OUTSIDE

(align:"<==")+(box:"X=")[''OUTSIDE''] ^^TW: This game contains references to suicide, gore and attempted sexual assault, if uncomfortable do not proceed, otherwise, proceed with caution.^^ [[START|DEMIANS CUBE P1]] By Melissa Chew (universallemon)

You look at your desk. It's a bit hard to see since electricity's being rationed between several thousand of the 'supposed' last humans on Earth. You find some files on the desk and a drawer below it. (if: $hasCode)[[[Enter 'O C E A N' as code.|open drawer]]](else:)[[[Try to open the drawer|drawer locked]]] [[I thoroughly read the files.|look at folder]] [[(Return.)|DEMIANS CUBE P1]]

You look around the ground. The thick slab of concrete is covered with prints of dust and organic decay. Luckily the exhaust fan in the walls is keeping the stench from overwhelming you. There's a stack of old books and a rotting cabinet on the ground. [[Check the old books.|look at books]] [[Observe the rotting cabinet.|look at cabinet]] [[(Return.)|DEMIANS CUBE P1]]

You turn on the radio to the only signal it's able to read. The signal crackles and fizzes. An enthusiastic young man's voice echoes through the audio: "-and all of the effort, ''The Black Cube'' will commence the 47th rite of passage to survivors of the civil war of 0179N.E. in 3 days, so send wishes to the chosen ones! We will also be commencing random cube inspections between lower floors! Bask in the glory of ''The Black Cube''! ''Father'', has saved us from the ''Outside'' for another day! You have saved us, ''Father, Black Cube!''" The man's voice becomes radio static. (set: $listenRadio to true) [[Turn away from the radio.|DEMIANS CUBE P1]]

The moment you open the drawer, a scent permeates through your nose, with its origin not to be seen. You see coiled ''rope'' hidden below piles of loose paper. A ''graphite stick'' rolls toward you. (if: $hasGraphite)[[[Use graphite to unravel false bottom.|FALSE BOTTOM]]](else:)[[[Find the origin of the smell.|see pinhole]]] [[Look at rope.|look rope]] [[Take graphite stick.|take graphite]] [[(Return.)|look at desk]]

You open the files. You flip through to come across a tabbed one. It doesn't seem to be yours. (if: $readIanFileCry)[[[Look at the tabbed file again?|read Ian's file again]]](elseif: $hasIanCarve)[[[Read tabbed file.|Ian's file (upset)]]](else:)[[[Read tabbed file.|Ian's file]]] [[Ignore and keep flipping.|your folder]]

You try to open the drawer, but it's locked with a 5 letter combination lock. You recall seeing it on a piece of paper, you misplaced it. [[(Return.)|look at desk]]

(set: $hasCode to false)\ (set: $hasGraphite to false)\ (set: $hasIanCarve to false)\ (set: $readIanFileCry to false)\ (set: $listenRadio to false)\ (set: $leaveNoahCube to false)\ (set: $hasChisel to false)\ (set: $knowCeiling to false)\ (set: $knowHow to false)\ (set: $knowCeilingMaterial to false)\ (set: $noahHasChisel to false)\ (set: $angleGrinder to false)\ (set: $killOfficer to false)\ (set: $hurtOfficer to false)\ (set: $hasIDCard to false)(set: $textKillHurtOfficer to 'You lock the door shut with the ID card.')\ (set: $textGrinderPocket to 'Your heart beats painfully and you freeze... until you feel the grinder in your pocket.')\ (set: $textRageBoils to 'Rage boils within you. The woman remains shellshocked on the ground.')\ (set: $textWomanNowhere to 'You turn the switch off and lock the door with the officers ID card on the way out. The woman is nowhere to be seen.')\ (set: $leaveOfficerAlive to false)\ (set: $changeClothes to false)\ (set: $hideMattress to false)\ (set: $hideCeiling to false)\ (set: $hideFloor to false)\ (set: $hasShell to false)\ (set: $knowMarina to false)\ (set: $dontTalkNoah to false)\ (set: $textOfficerWoman to 'Between the gaps in the locker, your eyes capture a female labourer being led by an officer into the room and closes the door, her hair touselled and skin bruised.')\ (set: $noahAsksOkay to false)\ (set: $noahInvestigate to false)\ (set: $firstInspection to 'You jolt awake in a daze with your door opening. You are blinded by the lights of the hallway to find two people entering your cube. Slowly, your eyes adjust to the light. ')\ (set: $textInspectionProcess to 'You stand aside for what seems like an eternity. Eventually, the inspector investigates the mattress. Your head feels light and your chest pains.') (set: $textDropsShell to 'You notice the shell is not in your pocket anymore. You look down, the wind blowing through your hair.') (set: $onlySleep to false) (set: $knowCeilingfr to false)

You look at the old books. You can see mould building up on some of the pages. As you skim through them, a piece of paper flies out. [[Look at the piece of paper.|read letter]] [[Ignore it.|look at ground]]

You observe the cabinet to see the markings on the side of the wood. The words '''Ian'' was here' are childishly etched at the foot of the cabinet. The moment you look at it, your eyes start to sting. (set: $hasIanCarve to true) [[(Return.)|look at ground]]

You look at the piece of paper. It's a handwritten letter: 'I found this in my boss' office. It has pictures of our Earth. I think it's beautiful. If we get out we should see the '^^ocean^^'! It's a gigantic pool of water! It sounds crazy, but it's real. Maybe the leaders want to keep it all to themselves and that's why we never go outside.' (set: $hasCode to true) [[(Return.)|DEMIANS CUBE P1]]

You kneel down and feel the chilling sensation run down your body. You can't hear anything marking existence from the other side of the floor apart from the pulse of your blood, not even the wind itself. It's unsurprising to you despite having lived on the bottom floor of the ''Black Cube'' since forever. [[(Return.)|DEMIANS CUBE P1]]

You look around to find the origin of the smell and come across a small pinhole at the bottom of the drawer. [[(Return.)|open drawer]]

You take the ''graphite stick'' from the drawer. It's thin and lengthy. (set: $hasGraphite to true) [[(Return.)|open drawer]]

Several meters of old, yet tough ''rope''. It's stolen from the engineering department and coarse to the touch. [[(Return.)|open drawer]]

You carefully push up the false bottom with the ''graphite stick'' to reveal a rotting ''chisel'' and a ''clump of black plastic''. You don't remember it being there. You forgot to return the ''chisel'' to ''Marina'' a year ago. [[Take chisel.|take chisel]] [[Look at the black plastic.|find shell]] [[Put false bottom back.|open drawer]]

You eventually find your file near the end of the folder. You skim through basic information about yourself. (align:"=><=")[''DEMIAN EMIL KATOPODIS''] No. 2273 Sex: Male DOB: 02/12/0156 N.E. Age: 23 Occupation: Mechanical Engineer Cube: ZZZ1984 STATUS - ACTIVE (working on Proj. Galore) [[Close folder.|look at desk]]

You open the tabbed file. The moment you see the image of the man's profile, the stinging in your eyes gets stronger. Your chest is drowning in an indescribable emptiness. "''Ian''..." You've reread his file millions of times to see the only image of him that still exists in this world. You never understood how his jewel blue eyes could shine through the poorly printed paper. You just can't manage to look at the rest of the page without succumbing to your emotions. You close the folder. You've seen enough. (set: $readIanFileCry to true) [[(Return.)|look at desk]]

You read the tabbed file. Your eyes are drawn to the image the moment you look at the page. You've read this a million times yet the words never change. You avert your eyes from the image of him and skim through: (align:"=><=")[''IAN NAGUIB AYAD''] No. 1013 Sex: Male DOB: 29/05/0156 N.E. Age: 23 Occupation: Government Officer Cube: ZZZ1986 STATUS - ACTIVE (stationed lower levels) The urge to look at his face collapses as you turn the page. (set: $readIanFileCry to true) [[Find and read your file.|your folder]] [[Close folder.|look at desk]]

You refuse to read the file again. You don't want to think about it, everything still hurts from then. The last thing you need are these unnecessary feelings. [[(Return.)|look at desk]]

You go to your door. You shut it from your end, rarely leaving your cube for supplies at sleeping hour. (if: $hasCode)[A fearless energy bubbles inside you, knowing what you have to do.](else:)[You just can't manage to open the door. Maybe now's not the right time to leave.] (if: $hasCode)[[Exit your room.|HALLWAYS]](else:)[[]] [[(Return.)|DEMIANS CUBE P1]]

You exit your room to find the lights to be barely brighter than in your cube and the scent of rust sticks to your tongue. Across you, you see the door to Cube ZZZ1985. As you look adjacent, a long hallway stretches for miles in the distance. [[Knock on Cube ZZZ1985's door.|GO TO NOAH'S]] [[Walk across the corridor.|walk along hallways]] [[Go back to your room.|DEMIANS CUBE P1]]

You knock on your neighbour's door, A taller man's dark eyes light up as he opens the door, the first thing you notice are his heavy eyebags and growing beard, "Oh! ''Demian'', glad to see you! Did you need anything?" [["'Just wanted to know how you're doing."|"you okay?"]] [["It's nothing. Sorry."|Noah insists you come]]

You walk across the corridor and see a facility entrance. [[Enter the carpentry room's basement.|CARPENTRY ROOM INTRO]] [[Go back.|HALLWAYS (LEAVE NOAH'S)]]

His voice softens, "Oh, well, I'm... I'm doing good. I think. Well, are //you// okay? You haven't talked to anyone in months... even me." (set: $noahAsksOkay to true) (if: $readIanFileCry)[[["I'm not in the best state right now".|you see mags]]](else:)[[["I'm fine, really."|"wanna chat?"]]]

''Noah's'' eyes widen with concern, "N- No, ''Demian'', come in, I haven't seen you in ages. That's if you want to, of course." [["Well, if you insist.|you see mags]] [["No, I'm fine, really. I just need to see your face once in a while."|Goodbye Noah]]

(if: $knowCeiling)[He closes the ceiling tile.](else:)["I- I just didn't put them back!"] He lays on his bed, looking at the ceiling, "...''Demian''... You haven't come out of your cube in months. I was really starting to miss you. I know you were always the quiet type, even as a kid, but even I was starting to think... Nevermind." (if: $readIanFileCry)[[["I wish it were as you thought..."|demian suicidal thoughts]]](else:)[[["I needed time to think things through."|noah wants clarification]]]

''Noah'' restacks the magazines in his arm, "The inspectors only check the floors of the cube, not the ceilings down here. Besides, they're probably so underpaid they can't be fucked to do the job properly." He grabs and stands on his chair to hoist them into a chipped-out hole inside the ceiling, "At most, if they don't like you, they'll beat you up instead of report you. 'Too much work for those mid-leveller fucks." (set: $knowCeilingfr to true) [["How do you know this?"|know ceiling info]] [["Isn't the ceiling supposed to be impenetrable?"|know ceiling material]]

''Noah'' sits up, "Hey, ''Demian''... These past few months have been really tough on us... even then, I don't think he would want you to think things like that. He'd want you to live happily. I'm sure." [["Then I'm going to find out what's outside."|demian admits plan]] [["The only way I can be content with myself is finishing what he started."|noah is worried demian dies]]

He sits up from his bed, "What do you mean?" [["I'm going to find out what's outside."|demian admits plan]] [["I'm going to finish what Ian started."|noah is worried demian dies]]

(if: $noahAsksOkay)["Then we should probably talk about it, huh?" He opens the door wider to invite you in. ] He smiles as he leads you into his cube. You're shocked by the chaos in his room. It's normally so tidy. You see a clump of lewd magazines sprayed on the floor next to his table. He notices you looking at the fallen stack, "Well... This is awkward." [["Did I disturb you?"|noah on bed]] (if: $listenRadio)[[["You know, you could be punished for possessing these if the inspectors find them, right?"|you know about ceiling]]](else:)[[["Maybe, I really should go..."|noah nervous]]]

He gives a gentle look, "Okay, well, if you ever need to talk about... you know... then you can always talk to me. After all, we're friends, right?" (set: $dontTalkNoah to true) [["Yeah"|HALLWAYS (LEAVE NOAH'S)]] [[Nod to him.|HALLWAYS (LEAVE NOAH'S)]]

''Noah'' begins to sweat, "It really isn't what it looks like, seriously!" [["Yeah, sure, Noah."|noah on bed]]

He looks at you for a moment then gives a sincere grin, "Well, I'm glad you're doing alright. Did you wanna have a chat? We haven't talked in a while." [["Why not."|you see mags]] [["Sorry, I have errands to run."|Goodbye Noah]]

''Noah'' stands up, "What? ''Demian'', you're going to get in deep shit, you know that right? Even if they catch you saying that God knows what'd happen to you!" [["I know what would happen! I'm willing to take the risk! I need to know what's out there!"|Noah asks if it's worth it]] [["I know what would happen! I'm doing this for Ian!"|"let him go!"]] [[Stay silent.|noah suspects Ian's impact]]

''Noah'' looks at you speculatively, "''Demian'', seriously?" He steps forward, "Do you want to end up dead?! What if the ''thing'' down there really is true?!" (set: $noahInvestigate to true)[[["I'll be careful, I swear!"|"Ian died cause curiosity"]]] [["This is what Ian would've wanted!"|"Ian died cause curiosity"]]

You see his feet step closer to yours. You look up to see ''Noah'' avoiding your eyes, "...This has to do with ''Ian'', doesn't it?" [["Yes."|noah is worried demian dies]] [[Stay silent.|noah is worried demian dies]]

"''Demian'', you have to let him go. Please, for your own sake. You'll ruin yourself." [["I don't think I have much to lose anymore."|NOAH CONVO END (UPSET)]] [[Stay silent.|"Ian died cause curiosity"]]

"If you //die//, his death would be for nothing!" The room echoes. You freeze. You've never heard ''Noah'' get this agitated before. "''Marina's'' dead. Did you know that, ''Demian''? Even my baby girl. Dead. Shot by an officer for picking oranges from the upper levels. You wouldn't have known. You locked yourself in your cube for months on end, and the moment I see you, you come out asking for a death wish! And... '' Ian's'' gone. You're the only one I have left, ''Demian''. My only friend... My only family... Don't think I'm not suffering too." His eyes redden and pools form within them. ''Noah's'' hands and lips tremble. (if: $hasChisel)[[["I... have something that belongs to Marina. I think it's best if you have it." You give Noah Marina's chisel.|NOAH CONVO END (HOPE)]]](else:)[[["... I understand. I'm sorry for having these thoughts."|NOAH CONVO END (UPSET)]]] [["I won't die. I swear to you. I //will// bring justice to all their deaths."|NOAH CONVO END (UPSET)]]

"(if: $noahInvestigate)[That's exactly what ''Ian'' said, ''Demian''! ]''Ian'' //died// because he got too curious! And he was stupid about it too! He certainly wouldn't want you to meet the same fate!" [["I'm in too deep to leave now, Noah. I need to finish this."|Noah asks if it's worth it]] [["If I do nothing, his death would be for nothing!"|Noah Monologue]]

''Noah'' pauses. His voice softens, "...Is there really something out there worth dying for?" (if: $hasShell)[[["Yes. This is why." You show Noah the shell.|show Noah shell]]] [["I don't know, but anything is better than living here. Even if that possibly means dying down there."|NOAH CONVO END (UPSET)]]

(if: $knowMarina)["It's okay." ]''Noah'' looks to his own feet. He blinks as if to erase the redness in his eyes, "...''Demian''... Just remember, you can change your fate. You don't have to stay miserable forever." (set: $leaveNoahCube to true) [["I know. That's why I want to change that." You leave Noah's cube.|HALLWAYS (LEAVE NOAH'S)]] [[Leave Noah's cube in silence.|HALLWAYS (LEAVE NOAH'S)]]

(if: $leaveNoahCube and $dontTalkNoah)[](elseif: $dontTalkNoah)["Great! Well, make sure to say 'hi' to me more often, I was starting to get lonely without you! See ya!" He closes his door, his cheesy grin never leaving his face. You're left alone once again. ](else:)[]You're left alone in the hallways. Everyone seems to be on the labouring floors or inside their cubes. (if: $leaveNoahCube and $dontTalkNoah)[](elseif: $dontTalkNoah)[The warmth from ''Noah's'' voice disappears and the silence leaves you surrounded by the cold metallic surfaces of the hallway.](else:)[] (if: $leaveNoahCube)[[[Knock on Noah's door again.|Noah doesn't respond knock]]](else:)[[[Knock on Cube ZZZ1985's door.|GO TO NOAH'S]]] [[Walk across the corridor.|walk along hallways]] [[Go back to your room.|DEMIANS CUBE P1]]

There's no response. [[(Return.)|HALLWAYS (LEAVE NOAH'S)]]

You keep the ''chisel'' in the leg pocket of your trousers. (set: $hasChisel to true) [[(Return.)|open drawer]]

"A mid-leveller-lookin' guy said something about it at work- how the materials used for the ceilings are different here than in the mid and upper levels. It's only the floors and outer walls keeping us 'safe'." (set: $knowCeiling to true) (if: $knowHow)[[]](else:)[[["Isn't the ceiling supposed to be impenetrable?"|know ceiling material]]] [["That's interesting."|noah on bed]]

"I thought that as well until I stole a cold chisel from the carpentry rooms. I tried it out and it worked. A clean line. No one would know where the hole would be apart from you. But I put it back obviously; I don't wanna get arrested." (set:$knowCeilingMaterial to true) (if: $knowCeilingMaterial)[[]](else:)[[["How do you know this?"|know ceiling info]]] [["That's interesting."|noah on bed]]

You hear static. [[(Return.)|DEMIANS CUBE P1]]

''Noah'' holds the chisel in his hand, staring at her etched name with all the affection he can afford. "...Thank you.(if: $knowMarina)[ I'm sorry.]" he murmurs as drops spill from his eyes. (set: $leaveNoahCube to true)(set: $hasChisel to false)(set: $noahHasChisel to true) (if: $knowMarina)[[["You have nothing to apologise for."|HALLWAYS (LEAVE NOAH'S)]]](else:)[[["Take care, Noah."|HALLWAYS (LEAVE NOAH'S)]]]

You remain in your box of a room. It's dim with pipes along the wall echoing with running liquid. The ground is scattered with undusted books and furniture. The floor stares back at you, as if mocking you. [[Look at my desk.|look at desk]] [[Look around the ground.|look at ground]] (if: $listenRadio)[[[Go back to radio.|radio again]]](else:)[[[Turn on the radio.|radio]]] [[Press your ear against the ground.|feel floor]] [[Go to door.|go to door]]

You enter the carpentry room's basement, leaving the door open. The musky scent of wood blankets your senses. You see various stored tools and a rusting ''locker''. You've heard of people killing themselves with these down here. The higher-ups don't bother, since low-levellers 'work like dogs and breed like rabbits'. You make a beeline toward the one ''angle grinder'' on the rack. The last item you need before executing your plan. Before you reach for it, you hear footsteps approach the cube. [[Take the grinder and hide.|take grinder and hide]] [[Leave the grinder and hide.|leave grinder and hide]]

(print: $textOfficerWoman) Her eyes are filled with relief looking at the ''grinder's'' rack. "Think yourself lucky, low-life, but we'll see what happens after the first inspection." He shoves the woman out of the room, leaving the door open. Their footsteps disappear. (set: $listenRadio to true)(set: $angleGrinder to true) [[Put grinder in pocket and rush to your cube.|DEMIAN'S-ROOM-(POST-LOCKER)]]

You put the ''grinder'' in your leg pocket. (print: $textOfficerWoman) Her eyes are bewildered with dread as she looks at the empty rack. "So? Does that mean you lied?" "No... I swear! I didn't take it!" "What you've done has put upper-levellers at risk, but the last thing you want is to go to the correctional facility, isn't that right?" The officer takes out his baton. The woman is a deer in headlights. "It'd be a pity if you let your looks rot away. If you give yourself to me, I'll let this slide." The officer pins her on the floor and you hear something drop. (set: $angleGrinder to true)(set: $hasIDCard to true) [[Interfere.|interfere first]] [[Do nothing.|stay in locker 1]]

You don't make a single sound and hope the worst doesn't come. The officer begins to unbutton her blouse. The woman opens her mouth, yet no words escape from it. (set: $useDrill to true) [[Interfere.|interfere first]] [[Stay still.|stay in locker 2]]

You rush out of the locker, and the officer looks up. Kicks and punches fly. A fist lands on your face and you're shoved onto the ground with the officer's hand grasping your neck. "You fucker," he hisses. He takes a second look at you with curious interest, "You're ''Ian's'' bitch aren't you?" [["Let her go!"|let woman go]] [["...How do you know who I am?"|officer knows Demian]] [["Don't you dare call me that."|Demian insulted]]

(if: $killOfficer or $hurtOfficer or $leaveOfficerAlive)[Panic and cold sweat crawl on your skin as you slide down the locked door. You begin to shake uncontrollably. You try not to think about it but the more you do, the more tears escape in pain and anger. You force yourself to stand up with your battered body.](else:)[You shut your door behind you, exhaling in anxiousness. They didn't see you, did they?] Despite what you lived through, you finally have the last piece. You just need to put it all together(if: $listenRadio)[ soon]. You carve a large portion out of the floor for 6 hours straight, adrenaline coursing through your being. It's beyond sleeping hour. (if: $hideCeiling or $hideMattress)[](elseif: $knowCeilingfr)[[[Create hole inside ceiling.|USE CEILING]]](else:)[[Hide tools inside mattress.|HIDE IN MATTRESS]] (if: $changeClothes)[](elseif: $killOfficer or $hurtOfficer)[[[Change bloody clothes.|CHANGE CLOTHES]]](else:)[] (if: $hideCeiling or $hideMattress or $hideFloor)[[[Hide the floor and go to sleep.|SLEEP]]]

"Being the only low-leveller mech engineer in Project Galore and getting all friendly when that deadweight patrols the area? Everyone stationed in this hellhole knows who you are! You low-levellers need to be reminded of your place before you get too comfortable and end up killing us with the outside!" You grit your teeth. The officer's mention of ''Ian'' sends you in a quiet fury. "You look even better up close... Take her place and nothing will happen to her." The woman whimpers. (print: $textGrinderPocket) [["...Sure."|counterattack officer]] [[You look to the woman, "Run!"|counterattack officer]]

(print: $textRageBoils) "You're not saying that 'cause you're lonely, aren't you? Then take her place and show me a good time." (print: $textGrinderPocket) [["...Sure."|counterattack officer]] [[You look to the woman, "Run!"|counterattack officer]]

The officer turns around and the woman flees. The officer unbuckles his belt, "It's great how the cubes are soundproof, huh? We could go at it for hours." You press the ''grinder'' against his neck, "Yeah, sure is." Before he grabs his baton you place your finger on the switch, "Which is faster? Your baton or my blade?" His face drops in defeat. The officer lets go of you, surrendering. You kick him to the ground. [[Kill him.|kill officer]] [["Give me the card and baton. Now." Lock him in.|keep officer alive]] [[Saw off his penis.|hurt officer]]

You grip the ''grinder'' and switch it on. The sound of the running blade dulls the officer's pleas, "N- No, wait! Stop! I'm sorry, forgive me! I shouldn't have done that! NO!" You stab the blade in his crotch. Screaming, he reflexively reaches toward the blade only for his fingers to get cut off, spurting pulses of blood. You dig the blade deeper to watch him writhe in agony. (print: $textWomanNowhere) (set: $hurtOfficer to true) [[Rush to your cube.|DEMIAN'S-ROOM-(POST-LOCKER)]]

You switch on the ''grinder'' and press the blade against his neck. Your face is splattered with blood and screams morph with pools of red foam that escape his lips. You hit bone. He drops dead. (print: $textWomanNowhere) (set: $killOfficer to true) [[Rush to your cube.|DEMIAN'S-ROOM-(POST-LOCKER)]]

He obediently drops his ''card'' and ''baton'' on the ground. You pick them up without lowering the ''grinder'' as you etch your way out of the room. His figure disappears as the door shuts. (print: $textWomanNowhere) (set: $leaveOfficerAlive to true) [[Rush to your cube.|DEMIAN'S-ROOM-(POST-LOCKER)]]

"You're a feisty one, aren't you? I can see why ''Ian'' liked you. Good riddance." He leers at you, "He certainly had good taste though... " You grit your teeth. Tears almost form in your eyes. (print: $textRageBoils) "Let's make a deal. You wanna feel like a hero? Then take her place." (print: $textGrinderPocket) [["...Sure."|counterattack officer]] [[You look to the woman, "Run!"|counterattack officer]]

In a blink, the woman cautiously reaches for something on the ground and drills it against the officer's chest. Flesh churns and red sprays across the floor. Screams erupt. The officer is left laying in his pool of blood. The woman rubs the object on the officer's clothes and runs away, panting. You leave the locker and see a broken electric drill and an ''ID Card'' on the floor. You pick it up. [[Rush to your cube.|DEMIAN'S-ROOM-(POST-LOCKER)]]

You use a (if: $hasChisel)[''chisel''](else:)[''grinder''] to chip away at the ceiling to form a sizable gap. You stuff all the items you need into it. (set: $hideCeiling to true) [[(Return.)|DEMIAN'S-ROOM-(POST-LOCKER)]]

You use the (if: $hasChisel)[''chisel''](else:)[''grinder''] to scratch open the off-white mattress. You pull away the rusting springs to create space. You stuff all the items you need into it. (set: $hideMattress to true) [[(Return.)|DEMIAN'S-ROOM-(POST-LOCKER)]]

You take off your clothes (if: $hasShell)[and retrieve the shell]. The blood stains make the fabric adhere to your skin. You look at your bruised body. Everything aches. You put on a set of cleaner clothes. (set: $changeClothes to true) [[(Return.)|DEMIAN'S-ROOM-(POST-LOCKER)]]

You place the carved parts of the floor back and push the rotting cabinet over the hole. The moment you lay on the bed, the silence of the room gets to you. Your body starts to feel loosely connected to itself. (if: $hasShell)[You fish out the ''shell'' from your pocket and embrace it as if it were ''Ian'' himself. ]You cry yourself to sleep. (unless: $hideMattress or $leaveOfficerAlive)[[[Awaken.|first inspection success]]](else:)[[[Awaken.|first inspection failure]]]

You unravel it to reveal a small, pale foreign object. You caress its bumpy texture. What it is doesn't hit you until your heart skips a beat. It's a ''shell''. [[Take it.|take shell]] [[Leave it.|FALSE BOTTOM]]

You rewrap it and gently place it in your pocket. (set: $hasShell to true) [[(Return.)|FALSE BOTTOM]]

''Noah'' stares at the ''shell'', his eyes glistening, "This... ''Ian'' showed me this years ago... Why isn't it with him? He would've carried this 'til the day he died..." You're hit with a pang of guilt as you look back at the ''shell''. [["...He knew what would happen to him..."|Marina's death]] [["...All this... is my fault."|"Not our fault"]]

''Noah''s head drops, "He gave his most precious thing to his most precious person..." Tears erupt from his eyes, "I'm sorry, it's ''Marina''... she..." He covers his face. (set: $knowMarina to true) (if: $hasChisel)[[["I... have something that belongs to her. I think it's best if you have it." You give Noah Marina's chisel.|NOAH CONVO END (HOPE)]]](else:)[[[The pain in your chest builds up, "I'm so sorry, Noah."|NOAH CONVO END (UPSET)]]]

"''Demian''... none of this is our fault. He just wanted the best for us..." ''Noah'' embraces you in a hug for what seems to be an eternity. Tears merge from the depths of your being. You eventually break away from his warmth. (if: $hasChisel)[[["I... have something that belongs to Marina. I think it's best if you have it." You give Noah Marina's chisel.|NOAH CONVO END (HOPE)]]](else:)[[["Thank you... but, I'll be going now."|NOAH CONVO END (UPSET)]]]

(print: $firstInspection)(if: $hasShell)[You immediately grasp the shell and hide it.] A stern voice bellows, [["Get up, now."|success p2]]

(print: $firstInspection)(if: $hasShell)[You immediately grasp the shell and hide it.] (if: $leaveOfficerAlive)[When you sit up, [[your face drops.|officer revenge arrest]]](else:) [An officer and an elderly inspector appear at your doorstep, [["Get up. We're doing inspections."|normal inspection arrest]]]

"Grab him." A younger officer pins you to the ground and roughly cuffs you, Your brows furrow looking at his obnoxious smirk. "What did you expect to happen? You can't survive pitying others like that." He looks toward the younger officer, "Bring him to the correctional facility." Your eyes widen in shock. [[The younger officer drags you out of your cube.|CORRECTIONAL FACILITY ENDING]]

Your head strikes the cold, hard floor as you're tossed across the room. The scent of astringent begins to violate your senses. You turn to face the entrance, dawning upon the looming officer's shadow. All feelings of hopelessness dawn upon you as the last light of the door squeezes through and diminishes into a black emptiness. (align:"<==")+(box:"===XXXXX==")[[[THE END.|START HERE]]]

(print: $textInspectionProcess) The moment he brings out the ''grinder'' his face freezes. He looks at you and the officer in shock. "Bring him to the correctional facility immediately." Your eyes widen and your breath shortens. [[The officer drags you out your cube.|CORRECTIONAL FACILITY ENDING]]

You're not sure how many hours passed, but you reach an anti-climactic end to the ''Black Cube''. Pitch darkness with a gust of wind. It's probably sleeping hour on Earth. Regardless, you tie the ''rope'' to the desk and begin descending. Your ears prick when (if: $noahHasChisel)[[[you notice the door opening.|NOAH COMES YAY]]](else:)[[[you notice the door opening.|Officer runs away]]]

You descend further into darkness to which the light of your cube is nonexistent. Your hands don several cuts and your blood sticks to the course ''rope''. You see something glimmer within the darkness. (if: $hasShell)[It has to be the shell. The ground has to be near.] The moment you go further, your heart drops when you notice: it's an eye. You scramble up the rope to no avail. You're encapsulated by oblivion and fall into its beast. (align:"<==")+(box:"===XXXXX==")[[[THE END.|START HERE]]]

Two officers enter your cube. You look up to see ''Noah'' stab an officer in the neck with the ''chisel'', blood spraying like bullets. He struggles through the beatings of a baton. Your heart sinks. "''Noah''! What-!" His voice rasps as he bellows, "Go, ''Demian''! Leave this place! Just go!" Your heart bursts out of your chest. You hastily [[climb down the rope.|Noah dies]]

The moment the officer enters, he notices the open hole in the cube and flees in panic. Your moment of panic morphs into confusion. (if: $hasShell)[(print: $textDropsShell)] [[Descend further.|CONSUMED ENDING]]

You hear a gunshot echo through the cube. "''NOAH''!" Footsteps scatter out the cube, only your sobs to keep you company. Your body suddenly weakens. It's quiet. (if: $hasShell)[(print: $textDropsShell)] [[Descend further.|CONSUMED ENDING]]

(print: $textInspectionProcess) He leaves the mattress alone. Your breath stabilizes. It's over. "Thank you." The inspector says. You nod back in response. The officer simply looks at you and exits the room. You thank ''Noah'' with all your being, yet a deafening realisation hits you: Why didn't they check the floor? You come to the temporary conclusion that it's the inspectors failing memory. You calm yourself down. The hard part is over now. [[Continue to carve.|CARVING CONTINUES]]