hungerturns to $hungerturns + 1>><</link>><</if>> \<div class="center">this entire road is paved, despite the fact that supply trucks only ever drive in as far as the market. <<if $dogmeat is 'no'>>you can smell something rancid. <</if>>you can see <<link "another corpse" "Demon Corpse">><</link>>.<<if $map is 1>> you have a <<link "map" "Ref Map">><</link>>.<</if>><<if $food is 'none'>> <<if $hungerturns lte 10>><<print $starve1.random()>><<elseif $hungerturns gt 10 and $hungerturns lte 20>><<print $starve2.random()>><<elseif $hungerturns gt 20>><<print $starve3.random()>><</if>><</if>></div> <<if $food is 'none' and $hungerturns gte 30>><<link "Lamb Lane" "starvation">><</link>><<else>><<link "Lamb Lane" "Lamb Lane">><<set $hungerturns to $hungerturns + 1>><</link>><</if>><<if $food is 'none' and $hungerturns gte 30>><<link "farmland" "starvation">><</link>><<else>><<link "farmland" "Farmland South">><<set $hungerturns to $hungerturns + 1>><</link>><</if>> <<set $outdoorturns to $outdoorturns + 1>> [[ ->Seventh Street North]] [[ ->Seventh Street Down Mid]] [[ ->Lamb Lane]] [[ ->Farmland South]]

<<if $food is 'none' and $hungerturns gte 30>><<link "Seventh Street continues North" "starvation">><</link>><<else>><<link "Seventh Street continues North" "Seventh Street Up Mid">><<set $hungerturns to $hungerturns + 1>><</link>><</if>> \<<if $food is 'none' and $hungerturns gte 30>><<link "Seventh Street continues South" "starvation">><</link>><<else>><<link "Seventh Street continues South" "Seventh Street South">><<set $hungerturns to $hungerturns + 1>><</link>><</if>> \<div class="center">you once heard someone describe Seventh Street as the backbone of the Community. you thought that was silly. <<if $food is 'none'>>the market is right near here. it might have something left. <</if>>you can see <<link "smoke" "Smoke">><</link>>.<<if $map is 1>> you have a <<link "map" "Ref Map">><</link>>.<</if>><<if $food is 'none'>> <<if $hungerturns lte 10>><<print $starve1.random()>><<elseif $hungerturns gt 10 and $hungerturns lte 20>><<print $starve2.random()>><<elseif $hungerturns gt 20>><<print $starve3.random()>><</if>><</if>></div> <<if $food is 'none' and $hungerturns gte 30>><<link "Sickle Street" "starvation">><</link>><<else>><<link "Sickle Street" "Sickle Street">><<set $hungerturns to $hungerturns + 1>><</link>><</if>><<if $market is 1>>[[market]]<<else>><<link "market" "market memory">><</link>><</if>> <<set $outdoorturns to $outdoorturns + 1>> [[ ->Seventh Street Up Mid]] [[ ->Seventh Street South]] [[ ->Sickle Street]]

<<if $food is 'none' and $hungerturns gte 30>><<link "Seventh Street continues North" "starvation">><</link>><<else>><<link "Seventh Street continues North" "Seventh Street Down Mid">><<set $hungerturns to $hungerturns + 1>><</link>><</if>> \[[Gate]] \<div class="center">this has always been a dangerous part of the compoud, but now the gate and all its temptations don't seem so sinister. you can see <<link "the warning signs" "Warning Signs">><</link>> and <<link "the corpse of a dog" "Dog Corpse">><</link>>.<<if $map is 1>> you have a <<link "map" "Ref Map">><</link>>.<</if>><<if $food is 'none'>> <<if $hungerturns lte 10>><<print $starve1.random()>><<elseif $hungerturns gt 10 and $hungerturns lte 20>><<print $starve2.random()>><<elseif $hungerturns gt 20>><<print $starve3.random()>><</if>><</if>></div> <<if $dogs is 'no'>><<if $food is 'none' and $hungerturns gte 30>><<link "Chrysolite Boulevard" "starvation">><</link>><<else>><<link "Chrysolite Boulevard" "Chrysolite Boulevard">><<set $hungerturns to $hungerturns + 1>><</link>><</if>> \<<else>><<link "Chrysolite Boulevard" "Chrysolite Dogs SSS">><</link>><</if>> <<set $outdoorturns to $outdoorturns + 1>> [[ ->Seventh Street Down Mid]] [[ ->Chrysolite Boulevard]]

[[go back outside.|Lamb Lane]] \<div class="center">rows of pews, all empty. as always, the stained glass casts the entire room in a rainbow hue.<<if $comfort is 'blanket'>> it's cold in here. you pull your blanket tighter around you.<</if>> you can see <<if $kitchen is 0 and $food is 'none'>><<link "the door to the kitchen" "Chapel Kitchen">><</link>>, <</if>><<link "the altar" "Altar">><</link>>, <<link "the organ" "Organ">><</link>>, and <<link "the stigmata" "Stigmata">><</link>>.<<if $map is 1>> you have a <<link "map" "Ref Map">><</link>>.<</if>><<if $food is 'none'>> <<if $hungerturns lte 10>><<print $starve1.random()>><<elseif $hungerturns gt 10 and $hungerturns lte 20>><<print $starve2.random()>><<elseif $hungerturns gt 20>><<print $starve3.random()>><</if>><</if>></div> <<if $labyrinth is 1>>[[labyrinth]] \<<else>> \<<link "labyrinth" "Labyrinth Memory">><</link>> \<</if>> <<set $indoorturns to $indoorturns + 1>><<set $chapel to 1>>

<div class="center">the door was ajar, but there's no one inside. it's just one room, but with the lights off it seems to stretch into infinity. twenty-five familiar desks become countless alien forms. you can see \<<if $desk is 0>> \<<link "your desk" "Your Desk">><</link>>, \<<else>> \<<link "your desk" "Your Desk 2">><</link>>, \<</if>> \<<link "miss pearl's desk" "Teacher Desk">><</link>>, and <<link "a map of the Community" "Map">><</link>>.</div> [[go back outside.|Alpha Alley]] <<set $indoorturns to $indoorturns + 1>>

<<if $food is 'none' and $hungerturns gte 30>><<link "North Wormwood Way" "starvation">><</link>><<else>><<link "North Wormwood Way" "North Wormwood Way West">><<set $hungerturns to $hungerturns + 1>><</link>><</if>> \<div class="center">this is not the lake you remember. storm clouds circle. the water is red. you can see <<if $beach is 0>><<link "the beach" "the beach memory">><</link>><<else>><<link "the beach" "the beach">><</link>><</if>> and <<link "the lake" "the lake">><</link>>.<<if $map is 1>> you have a <<link "map" "Ref Map">><</link>>.<</if>><<if $food is 'none'>> <<if $hungerturns lte 10>><<print $starve1.random()>><<elseif $hungerturns gt 10 and $hungerturns lte 20>><<print $starve2.random()>><<elseif $hungerturns gt 20>><<print $starve3.random()>><</if>><</if>></div> <<if $food is 'none' and $hungerturns gte 30>><<link "pavilion" "starvation">><</link>><<else>><<link "pavilion" "pavilion">><<set $hungerturns to $hungerturns + 1>><</link>><</if>> <<set $outdoorturns to $outdoorturns + 1>> <<set $lakeview to "the lake, perverted.">> [[ ->North Wormwood Way West]] [[ ->pavilion]]

<<if $food is 'none' and $hungerturns gte 30>><<link "Sickle Street" "starvation">><</link>><<else>><<link "Sickle Street" "Sickle Street">><<set $hungerturns to $hungerturns + 1>><</link>><</if>> \<div class="center">you haven't been here in years. there's a lot more empty land than there are graves. someone planned ahead. you can see <<if $grave is 0>><<link "an unmarked grave" "Unmarked Grave">><</link>>.<<else>>that there's nothing left for you here.<</if>><<if $map is 1>> you have a <<link "map" "Ref Map">><</link>>.<</if>></div> <<set $outdoorturns to $outdoorturns + 1>> [[ ->Sickle Street]]

<div class="center">the courtyard is empty, as it so often is. you suppose it will be empty for the rest of time. you can see <<link "the labyrinth" "The Labyrinth">><</link>> and <<link "the trees" "Courtyard Trees">><</link>>.<<if $map is 1>> you have a <<link "map" "Ref Map">><</link>>.<</if>><<if $food is 'none'>> <<if $hungerturns lte 10>><<print $starve1.random()>><<elseif $hungerturns gt 10 and $hungerturns lte 20>><<print $starve2.random()>><<elseif $hungerturns gt 20>><<print $starve3.random()>><</if>><</if>></div> [[chapel]] <<set $outdoorturns to $outdoorturns + 1>>

<<if $food is 'none' and $hungerturns gte 30>><<link "Chrysolite Boulevard" "starvation">><</link>><<else>><<link "Chrysolite Boulevard" "Chrysolite Boulevard">><<set $hungerturns to $hungerturns + 1>><</link>><</if>> \<div class="center">he is tall and imposing. powerful. intimidating. he watches over the compound. you can see <<if $safe is 'no'>><<link "the sword in his mouth" "Mouth Sword">><</link>>, <</if>><<link "the verses at his feet" "Statue Verses">><</link>><<if $safe is 'no'>>,<</if>> and <<link "Prophet Hunter" "Hunter Corpse">><</link>>.<<if $map is 1>> you have a <<link "map" "Ref Map">><</link>>.<</if>><<if $food is 'none'>> <<if $hungerturns lte 10>><<print $starve1.random()>><<elseif $hungerturns gt 10 and $hungerturns lte 20>><<print $starve2.random()>><<elseif $hungerturns gt 20>><<print $starve3.random()>><</if>><</if>></div> <<set $outdoorturns to $outdoorturns + 1>> [[ ->Chrysolite Boulevard]]

<<if $food is 'none' and $hungerturns gte 30>><<link "the farmland continues South" "starvation">><</link>><<else>><<link "the farmland continues South" "Farmland South">><<set $hungerturns to $hungerturns + 1>><</link>><</if>> \<div class="center">there's an acre or two of land here devoted to crops. nature has already started to reclaim it. your mouth waters. you can see <<if $food is 'none'>><<link "so many vegetables!" "Vegetables First">><</link>><<else>><<link "more vegetables" "Vegetables">><</link>>, <<link "farm equipment" "Farm Equipment">><</link>>, and <<link "four angels" "Angels">><</link>>.<</if>><<if $map is 1>> you have a <<link "map" "Ref Map">><</link>>.<</if>><<if $food is 'none'>> <<if $hungerturns lte 10>><<print $starve1.random()>><<elseif $hungerturns gt 10 and $hungerturns lte 20>><<print $starve2.random()>><<elseif $hungerturns gt 20>><<print $starve3.random()>><</if>><</if>></div> <<if $food is 'none' and $hungerturns gte 30>><<link "Seventh Street" "starvation">><</link>><<else>><<link "Seventh Street" "Seventh Street North">><<set $hungerturns to $hungerturns + 1>><</link>><</if>> <<set $outdoorturns to $outdoorturns + 1>> [[ ->Seventh Street North]] [[ ->Farmland South]]

<<if $food is 'none' and $hungerturns gte 30>><<link "the farmland continues North" "starvation">><</link>><<else>><<link "the farmland continues North" "Farmland North">><<set $hungerturns to $hungerturns + 1>><</link>><</if>> \<div class="center">this is the livestock area. you wheel your way through the gate and close it securely behind you. you can see <<link "the wall" "Wall">><</link>>, <<link "the animals" "Livestock">><</link>>, and <<link "the barn" "Barn">><</link>>.<<if $map is 1>> you have a <<link "map" "Ref Map">><</link>>.<</if>><<if $food is 'none'>> <<if $hungerturns lte 10>><<print $starve1.random()>><<elseif $hungerturns gt 10 and $hungerturns lte 20>><<print $starve2.random()>><<elseif $hungerturns gt 20>><<print $starve3.random()>><</if>><</if>></div> <<if $food is 'none' and $hungerturns gte 30>><<link "Seventh Street" "starvation">><</link>><<else>><<link "Seventh Street" "Seventh Street Up Mid">><<set $hungerturns to $hungerturns + 1>><</link>><</if>> <<set $outdoorturns to $outdoorturns + 1>> [[ ->Seventh Street Up Mid]] [[ ->Farmland North]]

this is the gate that leads out of the compound. this is a line you never thought you'd cross. \<<if $food is 'journey'>> \<<if $safe is 'yes'>> \<<if $truth is 'yes'>> \you think you're ready now. you're fed. you know the truth. you can protect yourself. you're ready to leave this place behind. [[go on]] \<<else>> \you're fed and you have something to protect yourself with, but... something gnaws at the back of your mind. something still doesn't add up. once you leave, you won't be back. if you want to learn the truth that's been kept from you all these years, it's now or never. [[go back.|Seventh Street South]] \<</if>> \<<else>> \<<if $truth is 'yes'>> \you're fed and you've learned the awful truth of this place, but... you're about to make your way into an unknown situation. you're afraid. there has to be something around here that you can use to protect yourself. [[go back.|Seventh Street South]] \<<else>> \you're fed now, but... you're about to make your way into an unknown situation. you're afraid. there has to be something around here that you can use to protect yourself. furthermore, something gnaws at the back of your mind. something still doesn't add up. once you leave, you won't be back. if you want to learn the truth that's been kept from you all these years, it's now or never. [[go back.|Seventh Street South]] \<</if>> \<</if>> \<<else>> \you can't leave. you cannot leave. even if you could, you're too hungry. you wouldn't make it a mile into the empty wasteland before passing out and dying of starvation right there in the middle of the wilderness. [[go back.|Seventh Street South]] \<</if>> <<set $outdoorturns to $outdoorturns + 1>>

you remember something. you remember many things, in small fragments. <<linkappend "first, the smell hits you.">> hundreds of dead animals. cows, sheep, chickens. <<linkappend "then, the knife in your hands.">> you've seen that knife already today. on Prophet Hunter's altar. <<linkappend "and Prophet Hunter had guided your hand.">> no, that's not quite right. $He had guided your //mind.// <<linkappend "as $He had guided hundreds of others.">> you see hundreds of girls and women and boys and men. <<linkappend "you see hundreds of cattle.">> it occurs to you that you knew this meat was here the whole time. why didn't you seek it out? <<linkappend "because their bodies were holy.">> yes. they were sacred and not to be touched. but wasn't your body sacred, too? weren't beryl's, carnelian's, Momma's? who gave $Him the right to touch those? <<linkappend "the animals served something greater than themselves. so did you.">> the animals were small and trusting. as their bodies were brutalized they screamed and struggled and begged. foreign objects in their guts, their ears, their brains. <<linkappend "all for a higher purpose.">> their blood was warm, you remember that. you don't know how many but... you know enough. <<linkappend "your tears are warm, streaming down your cheeks.">> how many lives have been destroyed in this place? <<linkappend "and to $Him, you were all just livestock.">> scratches begin to appear on your arms. <<linkappend "you need to leave.">> you hear a chorus of screams. they've been sounding for years. [[look away look away LOOK AWAY|After Grove]] \<</linkappend>><</linkappend>><</linkappend>><</linkappend>><</linkappend>><</linkappend>><</linkappend>><</linkappend>><</linkappend>><</linkappend>><</linkappend>> <<set $outdoorturns to $outdoorturns + 1>> <<set $grove to 1>> <<set $truth to 'yes'>>

<div class="center">you don't like it here, in the center of the husk. the fire is long gone, but the smoke still rises. you can see <<link "the produce aisle" "Produce Aisle">><</link>>, <<link "the butcher's counter" "Butcher Counter">><</link>>, and <<link "the pharmacy" "Pharmacy">><</link>>.<<if $map is 1>> you have a <<link "map" "Ref Map">><</link>>.<</if>><<if $food is 'none'>> <<if $hungerturns lte 10>><<print $starve1.random()>><<elseif $hungerturns gt 10 and $hungerturns lte 20>><<print $starve2.random()>><<elseif $hungerturns gt 20>><<print $starve3.random()>><</if>><</if>></div> [[go back outside.|Seventh Street Down Mid]] <<set $indoorturns to $indoorturns + 1>>

[[kitchen|Hunter's kitchen]] \[[stairs up|Hunter's stairs]] \[[go back outside.|Throne Street East]] \<div class="center">this ceiling is the highest you've ever seen. the walls and furniture are covered in art and ornamentation, but none catch your eye over any others.<<if $comfort is 'rock'>> from the smooth rock, you feel a sense of dread.<</if>></div> [[dining room|Hunter's dining room]][[The Ceremony Room]] <<set $indoorturns to $indoorturns + 1>><<set $mansion to 1>>

that feels like too much of an invasion of privacy. no one's allowed upstairs. you have a feeling you wouldn't like what you found up there, anyway. [[go back|Hunter's entryway]]

<div class="center">a long dining table takes up the majority of the room. you wonder how it's possible to hold conversations from either end. you can see <<link "Prophet Hunter's most recent supper" "Moldy Meal">><</link>>.</div> [[entryway|Hunter's entryway]] <<set $indoorturns to $indoorturns + 1>>

<div class="center">oh, you don't like this room. it's dark and draped with purple cloth. the back of your neck prickles, but there's no one behind you that you can see. you can see <<link "an altar" "Hunter's Altar">><</link>><<if $journal is 1>>, <<link "a cabinet" "Hunter's Cabinet">><</link>>, and <<link "a journal" "Hunter's Journal">><</link>>.<<else>> and <<link "a cabinet" "Hunter's Cabinet">><</link>>.<</if>></div> [[entryway|Hunter's entryway]] <<set $indoorturns to $indoorturns + 1>> <<set $huntershouse to 1>>

<<if $food is 'journey'>>[[garden|Hunter's garden]]<<else>>[[garden|Hunter's garden first]]<</if>> \[[entryway|Hunter's entryway]] \<div class="center">it is clean and neat and huge. the marble countertops have only the finest coating of dust. everything is in its place. you can smell something... delicious.</div> <<set $indoorturns to $indoorturns + 1>>

[[kitchen|Hunter's kitchen]] \<div class="center">there's so much food left, but you've taken all your pocket can store. this land and the house that stands upon it aren't somewhere you'd like to linger much longer, anyway. they've begun to feel sinister. they've begun to feel dead.</div> <<set $outdoorturns to $outdoorturns + 1>>

<<if $food is 'none' and $hungerturns gte 30>><<link "North Wormwood Way" "starvation">><</link>><<else>><<link "North Wormwood Way" "North Wormwood Way East">><<set $hungerturns to $hungerturns + 1>><</link>><</if>> \<div class="center">it's a roof on wooden columns, with rows of picnic tables underneath. this was where you'd hold Community-wide meetings, and morning announcements and prayer. you can see <<link "the seats" "Seats">><</link>> and <<if $stage is 1>><<link "the stage" "Stage">><</link>><<else>><<link "the stage" "Stage Memory">><</link>><</if>>.<<if $map is 1>> you have a <<link "map" "Ref Map">><</link>>.<</if>><<if $food is 'none'>> <<if $hungerturns lte 10>><<print $starve1.random()>><<elseif $hungerturns gt 10 and $hungerturns lte 20>><<print $starve2.random()>><<elseif $hungerturns gt 20>><<print $starve3.random()>><</if>><</if>></div> <<if $food is 'none' and $hungerturns gte 30>><<link "Vial Lake" "starvation">><</link>><<else>><<link "Vial Lake" "Vial Lake">><<set $hungerturns to $hungerturns + 1>><</link>><</if>><<if $food is 'none' and $hungerturns gte 30>><<link "Wormwood Way" "starvation">><</link>><<else>><<link "Wormwood Way" "Wormwood Way North">><<set $hungerturns to $hungerturns + 1>><</link>><</if>> <<set $outdoorturns to $outdoorturns + 1>> [[ ->North Wormwood Way East]] [[ ->Vial Lake]] [[ ->Wormwood Way North]]

Momma's Bible is well-loved and worn. the leather cover is faded and soft. it smells like her. there are bookmarks all along its length, and many verses are highlighted. you flip to one of the marked verses. <<if $scripture is 0>> \//And I looked, and behold a pale horse: and his name that sat on him was Death, and Hell followed with him. And power was given unto them over the fourth part of the earth, to kill with sword, and with hunger, and with death, and with the beasts of the earth.// (Rev 6.8) \<<elseif $scripture is 1>> \//And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him.// (Rev 12.9) \<<elseif $scripture is 2>> \//And there followed another angel, saying, Babylon is fallen, is fallen, that great city, because she made all nations drink of the wine of the wrath of her fornication.// (Rev 14.8) \<<elseif $scripture is 3>> \//And I saw as it were a sea of glass mingled with fire: and them that had gotten the victory over the beast, and over his image, and over his mark, and over the number of his name, stand on the sea of glass, having the harps of God.// (Rev 15.2) \<<elseif $scripture is 4>> \//And the fourth angel poured out his vial upon the sun; and power was given unto him to scorch men with fire.// (Rev 16.8) \<<elseif $scripture is 5>> \//And the ten horns which thou sawest upon the beast, these shall hate the whore, and shall make her desolate and naked, and shall eat her flesh, and burn her with fire.// (Rev 17.16) \<<elseif $scripture is 6>> \//And again they said, Alleluia. And her smoke rose up for ever and ever.// (Rev 19.3) \<<elseif $scripture is 7>> \//And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war.// (Rev 19.11) \<<elseif $scripture is 8>> \//And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are, and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever.// (Rev 20.10) \<<elseif $scripture is 9>> \//And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death.// (Rev 20.14) \<<elseif $scripture is 10>> \//I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last.// (Rev 22.13) \<</if>> <<link "flip to another verse" "Momma's Bible">><</link>> <<link "look away." "living room">><</link>> <<set $scripture to random(10)>> <<set $indoorturns to $indoorturns + 1>>

you can see down to Throne Street below. it was never unusual to see it empty before, but still... the carcass is still on the street below. it looks like it was once a person, but it's hard to tell more than that without the skin. there are pure white feathers stuck in the gore. they flutter in a light breeze. most of the rest of the wings have been torn off, but one jagged bone still sticks out of the left shoulderblade, straight into the air. for a while, you thought you could hear a baby crying if you pressed your ear to the glass, but that stopped weeks ago. it could have been your imagination. <<link "look away." "living room">><</link>> <<set $indoorturns to $indoorturns + 1>>

it is big. it is threadbare. it is forbidden. <<link "look away." "living room">><</link>> <<set $indoorturns to $indoorturns + 1>>

ah, yes. <<print $name>>. such a good girl. [[you wake up in your Momma's apartment again.|living room]]

it's empty, aside for a bit of residue at the very bottom. you ate the last of the food two days ago. you close it; no point in torturing yourself. <<linkreplace "look closer">>the goo at the bottom smells putrid. you were considering licking it up, but now you're certain you'd just vomit it back out.<</linkreplace>> <<link "look away." "kitchen">><</link>> <<set $indoorturns to $indoorturns + 1>>

they've been empty a lot longer than the fridge has. no point in even opening them, really. <<link "look away." "kitchen">><</link>> <<set $indoorturns to $indoorturns + 1>>

it looks so comfortable, but you just got up. it's not worth the effort—swinging your body up, manually pulling your legs over—that would be required to lay back down. <<link "look away." "bedroom">><</link>> <<set $indoorturns to $indoorturns + 1>>

when you were very little, Momma used to respond when you called out in the grip of a nightmare. She would pick you up and carry you to Her bed, where it was safe. She hasn't done that in years, though. <<link "look away." "bedroom">><</link>> <<set $indoorturns to $indoorturns + 1>>

this is the one space that is all yours. this is the one part of the apartment Momma hasn't seen. this is where you keep the most special thing in the world. what do you see as you pull up the floorboard? <<link "a baseball cap." "Comfort Item">><<set $comfort to 'cap'>><</link>> <<link "a blanket." "Comfort Item">><<set $comfort to 'blanket'>><</link>> <<link "a smooth rock." "Comfort Item">><<set $comfort to 'rock'>><</link>> <<link "a teddy bear." "Comfort Item">><<set $comfort to 'bear'>><</link>> <<link "no, thanks." "bedroom">><</link>> <<set $indoorturns to $indoorturns + 1>>

<<if $comfort is 'cap'>> \it's a black cloth cap with a front brim. it has a logo you don't recognize on the front, with an 'o' and a bird.you found it right outside the fence one day. no one's allowed to bring in any non-essentials, so you knew from the beginning it was forbidden.but... wearing it makes you feel more like... you than anything else does.you'd only ever take it out and wear it when Momma was away, and even then only for a few minutes in case she came back early.you shake it off and put it over your head with the brim backwards, feeling its snugness pressing your hair against your scalp. you feel comforted. \<<elseif $comfort is 'blanket'>> \it was once pink and fluffy, but now it's off-white and dirty and matted.Momma tried to throw it away three times already, but each time you pulled it out of the trash. the third, you'd stuffed it here and only pulled it out when Momma was away.when you were little, Momma would spray it with wormwood perfume. the smell is long gone, but you still hold the blanket up to your face and inhale deeply before laying it across your legs. you feel comforted. \<<elseif $comfort is 'rock'>> \you found it right outside the fence one day. no one's allowed to bring in any non-essentials, so you knew from the beginning it was forbidden.but it was //so// smooth, //so// regular... it looked like it had weathered a million years at the bottom of some river, and all the rough detritus had scratched it down. yet it remained.you could relate.as a matter of fact, there are times where you could swear it had thoughts and feelings that only you could hear.you take the rock and hold it in your hand, enjoying its cool smoothness. you feel comforted. \<<elseif $comfort is 'bear'>> \you got this bear as a Christmas gift from a childhood friend. beryl.the next year, she'd disappeared. you could never quite get a straight answer about what happened to her.Momma tried to throw it away three times already, but each time you pulled it out of the trash. the third, you'd stuffed it here and only pulled it out when Momma was away.you squeeze it, feeling its softness underneath the matted fur. you feel comforted. \<</if>> <<link "put the floorboard back." "bedroom">><</link>> <<set $floorboard to 'yes'>>

you take a deep breath and hoist yourself out of your chair. you hit the ground harder than you expected and take a moment to let the shock and pain <<linkappend "subside.">> you say a quick prayer, then push your chair over the lip of the stairs. miraculously, it stays upright all the way <<linkappend "down.">> it's a slow process getting yourself down without it—a lot of scooting your rear end down one stair at a time, using your arms to push and move your legs so your center of gravity doesn't shift too far forward. you stop halfway to <<linkappend "catch your breath.">> all of a sudden, you feel intense <<linkappend "vertigo.">> <<linkappend "what are you doing?">> <<linkappend "Momma told you to stay put.">> <<linkappend "are you going to be bad?">> your head throbs. your vision is growing fuzzy. you can't do this. <<linkappend "you're not strong enough.">> you must have blacked out. the next thing you know, you're sitting at the bottom of the stairs, head in your hands. your vision takes a long time to <<linkappend "clear.">> as you pull yourself back into your chair, your stomach growls. <<if $comfort is 'rock'>>from the smooth rock, you sense a glimmer of determination.<</if>> [[go outside.|Throne Street West]] \<</linkappend>><</linkappend>><</linkappend>><</linkappend>><</linkappend>><</linkappend>><</linkappend>><</linkappend>><</linkappend>> <<set $indoorturns to $indoorturns + 1>>

you don't need to go, and your bedpan was empty when you woke up. as unpleasant as it is to actually get on the thing, the fact that you don't need to only serves to remind you how long it's been since you've eaten. <<link "look away." "bathroom">><</link>> <<set $indoorturns to $indoorturns + 1>>

you remember something. <<linkappend "you were sitting in the bathtub.">> Momma was kneeling on the tiles next to you, scrubbing your body and pouring water over your head. <<linkappend "the water was too hot.">> steam rose off of it and fogged up Momma's glasses. you'd squirmed uncomfortably, but had known better than to say anything. <<linkappend "still, Momma had noticed.">> She noticed everything. //you know why the water has to be hot, <<print $name>>.// you did know. She'd told you. <<linkappend "it still hurt.">> you couldn't help but wince each time She poured the scalding water over your head. sometimes during these baths, you'd fantasize about standing up and running, getting as far away from Momma as you could. <<linkappend "but of course, that was impossible.">> //why does the water have to be hot, sweet girl?// <<linkappend "//because fire washes away the sin.//">> //that's right,// She'd said, //but I can't wash you in fire because I love you. so this is the next best thing.//<<if $name is "mary">> //I shall drive the demons out of you just as God drove the demons out of the woman who shared your name.//<<elseif $name is "phoebe">> //I shall make you as clean and pure and radiant as your namesake.//<</if>> by the time She lifted you out of the tub, your fingers were wrinkled and your skin was pink. <<link "return to the present." "bathroom">><</link>> \<</linkappend>><</linkappend>><</linkappend>><</linkappend>><</linkappend>><</linkappend>> <<set $indoorturns to $indoorturns + 1>> <<set $memories to $memories + 1>>

one tube of toothpaste, two toothbrushes. Momma's meds, a week's worth left. q-tips, cotton balls, a first aid kit. <<link "look away." "bathroom">><</link>> <<set $indoorturns to $indoorturns + 1>>

you're plenty clean, you think. \<<if $comfort is 'rock'>> \the smooth rock agrees. \<<elseif $comfort is 'blanket'>> \cleaner than your blanket, anyway. \<<elseif $comfort is 'bear'>> \you couldn't take your bear into the tub, anyway. \<<elseif $comfort is 'cap'>> \you don't want to take the cap off to wash your hair, anyway. \<</if>> regardless, Momma's not here to wash you. <<link "look away." "bathroom">><</link>> <<set $indoorturns to $indoorturns + 1>>

you were never allowed to play. you would hear it bounce on the pavement outside your window and feel //so jealous// of the boys next door. now it sits, abandoned, half deflated, on their driveway. you want to take it with you, but you know it's not worth it. you might need to hold onto something more important later. <<link "look away." "Throne Street West">><</link>> <<set $outdoorturns to $outdoorturns + 1>>

it's laying on its side, the opening yawning towards you. it was full when it tipped, and its contents have spilled out onto the concrete. it's clearly been picked through—Prophet Hunter had been decreeing the death of that raccoon for weeks. much of its lighter contents have blown down the street. <<if $food is 'none'>><<linkreplace "look closer">>anything remotely edible is gone. except... you see a few crumbs. you hurriedly pick them up with the tip of your finger and deposit them in your mouth. when you bite down, pain lances through a tooth on the left side. you spit into your palm and see a piece of gravel was mixed in. furious, you hurl it into the grass.<</linkreplace>><</if>> <<link "look away." "Throne Street West">><</link>> <<set $outdoorturns to $outdoorturns + 1>>

he was probably handsome, when he had his skin. up close, you can see that his wings were probably snapped on purpose. the jagged tips look like the result of hasty, brutal violence. his blood has dried in the shape it pooled. it's hard to tell if he died in the air and fell or laid down here to expire. you were cowering in the bathtub as it happened. you're glad you didn't witness it. you're glad that you don't know which of the sounds you heard was this angel's dying scream. <<if $food is 'none'>><<linkreplace "look closer">>you briefly consider the horrible thought of... no. no. you force yourself to push it away, even as your body protests.<</linkreplace>> <</if>><<link "look away." "Throne Street West">><</link>> <<set $outdoorturns to $outdoorturns + 1>>

you're not confident you'll stay upright if you wheel off the pavement in order to get closer. nevertheless, you've always been grateful for the fence. as Momma once said, if it weren't for the fence you could get swallowed up instantly by the thick woods beyond and lost forever. if you could somehow get off the path first. usually someone's assigned to keep the branches trimmed exactly at the fence line. now, they've just started to creep over again. you lament that you have no way of reaching them. <<link "look away." "Alpha Alley">><</link>> <<set $outdoorturns to $outdoorturns + 1>>

the courtyard in front of the school is absolutely full of them. they're low to the ground and easy for children to reach up and take one for their morning prayers in school. figs here and milk and honey at the market... you truly do live in the promised land.<<if $food is 'none'>> <<linkreplace "look closer">>there are no figs on any of the trees. not a single one.<</linkreplace>><</if>> <<link "look away." "Alpha Alley">><</link>> <<set $outdoorturns to $outdoorturns + 1>>

it's the same map you've seen every day, of the same streets you've lived on your entire life. you know the streets well. you feel no need to look for too long. on an impulse, though, you decide to take the map with you. just in case. <<link "look away." "schoolhouse">><</link>> <div class="monomap">{{{................."--:;=+;:,,-"....┌────────┐.................'"::;::,+xxX}}} {{{.....┌─────┐.......",:;;:,".......│Prophet │......,::,...........':":;=+x}}} {{{.....│your │........":,,-"........│Hunter's│....,:::;::...........,",:;;+}}} {{{.....│house│......................│mansion │......':::'............,",::;}}} {{{.....└──┬──┘......................└───┬────┘........................,":.,}}} {{{........│...throne street.............│.............┌──────────┐.........}}} {{{........├───────────────┬─────────────┴─────────┬───┤&&&&&&&&&&│.........}}} {{{.....a a│............o s│.......................│...│&&&&&&&&&&│.........}}} {{{.....l l│..┌──────┐..m t│...:......┌──────┐.┌─┐.│...│&&&&&&&&&&│.........}}} {{{.....p l│..│school│..e r│....::....│chapel├─┤0│.│...│ farmland │.........}}} {{{.....h e├──┤house │..g e│.....::...└───┬──┘.└─┘.│...│&&&&&&&&&&│.........}}} {{{.....a y│..└──────┘..a e│..............│........│...│&&&&&&&&&&│.........}}} {{{........│..............t├──────────────┴────────┼───┤&&&&&&&&&&│.........}}} {{{:.......│.....,.........│..lamb lane..┌%&%┐.....│...└──────────┘.........}}} {{{;:......│....,;,........│.............&???&.....│s s.....................}}} {{{+:,.....│....;;',.......│.............└%&%┘.....│e t.....................}}} {{{;;:.....│...,,:'".......│......┌───────────┐....│v r...........,:::......}}} {{{+;::....│.....,'........│......│&&&&&&&&&&&│....│e e..........,:;;;::....}}} {{{+;:.....│north..........│......│ graveyard │....│n e.........::;++;;:::..}}} {{{;::.....│wormwood.......│......│&&&&&&&&&&&│....│t t..........::;;:::'...}}} {{{::......│way............│......└─────┬─────┘....│h..............:::'.....}}} {{{:.....┌─┴───────────────┼──┐.........│..........│.....┌──────┐...........}}} {{{......│.................│..├─────────┴──────────┼─────┤market│...........}}} {{{┌─────┴──────┐.┌────────┴┐.│.....sickle street..│.....└──────┘...........}}} {{{│&&&&&&&&&&&&├─┤pavilion ├─┤w w.................│......................-"}}} {{{│&&&&&&&&&&&&│.└─────────┘.│o a.................│......................,"}}} {{{│&&& vial &&&│.............│r y.................│.............,~"'"-,,;",}}} {{{│&&& lake &&&│.............│m...................│...........,":::::;;;;;:}}} {{{│&&&&&&&&&&&&│.....''......│w......┌──────┐.....│..........,'::;;;;;;+++;}}} {{{│&&&&&&&&&&&&│...,:""'.....│o......│statue│.....│..........:":;;;++==xxx+}}} {{{└────────────┘...."';'.....│o......└───┬──┘.....│..........:-":;+=xxxXXxx}}} {{{...................".......│d..........│........│..........,":;=+xxXXXXXx}}} {{{~--:,,.....................└───────────┴────────┤.........,":;++xxXX$$$XX}}} {{{:;;;::,:-~-,....................chrysolite......│........,::;+=xxX$$&&$$X}}} {{{;+=+;++;;+:::~~:,...............boulevard....┌──┴─┐.,,:""~":;+xxXX$&&#&&$}}} {{{+xXx+xx++=+;;;;:::~-,........................│gate│,~:::::;;;+xXX$$&###&&}}}</div> \<<set $indoorturns to $indoorturns + 1>><<set $map to 1>>

you've never been on this side of the desk before. miss pearl never called you up to answer an addition problem or spell a word on the chalkboard. she knew you couldn't reach even halfway up it from your chair. the room seems much bigger from here. the twenty-five desks spread out before you. you think you understand why miss pearl was so shaky by the end of each day. this many faces would be intimidating. the desk itself is big and solid and heavy. it has two drawers. <<if $chapelkey is 'yes'>> \<<linkreplace "look closer.">>the bottom drawer opens with a rattling sound. it is absolutely full of the same kind of little yellow bottles that Momma's meds come in. you sift through them. they're almost all empty. you pluck one out and hold it up to read the label. what in the world is oxycodone?<</linkreplace>> \<<else>> \<<linkreplace "look closer.">><<set $chapelkey to 'yes'>>you open the top drawer of the desk. inside there are papers, pencils... and a big brass key with a tag reading //chapel.// why did miss pearl have this? you hesitate for a moment, then put the key in the pocket on the back of your chair. there's a kitchen in the chapel. <<linkreplace "look closer.">>the bottom drawer opens with a rattling sound. it is absolutely full of the same kind of little yellow bottles that Momma's meds come in. you sift through them. they're almost all empty. you pluck one out and hold it up to read the label. what in the world is oxycodone?<</linkreplace>><</linkreplace>> \<</if>> <<link "look away." "schoolhouse">><</link>> <<set $indoorturns to $indoorturns + 1>>

you remember something. <<linkappend "a day during your sixth year in school">>, though really it could have been any school day. the class began each day with the same ritual. miss pearl, the Community teacher, would stand in front of the class. she would wait for everyone to be quiet. and then she would shout. //who are we?// you all knew the answer by heart. <<linkappend "//the Children of Adam!//">> //who are you?// <<linkappend "//the children of the Children!//">> //what must children do?// <<linkappend "//obey their mothers!//">> //what must mothers do?// <<linkappend "//obey their fathers!//">> //who is the Father?// <<linkappend "//Prophet Hunter!//">> //who is the Father's Father?// <<linkappend "//Our Lord God!//">> //what is the Father's Word?// <<linkappend "//unavoidable!//">> //what is the Father's Will?// <<linkappend "//inescapable!//">> //who are you?// <<linkappend "//the children of the Children!//">> //what must you do?// <<linkappend "//obey!//">> <<link "return to the present." "schoolhouse">><</link>> \<</linkappend>><</linkappend>><</linkappend>><</linkappend>><</linkappend>><</linkappend>><</linkappend>><</linkappend>><</linkappend>><</linkappend>><</linkappend>> <<set $indoorturns to $indoorturns + 1>> <<set $memories to $memories + 1>> <<set $desk to 1>>

<<if $footprints is 0>>they are a dark brownish-red. they look like they were made by a pair of large work boots. they don't smear as you roll over them. <</if>>they approch from the South and head East. <<linkreplace "look closer">><<if $Hunter is 1>>he must have been planning to die at the lake. then something happened and he went to the statue instead.<<else>>as unpleasant as the thought is, you know they're made of blood. what else would it be?<</if>><</linkreplace>> <<link "look away." "North Wormwood Way West">><</link>> <<set $outdoorturns to $outdoorturns + 1>> <<set $footprints to 1>>

miss pearl was one of the few people to live in a detached house, rather than an apartment. it's two full stories, but the standard scarlet paint that adorns all residential buildings makes it seem smaller. the gate is locked. you didn't want to trespass inside, anyway. <<linkreplace "look closer">>her yard is overgrown.<<if $chrysolite is 0>> you know she had a dog. you hope it's not lying still and silent somewhere inside that dead house.<</if>><</linkreplace>> <<link "look away." "North Wormwood Way West">><</link>> <<set $outdoorturns to $outdoorturns + 1>>

yours is the only one without a chair built into it. miss pearl was always so kind to you. there's no room to store your chair anywhere else, anyway. you've sat at this desk almost every day for as long as you remember, but now it feels strange and alien. <<linkreplace "look closer.">>inside the desk is a textbook, a Bible, and a scrap page that's covered in your doodles: your Momma, the gates to the Great City, the statue of an angel with a sword in his mouth...<</linkreplace>> <<link "look away." "schoolhouse">><</link>> <<set $indoorturns to $indoorturns + 1>>

<<linkappend "the gate stands open.">> you <<if $comfort is 'cap'>>touch the brim of your cap<<elseif $comfort is 'blanket'>>grip a fistful of your blanket<<elseif $comfort is 'rock'>>run your thumb over the surface of your smooth rock<<elseif $comfort is 'bear'>>squeeze your teddy bear<</if>> and wheel your way out of the Community. you are not smited on the spot. <<linkappend "the gravel road isn't the most comforting under your tires">>, but it's better than getting them tangled in the grass.<<if $name is "edith">> several times you are tempted to look back, but you abstain. you fear that like your namesake you might become a pillar of salt.<</if>> <<linkappend "the journey is not as long as you expected.">> you soon find yourself on a paved road. you wheel your way down the middle of it, listening to the emptiness. <<linkappend "on a parallel road, cars rush by.">> were there other survivors? are you not alone? <<linkappend "you hear tires approaching from behind you and you freeze.">> you hear a sound like a goose, but impossibly loud. <<linkappend "you turn around and you see a car.">> it's sleek and red, built for speed. <<linkappend "you wheel around to the side.">> the car door swings open, and you meet <<linkappend "us.">> the woman who sees the blood and says you’re going to be alright and dials 911, she is <<linkappend "us.">> the paramedic who cleans you up and wonders at how you escaped from that place, he is <<linkappend "us.">> the social workers and the reporters and the concerned citizens, they are <<linkappend "us.">> you did it. you found food. you uncovered the truth. you kept yourself safe. you found your way out of that dark, dark place under your own power and <<linkappend "we are so glad that you did.">> it's over. you can rest now. <<link "we weclome you with open arms." "the end">><</link>><</linkappend>><</linkappend>><</linkappend>><</linkappend>><</linkappend>><</linkappend>><</linkappend>><</linkappend>><</linkappend>><</linkappend>><</linkappend>><</linkappend>> <<set $ending to 1>>

you see $lakeview <<click "keep looking.">><<set $lakelook to $lakelook + 1>><<script>>Engine.play("the lake", true)<</script>><<set $panic to $panic + "look away ">><</click>> <<if $lakelook is 0>> \<<link "look away" "Vial Lake">><</link>> \<<elseif $lakelook is 1>> \look away <<link "look away" "Vial Lake">><</link>> \<<else>> \$panic<<link "look away" "Vial Lake">><</link>><</if>> <<set $lakeview to either("the lake, perverted.", "too much.", "water swirling with blood.", "fire.", "a woman sitting on a beast full of names of blasphemy.", "smoke that rises forever.", "a white horse.", "one thousand years of desolation.", "broken glass, floating atop the water.", "into eternity.", "the seventh angel, crying //it is done.//", "a great city, consuming itself alive.", "hundreds of people drowning.", "a bottomless pit.", "into Hell.")>>

you remember something. <<linkappend "you were sitting on this beach with beryl.">> you'd been friends for a long time and had hung out here many times before, but... something was different this time. both of you had been talking quieter, giggling, glancing over your shoulders. <<linkappend "and then she had leaned in and kissed you.">> something burst forth in your chest and you were filled with a deluge of unfamiliar emotion. <<linkappend "elation.">> <<linkappend "arousal.">> <<linkappend "disgust.">> <<linkappend "rapture.">> her lips were soft and warm, and her hand on your arm sent electrical impusles through your entire body. you didn't know it was possible to feel this way. <<linkappend "you never wanted this moment to end.">> //$name!// a familiar voice had broken the spell. oh no oh no oh no. you'd pushed beryl away, <<linkappend "but the damage was done.">> //you little bitch! you little whore!// She'd yelled as She rushed at you. <<linkappend "She had ignored beryl entirely">> and grabbed you by the hair. //do you want to live in sin? is this what you want?// She had roared as She dragged you towards the water. <<linkappend "//a life of sin is no life to live//">>, She'd cried, and pushed your head under the surface. <<linkappend "you don't remember anything after that">> until that night, when you woke up in your bed.<<if $name is "delilah">> laying there, you still felt dirty. a harlot, just like your namesake.<<elseif $name is "mary">> laying there, you still felt dirty. why couldn't you live up to your namesake and be pure?<</if>> <<linkappend "She'd never directly mentioned the incident again">>, at least... as far as you can remember right now. <<link "return to the present." "Vial Lake">><</link>> \<</linkappend>><</linkappend>><</linkappend>><</linkappend>><</linkappend>><</linkappend>><</linkappend>><</linkappend>><</linkappend>><</linkappend>><</linkappend>><</linkappend>> <<set $memories to $memories + 1>> <<set $beach to 1>> <<set $indoorturns to $indoorturns + 1>>

<<if $footprints is 0>>they are a dark brownish-red. they look like they were made by a pair of large work boots. they don't smear as you roll over them. <</if>>they approch from the West and head Southeast. <<linkreplace "look closer">><<if $Hunter is 1>>he took the flowers from Omega Street, but there are no footprints from that direction. he must have gotten the blood on his boots at the lake.<<else>>looking down at them, you wonder: is this something you really want to pursue? do you want to know what's waiting at the end of this trail?<</if>><</linkreplace>> <<link "look away." "North Wormwood Way East">><</link>> <<set $outdoorturns to $outdoorturns + 1>> <<set $footprints to 1>>

it's only with the sight that you register the stench. they've been here for days. not all of them are complete, either. you can see at least a few disconnected parts scattered with the whole forms. you had thought everyone else had floated up, that you'd been the only one left behind. perhaps you were right, in a sense. you haven't yet found anyone else alive. <<linkreplace "look closer">>you recognize every single one of their faces. your stomach turns.<</linkreplace>> <<link "look away." "North Wormwood Way East">><</link>> <<set $outdoorturns to $outdoorturns + 1>>

for as long as you can remember, that crucifix has been stuck in the ground, casting its shadow across the street—a reminder. the vertical beam has been snapped near the base, and the majority of the cross lays on the ground. your head feels fuzzy. <<link "look away." "Throne Street Mid">><</link>> <<set $outdoorturns to $outdoorturns + 1>>

they are still and cold and silent. inside, no hymns are sung. inside, no breath is drawn. The Beast is laughing. <<if $food is 'none'>><<linkreplace "look closer">>you wonder if there might be some unspoiled food in someone else's apartment. you imagine an icy hand closing around your throat. you doubt you could make it up the stairs, anyway.<</linkreplace>><</if>> <<link "look away." "Throne Street Mid">><</link>> <<set $outdoorturns to $outdoorturns + 1>>

''The Mother of Harlots and Abominations of the Earth.'' ''She dances, drunken with the blood of the saints and the martyrs, in the corner of your eye.'' ''in the time it takes to turn and look straight at Her, She vanishes.'' ''you feel <<if $mystery is 1>>relieved<<elseif $mystery is 4>>observed<<elseif $mystery is 7>>wretched<</if>>.'' <<link "''look away.''" "Throne Street East">><</link>> <<set $outdoorturns to $outdoorturns + 1>> <<set $mystery to $mystery + 1>>

you think it might be miss pearl. you can't be sure. there's a lot missing. it looks like some kind of carnivore has already been here. or maybe more than one.<<if $food is 'none'>> <<linkreplace "look closer">>the temptation is strong. the meat glistens. so tender, so close. it takes everything you have not to tip yourself out of your chair and dig in.<</linkreplace>><</if>> <<link "look away." "Throne Street East">><</link>> <<set $outdoorturns to $outdoorturns + 1>>

the front door is locked. why is it locked? no one locks their doors in the Community. no one has any reason. [[go back.|Throne Street East]]

the front door is locked. it's never been locked before, no matter what time you've come to worship. there was even a time when you needed to pray after curfew and it was open. you wonder where you might find a key. [[go back.|Lamb Lane]]

you couldn't touch it, even if you reached up as far as you could. somewhere and nowhere, you hear the sound of knuckles on wood. <<link "look away." "Wormwood Way North">><</link>> <<set $outdoorturns to $outdoorturns + 1>>

<<if $footprints is 0>>they are a dark brownish-red. they look like they were made by a pair of large work boots. they don't smear as you roll over them. <</if>>they approch from the Northwest and head South. <<linkreplace "look closer">><<if $Hunter is 1>>you didn't see any major wounds on him. the star on his forehead wouldn't have bled too much. where could all this blood have come from?<<else>>you wonder whether this is the blood of the person who made the prints, or if they were covered in the blood of someone else. Or both.<</if>><</linkreplace>> <<link "look away." "Wormwood Way North">><</link>> <<set $outdoorturns to $outdoorturns + 1>> <<set $footprints to 1>>

it's a small thing, really. a pile of garbage burns in the middle of the street. nothing to worry yourself over. you can just roll around. it'll sort itself out. <<link "look away." "Wormwood Way North">><</link>> <<set $outdoorturns to $outdoorturns + 1>>

it's big and black and shiny. you move towards it slowly, doing your best not to startle it. just as you're closing in, its back opens and reveals its wings. it makes a horrible buzzing noise as it lifts off the ground. it settles a few feet away. your stomach growls. <<link "look away." "Wormwood Way South">><</link>> <<set $outdoorturns to $outdoorturns + 1>>

''The Mother of Harlots and Abominations of the Earth.'' ''you can see Her, riding on a beast with seven heads and ten horns, in the corner of your eye.'' ''in the time it takes to turn and look straight at Her, She vanishes.'' ''you feel <<if $mystery is 2>>unclean<<elseif $mystery is 5>>invited<<elseif $mystery is 8>>endangered. She will not forgive you again<</if>>.'' <<link "''look away.''" "Wormwood Way South">><</link>> <<set $outdoorturns to $outdoorturns + 1>> <<set $mystery to $mystery + 1>>

<<if $footprints is 0>>they are a dark brownish-red. they look like they were made by a pair of large work boots. they don't smear as you roll over them. <</if>>they approch from the North and head East. <<linkreplace "look closer">><<if $Hunter is 1>>did he wait until he was at the statue's base to eat the flowers, or did he do it on the way?<<else>>the blood is dry, but it looks... fresher here. more red. you're getting close. you dry heave.<</if>><</linkreplace>> <<link "look away." "Wormwood Way South">><</link>> <<set $outdoorturns to $outdoorturns + 1>> <<set $footprints to 1>>

''The Mother of Harlots and Abominations of the Earth.'' ''you can see Her in the corner of your eye, surrounding Herself with peoples and multitudes and nations and tongues as She slaughters a king—the fifth of seven.'' ''In the time it takes to turn and look straight at Her, She vanishes.'' ''You feel <<if $mystery is 3>>abandoned<<elseif $mystery is 6>>violated<<elseif $mystery is 9>>transcendent<</if>>.'' <<if $mystery is 9>><<link "''you find that you can't look away.''" "rapture">><</link>><<else>><<link "''look away.''" "Omega Street">><</link>><</if>> <<set $outdoorturns to $outdoorturns + 1>> <<set $mystery to $mystery + 1>>

it's a patch of hyacinth flowers. carnelian, a boy a few years your senior, planted them to celebrate his transition into adulthood. he explained to you that the hyacinth flower was a symbol of prudence, and a reminder of the desire for Heaven. he also told you, in a conspiratorial tone, that the bulbs could be poisonous if you ate enough, and that they could give you a rash if you touched them. <<linkreplace "look closer">><<set $poison to 1>>several of the stems are bare, their purple crowns plucked off.<</linkreplace>> <<link "look away." "Omega Street">><</link>> <<set $outdoorturns to $outdoorturns + 1>> <<set $hyacinths to 1>>

it's a rundown building, squatting behind the schoolhouse. you don't actually know what it's used for. ''it's a storage shed.'' you don't need to know what's inside. ''it's not your place to ask questions.'' ''look away, little harlot.'' <<link "''look away.''" "Omega Street">><</link>> <<set $outdoorturns to $outdoorturns + 1>>

''REV 22:11.'' you know that one. //He that is unjust, let him be unjust still: and he which is filthy, let him be filthy still: and he that is righteous, let him be righteous still: and he that is holy, let him be holy still.// you shiver. <<link "look away." "Lamb Lane">><</link>> <<set $outdoorturns to $outdoorturns + 1>>

in reality, it's a conglomerated sculpture made up of many small topazes. Prophet Hunter once told a group of students the topaz ''allows one to enter the house of worship with a clear head and an assurance of safety.'' you're not sure how it works, but you believe $Him.<<if $Hunter is 1>> or at least, you did at the time.<</if>> <<linkreplace "look closer">>it's still the prettiest thing you've seen in your life. you wheel around it a few times and watch it sparkle in the dull light.<</linkreplace>> <<link "look away." "Lamb Lane">><</link>> <<set $outdoorturns to $outdoorturns + 1>>

you experience an emotion similar to the one you felt standing behind miss pearl's desk. only the most senior Community Leaders ever stood up here, facing out towards the congregation of Children. you feel a bit dizzy, but you rub over the surface of your $comfort and return to yourself. the altar is a white stone pedastal, with a red velvet cloth draped over it. there are several objects on it, that Prophet Hunter used during services. <<if $hunterkey is 'yes'>> \<<linkreplace "look closer.">>on the altar sits a chalice, a clear bottle full of golden oil, Prophet Hunter's personal Bible, seven candles (or rather, seven piles of burned-down red wax), a plate with a puddle of dried blood on it<<if $food is 'none'>> (you know there must have been a slab of meat there... something else got to it first)<</if>>, and a sardonyx knife.<</linkreplace>> \<<else>> \<<linkreplace "look closer.">><<set $hunterkey to 'yes'>>the first thing that catches your eye is an ornate brass key. the head is an open circle with bars forming an ''H'' inside. could this be the key to...? $He would almost certainly have food in $His house. and you know right where to find it—it's right down the street from your building. you put the key in the pocket on the back of your chair. <<linkreplace "look closer.">>on the altar sits a chalice, a clear bottle full of golden oil, Prophet Hunter's personal Bible, seven candles (or rather, seven piles of burned-down red wax), a plate with a puddle of dried blood on it<<if $food is 'none'>> (you know there must have been a slab of meat there... something else got to it first)<</if>>, and a sardonyx knife.<</linkreplace>><</linkreplace>> \<</if>> <<link "look away." "chapel">><</link>> <<set $indoorturns to $indoorturns + 1>>

it's contained in something resembling an armoire. the cabinet doors are closed right now, but you can conjure the image of what's inside from memory. eighteen pipes, forty-five keys, ten knobs, and five pedals. you were fascinated with it when you were little. amethyst, the woman who was in charge of playing during services, hadn't allowed you any illusions of ever playing it—working feet were something of a prerequisite—but she didn't mind you watching her as she played. thus, you can remember each part exactly, even if you're not sure what they all do. carnelian once told you that there were organs in the outside world that were fifty feet tall, with ten thousand pipes, eight keyboards, and forty pedals. but he wouldn't tell you where specifically these technical marvels were located, no matter how many times you asked. <<linkreplace "look closer">>the cabinet doors are locked and you don't have a key, but you can press your ear to it. inside, you hear a steady thumping, and the sound of wet flesh moving against itself.<</linkreplace>> <<link "look away." "chapel">><</link>> <<set $indoorturns to $indoorturns + 1>>

the familiar image of Jesus on the cross. you've seen it so many times, you almost didn't notice there was something different about it now. <<linkreplace "look closer">>the carving is made of solid onyx, and you've never before seen it wet. on close inspection, it would appear the figure of the Son of God is crying. you touch your fingers to the liquid, and they come away red.<</linkreplace>> <<link "look away." "chapel">><</link>> <<set $indoorturns to $indoorturns + 1>>

there are no images or jumpscares in this game, but the text may be triggering. while this game is not adults-only, it is intended for mature audiences. it is not appropriate for children. it may not be appropriate for those who are easily disturbed. this game contains references to and depictions of //cult activity// and //ritual abuse,// and explores many of the topics and techniques related to those subjects. more specific trigger warnings are broken up by category below (some are listed in more than one category—this is intentional): //''physical violence''// <<linkreplace "show list">>- blood & gore - child abuse - death - physical abuse - violence - animal violence & sacrifice<</linkreplace>> //''psychological violence''// <<linkreplace "show list">>- child abuse - cult activity - verbal & emotional abuse - mental illness - mind control - ableism - psychological abuse, manipulation & gaslighting<</linkreplace>> //''self-harm''// <<linkreplace "show list">>- characters encouraging & enabling self-harm - self-harm (cutting) - references to suicide<</linkreplace>> //''sex & sexuality''// <<linkreplace "show list">>- homophobia & heterosexism (including homophobic violence) - sexism & misogyny - references to rape & sexual assault (incl. of a minor) - transphobia<</linkreplace>> //''other''// <<linkreplace "show list">>- amnesia & memory loss - dissociation - drug abuse - hallucination - physical disability (use of a wheelchair) - starvation - trauma<</linkreplace>> please do whatever you need to do and take whatever time you need to take to stay safe while playing this game. [[back|Main Menu]]

you remember something. <<linkappend "you were sitting out by the labyrinth.">> you couldn't walk it—the path was too uneven for your wheels. but you liked to sit underneath one of the trees in the courtyard to think or read. <<linkappend "it was a quiet place.">> people didn't tend to linger there except immediately after services. you'd always found it easy to concentrate there. you were feeling pleasantly floaty that day, which was unusual. usually when you got floaty you struggled to concentrate and your head hurt. <<linkappend "you didn't hear $Him walking up behind you.">> you only noticed $Him once $He squatted down beside your chair. Prophet Hunter was a large man, both tall and wide. $He wore, as $He always did, $His ceremonial robes. <<linkappend "''what are you reading, child?'' <<print $He>>'d asked.">> you'd shown <<print $Him>>—it was a version of Revelations with $His own annotations. you didn't trust yourself to speak coherently. you'd never spoken with $Him directly before. <<linkappend "<<print $He>>'d nodded.">> there was no change in $His sage expression. then, <<print $He>>'d turned $His eyes to look at your face. ''do you know why you're in a chair, child?'' <<linkappend "you shook your head. you honestly didn't.">> $He nodded, somewhat sadly, and then $He told you. ''it's because you're a sinner.'' <<linkappend "it was because you were a sinner.">> ''it's a punishment.'' <<linkappend "of course it was.">> ''do you understand?'' you'd nodded. <<print $He>>'d reciprocated. ''now, many people would see you as a lost cause,'' $He continued. ''but $I see something in you.'' <<linkappend "you were awestruck.">> //$He// could see something in //you?// you felt yourself blushing. $He didn't seem to notice. <<if $name is "phoebe">>''you are named for one blessed by Our Lord God, and'' <</if>>''$I believe you could be just as righteous as the rest of Us. but you'll have to study and pray and work extra hard. can you do that for $Me?'' <<linkappend "you'd nodded. you would have done anything for $Him.">> $His face had broken into a wide smile as he stood. ''that's a good girl. $I knew $I could count on you.'' <<linkappend "$He rested $His hand on your shoulder.">> it stayed there for a long while. <<link "return to the present." "labyrinth">><</link>> \<</linkappend>><</linkappend>><</linkappend>><</linkappend>><</linkappend>><</linkappend>><</linkappend>><</linkappend>><</linkappend>><</linkappend>><</linkappend>> <<set $outdoorturns to $outdoorturns + 1>> <<set $memories to $memories + 1>> <<set $labyrinth to 1>>

most of the time you weren't in school or in services, you were here. it was easier to sit under the trees and read than to sit at home. <<if $food is 'none'>><<linkreplace "look closer.">>you know none of these trees are fruit-bearing, but you take the time to look anyway.<</linkreplace>><</if>> <<link "look away." "labyrinth">><</link>> <<set $outdoorturns to $outdoorturns + 1>>

you've never walked it, of course, but you still find comfort in tracing the gravel path with your eyes from the edge to the center and back. others walked it before or after services, or whenever they had important decisions to make. most of the time though, like now, you and it were here alone. <<link "look away." "labyrinth">><</link>> <<set $outdoorturns to $outdoorturns + 1>>

<<if $dogmeat is 'yes'>> \Chrysolite Boulevard is the only way to access the Statue of the Angel, the place where you've been trained to go for guidance if Prophet Hunter and the other Community leaders are unavailable. <<if $chrysolite is 0>>approaching the street, you hear growling. what you see makes you stop before actually turning onto the street.<</if>> a pack of hungry dogs prowls along the boulevard. you recognize miss pearl's boxer hound. you recognize carnelian's bulldog. you recognize Prophet Hunter's three german shepherds. there are at least six others, but you can't remember off the top of your head who they belong to. they all look thin. they all look hungry. they all look feral. <<if $chrysolite is 0>>a few of them raise their heads to look at you. one of them bares its teeth. <<else>>you know already that you can't make it past them without some kind of distraction. \<</if>> \the breeze picks up and once again you smell the rotting meat in your chair pocket. it's too putrid for you to stomach, but maybe... <<linkreplace "throw the meat.">><<set $dogs to 'no'>>you take the rotting meat from the pocket on the back of your chair. the smell makes you gag once again and you make a mental note to wash the pocket out later. one at a time, you toss the three pieces of meat off into the grass to the right. the dogs, no longer paying you any mind, dash off after it. you hope it will hold them. <<link "proceed." "Chrysolite Boulevard">><</link>> <</linkreplace>> \<<else>> \Chrysolite Boulevard is the only way to access the Statue of the Angel, the place where you've been trained to go for guidance if Prophet Hunter and the other Community leaders are unavailable. <<if $chrysolite is 0>>approaching the street, you hear growling. what you see makes you stop before actually turning onto the street.<</if>> a pack of hungry dogs prowls along the boulevard. you recognize miss pearl's boxer hound. you recognize carnelian's bulldog. you recognize Prophet Hunter's three german shepherds. there are at least six others, but you can't remember off the top of your head who they belong to. they all look thin. they all look hungry. they all look feral. \<<if $chrysolite is 0>> a few of them raise their heads to look at you. one of them bares its teeth. you don't doubt they'll attack if you get close enough. you don't have anything with you that would work to distract all of them. \<<else>> you don't doubt they'll attack if you get close enough. you don't have anything with you that would work to distract all of them. you know they've seen you. you hope you're not close enough for them to catch a scent. \<</if>> looks like the statue's guidance is unavailable at the moment. <<link "go back." "Seventh Street South">><<set $chrysolite to 1>><</link>> \<</if>> <<set $outdoorturns to $outdoorturns + 1>> <<set $chrysolite to 1>>

<<if $dogmeat is 'yes'>> \Chrysolite Boulevard is the only way to access the Statue of the Angel, the place where you've been trained to go for guidance if Prophet Hunter and the other Community leaders are unavailable. <<if $chrysolite is 0>>approaching the street, you hear growling. what you see makes you stop before actually turning onto the street.<</if>> a pack of hungry dogs prowls along the boulevard. you recognize miss pearl's boxer hound. you recognize carnelian's bulldog. you recognize Prophet Hunter's three german shepherds. there are at least six others, but you can't remember off the top of your head who they belong to. they all look thin. they all look hungry. they all look feral. <<if $chrysolite is 0>>a few of them raise their heads to look at you. one of them bares its teeth. <<else>>you know already that you can't make it past them without some kind of distraction. \<</if>> \the breeze picks up and once again you smell the rotting meat in your chair pocket. it's too putrid for you to stomach, but maybe... <<linkreplace "throw the meat.">><<set $dogs to 'no'>>you take the rotting meat from the pocket on the back of your chair. the smell makes you gag once again and you make a mental note to wash the pocket out later. one at a time, you toss the three pieces of meat off into the grass to the right. the dogs, no longer paying you any mind, dash off after it. you hope it will hold them. <<link "proceed." "Chrysolite Boulevard">><</link>> <</linkreplace>> \<<else>> \Chrysolite Boulevard is the only way to access the Statue of the Angel, the place where you've been trained to go for guidance if Prophet Hunter and the other Community leaders are unavailable. <<if $chrysolite is 0>>approaching the street, you hear growling. what you see makes you stop before actually turning onto the street.<</if>> a pack of hungry dogs prowls along the boulevard. you recognize miss pearl's boxer hound. you recognize carnelian's bulldog. you recognize Prophet Hunter's three german shepherds. there are at least six others, but you can't remember off the top of your head who they belong to. they all look thin. they all look hungry. they all look feral. \<<if $chrysolite is 0>> a few of them raise their heads to look at you. one of them bares its teeth. you don't doubt they'll attack if you get close enough. you don't have anything with you that would work to distract all of them. \<<else>> you don't doubt they'll attack if you get close enough. you don't have anything with you that would work to distract all of them. you know they've seen you. you hope you're not close enough for them to catch a scent. \<</if>> looks like the statue's guidance is unavailable at the moment. <<link "go back." "Wormwood Way South">><<set $chrysolite to 1>><</link>> \<</if>> <<set $outdoorturns to $outdoorturns + 1>> <<set $chrysolite to 1>>

they're tearing into the meat you threw them. <<if $food is 'none'>>you feel a pang of jealousy.<</if>> that should hold them for a while. <<link "look away." "Chrysolite Boulevard">><</link>> <<set $outdoorturns to $outdoorturns + 1>>

<<if $footprints is 0>>they are a dark brownish-red. they look like they were made by a pair of large work boots. they don't smear as you roll over them. <</if>>they approach from the West and head North. <<linkreplace "look closer">><<if $Hunter is 1>>they must be Prophet Hunter's. they're about the right size.<<else>>they head towards the Statue. whoever's they are, you know you'll find them there. you're filled with dread.<</if>><</linkreplace>> <<link "look away." "Chrysolite Boulevard">><</link>> <<set $outdoorturns to $outdoorturns + 1>> <<set $footprints to 1>>

on closer inspection, it's not a lamb. it's... something else. something wrong. <<linkreplace "look closer">>it regards you cooly with seven insectoid eyes, spaced evenly around its head. bony spurs protrude, seemingly at random, from its body. \<<if $memories is 0>> \ you can't see how many there are. you feel like something bad will happen if you look for too long. \<<elseif $memories is 7>> \ you count seven. you wonder if they're causing it pain, somehow. \<<else>> \ you count $memories before your eyes begin to hurt. \<</if>> for a moment, your surroundings seem to flicker. you see a throne behind it, and four beasts surrounding it, and a sea of men extending into infinity, watching it. then you're back, mind fuzzy but grounded in the present. \<</linkreplace>> <<link "look away." "Sickle Street">><</link>> <<set $outdoorturns to $outdoorturns + 1>>

it's amongst the tallest structures in the Community—huge and wrought-iron, with vines crawling up its posts. a small amethyst crowns its pointed top. the gate stands open. <<link "look away." "Sickle Street">><</link>> <<set $outdoorturns to $outdoorturns + 1>>

acacia trees line part of the median of Seventh Street, a reminder of the tabernacle and Commandments within. They're looking rather overgrown, now. <<link "look away." "Seventh Street North">><</link>> <<set $outdoorturns to $outdoorturns + 1>>

it stands free in the middle of the street, ascending towards the sky. it almost hurts to look at. there's no way you're making it up with your chair. <<linkreplace "look closer">>on closer inspection, it looks like it only ascends for about fifty feet, before abruptly cutting off over the trees outside. you decide not to go look at the ground below the other end.<</linkreplace>> <<link "look away." "Seventh Street North">><</link>> <<set $outdoorturns to $outdoorturns + 1>>

this one is more complete than the other. he still has his skin. his face is carven, and his body looks... significantly stronger than the average. you leave that train of thought there. that is, of course, except for his wings. they look more like those of a bat than a bird. they spread out on the ground underneath him, and you can see they've clearly been perforated. on further inspection, you can see poking out of his hair seven horns, small protrusions of bone that look like the first sprouts on a baby ram. <<if $food is 'none'>><<linkreplace "look closer">>even with him so early in his decomposition process, you push the thought from your mind even faster than you did with the angel. you'd be damned for sure.<</linkreplace>> <</if>><<link "look away." "Seventh Street Up Mid">><</link>> <<set $outdoorturns to $outdoorturns + 1>>

they tower over everything around them, shining with a pure white light. they're perfectly still, yet there's enough potential energy to shatter the world to pieces. they are all four perfect, all four powerful, all four impassive. they are holding back the wind from blowing. they watch you cooly. you daren't say anything. <<linkreplace "look closer">>you think if one of them willed it, you'd be burned to nothing but charcoal in an instant. you feel that might happen regardless if you stare too long.<</linkreplace>> <<link "look away." "Farmland North">><</link>> <<set $outdoorturns to $outdoorturns + 1>>

pitchforks, plows, shovels, hoes... they lie around as if they were dropped without warning as people began to run. or float. <<linkreplace "look closer">>the metal is much more rusted than it should be after only twenty-eight days.<</linkreplace>> <<link "look away." "Farmland North">><</link>> <<set $outdoorturns to $outdoorturns + 1>>

o, heavenly bounty! it would appear absolutely nothing was harvested! it's all been left to sit here, just for you. you brace your hands on your chair arms and launch yourself to the ground, landing on your belly. the wind is knocked out of you, but you push forawrd and begin to dig. the food is extremely ripe, but you bat the flies away. the sheer sweetness that explodes in your mouth in your first bite causes you to emit a sound you'd never make with anyone else nearby. it's not enough to feed you forever, or even past the day, but it's enough for now. <<link "you eat your fill." "Farmland North">><</link>> <<set $outdoorturns to $outdoorturns + 1>> <<set $food to 'yes'>>

parsnips, carrots, zucchini, celery... all of the fibrous staples of your diet. many of them are crawling with ants or maggots. most of them are still in the ground. you see a few baskets, overturned but mostly empty anyway. <<link "look away." "Farmland North">><</link>> <<set $outdoorturns to $outdoorturns + 1>>

Thank you for playing //we, the remainder.// <<if $ending is 1>>You managed to escape the situation—the first step in the healing process. \<<elseif $ending is 2>>You didn't manage to find food in time. Did you get lost? Did you prioritize other goals? Regardless, the outcome is the same. \<<elseif $ending is 3>>Your curiosity got the better of you, and you saw something you shouldn't have. Some things we're just not built to withstand. \<<else>>How did you get here? You shouldn't have been able to make it here with what you did. Are you trolling the code?<</if>> Special thanks to Caitlyn Joy, Ian Hartman, Julia Byrne, Quinn Cochran, Roz Sullivan-Lovett, Teresa Cochran, and William Cochran for beta testing. If you would like to learn more about ritual abuse and its long-term psychological effects, survivorship.org is a good resource—the information on their website was vital to the creation of this game. <<link "See your stats" "Stats">><</link>> <<link "Return to the main menu" "Main Menu">><</link>> [[->Stats]]

a stone wall, too high to see over, surrounds the area where the livestock are kept. there's only a single gate where the people responsible for the animals' care can enter and leave. it's the only freestanding wall inside the community, but it's there for good reason—it ensures no animals can get out or in. <<link "look away." "Farmland South">><</link>> <<set $outdoorturns to $outdoorturns + 1>>

it's painted a dull red. those animals that sleep inside sleep there. you know in addition to stables, it also has feeding troughs and a small closet where the shovels and pitchforks used for the animals' care are stored. <<linkreplace "look closer">>it looks like there's upkeep to be done. the roof is sagging quite badly.<</linkreplace>> <<link "look away." "Farmland South">><</link>> <<set $outdoorturns to $outdoorturns + 1>>

it takes you a moment to realize you've been smelling something rancid for a while. looks like you've found the source. despite the fact that the dogs of the Community simply could not have gotten to them over the wall, all of the cows, goats, and pigs are now nothing but cold, mutilated meat. there's one that looks like it may have... exploded. there are chunks scattered in about a five foot radius, and the entire area smells like vomit. <<if $chrysolite is 0>> \and then speaking of the dogs... you know if you encounter any they'll be hungry—you'd rather they not feast on you. \<<else>> \speaking of the dogs, this meat might be good to distract them and let you pass. \<</if>><<if $dogmeat is 'yes'>> you've already got enough meat to stave off the dogs. you don't think you could stomach any yourself. \<<else>> \ pulling your shirt over your nose, you reach down and take three large chunks of meat off of the ground. they're horrifically cold and squishy. you put them in your chairback pocket. \<</if>> <<link "look away." "Farmland South">><</link>> <<set $outdoorturns to $outdoorturns + 1>> <<set $dogmeat to 'yes'>>

you remember something. <<linkappend "it was many years ago.">> you were little. Momma had brought you to the market with Her. //<<print $name>>, don't run ahead!// you weren't running, of course, but neither were you paying attention. <<linkappend "you were excited to see all the produce.">> the piles of fruit and vegetables in their boxes were so beautiful. they were like a painting, colorful and bright. much more exciting than the dairy section or butcher's counter. and the things Momma brought home from this section were the tastiest of all. <<linkappend "there was one thing you'd wanted above anything else.">> you wanted a peach. beryl had given you a piece of hers at school and as you bit down, the softest, sweetest flesh had filled your mouth. you wanted one all to yourself. but... when you held one up to Momma, She said //no.// <<linkappend "you threw a tantrum.">> you didn't know any better. you were a little kid. //<<print $name>>, you cut that out right now. people are staring.// you hadn't paid any attention. you were awash in a sea of grief. the bereavement, the shattering of your hope, it was all too much. Momma had tried to move you along, but <<linkappend "you'd locked your wheels">> and stayed stubbornly put, pounding your fists on your armrests and wailing with your head thrown back. you hadn't seen the dark clouds crossing Momma's face. <<linkappend "She seized your wrist and leaned in close.">> She whispered some words that you still can't make sense of—some of them you can't even remember. <<linkappend "//Theta Phi Delta Psi Beta// ̷̧̙̓̉̔͗̚a̶̳͉͓͉̣͚̣͗͋̽̉͠t̷̪̤͉͔̮̳̦̰̜̿̀͠v̸̢̡̢̻̳̳̺̆̑͋̌́̈ć̵̨̳̥͗̉̌͐͊̅̒̉̋͆̄̉͠Ţ̶̢̤̝͉͖̟̲͖͖̌̔̑̓̂͠a̴̧̱̙̪̰̰̰̼̲͈̥̬͎̽̑̿̃̈̀̿͗̚͜r̵̡̢͗̃̃̃̊͋̀́͝t̵̛̯̳͂͒̏́́̓͋͘͠͝ ̴̧̡̜̱̹͇͚͍̯͖͍͕̹̂̏͗́͐̐̈́̀͜t̷̢͔̗̞̰̯̫͉̆͒̃͂̓͋̍̆̓̓̅̈͘͜͠͝i̸̡̨̛̥͎̰̖͚̣͙͉̣͖̩̟͂̾͗͐͒́̔͊̓̀͂̌̀ͅŞ̵̛̛̻͖͈͉̬̉͂̓͆̔͒̐͆̅̐̓͝p̶̛̯̞̦̝̠̪̩͕̦̗̣͓̒́̈́́͋̑̇͗̏̕͠ͅe̵͇̤̭̞͚̗̪̒̈͋̉͑̎͗̇̂̈́̚ͅo̶̫̪̫͚͖̲̼͕̓͌̃̓͆͑͊͊̊̕͝ǎ̵̡̢̲͎̯̝̟̯̠͖͍̙̲̇̓̏͆̂̑̏̈́̚̚m̵͖̤̫̫͕͊͋̓͊͂͌̒̏̐̄̽͝͠͝ŗ̷̡̡̤̺͎̺̗͙̰̉̈̃̉̇̆͑̉͂̀ ̸̝̫͙̰̯͉̠̐́̄̐̏̎͌̈́̍̇̓̀o̸͍̖̻̱̗͍͔̖͍̳͙̜̒̄͗͌͘͝o̶̻̘͎̘̮̭͔̙̒̇͌̾̐̿̕A̷̧̛̱̗͖̰̥̪̰͐̈́͒͐̕ͅt̴̲̗̪͎̫̬͎̜̝̭̭̱̥͇͛̈́̈̉̈̔̌͆͐͒̌̋͐̚̕ý̸̨͎̼͕̪͎͈̭̳̥̻">> //now get moving, you little shit.// you can't remember the rest of that day. no matter how hard you try. <<link "return to the present." "market reveal">><</link>> \<</linkappend>><</linkappend>><</linkappend>><</linkappend>><</linkappend>><</linkappend>><</linkappend>> <<set $indoorturns to $indoorturns + 1>> <<set $memories to $memories + 1>> <<set $market to 1>>

<<if $market is 1>> \what could have been, what once was, decimated. you wonder if the stench will ever come out of your clothes, or your hair. \<<else>> \where could that be coming from? it wafts up towards Heaven. \<</if>> <<link "look away." "Seventh Street Down Mid">><</link>> <<set $outdoorturns to $outdoorturns + 1>>

you return to yourself, shakily, and behold a different scene. there must have been a fire. the ceiling has caved in and all that's left of the walls is the jagged protrusions of support beams and metal studs. <<if $comfort is 'cap'>>you run your fingers over the brim of your cap and <<elseif $comfort is 'blanket'>>you pull your blanket over your shoulders and<<elseif $comfort is 'rock'>>your smooth rock mourns with you as you<<elseif $comfort is 'bear'>>you hug your teddy bear tight and<</if>> sit in the stillness, the quiet. <<if $food is 'none'>>everything edible has been burnt up. all that food... you can't find a single morsel among the rubble. <</if>>of all the things you've seen today, this makes you go cold. bleak. <<link "desolate." "market">><</link>>

the crates seem to be entirely gone. not a peach to be found. <<link "look away." "market">><</link>> <<set $indoorturns to $indoorturns + 1>>

much of the glass has shattered. the meat has been reduced to char. <<linkreplace "look closer">>you try to make your way behind the counter, but there's rubble blocking the path back. you might blow a tire if you tried to roll over that, and you don't have any spares with you.<</linkreplace>> <<link "look away." "market">><</link>> <<set $indoorturns to $indoorturns + 1>>

this is where Momma used to get her meds. <<if $chapelkey is 1>>you suppose miss pearl came here, too.<</if>> <<linkreplace "look closer">>it looks like the yellow bottles all melted. the plastic has dripped down and formed chalky stalagtites off of the metal shelves.<</linkreplace>> <<link "look away." "market">><</link>> <<set $indoorturns to $indoorturns + 1>>

it would appear they've turned on their own. there's barely more than bones left. <<link "look away." "Seventh Street South">><</link>> <<set $outdoorturns to $outdoorturns + 1>>

there are too many to take the time to reread them all, but you've memorized the general gist: ''leaving and joining in the sin that resides outside means eternal damnation.'' ''the only safe place is here.'' <<link "look away." "Seventh Street South">><</link>> <<set $outdoorturns to $outdoorturns + 1>>

now, it's flat and empty and dark. no beryl, no Momma. no anyone, anymore. <<if $comfort is 'cap'>>you pull your cap down tighter over your head.<<elseif $comfort is 'blanket'>>you smooth your blanket down over your lap.<<elseif $comfort is 'rock'>>you stroke your smooth rock with your thumb.<<elseif $comfort is 'bear'>>you hug your teddy bear to your chest.<</if>> <<link "look away." "Vial Lake">><</link>> <<set $outdoorturns to $outdoorturns + 1>>

it would appear $He had some kind of bird. not chicken. could it be duck? even if you knew what a duck dinner looked like, it's hard to really discern through all the maggots. <<linkreplace "look closer">>the roasted vegetables are identifiable, though, even through the mold that coats them. you know they definitely don't grow eggplants or cauliflower on the Community farm.<</linkreplace>> <<link "look away." "Hunter's dining room">><</link>> <<set $indoorturns to $indoorturns + 1>>

you've pieced enough together by now that you know to skip the first few pages and only skim the rest. you usually have no choice but to do what Prophet Hunter commands—but if you don't know $His commands you can't follow them. the journal is full of lists of names. some of them you recognize as the names of people, some as the names of livestock. beryl's and Momma's names are both in one list. carnelian's is in another. actually, you see beryl's name on several different lists. your name is nowhere to be found. some things you can't understand, but you don't try to decipher them. you don't want to risk returning to consiousness bleeding. most of the rest of the journal is a day-to-day record, something like a diary—but it strikes you as odd that Prophet Hunter's writing is so cryptic in what is as far as you can tell a private document. so many nonsensical things appear frequently and casually. ''Spoke with the Archangel today, arranged for delivery.'' ''The Saint was caught playing with emeralds yesterday... perhaps harsher sanctification is in order.'' ''It is nearly time for Lazarus' baptism in the Grove. Hope she is responsive given her inutility.'' that last one catches your eye, because it's the fifth time in just a few pages you've seen $Him mention the Grove. something tickles the back of your skull every time you see it referenced. $He mentions on a previous page that the Grove is across from the chapel, which means it's in those woods you were told never to enter. <<link "look away." "The Ceremony Room">><</link>> <<set $indoorturns to $indoorturns + 1>>

you get an ominous feeling looking at this cabinet. there's something bad lurking inside that you'll release if you open it. <<linkreplace "look closer">>you really don't think you should. <<linkreplace "look closer">>you imagine finding the corpse of Momma in there. or of beryl or of carnelian, preserved and dead and grinning. <<linkreplace "look closer">>don't look any closer. <<linkreplace "look closer">>''walk away from this.'' <<linkreplace "look closer">>''you have no idea what you're fucking with, girl.'' <<linkreplace "look closer">>''LOOK AWAY, LITTLE WHORE, //NOW.//'' <<linkreplace "look closer">><<set $journal to 1>>a stabbing pain lances through your head as you fling the cabinet doors open. you cry out and clutch your scalp. you stay that way for a long time, moaning and swaying slightly. when you pull your hands away from your head, you see long scratch marks down your arms. when did those get there? and inside the cabinet is nothing special. you see bottles of liquid (all different colors), sticks of incense, and... a journal. \<</linkreplace>><</linkreplace>><</linkreplace>><</linkreplace>><</linkreplace>><</linkreplace>><</linkreplace>> <<link "look away." "The Ceremony Room">><</link>> <<set $indoorturns to $indoorturns + 1>>

it's nearly entirely made of pure black stone, but there's a thin layer of blue on top. the certainty that it's sapphire makes its way out from some corner of your subconsious. <<linkreplace "look closer">>on the altar sits a sleek knife—it looks like some kind of stone, sharp and reflective in the dim light—and a chalice, golden, with green and blue gems inlaid. the inside of it is stained a dull brown.<</linkreplace>> <<link "look away." "The Ceremony Room">><</link>> <<set $indoorturns to $indoorturns + 1>>

oh. heavenly bounty. this is... $His private garden? it's nearly as large as the entire Community farmland. and the food growing here! grapes and corn and mint and broccoli and... peaches. as if by God's own will, a peach falls from its tree and lands directly in front of you. you lean forward and snatch it immediately. when you bite into it, the juice dribbles down your chin. you briefly ask yourself why Prophet Hunter would keep all this to <<print $Him>>self, when the rest of you had barely enough to get by. there's a revelation somewhere in your brain, but something else blocks it from surfacing. the impulse it spawns, though, reaches you clearly. [[you collect enough for the journey you're coming to see as necessary.|Hunter's garden]] <<set $food to 'journey'>> <<set $outdoorturns to $outdoorturns + 1>>

you've sat on one or another of these wooden benches every day for as long as you remember—Community lunches and dinners, special events and birthdays, announcements... <<linkreplace "look closer">>looking down at yourself, you discover with a mix of horror and amusement that you've unconsciously swung yourself out of your chair and onto one of them without even realizing. you sit in the silence for a moment. it doesn't give you the feeling of normalcy you'd hope for.<</linkreplace>> <<link "look away." "pavilion">><</link>> <<set $outdoorturns to $outdoorturns + 1>>

it's empty now, just like everywhere else. there's no one standing up there and no one in the seats to watch them. <<linkreplace "look closer">>the cat o' nine is not in its spot on the wall.<</linkreplace>> <<link "look away." "pavilion">><</link>> <<set $outdoorturns to $outdoorturns + 1>>

you remember something. <<linkappend "you were eating Communal lunch, like every day.">> Momma sat on one side of you, miss pearl on the other. you don't remember what the food was. truth be told, it all tasted the same. you were sweating. why were you sweating? <<linkappend "Prophet Hunter took the stage.">> that was unusual. usually one of the other Community Leaders gave announcements, not Prophet Hunter <<print $Him>>self. <<linkappend "''beryl, daughter of sapphire, please step forward.''">> there was a hush. slowly, beryl stood and walked to the stage. when Prophet Hunter spoke, you obeyed. $He regarded her coolly. ''do you have anything you'd like to tell the Community?'' she had shaken her head, slowly, hesitantly. <<linkappend "she was trembling.">> Prophet Hunter sighed, dissapointed. <<linkappend "''girl, you and $I both know you have sinned.''">> ''you have committed the sin of dirtiness. you have committed the sin of dishonesty. and you have committed the sin of lust before Our Lord God. do you deny it?'' <<linkappend "she didn't.">> Prophet Hunter turned and walked to the front wall. $He pulled the cat o' nine down from where it hung. $He held it out to her. ''by the Power invested in $Me by God, $I declare you shall atone through twenty lashes, self-administered before the Community.'' <<linkappend "$He then turned to face out.">> ''<<print $I>>'d like to thank $name, daughter of ẗ̴̬̤̲̼͍͙̼̼̟̤̘͗̒̈́ȃ̵̙̲͎͕̯̑́̌́͒̃̅̔M̴̡̻̯͍̖̭̰͒͂̓͌̓̾̆̍̐̑͠ͅr̵̡͍̬͕̲͕̬̩̿̀͒̿͛̏̑̎̓̅̃̏͘͜͜ ̴̛̻̻̣̿̓͊͛̓́̌a̵͔͔̾̅̏̿̀̋̃̄g̸̨̻̹̣̯̱̥͙̘̑͝ͅͅŗ̸͓͉͖͉̲̗͔̠̻̊̍̍̿y̷͈̘͔͇̰͖̓̒͋̌̋̏̍̀͛̈́̆͘͝ͅṂ̶̨͇̲̩̪̫͎͛̆̆͜͜ê̶̦͔͕̪̰̪͙͂̃̌͐̐͑ͅȧ̶̗̈́͊̈́̓͝r̴̡̧͎̝͓̳̹̲̥͕̿̐̍̑̿͋̒͛͊̈́͜ͅ, for bringing these grave offenses to $My attention. you are demonstrating for Us how to be a pillar of the Community.'' <<linkappend "as beryl began, Momma leaned over to whisper to you.">> //I can't believe you ratted her out,// She'd muttered. you'd looked at Her incredulously, still able to taste the algae in the back of your throat. though you didn't say anything, She seemed to understand. <<linkappend "//there's a lesson you need to learn//">>, She'd said, //and learn quickly.// //the rules are there for a reason. of course they are. they're for our own good.// <<linkappend "//but so, too, is discretion.//">> //if you're a tattletale about other Community members, you will only breed mistrust and ostracize yourself. and you need the Community to survive.// <<linkappend "//furthermore, what she can keep discreet is her business.//">> //I made clear My thoughts on //you// engaging in that... behavior, but //her// soul is not My concern—nor is it yours.// <<if $name is "delilah">>//just because the woman with your name in The Good Book was treacherous to those who loved her does not mean you must be.//<</if>> <<linkappend "//so, watch her punishment carefully, and remember://">> //every time that whip comes down on her back? it's not her swinging it.// //it's you.// <<link "return to the present." "pavilion">><</link>> \<</linkappend>><</linkappend>><</linkappend>><</linkappend>><</linkappend>><</linkappend>><</linkappend>><</linkappend>><</linkappend>><</linkappend>><</linkappend>><</linkappend>> <<set $outdoorturns to $outdoorturns + 1>> <<set $memories to $memories + 1>> <<set $stage to 1>>

no. you can't go back in there. you mustn't. it would kill you. you can feel how badly it wants to. go back, <<print $name>>. [[go back.|Lamb Lane]]

you remember something. <<linkappend "you hadn't thought about this in years.">> this was your father's grave. or, at least, you would pretend it was. <<linkappend "you didn't have a father">>, so Momma said. based on many of the things carnelian had told you, the idea of you not having a father at all seemed relatively improbable. you figured maybe it was just one of those things adults said. so when you needed to talk to someone, <<linkappend "you'd come here.">> and he would always listen patiently, and not interrupt, and give you room to breathe. <<linkappend "that was something you couldn't find with anyone else.">> eventually, though, you'd grown out of such childish things. <<linkappend "you'd toughened up.">> learned to act like an adult. you didn't need a father when you had your Community. <<linkappend "They provided everything you needed.">> so they said. <<link "return to the present." "graveyard">><</link>> \<</linkappend>><</linkappend>><</linkappend>><</linkappend>><</linkappend>><</linkappend>> <<set $outdoorturns to $outdoorturns + 1>> <<set $memories to $memories + 1>> <<set $grave to 1>>

it's a strain to try and reach it, but once your hand wraps around the hilt it slides out easily through one of his cheeks. it's heavy—it'll take some getting used to. it's very big. it's intimidating, just like him. it will protect you. <<link "you grasp it tight." "Statue">><</link>> <<set $outdoorturns to $outdoorturns + 1>> <<set $safe to 'yes'>>

//"And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron: and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God."// (Rev 19.15) //"And the remnant were slain with the sword of him that sat upon the horse, which sword proceeded out of his mouth: and all the fowls were filled with their flesh."// (Rev 19.21) <<link "look away." "Statue">><</link>> <<set $outdoorturns to $outdoorturns + 1>>

you watch $Him warily, though $He's clearly dead. $He's splayed out on $His back, glassy eyes skewed skyward. a five-pointed star is burned upside down in $His forehead. there are purple stains on $His hands and face. \<<if $hyacinths is 1 and $poison is 1>>you remember carnelian telling you his hyacinths were poisonous. you remember seeing some of the bulbs missing. \<<elseif $hyacinths is 1 and $poison is 0>>you remember carnelian telling you his hyacinths were poisonous. those stains are the same color as the flowers he planted years ago. \<<else>>did $He take something? did $He do this on purpose? \<</if>> you didn't know $He could die. $He looks so... average in death. below average, even. $He looks gangly and awkward, unkempt and unremarkable.<<if $Hunter is 0>> you realize with dull shock that $Him being here means that, just like you, $He didn't float up with everyone else.<</if>> $He was just a man. $He was just a man. $He was just a man. he was just a man. you weep for everybody you've ever known. it's time to leave. <<link "look away." "Statue">><</link>> <<set $outdoorturns to $outdoorturns + 1>> <<set $He to 'he'>> <<set $Him to 'him'>> <<set $His to 'his'>> <<set $I to 'i'>> <<set $Me to 'me'>> <<set $Hunter to 1>> <<set $My to 'my'>>

You attempt to move along but find that you <<linkappend "can't.">> Your arms have grown leaden and will not obey you. you thought you had more time. you hadn’t noticed how much you’d been shivering, your body temperature too low. you hadn’t realized how much you’d <<linkappend "wasted away.">> you slump forward, your core muscles giving out entirely. your vision swims, distorting the view of your feet. you waited too long. you didn’t find the food you needed to <<linkappend "survive.">> this is what starvation feels like. painful, cold, and helpless. it is a revelation. your vision fades to <<linkappend "white.">> at least what’s left of you might sustain the dogs a bit longer. this is the end of all things. you will join your family. you are going <<link "home." "the end">><</link>> \<</linkappend>><</linkappend>><</linkappend>><</linkappend>> <<set $ending to 2>>

She regards you coolly, <<linkappend "violently.">> Her torso contracts. She is giving <<linkappend "birth.">> all of this, all that’s happened to you and others, was necessary to create the world that Her Child could rule. only one loose end <<linkappend "remains.">> you howl as your body rends. nerve endings you’ve never felt before light up violet and split in two, dozens of twin ends waving in the air like tentacles, or <<linkappend "snakes.">> your muscles spasm, clenching and unclenching as they are uncoupled from your skin. it is a revelation. your vision fades to <<linkappend "white.">> this is the end of all things. you will join your family. you are going <<link "home." "the end">><</link>> \<</linkappend>><</linkappend>><</linkappend>><</linkappend>><</linkappend>> <<set $ending to 3>>

you have a $comfort \<<if $chapelkey is 'yes' and $chapel is 0>>, a key to the chapel<</if>> \<<if $hunterkey is 'yes' and $mansion is 0>>, a key to Prophet Hunter's mansion<</if>> \<<if $food is 'journey'>>, enough food to travel with<</if>> \<<if $dogmeat is 'yes' and $boulevard is 0>>, some rancid meat<</if>> \<<if $safe is 'yes'>>, <<if $map is 0>>and <</if>>a large stone sword<</if>> \<<if $map is 1>>, and a <<link "map" "Ref Map">><</link>><</if>>. You have a comfort You have a comfort and a map You have a comfort and a key You have a comfort, a key, and a map You have a comfort, a key, and some meat You have a comfort, a key, some meat, and a map You have a comfort, a key, and a sword You have a comfort, a key, a sword, and a map You have a comfort and some meat You have a comfort, some meat, and a map You have a comfort and a sword You have a comfort, a sword, and a map <<if $food is 'none' and $hungerturns gte 30>><<link "TEXT" "starvation">><</link>><<else>><<link "TEXT" "normal place">><<set $hungerturns to $hungerturns + 1>><</link>><</if>> <<set $starve1 to ['your brain swims.', 'your stomach grumbles.', 'you feel a chill.', 'your ribs slide against your skin.', 'you lick your chapped lips.']>> <<set $starve2 to ['your arms feel leaden.', 'you feel lightheaded.', 'you’re shivering.', 'your peripheral vision is growing dark.', 'you can feel yourself growing weaker.']>> <<set $starve3 to ['your abdomen cramps.', 'your vision is blurry.', 'you feel as if you’re falling.', 'your hands feel swollen.', 'you are so, so tired.']>> <<if $food is 'none'>> <<if $hungerturns lte 10>><<print $starve1.random()>><<elseif $hungerturns gt 10 and $hungerturns lte 20>><<print $starve2.random()>><<elseif $hungerturns gt 20>><<print $starve3.random()>><</if>><</if>> {{{..................................+--------+.............................}}} {{{.....+-----+......................|Prophet |.............................}}} {{{.....|your |......................|Hunter's|.............................}}} {{{.....|house|......................|mansion |.............................}}} {{{.....+--+--+......................+---+----+.............................}}} | throne street | +----------+ +---------------+-------------+---------+---+ | a a| o s | | | | l l| +------+ m t | +------+ | | | p l| |school| e r | |chapel| | | farmland | h e+--+house | g e | +---+--+ | | | a y| +------+ a e | | | | | | t +--------------+--------+---+ | | | lamb lane | +----------+ | | |s s | | +%%%+ +-----------+ |e t | | %%%%% | | |v r | north | +%%%+ | graveyard | |e e | wormwood | | | |n e + | way | +-----+-----+ |t t +-+---------------+--+ | |h +-------+ | | +-----------+--------+-----+market | +-----+------+ +--------++ | sickle street | +-------+ | +-+pavillion+-+w w | | | +---------+ |o a | | vial | |r y | | lake | |m | | | |w +-------+ | | | |o |statue | | +------------+ |o +---+---+ | |d | | +-----------+--------+ chrysolite | boulevard | | -------- {{{................."--:;=+;:,,-"....⌜────────⌝.................'"::;::,+xxX}}} {{{.....⌜─────⌝.......",:;;:,".......│Prophet │......,::,...........':":;=+x}}} {{{.....│your │........":,,-"........│Hunter's│....,:::;::...........,",:;;+}}} {{{.....│house│......................│mansion │......':::'............,",::;}}} {{{.....⌞──┬──⌟......................⌞───┬────⌟........................,":.,}}} {{{........│...throne street.............│.............⌜──────────⌝.........}}} {{{........├───────────────┬─────────────┴─────────┬───┤&&&&&&&&&&│.........}}} {{{.....a a│............o s│.......................│...│&&&&&&&&&&│.........}}} {{{.....l l│..⌜──────⌝..m t│...:......⌜──────⌝.....│...│&&&&&&&&&&│.........}}} {{{.....p l│..│school│..e r│....::....│chapel│.....│...│ farmland │.........}}} {{{.....h e├──┤house │..g e│.....::...⌞───┬──⌟.....│...│&&&&&&&&&&│.........}}} {{{.....a y│..⌞──────⌟..a e│..............│........│...│&&&&&&&&&&│.........}}} {{{........│..............t├──────────────┴────────┼───┤&&&&&&&&&&│.........}}} {{{:.......│.....,.........│..........lamb lane....│...⌞──────────⌟.........}}} {{{;:......│....,;,........│.......................│s s.....................}}} {{{;;:.....│...,,:'".......│.⌜%&%⌝..⌜───────────⌝..│e t...........,:::......}}} {{{+;::....│.....,'........│.&???&..│&&&&&&&&&&&│..│v r..........,:;;;::....}}} {{{+;:.....│north..........│.⌞%&%⌟..│ graveyard │..│e e.........::;++;;:::..}}} {{{;::.....│wormwood.......│........│&&&&&&&&&&&│..│n e..........::;;:::'...}}} {{{::......│way............│........⌞─────┬─────⌟..│t t............:::'.....}}} {{{:.....⌜─┴───────────────+──⌝...........│........│h....⌜──────⌝...........}}} {{{......│.................│..├───────────┴────────┼─────┤market│...........}}} {{{⌜─────┴──────⌝.⌜────────┴⌝.│.....sickle street..│.....⌞──────⌟...........}}} {{{│&&&&&&&&&&&&├─┤pavilion ├─┤w w.................│......................-"}}} {{{│&&&&&&&&&&&&│.⌞─────────⌟.│o a.................│......................,"}}} {{{│&&& vial &&&│.............│r y.................│.............,~"'"-,,;",}}} {{{│&&& lake &&&│.............│m...................│...........,":::::;;;;;:}}} {{{│&&&&&&&&&&&&│.....''......│w......⌜──────⌝.....│..........,'::;;;;;;+++;}}} {{{│&&&&&&&&&&&&│...,:""'.....│o......│statue│.....│..........:":;;;++==xxx+}}} {{{⌞────────────⌟...."';'.....│o......⌞───┬──⌟.....│..........:-":;+=xxxXXxx}}} {{{...................".......│d..........│........│..........,":;=+xxXXXXXx}}} {{{~--:,,.....................⌞───────────┴────────┤.........,":;++xxXX$$$XX}}} {{{:;;;::,:-~-,.......................chrysolite...│........,::;+=xxX$$&&$$X}}} {{{;+=+;++;;+:::~~:,..................boulevard....│...,,:""~":;+xxXX$&&#&&$}}} {{{+xXx+xx++=+;;;;:::~-,...........................│..,~:::::;;;+xXX$$&###&&}}} <div class="monomap">{{{................."--:;=+;:,,-"....⌜────────⌝.................'"::;::,+xxX}}} {{{.....⌜─────⌝.......",:;;:,".......│Prophet │......,::,...........':":;=+x}}} {{{.....│your │........":,,-"........│Hunter's│....,:::;::...........,",:;;+}}} {{{.....│house│......................│mansion │......':::'............,",::;}}} {{{.....⌞──┬──⌟......................⌞───┬────⌟........................,":.,}}} {{{........│...throne street.............│.............⌜──────────⌝.........}}} {{{........├───────────────┬─────────────┴─────────┬───┤&&&&&&&&&&│.........}}} {{{.....a a│............o s│.......................│...│&&&&&&&&&&│.........}}} {{{.....l l│..⌜──────⌝..m t│...:......⌜──────⌝.....│...│&&&&&&&&&&│.........}}} {{{.....p l│..│school│..e r│....::....│chapel│.....│...│ farmland │.........}}} {{{.....h e├──┤house │..g e│.....::...⌞───┬──⌟.....│...│&&&&&&&&&&│.........}}} {{{.....a y│..⌞──────⌟..a e│..............│........│...│&&&&&&&&&&│.........}}} {{{........│..............t├──────────────┴────────┼───┤&&&&&&&&&&│.........}}} {{{:.......│.....,.........│..lamb lane..⌜%&%⌝.....│...⌞──────────⌟.........}}} {{{;:......│....,;,........│.............&???&.....│s s.....................}}} {{{+:,.....│....;;',.......│.............⌞%&%⌟.....│e t.....................}}} {{{;;:.....│...,,:'".......│......⌜───────────⌝....│v r...........,:::......}}} {{{+;::....│.....,'........│......│&&&&&&&&&&&│....│e e..........,:;;;::....}}} {{{+;:.....│north..........│......│ graveyard │....│n e.........::;++;;:::..}}} {{{;::.....│wormwood.......│......│&&&&&&&&&&&│....│t t..........::;;:::'...}}} {{{::......│way............│......⌞─────┬─────⌟....│h..............:::'.....}}} {{{:.....⌜─┴───────────────+──⌝.........│..........│.....⌜──────⌝...........}}} {{{......│.................│..├─────────┴──────────┼─────┤market│...........}}} {{{⌜─────┴──────⌝.⌜────────┴⌝.│.....sickle street..│.....⌞──────⌟...........}}} {{{│&&&&&&&&&&&&├─┤pavilion ├─┤w w.................│......................-"}}} {{{│&&&&&&&&&&&&│.⌞─────────⌟.│o a.................│......................,"}}} {{{│&&& vial &&&│.............│r y.................│.............,~"'"-,,;",}}} {{{│&&& lake &&&│.............│m...................│...........,":::::;;;;;:}}} {{{│&&&&&&&&&&&&│.....''......│w......⌜──────⌝.....│..........,'::;;;;;;+++;}}} {{{│&&&&&&&&&&&&│...,:""'.....│o......│statue│.....│..........:":;;;++==xxx+}}} {{{⌞────────────⌟...."';'.....│o......⌞───┬──⌟.....│..........:-":;+=xxxXXxx}}} {{{...................".......│d..........│........│..........,":;=+xxXXXXXx}}} {{{~--:,,.....................⌞───────────┴────────┤.........,":;++xxXX$$$XX}}} {{{:;;;::,:-~-,....................chrysolite......│........,::;+=xxX$$&&$$X}}} {{{;+=+;++;;+:::~~:,...............boulevard....⌜──┴─⌝.,,:""~":;+xxXX$&&#&&$}}} {{{+xXx+xx++=+;;;;:::~-,........................│gate│,~:::::;;;+xXX$$&###&&}}}</div> <<if $comfort is 'cap'>> \X \<<elseif $comfort is 'blanket'>> \X \<<elseif $comfort is 'rock'>> \X \<<elseif $comfort is 'bear'>> \X \<</if>> {{{................."--:;=+;:,,-"....┌────────┐.................'"::;::,+xxX}}} {{{.....┌─────┐.......",:;;:,".......│Prophet │......,::,...........':":;=+x}}} {{{.....│your │........":,,-"........│Hunter's│....,:::;::...........,",:;;+}}} {{{.....│house│......................│mansion │......':::'............,",::;}}} {{{.....└──┬──┘......................└───┬────┘........................,":.,}}} {{{........│...throne street.............│.............┌──────────┐.........}}} {{{........├───────────────┬─────────────┴─────────┬───┤&&&&&&&&&&│.........}}} {{{.....a a│............o s│.......................│...│&&&&&&&&&&│.........}}} {{{.....l l│..┌──────┐..m t│...:......┌──────┐.┌─┐.│...│&&&&&&&&&&│.........}}} {{{.....p l│..│school│..e r│....::....│chapel├─┤0│.│...│ farmland │.........}}} {{{.....h e├──┤house │..g e│.....::...└───┬──┘.└─┘.│...│&&&&&&&&&&│.........}}} {{{.....a y│..└──────┘..a e│..............│........│...│&&&&&&&&&&│.........}}} {{{........│..............t├──────────────┴────────┼───┤&&&&&&&&&&│.........}}} {{{:.......│.....,.........│..lamb lane..┌%&%┐.....│...└──────────┘.........}}} {{{;:......│....,;,........│.............&???&.....│s s.....................}}} {{{+:,.....│....;;',.......│.............└%&%┘.....│e t.....................}}} {{{;;:.....│...,,:'".......│......┌───────────┐....│v r...........,:::......}}} {{{+;::....│.....,'........│......│&&&&&&&&&&&│....│e e..........,:;;;::....}}} {{{+;:.....│north..........│......│ graveyard │....│n e.........::;++;;:::..}}} {{{;::.....│wormwood.......│......│&&&&&&&&&&&│....│t t..........::;;:::'...}}} {{{::......│way............│......└─────┬─────┘....│h..............:::'.....}}} {{{:.....┌─┴───────────────┼──┐.........│..........│.....┌──────┐...........}}} {{{......│.................│..├─────────┴──────────┼─────┤market│...........}}} {{{┌─────┴──────┐.┌────────┴┐.│.....sickle street..│.....└──────┘...........}}} {{{│&&&&&&&&&&&&├─┤pavilion ├─┤w w.................│......................-"}}} {{{│&&&&&&&&&&&&│.└─────────┘.│o a.................│......................,"}}} {{{│&&& vial &&&│.............│r y.................│.............,~"'"-,,;",}}} {{{│&&& lake &&&│.............│m...................│...........,":::::;;;;;:}}} {{{│&&&&&&&&&&&&│.....''......│w......┌──────┐.....│..........,'::;;;;;;+++;}}} {{{│&&&&&&&&&&&&│...,:""'.....│o......│statue│.....│..........:":;;;++==xxx+}}} {{{└────────────┘...."';'.....│o......└───┬──┘.....│..........:-":;+=xxxXXxx}}} {{{...................".......│d..........│........│..........,":;=+xxXXXXXx}}} {{{~--:,,.....................└───────────┴────────┤.........,":;++xxXX$$$XX}}} {{{:;;;::,:-~-,....................chrysolite......│........,::;+=xxX$$&&$$X}}} {{{;+=+;++;;+:::~~:,...............boulevard....┌──┴─┐.,,:""~":;+xxXX$&&#&&$}}} {{{+xXx+xx++=+;;;;:::~-,........................│gate│,~:::::;;;+xXX$$&###&&}}}

you look at your map. <div class="monomap">{{{................."--:;=+;:,,-"....┌────────┐.................'"::;::,+xxX}}} {{{.....┌─────┐.......",:;;:,".......│Prophet │......,::,...........':":;=+x}}} {{{.....│your │........":,,-"........│Hunter's│....,:::;::...........,",:;;+}}} {{{.....│house│......................│mansion │......':::'............,",::;}}} {{{.....└──┬──┘......................└───┬────┘........................,":.,}}} {{{........│...throne street.............│.............┌──────────┐.........}}} {{{........├───────────────┬─────────────┴─────────┬───┤&&&&&&&&&&│.........}}} {{{.....a a│............o s│.......................│...│&&&&&&&&&&│.........}}} {{{.....l l│..┌──────┐..m t│...:......┌──────┐.┌─┐.│...│&&&&&&&&&&│.........}}} {{{.....p l│..│school│..e r│....::....│chapel├─┤0│.│...│ farmland │.........}}} {{{.....h e├──┤house │..g e│.....::...└───┬──┘.└─┘.│...│&&&&&&&&&&│.........}}} {{{.....a y│..└──────┘..a e│..............│........│...│&&&&&&&&&&│.........}}} {{{........│..............t├──────────────┴────────┼───┤&&&&&&&&&&│.........}}} {{{:.......│.....,.........│..lamb lane..┌%&%┐.....│...└──────────┘.........}}} {{{;:......│....,;,........│.............&???&.....│s s.....................}}} {{{+:,.....│....;;',.......│.............└%&%┘.....│e t.....................}}} {{{;;:.....│...,,:'".......│......┌───────────┐....│v r...........,:::......}}} {{{+;::....│.....,'........│......│&&&&&&&&&&&│....│e e..........,:;;;::....}}} {{{+;:.....│north..........│......│ graveyard │....│n e.........::;++;;:::..}}} {{{;::.....│wormwood.......│......│&&&&&&&&&&&│....│t t..........::;;:::'...}}} {{{::......│way............│......└─────┬─────┘....│h..............:::'.....}}} {{{:.....┌─┴───────────────┼──┐.........│..........│.....┌──────┐...........}}} {{{......│.................│..├─────────┴──────────┼─────┤market│...........}}} {{{┌─────┴──────┐.┌────────┴┐.│.....sickle street..│.....└──────┘...........}}} {{{│&&&&&&&&&&&&├─┤pavilion ├─┤w w.................│......................-"}}} {{{│&&&&&&&&&&&&│.└─────────┘.│o a.................│......................,"}}} {{{│&&& vial &&&│.............│r y.................│.............,~"'"-,,;",}}} {{{│&&& lake &&&│.............│m...................│...........,":::::;;;;;:}}} {{{│&&&&&&&&&&&&│.....''......│w......┌──────┐.....│..........,'::;;;;;;+++;}}} {{{│&&&&&&&&&&&&│...,:""'.....│o......│statue│.....│..........:":;;;++==xxx+}}} {{{└────────────┘...."';'.....│o......└───┬──┘.....│..........:-":;+=xxxXXxx}}} {{{...................".......│d..........│........│..........,":;=+xxXXXXXx}}} {{{~--:,,.....................└───────────┴────────┤.........,":;++xxXX$$$XX}}} {{{:;;;::,:-~-,....................chrysolite......│........,::;+=xxX$$&&$$X}}} {{{;+=+;++;;+:::~~:,...............boulevard....┌──┴─┐.,,:""~":;+xxXX$&&#&&$}}} {{{+xXx+xx++=+;;;;:::~-,........................│gate│,~:::::;;;+xXX$$&###&&}}}</div> <<back "look away.">>

the door to the kitchen has furniture piled high in front of it. there's no way you'll be able to move it and no way to go around. you'll need to find food somewhere else. <<link "look away." "chapel">><</link>> <<set $indoorturns to $indoorturns + 1>> <<set $kitchen to 1>>

your heart races as you wheel back out onto Lamb Lane. you can't catch your breath. how could you have forgotten? had you ever forgotten? why, even now, can't you remember all that happened? you struggle to hold onto consciousness. you <<if $comfort is 'cap'>>run your fingers along the brim of your cap, focusing on the feeling of the rough material<<elseif $comfort is 'blanket'>>rub the cloth of your blanket between your fingers, focusing on the texture<<elseif $comfort is 'rock'>>squeeze your smooth rock between your hands, exerting as much pressure as you can<<elseif $comfort is 'bear'>>hug your teddy bear as tightly to your chest as you can, using the pressure and the burn in your arms<</if>> to try and ground yourself. the Community is all you've ever known, but you can't stay a second longer. the gate to the outside world is at the end of Seventh Street. [[you need to get moving.|Lamb Lane]]

You took $indoorturns turns indoors and $outdoorturns turns outdoors, for a total of <<print $indoorturns + $outdoorturns>> turns. <<if $food is 'journey'>>You found the food you needed to leave the Community.<<elseif $food is 'yes'>>You found the food you needed to stay alive in the moment.<</if>> \<<if $truth is 'yes'>> You found the truth about the Community.<</if>> \<<if $safe is 'yes'>> You found what you needed to protect yourself.<</if>> You found $memories out of 7 optional memories. You interacted with the woman Mystery <<if $ending is 3>>9<<else>><<print $mystery - 1>><</if>> times. You got <<if $ending is 1>>the true ending: //escape.// \<<elseif $ending is 2>>a false ending: //starvation.// \<<elseif $ending is 3>>a false ending: //nullification.// \<<else>>no ending, because you cheated to see this message.<</if>> <<link "Return to the main menu" "Main Menu">><</link>>