The Horla

You wake drenched in sweat. A strange weight presses on your chest. The air is still. But *you are not alone*. [[Sit up]] [[Stay still]]

You bolt upright— —but nothing is there. Not even your breath feels like your own. [[Go to the window]] [[Lie back down]]

You dare not move. You feel *it* watching, breathing beside you. A bead of sweat rolls down your neck. [[Scream]] [[Get up]]

Moonlight glints on the glass. Your village sleeps. But something stirs near the tree line. Something tall. Still. Watching. [[Close the window]] [[Call out]]

You pull the blanket tight, pretending you're safe. The blanket lifts. Your chest sinks. *It’s on top of you again.* [[Try to move]] [[Let it happen]]

You scream— —but no sound comes. Your mouth moves, but the air is stolen. [[Get up]] [[Pass out]]

You stand. Your legs tremble. The room stretches and warps. Shadows crawl along the floor. [[Run outside]] [[Light a candle]]

You close the window. The latch clicks. But the room grows heavy. You turn— —and it’s already behind you. ''There is no escape.'' :: ENDING – Death ::

Voices answer from within your mind. They chatter in tongues you never learned. When morning comes, you smile and nod— —but never speak again. ''You have gone mad.'' :: ENDING – Madness ::

You thrash and scream, but your body is no longer yours. You see your own hands reach for your throat. They tighten, then release. When you wake, you don't remember your name. ''You belong to it now.'' :: ENDING – Madness ::

You surrender. The air grows colder. Your heartbeat slows. It whispers your name—then steals it. ''You are no longer you.'' :: ENDING – Death ::

Voices answer from within your mind. They chatter in tongues you never learned. When morning comes, you smile and nod— —but never speak again. ''You have gone mad.'' :: ENDING – Madness ::

You run—barefoot and breathless—into the night. No footsteps follow. No breath on your neck. The stars above are *yours* again. ''You survive.'' :: ENDING – Escape :: <<goto "Start">>

You strike a match. The flame flickers— and the shadows hiss and shrink. A shape darts from the corner and melts into the wall. You collapse, weeping. You made it through the night. ''You live… for now.'' :: ENDING – Escape ::