Another Life.

(live: 1s)[(t8n:"dissolve")[Light begins to flood the world once more, no one answered your prayers.](stop:)] (live: 3s)[(t8n:"dissolve")[[[...->01]]](stop:)]

The air is damp and thick, even with the broken windows gushing air through you feel as if you’re suffocating under a blanket of heat. (link:"...")[= The white noise of the outside world brings you into consciousness, soft vines and wildlife twinkle under the morning sun, for once it seems peaceful. (link:"...")[= Sweat trickles down your face, alleviating some of the agony the heat presents you. [[...->01.1]]

Your body trembles as you sit up, head throbbing from the sudden movement. It’s peculiar how the sweat clings to your skin, making the breeze from the window all the more enticing. (link:"...")[= The sensation sends chills down your back. [[...->02]]

(text-colour: "#0077CC")[//“It was a rough night for you, wasn’t it my dear? The fever is setting in now, you’re absolutely drenched… serves you right for ditching the group, hm? Bet you’re regretting that now.”//] (link:"...")[= As you sit up on your makeshift bed, your ears adjust to the soft crunch of gravel outside. (link:"...")[= Patrol is on already? You push yourself out of bed completely, you need to start your day before it’s too late. [[You decide to… ->You decide to]]

(text-colour: "#ECA400")[//“Good morning to all who still stand, this is Mick Collins back today to let you know food rations are once again available from the stadium.”//] (link:"...")[= The radio crackles. Nothing important is missed, you already know which streets to avoid if you don’t want trouble today. [[...->radio 2]]

You shiver, your sticky skin meeting the force of a new breeze coming in from missing bricks out of the wall. (link:"...")[= You open your bottle of murky water balancing on the sink, dousing a cloth to clean yourself off. (link:"...")[= You stare into the sink for a moment, nausea from last night’s fever still cradling you… How you reached out for comfort, and no one was there. [[...->bath 2]]

(text-colour: "#ECA400")[//“Today marks ten years since the first outbreak broke loose, sending safe travels for our brave soldiers still guarding the perimeters. Good luck to you all, may god save us all.”//] [[The radio drops out.->Radio backstory]]

Today is the anniversary. Ten. Fucking. Years. (link:"...")[= A decade has passed since this world has fallen into ruin, the consequences of your forefathers still lingering on this planet. (link:"...")[= Serves us right to play with the laws of nature. No human can be god, [[yet we still tried.->radio bck]]

The people experimented on began to lose control, fully conscious of their actions but unable to command their own bodies. They became hostile. (link:"...")[= You remember the first time you saw one of the hosts. You thought he was calling out to you and Casey for help, you could see the fear in the hosts' eyes. (link:"...")[= Suddenly, he lashed out and in the blink of an eye Casey was attacked. His nails dug through their flesh like soft butter, like they were nothing. [[...->radio p3]]

How you wish it was you instead. (link:"...")[= [[You shake yourself out of your trance.->You decide to]] (set: $x to 1)

[[Make your way to the bathroom.->Bathroom]] [[Turn on the radio. ->Radio]] (if: $x+$y is 2)[(print: "[[Leave for the day.->Leave for the day]]")]

(text-colour: "#0077CC")[//“I understand that rebel group were scaring you, dear. But they were your only means of protection…”//] (link:"...")[= The militia had begun to raid people’s homes and steal their supplies, just because they had the power to. You got mad, furious. (link:"...")[= The radio flickered one day onto an outgoing call asking people to join their rebellion against the militia, they were called The Rising Phoenix. (link:"...")[= You wanted to be a [[phoenix.->phoenix story]]

It was thrilling at first, you learnt so much from your comrades. You could now fight to protect yourself, scavenge, get an answer out of someone noncompliant… (link:"...")[= Shit started to turn sour, the phoenixes lost sight in what they were fighting for, you became greedy. (link:"...")[= The group heard that there was a man cooping himself up in an abandoned bunker, decade’s worth of food rations all to himself… [[You ventured off to seize it.->phoenix story p2]]

Once you and your team broke into the bunker, everything was silent, the air was thick with fear. (link:"...")[= The walls were lined with rusted cans of food and tanks of clean water. The sight made you hold your breath. (link:"...")[= As you reached for a jar, a can in the distance begins to roll across the expansive hallway. [[...->phoenix 2.2]]

(text-colour: "#7A5600")[//“Please, don’t shoot… I understand it wasn’t right to hide all of this but I have reason, pl-“//] (link:"...")[= [[Shoot him.->shoot]] [[Don't shoot.->don't shoot]]

She stood at around your hip height, drowning in oversized clothes that the man must have given her. (link:"...")[= Her brown hair was matted into a messy plait trailing down her back, eyes green like saturated moss you would find in a forest. Tears began to stream down her face. (link:"...")[= Her cries for her father alerted the rest of the group to come to your side, they all stared at her blankly, no remorse in their eyes. [[...->phoenix 4.2]]

All that you left her was his shotgun. (link:"...")[= [[Snap out of it.->ttg]]

You need to start thinking about leaving for the day, if you don’t find antiseptic for that fucking wound today, you can kiss your life goodbye. (link:"...")[= [[What wound? ->what wound]] [[Better go then.->check backpack]]

(text-colour: "#0077CC")[//“How could you forget a mark like that?! He set his dog off at you! When I looked at him I bore witness to a man with no soul… Had to shut my eyes, I couldn’t watch you get hurt like that…”//] (link:"...")[= You could tell that he meant trouble, thick patches of dried blood doused the sleeves of his denim jacket, his jeans and boots worn out beyond repair. [[...->wound 1]]

He drops the leash. (link:"...")[= [[You need to find those supplies. ->check backpack]]

You pack your bags and decide that you can’t leave that wound open to the air. You decide to (link:"Cover with a band-Aid ")[Got to be kidding me. That piece of plastic is not big enough to cover it, you’re better off leaving it out open.] (link:"Cover with an old smelly rag")[You can smell the mildew… That bite will be the least of your worries, better off leaving that alone.] [[Never mind, nothing will cover this shit.->check door]]

[[Time to go.->time to go]]

The floorboards carelessly creak as you make your way down the stairs, taking each step slowly from lack of energy. (link:"...")[= The bite makes your skin sear with pain up towards your chest, you dig your teeth into your lip in an attempt to alleviate the pain. (link:"...")[= It's in these moments where you feel the most alone. [[...->phoenix]]

The gritty rubble grinds underneath your boots as you make your way down the main street, this was once a place booming with life. (link:"...")[= Live music would fill the street, followed by the laughter of drunken people dancing to the rhythm gifted to them. (link:"...")[= Now? (link:"...")[= The road is broken, enveloped within mother nature taking back what was rightfully hers. The buildings still reach for the soft blue sky, but are crumbled and raw from lack of maintenance. [[...->Main street 2]]

Your eyes follow up ahead to see the patrol on duty guarding the fenced-off part of town. They tend to let people through as long as they’re back by curfew, but you need a bloody good excuse to ask them permission. (link:"...")[= There are five soldiers on patrol today, their uniforms still firm, but slightly soiled with dirt and what can only be interpreted as blood… (link:"...")[= Their presence makes you uneasy, they may mean no harm but history has shown you otherwise. You can’t just stand and gawk at them, you need those meds. (link:"...")[= You decide to [[Avoid the soldiers.->No Soldiers]] [[Walk up to the soldiers.->Soldiers]]

They haven’t caught on to your presence yet, you still have a moment to sneak away from suspicion. (link:"...")[= You only have one option. (link:"...")[= You could go through the alleyways but they are riddled with hosts. The thought brings back images of Casey’s lifeless, mangled body. Definitely not going there. [[...->no soldiers 2]]

You take a deep breath and readjust your shoulders, hopefully a confident stance will unfold into liquid courage. (link:"...")[= As you make your way toward the soldiers, their heads flicker towards you in a staggered pattern, like vultures eyeing off a lone lamb. Fresh prey. (link:"...")[= You’re at the gate now. [[...->soldiers01]]

You peer to your right and see an exposed spiralling staircase behind one of the buildings, leading directly to the rooftops. Quickly slipping out of sight from the soldiers, you make your way up. (link:"...")[= You grasp onto the railing, the cool temperature of the steel feels welcoming as the day becomes sweltering under the bare sun. [[...->rooftops p2]]

You reach the top of the building, the chipped concrete grazes your calloused palms as you hold yourself steady, pushing away from the stairs. (link:"...")[= Your breath hitches in your throat at the view from above. The world is greener than you imagined. [[...->rooftops 2.2]]

You cross along the first building with ease, the planks drilled in were reinforced plenty. (link:"...")[= As you make your way toward the second building, you are within eyesight of the soldiers at post. (link:"...")[= The planks to reach the next building are placed closest to the street, it would be tough to avoid the gaze of the threat below. Just the idea of being caught envelops your mind with fear. [[...->roof decide 2]]

You decide to follow the planks and test your luck. (link:"...")[= Slowly making your way towards the planks, a last minute thought rushes to you, should you… [[Crouch and move slowly.->crouch]] [[Stay upright and run.->run]]

You decide to test your luck and jump the gap. (link:"...")[= You inhale deeply, preparing for the leap. Taking a few steps back, you hold a strong stance, before setting off toward the gap. [[...->jump 2]]

You lower yourself closer to the concrete, placing your hands onto the textured cement as you begin to crawl. (link:"...")[= These planks do not seem as reinforced as you had hoped for, the slight wobble as your palms greet the wood makes you tense, but you need to keep moving. [[...->crouch p1]]

You tighten your backpack and adjust your shoes, you can’t let yourself trip. You take a sharp strong inhale, allowing the harshness of the air fill your lungs, pumping your blood with newfound oxygen. (link:"...")[= You prepare you stance, taking more breaths to calm your nerves, you need to be faster than a bullet. (link:"...")[= [[Run.->run p2]]

The planks begin to split. [[...->crouch ending]]

You cry out as the ground below meets you, the fall was slow. Serene. (link:"...")[= You would say that it was painful, but the adrenaline of the moment was coursing through your veins, trying to protect you from your fate. (link:"...")[= The soldiers heard your cry, all quickly pulled from their trance of boredom to assess the commotion. [[...->crouch end]]

Your hands roam restlessly, trying to hold on to whatever life you have left, only to be greeted by another hand. It was cold, freezing even, yet comforting. (link:"...")[= The rest of the figure emerges from the fog, she lays down beside you, her icy pupils staring into your soul. [[...->death 1.1]]

(text-colour: "#0077CC")[//“My dear, your time shouldn’t have come so soon… I was hoping to have you out of reach for just a little longer.”//] (link:"...")[= Death’s fingers intertwine with yours. You can feel her desperation, she was sincere. [[...->death 1.2]]

(text-colour: "#0077CC")[//“Every moment, every little thing you have done in your life has led to exactly this moment.”//] (link:"...")[= [[She hesitates for a moment.->death 1.3]]

(text-colour: "#0077CC")[//“Was it worth it? Your life I mean, was it? I’ve never experienced a full existence, only fragments like this… What actions must one take to leave the world in such a cruel way?”//] (link:"...")[= Small, soft tears well up in your eyes, fear is beginning to set in. (link:"...")[= [[Was there anything I could have done to survive?->death 1.4]]

(text-colour: "#0077CC")[//“Oh no, my love, there wasn’t… I was always going to come embrace you. Whether now or later, from that bite or this fall, does not matter. I was always coming for you.”//] (link:"...")[= The fog begins to fill your lungs, the weight is heavy and constricting,(live: 2s)[(t8n:"dissolve")[[[yet so inviting.->The End]]](stop:)]

(live: 1s)[(t8n:"dissolve")[A life for a death.](stop:)] (live: 3s)[(t8n:"dissolve")[The purest transaction of them all.](stop:)] (live: 6s)[(t8n:"dissolve")[Did you make the right choices?](stop:)] (live: 9s)[(t8n:"dissolve")[[[...->the end 2]]](stop:)]

You sprint toward the planks, the crumbled cement crunches underneath your every step. (link:"...")[= The wooden planks are far less stable than you had originally thought, the timber splinters under your fast feet, your weight bowing the centre of the boards as you hastily make your way across. (link:"...")[= Luckily, the planks gave out once you made it to the other side. You watch them fall to the ground below. [[...->run p3]]

The sound echoes. [[...->run choice]]

The soldiers flick their heads in unison to the direction of the noise, they’re onto you. (link:"...")[= There’s no time now, in order to steer clear of their fire you need to [[Lay down on the roof, they can’t shoot what they can’t aim at, right?->Lay down]] [[Run as fast as you fucking can.->sprint]]

You slam your body into the concrete beneath you, every limb greeting the coarse texture. (link:"...")[= You’re not sure how long you should stay on the ground, the soldiers are yelling at you from the street below, commanding you to show yourself. (link:"...")[= You try to ignore the aggression, only to hear from behind you someone loudly climbing up the staircase. [[...->lay 3]]

You inhale as deeply as your lungs allow, planting your feet into the ground below you. (link:"...")[= You push off the ground with an intense force, propelling you forward faster than you have ever run before, this is going to work. (link:"...")[= The soldiers glare up at you, shouting profanities and commanding you to stop, but your legs refuse to give out. [[...->sprint 1]]

A soldier takes a shot. [[...->sprint 3]]

Your feet carry you across building to building with ease, adrenaline pumping through you deep into your core. (link:"...")[= You finally see the last building to cross and slow down your pace, so you don’t accidentally run off the side of the roof. (link:"...")[= You pause to take a pain inducing breath. Were you breathing at all during that sprint? (link:"...")[= Your chest heaves comically at the presence of blooming oxygen, making your legs buckle uncontrollably, you start to feel woozy. [[...->sprint 4]]

Probably from the sprint, right? [[...->sprint 5]]

Your legs give out without your permission, and you crumble onto the last roof. (link:"...")[= You try to pry yourself off the hot cement but your body refuses to let you. What’s going on? (link:"...")[= [[You finally look down.->death 2]]

Warm, thick blood is pouring down from your abdomen… (link:"...")[= Your head begins to feel heavier and heavier as you watch the crimson liquid seeps into your clothes, trailing down your body, caressing every crevice of fabric. (link:"...")[= Your own blood mocks you of your failure. [[...->death 2.1]]

You remember the day being hot, how sweat clung to your skin as you ran. (link:"...")[= Yet, the heat has flushed out of your system, leaving you shivering as you stare into the open sky. (link:"...")[= Your hands weakly reach out to feel the soft air above you, only to touch someone's face. She’s freezing. [[...->death 2.2]]

(text-colour: "#0077CC")[//“My dear, you were so close to escaping. I was hoping you wouldn’t be coming with me quite just yet…”//] (link:"...")[= Your hands slowly roam Death’s face, feeling her delicate features with your calloused fingertips. Her piercing blue eyes stare into your soul. [[...->death 2.3]]

(text-colour: "#0077CC")[//“I haven’t seen this much blood in a while… Oh how you must feel right now.”//] (link:"...")[= You wince from pain, making her hesitate with her words. [[...->death 2.4]]

(text-colour: "#0077CC")[//“Was it worth it? Your life I mean, was it? I’ve never been able to comprehend what human beings feel, but do you have regret?”//] (link:"...")[= You weakly try to dig your hands into the seeping wound to stop the blood. Fear is setting in. (link:"...")[= [[Was there anything I could have done to survive?->death 2.5]]

(text-colour: "#0077CC")[//“Oh no, my love, there wasn’t… I was always going to come embrace you. Whether now or later, from that bite or this shot, does not matter. I was always coming for you.”//] [[...->death 2.6]]

Your body finally stops shivering, breath catching in your throat. (live: 2s)[(t8n:"dissolve")[[[Your eyes close.->The End]]](stop:)]

Panic begins to set in as you realise what you would have to face up ahead, you would probably die trying to get what you need. (link:"...")[= You weakly make you way back to your apartment. Following the same staircase, tracing your fingers along the recognisable dints of the handrail. (link:"...")[= Your apartment door creaks open, the familiar scene gives you comfort. [[...->Go Back 2]]

As you step into the space, your bite wound begins to burn uncontrollably, urging you to scratch the bubbling infection underneath. (link:"...")[= You decide to [[Scratch it.->Scratch]] [[Cover it.->Cover]]

The lay your fingertips onto the inflamed patch of skin. The pain seethes through you yet invites relief from the infected itch. (link:"...")[= You dig your nails in deeper, begging for relief. A little too deep. (link:"...")[= The wound begins to reopen, releasing a florescent ooze from the agitated bite marks. [[...->scratch 01]]

You rush to the bathroom, guess the old smelly rag will have to do. (link:"...")[= You decide to douse it with some of the remaining water, hopefully that will help soothe the burning itch. (link:"...")[= The relief of the dampened rag brings a sigh to your lips. You have lost a lot of strength to this wound, best to go lay down. [[...->cover 2]]

You rush into the bathroom to use the little water you have left on an old rag, dousing your arm to clean it and using the rest of the water on a cloth for your forehead to relieve some of the heat. (link:"...")[= Full body tremors begin to swirl your body, you rush to lay down. (link:"...")[= You look up at the ceiling, tracing the same crevices as this morning, this brings you comfort. [[...->scratch 3]]

The fever is really setting in now. You weakly blow air onto the dampened cloth in an attempt to cool its surface, but you can barely breathe. (link:"...")[= You try to raise your arm to place the cloth on your forehead with no result, you can’t move. (link:"...")[= You feel a hand reach for the cloth, placing it on the ground beside you, her hand is as cold as ice. [[...->death 3and4]]

And since you decided to not go, there isn’t much to do anymore. (link:"...")[= Days pass. [[...->cover 3]]

It’s been over a week since you last ate, and now you’re too weak to go scavenge for food. [[...->cover 4]]

You wake up in the middle of the night again, your entire body trembles and writhes in pain from lack of food. Your weakened immune system has made the fevers come more regularly. (link:"...")[= But this one feels different. Something’s wrong. (link:"...")[= Sharp pains attack your stomach, you need food, water, something. [[...->cover 5]]

You sit up, facing your window to show the beautiful night sky. (link:"...")[= You try to stand up to get your last mouthful of water, but your body refuses to move. Like someone is holding you down. (link:"...")[= You feel cold hands wrap around your shoulders. [[...->death 3and4]]

(text-colour: "#4F7D6F")[//“What the fuck do you think you’re doing up here?”//] (link:"...")[= [[Lie.->lie]] [[Tell the truth.->truth]] [[Fuck you.->fuck you]]

You tell him you were trying to find your friend who ran away. God, you’re a bad liar. (link:"...")[= He walks up to you with a scoff, pulling you to sit on your knees with your hands behind your back. [[...->death 5]]

You explain to him that you were needing to cross to get to the hospital, you’re in need of medical supplies. [[...->truth 2]]

(text-colour: "#4F7D6F")[//“Tough shit.”//] (live: 2s)[(t8n:"dissolve")[[[The gun fires.->The End]]](stop:)]

(text-colour: "#4F7D6F")[//“Let me see what’s wrong.”//] (link:"...")[= You slowly lift up your sleeve to expose the festering bite. [[...->truth 3]]

(text-colour: "#4F7D6F")[//“That’s a host bite! Don’t you fucking move!”//] (link:"...")[= He aims his rifle into your stomach, you raise your hands above your head. (link:"...")[= You beg to him to let you explain, only angering him more. [[...->death 6]]

He shoots. [[...->death 2]]

The wind flows over your skin, the suns heat feels like a blessing combined with your adrenaline. (link:"...")[= [[You jump.->jump 3]]

Your moment mid-air feels euphoric, it feels as if the wind is carrying you across with ease. (link:"...")[= As you near the end of the jump, you reach out with your arms and legs to greet the painful fall back onto the concrete. [[...->jump 4]]

You miss. [[...->jump end]]

You cry out for help as your body falls to the ground. (link:"...")[= You would say that it was painful, but the adrenaline of the moment was coursing through your veins, trying to protect you from your fate. (link:"...")[= The soldiers heard your cry, and all were quickly pulled from their trance of boredom to assess the commotion... [[...->jump end 2]]

[[Tell the truth.->truth 1]] [[Tell a lie.->lie 1]]

You explain that you were attacked recently, the bite is badly infected and you need to make your way to the hospital to get medical supplies. (link:"...")[= She looks you over with a dissatisfied scowl. The way she stares at you makes you feel naked, her eyes flickering over every crease of material looking for a clue to injury. [[...->truth 1.2]]

You try to muster up a lie, but being surrounded by soldiers leaves you speechless. (link:"...")[= They notice your nerves. [[...->lie 2]]

(text-colour: "#4F7D6F")[//“Show me.”//] (link:"...")[= You lift your soiled sleeve. [[...->truth 1.3]]

(text-colour: "#4F7D6F")[//“You better run to that hospital before I change my mind.”//] (link:"...")[= You run toward the gate, only to hear a snicker from the soldiers behind you. They shout out to you. [[...->truth 1.4]]

(text-colour: "#4F7D6F")[//“Hey! Changed my mind!”//] [[She shoots.->lie 6]]

(text-colour: "#4F7D6F")[//“It’s fine, just go through and be back by curfew.”//] (link:"...")[= She chuckles at your fear, directing you to the gate door with the tip of her rifle. [[...->lie 3]]

You make your way through the door and thank them excessively, fear still holding in your throat. (link:"...")[= You begin to walk down the road when you hear them shout out to you. [[...->lie 4]]

(text-colour: "#4F7D6F")[//“Hey! Next time, use your fucking words!”//] [[...->lie 5]]

The gun goes off. (live: 2s)[(t8n:"dissolve")[[[...->The End]]](stop:)]

A seething, burning pain flushes through your body, she shot you. (link:"...")[= You begin to run as fast you can, adrenaline coursing through your veins, she might try to shoot again. [[...->lie 7]]

You feel your legs start to give out, your toes and fingertips feel numb. (link:"...")[= You slow down so you can [[check the wound->lie 8]] site.

Thick crimson blood pools out of your abdomen, pulsating with your heartbeat. [[...->lie 9]]

You push yourself to keep running. Your lungs become weighted, like thick smog envelops within. (link:"...")[= The road is constant, it feels as if you haven’t moved from your beginning spot. (link:"...")[= Yet, [[you look up.->lie 10]]

You see the silhouette of the hospital. [[...->lie 11]]

You force yourself to move with whatever energy you have left, dragging your legs along the path as the hospital gets closer and closer. (link:"...")[= You’ve made it. [[...->lie 12]]

You can’t help but slow your pace as you reach the hospital car park, you feel intensely woozy, your limbs feel completely drained of any life sustenance. [[...->lie 13]]

Your legs finally give out. [[...->lie 14]]

As you lay in the carpark you notice the trail of blood you have brought with you. (link:"...")[= Your turn your attention back to the hospital, and begin to claw at the ground, attempting to crawl in. (link:"...")[= As you place your hand down, you’re met with someone else’s, she’s freezing. [[...->lie 15]]

(text-colour: "#0077CC")[//“My dear, you were so close. I wish I could help but this is where I stay.”//] (link:"...")[= Death intertwines her fingers with yours, laying down beside you. [[...->death 10]]

(text-colour: "#0077CC")[//“I was hoping to not have you come so soon, I wanted you out of reach for just a little longer.”//] (link:"...")[= You begin to process her words, panic sets in. (link:"...")[= [[Was there anything I could have done to survive?->death 10.1]]

You see people rushing out of the hospital to help you. (live: 2s)[(t8n:"dissolve")[[[Everything disappears.->The End]]](stop:)]

(text-colour: "#4F7D6F")[//“Got any reason to be coming here? If you need to pass, you better give me a sweet enough reason.”//] (link:"...")[= She licks her chapped lips, scraping flakes of skin off with the fluid motion. (link:"...")[= [[You decide to->soldier choice]]

You open your eyes reluctantly and stare at your cracked ceiling, tracing the lines across your apartment, every crevice the same as before… (link:"...")[= Guess it’s ritual now. (link:"...")[= The ghost of shivers from your night haunt you, [[you need to get up.->you need to get up.]]

The experiments began pretty early on, the virus was spreading fast and they needed results. Their vaccine didn’t come fast enough, millions died… (link:"...")[= In a last effort scientists began going behind the board of ethics’ back and experimented on live hosts, people. (link:"...")[= They wanted to see if they could grow the vaccine directly from the human cell, at first it was promising really. [[Then the tremors set in.->Radio Backstory p2]]

He craved them, desperate to know what they tasted like, and he wasn’t going to stop at anything to find out. (link:"...")[= You still see them at night, their body effortlessly ripped into pieces, how bullets did nothing to deter him. (link:"...")[= You still hear them, oh how their screams echo off every wall and crevice in your mind. [[...->end radio]]

Your instincts made you aim your revolver at the sight. Slowly, the man came around the corner with his arms behind him. Something was suspicious. (link:"...")[= You yell at him to show his hands and get down on his knees, he stared into your eyes with a quiet desperation, begging you to show mercy. [[...->phoenix story p3]]

You can still remember the sound ringing in your ears. (link:"...")[= He cowered over, exposing the shotgun he was hiding behind his back, his blood poured over the concrete like it was desperate to escape his vessel. He died within seconds, choking on his own blood. (link:"...")[= You stood over the man as the world around you became hazy and silent, your team took the liberty of clearing out the bunker of all its supplies, leaving you to move the body out of sight. (link:"...")[= As soon as he was out of sight, you lowered his legs back onto the concrete, only to hear a shuffle behind you. [[You turn around.->phoenix p4]]

You left her there, crouched over her father's body. (link:"...")[= His blood seeped up into her clothes as she buried her face in his chest in violent sobs, her nails digging into his arms as she held on for dear life. [[...->phoenix p5]]

You look down at your arm, that’s quite a festering mark. [[...->wound]]

His dog looked at you with such an intensity, its eyes completely glazed over, you were no longer another human being. (link:"...")[= The man smirked as he sensed your fear, slowly loosening his hold on the leash. (link:"...")[= You swore to him once again that you carried nothing of use to him, you just wanted to go home and get out of this hell. [[...->wound p2]]

You need to find your path toward the hospital, the nurses and doctors holed up in the abandoned building keep supplies for those who are desperate. You definitely count as one of those people. (link:"...")[= The only way is down the main street, there will be much struggle ahead, and you’re not very strong after last night’s fever. Is it worth it? (link:"...")[= [[You need to go.->Main street]] [[You’ll never make it.->Go back]]

The rooftops keep you away from any host confrontation. Others who have followed the same journey have created bridgeways connecting the buildings, there is some kindness left in this world after all... (link:"...")[= The problem though is the reason why many do not follow this path, the soldiers below will get a very clear view of you if you’re not careful, and shoot you on sight. (link:"...")[= You choose. [[Follow the rooftops.->Rooftops]] [[Go back to the soldiers.->Soldiers]]

Brutalist concrete architecture is embraced by the luscious vinery. It looks like waves pushing and contracting its way over the industrial world, flowing effortlessly like the ocean, you haven’t seen an ocean in years. (link:"...")[= The blazing sun glimmers over the shrubbery, creating delicate spots of light, dancing on the ground beneath. The soft warm breeze makes the leaves pulsate, as if mother nature was alive and breathing, consuming the world whole. (link:"...")[= You blink yourself out of the trance, grounding yourself to [[decide->roof decide]] your next moves.

They’re relatively preoccupied by what you can see though. (link:"...")[= You may be able to [[follow the planks->Planks]] if you’re quiet. Or you could just try your luck at [[jumping the gap->jump]], it’s about the length of an average door.

As you reach the centre, the wood begins to bow beneath you. The groaning of the timber makes your heart feel as if it was trying to rip out of your chest. (link:"...")[= You shuffle as fast as you can. [[...->crouch p2]]

As you lay on the ground, the soldiers circle your mangled body unsure what the fuck to do… (link:"...")[= You can only see their feet, but they were shuffling with unease, they knew trying to move your body would only bring you unfathomable pain, there was nothing they could do. (link:"...")[= Your eyes become hazy, the world around you swirling into a grey scene surrounded by fog. [[...->death 01]]

(text-colour: "#4F7D6F")[//“I’ve got ‘em!”//] [[...->sprint 2]]

They try to move your body, only causing you unfathomable pain. They quickly place you back down, unsure what to do. (link:"...")[= You can only see their feet, but they were shuffling with unease. (link:"...")[= Your eyes become hazy, the world around you enveloped by thick fog. [[...->death 01]]

The release of pressure is welcomed, but the now open wound’s exposure to bacteria is not. (link:"...")[= The mixture of blood and infected puss begins to pool on your forearm, the sight makes your stomach churn. (link:"...")[= The pain of the raw cuts pulsates through your arm with such an intensity that you begin to feel woozy, like another fever is setting in. [[...->scratch 2]]

One of the soldiers sitting on a crate stands up and flicks her hands over her uniform, trying to push away creases and dirt. (link:"...")[= She straightens herself up, licks her calloused palms to slick back her tight hair bun. (link:"...")[= Finally, she addresses you, holding her rifle tightly to her chest. [[...->soldiers p2]]

You shot him. [[...->phoenix 3.2]]

Shots fired from your teammate. [[...->phoenix 3.2]]

Grabbing the moistened cloth, you wipe down your face, washing away your invasive thoughts. (link:"...")[= [[You step away from the sink->You decide to]] (set: $y to 1)

(text-colour: "#0077CC")[//“You know that won’t do you any good, my dear. It’s too late.”//] (link:"...")[= Death kneels beside you, her hands placed comfortably in her lap as she looks into your eyes, her piercing blue irises lock you in a trance. [[...->death 3and4.1]]

(text-colour: "#0077CC")[//“I was hoping you would have lasted a little longer than this… If only you had gone out and tested your luck, you don’t deserve such a lonely death.”//] (link:"...")[= Your breath begins to hitch in your throat, panic of inevitable setting in. [[...->death 3and4.2]]

(text-colour: "#0077CC")[//“Do you feel that you made the right choice? Yes, you lasted longer, but at what price? Didn’t you want to fight my dear?”//] (link:"...")[= [[Was there anything I could have done to survive?->death 3and4.3]]

(text-colour: "#0077CC")[//“Oh, my love of course not. I’ve been watching you because I knew your time had come. Whether it was from this bite, or the other fates set for you today, there was no way out. I was always coming for you.”//] [[...->death 3and4.4]]

She reaches out to hold your face, her cold touch soothes you into a haze. (live: 2s)[(t8n:"dissolve")[[[You close your eyes.->The End]]](stop:)]

The main door to the apartment complex slams shut, echoing through the empty street. The abrupt sound causes nearby birds to fly away, towards the warming sun. (link:"...")[= Your skin prickles at the change of scene, the rays kissing your flesh with a comforting swirl. [[...->time to go 2]]

He scoffs at your remark, and readjusts his rifle. [[...->fuck you 2]]

(live: 1s)[(t8n:"dissolve")[[[He pulls the trigger.->The End]]](stop:)]