A Dark Winter's Walk

You are 7 years old as you wake up in your bed. It's midnight and Christmas is nearly here. Better yet! Your birthday is two days from now! You call out to your parents but no one answers back. The house is empty. //Where is everyone?// You think to yourself. You sit up in your bed and recall your most recent memory. You had a dream just moments ago about a voice calling to you from the safety of your home. A voice saying: //Come, awake now! Rise up and follow me...I will take you to a place where many have gathered...// //Bad or good, I call to all. Not just children but to everyone I visit// You get up and take up your teddy bear, put on your boots, a warm hat and jacket, and make your way into the snowy weather. [[Continue->The Path]]

//That's it my child... come. I am in the forest waiting for you now.// The voice echoes. You don't have much of a choice so you skip along like the happy boy you've always been. You reach the edge of the forest and are faced with two paths. The path to your left and the path to your right. //Choose wisely...there is time...for now.// The voice says to you. You take: [[Left->Blind Path]] [[Right->Clear Path]]

//Follow my voice. You may not understand now, but you will in time.// You follow blindly into the darkness where you can't even see your own hand in front of your face. You trip over roots and bump into others who seem to be walking in the same direction. In a short amount of time you begin to panic and run in any direction just to escape this nightmare. [[Continue->Lost]]

You took the path to your right and everything seems clear so far. There are dim lamps along the way. This makes you feel safe. In the middle of the path you see a lone figure. You can't see its face but as you inch closer its voice sounds like a man. You ask him why he called you here. //I've called many like you here. You were called to join me on a walk to your appointment on the other side of this forest.// He continues on. //There are parts of the path where you might experience voices or hallucinations, you may choose to follow them on your own accord, but only if they come. Not many experience them, but given your current record, YOU might.// Confused, you continued to follow him. As you walk, you notice others walking alone on your left. Do you: [[Ask the man who they are]] [[Stay Silent]]

//Some joined because I called them and are making their way through... peacefully. Others came on their own...but without my visitation. If the latter, they will not find peace in the end as they hoped.// You stay silent. You suddenly hear voices you recognize coming from deep within the woods to your right. You hear your mom, and your dad. They say: //We love you honey...We're here for you...Be strong son...// The man stops and waits for you to decide. Do you: [[Follow the man]] [[Follow the voices]]

You chose not to say anything. Some of their faces look scary anyways as they trudge along in the same direction. You also start seeing strange things that seem...out of place here. You see a burning car on your right... As you walk by you notice a semi truck with its front bumper crushed on your left... //Do you remember now?// the man asks. //I...I think I do.// you reply back. //I think...that truck hit the car and I was in it. My friends were with me. And..I think their mom was driving.// //I see...// //Am I right mister?// //You are.// //Where are my friends?// The man points and as you look through the darkness, you see them walking down a similar path. You try screaming to get their attention and they turn towards you, but they don't seem to see you. Almost as if to them...you are just another voice in the forest they hear. //Why can't they see me mister? What do I do?// //Just...keep walking. Maybe, you will see them later.// And so you both continue walking. [[Continue->Final Choices]]

This man doesn't seem threatening and so you continue to follow him. You decide to break the silence and try talking with him //Hey mister, you know it's my birthday in two days!// //That's nice. You were going to turn 8, right?// //Yeah! And I'm so excited!// He didn't reply. //When's your birthday mister?// //I don't know. I wasn't really given one.// He says. //Why? And what is your name?// //You will have your answer...on the other side of the forest. Just follow me.// He replies. //My grandpa was here. I seen him.// //I did as well. He's almost there by now. He started a few hours ago when I came here to help you.// Suddenly you start seeing strange things in the forest... [[Continue->Hallucinations]]

You decide to follow the voices. //Yes that's it. It's okay, just take your time. Try to open your eyes for me bud.// A voice says to you. You slowly become engulfed by a bright light and the forest disappears. The room appears blurry and so you blink your eyes to adjust them to the room. A doctor is observing your actions. //Nurse, he's waking up, get a team over here and help me remove these tubes. He's breathing on his own again!// You [[open->Awake]] your eyes and everything seems clear again.

You keep running and start hearing voices and you see things that don't make sense to you. You stop to catch your breath and...over there... in the lighted path is your grandpa!...But how is he walking? He was bed ridden at the nursing home for about a year now! Surely you've got to be dreaming. This doesn't happen in real life. Does it? You keep wandering for what seems like hours until a man approached you. //Here let me help you. Take my hand// You take it and the man guides you to a lighted path where he explains things to you. //There are parts of the path where you might experience voices or hallucinations. You may choose to follow them on your own accord, but only if they come. Not many experience such things, but from what I know about you, you might.// With a better understanding, but more questions, you continued to follow him. As you walk, you notice others walking alone on your left. Do you: [[Ask the man who they are]] [[Stay Silent]]

You see someone in a hospital uniform taking their gloves off as they walk away from the bedside of a child. You hear him speak to two people whose faces are blurred for some reason. //I'm sorry, but it seems like we might lose him. You might want to at least be by his bedside...Unless something changes, it could be minutes before the life support is all that's keeping him alive.// You ask the man walking with you: //Who are they talking about?// He answers back,//You may take a look if you want. I'll wait.// Do you go? [[Yes->Revelations]] [[No->Just a little further]] ▒█▄░▒█ ▒█▀▀█ ▒█▀▀█ 　 ▄▀ ▒█▀▀█ ▒█░▒█ ▒█▀▀▀█ ▒█▀▀▀█ ▀▀█▀▀ ▀▄ ▒█▒█▒█ ▒█▀▀▄ ▒█░░░ 　 █░ ▒█░▄▄ ▒█▀▀█ ▒█░░▒█ ░▀▀▀▄▄ ░▒█░░ ░█ ▒█░░▀█ ▒█▄▄█ ▒█▄▄█ 　 ▀▄ ▒█▄▄█ ▒█░▒█ ▒█▄▄▄█ ▒█▄▄▄█ ░▒█░░ ▄▀

You decide to walk over with the couple as they peer into the face of the one on the bed. Before you reach the bedside, the woman touches the hand of the child. Your hand begins to feel warm even though it's snowing around you. You shrug it off as you try to get a look at the boy in the bed. You hop on the bed near the feet and you feel...as if you are looking into a mirror. He...he looks like you! It's just hard to see clearly because of the tubes all over his nose and mouth. //Oh, baby...if you can hear me, please come back!// the woman says. //If I could just have five more minutes with you son. I'd take you to the park and we can throw ball again. Remember that?// The man says. Those words strike you, but you realize... You realize that you...are in that bed, but why? You can't remember what happened. You walk back over to the man guiding you and take one more glance at your family before they disappear. //Are you ready?// [[Continue->One last chance]]

//I think I'd rather not mister.// //That's okay. Just a little further now.// __________________________________________________ Meanwhile at the hospital... While checking your vitals, the pulse readings of your heart suddenly stop and the alarm sounds off alerting the nurses attending to you. The doctor and the team of nurses rush into the room. They try to revive you, but it was too late. The man who took you was named Death, and he was guiding you to the end. The end of your life that is. //Nurse, call the family together please. I need to tell them... he didn't make it.// The End. Death has a word for you: //Even modern day technology can't keep you alive forever. Take your time with life...enjoy it...because eventually I will call you whether you are ready or not.// [[Rewind->The Path]] [[Credits]]

You can see the edge of the forest approaching and your grandpa is looking your way...smiling. You also hear voices coming from your left deep into the forest. //Doctor? Is there anything we can do?// //Ma'am, the best thing to do is to just talk to him. They can hear you in that condition.// //Baby, we love you. If you can hear me, please come back.// It sounds like she is sobbing now. //Honey, it's okay. It's okay.// Your dad says. How did all this happen? You see an opening in the woods appear while the man stands behind you waiting. Do you: [[Leave him and grandpa for the voices of your parents?->The Walk]] [[Finish the path with the man->Last breath]]

You walked towards the voices of your parents as a dim light ahead of you begins to get brighter and the forest seems to fade away. All of a sudden... [[Continue->Wake Up]]

You take one last look, and say goodbye. You then take the hand of the man who walked with you and make the final stretch. //What is your name anyways mister?// //I am...Death. Many are afraid of me because they aren't ready for my visit.// //Why would they be afraid, you don't seem so scary up close?// You ask. //Everyone is afraid by what they cannot see. What many do not realize is that they will be judged after crossing over according to how they lived their life, but not by me...I am only here to guide. You may go now, I have done my duty and there are others who need me. I never rest from my work.// He replies and walks away. You look at your grandpa as he is mere inches from you. //Grandpa! It's so good to see you!// You both hug and he congratulates you on making it across. //I'm so glad to see you too! I thought it'd be years before I seen you again. I'm happy that you were ready.// Your grandpa says. //Me too grandpa!// The End... Death has a word for you: //What you do with the life you've been given will affect your end and so I leave you with one question... How will you live your life?// [[Rewind->One last chance]] [[Rewind near the beginning->The Path]] [[Credits]]

//His eyes! Honey look!// //Doc..DOCTOR! Anyone, please! Come quickly! He's awake!// A team of medical staff rush in and start checking your vitals. You are actively breathing on your own and after a short time the tubes are removed from your mouth and nose. [[Reunited]]

//Mommy!// You cry out. //Oh baby we're so happy you came back!// //We thought we were going to lose you son.// Your dad says as he holds your hand. //I seen grandpa. He made it to the other side. He smiled at me.// Your parents were silent as they made sideways glances at each other and changed the subject. //Well, your friends are going to be so excited to hear you are awake. They're awake in the other rooms here and are able to leave once the doctor says it's okay.// The End...for now. Death has a word for you: //Life is a vapor, and only those who were ready in life, will be peacefully happy in the true end of life.// [[Rewind->The Path]] [[Credits]]

''CREDITS:'' Developed by: Ghost Special Thanks to: Each of my friends and family What Child Is This (Dark Piano Version) by: Nicolas Gasparini (Myuu) Sound Effects: Boom Library and Joseph Sardin Background Photo: Taken and Edited by Ghost Thank you for playing. Merry Christmas and have a Happy New Year! Your host, Ghost [[Start Over?->The Dream]] By the way, my favorite Christmas song is... "What Child is This" (AKA "Greensleeves") ▒█▄░▒█ ▒█▀▀█ ▒█▀▀█ 　 ▄▀ ▒█▀▀█ ▒█░▒█ ▒█▀▀▀█ ▒█▀▀▀█ ▀▀█▀▀ ▀▄ ▒█▒█▒█ ▒█▀▀▄ ▒█░░░ 　 █░ ▒█░▄▄ ▒█▀▀█ ▒█░░▒█ ░▀▀▀▄▄ ░▒█░░ ░█ ▒█░░▀█ ▒█▄▄█ ▒█▄▄█ 　 ▀▄ ▒█▄▄█ ▒█░▒█ ▒█▄▄▄█ ▒█▄▄▄█ ░▒█░░ ▄▀

As you are looking around, you hear your favorite Christmas song playing on a music box. You look to your right and see your mom with the music box in her hand as the nurses worked on removing your life support tubes...and it was playing... ''//What Child Is This//'' The End...for now. Death has a word for you: //Not everyone gets a second chance at life. Many pass on and a precious few simply...wake up. I will, however, reschedule my visit.// [[Rewind->The Path]] [[Credits]]

You pass what looks like a tunnel on your right. A small speck of light can be seen. You hear voices coming out of that tunnel. //I'm sorry, there's nothing else we can do. Theoretically, he's already gone. The life support is only keeping him artificially alive. If we unplug him, it will only be a matter of seconds before he passes.// //Please give us a moment to talk about it with the family. Please...// Another voice says...You think it's your dad. //Go ahead. We'll wait.// Moments pass by. Your life support was unplugged, but by some miracle you started breathing on your own after it was done. //This goes beyond what I've encountered! Nurse check his vitals, I want specifics.// //If you can hear me boy, you are a miracle thus far. Hang in there if you can!// What do you choose to do? [[Follow the voices in the tunnel]] [[Follow the man to the end]]

//I'm sorry mister, but I want to go see mommy and daddy again.// //You may. I will see you...some other time.// He walks away into the darkness and disappears. You turn around and start walking through that tunnel that now, it looks dark...and scary. You continue to hear voices as you go on. //Good, you arrived. This is remarkable! Your boy is coming back!// //Thank God! Do we know when he will wake?// Your mom says. //I think it'll be a good idea to wait until he does. Just in case. Would like anything to drink?// //Maybe some water if you don't mind doctor.// Hearing their voices gives you hope as you try to reach the end of the tunnel. The light you see is so bright you have to hold up your hand to block it from blinding you. You feel a warmth on your hand as well as on your chest. Perhaps your parents are doing that. [[Continue->Second Chance]]

//Mister?// He turns to look at you. //What would you do?// You ask. //It doesn't apply to me, I am only a spiritual being created for guiding the dead and dying.// He replies. //Oh...//You say. You look at the tunnel where the voices came from; it looks so dark and scary that you decide to walk with the man guiding you. //Your friends are gathering at the end just ahead. If you want to come, you may.// //The ones from the accident?// //Yes.// //Okay mister.// You say. [[Continue->The Beginning of the End]]

You open your eyes. A melody is playing and as you listen...you recognize it. Your parents sing the first part of the song for you. //What child is this...who's laid to rest...// You smile...knowing...you have a second chance. This is the end...for now. Death is speechless at this ending and so I will share a word. //Each year for Christmas, many focus on getting gifts or giving gifts that are tangible, but forget that we ought to be thankful for the time we get to spend with those we love. The second greatest commandment we were ever given is that we all love one another. Whether you are alone, or with family, try to make someone smile this season (using caution with covid).// Merry Christmas and as Tiny Tim says in the story about Ebenezer Scrooge God bless...everyone! [[Rewind a little ways->Final Choices]] [[Rewind further back->The Path]] [[Credits]]

//I thought for sure he was going to come back.// The doctor slowly walks back to your family to tell them the news. You and your friends died from the injuries you all suffered from the car accident. Both families were devastated, but in honor of your deaths they chose to bring a smile to those in need. They would bring food and supplies to the homeless, donate toys to childrens hospitals, whatever they could just to make someone else smile. This brought a healing to them with time. The beginning of the End... Death has a word for you: //It's healthy to grieve over a loss, but one way to deal with it, is to ease the pain and burden of someone else.// [[Rewind->The Path]] [[Credits]]