Have you ever seen a view like this before?

(text-style: "smear")[You take their hand, and they pull you up onto the ledge. "Alright?" they whisper, breath clouding in the space between you. "Alright," you whisper back. It might be cold and dark, but with their fingers in yours, it really is alright. They smile, and turn to look up at the sky. Your numb hands mess with the silvery hair on their shoulders, smiling at how it matches the frost on the rocks. Then they tap you on the shoulder. "Have you ever seen a view like this before?" You look up. The sky is alive. The stars are writhing, glowing. "No," you breathe out, staring up in wonder. "Never." You'd be happy to stare longer, but they pull at your hands. "We can watch the stars on the way, okay?" "Okay." You follow along the path, stealing a glance at the sky every now and then, with your cold fingers wrapped in theirs.] (if:$bothreset is true)[[[Then...->daring escape]]](else:)[[[Then...->Bedroom1]] (set: $second to 5) (set: $tix to 10) (set: $memory to 1) (set: $queen to 0) (set: $trust to false) (set: $secret to false) (set: $secondisdead to false) (set: $binch to false) (set: $bothreset to false) (set: $riptix to false) (set: $realisation to false) (set: $zeronspast to false) (set: $together to false)]

You wake up, and it's dark. You lean over to switch on your candle, and orange light flickers against the cave wall. It's still night. You should be asleep, but here you are, still feeling skin against your hands from a dream so vivid you could swear it was real. You can't sit here all night. Picking up the candle, you slip out of your cave into the corridor, walking past the other rooms until you reach the centre. The circular path has a barrier to stop people falling down to the further levels, and you lean over it, craning your neck to look through the upper levels at the distant, distant top. In the dark, could the sky ever really be so alight? "Zero One." You turn guiltily. Second is standing on the path, arms folded. "Why are you out of your room?" "I apologise, I couldn't sleep," I mutter quietly. They sigh. "You know you have to stay in there until morning." "Yes." "Then please go there and wait." "Yes." You go back into the corridor, and Second goes into a different one. You could stay out and watch for stars a little longer... [[Stay->Pathway0]] [[Go back->Morning]]

Second can't tell you what to do. You tiptoe back over to the barrier, still looking for the sky. But you're too low down here. You know that. As you contemplate your fate, your eyes fall on the stairs to the next level. You could...since you've already broken a rule... But if you were caught leaving your floor, you could get sent to the Queen... Should you go up the steps? (set: $second -= 1) [[Yes->Escape]] [[No->Morning]]

You walk quietly back to your cave, curling up in bed for the rest of the night. But it's hard to sleep with the feeling of the stranger's hands in yours and eyes full of a sky you've never seen. When morning comes though, you're startled awake by the clang of bells. Dragging yourself out of bed, you grab a towel to race to the showers before they get crowded. Most people don't seem to mind showering all in one room, but for some reason it makes you feel...something. It's a hard feeling to describe, like rocks in you stomach and oil under your feet. It's not as empty as you'd like when you get there, so you wash as quickly as possible and run back out again. After breakfast it's time for work. Right now your job is building a new set of cloisters on your level. Apparently some of the others are getting too crowded. Not that you've ever been to another level. Even Second, for all their authority, only goes between here and the Queen's room. No one knows what the other floors are like, but from the view in the centre, they look almost identical to this one. Turning solid rock into rooms is hard work, and it feels worse today. After a while you take a break, sitting by the wall trying to block out the cracks of pickaxe against rock. Just then, Second appears, and spots you with a frown on their face. "Tired?" they ask, folding their arms. (set: $second += 1) [["A little."->Morning1]] [["I'm only taking a break."->Morning2]]

You start sneaking up the stairs as quietly as you can, getting more and more confident as you get further away from level 19, away from Second. Around level 7 you hear voices, but wait until they disappear to keep climbing. Until finally, you reach level 0. The one closest to the surface. From here, there are no more stairs. But when you look up, the sky is visible, and you can even see a few lights, just like the stars in your dream. Could they really be? You look back down the centre, at the pathways on each of the levels that look the same and descend into blackness, and you realise you don't want to be down there anymore. So you toss away the candle, and start to climb. END - Runaway [[Play again?->Dream]]

"Well, you shouldn't be out of bed during the night." You resist the urge to roll your eyes. It's not like you make noise when you leave your room, and you wouldn't be sleeping if you were in there anyway. "I say this because I'm concerned—" "Your concern is noted," you reply, trying not to sound too sarcastic, but it doesn't work. They purse their lips. "Trust me a little more. You shouldn't be out at night, and if I keep finding you there..." Second pauses, looking apologetic? Maybe? "I'll have to take it up with First." You swallow. That's certainly a threat they've never made before, and a serious one. "Just for walking?" "You don't know the consequences of your own actions," they reply, and start walking away. [[Hold your middle finger up to their back->RIP]] [[Go back to work->Morning 3]] (set: $second += 1)

You turn your head away pointedly as you say it, and they click their tongue. "You need to stop going out at night." "I'm only walking around, and I'm quiet," you fire back. They glare at you. "If you don't stop, I'll report you to First." You stare at them, mouth dropping open a little. You've never heard them make that threat before. Satisfied that they've made a point, they turn away. [[Hold your middle finger up to their back->RIP]] [[Go back to work->Morning 3]]

(set: $second -= 1)Fuck them. Making the gesture makes you feel slightly better, until they turn their head. You quickly put your hand down, but not fast enough, as they storm back over to you, hissing, (if: $second is >5)["You need to back down. First will not cut you so much slack as me." You nod, and they turn away again, only for the bell to sound again. Which means you get a break anyway. They look back at you, and you flash them a joking smile. [[Go to lunch->Lunch]]](else:)["You have a death wish, Zero One. First will grant that wish for you, if you keep this up." You shrink back from the viciousness in their tone, and they turn away again. Then the bell sounds again. Hah, fuck Second, you're getting a break anyway. [[Go to lunch->Lunch]]]

You sigh, and pick up your pickaxe again. That was odd. Second never used to mind your night wandering, in fact sometimes they'd even talk to you. But something's changed if they're saying they'd take it to First. You wouldn't come back from that. As you're thinking to yourself, the bell rings again. Which makes your conversation with Second slightly pointless, because now you get a break anyway. (set: $second += 1) [[Go to lunch->Lunch]]

You end up near the back of the queue for food, which is unfortunate for you because even near the front the soup can get cold before it's in your hands. When you taste it, it's cold and awful, but there's something nostalgic about eating something so gross. A few people from your group are already heading back, somehow, and you look down at your food wondering whether you should cut your losses. [[Eat it->Cold soup]] [[Leave it and go back to work->The tunnel]]

It'd be a waste to leave it. You spoon more into your mouth trying not to gag as you force it down. Right as you hold your nose to try and swallow a huge mouthful, you make eye contact with Second across the room and they give you a look so horrified it makes you choke on your laughter, and your soup as you spit it all over the table. Luckily no one's sitting across from you, but the people by the side of you shift away. You look back up at Second again, who's trying not to laugh too hard in front of everyone else. (set: $memory += 1) [[Clean it up and leave to avoid embarassment->The tunnel]] (if: $second >4)[[[Finish that //goddamn// disgusting soup->With Second]]] (else:)[[[Finish that //goddamn// disgusting soup->Eavesdropper]]]

It's a shame, but it didn't taste good anyway. You follow the people you recognise back to the area where the new cloisters are being built, and overhear Zero Seven and Zero Two talking. "People are going to start moving in tomorrow." "Already?" "The overcrowding must be worse than we thought." You have to wonder sometimes where all these people are coming from. In a self-contained society like this, you really wouldn't expect it to grow so fast that thirty levels isn't enough. As you're thinking, the path goes through the centre, and you look up towards where the sunlight drops down. In the day, the sky's so bright you can't even look at it. And the light's warm too. It feels good. [[Head on to work->Afternoon]]

You've committed to this now, so you have to eat it, no matter how embarrassed you are. You lift the bowl to your lips, swallow the lot, and put it down again to see Second in front of you with a cloth, still chuckling a little. "You're a mess." "It was your fault, wasn't it?" you reply, slightly peeved at them. But you help clean up anyway. "Where's yours?" "I left the queue to help your sorry ass," they tease lightly, wiping away the mess. You look around. People are starting to file out now—so should you be, so you pick up your now empty bowl, go over to the counter, and refill it. "Here." You give them the soup and take the cloth, getting the last bits of lentil off the table. "You're up late too. You need it." They actually smile at you for that. "Thanks." You pick up the cloth when an unfamiliar person approaches Second and says in a low voice, "Tonight, unless you have an objection?" You're not entirely looking, but you could swear you see their gaze flick to you for a moment. "Not at all. We'll be ready." The stranger leaves immediately. "What was that?" you ask. They shake their head. "Just some structural checks happening today." "Is this why you're telling me not to go out?" They nod. "Do you get it now?" "I think so." But something's gnawing at you about it as you replace the cloth in the kitchen. (set: $second += 2) (set: $trust to true) [[Head back to work->Afternoon]]

You've committed to this now, so you have to eat it, no matter how embarrassed you are. You lift the bowl to your lips, swallow the lot, and put it down again, looking at the mess you've made. You quickly put your bowl away and go to get a towel. People are starting to file out now—you should be quick. As you wipe away the soup, you hear a low voice say, "Tonight, unless you have an objection?" "Not at all. We'll be ready." replies Second's voice. You turn your head a little, but by the time Second's within your view they're alone again. [[Head back to work->Afternoon]]

As you're working that afternoon you see (if: $trust is true)[the person who was talking to Second earlier] (else:)[a stranger] making markings next to the rooms that are all hollowed out and finished. There's only a few of them, but they seem to be preoccupied with using the space even unfinished. It doesn't matter to you, it's not as though you'll have to live here anyway. It just feels strange. [[Later...->Dream2]]

(text-style: "smear")[They pull at your hands. "We can watch the stars on the way, okay?" "Okay." You follow along the path, stealing a glance at the sky every now and then, with your cold fingers wrapped in theirs. Until they stop, so suddenly you crash into them. "What's wrong?" They point. Down in the trees below the path are the lines of torches, and over the night breeze you can hear faint shouts. Oh no. "Is there another way we can go?" you whisper, as your heart starts accelerating. They shake their head. "I think we'll have to wait until they leave. And they will," they assure you. "It's very rare to be found if you go missing in these mountains." You're clinging to their hand tighter than ever. "Okay...where can we hide?" "There are caves. We should look." You glance over the edge of the path as they keep walking, but both of you are more tense than before.] (set: $memory += 1) [[Then...->Night]]

You wake up shivering, as if you really were that cold. It's definitely still night, but the dream has your heart thundering and lightning striking underneath your skin. As you sit there and take some deep breaths, you hear a noise coming from outside. [[Go investigate->Corridor]] [[Stay put->Dream3]]

You cover the light of the candle with your hand tonight, for a reason you can't explain. Maybe it's just residual anxiety from your dream, but you feel something undoubtedly wrong. As you walk along the corridor leading to the centre, you hear voices. Something //is// happening. You've gotten good at walking silently after all these nights, your feet don't make a sound, but theirs do. Loud footsteps come closer to the exit and not wanting to be seen, you duck into a nearby cloister. "He'll be ready in a day or two," says an unfamiliar voice. "Just keep the others out until then." "You don't want any work done during that time?" That's Second! You're dying to see what's going on, but you're not sure if you'd still be hidden. "Can't risk any of them seeing this. It triggers memories." Your heart is pounding so fast it feels like it could overheat, but your curiosity is killing you. (if: $trust is true)[(set: $second -= 2)](else:)[(set: $second -= 1)] (set: $secret to true) [[Look->RIP but now it's worse]] [[Don't look->Corridor2]]

(text-style: "smear")[You're clinging to their hand tighter than ever. "Okay...where can we hide?" "There are caves. We should look." You glance over the edge of the path as they keep walking, but both of you are more tense than before. They lead you along to a fork in the path. "There's one here—//fuck.//" You step out of the cave, and once they're out too, they grab your hand and lead you back the way you came. "There were campers." "Where else can we go?" They bite down hard on their lip, concentrating. "We have sleeping bags, won't we be okay in the open?" They shake their head. "It's winter, we'd freeze." "Then let's keep looking." You cup their cheek in your hand, and they smile at you. "Your hands are cold." "So's your face." The smile dies, and they start walking again. "We need to find some shelter."] (set: $memory += 1) [[Then...->next morning]]

You peek your head around the side of the corridor and see someone you don't know holding the legs of...a person, a person with a huge gash across their stomach and blood all over them. You clap a hand over your mouth, but not before you gasp audibly at the sight. The one doing the carrying drops their charge and looks right at you. "You told me there were no wanderers!" they snap, storming right at you. Every bone in your body goes cold, you turn to run but he yanks at the back of your neck, dragging you out into the centre. You lock eyes with Second. Their eyes are wide, gleaming, but they don't move. "Please—" The stranger slams your head into the railing and it's like your head smashes into a thousand shards. Suddenly you are vividly somewhere else, and a man is holding you by your hair, throwing you to the ground and screaming words so foul you wonder why Hell didn't just open up and swallow him right there. (set: $memory += 1) Then you're back in the centre, and this stranger is holding you up, grinning. (if: $second is 8)[Then they drop you, as Second kicks them away and picks you up, dragging you up the stairs. But it's too little and far too late. The stranger just grabs both of you. "Die together then!" they hiss, and the two of you plunge over the railing into the pit. (set: $secondisdead to true) [[But...->Grief]]](else:)["Don't scream, death only hurts a little bit," they hiss, and you go flying over the rail, falling through the pit. Face up in the middle, you can see all the way to the top, and you see them. The sky is alight. You want to reach out for them, but you're falling, darling. It's too late. END - Never to be found [[Play again?->Dream]]]

You stay still, waiting until the voices are distant, then exhale heavily. (if: $trust is true)[That didn't sound like structural checks.] Whatever they were doing, it feels wrong. You're being lied to. But it feels as though it'd be dangerous to ask why. Even though you can still hear voices, you creep back to your room as quickly as you can. You know it's the only way to calm your heart down. [[Then...->next morning]]

You wake up aching. Your head pounds. Fingers stretch, feel cold skin underneath them. What? Your eyes struggle open, and you see Second's face, pale, stiff and bloody. "Second?" Gritting your teeth from the pain in your head, you sit up, shaking them. "Hey..." They're cold. Not breathing. No heartbeat. Even with your head throbbing and your vision blurry, you know they must be dead. When you look down at yourself, you're covered in blood, yours, theirs, how can you tell? When you start crying even your tears are bloodstained. How did this happen? You know how it happened. They saved you, and now they're dead. "What's this?" You don't know the voice, but neither do you care. "I thought you were dead!" Or maybe you do know this voice. You look up, and spit, "You killed them!" He sighs. "No. You did that, One Nine Zero One." With that he grabs you and drags you somewhere. Your vision's blurring again, but you know it's dark, and you land on rock. "You can rot in there until the Queen sees you." You don't move. Lying on the cold rock floor seems an alright place to rot now your only friend is dead. Until you hear shuffling, and a soft-spoken, familiar voice. "Have you ever seen a view like this before?" [[Answer them->First meeting]] [[Lie still->Antisocial]]

The bell wakes you up again. You drag yourself up to the showers, making it out before too many others get in. Once you've eaten, Second comes to find your group. "You're all on cleaning duty today, so you don't disturb the new residents of the rooms you've built," they explain. You're not sure if you believe that, but you're happy to clean rather than break huge chunks of rock out of the wall. (if: $secret is true)[Second taps your shoulder, beckoning you out of the crowd. "Did you leave your room last night?" [[Lie->mistrust]] [[Truth->disappointment]]](else:)[[[To the kitchen->Cleaning]]]

"No," you answer. Second nods, then looks at the floor, sighing. "Alright...Go then." (set: $second -= 1) [[To the kitchen->Cleaning]]

You hesitate. "Yeah..." They sigh, putting their head in their hands. "I thought I heard you. Do you understand now, really, why I tell you to stay inside?" "Not really, no," you reply, folding your arms. (if: $trust is true)["You lied to me."] They look around, as if someone might be listening. "Please trust me when I say you'd rather I lied. We're friends, aren't we?" "I guess." You narrow your eyes and they sigh again. "Maybe I deserve that. But I can't explain it all right now. Go, do your cleaning and we'll talk about it another time." "We better," you warn, as you follow your group to the kitchen. (set: $second += 2) [[To the kitchen->Cleaning]]

Cleaning gives you time to think. (if: $memory is >2)[Your dreams feel so real...so real you almost want to believe they are real. And that means that the person who took you up a mountain to see the stars is real too. There's a sky at the top of the centre, if you climbed the stairs all the way to the top, maybe you'd see them. You're not supposed to, but...](if: $secret is true)[Last night still lingers in your skitty heartbeat. And the fact that Second knows, and lies about it? They're basically your only friend.] This all makes you feel like you don't belong here. "Zero One? Could you go and empty the water?" calls Zero Seven. "Course." You take the bucket from them and walk out to the centre, tipping its contents over the side. You look up. The sky is up there. If the stars are real, they're up there too. So you do something that you might regret, or you might not. You take the first step, and start walking. [[Then...->The stairs]]

You begin on level Nineteen, your home, the one you've never left. But only ten seconds later, you're up to level Eighteen. Who knew leaving could be so easy? One level gives you the confidence to go up another, again and again. You keep walking, calmly, eyes straight ahead, and no one questions you. You might make it, all the way up to the sky. As you walk up to level Seven, a commotion catches your eye, on their centre pathway. Someone's being dragged down the stairs by another, who grunts with the effort of keeping them subdued. "Stay still!" they growl. The captive kicks them. "No! Leave me alone!" You freeze. You've heard that voice before. You turn your head to them, this person with hair that matches the colour of frost, and whisper, [["Have you ever seen a view like this before?"->Recognition]]

"Yes," they whisper, face breaking into a soft smile, and for a moment, both of you forget about the person dragging them down the stairs. "Come on!" They're dragged from you, and on instinct, you reach out. "Wait—" "Zero One!" shouts a familiar voice. Second. You turn to see them coming up the stairs and your heart drops. "Run!" calls the person with the hair of frost. (if: $second is >8)[Second stops on the stairs, eyes locked with yours as they hold out a card. Their identification, as the Second of level Nineteen. "You forgot this," they say, slowly and deliberately. "You can't wander between levels without some way to show I sent you or you could get sent to the Queen." Are they...helping you...? "I'll come with you to level Five now, since I'm here," they continue, still boring holes into your eyes. They're offering you a chance. [[Take the chance->Equal exchange]]] [[Run for it->Failed escape]] (set: $tix += 1) [[Help the person you've found again->Failed Rescue]]

You reach out your hand, and take the card. "...Thank you," you say quietly, watching the captive's face fall. "I...won't be so careless next time." Second breaks into a smile. "Alright." You can't even look as the person with the hair of frost is dragged down, leaving you and Second alone on the stairs. "What were you doing?" they ask. You knew they would, but you can only shrug as an answer, looking up at the sky. It is closer here. They put a hand on your shoulder. "It doesn't matter. I'll...I'll explain, I promise, but...let's go home." You follow them down. It's not that you're not grateful for their help, but...your heart feels broken. You wish you didn't know what would happen to the person who once showed you something so beautiful when they reach the bottom. END - Equal Exchange [[Play again?->Dream]]

You leg it up the stairs, but the one holding them captive grabs your ankle, and you fall right on your face. "Two of you?" they mutter, irritated. "Doesn't matter, I'll take you both down myself." "Please, let me—" begins Second. "No, I see you've been inconvenienced enough. Although, if you could hold onto this one until your level." They jerk their head at me, and Second picks me off the floor, holding my hands behind my back. [[Then...->Down]]

You knee the captor in the stomach and grab the hands of the person with silver hair. Their hands, in yours, it feels natural and familiar, just as it did in your dream. It was real, it was all real. But you can't get away fast enough, and the now angry captor yanks them back down by their long silver hair. You tumble with them, landing in a tangled heap on the steps. Second comes to your aid but the other has already picked both of you up, and drags you down the steps. "I'll take them down to the Queen. No need to inconvenience yourself," they tell Second, who watches you get dragged away. You look back at them too, but you can't even pretend to feel regret. You've never felt this alive. (set: $tix += 1) [[Then...->Down]]

Once you pass level Nineteen you really feel the dark creeping in. Only candles light your way as you come to the final level, the Queen's level, where everyone dreads being sent. The person holding you both stops by a door. "Is the Queen busy?" "Now, yes. Are these troublemakers?" "Trying to escape, both of them." You look up the centre, trying in vain to find the sky from the bottom of this pit. "Put them in the empty cell." The two of you are thrown into a room not unlike the one you've lived in all this time, but it has a barred gate to stop you leaving and nothing inside but walls. You turn to the person with hair the colour of frost. "I'm sorry." They shake their head. "Both of us wanted to see the stars." You hang your head in the dark. "And now we never will." [[Ask them why they were being sent down here->For Escape attempts]] [[Ask them what they remember->Reminiscence]]

"I tried to escape," they reply, rubbing the fabric of their trousers between their fingers. "Like you." "Not really, I didn't know where I was going." They look up, curious. "Then why did you go twelve levels up?" An answer pops into your head immediately, but—no way. You're not saying that out loud. Instead you shrug, not knowing what to do with your hands. "I don't know. There's a lot of things I don't know." They nod. There's a short silence. [[Ask them their name->We had names]] [[Ask them their number->don't want numbers]]

"Do you remember the stars?" They pause, nodding very slowly as if focusing intently. (set: $memory += 1) "I remember you seeing them...I think it was for the first time. Was it?" they add. Now it's your turn to focus. "I think so. I said it was, didn't I?" "I heard being in love can make things seem new," they answer, their voice dry and joking, but you lean forwards in shock. "In //love?//" Their face drops. "We were in love? When?" "I..." They avert their eyes. "I assumed. I remember..." You sit utterly still in suspense. "What?" "...I remember kissing you," they mumble. [[Embarassed->embarrassment]] [[Flirty->flirting]]

You lift your head, and even with your vision still blurred there's the person from your dream, silvery hair over their shoulders, all come to life. "I think so," you whisper, reaching out a hand to touch them, to check they're real, but you withdraw it when you see all the blood still covering it. They're staring at you with concern, taking your hand without seeming to mind that it stains them too. (set: $tix += 1) "What happened to you?" You open your mouth to answer, but choke on the words before they come out. "I...can't." They nod, helping you sit up and looking over your head. "Are you dizzy?" "A bit." "Hard to see?" "Yes." They sit back. "I think you have mild concussion." "Is that...bad?" you ask hesitantly. Their eyebrows crease as they think about it. "It's bad, but if you get some rest, you'll be alright." "Okay." You close your eyes for a moment, but the blood in your eyelashes crunches and you quickly open them again, not sure how to get it all off you. Unless you cry again. Which you'd be ready to do, but there's no more tears. You might not have liked the showers on level Nineteen but you'd love a shower now. "What's up?" asks your cellmate, who you still can't be sure is real. You hang your head. "I feel dirty." They look down. "I'm sorry." "It's not...it's not your fault." You sniff. "What's your name?" "I don't remember," they reply quietly. "Me neither." You lift your head. "I'd like to call you something." They purse their lips. "I don't like my number." "Maybe we can make names from our numbers," you suggest, frowning as you try to make your brain //work.// "Mine is Zero One, so...Zer...on?" "Zeron?" They test it out. "My number is Two Six." "Tix," you say immediately. "Unless you don't like Tix..." "No, I do." They smile at you. "Call me Tix." (set: $name to "Tix") [[Then...->Alternate Collection]]

The voice does sound familiar, but everything hurts so much you just...can't right now. Whoever they are, they move back from you, leaving the room in total silence. (set: $binch to true) (set: $name to "Silver-hair") [[Then...->Alternate Collection]]

"Get up," growls a guard. "You're going to see the Queen." $name takes your hand and helps you off the floor. "Thank you," you mumble, still leaning a lot of your weight on them as the two of you approach the door of the cell. They don't seem to mind, thank God. "Get a move on!" The guard pushes you through the door, and you stumble, but keep your balance, managing to walk with $name to a set of double doors, surprisingly fancy for all the way down here. [[Go in->The Queen]]

You clap a hand over your mouth, then sit back moving both your hands over your face. You //kissed// them? That adds a whole other level to all this. "Sorry," they mutter. (set: $tix += 1) "No no, it's fine, I was just surprised. Not that I wouldn't kiss you, but—argh. I don't know how to fix this." You drop your arms uselessly, knowing you sound like a thirteen year old throwing leaves at their crush. "Give me a minute." "I understand." "Thank you," you reply gratefully. [[Ask them their name->We had names]] [[Ask them their number->don't want numbers]]

Your face slowly morphs into a smile. "...Was I good?" They open their mouth, then close it in a tight line, going totally silent and pink-cheeked. You can't stop a tiny giggle from escaping you as you sit back. "...Sorry." They shake their head. [[Ask them their name->We had names]] [[Ask them their number->don't want numbers]]

"Do you...have a name? I know we had them, before, but I don't remember mine," you admit. (set: $memory += 1) "Me neither." You both look at each other in silence. "Well, we need to call each other something," you decide, sitting up on your knees. "Everyone upstairs calls me Zero One..." "That's a number, not a name." Even though they're soft-spoken, there's something final about that statement that indicates not to argue. "Maybe I can make a name from it. Zero and one...Zer...on?" They blink. "Zeron?" "That's it! That's my name!" You smile, and realise it's the first time you've smiled since you got thrown in here. "What number did you have?" "Two Six," they reply, watching you closely. "T...How about Tix? Unless you don't like that?" "No, I like it. Tix," they repeat slowly, testing the word out in their mouth. "Tix." (set: $name to "Tix") [[Then...->Collection]]

"What's your number?" They frown a little. "Zero Seven Two Six." "Can I call you Two Six?" "No." They meet your eyes. "We have names, don't we?" "I think so, but...I don't remember mine," you reply sorrowfully. They nod, and look down like the conversation's finished. "But I want to call you something. What if we made new names?" "New?" "Two six...Te...Tix. Tix! That's a name!" You stop yourself. "Unless you don't like it?" They smile. "I like it." That makes you smile too. It's the first time you've smiled since you've been down here. "I'm Zero One so...Zer..on. Call me Zeron." "Okay." (set: $name to "Tix") [[Then...->Collection]]

"Get up. You're going to see the Queen." A guard stands by the door, and they're holding a knife. That seems like a good enough reason to do what they say. You stand up, but Tix doesn't. [[Go out first->RIP tm]] [[Offer them a hand->cuties]]

Behind the double doors is a room full of mirrors and candles. The effect is a room that's draped in shadows, but with enough light for your own reflection to make you jump. Trying to block out your peripheral vision, you step further into the room, and catch sight of the Queen herself. She's shorter than you. You can tell even from here, yet her slight figure fills the space around her, making it hard to breathe as she gets closer. She's so ghostly pale that the candles make her glow compared to the rest of the room, even her pale hair, held up in a loose bun of gleaming threads. Her hands are the part that makes you shiver. They're dirty, red stains under the nails and in the lines of her palms. "Alright." Her voice is quiet, raspy. "So these are the troublemakers. The one who has been a problem for a while," she lifts a finger to point at $name, "And you, the new rebel." Her hazel eyes rest on yours until it becomes unnerving. (if: $secondisdead is true)["Though given the behaviour of your Second, perhaps I should reevaluate that." Your hands shudder a little in anger, but you know better than to move.] "The question is, are you worth salvaging, or should I take your parts for others to have?" Parts? Your stomach writhes, as she steps back, a faint smile on her lips. [[Question her->Insolence]] [[Stay silent->The quiet one]]

You decide to lead the way, and walk calmly past the guard in the doorway, lifting your head up a little as you pass him. They click their tongue, and slap the back of your head, hard. You stumble and trip, banging your head against the wall. Ouch. As you rub your head, the guard yelps, you turn round and Tix has socked them in the stomach. They retaliate quickly, slamming Tix into the rock wall, and you rush back to help them. Both of you are small compared to the guard though, who kicks both of you to the floor. "Little fuckers. Can't you calm down for five minutes?" You help Tix up. "Why did you do that?" "I have to protect you, don't I?" they reply weakly. (set: $memory += 1) "Enough, let's go!" growls the guard, and you follow them to a set of double doors, wooden and surprisingly fancy for all the way down here. [[Go through->The Queen]]

You hold out your hand. "Coming?" They take it, and you're hit by the memory of the dream again, the only difference between then and now being that their hands are warm. Tix smiles as they get up. "It feels just like before, doesn't it?" (set: $memory += 1) "Yeah." Words fail you this time around, and the guard growls from the doorway. "Hurry up!" The two of you slink out the door to follow them, but you don't let go of their hand. Not as you walk, or when you find yourselves in front of a set of double doors, surprisingly fancy for all the way down here. (set: $tix += 1) [[Go through->The Queen]]

"What do you mean?" you demand. "Parts?" (set: $queen += 2) She tilts her head, faint smile strengthening. "Do you really want to know?" Her confidence unnerves you. She walks over to $name, who stiffens, but says nothing. With an unchanging smile, her eyes narrow. "Do you really want to know?" [["Yes."->RIP tix]] [["No."->Close one]]

You stand in silence as the Queen watches. "Come now, if you don't speak, how am I supposed to know your worth?" $name glances at you briefly, and you see uncertainty in their eyes. The Queen approaches you both again, this time pausing right in front of them. "Zero Seven Two Six," she breathes. "Show me your worth." $name swallows, glancing at you again. [[Say something->Moderate]] [[Stay silent->You fool]]

The smile shifts, twisting her face into a cruel, toothy grin, and she thrusts her dirty hands straight into $name's chest. (set: $queen += 2) They gasp. Bones crack, muscles squelch. You stare in horror as she wrenches open the ribcage, blood streaming over her arms, their chest, the floor. They're choking, wide-eyed. Your own breathing becomes ragged as the Queen reaches in and pulls out a pulsing brown lump of muscle. (set: $tix -= 1) "Everyone is made of parts, my darling," she whispers, letting the gasping $name drop to the floor in a heap. "And if you two do not use them to their full advantage, I will." "No," you whisper. (if: $secondisdead is true)[More blood, more blood just like Second's, you can't take this.] You drop to the floor next to $name as they shake, unable to breathe. You can't take this. They're dying. They're //dying.// Suddenly you're in the dark, familiar hands in yours but the blue eyes are blank, staring and their fingers are cold in a way you can't warm up. And your heart feels the same, blood in your ears and your tears freezing on the way down your face. (set: $memory += 1) "Bring them in," orders the Queen, and you're aware of $name being picked up. "No!" you scream, reaching for them, though you can't make it in time before a guard grabs you from behind. "No, give them back!" The Queen frowns. "Don't you want them back?" (set: $riptix to true) [[Yes->lab]] [[No->cell alone]]

You don't trust the glint in her eye. She watches you, pondering. "I wonder, does that make you a coward...or sensible?" She steps back from $name, who breathes out quickly, giving you a quick look of thanks. "At any rate, there are more pressing things to do today than deal with the two of you. And I would like to...observe you. It's rare for two who were once so close to find each other again in this place." Her eyes harden. "I must stop it happening again."(set: $tix += 1) "Why?" you ask sullenly. She laughs a little. "I don't think you're ready for those secrets yet. You'll just have to wait...Take them back," she orders the guard. "I'll work on them tomorrow." Work on? The guard grabs both of you and drags you back to the cell. $name sighs, looking at you dejectedly. "She's going to kill us." "She's not." Her wording was much more ominous. But you don't want to scare them. (if: $secondisdead is true)[You close your eyes for a second, massaging your forehead, and they come a little closer. "Does your head still hurt?" (if: $binch is true)["I'm fine," you mutter, leaning against the wall.](else:)["A little," you admit, but you smile anyway.]]"Since we're here, let's do something instead of sitting in silence." They look at you in complete confusion. "...Like what?" "Well..." [[Give them a puzzle->puzzle]] [["Know any stories?"->stories]]

"Leave them alone," you say on impulse. She turns her head to you, brows arched in ever so slight surprise. (set: $queen += 1) "Maybe you're more interesting than I gave you credit for, One Nine Zero One." She watches you a beat longer, then steps back. "At any rate, there are more pressing things to do today than deal with the two of you. And I would like to...observe you. It's rare for two who were once so close to find each other again in this place." Her eyes harden. "I must stop it happening again."(set: $tix += 1) You feel your stomach churn slightly, but you're afraid to question her more. She nods to the guard behind you. "I'll work on them tomorrow." Work on? With that they grab you from behind and drag you back to the cell. "She's going to kill us," says $name dejectedly. "I don't know..." Her wording felt more ominous. But you don't want to scare them. (if: $secondisdead is true)[You close your eyes for a second, massaging your forehead, and they come a little closer. "Does your head still hurt?" (if: $binch is true)["I'm fine," you mutter, leaning against the wall.](else:)["A little," you admit, but you smile anyway.]]"Hey, since we're here for a while, we should pass the time." $name stares at you in complete confusion. "...With what?" [[Give them a puzzle->puzzle]] [["Know any stories?"->stories]]

The Queen sighs. "I don't have time to stand around, and if you won't give me anything to work with, there are others who need your parts." $name looks quickly at you, and both of you tense as she approaches you, looking right into your eyes, and flashing you a cold smile. "You first." She reaches for your abdomen, you see the red under her fingernails and realise what's about to happen. You step back but— (if: $tix is >12)[$name gets in the way, throwing themself in front of you, and her hands go straight through their torso. You shriek, watching them drop like a doll, bleeding over the floor. (if: $secondisdead is true)[Not again, not again...] You kneel down next to them, trembling. "Why would you do that?" "They did that to themself," she replies, disinterested. "I was trying for you, but no matter." Then she pauses, starting to smile again. "Do you want them back?" [[Yes->lab]] [[No->cell alone]]] (else:)[Her fingers crunch, the sound reverberating through your body. The pain comes next and you cry out, dropping down. She smiles. END - Reset [[Play again?->Dream]]]

You nod. A smile spreads over the Queen's face, the most genuine you've seen so far. "Then follow." (set: $queen += 1) She drags $name by the neck and you try not to step in their blood. In the corner a door behind a mirror, hard to notice from where you were standing, leads the way into a much more modern room. You don't have much experience with the place, but you're inclined to say it's like a hospital. The Queen lays $name on a table. You stare at their blank face. This'll work, right? She wouldn't give you this chance if it wasn't going to work, surely. You watch her arrange their limbs, their rib bones still sticking out and muscles starting to shrivel. They look like a corpse. But surely. Surely, this'll work. The Queen turns to you. "Oh, and I almost forgot. There's something I'll be needing from you." You don't have time to ask her what. Why? Because her hand's already in your chest. The world spins. You throat tightens, fills with something hot and sticky that spills out of your mouth and everything blurs into nothing. [[Then...->Passing ships]]

"They're dead, how could I?" you gasp, unable to believe it. (if: $secondisdead is true)[How could you lose your only friend and only memory in less than a single cycle of the sun?] It doesn't make sense, how could she just tear them to pieces? The Queen laughs. "Take them back to the cell. This one is coming with me." "No—" Too late. You're dragged out of the room leaving $name's body on the floor. No. No. How can this be real? [[But...->Disconnect]]

You wake up on the floor, in a cell. In a cave. You sit up, but there's a weakness to you, your body's heavy and badly joined together. Fighting the light-headedness, you try to stand, and notice the person next to you. Long silver hair, and blue eyes. (set: $memory -= 2)(set: $tix -= 2) "Who are you?" you ask. They shake their head. "I don't remember." You search the corners of your mind but...neither do you. Looking around, your cell is nothing but blank rough walls and bars leading to a dim corridor. And while your cellmate seems...familiar, you can't place them. (if: $memory is >3)[But there is one thing...one thing you could say. You turn to them, just as they turn to you, and you say the words in unison. [["Have you ever seen a view like this before?"->dual recognition]]](else:)[We should...do something," you suggest. "To pass the time." They look up. "What?" (set: $bothreset to true)(set: $name to "Silver-hair") [[puzzle<-Give them a puzzle]] [["Know any stories?"->stories]]]

Hours later, the cell door opens. You look up, and... ...How? $name is in front of you, shoved into the cell by the guard. Wide-eyed and trembling, you reach out, take their hair in your hands. You must be hallucinating, but this is more real than your dreams. As you're reeling, you realise they're shrinking back from you, and you pull back your hand. "I'm sorry, I was just—I thought you were dead, but you're here..." $name crouches, hands curled inward. "Who...who are you?" they ask. Your heart stops. "I'm Zeron...(if: $secondisdead is true)[We were put in here after we snuck out, remember? You treated my concussion...](else:)[We met on the steps, remember? We were trying to escape.] And before that, you showed me the sky..." They stare blankly at you. You look back, searching the blue eyes for a shred of recognition. (if: $tix is >10)[But there is none. So you try your last option. [["Have you never seen a view like this before?"->recognition]]](else:)["Please, $name?" you plead. "Please, remember me." But while they furrow their brow in concentration, there's nothing to remember. Only a story heard from your vivid dream, of a sky neither of you can see. END - Disconnected [[Play again?->Dream]]]

Their mouth drops open. For a moment they're silent, then they cover their face. "The stars...I said that to you the night we saw the stars." (set: $tix -= 1) "Yes! You remembered!" You breathe out slowly. "You scared me, I thought I'd be alone." "I don't think I'd want to let that happen," they reply, smiling at you. The relief is a huge weight off your shoulders, and you lean forward. "Now you're back, let's play a game!" They blink. "I don't think I'm very good at those." "Well..." [[Give them a puzzle->puzzle]] [["Know any stories?"->stories]]

"Yes!" you gasp, so relieved to hear them say it you take both their hands in yours and squeeze them, as they squeeze back. "I thought I'd lost you..." (set: $memory += 1)(set: $tix += 1) "Never," they whisper, smiling. You can't help smiling too. (if: $secondisdead is true)[Though the relief makes your head spin somewhat, pain returning. And $name notices immediately. "Does it hurt?" "A little," you admit. They nod. "I think you need to rest." "I don't want to," you reply, slightly petulant. ]"Since we're locked in here, let's do something." They stare at you. "...Like what?" "Well..." [[Give them a puzzle->puzzle]] [["Know any stories?"->stories]]

"I know a puzzle," you say, slightly mischieviously. Something sparks in their eyes. (set: $tix += 1) "So...you have a rope, and it takes exactly 60 minutes to burn, but it doesn't burn regularly, you know? So it might take 50 minutes for half of it to to burn and then the other half burns in ten minutes. So if you've got the the rope and some matches, how do you time 30 minutes—" "Easy," they say before you've even closed your mouth. You gape, speechless. "What do you mean?" "Set fire to both ends. When it goes out, it's been 30 minutes." [[Impressed->next stage]] [[Suspicious->memory]]

They furrow their brow. "I don't know...why don't you tell me one?" "Uh...okay." You try to think of some, wondering which ones would interest them. Which ones do you even remember the plot? [[A sad story->little match girl]] [[A happy story->juniper tree]]

"How...that took me ages!" you complain. Not that you remember it taking you ages, but...you just know. "I'm impressed." (set: $tix += 1) "Thank you," they say, but they sound a bit too pleased with themselves. "But there's a second part," you continue, raising an eyebrow. "If you have two of those ropes and some matches, can you measure 15 minutes?" They nod. "Set fire to two ends of the first rope, and one end of the second. Then when the first rope goes out, set fire to the other end of the second rope, and it'll have been fifteen minutes." This time you really are left speechless, unable to conceive that someone could solve it that fast, when they cough, trying to hide a laugh, and you realise— "You've heard it before." They nod. "I thought you were some kind of genius!" Embarrassed, you hide your face in your hands. "Sorry. I like puzzles." That rings true, somehow. You rack your brains for another one, when a scream reverberates through the walls. Both of you look towards the corridor. (if: $bothreset is true)[(set: $memory += 1)] [[Stay still->listen]] [[Go over to the door->see]]

"You've...heard this before." They nod slowly, watching you with only a little apology. (if: $bothreset is true)["I don't know where." You realise when they say it that you don't know either. "Maybe we've both heard it," you suggest. They frown, looking at you in confusion. "Neither of us, remember anything, but we woke up together, so we might have heard this together..." You break off, and look at the wall, wondering how to keep going when suddenly a scream reverberates through the walls. (set: $memory += 2) [[Stay still->listen]] [[Go over to the door->see]]](else:)["I think I told it to you. I remember telling you puzzles." (set: $memory += 1) "You do?" Nothing springs to mind, but you don't know where you got the rope puzzle from, and it feels true. $name smiles a little. "...It did take you ages." You pull a face, looking at the wall, embarrassed, when suddenly a scream reverberates through the cave walls. You both look to the corridor. [[Stay still->listen]] [[Go over to the door->see]]]

"A long time ago, there was a little girl," you begin. "Her family was poor, and she had to go out and sell matches when she didn't even have any shoes. On New year's eve, she went out, and her feet were so cold they turned purple and blue, and even worse, she couldn't sell any matches. And that meant she couldn't go home, because her father would hit her." You swallow. "So she ended up sitting on the street, cold and alone. She was so cold she decided to strike one of the matches against the wall of the house. When it burned it felt like she was sitting in front of a fire, and warmed her to the core, but as soon as it went out she was freezing again. So she lit another one, and this time it made the world around her seem lit up with fairy lights like sparks. Then it went out and the world was dark again. So she lit another one, and her mother, the only person in the world who loved her, was standing in front of her, and reached out for her hand but the match went out. Her mother was gone, and she knew deep down it was because she was dead, and that meant she couldn't go home." You take a deep breath. [[Keep going->sad ending]] [[Change the ending->wrong ending]]

"There was a couple who wanted children," you begin. "They were so desperate but could never have any. The woman was so sad, she would go out to a juniper tree in her yard and sit there and cry, and pray for a child. And then, one day, they had a son and it was a miracle. But all miracles come at a price. Her husband died soon after, and she was sick. So she married again, but a cruel man, who brought a daughter with him." "What was the daughter like?" asks $name. You blink, surprised. In all honesty, you hadn't expected them to listen. "Oh...she was...well. She was a child. Not like her father. He was cruel to his daughter too, but he really hated his stepson. He would punish him harshly for doing nothing wrong. One day while his mother was out, the stepfather was angry with him for climbing the juniper tree, so he tried to lock him in a box, but the boy tried to escape and the stepfather accidentally cut his head off with the chest." "He hadn't expected that, and he was afraid of consequences. So he called his daughter and forced her to help him bury the child under the juniper tree in the yard. The little girl cried and cried and cried, but he yelled at her, and made her keep digging. She wanted to make him a grave marker, and her father said no." "Then the mother came home, and asked where her son was, and the father said he had gone to stay with an uncle, to work on their farm. His mother was upset, because he hadn't told her he was going, or said goodbye. She knew something was wrong, but she couldn't think what it was, and the whole time the little girl was crying in the corner because her brother was dead." [[Happy ending->happy end]] [[Sad ending->real end]]

"So she lit the match again, and it seemed to set the whole world on fire. And there was her mother, and she started crying. Because she knew she was dead, and she asked her mother to take her with her on her journey into the next life, because there was nothing left for her here. The next morning, they found her lying on the street. She was so cold, it was hard to believe she'd ever been alive, but she was smiling." You shiver a little yourself at the thought. (set: $memory += 1)"The end." $name nods. "That was good." "You didn't think it was too sad?" "Sometimes stories end badly," they reply solemnly. (if: $secondisdead is true)[You think of Second, and swallow. ]They're not wrong, are they? You wonder what you should say next when suddenly a scream reverberates through the whole cave. You both look to the door. [[Stay still->listen]] [[Go over to the door->see]]

"But while she was sitting there and wondering what to do, a stranger came down the street, and stopped next to her. They asked her what she was doing out there all alone, and she said she couldn't go home. So they said to come home with them—they'd let her stay the night where there was a fire." $name frowns. "That's not how it goes." "No..." You sigh, hugging your arms round yourself. "I just wanted it to have a happy ending." They nod. "Not like real life." You wonder if you should keep going with the story, when a scream reverberates through the whole cave. You both look to the corridor. [[Stay still->listen]] [[Go over to the door->see]]

"What happens next?" asks $name, legs crossed and leaning forward. "Ah...so the little girl went out to the juniper tree, and cried. And then a bird left the tree, and flew out into the village, to a mill. He sat on the roof of the mill, and started singing a song, a song so beautiful that all the mill workers stopped to listen." "When he was finished, one of the workers asked if he could sing again. The bird said no, not unless they paid him with something. So the worker asked the others, could they give the bird the heavy millstone so he would sing again? They all agreed, and the bird took the millstone, sang his song, and went back to the house." "The little girl was still outside crying, but the bird started singing for her, and she felt a little better. And she called her parents out to hear the song too. They came, the bird sang, and then it dropped the millstone right on the stepfather's head." You clap your hands together as you say it, and $name gasps quietly. "There was a flash of light, and then standing on the millstone was the little boy, as if he'd never been dead. The three of them went back inside, and the mother got better, and they were a happy family with a juniper tree in their yard." You look up at $name. "The end." They smile contentedly. "I liked that." (set: $tix += 1) "Me too." For some reason, even the happy ending makes you feel a little sad, and you look at the floor. The room goes silent. (set: $memory += 1) Until a scream reverberates through the whole cave. You both look to the corridor. [[Stay still->listen]] [[Go over to the door->see]]

"What happens next?" asks $name. They've crossed their legs, leaning forward a little in genuine interest. "Nothing," you reply quietly. "That's the end. The stepfather got away with it, the mother is always sad that her son left without a word, and the little girl is always too scared of her father to say anything. She has to live with it." (set: $memory += 1) $name watches you solemnly. "I'm sorry." "What? Why? It's only a story." They frown. "I know, it just felt right." You can't put your finger on why it feels that way either, when suddenly a scream reverberates through the whole cave. You both look to the corridor. [[Stay still->listen]] [[Go over to the door->see]]

The scream comes again. It's piercing, shrieking like someone's having their vocal cords pulled out. You stare at $name, both of you frozen as you hear a different voice. "There were too many broken pieces. Put them with the others," orders the Queen. The screams recede slowly, but then she speaks again. "The troublemakers are tomorrow's work." Her door closes, and the words sink in. "What are we going to do?" you whisper. $name doesn't move. "I don't know." (if: $bothreset is true)[[["We have to escape."->less dramatic escape]]](else:)[[["We have to escape."->escape]]]

You creep over to the door of the cell, craning your neck to see around the corner where the shrieking comes from, like someone's having their vocal cords pulled out. All you can see is a guard, looking down at something out of view. "There were too many broken pieces," says the Queen, coming into view next to them. "Put them with the others." The guard leans down, and you only a get a glimpse of a screaming eyeless face before it disappears. You gasp involuntarily, shrinking back from the door, but not before you attract unwanted attention. The tap, tap, tap of footsteps approaches you, and then the Queen stands by the door smirking at you. (set: $queen += 1) "Not to worry, that probably won't happen to you. It's only your brains that are defective, and those are easy to fix." This doesn't reassure you. She walks back to her room, and you turn back to $name. "What do we do?" "I don't know." (if: $bothreset is true)[[["We have to escape."->less dramatic escape]]](else:)[[["We have to escape."->escape]]]

$name looks utterly unconvinced. "We can escape, I know we can!" you insist. (if: $bothreset is true)["Right?" "I have a bad feeling," they mutter in reply.](else:)["We escaped somewhere once before, didn't we?" They nod, and internally you breathe a sigh of relief. You weren't sure whether that memory was real. "I don't want to do that again." "What?" Their eyes won't meet yours. "Why?" "Because..." You wait. $name fidgets, hesitating, words failing them. "...they almost killed you."] "But if we don't escape now..." You swallow. (if: $riptix is true)["It's not death we'll be worrying about." The image of their body lying lifeless with its ribcage bent open hovers in your peripheral like a nightmare.](else:)["We don't even know what she'll do."] $name sighs. "But how?" You put your hands to your forehead, humming in concentration. "When they come to get us tomorrow...(if: $secondisdead is true)[If we pretend we're supposed to be going up to level one...who would stop us?](else:)[I made it up a ton of floors by acting confident, we could do that, if we can get free.]" They glance at the cell door, brain whirring as they go through the plan. "We have to overpower the guard." "Yeah..." Almost on cue, footsteps ring out through the corridor. You lean closer to them, lowering your voice. "You're stronger than me. If I distract them, you can push them in." Their eyes teem with doubts, but they nod slowly. "Okay. And we'll see the stars again." "I hope so." [[Later...->Dream4]]

(text-style: "smear")[You gave up speaking a long time ago. Neither of you have moved for a long time either, the cold numbing you from the outside in. When you try to speak, your throat crackles, no words come out. You force your numb hand to theirs, barely able to feel at all but you can feel their shape, and that's enough. At least, it's enough until you've gone a few minutes without them moving an inch. You try and cough out their name, straining your frozen eyes in the dark to check on them. But you can't see. There's no point. You know they're dead, and you know you don't have long. Even though your muscles are seizing up with cold, even though you're utterly alone and with nothing to live for, you struggle to the cave entrance, landing on your back, with your head facing the ever-clear stars. Clear nights are cold ones, they told you. Both of you are learning that the hard way. But you'd rather die out here than back home. The cold eats you alive and your tears freeze on their way down your cheeks, but this was the best view of your life. You wish it hadn't been your last.] (set: $memory += 1) [[Then...->daring escape]]

Your dream from last night unsettles you even now. (if: $bothreset is true)[They did feel familiar, but now you know your cellmate has ties to you that neither of you remember. In the dream you felt so close to them...now you can barely have a conversation.](else:)[You had wondered whether everything you saw in them could be real, and now you know it can't, otherwise you'd be lying dead in the mountains right now. But that opens up the more uncomfortable question of which parts //are// real. What is $name remembered some things wrong too?] Speaking of $name, they're sitting by the door to the cell, tapping their fingers on the bars and waiting for the guard. If you didn't know them any better, you'd say they look nervous. And you don't know them at all so they probably are. (if: $bothreset is true)[[[Talk about your dream->memories]]](else:)[[[Talk about your dream->realisation]]] [[Talk about escape->planning]]

"$name?" you ask. (if: $name is "Silver-hair")["It's blond," they reply, utterly serious.(set: $name to "Blond-hair") You resist the urge to laugh. "Can I ask you a question?"](else:)["Yes?"] "Do you think our memories of...not here, of the stars, do you think they're all real?" They don't move. If anything they seem to go stiller. "Why?" "I had a dream last night, and we died." They nod slowly, and you feel yourself tense waiting for a reaction. "In a cave, while we were hiding?" Your heart almost stops. "Yes. Exactly. And you--you died first--" Suddenly you're outright sobbing out of nowhere, tears streaming down your cheeks. "That couldn't have been real...you're here." (if: $tix is >14)[They come across the cell and hesitate before putting an arm around you. Instinctively you lean into their shoulder, crying into their hair. They are here and warm and real, how could the dream be true?](else:)[They come across the cell to you, placing a tentative hand on your shoulder. You sniff, wiping tears out of your eyes, and staring at the face that's undoubtedly the same as the one from your dreams, right down to the blank expression. How could they have died?] "I remember it too," they begin. "Which means it must be partly true." Now your sobbing is a little more under control, you try to concentrate. (if: $riptix is true)["I watched her kill you," you whisper. "The queen. She has something...power, knowledge. Maybe being dead wouldn't matter to her."](else:)["I think...whatever the answer...the queen knows." $name nods. "When we saw her, she had blood on her hands." You look up, the memory coming back to you as well. "What if...we //are// dead? And she has a way to counteract that?" You swallow. "That...could be possible."] "There's no way to know," says $name finally, rubbing your shoulder. "Unless...we get into her rooms..." you say slowly, a plan forming. Before $name can ask you about it, there's the reverberating click of footsteps and both of you tense. (set: $realisation to true)(set: $memory += 1) (if: $secondisdead is true)[[[Then...->undead second]]](else:)[[[Then...->second]]]

"So, when they come..." $name looks up. "I'll go out first." They nod uncertainly. "What distraction will you make?" "I'll...cry. Scream a bit." You try to sound sure of yourself but they're unconvinced. "It's always worked before." (if: $bothreset is true)["What is before?" "...Fair point," you concede, smiling a little. They smile too. (set: $tix += 1) Until you hear footsteps, and both of you tense.](else:)["I don't think it has," they reply, as they appear to count on their fingers. "It has worked...at least one time," you stammer, desperate to appear confident. They close their hand again, giving you a tiny smile. "I was playing a joke." "Oh!" It surprises you into laughing. "I know it wasn't very good," they mumble, and you rush to contradict them when the moment is interrupted by footsteps. (set: $tix += 1)] (if: $bothreset is true)[[[Then...->unrecognised]]](else:)[(if: $secondisdead is true)[[[Then...->undead second]]](else:)[[[Then...->second]]]]

The silver hair falls over their face as they look at the floor. "How? We don't know where we are." "We have to try!" You edge towards them a little. "That woman gives me a really bad feeling...we can't let her do whatever she wants to do." "I know that, but we're trapped," they reply, raising their hands helplessly. "We don't have the skills for this." "Promise me we'll try?" you ask, knowing you sound desperate, but not caring at all. "Please." They look down. "I don't even know you." "I think we do," you insist. They don't reply. Okay, you've pushed it too far now. You move back from them, putting your arms round yourself. "I'm sorry. I just thought...if I distract them, you could push them in here, and...we'd get out." "...We'll try," they say slowly, not meeting your eyes. "We'll try to get out." [[Then...->Dream]]

"Hey..." They don't look up. "Do you remember...anything? About before this cell?" The silence gets a little heavier, as they twist their fingers round. "...I'm not sure." You take a deep breath. "Because I had a dream...and you were in it and it felt so real—" Before you're finished their head jerks up and they turn away from the door, making eye contact with you for possibly the first time since arriving here. "About the stars?" (set: $memory += 2) "Yes!" The relief springs tears to your eyes. "On the mountain, and it was cold but they were so clear and alive..." $name nods enthusiastically. "You'd never seen them before." "I want to see them again," you whisper in reply. They glance back at the corridor. "We'll escape." "And see them again." But your elation is interrupted by footsteps. (set: $tix += 2) [[Then...->unrecognised]]

A familiar face appears at the cell door holding a club. Your breath hitches in your throat as Second tosses a set of keys up in the air, and catches them. "Hello, Zero One." "Hello." There's a long loaded silence, until finally they say, "The queen is seeing you now." It hurts to have to do this to Second, of all people, but...you have to. You stand up. "Okay." "You're going first?" they ask. "First?" echoes $name. Second rolls their eyes. "Yeah, you go in one at a time. Who's first?" Well this changes things. (set: $othername to "Second") [["Neither of us."->defiance]] [["I'll go first."->volunteer]] [[Say nothing->tix first]]

A guard stands at the door holding a club. "The queen is seeing you now." You make eye contact with $name. Just like you planned. But as you prepare to stand up, they add, "Which one of you is going first?" "First?" echoes $name, mirroring your anxiety. The guard rolls their eyes. "Yeah, you go in one at a time. So who's first?" (set: $othername to "The guard") [["Neither of us."->defiance]] [["I'll go first."->volunteer]] [[Stay silent->tix first]]

A familiar face stands at the door holding a club. "The queen is seeing you now." You stare, feeling as though your body has detached from itself, as though your stomach has flipped. "...You're dead." Second stands at the door and raises an eyebrow. "That's a real threat, coming from a prisoner." "No no no!" You stumble to your feet, to the bars. "Second, it's me! Remember? Zero One, you saved me, and...you died..." "Sorry, don't remember," they reply, looking almost uncomfortable. "Must have been a different second." What's that noise? It sounds like your heart getting smashed against the wall multiple times. "Like I said, the queen is seeing you now. Which one of you wants to go first?" they ask. "First?" echoes $name, their anxiety mirroring yours. Second rolls their eyes. "Yeah, you go one at a time. Who's first?" (set: $othername to "Second") [["Neither of us."->defiance]] [["I'll go first."->volunteer]] [[Say nothing->tix first]]

$othername rolls their eyes again. "You're really going to make my life difficult like this?" (if: $bothreset is false)["You wouldn't like it any other way," you reply, folding your arms and smirking at them. They try to hide their chuckle with a sigh. (set: $second += 1)](else:)["I'm sure it's very hard for you, not being a prisoner," you mutter. They sigh.] "The queen was pretty specific about her orders, so." $othername opens the door and grabs your arm, dragging you out. "Stop!" $name grabs at you but not fast enough. You dig your heels into the dust, trying to find a way out. [[Grab their keys->snatched]] [[Let them drag you->quiet one]]

$othername nods at you, and opens the door. You take a deep breath. [[Grab their keys->snatched]] [[Go with them quietly->quiet one]]

You stare at them, but before you've come to a decision, $name interjects. "I will." "Wait!" They're already walking past you to the door, and you're powerless to stop them. $othername moves to open the door, and they glance at you for less than a second, but with meaning. Then the door opens and $name barrels into them. "Quickly!" they grunt, as you follow them out. But not quick enough. $othername wrestles free, glaring at the two of you. [[Fight them->fight!]] [[Run for it->you tried]] (if: $bothreset is false)[(if: $secondisdead is true)[[[Reason with them->second's memory]]](else:)[[[Reason with them->forgiveness]]]]

"We'll fight you!" you say, putting up your fists, hoping your voice isn't actually shaking like that. $othername raises an eyebrow. "Okay. Come at—" They don't finish before $name socks them, throwing them right into the ground. "Come on!" they hiss, grabbing your hand and pulling you along the corridor. [[Then...->pathways duo]]

"RUN!" you shout, and the both of you make a break for it. But that was never going to work. $othername grabs $name's arm, pushing them back the way you came. [[Help them->could get unfortunate]] [[Leave them->pathways]]

"Second, please..." You step out in front of $name, holding your hands out. "I promise you, we were friends once. You saved me, even when I did exactly what you asked me not to. I never did what you asked me, I annoyed you all the time, but we were friends anyway. I thought you were dead, I //cried//..." Second swallows, hesitant. "But I don't remember." "Are you sure?" you ask desperately. "You never have dreams that feel real?" That drains the colour from their face. "How...?" "We were friends. You caught me wandering around at night so many times because I had nightmares, and you'd make me laugh. You'd make me feel better. Once you made me laugh in the middle of lunch, and you made me spit soup all over the table." They're still hesistant. "What do you want from me now?" You're shaking, unable to believe this is actually working. "We're going to escape...you can come with us, there's so much to see outside this pit. There are stars, the sky looks alive..." You hold a hand out, trying to keep it from trembling. Second shakes their head. "You can't escape the queen." "Watch us!" You stomp your foot in defiance. "I don't think you know what you're talking about," they reply. "If you want to escape, try. But it won't work out for you." "Okay." You grab $name's hand and walk past the dejected Second. "Thank you." [[Go down the corridor->pathways duo]]

"Second, please..." You hold your hands out and they visibly hesitate. "Please don't do this." "You didn't listen to me," they say quietly. "I told you there were things going on that were bigger than you, and you didn't listen." "I never listened." Second snorts, shaking their head. "You never fucking did. I don't know what I expected." "But we were friends, right?" you ask hopefully. "I thought of you as a friend up there. You made me laugh, you made me feel better about my nightmares. I didn't mean to make life hard for you." (if: $second is >5)["Well...you did," they mutter. "But yeah, you're my friend." "Then please don't take us to the queen," you beg. "You could...escape with us, if you wanted..." "You can't escape." The finality of it shakes you. "There are things you don't know." "Then tell us." Second looks down. "No. Just...go. Escape." "You're staying here?" You put a hand on their forearm lightly, and they shake you off. "Please come." "She'll kill me," they whisper. "Just go." You take $name's hand and pull them past, while Second still won't meet your eyes. "I'm sorry." "Me too." "Goodbye." They look up. "Bye, Zero One." [[Go to the corridor->pathways duo]]](else:)["Well it's a bit late!" they snap. "You ran all the way up to //level Seven!// But you didn't mean to, I guess." "I'm sorry, I never thought—" "I'm sorry too!" Their eyes are full of tears. "But I'm not risking my life for someone who didn't care enough to think!" [["Then I guess we have to fight..."->fight!]]]

You snatch the keys from their hand and throw them to $name, who picks them off the floor and uses them to unlock the cell as you struggle. $othername's strength outmatches you, pushing you back towards them until $name pushes them back. But they're still standing between you and escape. [[Fight them->fight!]] [[Run for it->you tried]] (if: $bothreset is false)[(if: $secondisdead is true)[[[Reason with them->second's memory]]](else:)[[[Reason with them->forgiveness]]]]

This will work, right? (set: $tix -= 1) $name stares at you from the cell, clearly poised to make a move, and you give them a glance that you hope is reassuring. This isn't a good time to make a scene. It'll work better if they're not expecting it. $othername leads you down the corridor, as your mind races. They stop by the queen's double doors that are slightly ajar. This is your last chance. Don't waste it. [[Go in->the queen again]] (if: $bothreset is false)[(if: $secondisdead is true)[[[Reason with Second->second's memory2]]](else:)[[[Reason with Second->forgiveness2]]]]

You can't leave them, not after all this. $othername isn't facing you, so you rush back and wrench $name's hand out of theirs. They grunt angrily, (if: $bothreset is true)["They did say you were trouble."](else:)[(if: $secondisdead is true)["How did I know you two would be trouble?"](else:)["You always were a handful, Zero One."]] (if: $bothreset is false)[(if: $secondisdead is true)[[[Reason with them->second's memory]]](else:)[[[Reason with them->forgiveness]]]] [[Fight them->fight!]]

You stop, breathless, by the queen's room. The double doors are slightly ajar, and when you peer inside, there are no shadows in the mirrors. But there is an open door in the corner, with light peeking through. Further along the corridor is the stairs, leading up and above. And behind you the noises of a scuffle echo. (set: $tix -= 2) [[Go into the queen's room->solo sneaking]] [[Go up the stairs->solo escape]] [[Go back for them->R I P]]

You reach the queen's room. The door is ever so slightly ajar, and you peek in, noticing no figures but there is light coming from an open door within. $name doubles back for you, tugging on your arm. "We need to go." "Wait...(if: $realisation is true)[What if the queen really does have power outside of here? If we leave now, we'll never know."](else:)[The queen is hiding something...we should find out what it is."] "But what if she catches us?" they ask, desperate. "It's safer to leave." (if: $riptix is true)["But—" "I'm //not// going in there!" they insist, with real...fear. You bite your lip.]["But what if we leave without knowing, and she can still hurt us?" you reason. "This might be our only chance." They stare at the door. "I don't know..."] [[Go up the stairs->escaping]] (if: $riptix is true)[[[Go into the queen's room without them->solo sneaking]]](else:)[[[Go into the queen's room->duo sneaking]]]

"I brought One Nine Zero One," $othername announces, leading you through the corridor to a dome-shaped lab, with a table in the middle. The queen turns, tying her thread-like hair behind her head.(set: $queen += 1) "I'm pleasantly surprised," she says with a smile. "I had thought after your previous behaviour that they'd convince you to spare them. But this just makes things easier." She approaches you, blood under her fingernails. "You can go back to your level, One Nine point Two." They nod, and leave you alone with the queen. You look around. The sides of the room are covered in shelves, the closest one neatly labelled //level 23// with numbered files. These represent all the people on all the floors. The queen follows your gaze. "It's quite a collection, is it not?" "Why do you have these?" you ask. "It's my little society down here," she replies nonchalantly. "I should know about my residents." You watch her uncertainly. She smiles. "It's my belief that every human has something to offer, and you and your little lover certainly prove me right. They possess such an intellect, and you have a spirit. In the wrong environment, rebellious, but in the right one...a force of change." Her tongue lingers on the last words as her eyes eat at you. "Why are you telling me this?" (if: $queen is <3)["Because I'm going to reset you," she says, walking towards you. "And this time, I have a position that you'll either thrive in, or die trying." She giggles. "Wha—" You don't have time to ask before she thrusts her fingers into your chest, ripping out the heart. You drop to the floor. "Make no mistake, One Nine Zero One," she laughs through your dizziness and agony. "You won't be remembering anything this time." END - Subjugation [[Play again?->Dream]](else:)["Because I like you," she replies coolly. "You're special, like me." You can feel her watching for a reaction. "And I wouldn't waste a special human." "What do you want me to do?" She smiles again. "You understand. Go and get your lover from their cell, bring them here. I have something to show you." You take a cold key from her hand. "What if I don't?" Her smiles loses its genuine quality. "For you, at least? I have ways of killing you from afar." She clenches her hand into a fist and you swear, you swear it's not just psychological this time. Your heart tightens, like someone's squeezing it. You step back from her. [[Go to the cell->goodbye]] [[Refuse->oof]]

You creep through the candlelight towards the door. It's bright, surgical light glints through the gaps in the mirror. There's something hidden here, no doubt about it. You creep down a brightly lit corridor that smells of bleach, and find yourself in a dome-shaped lab, with a table in the middle. On the side is a countertop, and shelves covered in books,files and bottles. You approach the nearest one, neatly labelled //Level 23// with each file containing a number. These are files for all the people on all the levels! [[Look for your file->1901]] [[Look for $name's file->0726]]

You hurry out and up to the steps. Hopefully $name will catch up. Now you just have to stay calm and walk to the top. It's the middle of the day, and bustling. The stairs are never busy, but each level is full of chatter. You hadn't realised how silent the queen's level really was. Or how dark. As you walk up the stairs, the sunlight starts to pour in. As you get higher than level Nineteen, it gets brighter. It's nostalgic, like you've been in places this bright before. With $name, probably. You look down into the pit. They're still down there. Your heart gnaws at you, like something bad's happened. But if you go down there and it's too late... Steeling yourself, you keep climbing. Until you reach level One and the sun's so bright it turns the whole sky bright blue. You look around, and start climbing the wall once you know no one's looking. Once you get to the top, you look down and almost start crying. The view of the mountain paths feels so familiar. You can even remember which way you were supposed to go, when $name was directing you. You look back down. They're not coming. $othername got them, or maybe the queen. Either way, it doesn't matter. You left them. You can follow the path they set, you can escape, but you won't find anything at the end. END - Alone [[Play again?->Dream]]

You can't leave them after all. Turning around, you back towards the cell but at the corner you hear a sickening crack, followed by a thud. Your heart stops. No no no— You peer round the corner and your worst fear lies on the corridor floor. $othername's club drips blood. Their body hides most of it, but you only need to see the limp fingers and twisted limbs to visualise it exactly. Your entire body trembles, shuddering as though reality can't contain it anymore, and then they turn. Looking right at you. $othername raises their club and charges. Somehow that stops your shaking. In an instant you find yourself utterly cold inside, still and with movements that are clean. You only make the most necessary ones to snatch the club and beat them down, the blood only making you angrier and making each strike more brutal. When their head is unrecognisable, you drop the club, trembling again. What have you done now? (if: $secondisdead is true)[They died for you and now you killed them all over again?] You're bloodied and guilty and for what? $name still lies motionless on the ground. You drop down next to them, cradling their head in your arms. What can you do? What's left now you've lost the person who showed you life was worth living? (if: $riptix is true)[But...wait. Before, the queen killed $name herself, and then they came back. Maybe...she could do it again? [[Take $name to the queen's room->begging]]] [[Don't move->encounter]]

"Let's go." You let them lead the way to the steps. "Remember, we just have to act calm. We'll be fine." $name nods. Now you've made it out of the queen's level, you're feeling more confident. It's the middle of the day, and the levels are bustling with chatter. You hadn't realised how silent it was down there. Or how dark. The higher you go, the more sunlight pours in. Past level Nineteen, it's more light than you've seen in your life. You meet eyes with $name, trying to share your excitement, and they smile back at you. Once you get to level One, you both look around and start climbing the untreated rock to the top of the pit. You scramble out onto the top of a mountain that's so familiar it makes your heart clench. $name smiles, a real smile as they clamber down towards the nearest path. "This way." You follow them, trying not to get distracted by the colours and the sky so bright blue. They laugh at you as they catch you when you slip, the two of you crouched in the grass and watching the valley, with it's sprawling forest and racing rivers. "Have you ever seen a view like this before?" they whisper. "Only thanks to you," you reply, squeezing their hand. "We did it, we escaped!" They nod, squeezing your hand too, then- "There!" yells a voice from above you. Both of you look up, and there are guards following you. "Shit!" you hiss. "Run, quick!" You stumble along the path, no longer distracted by the view, only the footsteps. This part doesn't feel unfamiliar at all—it can't be the first time you've been chased through these mountains. At least there's no ice this time. Then you reach a fork in the path. "Go that way!" pants $name. "I'll go this way. As soon as you get to the river find somewhere to hide and wait for me." "What if you don't come?" you ask, clinging to their hand. They smile. "I know these mountains." [[Go down the path->waiting]] [[Refuse to leave them->running]]

You lead $name into the candlelight, towards the door in the corner. Their breathing's a little shallow as you follow the corridor into a dome-shaped lab with a table in the centre and walls lined with shelves. The nearest is neatly labelled //level 23// with numbered filed. Your breath catches. These are files for all the people on all the levels. $name's come to the same conclusion. "Where are ours?" they ask, walking over to the //level 07// shelf and pulling out one. You glance at the one labelled //level 19//. (set: $together to true) [[Look for your own file->1901]] [[Look over $name's shoulder->072shit]]

You grab their arm and sling it over your shoulder, their limp head against your neck. They're heavy, but grief is heavier. Gritting your teeth, you drag them along the corridor, trying not to let the sobs bring you down. Somehow you make it to the candlelit room, through the door in the corner to a dome-shaped lab with a table in the middle. The queen is standing there, eyebrow raised at the scene in front of her. "Where is One Nine point Two?" "$othername is dead," you spit, dropping to your knees, unable to carry $name anymore. She tilts her head. "Oh, this is interesting. I always thought you had spirit, but grief brings out the worst in you." "You saved them before," you whisper, looking up at her in desperation. "Please. Again." She kneels down to your level. "Of course I will," she says, stroking your hair. "But you've committed a crime, you know. Killing your Second like that." "I'll take punishment." You meet her eyes with a steady gaze. "Just...save them." "Alright. You already know what I need." Then she thrusts her hand through your ribs, and pulls out the heart. You cough, choke, she drags $name away from you and you claw at them as the world gets blurrier. "Don't worry, your parts won't go to waste," she calls, as the world goes black. END - Parts [[Play again?->Dream]]

You sit on your knees next to them, willing them to sit up. It doesn't come true. Finally all you can do is wail at the sight of it, not caring whose attention you're attracting. "Do you want them back?" asks a familiar voice. You look up at the queen. "But they're dead," you choke out. She smiles. "Oh, you and I know nothing is truly dead in this queendom of mine." "So you can save them?" She nods. "The only thing is, you've committed a crime. The violence you've used against your Second, they're too damaged to fix now." She kneels down next to you. "I'll take punishment," you say without hesitation. "If you save them." "Excellent." She thrusts her hands into your ribs with a crack, and pulls out your heart. Your blood spills all over $name, before she starts dragging them away by the leg. "And you won't be getting it back this time sweetheart." You can only choke as you fall to the floor. At least $name will live...right? END - Punishment [[Play again?->Dream]]

//Nekros Number 1901// //Found on the mountain with a presumed partner. The subject of a missing person's case but not one serious enough that they'll come looking for them—the case was filed by a mother with disabilities too severe to hike up here. Safe to reanimate.// //A rebel. Has been sent to me three times but no matter what I change they keep misbehaving. It might be time to change the way I use them, rather than their brain. For now they've been sent back up to level 19.// //Interestingly, they reunited with their partner. Their memories don't appear to be complete, but they were enough to spark some recognition between them. I must be more careful of chance meetings in the future.// (set: $zeronspast to true) (if: $together is true)[[["So, you were snooping?"->two discovered]]](else:)[[["So, you were snooping?"->discovered]]]

//Nekros No. 0726// //Found on the mountains with a presumed partner. Has not been reported missing even though the partner was, which I assume means no one cares. Has an excellent intellectual capacity, but I suspect no capacity to work in a group. Has been sent up to level 07 for now.// //My suspicions were correct—a horrible team player. They have great potential but refuse to submit to authority, making them a difficult case. Have made some modifications and sent them back up.// //Interestingly, has reunited with their partner. Twelve levels was not enough. They haven't regained all their memories but it's enough. I must be more careful of chance meeting in the future.// [["So, you were snooping?"->discovered]]

"Second, please..." You grab their hand. "I promise you, we were friends once. You saved me, even when I did exactly what you asked me not to. I never did what you asked me, I annoyed you all the time, but we were friends anyway. I thought you were dead, I //cried//..." Second swallows, hesitant. "But I don't remember." "Are you sure?" you ask desperately. "You never have dreams that feel real?" That drains the colour from their face. "How...?" "We were friends. You caught me wandering around at night so many times because I had nightmares, and you'd make me laugh. You'd make me feel better. Once you made me laugh in the middle of lunch, and you made me spit soup all over the table." They're still hesistant. "What do you want from me now?" You're shaking, unable to believe this is actually working. "We're going to escape...you can come with us, there's so much to see outside this pit. There are stars, the sky looks alive..." You hold a hand out, trying to keep it from trembling. Second shakes their head. "You can't escape the queen." "Watch us!" You stomp your foot in defiance. "I don't think you know what you're talking about," they reply. "If you want to escape, try. But it won't work out for you." "Okay." You take a step back, towards the cells again. "Okay. Please can I have the cell keys?" They throw them to you. "She'll kill me for this," they muse to themself. You swallow. "Come with us-" "No." It's final, and you turn to go back to the cell. Once you're there, you unlock the door for a stunned $name. "How did you get them?" they ask in awe. "We have a history," you reply mutely, and they don't ask again. [[Go down the corridor->pathways duo]]

"Second, please..." You take their arm and their face screws up. "Please don't do this." "You didn't listen to me," they say quietly. "I told you there were things going on that were bigger than you, and you didn't listen." "I never listened." Second snorts, shaking their head. "You never fucking did. I don't know what I expected." "But we were friends, right?" you ask hopefully. "I thought of you as a friend up there. You made me laugh, you made me feel better about my nightmares. I didn't mean to make life hard for you." (if: $second is >5)["Well...you did," they mutter. "But yeah, you're my friend." "Then please don't take us to the queen," you beg. "You could...escape with us, if you wanted..." "I can't escape." The finality of it shakes you. "There are things you don't know." "Then tell us." Second looks down. "No. Just...go. Escape." "You're staying here?" You put a hand on their forearm lightly, and they shake you off. "Please come." "She'll kill me," they whisper. "Just go." "I..." You swallow. "I need the keys for the cell." "You're going back for them?" You nod. Second holds out the keys, clearly holding something back but when you take them they burst out. "Who are they?" You wonder how you're supposed to explain it. "Someone from another life," you say finally. Cryptic, but when you say it Second's eyes clear and their face falls. "Oh. I...I get it." They force a smile. "Okay. Escape then. Good luck." "Thank...you." This wasn't what you expected. "Goodbye." "Bye, Zero One." They turn to the stairs, and you hurry back to the cell. Once you're there, you unlock the door for a stunned $name. "How did you get them?" they ask in awe. "We have a history," you reply mutely, and they don't ask again. [[Go down the corridor->pathways duo]]

You give them a last smile and sprint down the path as fast as you can. Which isn't that fast, and after a while you have to slow to a jog as you catch your breath. But every time you look back, no one's following you. $name's plan must have worked. Eventually you reach the river. Somewhere to hide...there's plenty of bushes by the path, so you pick one by the side of it and sit down on the damp soil. They said they'd meet you, all that's left to do is wait. Hours later, you're still waiting. Surely...it couldn't take this long. Surely... It gets dark. You're still waiting. In the middle of the night, when you've seen no one on the path for hours, you leave the bush. The sky is clouded over, but the moon shimmers through, a waning crescent. You look up the path. They're not coming, are they? You have to tilt your head up to the sky to stop the tears coming out. It's not fair. How were you ever meant to escape like this? You just wanted to see the stars with them again. Footsteps. Slow, grating ones, but still. You don't move. If the queen's guards come for you, let them come. You can't be bothered anymore. "You waited." The clouds clear the way for stars. "You came!" The figure becomes visible, silver hair reflecting the moonlight. You rush over to them, actually crying now. "I thought they got you." $name shakes their head, but their face is tensed in pain, and...blood. There's blood. They're limping. "What happened?" "Tripped," they whisper. "Oh no..." You put one arm around your shoulder, and look around. "Let's find somewhere to camp?" "Okay." They point. "Down this path. I know somewhere." "Let's go." (if: $zeronspast is true)[[[Later...->meeting of the mother]]](else:)[[[Later...->hospital end]]]

"I can't leave you!" you burst out. They close their eyes for a second, then drag you up the path with them. The footsteps thunder behind you with malice, a reminder of why to keep running, even though you can feel yourself slowing down. You're not fast enough for this. $name drags you round a corner but as you struggle to catch up they trip, making you fall down too. And your foot is the one that slips over the edge. The two of you go over, tumbling over rock and bracken until you black out. You wake up, and it's dark. "$name?" you whisper through bleeding lips. Everything hurts. Your body is limp and tense in all the wrong places. "$name?" Somehow, you roll over, moaning in pain as you do it, and next to you lies $name, eyes glassy and cold. "No..." What was the point of this? Why did you even bother to escape if they weren't going to make it? You lie there, pain consuming you, and stare at the stars. (if: $realisation is true)[It's take two of your own death, and this time you can only hope that an evil queen doesn't resurrect you and make your last memory something other than the view you came to see. You hope $name got to see it. You really hope so.](else:)[At least you have the stars to keep you company. This was what you wanted, to see the stars. You hope $name got to see them too. You really hope so.] END - Death: Take Two [[Play again?->Dream]]

After camping for the night, you and $name made it to a hospital. They went straight to an emergency room, apparently with a concussion, and you haven't been allowed to see them. You busy yourself with reading hospital magazines, trying to catch up on a society that only seems to exist in the blurry peripherals of your brain. As you're reading one such magazine in a waiting room, a voice asks, "Kit?" That's a nice name. You don't look up until the voice asks again, much closer, "Kit, is that you?" When you do look up, a woman in a wheelchair is staring at you. "Are you talking to me?" you ask. "Of course!" She comes closer. "I thought you were dead." "You...what?" Your head is spinning. The woman does look vaguely familiar, but...not this familiar. She takes your hands. "Listen, your father's dead, we don't have to be afraid anymore—" "I'm sorry, but, I think you have the wrong person," you say, standing up slightly awkwardly. "I...need to see someone. I'm sorry." You leave the woman where she is, heading for $name's room again, though you find yourself short of breath when you get there. Ever since yesterday, your heart feels like it's seizing up sometimes, and you try and ignore that it feels worse. When you reach the room, you're finally allowed to see them, and they're sitting up, head bandaged but they're okay, they're okay and you escaped. "Does it hurt?" you ask. They turn to you, frowning, mouth opening and closing as they decide how to answer. ''"I'm sorry...who are you?"'' END - Cycle [[Play again?->Dream]]

You nod, and hurry back to the cells, unlocking the door for a stunned $name. "How did you get that?" they ask. You don't answer, only leading them to the double doors, and whispering, "You have to leave without me." "What?" They shake their head in dismay. "Don't argue, okay?" you say, eyes welling up. "She's evil, and she has powers I don't even know what she can do. But you have the chance to leave before it's too late, so please, go." They close their eyes. "Do you remember the path?" "What?" "The path I showed you when we were in the mountains," they say, looking you in the eyes. You sniff. "Yes." "At the end of that path, I'll wait for you. Until you can find a way out." You nod, tears spilling over your cheeks. "I'll find one." "Okay." They kiss your forehead. "I'll see you soon." "Goodbye," you whisper, watching the silver hair disappear up the stairs. Then you turn to the doors. "They weren't there," you tell the queen as you reenter the room. She sighs. "Unfortunate. But I'll settle for one." She watches your face keenly. "Are you that upset that they abandoned you?" "Yes!" you insist angrily, sniffing again. She laughs, turning to her table. "Oh, you are funny. Don't cry—we are going to acheive so much here." You glare at her back. "Great." END - Defector [[Play again?->Dream]]

"I'm not doing this." You throw the key at the floor. "Your residents are numbers, and you threaten us. You don't care." "Oh sweetheart, when did I ever say that?" she asks, doubling over with laughter. "You thought I //cared?// Really?" You're stunned into silence. Her face turns menacing. "Spirit, you have, but you rebel so much it renders you ineffective. I suppose you are destined for the grave after all." Then she thrusts her hand into your chest, and everything goes black. END - Rebel [[Play again?->Dream]]

//Nekros No. 0726// //Found on the mountains with a presumed partner. Has not been reported missing even though the partner was, which I assume// "What are you doing?" asks $name sharply, slamming the file shut. You shrink back. "Sorry." They sigh, looking like they want to to say something when- [["So, you were snooping?"->two discovered]]

You spin round, dropping the file. The queen laughs. "You look like a deer in front of the headlights." You're stood frozen, only proving her point. "You can keep looking if you like. That's what I like about you, One Nine Zero One. Your spirit, your drive. It's made you rebellious, but in the right environment it can make you a force for change." "Why are you telling me this?" you ask, hesitantly picking up the file from the floor. She tilts her head. "Well, like I just said. I like you. And I think I could use your help running my little queendom. What do you say?" You don't have time to give your opinion, because as she's saying it $name smashes a bottle over her head and throws her to the floor. "Quickly!" they call, and you run after them back out the queen's room and into the corridor. [[Up the stairs->escaping]]

You both turn to the door. The queen is stood there, arms folded. "I suppose you were the ones I wanted to see." You're frozen, but $name reacts faster, throwing themself at her. "Run!" they yell, and you move towards the door. But the queen only rolls her eyes, and grabs their throat, nails digging in until blood comes out. $name meets your eyes, their own full of terror, but they're still mouthing at you, //"Run."// [[Run for it->solo escape]] [[Help them->fight!2]] [[Negotiate->bargain]]

After camping for the night, you manage to get a dizzy $name to the nearest hospital where they're admitted for treatment of a concussion. You're waiting to see them, reading a shitty hospital magazine as you try to make sense of a society that only exists in the blurry peripherals of your memory. You rub your chest as it tightens again. Ever since yesterday, you've felt short of breath, like it's seizing up somehow, and you're trying to ignore how it feels worse. "Kit?" That's a nice name. You wonder whose it is. "Kit? Is that you?" You look up. A woman in a wheelchair is staring at you like she's seen a ghost. "You mean me?" "Of course I mean you." She comes closer. "I thought you were dead." You don't recognise this woman, but you think back to the file you read in the queen's lab, and it makes sense that she could be... "Are you my mother?" you ask. "That's right...Do you remember me?" What do you say now? You don't but will she take that the wrong way? "It's fuzzy," you admit finally. "I don't remember a lot of things." "You've been gone over a year," she says gently. "You disappeared into the mountains and I never heard anything. I thought you were dead." "I'm sorry," you say, unable to look at her. She shakes her head. "It's okay. You're here now, if you...if you still want to see me?" "I'd like that," you say shyly. She beams. "I'm so glad." END - Mother

"No!" You rush at the queen with a bottle in hand, swinging for her head. She throws $name down to dodge it, and it shatters against the wall. Her nails are already lunging at you and you swing the bottle again, slashing her arm. She howls and this time, on impulse, you slam it into her neck. The impact sprays blood all over you, but that's not what scares you. It's the pretty face that twists, contorts, spitting blood in pure rage. Then it goes blank. She falls to the ground in a heap. You stumble back, dropping the bottle, pulling the blood off your face. You killed her. You //killed// her. $name grabs your shoulders. "It's okay, it's okay-" "No it's not!" you splutter, squeezing your eyes shut so you don't have to see the blood on their face as well. "I killed her!" "She was evil," they say calmly. "You were defending yourself." How can they take this? Maybe you would be calm if you hadn't //killed someone...//this went so wrong. "We have to go," says $name, pulling you across the lab. "I think this door might lead to the outside, we have to run." [[Run away->peace]]

"Wait!" You hold up your hands to try and placate her. "You want us for something, right?" "Yes," she purrs, tightening her grip. "Why, what do you think you can offer me that tops that?" "One of us, but this time we stay willingly." She tilts her head. "You're saying you'll stay willingly if I let this one go?" "No!" gasps $name. You meet their eyes. "Please." The queen sighs. "I'm willing to take it." She throws them down to the floor. "That door leads to the outside. You're free to leave." "But I don't want to leave without you!" They get to their feet, and hold your face between their hands. "I would have left a long time ago if you hadn't been here. The only reason-" They're cut off by their heartbursting out of their chest towards you. You scream, stumbling back from them as their words turn to blood. The queen laughs. "Did you really think I'd wait until your speech was done?" she says incredulously, shaking the blood off her arm. "Bargaining is for when you have the upper hand, sweetheart. Remember that next time." You stare at her, every inch of your body shaking. [[Attack her->bloodshed]] [[Run for it->alone again]]

$name was right about the door leading to the outside. You came out into a sunny day, green grass and giggling streams. But it's hard to appreciate when you're covered in blood. Luckily $name seems to know exactly where they're going and they take you to a part of the stream where you can wash it off. You pull your t shirt over your head, allowing it to get wet. The bloodstains didn't come out completely anyway. $name is waiting for you on the grassy bank, head tilted to the sky with their eyes closed and a content smile on their face. You stop to watch them for a moment. Maybe...this blood on your hands was worth it? You sit down next to them, still squeezing water out of your t shirt. "Better?" they ask. "Yeah." You take a deep breath, in an out. "We escaped." They nod. "We did it." The silence is full of your reservations. "I don't blame you for killing the queen," they say slowly. "You saved me." "But I killed someone." Your mind is a broken record at this point, but you can't help it. Her dying face haunts you, contorted with rage. (if: $tix <13)["You saved someone." You look over at them. They shrug. "She would have killed me, maybe you too." "Maybe," you concede. "But I feel...wrong." "But you're alive to feel right again," they counter. You consider it, tilting your head back to the sky with your eyes closed like they did. Maybe. END - Peace? [[Play again?->Dream]]](else:)["I think...I killed someone once," they admit. You can't stop your mouth dropping open as you stare at them in utter shock. Your memories of $name are hazy but they've always been gentle. How could they ever... "Do you see me differently now?" "No...maybe." You chew on your lip. "I don't know, why did you do it?" "He was hurting you," they say simply. //Oh.// You turn to look at the stream and the grass once again as your brain comes to terms with this. "I guess...we're even now?" They laugh, a tiny laugh but a laugh nonetheless. "I guess." You find yourself smiling too. "Where do you want to go next?" you ask. "Let's stay here for a while." Their fingers intertwine themselves with yours, and you breathe out, listening to the rhythm of the stream. "Okay." END - Peace [[Play again?->Dream]]]

"You ''bitch!''" you scream, grabbing a bottle from the side and swinging it wildly at her. It hits her head, knocking her to the floor and smashing. Now it's sharp. You don't even hesitate, stabbing her in the throat again and again until it's shredded and the sterile grey floor has a new coat of paint. You keep at it long after the damage is done, when she's limp and long dead. Finally the sobbing overtakes you and you curl up into a ball on the floor. Their hair...it's not even silver anymore. How could this happen? Sitting up, you try and think about it again. The queen had powers, powers that could defy nature...powers that might be in some of these books on the shelves. You wash your hands, and pick up a book. END - Princess [[Play again?->Dream]]

You don't give her time to expect it, you just run through the second door of the lab. Where it goes, you don't care. You just keep running. Eventually it opens onto a grassy mountainside. It doesn't look familiar, but you know this is where you were hiking with $name before you ended up in the pit. You sink to your knees. This isn't fair. You should both be here. Instead, they're left at the queen's mercy. It's not fair. Footsteps echo along the corridor you've come from. Well you're not getting caught now, after all that, after $name died for you to get out. You get up and sprint along the path, hoping somewhere you can find a place to wash off all this blood. END - Alone again [[Play again?->Dream]]