Sugarcane

You don't think you'll make it back to the patrol building - they sound like they're gaining. You turn, hoping you can shake them off down an alley. \n\nIt's a dead end. \n\nThey crowd in after you, blocking the only exit. \n\n"It's the rich kid again," the leader says.\n\nLooks like you're in for some more bruises....

You unlock one of the messenger bikes in front of the post office, and shoot past the boys you now remember chasing you last night. You pedal hard, turning onto Hudson Street. It's another five minutes before you make it to Seeker's lane, but you find the house quickly when you do.\n\n*[[Hit the Buzzer]]\n*[[Use the Knocker]]

You push the door to the tavern open and walk in slowly. There are a few patrons passed out on the tables, but it's mostly empty. The barman gives you a suspicious look. Then he spots your backpack and his face clears. \n\n"Nearly didn't recognize you, with all that mud," he says. "Found the girl's backpack then?" \n\n"Er...yeah." You drop the bag off your shoulders and pull out the [[notebook]]. "Do you know where I can find this address?"\n\n"About five blocks northeast. Near the factory."\n\n"Thanks," you say, stuffing it back into the backpack. \n\n[[Explore the Town]]

You take a deep breath and shrug. "Do you know how to get to 575 Seeker's lane?"\n\n"Keep along this road until you get to that swanky restaurant. That's Hudson Street. Turn left and keep going until you can't go anymore. The cross street is Seeker's Lane."\n\n"Thanks."\n\n"Kai!"\n\nYou spin around. The man unlocking the post office is waving you over. \n\n* [[Postal Service Building]]\n*[[Walk to Hudson Street]]

There are two patrolmen exiting the station just as you walk up. \n\n"Oi!" one of them yells, laughing slightly at your appearance. "You been mugged or something? You're one big bruise."\n\n"I don't know," you groan. "I don't remember anything."\n\n"Drink'll do that."\n\n"I'm only 15!"\n\n"Wouldn't be the first brat to do it," his partner said.\n\nYou're annoyed. You need help and here they are laughing at you.\n\n*[[Shove the Guard]]\n*[[Ask directions]]

You press the buzzer and stand back. \n\nA girl opens the door, grimacing. "Now you've done it."\n\n"OLIVIA! Who's at the door?" A woman came hurrying around the corner, yawning and wrapping a robe around herself. She started when she saw him. "Kai? What on earth happened to you?"\n\n"Prepare to be fussed over," she said.\n\nYou're pulled inside, but manage to stammer, "I know where your backpack is..." before her mom presses an ice pack to your face.

You knock softly, aware that people might be asleep. \n\nThe girl you remembered opens the door. "Shh," she says. "They're still asleep. It'll be like you never left. God, you look awful. Do you remember anything?"\n\n"Not much. But I found out where your backpack is."\n\n"And got your face smashed in for it."\n\n"And slept in the mud."\n\nShe smiled and shrugged. "Welcome to Old Town. Let's get you cleaned up."

You nudge the guard with your shoulder - hard- as you stalk into the building. \n\nThe next thing you know, you're being slammed into the wall.\n\n"Ow! Get off me!" you yelp.\n\n"That was assault on a patrol officer. That's a day in the hold for you."\n\nThey take you down some stairs and toss you in a cell. The day can't get any worse. Maybe you'll remember some things while you're waiting....

You pick up the [[backpack]] and put it on your shoulders. Glancing around, you take the [[path]] leading up to the town.

You head across the street, picking some of the caked mud off of your arm. The old man holds the door open for you, and you walk into the cool lobby. \n\n"Thanks."\n\n"I see you found your friend's backpack."\n\n"Yeah. Did...did you happen to hear my friend's name?"\n\nHe gives you a pitying glance. "Oh, I see you had an episode, just like she said. You two were arguing pretty good. You got in yesterday from that fancy school up in Highgate. Group of boys made off with her backpack and you wanted to go after them. She seemed to think you would get in some sort of trouble. Didn't hear a name though, sorry."\n\nA memory is coming back to you...a girl's face. And running from...someone. "That's okay," you say.\n\n"Tell you what, take one of the messenger bikes to get home. I'm sure they're worried sick about you."\n\n*[[Bike to Hudson Street]]\n*[[Walk to Hudson Street]]

There are two patrolmen exiting the station just as you walk up. \n\n"Oi!" one of them yells, laughing slightly at your appearance. "You been mugged or something?"\n\n"I don't know," you groan. "I don't remember anything."\n\n"Drink'll do that."\n\n"I'm only 15!"\n\n"Wouldn't be the first brat to do it," his partner said.\n\nYou're annoyed. You need help and here they are laughing at you.\n\n*[[Shove the Guard]]\n*[[Ask for Help]]

"Welcome to McCoullough Lake! Swim at your own risk."\nThere's no way you're doing that. A few blurry images are making their way back to you. You need to get out of here. \n\n*[[Grab bag]]\n*[[Leave bag]]

Supplies: A [[lantern]], a [[notebook]], two pens, and a [[necklace]].\n\n

You push the door to the tavern open and walk in slowly. There are a few patrons passed out on the tables, but it's mostly empty. The barman gives you a suspicious look. \n\n"What are you doing here? It's not even seven o'clock yet."\n\n"I...I don't know," you stammer. "I'm lost."\n\n"Get out of here."\n\n*[[Look around town]]\n*[[Try to explain]]

You head across the street, picking some of the caked mud off of your arm. The old man holds the door open for you, and you walk into the cool lobby. \n\n"Thanks."\n\n"I see you didn't manage to find your friend's backpack."\n\n"Backpack? Ah...yeah. Did...did you happen to hear my friend's name?"\n\nHe gives you a pitying glance. "Oh, I see you had an episode, just like she said. You two were arguing pretty good. You got in yesterday from that fancy school up in Highgate. Group of boys made off with her backpack and you wanted to go after them. She seemed to think you would get in some sort of trouble. Didn't hear a name though, sorry."\n\nA memory is coming back to you...a girl's face. And running from...someone. "That's okay," you say.\n\n"Tell you what, take one of the messenger bikes to get home. I'm sure they're worried sick about you."\n\n*[[Grab a Bike]]\n*[[Keep Walking]]

Supplies: A [[lantern]], a [[notebook]], two pens, and a [[necklace]].\n

Welcome to Old Town

You decide to walk to Hudson Street. It's nice out, despite the odor that comes up from the lake. As you near the four way stop, you spot a gang of boys about your age. Now you remember who you were running from last night. They spot you, and you turn to run. \n\n*[[Grab a Bike]]\n*[[Hide Down an Alley]]\n\n

You knock softly, aware that people might be asleep. \n\nThe girl you remembered opens the door. "Shh," she says. "They're still asleep. It'll be like you never left. God, you look awful. Do you remember anything?"\n\n"Not much. But I got your backpack."\n\n"And got your face smashed in for it."\n\n"And slept in the mud."\n\nShe smiled and shrugged. "Welcome to Old Town. Let's get you cleaned up."

No name. Address 575 Seeker's Lane, Old Town. \n\n

"I'm Kai," you say in a hurry. "I just woke up in the mud on the bank. I don't know what happened or where I am."\n\n"Kai?" the barman asks, quirking an eyebrow. He scrutinizes you for a long moment, then a dark look comes over his face. "You were in here last night - didn't recognize you with all that mud and bruises."\n\n"I was here...?"\n\n"Arguing with some girl. Something about a backpack."\n\nYou smack your head. The backpack. "What was her name?"\n\n"How should I know? It was packed in here last night. I only remember you because I was about to call the patrol on you both."\n\nYou sigh and rush back out of the tavern and down to the bank.\n\n*[[Grab bag]]\n

It's cobbled and winds up the hill. It takes about fifteen minutes to reach the top of it, and by the time you get there, you're panting slightly. The run down town stands before you. Closest is Dr. Jax's Tavern. There are more buildings in the distance. \n\n*[[Dr. Jax's Tavern]]\n*[[Explore the Town]]

You press the buzzer and stand back. \n\nA girl opens the door, grimacing. "Now you've done it."\n\n"OLIVIA! Who's at the door?" A woman came hurrying around the corner, yawning and wrapping a robe around herself. She started when she saw him. "Kai? What on earth happened to you?"\n\n"Prepare to be fussed over," she said.\n\nYou're pulled inside, but manage to pass the backpack off to her before her mom presses an ice pack to your face.

The path is cobbled and winds up the hill. It takes about fifteen minutes to reach the top of it, and by the time you get there, you're panting slightly. The run down town stands before you. Closest is Dr. Jax's Tavern. There are more buildings in the distance. \n\n*[[Enter Tavern]]\n*[[Look around town]]

The grocers are just setting the produce out as you walk through the streets, trying to remember what all happened yesterday. You spot a sign in the distance - Old Town Southern Patrol Station. Something about it jogs your memory, as does the building across from it, the Postal Service. \n\n*[[Patrol Station]]\n*[[Post Office]]

You wake up, shielding your eyes against the bright sunlight. You feel gross - hot, sweaty, and...oh god, you're lying in mud. The putrid smell of the water fills your nose, and you cough. Standing up, you shake as much muck off of yourself as you can. There's a backpack next to you, and a sign a few yards off.\n\n*[[Look in bag]]\n*[[Examine sign]]

An oval locket on a silver chain. The locket has the picture of a man and a woman inside. \n\n

by Lauren A. Malone

You don't remember bringing a backpack with you. To be fair, you don't remember much of anything, but still.... You leave the bag and head up the path to the [[town]].

Matches in the compartment of the base.\n\n