tunnels

you wake in the forest. >> [[observe your surroundings.->4]]

you were at a party with your friends. there was an argument. the tension was unbearable. you went outside in the dark with one of them. you were >> [[trying to tell them something important.->2]] >> [[just going for a walk. you're not ready to tell them yet.->3]]

they listened to you ramble on, but you couldn't bring yourself to your point. they asked if you wanted to go to the park by the woods. >> [[you definitely didn't want to go back inside.->5]]

you felt more nervous than you should have. you asked if they wanted to go to the park by the woods. you needed a few minutes of fresh air. >> [[you walked quietly.->5]]

you can hardly see. it's pretty dark. you can't tell if the sun is rising or setting. your legs ache. you're thirsty. the ground feels cold. >> [[try to remember.->1]]

sitting on the swings at the park, you can't remember what you talked about. the shadows of the trees looked unnaturally stiff and the air was still and quiet. you hate the dark. >> [[stand up.->6]]

you spy your bag on the ground a few feet away. inside is a notebook, an assortment of pencils, a change of clothes, a disposable camera and an empty plastic bottle. you must have left your phone at the party. >> [[what the hell are you doing here? go back to the house. ->7]]

you grab your bag and walk towards a familiar dirt path through the forest. you find it with ease, but the path doesn't end. >> [[keep walking.->8]]

you reach a break in the trees, and a faint light filters from the pale sky above. it's a bit easier to see now. ahead of you, the path finally stops at the foot of a large, stone, wall-like structure bearing four neat, rounded tunnel entrances. each is unmarked, too dark to see into, and has no visible end or other side. you enter >> [[the first tunnel.->9]] >> [[the second tunnel.->10]] >> [[the third tunnel.->11]] >> [[the fourth tunnel.->12]]

you walk through the entrance of the first tunnel. the air is clear, crisp, and comfortably cool. a slight decline takes you deeper into the tunnel, which eventually opens up into a small stone room. in the center of the room there is a circular pool of water about the circumference of a kiddie pool that glows a greenish hue. on the other side of the pool from you lies a small dagger and a silver housekey. >> [[you're thirsty. fill your bottle.->13]] >> [[inspect the dagger and key.->14]]

you walk through the entrance of the second tunnel. after just a few steps inside, you glimpse a pair of flashing eyes a few yards ahead of you. you squint for a more careful look and spot them again. they are strange and animalistic. you cannot see anything but it's eyes, but its presence fills the whole tunnel to the ceiling, and you get the impression that whatever it is could probably kill you in a pretty second. it feels powerful and unearthly. you stare into it. it stares into you. you are overcome with dread. >> [[back away and exit the second tunnel.->22]] >> [[speak.->20]]

you walk through the entrance of the third tunnel. the air is pleasantly warm, and holds a faint scent of something sweet that triggers the momentary rush of a nostalgic memory. about a minute in, you bump into a hard surface. feeling with your hands, you recognize it as a door. you fumble with the doorknob, but it is clearly locked. there is nothing you can do. >> [[you exit the third tunnel.->22]]

you walk through the entrance of the fourth tunnel. walking through the dark for a few minutes, you almost begin to wonder if you are going nowhere. suddenly, you see the light of an exit. you start running towards it and exit the tunnel, only to find yourself exactly where you started. >> [[consider your options.->22]]

the liquid inside the bottle looks like perfectly normal water. you're pretty thirsty, so you drink it. >> [[inspect the dagger and key.->14]]

looking closer, the key appears just as you'd expected. a regular housekey. it is scratched and worn with years of use, and you have no idea what it could be used to unlock. the dagger looks newer, showing little marks or damage. it has a peculiar sort of sygil inscribed on the pommel. you don't know much about weapons, but it looks like it may be on the fancier end. >> [[take the key->15]] >> [[take the dagger->16]] >> [[take both->17]]

item get! you hold the key up where it dully reflects the glow of the pool before placing it in your backpack for safe keeping. after leaving the dagger, there doesn't seem to be anything else that this room has to offer. >> [[you exit the first tunnel.->34]]

item get! you wave the dagger through the air as if it were a mighty sword before pulling the blade through one of your belt loops so that the cross guard holds it at your waist. you feel like a badass. after leaving the key, there doesn't seem to be anything else that this room has to offer. >> [[you exit the first tunnel.->19]]

item get! you take a moment to admire how each of the items weigh in your hands together and how they reflect the dim light of the pool before placing them both in your bag for safe keeping. there doesn't seem to be anything else that this room has to offer. >> [[you exit the first tunnel.->18]]

you turn towards the four tunnels once again. you enter >> [[the first tunnel.->23]] >> [[the second tunnel.->24]] >> [[the third tunnel.->25]] >> [[the fourth tunnel.->26]]

you attempt to say something, but the energy emanating from the creature before you is crushing. you find your mouth too dry with fear and your body too overwhelmed with adrenaline to get any words out. >> [[back away and exit the second tunnel.->22]]

you walk through the entrance of the first tunnel. there is nothing else here. >> [[exit the first tunnel.->18]]

you walk through the entrance of the third tunnel. the air is pleasantly warm, and holds the faint scent of something sweet that triggers the momentary rush of a nostalgic memory. about a minute in, you bump into a hard surface. feeling with your hands, you recognize it as a door. you fumble with the doorknob, but it is clearly locked. you retrieve the key you found in the first tunnel, stick the key into the doorknob, and turn it. it produces a satisfying click as the lock slides undone. >> [[open the door.->41]]

you walk through the entrance of the fourth tunnel walking through the dark for a few minutes, you almost begin to wonder if you are going nowhere. suddenly, you see the light of an exit. you start running towards it and exit the tunnel, only to find yourself exactly where you started. >> [[consider your options.->18]]

you say to the creature >> [[i'm not afraid of you.->63]] >> [[what are you?->62]]

the grip of the dagger feels cold and dangerous in your palm, and you gain some sense of confidence. as you continue to stare down the creature before you, you hear it let out a low, gargling growl and watch as the pair of eyes lift towards the ceiling of the tunnel. you grip your dagger in defiance and fear. >> [[attack.->BAD END 3]] >> [[speak.->33]]

you leap forward, jumping straight for the floating pair of eyes with the dagger clutched firmly in your hand. you feel the blade connect and the creature emits a loud, shrill noise. suddenly, you're angry. furious. boiling. you lunge at the eyes again. the noise gets worse. it is relentless and eerily unnatural. why are you so angry? you keep going, and you can't even tell if its trying to defend itself. you can feel its blood on your hands now. you slash at what you assume is the creatures throat. the eyes drop to the ground and stare up at you. you can see the dark shapes of the creature's vague body thrashing about and banging against the walls and ceiling of the tunnel. the noise is deafening. it feels like the whole world is ending. >> [[''YOU KILLED IT.''->the beginning]]

you feel stronger. the creature stares menacingly. you say >> [[i don't want to hurt you.->66]] >> [[i'll kill you if i have to.->67]]

you turn towards the four tunnels once again. you enter >> [[the first tunnel.->35]] >> [[the second tunnel.->36]] >> [[the third tunnel.->37]] >> [[the fourth tunnel.->38]]

you walk through the entrance of the first tunnel. >> [[retrieve the dagger.->17]] >> [[do not.->34]]

you say to the creature >> [[i'm not afraid of you.->72]] >> [[what are you?->73]]

as you creak the door open, the sweet smell surrounds you and you find yourself in the softly lit space of your childhood bedroom. across the room is an open doorway through which you can see a staircase leading down to the lower floor of the house. as you're taking in the atmosphere, you hear your parent's voice from below, calling you down to enjoy your old favorite home-cooked meal. you are struck by an incredible wave of nostalgia and comfort. you feel safe. >> [[go downstairs.->43]]

You realize as you make your way down the stairs that the light here is different. from the windows you see a warm, yellow glow shining through the curtains and into the home. it is a beautiful late summer afternoon. you turn into the kitchen to see your parent prepping the table and serving the dish. they see you enter and smile with a greeting, inviting you to sit with them to talk and eat. >> [[eat.->44]] >> [[do not.->45]]

you take a bite. it is delicious. you thank your parent for such a nice meal, and eat the whole dish over the course of the conversation. outside, you can see it's starting to get darker. after you've finished, your parent tells you to go upstairs and get ready for bed. >> [[go to your room.->57]]

you politely refuse the meal, however tempting it may be. you would rather >> [[sit outside a bit, it's so nice out.->46]] >> [[hang out in your room for a while, you aren't too hungry.->47]]

you turn towards the four tunnels once again. you enter >> [[the first tunnel.->52]] >> [[the second tunnel.->54]] >> [[the third tunnel.->50]] >> [[the fourth tunnel.->51]]

they smile and nod in agreement, and tell you to wait as long as you'd like. you approach the front door and place your hand on the knob, hesitating to fantasize over the thought of seeing your old street, and maybe even taking a few moments to write in your journal. instead, you open the door only to be greeted by an endless black void. the house floats through the empty dark space, small and alone. you can't look away. >> [[step forward.->BAD END 2]] >> [[close the door and go upstairs.->60]]

they tell you they understand, and encourage you to play upstairs for a while longer. you go back up to your room. >> [[look through your old things.->48]] >> [[leave the room and exit the third tunnel->49]]

you look through old drawers and shelves, rediscovering old photos and toys and books that take you back to some of your earliest memories. as soon as you think to take pictures with your disposable camera, you realize it is time to go. >> [[leave the room and exit the third tunnel->49]]

you turn towards the four tunnels once again. you enter >> [[the first tunnel.->119]] >> [[the second tunnel.->121]] >> [[the third tunnel.->122]] >> [[the fourth tunnel.->123]]

you enter back into your room, feeling a bit sleepy after such a good meal. you sit on the edge of your bed and consider your childhood. >> [[look through your old things.->58]] >> [[it's time to go. leave the room and exit the third tunnel.->49]]

you look through old drawers and shelves, rediscovering old photos and toys and books that take you back to some of your earliest memories. you unearth an ancient record, one of your favorites from your junior high years. you pop it into the system and push play. >> [[listen.->BAD END]]

sitting on your bed and listening to the old music, you start to feel incredibly tired. you figure one quick nap can't hurt. well, maybe it can, but your consciousness is already slipping away, and the music is fading into whitenoise. it's too late for you. >> [[''GAME OVER.''->the beginning]]

you step off out of the doorway and out of the house, into the free fall of the void. you experience a lurching in your stomach, a falling sensation like that of a bad dream immediately before waking up. but it doesn't end. the distance between you and your childhood home grows, and your vision of the structure is blurred and warped. and it doesn't end. >> [[''WAKE UP.''->the beginning]]

you go back up to your room, unsure of what to think. >> [[leave the room and exit the third tunnel->49]]

you turn towards the four tunnels once again. you enter >> [[the first tunnel.->9]] >> [[the second tunnel.->10]] >> [[the third tunnel.->11]] >> [[the fourth tunnel.->12]]

you walk through the entrance of the first tunnel. >> [[retrieve the key.->17]] >> [[do not.->19]]

the creature stares. you say >> [[i don't want to hurt you.->64]] >> [[why am i here?->65]]

everything is still. >> [[why are you here?->65]] >> [[why am i here?->65]]

it blinks. the eyes lift above you and stare down from their place a few yards away. >> [[it speaks->70]]

silence. you tell it you're only trying to pass by. >> [[it speaks.->70]]

a force knocks the dagger from your hand, and it lands with a sharp clatter between you and the creature. it watches you. >> [[grab it.->BAD END 4]] >> [[leave it.->65]]

it doesn't speak, but appears to take a step towards you. you hear what you interpret as claws clicking against the hard ground. >> [[attack.->BAD END 3]] >> [[stand your ground.->65]]

foolish. you are so small. there is nowhere to go, and nowhere to be. there is no point in trying to control the outcome of things. there is no point in trying to know it all. you are living a short, insignificant life. you will die and you will be gone and there is nothing you can do about it. what are you doing here? your friends need you. go. >> [[exit the second tunnel.->71]]

in an instant, you leap after the dagger. as you move, something smashes into your side forcefully, and you collapse on the floor. you see the eyes lower to rest just inches from your face, staring directly into you. you feel an incredible, crushing pain. you can't move. you can't breathe. >> [[''YOU LIED''->the beginning]]

you turn towards the four tunnels once again. you enter >> [[the first tunnel.->117]] >> [[the second tunnel.->118]] >> [[the third tunnel.->81]] >> [[the fourth tunnel.->120]]

you feel stronger. the creature stares. you say >> [[can you tell me how to get home?->75]] >> [[why are you here?->76]]

everything is still. >> [[why are you here?->76]] >> [[why am i here?->76]]

it blinks. the eyes lift above you and stare down from their place a few yards away. >> [[it speaks->77]]

silence. you tell it you're only trying to pass by. >> [[it speaks.->77]]

you turn towards the four tunnels once again. you enter >> [[the first tunnel.->79]] >> [[the second tunnel.->80]] >> [[the third tunnel.->81]] >> [[the fourth tunnel.->82]]

you walk through the entrance of the first tunnel. >> [[retrieve the dagger.->83]] >> [[do not.->78]]

you walk through the entrance of the second tunnel. there is nothing else here. >> [[exit the second tunnel.->78]]

you turn towards the four tunnels once again. you enter >> [[the first tunnel.->85]] >> [[the second tunnel.->80]] >> [[the third tunnel.->81]] >> [[the fourth tunnel.->82]]

you walk through the entrance of the first tunnel. there is nothing else here. >> [[exit the first tunnel.->78]]

you politely refuse the meal, however tempting it may be. you would rather >> [[sit outside a bit, it's so nice out.->91]] >> [[hang out in your room for a while, you aren't too hungry.->90]]

they tell you they understand, and encourage you to play upstairs for a while longer. you go back up to your room. >> [[look through your old things.->92]] >> [[leave the room and exit the third tunnel->96]]

you go back up to your room, unsure of what to think. >> [[leave the room and exit the third tunnel->96]]

you walk through the entrance of the first tunnel. there is nothing else here. >> [[exit the first tunnel.->96]]

you turn towards the four tunnels once again. you enter >> [[the first tunnel.->97]] >> [[the second tunnel.->98]] >> [[the third tunnel.->99]] >> [[the fourth tunnel.->100]]

you walk through the entrance of the second tunnel. there is nothing else here. >> [[exit the second tunnel.->96]]

you walk through the entrance of the third tunnel. there is nothing else here. >> [[exit the third tunnel.->96]]

you walk through the entrance of the fourth tunnel. walking through the dark for a few minutes, you almost begin to wonder if you are going nowhere. you feel the tunnel begin to curve to the side, and you begin to hear the faint beat of music slowly getting louder as you progress. you collide with a hard surface similar to that of the third tunnel. you have found another door. from the other side of the door, you can hear loud rock music and the sounds of a large group of people talking and laughing. you turn the handle hesitantly, but it is locked. >> [[try to unlock the door.->101]] >> [[knock.->102]]

you remove the key from your bag once more and attempt to stick it in the keyhole, but it doesn't fit. >> [[knock.->102]]

you place the key in your pocket and nervously knock on the door. the music seems to be turned down, and there is a small break in the commotion as you hear footsteps approach from the other side. >> [[the door opens.->103]]

inside is your friend's house and everyone that was at the party. they cheer, pulling you inside and into a mighty hug. they ask what took you so long, and why you look so tired, but you don't know how to respond. outside, it appears dark. someone offers a drink, holding it out to you expectantly. you take it in your hands and thank them as the music is turned back up and the group melts back into the previous concoction of loud conversation and dancing. >> [[drink.->104]] >> [[do not.->105]]

the drink is pleasant and familiar. you drink most of it before one of your friends pulls you over to dance with them. you steady yourself and recognize your new dance partner as the one you walked with to the park. you feel so happy. >> [[dance.->111]]

you set the drink on a nearby table and look for the friend you had walked with to the park. by the time you find them, you realize how exhausted you are. they seem disappointed that you aren't able to fully enjoy the party, but they understand. they take you to their room and offer their bed, making sure you're comfortable before turning off the light and closing the door to rejoin the others. >> [[sleep.->106]]

>> [[...->107]]

you wake in your friend's bed. >> [[observe your surroundings.->108]]

the sky through the window is bright blue. the digital clock next to the bed reads 8:16am. you can't hear anything but the faraway sounds of rush hour traffic. you're very comfortable. >> [[try to remember.->115]]

you dance and sing along until your legs can't hold you up anymore. you slump onto a couch among your friends as they tease you for your lack of skill, but you don't care. you lean on someone's shoulder, and they put their arm around you. unable to keep your eyes open much longer, you doze off to the warm and fuzzy feeling of being surrounded by your friends. >> [[sleep.->112]]

>> [[...->113]]

you wake on your friend's couch. >> [[observe your surroundings.->114]]

the sky through the window is bright blue. the analog clock on the wall reads 11:56am. you can hear the faint voices of your friends from somewhere else in the house. your head hurts a little, but you're otherwise very comfortable. >> [[try to remember.->116]]

your recollection of the previous night and the events leading up to it are foggy and unclear. you're still thinking over it when you hear your friend coming up the stairs. they knock momentarily before letting themselves in with a good morning greeting. they set a glass of water on the nightstand next to you and sit at the side of the bed. they ask what happened last night that wore you out so much. >> [[tell them about the tunnels.->143]] >> [[do not.->144]]

your recollection of the previous night and the events leading up to it are foggy and unclear. you're still thinking over it when your friend comes down the stairs and greets you goodmorning. they disappear into the kitchen before returning to sit across from you with a glass of juice. they ask what happened last night that made you so late. >> [[tell them about the tunnels.->143]] >> [[do not.->144]]

you walk through the entrance of the first tunnel. there is nothing else here. >> [[exit the first tunnel.->71]]

you walk through the entrance of the second tunnel. there is nothing else here. >> [[exit the second tunnel.->71]]

you walk through the entrance of the first tunnel. >> [[retrieve the dagger.->163]] >> [[do not.->49]]

you walk through the entrance of the third tunnel. there is nothing else here. >> [[exit the third tunnel.->49]]

you say to the creature >> [[i'm not afraid of you.->126]] >> [[what are you?->127]]

everything is still. >> [[why are you here?->131]] >> [[why am i here?->131]]

the creature stares. you say >> [[i don't want to hurt you.->132]] >> [[why am i here?->131]]

silence. you tell it you're only trying to pass by. >> [[it speaks.->136]]

it blinks. the eyes lift above you and stare down from their place a few yards away. >> [[it speaks->136]]

you turn towards the four tunnels once again. you enter >> [[the first tunnel.->138]] >> [[the second tunnel.->139]] >> [[the third tunnel.->140]] >> [[the fourth tunnel.->100]]

you walk through the entrance of the first tunnel. there is nothing else here. >> [[exit the first tunnel.->137]]

you walk through the entrance of the second tunnel. there is nothing else here. >> [[exit the second tunnel.->137]]

you walk through the entrance of the third tunnel. there is nothing else here. >> [[exit the third tunnel.->137]]

you attempt to explain how you woke up in the forest and couldn't get home, and to describe the outlandish nature of the tunnels you traversed, but your memories are jumbled, and it comes out sounding like nothing more than a bizarre dream. your friend looks at you funny and laughs a little. they say you really must have drank too much or maybe eaten something funny, but their face shows a momentary look of concern. they pick up your bag from the ground and hand it to you, telling you jokingly that they're kicking you out, but explaining that you really should get ready to go soon so they can clean up. >> [[get dressed.->145]]

you tell them you just had a long, busy day at work. they sigh and apologize that the party had to be on your work night, but you say you don't mind too much. you still liked being around them. they pick up your bag from the ground and hand it to you, telling you jokingly that they're kicking you out, but explaining that you really should get ready to go soon so they can clean up. >> [[get dressed.->145]]

your friend leaves the room and shuts the door behind them. you open your bag to retrieve your extra change of clothes, and quickly put them on before jogging downstairs to the kitchen. your friend offers to make you breakfast, but you tell them you'll just get something at home. you head for the door, placing you hand on the knob. from behind, you hear your friend say goodbye and wish you a nice day. you're anxious to know you're somewhere familiar and real. you take a deep breath. >> [[open the door.->146]]

the door swings open and you are met with the fresh, clean air of a new day. the sun hits your eyes and you let out a sigh of relief. your friend approaches you, asking if something is wrong. it's nothing, you say, before hugging them tightly and wishing them a good day in return. i love you. you shut the door and begin walking home. as you walk, you feel something in your pocket. in that same moment, you remember the dagger and key that you found in the tunnels. if you took the dagger, it disappeared from your backpack. but you can't remember. sure enough though, you remove the mysterious object from your pocket, and an old, silver housekey is revealed, resting lightly in your palm. you slip it back into your pocket and keep walking, wondering what it all means.

you say to the creature >> [[i'm not afraid of you.->149]] >> [[what are you?->150]]

everything is still. >> [[why are you here?->152]] >> [[why am i here?->152]]

the creature stares. you say >> [[i don't want to hurt you.->152]] >> [[why am i here?->153]]

you feel stronger. the creature stares menacingly. you say >> [[i don't want to hurt you.->155]] >> [[i'll kill you if i have to.->156]]

silence. you tell it you're only trying to pass by. >> [[it speaks.->154]]

it blinks. the eyes lift above you and stare down from their place a few yards away. >> [[it speaks->152]]

a force knocks the dagger from your hand, and it lands with a sharp clatter between you and the creature. it watches you. >> [[grab it.->BAD END 4]] >> [[leave it.->152]]

it doesn't speak, but appears to take a step towards you. you hear what you interpret as claws clicking against the hard ground. >> [[attack.->BAD END 3]] >> [[stand your ground.->152]]

you turn towards the four tunnels once again. you enter >> [[the first tunnel.->158]] >> [[the second tunnel.->159]] >> [[the third tunnel.->160]] >> [[the fourth tunnel.->161]]

you walk through the entrance of the first tunnel. >> [[retrieve the key.->162]] >> [[do not.->157]]

you walk through the entrance of the second tunnel. there is nothing else here. >> [[exit the first tunnel.->157]]

you turn towards the four tunnels once again. you enter >> [[the first tunnel.->165]] >> [[the second tunnel.->166]] >> [[the third tunnel.->81]] >> [[the fourth tunnel.->123]]

you walk through the entrance of the first tunnel. there is nothing else here. >> [[exit the first tunnel.->164]]

you say to the creature >> [[i'm not afraid of you.->173]] >> [[what are you?->172]]

you feel stronger. the creature stares menacingly. you say >> [[i don't want to hurt you.->170]] >> [[i'll kill you if i have to.->171]]

a force knocks the dagger from your hand, and it lands with a sharp clatter between you and the creature. it watches you. >> [[grab it.->BAD END 4]] >> [[leave it.->174]]

it doesn't speak, but appears to take a step towards you. you hear what you interpret as claws clicking against the hard ground. >> [[attack.->BAD END 3]] >> [[stand your ground.->174]]

the creature stares. you say >> [[i don't want to hurt you.->176]] >> [[why am i here?->174]]

everything is still. >> [[why are you here?->174]] >> [[why am i here?->174]]

silence. you tell it you're only trying to pass by. >> [[it speaks.->175]]

it blinks. the eyes lift above you and stare down from their place a few yards away. >> [[it speaks->175]]