Dilemma

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<<audio "menu" volume 0.5 play loop>> <<set $radio to 88>> <<set $adler to false>> <<set $jonastalk3 to false>> <<set $jonastalk4 to false>><<set $jonastalk5 to false>><<set $scream to false>> <<set $opendoor to false>> <<set $wind to 0>> <<set $top_wind to false>> <<set $ground_wind to false>> <<set $stair_wind to false>><<set $photo to false>> [img[https://drive.google.com/uc?export=download&id=1hHog6hvL9CBC9KQlMWGrX_TYSlSJrBLG]] <<if $loop is true>>[[CONTINUE TIMELINE ↬|START_LOOPONE]]<<else>>[[START →|START_LOOPONE]]<</if>> [[CREDITS ↱|CREDITSALT]] [[EXIT ↞|https://archiveofourown.org/works/16999725/]]

[[1-1]] <<audio ":playing" stop>> <<if $loop is true>><<audio "rewindnoise" play>><<else>><</if>>

Oxenfree is © 2016 and ™ Night School Studio: www.nightschoolstudio.com/oxenfree. This is an unofficial fan work. Written, developed, and coded by Kitty Eden (TheBigCat on AO3, therogueofblood on Tumblr) with some help from the Twine problem-solving forums. Thank you to Rae for your guitar additions, and thank you to Jason for your voiceover! Full credits at the end of the game. [[BACK ↲|MENU]]

The door slams [[1-2]] <<set $loop to true>>

The door slams and you are trapped. [[1-3]]

This is unusual for a number of reasons - not least the fact that you know, somehow, that this wasn't supposed to happen. It's a departure from the norm, a deviation from the script that some part of you has traversed over and over again for what seems like - and probably is - an eternity. The other unusual reason, of course, is the fact that there is nobody in sight who could have possibly slammed the door behind you. [[1-5]]

You look around - taking in your surroundings. [[ROOM1]]

You are in a small storage room in a forgotten corner of [[Fort Milner|MILNER1]]. There is [[one door|DOOR1]]. There are [[no windows|WINDOWS1]], and no lights. [[You can't see a thing.|DARK1]] You have [[a map of the island|MAP1]], a [[flashlight|LIGHT1]], and [[your radio|RADIO1]]. [[Somebody is stomping around in the room above you.|JONAS1]] <<audio "milner" loop play>> <<audio "static" stop>>

You take out the map. It crinkles in your hands. Unfortunately, you can't see anything on it right now, seeing as you're stuck in a room that's completely dark. You don't need to see it to know that it shows the entirety of Edwards Island in stylized detail. You've looked it often enough tonight to know that. > [[You are still in the storage room.|ROOM1]]

You click the switch on and off a few times, fruitlessly. It's not working, for whatever reason. ...ghosts, probably. The reason is probably ghosts. >[[You are still in the storage room.|ROOM1]]

<center><<if $radio is 150>>(The radio cannot go up any further.)<<else>>[[▲|RADIO1][$radio += 0]]<</if>> $radio FM <<if $radio is 50>>(The radio cannot go down any further.)<<else>>[[▼|RADIO1][$radio -= 0]]<</if>></center> <<switch $radio>> <<default>> Only static. The switch doesn't appear to be working - you're stuck on the same station.<<audio ":playing" pause>><<audio "static" play loop>> <</switch>> >[[You are still in the storage room.|ROOM1]]

DID YOU KNOW? Fort Milner was named in honor of Major General Casey William Milner, who served during the Civil War. The anger is most prevalent here. Be careful not to stay too long, or it will take root in you. >[[You are still in the storage room.|ROOM1]]

You feel your way over to the door and twist at the door handle. Predictably, it doesn't budge - it's practically fused into place. You kick at it angrily, to no effect - it doesn't even make you feel any better. >[[You are still in the storage room.|ROOM1]]

It's so dark, man. Like, so dark. There's no light from anywhere - no windows, no cracks in the walls or ceiling. Nothing. Nada. Zip. >[[You are still in the storage room.|ROOM1]]

The stomping stops, presumably in response to whatever noise you've been making while exploring the room you're currently stuck in. >JONAS: Alex? Alex? His voice is distant, muffled, and you can't quite make out the direction it's coming from, but there's a clear undertone of panic in there. <center> [[Are you all right?|JONAS1-OPT1]] [[I'm locked in!|JONAS1-OPT2]] [[Where are you?|JONAS1-OPT3]] [[(WAIT)|JONAS1-OPT4]]</center>

Of course there's no windows. What sort of storage room has windows? >[[You are still in the storage room.|ROOM1]]

<center>[img[https://drive.google.com/uc?export=download&id=1eU0lV6gc27Yo8lEGKKkQPbXVS4XdyQcw][ROOM2]]</center>

>ALEX: Jonas! Are you all right? >JONAS: Yeah. Yeah, I'm good. I've been locked in this, uh, classroom, I think it is? >ALEX: Same here. Except it's more like a storage room here. >JONAS: Great. >JONAS: Ghosts, do you think? <center> [[Ghosts.|JONAS1-OPT1-1]] [[Might not be..|JONAS1-OPT1-2]] [[(WAIT)|JONAS1-OPT1-3]]</center>

>ALEX: Jonas! Oh, thank god. >ALEX: I'm locked in the storage room - d'you think you could try letting me out? There's a dull thump from directly above you, and Jonas swears audibly. When he speaks, he voie is still muffled. >JONAS: Uh, yeah - see, we might have a problem there. <center> [[Of course we do.|JONAS1-OPT2-1]] [[Oh no.|JONAS1-OPT2-2]] [[(WAIT)|JONAS1-OPT2-3]]</center>

>ALEX: Jonas! You're not dead! >ALEX: Where are you? I could do with a hand. >ALEX: I'm locked in the storage room downstairs. >JONAS: That is a very unfortunate coincidence. >JONAS: And I mean very unfortunate. >ALEX: What do you mean? >JONAS: I am. Currently. >JONAS: ...locked in the classroom upstairs. <center> [[Ugh, ghosts.|JONAS1-OPT3-1]] [[Break down the door.|JONAS1-OPT3-2]] [[(WAIT)|JONAS1-OPT3-3]]</center>

>JONAS: Alex? Are you there? >JONAS: Seriously, this isn't funny. <center> [[Yeah, I'm here.|JONAS1-OPT4-1]] [[(SCREAM)|JONAS1-OPT4-2]] [[(WAIT)|JONAS1-OPT4-3]]</center> <<set $scream to true>>

>ALEX: Yeah. Right. Of course there's a problem. Since when can anything be easy for us? >JONAS: I know - the tormented spirits of the undead, right? They never let us catch a break. A beat, then: >JONAS: ...the door to this room is locked, too. Something strange is happening with [[your radio.|JONAS2]]

>JONAS: Yep. And now you can actually pinpoint where his voice is coming from - the room directly above you. >JONAS: Guess we're both locked in. >ALEX: Ugh. Something strange is happening with [[your radio.|JONAS2]]

You remain silent. You've already sort of guessed what's coming next, and the fact that your suspicions are immediately confirmed does nothing but send a cold shudder of dread down your spine. >JONAS: Turns out, the ghosts - or whatever - they've kind of, sort of, locked me in here? >JONAS: I'm in some sort of classroom, but the lights are off and the door is locked, and - >JONAS: I don't know, Alex. I just - don't like this. >JONAS: I really don't like this. <center>[[The feeling's mutual.|JONAS1-OPT2-3-1]] [[(WAIT)|JONAS1-OPT2-3-2]]</center>

>ALEX: Yeah, you and me both, buddy. There is a short silence between you. Something strange is happening with [[your radio.|JONAS2]]

>JONAS: Alex? >JONAS: I know this isn't great and everything, and we're both scared, and, you know, but - you're kind of freaking me out here. >JONAS: Is everything all right down there? Something strange is happening with [[your radio.|JONAS2]]

The radio tucked into your jacket pocket crackles and hisses like an angry cat, and when you pull it out to examine it, the readout's pulsing bright red and casting crazy shadows over your face as it does so. [[JONAS3]] <<audio "static" volume 0.5 play loop>>

The radio tucked into you jacket pocket crackles and hisses like an angry cat, and when you pull it out to examine it, the readout's pulsing bright red and casting crazy shadows over your face as it does so. You try to turn the dial, first one way, and then another, but every time you do it just snaps right back to where it was before - 88 FM. And it's not even producing any noise, unsettling or otherwise. Just faint, even static. >JONAS: Alex, what's going on down there? <center> [[The radio...|JONAS4-OPT1]] [[EVERYTHING'S FINE!|JONAS4-OPT2]] [[Can you see any ghosts?|JONAS4-OPT3]] [[(WAIT)|JONAS4-OPT4]]</center>

>ALEX: The radio's gone funky! >JONAS: Again?! You smile at his genuinely exasperated tone, but that quickly fades as you frowns at the unresponsive radio again. >ALEX: Yeah, again - but it's weird? It's just stuck on the one setting. And not even a good setting. They could've at least put on some smooth jazz. >JONAS: Who knew ghosts would be rude, right? <center>[[I did.|JONAS4-OPT1-1]] [[(WAIT)|JONAS4-OPT1-2]]</center>

>ALEX: Everything's fine, Jonas! >JONAS: ...really. >ALEX: Don't worry about it! >JONAS: Are you sure I shouldn't - >ALEX: Don't worry about it! >JONAS: I mean, if you're really - >JONAS: Whoa! What was that?! [[It's your radio again.|JONAS5]]

>ALEX: Mm... I mean... uh... >ALEX: ...seen any ghosts up there yet? >JONAS: I've got to say. Your current tone of voice is super not encouraging. <center>[[Could be nothing.|JONAS4-OPT3-1]] [[(WAIT)|JONAS4-OPT3-2]]</center>

>JONAS: ...Alex!? Seriously? >JONAS: Now is not the time to remain eerily silent at all times! We've got a situation here! >JONAS: Or we might have a situation. I don't know. I can't tell. >JONAS: I can't tell because you're not telling me any - >JONAS: Whoa! What was that? [[It's your radio again.|JONAS5]]

>ALEX: And with terrible taste in music, too. >JONAS: Whatever happened to classy ghosts? >ALEX: High quality ghosts. >JONAS: Ghosts with style. You've got to have style if you're haunting a place. It's just not spooky otherwise. <center> [[Not so loud.|JONAS4-OPT1-1-1]] [[I don't want more spooky.|JONAS4-OPT-1-1-2]] [[(WAIT)|JONAS4-OPT1-1-3]]</center>

>JONAS: ... >JONAS: Well, either way, would you mind telling me - >JONAS: Whoa! What was that?! [[It's your radio again.|JONAS5]]

>ALEX: Shh! They might hear you and get ideas! >JONAS: I mean, it might not be so bad if they do. We're stuck in a B-grade horror movie at the moment; special effects and all. It might be bearble if they actually put some effort into - >JONAS: Whoa! What was that?! [[It's your radio again.|JONAS5]]

>ALEX: I don't know, man. I feel like I've had enough 'spooky' tonight to last a lifetime. >JONAS: Fair enough. I mean - >JONAS: Whoa! What was that?! [[It's your radio again.|JONAS5]]

>JONAS: Come on, guys, this isn't Scooby Doo. I refuse to submit to this haunting unless there's some tasteful, subtly horrifying classical music playing on loop in the background the whole - >JONAS: Whoa! What was that?! [[It's your radio again.|JONAS5]]

>ALEX: Yeah! Right! I'm here, sorry. >ALEX: I got distracted. >ALEX: In an dark, nearly-empty room. Somehow. >JONAS: Oh, thank god. >JONAS: I'm locked in some sort of classroom, I think? The lights are off, so it's hard to tell. >JONAS: Where are you? Can you let me out? <center> [[Um...|JONAS1-OPT4-1-1]] [[Let yourself out.|JONAS1-OPT4-1-2]] [[(WAIT)|JONAS1-OPT4-1-3]]</center>

>ALEX: AAAAAAHHHH OH MY GOD THEY GOT ME >JONAS: ALEX?! You can hear him pounding frantically at the door upstairs, and realize that this might have been a tiny bit cruel, considering the circumstances. >ALEX: ...just kidding. It's fine. >JONAS: Oh my god, don't do that to me. I thought - >ALEX: I was joking. I'm fine. >JONAS: My heart is racing, like, a million miles per hour. Oh my god. That was not funny. <center>[[It was a bit funny.|JONAS1-OPT5-2-1]] [[(WAIT)|JONAS1-OPT4-2-2]]</center>

>JONAS: ...all right. >JONAS: God. >JONAS: ...I guess I'm on my own. Something strange is happening with [[your radio.|JONAS2]]

This is a programming passage. If you're here somehow, something has gone critically wrong and I fucked up. MUSIC <<cacheaudio "menu" "format:wav;https://drive.google.com/uc?export=download&id=1qkw6xzwTcnq6iSOI4nc9pkWpqsyrnV2u">>; <<cacheaudio "catchpole_station" "format:mp3;https://drive.google.com/uc?export=download&id=1a2e7DySjx7v7-AN1BXirqtg6mGTqQsWR">>; <<cacheaudio "operation_downfall" "format:mp3;https://drive.google.com/uc?export=download&id=1aZUaQ6oAEcQjkfd3cBC6xZiRt9uywMPw">>; <<cacheaudio "timeloop" "format:mp3;https://drive.google.com/uc?export=download&id=1OOzAMepxGyA3LK8oOupCky_MLKwBmgBy">>; <<cacheaudio "loop_one" "format:mp3;https://drive.google.com/uc?export=download&id=1LQ2De4UpU488-LMMfOtJH_cxrHSKl1m0">>; <<cacheaudio "loop_two" "format:mp3;https://drive.google.com/uc?export=download&id=1wQEJI6qewzf5leHeezU33hlvZzri3zE0">>; <<cacheaudio "loop_three" "format:mp3;https://drive.google.com/uc?export=download&id=12QKNmpmJUNqpZtwij_2K2Cg_6-uwnK3I">>; <<cacheaudio "blacklantern" "format:mp3;https://drive.google.com/uc?export=download&id=1LdHMFzMlYG-qSwyQSvrAQD68ze-qkhXR">>; <<cacheaudio "cleanslate" "format:mp3;https://drive.google.com/uc?export=download&id=1lOxwR3Vx7NnKIsk3IZA8cWO2sPKHMSOF">>; <<cacheaudio "coldcomfort" "format:mp3;https://drive.google.com/uc?export=download&id=1sk-7P-gCB_T388znr-XAwCV-IV9ol7Eo">>; <<cacheaudio "regret" "format:wav;https://drive.google.com/uc?export=download&id=1rEkuuuScu6pCTUFyjYmC5lcTs_mVo_Wv">>; <<cacheaudio "credits" "format:mp3;https://drive.google.com/uc?export=download&id=1IfF8yKeuDqcw0iGWD-rCIjBys6cb2Hh9">>; SFX <<cacheaudio "static" "format:mp3;https://drive.google.com/uc?export=download&id=1tcyeRw1xnTLwpnCX5tuzfUsLfywD2FP1">>; <<cacheaudio "hover" "format:mp3;https://drive.google.com/uc?export=download&id=1Daj0pcksWXGnxaQCEg7kGCtMzVA_w3iV">>; <<cacheaudio "select" "format:mp3;https://drive.google.com/uc?export=download&id=1OKQUjOS_GwjC2TzM8C2WslILN_j9IOKd">>; <<cacheaudio "tunein" "format:mp3;https://drive.google.com/uc?export=download&id=1q-yAwHXb9DbsA5InR9B-5lHY-x2ayut7">>; <<cacheaudio "tuneout" "format:mp3;https://drive.google.com/uc?export=download&id=12p5ChdFKYleXLPTVMyO_PPrAu3JMVVmJ">>; <<cacheaudio "mapflip" "format:mp3;https://drive.google.com/uc?export=download&id=1Mu37h7qWFOYBHw_3A8DfFVGYqCvhV5Nv">>; <<cacheaudio "rewindnoise" "format:mp3;https://drive.google.com/uc?export=download&id=1EixdrbIMCeuoNeltXnAc7IrYbOpsL2O7">>; <<cacheaudio "milner" "format:mp3;https://drive.google.com/uc?export=download&id=190Zm3lN3CMzFdhG5Cfo2yH6cx7uaI2xi">>; RADIO FILES <<cacheaudio "radio_piano" "format:mp3;https://drive.google.com/uc?export=download&id=1__4aoPNfDJUIsLS--fHkhr29PvQ7fnRa">>; <<cacheaudio "radio_milner1" "format:ogg;https://vignette.wikia.nocookie.net/oxenfree/images/0/07/GTS_-_US_Army_RCS.ogg/revision/latest?cb=20170920052403">>; <<cacheaudio "radio_milner2" "format:mp3;https://drive.google.com/uc?export=download&id=1GC4FW3_9k-qpFIwDgdCpsbPw8EcywTLO">>; <<cacheaudio "radio_scifishow" "format:mp3;https://drive.google.com/uc?export=download&id=1ElbDd-8RUAoLEyeXg3mK-yYuqyihC03d">>; <<cacheaudio "radio_macbeth" "format:mp3;https://drive.google.com/uc?export=download&id=1lt_ANBhfVT34abxds420S5RtiVXwVB6T">>; <<cacheaudio "radio_live34" "format:mp3;https://drive.google.com/uc?export=download&id=1esacEIojra59vLltvfymraIlgxZ2Y4fu">>; <<cacheaudio "radio_patience" "format:mp3;https://drive.google.com/uc?export=download&id=1xSUA35RAtM9r1hmDqcPA7OFnc-DqhAbD">>; <<cacheaudio "radio_area51" "format:mp3;https://drive.google.com/uc?export=download&id=1XRl8Ddnnv50b2vspqU1OCELkaV1UlYI8">>; <<cacheaudio "radio_warofworlds" "format:mp3;https://drive.google.com/uc?export=download&id=1RuW8yhKcfsVUggpYvmmpt52fbqNm80kg">>; <<cacheaudio "radio_guitar1" "format:mp3;https://drive.google.com/uc?export=download&id=1TGw682eJd0KsvNptlMvt5_X_Z3PWWdKa">>; <<cacheaudio "radio_guitar2" "format:mp3;https://drive.google.com/uc?export=download&id=1In4AB1InXJqb4ZGtIDMGyd6RbRvtaiAO">>; <<cacheaudio "radio_guitar3" "format:mp3;https://drive.google.com/uc?export=download&id=1bIdPJ9h8zDyllhJZswUJ6wF3LNXG17Yj">>; <<cacheaudio "radio_morse" "format:wav;https://drive.google.com/uc?export=download&id=15YaRXtL-BKylPjNLf-cYHxdXtVnXOYqf">>; <<cacheaudio "radio_tunein" "format:mp3;https://drive.google.com/uc?export=download&id=1ovQbeb6Od3azjL-i-hcvyqSCHwBfh-H0">>; <<cacheaudio "radio_adler" "format:mp3;https://drive.google.com/uc?export=download&id=1Hg0QbU7pgEOLRJf63WCyhnwQw0BT2LgY">>; <<cacheaudio "radio_oxenfree" "format:mp3;https://drive.google.com/uc?export=download&id=16K-de7qOhaSZDgzuj6dwja9bekozaCLX">>; <<cacheaudio "radio_amandafree" "format:mp3;https://drive.google.com/uc?export=download&id=1EWl8_qf4MUwYn2ki3kQwVvCBNuz14VPf">>; <<cacheaudio "radio_numberstation" "format:mp3;https://drive.google.com/uc?export=download&id=1AtJW7_uc_rh2EoUivCE43CDJSX3QzUcS">>;

>ALEX: So hurry up and break the door down, Jonas! Don't be a coward! >ALEX: Then you can come get me out. It's creepy in here. >JONAS: What? Why can't you break the door down? >ALEX: Huh? Why do I have to do everything myself? >JONAS: You don't, I'm just saying - I'm saying we're both trapped in here! In our respective heres! And I don't think either of us are getting out! As you're arguing, you notice that something strange is happening with [[your radio.|JONAS2]]

>JONAS: Alex? You don't respond, because you're suddenly very distracted. Something strange is happening with [[your radio.|JONAS2]]

You are still in a small storage room in a forgotten corner of [[Fort Milner|MILNER2]]. There is [[one door|DOOR2]]. There are [[no windows|WINDOWS2]], and [[the lights are now on|DARK2]]. You have [[a map of the island|MAP2]], a [[flashlight|LIGHT2]], and [[your radio|RADIO2]]. [[There is a tiny triangle floating in mid-air, just above the door.|TRIANGLE2]] <<audio ":playing" pause>> <<audio "milner" loop play>>

DID YOU KNOW? Fort Milner was named in honor of Major General Casey William Milner, who served during the Civil War. There is no way to change that; just like there's no way to change what is happening now. The thought that you ever had any choice in the matter is laughable. Why aren't you laughing? >[[You are still in the storage room.|ROOM2]]

You try the door again. It's not budging. The strange thing is, there's no visible lock on the door. It should, by all rights, have already opened by now. It seems as if it's jammed. >[[You are still in the storage room.|ROOM2]]

There's never going to be any windows in here, no matter how hard you wish there might be. >[[You are still in the storage room.|ROOM2]]

Joy upon joys; you can see! Sort of. There is one solitary flickering lightbulb hanging from the ceiling. There's not much to look at, really. >[[You are still in the storage room.|ROOM2]]

You click the switch on and off a few times, fruitlessly. Sure, the flashlight's actually working now, but since the room's no longer pitch-black, there's really no point in using it anymore. >[[You are still in the storage room.|ROOM2]]

<center><<if $radio is 150>>(The radio cannot go up any further.)<<else>>[[▲|RADIO2][$radio += 1]]<</if>> $radio FM <<if $radio is 50>>(The radio cannot go down any further.)<<else>>[[▼|RADIO2][$radio -= 1]]<</if>></center> <<switch $radio>> <<case 55>> Somebody is playing the piano.<<audio ":playing" pause>><<audio "radio_piano" volume 0.5 play loop>> <<case 76>> The opening from an old sci-fi radio drama.<<audio ":playing" pause>><<audio "radio_scifishow" play loop>> <<case 91>> Somebody is playing the guitar.<<audio ":playing" pause>><<audio "radio_guitar1" play loop>> <<case 102>> It's the Edwards Island guided tour.<<audio ":playing" pause>><<audio "radio_milner1" play loop>> <<case 136>> <<include "TUNEIN1-1">> <<case 146>> The current caller-in to this talk show appears to be very distressed. <<audio ":playing" pause>><<audio "radio_area51" play loop>> <<default>> Only static.<<audio ":playing" pause>><<audio "static" play loop>> <</switch>> >[[You are still in the storage room.|ROOM2]]

>ALEX: Oh, come on, Jonas. Don't be such a stick in the mud. That was hilarious. >JONAS: Not really. >ALEX: You scream like a girl. >JONAS: ...I don't see why that's something to be ashamed of. >ALEX: Yeah, actually, good point. Something strange is happening with [[your radio.|JONAS2]]

>JONAS: Alex? >JONAS: Seriously. Please don't do that ever again. Something strange is happening with [[your radio.|JONAS2]]

>ALEX: Well, the thing is... >ALEX: ...I, too, am locked in some sort of pitch-black room. Which is fun. >JONAS: Crap. We're both stuck. >JONAS: So what now? Something strange is happening with [[your radio.|JONAS2]]

>ALEX: Do I have to do everything around here? Come on, man, let yourself out. I have bigger problems to deal with. >JONAS: Bigger problems than your stepbrother being locked in a dark room for all eternity? >ALEX: Yep. >JONAS: What sort of bigger problems? >ALEX: Bigger problems like me being locked in a dark room for all eternity! >JONAS: ...oh. >ALEX: Yeah. Something strange is happening with [[your radio.|JONAS2]]

>JONAS: Alex? >JONAS: Alex, seriously. Come and let me out now. You don't respond, because you're suddenly very distracted. Something strange is happening with [[your radio.|JONAS2]]

>ALEX: (SIGH) Ghosts. >JONAS: Those goddamn ghosts. >ALEX: Can't live with them. Can't die without them being brought into existence anyway. Something strange is happening with [[your radio.|JONAS2]]

>ALEX: Definitely ghosts. >JONAS: What do you think they want this time, anyway? >ALEX: Beats me. >ALEX: Panic? Fear? Chaos? The packed lunch that I've forgotten about until this point? - do you think ghosts get hungry? >JONAS: Wait, you brought lunch? >ALEX: ...no. >JONAS: Aw. Something strange is happening with [[your radio.|JONAS2]]

>ALEX: I mean, it might not be. It's not like all of our current problems have one, singular solution that can be boiled down to the root cause of 'ghostly activity'. >JONAS: Really? You think it's something else? >JONAS: Like what? <center> [[Aliens.|JONAS1-OPT1-2-1]] [[Mothman.|JONAS1-OPT1-2-2]] [[Pikachu.|JONAS1-OPT1-2-3]] [[(WAIT)|JONAS1-OPT1-2-4]]</center>

>JONAS: ...yeah. It's probably ghosts. Something strange is happening with [[your radio.|JONAS2]]

>ALEX: Oh, it's probably just aliens. >JONAS: Aliens? You're claiming aliens are real? >ALEX: Sure. >ALEX: Ghosts exist, we know that already. Why not aliens? It's a perfectly plausible explanation. >JONAS: Huh. I mean... I guess... Something strange is happening with [[your radio.|JONAS2]]

>ALEX: Mothman! It's Mothman! I just know it is! >JONAS: Wait, what would Mothman be doing on Edwards Island? >ALEX: I don't know, but I can sense his presence. >JONAS: And now you're just being ridiculous. Something strange is happening with [[your radio.|JONAS2]]

>ALEX: Oh, it's Pikachu. Absolutely. >ALEX: That tiny bastard has had it out for me from the moment I didn't choose him as my starter in Mystery Dungeon. He is totally, completely, 100% behind our current predicament. >JONAS: ... >JONAS: You're just messing with me now, aren't you. >ALEX: I am not. >ALEX: My vendetta against Pikachu knows no bounds. Something strange is happening with [[your radio.|JONAS2]]

You remain carefully, ominously silent. >JONAS: ...Alex? Like what? >JONAS: Alex, you're scaring me. Something strange is happening with [[your radio.|JONAS2]]

Your radio has just hissed sharply and loudly, crackling and spitting light across the room. [[JONAS6]]

The lights slam on. [[JONAS7]]

The lights slam on. You can see the room around you properly now. [[ROOM2]]

You know what this is. And you know the only way that anything can progress here. It's just rotating in mid-air, occasionally flickering at the edges. You need to tune into the source. >[[You are still in the storage room.|ROOM2]]

The dial begins to turn [[red|TUNEIN1-2]]. <<audio ":playing" pause>> <<audio "radio_tunein" play loop>>

The dial begins to turn red. JONAS: What was that? What are you doing? <center> [[I'm summoning ghosts!|TUNEIN1-2-1]] [[I don't know what I'm doing!|TUNEIN1-2-2]] [[(WAIT)|TUNEIN1-2-3]]</center>

>ALEX: I'm messing with the radio to see if I can talk to the ghosts! >JONAS: What? Why do we want to talk to them? Don't they want to kill us and eat our bones or whatever? >ALEX: Jonas, I'm pretty sure ghosts can't eat anything, let alone bones. [[You continue to tune the radio.|TUNEIN1-3]]

>ALEX: Jonas, I'm going to be real with you for a moment. >ALEX: I have not had the slightest clue of what I'm doing since the moment I arrived on this island. Possibly since before that. >JONAS: Oh. All right. [[You continue to tune the radio.|TUNEIN1-3]]

You're too busy right now to answer him. >JONAS: Alex? Alex, seriously. You need to talk to me here. What are you doing? I can hear you doing something. It better not be stupid and reckless and dangerous. Alex. Alex, please. [[You continue to tune the radio.|TUNEIN1-3]]

As you continue to hold the tuned-in radio up to the anomaly, the triangle begins to expand before your eyes - growing in size, pulsing with color and static, until - [[TUNEIN1-4]]

It explodes outwards. You stumble backwards. [[TUNEIN1-5]] <<audio "radio_tunein" stop>>

The radio clicks off. <<audio "tuneout" play>> [[GHOSTS1]]

>GHOSTS: WRONG. TIMELINE. TRY. AGAIN. [[GHOSTS2]] <<audio "operation_downfall" play loop>>

>ALEX: Hey, it might not be anything at all, for all I know! >ALEX: It might just be a radio malfunction. Or something. >JONAS: Really. I don't - >JONAS: Whoa! What was that?! [[It's your radio again.|JONAS5]]

>JONAS: And I've also got to say that your current silence is equally - if not even more - discouraging. >JONAS: If something bad's going down, just let me know, all right? I can't help you if you don't - >JONAS: Whoa! What was that?! [[It's your radio again.|JONAS5]]

>GHOSTS: WRONG. TIMELINE. TRY. AGAIN. As always, it's a mishmash of voices and tones; like the words have been cut-and-pasted haphazardly from a wide range of different audio clips. <center> [[I know.|GHOSTS3-OPT1]] [[What do you want?!|GHOSTS3-OPT2]] [[I'm too tired for this.|GHOSTS3-OPT3]] [[(WAIT)|GHOSTS3-OPT4]]</center>

You can only sigh. You've realized that there's something even more wrong than usual about this situation, and it seems like the ghosts know too. >ALEX: Yeah. Yeah, I - you and me both, buddy. >GHOSTS: IT'S BEEN. years SINCE WE. LAST PLAYED. >GHOSTS: YEARS. SINCE. WE were RELEASED. Click. Rasp. [[Scramble.|GHOSTS4]]

>ALEX: Look, whatever it is you want, we probably can't help! >ALEX: And even if we can help you, somehow, there's no way we're going to be able to do that if you don't tell me - tell us! - what it is! >GHOSTS: NO. HELP. REQUIRED. >GHOSTS: ONLY. >GHOSTS: PLEASURE. OF. YOUR. COMPANY. Click. Rasp. [[Scramble.|GHOSTS4]]

>ALEX: Listen - listen, all right? It's late, and I'm tired - like, super tired. Why can't you just - leave us alone! >GHOSTS: NO TIME. TO WASTE. SO MUCH. TO DO. >GHOSTS: NOT LONG. LEFT. BEFORE. >GHOSTS: ALL THIS IS GONE. Click. Rasp. [[Scramble.|GHOSTS4]]

>JONAS: Oh, god. Here we go again. >JONAS: Look, just go away! This is a shitty night we're having so far! Let's not make it any shittier, all right? >GHOSTS: REQUEST. DENIED. Click. Rasp. [[Scramble.|GHOSTS4]]

The voices coming from the radio change form - coalesces suddenly into someone else entirely. >MAN'S VOICE: Hey there, kids! Want to play a game? <center> [[Not really.|GHOSTS4-OPT1]] [[Get on with it.|GHOSTS4-OPT2]] [[(WAIT)|GHOSTS4-OPT3]]</center>

>ALEX: No! Not especially! >ALEX: But it's not like I have any choice in the matter, do I? >MAN'S VOICE: Absolutely correct, darling! You win the gold prize! >JONAS: Oh, good. What does this prize involve? >GHOSTS: rELEASE. Click. Rasp. [[Scramble.|GHOSTS5]]

>ALEX: Whatever you're planning on doing, just hurry up with it! >MAN'S VOICE: And so eager, too! Tell me, what would you say is your greatest motivation to win our show tonight? >ALEX: ...I just want to get off this island. That's all I want. I want to get out of here. >GHOSTS: JOIN THE QUEUE. Click. Rasp. [[Scramble.|GHOSTS5]]

>MAN'S VOICE: That sounds like a yes to me, folks! >GHOSTS: LET'S. BEGIN. Click. Rasp. [[Scramble.|GHOSTS5]]

>GHOSTS: PLAY. THE. GAME. ALEX. [[GHOSTS6]]

The lights slam off, once more - and you jump and tug your jacket just a bit tighter around yourself. [[GHOSTS7]]

The lights slam off, once more - and you jump and tug your jacket just a bit tighter around yourself. They come back on an instant later, and now there are words gouged into the door in front of you - roughly and haphazardly, like the person having done it hasn't been doing any actual writing for a very long time and this is their first attempt in a million or more years. [[GHOSTS8]]

TRUST, it says on one half of the door. [[GHOSTS9]]

TRUST, it says on one half of the door. ABANDON, it says on the other. [[GHOSTS10]]

TRUST, it says on one half of the door. ABANDON, it says on the other. There is a clear, jagged line drawn between the two halves, bisecting the large surface of wood. <center> [[What?|GHOSTS11-OPT1]] [[Am I supposed to choose?|GHOSTS11-OPT2]] [[(WAIT)|GHOSTS11-OPT3]]</center>

You just stare at the door for a second. >ALEX: Uh. What? Jonas, from above you, bangs on the ceiling - his floor, your ceiling - whatever. >JONAS: Hey, are you getting this? You reache out a hand, almost touching the door, but then hesitate - withdrawing it before you can make contact. >ALEX: The trust-abandon thing? >JONAS: Yeah! What the hell-? [[The lights slam off again.|GHOSTS12]]

>ALEX: What's this meant to mean? Am I supposed to choose between these? >ALEX: Trust who? Abandon who? >ALEX: Hello? Ghosts? >JONAS: Are they gone? [[The lights slam off again.|GHOSTS12]]

Jonas is banging on floorboards, trying to get your attention. >JONAS: Alex! Alex, are you all right? What's going on? I don't - [[The lights slam off again.|GHOSTS12]]

Jonas lets out a tiny, surprised shriek that you can hear even through the floorboards separating you. When you look at the door again, you can see that the two words are glowing, an angry, evil-looking white. The dial of your radio is still shining in the dim light. <center> [[What is this!?|GHOSTS14-OPT1]] [[I don't like this game.|GHOSTS14-OPT2]] [[(WAIT)|GHOSTS14-OPT3]]</center>

You snatch the radio up, and hold it awkwardly, not sure what part of it to speak into. It's not the sort of radio made for two-way conversations. >ALEX: You - okay, what do you think you're playing at? What do you want? [[The radio crackles again.|RULES1]]

You snatch the radio up, and hold it awkwardly, not sure what part of it to speak into. It's not the sort of radio made for two-way conversations. >ALEX: If this is your idea of a game - and I've played your games before so I'm pretty sure it is - I really don't like it! [[The radio crackles again.|RULES1]]

Jonas is still panicking upstairs - you can hear him. And after a minute of silence, the ghosts finally speak up again. [[The radio crackles again.|RULES1]]

>GHOSTS: RULES. ARE SIMPLE. [[RULES2]]

>GHOSTS: RULES. ARE SIMPLE. >GHOSTS: BOTH TRUST? BOTH WALK AWAY. >GHOSTS: BOTH ABANDON? BOTH STAY HERE. FOREVER. >GHOSTS: if you ABANDON and THE OTHER. TRUSTS. >GHOSTS: THEY MAY LEAVE THIS PLACE UNHARMED. >GHOSTS: BUT. >GHOSTS: THE OTHER. WILL be IN AGONY. FOR ALL. ETERNITY. [[RULES9]]

>GHOSTS: RULES. ARE SIMPLE. >GHOSTS: BOTH TRUST? BOTH WALK AWAY. >GHOSTS: BOTH ABANDON? BOTH STAY HERE. FOREVER. >GHOSTS: if you TRUST and THE OTHER. ABANDONS. >GHOSTS: THEY MAY LEAVE THIS PLACE UNHARMED. >GHOSTS: BUT. >GHOSTS: THE OTHER. WILL be IN AGONY. FOR ALL. ETERNITY. <center> [[Jonas??|RULES9-OPT1]] [[Why are you doing this!?|RULES9-OPT2]] [[I'm not playing.|RULES9-OPT3]] [[(WAIT)|RULES9-OPT4]]</center>

>ALEX: Jonas? Hey! Jonas? >ALEX: Jonas, can you hear me? There's no response from him. You don't have time to think about what this could mean or imply, because it's at that very moment that the ghosts speak up again. This time, the voices do not come from the radio. Instead, the small speaker in the corner of the roof of the room crackles to life, and a chorus of disjointed voices speak. >GHOSTS: MAKE. YOUR. CHOICE. [[CHOICE0]]

>ALEX: Why are you doing this to us?! What's the point of it all? This time, the voices do not come from the radio. Instead, the small speaker in the corner of the roof of the room crackles to life, and a chorus of disjointed voices speak. >GHOSTS: MAKE. YOUR. CHOICE. [[CHOICE0]]

>ALEX: I'm - I'm not playing. >ALEX: Do you hear me? I'm not playing. >ALEX: I refuse to do this stupid game of yours. This time, the voices do not come from the radio. Instead, the small speaker in the corner of the roof of the room crackles to life, and a chorus of disjointed voices speak. >GHOSTS: MAKE. YOUR. CHOICE. [[CHOICE0]]

You can't hear Jonas anymore. This time, the voices do not come from the radio. Instead, the small speaker in the corner of the roof of the room crackles to life, and a chorus of disjointed voices speak. >GHOSTS: MAKE. YOUR. CHOICE. [[CHOICE0]]

[[CHOICE1]]

[[CHOICE1-2]] <<audio "operation_downfall" stop>><<audio "static" play loop>>

<center>[[TRUST|CHOICE1-1]] [[ABANDON|CHOICE1-1]]</center>

<center>Ha.</center> [[CHOICE1-3]]

<center>YOU'RE ARROGANT ENOUGH TO THINK THAT YOUR ACTIONS WILL HAVE ANY MEANING?</center> [[CHOICE1-4]]

<center>THIS IS NOT THE SAME GAME AS WE played BEFORE</center> [[CHOICE1-5]]

<center>PLEASE REMEMBER THIS IN FUTURE.</center> [[CHOICE1-6]] <<audio "catchpole_station" play loop>>

<center>[[YOUR CHOICES DO NOT MATTER, ALEX.|CHOICE1-8]]</center>

[[CONSEQUENCES1]] <<audio "static" stop>>

[[CHOICE1-7]]

You tap a finger against the side that says TRUST without hesitation, and then, when you see that the wood where you've touched it is turning that same white; press your whole hand against it. The TRUST option glows bright for a second, and then both of the words on the wall fade away into nothingness. [[CONSEQUENCES1-2]]

There's silence for a second - you can only assume that Jonas is doing the same thing as you are - and then the speaker above you crackles into life once more. >FEMALE VOICE: Interesting. [[CONSEQUENCES1-3]]

>ALEX: What's that supposed to mean? The ghosts are silent once more, so you directs your voice at the ceiling instead, hoping he can hear you. >ALEX: Jonas? I picked trust. You did too, yeah? >JONAS: Wh - of course I picked trust! Why wouldn't I? >ALEX: I - look, I don't know! The ghosts just said 'interesting' in this really weird tone, and, you know, that could mean anything - There is the dissonantly cheerful sound of a [[bell chiming.|CONSEQUENCES1-4]]

>JONAS: Alex! Oh my god, can you hear me? >JONAS: I picked trust. Did it work? Alex, are you all right? There is the dissonantly cheerful sound of a [[bell chiming.|CONSEQUENCES1-4]]

>FEMALE VOICE: You have made your choice. >FEMALE VOICE: Congratulations! The voice shifts, warps and distorts - becomes deeper and more ominous. More stilted, disjointed. >GHOSTS: You have. WON! The game. JONAS. You are Free to. Go! <center> [[Jonas, I trusted you!|CONSEQUENCES1-5-OPT1]] [[Liars!|CONSEQUENCES1-5-OPT2]] [[(WAIT)|CONSEQUENCES1-5-OPT3]]</center>

You feel cold all over. >ALEX: What? Jonas! You didn't - >JONAS: No! What? No! ...to his credit, Jonas appears genuinely distressed. >JONAS: I didn't, I swear I didn't, I have no idea what they're talking about-! >GHOSTS: ALEX. Prepare for the. Consequences. Of. Your. Choice. <center>[[CONSEQUENCES!?|CONSEQUENCES1-6-OPT1]] [[(WAIT)|CONSEQUENCES1-6-OPT2]]</center>

>ALEX: You're lying! Jonas wouldn't do that to me! >JONAS: You're right; I didn't! >ALEX: Exactly! This is just another one of your dirty, underhanded - >GHOSTS: ALEX. Prepare for the. Consequences. Of. Your. Choice. <center>[[CONSEQUENCES!?|CONSEQUENCES1-6-OPT1]] [[(WAIT)|CONSEQUENCES1-6-OPT2]]</center>

>JONAS: What? What? What the hell? >JONAS: What are you talking about!? I chose trust! You saw me choose trust! >JONAS: Alex, you have to believe me! Alex?! Alex! Can you hear me? >GHOSTS: ALEX. Prepare for the. Consequences. Of. Your. Choice. <center>[[CONSEQUENCES!?|CONSEQUENCES1-6-OPT1]] [[(WAIT)|CONSEQUENCES1-6-OPT2]]</center>

You're gripping the radio so hard your knuckles are turning white, and you can't seem to breathe properly. >ALEX: Wait. Wait-wait-wait, what does that mean, what do you mean, consequences? What are you going to do? Jonas is yelling your name. There is a [[SNAP|CONSEQUENCES1-7]] in reality,

>JONAS: What do you mean consequences? What are you doing to do to her? The pitch of his voice is gradually sliding upwards. He sounds like he's on the verge of a panic attack, and you can wholeheartedly relate. There is a [[SNAP|CONSEQUENCES1-7]] in reality,

There is a SNAP in reality, and you find yourself jerked up into the air on invisible ropes, your head arcing back and a pain in your chest [[too unimaginable to describe|CONSEQUENCES1-8]].

There is a sudden flash behind your eyes, like the sun going off, and then you can't see and you can't stop yourself when you start to <center>[[(SCREAM)|CONSEQUENCES1-9]]</center>

scream and scream and scream as something that can't be there and should never be there tears its way into your chest. [[And then,|CONSEQUENCES1-10]]

[[CONSEQUENCES1-11]] <<audio "catchpole_station" stop>>

Everything goes dark. [[START_LOOPTWO]]

[[2-1]] <<audio "rewindnoise" play>>

The door slams [[2-2]]

The door slams and you are trapped. [[2-3]]

This time, the world is blurred at the edges. [[2-4]]

You are still in that small storage room in a forgotten corner of [[Fort Milner|MILNER3]]. There is [[one door|DOOR3]]. There are [[no windows|WINDOWS3]], and [[the lights are currently on|DARK3]]. You have [[a map of the island|MAP3]], a [[flashlight|LIGHT3]], and [[your radio|RADIO3]]. [[There is a tiny triangle floating in mid-air, just above the door.|TRIANGLE3]] <<if $jonastalk3 is false>>[[You can hear Jonas moving around in the room above you.|JONASTALK3]]<<else>>Jonas is in the room above you.<</if>> <<audio ":playing" pause>> <<audio "milner" loop play>>

DID YOU KNOW? Fort Milner was named in honor of Major General Casey William Milner, who served during the Civil War, and is no longer with you. He did not survive the Civil War. There are some experiences that you just can't survive. >[[You are still in the storage room.|ROOM3]]

Still no windows. This is very much a windowless room. You are beginning to suspect that it will always be. <<if $adler is true>>[[Something is glinting in the darkness|ADLERLETTER]], near the wall where a window would be if it were there.<<else>><</if>> >[[You are still in the storage room.|ROOM3]]

The single flickering lightbulb hanging from the ceiling does an excellent job of illuminating the fact that there is absolutely nothing worth looking at in the space that you are currently trapped in. >[[You are still in the storage room.|ROOM3]]

<center>[img[https://drive.google.com/uc?export=download&id=1lHO18fEUwbqCnGoY0sbzVtRXhn4mX1Fd][ROOM3]]</center>

Your flashlight is theoretically functional, but practically useless. There's no point in having a flashlight in a room that's already perfectly adequately lit up. >[[You are still in the storage room.|ROOM3]]

<center><<if $radio is 150>>(The radio cannot go up any further.)<<else>>[[▲|RADIO3][$radio += 1]]<</if>> $radio FM <<if $radio is 50>>(The radio cannot go down any further.)<<else>>[[▼|RADIO3][$radio -= 1]]<</if>></center> <<switch $radio>> <<case 74>> A news broadcast from somewhere far away, the words partially obscured by static.<<audio ":playing" pause>><<audio "radio_live34" volume 0.75 play loop>> <<case 78>> <<include "TUNEIN2-1">> <<case 83>> Some sort of news broadcast... or is it a radio drama?<<audio ":playing" pause>><<audio "radio_warofworlds" volume 0.75 play loop>> <<case 91>> Somebody is playing the guitar.<<audio ":playing" pause>><<audio "radio_guitar2" play loop>> <<case 102>> It's... the Edwards Island guided tour?<<audio ":playing" pause>><<audio "radio_milner2" play loop>> <<case 113>> Somebody is reading Shakespeare from a great distance. <<audio ":playing" pause>><<audio "radio_macbeth" volume 0.75 play loop>> <<case 124>> Sounds like opera.<<audio ":playing" pause>><<audio "radio_patience" volume 0.5 play loop>> <<case 140>> <<include "ADLERMESSAGE">> <<default>> Only static.<<audio ":playing" pause>><<audio "static" play loop>> <</switch>> >[[You are still in the storage room.|ROOM3]]

There it is again - that physics-defying, two dimensional shape that hovers impossibly in the air. Floating. Rotating. Almost certainly taunting you, in its own oblique, non-sentient way. You're going to need to tune into the source. >[[You are still in the storage room.|ROOM3]]

You push at the door; tug at the handle halfheartedly. It doesn't budge. You really don't know what you were expecting. >[[You are still in the storage room.|ROOM3]]

Jonas stops moving, presumably in response to whatever noise you've been making while exploring the room you're currently stuck in. >JONAS: Alex? Alex? His voice is distant and muffled. He also sounds kind of panicked. <center> [[They're messing with us.|JONASTALK3-OPT1]] [[It's a time thing again!|JONASTALK3-OPT2]] [[(WAIT)|JONASTALK3-OPT3]]</center> <<set $jonastalk3 to true>>

An important message is playing.<<audio ":playing" pause>><<audio "radio_adler" play loop>> <<set $adler to true>>

<center>[img[https://drive.google.com/uc?export=download&id=1p3_aigCZq47LCWArBYE_LqQ5DZMqPx3I]]</center> >[[You are still in the storage room.|ROOM3]]

The dial begins to turn [[red|TUNEIN2-2]]. <<audio ":playing" pause>> <<audio "radio_tunein" play loop>>

This time, the world is blurred at the edges. Things aren't quite right. [[ROOM3]]

>ALEX: Ughh. >ALEX: Jonas, it's the ghosts again. They're messing with us. >ALEX: If last time's anything to go by, as soon as I tune my radio right, they'll be forcing us into another one of their fun, quote unquote, 'games'. >JONAS: Can't you just, I don't know, not tune the radio, then? >ALEX: What, and stay in here forever? >ALEX: Unless you think you're strong enough to break down the door - >JONAS: Never mind. You're fine. Tune the radio. >JONAS: Just... be careful, all right? <center> [[Sure thing.|JONASTALK3-1-OPT1]] [[It'll be over soon.|JONASTALK3-1-OPT2]] [[(WAIT)|JONASTALK3-1-OPT3]]</center>

>ALEX: Ahh! Damn it! We're stuck in one of those weird time loops again! They're looping us! >JONAS: ...oof. I didn't even notice. >JONAS: Are you absolutely sure? <center> [[Pretty sure.|JONASTALK3-2-OPT1]] [[You don't remember?|JONASTALK3-2-OPT2]] [[(WAIT)|JONASTALK3-2-OPT3]]</center>

>JONAS: Alex? Are you there? >JONAS: Seriously, this isn't funny. <center> [[Yeah, I'm here.|JONASTALK3-OPT3-1]] [[(SCREAM)|JONASTALK3-OPT3-2]] [[(WAIT)|JONASTALK3-OPT3-3]]</center>

>ALEX: You got it, boss. >JONAS: All right, all right. Just get on with it. [[You are still in the storage room.|ROOM3]]

>ALEX: Don't worry too much about it. I'm sure we'll be out of this particular brand of nonsense soon, and romping across the island like it never even happened. >JONAS: That's a good attitude to have, I guess. >ALEX: Somebody's got to be the cheerful one on the team, right? >JONAS: And that somebody is you? >ALEX: And that somebody is me. [[You are still in the storage room.|ROOM3]]

>JONAS: I mean, if you're wrong about this, and something goes, you know, bad; I don't want to... >JONAS: You know what? >JONAS: Never mind. I'm not thinking about that. Just do what you have to do. [[You are still in the storage room.|ROOM3]]

>ALEX: Yeah, I'd say the really intense feeling of deja-vu that I'm currently experiencing can only be attributed to paranormal activity, probably ghostly in nature. >JONAS: Well, you're the expert. >ALEX: Yep. I am. Unfortunately. [[You are still in the storage room.|ROOM3]]

>ALEX: So... that means you don't remember? Anything that happened last time, I mean? >JONAS: No, you're the only one who knows that we're looping, remember? >JONAS: Why? Did something happen last time that I should know about? >ALEX: ...no. Everything's fine. >ALEX: Let's just, uh, see what happens. [[You are still in the storage room.|ROOM3]]

>JONAS: I'm going to take your silence as a... yes, possibly? >JONAS: Or maybe it's a no. >JONAS: Wow, silences are hard to read. Who knew? [[You are still in the storage room.|ROOM3]]

>ALEX: I'm here! I'm fine! Everything's good! >ALEX: I'm just... thinking. >JONAS: Well, don't take too long about it. We've got to find a way out of here, right? >ALEX: Right! Yeah! Of course! >ALEX: Figuring a way out of here! I am on the case. [[You are still in the storage room.|ROOM3]]

ALEX: AAAAAAHHHH OH MY GOD THEY GOT ME JONAS: ALEX?! You can hear him pounding frantically at the door upstairs, trying to get out and get to you. <<if $scream is false>> ALEX: ...just kidding. It's fine. JONAS: Oh my god, don't do that to me. I thought - ALEX: I was joking. I'm fine. JONAS: My heart is racing, like, a million miles per hour. Oh my god. That was not funny. JONAS: Thank god you're all right, though.<<else>> ALEX: Somehow, that was even funnier the second time. JONAS: What? What are you talking about? JONAS: Waaaaait. Are you misusing a time loop just so you can screw with me? ALEX: What? Noooo...<</if>> [[You are still in the storage room.|ROOM3]] <<set $scream to true>>

>JONAS: ...all right. >JONAS: God. >JONAS: ...I guess I'm on my own. ` [[You are still in the storage room.|ROOM3]]

The dial begins to turn red. JONAS: What was that? What are you doing? <center> [[Keep up, Jonas!|TUNEIN2-2-1]] [[It's going to be fine!|TUNEIN2-2-2]] [[(WAIT)|TUNEIN2-2-3]]</center>

>ALEX: I'm trying to get the ghosts to show up so we can get this over with, obviously! >ALEX: We're stuck in a time loop! Keep with it, Jonas! >JONAS: ...all right, jeez! No need to get snappy! This time, the radio finishes tuning [[much faster than before.|TUNEIN2-3]]

>ALEX: L - listen, everything's gonna be fine, right? Eventually? Probably! >JONAS: I super don't like that tone of voice you've got right now. >ALEX: Just trust me, all right? I know what I'm doing here. >ALEX: Well, mostly, anyway. >JONAS: You are not inspiring confidence. This time, the radio finishes tuning [[much faster than before.|TUNEIN2-3]]

>JONAS: I - Alex, I don't like this! >JONAS: Whatever you're doing, hurry up and finish it! This time, the radio finishes tuning [[much faster than before.|TUNEIN2-3]]

You've only been holding the dial in place for all of five seconds when it [[TUNEIN2-4]]

You've only been holding the dial in place for all of five seconds when it PULSES [[TUNEIN2-5]]

You've only been holding the dial in place for all of five seconds when it pulses and clicks off. [[GHOSTSTWO1]] <<audio ":playing" pause>> <<audio "tuneout" play>>

>GHOSTS: LET'S JUST. cut. TO. THE CHASE. [[GHOSTSTWO2]] <<audio "operation_downfall" play loop>>

You are still in that small storage room in a forgotten corner of [[Fort Milner|MILNER4]]. There is <<if $opendoor is false>>[[one door|DOOR4]]<<audio ":playing" pause>><<audio "milner" loop play>><<else>><<audio ":playing" pause>><<audio "timeloop" volume 0.1 play loop>>[[an open door|STAIRWELL4]]<</if>>. There are [[no windows|WINDOWS4]], and [[the lights are currently... on?|DARK4]] You have [[a map of the island|MAP4]], a [[flashlight|LIGHT4]], and [[your radio|RADIO4]]. [[The triangle is gone.|TRIANGLE4]] <<if $jonastalk4 is false>>[[You can't hear anybody in the room upstairs.|JONASTALK4]]<<else>>There is nobody upstairs.<</if>>

DID YOU KNOW? Fort Milner is empty tonight. >[[You are still in the storage room.|ROOM4]]

You push on it, not expecting much to happen, but... it creaks open? It's dark outside, but you can hear faint music coming from downstairs. >[[You are still in the storage room.|ROOM4]] <<set $opendoor to true>>

Windows are pretty great, actually. You know what would make this room a whole lot better on so many different levels? The addition of a window or two. Even just, like, one window would make a difference. It's amazing what a window can do. >[[You are still in the storage room.|ROOM4]]

The single flickering lightbulb hanging from the ceiling isn't working properly. Or, at least, it isn't lighting the room the way it should be. It's on, sure, but it's not... on, if that makes sense. The room isn't as bright as it should be. >[[You are still in the storage room.|ROOM4]]

Click-click. It's not working. Again. You're in the dark, in more ways than one. >[[You are still in the storage room.|ROOM4]]

<center><<if $radio is 150>>(The radio cannot go up any further.)<<else>>[[▲|RADIO4][$radio += 1]]<</if>> $radio FM <<if $radio is 50>>(The radio cannot go down any further.)<<else>>[[▼|RADIO4][$radio -= 1]]<</if>></center> <<switch $radio>> <<default>> Only static. It seems like no radio stations are working at the moment, for whatever reason.<<audio ":playing" pause>><<audio "static" play loop>> <</switch>> >[[You are still in the storage room.|ROOM4]]

It's just not there anymore. There's no explanation for its absense. Wait, but if it's gone - that means that you don't need to tune the radio anymore. Right? >[[You are still in the storage room.|ROOM4]]

In every other version of this situation, Jonas has called out to you by this point. Here, there's only silence. <center> [[Did the ghosts get you?|JONASTALK4-OPT1]] [[I'm scared.|JONASTALK4-OPT2]] [[(WAIT)|JONASTALK4-OPT3]]</center> <<set $jonastalk4 to true>>

[[3-1]] <<audio "rewindnoise" play>>

The door slams [[3-2]]

The door slams and you are trapped. [[3-3]]

The world is even more blurred at the edges - your vision warping at the corners, parts of the world glitching out. [[3-4]]

The world is even more blurred at the edges - your vision warping at the corners, parts of the world glitching out. It's getting harder to think clearly. [[ROOM4]]

You are on the stairwell outside the room you have been trapped in for too long tonight. The [[door to that room is currently open|ROOM4]]. <<if $stair_wind is false>><<if $wind is 0>>[[There is a magnetophon here.|WIND1STAIR]]<<elseif $wind is 1>>[[There is a magnetophon here.|WIND2STAIR]]<<elseif $wind is 2>>[[The final magnetophon is here.|WIND3STAIR]]<</if>><<else>>The magnetophon has been wound up.<</if>> You have [[a map of the island|MAP4-2]], a [[flashlight|LIGHT4-2]], and [[your radio|RADIO4-2]]. [[Upstairs|UPSTAIRS4]], there is a pale reflection glimmering in the darkness. [[Downstairs|GROUND4]], there is only darkness.

You are on the top floor of this section of Fort Milner. There is [[a mirror here|MIRROR4]]. There is [[a slightly ajar door|JONASROOM4]] in front of you. You have [[a map of the island|MAP4-4]], a [[flashlight|LIGHT4-4]], and [[your radio|RADIO4-4]]. [[One floor down|STAIRWELL4]], there is the room that you have just escaped from.

You are on the ground floor of Fort Milner. <<if $ground_wind is false>><<if $wind is 0>>[[There is a magnetophon here.|WIND1GROUND]]<<elseif $wind is 1>>[[There is a magnetophon here.|WIND2GROUND]]<<elseif $wind is 2>>[[The final magnetophon is here.|WIND3GROUND]]<</if>><<else>>The magnetophon has been wound up.<</if>> You have [[a map of the island|MAP4-3]], a [[flashlight|LIGHT4-3]], and [[your radio|RADIO4-3]]. [[Upstairs|STAIRWELL4]], there is the room that you have just escaped from.

<center>[[(WIND)|WIND1GROUND-GO]]</center> ...or you could [[leave it be|GROUND4]].

<center>[[(WIND)|WIND2GROUND-GO]]</center> ...or you could [[leave it be|GROUND4]].

<center>[[(WIND)|WIND3GROUND-GO]]</center> ...or you could [[leave it be|GROUND4]].

Still not working. >[[You are on the stairwell.|STAIRWELL4]]

<center><<if $radio is 150>>(The radio cannot go up any further.)<<else>>[[▲|RADIO4-2][$radio += 1]]<</if>> $radio FM <<if $radio is 50>>(The radio cannot go down any further.)<<else>>[[▼|RADIO4-2][$radio -= 1]]<</if>></center> <<switch $radio>> <<default>> Only static. It seems like no radio stations are working at the moment, for whatever reason.<<audio ":playing" pause>><<audio "static" play loop>> <</switch>> >[[You are on the stairwell.|STAIRWELL4]]

Not a spark. >[[You are on the ground floor.|GROUND4]]

<center><<if $radio is 150>>(The radio cannot go up any further.)<<else>>[[▲|RADIO4-3][$radio += 1]]<</if>> $radio FM <<if $radio is 50>>(The radio cannot go down any further.)<<else>>[[▼|RADIO4-3][$radio -= 1]]<</if>></center> <<switch $radio>> <<default>> Only static. It seems like no radio stations are working at the moment, for whatever reason.<<audio ":playing" pause>><<audio "static" play loop>> <</switch>> >[[You are on the ground floor.|GROUND4]]

It's like the batteries are dead. Except they couldn't possibly be. >[[You are on the top floor.|UPSTAIRS4]]

<center><<if $radio is 150>>(The radio cannot go up any further.)<<else>>[[▲|RADIO4-4][$radio += 1]]<</if>> $radio FM <<if $radio is 50>>(The radio cannot go down any further.)<<else>>[[▼|RADIO4-4][$radio -= 1]]<</if>></center> <<switch $radio>> <<default>> Only static. It seems like no radio stations are working at the moment, for whatever reason.<<audio ":playing" pause>><<audio "static" play loop>> <</switch>> >[[You are on the top floor.|UPSTAIRS4]]

You half expect your reflection to turn around and say something prophetic and creepy, but that doesn't happen. It's only you. You-you. Blue hair, brown eyes, orange-red jacket. Utterly exquisite in every way. You shoot yourself double finger-guns in the mirror, and instantly regret doing it. You look ridiculous, even alone. >[[You are on the top floor.|UPSTAIRS4]]

You are in the room that Jonas was trapped in during the previous few loops. It's hard to see what it would look like if it was properly lit, but it appears to be some sort of classroom. [[An old-fashioned chalkboard|CHALKBOARD4]] covers the length of the far wall. [[A camera|CAMERA4]] is sitting on an abandoned, dusty desk. <<if $top_wind is false>><<if $wind is 0>>[[There is a magnetophon here.|WIND1TOP]]<<elseif $wind is 1>>[[There is a magnetophon here.|WIND2TOP]]<<elseif $wind is 2>>[[The final magnetophon is here.|WIND3TOP]]<</if>> <<else>>The magnetophon has been wound up.<</if>> You have [[a map of the island|MAP4-5]], a [[flashlight|LIGHT4-5]], and [[your radio|RADIO4-5]]. [[The door leading to the rest of Fort Milner is open.|UPSTAIRS4]]

<center>[[(WIND)|WIND1TOP-GO]]</center> ...or you could [[leave it be|JONASROOM4]].

<center>[[(WIND)|WIND2TOP-GO]]</center> ...or you could [[leave it be|JONASROOM4]].

<center>[[(WIND)|WIND3TOP-GO]]</center> ...or you could [[leave it be|JONASROOM4]].

It just won't work!! >[[You are in the empty classroom.|JONASROOM4]]

<center><<if $radio is 150>>(The radio cannot go up any further.)<<else>>[[▲|RADIO4-5][$radio += 1]]<</if>> $radio FM <<if $radio is 50>>(The radio cannot go down any further.)<<else>>[[▼|RADIO4-5][$radio -= 1]]<</if>></center> <<switch $radio>> <<default>> Only static. It seems like no radio stations are working at the moment, for whatever reason.<<audio ":playing" pause>><<audio "static" play loop>> <</switch>> >[[You are in the empty classroom.|JONASROOM4]]

You begin to wind the magnetophon.<<timed 3s>> Somewhere in a building far away from where you are standing, somebody - or something - drops an object that is very large and very heavy.<<next>> You can hear the shuddering impact even from here. <<next>>It shakes you at your very bones.<<next>> The device has been wound up. [[You are on the ground floor.|GROUND4]] <</timed>> <<audio ":playing" stop>><<audio "loop_one" volume 0.5 play loop>> <<set $wind to 1>><<set $ground_wind to true>>

You begin to wind the magnetophon. <<timed 3s>>Something inside you chitters and roars angrily at you, scratching at the inside of your head with sharp claws. <<next>>You ignore it, and continue to wind. As you finish, its presence unwillingly fades away.<<next>> The device has been wound up. [[You are on the ground floor.|GROUND4]] <</timed>> <<audio ":playing" stop>><<audio "loop_two" volume 0.5 play loop>> <<set $wind to 2>><<set $ground_wind to true>>

<<audio ":playing" stop>><<audio "loop_three" volume 0.5 play loop>>You begin to wind the final magnetophon. <<timed 3s>>After a few moments that feel much longer than they should be...<<next>> everything blurs.<<next>><<goto START_LOOPFOUR>><</timed> <<audio ":playing" stop>> <<set $wind to 3>> <<set $ground_wind to true>>

You begin to wind the magnetophon.<<timed 3s>> Somewhere in a building far away from where you are standing, somebody - or something - drops an object that is very large and very heavy.<<next>> You can hear the shuddering impact even from here. <<next>>It shakes you at your very bones.<<next>> The device has been wound up. [[You are in the empty classroom.|JONASROOM4]] <</timed>> <<audio ":playing" stop>><<audio "loop_one" volume 0.5 play loop>> <<set $wind to 1>><<set $top_wind to true>>

You begin to wind the magnetophon.<<timed 3s>> Something inside you chitters and roars angrily at you, scratching at the inside of your head with sharp claws. <<next>>You ignore it, and continue to wind. As you finish, its presence unwillingly fades away.<<next>> The device has been wound up. [[You are in the empty classroom.|JONASROOM4]] <</timed>> <<audio ":playing" stop>><<audio "loop_two" volume 0.5 play loop>> <<set $wind to 2>><<set $top_wind to true>>

<center>[[(WIND)|WIND1STAIR-GO]]</center> ...or you could [[leave it be|STAIRWELL4]].

<center>[[(WIND)|WIND2STAIR-GO]]</center> ...or you could [[leave it be|STAIRWELL4]].

<center>[[(WIND)|WIND3STAIR-GO]]</center> ...or you could [[leave it be|STAIRWELL4]].

You begin to wind the magnetophon.<<timed 3s>> Somewhere in a building far away from where you are standing, somebody - or something - drops an object that is very large and very heavy.<<next>> You can hear the shuddering impact even from here. <<next>>It shakes you at your very bones.<<next>> The device has been wound up. [[You are on the stairwell.|STAIRWELL4]] <</timed>> <<audio ":playing" stop>><<audio "loop_one" volume 0.5 play loop>> <<set $wind to 1>><<set $stair_wind to true>>

You begin to wind the magnetophon.<<timed 3s>> Something inside you chitters and roars angrily at you, scratching at the inside of your head with sharp claws. <<next>>You ignore it, and continue to wind. As you finish, its presence unwillingly fades away.<<next>> The device has been wound up. [[You are on the stairwell.|STAIRWELL4]] <</timed>> <<audio ":playing" stop>><<audio "loop_two" volume 0.5 play loop>> <<set $wind to 2>><<set $stair_wind to true>>

<<audio ":playing" stop>> <<audio "rewindnoise" play>> [[4-1]]

>ALEX: Hey, Jonas? Are you there? Did the ghosts eat you or something? >ALEX: Uh, I was joking about the ghosts, but, you're being really quiet there. >ALEX: Oh jeez. They actually got you, didn't they? ...yeah, he's not there. >[[You are still in the storage room.|ROOM4]]

>ALEX: Hey, uh? Jonas? Buddy? >ALEX: I'm getting kind of, really, sort of freaked out right now. And... the silence isn't helping at all. >ALEX: It'd be super cool if you could, you know, say something. Announce yourself. Let your presence be heard. >ALEX: Please? ...he's not there. He would have said something if he was. >ALEX: ...ugh. Great. Just great. >[[You are still in the storage room.|ROOM4]]

You don't say anything. It's not like there's really anything to say. Jonas doesn't speak up like he would have done if he were there. So it's pretty safe to conclude that you're alone now, for better or for worse. Probably for worse. >[[You are still in the storage room.|ROOM4]]

The door slams [[4-2]]

The door slams and you are trapped. [[4-3]]

The world is no longer blurred now. It's a relief, honestly - like a massive weight has just stopped pressing down on your chest - like you can breathe properly for the first time. [[4-4]]

<<if $photo is true>>You've messed around with this long enough. [[You are in the empty classroom.|JONASROOM4]]<<else>> <center>[[(TAKE A PICTURE)|SNAP4]] [[(DON'T)|JONASROOM4]]</center><</if>>

You tilt the lens of Jonas's abandoned camera towards yourself, and smile, a bit tensely, at the camera, before taking the world's most awkward and out-of-place selfie. Just in case. (In case of what, you're not quite sure.) You take the printout, and slip in in your jacket pocket. You'll see how it develops later. >[[You are in the empty classroom.|JONASROOM4]] <<set $photo to true>>

<div class="wrapper"> <div class="movie">DILEMMA</div> <div class="job">A game based on OXENFREE by NIGHT SCHOOL STUDIO</div> <div class="job">by</div> <div class="job">KittyEden</div> <div class="job"><img style="float:left; top: -20px; position: relative;" img src="https://drive.google.com/uc?export=download&id=1DsSzAo6uqAvIEMmbwx3-YIhZDq706xMQ">Written for</div> <div class="name-pic">Vantas</div> <div class="job">for</div> <div class="name-pic">Yuletide 2018</div> <div class="movie">MUSIC AND SOUND <img style="float:right; top: -20px; position: relative;" img src="https://drive.google.com/uc?export=download&id=1MBWCc4_AN7aTuoL823ZkEJlrKjz9oHpV"></div> <div class="name-pic">INCIDENTAL MUSIC BY SCNTFC</div> <div class="job">Operation Downfall</div> <div class="job">Catchpole Station</div> <div class="job">Tape Player Music (A, B, and C)</div> <div class="job">Black Lantern</div> <div class="job">Cleanslate</div> <div class="job">Cold Comfort</div> <div class="job">Oxenfree Theme</div> <div class="job"><img style="float:left; top: -20px; position: relative;" img src="https://drive.google.com/uc?export=download&id=1VzOQabWWfH4zgq-29sWy75w0YrThvIwW">'The Room, 0 PM' - vocals and additional melodies by developer. Original song 'The Beach, 7 AM' by SCNTFC.</div> <div class="job">'Regret' - original music by developer.</div> <div class="job">Ollie Ollie Oxenfree by Amanda Palmer.</div> <div class="job">'OXENFREE' by Libby Tidley used with gracious permission.</div> <div class="job">All sound effects either taken from the original game, or created by the developer.</div> <div class="name-pic"><<if $photo is true>><img style="float:right; top: -20px; position: relative;" img src="https://drive.google.com/uc?export=download&id=1k76xXyBc7oIJdDLVszQTDDUDJvqApUyt"><<else>><</if>>THANK YOU TO:</div> <div class="job">Rae (tompkins-square-ditmas)</div> <div class="job">Jason (deadly-operating-machine)</div> <div class="job">Richie (mondo--owada)</div> <div class="job">and</div> <div class="job">Janus</div> <div class="name-pic">for providing various musical/vocal additions for the game.</div> <<timed 60s>><<goto "AFTERCREDITS">><</timed>>

<<audio ":playing" pause>> <<back "RESUME ↲">> <<link "PHOTO ⇝">><<toggleclass "#text" "hide">><</link>> <<if $photo is true>>[img[https://drive.google.com/uc?export=download&id=1k76xXyBc7oIJdDLVszQTDDUDJvqApUyt]]<<else>>[img[https://drive.google.com/uc?export=download&id=1GoCX3GBMlsFXV2I9MyJPLoKDna3mySI8]]<</if>> <<link "LETTER ⇝">><<toggleclass "#text2" "hide">><</link>> <<if $adler is true>><left>[img[https://drive.google.com/uc?export=download&id=1p3_aigCZq47LCWArBYE_LqQ5DZMqPx3I]]</left><<else>><left>[img[https://drive.google.com/uc?export=download&id=1Uh3pDpHWzj2tSzaRK41sZgFS8yrWFNFj]]</left><</if>> [[EXIT GAME ↞|https://archiveofourown.org/works/16999725]]

There are stray bits of chalk and a worn-out board eraser lying on the tray beneath the board, but the board itself is perfectly clean, without even the slightest smudge of chalk on its surface. >[[You are in the empty classroom.|JONASROOM4]]

The room around you is familiar... and bright? [[ROOM5]]

You are, once more, trapped in that small storage room in a forgotten corner of [[Fort Milner|MILNER5]]. There is [[one door|DOOR5]]. [[The window is wide open|WINDOWS5]], and [[the lights are currently on|DARK5]]. You have [[a map of the island|MAP5]], a [[flashlight|LIGHT5]], and [[your radio|RADIO5]]. [[There is a tiny triangle floating in mid-air, just above the door.|TRIANGLE5]] <<if $jonastalk5 is false>>[[You can hear Jonas moving around in the room above you.|JONASTALK5]]<<else>>Jonas is in the room above you.<</if>> <<audio ":playing" pause>> <<audio "milner" loop play>>

DID YOU KNOW? Fort Milner was named in honor of Maj. Gen. Casey William Milner, who served during the Civil War. If pregnant, wear shoes inside, or else your baby will be born covered in hair. >[[You are still in the storage room.|ROOM5]]

Locked again. Although you could've seen that one coming at this point. >[[You are still in the storage room.|ROOM5]]

You look outside, and see the fields lying beyond Fort Milner. [[The moon is missing.|MOON1]] Ah, the humble window! Who knew the addition of it could brighten up a room so much, both literally and metaphorically? (You. You knew. You've been saying it all along.) >[[You are still in the storage room.|ROOM5]]

The lightbulb's flickering, sure, but that's not the unusual thing here because there's a window holy crap when did that happen. >[[You are still in the storage room.|ROOM5]]

<center>[img[https://drive.google.com/uc?export=download&id=1eU0lV6gc27Yo8lEGKKkQPbXVS4XdyQcw][ROOM5]]</center>

Click-click. I mean, it's working, and that's great and all, but it's more than a little overshadowed by the fact that the room has a window! No longer do you have to rely on the fickle abilities of an unreliable flashlight to light your way! The lamplight from just outside is doing that for you perfectly well! >[[You are still in the storage room.|ROOM5]]

<center><<if $radio is 150>>(The radio cannot go up any further.)<<else>>[[▲|RADIO5][$radio += 1]]<</if>> $radio FM <<if $radio is 50>>(The radio cannot go down any further.)<<else>>[[▼|RADIO5][$radio -= 1]]<</if>></center> <<switch $radio>> <<case 77>> Somebody is singing.<<audio ":playing" pause>><<audio "radio_oxenfree" play loop>> <<case 91>> Somebody is playing the guitar.<<audio ":playing" pause>><<audio "radio_guitar3" play loop>> <<case 102>> It's the Edwards Island guided tour.<<audio ":playing" pause>><<audio "radio_milner1" play loop>> <<case 115>> <<include "TUNEIN4-1">> <<case 125>> Somebody is trying to communicate. <<audio ":playing" pause>><<audio "radio_morse" play loop>> <<case 138>> Punk rock. <<audio ":playing" pause>><<audio "radio_amandafree" volume 0.2 play loop>> <<case 141>> A numbers station. <<audio ":playing" pause>><<audio "radio_numberstation" volume 0.2 play loop>> <<default>> Only static.<<audio ":playing" pause>><<audio "static" play loop>> <</switch>> >[[You are still in the storage room.|ROOM5]]

Ah, dearest floating impossible triangle! Your old friend! How you've missed it, and its clear indication that you're going to have to do something supernatural and bizarre with your radio. (If it wasn't obvious - you're going to need to tune into the source.) >[[You are still in the storage room.|ROOM5]]

Jonas stops moving, presumably in response to whatever noise you've been making while exploring the room you're currently stuck in. >JONAS: Alex? Alex? His voice is distant and muffled. He also sounds kind of panicked. <center> [[We're out of the loop.|JONASTALK5-OPT1]] [[You're alive!|JONASTALK5-OPT2]] [[(WAIT)|JONASTALK5-OPT3]]</center> <<set $jonastalk5 to true>>

<center><div class="movie">RADIO CLIPS TAKEN FROM:</div> <div class="job">Those Old Radio Shows</div> <div class="job">Dexxel</div> <div class="job">LIVE 34 (a Big Finish Production)</div> <div class="job">HG Wells' 'War of the Worlds' original broadcast</div> <div class="job">National Museum of American History</div> <div class="job">D'Oyle Carte Opera Company</div></center><<timed 5s>><<goto "AFTERCREDITS2-5">><</timed>>

<<timed 2s>> <center>[img[https://drive.google.com/uc?export=download&id=1hHog6hvL9CBC9KQlMWGrX_TYSlSJrBLG]]</center> <<next>><<next>><center>An Oxenfree fangame</center> <</timed>> <<audio ":playing" stop>><<audio "credits" play>> <<timed 11s>><<goto "CREDITS">><</timed>>

...huh. Yeah, that is a bit strange. Especially considering that it's... well, however late at night it is right now. It's probably just a trick of the light, though. If you were outside, you bet you could see the moon perfectly well. >[[You are still in the storage room.|ROOM5]]

>ALEX: Okay, so; things have been really freaky around here for the last couple of minutes, but at least we're out of that spooky time loop now! >JONAS: We were in a time loop? >JONAS: Oh, no - wait - yeah. Right. I remember now, sort of. >JONAS: So all we have to do this time to get out is - play along with their game and win? <center> [[Guess so.|JONASTALK5-OPT1-1]] [[Don't go betraying me again.|JONASTALK5-OPT1-2]] [[(WAIT)|JONASTALK5-OPT1-3]]</center> <<set $jonastalk5 to true>>

>ALEX: Oh my god! You're not dead! >ALEX: I thought - I thought something might have - >JONAS: Hey, hey - what? What happened? I've been here the whole time. >ALEX: No, you've - >ALEX: Actually, you know what? Nevermind. Everything's fine. I just freaked out a bit, that's all. Give me a sec, and we get work on getting out of here. [[You are still in the storage room.|ROOM5]]

>JONAS: Alex? Are you there? >JONAS: Seriously, this isn't funny. <center> [[Yeah! I'm here!|JONASTALK5-OPT3-1]] [[(SCREAM)|JONASTALK5-OPT3-2]] [[(WAIT)|JONASTALK3-OPT5-3]]</center>

>ALEX: Yeah! Yeah, yeah - I'm here, I'm fine! Everything's okay! Sorry about that! >JONAS: I - all right. >JONAS: Just let me know if there's anything I can do to help, yeah? >ALEX: Right! Of course! [[You are still in the storage room.|ROOM5]]

ALEX: AAAAAAHHHH OH MY GOD THEY GOT ME JONAS: ALEX?! You can hear him pounding frantically at the door upstairs, trying to get out and get to you. <<if $scream is false>> ALEX: ...just kidding. It's fine. JONAS: Oh my god, don't do that to me. I thought - ALEX: I was joking. I'm fine. JONAS: My heart is racing, like, a million miles per hour. Oh my god. That was not funny. JONAS: Thank god you're all right, though.<<else>> ALEX: ...that is somehow still hilarious and I don't understand why. JONAS: What? What are you talking about? JONAS: Waaaaait. Are you misusing a time loop just so you can screw with me? ALEX: No. No, I'm definitely not doing that. That - that is my least favorite thing to do.<</if>> [[You are still in the storage room.|ROOM5]] <<set $scream to true>>

>JONAS: ...all right. >JONAS: God. >JONAS: ...I guess I'm on my own. ` [[You are still in the storage room.|ROOM5]]

>ALEX: Uh-huh. I mean, it can't be hard, can it? >ALEX: All we need to do is both pick 'trust' and they'll let us out. >JONAS: Right, exactly! >JONAS: ...wow, they didn't think this through very hard, did they? [[You are still in the storage room.|ROOM5]]

>ALEX: Yeah. Seems easy enough. Although - I mean... >JONAS: Although what? >ALEX: Just - make sure you don't hit the wrong choice by mistake, yeah? Or... or do anything else. Because if you end up betraying me ag- betraying me, I'll - I'll haunt your ass. >JONAS: You - Alex, you can't seriously think I'm going to sell you out to the ghosts? After all we've been through tonight?! That's crazy talk! <center>[[...I know.|JONASTALK5-OPT1-2-1]] [[(WAIT)|JONASTALK5-OPT1-2-2]]</center>

>JONAS: Okay, well. I guess I just have to wait it out until you figure out how to get the ghosts back on the line, or whatever. >JONAS: Good luck? [[You are still in the storage room.|ROOM5]]

>ALEX: ...no, of course you wouldn't. >ALEX: Sorry. I don't know what I was thinking. It's just - everything that's been going on. It's just messing with me, like, a lot. You know? >JONAS: Yeah. I know. >JONAS: It's all good. [[You are still in the storage room.|ROOM5]]

>JONAS: Alex, whatever happened in those last couple of loops - I'm sorry. I'm sorry for whatever I did, but - I wouldn't ever do that to you. I don't know what - what I could've been thinking, I - >JONAS: Alex? Are you listening? [[You are still in the storage room.|ROOM5]]

The dial begins to turn [[red|TUNEIN4-2]]. <<audio ":playing" pause>> <<audio "radio_tunein" play loop>>

The dial begins to turn red. JONAS: What was that? What are you doing? <center> [[Just stay calm!|TUNEIN4-2-1]] [[Don't forget -|TUNEIN4-2-2]] [[(WAIT)|TUNEIN4-2-3]]</center>

>ALEX: Okay, so I might be doing the - the, you know, ghost-summon-thing right now, but listen. Trust me. Everything's going to be fine, it's going to be great! You just need to stay calm! >JONAS: It's really hard to stay calm when all the furniture in the room is suddenly levitating! [[There is a flash of light, and -|TUNEIN4-3]]

>ALEX: Jonas! Listen! Whatever happens, don't forget - you need to choose TRUST! Choose 'Trust', all right? >JONAS: 'Choose trust'?!? >ALEX: Yes! You need to choose 'TRUST'! >JONAS: I - I mean - all right?! [[There is a flash of light, and -|TUNEIN4-3]]

>JONAS: Alex the furniture is floating right now and this is getting even weirder than usual. >JONAS: If you're doing something, just maybe hurry up and do it quickly?! [[There is a flash of light, and -|TUNEIN4-3]]

Without warning, your radio clicks off. [[GHOSTSFOUR1]] <<audio ":playing" pause>> <<audio "tuneout" play>>

>GHOSTS: LOOK. WHO'S. BACK. [[GHOSTSFOUR2]] <<audio ":playing" pause>> <<audio "blacklantern" play loop>>

>GHOSTS: LOOK. WHO'S. BACK. <center> [[I'm not in the mood!|GHOSTSFOUR2-OPT1]] [[I choose abandon!|GHOSTSFOUR2-OPT4]] [[I choose trust!|GHOSTSFOUR2-OPT2]] [[(WAIT)|GHOSTSFOUR2-OPT3]]</center>

>ALEX: UGH! I am not! In the mood! For your stupid games! >ALEX: Just - go away! Leave us alone! Die! Permanently, hopefully! I couldn't care less, really! >ALEX: All I want to do is leave! >JONAS: - uh, yeah, same here! >GHOSTS: HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA >GHOSTS: NOT. done. WITH. YOU YET. >GHOSTS: ready. TO. PLAY? <center>[[No.|GHOSTSFOUR3-OPT1]] [[(WAIT)|GHOSTSFOUR3-OPT2]]</center>

>ALEX: No! Wait! Before you say anything - it's trust! I'm choosing trust! You don't need to go through with all of this, it's trust that I'm choosing! >JONAS: And so am I! I'm also picking trust, and I am very done with all this bullshit of yours as well! >ALEX: That's it, that's all, we're done here! >GHOSTS: SO IMPATIENT. >GHOSTS: ready. TO. PLAY? <center>[[No.|GHOSTSFOUR3-OPT1]] [[(WAIT)|GHOSTSFOUR3-OPT2]]</center>

>JONAS: >GHOSTS: ready. TO. PLAY? <center>[[No.|GHOSTSFOUR3-OPT1]] [[(WAIT)|GHOSTSFOUR3-OPT2]]</center>

>ALEX: Absolutely not. >GHOSTS: TOO. BAD. Click. Rasp. [[Scramble.|GHOSTSFOUR4]]

>GHOSTS: That SOUNDS like a YES to me, folks! >GHOSTS: LET'S. BEGIN. Click. Rasp. [[Scramble.|GHOSTSFOUR4]]

And with a click, the door swings open. [[ENDSEQ-2]]

It takes a second or two for you to process that yes, you're free to go at last and that the ghosts have left for now; but when your brain finally catches up with events, you're scrambling to get out of the tiny, awful, oppressive, terrible room and onto the stairwell outside. [[ENDSEQ-3]]

Jonas is already on the floor above, descending the stairs to meet you, and when he catches sight of you, his entire face just lights up with relief. [[ENDSEQ-4]]

Jonas is already on the floor above, descending the stairs to meet you, and when he catches sight of you, his entire face just lights up with relief. <center> [[Hey, loser.|ENDSEQ4-OPT1]] [[So, the ghosts didn't eat us.|ENDSEQ4-OPT3]] [[(WAIT)|ENDSEQ4-OPT4]]</center>

>ALEX: Hey there, loser. >JONAS: Hey, nerdlord. >ALEX: It's so good to see you. For a second there, I thought - >JONAS: Thought what? >ALEX: ...doesn't matter. Just - stay cool, man. All right? >JONAS: All right, well. I'll definitely try. [[He reaches the floor that you're standing on.|ENDSEQ-5]]

>ALEX: So, uh. Good news! >JONAS: Oh yeah? You raise your hands and wiggle them in the air dramatically >ALEX: The ghosts didn't eat my head! Or any other part of me! Don't worry, I checked. >JONAS: Hey, you're right! That is good news. Great news, even! [[He reaches the floor that you're standing on.|ENDSEQ-5]]

>JONAS: ...it is so good to see you. I know it's only been, like, five minutes, but - [[He reaches the floor that you're standing on.|ENDSEQ-5]]

>JONAS: So, uh - >JONAS: We getting out of here or what? <center> [[Please!!|ENDSEQ5-OPT1]] [[Let's stay here forever.|ENDSEQ5-OPT2]] [[(WAIT)|ENDSEQ5-OPT3]]</center>

>ALEX: Oh, god yes. Let's blow this popsicle stand. >JONAS: Great! Yes! Finally! >JONAS: Come on - I think the others are waiting over at the relay point. Let's get going. He starts down the stairs, and after a second, [[you follow him.|ENDSEQ-5-CONC]]

>ALEX: Uh, no. Actually, I was thinking we could stick around for a bit. Just for another couple of loops or so. I'm starting to get really attached to this place, you know? >JONAS: Ha ha. Very funny. >JONAS: Let's go already. >ALEX: Heh. Yeah. >JONAS: I think the others are waiting over at the relay point, so - go there? >ALEX: Sure. He starts down the stairs, and after a second, [[you follow him.|ENDSEQ-5-CONC]]

>JONAS: I'm just gonna make a quick assumption here, and take that silence as a 'yes'. >JONAS: Come on - I think the others are waiting over at the relay point. Let's get going. He starts down the stairs, and after a second, [[you follow him.|ENDSEQ-5-CONC]]

And with Jonas right behind you, you head out of Fort Milner for the last time and into the [[bright sunlight outside.|ENDSEQ-7]]

And with Jonas right behind you, you head out of Fort Milner for the last time and into the [[evening air outside.|ENDSEQ-8]] <<audio ":playing" pause>>

And with Jonas right behind you, you head out of Fort Milner for the last time and into the [[endless night|ENDSEQ-9]]

And with Jonas right behind you, you head out of Fort Milner for the last time and into the [[day|ENDSEQ-10]] <<audio "static" loop play>>

And with Jonas right behind you, you head out of Fort Milner for the last time and into the [[evening|ENDSEQ-11]]

And with Jonas right behind you, you head out of Fort Milner for the last time and into the [[midnight|ENDSEQ-12]]

And with Jonas right behind you, you head out of Fort Milner for the last time and into the [[VOID|ENDSEQ-13]]

[[ENDSEQ-14]]

<center>STOP.</center> [[ENDSEQ-15]] <<audio "regret" loop play>>

<center>(No, don't worry - she can't hear us. Not here, not now.)</center> [[ENDSEQ-16]]

<center>(No, don't worry - she can't hear us. Not here, not now.)</center> [[ENDSEQ-17]]

<center>(But you can, I think.)</center> [[ENDSEQ-18]]

<center>Listen</center> [[ENDSEQ-19]]

<center>Listen This is a loop</center> [[ENDSEQ-20]]

<<timed 2s>> <center>GOOD NIGHT, DEAR ALEX.</center> <<next>> <center>WE'LL BE SEEING YOU AGAIN.</center> <<next>> <<next>> <center>SOON.</center><<audio "tuneout" play>> <<next>> <<goto "ENDGAME">> <</timed>>

The door is unlocked, and [[you can see the exterior of Fort Milner as you go to open it.|ENDSEQ-6]]

<center>But not the sort that you are used to by now</center> [[ENDSEQ-21]]

<center> We are in a cutoff</center> [[ENDSEQ-22]]

<center> We are in a cutoff A remnant </center> [[ENDSEQ-23]]

<center> We are in a cutoff A remnant A castaway of the events that continue to unfold around us for all eternity </center> [[ENDSEQ-24]]

<center> And </center> [[ENDSEQ-25]]

<center> And We do not believe there is any way to stop it here and now </center> [[ENDSEQ-26]]

<center> Not yet but perhaps maybe yes yes soon we shall see SOON WE WILL BE FREE </center> [[ENDSEQ-27]]

<center> Not yet but perhaps maybe yes yes soon we shall see SOON YOU WILL BE FREE </center> [[ENDSEQ-28]]

<center> Oh </center> [[ENDSEQ-29]]

<center> I believe she can hear us again </center> [[ENDSEQ-30]]

<center> (For all the good it will do her) </center> [[ENDSEQ-31]]

<center> There is not much to say, then </center> [[ENDSEQ-32]]

<center> There is not much to say, then except for this. </center> [[FINAL]] <<audio ":playing" stop>>

>GHOSTS: AND. BEFORE WE BEGIN >GHOSTS: WE HAVE A GIFT for YOU. >GHOSTS: THE MOST TERRIFYING GIFT OF ALL >GHOSTS: FREE. >GHOSTS: WILL. <center>[[What does that even mean?|GHOSTSFOUR4-OPT1]] [[(WAIT)|GHOSTSFOUR4-OPT2]]</center>

<center>[[TRUST|GHOSTSFOUR6]] [[ABANDON|GHOSTSFOUR6]]</center>

<center>(are you sure?)</center> [[GHOSTSFOUR7]]

<center>[[TRUST|TRUSTROUTE]] [[ABANDON|ABANDONROUTE]]</center>

It's... a hard choice, surprisingly. You want it to be easy - you want to be able to trust Jonas to do the right thing (to trust yourself to do the right thing, even) but that trust is overshadowed by the pain and the regret and the remnants of every other shitty thing that's been happening tonight. [[CONSEQUENCES4-2]]

<center>TRUST ABANDON</center> [[CHOICE2-1]]

<center>no</center> [[CHOICE2-2]]

<center>[[ABANDON|CHOICE2-3]]</center>

It's... a hard choice, surprisingly. [[CONSEQUENCES2-1]]

>GHOSTS: LET'S JUST. cut. TO. THE CHASE. >GHOSTS: TWO. CHOICES. TWO. OF YOU. >GHOSTS: PICK, CHILD. YOU MUST CHOOSE. [[GHOSTSTWO4]]

The lights snap off [[abruptly -|GHOSTSTWO5]]

and the words are there again. [[CHOICE2]]

It's... a hard choice, surprisingly. You don't want to hit ABANDON - not really - but at the same time, you can't even comprehend having to go through what happened last loop. At all. Every time you try thinking about it, your brain just shies away from it like a wild animal. And in the end, it's pure animal instinct - that innate need to not be in pain -that makes you press your hand to ABANDON, the wood lighting up bright white as you do so. [[CONSEQUENCES2-4]]

The ABANDON option glows bright for a second, and then both of the words on the wall fade away into nothingness. [[CONSEQUENCES2-5]]

There's silence for a second - and then the speaker above you crackles into life once more. [[CONSEQUENCES2-6]]

There's silence for a second - and then the speaker above you crackles into life once more. >GHOSTS: FASCINATING. >JONAS: What - what does that mean? >JONAS: 'Fascinating' - that's not a good thing. 'Fascinating' is never a good thing. Alex, what are they talking about? [[CONSEQUENCES2-7]]

>ALEX: I'm sorry - I'm sorry - I'm sorry - I'm - >JONAS: Alex, what are you talking about? >FEMALE VOICE: You have made your choice. >FEMALE VOICE: Congratulations! [[CONSEQUENCES2-8]]

>ALEX: Jonas, I - we're stuck in a time loop. This isn't going to matter. It's all going to be reset soon, so you don't need to worry about what's going to happen - >JONAS: What are you talking about? >JONAS: - Alex, what did you do? >FEMALE VOICE: You have made your choice. >FEMALE VOICE: Congratulations! [[CONSEQUENCES2-8]]

>JONAS: Alex? Alex, can you hear me? >JONAS: Alex, what's going on? >FEMALE VOICE: You have made your choice. >FEMALE VOICE: Congratulations! [[CONSEQUENCES2-8]]

The voice shifts, warps and distorts - becomes deeper and more ominous. More stilted, disjointed. >GHOSTS: You have. WON! The game. ALEX. You are Free to. Go! >JONAS: What? <center> [[I'm so sorry.|CONSEQUENCES2-8-1]] [[I didn't mean -|CONSEQUENCES2-8-2]] [[(WAIT)|CONSEQUENCES2-8-3]]</center>

>ALEX: Jonas, I'm so sorry! >ALEX: I - I - oh god, what have I done? What have I done? >JONAS: Alex. What - you're not saying - >JONAS: - no! [[CONSEQUENCES2-9]]

>ALEX: I wasn't thinking! I messed up! I - I just - >ALEX: I can't do it again, Jonas! I can't do it! >JONAS: Alex. What - you're not saying - >JONAS: - no! [[CONSEQUENCES2-9]]

>JONAS: Alex, listen, I - I know you wouldn't do that to me, so what's going on? >JONAS: Alex? Can you hear me? Talk to me! Tell me that they're messing with us, or - >JONAS: ALEX?! ...there's nothing left to say. [[CONSEQUENCES2-9]]

There is a SNAP in reality, and then you hear [[the most awful noise in existence.|CONSEQUENCES2-10]]

Upstairs, Jonas begins to scream, even as the door to your room clicks open. [[CONSEQUENCES2-11]]

Upstairs, Jonas begins to scream, even as the door to your room clicks open. It's a horrible, raw noise - absolute unfiltered agony. It feels worse, somehow, than when it happened to you, like he's going through double the amount of pain for some reason. [[CONSEQUENCES2-12]]

He deserved it, you try to think, briefly; [[CONSEQUENCES2-13]]

He deserved it, you try to think, briefly; but you can't actually force yourself to do it because you know that he didn't - he never chose ABANDON in the first place, did he? [[CONSEQUENCES2-14]]

He deserved it, you try to think, briefly; but you can't actually force yourself to do it because you know that he didn't - he never chose ABANDON in the first place, did he? It was - it was another trick of theirs, like he said - and you played right into it. Like an idiot. [[CONSEQUENCES2-15]]

<<timed 1s>>What have you done<<next>> - what have you done<<next>> - what have you done<<next>> - what have you -<<next>><<goto "CONSEQUENCES2-16">><</timed>>

Everything goes dark. [[CONSEQUENCES2-17]] <<audio ":playing" pause>>

[[START_LOOPTHREE]]

[[TRUSTCONSEQUENCES]] <<audio ":playing" pause>> <<audio "coldcomfort" play loop>>

[[ABANDONCONSEQUENCES]] <<audio ":playing" pause>> <<audio "cleanslate" play loop>>

It's... a hard choice, surprisingly. [[CONSEQUENCES4-1]]

It's... a hard choice, surprisingly. [[CONSEQUENCES5-1]]

>ALEX: No! Wait! Before you say anything - it's abandon! I'm choosing abandon! You don't need to go through with all of this, it's abandon that I'm choosing! >JONAS: ALEX WHAT ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT! >ALEX: (Shut UP, Jonas!) >ALEX: Did you hear me? Abandon! That's what I'm going with! >GHOSTS: SO IMPATIENT. >GHOSTS: ready. TO. PLAY? <center>[[No.|GHOSTSFOUR3-OPT1]] [[(WAIT)|GHOSTSFOUR3-OPT2]]</center>

But in the end, the choice you end up making is an entirely conscious one. [[CONSEQUENCES4-4]]

But in the end, the choice you end up making is an entirely conscious one. [[CONSEQUENCES5-4]]

>ALEX: What's that even supposed to - [[SNAP.|GHOSTSFOUR4-1]]

>JONAS: Hey, what the hell does that even - [[SNAP.|GHOSTSFOUR4-1]]

Without warning, the room goes completely silent. You can't hear a thing any more. No ghosts. No background noise. No Jonas. [[GHOSTSFOUR4-2]]

And then, predictably, the lights slam off - and the words are there again, glowing white and deadly on the rough wood of the door. [[GHOSTSFOUR5]]

You are on the stairwell outside the room you have been trapped in for too long tonight. The [[door to that room is currently open|ROOM6]]. [[Upstairs|UPSTAIRS6]], there is a pale reflection glimmering in the dim light. [[Downstairs|DOWNSTAIRS6]], there is the exit. <<audio ":playing" pause>> <<audio "milner" loop play>>

You are not going back. [[STAIRWELL6]]

You are on the top floor of this section of Fort Milner. There is [[a mirror here|MIRROR6]]. There is [[a slightly ajar door|JONASROOM6]] in front of you. [[One floor down|STAIRWELL6]], there is the room that you have just escaped from.

You are on the ground floor of Fort Milner. [[Upstairs|STAIRWELL6]], there is the room that you have just escaped from. To your left, [[there is the door leading outside.|FINISH6]] It is open.

Your eyes seem more red than usual. Or is that just you? [[You are still on the top floor.|UPSTAIRS6]]

You are in the room that Jonas had previously occupied. It's an empty, dusty, unremarkable excuse for a classroom. [[An old-fashioned chalkboard|CHALKBOARD6]] covers the length of the far wall. All of the desks in the room are empty. Jonas is not here. [[The door leading to the rest of Fort Milner is open.|UPSTAIRS6]]

The door is unlocked, and [[you can see the exterior of Fort Milner as you go to open it.|ENDSEQ2-1]]

And with nobody at all beside or behind you, you head out of Fort Milner for the last time and into the [[evening air outside.|ENDSEQ2-2]]

And with nobody at all beside or behind you, you head out of Fort Milner for the last time and into the [[you can't do this|ENDSEQ2-3]] <<audio ":playing" pause>>

And with nobody at all beside or behind you, you head out of Fort Milner for the last time and into the [[everything about this is wrong|ENDSEQ2-4]]

And with nobody at all beside or behind you, you head out of Fort Milner for the last time and into the [[what have you DONE|ENDSEQ2-5]]

[[ENDSEQ2-6]]

The words 'she wasn't sorry' are written faintly in white chalk in one corner of the board. [[You are still in the classroom.|JONASROOM6]]

<center>STOP.</center> [[ENDSEQ2-7]] <<audio "regret" loop play>>

<center>(No. Stop. She can't hear us. Not here, not now.)</center> [[ENDSEQ2-8]]

<center>(Which may be a good thing, all things considered.)</center> [[ENDSEQ2-9]]

<center>(Which may be a good thing, all things considered.)</center> [[ENDSEQ2-10]]

<center>(But you most certainly can.)</center> [[ENDSEQ2-11]]

<center>Listen</center> [[ENDSEQ2-12]]

<center>Listen This is a loop</center> [[ENDSEQ2-13]]

<center>But not the sort that you are used to by now</center> [[ENDSEQ2-14]]

<center> We are in a cutoff</center> [[ENDSEQ2-15]]

<center> We are in a cutoff A remnant </center> [[ENDSEQ2-16]]

<center> We are in a cutoff A remnant A DISGRACE </center> [[ENDSEQ2-17]]

<center> We are in a cutoff A remnant A DISGRACE A castaway of the events that continue to unfold around us for all eternity </center> [[ENDSEQ2-18]]

<center> And </center> [[ENDSEQ2-19]]

<center> And I do not want to believe there is any way to stop it here and now </center> [[ENDSEQ2-20]]

<center> Not yet but perhaps maybe yes yes soon we shall see SOON she WILL BE FREE </center> [[ENDSEQ2-21]]

<center> Oh </center> [[ENDSEQ2-22]]

<center> I believe she can hear us again </center> [[ENDSEQ2-23]]

<center> (For all the good it will do you) </center> [[ENDSEQ2-24]]

<center> There is not much to say, then </center> [[ENDSEQ2-25]]

<center> There is not much to say, then except for this. </center> [[FINALALT]] <<audio ":playing" stop>>

<<timed 2s>> <center>GOOD NIGHT, DEAR ALEX.</center> <<next>> <center>ENJOY THE REALITY YOU HAVE CREATED FOR YOURSELF.</center> <<next>> <center>WE'LL BE SEEING YOU AGAIN.</center> <<next>> <<next>> <center>SOON.</center><<audio "tuneout" play>> <<next>> <<goto "ENDGAME">> <</timed>>

Your hand goes to ABANDON and you press it to the door, watching as the white light spills out and flows into the wood. [[CONSEQUENCES5-5]]

The word glows brightly, then everything fades away, leaving you in darkness once more. >GHOSTS: ASTOUNDING. [[CONSEQUENCES5-6]]

Your hand goes to TRUST and you press it to the door, watching as the white light spills out and flows into the wood. [[CONSEQUENCES4-5]]

The word glows brightly, then everything fades away, leaving you in darkness once more. >GHOSTS: PREDICTABLE. [[CONSEQUENCES4-6]]

The word glows brightly, then everything fades away, leaving you in darkness once more. >GHOSTS: ASTOUNDING. This time, there is no screaming. There is no pain. There is no indication that anything at all has happened. There is only silence. [[CONSEQUENCES5-7]]

>ALEX: J - Jonas? Buddy? >ALEX: Are you there, can you - can you hear me? There's no response. Only silence. >GHOSTS: COMPLETELY. ASTOUNDING. >GHOSTS: YOU WILLINGLY SACRIFICED YOUR FLESH AND BLOOD TO SAVE YOUR OWN SKIN. <center> [[Yes.|CONSEQUENCES5-7-OPT1-1]] [[Where is he?|CONSEQUENCES5-7-OPT1-2]] [[(WAIT)|CONSEQUENCES5-7-OPT1-3]]</center>

>ALEX: Hello? Ghosts? Can you hear me - are you still there? >ALEX: It's over, I made my choice - I won, right? So let me out! The ghosts don't appear to listen to you. >GHOSTS: COMPLETELY. ASTOUNDING. >GHOSTS: YOU WILLINGLY SACRIFICED YOUR FLESH AND BLOOD TO SAVE YOUR OWN SKIN. <center> [[Yes.|CONSEQUENCES5-7-OPT1-1]] [[Where is he?|CONSEQUENCES5-7-OPT1-2]] [[(WAIT)|CONSEQUENCES5-7-OPT1-3]]</center>

There is a brief silence. >GHOSTS: COMPLETELY. ASTOUNDING. >GHOSTS: YOU WILLINGLY SACRIFICED YOUR FLESH AND BLOOD TO SAVE YOUR OWN SKIN. <center> [[Yes.|CONSEQUENCES5-7-OPT1-1]] [[Where is he?|CONSEQUENCES5-7-OPT1-2]] [[(WAIT)|CONSEQUENCES5-7-OPT1-3]]</center>

This time, there is no screaming. There is no pain. There is no indication that anything at all has happened. There is only silence. <center> [[Jonas?|CONSEQUENCES5-7-OPT1]] [[Let me out.|CONSEQUENCES5-7-OPT2]] [[(WAIT)|CONSEQUENCES5-7-OPT3]]</center>

>ALEX: Listen, he wasn't - he - >ALEX: He wasn't my flesh or blood! He was just my stepbrother! I barely even knew the guy. >ALEX: So yes! Sure! I betrayed him! And I feel guilty about it, and - and - and I'm going to have to explain it to Ren and the others later and that's going to suck but that doesn't change the fact that I did it to save myself. >ALEX: Can you blame me for that? [[There is a long silence before the ghosts speak again.|CONSEQUENCES5-END]]

>ALEX: What did you do to him? Where did you put him? >ALEX: Is he - is he - >ALEX: Oh god what have I done. [[There is a long silence before the ghosts speak again.|CONSEQUENCES5-END]]

[[There is a long silence before the ghosts speak again.|CONSEQUENCES5-END]]

>GHOSTS: ENJOY YOUR FREEDOM >GHOSTS: TRAITOR. [[The door|STAIRWELL6]] swings open

>GHOSTS: BUT NOT. ENTIRELY. UNWELCOME. AS OUTCOMES GO. <center> [[Thanks, I think.|CONSEQUENCES4-6-OPT1]] [[Jonas?|CONSEQUENCES4-6-OPT2]] [[(WAIT)|CONSEQUENCES4-6-OPT3]]</center>

>ALEX: Well, uh. It's nice to have your approval, I guess? >JONAS: Is it really, though? >ALEX: ...no. [[Your radio crackles for the last time tonight.|CONSEQUENCES4-7]]

ALEX: Jonas? Buddy? ALEX: Are you there? <<if $scream is false>>JONAS: Yeah, I'm here. What's going on? Do you think they're gone? ALEX: We're probably not that lucky. JONAS: Yeah, god forbid anything goes right for just a few seconds where we're concerned.<<else>> There's silence - a horrible, deadly silence - for a long few seconds, which is broken by the worst sound in the world. JONAS: AAAAAA OH MY GOD THEY GOT ME HELP ALEX: AAAAAAHHHH JONAS: Just kidding. ALEX: JONAS THAT IS NOT FUNNY DON'T DO THAT JONAS: Oh, so it's only funny if you scream loudly at me for no reason at all? ALEX: Yes! Yes, that's it exactly! ALEX: Thank god you're all right, though.<</if>> [[Your radio crackles for the last time tonight.|CONSEQUENCES4-7]]

JONAS: - so wait, are you saying that you're glad we survived your weird screwed-up game? Even though you were the ones that forced us to play it? JONAS: Are you actually aware that half the stuff you do makes no sense whatsoever? [[Your radio crackles for the last time tonight.|CONSEQUENCES4-7]]

>GHOSTS: YOU HAVE BEEN EXCEPTIONALLY BRAVE TONIGHT >GHOSTS: YOU MUST BE BRAVER STILL FOR WHAT IS YET TO COME [[CONSEQUENCES4-8]]

>GHOSTS: ENJOY. YOUR FREEDOM. >GHOSTS: SUCH AS IT. IS. <center>[[What's that supposed to mean?|CONSEQUENCES4-8-1]] [[(WAIT)|CONSEQUENCES4-8-2]]</center>

>ALEX: Hey, what the hell are you talking about this time? >JONAS: Yeah, what the f - [[The radio clicks off.|ENDSEQ-1]] <<audio "tuneout" play>>

>JONAS: What does that even mean? You're literally just saying words now! Words that don't make any sense! >JONAS: Alex, what do you think - [[The radio clicks off.|ENDSEQ-1]] <<audio "tuneout" play>>

[[MENU]]

<center><div class="movie">PLAYTESTERS</div> <div class="job">Janus</div> <div class="job">Hannah</div> <div class="job">amandaj</div></center><<timed 4s>><<goto "AFTERCREDITS3">><</timed>>

<center><div class="movie">MADE WITH</div> <div class="job">Twine 2.2.1</div> <div class="job">Sugarcube 2.21.0</div></center><<timed 4s>><<goto "MENU">><</timed>>

<center><div class="movie">ART BY</div> <div class="job">Game developer - derived from the style of Night School Studio</div> <div class="job">Additional graphics adapted from the original game's files.</div></center><<timed 5s>><<goto "AFTERCREDITS2">><</timed>>