The Medium New Version

(set: $name to (prompt: "Enter your first name to play.","Name goes here."))\ (set: $Name to (prompt: "Enter your last name to play.","Name goes here."))\ CHAPTER ONE Lost Sierra, California ''June 18 9:00AM '' <img src=https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1499578124509-1611b77778c8?ixlib=rb-1.2.1&ixid=MnwxMjA3fDB8MHxwaG90by1wYWdlfHx8fGVufDB8fHx8&auto=format&fit=crop&w=2076&q=80" width="600" height="400"> A full moon illuminates the trailer of Ivan Maynard in serene light. Like an angel touching the head of a newborn child. It reminds you somewhat of a nativity scene. But there aren't any miraculous births to harken angels. ''Murder'' is why you’re here. You are an off-the-books special investigator with the Missing Person's Cases, or MPC for short. The reason why you're off-the books is because of who you are. $name, the //medium// detective. The title normally draws smiles and laughter when people discover your occupation. Official authorities only call when they have no other choice. However, more often than not, the majority of the calls come from a distraught family member or friend who don't have faith in the conventional ways of investigation. Like now. [[Observe the trailer.|Character introduction]] (set: $keyCard to false)

For a person barely considered a B-list actor, Ivan Maynard’s trailer is... lavish. Oak paneling, granite tabletops, tile floors, white suede furniture, and even a skylight situation that concaves into the roof somehow manage to roll on six wheels without sagging. You observe two bedrooms and a bathroom on the other end of the trailer. And the spirit. Ivan sits in the living room area almost as if he is still alive. You might have thought so, if not for the fact that you can see through him. The bullet hole in the middle of his forehead is also a dead giveaway. Ivan's empty eyes stares out at nothing, or perhaps somewhere beyond you in the spritual plane. Spirits are no different from zombies at this stage. The older a spirit becomes, the more able it can interact with the living. But it takes years to happen. Fortunately, you have abilities that allows you to skip the waiting period. Closing your eyes and tapping into the lapis again, you use your... [[...clairvoyance.]] [[...clairaudience.]] [[......clairsentience.]]

''12:00PM'' You finally leave the trailer. As you walk down the steps that lead to the front door, a man suddenly confronts you. "Who are you?" he asks. You recognize Timothy Lerow from your preliminary investigation. He's one of the actors who was considered for the lead character before Ivan. The fact that he's already at the filming site raises your eyebrow. (set: $disrespect to "Be Disrespectful") (set: $walkaway to "Try to calm him down") (link: "$disrespect")[ [["That's for me to know and for you to find out."]] ] (link: "$walkaway")[ [["I saw your movie last week, your acting was superb."]] ]

"That's for me to know and for you to find out," you respond. Despite your many years of experience with hostility, you can never tolerate rude people. It always irks you. Timothy's somewhat pudgy face heats up. "We can't have people coming and going on the production site. Are you a reporter? Show me your badge." You're about to lay into him when a female voice interrupts. "I asked them here, Timothy." Samantha Parker walks up to the two of you. She's wearing a face mask and a huge pair of sunglasses. She notices your scrutinity and smiles. "I have allergies. My face is so swollen, I look hideous," she laughs. Timothy doesn't join in. "Who are they?" Samantha lays a hand on your shoulder. "This is $name, an investigator who specializes in missing person cases. I need their help to find Ivan." You consider that your cue. [["On that note, when did you arrive on the production site?"]]

"On that note, when did you arrive on the production site?" you ask. Timothy rolls his eyes. "I came in a cou-" Another voice interrupts. "Am I late to the party?" Marcus Smith walks up to you with a warm smile. He takes your hand and shakes it. "And who might you be?" "$name $Name, special investigator. Ivan Maynard was reported missing," you say. The smile on Marcus' face dims a little. "You think he's really missing? That boy is probably shooting the breeze as we speak," he says, chuckling a little bit. You don't join in. [["How did Ivan seem to you the last time you saw him?"]] [["Can you think of anyone that had a grudge against Ivan?"]]

//"I want to speak with your husband." // ''12:30PM '' Barry and Samantha's trailer You observe the beefy man sitting in front of you in the kitchen. Barry Parker looks like he's been snatched out of the 80's with his full beard, huge eyeglasses, and out-of-date clothes. He's glaring at Samantha, who is sitting across the table next to you, which you find interesting. "Did Ivan appear off to you while he was on set?" you ask. He snorts. "I barely knew the guy before I accepted him as the lead in my movie, so I don't have anything to refer back to. But yeah, he was acting off all right." He gulps down a large swig of beer and belches, "Ivan never knew his lines, was always showing up late to rehearsels, sometimes he wouldn't even grace us with his presence at all." You write all that down. "What was your relationship with Ivan like?" Barry glares at Samantha again, who raises her chin defiantly in response. Now that is //very// interesting. "Am I being investigated for something?" he asks. [["No, you're not. These are only standard questions."]] [["Yes. you are."]] [["Answer the question, Barry."]]

"Answer the question, Barry." He stares at you for a moment before leaning back in his chair with a smirk on his face. "You aren't here on any official capacity. I don't have to cooperate with you. You can see yourself out." [["I'll be back soon, Barry."]]

"No, you're not. These are only standard questions," you say. And that is the truth. Right now, you are just getting a feel for him. He stares at you for a moment before shrugging his shoulders. "I hated the man. He was a total disaster and I'm glad he gone." [["Thank you, Barry. That will be all for now."]]

"Thank you, Barry. That will be all for now," you say. ''12:50PM'' You leave the couples trailer. Samantha follows after you. She wants to say something but appears to be holding herself back. "If there is anything I need to know, you need to tell me," you say to her. Samantha only shakes her head and presses something in your hand. "The last time I saw Ivan, he said that he was going here." With that, she flees back into the trailer. [[You look down at the item in your hand.|Hotel advertisement]]

"Yes, you are," you say. He inhales sharply and stands. "That waste of space propably took his own sorry ass home, but knowing him, he probably took the wrong bus. I had nothing to do with it. Now get out." [["You've only placed yourself higher on my list."]]

"You've only placed yourself higher on my list," you say, warning dripping from your tone. He flips you off. ''12:50PM'' You leave the couples' trailer. Samantha scampers after you. She reaches out to you and presses something in your hand. "The last time I saw Ivan, he said that he was going here." With that, she flees back into the trailer. Yells echo in your ear as you leave the couple behind. [[You look down at the item in your hand.|Hotel advertisement]]

"I'll be back soon, Barry," you say, promise dripping from your voice. He only waves you off. ''12:50PM'' You leave the couples' trailer. Samantha follows after you. She sighs and rolls her eyes. "Don't let him get to you," she says. "What was that back there between the two of you?" you ask. Samantha only shakes her head and presses something in your hand. "I didn't tell him about you coming here to help, that's why. Anyway, the last time I saw Ivan, he said that he was going to this place." With that, she sashays back into the trailer. [[You look down at the item in your hand.|Hotel advertisement]]

It's an advertisment for Lake Tahoe Resort Hotel in South Lake Tahoe. The area is only just little more than a few hours away from where the production is filming for //The Medium//. The crew wouldn't have any reason or even the oppurtunity to go there given their schedule, so why did Ivan? [[You go to your car to head over there.|CHAPTER TWO]]

CHAPTER TWO Lake Tahoe Resort Hotel, South Lake Tahoe ''June 18 3:00PM'' You walk behind an attendent of the hotel as she leads you down the corridor to the room Ivan had booked. She stops in front of room 110 and swipes the key card. You notice that the key card is the same design as the one from the Ivan's trailer. "Mr. Maynard booked this room on the 15th. The entire floor had been booked already, including this room, but he forced us to change the reservations for him. We haven't cleaned it yet because he isn't due to leave yet," she says. The 15th. The day before Ivan disappearence. The woman opens the door and you move to step inside when movement in your peripheral catches your attention. Timothy Lerow strolls down the corridor, his full attention on the script in his hands. You turn your back and watch over your shoulder as Timothy swipes his key card and enters the room. It's one room from the left of the one directly in front of you. You zero in on the room number. ''107.'' "When did that man check in?" you ask. The attendent looks at you curiously. "He's been staying here for nearly two weeks. I remember him because he keeps losing his key card," she responds. You know who is responsible for that. You... (if: $keyCard is true)[ [[...test Ivan's key card on room 107.]] ] [[...enter Ivan's hotel room.|Hotel Room]]

When you hover your hand over the bed, the moonstone crystal turns yellow. You find a cellphone hidden in the pillowcase. "He had a thing for hiding things here, didn't he?" This time, you catch the celestite when it turns bright blue before another vision overtakes you. [[You close your eyes.|You close your eyes]]

Remembering Ivan's trick with the ziplock bag back in his trailer, you check the water tank. Sure enough, you find another ziplock bag, this time filled with pictures. All of them are of Timothy with another man you recognize, Marcus Smith, Ivan's manager. [[Leave the bathroom.]]

You find a script for //The Medium // inside. Flipping through it reveals nothing noteworthy. A callsheet slips from in-between the last pages. Yellow highlight circles the date [June 9th]<c1| and the time [9:07.]<c2| [][[Test the numbers|...test the numbers 069907.]] (click: ?c1)[(replace:?c1)[069]] (click: ?c2)[(replace:?c2)[907]]

The key card in your pocket is expired but there is a chance that there is a working one inside the room... <img src=https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1444201983204-c43cbd584d93?ixlib=rb-1.2.1&ixid=MnwxMjA3fDB8MHxwaG90by1wYWdlfHx8fGVufDB8fHx8&auto=format&fit=crop&w=2340&q=80" width="600" height="400"> [[Check in the bathroom.]]

"I'm fine, this is normal for me," you say to reassure her. It is the truth. Visions are normal for a medium. She asks if you would like a cup of water. [["No, thank you."|result of vision]]

"I wish you hadn't done that. I could've seen something important," you say, blinking at her with mild irritation. "Are you one of those ghost hunter people?" She frowns. That draws some laughter out of you. [["Of sorts."|result of vision]]

A man slips the cellphone in the pillowcase. The figure is blurry but you sense that it's Ivan. He's in a frenzy. Something slips underneath the door. He goes over, reads it, and suddenly rushes from the room. Before you can see more, you feel yourself being violenty shaken awake. "Are you okay? You suddenly fell onto your knees!" The attendant says, worry in her eyes. [["I'm fine, this is normal."]] [["I wish you hadn't done that. I almost saw something important."]]

Ironically, Ivan had been in the middle of filming a movie titled //The Medium// when he disappeared two days ago. The popular story is that Ivan ran off after falling out with the production crew. But you know otherwise. You close your eyes and reach out with your hands. The crystal rings on your fingers glitter in the moonlight. You tap into the Lapis lazuli on your middle finger, bright blue with streaks of gold, to heighten your intuition. A purple glow soon pulses from it. The iridescent moonstone on your next finger, which guides your answers, urgently flashes yellow before turning red. The meaning is clear. Pain happened here. Something evil took place in this trailer to the actor who owned it. And it’s your job to find out what. [[Enter the trailer.]]

Closing your eyes and tapping into the lapis again, you use your clairvoyance and blend it with the powers of the crystal to see who has been in the trailer last other than Ivan. You aren't the best at the ability and your sight is limited, but Ivan gets up from his seat and stands in front of you. This time, his gaze fixes on you. It doesn't unnerve you though. Another shadowy figure materializes next to him. It's hard to tell if they're male or female because the figure is shapeless. The moonstone turns red, which lets you know that the second figure is his ''killer''. [[Inspect room.]]

Closing your eyes and tapping into the lapis again, you use your clairaudience and blend it with the powers of the crystal to hear if Ivan has anything to say to you. You aren't the best at the ability and your sight is limited, but Ivan gets up from his seat and stands in front of you. This time, his gaze fixes on you. It doesn't unnerve you though. He moves closer to you and presses his lips against his ear. Or at least, he tries to. You feel the cold actually go //through// your ear. But you hear his words just fine. "He killed me because I wronged him." [[Inspect room.]]

Closing your eyes and tapping into the lapis again, you use your clairsentience and blend it with the powers of the crystal to identify what Ivan might have been feeling before he died. You aren't the best at the ability and your sight is limited, but Ivan gets up from his seat and stands in front of you. This time, his gaze fixes on you. It doesn't unnerve you though. He reaches out and touches you over your heart. Regret slams into you like a freight train. Ivan did something against his killer. [[Inspect room.]]

Ivan goes back to his seat but his eyes stay on you. He knows that you are here to help. It's time to search for any clues to help with your investigation. (click: "investigation")[ There are two bedrooms and a bathroom on the other end of the trailer. [[Inspect the first bedroom.]] [[Inspect the second bedroom.]] [[Inspect the bathroom.]] [[Inspect the kitchen.]] [[Check the trailer one more time.]] ]

You turn on the cellphone but it's locked. Ivan put it in the pillowcase for a reason. He wanted it be found. Which means that the answer for the passcode is somewhere in //this room.// [[Check the closet.]] [[Check the dresser.]]

You leave the bathroom, holding one of the pictures up to the hotel attendant to see. "Have you seen this man?" you ask. She squints at the photo and nods her head. "Sure, he visits Mr. Lerow all of the time." Interesting, //very// interesting. [[Check the bed.]]

You test Ivan's key card on room 107. It flashes red, rejecting the card. It's no good. You put it back in your pocket. [[Go back|Hotel Room]]

The numbers don't unlock the phone. [[Go back|Hanger Code]]

The numbers are correct and unlock the phone. Ivan left the code for someone to find. For //you// to find, though he couldn't have known that at the time. [[Check voicemail.]] [[Check phone records.]] [[Check text messages.]] [[Put the phone away|Descipher]]

There are phonecalls from the cast and crew of //The Medium//. Those don't pique your interest. What strikes you is the numerorous incoming and outgoing calls between Ivan and Samantha Park. Some of them lasted for hours. [[Check text messages.]] [[Check voicemail.]]

You look through his text messages. Most of them are standard messages that do not appear noteworthy until you get to the last ones left by Barry Parker. ''June 12 9:23 AM '' //Listen, Ivan, you slimy, two-timing sad sack. I found out about you and Samantha. Who do you think you are? Think you’re above everyone because you’re the STAR of this show? You ain’t the star of nothing, bud. Only got this gig because Samantha recommended you and clearly that’s suspect. My wife is NOT your play toy! You stay the FUCK away from her, you hear me? This is your LAST WARNING!// ''June 14 8:34 PM '' //Ivan, where in the world are you? Think this whole production can go on pause because I shut down your backstabbing ways? NO SHOW at the latest shoot, the ENTIRE rest of the production crew asking me how we’re going to continue without our star. You! Our star! As if you’re ANYONE! You get some goddamn professionalism or you’re going to get some goddamn unemployment! I can find anyone else to be our star, Ivan. You’re NOT special! Get your shit together!// [[Go back|Test the numbers.]]

There are voicemails left from the cast and crew of //The Medium//. Most of them are asking where Ivan is. There is one voicemail from Marcus Smith. [[Listen.]]

Samantha and Ivan were having an affair. It explains the hostile looks Barry had been throwing at Samantha when you were interviewing him at their trailer. Barry believes Ivan got the role through his wife. [[Call Barry.]] [[Call Samantha.]]

You attempt to call Barry but it goes straight to voicemail. [[Go back|Descipher]]

The hotel attendant follows you to the door. As you open it, you catch Timothy leaving his room. You quickly step back so he doesn't see you. Behind him is Ivan's manager, Marcus. "I'm proud of you, kid. You always deserved the role," Marcus says. Timothy scratches the back of his head. "Thanks. The role was mine in the first place anyway. I don't know what was going through Barry's mind." You watch them until they turn the corner. The attendant reminds you of her presence. "Do they have something to do with Mr. Maynard's disapperance?" she whispers. [["That's what I'm trying to find out."]]

There is nothing inside the closet aside from hangers. <img src=https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1581154262244-30d0b30ce86e?ixlib=rb-1.2.1&ixid=MnwxMjA3fDB8MHxwaG90by1wYWdlfHx8fGVufDB8fHx8&auto=format&fit=crop&w=2340&q=80" width="600" height="400"> (link: "You notice the gaps between the hangers.")[[There is four hangers on the far left side of the closet.]<c1| [Closer to the middle is one hanger,]<c2| [then two,]<c3| [and five on the right side.]<c4| [Even further to the right is three hangers.]<c5|] [][[Test the numbers.]] (click: ?c1)[(replace:?c1)[4]] (click: ?c2)[(replace:?c2)[1]] (click: ?c3)[(replace:?c3)[2]] (click: ?c4)[(replace:?c4)[5]] (click: ?c5)[(replace:?c5)[3]]

A king-sized bed dominates the room. The furniture is surprisingly sparse, aside from the gratuitous number of pictures Ivan has of himself. You hover your hand over everything, waiting for the moonstone to pick up on something. When you get to the bed, the crystal flashes yellow. Hidden inside one of the pillowcases are several pairs of thongs. Either Ivan led a fascinating life, or he’d been having a fling. Interesting. [[Go back|Inspect room.]]

As you make your way into the room, your crystal flashes yellow almost immediately again. You narrow your eyes on the desk beside the bedroom door. There is a ripped note inside the desk drawer. //You only got the role because of your famous father. Nobody likes you. I’ll get rid of you so this movie can succeed, even if that means killing you.// [[You close your eyes.]]

(set: $prepared to it + 1)\ The bathroom is gorgeous: a standing shower, tub, and sink lined with white tile. Inside the water tank, you find key cards in a ziplock bag. You (link-reveal: "turn them over. ")[Printed on the back of all of them are the numbers 107.(set: $keyCard to true)] You don't know what it means yet but you [[pocket one of the cards just in case.|Inspect room.]]

(set: $prepared to it + 1) Experience taught you to always check the knives. Sure enough, rope-like fiber is stuck on the blade of one of them inside the kitchen drawer. Hateful energy eminates from the object, but it's not too strong. The assailant must have used the knife //after// accomplishing his goal. That warning you felt from your crystal flashes in your mind. The initial crime happened in this trailer, but the murder took place somewhere else. [[Go back|Inspect room.]]

There is nothing else to see in the trailer. [[Leave trailer.|Next up]]

(set: $prepared to it + 1) A vision slams behind your eyes. It fragments, like choppy frames of a film spliced together. All you can make out is a red smudged hand scrawling on paper. Some of the smudge gets on the paper and the mysterious person rips the piece away. You try to focus, to memorize details but the vision ebbs away like sand through your fingers. You awaken to find yourself kneeling on the floor, clutching your throat as you reflexively pant for air. Slowly, you shake off the mental cobwebs and stand up. The blue celestite on your pinky finger dims. Without the stabilizing crystal that allows you to go to a place between dreaming and awakeness, you would black out for days. You think back on the vision. The hand had been male. You can work with that. [[Go back|Inspect room.]]

''May 10 5:00 PM '' //Hey, Ivan, can you call me back when you get this message? I'm curious about how you got the role for The Medium. I don't think that script was among the ones I pitched to you. Do you have another little birdie I don't know about?// [[Check phone records.]] [[Check text messages.]]

(set: $prepared to 1) "That's what I'm trying to find out," you reply. She licks her lips and hands you a card. "Here, I have a masterkey for all the rooms on this floor. Ivan was my favorite actor. If those bastards had anything to do with what happened, I want them caught!" You nod, taking the card from her. "Keep an eye out for them in case they come back." With that, you swipe the card and [[enter the room]].

<img src=https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1512918728675-ed5a9ecdebfd?ixlib=rb-1.2.1&ixid=MnwxMjA3fDB8MHxwaG90by1wYWdlfHx8fGVufDB8fHx8&auto=format&fit=crop&w=2340&q=80" width="600" height="400"> Immeadiately, you feel Ivan's presence. He was in this room before, probably investigating like you are about to do. {(if: $prepared is 1)[ [[Check the bed.|bed.]]] (else-if: $prepared is 2)[ [[Check in the bathroom.|bathroom]]] (else-if: $prepared is 3)[ [[Check the luggage.]]] (else:)[ [[Check the hotel room one last time]]]}

(set: $prepared to it + 1) The script for //The Medium// lays on top of the bed. Flipping through it, you see notes on every page offering advice on how to act out the lines. You recognize the handwriting. It's the same as the threatening letter left in Ivan's trailer. [[Go back|enter the room]]

(set: $prepared to it + 1) You don't find anything in the bathroom. [[Go back|enter the room]]

There are two sets of luggage. One blue duffle bag, and a large, red suitcase. [[Check duffle bag.]] [[Check red suitcase.]]

There is nothing left to find in the hotel room. [[Leave the hotel room.|leave]]

You leave Timothy's hotel room. "Did you find anything?" The hotel attendant asks as you close the door. You nod, putting your phone back into your pocket. "Plenty, things are coming together. I'm just not sure on how they fit yet." But you'll figure it out. [[Find Timothy and Marcus.]] [[Leave the hotel.]]

There is nothing of interest in the duffle bag. [[Go back|check luggage.]]

(set: $prepared to it + 1) Hidden at the bottom of the red suitcase is two yellow manila envelopes. One is titled "Original copies." The other is titled "Results." [[Look inside "Original copies" envelope|Original copies]] [[Look inside "Results" envelope|Results]] [[Go back|enter the room]]

There are two sets of luggage. One blue duffle bag, and a large, red suitcase. [[Check duffle bag.]] [[Check red suitcase.]]

(set: $prepared to it + 1) A typed note on the back of the picture reads: (font:'American Typewriter')[for his eyes only.] You take pictures of the images and note and replace them in the suitcase. [[Go back|Check red suitcase.]]

You call Samantha. She picks up on the first ring. "Did you find anything?" she asks. Her voice sounds hopeful. "When were you going to tell me that you were having an affair with Ivan?" you ask. She falls silent for a moment. "I didn't think it mattered," she says, quietly. You sigh. Clients always leave out details when it makes them look bad. Or like a suspect. [["You should have told me."]] [["Your intimate relationship makes you a suspect."]]

"You should have told me," you say. Samantha sniffles. "I know. I'm sorry." You aren't completely sure, but you decide to let it go. If she really did kill him, she wouldn't have involved you in the case. "Does anyone else know about the affair?" you ask. "Aside from my husband? No. Ivan and I were careful," she replies. You thank her and hang up the phone. [[Leave the hotel room.]]

"Your intimate relationship makes you a suspect," you say. Samantha gasps. "I didn't do anything to him! I swear it. If I did, I wouldn't have called you to look into it, right?" She has a point. You aren't a regular detective. You always find the missing person, dead or alive. And you //always// capture the culprit. "It's time to start being truthful. Who else knows about you and Ivan?" "Just my husband, why?" she asks. Just her husband. Interesting. You thank her and hang up the phone. [[Leave the hotel room.]]

''4:00 PM'' You head down to the hotel's bar, where the attendant says Timothy and Marcus typically go. Upon entering, you understand why. (click: "entering")[<img src=https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1552566626-52f8b828add9?ixlib=rb-1.2.1&ixid=MnwxMjA3fDB8MHxwaG90by1wYWdlfHx8fGVufDB8fHx8&auto=format&fit=crop&w=1740&q=80" width="500" height="400"> The place is so loud, you can hardly hear yourself think. It's perfect to have private conversations. You scan the area and spot Timothy and Marcus eating in a corner. You sit at a table nearby. The quartz on your thumb glows dimly as you concentrate. Clear quartz help you cut through noise. The clearer the crystal, the better you can hear. [[Listen to their conversation.]]]

Timothy leans forward. "What if he actually finds Ivan? I'll lose the role again." "You won't, kid. Ivan ran off after Barry confronted him about their affair. No way in hell is he coming back." "But how can you be so sure?" "I know Barry," Marcus says. "He would kill Ivan before letting something like that go. That's why I sent those pictures. Now, eat. You've got a night shoot." Your phone rings. Marcus turns to the sound. You get up and leave the bar quickly, pulling out your phone. It's Samantha. [[Pick up the phone.]]

"Yes?" you ask. "Please, help me! He's gone crazy, he's going to kill m-" The phone cuts off. [[Return to filming site]]

''4:00 PM'' You are leaving the hotel when the moonstone flashes yellow next to a full bag of garbage waiting to be thrown out. There is no one around, so you open it. Fortunately, the moonstone guides you directly to what you're looking for. You pull out a manila folder, similar to the one in Timothy's room. There is a sender information label on the [[backside]].

The information reads: (font:'American Typewriter')[From: Marcus To: Barry] Inside the envelope is a note. (click: "note")[//Did you really believe that your wife didn't know Ivan? See what they're really up to.// Footsteps sound behind you. Without looking back, you walk off in the direction of your car. Your phone rings and you pull it out. It's Samantha. [[Pick up the phone.]]]

CHAPTER THREE Lost Sierra, California ''June 18 6:00AM '' It's lightly raining by the time you pull up. Cops swarm the area. <video width="100%" autoplay loop> <source src="https://video.wixstatic.com/video/ade664_8da63b580f654051a0da3e2c2b77434c/1080p/mp4/file.mp4"> </video> An ambulance is parked near you. Samantha clutches a bloody rag against her head. You rush over. "What happened?" She turns to you. A kaleidoscope of old bruises mar her face. Her eyes are badly swollen. "Barry happened. Like always," she says. "After you called, I told him that I called you to investigate Ivan's disapperance. That I was going to have you listen to the voicemail he left me before he vanished." You sit next to her. "What voicemail?" She goes through her voicemail on her phone and presses play. (click: "play") [//Samantha, you lyin’ skank. I thought you loved me, and here I find out our prize star is skipping rehearsals and shoots to sleep with you? We had something together! We were something! After all I talked about, all I done for you, this is how you repay me? Consider Ivan ''gone''. And if I ever see you talkin’ to him again, they’re never gonna find you either, you unfaithful harlot!// She presses stop.] (click: "stop")["I know what you're thinking but I thought he was just upset about the affair. Yes, he hits me but he's never gone //this// far before. I still can't believe he killed Ivan," she says, tears streaming down her face. "Where is Barry now?" Samantha shrugs. "He ran off into the forest after hitting me on the head. I don't know where he went." You suddenly feel [[cold]]. ]

You look up and see (click: "see")[the ghostly figure of Ivan staring sadly at Samantha. <img src=https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1635509575497-0e8565f508b3?ixlib=rb-1.2.1&ixid=MnwxMjA3fDB8MHxwaG90by1wYWdlfHx8fGVufDB8fHx8&auto=format&fit=crop&w=987&q=80" width="400" height="400"> The bullet hole in his forehead is bleeding. "What did Barry hit you with?" you ask Samantha. "A gun. I never even knew he owned one." You nod and get up, [[heading into the forest]]. ]

Inside are pictures of Ivan and Samantha. (click: "Ivan and Samantha")[<img src=https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1592398276785-f636168c02e0?ixlib=rb-1.2.1&ixid=MnwxMjA3fDB8MHxwaG90by1wYWdlfHx8fGVufDB8fHx8&auto=format&fit=crop&w=2342&q=80" width="400" height="400"> <img src=https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1592399737996-fb91cf01b7fb?ixlib=rb-1.2.1&ixid=MnwxMjA3fDB8MHxwaG90by1wYWdlfHx8fGVufDB8fHx8&auto=format&fit=crop&w=2340&q=80" width="400" height="400"> There is something on the [[back]] of the last picture.]

Inside is the results of a paternity test. <img src="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/ade664_a06b7a2a4a38486081efa2ff816c9dc3~mv2.jpg" width="400" height="500"> <img src="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/ade664_af9281a08387432cb3a611f0af5fe54a~mv2.jpg" width="400" height="500"> [[Go back|Check red suitcase.]]

"How did Ivan seem to you the last time you saw him," you ask. He frowns and thinks for a moment. "He was being his usual cocky self. He might've been a little jumpy though, I'm not sure." [["Thank you for your time."]]

"Can you think of anyone that had a grudge against Ivan?" you ask. He laughs like it's a silly question. "Who? Just about everyone. Trust me, no one had to do anything unsavory to him. He was already on his own way out the door." [["Thank you for your time."]]

"Thank you for your time," you say. Timothy just snorts and flounces off. Marcus follows him, a soft look on his face. You watch the two as they head to Marcus' car. Timothy throws a yellow raincoat from the passenger's seat into the back before getting inside. They drive off. "Ignore Timothy," Samantha says. "He got here yesterday night but he's already acting like the role is his." You decide not to tell her that the role is pretty much Timothy's because Ivan is dead. It would probably cause her to shut down on you. "I found this note in Ivan's note drawer. Any idea who it could be from?" you ask, handing it to her. Her shoulders stiffen a bit. "A lot of people have issues with Ivan. His co-stars, the cullery staff, my own husband included. I told you that he's the director on the phone, didn't I? It could've been from anyone." She hands it back. You know Samantha's holding something back but you make another decision to let it go. For now. [["I want to speak with your husband."]]

''6:20 PM'' <img src="https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1537804531068-663f06b6ee08?ixlib=rb-1.2.1&ixid=MnwxMjA3fDB8MHxwaG90by1wYWdlfHx8fGVufDB8fHx8&auto=format&fit=crop&w=3131&q=80" width="550" height="400"> You dodge several cops canvasing the forest. They would only hamper you right now. All of the crystals on your hands glow, trying to pick up on anything but they aren't of much help to you. The forest acts as a natural dampener, preventing you from strengthening your powers to help you find Barry. You feel cold again as Ivan passes through you to lead. He gestures for you to follow. You do. He leads you to a grown-over path. After what feels like an eternity, up ahead, you hear Barry's voice before seeing him. He crouches on the ground, rocking back and forth like a child. The gun lays in front of him. "What am I going to do?" he says to himself. [[Call the police.]]

You take your phone out and dial 9-1-1. "911, what is your emergency?" The female dispatcher asks. "This is $name $Name. I'm a special investigator. I found a man wanted for aggravated assault. His name is Barry Parker. I'm near the filming site for The Medium. Ping my phone signal," you say, and quickly put the phone back in your pocket without disconnecting the call. The dispatcher will send the police straight to you. All you have to do is keep an eye on Barry. Before you can get any closer, a figure emerges. (click: "figure")[ <img src="https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1602599992941-e6d1f5829d9d?ixlib=rb-1.2.1&ixid=MnwxMjA3fDB8MHxwaG90by1wYWdlfHx8fGVufDB8fHx8&auto=format&fit=crop&w=1015&q=80" width="400" height="500"> The yellow raincoat. "Why did you even give me that gun, man?" Barry asks. Marcus walks up to Barry and picks up the weapon. "Because I assumed you would use it to kill Ivan. I guess you're a better man than I thought. Took all your fustration out on that wife of yours instead." He cocks the gun. "H-hey, man. What are you doing?" Marcus scrambles to his knees. "I'm going to make your death look like a suicide. After all, your career is officially over. Marcus points the gun at Barry. You have to do something! [[Shout]] [[Rush Marcus]] ]

You shout just as Marcus pulls the trigger. "Marcus!" He flinches, causing the bullet to hit into a tree trunk just beside Barry, who leaps up and runs off. He's screaming at the top of his lungs. "$name!" He swings the gun around at you and fires.\ (click: "fires")[<audio autoplay> <source src="https://static.wixstatic.com/mp3/ade664_6eac77332a0f413c880a2be971638ca2.mp3"></audio> [[Roll out of the way]] [[It's too late to roll out of the way]] ]

You rush Marcus, making as much noise as you can. Your sudden arrival distracts him and Barry uses the opening to tackle Marcus to the ground. They grapple for the gun. Just as you reach them, it goes off.\ (click: "off")[<audio autoplay> <source src="https://static.wixstatic.com/mp3/ade664_6eac77332a0f413c880a2be971638ca2.mp3"></audio> Barry's eyes widen and he falls away from Marcus to hit the ground. He coughs once. And grows still. Shouts echo from all around you as the police finally discend. Marcus attempts to run but he slips on the wet ground and they apprehend him. "All of you can go to hell! I did it for my boy. Ivan stole his role and I got it back for him. I don't give a sh-" Marcus rants as the police drag him away. [[Go to Barry's body]] ]

You roll out of the way. The bullet (click: "bullet") [whizzes past your head.<audio autoplay> <source src="https://static.wixstatic.com/mp3/ade664_c86ea9c8cbd64aa2afcc4261079d6ae2.mp3"></audio> Not sparing a moment, you duck behind a tree for cover. "The police will be here any moment, Marcus. There's nowhere to run!" "Then I might as well take you down with me. I've got nothing else to lose since all my hardwork has been undone by your meddling," Marcus says. It goes quiet. Carefully, you peek around the tree. "Gotcha!" You turn. It's [too late.]<c1| (click: ?c1)[(replace:?c1)[not too late. Another shot rings out and Marcus falls to the ground, clutching his stomach. You turn, seeing a police officer with her gun drawn. "Detective $Name, are you all right?" she asks. You breath a sigh of relief and nod, stepping away from Marcus. [["Thanks, officer.]] ] ]]

It's too late to roll out of the way. Pain lances through your body as the bullet pierces your shoulder. You fall to the ground. "Damn you to hell, $name. You've ruined everything," Marcus says, approaching you. "Nobody gave a shit about Ivan but Samantha. They were all happy that Timothy replaced him. Everything was going fine until you showed up." Blood seeps from your wound. You're not sure how bad it is but you need to buy more time for the police to show up. "You set Barry and Ivan up against each other, didn't you? You sent Barry those pictures. You left that note in Ivan's trailer too. Timothy wouldn't be very proud of you," you say. Marcus looks impressed for a moment. "Not bad at all, detective. Too bad you won't live to tell the tale." He points the gun at your head. [["No!"]]

You go to Barry's body. Upon closer inspection, you discover that Barry is only unconscious. But even if Marcus had killed him, you wouldn't help his spirit. You have a thing against women-beaters. You feel that cold sensation again. Ivan materializes in front of you. He nods in your direction and dissolves into sparkles. He finally has his justice. "Are you $Name? We would like you to come with us for questioning," a police officer says. You nod and head back with them down that dark, winding path. [[Finish]]

<img src="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/ade664_fe8d6823aa41425ab6d51239e15f108b~mv2.jpg" width="400" height="500"> [[End of Game.|Enter Name/CHAPTER ONE]]

You head back with them to the filming site. Ivan follows you for a little while until he finally dissolves into sparkles, floating up into the air. You have given Ivan Maynard his justice. [[Finish]]

"No!" you shout. All of a sudden, Marcus freezes like he's seen a ghost. "What are you doing here? I killed you. You're at the bottom of a lake," he says. Ivan looms between the two of you. By some miracle, or Ivan's sheer will, he's traversed the spiritual plane into the physical early. Marcus frantically shoots at Ivan but the bullets go through his body. Finally, the gun simply clicks. Tears stream down his face. He sinks to the floor, clutching his head. "No, no, no..." Ivan merely looks at you and smiles before dissolving into sparkles. Then the police finally barrel into the area. [[Finish]]

"I saw your movie last week, your acting was superb," you respond. From your quick study of him, you knew that Timothy was a vain person. Compliments would loosen him up. He blinks, his face relaxing somewhat. "It was nothing. Kinda indy. Why, are you a reporter?" You're about to respond when a female voice interrupts. "I asked them here, Timothy." Samantha Parker walks up to the two of you. She's wearing a face mask and a huge pair of sunglasses. She notices your scrutinity and smiles. "I have allergies. My face is so swollen, I look hideous," she laughs. She lays a hand on your shoulder. "This is $name, an investigator who specializes in missing person cases. I need their help to find Ivan." You consider that your cue. [["On that note, when did you arrive on the production site?"]]