<body>
You are here in this moment...
==>
...as you were there in the previous one....
<==
...Driven mad and back again. Stranded in this [[forsaken valley of mist.]]
</body>
With no concept of time, you’re never sure whether or not sauntering through the fog is even worth it. But you don’t question it.
<i>"Would that you could..."</i> you think to yourself.
Every so often you are compelled to look [[up]].
[Strands of collective]<p1| strings float just above your head, darting from side to side.
(click:?p1)[You suspect they are more aware than they lead on, but with no proof, you chalk it up to your imagination being a victim of severe loniless.
They are fickle in nature, and often dart away when threatened.
Occasionally, you are prone to following the strings as they rhythmically blink. They hover up and down just out of your reach. Their light reflecting off your fingers.
A single strand dips below the collective. It bobs in front of you, [waiting...]<p2|]
(click:?p2)[You touch it and it ceases to be.
The ground around you (transition:"pulse")[(either: "quakes","shakes","rumbles")] and you hear the [[thrumming]] sound like you’ve never heard it before.]
(set: $either to true)
The distant thrum picks up to a rapid flutter. The ground vibrates with an intensity you've never known. The strings above disperse and the fog dissipates with an eerie quickness in all [directions.]<p1|
(click:?p1)[You look around… exposed and vulnerable.
However, the haze that once shrouded this land is gone and you can see things as clearly as you ever could.
You raise your gaze to the sky. It is a color that you've seen before, though in this place it appears deadened. <i>...as hard as you try, you cannot remember the color.</>
[(either: "Take a moment...","Observe your surroundings...")]<p2|]
(click:?p2)[There... just ahead....
Strings can be seen floating on top of a mound. There is some reluctance in facing your options, but you quickly realize there isn't much here for [you.]<p3|]
(click: ?p3)[Rush [[out of the void<-over to the mound]].]
You rush over to the mound. There's an [airiness]<p1| to your movement.
(click:?p1)[You look down to inspect yourself.
Your suspicions were correct in that you have felt discarnate in some way since arriving in this place. Moving out of the fog makes it more apparent.
Everything you perceive has a waspy translucent texture, including yourself. A tinge of radiance from the sky reflects off most surfaces you [see]<p2|.]
(click:?p2)[[<i>You can't help but wonder if this place has always looked like this.</i>]<p3|.]
(click:?p3)[Strings swoop and fizzle away as you advance on them. Your attention is transfixed on the newly recognized environment. The mound you are standing on overlooks a [juncture]<p4|.]
(click:?p4)[A desert-plains highway is forked in different directions...
Look [[This Way]] or look [[That Way]]]
At the end of this way you can make out a twinkle on the horizon. It appears long enough to see until it dips under and out of view, only to reappear again.
This unusual phenomena continues for as long as you look in this direction.
You are standing on a desert-plains highway forking in different directions.
You feel an urge to [[Go This Way<-go this way]] but your curiousity compels you to look [[That Way<-that way]].
At the end of That Way you can see a large structure, larger than anything you can recall ever seeing.
Its exterior brilliantly flickering against a fractured background of skyline. It is not transluscent and therefore as peaked your curiosity.
You are standing on a desert-plains highway forking in different directions.
You (either: "feel an urge to","are compelled to","think about") [[Go That Way]] but (either: "feel an urge to","are compelled to","think about","have a stronger curiosity to") look [[This Way]]
You follow the road down [that way]<Q1|.
(click:?Q1)[The valley floor, once filled with mist, now appears empty and vast. You have not heard the (transition:"pulse")[thrumming] for some while either, only adding to your worry.
Shadow figures patrol much of this stretch of road. They stop and go, minding their own business.
Sudden anxiety knots your phantom-like guts the closer you get to the large structure. It towers over you and everything else around.
To take your mind off things you observe the [scenery]<Q2|.]
(click:?Q2)[Upon further inspection, you are not unconvinced that you have walked through these plains before, perhaps unaware because of the fog. Or perhaps not. <i>Who can say?!</i>
Your gaze into the fractured skyline is momentarily interrupted when a translucent construct phases into peripheral view.
You are of the mind to [[approach the construct, cautiously...]] or continue traveling [[towards the grand structure]].]
You approach the twinkling object and notice someone digging a rather large hole.
The figure is digging vigorously, using the shiny thing to move the ground and make the hole deeper. It does not react to your presence but you can tell that it knows you’re there.
You’ve long abandoned the idea to communicate with other things in this strange land, but with the fog gone, your need for secrecy wanes. The notion to [[call out]] crosses your mind.
Look back towards [[That Way]].
You [call out]<p1| to figure in the hole.
(click:?p1)[(color: "plum")["What is it you want stranger, I’m busy.”]
The figure replies, never taking its eyes away from its work.
It continues to dig, but seems responsive. You may ask it [questions]<p2| if you wish.]
(set: $clickcount to 0)
(click:?p2)[
[[What are you doing?]]
[[That's quite a hole you've dug for yourself...]]
[[How do expect to get out of the hole?]]
[[Excuse me, do you know where the fog went?!]]
[[Do you know where we are?! How we got here?!]]]
(set: $displaydoorsubtext to 1)
The outline of the construct resembles a newsstand… [of sorts]<pl1|.
(click:?pl1)[<i>You squint in disbelief, not trusting your eyes at first... and rightfully so<i/>
It's a newsstand made out of newspapers. Articles upon articles, stacked on top of each other in an unorganized manner.]
You get closer and notice a shadowy figure, flailing wildly. It is in such a flurry, loose articles are swept into the air and fall with style around you. As you snatch one out of the air, you get a glance at the [[front page]], but the [figure]<p2| distracts you!
(click:?p2)[Writhing and wiggling by the very presense of you. It's barely able to contain itself, and yet somehow it does.
Its seemingly content on keenly staring at you, awaiting to be [[acknowledged.|acknowledge]].]
The construct you left in the wind disappears from sight. You come up to the Structure in all its magnificent glory. You circle the perimeter of the building a couple of times.
You're close enough to make out the lettering high atop the building.
The sign reads:
<center style="padding:1em; border: 1px solid white;">[[CENTRAL BANK->Bank]]</center>
<i> A bank...</i> you wonder, <i>What could a bank possibly doing a place like this?!...</i>
You and the figure hold eye contact slightly longer than you feel appropriate before it clumsily steps forward. It wiggles while approaching you.
(color:"#ADF5D6")[“You came from the direction of the tremor, didn’t you?! What did you see?!”] it asks, all the while [its attention]<p1| fixed on the abyss way off in the distance.
(click:?p1)[[<i>It would be so easy to to just...</i> (linkgoto:"KER-CHOMP!!")! <i>...But it may have information you now seem to be [interested]<mo1| in.]<p2|]
(mouseover: ?mo1)[<i>the figure turns and [continues...]<cl2|</i>]
(click:?cl2)[(replace:?p2)[(color:"#ADF5D6")[“Yup, they say it’s been happening all over."] The clerk picks a paper and slaps it, matter-of-factly!
(color:"#ADF5D6")["Connections are failing and all the roads are closed. What with all that’s going on, maybe they're right about the end of the world.”]
]
[What are you saying?!]<Q2| you ask.]
(click:?Q2)[(color:"#ADF5D6")[“It's the darkness?! The great void."] It clutches onto you, invading your personal space.
(color:"#ADF5D6")["Were I you, I’d get my affairs in order. The bank over there might be a good place to start. Take care of the important stuff now before it’s too [late]<mo2|!”]]
(click:?mo2)[The clerk points to the structure you’ve been in awe in since you first laid eyes on it. You make several attempts at remembering what affairs you might have that need tending to, but it’s difficult to think.
The clerk figure seems to think the [[Bank]], can help you...
<i>...but how can a bank help stop black holes?!</i>]
The bank stands before you, and though it’s foundation seems rooted to the ground, it appears more a visitor in this valley than you.
You stop to take in the [sights]<Q1|.
(click:?Q1)[Power lines attached to the ceiling continue upwards as far as your eye can perceive. Your old pals, the flashing strings, dart and swoop along the top of the building.]
The structure is giving off an aura, which coincidentally (transition: "pulse")[pulses] in the same rhythmic uneasiness in your stomach. The closer you get, the stronger it feels.
Feeling of wonderment is matched with unwarranted frustration, and yet, you cannot help yourself. With every step, you suspect your existence in this lonely place might be connected to this building.
You continue to move [[forward]].
Just before getting to the crossroads another [tremor]<cl| shakes the land.
(click:?cl)[(text-style: "rumble")[R-R-R-U-M-B-L-E]
The epicenter is in the direction you just came from.
You look [back]<cl1|.]
(click: ?cl1)[[Absolute nothingness takes the place where road and skyline once were.]<cl2|]
(click: ?cl2)[You squint, trying to confirm the indication of life or light, but there is none. There's a slight attraction the longer you stare at the void...
<i>...a scary thought to be sure.</i>
Continue along [[that way.->Go That Way]]
]
(set: $displaydoorintrotext to 1)
The large double doors swing open as you reach the entrance, when you are pushed backwards by oncoming traffic.
Four shadow figures are carrying a bright and shiny humanoid [figure]<p1|.
(click:?p1)[You’ve encountered a variety of creatures in this wretched valley, but nothing like this.
The figure attempts to make conact with you.
You see it stretch out to reach you, and in that moment, you are unsure whether to [recoil]<p2| away or [embrace]<p2| the touch.]
(click:?p2)[The touch wafts right through you, but you sense a wave of familiarity wash through you. The amount of information you cannot access overwhelms you to the point of cancellation. [You stop!]<p3|]
(click:?p3)[<i>"Why can't I remember" replays in your thoughts over and over.</i>
The [[doors]] to the bank remain open, as if they might wait forever until you enter. Do you turn to acknowledge the [[strange being]]!]
You turn to see the bright and shadowy figures waiting for something to happen.
Their features are too defined for your limited perception, but you can plainly recognize the figure as it stares back at you, it seems to know you somehow, only you can’t recall ever meeting.
The being steps forward ever-so slightly and opens its mouth to [call out to you…]<mo1|(mouseoverappend:?mo1)[(color:"#F5EB00")["I know __at you did... but _t's o__y.
I forgive you.
K___ that you do_'_ have __ __ght any__re. Rest now."]]
[is all you can make out.]<cl1|
(click:?cl1)[A part of you has been affected by its message. As hard as you try, you cannot decipher the cryptic rambles of the illuminated creature. You only get the sense that you might have wronged this thing in another place or time.
You stand and watch the shadow figures carry the stranger down the [road.]<cl2|]
(click:?cl2)[Another tremor can be felt in that direction.
(text-style: "rumble")[R-R-R-U-M-B-L-E]
....and in that instance, the skyline splinters like broken stained glass only to be swallowed up by the void.
In all the commotion, you just now realize the (transition: "pulse")[thrum] in the distance has returned.
It is feint and beating with a lethargic pace.
The [[doors]] of the bank are still open.]
You walk passed the doors and feel a warm breeze blowing from the vents above your head and underneath your feet.
The doors slam shut behind you.
{(if: $displaydoorintrotext is 1)[A tremor can be felt in that just outside the door. You tuen]
}
You turn back around, [inspecting the lobby]<cl1|.
(click:?cl1)[You are surprised by how clean and sustained everything is, especially compared to the degradation outside. Its been polished to an extreme degree as if someone has been keeping the place up, there’s even hints of something sweet in the air. The walls are made of a material that is unknown to you and it casts an off-putting reflection of yourself.
This particular room, for as large as the overall exterior is, seems rather small. You wonder just much of this place there is. Monitors hang on almost every wall in the room. ]
(if: $displaydoorsubtext is 1)[Videos of figures with shiny objects play over and over. <i>Where have you seen that shiny before, hmm?</i>]
You can see [[kiosks]] nearby.
[[Line dividers]] create a trail leading up to a single Teller booth. Neither the line nor the booth is occupied.
[[Lounge furniture]] is placed at the far end of the room.
You approach the koisks. There are cards laid on each of the surfaces.
(if: $displayFOItext is 0)[[Pick up]<p1| card.]
(click:?p1)[There’s a strange symbol etched on the card. You flip the card over to [reveal]<mo1| words you can make out.
{(if: $displayFOItext is 1)[You take an application card. but it isn't filled out. Would you like to [[fill it out->Fill out information]]](if: $displayFOItext > 1)[You've filled out an application card with your information on it. The writing looks terrible. <i>You can't remember the last time you even wrote anything...</i>]}
(click:?mo1)[It reads: **“<u>LOCAL REHABILTATION CENTER APPLICATION. Fill out information thoroughly.</u>**
<i>Why is this form in a bank?</i> you ask yourself]
[What would you like to do?!]<p2|]
(click:?p2)[[[Take Card]]
[[Leave Card]]
]
(if: $displayFOItext is 1)[You take an application card. but it isn't filled out. Would you like to [[fill it out->Fill out information]]](if: $displayFOItext > 1)[You've filled out an application card with your information on it. The writing looks terrible. <i>You can't remember the last time you even wrote anything...</i>]
[[Line dividers]] create a trail leading up to a single Teller booth. Neither the line nor the booth is occupied.
[[Lounge furniture]] is placed at the far end of the room.
You approach the Line dividers and take full advantage of being the only one in line.As you casually stroll along, you notice a [monitor]<cl1| mounted atop the booth.
(click:?cl1)[The monitor displays the symbol ["XIVIL"]<mo1|!]
(mouseover:?mo1)[???]
You wait at the front of the line, your attention still on the monitor.
(if: $displayFOItext is 0)[You aren’t sure if you’re next, but you suppress urges of self-entitlement regardless.
You [[step up to the booth.]]]
(if: $displayFOItext is 1)[[The screen changes to **"Your Next"**]<cl2|]
(if: $displayFOItext is 2)[[The screen changes to **"Your Next"**]<cl2|]
(click:?cl2)[You [[step up to the booth.]]]
You walk to the other side of the lobby and see various shapes of comfortable looking furniture placed in symmetrical rows.
Would you like to [sit]<p1|?
(click:?p1)[There’s a (transition: "pulse")[vibration] in the lush seating, almost reminiscent of the rhythm in the valley. You’re calm and relaxed. You think of all the possibilities of life in comfort if you had one of these while traveling the fog.
Though, something tells you that you cannot stay here too long.]
You can see [[kiosks]] nearby.
[[Line dividers]] create a trail leading up to a single Teller booth. Neither the line nor the booth is occupied.
The artificial lights in the room dim to a comfortable theater-like setting as you approach the Teller’s booth.
There’s a [bell]<bl1|, a small [computer monitor]<bl1| and a sign that reads: "See Teller!"
(click:?bl1)[As you move forward to touch the object on the desk, the door on the far side of the room swings open, and you pause...
A figure steps through and walks towards the booth. It does not make any affirmation of acknowledging you. It seems to be the most prominent thing you ever recall seeing, thus far.
[But something is off and you can’t quite place it.]<cl2|
]
(click:?cl2)[The figure stands just opposite you - behind the booth – forcibly smiling in your general direction, though not completely at you.
The teller greets you in a flippant manner.
(color:"#82996E")[["Welcome! How may I help you?!"]<cl3|]
]
(click:?cl3)[[Who are you?]<q1|
[What is this place?!]<q2|
[[Is it possible to set my affairs in order here?!]]]
(click:?q1)[(color:"#82996E")[“I am the Teller.”] it replies, pointing towards the sign that reads: ‘TELLER’ in a patronizing way."]
(click:?q2)[It's eyes shift back and forth, suspiciously.(color:"#82996E")["This particular place is a storage facility, but I’m afraid due to...uhh budget cuts…. It can no longer secure its contents with efficiency. Yeah that's it... budget cuts."]
(Link: "SUPER-KER-CHOMPY-CHOMP!!")[You try to chomp the Teller, but to no avail. The teller reacts, with lackluster enthusiasm. (color:"#82996E")[“Nobody has time for that… least of all you. Is there anything else I can help you with?"]]
]
The Teller’s brow furrows at the sheer ridiculousness of the question.
(color:"#82996E")["Of course you can… I just need to see your application card."]
(if: $displayFOItext is 0)[You pat yourself, repeatedly...(display: "You do not have a card.")]
(if: $displaFOItext is 1)[
You take a crumpled application out of your pocket...(display: "If player has card –> not filled out")]
(if: $displayFOItext is 2)[
You take the application and hand it to the Teller.)(display: "Filled out")]
You walk to the other side of the lobby and see various shapes of comfortable looking furniture placed in symmetrical rows.
Would you like to [sit]<cl1|?
(click:?cl1)[You wait in the lounge area.
The teller walks over to you, slowly and creepily. Its mannerisms, ever-poignant. It’s eyes on you the entire time.
As it moves closer it reaches into the inside of its coat lapel, grabbing onto to something, yet unseen. In that instance, the lights in the lobby go out and you are shrouded in darkness.
You can still hear footsteps rapping on the floor, moving closer and closer to you.
When the lights come back on, the Teller appears looming over you suspiciously. Some sort of moustache prop attached to its face.
[[What are you playing at?!->End]]
[[Where’d that other fellow go?!->End]]]
The figure that looms over you has quite the commanding presence…
(color:"#82996E")["I am the Manager of this here bank! You asked to speak with me, did you not?! Is there something I can help you with?!”]
You stumble your words…[Yes.. I well… I need answers.]<cl1| you respond, more confused than ever.
(click:?cl1)[(color:"#82996E")[“Hurry now and ask your question, then. The bank is about to empty out the vault and I can’t have gagger’s lollying in my lobby. What is it you wish to know?”]
<i>It seems the manager’s time is valuable. You might be able to get an answer to a [single question]<ql| before being sent away.</i>
]
<hr>
(click:?ql)[
[[“Who am I?”]]
[[“Where am I?]]
[[Who are you?!]]
[[How did I get here?]]
]
The Manager puts a hand your translucent shoulder and your shoulder illuminates sporadically.
(color:"#82996E")[**“So you wish to know who you are?!**
"Very well… If you insist… Follow me and I shall tell you…"
“I cannot say with certainty who you once were, only who you are now and what you will become. You are a dreadful husk of a former self, wandering the empty hallows of your mind’s eye.
I can tell you that you will be gone from this place soon, the abyss that you’ve tried desperately to escape will eventually catch up to you. Such is the nature of all things.”]
[[Revelation]]
The Manager puts a hand on your translucent shoulder, illuminating it sporadically.
(color:"#82996E")[**“So you wish to know where you are?!**
Very well… if you insist…. Follow me and I shall tell you…
“You are in a world between worlds.
A meta-physical representation of a plane that connects what is from what used to be.
"The place where subatomic matter is free to create or destroy. For what you see is what you choose to see, like this valley for instance.
However, in your condition, the construction of this world has been severly limited. Given that you are the creator, it is unfortunate that you have little control over its content creation. It would make what little time you have left tolerable, to be sure."]
[[Revelation]]
The Manager puts a hand on your translucent shoulder, illuminating it sporadically.
(color:"#82996E")[**“So you wish to know who I am?!"**
"Very well… if you insist…. Follow me and I shall tell you…"
“I am you... or a part of you... in a manner of speaking.
"I suppose the better question is 'What' am I. This I will tell you, as I've told you before."
"In the simplest text - I exist in this space. I live here and feast upon past experiences accumulated in a lifetime, in this case, your lifetime. Here I will stay until the abyss consumes all... which wont be to long at this point."
"You are getting worse at remembering things…"
"This is my doing. I don’t expect you to understand. Don't expect me to apologize."]
[[Revelation]]
The Manager puts a hand on your translucent shoulder, illuminating it sporadically.
(color:"#82996E")[**“So you wish to know how you got here?!**
"Very well… if you insist…. Follow me and I shall tell you…"
“The mind is a powerful thing, and without constraint, can be used to travel between worlds beyond that of incomprehendible mechanics...
...provided conditions are just right, of course."
"Simply put, you willed yourself here. Why you and your kind often end up here is beyond even my understanding. Perhaps you cling to something in your realm of triviality."
"I must say, those emotional ties are quite delicious..."
]
[[Revelation]]
{(set: $end to it +1)}
You feel a pinch at your back, and a palm on your rear, when you realize you are being tossed out of the bank. The doors slamming shut before you even hit the ground. You vaguely remember this land and the taste of it.
You stand, looking as the wave rushes you. It's [fog]<end1|.
(click:?end1)[A cold, damp fog envelops you...
<i>Where did it come from?!</i> you wonder.]
It rips through the very core of your intangible being until all that’s left around you is cold and grey.
For miles around it is the only thing you see. Sometimes you believe you make out shadow shapes in the peripheral, but dare not approach.
You wander about, lonely and confused. Memory of the events that led you here in this moment have foresaken you.
[<i>How have you even gotten yourself in this precarious position?!</i>]<end2|
(click:?end2)[Frustration sets in… Paranoia seems like it won’t be too far behind.
<i>How could you have forgotten?</i>
[[<i>...What is it that you have forgotten?</i>->forsaken valley of mist.]]
]
(if: $clickcount is 3)[It seems the figure is no longer interested in answering your questions.
It hops back down the hole and continues to work.
<i>If you had feelings, you'd be quite offended.</i>]
You turn back with [[that way->Rumble]] in sight.
You skim through the pages reading the headlines large enough to be read at a glance.
“use swipes to indicate page turning.”
|mo1>[(color:"grey")["**ROADS CLOSED TO DUE TREMORS…"**]]
(mouseoverappend:?mo1)[
(display:"Headline2")
]
=====>
|mo2>[(color: "grey")[**"EPIDEMIC ALERT: HEAD LESS THAN FULL."** {--Learn how to protect yourself from this growing outbreak.}]]
(mouseoverappend: ?mo2)[
(display:"Headline3")
]
<===
|mo3>[(color: "grey")[**"BEWARE THE VOID"**
A darkness spreads across the land. Officials have declared a state of emergency, asking civilians to stay in thier homes.]]
(mouseoverappend: ?mo3)[
(display:"Headline4")
]
===>
|mo4>[(color: "grey")[**"BEWARE THE GUILTY. CHOMPER AT LARGE!!"** Unarmed, yet considered highly voracious.]]
(mouseoverappend: ?mo4)[
(display:"Headline5")
]
<===
|mo5>[(color: "grey")[**"STUDIES SHOW THAT THOSE BIRTHED IN AN INSTANT…**]]
(mouseoverappend: ?mo5)[(color:"grey")[**Are always the first to go..."**|["more on pg. 502"]<p1|)
]]
(click:?p1)[You come to the end of the paper.
The figure has waiting patiently for you to [[acknowledge]] it. You know this because you could feel it staring at you while you read.]
(color:"#B31400")[<i>the figure turns and [continues...]<cl1|</i>]
(click:?cl1)[(color:"#B31400")[**...When suddenly it realizes it is come upon by you!!!**]
(color:"#B31400")[[**KER-CHOMPY-CHOMP!!!**]<cl2|]
]
(click:?cl2)[(color:"#B31400")[[You rip a large chunk right out the side of it...]<cl0|]
(color:"#B31400")[...watching the clerk slump over as its used-to-be inside contents flow from the puncture marks on its body.]
(color:"#B31400")[[It looks at you!]<mo1|]]
(mouseover:?mo1)[(color:"#B31400")[[Then down at its wounds in horror!!!]<mo2|]
]
{(mouseover:?mo2)[(color:"#B31400")[[Then looks back at you with disbelief...]<mo3|]
]
(mouseoverreplace:?mo3)[(color:"#B31400")[[Then back down to its wounds...]<mo4|]
]}
(Mouseover:?mo4)[(color:"#B31400")[And finally back to you...with so much [sadness]<cl3|...]
](click:?cl3)[(color:"#B31400")[**SO MUCH SADNESS... [CONSUME!!!]<cl4|**]]
(click:?cl4)[(color:"#B31400")[You absorb the jelly bits into your system... ]
[[Tasty...->towards the grand structure]]
]
You quickly scribble your information on the application card.
[[DONE|kiosks]]
(set: $displayFOItext to it + 1)
You take the application card.
[[Leave Card]]
[[Fill out information]]
[[DONE|kiosks]]
(set:$displayFOItext to 1)
You continue to pat yourself down...You do not have a card.
You can feel the Teller seething.
(color:"#82996E")[“Perhaps you should have been more prepared if you were serious about tending to your affairs."] eyes rolling. (color:"#82996E")["With no card... I cannot help you."]
There seems to be a mutual dislike between you and the Teller. <i>Quite unfortunate since this is possibly the first connection you’ve had with another being since you arrived in the valley.</i>
[I’d like to speak to your manager then...]<q1|
(click:?q1)[(color:"#82996E")[“Certainly sir,”] the teller says, giving an involuntary eye-roll.(color:"#82996E")[“Why don’t you have a seat in our [[lounge area]] and the Manager will be out shortly."]
]
You give the Teller the blank application card, but it's not filled out.
The teller rolls its eyes. (color:"#82996E")[“Hmm… this simply will not do. There's no information on this card. There isn't much I can do with this, sir.”]
[Then I’d like to speak to your manager then.]<q1|
(click:?q1)[(color:"#82996E")[“Certainly sir,"] the teller says, giving an involuntary eye-roll. (color:"#82996E")[“Why don’t you have a seat in our [[lounge area]] and the Manager will be out shortly.”]
]
You [give]<cl1| the Teller the filled out application card.
(click:?cl1)[(color:"#82996E")[“Great!”] the teller exclaims, albeit sarcastically.
(color:"#82996E")[“Now lets pull up your information.”]
You notice the Teller pretending to type, never breaking eye contact or losing a sliver of the fake façade it seems to be giving off.
[Uhh...]<cl2|]
(click:?cl2)[(color:"#82996E")["Alright let's see..."] cutting you off. (color:"#82996E")["Can you [verify your account]<q1| for me."]
]
(click:?q1)[[Tap the screen.]<cl3|]
(click:?cl3)[(color:"red")[The text on the screen shows omnious red text.]
(color:"#82996E")[[“Oh no, your account seems to have been overdrawn. Wiped clean, in fact. My apologies, there seems to be nothing I can do. Perhaps, come back tomorrow, yes?!”]<q2|]
]
(click:?q2)[[Seriously, I’d like to speak to your manager then.]<q3| you proclaim, frustratedly.]
(click:?q3)[(color:"#82996E")[“Certainly sir”] the teller says, giving an involuntary eye-roll.
(color:"#82996E")["Why don’t you have a seat in our [[lounge area]] and the manager will be out shortly.”]]
You set the application card down on the kiosk.
[[done|kiosks]]
(set: $displayFOItext to 0)
The explanation you receive resonate in your ears as the Manager guides you towards the double doors of the bank. You’ve heard the concept of these words before, perhaps in another place. And although you are uncertain of the validity of the words you hear, deep down inside some force allows you to accept them as truth.
All the frustration and angst you’ve felt in this place subsides. If only for a moment.
You become aware of a (transition:"pulse")[vibration] coming from passed the double door entrance of the lobby. The closer you get to doors, the more prominent the rumble gets.
With each passing step, the monitors on the wall shut off, one by one.
The bank is closing and you think of all the unanswered questions floating in your mind.
You snap to, hearing the manager’s voice mixed with the sound of the sliding lobby doors. The rush of outside, fills your senses. In the distance, a grim wave of something ominous is barreling your way.
(color:"#82996E")[“Now come…”] the manager proclaims… (color:"#82996E")[“You must be [[going]].”]
(if: $clickcount is 3)[(display: "Aftercallout")]
(if: $clickcount < 3)[(color: "plum")["Isn’t it obvious! These were shattered during transfer, so I’m getting rid of the evidence."]]
The figure stops digging for a moment to wipe its face.
(color: "plum")["They gotta go somewhere, am I right?!"]
[Look into the hole]<cl1|
(mouseoverreplace:?cl1)[<i>The figure stands atop a ton of broken monitors.</i>]
<hr>
[[How do expect to get out of the hole?]]
[[That's quite a hole you've dug for yourself...]]
[[Excuse me, do you know where the fog went?!]]
[[Do you know where we are?! How we got here?!]]
(set:$clickcount to it + 1)
(if: $clickcount is 3)[(display: "Aftercallout")]
(elseif: $clickcount < 3)[The figure taps the shiny tool on the ground.
(color: "plum")["You gotta bury 'em deep, ya know? If these baby's surface... it only causes heartache and pain. So it's best to dig deep. You don't want them surfacing in a world like this. Not when it's already too late...]
[Too late?]<cl1|]
(click:?cl1)[(color: "plum")["Haven't you felt those tremors? The absense is calling. It's almost time to go."]
<hr>
[[What are you doing?]]
[[How do expect to get out of the hole?]]
[[Excuse me, do you know where the fog went?!]]
[[Do you know where we are?! How we got here?!]]
]
(set:$clickcount to it + 1)
(if: $clickcount is 3)[(display: "Aftercallout")]
(if: $clickcount < 3)["<i>the figure briefly pauses</i>… <i>then continues digging.</i>"
[[What are you doing?]]
[[How do expect to get out of the hole?]]
[[That's quite a hole you've dug for yourself...]]
[[Do you know where we are?! How we got here?!]]
]
(set: $clickcount to it + 1)
(if: $clickcount is 3)[(display: "Aftercallout")]
(if: $clickcount < 3)[(color:"plum")["I never cared to ask where this is. I mean, look, is this cespool worth knowing?"]] he says.
(color:"plum")["But I can tell ya this place was in bad shape, even before we showed up...
[I've seen things."]<mo1|]
(mouseoverreplace:?mo1)[(color:#f0ffff)[The worker kicks a small pile of monitors nearby.]
(color:"plum")["Sometimes these broken monitors ain't so broken. Sometimes they play records from the other place..."]]
<hr>
[[What are you doing?]]
[[How do expect to get out of the hole?]]
[[That's quite a hole you've dug for yourself...]]
[[Excuse me, do you know where the fog went?!]]
(set: $clickcount to it + 1)
(if: $clickcount is 3)[(display: "Aftercallout")]
(if: $clickcount < 3)[...The figure leaps out of the hole with extreme athleticism and lands right next to.
[It suprises you enough to react with a quick (linkgoto:"CHOMP!") as it lands [right next]<cl1| to you.]<cl2|]
(click:?cl1)[(replace:?cl2)[(color: "plum")["This better be worth it"] it says, peevishly...
<hr>
[[What are you doing?]]
[[That's quite a hole you've dug for yourself...]]
[[Excuse me, do you know where the fog went?!]]
[[Do you know where we are?! How we got here?!]]
]
]
(set:$clickcount to it + 1)
(color:"#B31400")[**It brushes it's shoulders off after landing so gracefully and doesn't see you come upon it.**
**You clamp down on the victims neck with serpent-like precision. Wrapping both arms around it, you grapple the figure and [wrestle it to the ground]<cl1|...**]
(click:?cl1)[(color: "#B31400")[<i/>It immediately drops the shiny in the tussle... and as you twist and manuever yourself in such a way that locks both it's arms behind it, it appears to have given up. This was an easy victory.</i>
<i>There is [only]<mo1| one thing left to do...</i>](mouseover:?mo1)[[**CONSUME**]<cl2|]
]
(click:?cl2)[(color:"#800000")[**You absorb the bits of gelatinous components spewing forth from the victims wounds. The translucent film that was its epidermis deflates with a steady pace.**
**Without the cloak of fog, consuming is slightly less entertaining....**]
[[..slightly->Rumble]]]
(if:$end is 0)[[[<img src="http://i963.photobucket.com/albums/ae113/thecheshirebatbh/Twilighttitle_zps5gekgnnw.jpg">->Twilight Lost]]]
(if: $end is 1)[[[<img src="http://i963.photobucket.com/albums/ae113/thecheshirebatbh/Twilighttitle_zps5gekgnnw.jpg">->End Cover]]]
(align: "=><=")[A stranger...]
....You traverse an unfamiliar land with no recollection of self, sense of purpose, or point of arrival. Trivial matters plague the back of your mind, but seldom do you express concerns.
For in this land of grey and stillness, the terrian is fraught with danger. Though, you have learned to keep your wits about [you]<p1|.
(click:?p1)[Using the fog that surrounds you as natural cover and relying on harmonious thrums in the far off distance, you've learned to navigate the muck and mire with minimal effort.
You spend your moments on the move, never slowing, rarely tiring. If impulse strikes, you consume other beings you come into contact with. Especially the lesser, smaller [ones.]<p2|]
(click: ?p2)[You have long concluded this place is by no means peaceful, however, you’ve grown quite accustomed to [[wandering aimlessly]].]
I hope you enjoyed my very first Twine Interactive story: TWILIGHT LOST
by
Christopher Harris
email: [email protected]
Contact no: (415)299-4510
<img src="http://i963.photobucket.com/albums/ae113/thecheshirebatbh/Storytime%20Kiddies_zpsk13o2axz.jpg">
**Don't forget to follow me on:
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