Sno

The bell rings. It's tiny and tinkling, yet the sound makes Sno feel a weight he can't explain. But he knows what it means. It means the door is open. The children are here. There are ten of them in all. They wander in, confused. Their jackets and boots and knitted hats are covered with snowflakes from outside. As they stand under the warm light, one of them spots the sign. Sno can't see it from where he is, but he knows what it says. It's a simple invitation. A simple deal. *"You can play with these toys as long as you want! But each child can only take away one!"* At that moment the rest of the room lights up. The children look ahead and catch their breath. Their eyes sparkle. All fear melts away, replaced with glee and bright smiles. Sno knows they can see his friends now. They're sitting on shelves and lying on cushions. Some of them have perfectly stitched smiles, others have no faces at all. All of them are still, unmoving. Waiting. And once again, he waits too. The children rush towards them. They pick up whatever they can get their hands on. Soon they're chatting and laughing away as they play with the toys. Sno watches from his corner. They haven't noticed him yet. Then it happens. A boy in an indigo sweater walks near one of the shelves and sees him. A younger boy and girl follow behind him and stop as well. "Look, a snow lion!" "It's so cute!" "I want to hug it!" Sno stays still, but inside his heart is pounding. *Please be okay this time,* he thinks. *Please.* The first boy steps forward, then takes Sno in his arms and picks him up. For just a moment Sno can feel his warmth, his love. He's ready to embrace it. Then the boy lets out a sharp cry. He drops Sno to the ground and steps back. "It's cold! It's really, REALLY cold! I don't like it!" The younger children look at each other. Sno watches as the boy talks to them, convinces them not to pick him up. They're hesitant at first, but they soon believe him. The three of them leave, and go back to the warmth and joy of the other toys. They leave Sno in his cold little corner, alone. The night continues. The children are in utter bliss. They play as if there were no tomorrow, no yesterday. Some of the others also notice Sno and try to pick him up. But it's always the same. His snowy self freezes them from the inside out, and he's soon discarded. Each time he's dropped back to the floor, his heart grows a little heavier. Finally the children grow tired. Each of them selects their favourite toy. Then with sleepy smiles, they wander over to the door. As they open it, the strange blue mist waits outside once again. One by one, they walk out the door with Sno's friends. The soft crunch of their boots in the snow grows fainter as the mist envelops them. Finally the last child disappears into the mist. The door shuts. The lanterns go out all at once. There's a deep silence. Once again, the room feels empty. *He* feels empty. He feels empty like a garden where all the plants are gone. He feels like the hope in his heart will never grow back again. The children come and go, but the pain always stays. It always stays. After a long, long time, Sno drifts off into a dreamless sleep.

Sno hasn't been looking at the clock lately. Before he used to do it all the time. It gave him comfort, in a way. *This is how much time we have left,* he would think. *I still have time before Bonbon leaves me. Yes, we have lots of time to stay together.* But now the more he looks at it, the more he grows worried. Because eventually it started showing that the time was getting closer. That time was running out. So he stopped looking at it, and started focusing on the time they have left. If he keeps doing that, maybe somehow it'll last forever. But Bonbon has noticed. She comes up beside Sno, her wooden cross and strings trailing behind her. The look plastered on her face is always the same - a little red smile, button nose and inquisitive eyes that match her dark blue dungarees. Those eyes are trained on something nearby. Sno knows she's looking at the clock. "They're coming soon, aren't they?" she asks. "The children." [["That's still a while away."->Denial]] [["Yes, I think they are."->Agree]]

"I don't think so," Bonbon replies. "I think it's very close. Look!" Sno doesn't want to look. He wants to spend time with Bonbon. [[Look at the clock]] [[Refuse to look at the clock]]

"I wonder how many children will come," she muses, tilting her head. "There's never enough children to take all the toys. But maybe this time will be different." "Maybe..." But honestly, Sno's doubtful. He's been disappointed so many times that at this point it seems hopeless. Yet at the same time, he doesn't know what he'll do if Bonbon's taken away. She's all he has left. Sno looks over at the door. He imagines the bell ringing as the door opens again. He knows once that happens for real, it'll be the end. Before he knows it he'll be alone... forever. "I have an idea!" Sno turns back to Bonbon. She bounces on the balls of her feet with her hands clasped together. "Why don't we go to the children first? Then we can talk to them and explain that you need a home. That way you won't get left behind!" Sno stares at her. He'd never considered such an idea before. But something like that would mean... "We can't do that. We'd have to go outside, and we're not allowed to go outside. Besides, where would we even find them?" "It'll be fine! All we have to do is open the door." Bonbon points at it. "And the children have to come from somewhere. I bet the blue mist brings them from the nearby forest. I see it sometimes when the snow's not falling so much." Sno's seen the forest before as well. Sometimes he even wonders what lies within it. But he's not allowed to go outside. He's known that from the moment he woke up in this place. But he's never known why. But if he did... would it really change things? Is it his chance to finally be accepted by one of them? Maybe even loved? "We should go right now!" Bonbon says. "Then we can reach them before the clock hand reaches the bell!" She looks up at Sno. "Well? What do you say?" Sno goes quiet. He knows he's not allowed to go outside. He knows they might not find the children. He knows no-one wants a toy made of snow. But... He lets out a deep sigh. Then finally, he says... [["Yes, alright."]] [["No. It's a bad idea, Bonbon."]]

Sno turns his head. The ornate grandfather clock stands in its spot by the right wall, right next to the empty shelves. It looks like he can't escape it now. With a deep breath, he walks over to it. The clock face looms over him. It's so huge and white that it looks like a second moon. There are blue dots where the numbers should be. They change colour each time the children come. But at the top, instead of a blue dot there's a delicate golden bell. And between it and the blue dot to its left points a single long clock hand. The sight of it fills Sno with dread. He can't hide from the truth anymore. Once the clock hand reaches the bell and and the clock chimes three times, he'll be rendered silent and still. Then the children will arrive again, reject him again, and take his friends away again. Except this time the only friend left is Bonbon, and once she's gone he'll be all alone. A solemn, stony cold fills him. Why are things like this? Why did he have to be made of snow? If he was a normal toy someone would want him. Someone would love him like he'd always craved. *If only... things could be different this time...* The bell rings. Sno jumps. Is that the door? That's impossible! It isn't time for the children to arrive. He turns his head in time to see a wooden cross and strings slip outside. [[Run to the door]]

Sno turns his head away, a familiar ache rising in his chest. "I'm going to the window. You can come with me if you want." He walks away from Bonbon and makes his way to the front of the room. She doesn't follow him. He wishes she would. Sno's big enough to climb up onto the plush seat on his own. Usually he carries Bonbon with him on his back, or pull her up by her strings. Then they'd watch the falling snowflakes together. Would they really never get to do that again? Snow gets on his tiptoes and props his arms up on the windowsill. That's when he gets his answer. The blue mist is back. It isn't thick like it is when the children are here. But wisps and floaty tendrils are appearing here and there. They twist around each other, slowly forming into bigger and bigger strands. He can't avoid the truth anymore. The mist is forming, which means it will bring the children soon. Soon they'll be here, and they'll take Bonbon away. Sno and Bonbon are the only toys left. If she leaves, he'll be alone... forever. He stares hopelessly at the mist. There has to be something he can do. Some child out there who will love him. If only... Something red flashes in the distance. Sno lifts his head. *What was that?* Usually the only things outside are snow and darkness. Is he imagining things? He peers hard through the window. At first he doesn't see anything. But just as he's about to give up, he sees it. The red silhouette glows brighter than anything he's ever seen. It's surrounded by the trees of a distant forest. For some reason Sno feels like he's being watched too. But as he stares, only one thought fills his mind. *Is that... a child?* The bell rings. Sno jumps. The door. Who could be at the door? He turns his head in time to see a wooden cross and strings slip outside. [[->Find child and Bonbon]]

{ "death_text": "BAD END" }

Bonbon jumps up and down. "Yay! I can't wait to find you a new home!" Sno can't help but smile. "I can't wait either. Come on." Together they walk towards the door. As they get closer Sno tries to hide his growing apprehension. They're going outside. They're not allowed to go outside. ...But can they? Finally they stop. Sno looks up. He's tall enough that if he reaches up on his tiptoes, he can turn the doorknob. "Sno? Are you okay?" Sno looks down at Bonbon. That's when he notices his paw. It's shaking, as if he can feel the chill of his own body. He takes a deep breath. "I'm fine. Don't worry about me. I'm fine." Bonbon places her hand in his paw. The shaking stops. "Don't be scared. As long as we're together, we'll get through this okay. Okay?" Inside, Sno feels still. But something else flutters in his chest. It's hope. "Okay." With a determined look, Sno reaches up onto his tiptoes. He grasps the wooden doorknob in his other paw and turns it. Then he pulls. The bell rings. It feels like an invisible force is pulling the door open along with him. Indeed, when Sno lets go of the doorknob and steps back, it continues to move on its own. Snowflakes swirl around them as a gust of wind blows in. Sno stares. Wisps of blue mist float in the air in front of them. Beyond it a field of twinkling, pure white stretches into the distance. And beyond that, standing tall and silent, is the forest. The trees blend with each other and the creeping darkness. They seem so far away... yet so close as well. For some reason, Sno feels as if he's been waiting for this moment his entire life. The open door feels like more than a miracle. It feels like a sign. He looks down at Bonbon and finds her staring back. They're silent for a long moment. "...Let's go." The two of them step outside. **TO BE CONTINUED** [[->Thank you and Credits]]

Bonbon's head droops a little. "A... bad idea? Really?" Sno feels a stab of guilt. He knows Bonbon likes coming up with ideas. They're usually good ones too. But this time... "I'm sorry, Bonbon. It's just too risky. Even if we could go outside, it could be a long journey. We might miss them, or be too late to come back here." Bonbon doesn't answer. Sno wishes he knew what she's thinking right now. He sighs again. "Thank you for trying to help me. It... it'll be okay. Don't worry about me, alright?" "...Alright." Sno's glad she finally said something, even if her tiny voice worries him. He's not sure what else to do, though. "I'm going to go rest a bit, okay? You should too, before the children arrive." Bonbon nods, but doesn't move. After a moment or two, Sno turns and makes his way to his corner. *So there really is no hope, huh?* The thought comes to him as he sits in his spot. It surprises him at first, but then he realises it really shouldn't. Because it's the truth. For whatever reason, this is the way things are supposed to be. He just wishes his last few moments with Bonbon weren't so sad. Sno yawns. His body feels heavy, and he's suddenly very tired. Maybe it would be better if he never woke up again. It would hurt less, anyway. Bonbon's still standing in the same place when he falls into a deep sleep. [[turnto->Bad End - The bell rings]]

The bell rings. Sno's eyes snap open. The whole place is dark. The sound of swirling wind fills his ears. Everything's cold, colder than it should be. Something is very wrong. He tries to get up, but he can't move anymore. That usually means the children are about to arrive. He looks ahead. *Bonbon?* She's standing in the open doorway with her back to him, snow swirling round her feet. She stays like that for a long moment. Then without a word, she steps outside. *BONBON!* The door slams shut. Everything's quiet. So, so quiet. It's as if nothing exists except the pitch darkness and Sno's swirling thoughts. *What just happened? Why did she go? She wasn't supposed to go...* Did she decide to find the children without him? That doesn't explain anything else, though. Like why she was able to move and he can't. *...She'll come back, right?* Sno doesn't want to take the chills of fear as an answer. She has to come back. She *will* come back. All he has to do is wait. So he waits. And waits. And waits. But Bonbon doesn't come back. In fact, the children don't come either. Nobody ever will. The fate Sno feared more than anything has arrived, even sooner than he thought. He has nothing. He has no-one. He can't even close his eyes. All he can do is sit in his cold little corner and stare into the darkness, alone. Sno the snow lion is desperately, completely alone. Forever. **BAD END**

*She'll come back... right?* Sno stares at the door. He wishes the silence would bring an answer. Instead it makes him feel lonelier with each passing second. *Of course she'll come back,* he reassures himself. *Bonbon just stepped outside because she was curious. She wanted to stand under the snowflakes, not just watch them. Once she's done, she'll come and tell me all about it.* "All I have to do," Sno declares out loud, "is sit here and wait for her." He sits down. His gaze becomes intent as he continues to watch the door. Any second now, it'll open. Any second now, he'll see Bonbon again. Any second now, the bell will ring. All Sno has to do is wait. --- Sno can't move. He's still sitting there. The clock has long since chimed. The door is still shut. Bonbon hasn't come back. Oddly enough, neither have the children. Was it because he didn't sit in his corner? Did he break the rules? He can't have. He didn't go outside. *Bonbon...* He still remembers the moment he walked away from her. He wishes he hadn't. He wishes he'd stayed with her, even if it meant facing the truth. Now the only thing he can face is the door. And it'll never open again. *Please... come back...* **BAD END**

Bonbon's all Sno has left. He can't let her go. Not yet. *At least open the door.* With a determined look he reaches up and grips the doorknob with his paw. He turns it and wrenches the door open. There's nobody there. Sno stares in disbelief. *How can she be gone? She just left!* But the scene is still the same. All that's in front of him is the wisps of blue mist and a vast field of snow. Bonbon has disappeared. *What happened to Bonbon? Did someone take her? But no-one else ever comes here. Where could she have gone, then?* Sno spots something in the distance. It looks like an endless row of trees, just clear enough to make out while still being shrouded in darkness. That's when it hits him. *Of course. The forest.* Bonbon was the one who first spotted the forest, while they were staring out the window once. They can't always see it, but it's always there, always looming. It's the only other place to go. The only place she can be. But is it really okay to step outside? To go that far? Can Sno even get there? *I can't lose Bonbon to this place. I... I have to try.* Sno slowly lets go of the doorknob. He takes a deep breath. *Here goes.* As he steps through the doorway, the only thing he thinks of is Bonbon's smile. **TO BE CONTINUED** [[->Thank you and Credits]]

*Thank you for playing the demo of Sno. I'd like to thank Santarpy for the letter to Santa that led to the creation of this story. I hope you enjoyed your gift. -DreamCartographer* --- Story by DreamCartographer Made in Twine for Santarpy during Secret Santa Jam 2021

Sno rushes towards the door. By the time he gets there, the door has already swung shut. He stops, panting. He knows that was Bonbon he saw go out just now. But why did she do that all of a sudden? Why did she leave him? She knows they're not allowed to go outside. Sno stares at the door. Something is stopping him from moving forward. He knows he should go after Bonbon. He knows he should make sure she's okay. But he's not allowed to go outside. He doesn't know why. But the thought of doing so leaves him in an icy grip. *The child...* Sno stiffens. He'd seen the strange child right before Bonbon left. Was it just a coincidence? He shakes his head. He doesn't know what to make of any of this. He just knows he has to get Bonbon. *I'm not going outside... I'm just going to open the door. I'm just going to open the door and call her back. That's it.* With a deep breath, he stands on his tiptoes and reaches for the doorknob. He turns it and pulls the door open. It swings back, letting in a gust of wind. Snowflakes swirl past him into the room. There's nobody there. Sno stares in disbelief. *How can she be gone? She just left!* But the scene is still the same. All that's in front of him is the wisps of blue mist and a vast field of snow. Bonbon has disappeared. *Bonbon... where could she be?* He thinks this, but he knows there's only one other place she can go. The very same place the child was. The forest. He can see it from here, if he peers hard enough. But it's so far away. Will he even be able to reach it? Sno has no idea. But it's the only way to find Bonbon. The only way to find answers. Maybe even... the only way to leave this place behind. Sno shakes his head. *Don't get ahead of yourself.* He looks out again. His paws tighten into snowy fists. *I'm coming, Bonbon.* With a deep breath, Sno steps outside. **TO BE CONTINUED** [[->Thank you and Credits]]