Stranger Things Survival

This week did not go as planned. (link-reveal: "First")[, Will went missing. (link-reveal: "Then")[, Barbara disappeared. (link-reveal: "Next")[, Eleven showed up in the woods and turns out to have superpowers. [Anyway...]<c1|]]] (click: ?c1)[Now all of your (link-reveal: "buddies")[ (Mike and Lucas)], (link-reveal: "Will's family")[ (Mother - Joyce, Brother - Jonathan)], (link-reveal: "Nancy")[ (Mike's sister) ], and the Chief of Police are all sitting in your middle school gym watching your new insanely powerful friend float in a makeshift sensory deprivation tank as she tries to find Will in another dimension. (link-reveal: "And")[ there’s a huge, blood-thirsty monster trying to kill everyone. (link-reveal: "And")[ mad scientists with guns trying to find you. (link-reveal: "Yup.")[ This week has not gone as planned. You got yourself into a real pickle this time, [[Dustin Henderson.->Continue]]]]]]

- Walkie Talkie - Flashlight - Compass - Pocket knife - Lighter - Eggos - 3 Musketeers

- Dustin Henderson - Dwarf, weilds bag of holding, able to fit in small spaces - Mike Wheeler - Leader, Paladin - Lucas Sinclair - Knight, skilled with ranged weapons - Eleven "El" - Mage, many supernatural abilities, loves waffles - ~~Will Byers - Wizard, missing in action~~

After El got out of “The Bath,” everything started to move very quickly. Joyce and Chief Hopper immediately left to try and snag Will from “The Upside Down.” Jonathan and Nancy abandoned you to try and kill the Demogorgon. Now it's just you, Mike, Lucas, and El. You are left to your own devices in your middle school gym, twiddling your thumbs so you won’t be caught by the goons from the lab looking for El. Your stomach rumbles. [[Open backpack]] (set: $health to 70) (set: $elPower to 20) (set: $inventory to (array: "Walkie Talkie", " Flashlight", " Compass", " Pocket knife", " Lighter", " Bandana", " Eggos", " Musketeers"))

{(set: $health to $health + 15) (set: $inventory to $inventory - (array: " Eggos")) (set: $dEggo to true) }You can't take it anymore. The reach into your backpack and retrieve two Eggo waffles wrapped in clingfilm. You quickly shed its wrapping and shove the waffles into your mouth. Health status: (print: $health) Only as you place the final chunk of Eggo in your mouth do you realize that El is staring at you. You had just eaten her absolute favorite food in front of her and didn't even think to share. "Oh...sorry, El." She glares at you but quickly runs out of energy and slumps back into the bleachers. [[Close Backpack]] (unless: (history:) contains "Eat 3 Musketeers")[[Give El Musketeers]] (unless: (history:) contains "Open Notebook")[[Open Notebook]]

{(set: $health to $health + 30) (set: $inventory to $inventory - (array: " Musketeers")) (set: $dustinMusketeers to true) }You can't take it anymore. The reach into your backpack and retrieve a singular 3 Musketeers candy bar. You can practically taste the nougat already. You quickly shed its wrapping and shove it into your mouth. Health status: (print: $health) [[Close Backpack]] (unless: (history:) contains "Eat Eggos")[[Give El Eggos]] (unless: (history:) contains "Open Notebook")[[Open Notebook]]

{(set: $elPower to $elPower + 40) (set: $inventory to $inventory - (array: " Eggos")) (set: $elEggos to true) }El's face lights up when you give her two waffles wrapped in clingfilm. She rips the plastic off of her favorite food and within seconds the Eggos have disappeared. She is now slumped onto Mike's shoulder again, looking content and less drained than she did previously. El's power status: (print: $elPower) (unless: (history:) contains "Open Notebook")[[Open Notebook]] [[Close Backpack]]

{(set: $inventory to $inventory - (array: " Musketeers")) (set: $elPower to $elPower + 20) (set: $elMusketeers to true) }El is confused when you hand her a 3 Musketeers. She had never seen one before and wasn't quite sure what to do with it. After a bit of assurance from you that nougat was one of the best substances on the planet, she opened the package and bit into the candy bar. She seemed to enjoy it and it brought a little bit of color back to her cheeks. El power status: (print: $elPower) (unless: (history:) contains "Open Notebook")[[Open Notebook]] [[Close Backpack]]

You feel like you could die of boredom. After this week from hell you would think you would relish this moment of peace, but all you can think about is how you have been left out of the action. The campaign continues while you wait to be rescued. [But you are ever the optimist...]<c1| (click: ?c1)[ Maybe being alone in the middle school wasn’t the worst thing ever. You could do whatever you wanted, explore the school, ransack classrooms, maybe even find the answers to next week’s math test. Hell, you could even go to the cafeteria and find Lunch Lady Phyllis’ chocolate pudding stash. She hoards that shit. [[Explore the school]] [[Find the pudding stash]]]

You and the gang wander into the familiar halls of Hawkins Middle School. {(if: $elEggos is true)[El has regained enough strength to walk by herself down the hall.] (else-if: $elMusketeers is true)[El struggles to keep her head up as you walk down the hall.] (else: )[El leans heavily on Mike and Lucas as you walk down the hall.] } You have nothing but time on your hands while the grownups go and save the world. What will you do? [[A/V club room]]

You and the gang wander into the hallway and make your way to the cafeteria. {(if: $elEggos is true)[El has regained enough strength to walk by herself down the hall.] (else-if: $elMusketeers is true)[El struggles to keep her head up as you walk down the hall.] (else: )[El leans heavily on Mike and Lucas as you walk down the hall.] } Mike and El grab seats in the lunch room while you and Lucas raid the kitchen for pudding. You hear El ask Mike what pudding is as you enter the kitchen. [[Look in the cupboard]] [[Look in the fridge]]

No pudding here. Just a can of Farrah Fawcett hairspray. Damn, Lunch Lady Phyllis, focus less on your hair and more on giving kids pudding. [Grab hairspray]<c1| (click: ?c1)[ Added to inventory (set: $inventory to $inventory + (array: " Hairspray"))(set: $hasHairspray to true)] [[Look in the fridge]]

The fridge opens and you see (link-reveal: "it.")[ (link-reveal: "Nectar of the Gods.")[ (link-reveal: "Chocolate Pudding.")[ You knew Phyllis was lying when she told you she was out. You scream into the cafeteria behind you "Mike, I found the chocolate pudding!!" You and Lucas load your arms with the tin cans from heaven and return to the main cafeteria with pride. El is confused by the metal tins now surrounding her. [[Place an open pudding in her hand]] [[Eat a tin of chocolate pudding]] [[You've had enough sweets->Company]]] ]]

{(set: $elPower to $elPower + 15) (set: $elPudding to true) }El looks down at the brown goop you have just placed in her hands. She glances to Lucas for assurance. He smiles and nods as he is already halfway through a tin. She scoops some pudding onto her finger and places it in her mouth. She smiles and goes back for more. El power status: (print: $elPower) [[Continue->Company]]

{(if: $dustinMusketeers is true)[You crack open a tin and hold it upside down above you, allowing the contents to slide into your mouth. You feel a sugar rush coming on.] (else: )[You crack open a tin and hold it upside down above you, allowing the contents to slide into your mouth.] (set: $health to $health + 25)} Health status: (print: $health) [[Continue->Company]]

Lights appear in the window as a car pulls into the parking lot. Finally someone came back for you. "It's Nancy," Mike says. "Stay here, I'll be right back." Mike leaves the cafeteria to greet the newcomers but immediately bolts back inside. (link-replace: "...")[“They found us (link-replace:"...")[The bad men are (link-reveal:"here.")[" [[Run]]]]]

{(if: $elPower is >50)[El grabs Mike's hand as you and the rest of the party sprint into the hallway.] (else:)[El does not have enough energy to run. You hoist her into your arms and take off into the hallway with the rest of party close behind.] } The gym is swarming with armed men and you can hear footsteps coming from the cafeteria. It's almost like they knew where to find you. You need to hide or get out of the school. Either way, these bad men cannot find El. Where do you go? [[Hide in a classroom]] [[Head for the nearest exit]]

Inside your backpack you see the usual: Walkie Talkie, Lighter, Compass, Pocket knife, Flashlight and Notebook. You also stashed a couple of Eggos and a 3 Musketeers bar. [[Eat Eggos]] [[Eat 3 Musketeers]] [[Open Notebook]] [[Close Backpack]] (set: $inventory to (array: "Walkie Talkie", " Flashlight", " Compass", " Pocket knife", " Lighter", " Eggos", " Musketeers"))

You grab your Notebook and begin flipping through its pages. There are ideas for you next Dungeons and Dragons campaign and character sheets. Notes about A/V equipment and the new HAM radio Mr. Clarke bought. Math homework that devolved into doodles of a dragon breathing fire at Darth Vader. None of your drawings ever looked as good as Will's(link-reveal: "...")[ You push the thought from your head and continue turning pages. The events of the past week turned you into a bit of a detective so the most recent pages are full of scribbles trying to connect all of the dots. Will. Barbara. Eleven. It all lead back to Hawkins Lab and the man Eleven called "Papa." (link-replace: "turn page")[ The next page holds information to make a sensory deprivation chamber. You glanced up with a smirk at the salt water kiddie pool you had fashioned in order for El to efficiently use her powers. (link-replace: "turn page")[ The last page in the book has just a few notes about the recently discovered parallel dimension, "The Upside Down," and the monster that resides in it. Apparently, from what Joyce and Nancy have told you, the Upside Down looks a lot like our world, but cold and slimy. The air is cluttered with spores and sound is distorted. The monster, coined "The Demogorgon," is about 9 feet tall with elongated limbs and a head that unfolds to reveal rows and rows of teeth. The Demogorgon is attracted to blood and somehow effects the way lights behave. You start to feel queasy thinking too much about the creature... Or maybe you're hungry... (unless: (history:) contains "Eat Eggos")[[Eat Eggos]] (unless: (history:) contains "Eat 3 Musketeers")[[Eat 3 Musketeers]] (unless: (history:) contains "Eat Eggos")[[Give El Eggos]] (unless: (history:) contains "Eat 3 Musketeers")[[Give El Musketeers]] [[Close Backpack]] ]]]

You glance around at your fellow party members and everyone looks exhausted from this past week’s events. Lucas is laying on one of the bleachers, throwing pebbles for his slingshot into the air. Mike won’t stop fidgeting, constantly bouncing his leg and checking his watch. No one looks more drained than El. She had used her powers a lot today. She made a kid pee himself and broke his arm, robbed a grocery store, levitated Mike out of a quarry, threw a van across a street, and then found your friend in another dimension. *All with her freaking mind.* A drop of blood ran from her nose as she rested her head against Mike’s constantly moving shoulder. She needed to be recharged. [[Continue->Boredom]]

You grab the rest of the party and sprint to Mr. Clarke's classroom where there will be more places to hide. You usher El under a lab table to hide her from view. You start to shake as panic sets in. They're are coming. Think, Dustin, think. What do you do? You hear a door open in the hallway and heavy footsteps follow. They're here. [[Rummage for weapons->Rummage for weapons 2.0]]

{(if: $elPower is <50)[El is heavy in your arms as you round the corner. You can't stop to catch your breath.]} Your mind scans its mental map of the school for an exit route. Take a left at the next hallway intersection and you should be home free! [[Left]]

You turn left and see the exit. A perfect (link-reveal: "escape.")[ Just as you allow yourself to feel a bit of relief, the door swings open and three armed men charge into the building. Shit. [[Double back]]]

You swing back around, running as fast as humanly possible (if: $elPower <50)[while still carrying El]. Back at the hallway intersection. The three armed goons are not far behind. Where do you go now? [[Right]] [[Left->Left 2.0]] [[Straight]]

The party turns right and books it but a door at the end of the hall bangs open and a small horde of men flow out of it. Shit, there are so many of them. (unless: (history:) contains "Left 2.0")[[Maybe go left->Left 2.0]] (unless: (history:) contains "Straight")[[Should've gone straight->Straight]] (if: (history:) contains "Left 2.0" and "Straight")[[You're trapped]]

Before you can take a step forward, a mass of uniformed men beginning running down the corridor toward the party. Holy hell. (unless: (history:) contains "Right")[[Go right?->Right]] (unless: (history:) contains "Left 2.0")[[Try left?->Left 2.0]] (if: (history:) contains "Left 2.0" and "Right")[[You're trapped]]

You spin around, mumbling an explitive under your breath, and scramble towards the left pathway. You manage to take a few steps before a pack of gunmen advance on you. Shit. Shit. Shit. (unless: (history:) contains "Straight")[[Go straight->Straight]] (unless: (history:) contains "Right")[[Let's try right->Right]] (if: (history:) contains "Right" and "Straight")[[You're trapped]]

You are surrounded on all sides. There is nowhere to run, nowhere to hide. (if: $elPower < 30)[You glance down at El, now unconscious in your arms. Your main weapon is now completely powerless. You lay her gently on the ground in the middle of your party's huddle. You didn't know how you would stop the bad men from getting their hands on her, but you were going to fight for it. El's Power Status: (print: $elPower) [[Continue->Knocked out El]]] (else:)[[Continue->Powered El]]

You quickly glance in your backpack for anything useful in defending against a small army, but of course you have nothing. Lesson learned for next time you make friends with an escaped science experiment. (if: $hasHairspray is true)[Wait...the hairspray and the lighter. Thank God for Lunch Lady Phyllis. [[Use flamethrower]]]

(if: $elPower < 50)[El goes rigid in your arms. Her face is fixed with concentration and blood drips from nose and out of her ears.] (else:)[You stop dead in your tracks next to El. Her face is fixed with concentration and blood drips from nose and out of her ears.] The lights begin to flicker. You glance around at the dozen or so armed men surrounding the party and don't attempt to hide your shock as blood streams from their eyes, noses, ears, and mouths. In one swift motion, they all fall to the ground, pools of blood forming around each of them. (set: $elPower to $elPower - 30) El's Power status: (print: $elPower) El collapses to the floor. She isn't used to using her powers this consistently. She can't take much more, but damn that was cool. She's our friend and she's crazy. Mike attempts to rouse her to her feet. Before you can kneel down next to her, you feel a pair of large hands on your upper arms. [[Shit]]

You are pulled to your feet and your arms are forced behind your back. You look to your left to see Mike and Lucas in the same position. You fight against the strong grip holding you back. Rounding the corner in front of you is a tall, white haired man. He kneels down next to El, cradling her face in his hands. Her eyes open and you hear her whisper faintly, "Papa." Holy shit. The one guy that shouldn't get anywhere near El had her in his very hands. El starts to weakly wriggle away from his touch and begins reaching for you and the rest of the party. Before anyone can react, the lights flicker. "Blood," says Mike. Realization dawns on you as you look to the floor, covered in blood from the collapsed gunmen. [[Continue->Demogorgon arrival]]

The wall directly behind Papa begins to move. It moves unnaturally, shifting in form rather than simply falling apart. You feel the pressure on your arms relax as the uniformed men secure their attention to the undulating section of the wall. An elongated, thin hand crashes through the wall with a hideous, screaming faceless face not far after it. The men surrounding you fully release their grip and begin shooting at the Demogorgon who was drawn to the scene by the blood. No one seems to care about you and the party anymore. Even Papa is distracted by the monster and has stepped away from El. (if: $health > 115)[Maybe you are just high on sugar or maybe the sheer amount of blood, guns, and monsters is making you bold, but you could grab a gun off of one of the collapsed badmen. It could be useful. [[Grab gun]]] [[Grab El and run]]

You usher El into the arms of Lucas and tell the party to run to Mr. Clarke's classroom. While they run, you turn your attention to the many blood soaked bodies surrounding you. You grab a random gun and magazine and take off running after your friends. When you start running you realize that the shooting has stopped but the lights are still flickering. You hear an unnatural noise close behind you. Your feet falter beneath you and you hit the ground hard but manage to hold on to your new weapon. You scramble to stand and face the gigantic creature head on. The Demogorgon begins to charge. You raise the gun in both hands, aiming at the monster's head...at least you think that's where you're aiming. You've never used a gun before, but it couldn't be that complicated. [[Just point and squeeze.]]

You hoist El into your arms and begin racing away from the gunfire, screams, and unnatural noises. Mike leads the way to Mr. Clarke's classroom. You lay El down on a lab table in the back of the room and try to catch your breath. You could hear gun shots and screaming getting louder outside. You didn't have much time. Mike leans over the table to hold El's hand. Lucas has his slingshot aimed at the door; his arm is shaking. What do you do? [[Open backpack->Backpack]] [[Rummage for weapons]]

Inventory: (print: $inventory) (if: $hasHairspray is true)[[Use lighter and hairspray as a flamethrower]] [[Wield a pocket knife]] [[Rummage for weapons]]

You're in Mr. Clarke's classroom. Surely he will have something useful in here. Something you can use to defend yourself [Look in the supply closet]<c2| (click: ?c2)[{(set: $mikeExtinguisher to true)(set: $broom to true)} There isn't too much in the closet, mainly just cleaning supplies and glass beakers. This will have to do. You grab a broom and hand Mike a fire extinguisher. [Use lighter on broom?]<c1| (click: ?c1)[ The end of the broom catches fire. This may not be your best idea, but it will for sure do some damage to whatever comes through the door. (set: $broom to false)(set: $fireBroom to true)] You're suddenly jealous of Lucas's ranged weapon. You'll have to get a lot closer to do damage. But this will work, right? The shooting and screaming ends abruptly outside. Maybe they killed the monster. You lift you arms, holding your makeshift weapon behind your head, eyes locked on the door. You spare one last glance at your party members. You are shoulder to shoulder with Lucas and his slingshot. His face is blank but his eyes are swimming with panic and fear. Mike his standing in front of El, attempting to block her from view. His fire extinguisher is aimed at the door. El can barely keep her eyes open. The door to the lab is thrown off the hinges and the Demogorgon leaps into the room on all fours. [[Fight]]

(set: $flamethrower to true) You grab the can of Farrah Fawcett hairspray, it feels about half full. You'll need to make this last. You're suddenly jealous of Lucas's ranged weapon. You'll have to get a lot closer to the Demogorgon to do damage. But this will work, right? The shooting and screaming ends abruptly outside. Maybe they killed the monster. You lift you arms, aiming your makeshift weapon at the door. You spare one last glance at your party members. You are shoulder to shoulder with Lucas and his slingshot. His face is blank but his eyes are swimming with panic and fear. Mike his standing in front of El, attempting to block her from view of the door. He has no weapon. El can barely keep her eyes open. The door to the lab is thrown off the hinges and the Demogorgon leaps into the room on all fours. [[Fight]]

(set: $pocketknife to true)You're suddenly jealous of Lucas's ranged weapon. You'll have to basically get on top of the Demogorgon to do damage. The shooting and screaming ends abruptly outside. Maybe they killed the monster. You lift you arms, aiming your makeshift weapon at the door. You spare one last glance at your party members. You are shoulder to shoulder with Lucas and his slingshot. His face is blank but his eyes are swimming with panic and fear. Mike his standing in front of El, attempting to block her from view of the door. He has no weapon. El can barely keep her eyes open. The door to the lab is thrown off the hinges and the Demogorgon leaps into the room on all fours. [[Fight]]

The Demogorgon turns its attention to you and the party. Lucas immediatly hurls a rock from his slingshot at the monster. It doesn't seem to more than annoy the creature. (if: $flamethrower is true)[You take a step forward and send a stream of ignited hairspray towards the monster. It recoils from the flame in fear. You see that it has already been injured. Another step forward and another, more concentrated, jet of fire. The demogorgon shrieks and reaches out an arm to bat you out of the way. The thin limb throws you across the classroom and against a desk. (set: $health to $health - 20) Health status: (print: $health) [[Continue->Fight 2.0]] ] (if: $pocketknife is true)[Your gaze rocks back and forth between the giant monster and your tiny blade. There is no way you could ever defeat this creature with a pocket knife. You look to your party members. All of them look grim. Mike is paralyzed with fear. Lucas continues to fling mere pebbles at the creature. El doesn't look like she can move. Oh God, here we go. You take the blade to your hand, drawing a stream of blood out. Before anyone can stop you, you sprint to make a narrow escape past the Demogorgon and out into the hallway. You needed to buy your friends time to escape. (set: $health to $health - 5) Health status: (print: $health) [[Continue->Live Bait]]] (if: $broom is true)[Mike steps forward and sends a stream of chemicals from the fire extinguisher toward the Demogorgon. While the monster was disoriented by the cold gases flooding its senses, you whacked the creature with the broom. You heard a snap and a thud as a frozen chunk of the monster fell to the ground. This could work. The Demogorgon roared and reaches out an arm to bat you out of the way. The thin limb throws you across the classroom and against a desk. (set: $health to $health - 20) Health status: (print: $health) [[Continue->Fight 2.0]] ] (if: $fireBroom is true)[Mike steps forward and sends a stream of chemicals from the fire extinguisher toward the Demogorgon. While the monster was disoriented by the cold gases flooding its senses, you whacked the creature with the flaming broom. You heard the Demogorgon roar in pain as the flames meet its flesh. It takes a step back, completely distracted by the flames. This could work. You take another swing. The Demogorgon, now refocused on you, shrieks and reaches out an arm to bat you out of the way. The thin limb throws you across the classroom and against a desk. (set: $health to $health - 20) Health status: (print: $health) [[Continue->Fight 2.0]] ]

Shit. Shit. Shit. What are you doing? You slide into the hallway and sprint. You have no idea where you are going. You can't waste time looking behind you but you hear it following you. The Demogorgon's long legs will have no problem catching up with you. (link-reveal: "Keep running.")[ You feel your body slam into the lockers. It got you. {(set: $health to $health - 15)} Health Status: (print: $health) You land on your back and the Demogorgon is above you. Its head unfolding to reveal rows of teeth that continue down its throat. You desperately plunge your pocket knife into the creature's neck, but it has no real effect. You feel its clawed hand rake across your torso, opening new streams of red liquid on your chest. {(set: $health to $health - 20)} Health Status: (print: $health) (if: $elPower > 24)[You open your mouth to scream. Before a sound escapes your throat, the Demogorgon is flung across the hallway. You glance around, confused until you see El. She has her arm outstretched, blood streaming from her nose and ears from sheer extertion and concentration. Blood vessels in her eyes have burst, leaving them rimmed with red. She looks terrifying and strong, but also like she could collapse at any moment. The force with which the Demogorgon was thrown smashed in a row of lockers. It now is being pressed up against the wall, struggling to breathe under the weight of El's powers. Mike and Lucas now surround you, applying pressure to your chest while gaping at the sight before you. Tears stream down Mike's cheeks as he looks at El. El turns to you and the party. "Goodbye" is all she says before returning her attention to the Demogorgon. She begins to scream. So does the monster. The shrieks blend together into one. The lights flicker violently. You close your eyes for just a second. When you open them, shes gone. El is gone and so is the Demogorgon. All that is left is a massive crater in the lockers where they stood just a second ago. Mike stands and begins searching for El. Lucas returns his attention to you and stopping the blood oozing out of your chest. [[Epilogue]]] (if: $elPower < 24)[You open your mouth to scream. Before a sound escapes your throat, the Demogorgon bites down onto your shoulder. You feel each individual razor sharp tooth pierce your skin. (set: $health to $health - 30) Health status: (print: $health) You glance behind the monster feasting on your flesh and see El. She is unconscious, being carried out of the classroom by Mike and Lucas. Mike kicks a door to the outside open and they are gone. They escaped. El will stop the Demogorgon once she has recharged enough. They'll avenge you. They are safe. They are safe. They are safe. Your eyes close. They are safe. [Try again?] (click: "Try again?")[(reload:)]]]

You quickly get back to your feet. Before can retrieve your weapon adn strick again, the Demogorgon is flung across the classroom. You glance around, confused until you see El. She has her arm outstretched, blood streaming from her nose and ears from sheer extertion and concentration. Blood vessels in her eyes have burst, leaving them rimmed with red. She looks terrifying and strong, but also like she could collapse at any moment. The force with which the Demogorgon was thrown smashed in the blackboard at the front of the room. It now is being pressed up against the wall, struggling to breathe under the weight of El's powers. You move to join Mike and Lucas now surround you, gaping at the sight before you. Tears stream down Mike's cheeks as he looks at El. El turns to you and the party. "Goodbye" is all she says before returning her attention to the Demogorgon. She begins to scream. So does the monster. The shrieks blend together into one. The lights flicker violently. You close your eyes for just a second. When you open them, shes gone. El is gone and so is the Demogorgon. All that is left is a massive crater in the wall where they stood just a second ago. Mike stands and begins searching for El. [[Epilogue]]

(if: (history:) contains "Live Bait")[Hopper and Joyce managed to rescue Will from the Upside Down. He is in the hospital. The party introduces him to El and explain your sacrifice. The next day, El has recharged enough to kill the Demogorgon. Everyone gathers at the Byers house and take turns slicing open their hands to draw the beast out. A bit of gasoline, fire, and psychic powers and the monster is gone. But so is El. [Try again?] (click: "Try again?")[(reload:)]] (unless: (history:) contains "Live Bait")[Hopper and Joyce managed to rescue Will from the Upside Down. He is in the hospital. The party explains El, her powers, and her sacrifice. Life goes back to normal, for the most part. No one can shake the feeling that it isn't over.] [Try again?] (click: "Try again?")[(reload:)]

El didn't really get to look at the new radio Mr. Clarke bought for the A/V club when she was here earlier. Plus, you hadn't really gotten much of a chance to play with it. You lead the party to the A/V room, which is more of a closet but it is big enough to accomadate the club which consists of yourself, Mike, Lucas, Will, and Mr. Clarke. You sit down in the chair in front of the radio. Mike is pointing out different pieces of equipment to El, explaining their functions as he goes. You reach out to tune the radio to a station, but get nothing but static. Lucas immediately shoves you over and grabs the tuning knob. Again static. You push him back and twist the knob. Static. Another shove. Static. Another. More static. A punch. "-all units to Hawkins Middle School-" An elbow. Static. "Wait, go back!" Mike shouts. Lucas quickly changes back to the previous station. "-Chief gave us the intel, they should be in the gym." "Copy, pulling in now." [[Oh shit. We got Lando'd.]]

There's no time to think, no time to run. You need to make a choice. Where do you hide. [[Stay in the A/V room]] [[Go to Mr. Clarke's classroom->Hide in a classroom]]

You figured that there was no time to waste in moving. You have no idea where the thugs actually were in the school, you couldn't risk getting caught in transit. Mike and El hide under the desk. You and Lucas move behind one of the shelves that is piled with equipment. In your hurry to get tucked away, you scraped your forearm on the metal shelf as you try to squeeze past. You examine the scratch and a few drops of blood leave your skin. Phew! It's not a lot, surely you would need a lot more blood to attract the Demogorgon. This is practically just a paper cut. You hear doors opening in the hallway, muffled voices, and heavy booted footsteps swarming. The door to the A/V room bursts open and two men enter, brandishing large guns. They didn't see you or the rest of the party members but they continue to search the room. [[Continue->AV Demogorgon]]

You quickly grab the hairspray and lighter and aim it at the goons directly in front of you. Lucas has his slingshot primed to shoot. Mike meekly raises his fists, unsure of what damage he can deal but prepared to try. One of the men surrounding you lunges forward. With reflexes that surprise yourself, you send of stream of fire his way, forcing him backwards adn singeing his uniform. At the same time, Lucas fires a rock from his slingshot, hitting one of the men in the face. You were outgunned and outmanned. You feel your body hit the ground. You've been tackled. You are pulled to your feet and your arms are forced behind your back. You look to your left to see Mike and Lucas in the same position. You fight against the strong grip holding you back. Rounding the corner in front of you is a tall, white haired man. He kneels down next to El, cradling her face in his hands. Her eyes open and you hear her whisper faintly, "Papa." Holy shit. The one guy that shouldn't get anywhere near El had her in his very hands. El starts to weakly wriggle away from his touch and begins reaching for you and the rest of the party. "Don't worry, Eleven," coos Papa, "they'll be coming with us. They are fugitives of the government, after all." Papa scoops El into his arms and she goes limp, losing consciousness. You struggle against your captors, but the harder you fight, the tighter the grip becomes. You feel your signature cap knocked off of your head and a vice grip rip your head back by your hair. You feel a sharp prick in your neck before you start to feel numb and sleepy. You are thrown over someone's shoulder. Everything goes black. [[Epilogue->Captive]]

You spend all your time alone in a cell. Sometimes you can hear Mike or Lucas scream in pain. This was your existence now. You only served as incentive to get El to comply with her captors. The only people you saw wore masks and only brought pain. You thought a lot about your mom. What did she think happened to you? Did she bury a fake body like Mrs. Byers? Did she miss you? Did your cat, Mews? Your pet turtle, Yurtle? Did Will make it back? Is the Demogorgon still alive? [Try again?] (click: "Try again?")[(reload:)]

BANG! BANG! BANG! You fire three shots at the charging Demogorgon. It roars, not necessarily hurt but annoyed at the bullets. The wall next to you begins to shift. You turn your head to the left and see that the bricks are crumbling. A hole is forming, growing in the center of the wall. It seeps gunk and slime and smells putrid. Another roar from the beast refocuses your attention and an elongated, thin limb hits you, knocking the gun from your hand and launching you through the hole. [[Continue->The Upside Down]]

You hit the cold, slimy ground. You are no longer in Hawkins Middle School. This place seems familiar. You glance around at your surroundings and you realize where you are: the wooded area right by downtown. You know the area well having riden through here as a shortcut to get to the arcade. But it looks...different. Every surface is covered with some sort of slime, moss, fungus, or vine. Spores fill the air. It's freezing, you can see your breath in front of your face. Everything is tinged a murky blue color. You quickly grab your bandana from your bag and wrap it around your head, covering your mouth and nose. You did not want to risk inhaling any of those spores. Whatever portal the Demogorgon opened to throw you in here is gone now. What next? [[Stay hidden in the trees]] [[Try to find a way out]]

You crouch behind a large tree and try to calm yourself down. You hear an unworldly noise. The sound is distorted and echoes, giving you no clues where it originated from. You rip open your backpack and search for anything that could be helpful. Inventory: (print: $inventory) (if: $hasHairspray is true)[[Wield lighter and hairspray]] [[Use pocket knife]]

You slowly wander through the disgusting, slimy terrian to the streets of downtown. As you walk the streets, you see two figures in orange body suits wielding guns and carrying an extremely thin, unconscious Will Byers. Will was in danger and you needed to protect him. Before you could stop yourself, you are in a full sprint. You tackle the smaller of the masked men and are able to land a couple of punches before being hauled off by the other goon. "Hey kid, what the hell are you doing?" asks a very perturbed Jim Hopper as he restrains you from punching...Joyce Byers. You explain the situation as you walk with them back to Hawkins Lab. You return to your dimension and quickly get Will to the hospital. [[Continue->Returned]]

Suddenly, the tree you are leaning against is ripped from the ground, roots and all. You are sent flying forward and knock your head on another tree.{ (set: $health to $health - 10)} (link-reveal: "Health status:")[ (print: $health) You're eyes lock on the humongous monster that wrenched a tree from the earth. You thought the Demogorgon was big. You see a creature made of shadows, 4 stories tall, maybe more. It had multiple limbs, like a spider, and an elongated, faceless head. One of its limbs began to reach for you. You quickly swipe your pocket knife at the creature. The small blade is absolutely useless against this shadow monster. You are flung into a tree and held there by the limb. { (set: $health to $health - 15)} (link-reveal: "Health status:")[ (print: $health) The blow knocked the wind out of you, you feel one of your ribs crack. You struggle to breathe and another shadow limb rushes toward you. Rather than hitting you, it dissipates into millions of smaller streams of shadow. One tendril enters you mouth, another your ear, nostrils, eyes. All you feel is fear and cold. This goes on for what feels like hours but could have only been minutes, seconds even. You feel yourself fill up with cold, emptiness. You feel youself try to fight it, but there is no use. [[Continue->Flayed]]]]

You run through the wooded area as fast as your feet will take you, occasionally glancing behind you and spraying flames at the incoming shadow limbs to keep them at bay. You hear the creature roar behind you in frustration. You feel a grip on your left ankle, tripping you and dragging you backwards. You lose your grip on the weapon, leaving you defenseless. You are then lifted into the air and thrown against a tree (set: $health to $health - 15) (link-reveal: "Health status:")[ (print: $health) You continue being thrown around like this creature's play thing. Your screams go unheard, no one can save you. One final blow breaks your neck, killing you instantly. The monster discards your body, tossing it to the ground. It immediately moves on seeming to forget you instantly. [Try again?] (click: "Try again?")[(reload:)]]

You are gently lowered to the ground. You feel fear. You feel cold. You feel nothing. Your feet carry you forward but you have no control over them. You're head feels empty but something is compelling you forward and into the roads of the Upside Down downtown. You see Chief Hopper and Joyce Byers exit the Hawkins Public Library carrying a very thin Will. You're heart leaps at the sight, but is quickly subsided by the overwhelming emptiness. You're face is blank. You join them and attempt to tell them what has happened to you, but nothing convincing comes out. You're insides feel like a rushing void. You feel nothing. You follow them back to Hawkin's Lab and return through a portal to your home dimension. You remain cold and empty. You're a host for him. He likes it cold. [Try again?] (click: "Try again?")[(reload:)]

Just as the men turn to peer under the desk where Mike and El are hiding, the back wall of the A/V room begins to shift and the shelves of equipment start shaking. Everyone's attention focuses on the wall. It moves unnaturally, shifting in form rather than simply falling apart. You glance down at your arm. Shit, you summoned the Demogorgon. An elongated, thin hand crashes through the wall, sending equipment smashing to the ground. A hideous, screaming faceless face quickly peers from the portal. The gunmen immediately begin firing at the creature. [[Run->Escape AV Room]]

You shimmy out from behind the shelf with Lucas and run to the desk. The men see you, but are too distracted by the monster to stop you. You hoist El into your arms and begin racing away from the gunfire, screams, and unnatural noises. Mike leads the way to Mr. Clarke's classroom, stopping every once in a while to make sure the coast is clear from more lab goons. You lay El down on a lab table in the back of the room and try to catch your breath. You could hear gun shots and screaming getting louder outside. You didn't have much time. Mike leans over the table to hold El's hand. Lucas has his slingshot aimed at the door; his arm is shaking. What do you do? [[Open backpack->Backpack]] [[Rummage for weapons]]

You're in Mr. Clarke's classroom. Surely he will have something useful in here. Something you can use to defend yourself [Look in the supply closet]<c2| (click: ?c2)[{(set: $mikeExtinguisher to true)(set: $broom to true)} There isn't too much in the closet, mainly just cleaning supplies and glass beakers. This will have to do. You grab a broom and hand Mike a fire extinguisher. [Use lighter on broom?]<c1| (click: ?c1)[ The end of the broom catches fire. This may not be your best idea, but it will for sure do some damage to whatever comes through the door. (set: $broom to false)(set: $fireBroom to true)] You're suddenly jealous of Lucas's ranged weapon. You'll have to get a lot closer to do damage. But this will work, right? You lift you arms, holding your makeshift weapon behind your head, eyes locked on the door. You spare one last glance at your party members. You are shoulder to shoulder with Lucas and his slingshot. His face is blank but his eyes are swimming with panic and fear. Mike his standing in front of El, attempting to block her from view. His fire extinguisher is aimed at the door. El can barely keep her eyes open. The door to the lab is swings open and a small horde of soldier pour in. [[Fight->Fight-No Demogorgon]]

Lucas immediatly hurls a rock from his slingshot at one of the men. It doesn't seem to more than annoy him. (if: $broom is true)[Mike steps forward and sends a stream of chemicals from the fire extinguisher toward the group of men. While the men were disoriented by the cold gases flooding its senses, you whack one of them with the broom. You hear a groan from one of the men. You are instantly tackled to the ground.(set: $health to $health - 10) Health status: (print: $health) [[Continue->Fight-No Demogorgon 2.0]] ] (if: $fireBroom is true)[Mike steps forward and sends a stream of chemicals from the fire extinguisher toward the group of men. While the men were disoriented by the cold gases flooding its senses, you whack one of them with the flaming broom. You hear a scream from one of the men as he catches on fire. You get another swing in before you are tackled to the ground. (set: $health to $health - 10) Health status: (print: $health) [[Continue->Fight-No Demogorgon 2.0]] ]

El managed to kill the Demogorgon but sacrificed herself to do it. The remaining party members now sat in the hospital waiting for Will to wake up and listening to you tell them how awful it was in the Upside Down. You still have nightmares. [Try again?] (click: "Try again?")[(reload:)]

The other party members are in a similar situation. Mike is being forced to his knees. Lucas has his hands up, surrounded by men and his slingshot laying on the ground beside him. A tall, white-haired man enters the room. He pays you no mind and walks straight to El, forcing her out from under the table. He kneels down next to El, cradling her face in his hands. Her eyes open and you hear her whisper faintly, "Papa." Holy shit. The one guy that shouldn't get anywhere near El had her in his very hands. El starts to weakly wriggle away from his touch and begins reaching for you and the rest of the party. (if: $elPower < 30)["Don't worry, Eleven," coos Papa, "they'll be coming with us. They are fugitives of the government, after all." Papa scoops El into his arms and she goes limp, losing consciousness. You struggle against your captors, but the harder you fight, the tighter the grip becomes. You feel your signature cap knocked off of your head and a vice grip rip your head back by your hair. You feel a sharp prick in your neck before you start to feel numb and sleepy. You are thrown over someone's shoulder. Everything goes black. [[Epilogue->Captive]]] (else:)[El goes rigid and the lights begin to flicker. Blood begins dripping from her nose. You feel the grip holding you down loosen. You glance around at the dozen or so armed men surrounding the party and don't attempt to hide your shock as blood streams from their eyes, noses, ears, and mouths. In one swift motion, they all fall to the ground, pools of blood forming around each of them. Even Papa has passed out. El collapses to the floor. She isn't used to using her powers this consistently. She can't take much more, but damn that was cool. She's our friend and she's crazy. Mike reminds the group that now that there is blood everywhere, the Demogorgon won't be far behind. You quickly scoop her into your arms and run from the building, the rest of the party following close behind. You are safe...for now. [[Continue->No Demogorgon]]

Hopper and Joyce managed to rescue Will from the Upside Down. He is in the hospital. The party introduces him to El and explains that the monster is still out there. The next day, El has recharged enough to kill the Demogorgon. Everyone gathers at the Byers house and take turns slicing open their hands to draw the beast out. A bit of gasoline, fire, and psychic powers and the monster is gone. But so is El. Life goes back to normal, for the most part. No one can shake the feeling that it isn't over. [Try again?] (click: "Try again?")[(reload:)]