Haunted

(if: $ecto <=0)[(goto:"Reset")](else:)[Entryway (link:">>>")[>>> [[Kitchen]] - [[Living Room|LivingRoom]] - [[Bathroom]]]] { (if: $entryLight is true)[The narrow hallway is lined with [photographs]<ePhotos|. A small table stands near the [front door]<eFrontDoor|, holding a small basket filled with [junk mail]<eJunkMail|.] (else:)[The darkened hallway is lined with hanging photos and near the front door you can make out the shape of a small table with something on top.] } (if:$radioOn is true)[A radio is playing loudly in the other room.](else:)[(if:$phoneOffHook is true)[A loud beeping is coming from nearby.]] A [light switch]<eSwitch| is on the wall. (click: ?ePhotos)[(goto: "Entryway-photos")] (click: ?eFrontDoor)[(goto: "Entryway-frontdoor")] (click:?eJunkMail)[(goto: "Entryway-junkmail")] (click: ?eSwitch)[(goto: "Entryway-lightswitch")]

(if: $ecto <=0)[(goto:"Reset")](else:)[Living Room (link:">>>")[>>> [[Guest Room|GuestBed]] - [[Entryway]] - [[Master Bedroom|MasterBed]]]] { (if: $lrLight is true)[Despite its small size, the living room holds a plump-looking [couch]<lrCouch| facing a large [flatscreen television]<lrTelevision| (if:$televisionOn is true)[(tuned to one of the all news channels)] and [expensive stereo system]<lrStereo|(if:$radioOn is true)[ playing (either: "cool jazz", "a commercial") a bit too loud]. A sliding glass door leads to the [patio]<lrPatio|.] (elseif: $kitchenLight is true)[From light coming in through the kitchen's opening, you can see your overstuffed couch and part of a flatscreen TV(if:$televisionOn is true)['s pale glow], but the rest is hidden in shadow.] (else:)[You can barely make out a couch (if:$televisionOn is true)[bathed in pale light] and a fancy stereo(if:$radioOn is true)[ playing loud music], but it is too dark to see much else in the room.] } (if:$radioOn is false)[(if:$phoneOffHook is true)[You can hear a faint beeping from another room.]] There is a [switch]<lrSwitch| on the wall by the door. (click:?lrCouch)[(goto: "LivingRoom-couch")] (click:?lrPatio)[(goto: "LivingRoom-patio")] (click:?lrTelevision)[(goto: "LivingRoom-television")] (click:?lrStereo)[(goto: "LivingRoom-stereo")] (click: ?lrSwitch)[(goto: "LivingRoom-lightswitch")]

(if: $ecto <= 0)[(goto:"Reset")](else:)[Kitchen (link:">>>")[>>> [[Entryway]]]] { (if: $kitchenLight is true)[As kitchens go, this one is rather large, boasting a [stainless steel fridge]<kitchenFridge| and [matching stove]<kitchenStove|, plenty of overhead cupboard space, and a window above the countertop and [double sink]<kitchenSink| that provides a decent view of the living room.] (elseif: $lrLight is true)[Light streaming in from the living room reflects off the [stainless steel fridge]<kitchenFridge| and [stove]<kitchenStove|, but the rest is hard to see.] (else:)[You can barely make out a path between sink and stove, but it is too dark to see much else in the room.] } (if:$radioOn is true)[(if:$phoneOffHook is true)[You can barely hear the phone beeping over the blaring radio in another room.](else:)[A radio is playing in another room.]] (else:)[(if:$phoneOffHook is true)[You can hear a loud beeping coming from the telephone.]] There is a [switch]<kitchenSwitch| on the wall by the door next to the [telephone]<kitchenPhone|. (if: $kitchenMess is true)[There are also pieces of glass and pickle juice all over the floor.] (click:?kitchenSwitch)[(goto: "Kitchen-lightswitch")] (click:?kitchenPhone)[(goto: "Kitchen-phone")] (click:?kitchenFridge)[(goto: "Kitchen-fridge")] (click:?kitchenStove)[(goto: "Kitchen-stove")] (click:?kitchenSink)[(goto: "Kitchen-sink")]

(if: $ecto <= 0)[(goto:"Reset")](else:)[Bathroom (link:">>>")[>>> [[Entryway]] - [[Master Bedroom|MasterBed]]]] { (if: $bathLight is true)[Not much to see here - a plastic [curtain with sunflowers]<bathShower| hiding the cramped shower, [wicker hamper]<bathHamper| beneath a rack of towels, and a narrow full-length [mirror]<bathMirror| (if:$mirrorUnlatched is true)[is protruding slightly](else:)[tastefully mounted] opposite a [porcelain sink]<bathSink|.] (else:)[You can barely make out a sink and toilet, but it is too dark to see much else in the room.] } (if:$radioOn is true)[A radio is playing loudly somewhere.](else:)[(if:$phoneOffHook is true)[You can hear a faint beeping from another room.]] There is a [switch]<bathSwitch| on the wall by the door. (click:?bathShower)[(goto: "Bathroom-shower")] (click:?bathHamper)[(goto: "Bathroom-hamper")] (click:?bathSink)[(goto: "Bathroom-sink")] (click:?bathSwitch)[(goto: "Bathroom-lightswitch")] (click:?bathMirror)[(goto: "Bathroom-mirror")]

(if: $ecto <= 0)[(goto:"Reset")](else:)[Master Bedroom (link:">>>")[>>> [[Living Room|LivingRoom]] - [[Bathroom]]]] { (if: $mbLight is true)[A giant sized bed dwarfs the room, with matching ornamental lamps on either side of the headboard and a narrow [dresser]<mbDresser| sits atop [a throw rug]<mbRug| the foot. The walls hold an assortment of [posters]<mbPoster| from exotic locations.] (else:)[You can barely make out the shape of the giant bed and dresser, but it is too dark to see much else in the room. A rug scrunches under your feet.] } (if: $posterFall is true)[One of the posters is on the floor, exposing (if: $openSafe is true)[an empty safe in the wall](else:)[[a safe]<mbSafe| in the wall].] (if:$radioOn is true)[A radio is playing loudly in the living room.](else:)[(if:$phoneOffHook is true)[A faint beeping is coming from another part of the apartment and its not helping your headache.]] There is a [lamp]<mbSwitch| by the bed. (click:?mbRug)[(goto:"MasterBed-rug")] (click:?mbDresser)[(goto:"MasterBed-dresser")] (click:?mbPoster)[(goto:"MasterBed-poster")] (click:?mbSafe)[(goto:"MasterBed-safe")] (click:?mbSwitch)[(goto:"MasterBed-lightswitch")]

(if: $ecto <= 0)[(goto:"Reset")](else:)[Guest Room (link:">>>")[>>> [[Living Room|LivingRoom]]]] { (if: $gbLight is true)[This room may have been intended for guests at one time, but the stacks of [cardboard boxes]<gbBoxes| still unopened suggest it is more of a junk room. Along the wall to your left is a [curtained window]<gbCurtain| that hides a view of the alley below.] (else:)[You can barely make out a jumbled stack of boxes, but it is too dark to see much else in the room. There also seems to be a faint breeze coming from somewhere.] } (if:$radioOn is true)[A radio is playing loudly in the living room.](else:)[(if:$phoneOffHook is true)[You can hear a faint beeping from another room.]] There is a [switch]<gbSwitch| on the wall by the door. (click:?gbCurtain)[(goto:"GuestBed-curtain")] (click:?gbBoxes)[(goto:"GuestBed-boxes")] (click:?gbSwitch)[(goto:"GuestBed-lightswitch")]

... a tiny panic room of reinforced concrete and steel behind the mirror. (live: 3s)[ It also holds your corpse, resting in (text-color:"#990c03")[a dark pool of blood].] (live: 5s)[Memories come flooding back of your attempts to fight back and the terrible blow to the back of your head. You managed to crawl to the bathroom and activate the door, but little else after that.] (live:9s)[Neighbors would assume you left on an exotic vacation and not report your disappearance for a long time. When they do finally break down your door and look for you, they'll find this hidden panic room.] (live:13s)[They'll know what happened.] (live: 16s)[[There is little more you can do, so perhaps it is time to say]<1|... goodbye.] (live:18s)[(replace:?1)[(text-color:"grey")[There is little more you can do, so perhaps it is time to say]]] (live:19s)[(replace:?1)[(text-color:"silver")[There is little more you can do, so perhaps it is time to say]]] (live:60s)[(stop:)]

<h2 style="text-align:center;">HAUNTED</h2> by Carl Rauscher <hr /> { (set: $ecto to 5) (set:$lotteryTicket to false)(set:$baseballBat to false) (set:$openSafe to false)(set:$phoneOffHook to true) (set:$radioOn to true)(set:$televisionOn to false) (set:$pickleJar to true)(set:$kitchenMess to false) (set:$posterFall to false)(set:$findBat to false) (set:$lastMemory to false)(set:$firsttime to false) Something is not right in your tiny apartment... } (live: 3s)[Your head is (text-style:"rumble")[pounding] and everything feels strange.] (live: 5s)[Noises in the distance sound familiar, but it hurts to concentrate. When you try, all you get are bits of words that make no sense.] (live:8s)[With a migrane this bad, it will be a wonder if you can focus on anything for very long.] =><= (live:11s)[(link:"Open Your Eyes")[(goto:"Entryway")]]

With that last physical act, you run out of ectoplasm and vanish into nothingness. (if:$firsttime is false)[(live: 2s)[You're dead, (which explains alot, actually.)](set:$firsttime to true)] (live: 5s)[(goto:"Questions")]

The photos are of your brothers and sisters with their families. Lots of smiling faces, yet here you are alone. You try to remember their names, but your memory is fuzzy and your head hurts with the effort. (live: 5s)[(goto: "Entryway")]

It's thicker than the regular doors in the apartment complex, but the maintenance people must have made a mistake installing it. No matter how hard you tug on the knob, the front door will not budge. (set: $ecto to $ecto - 3) (live: 3s)[(goto: "Entryway")]

You pick up the top one and look at it. It a letter from a local charity, dated two weeks ago. (if: $lotteryTicket is true)[ Seems like you're popular now that you've got money.] (else:)[ Business must be tough if they are sending letters to you.] (set: $ecto to $ecto - 1) (live: 5s)[(goto: "Entryway")]

{ You flip the switch and (if: $entryLight is true)[the light goes out.(set: $entryLight to false)](else:)[light pours into the narrow hallway.(set: $entryLight to true)] } (set: $ecto to $ecto - 1) (live: 2s)[(goto: "Entryway")]

(if:$phoneOffHook is true)[You put the receiver back into place and the phone stops beeping.(set:$phoneOffHook to false)] (else:)[You pick up the receiver and listen for a dial tone. (if:$lotterTicket is true)[ Remembering the flood of calls after your win, you decide to leave the phone off the hook.(set:$phoneOffHook to true)]] (set: $ecto to $ecto - 1) (live: 5s)[(goto:"Kitchen")]

Out of habit, you check to make sure the burners are turned off. Can't be too careful. (set: $ecto to $ecto - 1) (live: 3s)[(goto: "Kitchen")]

You tug on the handle and it opens(if:$pickleJar is true)[, sending a jar of pickles crashing to the floor(set:$pickleJar to false)(set: $kitchenMess to true)]. The inside smells horrible, like last night's leftovers went bad fast. (live:3s)[You shut the door(if:$kitchenMess is true)[ and look for something to clean up the mess].] (set: $ecto to $ecto - 1) (live: 6s)[(goto: "Kitchen")]

Inside the sink is a [sponge]<kitchenSponge| and a couple of dirty dishes. { (click:?kitchenSponge)[(if: $kitchenMess is true)[You grab the sponge and clean up your mess before it dries and starts to stink worse than the inside of the fridge.(set: $ecto to $ecto - 1)(set: $kitchenMess to false)] (else:)[You consider cleaning the dishes, but feel like there is something more important you should be doing.]] } (live: 6s)[(goto:"Kitchen")]

{ You flip the switch and (if: $kitchenLight is true)[the overhead light turns off.(set: $kitchenLight to false)] (else:)[the overhead light turns on.(set: $kitchenLight to true)] } (set: $ecto to $ecto - 1) (live: 2s)[(goto: "Kitchen")]

{ You flip the switch and (if: $gbLight is true)[the light turns off, plunging the room into darkness.(set: $gbLight to false)] (else:)[light floods the room.(set: $gbLight to true)] } (set: $ecto to $ecto - 1) (live: 2s)[(goto: "GuestBed")]

You see faint movement from the window's curtain and move to take a closer look. As you pull the curtain aside, you notice broken glass from one of the panes on the floor and feel a breeze blowing through the gap. There appears to be faint powder marks along the frame too. (live: 5s)[(goto: "GuestBed")]

(if: $ecto <= 0)[(goto:"Reset")] It looks like you were either getting ready to move or recently made a bunch of purchases. A narrow path between boxes lets you carefully make your way to the other side of the room for a closer look at the [curtain]<gbCurtain|. (if: $baseballBat is false)[As you near the window, you see (if: $findBat is false)[ a [scrap of paper]<gbScrap| fluttering in a slight breeze.](else:)[the [lid for one of the boxes]<gbLid| is no longer taped shut. A [scrap of paper]<gbScrap| flutters behind it.]] (click:?gbCurtain)[(goto:"GuestBed-curtain")] (click:?gbLid)[(goto:"GuestBed-boxlid")] (click:?gbScrap)[(goto:"GuestBed-receipt")] (live:7s)[(goto: "GuestBed")]

Lifting the lid, you find a long narrow display case with red crushed velvet lining and two forked mounts. Whatever was inside appears to be missing. (if:$baseballBat is false)[You must have ordered one of Babe Ruth's rare signed baseball bats after all, but where was it?(set:$baseballBat to true)](else:)[The last time you saw the baseball bat was in the hands of an intruder...] (set: $ecto to $ecto - 1) (live: 6s)[(goto:"GuestBed")]

You pick up the paper and see it is a flyer from "Tim's Baseball Emporium", America's second largest reseller of rare collectibles associated with America's national pasttime. (if:$findBat is false)[(if:$lotteryTicket is true)[You suddenly remember bidding on one of Babe Ruth's rare signed baseball bats, but where is it?(set:$findBat to true)](else:)[You always dreamed of buying something of Babe Ruth, but who could afford it?]] (set: $ecto to $ecto - 1) (live: 5s)[(goto:"GuestBed-boxes")]

{ You flip the switch and (if: $lrLight is true)[the light turns off, plunging the room into darkness.(set: $lrLight to false)] (else:)[light floods the room.(set: $lrLight to true)] } (set: $ecto to $ecto - 1) (live: 2s)[(goto: "LivingRoom")]

{ You settle into your favorite spot on the beige puffy couch and (if:$televisionOn is false)[feel [something hard]<lrCushion| between the cushions.] (else:)[watch the news for a bit.(if:$lotterTicket is false)[ The announcer seems excited about a local person who recently [won the lottery]<lrLottery|, which sounds familiar.]] } (click:?lrCushion)[You feel around and pull out the [TV's remote]<lrRemote|.(set: $ecto to $ecto - 1)] (click:?lrRemote)[Pressing the power button, the flatscreen comes to life and startles you with a sudden burst of noise. You quickly turn the volume down before it aggravates your aching head.(set: $ecto to $ecto - 1)(set:$televisionOn to true)] (live:7s)[(goto:"LivingRoom")]

The flatscreen is enormous, taking up most of the wall in front of the couch. (if:$televisionOn is true)[(if:$lotteryTicket is false)[It is currently showing the news. An announcer says there was a recent lottery winner in your area. You are astonished to see your photo on the screen and suddenly remember -- It was you. YOU won the lottery. YOU'RE RICH!(set:$lotteryTicket to true)](else:)[Same old boring news.]] (live:5s)[(goto:"LivingRoom")]

The stereo is a top-of-the-line entertainment system: CD and turntable players sit atop a digital receiver and multi-channel amplifier, all stacked neatly beneath the television. Modest speakers flank the unit but you are pretty sure they can blow out your eardrums (at least that is how you remember it.) (if:$radioOn is true)[The radio is playing a bit too loud right now. You debate [turning it off]<lrRadio| while you have this headache.](else:)[If it weren't for this terrible headache, you might consider playing some nice country music on it.] (click:?lrRadio)[You turn the radio off and sigh as silence reigns.(set: $ecto to $ecto - 1)(set:$radioOn to false)] (live: 5s)[(goto: "LivingRoom")]

You try to slide open the patio door, but it is blocked or locked or something. At least you can look out across the street to the neighboring apartment building. (set: $ecto to $ecto - 2) (live:5s)[(goto:"LivingRoom")]

{ You flip the switch and (if: $mbLight is true)[the lamp turns off, plunging the room into darkness.(set: $mbLight to false)] (else:)[the lamp fills the room with light.(set: $mbLight to true)] } (set: $ecto to $ecto - 1) (live: 2s)[(goto: "MasterBed")]

The oriental rug is of the finest quality and scrunches under your feet. It seems recently cleaned - did you spill something on it? (live: 3s)[(goto:"MasterBed")]

The dresser looks old and beat up, probably from a thrift store. You try to open the drawers, but no matter how hard you tug on the knobs, they will not open. At the bottom of the dresser, you spy a faint reddish stain in the rug like something was spilled recently and missed by the cleaner. (set: $ecto to $ecto - 1) (live: 6s)[(goto: "MasterBed")]

Framed prints of famous cities line the walls: Paris, London, Tokyo, and Madrid hang on the walls(if:$baseballBat is true)[, but something is not right. A closer look reveals that the Madrid frame is [slightly crooked]<mbCrooked|.](else:)[, but something is not right. You try to concentrate but your eyes keep going out of focus -- why do you see a tall person waving something large at you?] (click:?mbCrooked)[You attempt to straighten the frame, but it falls off the wall instead. Behind is a recessed metal door and keypad. It is your [new safe]<mbSafe|, but the door is ajar.(set: $ecto to $ecto - 1) (set: $posterFall to true)] (live: 6s)[(goto: "MasterBed")]

(if:$openSafe is false)[Pushing the heavy door open farther, you see the empty interior.(set: $ecto to $ecto - 1)(set:$openSafe to true)] (else:)[With the door wide open, you can see the inside is empty.] What happened to all of the money you kept inside? (live: 5s)[(goto: "MasterBed")]

{ You flip the switch and (if: $bathLight is true)[the light turns off.(set: $bathLight to false)](else:)[a pale light above the sink flickers and glows.(set: $bathLight to true)] } (set: $ecto to $ecto - 1) (live: 2s)[(goto: "Bathroom")]

Pulling aside the plastic curtain, you see the plain white tile surface surrounding your standing shower. Bargain shampoo and conditioner rest in a mesh grate, along with a thin sliver of deoderant soap. You realize you haven't cleaned in here for a while and wisely pull the curtain back in place. (set: $ecto to $ecto - 1) (live: 5s)[(goto: "Bathroom")]

Lifting the lid of the hamper, all you see inside is a pile of dirty towels that seem to have dark smears on them. (set: $ecto to $ecto - 1) (live: 5s)[(goto: "Bathroom")]

The sink, normally a haven for grime and hardwater stains, is remarkably clean. (if:$lastMemory is true)[Remembering what you saw, you lean closer and notice a faint whiff of [bleach]<bleach|.] (click:?bleach)[Peeking under the sink to make sure your cleaning supplies haven't spilled, you spot a [tiny switch]<hiddenSwitch| mounted under the front lip.] (click:?hiddenSwitch)[You press the tiny switch and it causes a loud click right behind you.(set: $ecto to $ecto - 1)(set: $mirrorUnlatched to true)] (live: 6s)[(goto:"Bathroom")]

(if:$mirrorUnlatched is true)[Pressing on the mirror causes it to swing inward and inside is ...(set: $panicRoom to true)(live:3s)[(goto:"Ending")]] (else:)[The mirror must be dirty because when you look at it, your reflection seems... off.(live:5s)[(goto:"Bathroom")]]

(set: $ecto to 5) Adrift in a void, you realize you still aren't at peace. (live: 2s)[(if:$lotteryTicket is false)[- Why would someone want to hurt you?](else:)[You won the lottery and many people wanted money...(set:$ecto to $ecto + 2)]] (live: 3s)[(if:$baseballBat is false)[- How did you die?](else:)[You remember a figure holding your signed baseball and threatening you...(set:$ecto to $ecto + 1)]] (live: 4s)[(if:$openSafe is false)[- What did they take?](else:)[Your wall safe, once stuffed with cash, is now empty...(set:$ecto to $ecto + 1)]] (live: 5s)[(if:$ecto is 9)[(if:$lastMemory is true)[You remember the sound of running water and seeing a man whistling to himself as he scrubbed his hands, but the image is blurry - like you were seeing it through a filthy window.](else:)[You remember the sound of running water..(set:$lastMemory to true).]](else:)[- Why are you still here?]] =><= (live: 9s)[(link:"Open Your Eyes")[(goto:"Entryway")]]