Murder

You stare at the knife as it tremors in your hand. It is a large bowie knife intended for wilderness survival. It was a gift from Magdalene for the trip [[Look at the blade]] [[Look at the handle]]

African Blackwood immaculately contrasted with golden brass. You look at your initials plated in an elegant cursive script, A.W, Arthur Walker. Most people called you Art, but Dr. Handschuh always called you Walker. [[Your attention returns to the scene in front of you. ->Your attention]] (set: $initials to true)

The blade of the knife suggests ornamental use instead of practical, as it curves and awkwardly thickens towards the tip. The striking polished steel has been tainted red, giving it a twisted beauty. [[Your attention returns to the scene in front of you ->Your attention]] (set: $crown to false)

In a pool of blood in front of you lies Dr. Friedrich Handschuh. Dead. The moments before now are a haze of sadness, disgust and extraordinary anger. You were responsible for this. You try to clear the memories of [[minutes]] and [[hours]] before, why did this happen?

The last words of Dr. Handschuh. “You are an antiquarian, Walker. You of all people should respect and admire the decision for [[the Crown]] to be donated to the museum.” From then on all you see is red, the haze of anger.

Oceans of nausea and anxiety as you walk to the museum. Mags had reassured you that you would be walking back with [[the Crown]], but you brought the knife… This was premeditated. You feel some warmth leave your skin

The Crown sits on Dr Handschuh’s desk, basking in golden light from the window. The right to decipher its 429 runes, analyse the composition of its various metals and verify its 22 gems was promised to you after you discovered it. But there it sat for 10 months on Dr. Handschuh’s mantlepiece, unstudied, all for it to be locked behind a museum display. The Crown represented salvation from 15 years of struggle after university, and here it was. A wave of nausea ripples through your body. [[Take the Crown]]

You take the heavy Crown into your hands. There you realise your right hand has stained it with blood. You wipe it off and turn around and see Dr. Handschuh on the floor. (set: $crown to true) [[Might there still be a chance at that salvation?]] [[I really need to leave]]

You unsteadily approach Dr. Handschuhs, every step is more difficult than the last. You remember Handschuh's empty cabinet where he planned to display some unused museum items, probably the Crown too. [[If I could quickly hide the body]] [[There might still be people around]]

The museum is meant to be empty but the chance of other people being here is too great. You reach the door and look back at Dr. Handschuh. [[I might be found out if I don't clean things ->Might there still be a chance at that salvation?]] [[Leave Office]]

The museum is usually unstaffed on Sundays. But if Handschuh is here it’s likely there are others. [[If I could quickly hide the body]] [[I really need to leave]]

You begin moving around Handschuh’s body, blood oozes as you do. Suddenly Like a terrific wind, sickness brings you to your knees. You attempt to resist it but it’s no use, you vomit on Handschuh and the rug. [[That's it I have to go]] [[Recuperate and attempt to roll the rug around Handschuh]]

You leave through the empty museum (if: $SecondM is false)[and see Handschuh’s assistant heading towards his office] [[Leave Museum (Walk)]]

You get up and quickly head towards the exit. Suddenly you hear the door click and begin creaking. With the knife clasped, you freeze. (after: 5s)["Dr. Handschuh I brought-”] (after: 9s)[A man walks in. You quickly measure him to be a similar age to you but with shorter and greyer hair. His eyes dart around like lightning piecing together the scene in front of him] (after: 19s)[He Screams] (after: 23s)[ (link-goto: "Run") or] (after: 26s)[ (link-goto: "Kill")]

You get up and try not to think about how much lunch is left in your stomach and begin rolling the rug around Dr. Handschuh. Before you make any progress you hear the door click and begin creaking. With the knife clasped, you freeze. (after: 10s)["Dr. Handschuh I brought-”] (after: 14s)[A man walks in. You quickly measure him to be a similar age to you but with shorter and greyer hair. His eyes dart around like lightning piecing together the scene in front of him] (after: 24s)[He Screams] (after: 29s)[ (link-goto: "Run") or] (after: 32s)[ (link-goto: "Kill")]

You stare at the assistant and reflexively plunge the knife into him. You feel like shit (set: $SecondM to true) [[Leave Office]] [[Hide Both Bodies]]

You jump out the window [[Leave Museum (run)]]

You leave the museum. The world feels it has had the colour removed. You continue home [[Reach Graveyard]]

(if: $RG2 is false)[You reach the graveyard. You didn’t have anywhere to store the crown and knife and walking/running with them is quite conspicuous. You might be able to conceal one of them in your jacket](else:)[You change your mind on burying the knife] [[Hide Knife]] [[Hide Crown]] (link-reveal-goto: "Hurry Home", "Go Home")[(set: $Hurry to true)]

You hide the knife in the dirt of the graveyard. (if: $SecondM is true)[you remember the death of the assistant] (if: $SecondM is true)[[Gravestones]] (if: $initials is true)[[Remember initials]] [[Go Home]]

(if: $Hurry is true)[You make an effort to be quick!] Your dingy little house beside the cemetary approaches. What is Magdalene going to think if she finds out? [[Lie to her]] [[Tell her the truth]]

You think about how the assistant might have been able to live a full life if it weren’t for you. [[Hide Knife]]

You hide the crown in the dirt. You remember some of Handschuh’s words “The crown is too good for you” (set: $crown to false) [[Go Home]]

You take the knife out (set: $RG2 to true) [[What next->Reach Graveyard]]

Your initials are written on the handle of the knife. [[Take Knife Out]] [[Hide it better]]

You bury the knife deeper, and make an effort to hide the disturbed dirt with some flowers from the graves [[Go Home]]

You continue running from the museum until you tire out next to the graveyard [[Reach Graveyard]]

You manage to force your body to wrap them both in the rug and stuff it into the cabinet. It makes you feel like complete garbage (set: $perfectM to true) [[Leave Office]]

(set: $RG2 to false) (set: $perfectM to false) (set: $secondM to false)

How long can you keep it hidden? [[She is not going to find out]] (if: $crown is true)[(link-goto: "I can still study it")] [[She can't find out]]

People will notice Handschuh and his assistant missing, you have bought yourself half a day maximum before people begin to connect the dots. [[Nobody knew I was there]]

Will it bring any sort of fulfilment given the way in which you obtained it? You will be helping nobody except your lust for knowledge [[...]]

And what would be the objective of doing something so stupid [[Perhaps she will understand]] [[She doesn't need to hear the whole truth]]

Magdalene Knew [[...]]

And how will you stop her from finding out? [[...]]

She’s Christian, Arthur. [[...]]

She’s not stupid, Arthur. [[...]]

You open the door to your little shack, Magdalene should be home somewhere [[Call out to Magdalene]]

"Mags?" Magdalene appears from the study (if: $crown is true)[ her face lights up when she sees you with the crown “Things went well?”] (else:)[“How did things go?”] (if: $crown is false)[(link-goto: "I didn't get the crown")] [[There was an accident]] (if: $crown is true)[(link-goto: "I got the crown")]

“Things got heated and he attacked me, one thing happened after another and the knife… just…” Magdalene looks shocked “Is he?...” [[...->...2]]

“Handschuh just will not let me study it” you say Magdalene frowns “Handschuh is an absolute criminal, all this waiting for nothing” [[At this point]]

Magdalene beams and embraces you excitedly. “So he came around just like that?” “I know, it’s fantastic” [["Now I have 10 months of studying to catch up on"->Now I have 10 months of studying to catch up on]]

Magdalene leaves to get something special from the market to celebrate. You head to your tiny study and begin working on the crown. Inspecting the runes and realising how utterly meaningless they are to you makes you question the chances of making significant progress before the thoughts of getting captured begin to invade [[Nobody is going to find out]] [[I can solve this]]

“If he stole it from you, perhaps there is no evil in retrieving it. Though, the authorities won’t see it that way.” [[That's where the runaway part]]

“You’re being serious?” She says with surprise. Magdalene slumps “I’ll go speak with him tomorrow” [[... ->You can't do that]] (link-reveal-goto: "You can't do that")[(set: $abnormal to true)] [[I've wanted this crown for so long]]

He stole it from me in the first place. To him that crown is just a trinket for his mantlepiece. Taking it would be a better act than letting him keep it. Magdalene sighs in response “but stealing nonetheless is evil.” The air tensens. [["Fine"->You can't do that]] [["I don't see any other way" ->You can't do that]]

(if: $abnormal is true)[“You can’t do that” you blurt out shakily Magdalene gives you a firm, inquisitive look] “One last attempt can’t hurt, after that we’ll figure out how to go forward” A pause silences the room “For now let’s rest” Magdalene finally says (if: $perfectM is false)[(link-goto: "Rest", "Detectors arrive")] (if: $perfectM is true)[(link-goto: "Rest", "She finds out")]

You pass a depressed look and Magdalene begins to tear up. She sits down. [[Attempt to comfort her]] [["I sent an officer to him" ->I sent an officer]]

Magdalene sobs and says “Okay” before crying a little more and saying ”I’m sorry I have to leave” [["Magdalene..."->Magdalene]]

You walk towards her to console her. She pushes you away and stands up (if: $crown is true)["Why do you have the crown?"] (else:)["Did you try to help him? Maybe he wasn’t…"] (if: $crown is true)[(link-goto: "I-")] (if: $crown is false)[(link-goto: "I sent an officer")] (if: $crown is false)[(link-goto: "He was beyond saving")]

Magdalene’s face grows red, you see a mix of rage and terrible sadness. She storms off out of the front door [["..."->Magdalene]]

Magdalene cries some more before saying “I can’t” She gets up and leaves the building [["Magdalene..."->Magdalene]]

When Magdalene finds out she will tell the police, her values are too strong to bend to you. (if: $perfectM is true)[(link-goto: "Continue Studying", "Dinner and sleep")] (else:)[(link-goto: "Continue Studying", "Magdalene had heard")]

If you weren’t able to figure out how to peacefully acquire the crown in the first place, how could you figure out how to dig yourself out of this hole AND translate the runes on the crown. (if: $perfectM is true)[(link-goto: "Continue Studying", "Dinner and sleep")] (else:)[(link-goto: "Continue Studying", "Magdalene had heard")]

You continue studying but no work gets done, the runes are too elusive and your mind is too distracted. Flickers of blood and the face of Handschuh’s assistant are all that remain of that rage from earlier. Magdalene returns, you pray, eat and go to bed with your mind constantly occupied. A constant anchor on your heart. Come morning the thoughts manifest as an intense physical pain in your chest. Guilt weighs you down and muddies your critical thinking. [[Hand yourself in->hand yourself in 2]] [[Continue studying]]

You continue studying but no work gets done, the runes are too elusive and your mind is too distracted. Flickers of blood are all that remain of that rage from earlier. Magdalene should’ve been home hours ago. A knock at the door awakens you from your rumination. Two men in long brown trench coats stand before you. It was the police. Either by finding the body or by confession of Magdalene they traced it back to you. They talk at you mentioning witness accounts and bits and bobs of evidence, but your mind is occupied trying to piece together how Magdelene would have found out and reactively told the police. You feel betrayed, but if she

After some time you step outside and Magdalene is nowhere to be seen. You walk for a while, probably hours. Perhaps at a chance to find her, perhaps just to clear your head. But your head is drowning in thoughts about how things could’ve been done differently. Magdalene is almost certainly going to hand you in at some point regardless of what she thinks the truth is and where the guilt lies, “you need to repent” she would say. And regardless of what she knows, you are guilty through and through. Magdalene likely hates you, or will grow to hate you. (if: $secondM is true)[A bridge approaches. It crosses a small ravine with a river running at the bottom. It occurs to you that It’s not a fatal drop down. your thoughts are occupied by Handschuh’s assistant and what he didn’t deserve] [[Perhaps I should go back]] (if: $secondM is true)[(link-goto: "Perhaps I should see where the river leads")] [[Magdalene would want me to turn myself in->Hand yourself in]]

It would relieve your guilty conscience and Magdalene would approve. [[Maybe there's another way->Magdalene]] [[Do it]]

Before you can finish the sentence in your mind two men stop you. “Arthur Walker?” You gently nod “Come with us” It was the police. Either by finding the body or by confession of Magdalene they traced it back to you. You were silent during most of the interrogations, you heard them talking about witnesses, a knife, a crown. No mention of Magdalene. It wouldn’t have mattered what you said to them, you left a trail for them to come right to you in a matter of hours. You never heard from Magdalene again in prison, but no doubt she wants absolutely nothing to do with you.

It was a long walk to the station, with every step you felt confident in your decision. You were arrested, questioned lightly and after a few bureaucratic steps quickly thrown in prison. You never got to see her again, but the words of the officers and your thoughts convinced you that she thought of you with total contempt.

You feel a little bit of clarity, this feels like the right thing to do. Guilt still makes every step towards the station painful and heavy. Describing what you did to the police broke you. You did those terrible things and had the audacity to think you could get away with it. Justice was swift and you were behind bars within days. You hope that Magdalene doesn’t grow to resent you.

You discard your regular morning routine in an attempt to quickly find the crown’s secrets. But it’s too much, you barely even register the world in front of you. [[Hand yourself in->hand yourself in 2]]

You and magdalene attempt to sit peacefully, as futile as that is for you. A knock at the door is heard. The police. Magdalene is completely distraught, you betrayed her. It almost feels pointless to argue the accusation, witnesses you never saw, blood, motive. It all points to you apparently. It doesn’t matter, Magdalene would never believe it.

The rest of the night is uneventful outside of your head. But your mind is slowly tearing itself apart thinking about Handschuh’s assistant and how you could’ve done things differently. [[hand yourself in 2]] [[Disperse the thoughts]]

You decide to go to sleep early in an attempt to calm your mind. Come morning you feel a little better. But Handschuh’s assistant’s face enters your mind occasionally and you feel the sting of a knife upon your heart. Magdalene has already left and you quickly realise it’s only a matter of time before it all catches up to you. The guilt returns like a typhoon. [[hand yourself in 2]] [[Attempt an escape]]

You try to swim through the terrible thoughts and memories of yesterday and pack a few things. You realise the futility of it and just begin walking. You close the door to your shack and turn to see two men approaching you. It’s over The interrogation is swift, your guilt is immense as you think about Magdalene having to discover your evil for herself. And just how terrible the evil was. Never again would you have a clear mind, the remembrance of your actions fogging your every action and thought.

It felt like a million seconds, every single one dedicated to Magdalene or Handschuh's assistant. Despite your body thrashing, your thoughts cannot help but believe that this is what Mags would have wanted.