red riding hood

Out beyond the reach of the hearthfire, there is evil that roams the [heather.]<c1|(click: ?c1)[ Ma hands you the woven basket, contents covered with a scrap of tartan. You hold the handle tightly, a precious thing. She kisses you on the forehead before pulling up the hood of your cloak and sending you on your way, [down the trail]<c2| towards Granny's cottage. (click: ?c2)[As you walk, the path narrows, undergrowth filling in with dense tangles of heather. The pines close around you, looming tall to block out the setting sun. The blanket of fallen needles softens the sound of your leather boots. Although Granny is waiting for her dinner, you're tempted to pause and look for [[flowers]] or [[mushrooms.]] Maybe you have enough time to [[build a faery house?]]]] (set: $hasPosy to False) (set: $hasMushrooms to False) (set: $hasBasket to True) (set: $hasDirk to False)

You set your basket aside and crouch to peer under the bushes, looking for a flash of color. There! Violet mayflowers, scattered across the moss. You creep farther, finding a patch of wood anemone, little white stars that announce the coming of spring. You could [[make a posy!]] Or [[go back to the path.]]

Ma always told you not to mess around with the Auld Folk, but surely even they need a place to sleep? You kneel by the base of the nearest tree, finding a crevice where the roots split. You prop up twigs to form the walls, balancing a scrap of bark on top for the roof. The soil at the base of the tree is covered with moss. You break off a piece, tucking it inside the house so the fae have a soft carpet. Oops, you've gotten rather swept up in your project. Perhaps it's time to [[go back to the path.]]

You pluck flowers until you have a delicate posy. You hold it close, breathing deep, and then place it in your basket on top of the tartan. (set: $hasPosy to True) It's time to [[go back to the path.]]

You find your way back to the trail. The sun has set, cooling the air and making mist rise from the damp earth. You shiver, pulling your riding cloak tightly around yourself. Ma will be cross if she knows you were in the forest after dark. ["Where are you going, little one?"]<c1|(click: ?c1)[ someone says behind you, making you jump. Heart pounding, you turn around. The village huntress stands in the shadow beneath a tree, tall and imposing, dressed in a man's kilt and plaid. ["Nowhere, huntress."]<c2|(click: ?c2)[ Her face splits into a grin, and she steps closer. You swallow, holding your basket close. "Is that so? Wandering the woods in red, just to (if: (history:) contains "flowers")[look for flowers? Are they for me](if: (history:) contains "mushrooms.")[look for mushrooms](if: (history:) contains "build a faery house?")[build houses for the Wee Folk]?"] [["I'm bringing my Granny dinner, huntress."]]]

You examine the bases of the nearby trees, peering under the massive roots and looking for fallen branches. Finally, on a dead log, you find a patch of creeping oyster mushrooms, fresh and white against the rotting bark. You could [[take some]] for Granny's dinner, or [[go back to the path.]]

You can't resist breaking off some of the tender mushrooms, sending a woody scent into the air. You place them in your basket on top of the tartan. (set: $hasMushrooms to True) It's time to [[go back to the path.]]

"I'm bringing my Granny dinner, huntress." "Aye?" Her grin exposes rows of white teeth. She looms over you, blocking out the sky. (if: $hasPosy is True or $hasMushrooms is True or (history:) contains "build a faery house?")[(if: $hasPosy is True)["I'm sure she'll appreciate the flowers."](if: $hasMushrooms is True)["I'm sure she'll appreciate the mushrooms."](if: (history:) contains "build a faery house?")["She'll be waiting, you ken. That faery project made you late."]](else:)["Late, are you?"] ["Yes, ma'am,"]<c1|(click: ?c1)[ you say, looking down at the toes of your boots. She steps impossibly closer. She smells like woodsmoke and blood and wild things. "Dinna fash, I ken a shortcut." What? [That's impossible.]<c2|(click: ?c2)[ "That's impossible," you blurt out without thinking. "This path is the fastest way." She tilts her head, eyeing you. "I've been hunting this forest my whole life, little //roy//. I'll bet you I can get there first." ["Ma told me never to make bets."]<c3|(click: ?c3)[ She leans closer, long hair nearly brushing your cheek. "Ma isna here, is she?"] [["...What will I give you if you win?"]]]]

"...What will I give you if you win?" She murmurs in your ear, warm breath ghosting over your skin. "A kiss." You feel a blush creeping up the back of your neck and duck your head. When you look up again, the huntress is gone. Snow begins to fall around you, spiraling through the air and collecting on your shoulders. [[Set back off down the path.]]

The fog and gusts of falling snow fill the air, thick as water, obscuring the path ahead. Wrapped tightly in your cloak, you forge on. You've been walking this path since you were a bairn; you trust your muscle memory to [get you there first.]<c1|(click: ?c1)[ Finally, you see the crofter's cottage, nestled in a grove of oaks, smoke already rising from the chimney. The front door is unlatched. Granny never leaves it unlatched. You push open the door, [stepping inside.]<c2|(click: ?c2)[ It takes your eyes a moment to adjust to the light and the thick peat smoke. Granny is seated by the hearth in her rocking chair, wrapped in her wool cloak. [["Granny!"]] [[Say nothing.]]]]

"Granny!" Granny turns around, very slowly, and you catch a glimpse of silver hair before she's moving. Impossibly fast, she gets herself between you and the door, slamming it closed behind her. She throws her cloak to the floor. The huntress stands before you, resting a hand lightly on her broadsword. Rising from her shoulders is the head of a gray wolf, complete with glowing yellow eyes and rows of sharp white teeth. You freeze like a rabbit at the point of a rifle. ["You're a wulver."]<c1|(click: ?c1)[ You eye her up and down. Granny has told you of the wolf-headed fae that roam the forest, but you thought they were only hearthside tales. "Aye, little //roy//," she says, voice a low growl. Her mouth stretches into a strange grin, exposing her dripping maw. You shrink away from her carrion-scented breath. "I believe you owe me something." [[A kiss.]]]

Something is wrong here. You hesitate, stepping back into the open doorway. Granny turns, very slowly, and you get a glimpse of silver hair before she's moving. Impossibly fast, she leaps out of the chair, throwing her cloak aside and dashing towards you. The huntress looms above you, hands planted on either side of the doorway. Rising from her shoulders is the head of a gray wolf, complete with glowing yellow eyes and rows of sharp white teeth. You freeze like a rabbit at the point of a rifle. ["You're a wulver."]<c1|(click: ?c1)[ You eye her up and down. Granny has told you of the wolf-headed fae that roam the forest, but you thought they were only hearthside tales. "Aye, little //roy//," she says, voice a low growl. Her mouth stretches into a strange grin, exposing her dripping maw. You shrink away from her carrion-scented breath. "I believe you owe me something." [[A kiss.]]] [[Run!]]

You take a small step closer, clutching onto your basket with white knuckles. [ "What big teeth you have..."]<c1|(click: ?c1)[ you murmur, almost to yourself. "The better to kiss you with," she says. Moving slowly, not quite sure what you're doing, you reach up and tangle a hand in silvery fur.[ "What big arms you have..."]<c2|(click: ?c2)[ "The better to hold you with." You raise yourself onto your toes, leaning up into the broad chest before you, and feel your eyes flutter shut. A warm, human mouth touches yours. She's gentle, at first, and then large hands slip under your cloak and push you back against the wall. You sigh and feel the hot touch of her tongue against your lips.(if: $hasMushrooms is True)[ The earthy smell of crushed mushrooms brings you back to your senses. Your basket! [[Reach into the basket.]]](if: $hasPosy is True)[ The sweet smell of crushed flowers brings you back to your senses. Your basket! [[Reach into the basket.]]] [[Keep kissing her.]]]]

(if: $hasBasket is False)[You set off at a dead run.](else:)[(if: $hasMushrooms is True or $hasPosy is True)[](else:)[(set: $hasBasket to (either: True, False))](if: $hasBasket is True)[Holding tight to your basket, you set off at a dead run.](else:)[You drop your basket and set off at a dead run.]] You crash through the heather, leaping over tree roots and granite slabs, not daring to look over your shoulder. Falling snow whirls around you and reflects the moonlight, making the forest pale and ghostly. Tree branches scratch at your skin, tearing gashes in your red cloak. All around you, you hear the cries of the pack rise, mournful howling that echoes through the trees. You skid to a stop in front of a shallow ravine. At the bottom, a trickling burn snakes through river stone. You hesitate for a moment. Should you [[climb down,]] or [[hide in the forest?]]

Without breaking the kiss, you reach into your basket. Under the folds of tartan is a length of cold steel. Your hand wraps around the handle. In one motion, you drop the basket, pulling away and bringing the dirk up to the huntress's throat.(set: $hasBasket to False)(set: $hasDirk to True) She blinks at you, eyes dark. "Little //roy//!" she says, sounding almost delighted. "Aren't you full of surprises." ["Let's make a deal."]<c1|(click: ?c1)[ You step forward, backing her up until she hits the bed and falls to sit on it. You hold the knife to her throat, feeling her swallow against it. "There are no deals in the heather, //a leannan//, you ken that. It's (link: "eat")[(goto: "eat,")"eat,"] or (link: "be eaten")[(goto: "eaten?")"eaten?"] around here."] [["What lovely bone broth you'll make..."]]

"What lovely bone broth you'll make..." "What?" Gritting your teeth, you slice the knife across her neck, neatly splitting the skin. Her mouth opens in silent shock as hot blood flows from the gash and bubbles from her lips. She falls back onto Granny's bed, blood pooling under her head, staining the linen sheets. Granny won't be happy about that. You stare into her yellow eyes as she takes her dying breaths, watching the light leave them. You slip two fingers into the gaping wound of her neck and feel the ribs of her trachea. You should [butcher the body]<c1| before Granny gets back.(click: ?c1)[ With loving care, you take the huntress apart, drawing from your years of practice. Soon, you have her strung up behind the cottage to bleed out, hunks of thigh meat bubbling in the cauldron on the hearth. (if: $hasMushrooms is True)[You toss in the mushrooms, just for good measure.] You're stirring the broth when the door swings open behind you. You turn with a smile to see Granny, holding a bundle of wild herbs. "Hello, //mo chridhe//, I hope ye didna get into any trouble. What's for dinner?" ["Wolf stew."]<c2|(click: ?c2)[ "My favorite." She gives you a kiss on the cheek. You add the herbs to the pot as she gets down some dishes. It's not long before you're curled up by the hearthfire, listening to her faery stories. You take a sip of stew. You can feel the huntress within you, sliding hot down your gullet, wolf-blood warming your stomach and filling your veins. [[THE END]]]]

"I want to hunt with you." She raises her eyebrows. "Hunt with me?(if: $hasDirk is True)[" Her eyes flick to the long, sharp knife in your hand. "I suppose you are more braw than I thought. Still,] I'm not sure you have what it takes." [She's wrong, you have what it takes.]<c1|(click: ?c1)[ You laugh in her face. She grins. All at once, her body gives a great shudder. She begins to curl in on herself, and you hear the horrible cracking of her bones as her limbs lengthen, tearing apart her clothing. Silvery fur sprouts from her exposed skin. In a matter of moments, a great gray wolf stands in front of you, as tall as a man. (set: $wolf to True) You try to swallow down your nerves. [[It's your turn.]]] (link: "She's right. You don't have what it takes.")[(goto: "eaten?")"eaten?"]

You drop your basket and wrap both arms around her neck.(set: $hasBasket to False) You feel her sliding your red riding cloak off of your shoulders, and you let it fall, leaving you in nothing but white linen. Big hands grab at your hips. You gasp as she lifts you, clutching at her shoulders and wrapping your legs around her waist. She carries you easily over to the bed, tossing you down on the coarse linen sheets. She hovers over you, grinning, a predator eyeing her prey. Icy fear goes down your spine. "What do you want, little //roy//?" Do you want to [[eat,]] or be [[eaten?]]

(if: $hasBasket is True)[You'll have to [leave your basket.]<c1|(click: ?c1)[(set:$hasBasket to False) You drop it on the ground. You can hear something huge crashing through the underbrush. Do you want to [look inside]<c2| the basket, or just [[go?]] (click: ?c2)[ You reach in and pull out your dirk, a long steel knife that glows in the moonlight. The weight of it is familiar in your hand.(set: $hasDirk to True)]]](if: $hasBasket is False)[You (if: $hasDirk is True)[shove your knife between your teeth and] begin to scramble down the steep cliff face, holding into tree roots and rocks. The stone is slick with snowmelt. Pebbles fall from beneath your feet, rolling down to splash in the water. You reach the bottom, stepping back. Yellow eyes glare down at you from atop the cliff. You need to [run.]<c1|(click: ?c1)[ You sprint down the burn, leather shoes slipping on the wet stones, breath burning in your throat. Behind you, howling pierces the air, and you hear the crash of a heavy form racing through the water. It's not long before a great weight hits your back, knocking you facedown into the creek.[ ''Fight!'']<c2|(click: ?c2)[ You struggle uselessly, choking on water, (if: $hasDirk is True)[trying desperately to stab at the creature pinning you to the river rocks. Your blade bounces off her thick skin.](else:)[thrashing under her heavy weight.] You can feel her hot breath on the back of your neck, her drool dripping onto your exposed skin.] [''Give up.'']<c3|(click: ?c3)[(replace: ?c2)[] You go limp, closing your eyes. Your heart pounds in your ears. A cold nose presses at your neck, making you shiver. Your last sensation is her maw closing around your head. [[NEXT]]]]]

You turn back, skirting the edge of the ravine until you reach a fallen tree. Quickly, you climb under the tangled root ball, curling up in the wet leaves. (If: $hasBasket is True)[You root inside your basket, pulling out a long steel dirk. The weight of the knife is familiar in your hand.](else:)[(if: $hasDirk is True)[You grip your dirk in your sweaty palm]] The sound of a huge form crashing through the underbrush grows nearer. You cover your mouth with your hand, trying to muffle your breathing. You can hear her stalking you, nearly smell the coming of death. She pauses, probably [scenting the air.]<c1|(click: ?c1)[ You wish you could silence your [heartbeat.]<c2|(click: ?c2)[ All at once, you feel claws tearing you from the earth. You scream as your back hits the forest floor, body thrown like a ragdoll. Her great weight lands on top of you, paws on your chest, pressing you down into the soil. (If: $hasDirk is True)[You stab at her desperately with your dirk, but your blade barely slices her thick skin.] She leans closer, lips curling back to expose sharp teeth. A glob of drool lands on your face, dripping down your cheek. You let out a cry of pure terror. Your last sensation is her maw closing around your head. [[NEXT]]]]

This is what you are. You are prey. She can see it in your eyes, smell the fear-sweat rising from your pores, saying //eat me//. (if: $wolf is True)[ The great creature rises before you, lips curling away from its teeth, and gives a low growl that you can feel in your bones.](else:)[ "I thought so," she says. All at once, her body gives a great shudder. She begins to curl in on herself, and you hear the horrible cracking of her bones as her limbs lengthen, tearing apart her clothing. Silvery fur sprouts from her exposed skin. In a matter of moments, a great gray wolf stands in front of you, as tall as a man. (set: $wolf to True)]You can hear the sound of your own racing heartbeat, the blood pumping in your ears. [[Fight!]] [[Flight!]] [[Freeze!]]

You must leave your old body [behind.]<c1|(click: ?c1)[ Your bones begin to break, spine expanding, muscles lengthening. Distantly, you hear yourself scream in pain. Your skin burns as fur sprouts from your pores. Carnivorous, feral, fae. This is your true self. Outside, the howls of the pack rise to meet you. You will run with them in the [moonlight.]<c2|(click: ?c2)[ You will take down the hare, the red deer, the village [sheep.]<c3|(click: ?c3)[ You will tear meat from bone and drink hot blood, unholy communion with the [heather.]<c4|(click: ?c4)[ The forest is yours now. [[THE END]]]]]]

You're not going down without a fight.(if: $hasDirk is True)[ You hold out your dirk, the long blade of the knife shining in the firelight. Before you can prepare yourself, there's a great rippling of the creature's muscles as she leaps at you, tackling you to the ground and knocking the air from your lungs. You manage to block your throat with your arm. Her jaws close around it, and you scream as long, razor-sharp teeth tear into your flesh. You stab wildly at her face, her throat, but your blade barely scratches her thick skin. Finally, you manage to bury the blade in her eye with a grotesque squelch. She lets your arm go and releases a howl of pain, whipping her head from side to side. You try to wriggle out from under her, but her weight on your chest is too great. She growls at you for a moment, feral rage glowing in her remaining eye, and then lunges forward.](else:)[ You back away, staring into yellow eyes as you cast around for anything to use as a weapon. You turn to grab the iron poker from the fire. In the second you break eye contact, she leaps. You're tackled to the ground, the great weight upon your back knocking the air from your lungs. You thrash and scream, but it's impossible to escape. You feel her drool dripping onto the nape of your neck.] Your last sensation is her maw closing around your head. [[NEXT]]

You stare into her glowing yellow eyes, slowly circling the room. She watches you, perfectly still, muscles poised to leap. You back up until you reach the doorway. She's waiting for you to run, you realize. Playing with you, like a cat with a mouse. [[Run!]]

You fall back onto the bed. Your body freezes, every muscle tense, as you stare unblinking into glowing, yellow eyes. You can hear the rabbitlike racing of your heart. She stalks closer, rising above you, lips curling back from razor-sharp teeth. One paw and then another lands on your chest, impossibly heavy, pinning you to the bed. The smell of dead meat wafts towards you on her breath. Drool drips from her maw, landing on the exposed skin of your collarbones. Slowly, lovingly, she lowers her great head, bringing her teeth to your neck. [[NEXT]]

Maybe this is what you were meant for. To be torn apart, flesh rent from muscle, marrow sucked from [bone.]<c1|(click: ?c1)[ To feed the wolf pack, warming their empty stomachs after a long, cold [spring.]<c2|(click: ?c2)[ Will you make her full, you wonder? [[THE END]]]]

You (if: $hasDirk is True)[shove your knife between your teeth and] begin to scramble down the steep cliff face, holding into tree roots and rocks. Pebbles fall from beneath your feet, rolling down to splash in the water. You reach the bottom, stepping back. Yellow eyes glare down at you from atop the cliff. You need to [run.]<c1|(click: ?c1)[ You sprint down the burn, leather shoes slipping on the slick stones, breath burning in your throat. Behind you, howling pierces the air, and you hear the crash of a heavy form racing through the water. It's not long before a great weight hits your back, knocking you facedown into the creek.[ ''Fight!'']<c2|(click: ?c2)[ You struggle uselessly, choking on water, (if: $hasDirk is True)[trying desperately to stab at the creature pinning you to the river rocks. Your blade bounces off her thick skin.](else:)[thrashing under her heavy weight.] You can feel her hot breath on the back of your neck, her drool dripping onto your exposed skin.] [''Give up.'']<c3|(click: ?c3)[(replace: ?c2)[] You go limp, closing your eyes. Your heart pounds in your ears. A cold nose presses at your neck, making you shiver. Your last sensation is her maw closing around your head. [[NEXT]]]]

(link: "Start Over")[(restart:)]