Siqua Utsetsidi ROUGH DRAFT

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You've been traveling solo for years now. You hop trains, hitchhike and panhandle across the country. Your favorite thing to do is to camp out in the wild. Overgrown trails seem to call your name. It was only natural to you that on your way southward through Kentucky, you'd cut through the Mammoth Cave system. On your way in you copied down part of the map that was displayed at the cave entrance. You marked down the all the turns you'd need to make to come out further South-West. (click-goto: ?page, "Intro 1.5")

You've made your way through by treading on flat rough stones cut to make a clear path for visitors. Some areas have utility lamps strung up like Christmas lights along the walls and ceilings. You peak down dark corridors as you go, using a military style flashlight clipped to your jacket. As a child some forest ranger or some such guided your class through a similar cave. Your teacher had to grab you several times to keep you from wondering off. You much prefer this self-guided tour, satisfying your curiosity at your own pace. You've made your last turn according to your hand drawn map, and your ascending towards the surface. (click-goto: ?page, "intro cave collapse")

Ahead you can see that the upward path is interrupted. The floor has caved in ahead creating an opening to an adjacent cavern below. Short of going all the way back to the entrance you came in at, you don't have a way to determine an alternative route up. You resolve that going backwards is not an option and exploring other caverns without a proper map is likely to end in tragedy. You decide you must find a way across this gap and continue upwards. (click-goto: ?page, "Cave collapse")

There is a slim ledge on your right-hand side that you may be able to shimmy across. The ledge is only a few inches wide, but there are some stalactites above that you might be able to grip. The gap is short enough that you’re sure that you could have easily jumped it in your younger days. Now that you’re pushing forty, you’re not so sure. Looking down, you see very little besides darkness. You wonder what seismic activity might have caused the cave in. [[Shimmying along the wall seems doable.->shimmy]] [[I bet I could still make the jump.->Jump]] [[I want to see what's at the bottom. I'll shine my flashlight down into the gap.->Flashlight]]

You begin to make your way across gripping stalactites and hand holds in the wall. You make it about halfway across when the ledge starts to give way beneath your feet. You make a desperate lunge for the far side, but you fall short and tumble down to the rocks below. Fortunately, your backpack breaks the fall. The wind is knocked out of you and you spend a few minutes on your back catching your breath. You can see, somewhere in the stones nearby a shiny object of some kind reflecting in the darkness. [[I'll reach for the object.-> touch blade]] [[I should use my flashlight to examine the object.-> Examine blade]] [[Forget it, I will stand up and try to find a way out of this hole.-> look around cave in]]

You get a bit of a running start and leap for the other side. You almost make it, but your hand slaps against the opposite edge unable to grasp it. Then you feel yourself free falling for a surprising amount of time. Fortunately, your backpack breaks the fall. The wind is knocked out of you and you spend a few minutes on your back catching your breath. You can see, somewhere in the stones nearby a shiny object of some kind reflecting in the darkness. [[I'll reach for the object.-> touch blade]] [[I should use my flashlight to examine the object.-> Examine blade]] [[Forget it, I will stand up and try to find your way out of this hole.-> look around cave in]]

Examining the cave in with the flashlight you can see that Several boulders and stones have collected at the bottom. The stones seem to have slid into the adjacent cavern. The walls and stones shine in the light like obsidian. You think they must be slick with moisture. You wonder, “perhaps a groundwater well burst causing the cave in?” There are some jagged chunks taken out of the walls of the caved in section as well. You think you might be able to climb down the wall and up the other side. [[I'll try climbing down and up the other side.->Climb down]] [[I should try to shimmy across the ledge.->shimmy]] [[Fuck it, I'm jumping for it.->Jump]]

You lower yourself down from the ledge and start to look and feel for foot holds and hand holds using the light clipped to your jacket. Part way down you've set your feet in what looked to be solid openings, when you begin to slip. Your hands can't find purchase in the slick stone and you begin to plummet. Fortunately, your backpack breaks the fall. The wind is knocked out of you and you spend a few minutes on your back catching your breath. You can see, somewhere in the stones nearby a shiny object of some kind reflecting in the darkness. [[I'll reach for the object.-> touch blade]] [[I should use my flashlight to examine the object.-> Examine blade]] [[Forget it, I will stand up and try to find your way out of this hole.-> look around cave in]]

(Set: $handhealth to it - 1) You blindly reach into the darkness towards the one spot of light in your vision. Your fingers barely graze it before you feel pain. Reflexively drawing your hand back to your mouth, you realized you've been cut deep. Your hand still functions but you improvise a bandage using one of the few clean socks you have in your backpack. [[I should try to find a way out of this damned hole.-> look around cave in]] [[I'm going to try to see what cut me.-> Examine blade]]

(set: $LotusBlade to true) You stand and flick the switch on the flashlight clipped to an outside jacket pocket. The light falls on the tumble-down stones surrounding you. You find the shiny object in the darkness. It is a set of blades arranged like flower petals.(if: $handhealth is 1)[ One of the steel petals is rosy red with your blood.] The "stem" is a black plastic handle with a button. You don't remember if you've seen it in a pulp comic or adventure serial, but you know this type of weapon was called a “Lotus Blade.” A pricey and rare thing, you wouldn't expect to find it in what appears to be an otherwise untouched section of cave. You see no other evidence of human activity in the area either. You pick it up and give the button an experimental press. The blades spin and electricity arcs between them. You're surprised it still has battery power left. You decide to put it in your backpack. You turn it upside down and gently pinch the rounded faces of blades until they close like a flower bud. Then you stuff it into the bottom of your backpack with your clean clothes and tinned food. [[While I've got the flashlight on, I should try to figure out where to go next.-> look around cave in]]

You examine the walls around you, and even try a few hand holds, but it's too slick to climb back up. The adjacent cave system that this one has opened into has two passages, one roughly north, the other roughly south. The southern passage is largely blocked by organic pillars made from multiple stalactites and stalagmites meeting. The northern passage is open, but cave floor looks difficult to walk on. [[I'll try the North passage->North 1]] [[I'll try the South passage->South 1]]

You step out of the cave into the wilderness. There are no clear paths leading out from the cave. You suppose the bats don't have many visitors. You wander southward, keeping the setting sun on your right-hand side. Just as it's setting you see a farm in the distance. You walk through rows of rich green tobacco plants. The rows are neat and well kept, but the plants look like they should have been harvested weeks ago. Aphids have left holes in some of the broad leaves. As the sun sets rain begins to pour down. You pluck an especially large tobacco leaf and attempt to use it as an umbrella while you search for shelter. A Large red barn sits on the far side of the field. You rush over and open the door careful not to let any animals inside out. You envision a two-ton bronco waiting for you to unlatch the door so it can trample you. Worst part would be, if you survived, you'd still be hanged as a horse thief in these parts. (click-goto: ?page, "exit cave") [[]]

Fortunately, the barn was empty except for an old tractor and regular farm detritus. You note the tractor is remarkably old. The wheels are all made of solid steel, like gigantic rusting cogs. You decide to bed down here for the night. You find an old space heater. It's made of iron coated in a chipping layer of ceramic. It had to have been in use since before you were born, but it seems to be half full of kerosene and functional. [[Light up the heater. You're cold and need to dry your clothes.->use heater]] [[You don't trust the old heater. You've got some portable hand warmers you can stick in your sleeping bag instead.-> don't use heater]]

(set: $Heater to true)You light up the lonely old heater and it warms the air and ground around it thoroughly. You slide out of your soggy jacket, pants and shirt and hang them up on some hooks in the wall nearby. They hang neatly between a hand drill and a yoke. You unpack your kit to sleep. You’re glad you lit the heater. The barn is cozy and warm now. Curled up in your sleeping bag you open a can of stew and heat it on your hand warmer. After sating your hunger, you quickly drift off to sleep. [[Go to sleep.->dream]]

You toss off your wet jacket and pants and lay them out atop the cold heater. You quickly ignite a handwarmer and stuff it into the sleeping back, then you shimmy in after it. You start to warm up, but the process is slow, a shiver runs down your spine. Curled up in your sleeping bag you open a can of stew eat it cold. If it wasn't for the coagulated fat chunks, it might have been appetizing. After sating your hunger, you struggle a while to sleep. [[Go to sleep.->dream]] (set: $Heater to false)

Fear seizes your heart and your eyes spring open like the shutter of a camera. You heard something impossible, but it must have been a dream. When you look around panicked, all you see is the old barn, empty. You can't seem to piece together the nightmare that woke you. Only a sound remains in your mind. A sound like cartilage ripped from bone. You start to doze off again when you hear a rustling outside the barn. [[Get up, and peak out the window.->look for noise]] [[Forget it and go back to sleep.]]

You throw on your jeans and plaid shirt so that you aren't seen standing in a barn window in your underwear. You cup your hands over your eyes and peer into the field. The rain has slowed to a trickle. In the distance the tobacco field thins down to a ten-yard wide strip where the surrounding woods start to encroach upon the crop land. Something is moving in a bizarre manner. You wonder if a bear tracked you from the woods. The tall grass and shrubs sway. You can't make out exactly what it is. [[Forget it and go back to sleep.]] [[Step outside, use your flashlight to get a closer look->FLashlight into woods]] [[Make some noise to scare the bear away->Make noise]]

Your eyes open on utter darkness and sharp pain. Your hands clasp your slit throat. There's movement around you but it's too dark, indistinct in shape. You can’t see them, but you feel as if they're in the barn, watching as you bleed out. (click-goto: ?page, "sleep death 2")

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The creature is moving towards you bearing its needle teeth. What do you do? [[Get inside the barn and barricade the door.->baricade barn]] [[Run for your life.->Run dead end]]

The creature is moving towards you with hunger in its beady eyes. [[Get inside the barn and barricade the door.->baricade barn]] [[Run for your life.->Run dead end]]

(if: $Heater is true)[You slam the door behind you and desperately baracade the door using an old mule's yoke in place of the bar. You hear one solid thud against the door but nothing further from the outside. It might be trying to find another way inside. The heater you left has tipped over and the has set some old news papers alight. You have to get out of this barn quickly.] (else:)[You slam the door behind you and desperately baracade the door using an old mule's yoke in place of the bar. You hear one solid thud against the door but nothing further from the outside. It might be trying to find another way inside. You can hear it's claws scraping somewhere outside, you fear it's only a matter of time until it forces its way in one of the plate glass windows.] [[Find a way out as quickly as possible.->buffer page.]] [[Grab your backpack and fling yourself out the window.-> buffer grab and go]] [[Gather up your backpack, boots, and sleeping bag before you try to get out.->buffer choke and die.]]

You attempt to run. You take off as fast as your bare feet can bury you. Sharp rocks, slick grass nothing slows you down. You burst out of woods and you can see a town, a lantern in the distance. Then it pounces. Your knees buckle beneath you as the weight of the creature falls upon your back. You struggle, fight and scream, but you're at the creature's mercy. Claws cut flesh bearing veins to the air, blood rushes out leaving you empty and dead. (click-goto: ?page, "run die")

(set: $Backpack to false)(set: $LotusBlade to false) You scan the barn for the quickest way out. You try the window first. You can't find a clasp. In desperation you slam your shoulder into it. The two panes to swing wide open. Without hesitation you fling yourself out the window. You realize you've left your boots behind as the mud road slaps against your soles. You’re not concerned though, you just want to get away from that strange—creature. (if: $Heater is true)[You've run almost a mile down the road before you look back over your shoulder. Something bright catches your eye. You turn your body to look, but continue stepping backwards, too afraid to cease. The barn is engulfed in red-orange light. You can see, like a sepal leaf, obscuring the petals of orange flame, the creature's silhouette, facing towards— no, you realize, away from the fire, searching the darkness for you.] (else:)[You've run almost a mile down the road before you look back over your shoulder. You turn your body to look, but continue stepping backwards, too afraid to cease. The darkness consumes the farmland. You cannot tell where the creature has gone. Knowing this presses you to pick up the pace.] (click-goto: ?page, "pig town")

You throw the backpack strap over your shoulder and slam against the window. Fortunately, the frames for the double panes give out before the glass and you're able to climb out without getting cut. As soon as you scramble to your feet you start running. You realize you've left your boots behind as the mud road slaps against your soles. You’re not concerned though, you just want to get away from that strange—creature. (if: $Heater is true)[You've run almost a mile down the road before you look back over your shoulder. Something bright catches your eye. You turn your body to look, but continue stepping backwards, too afraid to cease. The barn is engulfed in red-orange light. You can see, like a sepal leaf, obscuring the petals of orange flame, the creature's silhouette, facing towards— no, you realize, away from the fire, searching the darkness for you.] (else:)[You've run almost a mile down the road before you look back over your shoulder. You turn your body to look, but continue stepping backwards, too afraid to cease. The darkness consumes the farmland. You cannot tell where the creature has gone. Knowing this presses you to pick up the pace.] (click-goto: ?page, "pig town")

(if: $Heater is true)[As quickly as you can you grab your boots, wrap them in your sleeping bag with the hand heaters and your undershirt. You move to fling the bundle out the window, but you're weak. Your legs give out. Your eyes are bleary with smoke. The window is suddenly so far away. You collapse on the floor. The smoke suffocates you before the fire consumes your body.] (else:)[You stomp your feet into your boots, slap on your still wet jacket and hurriedly stuff your sleeping bag into your backpack in a wad. Everything collected you go for the nearby window. As you approach the panes a scream jumps to your throat. You see the creature there, swathed in darkness. With a single swipe of its clawed hand it crashes the window spewing glass across the floor of the barn. You go for the barn door, but before you lift the jury-rigged barricade the creature is upon you. It rips at your backside, it's eyes keen in the darkness. Your lungs are torn out from between your ribcage and spine. You suffocate, painfully as it starts consuming you.] (click-goto: ?page, "Ivy failure state")

You run until your breath is short, then you run some more, until your vision starts to blur, you slow down a little, then do it all again. You've run a long time with your flashlight off, your feet feeling for the smooth mud between gravel and grass. You see a lantern or two off in the distance, further up the road. As you approach you realize it's not just another lonely farmhouse, but a town, with several buildings. As you slow to look at them you can see that one building is a gas station, another a diner, and furthest from you is a large town hall like building. The gas station's logo sign flickers erratically. There seems to be only dim light inside the diner, but the paper sign on the window is flipped to "open." There is a lantern hanging over the main door of the far meeting house. The creature is likely following in your footsteps and you need to find someone to help. [[I’ll try to find an attendant at the gas station.-> Gas Station Look]] [[I could peak into the windows of the diner.-> Diner Look]] [[I’ll check out this town hall type building at the end of the road.-> Lodge Look]]

Wandering under the gas station awning you can see that none of the other lights are on. You lift one of the pump handles, which rings a little bell, but no attendant arrives. The interior looks dark, but for some reason you sense someone inside. You can also see into the diner from here. The booths are all dark, but behind the counter you can see a light on. [[Maybe I'll have better luck at the diner.-> Diner Look]] [[This isn't a self-service gas station, someone must be inside.->Gas Station Enter]] [[No luck here. Maybe someone is in the large building at the end of the road?-> Lodge Look]]

The window is painted in pink lettering "Penny's Pig Diner". The dining areas are all dark, but you can see a light is on in what you presume must be the kitchen area, past the counter. From what you can see, a few of the tables haven't been bussed. Giving it an experimental tug, you find that the door is unlocked. From here you can also see the large building at the end of the road. From the light of the lantern over the landing you can see that it is in fact a lodge of some kind. The realization makes you uneasy. You also notice that the gas station seems empty as well, the area under the canopy and inside the building are dark. [[They must be getting ready to close, I better head inside.->Diner Enter]] [[Something's not right here. Maybe I'll have better luck at the gas station.-> Gas Station Look]] [[Although it makes me sick to my stomach, maybe someone at the lodge can help.-> Lodge Look]]

You walk up the porch stairs of the lodge. You've never been allowed in places like this, so you don't know how to act. You decide to scrape your bare feet on the stairs to get some of the mud off, and button your shirt the rest of the way. Stepping under the lantern you give the door a gentle knock. With the first rap of your knuckle the door swings open. From the dim kerosene lantern’s light, you can see a receiving desk and two passageways to the right and left, but not much else. [[I should use my flashlight to get a better look around. ->Flashlight Lodge Lobby]] [[Maybe nobody’s home? I should call out to be sure. ->Yell Lodge Lobby]] [[I'll just peak in the right side here. ->Private rooms lodge]] [[I'll just peak in the left side here. ->Lodge Dining hall]] (if: $LotusBlade is true)[[[This place seems off. I should get my blade out of my backpack and put it in my back pocket. ->ready blade lodge]]]

(if: $Heater is false)[Pressing the swinging glass door, you step inside the dark gas station service area. Another bell rings from above, but nobody appears. You hear rustling in the dark. You turn on your flashlight to examine the dark corners. As soon as you flip the switch something leaps from atop a counter and slaps the light from your hand. Ribbons of blood trail in the darkness. As you fight against it, slamming your fists into the unyielding hide of the creature you feel the course fabric of the coveralls and the buttons that run down it. Other than excruciating pain from the horrid creature ripping you open and devouring, that is the last thing you feel.(click-goto: ?page, "die gass station")] (else:)[Pressing the swinging glass door, you step inside the dark gas station service area. Another bell rings from above, but nobody appears. You hear rustling in the dark. You turn on your flashlight to examine the dark corners. You realize there isn’t much of anything there. Some display cases are tipped over. Motor oil cans and air fresheners are spilled on the checkboard floor. The cash register is collecting dust and the car magazines are slumping off the shelves. There anything to be done here. [[I saw a light on at the diner, maybe someone is there that can help.-> Diner Look]] [[I think that large building at the end of the road is my safest bet to find help-> Lodge Look]]]

You step through the double glass doors. No bell rings at your entering. the place in fact seems eerily silent except for the hum of a refrigerator in the back. You can see, in the dim light of the dining area the strong theme of the restaurant. Vinyl pigs dance around the edges of plates. Pig salt and pepper shakers adorn each table, and ceramic pigs hold flowers and decorate every spare bit of space. As you step forward to peer into the lighted kitchen your foot hits something. The bell from the door must have fallen off, it makes a harsh clanking sound as you accidentally kick it. Your heart jumps into your throat. The clatter of the bell almost echoes in the baron diner. As you are just catching your breath from the shock, a loud thud issues forth from the kitchen. You don't see anything moving. (if: $Heater is true)[[[That noise can't be good, I need to get out now.->Monster returns instant death]] ] (else:)[[[That noise can't be good, I need to get out now. ->pig town]] ] [[I’ll shine my flashlight around, so I can try to find what made the noise. ->Flashlight Diner]] [[Someone must have made that noise, I’ll try calling out to them. ->Call Out Diner]] [[It sounded like it came from the back, I’ll check out the kitchen. ->Enter Diner Kitchen]]

You look around the dining area and all you see are more dirty plates and a few additional pig chachkies that had been obscured by the dark. You can see the brass bells and the ripped cord that used to hold them to the door casing. You don't see anything moving, besides the flies around dirty plates. (if: $Heater is true)[[[I still feel uneasy. I should go back outside.->Monster returns instant death]] ] (else:)[[[I still feel uneasy. I should go back outside. ->pig town]] ] [[I still feel uneasy. I should go back outside. ->pig town]] [[I can't see anyone, but maybe they'll hear me. ->Call Out Diner]] [[The kitchen light is on. Something probably just fell. I'll look around just to calm my nerves. ->Enter Diner Kitchen]]

You say, "He-hey?" then a bit louder "Hey, uh anybody there?" After a moment you hear another thud, then another and another. After a few moments the racket stops. You are certain it is coming from the kitchen now. (if: $Heater is true)[[[Fuck everything about this, I'm going back outside.->Monster returns instant death]] ] (else:)[[[Fuck everything about this, I'm going back outside. ->pig town]] ] [[Maybe if I looked around with the flashlight something inane might be making that noise. ->Flashlight Diner]] [[Maybe someone is injured in there. I should go into the kitchen and help them. ->Enter Diner Kitchen]]

You walk around the main counter and into the lighted kitchen area behind. You see mostly things you'd expect to find in a greasy spoon's kitchen, a large griddle, some fryers, a large double sink loaded with dishes. There's also a large double door industrial fridge, the old style with handles that latch it securely shut. On the floor in front of the fridge is a pile of meat. It looks like someone had pulled all the meat from inside the fridge and some animal had made a mess of it. The ribs and T-bones show clear scratch marks from teeth or claws, and blood stains the white checkerboard tiles beneath. You can hear a hum from the refrigerator, but there's also a rhythmic scratching sound. Perhaps it's malfunctioning? Or maybe there's something inside. [[There must be a person inside there, they might be able to help. Maybe if I try talking to them.->talk to fridge]] [[It could be an animal or child stuck in that horrible cold. I should let them out.->open fridge]] (if: $LotusBlade is true)[[[What if the person or creature inside isn't happy to see me? I should get out that Lotus Blade just in case. ->Prepare Your Lotus Blade]] ] (if: $heater is true)[[[Fuck everything about this, I'm going back outside.->Monster returns instant death]] ] (else:)[[[Fuck everything about this, I'm going back outside.->pig town]] ]

As you run from the diner but something in the dark obstructs your path. A creature slams bodily into you flinging you to the ground. You see before you die is those overall buttons shining in the dim light. It has the drop on you. Attempts to flee or fight are negated by the creature's overwhelming strength. You scream in agony and terror with your last breaths. (click-goto: ?page, "monster returns instant death second")

You tentatively call out, "Hello? Is someone in there, or here— or uhm, anybody?" After a beat the noise inside the fridge intensifies, thumping and scratching sounds grow louder and louder. The doors start to shake but the clasps just barely hold them shut. [[It could be an animal stuck in that horrible cold. I should let them out. ->open fridge]] (if: $LotusBlade is true)[[[ I'm pretty sure whatever is inside there wants to eat me. I should get out that Lotus Blade out. ->Prepare Your Lotus Blade]] ] (if: $heater is true)[[[Fuck everything about this, I'm going back outside.->Monster returns instant death]] ] (else:)[[[Fuck everything about this, I'm going back outside.->pig town]]]

Curled into the too small space is a creature like the one you'd seen at the barn. This one was clad in grey fur and a ripped gown with button down aprin. It's claws and muzzle are coated in blood, and it's eyes are closed against the light. It lunges blind, and slowed by the cold it has endured, leaving you enough room to pull your hand back. Whatever strength was left in it's legs it uses to leap out. You struggle and attempt to fight back but slashes blindly and mercilessly. It finds your throat with one of it's hook like claws and all is lost. You begin to bleed out, and as you struggle, it drags your body out of the kitchen and into the darkness. (click-goto: ?page, "Open fridge second") [[]]

You dig around in your pack and gently withdraw the weapon, careful not to press the button or handled the bladed end. You ready it in your hand. A tap of the button and the blades spin for a second. The blades open like some mad electrified top. You feel ready to face whatever might lurk inside this fridge, be it balogna, or be it monster. (if: $heater is true)[[[It could be an animal or child stuck in that horrible cold. I should let them out.->open fridge Blade Ready]] ] (else:)[[[It could be an animal or child stuck in that horrible cold. I should let them out.->open fridge Blade Ready DEATH]] ] [[There must be a person inside there, they might be able to help. Maybe if I try talking to them.->talk to fridge Blade Ready]] (if: $heater is false)[[[Fuck everything about this, I'm going back outside.->Monster returns instant death]] ] (else:)[[[Fuck everything about this, I'm going back outside.->pig town]]]

You yell confidently, "Whoever's in there, or anyone within the sound of my voice, you better show yourself or make yourself heard! Ya'hear?" The scratching stops, only the low hum of the fridge can be heard. Chills run down your spine. (if: $heater is true)[[[It could be an animal stuck in that horrible cold. I should let them out.->open fridge Blade Ready]] [[Fuck everything about this, I'm going back outside.->pig town]] ] (else:)[[[It could be an animal stuck in that horrible cold. I should let them out.->open fridge Blade Ready DEATH]] [[Fuck everything about this, I'm going back outside.->Monster returns instant death]]]

(Set: $handhealth to it - 1) You open the fridge blade ready in your free hand. Curled into the too small space is a creature like the one you'd seen at the barn. This one was clad in grey fur and a ripped gown with button down apron. It's claws and muzzle are coated in blood, and its eyes are closed against the light. It lunges blind, and slowed by the cold it has endured, but you react quickly with the blade. You cut deep into its lower jaw. The whirring blades clatter against flesh bone and teeth creating a kaleidoscope of red. The creature collapses in a heap in the bottom of the fridge. it's clothes and yours are soaked in blood. As you pant the flow of adrenaline starts to slow. You realize your free hand was cut up badly by the claws of the creature. There's blood on the refrigerator door, it must have lashed out at your hand as soon as you opened it, but you didn't feel it in the moment. (if: $handhealth is 0)[You dig around the kitchen and find a dish towel and some duct tape. You wrap the clean enough dish towel around your hand and secure it in place with duct tape over top the old, torn bandage. Your hand is in a bad state. Even without the bandage you don't think you could use it for much of anything.] (else:)[You dig around the kitchen and find a dish towel and some duct tape. You wrap the clean enough dish towel around your hand and secure it in place with duct tape. It seems to have stopped the bleeding for now.] [[Whatever is going on this town is not safe. I gotta get out of here.->Blade ready dining hall continued. 2]]

You were a thirteen-year-old girl living a normal life in a small Kentucky town. You're darker skinned than your mother, so you can't pass around town like your momma, which made things tough. Your brother was light skinned and treated you like a little sister even though you were two and half years older. You always felt like an outcast even at home. Everyone was so fervent and righteous at church, but you never felt that way. Maybe that's why they all changed, and you didn't, maybe it's your skin tone or kinky hair. Last week you had just started to grasp Algebra. With this new craziness, you can only guess. When the change came over them you were frightened to death but not surprised. It was almost bedtime, and they were watching the television, and something strange happened to them. They were screaming and heaving as fur and claws all sprouted, their faces splitting, getting blood all over Momma's nice throw quilt. (click-goto: ?page, "ivy failure 2")

You open the fridge blade ready in your free hand. Curled into the too small space is a creature like the one you'd seen at the barn. This one was clad in grey fur and a ripped gown with button down aprin. It's claws and muzzle are coated in blood, and it's eyes are closed against the light. It lunges blind, and slowed by the cold it has endured, but you react quicly with the blade. You cut deep into it's lower jaw. The whirring blades clatter against flesh bone and teeth makeing a collidascope of red. Suddenly you hear a hissing sound behind you. The creature from the farm has suddenly appeared in the diner. It's not quick enough to save it's kin, but by chomping down on your hand and slicing you open with it's claws it ensures its revenge. You choke on your own blood as your abdomen bursts open. After a painful death you join the pile of meat on the floor. (click-goto: ?page, "open fridge death second") [[]]

Your flashlight first alights on the faded rug in the lobby. It was oval shaped with an insignia of a bird of prey clasping a banner. The lettering on the banner in the bird's talons has been too trodden to read any longer. There's also a reception desk with a chair and another unlit lantern behind it. A leather-bound portfolio set upon the desk appears to have been used as a guest book. You see a list of unfamiliar names, including a few where people had to leave their "mark" in lieu of signing. Posted on the face of the desk is a sign you don't very much like. To your left is a hallway that appears to lead into a larger room. To the right you see a dark curtain over a doorway with a sign that reads "Order Officers." [[Maybe nobody is home? I should call out to be sure.->Yell Lodge Lobby]] [[I'll just peak in the right side here.->Private rooms lodge]] [[I'll just peak in the left side here.->Lodge Dining hall]]

You call out "Uh, Hello? Uh, Sorry to bother you, but is anyone there?" From the right passageway you hear a thump, but nothing further. You try again, "Hello?" Still you receive no answer. [[I should use my flashlight to get a better look around. ->Flashlight Lodge Lobby]] [[I'll just peak in the left side here. ->Private rooms lodge]] [[I'll just peak in the left side here. ->Lodge Dining hall]]

You brush past a balding velvet curtain and ascend a staircase. From the top of the stairs you can make out vague details of the second floor due to moonlight blinking through a tiny window at the opposite end of the hall. There are three doors on each side of the hall. You presume each door opens into an office or private apartment. The far-right door seems to be left ajar. [[Maybe folks are sleeping up here, I'll try knocking. ->Try opening some of the doors]] [[That door is already open, maybe someone is inside and can help? ->Go to far right door]] [[Despite the moonlight, my flashlight could help me see what is going on up here. ->Flashlight Second Floor]] [[Before I go any further, I should try calling out to see if anyone is around. ->Yell Second floor]]

You step one foot over the threshold. to peak into the next room and find your view blocked by a Maitre'd podium and a folding screen. You reason this might be the entrance to a dining room. The room beyond is dark, and you'd have to step past the podium and screen to see more. [[I should just poke my head around and see if anybody is around. ->No light dining room delayed death]] [[Maybe if I call from here whoever is here is more likely to hear me and be heard. ->Yell in dining room INSTANT DEATH]] [[I'll take my flashlight out and look around inside. ->Flashlight dining room]]

Each of the doorknobs you try refuse to give even slightly. You find that knocking on the doors has no effect on the frame. It is almost as if the doors themselves are just facades carved into the wall. Nothing stirs from the inside in response to your knocking. [[That last door is already open, maybe someone is inside and can help? ->Go to far right door]] [[The moonlight is a bit dim, my flashlight could help me figure out what is going on up here. ->Flashlight Second Floor]] [[Before I go any further, I should try calling out to see if anyone is around. ->Yell Second floor]]

Approaching the door, you notice scratch marks deep in the carpet. you can't tell if they're caused by the poorly hung unlacquered door or if something heavy was dragged across the threshold. The act of peering into the room, let alone stepping over the threshold, is unsettling, dizzying. Mirrors, of varying shapes line the walls, as if every person in the county donated their mirrors to the lodge. A bay window on the right most wall reveals the moon wreathed in clouds. The mirrors not only reflect but seem to almost strengthen the moonlight producing a befuddling effect. As your eyes adjust to the room's strange lighting you make out more details. Sitting atop an end table with mirrored drawers is a strange etching. A domed mirror appears to have had silver removed from its back, creating shapes and lines between the reflective negative spaces. The rendering is primitive and hard to make out, but you think it was supposed to be a human figure with an owl's head and a crescent moon over its shoulder. (if: $Heater is false)[[[You feel deeply disturbed by the things you’re seeing, you decide to go back downstairs.->Monster returns shrine instant death]] ] (else:)[[[Fuck everything about this, I'm going back outside.->Lodge lobby disturbed]]]

The beam of your flashlight illuminates the hallway more thoroughly. Threadbare carpet runs all the way to under the far window. You can almost make out stains in the shape of barefoot feet here and there. The doors all look to be plain wood with a red brown finish, three to each side. Each door on the left is numbered odd numbers, sequentially one, three and five. The right-hand doors are numbered in corresponding evens excluding what would be door number six. Door number six itself is hanging ajar. It appears to be plain unfinished wood without a number affixed to its exterior. All the other doors are lacquered finished wood with metal numbers, all closed flush to the wall. [[I should try these numbered doors, maybe knock and then see if they open. ->Try opening some of the doors]] [[I’ll see what’s going on inside that room with the door that’s open. ->Go to far right door]] [[I should try yelling to see if I can wake someone up. ->Yell Second floor]]

You call out, "Hey, anybody there?" There are a few seconds of silence, perhaps a single cricket's chirp traverses the country air, then a thump. It sounds almost like someone stamping on the floor under the far-right hand room. You strain your ears to listen for more, but you hear nothing besides your own heartbeat and breathing. [[I doubt anyone is asleep up here after that noise, I'll try some doors to see if they open. ->Try opening some of the doors]] [[That door is already open, maybe I should look inside? ->Go to far right door]] [[The moonlight is a bit dim, my flashlight could help me figure out what is going on up here. ->Flashlight Second Floor]]

As you turn to face the door you see a figure standing in your way. A cold draft blows in. Chills run down your spine. You can see the claws, teeth, black beady eyes and those same overall buttons shining in the moonlight. You move towards the window, but the creature is too quick. It drags you out of the room and into the hallway. (if: $LotusBlade is true)[While it grips you, overpowering you with raw strength you attempt to draw your lotus blade, but it's too late. ]Its claws tear the skin from your face and you wail in pain. Your throat is ripped open and you're choking on your own blood as it floods your esophagus. As the world fades your one remaining eye peers into room number six. The creature seems to look at the alter with some form of deference, kneeling before it. (click-goto: ?page, "monster returns shrine")

The lobby is just how you left it. However, you feel that you're looking at the whole town, and the strange monster that stalked you with new eyes. The people brought something to this town beyond your understanding and you've blundered into the middle of it. You're distracted from this reverie by a bump in the distance. Straining your ears to pinpoint the sound you feel pain shoot from your hand. You look down to realize a few shards of glass have jammed themselves in your knuckles. Did you smash the mirror without realizing it? What compelled you to bash that graven image? [[I see to my wound but I have to get out of this cursed town. ->Blade ready dining hall continued.]] [[You feel compelled to investigate the right passage you'd seen before. You can hear movement there now. ->dining hall death]]

As you walk around the partition you investigate the room. Your mind has only an instant to attempt to comprehend the site in front of you. Wood dining room tables and upholstered chairs have been scattered aside. What remains of the dining room was a huge rug embroidered with what had been the lodge's insignia. The viscera of two corpses obscure the symbols and lettering. A deer carcass and a human body. They are such a mess that the two bodies mingle into one mass of indiscernible flesh. Flesh bone and blood all torn out and spilled haphazardly on the fine rug. Surrounding the intermingled bodies are townspeople encircling it as if to greet you in their bestial forms. A butcher’s smock, a waitress’s apron, tattered denim, and a policeman’s uniform betray their former human lives. As the light of the flashlight falls upon them their eyes close against it but they do not flinch nor cower. You're utterly stunned by the unprecedented placidity of these bizarre humanoid hybrids. You're mind races in a futile attempt to comprehend. “What do they want? To eat me or make me like them?" before you can complete the thought however you're grabbed from behind and held firm. You can't turn your head far enough to see but you recognize the smell of the rainy soil and a tobacco field. The creatures slowly approach. The creature behind pins your arms to your side with such force you can't turn on the light[(if: $LotusBlade is true), or reach for the blade] you can only kick helplessly and scream. They tear you open. The pain is agonizing, and your pleading screams do not deter them for even a moment. The contents of your abdomen fall to the floor and they tear flesh away and cram it into their crimson stained maws. Your lifeforce seeps away, replaced by agony, until there is nothing left. (click-goto: ?page, "dining hall death2")

(set: $bladeready to true)You dig to the bottom of your backpack and remove the Lotus blade, careful to only touch the handle. You carefully slide it into your back jeans pocket. You're confident you could grab it quickly if needed but sitting down could end in serious injury. You feel like you could take on anything this lodge might hold. [[I should use my flashlight to get a better look around. ->Flashlight Lodge Lobby]] [[Maybe nobody is home? I should call out to be sure. ->Yell Lodge Lobby]] [[I'll just peak in the right side here. ->Private rooms lodge]] [[I'll just peak in the left side here. ->Lodge Dining hall]]

You poke your head around the corner, but you don't see much. The room is too dark to see beyond a few feet of rug in front of you. You do however hear a hissing sound. Your hair stands on end. You realize that something or some things are in there. [(if: $LotusBlade is true) You draw your blade, but you realize it is useless.] Fur clad creatures fan their way past the screen and surround you. Claws find your eyes, mouth neck. A cascade of pain overwhelms you as the creatures pile atop you fighting to consume your flesh. (click-goto: ?page, "No light death 2")

You holler into the adjacent room. "Hey, is anybody in there? Hello?!" Your calls are answered by louder thuds on the floor as a group approach. [(if: $LotusBlade is true) You draw your blade, but you realize it is useless.] Fur clad creatures fan their way out the door and surround you. Claws find your eyes, mouth neck. A cascade of pain overwhelms you as the creatures pile atop you fighting to consume your flesh. (click-goto: ?page, "Yell Instant death")

As you walk around the partition you investigate the room. Your mind has only an instant to attempt to comprehend the site in front of you. Wood dining room tables and upholstered chairs have been scattered aside. What remains of the dining room was a huge rug embroidered with what had been the lodge's insignia. The viscera of two corpses obscure the symbols and lettering. A deer carcass and a human body. They are such a mess that the two bodies mingle into one mass of indiscernible flesh. Flesh bone and blood all torn out and spilled haphazardly on the fine rug. In the darkness surrounding the oval of light cast by your flashlight you register movement. You swing the light around the room as you step back (if: $bladeready is true)[ fishing the Lotus blade from your back pocket]. You can't help but let out a scream as figures are revealed to you by the erratic flashes of light. Red gore glistens on their fleshy paws as they attempt to shield their eyes from your flashlight's beam, creatures advance from the periphery. The creatures' hands are twisted, inhuman, and unlike any hands you have ever seen. Each has long twisting claws that seemed to extend out from the fingertips like boning hooks. You wonder what and who and why, when something shines back in the light, the nickel-plated Sherriff’s badge that hangs from a tattered uniform worn by one of them. The creature cowers as the light hits its eyes, but four— no maybe five others advance on you in the darkness. (if: $Heater is true)[[[I have to do something to slow them down, maybe yell at them?->Yell at creatures INSTANT DEATH]] [[I just gotta run for it.->COWARDLY INSTANT DEATH]] (if: $bladeready is true)[[[I better make use of this blade while I try to slow them with the light.-> Blade Ready dining hall]] ] (if: $bladeready is false and $LotusBlade is true)[[[I'm going to have to dig out that blade from my backpack, hopefully I can use my flashlight to hold them off for now.->Blade not ready dining hall]]] ] (if: $heater is false)[[[I have to do something to slow them down, maybe yell at them?->Yell at creatures INSTANT DEATH]] [[I just gotta run for it.->COWARDLY INSTANT DEATH]] (if: $bladeready is true)[[[ I better make use of this blade while I try to slow them with the light.-> Blade Ready dining hall SURPISE DEATH]] ] (Elseif: $bladeready is false and $LotusBlade is true)[[[I'm going to have to dig out that blade from my backpack, hopefully I can use my flashlight to hold them off for now.->Blade not ready dining hall SURPSIE DEATH]]]]

You yell at them desperately, "Hey, hey! Stay away! Get back!" The protestations seem to have the opposite of the intended effect. They're undeterred by the light they pinpoint your location by sound. You try to turn and run but they all fall upon you too quickly.[(if: $LotusBlade is true) You draw your blade, but it is useless.] Fur clad creatures surround you. Claws find your eyes, mouth neck. A cascade of pain overwhelms you as the creatures pile atop you fighting for your flesh. (click-goto: ?page, "yell instant death")

You turn to run, using your flashlight to illuminate your exit path. Within seconds the creatures fall upon your back. You realize too late that the only thing keeping them from pouncing on you was the light of the flashlight. Any attempt to fight back is overpowered by their strength and the sheer weight of them on your back. Your screams are muffled into the hard wood floor as their combined weight crushes you. Air is forced out and you don't have the strength to bring it back in. Mercifully you suffocate before they rip you apart and consume you. (click-goto: ?page, "cowardly death")

(Set: $handhealth to it - 1) You stumble backwards swinging the blade and the flashlight wildly to fend the creatures off. Adrenaline makes your hands shake, and fatigue has your breathing ragged. Still you're able to blind the creatures as you back the front door. You half trip over the door sill, catching yourself, but as you do one of the creatures braves the light, lunging blindly towards you. You try to put the flashlight between you and the creature, but it slashes your arm with those mean claws. The flashlight tumbles to the ground. Instead you're forced to thrust the Lotus Blade. The blade whirs ardently. Its petals spreading electricity arcing to the creature's leather apron. The apron and thick furry hide split easily on the spinning blade. The beast’s entrails explode outwards, and it spasms with the pulse of electricity letting out a hellish squeal as it slumps over. The others, pressing behind, seem to pause before the pool of light next to the fallen, and the stricken beast grasping as it quickly bleeds out. You take the opportunity to turn and run. (click-goto: ?page, "blade ready dh extension")

You clip the flashlight in to your jacket pocket and flick your backpack off in one fluid motion. You've been in plenty of hairy situations wandering the country and have practice doing this. Digging blindly into the bag, using the flashlight to deter the creatures who cower away from the flickering light, you find it. You grasp the plastic handle and draw the Lotus Blade disregarding the bag and its contents as they tumble to the floor. You're forced to use it immediately. One of the creatures has gotten too close. You swing the blade pressing the button. Electricity arcs to the beast's claws with a snap. It withdraws its hand. Others encroach. You're having to swing the light and the blade wildly to keep them at bay. [[I gotta run for it, no way I can take them on and live. ->COWARDLY INSTANT DEATH]] [[Fuck it, I'll take them all on!->delayed death]]

You stumble backwards swinging the blade and the flashlight wildly to fend the creatures off. Adrenaline makes your hands shake, and fatigue has your breathing ragged. Still you're able to blind the creatures as you back blindly back towards the front door. You back into something. For a moment you think the door must have closed until you feel harry arms wrap around you from behind. Hook like claws dig into your wrists. The claws cut deep, severing tendons making your fingers useless. As the blade and flashlight tumble to the ground the creature bites into you. The long sharp teeth enter your neck first then intertwine with your ribcage. The pain is excruciating. You can see the blood rushing out, and feel it rushing down into your lungs. The other creatures approach, but hesitate, as if in deference to the larger beast that stopped you at the door. You feel drained until nothing is left but agony. You can faintly smell the rain-soaked tobacco field’s soil, and you realize the creature you saw there, is the one behind, that you can't see, only feel his agony. (click-goto: ?page, "blade surprise death")

You try to turn and run from the room, but something obstructs your path. A creature slams bodily into you flinging you to the ground. You see those overall buttons shining in the dim light. Attempts to flee or fight are negated by the pack of creatures, now six strong, pouncing atop you, clawing gouging and biting. You scream in agony and terror with your last breaths. (click-goto: ?page, "dining surprise death")

You bolt out the door. Reaching the road you realize that no furred feet slap the ground behind you. You turn to look back. You see a claw reach out from the darkness and slap the lantern over the doorway. The glas shatters on the gravel walkway and the light snuffs itself out, but you've already turned and are running full speed. Fear has gripped your mind. You run into the forest. You hope that the tree cover will make it harder for those things to follow. You run until your chest grows tight and the lotus blade, still gripped tightly in your hand, has grown heavy. You put it in your pocket, still running as you do. You chance a look at your hands and you suddenly realize just how much blood has covered you. It's caked on your arms and torso and drying in the cool night air. Worse it's not all that creature's blood your hand is bleeding pretty bad. (if: $handhealth is 1)[Trying not to slow your pace you sling your backpack down and retrieve clean socks. You wrap them around your wounds and then secure them tightly with ducktape.] (if: $handhealth is 0)[You retrieve a cleanish shirt and some tape. You hope you can at least staunch the flow, but your hand is useless. You could bleed out, as long as you don't leave a trail of blood for them to follow.] You pick up pace and get moving. Soon however your breathing grows heavy, your vision begins to blur. You press on until you can barely walk at all, then press on further. Then something catches your eye. (click-goto: ?page, "blade ready dining hall continued buffer")

Between the trees you see a light, an electric light. You stop long enough for your vision to coalesce. It is a house surrounded by dense forest. You've stumbled onto its stone paved driveway. A second story window is lit. You realize you've lost your only light source and feel drawn to the house. You step a few feet closer and notice there's a silhouette of a figure in that wide bay window. You trundle up the walkway. The smooth cold limestone seems to sooth your sore feet. The house doesn't seem to be part of a farm but there's a chicken coop to your left. It is dark, but you think you can make out chickens sleeping in their nests. You hope that whatever curse befell that town hasn't reached here yet. [[I should try waiving and calling to whoever is upstairs. They're the only human I've seen in days after all. ->Wave at house]] [[Who knows what's going on here, but I must get to that light and shelter as soon as possible. I'll just barge in the door. ->Barge Door DEATH]] [[This chicken coop seems suspicious, maybe I should check it out? ->Chicken Coop DEATH]]

You yell, "Hey! You up there!" and wave your hands. There's a surreal moment as you see the figure in the second story window wave back. You realize belatedly that it appears to be a little girl. You wonder for a moment why a child would be up at this hour. Then the light of the upper room blinks out. You realize too late something has burst from the little coach house's front door. A creature is sprinting towards you. [[There's only one, I gotta fight back. That girl won't make it on her own. ->End part 1]] [[This must be some kind of trap. I have to run for it. ->Die running]] [[I'm too weak at this point. I'll just have to stand here and let this happen. ->Give Up]]

You feel a pang of guilt as you climb the porch stairs. The porch is painted pristine white but drag marks mar the threshold. You open the door and find a placid looking family home. The kitchen is just to your left and the cupboards look as if they've been raided, but otherwise things seem normal. You see a reclining chair, in the living room down the hall in front you. It seems so inviting and you begin to step towards it. Your feet beg for some respite after all the adrenaline-fueled exertion and blood loss. You notice however that it is rocking back and forth as if it was just vacated. Before you can piece that thought together a creature slashes at you. They've snuck through the dining room to your right catching you off guard. You draw the Lotus Blade and swing it in a desperate defense. The creature wails as you cut its handpaw but it lunges it's head in biting down on your bicep. You call out for help, but you hear nothing from the room above. You try to free your arm but another creature steps through the front doorway you've left ajar. It joins in, biting down on your throat, lacerating your body with its claws. You lose blood fast and consciousness goes with it. As the sun goes up, the creatures drag the remnants of your body into the basement. (click-goto: ?page, "barge door") [[]]

You step over the chicken wire fencing and make hesitant steps towards the coop. As you get closer you can see the coop has not been painted but is coated in dried blood. You can see piles of fetid feathers and bones. Something is not right. You wonder “maybe this child in the window is a trap?” As you attempt to back away from the chicken abattoir you step on something slick, perhaps a rotting gizzard, and fall. You fall flat on your back and the air is knocked out of you. Worse yet something inside the coop rustles in response to the noise from your fall. As you start to climb to your feet a creature emerges, one much smaller than the others you've seen so far. The gangly child of these horrid creatures. You stand and brandish the lotus blade. Surprisingly in response the creature cowers and begins to squeal and sob like an injured animal. You're so taken aback you almost don't see the others descend upon you. Two more of the creatures, these apparently adults, rush towards the chicken coop. One from the direction of the house and the other from the direction of surrounding forest. You swing the Lotus Blade in belated response but as you’re distracted by the other two the child strikes. It bites down on your calf. The teeth close like a bear trap, some sliding between your fibula and tibia causing deep excruciating pain. You try to strike the child, but the others bite and slash. You realize as they rip you apart that you've stumbled upon one of the oldest grifts in the book. A child seems like an easy mark, until the parents come around. After you've faded away, the horrifying family drags you inside and add your body to their larder. (click-goto: ?page, "chicken coop")

buffer page: click to skip (if: $handhealth is 2)[ (click-goto: ?page, "Health 2")] [[]] (if: $handhealth is 1 or 0)[ (click-goto: ?page, "Health low")]

You turn around to see another creature moving towards you from the tree line. Determined to run, you take a route perpendicular to it. Unfortunately the strength you had has been all but expended and the creatures close on you before you leave the front drive. They strike and take you to the ground. In a last ditch effort you draw the lotus blade. You attempt strikes with fury and conviction, but they over power you, cut deep and end it all. (click-goto: ?page, "Ivy success")

As they fall upon you you let your body go slack. They do not relent, however, without struggle they end it all quickly for you, if not painlessly. (click-goto: ?page, "Ivy success")

You ran to your room and stayed there. They'd slam against the door, but it held against them, and for some reason Papa forgot how to use his key. You learned that during the daylight they'd retreat to the basement. When they did, you'd go down stairs to get food and such. You knew just where all the creaky floorboards were, and you were extra careful not to make any noise. You'd have to ignore the mess they'd left from their night snacks, blood trails leading down into the basement, the occasional eviscerated rabbit in Joseph's play room. (click-goto: ?page, "Ivy success part 3")

You'd stay awake all night. You couldn't sleep through all the ruckus of hissing and slaughter. You'd wait til’ morning, get what you needed from the kitchen, then sleep. It had been three days of this strange new routine, and the cupboards were starting to grow bare. You woke up a little before sunup and peered out the window, waiting for Momma and Poppa to return. Then you saw something, or someone rather unexpected. You saw a man, dark skinned and curly hair like you, just out on the drive. he looked homeless, and a bit worse for wear, but he was the first living human you'd seen in over two days. He waved at you, and without thinking, you waved back. (click-goto: ?page, "Ivy success part 4")

The man called out, although you could barely hear him, you did hear the slapscratch of your father's feet on the kitchen tile. You fell back away from the window. You see him struggle, and your father attack him. You try to scream to warn him of your mother approaching from behind, but it's for naught. Your pillow is all that you have to shut out the outside world, to muffle the screams. When you finally pull yourself from your pillow, it's damp with tears. The sun has come up, and the horrid noises have subsided. You look out the window again. You're surprised to see the unfamiliar man's body out there baking in the waxing morning sun. Your parents, whatever they are now, usually dragged their meals inside. This one they left after eating their fill. Perhaps the sun came up before they could move him into the larder. You turn away from the window quickly. Something did catch your eye, and sticks in your memory, below the thrum of dread and dwindling hope, a glint in the sunlight. That weapon that the man brandished before being struck down. [[I can't go messing with no corpse. I best forget about it. I need to get more food from downstairs and go to sleep. ->return to routine]] [[I should go out there and take that man's weapon. I don't ever want to use it, but it's probably better than my momma's dull kitchen knives. ->collect lotus blade]] [[I just need to leave this town. I'll take the car and drive as far as I can. ->car escape DEATH]]

You ignore the body and return to your old routine. The next night they drag it inside, and that strange weapon goes with it. The food in the house lasts longer than you would have thought, especially when you stop eating until you're full, and just eat so that your stomach doesn't hurt. Then one night you see the pantry has been torn off the wall, and its contents made a mess of on the floor. That same night, your door doesn't hold out, when they throw their combined weight against it. (click-goto: ?page, "routine dead end") [[]]

You have a bag that you used to carry books in for school. You tiptoe down to the kitchen careful to count the floorboards, so you don't step on the creaky ones. You fill your tote with crackers, canned soups and meats, before you head outside. You pass the garage, the overhead door is half open. You can see the car’s bumper peeking out. You pass it by and count the pavement stones. You don't look up from your feet until you get close to the body. Even then you don't want to keep your eyes on it. You look instead for a moment at the chicken coop. The blood has dried black, now it is just a sepulcher to the chickens Joseph slaughtered that first night. You try to keep the scene of a man's abdomen emptied hastily of contents on your periphery as you look for the blade. You spot it, still in the dead man's hand to your surprise. You can tell from looking at it that the hand still grips the blade. The knuckles still locked, white. The weapon is a strange thing, unlike a knife, round yet sharp. The name Lotus Blade comes to mind, but you don't know where from. You give it a tiny kick with your tennis shoe, but the fingers refuse to relent. [[I’ll Leave it be, nothing’s worth mutilating a corpse. ->Abandon blade DEATH]] [[I really don't want to touch this thing. I'll just kick it harder. ->Kick Hand Death]] [[The world is awful dangerous now, I gotta get that blade. ->Yank Blade]]

As slowly as possible, you open the creaky door into the garage, then even more slowly, lift the overhead door just enough for the car to clear. You get into the driver's seat of the cream-colored sedan and open visor to retrieve the keys. As you turn the ignition you hear *BANG* from the exhaust backfiring. As the engine grumbles to life there's a loud screeching that can be heard from inside. You try to switch the car into drive as fast as you can, but something's wrong. It ends with the sound of car windows being smashed open. (click-goto: ?page, "car dead end")

You leave the blade but retrieve the man's backpack. As you transfer food into it, you hear something move by the old chicken coop. You return your attention back to the bags. Then you remember, that after decimating the chickens Joseph, in his new monstrous form, had taken to sleeping in the chicken coop. By the time you turn to look again your brother is stumbling towards you, his eyes pinched against the sun. You can't defend yourself and he's too close to outrun. You could try pleading, but he never listened when he was human. (click-goto: ?page, "abandon dead end")

You give the hand a solid kick. The fingers don’t give but your kick triggers something. The blades spin making a horrid noise as they scratch the paving stones and electricity arcs with a snap. Then you remember, that after decimating the chickens your brother, in his new monstrous form, had taken to sleeping in the chicken coop. By the time you turn to look again your brother is stumbling towards you, his eyes pinched against the sun. You can't defend yourself and he's too close to outrun. You could try pleading, but he never listened when he was human. (click-goto: ?page, "kick hand death")

You try to pry the fingers back with your hands but they're stone stiff. You struggle, twist and strain, but it won't give. You close your eyes and try not look at the body. Finally, you take some deep breaths, you're determined to get this blade. You put your foot on the wrist and use all your muscles to pry the fingers away. As you finally free it from the fingers it slips, something has triggered the button and it spins arcing electricity into the stones below as it falls. There's a loud snap of the electricity and a skittering of the blade against stones. You stumble backwards and away but fall. You hear a rustling in the direction of the chicken coop. A mound of white fur rises behind the chicken wire. You realize that Joseph never came in last night with Momma and Poppa. He'd been sleeping in the chicken coop. He crawls out of coop sniffing the air, his muzzle rusty red from blood. His eyes are pressed tight against the light, but he stumbles blindly in your direction by smell. He hisses and screeches as he scents the air. His striped shorts barely cling to his wobbly fur clad legs. [[I have to grab that blade, I can use it to scare Joseph away. ->retrieve blade]] [[I gotta put something between me and him. I'll run into the house. ->Run inside DEATH]] [[I should just run for it, get as far away from him and this house as I can. -> Run Away DEATH]]

You run over to the blade and reach for it. As soon as you grip it you swing around. You were hoping to use it to scare off little Joseph. However, the blades of the weapon just happen to collide with his face as you fling your arm. His bared teeth shatter like Popsicle sticks against the Lotus Blade. He stumbles back and shrieks. You're dumbfounded. You've never hurt another living thing before, not on purpose, not permanently. As the creature’s pitiful yelps grow louder and louder you try to plead with it. [["Shhh shhh now, I didn't mean to— hush, now hush!"]]

You just manage to outrun Joseph and get inside. You lock the door and turn to see your parents ascending from the basement. (click-goto: ?page, "run dead end") [[]]

You run as fast as you can away leaving the blade and bookbag behind. As you slow to catch your breath almost a mile down the road you look over your shoulder. Joseph is there, following, sniffing your trail on hands and knees. You start to run again, but you don't know how long you can keep this up. (click-goto: ?page, "run away dead end")

The thing that was Joseph crumpled next to the chicken wire fence and continues to cry out. His claws retract and the twisted little fingers survey the damage inside his mouth. You're somehow afraid that you might get in trouble, but also scared to death that them in the basement might hear. You move in closer. You don't know what to do but want to help soothe the pain you’ve caused. You try to look at the damage inside its mouth. As you move in the creature swings at you. Blinded by the daylight, it misjudges the distance and you're able to jump back. You wave the Lotus Blade at it, tears form in your eyes as you beg, [["Please I'll hurt you just stop it Joseph. Go away!"]]

He doesn't. Blood dripping from his mouth he swings claws carelessly using his left hand to cover his snout. He continues to lunge at you. You realize whatever sense he once had, is gone. When he comes at you again, leaping forward, you close your eyes and press the button on the weapon's handle. You hear cries. The lamentations sputter into awful wet sounds. When you open your eyes, you realize you're on top of him. His throat looks like red cabbage spitting strawberry jam into the bluegrass. The black eyes shut against the light as the last bit of life seeps from the little body. You can't stop your hands from shaking and you bite your tongue to keep from crying aloud. You tell yourself that you never wanted to hurt him, that he made you do it. However, you remember that time he burned up one of your dolls in the basement furnace and how you wanted to hurt him bad. You've hated him since he was born. Poppa always liked him better and didn't try to hide it and that made you so angry. You're glad he's dead. thinking this, a horrible pit grows in your stomach forcing tears out your eyes painfully. You're frightened by the idea that what folks said about you is true. You always strived to be better than that anger inside you. Momma always said blood ran thicker than water. You see that now, in how the blood doesn’t seep down into the soil. [[Stay silent a long while.]]

You whipe your tears after a while and notice the light has changed. It's getting later in the day. You know if you get going now you could make it to Brownsville up north before it gets dark. You remember there being a store that just sold light fixtures, maybe you could hide in there. END

This section of the cave hasn't been cleared for foot travel. The floor is slick. Your pathway is often blocked by large round formations that you climb slowly. You make progress gradually. Mineral deposits take strange organic shapes, like minarets, teeth, and carousels of stone. You pass by a serene pool filled with strange blind creatures wriggling beneath the surface. After that you notice a wretched smell on the air, sulfur thick and acrid. As you continue forward the smell grows stronger. You start having to trudge forward, as some ichor like substance clings to your combat boots. Yet more unsettling in the darkness it seems to you the ceiling is moving, ever so slightly. [[What the hell is on the ceiling? I'll use my flashlight to look at it.->Disturb Bats]] [[I should see what is sticking to my boots.->Look at boots]] [[Whatever it is I should just keep trucking along.->North 2]] [[I don't trust this, maybe I should try the other way.->South 1]]

You force your way between the pillars. You slide through easily, but suddenly you find that you're over a pool of water. You try to clasp the pillars to keep from falling through but you they're too slick for you to find purchase. You tumble into the water and start to sink. You attempt to swim, kicking your legs furiously, but something drags you beneath. A currant pulls beneath the surface of these serene cave waters. It drags you down to some dark depth, where you drown, struggling futilely. (click-goto: ?page, "South 2")

As soon as you flick the light on, you're struck with a cacophony of screeches and fluttering wings. Bats cling to the ceiling in large furry lumps. The ones closest to you scatter and fly northward, arcing around your head as they flap their wings. Seeing that, you’re confident that the cave mouth must be around the next bend. [[If there's bats up there, what's on my boots?->Look at boots]] [[I'll just continue forward. No need to bother the bats further->North 2]]

The floor near where you stand is covered in black goop. Further north the sludge grows into larger mounds. You're certain these mounds are the source of the stench. [[Where is this stuff coming from? I should look at the ceiling.->Disturb Bats]] [[I'll just have to trudge on through.->North 2]]

You trudge forward. The sticky glop grows into loose piles the height of your ankles. You drag your feet to keep from slipping. It almost reminds you of walking in slushy ditches up in Wisconsin this past winter. As you come around a bend in the cave you see light in the distance. The sun is low, but you still have a few hours of daylight left. [[Better get out of this cave then.->Cave Mouth]]

The man called out, although you could barely hear him, you did hear the slapscratch of your father's feet on the kitchen tile. You fell back away from the window. You see him struggle, and your father attack him. You try to scream to warn him of your mother approaching from behind, but it's for naught. Your pillow is all that you have to shut out the outside world, to muffle the screams. You pull yourself from your pillow, it's damp with tears. The sun has come up, and the horrid noises have subsided. You look out the window again. You're surprised to see your parent's bodies on the stone paved driveway. Little Joseph lying between them. Blood has pooled around them. Papa's throat, Momma's eyes, poor little Josephs tummy are all eviscerated thoroughly. inside bits exposed to the sun. You feel a wave of grief coming on, but you know they weren't the family you knew, they were awful monsters that came one night, like a nightmare. You dry the tears from you face and search the landscape for the strange man. suddenly you hear a thud from the kitchen bellow. They start out talking really loud, but lose momentum, "Help! You up there? I'm uh *cough* hurt pretty bad! I need to get to a hospital or sumthin." [[I don't know this stranger. I should just leave him there and wait until he goes away. ->let him die]] [[I should help him. With them gone, we can leave this awful house. ->Help the stranger]]

You ignore his pleas, and make sure your bedroom door is locked securely. He's silent for a long while, but then calls out again. "Please somebody, help me, I'm dyin'." He attempts to ascend the stairs but fails, collapsing on them with a thump. You try to ignore it all. You try to sleep but you wake up in fits from nightmares. That evening as the sun is going down you look out the window. On the lawn you can see creatures. Over a dozen of them. A tattered set of coveralls clings to the one that leads the pack. (click-goto: ?page, "let die") [[]]

You descend to find the stranger collapsed in the front hall. You can tell he's in very bad shape. Open wounds, claw marks, and bite marks. His arm is coated with blood and a belt is cinched at the shoulder above the wound. You wonder why he tied it above the wound and not on top of the gory section of his bicep. He's unconscious, shallowly breathing with his face smooshed against the hallway carpet. You think if you can get him into the car in the garage you might be able to get him to a hospital or someplace that can help him. [[I bet I could drag him over there. He's in bad shape. ->too heavy]] [[I'll have to try to wake him up. Maybe I can splash water on him like I seen in movies? ->wake up]]

You try lifting him. You only get his arm up off the floor before you realize that he's too heavy to lift. It falls limply back to the ground. [[I'll have to try to wake him up. Maybe I can splash water on him like I seen in movies? ->wake up]]

You fill a coffee mug with water from the tap and dump it on the man's face. He wakes up with a start. With his un damaged arm he grips your wrist a little too hard. You can see fear in his eyes. You reflexively shout, "Ouch!" He lets his hand drop to the floor. Looking worried he asks, "What are you doing here?" You say, "I could ask you the same mister." He looks around, taking in his surroundings, observing injuries. "I guess so. I ain't really come from nowhere, I just pass through this town and well. I don't like to ask this of a little girl, but I need help." [["I know you're hurt mister. My parents have— uh I mean had— a rambler in the garage that we could use to get someplace safe."]]

You help him walk, He puts some weight on you but not enough to make your knees buckle. You walk into the garage where your parent's tan rambler sits collecting dust. You open the back door and help him in. "Why you puttin' me in the back? Who's gonna drive?" You're a little offended, "You ain't gonna make it in that state mister, you just rest. I'll drive." "You know how to drive?" "Yep, Momma taught me, she took me out while little Joseph was playing baseball. I got good enough to shift gears without it grumblin' too much." "Uh huh." The stranger slumps on his side in the back seat. You open the garage door the rest of the way and start the car. It backfires loudly causing you and the stranger to jump, but nobody comes running. The man was more awake than you'd seen him, "What was that?" [["The car does that sometimes, I shoulda' warned you."]]

He grumbles, settling into the back seat, "Oh, oh right." There was a bit of quiet while you got the car going down the drive. You had to drive up on the lawn to avoid the bodies. Papa would have killed you if he'd seen the nasty tracks you'd left in his lawn. Course it was too late for that now. The man spoke up again. "What's your name anyway girl? I'm sorry I hadn't asked." "Ivy. What's yours?" "Ian, my name's Ian." Ian drifted off to sleep again. You let him rest. You hit the highway and drove out of the only town you'd ever known. END

You'd stay awake all night. You couldn't sleep through all the ruckus of hissing and slaughter. You'd wait until morning, get what you needed from the kitchen, then sleep. It had been three days of this strange new routine, and the cupboards were starting to grow bare. You have dreams of some story book knight coming to save you, but no-one ever comes around. One day, the food runs out, and the door fails to hold them at bay. [[Game Over->Intro 1]]

You'd stay awake all night. You couldn't sleep through all the ruckus of hissing and slaughter. You'd wait until morning, get what you needed from the kitchen, then sleep. It had been three days of this strange new routine, and the cupboards were starting to grow bare. You woke up a little before sunup and peered out the window, waiting for Momma and Poppa to return. Then you saw something, or someone rather unexpected. You saw a man, dark skin and curly hair like you, just out on the drive. Before you could wave, run out, or holler to warn him, he's gone. Now he adds to the stench of your parent's basement horde. [[Game Over->Intro 1]]

You grab the empty tin can and a rusty old chain. You clank them together. It is pretty loud but the sound likely won’t escape the barn. You step out the barn door, just a few feet, start making a racket with the chain and can. You hope the sound doesn't reach the farm house a quarter mile south. You know that such loud noises should scare off a bear or coyote. Living rough, you've had more than a few come sniffing after your comestibles. However, in this case the noise doesn't seem to deter whatever moves in the trees and shrubs. From the strange movement you can tell it’s no ordinary critter. It seems to walk haltingly, as if injured. It isn't it steps into the light that you can make it out. White fur covers a rat like snout that opens revealing rows upon rows of needle like teeth. An alien hiss escapes its pink slavering gullet. A hook tipped hand reaches to cover its beady black eyes. Seeing these things on their own might not have made you jump. You've spent over a decade living rough, across the country and have seen all manner of beast, but you saw, reflecting in the light, the buttons on the ripped coveralls the creature was wearing. (click-goto: ?page, "what now 2")

You try to shine your flashlight through the window, but it reflects off the old streaky glass pane making it difficult to see. Instead you step out through the barn doors. You shine the light on the tree line where you saw movement. You catch a brief glimpse of white fur. A polar bear? You wonder. No impossible, not this far south. At a break in the trees you catch a glimpse of it and all reason leaves your mind. White fur covers a rat like snout that opens revealing rows upon rows of needle like teeth. An alien hiss escapes its pink slavering gullet. A hook tipped hand reaches to cover its beady black eyes. Seeing these things on their own might not have made you jump. You've spent over a decade living rough, across the country and have seen all manner of beast, but you saw, reflecting in the light, the buttons on the ripped coveralls the creature was wearing. (click-goto: ?page, "what now")

Placeholder: click to procede (click-goto: ?page, " abandon things")

Placeholder: click to procede (click-goto: ?page, " abandon things.")

Placeholder: click to procede (click-goto: ?page, "grab and go")

Placeholder: click to procede (click-goto: ?page, "choke and die.")

As you walk around the partition you investigate the room. Your mind has only an instant to attempt to comprehend the site in front of you. Wood dining room tables and upholstered chairs have been scattered aside. What remains of the dining room was a huge rug embroidered with what had been the lodge's insignia. The viscera of two corpses obscure the symbols and lettering. A deer carcass and a human body. They are such a mess that the two bodies mingle into one mass of indiscernible flesh. Flesh bone and blood all torn out and spilled haphazardly on the fine rug. Surrounding the intermingled bodies are townspeople encircling it as if to greet you in their bestial forms. A butcher’s smock, a waitress’s apron, tattered denim, and a policeman’s uniform betray their former human lives. As the light of the flashlight falls upon them their eyes close against it but they do not flinch nor cower. You're utterly stunned by the unprecedented placidity of these bizarre humanoid hybrids. You're mind races in a futile attempt to comprehend. “What do they want? To eat me or make me like them?" before you can complete the thought however you're grabbed from behind and held firm. You can't turn your head far enough to see but you recognize the smell of the rainy soil and a tobacco field. The creatures slowly approach. The creature behind pins your arms to your side with such force you can't turn on the light(if: $LotusBlade is true)[, or reach for the blade] you can only kick helplessly and scream. They tear you open. The pain is agonizing, and your pleading screams do not deter them for even a moment. The contents of your abdomen fall to the floor and they tear flesh away and cram it into their crimson stained maws. Your lifeforce seeps away, replaced by agony, until there is nothing left. (click-goto: ?page, "Ivy failure state")

You yell at them desperately, "Hey, hey! Stay away! Get back!" The protestations seem to have the opposite of the intended effect. They're undeterred by the light they pinpoint your location by sound. You try to turn and run but they all fall upon you too quickly.[(if: $LotusBlade is true) You draw your blade, but it is useless.] Fur clad creatures surround you. Claws find your eyes, mouth neck. A cascade of pain overwhelms you as the creatures pile atop you fighting for your flesh. (click-goto: ?page, "Ivy failure state")

You make calculated strikes to keep them at bay while doing maximum damage. You catch a hand, striking bone, leaving their claws dangling like the hooks on a dropper rig. You gouge a snout causing a fountain of blood to escape in exhalation. Not death blows, but you cause enough damage to make them cower. The one that was once a Sheriff however was watching you from the shadows of its brethren. It leaps at you screeching. You use the blade to cut into it, the spinning blades chew into its abdomen and the electric shocks stop its heart. However, the body was already imbued with momentum. It knocks you down and the weight of it pins you underneath. You can't liberate the blade before the others, emboldened by the Sheriff's brave sacrifice, strike at your exposed face. You are blinded, your screams are silenced, and killed within a matter of seconds. (click-goto: ?page, "delayed death 2")

(set: $bladeready to true) (set: $Heater to true) test page [[Flashlight dining room]]

The creature moves with a mad inhuman ambulation, almost like a newborn horse, but quick nonetheless. It exposes its teeth spreading them in a menacing smile. You pull the Lotus blade and wave it recklessly. Electricity arcs into the fur on the back of the creature's clawed hand. It pulls back, but you hear hissing behind you. You turn to see, to swipe at the second assailant. As you do, the first’s jaws clamps down on your arm, preventing you from bringing the blade to bear. You realize what those fragile teeth are for, in fatal moments. They pierce the flesh of your right wrist, shifting around the bones and interlacing with each other. The pain makes you scream until you retch. It is like a bear trap. You scream and thrash, bashing the offending snout with a free hand. No matter how hard you pull, you can't free yourself. The creature will not relent. One of the creature's claws reaches out and slice your throat. Though you struggle, the blood leaving your body is almost a relief. The pain you've endured is slipping away to cold emptiness. (click-goto: ?page, "Ivy success")

(Set: $handhealth to 0) [[Wave at house]]

The creature moves with a mad inhuman ambulation, almost like a newborn horse, but quick nonetheless. It exposes its teeth spreading them in a menacing smile. You pull the Lotus blade and wave it recklessly. Electricity arcs into the fur on the back of the creature's clawed hand. It pulls back, but you hear hissing behind you. You turn to see, to swipe at the second assailant. As you do, the first’s jaws clamps down on your arm. You realize what those fragile teeth are for, in those last moments. They pierce the flesh of your right wrist, shifting around the bones and interlacing with each other. The pain makes you scream until you retch. It is like a bear trap. You scream and thrash, bashing the offending snout with a free hand. No matter how hard you pull, you can't free yourself, the creature will not relent. In a moment of desperate inspiration, you crouch, and grab the blade with your free hand. Swinging it around, the dervish of blades scatter flower print dress, fur and flesh. A third creature appears and jumps on your back. Again, you swing the blade. There's a blur of blood and violence. Red melts into blackness as the sun peaks over the horizon. (click-goto: ?page, "Ivy success 2")

As slowly as possible, you open the creaky door into the garage, then even more slowly, lift the overhead door just enough for the car to clear. You get into the driver's seat of the cream-colored sedan and open visor to retrieve the keys. As you turn the ignition you hear *BANG* from the exhaust backfiring. As the engine grumbles to life there's a loud screeching that can be heard from inside. You try to switch the car into drive as fast as you can, but something's wrong. It ends with the sound of car windows being smashed open. (click-goto: ?page, "Intro 1")

You just manage to outrun Joseph and get inside. You lock the door and turn to see your parents ascending from the basement. (click-goto: ?page, "Intro 1")

You ignore his pleas, and make sure your bedroom door is locked securely. He's silent for a long while, but then calls out again. "Please somebody, help me, I'm dyin'." He attempts to ascend the stairs but fails, collapsing on them with a thump. You try to ignore it all. You try to sleep but you wake up in fits from nightmares. That evening as the sun is going down you look out the window. On the lawn you can see creatures. Over a dozen of them. A tattered set of coveralls clings to the one that leads the pack. (click-goto: ?page, "Intro 1")

(set: $handhealth to 2) (set: $inventory to 'empty')(set: $backpack to 'yes') You've been traveling solo for years now. You hop trains, hitchhike and panhandle across the country. Your favorite thing to do is to camp out in the wild. Overgrown trails seem to call your name. It was only natural to you that on your way southward through Kentucky, you'd cut through the Mammoth Cave system. On your way in you copied down part of the map that was displayed at the cave entrance. You marked down the all the turns you'd need to make to come out further South-West. (click-goto: ?page, "intro 2")

Pressing the swinging glass door, you step inside the dark gas station service area. Another bell rings from above, but nobody appears. You hear rustling in the dark. You turn on your flashlight to examine the dark corners. As soon as you flip the switch something leaps from atop a counter and slaps the light from your hand. Ribbons of blood trail in the darkness. As you fight against it, slamming your fists into the unyielding hide of the creature you feel the course fabric of the coveralls and the buttons that run down it. Other than excruciating pain from the horrid creature ripping you open and devouring, that is the last thing you feel.(click-goto: ?page, "Ivy failure state")