**The Woods** is a short, text-based, horror game.
Your decisions will affect the outcome of the story.
(if: $rp is 1)[[[Begin->Begin]]](else:)[[[Begin->Name]]]
(display: "silverkeyhint")(display: "Reset")Your **alarm clock** blares as you wrinkle your eyelids, the sun shines harshly through your curtains to wake you. *You're drenched in sweat.*
As you stir, towelling yourself off on your duvet as you move, you strain your eyes to make out your calendar.
(if: $date is >=6)[It's **October 31st.**](if: $date is 5)[You've come to expect the date to be **October 31st.** You're not surprised to be proven right.](if: $date is 4)[It's... **October 31st**? That makes sense...](if: $date is 3)[It's... still **October 31st**?](if: $date is 2)[It's **October 31st.**](if: $date is 1)[It's **October 30th.**](else:)[]
As your feet are surrounded by carpet, you feel the vibration of the downstairs television and your ears are greeted with the indistinct audio paired with it.
You dress, taking time to adjust your clothes around patches of warm sweat you hadn't noticed previously, it is an uncomfortable experience.
(link:"Grab the alarm clock.")[(show:?ac)] |ac)[*You grab the alarm clock, and turn it off for good measure.* (set: $ac to 1)]
[[Head downstairs]]{(live: 0.1s)[(either:"You see a","You seo a","Yxu see a","You see n")]} {(live: 0.1s)[(either: "hideous", "festering", "grotesque", "terrifying")]} face, {(live: 0.1s)[(either: "filled", "covered", "oozing", "stuffed to the brim")]} with {(live: 0.1s)[(either: "bees", "warts", "teeth", "eyes")]}.
(set: $bi to 1)
{(live: 0.1s)[(either:"You'd think it was","Yoo'd thenk it was","You'g thenk it wus","Yuu'd thank it wez")]} {(live: 0.1s)[(either: "Justin", "Liz", "Craig")]}, {(live: 0.1s)[(either:"if it waren't fur tee","uf et werun't for hhe","if it weron't fir the","ef it wehen't fon the")]} {(live: 0.1s)[(either: "endless stream", "immense amount", "stomach-churning levels")]} of {(live: 0.1s)[(either: "blood", "puke", "you don't know what", "filth")]} {(live: 0.1s)[(either:"erupting from what would charitably be called a muuth.","eruphing frem what would charitably be called a mouth.")]}(set: $bio to 1)
[**You cannot understand why, or how you know, that it is smiling.**]
In your own voice, you hear "{(live: 0.01s)[(either:"Txxs xax mxxnt xox Xuxxix.","Xhix wxs xeaxx fxr Jxsxix.")]}"
(live:10s)[(goto:"End")](if: $win is 2)+(colour: "#88fc03")[**Thank you for making The Woods possible.**](else-if: $win is 3)[**Thank you for saving everyone in The Woods.**](else:)[**Thank you for playing The Woods.**]
(if: $win is 1)+(colour: "#03fc52")[**You escaped alive. Your reward is a lifetime of troubled sleep and regret.**](else-if: $win is 2)+(colour: "#88fc03")[**You became something else entirely. Perhaps, under the sheen of your new skin, something of the old remains.**](else-if: $win is 3)[**Everyone survived.**](else-if: $win is 4)+(colour: "#b52619")[**You drowned. Your body was never found.**](else:)+(colour: "#b52619")[**Your death was neither painless nor quick, and what remains of your body will certainly not be found.**]
(if: $win is 1)[You have glimpsed *an* escape. Deeper meshes are unveiling.(set: $regret to 1)](else-if: ($win is 2))+(colour: "#88fc03")[This is the end of all things, and you have no recourse.](else-if:($win is 3))[You, and your friends, made it out alive. There is nothing left for you here unless you want to see how bad The Woods can get.(set: $escape to 1)](else-if: $win is 4)+(colour: "#88fc03")[Your work is not yet done.](else:)[]
(if: $win is 2)+(colour: "#88fc03")[**Choices:**
You killed your friends without pity or remorse.](else:)[**Choices:**
You (if: $ac is 1)[took](if: $ac is 0)[didn't take] the alarm clock from your room.
You (if: $bi is 1)[made the unwise decision to look at the creature directly.](if: $bi is 0)[made the sensible decision to avoid looking at the creature directly.]
You (if: $fd is 1)[spent your life cultivating an unsatifying meal, in yourself.](else:)[are not food.]
You (if: $lp is 1)[have some knowledge of the popular mobile game 'Snake'.](else:)[are not familiar with the latest mobile games.]
You (if: $sk is 1)[are familiar with the senstation of drowning.](else:)[have not drowned.]]
You (if: $cw is 1)[have debated the merits of living in a dank cave.](else:)[have not had to argue to survive.]
(if: $win is 2)+(colour: "#88fc03")[**Consequences:**
You are the consequence.
You are forced to hunt yourself and those foolish enough to care about you through every possibility, forever.](if: $win is 3)[**Resolutions:**
Justin went on to stop holidaying at his parent's cabin.
Craig would find comfort later in life with the man he loves.
Liz went on to become a talented, if not universally successful, game developer
**You're all still very close.**](else:)[**Consequences:**
(if: $jd is 1)[Justin saw the face of what hunted you and died instantaneously.](if: $jd is 4)[Justin died on his hill.](if: $jd is 0)[Justin, somehow, survived the night.]
(if: $cd is 1)[Craig's bloated corpse was later dredged up; in a village downstream from the cabin.](if: $cd is 4)[Craig was pulled apart like a man made of straw.](if: $cd is 0)[Craig survived the night.]
(if: $ld is 1)[Liz trusted you and you killed her with a rock.](if: $ld is 4)[Liz was willing to give up her space in the cave, and she did.](if: $ld is 0)[Liz survived the night.]]
(if: $win is 1)[[[Maybe you missed something?->Intro]]](else-if: $win is 2)+(colour: "#88fc03")[(link:"Play again?")[(show:?pa)] |pa)[**There is nothing left.**]](else-if:($win is 3))[[[Disturb the peace by playing again?->Intro]]](else:)[[[Try again?->Intro]]]
[[View the Credits?->Credits]]$rp keeps track of if they've played before.
$ac keeps track of the alarm clock.
$bi is the 'bad idea', as in looking directly at the creature.
$win is the type of wincon/loss. (0 is a loss, 1 is a win, 2 is true end.)
$hn is 'hello neighbours!' and it is awarded to players that find the former residents.
$bg is your bag.
$tgyl is That Gum You Like.
$fu is the fuse.
$rf is 'ryan fix' because he found a bug and I'm fixing it and need a name for the variable.
$cbj is chidedbyjustin, it's the bagcheck.
$jcl is for Justin having a crush on Liz as a dialogue.
$jd Justin Death Check.
$cd Craig Death Check.
$ld Liz Death Check.
**1 is their fault, 2 is yours, 3 is survived.**
justin dies if you let him look out of the window.
craig dies if he tries to swim away.
liz dies if you make the wrong kind of trap.
**For the special ending, you have to acquire The Silver Key.**
To do this, you need to have experienced every bad ending.
$sk is awarded when the player does this, it is a permanent quality.
DO NOT RESET $jcl
DO NOT RESET $lp
**Savegames**
Savegames are used in this experimental piece to store the hidden ending variables.(set: $transCounter to 0)\
|du1)[(transition: "dissolve")[You fall for some time.]]
[]
|du2)[(transition: "dissolve")[Your back is down, against the wind.]]
[]
|du3)[(transition: "dissolve")[Is there wind?]] |du4)[(transition: "dissolve")[You *think* there is wind.]]
[]
|du5)[(transition: "dissolve")[And]]|du6)[(transition: "dissolve")[, as you think it,]] |du7)[(transition: "dissolve")[there is wind.]]
[]
|du8)[(transition: "dissolve")[**You realise that you are still drowning in the river.**]]
[]
|du9)[(transition: "dissolve")[As you come to that realisation, you hear a voice.]]
[]
|du10)[(link-goto:"A voice?")]
{
(live: 1s)[
(set: $transCounter to it + 1)
(if: $transCounter is 1)[
(show: ?du1)
]
(else-if: $transCounter is 2)[
[]
]
(else-if: $transCounter is 3)[
[]
]
(else-if: $transCounter is 4)[
(show: ?du2)
]
(else-if: $transCounter is 5)[
[]
]
(else-if: $transCounter is 6)[
(show: ?du3)
]
(else-if: $transCounter is 7)[
[]
]
(else-if: $transCounter is 8)[
(show: ?du4)
]
(else-if: $transCounter is 9)[
(show: ?du5)
]
(else-if: $transCounter is 10)[
(show: ?du6)
]
(else-if: $transCounter is 11)[
[]
]
(else-if: $transCounter is 12)[
(show: ?du7)
]
(else-if: $transCounter is 13)[
[]
]
(else-if: $transCounter is 14)[
[]
]
(else-if: $transCounter is 15)[
[]
]
(else-if: $transCounter is 16)[
(show: ?du8)
]
(else-if: $transCounter is 17)[
[]
]
(else-if: $transCounter is 18)[
(show: ?du9)
]
(else-if: $transCounter is 19)[
[]
]
(else-if: $transCounter is 20)[
(show: ?du10)
]
(else:)[
(stop:)
]
]
}You have a splitting headache. Your lungs, bloated with water, threaten to give out; your open eyes are assaulted by flashes of red that stain your vision.
Suddenly, there is calm. Your own mouth opens to talk to you.
(link:"I will do your bidding.")[(show:?sa)] |sa)[**"Your service is accepted."**
The words you say come out different, your body is used to play a game of telephone with whatever lurks at the base of this river.
[[Unsubstantiate.->Metamorphosis]]](if: $cbj is not 1)[Emerging from your room and heading downstairs, you're chastised by a familiar voice.
"What a racket," says your mother; she chides you for 'sleeping through that damn alarm'. You start to apologise, but reconsider; the downstairs television did a better job of waking you up, and who's fault was that?
(if: $ac is 1)[She sees the alarm clock in your hand, and rolls her eyes dramatically; you wonder, to yourself, if she'll give you a break.](else:)[She heads upstairs, complaining that you left it beeping 'up there'. You think better than to make a comment about how much noise she makes.]
Your friend since childhood, Justin, is filling the void of the now muted television with frantic beeping from outside of the house. You remember only now that today is the day you agreed to spend at his family's cabin in the nearby forest.
(link:"Grab your rucksack.")[(show:?bag)] |bag)[*You grab the rucksack, packed from the night before.* (set: $bg to 1)]
[[Meet Justin outside]]]
(else:)[You're starting to remember days in your childhood when you'd spend time with Justin, not because you wanted to, but because your mother wanted to play house with the more popular mothers; you feel like this trip might not be a great idea.
(link:"Grab your rucksack, because Justin told you to.")[(show:?bag2)] |bag2)[*You heave the overfull rucksack over your shoulder and drag your feet back to Justin's cologne soaked jeep.* (set: $bg to 1)]
[[Meet Justin outside]]]**Your body dives under the waves. Without thought, without reason.**
Your clothes, torn off of you on the run over, provide no resistance to the water.
Immediately, waves crash against you.
**You think of Craig, and how he had suffered this fate.**
Water barrages your body, battering at you like fists, when suddenly...
(display: "Silver Key")
...as your mind struggles to comfort you with the comfort of a known place, with the feeling of safety and progress, you drown.
[[You are no longer here.->End]](set: $ac to 0)
(set: $bi to 0)
(set: $win to 0)
(set: $jd to 0)
(set: $cd to 0)
(set: $ld to 0)
(set: $bg to 0)
(set: $cbj to 0)
(set: $fd to 0)
(set: $fu to 0)
(set: $fb to 0)
(set: $kcl to 0)
(set: $jg to 0)
(set: $fe to 0)
(set: $rf to 0)
(set: $date to it + 1)**You asked who else will be joining you in the cabin.**
Justin hocks up something phlegmy and spits it from the moving car.
"Craig and Liz. You remember them, $name?"
You don't. (set: $kcl to 1)
(link:"Craig?")[(display:"craigbio")]
(link:"Liz?")[(display:"lizbio")](if: $bg is not 1)[From the comfort of his squeaky leather seat, Justin makes a big show of pulling one of his *official brand* earbuds loose to speak (well above the volume of the music he was listening to).
"You look prepared." he smirks. His tone is not sincere.
Reluctantly, you head back inside and decide to grab your rucksack.
(set: $cbj to 1)
[[Return home->Head downstairs]]]
(else:)[Justin is alone in his car. Outwardly, the hot weather is bothering him less.
With the leisure of choice, you decide on a back seat of his truck. The *Eau de Justin* is less... intense, here.
On the drive, he chews a stick of gum abrasively. The noise, and smell, clog your senses further. He asks you "Wanna talk?"
(link:"Who else was joining us in this cabin?")[(show:?we)] |we)[(display:"whoelse")]
[[I think I'm good, thanks.]]]The rest of the drive is in relative silence, interrupted only by the pop of his meagre gum bubbles.
(link:"Can I have some gum?")[(display:"gum")]
[[I'll get some shut-eye on the way over.->Pulling Up]]**You ask about Liz.**
"Ah, Liz."
The expression on Justin's face is unreadable, after a moment, it softens.
"Yeah, she's good."
**You are under the impression that Justin is attracted to Liz.**
(set: $jcl to 1)**You ask about Craig.**
"He's one of *those*," Justin warns.
One of what? You have no idea with Justin's 'list of enemies'.
He leans back, hands loosening from the wheel, you smell his breath.
"A jock."
Ah, Justin's old hatred of jocks still burns bright.
**You are under the impression that Craig is an athletic type.**(if:($regret is 1) and ($escape is 1))[*Go to the drowning place.*](else-if: ($regret is 1) and ($escape is 0))[*You have seen the deepest valley.*](else-if: ($regret is 0) and ($escape is 1))[*You have seen the highest peak.*](else-if: $sk is 1)[*It is time to uncover what lurks in the deepest recesses.*](else:)[]**You are in the cabin.**
You see something outisde. Something that shines; despite the lack of any nearby source of light.
It seems to be a key, almost consumed by a vague blackness. Against your better judgement, you leave the relative comfort and assured safety of the cabin to investigate.
As you poke your head out of the door, a low rumble eminates across the grass underfoot. Your mind is elsewhere, you walk in a trance.
It has been hours. You think.
You do not walk where you saw the key, but where the voices told you to find it. (set: $regret to 0) (set: $escape to 0)
Your fingers curl around it. It is devoid of substance; your mind seeks the tactile, the physical, and it rejects your want outright. (set: $sk to 1)
**You have the what you require.**
(set: $win to 4)
[[Leave this place.->End]]By the time you've assembled a primitive sling to loop around the base of a tree, Liz is gesturing frantically for you to pass it over to her.
Together, you turn a particularly large root into a formidable hurdle for both human and creature alike. With that, you turn and run.
The howls and gut-wrenching sound of torn ligaments makes for both a satisfying, and terrifying, revelation as both you and Liz turn to one another and nod solemnly; you would both make it back to the cabin.
There is an air of relief, you feel as though you almost lost Liz to the creature. (set: $ld to 2)
[[Back to the cabin.->Porch]](set: $counter to 30)**You have** |amount>[$counter] **seconds left to decide!**(live: 1s)[ (set: $counter to it - 1) (if: $counter is 0)[(go-to: "Indecision")] (replace: ?amount)[$counter]]
Liz and yourself discuss how you could trap the creature as it gives chase.
The two of you reach a clearing in the woods; it becomes apparent that you have precious little time to make your stand.
*If you do not act here soon; you will die.*
Liz speaks hurriedly, "We have enough time for one approach; a deadfall trap, or a snare trap."
(link:"What's a deadfall trap?")[(show:?df)] |df)[Liz gasps for breath, "A deadfall trap will kill the creature outright, but poses more risk to us if we fail to set it up right."]
(link:"What's a snare trap?")[(show:?sn)] |sn)["A snare will catch it, but I doubt it'll do any real harm," she pauses, looking nervous, "hopefully that'd give us more time to run back to the cabin."]
[[We should use a deadfall trap.->Snap]]
[[We should use a snare trap.->Sprung]]**The two of you work rapidly.** Perhaps this speed, and lack of repeated checks, is what leads to your pivotal mistake.
(link:"Mistake?")[As you hear a godless snarl and thundering of (whatever the monster has for feet) approaching, Liz catches her foot on the root of an overlarge tree in what she described as 'the killzone'.
(link:"Liz!")[You call to her, urgently, and insist that she 'kick off her shoe or something'; she nodes and smiles, having realised she has a chance out of this. She takes a second to smile at you.
(link:"SNAP.")[Her free leg, as she distracts herself, catches the thick rigging of the deadfall; you watch firsthand as her body splits into countless pieces of gore. In an instant, she is mulched by the boulder she helped you lift.(set: $ld to 1)
(link:"Run.")[Before you're given the chance to process the scene before you, your legs are already scrambling back to the cabin as you hear a multitude of tongues slurping at the underside of the rock behind you.
[[Back to the cabin.->Porch]]]]]](if: $fe is 1)[You put your shoes back on, embarrassed to be singled out as a stickler for the rules in front of new people.(set: $fe to 0)(set: $fb to 1)
[[Embrace the freedom of someone else's rules.->Cabin]]](if: $ld is 1)[**For a moment you reflect on having accidentally killed Liz.**
You don't know what to tell Craig or Justin; but it's not like there's enough time for that either way.
[[Get inside the cabin.->Cabin]]](if: $ld is 2)[As you return to the cabin, Liz is direct with you.
"It may no longer be a good idea to head away from the cabin. We'll need to discuss it."
You respond in agreement. The two of you re-enter the cabin, to [[talk with Justin and Craig.->Cabin]]](else:)[]After you wile away the time Liz had afforded you to pitch a plan, she attempts to build something of her own.
It is makeshift and ineffective and, despite having only a few moments to plan, you realise that your decision was absolutely necessary *before* you scampered together to create something in the precious little time afforded to you.
To say that your amateur attempts at stalling the creature were ineffective is a disservice. You create an ample distraction for Liz to run blindly from the scene of your massacre.
First, your ribs are torn clean open. There is brutal efficiency in how your internal organs are dissected using the pincer-like tongue of your attacker. Your dying thoughts, as you fade in and out of consciousness in your cadaver-like state is that you make a better meal than a planner.
(set: $fd to 1)
[[Bon appetit.->End]](if: $fb is 1)[(display:"basedark")](else:)[(display:"baselit")](if: $fe is 1)[Justin points at you, meeting you with a loud "Wahey!"
The others laugh, and you're not quite sure why.
"I think it's good to be polite, I don't understand you guys." Liz says in response to Craig joining in on the hooting.
"I told them you always take your shoes off when you come into someone else's house." Justin informs you.
You look at your shoeless feet and feel a little upset that he drew focus to something your family had always told you to do.
"[[Go get those bad boys from the porch->Porch]], we've no time to waste; I've got video games to play!"
Both Craig and Liz are surprised, and excited, by the revelation that you'll all be playing *Justin's* games; they're so exclusive.](else-if: $fb is 1)[You tied your shoes tight, you don't want to deal with the collective harassment of anything shoe related again.
As you re-enter the cabin proper, you hear a collective groan and notice the lights are out.
"You're not going to believe this, $name. The fuse just went; could you replace it? It's in [[the basement->The Basement]].
](else-if: $rf is 1)[**You creep back into the main room and see Craig and Liz still hiding under the table beside the window.**
Your shirt is stained with puke, both of them look at you with immense worry. You shake your head, to confirm Justin's death, and feel the trickle of vomit in your throat loosen for another batch to spew forth.
The two of them, whatever they saw while you were away, believe Justin is dead easily.
The three of you are miserable, and can't handle the emotional strain without considerable time being wasted.
Eventually, after the lion's share of a night filled with nothing but silence, the door is battered down; [[you are eaten alive.->End]]
](else-if: $jd is 2)[**You and Justin creep back into the main room, slowly.**
Craig and Liz have had a similarly traumatic experience, there's a glass broken on the floor and the window is broken in. Water droplets trickle down from the inside.
Justin is visibly shaken. After some discussion, the four of you agree that Liz and yourself are in a stable enough state to scout out for an exit to the woods; and then return to discuss your options.
[[Go scouting with Liz.->Scouting]]]
(else-if: $ld is 1)[**You enter the cabin alone.**
Craig doesn't even ask what happened to Liz, sinking his shoulders in misery; it's obvious.
You press him for what you'll do next, your eyes darting from the shambles he has become and the barricade you're hastily constructing at the front door.
"What do we do, Craig?"
Craig is tucking his legs to his chest, crying.
You shout, panicked, "Craig!"
"I don't know. I think there's a river nearby. We could swim away, maybe it can't swim."
Despite his grief, his plan is better than any that come to mind for you right now.
"Okay," you soften your voice, trying to hold back tears yourself.
"We'll go to the [[the river->River]]."](else-if: ($ld is 2) and ($jd is 2))[**You and Liz have made it back, alive.**
Craig's face is one of surprise; he clearly didn't expect both of you back.
He's confident about what to do next, as he helps you barricade the door he explains.
"There's a river, it isn't far. If you've slowed it down..."
"Which we have," confirms Liz.
"...then we can swim away." Craig finishes.
The two of you look at each other in a carelessly spent moment, and back at Craig.
(link:"Swim?")["Swim?" you both say, indignantly.
"Earlier, when it was here; remember Liz?"
Something stirs in Liz, she nods.
"Yeah, it doesn't do well with water. It gets confused or something."
You wonder what kind of time Liz and Craig had compared to your truly awful run in with it in the kitchen with Justin.
The three of you head to [[the river->River]]."]](else-if: ($ld is 2) and ($jd is 3))[**You both make it back to the Cabin.**
Justin and Craig are both relieved to see you return.
The door has an impressive barricade, and the four of you sit in a peaceful moment together to talk about what to do next.
"We have two options," speaks Justin, asserting himself.
"Craig says the river down the way would help us swim out, it seems like a long shot and I don't like the risk, but the creature seems to have a hard time with water," Justin continues.
Liz adds, "It's either we go for that, or we redouble our efforts to barricade the building; we didn't see hide nor hair of it until night fell and I'm confident the four of us can keep safe if we stick together."
**Cheesy as it sounds, Liz has a point. You've managed to work together thus far.**
"You've been going above and beyond, $name what do you think?" asks Craig.
[[You agree to barricade the cabin, many hands make light work.->Barricade]]
[[You insist on going to the river.->River]]](else-if:($regret is 1) and ($escape is 1))[[**You enter the cabin.**
**Your brain wrinkles, and you feel no control over your actions.**
You erupt, speaking confidently on the (link-reveal:"Drowned Prince.")[(show:?dp)
]|dp)[(display: "The Drowned Prince")]
Your throat warbles as you screech on the subject of the (link-reveal:"Miser.")[(show:?dd)
]|dd)[(display: "The Miser")]
Lastly, your eyes roll in their sockets toward Liz, and you speak of the (link-reveal:"Shed-Skinned.")[(show:?dq)
]|dq)[(display: "The Shed-Skinned")]
Whatever force speaks through you in this moment makes no sense to you.
**Overwhelmed by you, Liz and Craig go to the kitchen to talk; presumably about you sleeping somewhere away from them.**
Justin takes the outburst as a campfire-style story told in an improvised and impressive manner, but still seems shaken by your delivery.
"That was really impressive, I'm genuinely disturbed."
He continues, "You know, it's funny you should mention a river, there's one I used to fish in nearby."
You don't remember saying anything about a river, but as Justin points in the direction of it, [[you're already fleeing the cabin and sprinting toward it.->River]]]]**You ask Justin for a stick of gum.**
Justin turns, surprisingly quickly, as if he had forgotten you were in the back of the vehicle.
Justin pulls his earbud loose again, "What?"
(link:"I said, can I have some gum?")[(display:"gumins")]**You insist that you'd really like some gum.**
*Justin snorts.*(set:$tgyl to 1)
You wonder if he's making a note of how many times you've asked for gum this year; he's always looking for reasons to hold things against people.
After a long pause, and his eyes narrowing at you, you almost relent.
He laughs, "Here, I got you." and passes you a stick of gum; it's the kind you like, no less.
**You now have a stick of your favourite gum.**
As Justin parks the car, both Craig and Liz seemed to have joined you for the journey over; they didn't want to wake you, and had gone on ahead.
Justin, however, stops you for a moment while the others give you a moment alone. He hands you a fuse.(set: $fu to 1)
(link:"What's this for?")[(show:?fu)] |fu)[(display:"fuseboxchat")]**Since waking up, you've been beset by feelings of déjà vu.**
With the fuse in the basement fixed, you finally see something unfamiliar to you.
In the corner of the room, something *breathes* under a thick burlap covering.
**You feel compelled to lift the burlap away, to see the breathing thing.**
[[I should.->Mirror]]
(link:"I shouldn't.")[(show:?sh)]|sh)[(colour: "#b52619")[**It's too late for that, now.**]]As you approach, the thick fabric *heaves*; you feel the stillness of the air in the basement.
Your outstretched hand is lit clearly enough by the basement's dim light to see your hair standing on end.
With great force, you pull the heap from the corner and the tension dissipates. The unknown shape was just a mirror; lined with a vignette of strange writing, in a language you don't recognise.
You think the frame is brass, the mirror tells you that what you're made of is mutable. It has an odour you cannot place. As you stare, realising that it has spoken in your thoughts, you barely notice the basement door slam.
You're transfixed, you share a connection with this mirror. Your mind wants you to touch the mirror. **You** want to touch the mirror.
[[Touch the mirror.]]**Credits:**
Made, written, and produced by Thighs. You can find Thighs on (link-reveal:"Twitter")[(open-url: "https://twitter.com/wherethighs")], and on his (link-reveal:"itch.io")[(open-url: "https://thighs.itch.io/")] page.
**Special Thanks:**
The Twine Discord.
GwenTastic & Somnium (of the Twine Discord) for helping me with syntax and providing a workable solution to a cyclical game.
Special thanks to Terry and Ryan for bug-squashing and beta-testing even after I thought the game was ready; invaluable help.
The people in my life that support me and push me to do what I can, when I can.(if: $jg is 1)[(set: $counter to 50)**You have** |amount>[$counter] **seconds until Justin looks out the window!**(live: 1s)[ (set: $counter to it - 1) (if: $counter is 0)[(go-to: "Above all, be quiet. Justin will think better than to look at it.")] (replace: ?amount)[$counter]]
Justin pulls you into the kitchen frantically, then under the table.
He whispers, loudly, "Something is outside, something big. We're all hiding."
**You start to wonder if this is still a prank; he looks afraid.**
"I don't know what it is," Justin says, "but I'm going to take a look."
You hear overlarge feet creep just outside the window, the breathing alone would be enough to terrify you.
**Sometimes, you will have a limited window to react to your choices; if you do not intervene, it will end badly.**
There's a clacking sound, as of rows of teeth fight to be at the front of a hideous mouth. (set: $fb to 2)
[[Stay quiet, let Justin do what he wants.->Above all, be quiet. Justin will think better than to look at it.]]
[[Talk Justin down.->Try to, quietly, talk Justin down from looking at it.]]
[[Look at it yourself.->Look directly at the creature.]]](else:)[Null.]**You are swallowed whole.**
(display:"Something else")There is a sharp pang of pain in your chest, you trace the shape of the pain with your finger; it burns to the touch.
The shape is, unmistakably, that of a key. (set: $transCounter to 0)
(link:"Die.")[(show:?yc)] |yc)[**You cannot.**
(display:"Transformation")]**You don't want to know.****These aren't your eyes.****Your mouth moves, again.** (set: $win to 2)
(link-reveal:"**You were chosen.**")[
A maniacal laughter sounds. You attempt to cover your ears with what your hands became and realise, in horror, that it's coming from inside your head.
(link-reveal:"**You agreed.**")[
The length of flesh in your mouth, formerly a tongue, folds out of your face as you argue that you had a choice.
You're gently lifting toward the surface of the water, changed.
**"Your persistence was contract. You met this end by seeing what it was that you were meant to do."**
As you near the veneer of the river, you see your face in the blur of the refracted moonlight.
(link-reveal:"**What you see, reflected, is the creature that killed you; and your companions.**")[
The laughter silences.
Whatever you are now, you emerge from the river.
You hear the bang of a car breaking down outside the cabin, and smell sickeningly acrid smoke pouring from it.
"That isn't good!" a loudmouthed man coughs and waves away the fumes, they reek to your new senses. These interlopers must be destroyed.
[[You know what you have to do.->End]]
(set: $win to 2)]]]|yc3)[(transition: "dissolve")[Your fingers split in two.]] |yc4)[(transition: "dissolve")[Many little things wriggle free from the gaps.]]
[]
|yc5)[(transition: "dissolve")[Your toes go next.]] |yc6)[(transition: "dissolve")[Knowing makes it worse.]]
[]
|yc7)[(transition: "dissolve")[Your spine snaps in the middle.]]
[]
|yc8)[(transition: "dissolve")[Spinal fluid leaks over your back.]] |yc9)[(transition: "dissolve")[The pain is indescribable.]]
[]
|yc10)[(transition: "dissolve")[With your pain threshold met, you pass out.]] |yc11)[(transition: "dissolve")[(link:"What happens when I wake up?")[(display:"whwiw")]]]
[]
|yc12)[(transition: "dissolve")[Your vision is no longer in colour.]] |yc13)[(transition: "dissolve")[(link:"Why not?")[(display:"whwiw2")]]]
[]
|yc14)[(transition: "dissolve")[You would cry, if you could.]]
[]
|yc15)[(transition: "dissolve")[[Why is this happening?->Silver Key Ending]]]
[]
{
(live: 1s)[
(set: $transCounter to it + 1)
(if: $transCounter is 1)[
(show: ?yc3)
]
(else-if: $transCounter is 2)[
[]
]
(else-if: $transCounter is 3)[
(show: ?yc4)
]
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[]
]
(else-if: $transCounter is 5)[
(show: ?yc5)
]
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[]
]
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(show: ?yc6)
]
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[]
]
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[]
]
(else-if: $transCounter is 10)[
(show: ?yc7)
]
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(show: ?yc8)
]
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(show: ?yc9)
]
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[]
]
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(show: ?yc10)
]
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[]
]
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[]
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(show: ?yc11)
]
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[]
]
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[]
]
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(show: ?yc12)
]
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[]
]
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(show: ?yc13)
]
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[]
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[]
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(show: ?yc14)
]
(else-if: $transCounter is 26)[
[]
]
(else-if: $transCounter is 27)[
(show: ?yc15)
]
(else:)[
(stop:)
]
]
}(set: $name to (prompt: "What is your name?", "Default"))(set: $rp to 1)
(if: $name is "Default")[At least make an effort.](else-if: $name is "Thighs")[That's a ridiculous name and you should be ashamed of yourself.](else-if: $name is "Rob")[Always reblog the Creator.](else-if: $name is "Justin")[This might make things awkward.](else-if: $name is "Craig")[This might make things awkward.](else-if: $name is "Liz")[This might make things awkward.](else-if: $name is "Eris")[That's a nice name, very *radical skater boy*.](else-if: $name is "Carie")[You're ready to be the scariest thing in The Woods.](else-if: $name is "Terry")[Best of luck!](else:)[Good luck!]
**You are warned that, depending on your choices, this story may feature graphic violence or body horror; if these are a dealbreaker, please stop playing now.**
[[Thanks!->Begin]]The basement is nearly pitch black. Were it not for the gentle stream of light from the still open door, you would be consumed by the darkness.
Clutching the fuse given to you by Justin, you're somewhat confident that the dim red (color:#FF0000)[dot] ahead of you is the box you're looking for.
(link:"Fumble for the box in the dark.")[**A wave of relief waves over you as you grasp the edges of the box.**
You wrap your hand to the front edge and blindly feel a hatch with your fingers.
(link:"Open the hatch.")[**The heavy sound of breathing, and a sharp scratching noise, keeps you on your toes; you almost drop the fuse.**
The fuse, thankfully remaining firmly in your hand, [[slots in without any trouble.->baselit]]]]Now lit, your eyes make out the minute details of the room. (if: $sk is 0)[There are scratch marks along the walls; it's a decent try, but Justin isn't great at Halloween decorations. (set: $jg to 1)
**You laugh. There's no way those claw marks were made naturally.**
You resolve that the creepy noises must've been some prank the others pulled on you, hopefully that's the last nasty surprise tonight.
You decide to [[head back upstairs->Kitchen]], to see what if the lights are working.](if: $sk is 1)[(display:"Covered")](else:)[]**You ask Justin what the fuse is for.**
He replies, laughing, "The fuse box."
*He seems to be the only person finding it funny.*
After he laughs himself out, which takes a considerable amount of time, he lowers his voice to a serious tone.
"You never know what might happen, I just want you to be prepared."
There is a stillness to the air.
Justin bursts out laughing. You never quite got the hang out when he's joking. Thankfully, you can now leave the car and stand some distance away from his intensity.
[[Get out of the car.->Exterior Cabin]](if: $kcl is 1)[You stretch your legs and push your fingers against your back to a satisfying crack, the journey in Justin's beat up car was not a pleasant one.
As you walk over to the others, you overhear them expressing the same sentiment.
The one you assume to be Liz isn't too fond of Justin's car.
"I'd be surprised if that rust bucket could make it back, this place is way out in the sticks!"
Craig agrees, laughing.
"His parents must be loaded. Look at how big that place is."
You scan the cabin with your eyes and are forced to agree that Justin's parents are obnoxiously wealthy.
(link:"Don't talk about Justin that way.")[(go-to:"defj")]
(link:"At least say this to his face, guys.")[(go-to:"attj")]](else:)[You stretch your legs and push your fingers against your back to a satisfying crack, the journey in Justin's beat up car was not a pleasant one.
You feel a little awkward meeting new people, and it sounds like they're also disappointed with the ride over.
The blonde girl is enjoying poking fun at the state of Justin's car.
"I'd be surprised if that rust bucket could make it back, this place is way out in the sticks!"
The man beside her nods and laughs gently.
"His parents must be loaded. Look at how big that place is."
You seem to remember this cabin from a photo in Justin's house, from years ago. Then you remember that Justin's house is *even more* luxuriant.
(link:"Who are you two?")[(go-to:"clintro")]]**You tell Liz and Craig to stop talking about Justin so rudely.**
Craig starts, "It's alright, mate."
Liz agrees, "Yeah, we do it all the time. He's used to it."
**You're not sure him being 'used to it' is a good thing.**
This gives them pause, but they go back to making little jokes at his expense shortly afterward.
[[The three of you see Justin coming over from his truck.->Trouble]]]**You tell Liz and Craig to say this stuff to Justin's face.**
"Oh, we do," Craig beams.
Liz agrees, "Yeah, we do it all the time. He's used to it."
**You're relieved that Justin can take a joke.**
They tell you a couple 'good ones' they're working on in case, or rather when, he does something stupid.
[[The three of you see Justin coming over from his truck.->Trouble]]]The girl is surprised, "Justin didn't introduce us?"(set: $kcl to 2)
"No surprise there." the boy smiles, "You're his best mate, you get it."
He extends a hand toward you and you feel him grasp yours firmly.
"Always nice to meet new people," he releases your hand, "I'm Craig."
"I'm Liz," speaks the girl, a little more careful around you.
"I hope we didn't upset you, we joke around with Justin all the time about how rich he is. We feel it keeps him grounded."
**You never really thought about teasing him.**
(if: $jcl is 1)["Like how he has a crush on Liz?" you laugh.
The two of them look at each other and laugh performatively.
"You just met us. How would you know that?" Craig asks.
You're not really sure how to respond, you had a feeling about it in your gut.
Liz cuts through the tension easily, "Justin has a crush on anyone that looks his way, I'm sure you just wanted to make a joke."
Despite he fixing the situation for you, she looks a little sheepish.
[[The three of you see Justin coming over from his truck.->Trouble]]](else:)["Like how he's the first only child in history to have a double bed?" you jab.
Craig laughs, then counters with "I'd say that most people with siblings don't share the bed, but you're getting the idea."
You all laugh together at Craig's observation.
[[The three of you see Justin coming over from his truck.->Trouble]]]**Altogether, you hear a bang. The smell of acrid smoke on the wind, Justin shouts in dismay; he takes some time to approach.**
"I've got good news and bad news," Justin begins.
Craig chimes in with another joke, "Well, you've come over to talk with us, so what's the good news?"
Justin is apparently trying to be serious, which puts an end to the smiling.
(link:"Tell Justin to continue.")[**You ask Justin to tell you more about the situation at hand.**
Craig looks apologetic, but Justin steamrolls on with the problem at hand.
"The car is busted," Justin speaks seriously.
Liz widens her eyes.
Justin continues, "I've called a mechanic, the earliest they'll be able to send someone is tomorrow."
"My uncle is a mechanic, he can get us out of this," offers Craig, "give us your phone."
"I was listening to tunes on the way over, the battery just went dead on that call."
"Are you kidding me?" Craig is livid, "you told us specifically not to bring our phones!"
Liz pulls out her phone, and comments "I'm not on a contract and I've got no credit."
Craig is fuming, *especially* that Liz decided to bring her phone when he didn't.
"$name, did you bring your phone?" Justin asks, looking a little lost.
(if: $ac is 1)[[[I brought an alarm clock.->Cause for Alarm]]](else:)[[[You told me not to!->Cause for Alarm]]]]Craig is rubbing his temples, apparently taking this news the hardest.
"Look, we said we'd stay for the night anyway; this doesn't have to be a problem." Justin offers.
Everyone agrees. If the mechanic is on their way, you can just act like everything is fine.
You wonder, "Liz, why did you bring your phone if you have no credit?"
She waits until the group disperses a little, apparently embarrassed as to why.
"I *love* Snake." she says. (set: $fe to 1)
(link:"What's 'Snake'?")[(display:"snake")]
[[Head into the cabin.->Cabin]]**You ask what 'Snake' is, and Liz is shocked.**
"It's the best game ever," she begins, placing your thumbs on the directional buttons of her phone.
You're not so sure what's happening, but you're excited to see that she brightened up a little.
(link:"'Play' Snake.")[Her thumbs are on yours, pressing in time with the snake's movements. To say you're 'playing the game' is charitable; in the same way that children 'get help with homework' from their parents.
The game ends, buzzing with the letters 'NW HSCRE' in barely legible text. Liz removes her thumbs from yours, coyed a little.
"Sorry, I'm really into the game."
"Tell you what, you can borrow my phone and play it while we're stuck here if you want?"
This is, apparently, big for her.
You agree, and she lends you her phone. You also feel too awkward to tell her that you have no idea how to turn it back on. (set: $lp to 1)]You throw your fist at Justin, he recoils.
"What the shit, man?!"
Your mouth is moving, rambling, "(colour: "#88fc03")[The Blinded Miser!]"
**Your ears are assaulted with a shrill buzzing.**(if:($regret is 1) and ($escape is 1))[(go-to: "Silver Key")](if:($ld is 2) and ($jd is 3))[**As your arrive, you realise your mistake.**
The river is not the gentle stream you had hoped for, it is a series of lashing waves that prevent safe passage. The four of you stare at the murky water and feel... defeated.
"I'm sorry, everyone." says Craig, bearing the burden of responsibility.
"You couldn't have known; this is natural movement," analyses Liz.
"Fuck sake," Justin concludes.
(link:"What's that?")[**You point toward a nearby cave that you eye, the others are surprised they didn't notice it.**
It will not fit everyone. (set: $cw to 1)(set: $jd to 4)(set: $cd to 4)(set: $ld to 4)
As you talk over who should be left outside, with differing opinions about self-sacrifice; you're mauled to death by the creature in the confusion.
[[That's not very sporting...->End]]]](else:)[You see an abnormally calm river, it's just you and Craig now.
Choking back tears, Craig explains that he's a strong swimmer.
"If you aren't, that's okay. I can carry us both."
He insists you take off your shoes.
Craig, himself, is [[already undressing.->Craig offers to go first.]]]Stripping down to his underwear, Craig has no room left in his feelings for embarrassment.
He descends into the water, his hands and waist lift; it is freezing cold.
He reminds you to take off your shoes and whatever else you're comfortable with; quickly.
Suddenly, the river erupts violently. He pushes his arms through the waves to swim back to the edge of the wide, rapid, river.
He disappears from vision so painfully quickly that you can't even process it.(set: $cd to 1)
Your shoes are logged with water just from sitting beside the stream and, as Craig has disappeared completely, you notice the water settle.(set: $win to 1)
[[Alone, afraid, you live to see dawn from a nearby cave.->End]]"(colour: "#88fc03")[Bring me to the place where the last light fades!]" You point to Craig, he gleams with recognition for but a moment, and returns to his former discomfort.
**You feel dizzy.****You barely hold back the need to vomit.**
"(colour: "#88fc03")[The One who Shed Her Skin! She will know... for she knows these Woods! She has fed them on her bones!]"
Liz is visibly uncomfortable with your descriptions of what she assumes is her.
**Your eyes see double, the room is spinning. Glyphs of burning red fire in your iris.****You desperately whisper for Justin to let the thing pass unseen.**
"We have to know what we're up against," he whispers back.
The whispering is a good sign, it means he's still acting even a little reasonable.
You remind him about *how big* the thing sounds.
"Listen to those footsteps," and elaborate "do you think something that big is going to have any trouble getting through that window?"
It's a decent gambit, and Justin seems convinced. (set: $jd to 2)
[[Return to the main room, after it passes.->Cabin]]**Justin stands to his full height and looks at the creature.**
What follows is unexpected. There is no leap of a creature through window, just the expression of your friend's face.
It is like no emotion you have ever seen before; but that would have been fine with you.
One thing is for certain. It is not one you will forget.
Stress lines, wrinkles, pain and anguish. These all flood his face in ways a human being should not be made for.
A stark, red, symbol hovers in front of him as the sound of a jet engine erupts from outside.
Justin unleashes his sharp, dirty, fingernails on his own eyes; scooping the still-attached goo free of his skull.
You wonder, between dry heaves and an overwhelming cocktail of sadness and fear, why he is not screaming.
Or, rather, why you cannot hear it. (set: $rf to 1)
[[Return to the main room, alone.->Cabin]]**Together, working as one, the four of you ensure that nothing can get between you and the safety of the cabin.**
"It'll be a pain in the arse to dismantle," says Justin.
Liz retorts, "That's rather the idea."
You all have the first gentle laugh of the night since this horror began.
In the centre of the room, a fire burns brightly; over the course of the night, tales are told, but none are remotely scary.(set: $win to 3)
Each of you tells a different, hopeful, tales; they keep you going.
Justin insists on going first, only to struggle to think of anything to say.
Liz follows him, speaking at great length about a Queen of Snakes that grows to incredible lengths; it is met with a little more fear than perhaps it deserved.
Then, Craig talks of pirates on the high seas and their daring escapades, to which Justin cheers just a little too loudly; and the creak of floorboards and shared silence humbles you all.
The next few minutes pass like hours, silent mouthing is the main form of communication; the comfort of before is gone.
(link:"Is it safe?")[(show:?ii)] |ii)[**You ask if everything will be okay.**
Liz reaches her hand out to you, and you hold it. She reaches out to Craig, he holds hers also. Justin is held by your opposite hand and Craig's.
Together, you survive.
Justin pays the mechanic all of the money in his wallet, not even checking for how much it is, and you bundle into the car as quick as you can; [[you drive off, safe from the thing in the woods.->End]]]Once you've confirmed that the creature appears to have lost interest, you walk for some time.
Liz makes it clear that she believes there is a way for everyone to survive this, stressing that you were 'smart enough to keep Justin from looking at it'.
You ask how she knows that, and she tells you outright that Craig almost did the same and suffered for even a glimpse; Justin would be gibbering like a loon if he laid eyes on it.
There's an air of worry as you realise you may be outside with the thing, *without walls to keep you safe*.
As that fear arises, so too does a pained screech; one that sounds as if you set fire to a hornet's nest in a dog's mouth.
"It's coming," whispers Liz. (set: $jd to 3)
[[As you hear this, the brush subsides for a clearing.->Trap]]**You were wronged, it is time to make good on a promise.**
[[Trivialize the faults of reality and re-emerge, unbroken.->Intro]]
(set: $sk to 1)
(set: $date to 6)
(set: $name to "Eris")