Just Another Day

Just Another (text-colour:red)[Day](set: _style to (text-style:"buoy"), $word to "Day")(enchant:$word, _style) a game by //Cory Caldwell// [[Insert Coin]] ===== [[Warning]]

It was a day like any other. You were relaxing at home, pretending to be productive. Things were going well, until you got thirsty and opened up the fridge. With no Kombucha to drink, you decided it was time for a store run. You asked your partner if they'd like to accompany you. They were busy studying for school, but asked if you'd bring them a drink back too. So now, here you are at the local grocery store. You're back by the cooler section, near where they keep the milk and cold drinks. There's the usual hustle and bustle of people, coming and going. And here you are, in the middle of it all, just trying to get your drinks, and get home. Just another day, like any other... When suddenly, the shooting starts. You hear people screaming and your heart begins pounding in your chest. Another gun shot and then another, ringing out, almost defeaning the screams. All you can think about, is making it out of here, alive. [[check to see if your armed]] [[run for it!]]

This game contains content that some players might find traumatic, (text-colour:red)[play at your own risk.](set: _style to (text-style:"buoy"), $word to "play at your own risk.")(enchant:$word, _style) [[Back ->Cover]]

You pat at your waistline, but don't feel your firearm. Panic immediately sets in as you realize you left it at home. This was just supposed to be a quick store run for drinks. You never thought this would happen, to you... Without your gun, your chances of making it out alive are greatly reduced. Maybe you can try to run or hide, but what if you come face to face with the shooter? Realistically, you have no real chance of winning against an armed foe. Especially when you yourself, are unarmed. What are you going to do, hit him over the head with a pickle jar? Another gun shot pulls your attention back to the present moment. Another scream reminds you that people are already dying. What are you going to do now, hero? [[this isn't good]]

This isn't good at all, and time isn't on your side. The longer you stand here trembling, the better chance you have of becoming a victim. So, what's your move? [[take a knee]] [[run for it!]]

You take a knee, and more importantly, a breath. Oxygen floods into your paralyzed brain and gives you a chance at logical thought. You can hear more shooting and screams and you see people running for it. Maybe you should try and run too? You're fast, you might make it out! [[run for it!]] [[wait]]

You force a breath of air into your lungs and begin running as fast as you can. People all around you have the same plan and you all end up crowded together. Everyone is in a state of panic and hysteria, fear controlling their every move. Fortunately, you're one of the fastest in the group and you get ahead of the surge. You race toward the nearest exit you can think of, seeing the end of the aisle in sight! You're almost there, you might actually make it out of here! A figure steps into view at the end of the aisle up ahead and you know right away... It's the shooter. You try to stop, try to hit the brakes, but the surging crowd behind you is too strong. You're pushed right toward the threat and your hesitation causes you to fall. Shots begin ringing out and more screams fill the air, as people drop dead around you. You don't hear their screams for long however, as the panicked crowd tramples you. Your skull is crushed and you die a horrible death on the floor, not even shot. (text-colour:red)[''YOU ARE DEAD!''](set: _style to (text-style:"buoy"), $word to "YOU ARE DEAD!")(enchant:$word, _style) [[try again->Cover]]

You wait, taking another breath. You see the crowd of people go surging off down the aisle ahead. The shooter steps out at the end of the aisle and begins firing. Someone at the front trips and is immediately trampled to death, as everyone panics. People drop dead from gunshots, while many more are crushed to death by the crowd. You can't believe your eyes, you can't believe this is actually happening. But you feel somewhat relieved... At least you decided to take a moment, and a breath, and didn't end up like them. Now what? [[look around for another way out]] [[run for it, now that the gunman is distracted]]

You look around, continuing to breathe. Obviously you don't want to go running *toward* the shooter and end up like the others. Maybe there's another way out, through the back? Taking this moment to gain awareness, you notice something. You spot the door that says employees only, leading to the loading docks. More shots, more screams, more people dying every second you waste... [[run to the backroom]] [[stay low, move slowly]]

It's now or never and you take your chances! You get up and run as fast as you can toward the nearest exit you can see. Just when you think you're going to make it, your heart sinks. The shooter catches sight of you and takes aim. You see his muzzle pointing in your direction, but you keep running. You have to get home to your partner, she's waiting for you! She'll never believe this happened, when you tell her... You don't make it another five feet, before you're gunned down. (text-colour:red)[''YOU ARE DEAD!''](set: _style to (text-style:"buoy"), $word to "YOU ARE DEAD!")(enchant:$word, _style) [[try again->Cover]]

You get up and make a mad dash for the door! If you can just reach the backroom, you'll be home free... You can probably jump off the loading dock and run all the way home to your partner. She's waiting for you. Hurry! You don't make it more than five feet before you're gunned down. (text-colour:red)[''YOU ARE DEAD!''](set: _style to (text-style:"buoy"), $word to "YOU ARE DEAD!")(enchant:$word, _style) [[try again->Cover]]

You stay low, stay quiet, and move slowly. You remember something your partner told you, time and time again... *Slow is smooth, smooth is fast.* She was right. And because you remembered what she said, you just might make it home to her. You enter the employee area. There's a plethora of shelving, pallets, boxes and pump jacks back here. You also notice a few other people hiding behind some boxes nearby. It looks like a store employee and some other customers. You see one of the loading dock doors is open, you can see the daylight outside! Will you run for daylight, or join the others in hiding? [[run for daylight]] [[hide with the others]] [[listen and observe]]

You know this *has* to be your chance at making it! You don't hesitate any longer, running full speed for the open bay door. You're going to jump right off the loading dock and hit the ground running. And you're not going to stop until you make it all the way back home! In your excitement, you fail to notice the second shooter who is guarding the back exits. You don't make it more than five feet before you're gunned down. (text-colour:red)[''YOU ARE DEAD!''](set: _style to (text-style:"buoy"), $word to "YOU ARE DEAD!")(enchant:$word, _style) [[try again->Cover]]

You've seen what happens to those who try and run for it. You decide you're going to try a different strategy and hide! You quietly make your way over and join the others who have gathered together in hiding. They all look terrified, pale, deprived of oxygen and rational thought. You hear more gunshots. You hear more people screaming and dying out in the aisles. Still, you somehow feel *safer* now, knowing you're not alone. You continue to hide, listening in horror as more lives are lost, while you do nothing. Eventually the shooter will run out of bullets right? Soon they will accomplish whatever goal they had and leave, right? Any moment now, this nightmare will be over, right?! You and the others hide for several long, miserable moments, until finally... The shooter enters the backroom and finds all of you cowering behind boxes. He shoots you all dead, like fish in a barrel. (text-colour:red)[''YOU ARE DEAD!''](set: _style to (text-style:"buoy"), $word to "YOU ARE DEAD!")(enchant:$word, _style) [[try again->Cover]]

From your experience, running doesn't seem like the best idea. But hiding behind boxes, hoping you won't be discovered doesn't sound good either... What if the shooter comes along and finds you? Then what? You're just going to beg and cry as he executes you all one by one? You decide to stay low, and wait. You listen and observe, continuing to gain awareness. Keeping quiet, you notice a second shooter pacing back and forth. He's just on the other side of the shelving units, guarding the back exits. Surely he would've gunned you down if you tried to make a run for it. It's a good thing you took a moment, to breathe. Now that you've gained some situational awareness, it's time to make an assessment. There are at least two shooters, one back here and one in the aisles. You could try hiding and waiting for it all to go away, or keep moving. [[hide with the others]] [[stay low, move back into the store]]

You stay low and move back into the main store area. You can see bodies and blood, everywhere. The gunshots are less frequent, but still ringing out. Because you're aware, you have an idea of where the shooter is... The screams are also less frequent, which sends chills down your spine. In your mind, this either means most people have already gotten away. Or most people are already dead. From what you've seen so far, you know the truth and fear begins to creep in again. No, you have to stay focused, you have to make it home... [[stay low, stay quiet, move]] [[run for it, now that the gunman is distracted]]

You keep moving, trying to pay attention to the sounds of the gunshots. You have a general idea of the shooter's location. With the second shooter blocking the rear exits, you've got to find another way out. If you keep quiet, and keep moving, you might be able to avoid the shooter altogether. If you can make it outside to the parking lot, to your vehicle, you might just survive. You make it to the other end of the store, near the packaged meat and seafood. Some of it's organic and really expensive, but that's not what's important right now... You can still hear gunshots. They sound like they're at the other end of the store. The distance between you and the shooter makes you feel like you have a chance. Maybe *now* is the time to run for it? Maybe *this* is your one chance to make it!? [[go now, run! ->run for it, now that the gunman is distracted]] [[keep moving quietly, slowly, smoothly]]

You've made it this far, why fuck it up now? You keep breathing, keep thinking, keep moving. You're not going to be a victim like the others... You're going to survive, you can feel it! As you slowly and quietly make your way around the end of the aisle, you suddenly stop. You thought the shooter was on the other side of the store. But it must've been the echoes of the gunshots making it sound that way. You spot him now, no more than ten feet away from you, coming down the aisle. Someone lets out a whimper nearby and he turns his attention in their direction. How many bullets does this asshole have? And what kind of gun is that anyway? Like it matters... [[run for it, now that the gunman is distracted]] [[hide and pray]] [[i don't know what to do]] [[attack him!]] [[stay low, stay quiet, keep moving]]

You tuck back behind the end of the aisle, hoping he didn't notice you. You do your best to hide. You've never really been a religious person, but now seems like a good time to start. You hold your ground and pray to all the deities you can think of. Hopefully one of them will answer your prayers... Your heart pounds in your chest as you wait. Every moment that passes feels like it could be your last. You picture your partner's face and long to be home with her again. Why did you have to make this store run now, today? Now you're going to die, and for what, Kombucha? You hear the shooter's footsteps walking down the aisle next to you. You hold your breath, trying to remain as still and quiet as you can. He walks right around the corner and spots you in your *hiding spot*. You beg for mercy and cry out! Your prayers have fallen on deaf ears. He executes you on the spot, without a word. (text-colour:red)[''YOU ARE DEAD!''](set: _style to (text-style:"buoy"), $word to "YOU ARE DEAD!")(enchant:$word, _style) [[try again->Cover]]

You don't know what to do... You don't move. Or rather, you can't. You've forgotten to breathe and stay focused. The fear has finally gotten the better of you and taken hold. You stand frozen in a state of fear and paralysis. The shooter rounds the corner and is almost surprised to see you standing there. You think of your partner and a tear rolls down your cheek. He executes you on the spot, without a word. (text-colour:red)[''YOU ARE DEAD!''](set: _style to (text-style:"buoy"), $word to "YOU ARE DEAD!")(enchant:$word, _style) [[try again->Cover]]

You sieze the moment and attack! You come charging down the aisle, running at the shooter full speed! You're going to clobber this asshole and be the big hero! You're going to save so many lives. You're going to tackle him to the ground and bash his head in! It's going to be just like in the movies!! You make it about five feet before the shooter spots you and shoots you dead. (text-colour:red)[''YOU ARE DEAD!''](set: _style to (text-style:"buoy"), $word to "YOU ARE DEAD!")(enchant:$word, _style) [[try again->Cover]]

You stay low, stay quiet and keep moving. With his attention on someone else, you can reposition. If you can get more distance and obstacles between you and him, you might make it. You keep breathing and keep moving. The door leading outside is just up ahead and you can see the light of day! If only you can make it to the parking lot and to your vehicle, you can go home... You can leave this nightmare behind. [[run outside to your car]] [[go slow, be smooth, stay vigilant]]

You run, straight out the door and into the daylight! The bright sun nearly blinds you, but you don't care. You give it everything you've got, sprinting toward your car in the parking lot! Your heart is beating so hard, you can't hear a thing. You hardly even notice the bodies of other customers on the ground. You come within feet of your car, before the shooter spots you. It doesn't matter, you've made it, you're home free! As your trembling hands fumble for the keys in your pocket, you are gunned down. (text-colour:red)[''YOU ARE DEAD!''](set: _style to (text-style:"buoy"), $word to "YOU ARE DEAD!")(enchant:$word, _style) [[try again->Cover]]

Remaining vigilant, calm and cautious, you move toward the exit. You quietly make your way around countless bodies and pools of blood. You've been coming to this grocery store for years. This place will never be the same again... You make it outside, keeping an eye out for other shooters. There might be more guarding or blocking the exits. Through your keen observation, you see no signs of other threats and move to your car. You make it to your car, breathing, and carefully unlock the door. You climb inside and start it up. Finally, you can get the hell out of here and get back home to your partner! She's never going to believe this... *You* can't even believe this. [[race out of there before the shooter sees you!]] [[drive away carefully]]

There's no time to play it safe anymore! You throw it in gear and put the pedal to the metal! You inhale sharply, trying to stay focused as you feel the adrenaline dump. Tunnel vision closes in and your fine motor skills go to shit. You can hardly control the steering wheel as your hands become flippers! You race out of the parking lot, your tires squealing. Auditory exclusion prevents you from hearing the loud, blaring horn... At the last second you turn your head and notice the vehicle coming right at you. You are t-boned leaving the parking lot by a police cruiser responding to the scene. You are killed instantly, having failed, in your haste, to put on your seatbelt. (text-colour:red)[''YOU ARE DEAD!''](set: _style to (text-style:"buoy"), $word to "YOU ARE DEAD!")(enchant:$word, _style) [[try again->Cover]]

You buckle up and drive away cautiously and carefully. You keep breathing and stay alert. You notice the police cruiser racing into the parking lot, responding to the scene. 911 calls about an active shooter at the grocery store have certainly been pouring in. Slowing down and giving the officer the right of way, you avoid being hit. As you pull out onto the road and head for home, you notice a swarm of vehicles. Red and blue flashing lights, sirens, roaring engines and honking horns arrive. You blink your eyes, trying to recount what just happened inside that store. You can't even remember everything that just transpired. The only thing you do know... Is that you made it out alive. You stayed calm, cool, and collected. You gained awareness, made an assessment, and took action. You stayed low, stayed quiet and kept moving. And because of that... You made it out. You made it home... to her. [[make it home]]

Congratulations. You are alive. You are home. Go embrace your partner. Go get some rest. Whatever you do, just remember... This was *just another day*. (text-colour:green)[''YOU ARE ALIVE!''](set: _style to (text-style:"buoy"), $word to "YOU ARE ALIVE!")(enchant:$word, _style) [[the end->Cover]]