<<set $gender = undefined>>
Choose your gender:
[[Male|SetMale]]
[[Female|SetFemale]]<<set $tookMoney to false>>
<<set $gender to undefined>>The boat screeches to a halt near a rotting dock. You and your colleague hop off for a cigarette break.
She lights up first. "Bet this is how horror movies start." she jokes.
The boat revs up and launches off without you.
[[Chase the boat->ChaseBoat]]
[[Look around the dock->LookAroundDock]]The boat creaks and groans as the captain laughs crazily. Water splashes your face. The desert sun bakes the riverbanks.
Your colleague lights a cigarette despite the wind, shielding the flame with practiced hands.
After a long while, the boat slows, stops at the rest zone.
[[Get off the boat now->PrepareSmoke]]
The captain grins, eyes wild. "Oh, you'll see. The real adventure begins soon."
He pulls a bottle from behind the wheel and takes a swig.
[[Press him for more info->PressCaptain]]
[[Ignore him and focus on the river->StayOnBoat]]
[[Prepare to disembark at the next stop->PrepareSmoke]]Your memory is foggy. You remember signs, a ticket, the noise of the river, then this chaotic ride.
The back of your mind whispers warnings.
[[Try to recall more details->TryRecallMore]]
[[Ask your colleague for answers->TalkColleague]]
[[Decide to stay alert->StayOnBoat]]You sprint after the boat, your heart pounding. The river rushes faster than your legs can carry you, and the boat grows smaller by the second.
No matter how hard you push, the distance only widens.
Exhausted and defeated, you stop, realizing you’re left alone on the riverbank.
[[Look around the dock->LookAroundDock]]
[[Sit down and catch your breath->RestDock]]You step off the dock, the cracked wooden planks creaking underfoot. The desert stretches wide around you — pale sand, scattered scrub, and jagged stones catching the light.
A breeze stirs the dust, carrying the faint scent of dried plants and old wood.
In the distance, a small group of figures stands still among the rocks — unmistakably real and watching.
[[Approach the figures cautiously->ApproachFigures]]
[[Stay hidden and observe from a distance->ObserveFromDistance]]
[[Turn back toward the river to look for another path->BackToRiver]]You lean against a cracked wooden post, the scorching sun baking the dusty ground around you. The river flows lazily nearby, but beyond it stretches a vast, barren desert.
You pull out your phone and try to call for help.
[[Call from your phone->CallFromYourPhone]]
[[Try your colleague’s phone->CallFromColleaguePhone]]
You dial out, but the signal is weak and drops after a few rings. The desert sun beats down harder, making you sweat.
No luck.
[[Try your colleague’s phone->CallFromColleaguePhone]]
[[Pocket your phone and start walking->LookAroundDock]]You try your colleague’s phone. No signal here either. The harsh silence around you feels even heavier.
Maybe it’s time to stop waiting and move.
[[Pocket the phone and walk away->LookAroundDock]]You decide to approach the group. As you get closer, they pause their chatter and turn their eyes on you, sizing you up with sneers and whispers.
One of them smirks and says, “Look at them trying to fit in. Wearing that? Seriously?”
Another nods, adding, “I heard dark colors suck the life out of people. No wonder they look so miserable.”
They giggle, clearly enjoying themselves at your expense.
[[Respond calmly]]
[[Ignore them and walk away]]You crouch behind a cluster of low bushes, squinting at the figures ahead. They move slowly, their outlines softened by the dusty breeze. Voices drift faintly — murmurs, laughter, maybe a disagreement.
Nothing clear, just shapes and sounds blending into the quiet desert landscape. You wait silently, but they don’t seem to notice you.
The dry air carries a faint scent of sage and earth.
[[Approach the figures cautiously->ApproachFigures]]
[[Decide to keep your distance and move on->KeepWalking]]You turn back toward the river, hoping to find another way around.
The shoreline is quiet, almost eerily so. No boats, no people, just the slow, steady rush of water and the occasional bird call.
Nothing else stirs here—no path forward, no signs of life.
You realize the riverbank offers no easy escape.
[[Go back->LookAroundDock]]You take a deep breath and say something cool, trying not to let them get to you.
“Maybe you’re the ones who need a new look,” you reply, voice steady.
They exchange surprised glances, caught off guard for a moment.
One sneers, “Whatever. Keep pretending you’re better than us.”
You turn away, holding your ground but deciding it’s not worth the fight.
[[Keep walking->KeepWalkingPast]]You decide it’s best not to get involved. You hear their whispers and stifled laughs behind you as you move on down the road. You feel their eyes burning into your back but don’t look back.
[[Keep walking past the girls->KeepWalkingPast]]
[[Stop and listen to what they say->StopAndListen]]Before you can react, a handful of dirt hits your back, gritty and cold against your skin. You grit your teeth, feeling the sting of their mockery.
Behind you, they laugh and whisper, clearly enjoying the show.
[[Stay calm and keep walking->StayCalm]]
[[Turn and fight back->FightBack]]You pause and overhear them talking trash about your appearance, their voices dripping with mockery.
//Did you know wearing black makes your skin stop breathing? Totally true, I read it on the internet.//
//Yeah, that’s why that look screams ‘I just rolled out of a cave.’ So healthy.//
//Obviously, dark colors attract bad spirits. Science fact.//
//Face looks like it got hit by a paintball—no symmetry at all.//
//Bet the sun avoids shining on that disaster zone.//
//Honestly, if bad fashion was a crime, that would be life sentence material.//
[[Step forward, furious, and confront them->CallOut]]
[[Ignore them and keep walking, refusing to stoop to their level->KeepWalkingPast]]You stop in your tracks and turn slowly.
“Say it to my face next time,” you shout, your voice calm but sharp like a blade.
Laughter erupts behind you — forced, nasal, grating.
[[Keep walking->KeepWalking]]
[[Fight back->FightBack]]You wipe the dirt off and glare at the group. They laugh, clearly enjoying themselves. You take a deep breath and decide it’s better not to give them the satisfaction of a fight.
[[Keep walking->KeepWalking]]
[[Call out to them->CallOut]]Your vision blurs for a moment, then sharpens with a surge of adrenaline. You lunge at the closest girl, grabbing her arm fiercely. The group screams like startled pigs, but you hold on tight. The one you caught is finally getting what she deserves. You recognize her face.
[[Stop before it gets worse->StopBeforeWorse]]
[[Make it harder so she won’t make a sound anymore->MakeSilent]]You keep walking past the girls, ignoring their stares and whispers. The dusty road stretches ahead, quiet except for the occasional passing car.
You hear them talking trash about you behind your back — their voices sharp and mocking. The girls keep laughing, their shrill voices echoing in the still air.
One of them pulls out a mirror and checks her reflection obsessively. Another takes selfies like she’s at a beach party instead of stranded nowhere.
Their conversation is as dumb as their outfits.
//"I swear, if you drink water while standing, it goes straight to your knees. It’s, like, gravity or whatever."//
//"That’s why my legs are bloated, right? I *knew* it wasn’t the fries."//
You almost laugh, your blood boils, but you don’t look back. You focus on putting distance between you and them.
[[Keep walking, ignore them->KeepWalkingDown]]
[[Let your anger rise and turn back to confront them->FightBack]]
You take a deep breath and hold back, deciding you’ve made your point. The girl gasps, clutching her arm, and the others back away, eyes wide with shock. Silence falls over the group as you turn and walk away, your heart pounding but your anger simmering down.
[[Keep walking down the road->KeepWalkingDown]]
[[Look back to see their reaction->LookBack]]
[[Find a place to rest and gather your thoughts->FindRest]]You spot a rough stone lying nearby, jagged and heavy in your hand. Your chest tightens, every muscle screaming with rage and exhaustion. Without hesitation, you raise the stone high, feeling the weight of everything you’ve endured crushing down on you.
The girl’s mouth opens in a shrill, endless scream—no real words, just raw, meaningless noise. The sound slices through the still air, a final cry that will haunt your mind.
You bring the stone down hard.
Silence.
Her scream chokes off. No more screeching. No more venomous laughter. Just stillness.
For a long moment, all you hear is your own ragged breathing, your heartbeat pounding like a drum in your ears.
The others stand frozen, eyes wide with shock.
You feel the bitter taste of something dark rise in your throat.
You lean in close and spit on her, a cold finality sealing the moment.
The world feels heavy — and broken.
[[Leave her->FindRest]]
[[Spit on her, sealing the moment with bitter finality->SpitOnHer]]You glance over your shoulder. The other girls have already scattered, running off down the dusty road. Their terrified screams fade into the distance.
Their ‘friend’ is left behind, clutching her arm and staring after them with wide, frightened eyes. She’s alone now, stunned and silent.
A tense quiet fills the air, broken only by the distant sound of footsteps fading away.
[[Keep walking forward->KeepWalkingDown]]
[[Find a place to rest and gather your thoughts->FindRest]]You find a quiet spot off the road — maybe some bushes or a fallen log — where you can sit down and catch your breath. The world feels heavy, but this moment of stillness lets your racing thoughts slow down.
You close your eyes for a few seconds and listen to the sounds of the desert — the wind, the distant birds, the faint rustle of leaves.
[[Stand up and continue walking down the road->KeepWalkingDown]]
[[Take a closer look around the area->SearchNearby]]You don’t waste a second. Pocketing the cash, you dart away before the others can regroup. Your heart pounds as you put distance between you and the girls, the bundle of money a heavy weight in your pocket.
The dusty road stretches ahead, uncertain but promising.
[[Keep moving forward->KeepWalkingDown]]
[[Look back to see if anyone’s following->LookBackAnother]]<<set $hasMoney to true>>
You quickly search her pockets and find a thick bundle of cash — about $1,000.
The other girls scatter, leaving their friend behind, stunned and silent.
You pocket the money, feeling a mix of adrenaline and dread.
[[Leave quickly ->LeaveQuickly]]
[[Pause for a moment to catch your breath->PauseMoment]]You lean against a nearby tree, trying to steady your breathing. The hot sun beats down, and your heart is still racing. The adrenaline is fading, replaced by a sinking feeling deep in your gut.
You can’t shake the image of the girl clutching her arm, left behind by the others.
The road ahead stretches long and dusty, and you know you need to keep moving — but for now, you allow yourself a brief moment of quiet.
[[Move on quickly->LeaveQuickly]]
[[Look around for anything useful nearby->SearchNearby]]You carefully scan the area — under bushes, around fallen logs, even between the rocks. Dust and dry leaves swirl in the hot breeze, but you find nothing helpful. No food, no water, no sign of anything useful.
The stillness feels heavier now, reminding you that time is running out.
[[Stand up and continue walking down the road->KeepWalkingDown]]You keep walking down the dusty, sun-baked road. The heat presses down, and the silence is broken only by the occasional buzz of insects and the crunch of your footsteps.
Ahead, you spot a rundown shack nestled between sparse trees and a dilapidated roadside diner with faded paint and a broken sign swinging in the wind.
Your colleague slumps against a rock. “Great. Stranded in the middle of nowhere.”
[[Check out the shack->Shack]]
[[Approach the diner->Diner]]
[[Keep walking past both->KeepWalkingPast]]
[[Look around carefully for any signs of life->LookForSigns]]You lower your head and spit on her, a sharp, spiteful act that echoes your loathing for everything she represents. The others gasp and recoil, stunned by your brutal defiance.
[[Take money from her pockets->TakeMoney]]
[[Leave her->FindRest]]The shack stands alone, its wooden walls weathered and cracked. The faded paint peels like old skin, and the door hangs slightly ajar, creaking softly in the breeze.
You step closer, the dry ground crunching underfoot. The air smells faintly of smoke and something metallic — maybe old tools or rust.
Your colleague frowns, rubbing her arms.
"Feels like a trap, doesn’t it? Like we’re walking right into a nightmare."
She glances nervously toward the door.
Peering inside, you see a small, cluttered space. An overturned chair, a broken lantern, and some scattered papers lie on a dusty table.
You call out, but only silence answers. Something feels off — like you’re not alone, yet no one wants to be found.
[[Search the shack thoroughly->SearchShack]]
[[Leave and head back to the road->KeepWalkingDown]]
[[Shout to see if anyone’s there->CallOutInShack]]You arrive at the deserted roadside diner. The dry wind stirs dust around the cracked windows. Outside, a group of rough-looking men lean against the weathered walls, their low, harsh laughter cutting through the still air.
One tall man stands slightly apart, his posture tense and alert. You catch the glint of a knife at his belt and the hard edge in his gaze. The others keep their distance from him — it’s clear everyone here respects, or fears, him.
[[Approach the bandits directly->BanditsConfront]]
[[Try to avoid them and sneak around the diner->SneakAround]]You scan the surroundings carefully. The trees sway gently, and the wind carries faint sounds — maybe distant voices or the rumble of an engine far off.
Nothing close enough to reach quickly, but definitely signs someone’s nearby.
[[Head cautiously toward the sounds->ApproachSounds]]
[[Decide it’s safer to keep moving down the road->KeepWalkingPast]]
[[Find a nearby spot to hide and watch->HideAndWatch]]You carefully sift through the clutter in the shack. Dust dances in the sunlight that sneaks through the cracks.
Under a loose floorboard, your fingers brush against something hard and thick. You pull out a worn envelope, sealed but heavy.
Inside, you find a bundle of cash — about $500, surprisingly crisp bills.
[[Look around more thoroughly->LookMoreInShack]]
[[Call out to see if anyone might be nearby->CallOutInShack]]
<<set $hasMoney to true>>You raise your voice and call out, "Hello? Anyone here?"
Your words echo off the walls, but only silence answers back.
The stillness feels unnerving, like the shack itself is holding its breath.
You wait for a moment, but no footsteps or replies come.
Looks like you’re alone.
[[Search the shack thoroughly->SearchShack]]
[[Leave and continue down the road->KeepWalkingDown]]You search every corner thoroughly—under crates, behind broken furniture, and inside old boxes. All you find is dust and cobwebs.
There’s nothing useful here.
[[Return back to the road->KeepWalkingDown]]<<if $WalkFurtherVisits is undefined>>
<<set $WalkFurtherVisits = 0>>
<</if>>
<<set $WalkFurtherVisits += 1>>
The faint sound has faded into the quiet desert air again. You pause, your heart racing, but all is still.
[[Go back to the road->KeepWalkingDown]]
[[Walk further ahead into the unknown->WalkFurther]]You settle into the shadows behind a fallen log, letting the heat and tension wash over you. Your colleague sinks down beside you with a tired sigh.
The road lies quiet, the sun beating down mercilessly. You watch carefully, but nothing stirs beyond the usual buzz of insects and the distant hum of a lone engine.
No sign of movement. No voices. Just the endless, dusty silence.
Maybe this is your chance to catch your breath — for now.
[[Rest a moment longer and go->KeepWalkingDown]]
[[Decide it’s safe to move on->KeepWalkingDown]]
[[Approach sounds->ApproachSounds]]<<if $WalkFurtherVisits is undefined>>
<<set $WalkFurtherVisits = 0>>
<</if>>
<<set $WalkFurtherVisits += 1>>
[[Walk further ->WalkFurther]]
<<if $WalkFurtherVisits >= 50>>
[[You find the way out->Ending]]
<</if>>
You made it. Against all odds, you uncovered the hidden path — the one most wouldn’t dare to walk.
This secret ending isn’t just a conclusion; it’s a testament to your curiosity, your persistence, and maybe a little bit of madness.
You earned this moment, standing alone in the harsh desert sun, a survivor of the nightmare.
Few find this. Fewer still deserve it.
Well done, player. Well done.
The end.
[[Start Over->Start]]You and your colleague approach the group outside the diner, your footsteps crunching softly on the gravel. The tall man stands straight, his eyes narrowing as they lock onto you both. His expression is unreadable, but there’s a cold edge beneath the calm. The others shift uneasily, hands near their pockets or belts, but don’t move yet.
“Looks like you’re in the wrong place, friends,” the leader says, voice steady but threatening.
[[Try to talk your way out->TalkOut]]
[[Prepare to defend yourselves->PrepareFight]]
[[Look around for something to use as a weapon->SearchWeapon]]
[[Try to bribe them->Bribe]]You hug the shadows, trying to skirt the diner without attracting attention. The bandits’ eyes flick to your movement, and the leader’s voice cuts through the air.
“Hey! You there! Come here!”
No choice now. They’re coming for you.
[[Face them head-on->BanditsConfront]]
[[Try to run and hide nearby->RunHide]]You clear your throat, trying to sound like you belong here — street-smart, confident. You almost pull it off, weaving some slang and half-truths about the area.
But then you slip. Maybe it’s a phrase you don’t quite get right, or a detail only an outsider would mention. The leader’s cold eyes narrow.
“Wait a minute…” one of the bandits mutters.
Suddenly, the air tenses.
[[Play it cool like you belong here, but it backfires->Backfire]]
[[Break down, pretend to be scared and cry->CryForMercy]]
[[Get cocky and start bragging — risk making them angry->Brag]]
[[Look at the colleague asking for help ->MentionColleague]]
[[Just start insulting them — see what happens->TrashTalk]]You square your shoulders and plant your feet firmly. Your hands clench into fists, every muscle tensed and ready. The leader’s smirk deepens, clearly amused by your bravado. Around you, the other bandits shift, some cracking knuckles, others tightening their grips on crude weapons.
The air thickens with tension—this isn’t going to end quietly.
[[Throw the first punch->Fight]]
[[Run away->RunOrShot]]You scour the dusty floor and broken tables, but find nothing useful. Your hands close around empty air.
[[Back to confront them - try to fight ->Fight]]
[[Back to confront them - try to talk ->TalkOut]]You bolt away from the diner, heart pounding like a drum in your chest.
The cracked pavement and abandoned cars blur past as you search desperately for a place to disappear.
Your breath comes in ragged gasps; every shadow feels alive, every noise a threat.
Behind you, shouts erupt. The bandits are close — faster than you'd hoped.
You dive behind a rusted car, pressing yourself flat against the metal, trying to slow your breathing.
Your hands tremble. The cold steel bites through your shirt.
A pair of footsteps thunder nearby, stopping just short. The leader’s voice snarls, "Come out, coward!"
You’re not safe yet.
[[Stay hidden and hope they leave->HiddenEscape]]
[[Make a run for it again->SecondRun]] You try to blend in — cool, casual, like you’ve seen it all.
You toss out some street lingo, throw a name or two, maybe talk about a turf war you made up.
For a second, it works. You feel the shift. A few raised eyebrows. Even the machete woman lowers her blade slightly.
But then — you say something wrong. A name that doesn’t exist, a phrase no one uses here.
The leader’s head tilts.
“The hell did you just say?”
Silence. You’re caught.
He slaps you. Hard. The pain rings in your ears. Someone laughs.
"You trying to hustle us?"
They start closing in.
[[Try to bolt before they grab you->RunOrShot]]
[[Use your colleague as bait->MentionColleague]]You collapse without a sound.
No cries. No pleading.
Just breathless, shuddering silence as your knees hit the dirt.
The world loses shape.
Your hands sink into gravel.
Your heart pounds like it wants out.
You don’t see them drag her away — you only hear it:
Laughter.
Footsteps.
A door creaking open.
Her scream — wild, sharp, cut off too fast.
Then another — hoarse, desperate, echoing through the broken diner.
Inside, it sounds like chaos. Bottles shatter. Chairs scrape.
Someone howls with amusement. She keeps screaming.
It gets worse.
You tremble.
Two of the men linger, watching you fall apart like they’ve seen it before.
"Broken already," one mutters.
"Think it's gonna crawl or cry next?" the other smirks.
They’re bored. That’s worse than if they were angry.
One kicks dirt at your side. The other spits near your hand.
[[Try to walk away — maybe someone will help->ThrownInside]]
[[Suddenly run — maybe you can disappear before they notice->RunOrShot]]
[[Try to stand, steady yourself — look for a way out->BeatenDown]]
You puff your chest. "I’ve seen worse than you. You think this little shithole scares me?"
The group stiffens. One cracks their knuckles.
“You got a big mouth for someone outnumbered,” someone mutters.
You go on anyway, swaggering. "Back home I used to run with real killers. You lot are just dirty leftovers."
That’s it. One of them lunges.
[[Fight back->Fight]]
[[Try to grab something to defend yourself->GrabSomething]]You look over at your colleague, eyes wide, silently pleading.
She blinks. Backs up slightly. "Don’t look at me," she mutters.
The leader notices. “Oh? Trouble in paradise?”
He grins cruelly.
“Maybe we keep one of you. See if the other cracks.”
[[Offer yourself in her place->SacrificeSelf]]
[[Stay silent and hope for the best->StaySilent]]You cross your arms and sneer.
"You’re all jokes. Dirty, starving, flunked out of whatever gang you tried to join."
A slow chuckle ripples through the group — not amused, not friendly.
“Say that again?” one of them hisses.
You do.
Louder.
You insult their clothes. Their boss. Their knife.
Everything.
It’s not bravery. It’s suicide.
The machete woman doesn’t speak. She just swings.
Blood. Dirt. Noise.
[[Try to dodge and escape->RunOrShot]]
[[Die screaming->BeatenDown]]You frantically search the ground and nearby trash — nothing but broken glass shards and empty cans. No real weapon.
The bandits close in, sneering. “No toys? How pathetic.”
Your heart pounds. You can try to run — but they’re fast. Or stand your ground and hope for the best.
[[Run away->RunOrShot]]
[[Stand your ground and prepare for a fight->BeatenDown]]
[[Try to talk your way out->BeatenDown]]You step forward without a word, your chest rising steady but your heart pounding like a war drum.
“Me,” you say, voice low and firm. “Take me instead.”
The leader’s eyes flash with cruel amusement.
His men smirk, not expecting your guts.
They grab you roughly, dragging you away from your colleague.
Fists fly—sharp, savage, relentless.
Your vision blurs as pain blooms across your body.
You don’t scream. You don’t beg.
You hold onto the stubborn spark of bravery inside.
When they finally pull away, you’re bruised, battered, barely able to stand.
The leader leans in, whispering coldly,
“Next time, think twice before trying to be a hero.”
They leave you there—broken, but alive.
Your colleague’s muffled sobs echo somewhere inside.
You breathe shallowly, aching—but still here.
[[Try to walk away — maybe someone will help->ThrownInside]]
[[Suddenly run — maybe you can disappear before they notice->RunOrShot]]
[[Try to stand, steady yourself — look for a way out->BeatenDown]]
You freeze. You can’t move. Can’t speak.
She opens her mouth—maybe to beg, maybe to plead—
but it’s too late.
They grab her by the wrist and drag her inside. Her scream is raw and sharp, cutting through the air.
The door slams shut behind her.
You’re left outside, trembling and helpless.
A few of the bandits stay behind, their eyes cold and unblinking.
They smile—not kindly.
Heavy hands seize you roughly.
You’re shoved hard against the cold, rusty wall of the diner’s back entrance.
Pain explodes through your ribs as a fist crashes into your stomach.
You stagger, gasping for air, but the blows keep coming—sharp, brutal, relentless.
The world blurs, sounds fading into dull thuds and harsh grunts.
You collapse, breath rattling, barely conscious.
Above you, the bandits laugh darkly as the door slams shut again—locking you inside this nightmare.
You’re broken.
[[Try Again->Start]]<<set _chance = random(1, 100)>>
<<if _chance <= 50>>
You dash forward, heart pounding, and manage to slip past the bandits before they can react.
[[Escape ->EscapeScene]]
<<else>>
You make a break for it, but a sharp pain explodes in your back — someone fires a shot.
You collapse to the ground, vision fading.
**You failed to escape.**
[[Try Again->Start]]
<</if>><<if $gender is "boy">>
They drag you through the doorway. The light changes. Smells shift. Time stops.
Inside, it’s not chaos — it’s a ritual.
She’s on the floor. Torn, trembling. Her eyes are open, but they don’t look at anything anymore.
You struggle. They hold you still.
“This is what you’re worth,” someone whispers behind your ear.
You shake your head. It doesn’t matter.
They don’t need your strength. Just your *presence*. Just one more crack in the human shape of things.
You’re pushed forward. And when it’s over, it’s not over.
A broken bottle lies nearby — a rose etched in the glass. It used to hold cheap perfume.
You reach for it, barely thinking.
It’s cold. The edge is sharp.
You press it lightly to your throat.
Before the pain can start—
**click.**
A gun behind you.
Then, nothing.
[[Try Again->Start]]
<</if>>
<<if $gender is "girl">>
They don’t talk. Just grab and drag.
The inside of the diner is worse than you imagined.
The stench—sour, metallic, human.
Her sobs echo somewhere deep, strangled and distant.
You're shoved to the floor. Something wet soaks into your knees. You don’t want to know.
“Two’s company,” a voice sneers.
“Let’s see what she’s made of.”
Laughter, low and breathless.
They don’t rush. That’s the worst part. They want you terrified.
To *feel* it coming.
A hand brushes your neck — too slow.
You jerk away, but there’s no strength left. No escape. Just shadows. And grins.
You hear her cry again — hoarse now. The sound of someone losing themselves.
Then the hands find you.
And everything vanishes in the dark.
You forget your name before it’s over.
<</if>>
[[Try Again->Start]]You grit your teeth through the pain, muscles trembling but your spirit refusing to break. Bruises bloom across your skin, ribs aching with every breath.
The bandits laugh nearby, their voices fading as your focus sharpens. You’re still here. Still breathing. Still fighting inside.
Around you, the broken diner feels like a cage, but you scan for any crack, any shadow that might hide a way out.
Your body screams, but your mind claws for survival—
You didn’t make it.
[[Try Again->Start]]You throw your weight into the fight, fists swinging wildly. The first punch connects, then another. Chaos erupts — shouts, grunts, the clang of a thrown object.
Pain flares across your knuckles and ribs, but adrenaline keeps you moving. You dodge a wild swing and land a sharp jab to a surprised bandit’s jaw.
Still, they outnumber you, and the fight drags on, each second heavier than the last.
[[Keep fighting with all you’ve got->FightMore]]
[[Look for an opening to escape->RunOrShot]]Your strength wanes as punches rain down. Blood trickles from split lips and bruises bloom on every side. The bandits overwhelm you—too many, too strong.
Darkness closes in.
You lose.
[[Try Again ->Start]]You sprint forward, hoping to disappear into the shadows.
But a heavy hand grabs your shoulder, yanking you back with brutal force.
The world spins as you’re dragged to the ground, the bandits closing in around you, snarling.
[[Prepare]]You're aboard a battered tour boat careening down a raging river. The captain — sunburned and possibly unhinged — lets out another wild laugh as the vessel slams through a rotting pier, scattering splinters across the deck.
"EXTREME ADVENTURE!" he yells like it’s a battle cry.
Tourists cling to whatever they can grab. Somewhere, a radio wheezes out distorted 80s rock. The water sprays your face, and adrenaline hums in your chest.
Your colleague leans in, holding up a wet pack of cigarettes with a grin.
"Let’s sneak off for a smoke when we stop. I think there’s a checkpoint ahead."
[[Prepare to go for a smoke once the boat stops->PrepareSmoke]]
[[Stay on the boat and watch the scenery pass by->StayOnBoat]]
[[Ask the captain what's next on this “tour”->AskCaptain]]
[[Try to recall how you even got on this boat->TryRemember]]
<<set $gender = "male">>
<<goto Begin>><<set $gender = "female">>
<<goto Begin>>You hold your breath, every muscle tense as the footsteps circle nearby.
The world narrows to the pounding of your heart and the rough breathing just feet away.
Suddenly, a shadow falls over you.
"Found you," the leader growls, grabbing your arm with iron grip.
There’s no time to struggle — they drag you out into the harsh light.
You’re caught, trapped, and at their mercy.
[[Prepare for what’s coming]]You push off from your hiding spot and sprint, desperate to put distance between you and the bandits.
Your lungs burn, your legs scream, but you don’t dare slow down.
Shouts follow you, closer, faster.
[[Run->RunOrShot]]You didn't make it.
<<set _randChoice to either("FightBack","BeatenDown","MentionColleague","CryForMercy")>>
<<goto _randChoice>><<set _scenes = ["BeatenDown", "ThrownInside", "FightMore"]>>
<<set _choice = _scenes[random(0, _scenes.length - 1)]>>
<<goto _choice>>One of them cracks his knuckles. Another flicks a lighter open, then shut.
The leader tilts his head, then smirks.
"Alright, smartass. You want to walk away from this? It'll cost you. A thousand bucks."
He steps closer, tapping two fingers against your chest.
“Pay up. Or we get creative.”
[[Search pockets]]
<<if $hasMoney is true>>
You don’t hesitate. You pull out the cash — dirty, crumpled, but real.
The leader snatches it, counts it quickly, eyes scanning your face.
“…Good enough,” he mutters. “You get to keep your teeth.”
They back off slowly, like wolves losing interest — for now.
[[Walk away fast before they change their mind->SafeLeave]]
<<else>>
You freeze.
No cash.
Not even close.
The air shifts. Their grins vanish.
“Guess that mouth of yours wrote a check it couldn’t cash,” the leader says flatly.
They close in.
[[Prepare for the worst->BadEndingNoMoney]]
<</if>>You start to back away slowly, heart racing.
The gang eyes you like wolves losing interest — lips curled, but stepping aside.
The leader pockets your money without thanks, already turning away.
You're just about to breathe—
Then you hear boots.
Sharp. Deliberate.
A woman’s voice slices through the air.
“What the **hell** is this?”
She’s older — maybe forty, maybe fifty — sun-leathered skin, eyes like razors.
A machete hangs from her belt, crusted with things you don’t want to name.
The gang freezes like children caught misbehaving.
“You let them go? After what we lost last week?”
She spits on the ground. “Amateurs.”
Her eyes fall on your colleague. Cold. Calculating.
“Grab her.”
Rough hands seize your companion. Her scream is immediate — raw panic.
You move — instinct — but two gang members are already on you.
You’re dragged, struggling, toward an overturned metal table behind the diner.
Your back hits cold steel.
She steps close. You smell sweat. Blood. Iron.
“No one leaves clean,” she says, lifting the machete.
The first cut is shallow. Testing.
You jerk, but hands hold you down.
The second is deeper.
You scream. It doesn't help.
Darkness creeps in — slow, steady — until the world is nothing but her face,
and the slice of a blade that never seems to stop.
**You are unmade.**
[[Try Again->Start]]You stand your ground for a heartbeat too long.
That’s all they need.
A fist crashes into your face — white flash, then black.
You hit the dirt hard, mouth full of blood and gravel.
Boots follow. A kick to the ribs. Another to the spine.
You curl instinctively, but there’s nowhere to go.
“Thought you were tough,” one laughs, breath hot and close.
“Guess you're just bones and spit like the rest.”
They strip your pockets. Tear your bag apart.
Nothing.
You hear one of them mutter, “Nothing. Worthless.”
Another laughs. “Let’s make it fun anyway.”
Darkness rushes in like mercy.
**You died with nothing. And they gave you worse.**
[[Try Again->Start]]You glance over your shoulder, eyes sharp and wary. The girls have disappeared into the shadows, their angry whispers fading with the wind. No one’s chasing you—for now.
A shiver runs down your spine. That moment could come when you least expect it.
You tighten your grip on the money and turn back to the road ahead.
[[Keep walking forward->KeepWalkingDown]]
You lean in, curiosity prickling your skin. "What kind of adventure are we talking about?"
The captain chuckles, a dark, ragged sound. "Let's just say, the river’s got secrets. Dead ends, wild animals... and folks who don’t like visitors."
He takes another swig from the bottle, eyes glinting with something like madness.
"Keep your wits about you. This trip’s gonna change everything."
[[Prepare to disembark at the next stop->PrepareSmoke]]
[[Ignore him and watch the river->StayOnBoat]]You close your eyes, trying to piece together the fragments.
Faint images flicker — a ticket stub fluttering from your pocket, the roar of the river like a distant storm, the captain’s wild laughter echoing.
Suddenly, the world warps. The sounds muffle and stretch. Your surroundings blur.
A cold sweat breaks out. You’re not really here.
It’s a dream.
You gasp for air.
[[Open your eyes fully->Start]]You turn to your colleague, hoping for clarity.
She shrugs, eyes distant. “Nah, seems fine to me.”
You share a tense silence, the hum of the river filling the gap.
The fog in your mind lingers.
[[Try to recall more details->TryRecallMore]]
[[Decide to stay alert->StayOnBoat]]