Talia Spiderweb

(text-rotate-x:332)[TALIA SPIDERWEB] By Hai-Mo Hu "I knew something was very wrong about this school..." [[Start]] [[Click here to see sound references]]

You open your eyes and realize that you are sitting in a classroom and in a student's seat. Looking around, all the desks and chairs, including the ones you sit in, are the same combination of wood and steel. There are students in casual uniforms around you. Some are reading in their seats; some are chatting in groups. A student is writing "geography practice sheets x1, Mandarin workbook C3 p.25-30" at the center of the blackboard at the front. The date October 11, 2017, is at the bottom left corner of the blackboard. On the desk in front of you, the name on all textbooks and workbooks is "Renna Tseng." //I have to do something. I have to start looking for her myself. What if somebody took her?// Renna's thoughts ring in your head. [[Check Renna's desk drawer for clues]]

A teacher walks into the classroom and announces that there are ten minutes left before the evening self-study session begins. Not many classmates pay attention to that announcement. There are so many things in Renna's drawer. All kinds of textbooks, notebooks, sheets, and test papers are crammed there in that small rectangle. You have no idea where to begin. //Ever since this weird thing started, I have begun journaling. I used to think journaling was a waste of time. But this whole thing is just too much. I need somewhere to put down and sort my thoughts and clues. The dark blue notebook I was going to use for biology class' notes seemed like a good option.// Renna thinks. As you try to pull the dark blue notebook out, a piece of wrinkly paper slides out. [[Read the piece of paper]] [[Read the journal]] <audio autoplay> <source src="assets/searching.wav"></audio>

You feel overwhelmed after reading the clues. You decide to get up from Renna's seat and talk to someone in this room. Two girls walk past you and whisper about how strange it is that Renna sits by herself. Thinking about Renna's thoughts earlier and wanting to figure out what is going on and who is Renna, you wonder if these two girls are the perfect first targets to ask for information. [[See if there are other people who seem able to provide more useful information]] [[Chat with the girls ]]

The way the two girls whisper makes you feel like they do not want you to know what they are talking about. You decide to look for other people to talk to. Groups of people do not seem like a great option since they might live in their own worlds and not have any information for you. You look around the classroom and notice a guy reading in his own seat. //Yes, Kevin. He's always there and listens to everyone's conversations. Maybe he has answers or information.// Renna thinks. You walk up to Kevin. "Hey, Kevin. Can I ask you something?" Kevin looks up from his book and sighs, "What?" "Do you know anything about where she went?" "How the hell would I have any clue?" He buries his face back in his book. Bad luck. He happens to be grumpy at the moment. "If I were you, I'd start somewhere she was always relaxed and could hide a lot of her secrets. Dorm, for example." Just when you try to look for another person to talk to, Kevin throws this sentence at you. You ask a friend to help cover for you in the classroom and...... [[Go to the DORM]]

The girls walk to the water dispenser on the balcony. You grab the water bottle hanging on the side of Renna's desk and follow them. They continue to talk about something else and do not even realize you are standing next to them. "I have no idea where she is." You piece together Renna's thoughts earlier and the whispering from these two girls. There must be a girl whom Renna used to be around. "We thought you knew," one of the girls gasps. "We haven't seen her for two or three days." "This is weird. Oh, but I thought I heard from Malissa that she saw Talia at the gym. When she was on her way back from the music center as usuals......" The other girl continues the conversation. You ask a friend to help cover for you in the classroom and...... [[Go to the GYM]]

The handwriting on the piece of paper is very messy. You can see that whoever wrote this was in great distress or rush. It says, "Maybe they're onto us. I don't know what they're gonna do. She talked to me in a weird room the other day. She threatened me. I can't let Renna know this." //I found it on my desk in the dorm. The night Talia was no where to be seen all of a sudden. She wasn't even in her dorm room. It just sat there. My roomates had no idea who put it there. But I'm sure, at least, this is Talia's handwriting, and this is a page from her secret notebook. The one she hides her diary in, mixing with English grammar notes. Somebody must took her notebook......// Renna thinks. [[Read the journal]] [[Get up from Renna's seat.]]

The dark blue notebook has Renna's name on it. Its covers are made of graphite linen. The edges of the pages are a little rough. There are only two pieces of writing. "October 9, 2017. Talia just disappeared yesterday. We had dinner together, but then, she didn't show up for the evening self-study. She didn't say anything. She would have told me if she was leaving the school for something. If she is just somewhere on campus that we don't normally go to, why haven't I seen her back in the dorm?" "October 10, 2017. Since Mrs. Liao wouldn't let us use our phones as the midterm is around the corner, I called Talia's mom with the payphone near the health center. Maybe she's one of them. Glad I still remember her number. She said she didn't pick Talia up from school. That means Talia's not on any leave. I had to tell her mom a lie so she wouldn't worry. This is getting weird and scary. Why is nobody in the school talking about this?" [[Read the piece of paper]] [[Get up from Renna's seat.]]

To keep a low profile, you arrive at the back of the gym. The lights there are not bright enough to make everything clear. The dark and gray blurs of silhouettes wiggle from the corners of your eyes. The area is too quiet. Not even a White-eyed Nun Babbler sings. There are three doors at the back of the gym, but they do not look like ways to go inside the gym. //I've never been here before. What do these doors open to? Is one of these the "weird room" Talia wrote about?// Renna thinks. You turn away from the doors to think but only to see a silhouette of a person not far ahead of you. The moonlight leaks out from the heavy clouds, and you realize that person is Malissa. [[Talk to Malissa]] [[Check out what is behind the doors]]

//Talia would love this breeze tonight. She loves the transition times between seasons. They make her feel soft and warm, not steaming hot or freezing cold. I hope I can find her soon.// On the way to the dorm, you hear another thought from Renna. Only a few lights stay on when you sneak into the dorm. The smell of shampoo and snacks is still fresh. There is laundry ready to get sent to the cleaner, slippers lying around near the doors to each dorm room, and even a couple of bras hanging here and there. //Talia's room is right there at the end of the hallway. //Renna thinks. Before the rooms at the end of the hallway, there is one room with bright light pouring out. The name plaque says, Mrs. Liao. [[Carefully walk past Mrs. Liao's room and go to Talia's room]] [[Might as well talk to Mrs. Liao]]

You go up to Malissa. Noticing you coming from the dark, she jumps a little. "Hey, Rere. You scared me," says Malissa. "Sorry. I just want to ask you about Talia. I heard from the girls that you saw her here." The smile on her face swiftly vanishes. "Yeah...... I saw a monk talking to her that night." "The night she went missing?" She nods and continues, "I'm so sorry, Rere. It was too dark. I couldn't figure out which monk it was." "I guess you couldn't overhear anything either?" She shakes her head. "Where did she go? What's happening? I'm scared, Rere." You can see tears gathering in her eyes. [[Check out what is behind the doors]] [[Give up and go back to the classroom]]

You cannot see through the glass part of the doors and see the moonlight reflecting on the floor inside the gym. Then, they definitely are not gateways to the inside of the gym. //The color green of the doors doesn't look like the way it is during the day. It's not bright and soft now.// Renna thinks. You hear a sound of something solid drops on the floor from one of the doors. //Oh my god! Okay. Phew.// Renna's thoughts jump from the sound as well. //Well, I guess I need to take a look. It's ridiculous, but I have to make sure that Talia's not in there. Be brave.// The door on the left has a note on it saying "Do not enter!" Strangely, you can still smell the marker ink on the paper. The doorknob to the door in the middle seems hanging by a thread. It should not be too hard to get in there. The door on the right has some dangling strings of spiderwebs here and there. [[Open the door on the left]] [[Open the door on the right]] [[Open the door in the middle]]

The room is pitch-black. You reach for the light switch. The lights turn on, and a classmate is sitting on the ground before you. You stare at each other for a moment. //Damian?// Renna thinks. "Fine, you got me," says Damian. "What are you doing here?" You ask. Why would anyone hide in a dark room at the back of the gym? He pulls out a smartphone. "To use my hidden phone, genius. Why are YOU here?" "I'm looking for Talia." Hearing Talia's name, he stands up all of a sudden. He crosses his arms. "What about her?" His reaction is weird, but you do not know if that suggests anything. "Have you seen her or heard anything about her?" "I've always felt like there's something interesting between you two. Renna and Talia." He does not answer your question. He looks at you in a way that almost seems like he is looking forward to your response or reaction. //Be careful. I can't let Damian know our true relationship. Who knows if he is one of "them" Talia wrote about in her diary.// Renna's voice rings loud in your head. [["Interesting friendship. That's what's between us. Why? Don't you have any?"]] [["I didn't know that you pay so much attention to us."]] <audio autoplay> <source src="assets/dooropening.wav"></audio>

The door is locked. [[Give up and go back to the classroom]] [[Open the door on the left]] [[Open the door in the middle]] <audio autoplay> <source src="assets/lockeddoor.wav"></audio>

The room is pitch-black. You reach for the light switch. The lights turn on. No one is in this room. There are only various types of sports equipment lying around. Some are organized and in baskets. Some are just on the ground and in the corners. [[Give up and go back to the classroom]] [[Open the door on the left]] [[Open the door on the right]] <audio autoplay> <source src="assets/dooropening.wav"></audio>

One clue after another, so many things lead to nothing. You feel exhausted and overwhelmed. Perhaps this whole thing is a mistake. What exactly can you do? The school is too big, and the teacher in charge of the evening self-study session is going to notice you ditch the study time and come get you. You do not know for sure Talia is still on campus. Perhaps she snuck out of school to do something fun. Even if you do find her, what then? You have no phones and no transportation to get out of here. [[Game over -1]]

Damian squints his eyes. "No, I probably don't have what you have." You decide to ignore his suggestive tone. "Why did you act all weird when you heard her name? What do you know?" "Why should I tell you anything?" He shrugs. "Because I'm looking for my friend! You will tell me anything you know if you're still a decent human." He takes one step forward. "Do you honestly think that I will buy this? I don't believe there are any true friendships in this school. Everyone is too busy worrying about grades and protecting their own asses from getting punished by teachers. Who would care about their friend so much that they risk receiving punishments to act like a detective?" "I would." He continues, "Unless you two have some fishy relationship going on. Moreover, why would you assume anything bad happens to your 'friend'? Maybe a teacher is giving her extra lessons. Or maybe, she just runs off without you because of something bad she did." //How can he be so mean? He must be one of them. I can't take it anymore.// Renna's thoughts scream. [[Punch Damian in the face]] [[Go to the DORM]]

Damian rolls his eyes. "I don't. I pay attention to no one." "Please, Damian. Talia has been gone for days. Nobody knows where she is, even her mom." He frowns and looks away. "I don't know where she is, either." "What about who was the last person she talk to? Do you know that? Have you seen anything?" He stares at his feet. "I can't tell you that......" "Why?" "Stop throwing questions at me!" He looks up, and his eyes are bloodshot. "I don't believe it. Who would care about their friend so much that they risk receiving punishments to act like a detective? Unless you two have some fishy relationship going on." "I just want to find my friend. I know she's still somewhere in this school." [[Threaten Damian with the fact that you just caught him using a phone]] [[Continue to try persuade Damian]]

You leave the game. Renna still cannot find Talia and she is heartbroken. Talia Spiderweb shatters into pieces...... [[Title page]]

You carefully walk past Mrs. Liao's room. There are sounds of a video playing leaking out of her room. You are paying attention to Mrs. Liao's room when Renna's thoughts come to you. //That's strange. Why is there a light on in Talia's room? People should be at the evening self-study session.// You push open the door of Talia's room. There is a girl sitting at Talia's desk. "Renna? What are you doing here?" She jumps and quickly hides a small book behind her back. [[Ask her who is she]] [[Ask her what is that behind her back]]

You knock on the door of Mrs. Liao's room. Mrs. Liao opens the door with her eyes widened. "Why are you here?" "I'm sorry, Mrs. Liao. I just have to figure out where Talia is......" The moment she hears "Talia," she pulls you into her room with a nervous face. She pauses the video. "You need to stop your obsession over her." "But she's missing! Aren't you worried at all?" She sighs. "I know and I am worried. But there's nothing you can do, and you might get yourself hurt if you keep going like this. Leave this to us teachers." "It's been days, and no one is doing anything." She grabs your shoulders. "Listen to me, Renna! I don't want you to get hurt as well. They're already on to you two. Don't let them get you." "What?" She opens the door and pushes you out back to the hallway. "Go back to your classroom. Be careful." [[Knock on the door and demand to know more]] [[Give up and go back to the classroom]] [[Carefully walk past Mrs. Liao's room and go to Talia's room]] <audio autoplay> <source src="assets/doorknock.mp3"></audio>

"I caught you using your phone." He smirks and slides the phone into his back pocket. "So? Whose story do you think teachers will believe in more?" "What?" "The ranking of my grades is so much better than yours. My parents have a great relationship with teachers. I am not in any romantic relationship or fishy friendship that the school would want to investigate and punish......" He counts with his fingers. "Right. It will be such a pity that a perfect record gets screwed by such a small thing." You decide to stand firm. He freezes, seeing you are not affected by his words. "You can't possibly threaten me. I can easily tell anyone about your weird lesbian relationship, and you will be screwed." "And WHO will believe you? I think a lot of people don't really care. Especially if I don't admit anything." He grinds his teeth a little. "There are people who care. They will listen to me no matter what." "Who?" He tries to hold back his words but he cannot stand the fact that he is losing this argument. You can see the vein on his temple growing more obvious. "Monk Chien-Shin," he whispers. [[Go to Monk Chien-Shin's office]]

"What the hell?" Damian screams in pain. There are no words coming out. You/ Renna are shocked at what you did. "You will pay for this. You disgusting gay people." Damian reaches into his pocket and pulls out the phone. He dials the phone. "Monk Chien-Shin, it's me, Damian. You're right. They're dangerous. Renna is next to me right now. She attacked me and admitted that she shares a romantic relationship with Talia." "What? I didn't admit anything!" "Who do you think Monk Chien-Shin will believe in?" He smirks. [[Game over -2]] <audio autoplay> <source src="assets/punch.wav"></audio>

Talia is no where to be found. Renna gets expelled for having an inappropriate homosexual relationship. Talia Spiderweb shatters into pieces...... [[Title page]]

"I don't believe it." Damian crosses his arms. "What?" "All this friendship talk. Why don't you worry about yourself first?" He sits down on the edge of a basket that carries volleyballs. "Why should I worry about myself? I'm here and I'm fine. But Talia's not." He ponders for a few seconds. "Maybe you're right. There's nothing to worry about. No, not even for Talia. Because you two made some terrible mistakes." "What are you talking about? We've never done anything wrong." He storms up and gets too close to your face. "The monks already know what you did. Not fulfilling your responsibilities as students is one thing, but not acting normal and calling that love, that's sinful." "Did they put those ideas in your head?" You take a few steps back. Your back is against the door. "I plan to be a human again in my next life, unlike you," he puts on a smile like he is about to win a prize. "You know what? If you admit and be honest, you might get a second chance at making things right. Perhaps even seeing Talia again. She's in Monk Chien-Shin's office, after all." [[Follow what Damian suggests]] [[Go to Monk Chien-Shin's office]]

"I'm sorry, but who are you?" The girl looks surprised. "Are you kidding me? I'm Zoe. I sit in the back in Veronica's Spanish class." //Right, right. I can't believe I forget about her.// Renna thinks. "Sorry." "Why are you here?" Zoe asks. "Looking for Talia," you frown. "Shouldn't that be my question, though? This is Talia's room." Hearing Talia's name, she stands up. "Are you two girlfriends? The romantic kind." "What kind of question is that? No, we're just friends." "You're risking a lot and acting abnormally. Not something I think would happen between friends and in this school." She takes one step closer to you. "I care about her, that's all." "Still denying it, cool," she pulls out that small book behind her back. "That's fine. I got proof." She squeezes past you and shuts the door behind you. Her movement is so smooth that you think you witness a snake getting away. You turn around in shock. She waves and winks at you through the narrow piece of glass on the door. "I'm so sick of being treated like I'm invisible! Thank you for motivating me to do this." [[Give up and go back to the classroom]] [[Go after Zoe]]

"I'm trying to find Talia or anything that can lead me to her. What's that behind your back?" "That's none of your business," says the girl. //Zoe! The girl from Spanish class. Now I remember her.// Renna's thoughts exclaim. "It's kind of my business. Zoe, you're in her seat." Zoe sighs and pulls out the small book. "Sorry. I think this is her diary." "Where did you get it?" "I think it was confiscated by a dorm room teacher. It was under a pile of other documents, but when she took the pile, she dropped it. I grabbed it before anyone noticed," she pushes Talia's diary away from her. "Last Friday." "Was it you that left a piece of this on my dorm desk?" You remember the piece of paper from Renna's drawer back in the classroom. "Yeah, thought it might be fun before I have to return this diary to someone," she smiles. "I couldn't find Talia. That's why I'm here. Thinking whether I should leave it here, or hold on to it." "Thanks." She nods and stands up. "Well, now that you have it. I should go back to my homeroom." With her hand on the doorknob, she turns back to you. "I'm sorry. I actually read it. I just want to say, stay safe. I think Monk Chien-Shin's on to you." She rushes out of the room before you can say anything. [[Read Talia's diary]] [[Go to Monk Chien-Shin's office]]

You knock on the door again and demand Mrs. Liao to explain what she just said. This time, there is zero response. The sound of video-playing is back on. Yet, you can tell that Mrs. Liao is not watching that video. There are sounds of her pacing the floor and moving stuff. You knock again. Nothing. [[Give up and go back to the classroom]] [[Carefully walk past Mrs. Liao's room and go to Talia's room]]

The building where the monks' offices are located is gray and dark. Except for the huge gates to the worship hall being red, the rest of the architecture is mostly gray like the ashes from the burnt incense. You walk past the red gates and find the office door that has Monk Chien-Shin's name on it. There are dim lights coming through the windows. "There you are. I was going to ask you to join us sooner or later, but you're in such a rush." Right after you push open the door, a gentle and steady voice speaks. ''Talia is right there, sitting across from Monk Chien-Shin at her desk.'' She tears up as soon as she sees you. "What have you done to her? Why is she kept here?" "Please don't raise your voice here, Ms. Tseng." Monk Chien-Shin takes a sharp look at Talia, and that makes Talia lower her head and stop looking at you. "Let her go." You try to walk a little closer to them, but the air in this room is so heavy on your shoulders. "Where are you planning to go?" She smiles. "If you are just going to take her back to the classroom or dorm, that's not going to work. Because I will just keep getting you back here until you learn your lesson." "What lesson is that? Love is love, you monster." "Saying things like that will only deduct your moral points, you know that. Or have you not been paying attention in my classes, either? Do you want to become an animal or ghost in your next life?" She stands up and walks toward you. "You can't do things like this to us. If anyone from the outside world knows about this, YOU are the one who will get punished." She places her hands on your shoulders. "Exactly how are people from the outside going to know about this? You have no phones to record any proof, silly. And nobody will believe a brat over a well-respected monk." [[Push Monk Chien-Shin]] [[Continue the argument]]

//I can finally get to see her again! She's in Monk Chien-Shin's office!// Renna's thoughts scream in joy. "Are you going to tell Monk Chien-Shin about this and let me see Talia? Or are you going to take me there right now?" You let Renna's rush takes over. //I can change my story later. I'll just have to find Talia first. Then, I'll grab her, and we'll escape together no matter what! We'll figure out the rest later.// Renna thinks. "I'll call her now, and we'll see what happens next," he says. [[Game over -2]]

Monk Chien-Shin falls down. You grab Talia's hand and run out the door. "Are you ok?" You ask between gasps. "Yeah, just listened to a lot of that crap for days. Is she going to be ok? She's kind of old," said Talia. "Seriously? She kidnapped you away from me and your school time, and you're worried about her?" "Fine." She chuckles. You run to the lower fence behind the cafeteria and climb out. [[VICTORY]]

Monk Chien-Shin takes your hands. "Let me help you. Let me direct you girls back to the righteous lane." You feel like your body cannot move. "This is ridiculous. Isn't Buddhism all about kindness and mercy?" "Indeed. That is what I am trying to do. Being merciful and guiding you back on track." She smiles and squeezes your hands. "We never did anything wrong. You can tell us to focus on our schoolwork, but you can't say that what we have is wrong." You struggle to break free but fail. "There should be nothing between you two. Your feelings are unnatural and dangerous." She drags you to the seat next to Talia and presses you down. "It's no use, Reni." You hear a whisper coming from Talia, but her eyes stay focused on her feet. [[Game over -3]]

"What next?" Talia asks. "We'll figure it out together. Let's just walk downhill to the town first." Renna smiles and holds Talia's hand tight. ~THE END~ [[Title page]]

You open the diary carefully and find the page that got torn. "October 5, 2017. Dear Diary, Monk Chien-Shin wanted to see me today. It can never be a good thing when a monk asks to see you. She sent Damian to come and get me. I told him that I had a busy day with all the schoolwork and piano lessons at the music center, and I stayed close to groups of people. They don't have any proof, so they can't force me to be anywhere or do anything, right? I think this is about Renna and me. Mrs. Liao has warned me about not acting so obviously and close to Renna. Monk Chien-Shin has talked about how romantic relationships can make people depraved in Buddhism-practice class. Poor Renna, I hope she doesn't notice any of this and get all worried......" "October 3, 2017. Dear Diary, Today was one of those perfect days. Sunshine was bright, but the temperature was nice. The breeze felt good on my skin. There was not much homework assigned, so I can probably work on my short story later during the evening study time. Renna gave me the most romantic kiss in her room before her roommates got back. Ok, fine, every kiss we share is romantic and sweet like the sweetest honey. I wish we were not here, so we don't have to hide this whole thing and pretend like we're just friends." There is more, but you close the book. [[Go to Monk Chien-Shin's office]] [[Leave the diary there and leave the dorm]]

Renna and Talia get expelled for having an inappropriate homosexual relationship. Talia Spiderweb shatters into pieces...... [[Title page]]

You storm out the door and run after Zoe. She heads toward the building where the Buddhism-practice classes take place. Hearing your movements, she picks up her pace. You do not realize how fast can she get. She jumps on staircases and squeezes through tiny or narrow spaces. The distance between you two gets longer. //Stop her! She's getting away!// Renna's thoughts yell. [[Throw your shoe at Zoe]] [[Keep running after Zoe]]

You stop, take off one of your shoes, and throw it at Zoe. It draws a beautiful curve in the air before landing on her head. "Ouch!" Zoe exclaims, squats down, and drops the small book. The joy of success from hitting the target with your shoe does not slow you down. Hurting from your heavy running shoe and sensing your determination, she picks herself up and runs off without the book in a panic. //Could have saved us from this chase.// Renna thinks. You pick up the small book. //It's Talia's diary!// Renna's thoughts gasp. [[Read Talia's diary]]

You want to stop Zoe as much as Renna does, but you have no idea how. Stopping and throwing your shoe at her does not seem like a promising plan. You can easily miss her and allow her to grab the chance to disappear at the next corner coming up. You keep running after her. She makes a right turn, and suddenly, a monk appears before you. You both come to an abrupt stop. The monk stares at you and says, "Do you not know the rule of not running in hallways?" "I'm sorry, Monk Chien-Shin. But I really need to show you this." Before you can say anything, Zoe opens her mouth and hands the small book to Monk Chien-Shin. Monk Chien-Shin opens the book and starts scanning it. [[Game over -2]]

References: Sounds: 1. Searching through shit.wav. Kodack. Retrieved from: https://freesound.org/people/Kodack/sounds/257570/ 2. Trying to open a locked door.wav. Kodack. Retrieved from: https://freesound.org/people/Kodack/sounds/256606/ 3. Door, Front, Opening.wav. InspectorJ. Retrieved from: https://freesound.org/people/InspectorJ/sounds/431117/ 4. PUNCH-BOXING-04.wav. newagesoup. Retrieved from: https://freesound.org/people/newagesoup/sounds/348241/ 5. Door knock.mp3. SubwaySandwitch420. Retrieved from: https://freesound.org/people/SubwaySandwitch420/sounds/540770/ [[Title page]]

You find the information overwhelming and are not sure what to do next. Perhaps this whole thing is a mistake. What exactly can you do? The school is too big, and the teacher in charge of the evening self-study session is going to notice you ditch the study time and come get you. You do not know for sure Talia is still on campus. You doubt Monk Chien-Shin, but there is no direct evidence. Nobody is telling the whole story, and you cannot be sure that everything they say is true. Even if you do find her, what then? You decide to leave Renna and the game. [[Game over -1]]