!Heading 1
!!Heading 1
!!!Heading 1
Normal text. Normal text. Normal text. Normal text. Normal text. //emphasised text//. Normal text. Normal text. Normal text. Normal text. Normal text. Normal text. Normal text. ''strong text''. Normal text. Normal text. Normal text. Normal text. Cycle <<cycle "$cycleVar" autoselect>><<option "Option 1">><<option "Option 2">><<option "Option 3">><<option "Option 4">><<option "Option 5">><</cycle>> between text. Normal text. Normal text. Normal text. __underlined text__ Normal text. Normal text. Normal text. Normal text. Normal text.
----
* List item 1
* List item 2
[[Link 1]]
[[Link 2]]
[[Link 3]]
[[PhotoBackground]]
[[MainMenu]]
[[Disclaimer]]
[[Family Tree]]
<<button "Button" "More Styles">><</button>>
<<script>>$("#sidebar").toggleClass("");<</script>><!-- SIDEBAR -->
<div id="sidebar">
<div class="sidebar-header">
<!-- EMPTY DIV -->
<div></div>
<!-- NAME OF YOUR GAME -->
<h1 class="story-title" data-passage="gameTitle"></h1>
<!-- MENU TOGGLE ICON -->
<div class="sidebar-toggle">
<span id="sidebar-toggle-icon" class="lnr lnr-menu-circle"></span>
</div>
</div>
<div id="sidebar-body">
<!-- GAME LOGO IMAGE -->
<div class="story-logo" data-passage="storyLogo"></div>
<!-- AUTHOR NAME -->
<h2 class="story-author" data-passage="storyAuthor"></h2>
<nav class="sidebar-nav">
<ul class="story-tools">
<li>
<span id="restart-button" class="lnr lnr-redo"></span>
<span class="tooltiptext">Restart</span>
</li>
<li>
<span id="saves-button" class="lnr lnr-download"></span>
<span class="tooltiptext">Saves</span>
</li>
<li>
<span id="settings-button" class="lnr lnr-cog"></span>
<span class="tooltiptext">Settings</span>
</li>
</ul>
<ul class="story-menu" data-passage="storyMenu">
</ul>
</nav>
<nav id="social-media">
<p>Social media</p>
<ul data-passage="socialMedia">
</ul>
</nav>
</div> <!-- SIDEBAR-BODY END TAG -->
</div> <!-- SIDEBAR END TAG -->
<div id="story" role="main">
<div id="passages">
<div id="passage-start" data-passage="start" class="passage">
</div>
</div>
</div><<nobr>>
<!-- PLACE LINKS TO YOUR MENU BELOW, BUT REMEMBER TO WRAP IN <LI> TAGS -->
<li>[[Portfolio]]</li>
<li>[[Relationships]]</li>
<<if hasVisited("Prologue4")>><li>[[Family tree]]</li><</if>>
<</nobr>>Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Vitae suscipit tellus mauris a diam maecenas. Sed egestas egestas fringilla phasellus faucibus scelerisque eleifend donec. Sed sed risus pretium quam. Aliquet eget sit amet tellus cras adipiscing enim eu. Nulla posuere sollicitudin aliquam ultrices sagittis orci. Pharetra vel turpis nunc eget lorem dolor sed. Vel orci porta non pulvinar neque laoreet suspendisse interdum.
Tempor orci dapibus ultrices in iaculis. Eu mi bibendum neque egestas congue quisque egestas. Ultrices in iaculis nunc sed augue lacus viverra vitae. Sit amet porttitor eget dolor morbi. Nec ultrices dui sapien eget mi proin. Leo vel fringilla est ullamcorper eget nulla facilisi etiam dignissim. Nec ultrices dui sapien eget mi proin sed. Aliquet nibh praesent tristique magna. Viverra accumsan in nisl nisi scelerisque. Nunc lobortis mattis aliquam faucibus purus in massa tempor nec. Nunc sed id semper risus in hendrerit.
Non sodales neque sodales ut etiam sit amet nisl purus. Pellentesque elit eget gravida cum sociis. Consectetur purus ut faucibus pulvinar elementum. Ut faucibus pulvinar elementum integer enim neque volutpat ac. Sed blandit libero volutpat sed cras ornare. Nisi vitae suscipit tellus mauris a diam. Eu sem integer vitae justo eget magna. Mauris cursus mattis molestie a iaculis at erat pellentesque adipiscing. Mattis aliquam faucibus purus in massa tempor nec feugiat. Vel quam elementum pulvinar etiam non quam lacus suspendisse faucibus. Id interdum velit laoreet id donec ultrices tincidunt arcu. Viverra aliquet eget sit amet tellus cras adipiscing. Praesent elementum facilisis leo vel fringilla.
<<button "Next" "More Styles">><</button>>Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Vitae suscipit tellus mauris a diam maecenas. Sed egestas egestas fringilla phasellus faucibus scelerisque eleifend donec. Sed sed risus pretium quam. Aliquet eget sit amet tellus cras adipiscing enim eu. Nulla posuere sollicitudin aliquam ultrices sagittis orci. Pharetra vel turpis nunc eget lorem dolor sed. Vel orci porta non pulvinar neque laoreet suspendisse interdum.
Tempor orci dapibus ultrices in iaculis. Eu mi bibendum neque egestas congue quisque egestas. Ultrices in iaculis nunc sed augue lacus viverra vitae. Sit amet porttitor eget dolor morbi. Nec ultrices dui sapien eget mi proin. Leo vel fringilla est ullamcorper eget nulla facilisi etiam dignissim. Nec ultrices dui sapien eget mi proin sed. Aliquet nibh praesent tristique magna. Viverra accumsan in nisl nisi scelerisque. Nunc lobortis mattis aliquam faucibus purus in massa tempor nec. Nunc sed id semper risus in hendrerit.
Non sodales neque sodales ut etiam sit amet nisl purus. Pellentesque elit eget gravida cum sociis. Consectetur purus ut faucibus pulvinar elementum. Ut faucibus pulvinar elementum integer enim neque volutpat ac. Sed blandit libero volutpat sed cras ornare. Nisi vitae suscipit tellus mauris a diam. Eu sem integer vitae justo eget magna. Mauris cursus mattis molestie a iaculis at erat pellentesque adipiscing. Mattis aliquam faucibus purus in massa tempor nec feugiat. Vel quam elementum pulvinar etiam non quam lacus suspendisse faucibus. Id interdum velit laoreet id donec ultrices tincidunt arcu. Viverra aliquet eget sit amet tellus cras adipiscing. Praesent elementum facilisis leo vel fringilla.
<<button "Next" "More Styles">><</button>>Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Vitae suscipit tellus mauris a diam maecenas. Sed egestas egestas fringilla phasellus faucibus scelerisque eleifend donec. Sed sed risus pretium quam. Aliquet eget sit amet tellus cras adipiscing enim eu. Nulla posuere sollicitudin aliquam ultrices sagittis orci. Pharetra vel turpis nunc eget lorem dolor sed. Vel orci porta non pulvinar neque laoreet suspendisse interdum.
Tempor orci dapibus ultrices in iaculis. Eu mi bibendum neque egestas congue quisque egestas. Ultrices in iaculis nunc sed augue lacus viverra vitae. Sit amet porttitor eget dolor morbi. Nec ultrices dui sapien eget mi proin. Leo vel fringilla est ullamcorper eget nulla facilisi etiam dignissim. Nec ultrices dui sapien eget mi proin sed. Aliquet nibh praesent tristique magna. Viverra accumsan in nisl nisi scelerisque. Nunc lobortis mattis aliquam faucibus purus in massa tempor nec. Nunc sed id semper risus in hendrerit.
Non sodales neque sodales ut etiam sit amet nisl purus. Pellentesque elit eget gravida cum sociis. Consectetur purus ut faucibus pulvinar elementum. Ut faucibus pulvinar elementum integer enim neque volutpat ac. Sed blandit libero volutpat sed cras ornare. Nisi vitae suscipit tellus mauris a diam. Eu sem integer vitae justo eget magna. Mauris cursus mattis molestie a iaculis at erat pellentesque adipiscing. Mattis aliquam faucibus purus in massa tempor nec feugiat. Vel quam elementum pulvinar etiam non quam lacus suspendisse faucibus. Id interdum velit laoreet id donec ultrices tincidunt arcu. Viverra aliquet eget sit amet tellus cras adipiscing. Praesent elementum facilisis leo vel fringilla.
<<button "Next" "More Styles">><</button>>!!! Checkbox:
<<checkbox "$checkboxVar1" false true autocheck>> Checkbox option 1
<<checkbox "$checkboxVar2" false true autocheck>> Checkbox option 2
<<checkbox "$checkboxVar3" false true autocheck>> Checkbox option 3
!!! Cycle:
<<cycle "$cycleVar" autoselect>>
<<option "Option 1">>
<<option "Option 2">>
<<option "Option 3">>
<<option "Option 4">>
<<option "Option 5">>
<</cycle>>
!!! Listbox:
<<listbox "$listboxVar" autoselect>>
<<option "Option 1">>
<<option "Option 2">>
<<option "Option 3">>
<<option "Option 4">>
<<option "Option 5">>
<</listbox>>
!!! Radiobutton:
<<radiobutton "$radiobuttonVar" "option 1" autocheck>> Option 1
<<radiobutton "$radiobuttonVar" "option 2" autocheck>> Option 2
<<radiobutton "$radiobuttonVar" "option 3" autocheck>> Option 3
!!! Textarea:
<<textarea "$textareaVar" "Type text here..">>
!!! Textbox:
<<textbox "$textboxVar" "Type answer here">>WHAT LOVELY BONES<a href="https://whatlovelybones-if.tumblr.com/" target="_blank">
<img src="images/logo.png">
</a>by <a href="https://whatlovelybones-if.tumblr.com/" target="_blank">Axel</a> & <a href="https://nikkefort-dev.tumblr.com/" target="_blank">Nick</a><li><a href="https://pin.it/2RXLBPQ" target="_blank">A</a></li>
<li><a href="https://open.spotify.com/user/ujsvcv9dmm90hipxyw7e3jszi?si=Argy69bYQ6SLJmH3IYZqaQ&utm_source=copy-link" target="_blank">W</a></li>
<li><a href="https://discord.gg/VNSn47FjGm" target="_blank">Y</a></li><div class="center">
!Portfolio
----
Name: <<if $firstname>>$firstname<<else>>Unknown<</if>>
Gender: <<if $child>>$child<<else>>Unknown<</if>>
Pronouns: <<if $child is "child">>They/Them<<elseif $child is "boy">>He/Him<<elseif $child is "girl">>She/Her<<else>>Unknown<</if>>
Skin color: <<if $skin_color>>$skin_color<<else>>Unknown<</if>>
Hair color: <<if $hair_color>>$hair_color<<else>>Unknown<</if>>
Hair style: <<if $hair_style>>$hair_style<<else>>Unknown<</if>>
Hair texture: <<if $hair_texture>>$hair_texture<<else>>Unknown<</if>>
Hair length: <<if $hair_length>>$hair_length<<else>>Unknown<</if>>
Height: <<if $height>>$height<<else>>Unknown<</if>>
----
!Personality
----
<<if ($outerpersonality is"friendly")>>You are mostly cheery and outgoing.
<<elseif ($outerpersonality is "fiery")>>You are mostly stubborn and passionate
<<else>>You are mostly kind and reserved.<</if>>
-----
</div>
<center><<link "Return to game" $return>><</link>></center>!Stat page 1
Your stats go here..
<!-- IMPORTAN! INCLUDE THE CODE BELOW ON ALL STAT PAGES TO MAKE SURE THE LINK RETURNS THE USER TO THE LAST PASSAGE. IF YOU USE A NORMAL RETURN LINK IT WILL SIMPLY LOOP -->
<center><<link "Return to game" $return>><</link>></center><<if settings.theme isnot "Bloodlines">>\
<img src="images/raven2light.png" width="100%" height="100" class="centerimage" alt="Raven on skull">
<<else>>\
<img src="images/raven2.png" width="100%" height="100" class="centerimage" alt="Raven on skull">
<</if>>\
<div class="center">\
<div class="columns bigscreen">
<div class="column">
<<if settings.theme isnot "Bloodlines">><img src="images/familytreechartlight.png" width="100%" height="100%" alt="Family tree"><<else>><img src="images/familytreechart.png" width="100%" height="100%" alt="Family tree"><</if>>
</div>
<div class="column" style="text-align: center; font-size: 1.2em;">
<<link "Stephen">><<replace "#info">>Information about Stephen.<</replace>><</link>> $lastname <<if $familyalive is true>>(Alive)<<elseif $familyalive is false>>(Deceased)<<else>>(???)<</if>>
<<link "Evelyn">><<replace "#info">>Information about Evelyn.<</replace>><</link>> $lastname <<if $familyalive is true>>(Alive)<<elseif $familyalive is false>>(Deceased)<<else>>(???)<</if>>
<<link "$twin_name">><<replace "#info">>Information about $twin_name.<</replace>><</link>> $lastname <<if $familyalive is true>>(Alive)<<elseif $familyalive is false>>(Deceased)<<else>>(???)<</if>>
<<link "Albert">><<replace "#info">>Information about Albert.<</replace>><</link>> $lastname <<if $familyalive is true>>(Alive)<<elseif $familyalive is false>>(Deceased)<<else>>(???)<</if>>
<<link "Dorothea">><<replace "#info">>Information about Dorothea.<</replace>><</link>> Beaumont <<if $familyalive is true>>(Alive)<<elseif $familyalive is false>>(Deceased)<<else>>(???)<</if>>
<<link "Daniel">><<replace "#info">>Information about Daniel.<</replace>><</link>> Vargas <<if $familyalive is true>>(Alive)<<elseif $familyalive is false>>(Deceased)<<else>>(???)<</if>>
</div>
</div>
@@#info;@@
</div>
<center><<link "Return to game" $return>><</link>></center>!Heading 1
!!Heading 1
!!!Heading 1
Normal text. Normal text. Normal text. Normal text. Normal text. //emphasised text//. Normal text. Normal text. Normal text. Normal text. Normal text. Normal text. Normal text. ''strong text''. Normal text. Normal text. Normal text. Normal text. Normal text. Normal text. Normal text. Normal text. __underlined text__ Normal text. Normal text. Normal text. Normal text. Normal text.
----
* List item 1
* List item 2
/* additional stuff */
.message-text a {
color: #ba3c3c;
}
html.dark .message-text a {
color: #9f94c6;
}
html.green .message-text a {
color: #83a772;
}
.message-text a:hover {
color: #853737;
}
html.dark .message-text a:hover {
color: #8c6ae8;
}
html.green .message-text a:hover {
color: #b1cea2;
}
.column{
text-align: center;
display: block;
flex-basis: 0;
flex-grow: 1;
flex-shrink: 1;
padding: .5rem;
}
.columns{
border-collapse: collapse;
margin-right: -.5rem;
margin-top: -.5rem;
}
.columns:last-child{
margin-bottom: -.5rem
}
.columns:not(:last-child){
margin-bottom: calc(1.5rem - .5rem);
}
@media screen and (min-width:600px){
.columns.bigscreen{
display: flex;
}
}
.centerimage{
max-width: 50%;
height: auto;
width: auto\9; /* ie8 */
display: block;
margin: 0 auto;
}
.center {
text-align: center;
}
.center2 {
margin-left: auto;
margin-right: auto;
}
.lnr {
font-weight: bold;
}
#sidebar {
scrollbar-width: none;
}
#sidebar::-webkit-scrollbar {
display: none;
}
body.raven {
background: url("images/legacybackground.png") center center / cover no-repeat;
}
/* images/legacybackground.png */
/* body.raven {
background-image: url("images/raven.png");
background-repeat: no-repeat;
background-position: center;
background-size: contain;
} */
body.photo1background {
background: url("images/introblue.png") center center / cover no-repeat;
}
.passage.photo1background {
background: #ded6cb;
padding: 20px;
}
html.dark .passage.photo1background {
background-color: #2a2c38;
color: #ded6cb;
padding: 20px;
border: 25px solid #1c1e2d;
}
.intro #sidebar {
display: none;
}
body.intro {
background: url("images/introred.png") center center / cover no-repeat;
}
html.dark body.intro {
background: url("images/introblue.png") center center / cover no-repeat;
}
html.green body.intro {
background: url("images/introgreen.png") center center / cover no-repeat;
}
@media only screen and (max-width: 1440px) {
body.intro {
background: url("images/introred-smaller.png") center center / cover no-repeat;
}
html.dark body.intro {
background: url("images/introblue-smaller.png") center center / cover no-repeat;
}
html.green body.intro {
background: url("images/introgreen-smaller.png") center center / cover no-repeat;
}
}
@media only screen and (max-width: 770px) {
body.intro {
background: url("images/introred-mobile.png") center center / cover no-repeat;
}
html.dark body.intro {
background: url("images/introblue-mobile.png") center center / cover no-repeat;
}
html.green body.intro {
background: url("images/introgreen-mobile.png") center center / cover no-repeat;
}
}
.intro #story .link-internal, .intro #story .link-internal:visited {
color: black;
}
.intro #story .link-internal:hover {
color: #fff;
}
html.dark .intro #story .link-internal:hover {
color: #fff;
}
html.dark .intro #story .link-internal, .intro #story .link-internal:visited {
color: black;
}
html.green .intro #story .link-internal, .intro #story .link-internal:visited {
color: black;
}
.passage.intro {
background-color: transparent;
font-family: 'Nova Cut’, cursive;
font-size: 3.5em;
text-align: center;
}
/* NEON TEXT */
@font-face {
font-family: "neontubes";
src: url(fonts/NeonTubes2.otf);
}
body {
height: 100vh;
}
#text,
#shadow {
margin: 0;
position: absolute;
transform: translateY(-1em);
font-size: 4em;
letter-spacing: 20px;
font-family: "neontubes";
font-weight: bold;
color: #fff;
}
#text {
color: black;
}
#shadow {
text-shadow: 0 0 20px #fff, 0 0 30px #fff, 0 0 40px #ff2491, 0 0 70px #ff2491,
0 0 80px #ff2491, 0 0 100px #ff2491, 0 0 150px #ff2491;
}
html.dark #shadow {
text-shadow: 0 0 20px #fff, 0 0 30px #fff, 0 0 40px #228dff, 0 0 70px #228dff,
0 0 80px #228dff, 0 0 100px #228dff, 0 0 150px #228dff;
}
html.green #shadow {
text-shadow: 0 0 20px #fff, 0 0 30px #fff, 0 0 40px #24ff24, 0 0 70px #24ff24,
0 0 80px #24ff24, 0 0 100px #24ff24, 0 0 150px #24ff24;
}
#glow {
animation: neon1 linear infinite 2s;
will-change: opacity;
}
#blink {
animation: blink linear infinite 2s;
}
#blink1 {
animation: blink linear infinite 1s;
}
@keyframes neon1 {
20% {
opacity: 1;
}
80% {
opacity: 0.9;
}
}
@keyframes blink {
70% {
opacity: 1;
}
79% {
opacity: 0;
}
81% {
opacity: 1;
}
82% {
opacity: 0;
}
83% {
opacity: 1;
}
92% {
opacity: 0;
}
92.5% {
opacity: 1;
}
}
.wrapper2 {
display: block;
flex-wrap: wrap;
flex-direction: column;
width: 60%;
justify-content: space-evenly;
position: absolute;
top: 15%;
left: -18%;
line-height: 2.5;
transform: rotate(2deg);
z-index: 2;
}
.items2 {
display: inline-block;
position: relative;
text-align: center;
}
@media only screen and (max-width: 1440px) {
.wrapper2 {
top: 21%;
left: -14%;
line-height: 55px !important;
}
#text,
#shadow {
font-size: 5em;
}
}
@media only screen and (max-width: 1024px) {
.wrapper2 {
top: 21%;
left: -16%;
line-height: 40px !important;
}
#text,
#shadow {
font-size: 3.5em;
}
}
@media only screen and (max-width: 1000px) {
.wrapper2 {
left: 0%;
}
}
@media only screen and (max-width: 475px) {
.wrapper2 {
left: -14%;
top: 17%;
}
}
@media only screen and (max-width: 455px) {
.wrapper2 {
left: -7%;
top: 23%;
}
}
@media only screen and (max-width: 400px) {
#text,
#shadow {
font-size: 3.5em;
}
}
@media only screen and (max-width: 375px) {
#text,
#shadow {
font-size: 3.5em;
line-height: 66px !important;
}
.wrapper2 {
left: -14%;
top: 22%
}
}
/* NEON TEXT MENU */
/***********************
* STRUCTURAL
***********************/
.wrapper {
display: block;
flex-wrap: wrap;
flex-direction: column;
width: 60%;
justify-content: space-evenly;
position: absolute;
top: 52%;
left: -9%;
line-height: 1.2;
transform: rotate(1deg);
z-index: 2;
}
.items {
display: inline-block;
position: relative;
text-align: center;
}
/***********************
* ANIMATIONS
***********************/
@-webkit-keyframes neon3 {
0%, 11%, 13%, 17%, 19%, 100% {
text-shadow: 0px 0px 15px #ff245b;
}
12%, 18% {
text-shadow: 0 0 0px #fff;
}
}
@keyframes neon3 {
0%, 11%, 13%, 17%, 19%, 100% {
text-shadow: 0px 0px 15px #ff245b;
}
12%, 18% {
text-shadow: 0 0 0px #fff;
}
}
html.dark @-webkit-keyframes neon3 {
0%, 11%, 13%, 17%, 19%, 100% {
text-shadow: 0px 0px 15px #228dff;
}
12%, 18% {
text-shadow: 0 0 0px #fff;
}
}
html.dark @keyframes neon3 {
0%, 11%, 13%, 17%, 19%, 100% {
text-shadow: 0px 0px 15px #228dff;
}
12%, 18% {
text-shadow: 0 0 0px #fff;
}
}
html.green @-webkit-keyframes neon3 {
0%, 11%, 13%, 17%, 19%, 100% {
text-shadow: 0px 0px 15px #24ff24;
}
12%, 18% {
text-shadow: 0 0 0px #fff;
}
}
html.green @keyframes neon3 {
0%, 11%, 13%, 17%, 19%, 100% {
text-shadow: 0px 0px 15px #24ff24;
}
12%, 18% {
text-shadow: 0 0 0px #fff;
}
}
/***********************
* LINK VARIABLES
***********************/
.link3 {
--animation: neon3;
--color: #ff245b;
--radial-bg: radial-gradient(
rgba(255, 36, 145, 0.2) 20%,
transparent 45%
);
}
html.dark .link3 {
--color: #228dff;
--radial-bg: radial-gradient(
rgba(34, 141, 255, 0.2) 20%,
transparent 45%
);
}
html.green .link3 {
--color: #24ff24;
--radial-bg: radial-gradient(
rgba(36, 255, 36, 0.2) 20%,
transparent 45%
);
}
/***********************
* LINK
***********************/
.link {
color: var(--color);
display: block;
font-family: "neontubes";
font-weight: bold;
font-size: 2.5em;
letter-spacing: 2px;
opacity: 0.6;
position: relative;
text-decoration: none;
text-transform: uppercase;
transition: 130ms cubic-bezier(0.4, 1, 0.8, 1.8);
z-index: 1;
}
.link::before {
bottom: 50%;
content: "";
left: 50%;
position: absolute;
right: 50%;
top: 50%;
z-index: -1;
}
.link:hover {
animation: var(--animation) 2s forwards;
opacity: 1;
text-decoration: none;
}
.link:hover::before {
background: var(--radial-bg);
bottom: -50%;
left: -50%;
pointer-events: none;
right: -50%;
top: -50%;
}
@media only screen and (max-width: 1440px) {
.wrapper {
top: 53%;
left: -1%;
}
.link {
font-size: 3em;
}
}
@media only screen and (max-width: 1024px) {
.wrapper {
top: 51%;
left: -3%;
}
.link {
font-size: 2.4em;
}
}
@media only screen and (max-width: 1000px) {
.wrapper {
left: 20%;
top: 55%;
}
}
@media only screen and (max-width: 770px) {
.wrapper {
left: 20%;
top: 58%
}
}
@media only screen and (max-width: 475px) {
.wrapper {
left: 20%;
top: 57%;
}
.link {
font-size: 2.2em;
}
}
@media only screen and (max-width: 400px) {
.wrapper {
left: 20%;
top: 57%;
}
.link {
font-size: 1.9em;
}
}
@media only screen and (max-width: 375px) {
.link {
font-size: 1.7em;
}
}
/* template */
* {
box-sizing: border-box;
}
*:hover {
transition: all 0.3s ease;
}
@font-face {
font-family: "Social Media Circled";
src: url(fonts/Social-Media-Circled.otf);
}
@font-face {
font-family: "Neothic";
src: url(fonts/Neothic.ttf);
}
@font-face {
font-family: "Bitter";
src: url(fonts/Bitter-Medium.ttf);
}
@font-face {
font-family: "Cimbrian";
src: url(fonts/Cimbrian.ttf);
}
@import url('https://fonts.googleapis.com/css2?family=Open+Sans&display=swap');
body {
margin: 0;
color: #111;
background-color: #ded6cb;
font-family: 'Bitter', serif;
letter-spacing: 1.5px;
}
a, a:hover, a:link, a:visited, a:active {
text-decoration: none;
transition: all 0.3s ease;
}
#story {
margin-top: 70px;
padding: 30px;
line-height: 1.5;
}
#story h1 {
font-family: 'Bitter', serif;
text-transform: uppercase;
color: #853737;
}
#story h2 {
color: #ba3c3c;
text-transform: uppercase;
}
#story h3 {
color: #96452e;
text-transform: uppercase;
letter-spacing: 2px;
font-weight: normal;
}
#story hr::before {
content: "";
display: block;
height: 2px;
width: 100%;
background-color: black;
margin: 0 auto 15px;
}
#story hr {
border: 0;
}
#story ul {
list-style-type: none;
padding: 0 10px;
}
#story ul li {
border-left: 5px solid #ba3c3c;
padding-left: 15px;
margin: 5px 0;
}
#story .link-internal, #story .link-internal:visited {
color: #ba3c3c;
margin: 10px 0;
font-weight: bold;
transition: 0.3s ease-in-out;
}
#story .link-internal.macro-button {
width: 100%;
padding: 12px 0 13px;
background-color: #853737;
color: #ded6cb;
font-family: 'Bitter', serif;
text-transform: uppercase;
font-size: 1rem;
letter-spacing: 2px;
border: none;
transition: 0.3s ease-in-out;
margin: 20px 0;
}
#story .macro-cycle {
color: #853737;
font-style: italic;
}
#story .macro-cycle:hover {
color: #ba3c3c;
}
#story .macro-listbox {
background-color: #7b4141;
color: #ded6cb;
border-color: #f8d8c9;
padding: 5px;
}
#story .macro-textarea {
border-color: #f8d8c9;
background-color: #7b4141;
color: #ded6cb;
resize: none;
padding: 5px;
}
#story .macro-textbox {
background-color: #7b4141;
border: 1px solid #f8d8c9;
color: #ded6cb;
padding: 5px;
}
#passages {
max-width: 600px;
margin: 0 auto;
}
#sidebar {
position: fixed;
overflow: scroll;
top: 0;
left: 0;
background-color: #7b4141;
color: #ded6cb;
width: 100vw;
height: 70px;
transition: all 0.3s ease;
}
.sidebar-header {
width: 100%;
height: 70px;
display: flex;
justify-content: center;
align-items: center;
}
.sidebar-header div {
width: 15%;
}
.sidebar-header .story-title {
width: 70%;
font-size: 2em;
text-align: center;
font-family: 'Cimbrian', serif;
text-transform: lowercase;
letter-spacing: 1px;
font-weight: bold;
}
.sidebar-header .sidebar-toggle {
width: 15%;
font-size: 30px;
text-align: center;
}
#sidebar-body {
padding: 20px;
display: none;
}
#sidebar-body .story-logo {
text-align: center;
}
#sidebar-body .story-logo img {
max-width: 70%;
}
#sidebar-body .story-author {
margin: 2vh 0;
font-size: 0.8rem;
letter-spacing: 2px;
text-transform: uppercase;
text-align: center;
font-weight: normal;
}
#sidebar-body .story-author a {
color: #ded6cb;
border-bottom: 1px solid #ded6cb;
padding-bottom: 3px;
}
.story-menu {
margin: 7vh 0;
list-style-type: none;
font-family: 'Cimbrian', serif;
text-transform: lowercase;
letter-spacing: 4px;
font-size: 1.8em;
}
.story-menu li {
margin: 10px 0;
border-left: 5px solid #f8d8c9;
padding-left: 15px;
}
.story-menu li a, .story-menu li a:visited {
color: #ded6cb;
}
.story-tools {
margin: 8vh 20px;
list-style-type: none;
display: flex;
justify-content: center;
align-items: center;
padding: 0;
font-size: 20px;
}
.story-tools li {
position: relative;
color: black;
margin: 0 7px;
background-color: #ded6cb;
border-radius: 50%;
padding: 0.5rem 0.5rem 0.3rem 0.6rem;
}
.story-tools li .tooltiptext::before {
visibility: hidden;
content: "";
position: absolute;
bottom: 100%;
left: 42%;
border-width: 5px;
border-style: solid;
border-color: transparent transparent #ded6cb transparent;
transition: all 0;
}
.story-tools li .tooltiptext {
visibility: hidden;
position: absolute;
left: -1.3rem;
top: 125%;
background-color: #ded6cb;
color: #646e55;
text-align: center;
font-size: 0.7rem;
text-transform: uppercase;
letter-spacing: 1px;
width: 5.1rem;
border-radius: 10px;
padding: 0.5rem 0.4rem 0.4rem;
}
#social-media p {
text-align: center;
font-family: 'Bitter', serif;
text-transform: uppercase;
letter-spacing: 1px;
font-weight: bold;
}
#social-media ul {
display: flex;
justify-content: center;
align-items: center;
padding: 0;
list-style-type: none;
font-family: "Social Media Circled";
font-size: 30px;
}
#social-media ul li {
margin: 0 5px;
}
#social-media ul li a {
color: #ded6cb;
}
#sidebar.toggled {
height: 100vh;
}
#sidebar.toggled #sidebar-body {
display: block;
}
#ui-overlay {
position: fixed;
width: 100vw;
height: 100vh;
top: 0;
left: 0;
background-color: black;
opacity: 0.6;
z-index: 3;
overflow: hidden;
}
#ui-dialog {
position: absolute;
top: 0;
left: 0;
width: 90vw;
height: auto;
z-index: 4;
background-color: #7b4141;
padding: 20px;
margin: -16px 0 0 -16px;
}
#ui-dialog select {
background-color: #853737;
padding: 7px;
color: #ded6cb;
border: #f8d8c9;
font-size: 1rem;
}
#ui-dialog-titlebar {
background-color: #ded6cb;
position: relative;
padding: 30px 20px;
}
#ui-dialog-titlebar h1 {
font-family: 'Bitter', serif;
text-transform: uppercase;
color: #7b4141;
width: 100%;
text-align: center;
padding: 0;
}
#ui-dialog-close {
position: absolute;
background-color: transparent;
width: auto;
height: auto;
border: none;
color: #96452e;
top: 15px;
right: 15px;
font-size: 30px;
}
#ui-dialog-body {
width: 100%;
background-color: #ded6cb;
padding: 20px;
margin: 20px 0;
border: none;
color: #111;
}
#ui-dialog-body button {
background-color: #853737;
border: none;
color: #ded6cb;
padding: 12px 0;
width: 100%;
}
#ui-dialog-body button:hover {
background-color: #ba3c3c;
}
#ui-dialog-body ul.buttons {
list-style-type: none;
padding: 0;
margin: 3vh 0 2vh;
}
#ui-dialog-body ul.buttons li {
margin: 10px 0;
display: block;
width: 100%;
}
#ui-dialog-body ul.buttons button {
background-color: #853737;
text-transform: uppercase;
letter-spacing: 1px;
width: 100%;
}
#ui-dialog-body ul.buttons button:hover {
background-color: #ba3c3c;
}
#ui-dialog-body ul.buttons > li + li > button {
margin-left: 0;
}
@media only screen and (min-width: 768px) {
#passages {
max-width: 900px;
margin: 0 auto;
}
#sidebar-body .story-logo img {
max-width: 450px;
}
#sidebar.toggled #sidebar-body {
max-width: 800px;
margin: 0 auto;
}
#ui-dialog {
max-width: 900px;
}
}
@media only screen and (min-width: 1000px) {
#sidebar {
width: 400px;
height: 100vh;
transition: margin-left 0.3s;
}
.sidebar-header .sidebar-toggle span {
transition: 0.3s ease-in-out;
}
.sidebar-header .sidebar-toggle span:hover {
color: #ba3c3c;
font-size: 31px;
}
#sidebar-body {
display: block;
padding: 0 50px 0;
}
#sidebar-body .story-logo {
cursor: pointer;
}
#sidebar-body .story-logo img:hover {
transform: scale(1.1);
}
#sidebar-body .story-logo img {
max-width: 100%;
transition: 0.3s ease-in-out;
}
#sidebar-body .story-author a:hover {
color: #ba3c3c;
letter-spacing: 3px;
}
.story-tools li {
transition: none;
}
.story-tools li:hover {
background-color: #ba3c3c;
color: #ded6cb;
}
.story-tools li:hover .tooltiptext, .story-tools li:hover .tooltiptext::before {
visibility: visible;
}
.story-menu li:hover {
border-color: #6b2714;
}
.story-menu li:hover a {
color: #ba3c3c;
}
#social-media ul li a:hover {
color: #ba3c3c;
}
#sidebar.toggled {
margin-left: -343px;
}
#sidebar.toggled ~ #story {
padding-left: 30px;
}
#story {
padding: 4vh 4vw 4vh 440px;
margin: 0;
}
#story .link-internal:hover {
color: #853737;
}
#story .link-internal.macro-button:hover {
background-color: #ba3c3c;
letter-spacing: 3px;
color: #ded6cb;
}
#passages {
max-width: 900px;
}
#ui-dialog-close:hover {
color: #ba3c3c;
background-color: transparent;
border: none;
}
}
html.dark body {
background-color: #2a2c38;
color: #ded6cb;
}
html.dark #sidebar {
background-color: #1c1e2d;
}
html.dark #sidebar-body .story-author a {
border-color: #ded6cb;
}
html.dark .story-tools li {
background-color: #9f94c6;
color: black;
}
html.dark #social-media li a {
color: #9f94c6;
}
html.dark #story h3 {
color: #9f94c6;
}
html.dark #story h2 {
color: #9f94c6;
}
html.dark #story h1 {
color: #8c6ae8;
}
html.dark #story hr::before {
background-color: #ded6cb;
}
html.dark #story ul li {
border-left-color: #8c6ae8;
}
html.dark #story .link-internal, html.dark #story .link-internal:visited {
color: #9f94c6;
}
html.dark #story .link-internal.macro-button {
background-color: #1c1e2d;
color: #ded6cb;
}
html.dark #ui-overlay {
background-color: black;
}
html.dark #ui-dialog {
background-color: #1c1e2d;
}
html.dark #ui-dialog-titlebar {
background-color: #2a2c38;
}
html.dark #ui-dialog-titlebar h1 {
color: #f8d8c9;
}
html.dark #ui-dialog-close {
color: #f8d8c9;
}
html.dark #ui-dialog-body {
background-color: #2a2c38;
color: #f8d8c9;
}
html.dark #ui-dialog-body button {
background-color: #1c1e2d;
color: #f8d8c9;
}
html.dark #ui-dialog select {
background-color: #1c1e2d;
}
html.dark #story .macro-textbox {
background-color: #1c1e2d;
}
@media only screen and (min-width: 1000px) {
html.dark .sidebar-header .sidebar-toggle span:hover {
color: #8c6ae8;
}
html.dark #sidebar-body .story-author a:hover {
color: #8c6ae8;
border-color: #f8d8c9;
}
html.dark .story-tools li:hover {
background-color: #ded6cb;
}
html.dark .story-tools .tooltiptext {
color: #230c06;
}
html.dark .story-menu li:hover {
border-color: #9f94c6;
}
html.dark .story-menu li:hover a {
color: #8c6ae8;
}
html.dark #social-media li a:hover {
color: #ded6cb;
}
html.dark #story .link-internal:hover {
color: #8c6ae8;
}
html.dark #story .link-internal.macro-button:hover {
background-color: #8c6ae8;
color: #ded6cb;
}
html.dark #story .macro-cycle {
color: #8c6ae8;
font-style: italic;
}
html.dark #story .macro-cycle:hover {
color: #9f94c6;
}
html.dark #ui-dialog-close:hover {
color: #9f94c6;
}
html.dark #ui-dialog-body button:hover {
background-color: #9f94c6;
}
}
/*# sourceMappingURL=style.css.map */
html.green body {
background-color: #41463f;
color: #ded6cb;
}
html.green #sidebar {
background-color: #222721;
}
html.green #sidebar-body .story-author a {
border-color: #ded6cb;
}
html.green .story-tools li {
background-color: #83a772;
color: black;
}
html.green #social-media li a {
color: #83a772;
}
html.green #story h3 {
color: #b1cea2;
}
html.green #story h2 {
color: #b1cea2;
}
html.green #story h1 {
color: #83a772;
}
html.green #story hr::before {
background-color: #ded6cb;
}
html.green #story ul li {
border-left-color: #b1cea2;
}
html.green #story .link-internal, html.green #story .link-internal:visited {
color: #83a772;
}
html.green #story .link-internal.macro-button {
background-color: #222721;
color: #ded6cb;
}
html.green #ui-overlay {
background-color: black;
}
html.green #ui-dialog {
background-color: #222721;
}
html.green #ui-dialog-titlebar {
background-color: #41463f;
}
html.green #ui-dialog-titlebar h1 {
color: #f8d8c9;
}
html.green #ui-dialog-close {
color: #f8d8c9;
}
html.green #ui-dialog-body {
background-color: #41463f;
color: #f8d8c9;
}
html.green #ui-dialog-body button {
background-color: #222721;
color: #f8d8c9;
}
html.green #ui-dialog select {
background-color: #222721;
}
html.green #story .macro-textbox {
background-color: #222721;
border: 1px solid #f8d8c9;
color: #ded6cb;
}
@media only screen and (min-width: 1000px) {
html.green .sidebar-header .sidebar-toggle span:hover {
color: #b1cea2;
}
html.green #sidebar-body .story-author a:hover {
color: #b1cea2;
border-color: #f8d8c9;
}
html.green .story-tools li:hover {
background-color: #ded6cb;
color: black;
}
html.green .story-tools .tooltiptext {
color: #230c06;
}
html.green .story-menu li:hover {
border-color: #83a772;
}
html.green .story-menu li:hover a {
color: #b1cea2;
}
html.green #social-media li a:hover {
color: #ded6cb;
}
html.green #story .link-internal:hover {
color: #b1cea2;
}
html.green #story .link-internal.macro-button:hover {
background-color: #83a772;
color: black;
}
html.green #story .macro-cycle {
color: #b1cea2;
font-style: italic;
}
html.green #story .macro-cycle:hover {
color: #83a772;
}
html.green #ui-dialog-close:hover {
color: #83a772;
}
html.green #ui-dialog-body button:hover {
background-color: #83a772;
}
}<<script>>$("#sidebar").toggleClass("toggled");<</script>>
<<audio "menu" play loop>>
<div class="wrapper2"><div class="items2">
<p id="text">WHAT</p><p id="shadow"><span id="glow">WHAT</span></p>
<p id="text">LOVELY</p><p id="shadow"><span id="glow">LOVE</span><span id="blink">L</span><span id="blink1">Y</span></p>
<p id="text">BONES</p><p id="shadow"><span id="blink">B</span><span id="glow">ONE</span><span id="blink">S</span></p>
</div></div>
<div class="wrapper"><div class="items">
<a class="link link3"><<link "START GAME" "Disclaimer">><</link>></a>
<a class="link link3"><<link "LOAD GAME">><<script>>UI.saves();<</script>><</link>></a>
<a class="link link3"><<link "SETTINGS">><<script>>UI.settings();<</script>><</link>></a>
</div></div>
<!-- <<cacheaudio "boom" "media/audio/explosion.mp3">> -->
<!-- <audio src="music/DVD.mp3" autoplay loop> -->
<<set $skip to false>>\<style>
#sidebar {
display: none;
}
</style>
<<audio "menu" stop>>\
<div class="center">
----
//“I have found both freedom and safety in my madness; the freedom of loneliness and the safety from being understood, for those who understand us enslave something in us.”//
//Kahlil Gibran, The Madman//
----
@@.color-text;''What Lovely Bones''@@ is a psychological thriller and romance with mild supernatural elements. Set in the fictional town of Helmsford, Connecticut during the 80s, you play as a surgeon with a peculiar side hobby: @@.color-text;''murder''@@. Ironic, isn’t it? Dubbing yourself as a vigilant while law enforcements consider you no different from the fugitives you hunt, you have to try not to let your secret identity slip and disrupt your entire routine.
When an officer from the local police department finds himself unlucky enough to find the secrets you hid in your basement, you have no choice but to keep him quiet. Little did you know that this would lead to an oncoming threat to the balance you had cleverly managed to keep in your life.
Will you be able to keep your secrets hidden from the relationships you forge, or will the consequences of your actions eventually catch up to you? Will the voice in your head eventually make you spiral out of control, a voice that is eerily familiar? Unearth the cursed madness that has plagued generations of your family.
@@.color-text;''And learn that you can’t outrun the karma forever that you hellishly dish out to others.''@@
</div>
''__Author’s Note__'': This story is a work in progress and will periodically update with new chapters. Learn more about this interactive fiction on its itch.io page or the game’s tumblr blog for the latest developments.
!!!This game is also rated 18+ for mature and graphic contents. These include scenes of sexual assault (including upon the main character), gory depiction of murder and dead bodies, domestic abuse, psychological trauma and consensual sex scenes. Most of these scenes can be skipped so I, as the author, highly encourage you to do so as it can disturb most readers. Please prioritise your mental and physical health above everything and put this game down if you feel like this game will trigger unwanted reactions out of you.
<div class="center">You can also set so that these scenes will be auto skipped.</div>
<div class="columns bigscreen">\
<div class="column">\
<<if $skip isnot true>><<link "Auto skip">><<set $skip to true>><<replace "#passage-disclaimer">><<include "Disclaimer">><</replace>><</link>><<else>>[Auto skip]<</if>>
</div>\
<div class="column">\
<<if $skip isnot false>><<link "Option to skip or not">><<set $skip to false>><<replace "#passage-disclaimer">><<include "Disclaimer">><</replace>><</link>><<else>>[Option to skip or not]<</if>>
</div>\
</div>\
''__Another quick reminder__'': There are three different themes to choose from and there is no ‘bright’ one. I, personally, do not feel like an overly bright theme wouldn’t exactly fit in with the concept of the whole story. If this is something that you’d like, however, my ask box is open on tumblr and discord and I’d love to hear out your suggestions. You can choose between the themes in the settings located on the sidebar.
<div class="center"><h2>[[Proceed to the story|PrologueStartMenu]]</h2></div><<script>>$("#sidebar").toggleClass("");<</script>>
Laughter. Incoherent conversations. Glass clinking. The parties at the manor were always lively, even if it was held during the hours when sunlight hadn’t quite disappeared yet. The guests who were usually invited came from families rich enough to afford buying rows and rows of land and easily find a way profit off of it. The owners of the house were busy intermingling with their guests. Petty gossips and bright jewelry carried people a long way in the company of those who can, and probably will, easily replace you and your worth with the wave of a hand.
Of course, Stephen had no difficulty fitting in with those kind of folks. His ancestry traced back to generations of wealth and people who were smart enough to not only maintain the fortune, but also add to it.
Evelyn, his wife, was a different story. Born and raised in Minnesota among hiking trails and other countryside attractions, casual conversations with the rich and influential wasn’t something she had on her to-do list when she and her family had moved to Connecticut.
You weren’t bothered by those kind of grown-up things though, at least not at this point. For now, you were too busy trying to find a good spot to:
• [[practice aiming your handmade slingshot to bring down some good ol’ apples from the woods.|Prologue2][$physical = 1]]
• [[read the book on those funny little illustrations of bacteria and antibiotics.|Prologue2][$intelligence = 1]]
• [[sit down and sketch without the noises from the manor disturbing you.|Prologue2][$creativity = 1]]
<<set $familyalive to true>>You paddle your arms for balance when a tree root almost trips you. After casting an offended look to the tree, you walk further into the woods. It’s not long before you come across the clear stream that you used to catch small fishes from, usually just letting them go afterwards because Thelma, your nanny, will give you more telling off if you brought home yet another batch of minnows.
Looking into the water, you can clearly see the reflection of a <<cycle "$child" autoselect>><<option "boy">><<option "girl">><<option "child">><</cycle>> of nine years old peering back. With <<cycle "$eye_color" autoselect>><<option "sapphire blue">><<option "jade green">><<option "stormy grey">><<option "bright amber">><<option "swirling hazel">><<option "coffee brown">><<option "inky black">><</cycle>> eyes and <<cycle "$hair_texture" autoselect>><<option "straight">><<option "wavy">><<option "curly">><<option "coily">><</cycle>> <<cycle "$hair_color" autoselect>><<option "black">><<option "brown">><<option "blonde">><<option "red">><<option "white">><</cycle>> hair, your mother always told you that you looked like a little movie star. But you suppose that’s what mothers do, always find some kind of beauty in their kids.
“Looks like you’re enjoying yourself,” says a voice behind you and you can’t help but jump slightly in surprise. When you turn to look at the culprit, it looks like you’re perhaps still staring at your reflection on the surface of the stream. You thought that you had maybe got caught by one of the servants, or worse, your father. Thankfully, it was just your twin.
[[Continue|Prologue3]]What’s your name?
<<textbox "$firstname" "">> <<link "Set">>
<<set $firstname to $firstname.trim()>>
<<set $firstname to $firstname.toUpperFirst()>>
<<if $firstname == "">>
<<replace "#input-error">>Enter a name.<</replace>>
<<else>>
<<goto "Prologue3-1">>
<</if>>
<</link>>
@@#input-error;@@
<<message 'List of traditionally masculine name.'>>\
• [[Akemi|Prologue3-1][$firstname = "Akemi"]]
• [[Damien|Prologue3-1][$firstname = "Damien"]]
• [[Florian|Prologue3-1][$firstname = "Florian"]]
• [[Issac|Prologue3-1][$firstname = "Issac"]]
• [[Jason|Prologue3-1][$firstname = "Jason"]]
• [[Haider|Prologue3-1][$firstname = "Haider"]]
• [[Norman|Prologue3-1][$firstname = "Norman"]]
• [[Theodore|Prologue3-1][$firstname = "Theodore"]]
• [[Vincent|Prologue3-1][$firstname = "Vincent"]]
• [[William|Prologue3-1][$firstname = "William"]]
<</message>>
<<message 'List of traditionally feminine name.'>>\
• [[Asami|Prologue3-1][$firstname = "Asami"]]
• [[Audrey|Prologue3-1][$firstname = "Audrey"]]
• [[Clarice|Prologue3-1][$firstname = "Clarice"]]
• [[Emily|Prologue3-1][$firstname = "Emily"]]
• [[Haniya|Prologue3-1][$firstname = "Haniya"]]
• [[Katherine|Prologue3-1][$firstname = "Katherine"]]
• [[Ophelia|Prologue3-1][$firstname = "Ophelia"]]
• [[Rosalie|Prologue3-1][$firstname = "Rosalie"]]
• [[Sabrina|Prologue3-1][$firstname = "Sabrina"]]
• [[Willow|Prologue3-1][$firstname = "Willow"]]
<</message>>
<<message 'List of traditionally gender-neutral name.'>>\
• [[Akira|Prologue3-1][$firstname = "Akira"]]
• [[Blake|Prologue3-1][$firstname = "Blake"]]
• [[Cameron|Prologue3-1][$firstname = "Cameron"]]
• [[Dakota|Prologue3-1][$firstname = "Dakota"]]
• [[Hikmat|Prologue3-1][$firstname = "Hikmat"]]
• [[Jesse|Prologue3-1][$firstname = "Jesse"]]
• [[Kieran|Prologue3-1][$firstname = "Kieran"]]
• [[Rowan|Prologue3-1][$firstname = "Rowan"]]
• [[Sidney|Prologue3-1][$firstname = "Sidney"]]
• [[Wesley|Prologue3-1][$firstname = "Wesley"]]
<</message>>
<<nobr>><<if $child is "boy">>\
<<set $mc to {"sibling": "brother","they": "he","them": "him","their": "his","theirs": "his"}>>
<<elseif $child is "girl">>
<<set $mc to {"sibling": "sister","they": "she","them": "her","their": "her","theirs": "hers"}>>
<<else>>
<<set $mc to {"sibling": "sibling","they": "they","them": "them","their": "their","theirs": "theirs"}>>
<</if>><</nobr>>\Born 13 minutes before you, $twin_name was every bit your elder $mc.sibling as $mc.they would be if $mc.they <<if $child is "child">>were<<else>>was<</if>> born months or years before you. Always trying to look out for you and making sure that you don’t get in trouble with your parents. However, your $mc.sibling has always been rather peculiar. You have never really seen $mc.them display any extreme emotions either. You did hear the servants talk about it behind your backs about how different the $lastname twins are: the older one with $mc.their strange habits and emotionless demeanour and the younger one with $mc.their:
• [[cheery and outgoing personality.|Prologue5][$outerpersonality = "friendly"]]
• [[stubborn and passionate personality.|Prologue5][$outerpersonality = "fiery"]]
• [[kind and reserved personality.|Prologue5][$outerpersonality = "quiet"]]If people could not tell you apart by how $twin_name’s eyes seem duller than yours, they’d compare your hair length. Yours are <<cycle "$hair_length">><<option "very short">><<option "short">><<option "chin length">><<option "shoulder length">><<option "long">><</cycle>> while your $mc.sibling’s hair is a tad bit longer. Growing up, you gave your mother her share of troubles by dressing up and acting as each other, but she did always get it right at the end.
“Is father searching for me?” you asked, not looking forward to the scolding you will be faced with if he found out that you’ve wandered far from the manor again.
$twin_name shakes $mc.their head, walking up to stand beside you. Scratching the back of $mc.their hand which was the same <<cycle "$skin_color">><<option "pale">><<option "fair">><<option "olive">><<option "brown">><<option "dark brown">><<option "ebony">><</cycle>> shade as yours, $mc.they say<<if $child is "child">><<else>>s<</if>>, “I just happened to spot you sneaking off by yourself. Had to make sure that you wouldn’t get lost.”
[[Continue|Prologue6]]The woods seemed particularly gloomy that evening. You had expected the setting sun to at least add a little colour to the otherwise sad-looking scenery, but to no avail. Helmsford hadn’t been a very cheerful looking town in general but it did look worse during the beginning of autumn season. Some of the trees are so close together that only a smattering of light make it through the branches. You didn’t particularly like the dreary feeling the woods exude but it is what you’ve known your entire life. The dried orange leaves slowly fall from the branches, a picture of fleeting existence which changes with every season.
You’re broken out of your reverie by a harsh croak. Turning your head towards the sources of the noise, you find two black birds sitting on top of the branch of the nearest tree.
“Are those…” you trail off.
“Ravens.” $twin_name finishes for you, walking towards the tree on which the two birds es sitting. You had heard a lot about them, they’re your family’s official bird after all. You can’t even keep count of how many times you’ve seen the illustration of the bird perched upon a human skull on the living room carpet, the porcelain plates, the bottom of the cups, and even the silver knocker of your manor’s door. Maybe one of your ancestor was a dedicated raven-lover and was also equally interested in osteology.
[[Continue|Prologue8]]“I’ve never seen one in person,” you say, following behind $mc.them. You have to admit, they seem rather pretty with their shiny and luscious feather and regal looks.
You check your pockets to find some of the leftover peanuts you swiped under your nanny’s nose from the pantries, grinning triumphantly when you find some and pass your $mc.sibling to hold it up to the birds. They regard you carefully with their intelligent eyes until one of them decides that they trust you enough. You watch in awe as the small raven spreads their wing and swoops down to land on your arm, near your wrist. They examine the peanuts for a second or two before picking one up with their beak. Deciding that it’s actually a good snack after all, they eat up the nuts in rapid succession.
“Woah slow down,” you giggle, the sound of a child’s merriment a sharp contrast to the gloominess of the woods.
“Can we keep them?” you ask, turning your gaze to $twin_name and attempting your best puppy eyes. “I promise I’ll take good care of them!”
“I doubt father is going to agree with that statement,” $mc.they mutter<<if $child is "child">><<else>>s<</if>> in reply, eyes scrutinizing the young raven sitting on your arm. The other raven croaks from the branch, you assume that they must be siblings since they are both pretty small and sticking together for now.
“Can I hold it?” $twin_name asks all of a sudden. “Please, $nickname?”
You blink in surprise. Your twin has always been weird around animals, well, $mc.they <<if $child is "child">>have<<else>>has<</if>> been weird around people too. Handing out a little bird to $mc.them is the last thing that you want to do right now but $mc.their vacant eyes are unusually pleading. You hesitate for a few seconds, pressing your lips together.
[[Continue|Prologue9]]Eventually you manage a nod and a wide smile spreads on your $mc.sibling’s lips. It was unnerving in a way you did not understand but you still try to smile back.
$twin_name slowly reaches out to hold the bird in $mc.their hands. $mc.they rotate<<if $child is "child">><<else>>s<</if>> the raven around as if it was a very interesting specimen that $mc.they had just laid $mc.their hands on and your anxiety increases with every passing second.
“Be careful, please,” you say, not wanting the bird to be handled recklessly.
But soon after you say that, you notice $mc.their grip getting considerably tighter around the creature. An observation which was confirmed by how it was suddenly trying to get out of your $mc.sibling’s clutches.
“Hey, stop! You’re hurting the bird!” you speak out, trying to wrestle it out of $twin_name’s iron grip. $mc.they side-step<<if $child is "child">><<else>>s<</if>> you with ease and watches with glee as the young raven struggles.
“It's so small and fragile”, $mc.they whispers, the small bird croaks and furiously tries to fly away. “What a shame.”
“No, stop this! You’ll kill it, stop!”
$twin_name’s thumb and index fingers are wrapped tightly around the bird’s neck now and you watch in horror as $mc.they snap<<if $child is "child">><<else>>s<</if>> it like it's just a thin wooden branch— something that the raven with their supposed sibling was sitting on not too long ago. <<print ucfirst($mc.they)>> then proceed<<if $child is "child">><<else>>s<</if>> to drop it on the ground, making a little sound of ‘plop’ from $mc.their mouth for extra effect.
[[Continue|Prologue10]]The other young raven watches the interaction from a distance, witnessing everything. $twin_name smiles when $mc.they notice<<if $child is "child">><<else>>s<</if>> it.
“And that's why ravens are possibly my favourite, they know when there's danger.” Your twin cackles and looks at the broken body of the first bird who had been eating peanuts from your hand a couple of minutes ago. “Even if this one was too blind to actually trust a human.”
“What have you done?” you ask, trying to choke back tears as your hands shake at your side.
$twin_name regards you curiously, “It was just a foolish bird, $nickname. Don’t shed tears over it.”
“It was innocent!” you snapped. “It did nothing wrong and you killed it!”
“There’s no such thing in this world which is completely innocent.”
You shoot $mc.them a look of pure venom and $mc.they frown<<if $child is "child">><<else>>s<</if>>, as if genuinely confused about how the loss of an insignificant creature like this can affect you so much. Without saying another word, you bend down and use your small hands to dig into the dirt. The outfit that Thelma had meticulously picked out for you was not looking too good but by this point, you could not care less.
[[Continue|Prologue11]]$twin_name silently sits down beside you and helps you dig the hole, knowing that any word from them will only fuel the grief that you’re already dealing with over the late raven. You, on the other hand, fight the urge to not push $mc.them down right there.
Once the hole seems deep enough, you carefully pick up the raven’s body and lay it down on the makeshift grave. You manage to find a flat pebble near the stream and place it on the grave as a sort of tombstone.
Bowing your head down, you mutter a prayer that you had heard your mother say whenever you go to visit your late grandfather’s grave. $twin_name mirrors your move and tries to appear as apologetic as possible when you turn to look at $mc.them.
“I’m sorry,” $mc.they say<<if $child is "child">><<else>>s<</if>>, and you’d assume that $mc.they was not sorry at all with that monotone voice of $mc.their. However, your $mc.sibling did seem genuinely apologetic, if not for literally killing the bird then for making you upset.
You open your mouth to reproach $mc.them when you freeze, hearing a dreadfully familiar voice call out to you.
“Oh little $nickname? $twin_nickname? Where are you?”
[[Continue|Prologue12]]You and your twin huddle together, the sun had mostly set and the woods have already become eerie enough without your uncle coming here to search for you.
“There you are,” Uncle Albert’s voice booms as he spots you two. He’s a towering man in his 30s and a bachelor to boot. He is wearing a clean black suit and tie which probably means that he had just arrived and came in search for you and $twin_name.
“Come now, let’s go back before it gets too dark, okay?” He smiles, taking your hand and leading you back to the manor. $twin_name trails behind you two, $mc.their usual indifferent expression now exuding open hatred as $mc.they glare<<if $child is "child">><<else>>s<</if>> hole at your uncle’s back.
In the distance behind you, a loud and long croak is heard and your mind wanders to the remaining raven on the tree branch. Its cry follows you all the way to the manor and you mournfully note that it will sing alone tonight.
[[End of prologue|ChapterOneStartMenu]]<img src="images/raven2.png" width="100%" height="100" class="centerimage" alt="Raven on skull">
<img src="images/familytreechart3.png" width="100%" height="100%" class="centerimage" alt="Family tree">
<div class="center">\
<<link "Stephen">><<replace "#info">>Information about Stephen.<</replace>><</link>> {last name} - Alive
<<link "Evelyn">><<replace "#info">>Information about Evelyn.<</replace>><</link>> {last name} - Alive
<<link "Twin">><<replace "#info">>Information about Twin.<</replace>><</link>> {last name} - Alive
<<link "Albert">><<replace "#info">>Information about Albert.<</replace>><</link>> (asshole) {last name} - Alive
<<link "Dorothea">><<replace "#info">>Information about Dorothea.<</replace>><</link>> Beaumont - Alive
<<link "Daniel">><<replace "#info">>Information about Daniel.<</replace>><</link>> Vargas - Alive
@@#info;<br><br>@@
</div>
<img src="images/raven2.png" width="100%" height="100" class="centerimage" alt="Raven on skull">
<div class="center">\
<div class="columns bigscreen">
<div class="column">
<img src="images/familytreechart.png" width="100%" height="100%" alt="Family tree">
</div>
<div class="column" style="text-align: center; font-size: 1.2em;">
<<link "Stephen">><<replace "#info">>Information about Stephen.<</replace>><</link>> {last name} - Alive
<<link "Evelyn">><<replace "#info">>Information about Evelyn.<</replace>><</link>> {last name} - Alive
<<link "Twin">><<replace "#info">>Information about Twin.<</replace>><</link>> {last name} - Alive
<<link "Albert">><<replace "#info">>Information about Albert.<</replace>><</link>> (asshole) {last name} - Alive
<<link "Dorothea">><<replace "#info">>Information about Dorothea.<</replace>><</link>> Beaumont - Alive
<<link "Daniel">><<replace "#info">>Information about Daniel.<</replace>><</link>> Vargas - Alive
</div>
</div>
@@#info;<br><br>@@
</div>/* FAMILY TREE */
.family #story ul li {
border-left: none;
padding-left: 15px;
margin: 5px 0;
}
.tree {
/* white-space: nowrap; */
min-width: 800px;
min-height: 500px;
}
.tree ul {
padding-top: 20px;
position: relative;
transition: all 0.5s;
-webkit-transition: all 0.5s;
-moz-transition: all 0.5s;
}
.tree li {
float: left;
text-align: center;
list-style-type: none;
position: relative;
padding: 20px 5px 0 5px;
transition: all 0.5s;
-webkit-transition: all 0.5s;
-moz-transition: all 0.5s;
}
/*We will use ::before and ::after to draw the connectors*/
.tree li::before,
.tree li::after {
content: '';
position: absolute;
top: 0;
right: 50%;
border-top: 1px solid red;
width: 50%;
height: 20px;
}
.tree li::after {
right: auto;
left: 50%;
border-left: 2px solid orange;
}
/* // */
/* .tree li.couple::before,
.tree li.couple::after {
right: auto;
left: 25%;
width: 100%;
} */
/* .tree li.couple::after {
right: auto;
left: 25%;
width: 80%;
border-left: 1px solid blue;
} */
/*We need to remove left-right connectors from elements without any siblings*/
.tree li:only-child::after,
.tree li:only-child::before {
display: none;
}
/*Remove space from the top of single children*/
.tree li:only-child {
padding-top: 0;
}
/*Remove left connector from first child and right connector from last child*/
.tree li:first-child::before,
.tree li:last-child::after {
border: 0 none;
}
/*Adding back the vertical connector to the last nodes*/
.tree li:last-child::before {
border-right: 2px solid yellowgreen;
border-radius: 0 5px 0 0;
-webkit-border-radius: 0 5px 0 0;
-moz-border-radius: 0 5px 0 0;
}
.tree li:first-child::after {
border-radius: 5px 0 0 0;
-webkit-border-radius: 5px 0 0 0;
-moz-border-radius: 5px 0 0 0;
}
/*Time to add downward connectors from parents*/
.tree ul ul::before {
content: '';
position: absolute;
top: 0;
left: 50%;
border-left: 1px solid black;
width: 0;
height: 20px;
}
.tree li div {
border: 1px solid #ccc;
padding: 5px 10px;
text-decoration: none;
color: #666;
font-family: arial, verdana, tahoma;
font-size: 11px;
display: inline-block;
min-width: 80px;
min-height: 30px;
border-radius: 5px;
-webkit-border-radius: 5px;
-moz-border-radius: 5px;
transition: all 0.5s;
-webkit-transition: all 0.5s;
-moz-transition: all 0.5s;
}
.tree li div .male {
background-color: lightblue;
display: inline-block;
width: 90px;
padding: 10px;
border-radius: 5px;
-webkit-border-radius: 5px;
-moz-border-radius: 5px;
}
.tree li div .female {
background-color: lightpink;
display: inline-block;
width: 90px;
padding: 10px;
border-radius: 5px;
-webkit-border-radius: 5px;
-moz-border-radius: 5px;
}
.tree li div .spacer {
background-color: lightblue;
display: inline-block;
width: 10px;
}
/*Time for some hover effects*/
/*We will apply the hover effect the the lineage of the element also*/
.tree li div:hover,
.tree li div:hover+ul li div {
background: #c8e4f8;
color: #000;
border: 1px solid #94a0b4;
}
/*Connector styles on hover*/
.tree li div:hover+ul li::after,
.tree li div:hover+ul li::before,
.tree li div:hover+ul::before,
.tree li div:hover+ul ul::before {
border-color: #94a0b4;
}
/* Made by https://codepen.io/k3jo/pen/ejMLXq *//* FAMILY TREE */
* {
margin: 0;
padding: 0;
}
.family #story ul li {
border-left: none;
padding-left: 15px;
margin: 5px 0;
}
.tree {
/* white-space: nowrap; */
min-width: 100%;
min-height: 260px;
}
.tree ul {
padding-top: 20px;
position: relative;
transition: all 0.5s;
-webkit-transition: all 0.5s;
-moz-transition: all 0.5s;
}
.tree li {
float: left;
text-align: center;
list-style-type: none;
position: relative;
padding: 20px 5px 0 5px;
transition: all 0.5s;
-webkit-transition: all 0.5s;
-moz-transition: all 0.5s;
}
/*We will use ::before and ::after to draw the connectors*/
.tree li::before,
.tree li::after {
content: '';
position: absolute;
top: 0;
right: 50%;
border-top: 1px solid black;
width: 50%;
height: 20px;
}
.tree li::after {
right: auto;
left: 50%;
border-left: 2px solid black;
}
/* // */
/* .tree li.couple::before,
.tree li.couple::after {
right: auto;
left: 25%;
width: 100%;
} */
/* .tree li.couple::after {
right: auto;
left: 25%;
width: 80%;
border-left: 1px solid black;
} */
/*We need to remove left-right connectors from elements without any siblings*/
.tree li:only-child::after,
.tree li:only-child::before {
display: none;
}
/*Remove space from the top of single children*/
.tree li:only-child {
padding-top: 0;
}
/*Remove left connector from first child and right connector from last child*/
.tree li:first-child::before,
.tree li:last-child::after {
border: 0 none;
}
/*Adding back the vertical connector to the last nodes*/
.tree li:last-child::before {
border-right: 2px solid black;
border-radius: 0 5px 0 0;
-webkit-border-radius: 0 5px 0 0;
-moz-border-radius: 0 5px 0 0;
}
.tree li:first-child::after {
border-radius: 5px 0 0 0;
-webkit-border-radius: 5px 0 0 0;
-moz-border-radius: 5px 0 0 0;
}
/*Time to add downward connectors from parents*/
.tree ul ul::before {
content: '';
position: absolute;
top: 0;
left: 50%;
border-left: 1px solid black;
width: 0;
height: 20px;
}
.tree li div {
border: 1px solid #ccc;
padding: 5px 10px;
text-decoration: none;
font-size: 11px;
display: inline-block;
min-width: 80px;
min-height: 30px;
border-radius: 5px;
-webkit-border-radius: 5px;
-moz-border-radius: 5px;
transition: all 0.5s;
-webkit-transition: all 0.5s;
-moz-transition: all 0.5s;
}
.tree li div .p {
display: inline-block;
width: 90px;
padding: 10px;
border-radius: 5px;
-webkit-border-radius: 5px;
-moz-border-radius: 5px;
}
.tree li div .spacer {
display: inline-block;
width: 10px;
}
/* Made by https://codepen.io/k3jo/pen/ejMLXq */
<div class="center">
<div class="tree" id="FamilyTreeDiv">
<ul>
<li class="couple">
<div>
<span class="p">Penelope Surname</span>
<span class="spacer"></span>
<span class="p">Douglas II Surname</span>
</div>
<ul>
<li class="couple">
<div>
<span class="p">Stephen Surname</span>
<span class="spacer"></span>
<span class="p">Evelyn Surname</span>
</div>
<ul>
<li>
<div>
<span class="p">MC Surname</span>
</div>
</li>
<li>
<div>
<span class="p">Twin Surname</span>
</div>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>
<div>
<span class="p">Albert Surname</span>
</div>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</div>
</div>/* FAMILY TREE */
* {margin: 0; padding: 0;}
.family #story ul li {
border-left: none;
padding-left: 15px;
margin: 5px 0;
}
.tree ul {
padding-top: 20px;
position: relative;
-webkit-transition: all 0.5s;
-moz-transition: all 0.5s;
transition: all 0.5s;
}
.tree li {
float: left;
text-align: center;
list-style-type: none;
position: relative;
padding: 20px 5px 0 5px;
-webkit-transition: all 0.5s;
-moz-transition: all 0.5s;
transition: all 0.5s;
}
/*We will use ::before and ::after to draw the connectors*/
.tree li::before,
.tree li::after {
content: "";
position: absolute;
top: 0;
right: 50%;
border-top: 1px solid #ccc;
width: 50%;
height: 45px;
z-index: -1;
}
.tree li::after {
right: auto;
left: 50%;
border-left: 1px solid #ccc;
}
/*We need to remove left-right connectors from elements without
any siblings*/
.tree li:only-child::after,
.tree li:only-child::before {
display: none;
}
/*Remove space from the top of single children*/
.tree li:only-child {
padding-top: 0;
}
/*Remove left connector from first child and
right connector from last child*/
.tree li:first-child::before,
.tree li:last-child::after {
border: 0 none;
}
/*Adding back the vertical connector to the last nodes*/
.tree li:last-child::before {
border-right: 1px solid #ccc;
border-radius: 0 5px 0 0;
-webkit-transform: translateX(1px);
-moz-transform: translateX(1px);
transform: translateX(1px);
-webkit-border-radius: 0 5px 0 0;
-moz-border-radius: 0 5px 0 0;
border-radius: 0 5px 0 0;
}
.tree li:first-child::after {
border-radius: 5px 0 0 0;
-webkit-border-radius: 5px 0 0 0;
-moz-border-radius: 5px 0 0 0;
}
/*Time to add downward connectors from parents*/
.tree ul ul::before {
content: "";
position: absolute;
top: -12px;
left: 50%;
border-left: 1px solid #ccc;
width: 0;
height: 32px;
z-index: -1;
}
.tree li a {
border: 1px solid #ccc;
padding: 5px 10px;
text-decoration: none;
color: #666;
font-family: arial, verdana, tahoma;
font-size: 11px;
display: inline-block;
background: white;
-webkit-border-radius: 5px;
-moz-border-radius: 5px;
border-radius: 5px;
-webkit-transition: all 0.5s;
-moz-transition: all 0.5s;
transition: all 0.5s;
}
.tree li a + a {
margin-left: 20px;
position: relative;
}
.tree li a + a::before {
content: "";
position: absolute;
border-top: 1px solid #ccc;
top: 50%;
left: -21px;
width: 20px;
}
/*Time for some hover effects*/
/*We will apply the hover effect the the lineage of the element also*/
.tree li a:hover,
.tree li a:hover ~ ul li a {
background: #c8e4f8;
color: #000;
border: 1px solid #94a0b4;
}
/*Connector styles on hover*/
.tree li a:hover ~ ul li::after,
.tree li a:hover ~ ul li::before,
.tree li a:hover ~ ul::before,
.tree li a:hover ~ ul ul::before {
border-color: #94a0b4;
}
/* From here https://thecodeplayer.com/experiments/css3-family-tree-multiple-parents.html */<<nobr>>
<div class="tree">
<ul style="padding-left: 6.2em;">
<li>
<div>Douglas II Surname</div><div>Penelope Surname</div>
<ul>
<li>
<div>Stephen Surnamev</div><div>Evelyn Surname</div>
<ul>
<li><div>MC Surname</div></li>
<li><div>TWIN Surname</div></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>
<div>Albert Surname</div>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</div>
<</nobr>>
/* FAMILY TREE */
* {margin: 0; padding: 0;}
/* .tree #story ul {
padding-left: 130px;
} */
.family #story ul li {
border-left: none;
padding-left: 15px;
margin: 5px 0;
}
.tree {
/* white-space: nowrap; */
min-width: 100%;
min-height: 140px;
margin-left: auto;
margin-right: auto;
}
.tree ul {
padding-top: 20px;
position: relative;
}
.tree li {
float: left;
text-align: center;
list-style-type: none;
position: relative;
padding: 20px 5px 0 5px;
}
/*We will use ::before and ::after to draw the connectors*/
.tree li::before,
.tree li::after {
content: "";
position: absolute;
top: 0;
right: 50%;
border-top: 1px solid black;
width: 50%;
height: 20px;
z-index: -1;
}
.tree li::after {
right: auto;
left: 50%;
border-left: 1px solid black;
}
/*We need to remove left-right connectors from elements without
any siblings*/
.tree li:only-child::after,
.tree li:only-child::before {
display: none;
}
/*Remove space from the top of single children*/
.tree li:only-child {
padding-top: 0;
}
/*Remove left connector from first child and
right connector from last child*/
.tree li:first-child::before,
.tree li:last-child::after {
border: 0 none;
}
/*Adding back the vertical connector to the last nodes*/
.tree li:last-child::before {
border-right: 1px solid black;
border-radius: 0 5px 0 0;
-webkit-transform: translateX(1px);
-moz-transform: translateX(1px);
transform: translateX(1px);
-webkit-border-radius: 0 5px 0 0;
-moz-border-radius: 0 5px 0 0;
border-radius: 0 5px 0 0;
}
.tree li:first-child::after {
border-radius: 5px 0 0 0;
-webkit-border-radius: 5px 0 0 0;
-moz-border-radius: 5px 0 0 0;
}
/*Time to add downward connectors from parents*/
.tree ul ul::before {
content: "";
position: absolute;
top: -19px;
left: 50%;
border-left: 1px solid black;
width: 0;
height: 25px;
z-index: -1;
}
.tree li div {
border: 1px solid black;
padding: 5px 10px;
text-decoration: none;
display: inline-block;
-webkit-border-radius: 5px;
-moz-border-radius: 5px;
border-radius: 5px;
}
.tree li div + div {
margin-left: 20px;
position: relative;
}
.tree li div + div::before {
content: "";
position: absolute;
border-top: 1px solid black;
top: 50%;
left: -21px;
width: 20px;
}
/* From here https://thecodeplayer.com/experiments/css3-family-tree-multiple-parents.html */But you usually go by your nickname
<<textbox "$nickname" "">> <<link "Set">>
<<set $nickname to $nickname.trim()>>
<<set $nickname to $nickname.toUpperFirst()>>
<<if $nickname == "">>
<<replace "#input-error">>Enter a name.<</replace>>
<<else>>
<<goto "Prologue3-2">>
<</if>>
<</link>>
@@#input-error;@@What’s the name of your family?
<<textbox "$lastname" "">> <<link "Set">>
<<set $lastname to $lastname.trim()>>
<<set $lastname to $lastname.toUpperFirst()>>
<<if $lastname == "">>
<<replace "#input-error">>Enter a name.<</replace>>
<<else>>
<<goto "Prologue4">>
<</if>>
<</link>>
@@#input-error;@@
• [[Alderwood|Prologue4][$lastname = "Alderwood"]]
• [[Baskerville|Prologue4][$lastname = "Baskerville"]]
• [[Calhoun|Prologue4][$lastname = "Calhoun"]]
• [[Cartwright|Prologue4][$lastname = "Cartwright"]]
• [[di Angelo|Prologue4][$lastname = "di Angelo"]]
• [[Fairchild|Prologue4][$lastname = "Fairchild"]]
• [[Guerrero|Prologue4][$lastname = "Guerrero"]]
• [[Montclair|Prologue4][$lastname = "Montclair"]]
• [[Morgenstern|Prologue4][$lastname = "Morgenstern"]]
• [[Montclair|Prologue4][$lastname = "Montclair"]]
• [[Nakamura|Prologue4][$lastname = "Nakamura"]]
• [[Nesheim|Prologue4][$lastname = "Nesheim"]]
• [[van der Heijden|Prologue4][$lastname = "van der Heijden"]]
• [[Velasquez|Prologue4][$lastname = "Velasquez"]]
• [[Wayland|Prologue4][$lastname = "Wayland"]]
• [[Zafar|Prologue4][$lastname = "Zafar"]]And your twin’s name is
<<textbox "$twin_name" "">> <<link "Set">>
<<set $twin_name to $twin_name.trim()>>
<<set $twin_name to $twin_name.toUpperFirst()>>
<<if $twin_name == "">>
<<replace "#input-error">>Enter a name.<</replace>>
<<else>>
<<goto "Prologue3-3">>
<</if>>
<</link>>
@@#input-error;@@
<<message 'List of traditionally masculine name.'>>\
• [[Akemi|Prologue3-3][$twin_name = "Akemi"]]
• [[Damien|Prologue3-3][$twin_name = "Damien"]]
• [[Florian|Prologue3-3][$twin_name = "Florian"]]
• [[Issac|Prologue3-3][$twin_name = "Issac"]]
• [[Jason|Prologue3-3][$twin_name = "Jason"]]
• [[Haider|Prologue3-3][$twin_name = "Haider"]]
• [[Norman|Prologue3-3][$twin_name = "Norman"]]
• [[Theodore|Prologue3-3][$twin_name = "Theodore"]]
• [[Vincent|Prologue3-3][$twin_name = "Vincent"]]
• [[William|Prologue3-3][$twin_name = "William"]]
<</message>>
<<message 'List of traditionally feminine name.'>>\
• [[Asami|Prologue3-3][$twin_name = "Asami"]]
• [[Audrey|Prologue3-3][$twin_name = "Audrey"]]
• [[Clarice|Prologue3-3][$twin_name = "Clarice"]]
• [[Emily|Prologue3-3][$twin_name = "Emily"]]
• [[Haniya|Prologue3-3][$twin_name = "Haniya"]]
• [[Katherine|Prologue3-3][$twin_name = "Katherine"]]
• [[Ophelia|Prologue3-3][$twin_name = "Ophelia"]]
• [[Rosalie|Prologue3-3][$twin_name = "Rosalie"]]
• [[Sabrina|Prologue3-3][$twin_name = "Sabrina"]]
• [[Willow|Prologue3-3][$twin_name = "Willow"]]
<</message>>
<<message 'List of traditionally gender-neutral name.'>>\
• [[Akira|Prologue3-3][$twin_name = "Akira"]]
• [[Blake|Prologue3-3][$twin_name = "Blake"]]
• [[Cameron|Prologue3-3][$twin_name = "Cameron"]]
• [[Dakota|Prologue3-3][$twin_name = "Dakota"]]
• [[Hikmat|Prologue3-3][$twin_name = "Hikmat"]]
• [[Jesse|Prologue3-3][$twin_name = "Jesse"]]
• [[Kieran|Prologue3-3][$twin_name = "Kieran"]]
• [[Rowan|Prologue3-3][$twin_name = "Rowan"]]
• [[Sidney|Prologue3-3][$twin_name = "Sidney"]]
• [[Wesley|Prologue3-3][$twin_name = "Wesley"]]
<</message>>But you usually call $mc.them by $mc.their nickname
<<textbox "$twin_nickname" "">> <<link "Set">>
<<set $twin_nickname to $twin_nickname.trim()>>
<<set $twin_nickname to $twin_nickname.toUpperFirst()>>
<<if $twin_nickname == "">>
<<replace "#input-error">>Enter a name.<</replace>>
<<else>>
<<goto "Prologue3-4">>
<</if>>
<</link>>
@@#input-error;@@<<textbox "$nickname" "">> <<link "Set">>
<<set $nickname to $nickname.trim()>>
<<if $nickname == "">>
<<replace "#firstname-error">>Please enter a first name..<</replace>>
<<elseif /[^A-Z]/i.test($nickname)>>
<<replace "#firstname-error">>Names may only contain letters.<</replace>>
<<else>>
<<replace "#firstname-error">><</replace>>
<<goto "Prologue3-2">>
<</if>>
<</link>>
<span id="firstname-error" style="font-style: italic; font-size: 0.9rem;"></span>
/*
input, select, textarea {
background-color: transparent;
border: none;
}
#setting-control-volume {
color: #ba3c3c;
}
.macro-volume [id|="volume-control"] {
color: red;
}*/
/*
input[type="range" i] {
appearance: auto;
cursor: default;
color: red;
padding: initial;
border: initial;
margin: 2px;
}*/
/*
input[type="range" i] {
color: red;
}
#ui-dialog-body.settings input[type="range"][id|="setting-control-volume"] {
background-color: transparent;
border: none;
color: #ba3c3c;
}
#ui-dialog-body.settings input[type="range"][id|="setting-control-mastervolume"] {
background-color: transparent;
border: none;
color: #ba3c3c;
}
#ui-dialog-body.settings button[id|="setting-control-mastervolume"] {
background: red;
border: none;
color: blue;
}
*/
input[type=range] {
-webkit-appearance: none;
width: 200px;
margin: 0 10px;
vertical-align: text-bottom;
border: 0;
}
input[type=range]:focus {
outline: none;
}
input[type=range]::-webkit-slider-runnable-track {
width: 100%;
height: 5px;
cursor: pointer;
box-shadow: 0px 0px 0px #000000, 0px 0px 0px #0d0d0d;
background: #000000;
border-radius: 0px;
border: 0px solid #010101;
}
input[type=range]::-webkit-slider-thumb {
box-shadow: 0px 0px 0px rgba(0, 0, 62, 0.67), 0px 0px 0px rgba(0, 0, 88, 0.67);
border: 1.9px solid #000000;
height: 15px;
width: 15px;
background: #ffffff;
cursor: pointer;
-webkit-appearance: none;
margin-top: -5px;
}
input[type=range]:focus::-webkit-slider-runnable-track {
background: #0a0a0a;
}
input[type=range]::-moz-range-track {
width: 100%;
height: 5px;
cursor: pointer;
box-shadow: 0px 0px 0px #000000, 0px 0px 0px #0d0d0d;
background: #000000;
border-radius: 0px;
border: 0px solid #010101;
}
input[type=range]::-moz-range-thumb {
box-shadow: 0px 0px 0px rgba(0, 0, 62, 0.67), 0px 0px 0px rgba(0, 0, 88, 0.67);
border: 1.9px solid #000000;
height: 15px;
width: 15px;
background: #ffffff;
cursor: pointer;
}
input[type=range]::-ms-track {
width: 100%;
height: 5px;
cursor: pointer;
background: transparent;
border-color: transparent;
color: transparent;
}
input[type=range]::-ms-fill-lower {
background: #000000;
border: 0px solid #010101;
border-radius: 0px;
box-shadow: 0px 0px 0px #000000, 0px 0px 0px #0d0d0d;
}
input[type=range]::-ms-fill-upper {
background: #000000;
border: 0px solid #010101;
border-radius: 0px;
box-shadow: 0px 0px 0px #000000, 0px 0px 0px #0d0d0d;
}
input[type=range]::-ms-thumb {
box-shadow: 0px 0px 0px rgba(0, 0, 62, 0.67), 0px 0px 0px rgba(0, 0, 88, 0.67);
border: 1.9px solid #000000;
height: 15px;
width: 15px;
background: #ffffff;
cursor: pointer;
height: 5px;
}
input[type=range]:focus::-ms-fill-lower {
background: #000000;
}
input[type=range]:focus::-ms-fill-upper {
background: #0a0a0a;
}<<cacheaudio "menu" "music/DVD.mp3">>Every single melody guides your mind to calmly descend into your hunt. She is here and she can’t run from you anymore, even though the chase is so damn addicting.
A sudden crash from one of the rooms.
Oh?
You’re attracted to the sound like a moth to a flame.
Heart pounding.
Eyes widening.
<p style="color:red;">Kill. Kill. Kill. </p>
THERE!
“Found you.”
Her eyes are wide, terrified. You almost feel bad for her. <b>Almost.</b>
“Don’t you worry,” you soothe the trembling figure, coming close to her and holding out a hand. “I’ll go easy on you.”
[[Continue|ChapterOne3]]<div class="center">\
!!.chapter one.
!!!.those rumours, they have big teeth.
</div>\
A pool of flakey crimson. Maybe it belonged to a patient, or maybe to a hospital employee; you can’t be sure. The steady pitter-patter of rain hitting the tin roof is almost soothing. Your mind is at ease, like you’re in your element and you should savour every second of it.
The decrepit building is the very picture of crumbling health. The abandoned structure located near St. Philip Hospital. You reckon it must have bustled with a crowd of patients and health professionals, right before the present hospital opened up and they all had to transfer there. The old structure was planned to be destroyed so they could build a series of pharmacies in its place, but due to a series of unfortunate events, the project was left unattained. Some people think that the place is cursed, making bad luck befall on those who set foot in the place. You, however, think that it has a certain charm to it.
You press your fingers against the walls as you walk forward. They are cold beneath your touch, for obvious reasons. The uneven surface palpable as you feel every bump and crack on them. The Walkman in your ear playing a familiar tune.
⦁[[‘Livin’ In the Sunlight, Lovin’ In the Moonlight’|ChapterOne2]]
⦁[[‘Tonight You Belong To Me’|ChapterOne2]]
⦁[[‘Sleep Walk’|ChapterOne2]]
<<set $familyalive to 0>><div class="center">
----
//"News told, rumours heard, truth implied, facts buried.”//
//Toba Beta, My Ancestor Was an Ancient Astronaut//
----
//September//
</div>
“This is the fourth time, Officer Wilson,” The Chief of Police sighs. “How many warnings should I issue before you drop this matter completely?”
“This shouldn’t even be a matter up for discussion, ma’am. We really should start looking into it seriously. How many more disappearances will it take for this town to sober up?”
Henry Wilson was probably not the most burliest in his department, nor was he the most intelligent. But what he lacked in physical and mental prowess, he made up with his sheer will and passion to protect the public. Originally from a small town in Kansas, Henry had big dreams of joining the police force and serve the country’s civilians. Although it seems now that not many people in his department took their jobs seriously.
When the disappearances started around half a decade ago, Henry remembers reading the newspapers and listening to the local news channel every day. Surprisingly, what started out as a public fear simmered down into cautious indifference. It was as if the people in town had accepted for the strange happenings as part of their everyday lives by then. Even the police department had gotten lazy and sloppy.
He had to take matters into his own hand.
[[Continue|ChapterOne4]]
The chief of police sighs. She knew that Officer Wilson would not stop his insistence until he got her permission to investigate further.
“Alright, fine. But keep in mind that this is your last chance. We’ll be officially closing the ‘Linda Fitzgerald’ file after this if you failed to bring up anything beneficial to the case.”
Henry beams, puffing up his chest. “Thank you, chief! I’ll be doing my best.”
“Yes, yes, run along now,” The chief smiles at his enthusiasm fondly.
Henry had a light skip to his steps as he exits her office. Having officially get permission to continue investigating, he had to start at the spot where the department had given up on.
<b>St. Philip’s Hospital.</b>
[[Continue|ChapterOne5]]
The weather is sunny today with no clouds in sight. You are not too fond of it, it is far too bright for you but changing the weather in the blink of an eye is not a trait that you currently possess. Upon entering the hospital, you are greeted with a cool atmosphere resulting from the air conditioning. Receptionists are chattering amongst themselves and nurses bustle around with doctors to get to specific rooms.
“Good morning, Doctor $lastname!” Chloë, a cheery nurse who usually accompanies you during your test runs, greets you as she carries a bunch of clean white towels. “Lovely day, isn’t it?”
<<if ($outerpersonality is "friendly")>>
You laugh with equal enthusiasm. “Well, it is too hot outside for my tastes. But the day sure is lovely!”
“Glad to hear the last part! And don’t worry, considering the usual weather in Helmsford, I’m sure it’s only a matter of time before it becomes gloomy again.”
<<elseif ($outerpersonality is "fiery")>>
You shake your head and sigh dramatically. “Unfortunately, it seems like the sun outside is trying to melt us all today.”
The nurse laughs, “I’m sure it will get better soon. We don’t get the sun like that in Helmsford much.”
“I do hope you’re right.”
<<else>>
You smile serenely at her. “Yes, it is. But I do prefer it when it’s not unbearably hot.”
The nurse blushes a bit before she replies, “I- I understand! I sure am thankful for the hospital’s air conditioning. Although considering Helmsford’s usual weather, I doubt the sunny weather would last too long.”<</if>>
She adjusts the towels in her arms and glances down at your hands. “For someone who is talking about how hot it is outside, you sure do like wearing gloves.”
You chuckle and shrug at her comment, instinctively reaching down to adjust the glove on your left hand.
[[It’s a rather fancy pair of leather gloves, with a snake scale-like design on the bottom half of the surface and the other half smooth up to your fingers. (full finger gloves)|ChapterOne6]]
[[It’s a rather fancy pair of leather gloves, with snake-scale like design on the bottom half of the surface and the other half smooth up to the base of your fingers. (half finger gloves)|ChapterOne6]]
You look down at your shoes guiltily. $twin_name and you usually do everything together, but there are times when you want to have some time for yourself. Still, it doesn’t mean that you don’t feel bad for sneaking off and leaving $mc.them alone to socialize with the incorrigible children of the other guests with egos that don’t quite fit with their age.
<<if $outerpersonality is "friendly">>\
“Sorry about leaving you to deal with everyone, $twin_nickname,” you rub your neck sheepishly. “I know you are not fond of talking to people.”
“Neither do you,” $twin_name replies. “You try to act chummy with everyone but it’s obvious that you’re uncomfortable.”
<<elseif $outerpersonality is "fiery">>\
“Um, I apologize for leaving you to deal with everyone, $twin_nickname,” you chuckle nervously. “I just wanted to be alone for a while.”
<<print ucfirst($mc.they)>> shrug<<if $child is "child">><<else>>s<</if>> in response, “It’s fine, I know you’re too impulsive sometimes to think things through twice.”
<<else>>\
“I’m sorry for leaving you there,” you mumble, twiddling your thumbs together nervously. “I wante-”
“It’s okay, $nickname,” $mc.they give<<if $child is "child">><<else>>s<</if>> you a small genuine smile. “Don’t beat yourself over things like that.”
<</if>>\
You allow yourself a <<if $outerpersonality is "quiet">>smile too<<else>>smile<</if>>. $twin_name knew you better than anyone, you didn’t always had to say stuff out loud for $mc.them to understand. You suppose that’s the result of being twins, you have a subconscious way of knowing what the other might be thinking or feeling most of the times.
[[Continue|Prologue7]]
“You know me, Chloë. My hands get really cold for no reason,” you answer, flexing your fingers for extra emphasis.
She nods with a smile and opens her mouth to continue the conversation before she is interrupted by a receptionist calling your name.
“Doctor $lastname?”
You give Chloë an apologetic smile and walk towards the receptionist, Joseph.
“Yes? What may be the issue?” You ask, leaning over the reception table.
“There’s an officer from the local police department who wants to speak with you,” Joe answers, a hint of annoyance in his voice which isn’t really directed towards you.
“That will be me.” You hear from beside you.
You turn and see a somewhat lanky and squirrely man in front of you. His head is topped with mousy brown hair and the dark blue eyes behind his glasses have equal parts resolve and curiosity.
⦁[[You are significantly taller than him so he has to crane his neck up to look you in the eyes. (very tall, 6’4+)|ChapterOne7][$height = "Very tall"]]
⦁[[You are taller than him and he has to look up a bit to maintain eye-contact. (tall, 5’11-6’3)|ChapterOne7][$height = "Tall"]]
⦁[[You are around the same height so he can look you in the eyes without much problem. (average, 5’7-5’10)|ChapterOne7][$height = "Average"]]
⦁[[You are a little shorter than him and he looks down to maintain eye-contact with you. (short, 5’3-5’6)|ChapterOne7][$height = "Short"]]
⦁[[You are a lot shorter than him so he has to look down quite a bit to look you in the eyes. (very short, 4’11-5’2)|ChapterOne7][$height = "Very short"]]
“Nice to meet you,” you say, adding a smile at the end. “Might I ask why did you ask for me?”
The officer clears his throat. “You can call me Wilson, doctor. As you can already tell, I’m a police official from the local department.”
His eyes turn serious now, “Can I ask you to accompany me outside?”
The receptionist huffs from the desk. “No, you may not. Doctor $lastname is very busy today, as I’ve already told you, and won’t be needing any extra headache from the police.”
Officer Wilson frowns.
“This is a crucial investigation, I assure you that I’m not trying to waste the good doctor’s time.”
“Bah! That’s what all you blue-collared scoundrels say. Even a few weeks ago, some of your officers pestered Doctor Martinez and soiled the floors with your dirty shoes. Let us work in peace, can’t you?”
“Now now,” you come in between them, trying to settle down the sudden animosity between them. “I’ll handle this, Joe. Please don’t worry.”
Joseph huffs but calms down as instructed, busying himself with a file and not bothering to take further notice of the conversation. Officer Wilson readjusts his cap and looks apologetic.
“I’m sorry, doctor. I almost lost my composure there.”
You shake your head, giving him a reassuring smile. “Please don’t apologise. I understand that it must be the protocols. I hope you will forgive Joseph for his outburst. He’s not normally that rude.”
“Of course not! And I don’t blame him, the department did raid the hospital without notice that day.”
“Thank you.”
“Doctor $lastname,” Joseph calls you, handing you an A4 sized paper. “These are the appointments you have to answer today.
“Thank you, Joe.” You nod at him and smile apologetically at Officer Wilson. “Excuse me, officer, I do have work to do.”
[[Continue|ChapterOne8]]“Thank you so much, doctor. We’ll be sure to set another appointment if the conditions get worse.”
You see the patient and his wife out with a friendly wave and lean back on your chair, sighing. That was the last appointment for today and it was time for you to go home. Your mind goes back to that squirrely officer from earlier. It’s not always that law enforcements wish to speak with you, but you can’t get cocky here either.
‘I did not like the way he looked at me.’
You roll your head around a little. Maybe it’s better to be cautious for now, you can deal with him later if he proves to be much more of a nuisance.
A knock on your office’s door gets you out of your thoughts. Frowning in confusion as to who it might be, you call out: “Come in.”
You recognise her brown coat before you even look at her face.
[[Vivian Malhotra, your closest friend in the hospital.|ChapterOne9]]
She smiles at you softly as her own way of greeting. Her long brown hair in the usual braid that she takes good care of maintaining through the day.
“Not that I don’t appreciate the visit but what brings you here? I thought you’d be home by now.” You say, surprised as Vivian usually goes home by 5 PM.
“No particular reason,” she answers, awkwardly coming up to stand beside the chair. “I just heard that an officer from the police station came to speak with you.”
“You heard right, unfortunately,” you sigh, looking up at the ceiling and fiddling with your gloves that you had previously taken off. “It seems like they are questioning quite a lot of our staff.”
Vivian nods. “I did hear a rumour from the nurses that the police think the last disappearance was around the hospital area.”
You look at her teasingly, “Oh? Sharing gossips now, are we?”
Vivian laughs, the sound of which at least brightens up the rather dreary mood in your office.
⦁[[You have liked her for quite some time now. You are not quite sure what to feel about that. (♡)|ChapterOne10][$vivianromance = 2]]
⦁[[You feel... happy around her. You had assumed it may be friendship at first, but it’s not a feeling that you’re terribly confident about exploring. (♡)|ChapterOne10][$vivianromance = 2]]
⦁[[You do like having elements added to your normalcy. Vivian’s friendship is just another one of those.|ChapterOne10][$vivianfriend = 4]]
⦁ [[Frankly, you have always been kind of irritated with her overly friendly demeanour and naivety.|ChapterOne10][$vivianhostile = 2]]
When you met Vivian a few years ago, you had not expected her to become such an important part of your life. Her gentle and soothing personality rather helps them in their field as a psychiatrist. She had also helped you a ton in calming down patients who were too scared of the concept of needing a surgery that their family had to physically drag them here. Life as a hospital employee is not too peaceful.
“Um, I think you spaced out again.”
<<if ($vivianromance)>> You blink and see Vivian smiling at you but she seems visibly self-conscious. You try to laugh it off nervously.
<<elseif ($vivianhostile)>> You shake your head to get rid of the remaining thoughts and see Vivian looking at you nervously. You clear your throat.
<<else>> You shake your head to get rid of the remaining thoughts and see Vivian looking at you curiously. You smile at her.<</if>>
“Yeah uh, sorry about that. My mind has been all over the place lately.”
“I understand, you’re probably busy with your work.”
Vivian stands up and makes for the door.
“Oh and also,” she stops, a hand on the door.
<<if ($vivianromance or $vivianfriend)>>
“Make sure to visit us once in a while. Divya has been bugging me about when are you going to have a playdate again with her.”
You smile fondly at the thought of that little ball of firecracker. “I’ll see if I can come around on the weekend.”
“Sounds great!” You wave her off as she leaves.
<<elseif ($vivianhostile)>>
“Please don’t miss the appointment again this weekend. You’ve already missed out on a lot of sessions.”
You sigh in mild annoyance. “I had some other stuff to worry about. I’ll try not to miss the next appointment.”
Vivian smiles sadly in response. “That’s better than I could have hoped for, take care.”
You wave her off slightly and the door closes with a click behind her.<</if>>
[[Continue|ChapterOne11]]The drive back home is quiet. The sun has already been smothered by the clouds. Dried orange leaves are scattered on the ground and the steady hum of the engine calms you down immensely.
These are the times where the voice does not disturb you.
You enjoy this world and its sorrows without any internal force. You enjoy the taste of tragedy in the breeze. You enjoy the howling of the wind during evenings and night.
What you do not enjoy is the voice telling you what to do.
What to say.
<text style="color:red;">What to kill.</text>
<em>When will you stop running?</em>
Your eyes narrow on the road.
“Shut up.”
The voice does not speak back, but you know it is silenced only temporarily. Your recent kill had weakened it for now. But god, was it still unbearably irritating.
You’re thinking of going on a hunt again at night when you spot a police car parked near your house. Well, ‘manor’ would be the correct word.
[[Continue|ChapterOne12]]It was built sometime in the late 1800s by a great-great-great grand uncle of yours who thought that he could immigrate to America and expand his business. The $lastname manor stands tall and imposing with its dark brick walls and windows that seem eerily like eyes watching over the woods that reside before it. The flowers in the garden, hedges and the hanging pots around the windows are lively but it seems like they are the only things giving the dreary place it’s colour.
When your father had also moved to America with his family, they had renovated the place quite a bit while also retaining the Victorian Gothic taste of home that their ancestor had imagined. The manor looked more like a dark dollhouse by now, the dried and lifeless trees around it giving no points in being pleasing to the eyes. But it was home for you, and you can’t deny that it’s rather elegant in its own way.
You contemplate on whether or not you should leave now or not.
⦁[[It must be the pesky officer from the hospital again. I need to get rid of him tonight, caution be damned.|ChapterOne13][$impulsive = 1]]
⦁[[Is it the officer from the hospital? I should see if I can send him on his way without resorting to extreme measure...|ChapterOne13][$cautious = 1]]
You nod to yourself in resolve and get out of the car. Running would be futile as you guessed that he seemed suspicious enough and trying to avoid the officer while he has come this far to talk to you will only raise more questions. Next thing you know, you would probably be one of the prime suspects in whatever case he is trying to investigate. It is better to face this guy head on.
Officer Wilson is casually sitting in his car and looking over a set of documents when you knock on his window. The man jerks his head back in surprise and adjusts his glasses when he sees that it’s just you. You take a few steps back for him to get out and he greets you again with his awkward nod.
“What are you doing in my house?” you ask, your tone is polite but it would not take a genius to understand that you were reasonably annoyed.
It seems like the young officer understands that too and he looks sheepish as he answers. “I’m sorry for showing up unannounced. We just could not have the talk that I requested in the hospital so I figured it would be easier to have a conversation in your house.”
⦁[[You raise an eyebrow, “I believe you require a permit for that.”|ChapterOne14][$permit = 1]]
⦁[[You give him a placating smile. “Of course, please come in.”|ChapterOne14][$nopermit = 1]]
<<if ($permit)>>
“I have it right here,” he answers, rummaging through his pockets and producing a paper with ‘QUESTIONING PERMIT’ written in bold letters.
You squint your eyes and can clearly tell that it is not an official warrant. Likely a forgery which will probably make the officer lose his badge if the authorities find out.
But why is this man so hell-bent on looking into you, to the point that he would risk losing his badge? Is he that sure that you might be related to whatever case he had been working on?
“Alright then,” you sigh a little dramatically. “Come on in.”
<<elseif ($nopermit)>>
The officer blinks in surprise, like he did not expect you to just open your arms to welcome him into your manor. But judging from the barely suppressed eagerness in his steps, he was not complaining either.
<</if>>
Officer Wilson’s eyes land on the knocker on the door. He had not really seen a design like that used for a simple locker: a silver raven’s skull with its beak curved. But then again, he had not really seen a house like the $lastname manor either. It was... unsettlingly beautiful, for the lack of a better word, much like its owner. He wonders if it is hard for you to bewitch people by just your presence alone to get what you wanted.
Henry had not been completely oblivious to the fact that you carried yourself with a natural charisma that had made so many people like you and be protective over you. He had seen it first-hand with the receptionist in the hospital, Joseph. The old man did not just defend you because he did not like the police, but also because he did not want the officer to bother you. It was an unspoken kind of loyalty and Officer Wilson wonders how did you even achieve that with the staff, considering the fact that he’d heard you were the youngest surgeon in town.
[[Continue|ChapterOne15]]
When the officer enters the house, it is as if he has travelled back several decades and landed himself in another era. The floor looked spotless and clean, the wooden surface a shade of dark mahogany. Even the carpet looked elegant with the shape of a black raven on a skull sewed into it. The wallpapers are green and alluring with gold patterns that seem to resemble the actual mineral. A chandelier hangs on the ceiling, right above the huge carpet and in between the two large stairs that curve away from each other but still lead to the same floor.
Despite all of this finery, the manor seemed... sad. There was no soul in sight except you, taking off your coat and hanging it on the rack. The glow of the chandelier hit the walls and the gold seemed to shine ominously at him, as if warning that he is somewhere he is not supposed to be. The silence is only broken by an old-timey clock on the wall and you shuffling to arrange your shoes in the shelf.
Henry does not like it. Not one bit.
[[Continue|ChapterOne16]]
“Sorry about the wait,” you call out, coming up to join the officer as he just stands in the massive living room and gawks around. “I’m afraid it will take quite a while if I gave you a house tour.”
“Oh I don’t mind,” he chuckles to break the tension.
You nod amiably and lead him up the stairs slowly. Paintings dating back generations litter the wall and each and every one of them is transcendentally pleasing to look at.
<<if ($creativity)>>
Some of them even include your own artworks that mother insisted on hanging up and alas, you could not exactly deny if she was that persistent.<</if>>
“By the way,” you ask, as he examines one of the paintings. “If I may ask, am I suspect in the case you are currently investigating.”
Officer Wilson ponders on how to answer that question. “I would not say that for sure since there is no evidence. But I have heard some rumours.”
“Rumours?” you ask, your left index finger twitches slightly but other than that, you put on a good mask of innocent confusion.
“Linda Fitzgerald? She was last seen around the St. Philip’s by a drunk unhoused man. He also reported that he saw a silhouette of a white coat following the girl.” Officer Wilson leans back a little.
“Rumours spread around the station that it must be a medical employee from the hospital, based on the man’s account but it could also be that he was just to drink to see anything properly. We conducted an inquiry in the hospital and checked most of the staff there but many surgeons had their day off.”
“And have you questioned the other surgeons?”
“I personally have not but the other officers might work on it.”
“Might?”
The officer sighs, “The thing is that the people in my station don’t take most of the cases seriously. They keep reaching dead ends and it has made them quite lazy and unenthusiastic about the random disappearances that keep happening. ‘They will turn up dead in a few days anyway,’ they say.”
You smile sympathetically. “That must be hard, at least you take your job seriously.”
[[Continue|ChapterOne17]]You turn to look at the painting that Officer Wilson had also been looking at: ‘Saint Sebastian’ by Takato Yamamoto.
Two trees folded out of the grotesque stand against dark clouds filling a darker sky, telling us that this is not the earth we know. The upper half of the tree on the left seems to have an eye, nose, and mouth, appearing to be some unnatural personified version of a tree. Though it has a face, and presumably thoughts of its own, it shows no remorse in its expression for the suffering man across from it. It seems more fascinated with his suffering than anything, suggesting the artist’s intention for viewers to be fascinated with the aesthetic of the violence he portrays in the image without remorse. Moreover, the woman at the base of the personified tree embodies death as she looks down upon the corpse she holds with her head wrapped in faces with closed eyes and a skull. She wears death like she would wear jewels, admiring its beauty. She allows you to assume that death is not man’s hideous undoing, but that death is a part of the artistic exploration of existence.
The man in distress on the left, pierced by arrows, has a halo over his head to imply his good nature. He is bound, forced to withstand the torture and violence. You wonder why he is in this dystopia and why such an angelic figure would be subjected to this agony. This man allows you to be reminded that this fascination with suffering is within all of us regardless of whether we want it to be. Even the most virtuous of humans have a part of them that is intrigued by what society has taught them is grotesque, wrong, or ugly. With this illustration, you have permission to be shamelessly fascinated with a world of things that people would never normally explore.
<em>Or rather, what normal people would not explore.</em>
[[Continue|ChapterOne18]]
“I’ll get you something to drink, you must be tired from sitting in your car for too long,” you shoot him a kind smile and he can’t help but accept your offer with a nod.
“You’re very kind, thank you.”
The walk to the kitchen is more tense than usual.
“Rumours, huh,” you mutter to yourself. You already had taken a massive risk inviting that little police officer to your manor. Now he tells you that there are rumours that one, or maybe all, of the disappearances are linked to the hospital?
<em>Goddamn it!</em>
You clench your teeth, heating up some water to calm yourself down.
<<if ($impulsive)>>
You know you get too excited when you are in the process of chasing your prey and draining the life out of them, but you could not just slip up in a major way after all these years
<<elseif ($cautious)>>
You’re always trying your best to cover up meticulously after you’ve done the deed. There is absolutely no way that you would just randomly forget to do so one day, not when you are always thinking everything through.
<</if>>
A small ball of fur rubs itself against your exposed arm and you look down to see Salem, your cat, perched on the counter and demanding pets with head rubs.
“My sweet girl, where were you?” You coo, scratching her behind her ears and her purrs of happiness is enough to distract you from your increasing panic.
“Your <<if $child is "child">>parent<<elseif $child is "boy">>daddy<<else>>mommy<</if>> does not make mistakes with $mc.their job, <<if $child is "child">>do<<else>>does<</if>> $mc.they?” You mutter stroking her neck now and it seems like Salem agrees with the way she meows and her ears perk up.
[[Continue|ChapterOne19]]
Salem suddenly stands up on all-fours, tail standing up in attention as she hisses at the hallway. You frown and walk out the door to check what she is so angry about. Everything seems in the place where they usually are and you wonder what had gotten your cat so riled up.
That question is answered when Salem slowly slinks the living room. You follow her and stop when you see that Officer Wilson was not standing there on the stairs as you had imagined he was. Maybe he just got bored of standing around and went ahead to look at other paintings?
<em>‘$firstname did an oopsie. Shouldn’t have left him alone.’</em> The voice sings with a sickly gleeful voice. <em>‘What will you do? What will you do?’</em>
“Cease your awful singing, will you?” You snap and the voice disappears with a mocking giggle.
Truth be told, you did not wanted to kill him right now. It genuinely seemed like he was just doing his job and would have left you be if he did not find any evidences in your house. Killing innocent people was not your forte and you do hope that the officer was not poking his nose into your personal business right now.
Salem stops and you do too, fists balling as an array of emotions raise through your mind.
The door to the basement was open
⦁[[A slow grin spreads on your lips. Looks like you will have to take care of this now once, after all.|ChapterOne20][$killingpersonality = "gleeful"]]
⦁[[Your face is the picture of sudden unbridled calm as you accept what you have to do now.|ChapterOne20][$killingpersonality = "stoic"]]
⦁[[Your crack your finger joints one by one as you try to suppress the uncontrollable anger that rises to the surface.|ChapterOne20][$killingpersonality = "agressive"]]
The barbed wire surrounding the baseball bat is still covered with dried blood, or maybe it was rust? You could not tell the difference anymore. Regardless, you do love the feel and taste of the warm metallic liquid that flows through humans.
Salem stands guard on the doorway and continuous to hiss at the darkness.
You wonder how the situation would have ended up if the officer had not looked into those rumours too much. If he had not followed his curiosity straight into the jaws of a shark.
Your eyes adjust to the dim light pretty quickly.
Of course, you are used to it.
Your eyes narrow when they land on the frozen figure of the young officer, staring up at the body of the woman, nailed to the wall, whose search had led him here.
The body is half-decomposed with an awful stench emanating off of it. Mouth and eyes stitched open in a way that makes it seem like the woman had died in the middle of a scream. That being said, there were no eyes to speak off, and the tongue had been removed as well. All there was left of her degrading face was a barely intact nose and several wisps of dry hair falling forward to cover her rotting visage. You might as well assume that she had seen something so beyond comprehension that it singed her very eyes. But the truth was far less poetic and more of a result of dissection.
It is rather tragic, one might say. The person you he hoped to find, preferably alive, was right in front of him. Did he find her? Yes. As for the status in which he found her... Well, needless to say, you couldn’t suppress the sick satisfaction that bubbled up at the utterly defeated expression of horror on his face.
And you love it.
<<if $killingpersonality is "gleeful">>
“You’ve ventured off quite far, haven’t you, officer?” You giggle, amusement growing when he jumps and stares at you with fearful bulging eyes.
<<elseif $killingpersonality is "stoic">>
“What a pity,” you drawl in a monotonous voice. The previous warmth all gone when you were talking to him before. “Curiosity did kill the cat.”
The man jumps and turns to stare at you with fearful bulging eyes.
<<else>>
“You know,” your voice barely conceals the itching anger, the tip of the barbed baseball bat scratching the floor as you walk towards the officer. “You really should not be looking into other people’s business. Or in this case, their basement.”<</if>>
<<if $permit>> You snarl. “Especially with a fake permit.”<</if>>
He slowly turns to look at you, his eyes are already fixed on you with an incomprehensible hopeless look. His mind had already began shutting down to accept his fate, despite his racing heart.
Like a terrified rabbit who had just witnessed something that will haunt his dreams and nightmares alike. Lucky for him, he will only dream of oblivion from now on.
Officer Henry Wilson could not even will a scream out of his lungs as you swing the deadly bat with an unnatural force. The last thing he ever saw was the room feeling smaller than ever before and Dr. $firstname $lastname’s usually <<if $outerpersonality is "friendly">>friendly<<elseif $outerpersonality is "fiery">>energetic<<else>>kind<</if>> $eye_color eyes tinted with a sinister red under the dim light.
<strong>End of chapter one</strong><div class="center">\
!!.the prologue.
!!!.the raven sings alone.
</div>\
<div class="center">
!!!Content Warnings:
<strong>Insinuation of child abuse.</strong>
[[Continue|PrologueStart]]
</div><div class="center">\
!!.chapter one.
!!!.those rumours, they have big teeth.
</div>\
<div class="center">
!!!Content Warnings:
<strong>Murder, death, body horror & violence.</strong>
[[Continue|ChapterOneStart]]
</div>