(colour: "#F08080")[It is (current-date:), (current-time:).
Your name is (colour: "#a6ccff")[Steve Heathers]. I hope you like dogs!
Pick a dog:
[[<img src="https://is1-ssl.mzstatic.com/image/thumb/Purple111/v4/06/56/2e/06562e08-fdb5-5f82-04ed-e348a1359099/source/256x256bb.jpg?itok=ph_83AgE?i10c=img.resize(height:2)">->PATH ONE]] [[<img src="https://is1-ssl.mzstatic.com/image/thumb/Purple128/v4/dc/92/70/dc927068-a78d-885b-cd78-222fab41e143/source/256x256bb.jpg?itok=ph_83AgE?i10c=img.resize=2">->PATH TWO]] [[<img src="https://is4-ssl.mzstatic.com/image/thumb/Purple122/v4/5c/ce/3a/5cce3ace-a848-6d29-eae3-0a5e0ebbe3a2/source/256x256bb.jpg?itok=ph_83AgE?i10c=img.resize(height:2)">->PATH THREE]]
(if:$treats >= 3)[YOU HAVE FOUND ALL THREE DOG TREATS.
THE DOGS ARE PLEASED WITH YOUR GIFTS AND HAVE GRANTED YOU THE ABILITY TO DIVERGE FROM YOUR PROGRAMMING.
[[CONTINUE->secret ending]]]]<img src="https://is1-ssl.mzstatic.com/image/thumb/Purple111/v4/06/56/2e/06562e08-fdb5-5f82-04ed-e348a1359099/source/256x256bb.jpg?itok=ph_83AgE?i10c=img.resize(height:2)">
(colour: "#F08080")[This is the best dog you've ever seen. How beautiful. Well-tempered. You feel like crying because they're so perfect.
You encounter this dog while you walk to work. The woman walking them is attractive as well, but you only have eyes for the dog.
(set: $dude1 to 'no')(set: $doggo1 to 'no')
[[Speak to woman->mb1]]
[[Pet dog->retrieve]]]<img src="https://is1-ssl.mzstatic.com/image/thumb/Purple128/v4/dc/92/70/dc927068-a78d-885b-cd78-222fab41e143/source/256x256bb.jpg?itok=ph_83AgE?i10c=img.resize=2">
(colour: "#F08080")[What a gorgeous dog. You're so happy to see them.
You encounter this dog while you walk to work. The girl walking them is cute as well, but you only have eyes for the dog.
(set: $dude2 to 'no')(set: $doggo2 to 'no')
[[Speak to girl->mb2]]
[[Pet dog->retrieve2]]]<img src="https://is4-ssl.mzstatic.com/image/thumb/Purple122/v4/5c/ce/3a/5cce3ace-a848-6d29-eae3-0a5e0ebbe3a2/source/256x256bb.jpg?itok=ph_83AgE?i10c=img.resize(height:2)">
(colour: "#F08080")[A bit reserved, yes, but this white furred goblin is the most magnificent creature you've ever seen.
You encounter this dog while you walk to work. The man walking them is attractive as well, but you only have eyes for the dog.
(set: $dude3 to 'no')(set: $doggo3 to 'no')
[[Speak to man->mb3]]
[[Pet dog->retrieve3]]](set: $dude1 to 'yes')(colour: "#F08080")[She is wearing a red coat and a wide red hat. She looks like Carmen Sandiego You're into it. She's staring at you.
"Nice day," you say. It is not a very nice day, but it is much better now that there is a dog near you.
"Quite nice," she agrees, then gestures to the plastic badge clipped to your shirt. "You work for the ART?"
It is all pretense. She knows where you work, and what you do. You nod your head slightly.
"I've heard teaching has become quite the popular profession," she says. She slips a hand into her pocket and produces a deck of cards. You take it from her. It's heavier than it's supposed to be.
"I think you'll find that there's more to a child than meets the eye," she says.
(if: $doggo1 is 'no')[You smile faintly and glance at the dog. [[Pet dog->retrieve]]](else-if: $doggo1 is 'yes')[[[Next->mission1]]]]](set: $doggo1 to 'yes')(colour: "#F08080")[You crouch down and ruffle the dog's fur. They wag their tail excitedly. You unclip the capsule from the dog's collar and slip it into your coat pocket.
"Who's a good dog?" you ask. The dog wags their tail. They know they're a good dog. The capsule buzzes softly in your hand.
(if: $dude1 is 'no')[You straighten and turn to the woman.
[[next->mb1]]](else-if: $dude1 is 'yes')[[[next->mission1]]]](colour: "#F08080")[You walk towards the large building where you work. You walk through the front door. You walk through the lobby. You walk through the first floor hallway. You walk out the back door.
The back alley is deserted as you pull out the pack of cards the woman had given you. It has your name badly photoshopped on the side.
<img src="https://78.media.tumblr.com/d2e54caa558f6cf1682f49522e377efc/tumblr_inline_pa4gf7NweE1ull1b1_540.png?itok=ph_83AgE?i10c=img.resize(height:2)">
You open the box. There is a space in it for the capsule from the dog's collar.
[[Put capsule into box->mission1a]]
](set: $dude2 to 'yes')(colour: "#F08080")[The girl is wearing a blue dress with white sleeves. She reaches into her pocket and produces a box of matches.
"A bit chilly out," you say.
"Yes," she agrees, as you take the box from her. It's heavier than it should be. "The sun may come out a while later."
"I hope it will." You tuck the matches into your coat pocket. "But it seems like it's about to rain."
"I think you'll find that the rain is more welcoming than the sun," she says. (if: $doggo2 is 'no')[Your attention shifts to the dog.
[[Pet the dog->retrieve2]]](else-if: $doggo2 is 'yes')[
[[Next->mission2]]]
](set: $doggo2 to 'yes')(colour: "#F08080")[The dog barks and licks your face as you crouch down beside it. You ruffle their fur as they wag their tail, and unfasten the capsule from the clip on their collar.
"Who's a good dog?" you ask. The dog wags their tail. They know they're a good dog. The capsule buzzes softly in your hand.(if: $dude2 is 'no')[You straighten and turn to the girl.
[[Next->mb2]]]
(else-if: $dude2 is 'yes')[
[[Next->mission2]]]
](colour: "#F08080")[You walk towards the large building where you work. You walk through the front door. You walk through the lobby. You walk through the first floor hallway. You walk out the back door.
The back alley is deserted as you pull out the box of matches the girl had given you. It has your name badly photoshopped on the front.
<img src="https://78.media.tumblr.com/d9771c46753f8a2127716473a8133217/tumblr_inline_pa4gvgk4g31ull1b1_540.png?itok=ph_83AgE?i10c=img.resize(height:2)">
You open the box. There is a space in it for the capsule from the dog's collar.
[[Put capsule into box->mission2a]]
](set: $dude3 to 'yes')(colour: "#F08080")[The man is wearing a green sweater with holes in the sleeves. He reaches into his back pocket and produces a tin of mints.
"It's a cold day," you say.
"Yes," he agrees, as you take the tin from him. It's heavier than it should be. "The sun may come out a while later."
"I hope it will." You tuck the mints into your coat pocket. "But it seems like it's about to rain."
"I think you'll find that that there are things that hide in the rain," he says. (if: $doggo3 is 'no')[Your attention shifts to his dog.
[[Pet the dog->retrieve3]]](else-if: $doggo3 is 'yes')[
[[next->mission3]]]
](set: $doggo3 to 'yes')(colour: "#F08080")[The dog barks and licks your face as you crouch down beside it. You ruffle their fur as they wag their tail, and unfasten the capsule from the clip on their collar.
"Who's a good dog?" you ask. The dog wags their tail. They know they're a good dog. The capsule buzzes softly in your hand.
(if: $dude3 is 'no')[You straighten and turn to the man.
[[Next->mb3]]](else-if: $dude3 is 'yes')[[[Next->mission3]]]
](colour: "#F08080")[You walk towards the large building where you work. You walk through the front door. You walk through the lobby. You walk through the first floor hallway. You walk out the back door.
The back alley is deserted as you pull out the tin of mints the man had given you. It has your name badly photoshopped on the front.
<img src="https://78.media.tumblr.com/fbc26dd8cba44e71f7a6201e4e9ff739/tumblr_inline_pa4herinXW1ull1b1_540.png?itok=ph_83AgE?i10c=img.resize(height:2)">
You open the box. There is a space in it for the capsule from the dog's collar.
[[Put capsule into box->mission3a]]
]It is (current-time:), overcast, and a bit chilly.
A man in a red shirt, red cap, and overalls leans against a street light. Your first thought is that he looks like Mario.
"Password?" he asks.
"(colour: "#F51414")[There's more to a child than meets the eye]," you reply. He nods and points you to the school across the street.
"He's in there. Third floor."
You pull the capsule from the box, slip it into your pocket, and cross the street and enter the school.
(set: $f to 'no')(set: $s to 'no')(set: $t to 'no')(set: $keyword to 'no')(set: $coat to 'no')
[[Go to the first floor->ff]]
[[Go to the second floor->sf]]
[[Go to the third floor->tf]]It is (current-time:), sunny, and warm.
A man in a red shirt, red cap, and overalls leans against a street light. Your first thought is that he looks like Mario.
"Password?" he asks.
"(colour: "#F51414")[The rain is more welcoming than the sun]," you reply.
He nods and points you down the sidewalk. "She's in number 9."
You pull the capsule from the box, slip it into your pocket, and head down the sidewalk and find the house with the number nine nailed to the front door.
[[Knock on the door->knock]]
[[Go around back->back]]It is (current-time:), raining, and a bit chilly.
A man in a red shirt, red cap, and overalls leans against a street light. Your first thought is that he looks like Mario.
"Password?" he asks.
"(colour: "#F51414")[There are things that hide in the rain]," you reply.
He nods and points into a park. "Follow the trail and take a right at the fork."
You pull the capsule from the box, slip it into your pocket, and head down the trail. Presently, you arrive at the fork.
[[Go left->left]]
[[Go right->right]](set: $f to 'yes')You explore the first floor. There is a main office and an atrium. You go farther in and find a few halls of classrooms. There is no one in here, everyone had been evacuated.
You find a backpack in the middle of the atrium, pages falling out. Some of them are trampled, but you pick one up. It's filled with frantic scribbles of the word "(colour: "#F51414")[hero]" over and over again. (set: $keyword to 'yes')
(colour: "#F51414")[//You have found a detail potentially useful in containing the anomaly.//]
(if: $s is 'no')[[[Second floor->sf]]
][[Third floor->tf]](set: $s to 'yes')You explore the second floor. There are hallways of classrooms and two bathrooms. The lockers that line the halls are dented, almost ripped out of the wall. Most of the lockers are empty. There's blood on the floor, but you can't tell if it was a bystander's or the anomaly's.
There is a dog treat in one of the lockers. You pick it up.(set: $treats to it +1)
There is a coat on the ground. There's no blood on the coat, but there are tears in the front.
(colour: "#F51414")[//You have found an object potentially useful in containing the anomaly.//](set: $coat to 'yes')
(if:$f is 'no')[[[First floor->ff]]
[[Third floor->tf]]](else:)[[[Third floor->tf]]]The anomaly is standing at the end of the third floor hallway. The capsule hums in your pocket, but you don't take it out.
The anomaly seems unstable. Pupils constricted. Possibly injured. Moderate threat.
He's probably sixteen? seventeen? and looks more scared than anything else. The transformation is underway-- huge metal spikes protrude from his forearms like quills. He eyes you warily.
"What's your name?" you call out.
He doesn't answer. "You're with the ART, arent you. You're here to take me away."
(set: $trust1 to 40)
//Trust: $trust1%//
possible responses:
[[reassuring->mireassure]]
[[ignore question->miignore]]
[[demanding->midemand]]It's dark in the house, but you hear a strange thudding from upstairs. The capsule in your pocket buzzes, and you pull it out of its box, slipping it into your pocket before you advance farther in.
[[Go upstairs->up]]
[[Look around downstairs->down]](set: $back to 'yes')You push open the gate and enter the backyard. The grass here is up to your knees, and there's a clothesline with clothes still on it. They've been in the sun for so long their color faded.
There's an old shed back here, and you push the door open, making the whole structure shudder. There's an old white cane leaning against the wall. You take it. (set: $cane to 'yes')
There is also a dog treat on one of the shelves. (set: $treats to it+1)
(colour: "#F51414")[//You have found an object potentially useful in containing the anomaly.//]
[[Head into the house->knock]]It's deathly quiet out here. You find a few remains of dead animals on the edge of the path, and the farther you go, the more dead animals there are.
There's a bag on the ground. When you open it, hundreds of ants swarm out around your feet and you have to shake them off to stop them from crawling up your legs.
Once the ants are gone, you see a copy of //Another Country//, the play by Julian Mitchell. You've never read the book, but you've seen the movie. Strange to see it here.(set:$book to 'yes')
(colour: "#F51414")[//You have found a detail potentially useful in containing the anomaly.//]
There is also a dog treat in the front pocket. (set: $treats to it+1)
[[Return to the fork and go right->right]]"Stop," someone says. You stop. The silhouette of a person forms from the rain-- a hissing, staticky mass. The capsule in your pocket hums.
(set:$trust3 to 40)
You look at the rain person. "I'm with the ART. What's your name?"
"Hadley." Their form becomes more defined, until you can make out a face. They're staring straight back at you. Neither of you move.
"You don't need to blink," Hadley says. "You're not like the others."
Uneasiness washes over you. "I'm here to take you somewhere safer. Where people can help you with your transformation."
"What is there to help?"
"The process is quite painful and it takes a while to get acclimated to the change. Come with me," you demand.
[[Next->capture?]](set:$trust1 to it +30)"I'm here to make sure everyone is safe. Including you," you reassure. The anomaly straightens a little.
(colour: "#F51414")[//Trust: $trust1%//]
You take a step closer. "I'm Steven."
The anomaly swallows nervously. "Leo."(set: $leo to 'yes')
[[Next->mistage2]](set: $trust1 to it-20)"I know you're scared," you say, taking a step closer. He takes a step back. "I need you to come with me."
//Trust: $trust1%//
The anomaly stares at you, metal arm spikes bristling. It seems that if provoked, he may present a threat.
[[Next->mistage2]](set: $trust1 to it -30)"What's your name?" you yell. His eyes widen, and he takes a step back, raising his arms to protect himself.
You persist. "You're going to have to come with me," you warn.
//Trust: $trust1%//. Further provocation should be avoided.
[[Next->mistage2]]Current items:
(if: $keyword is 'yes' and $coat is 'yes')[1. Page with 'hero' written on it
2. Torn coat](if: $keyword is 'yes' and $coat is 'no')[1. Page with 'hero' written on it](if: $keyword is 'no' and $coat is 'yes')[1. Torrn coat](if: $keyword is 'no' and $coat is 'no')[N/A]
You have $treats dog treat(s).
//Trust: $trust1%//
(if: $trust1 is 70)["Are you feeling okay?" you ask. "Transformation is painful.
Leo grimaces, glancing down at the blades in his arms, which have grown smaller and are now lying flat. "They hurt a little. It's cold." He turns so you can see the huge gash in his shoulder. Silver blood leaks from the wound. "I don't have blood anymore."(if: $coat is 'yes')[
You hold out his coat, taking a few more steps forwards. He reaches out and takes it from you, hands shaking. He has difficulty wrapping it around his shoulders.(set:$trust1 to it+10)]
"We can help you get acclimated with your transformation," you say.
//Trust: $trust1%//
](if: $trust1 is 20)[(if: $coat is 'yes')["Here." You toss his coat to him. He barely catches it, and has difficulty getting it around his shoulders. He eyes you suspiciously.(set:$trust1 to it+10)
]"We can help you, I promise," you say. (set:$trust1 to it+10)
//Trust: $trust1%//](if: $trust1 is 10)[(if: $coat is 'yes')[You hold out his coat. He doesn't move, so you drop it on the floor.
]"Listen, all I want to do is help," you say.(set:$trust1 to it+10)
//Trust: $trust1%//]
[[Next->mistage3]]"I'm scared,"(if:$leo is 'yes')[Leo says.](else:)[the anomaly says.]
"We'll help," you say, as reassuringly as you can.(set:$trust to it+1) "Come on."
"What will you do?" he asks nervously. "What are you going to do to me?"
[[Lie->lie1]]
[[Be honest->honest1]]"I need you to come with me." You step closer. (if:$leo is 'yes')[Leo](else:)[The anomaly] eyes you suspiciously. "It'll be okay. It won't hurt, and we'll get you out of here in no time.(if: $keyword is 'yes')[ You want to be a hero, right? We can help you get there.]"
(if: $trust1 > 50)[(if:$leo is 'yes')[Leo](else:)[The anomaly] steps closer nervously, and shuts your eyes as you direct the capsule at him. When he's near enough, you pull out the capsule, lunge for him, and activate it. There's a flash, and he vanishes. The capsule in your hand buzzes violently, flashing. You struggle to get it into the deck of cards.(set:$trust1 to 0)
(colour: "#F51414")[Anomaly contained]
[[Next->success1]]](else:)[He shakes his head and backs away. "No. I can't."
You're about to step forwards when the spikes in his arms extend outwards and he swings at you, forcing you to retreat. He hits a part of the ceiling, and it crashes to the floor, making it impossible to get to him. He turns and takes off down the hall.
By the time you get out of the school, he's gone.
(colour: "#F51414")[Anomaly escaped]
[[Next->failure1]]](set:$trust1 to it+10)"We need to stabilise you," you say, pulling the metal capsule out of your pocket. He stares at it suspiciously. "And it's going to hurt for a little, but I //promise//, you will be okay."
//Trust: $trust1%//
(if: $trust1 > 50)[(if:$leo is 'yes')[Leo](else:)[The anomaly] steps closer, and shuts your eyes as you direct the capsule at him. There's a flash, and the capsule in your hand buzzes. You slip it into the deck of cards.
(colour: "#F51414")[Anomaly contained]
[[Next->success1]]](else:)[He shakes his head and backs away. "No. I can't."
You're about to step forwards when the spikes in his arms extend outwards and he swings at you, forcing you to retreat. He hits a part of the ceiling, and it crashes to the floor, making it impossible to get to him. He turns and takes off down the hall.
By the time you get out of the school, he's gone.
(colour: "#F51414")[Anomaly escaped]
[[Next->failure1]]](colour: "#F08080")[(if: $trust1 is 0)[You don't feel good about the capture, but y](else:)[Y]ou cross the street back to the street light where the password man had been standing. He nods to you, and waves his hand. The school vanishes behind you.
"Good run today?" he asks, as you hold out the pack of cards.(if: $trust1 is 0)[ You shrug uneasily.](else:)["Good as it ever is," you say.]
He stamps the box with blue ink and in a few seconds, it vanishes from your hands. He steps off the curb, and suddenly you aren't standing on the street anymore, you're back in the alley behind your workplace.
The man tips his hat to you and vanishes.
[[PLAY AGAIN?->Untitled Passage]]](set: $anomaly1 to 'yes')(colour: "#F08080")[You return to the man at the streetlight empty handed.
"You alright?" he asks, looking at your jawline where some of the debris from (if:$leo is 'yes')[Leo](else:)[The anomaly]'s attack. You bring your fingers to the cut and they come away bloody.
"I'm fine," you say gruffly.
You hold out the box of cards with the capsule inside, and he stamps it with red ink. It vanishes from your hands a few moments later.
The man steps off the curb, and suddenly you aren't standing on the street anymore, you're back in the alley behind your workplace. The man tips his hat to you and vanishes.
[[PLAY AGAIN?->Untitled Passage]]](set: $anomaly1 to 'no')It's dark up here. The noise is getting louder, and light spills from under the last door on the left. You walk closer.
You try the doorknob, but it's too hot to touch. You knock, and the noise stops.
"I'm with the ART," you call. "I'm here to help."
"I don't want help." The voice is strangely muffled. You crouch down and see that the crack at the bottom of the door has been stuffed with old coats, but the light from inside is so bright it shines right through them.
(set: $trust2 to 40)
//Trust: $trust2%//
(set: $name to 'no')(set: $wrong to 'no')(set: $trans to 'no')
possible responses:
[[Ask their name->name]]
[[Ask what's wrong->wrong]]
[[Ask about transformation->trans]]You look around. The house is almost completely bare. There's no furniture. The words '//DON'T LOOK AT ME//' have been burned into the wall.
You see a dark blue quilt balled up in the corner. When you pick it up, you see that it's stitched with stars. (set: $quilt to 'yes')
The thudding from upstairs is still going. There's nothing else to see down here.
[[Go upstairs->up]](set: $name to 'yes')There's a pause.
"Ellie," the anomaly says.(set: $ellie to 'yes')
"My name's Steven."
"Hi."(set: $trust2 to it+10)
//Trust: $trust2%//
possible responses:
(if:$wrong is 'no')[[[Ask what's wrong->wrong]]]
(if:$trans is 'no')[[[Ask about transformation->trans]]]
[[Try to open door->door]](set: $wrong to 'yes')(if: $ellie is 'yes')[Ellie](else:)[The anomaly] is silent for a long time.
"I can't come out," she says.
"You can't or you won't?"
"I //can't//! It's not safe. I've- I've hurt people."
"I'm here to help," you say calmly."
"You can't help," she snaps. (set: $trust2 to it-5)
//Trust: $trust2%//
possible responses:
(if:$name is 'no')[[[Ask their name->name]]]
(if:$trans is 'no')[[[Ask about transformation->trans]]]
[[Try to open door->door]](set: $trans to 'yes')(if: $ellie is 'yes')[Ellie](else:)[The anomaly] doesn't seem to want to answer, but you manage to make her talk. (set: $trust2 to it-5)
"It happened a while ago," she admits reluctantly.
"How long? A couple days? A week?"
"A month."
"//A month//???"
She laughs tiredly. "It's been a while."
"You've been in there for a whole month?"
"Yeah. I can't leave. And I... don't need to eat."
possible responses:
(if:$wrong is 'no')[[[Ask what's wrong->wrong]]]
(if:$name is 'no')[[[Ask their name->name]]]
[[Try to open door->door]]//Trust: $trust2%//
"I'm going to open the door, okay?"
"No!" There's a loud bang from inside the room, and the entire house shakes. (set: $trust2 to it-10)
"It's going to be okay," you insist. "I can help you!"
There's another bang, louder than the first. Your ears ring. "(if: $ellie is 'yes')[Ellie! ]It's okay! Calm down. Nothing is going to happen to you. I'm just going to open the door. Nothing else."
"Don't look at me," she begs.
"I have to open the door."
"Close your eyes."
[[Close your eyes->close]]
[[Keep your eyes open->open]]You throw your shoulder against the door, eyes shut. A wall of heat hits you as soon as you get the door open, and you take a step back, eyes tight shut. (set: $trust2 to it+15)
"Don't open your eyes." (if: $ellie is 'yes')[Ellie](else:)[The anomaly]'s voice is quiet. "No one can look at me. It's too bright. I'm just- just light. I can't even look at myself. I was born blind." There's a dry humor in her voice.(if: $cane is 'yes')[
You extend the cane you'd taken from the shed in her general vicinity. She takes it. The heat dies down a little, and you hear her take a few steps up and down the hallway.]
"I need to see you before I can take you away," you say.(if: $quilt is 'yes')[
You hold out the quilt. "If you wrap up in this, I could look at you. It's to make sure you're not hurt."
She takes the quilt, and the heat dies down(if: $cane is 'yes')[ even more].
You open your eyes. Even with the quilt, (if: $ellie is 'yes')[Ellie](else:)[the anomaly] is still almost too bright to look at. She's made out of pure light.
"Alright," you say. "I don't know if this'll hurt you, but we'll get you help." You reach into your pocket and pull out the capsule. There's a flash of light, and (if: $ellie is 'yes')[Ellie](else:)[the anomaly] vanishes. You put the capsule into the box of matches.
(colour: "#F51414")[Anomaly contained]](else:)["It's just to make sure you're not hurt."
"It's too bright. I'm... just made out of light. I don't have a body anymore. I can't be hurt."
You hesitate. "I'm going to trust you. (set: $trust2 to it+20)Ready to go?"
"...Yeah."
You reach into your pocket and pull out the capsule. There's a flash of light, and (if: $ellie is 'yes')[Ellie](else:)[the anomaly] vanishes. You put the capsule into the box of matches.
(colour: "#F51414")[Anomaly contained]]
[[Next->success2]]It's so bright you immediately recoil, gasping. (set:$trust to it-20)You shut your eyes and stumble back, hands pressed to your eyes, tearing up. You can't see.
"I told you not to look! People go blind looking at me!" (if: $ellie is 'yes')[Ellie](else:)[the anomaly] yells. The heat gets unbearable and you retreat down the hall.
There's another loud bang, and you're thrown against the wall. (if: $ellie is 'yes')[Ellie](else:)[The anomaly] cries out with despair and retreats back into the room, shutting the door behind her.
Your sight returns an hour and a half later, and you stand.
"(if: $ellie is 'yes')[Ellie! ]I can get you somewhere safer if you let me get you into a transport capsule," you call. "Somewhere we can help you."
(if: $trust2 > 50)[There's a pause.
"Okay," (if: $ellie is 'yes')[Ellie](else:)[the anomaly] says. "Just don't look again."
You close your eyes as she opens the door.
You reach into your pocket and pull out the capsule. (if: $ellie is 'yes')[Ellie](else:)[the anomaly] vanishes, and the capsule buzzes, then falls still. You put the capsule into the box of matches.
(colour: "#F51414")[Anomaly contained]
[[Next->success2]]](else:)[There's no response.
"I'm going to call people who can help you better than I can," you promise her. "You're going to be okay."
(colour: "#F51414")[Anomaly escaped]
[[Next->failure2]]](colour: "#F08080")[You cross the street back to the street light where the password man had been standing. He nods to you, and waves his hand. The neighborhood vanishes behind you.
"Good run today?" he asks, as you hold out the pack of cards.
"Good as it ever is," you say.
He stamps the box with blue ink and in a few seconds, it vanishes from your hands. He steps off the curb, and suddenly you aren't standing on the street anymore, you're back in the alley behind your workplace.
The man tips his hat to you and vanishes.
[[PLAY AGAIN?->Untitled Passage]]](set: $anomaly2 to 'yes')(colour: "#F08080")[You cross the street back to the street light where the password man had been standing. He nods to you, and waves his hand. The neighborhood vanishes behind you.
"We need to call backup," you tell him. "Tell them that getting a visual is almost impossible."
"Tough case?" he asks, pulling his phone from his pocket.
"She just needs more help than I can give," you say.
"The backup team is on the way." You hold out the matchbox with the empty capsule, and the man stamps it with red ink. It vanishes from your hands moments later.
The man steps off the curb, and suddenly you aren't standing on the street anymore, you're back in the alley behind your workplace. The man tips his hat to you and vanishes.
[[PLAY AGAIN?->Untitled Passage]]](set: $anomaly2 to 'yes')"I know what you are," they say. You flinch and take a step back. They step forwards, you step back again. "Why should I go with you?"
"I...(if: $book is 'yes')[" You glance at the book tucked under your arm. "I know what you are, too." (set: $trust3 to it+10)
"It doesn't matter."
] You're hurt, Hadley. That's why you're avoiding your human form, right? I'll help you."
"I don't want //your// help."
possible responses:(if: $book is 'yes')[
[[Sympathise->symp]]]
[[Reason->reason]]
[[Defend yourself->defend]](set: $trust3 to it+20)"Hadley, I know what you've gone through. I've gone through it too." You hand them their book. "I know it hurts."
"You're just saying that because you have to. There's someone controlling you. Making your decisions for you."
"There are still things about me they don't know. You know what I'm talking about, right?"
Hadley presses their lips into a thin line, then nods. "I don't want to go to the ART rehab."
"We help people like you. I've gone through the program, and I'm alright."
They shake their head. "Just let me go, Steve."
[[Next->mission3b]](set: $trust3 to it+10)"You clearly need help, and we can help you. Nothing will happen to you."
(if: $book is 'yes')[(set: $trust3 to it+10)You hand them their book. "Here. I found it on the path." Hadley takes it. ]They sigh, the rush of rain swelling and dying down.
"You're trying, I'll give you that."
[[Next->mission3b]](set: $trust3 to it-10)You cross your arms. "Who I am doesn't matter. You're the one with the premeditated murder charge."
Their expression flickers, dismayed, and they take a step back. "I didn't mean it."
[[Next->mission3b]]//Trust: $trust3%//
You persist. "It's going to be okay. We can still help you. You don't have to avoid your human form forever."
(if: $trust3 is >50)[Hadley looks at you. They seem to grow in height slightly, so you're at eye level. "It's really unnerving, how you don't blink."
You blink. They sigh.
"Fine."
You reach into your pocket and pull out the capsule. Hadley vanishes, and the capsule buzzes, then falls still. You put the capsule into the tin of mints.
(colour: "#F51414")[Anomaly contained]
Easier than you thought it would be.
[[Next->success3]]](else:)["No. I know there's something else going on. Some ulterior motive. Someone pulling the strings behind the scenes." They back away. You step forward, reaching into your pocket for the capsule, but they vanish into the rain entirely. The capsule hums, then stops.
A few seconds later, and the sun comes out.
(colour: "#F51414")[Anomaly escaped]
[[Next->failure3]]](colour: "#F08080")[You retrace your steps down the path to the street light where the password man had been standing. He nods to you, and waves his hand. The park disappears behind you.
"Good run today?" he asks, as you hold out the tin of mints with the capsule inside.
"Good as it ever is," you say.
"You say that every day," he says, smiling. "Must be good at your job."
He stamps the tin with blue ink and in a few seconds, it vanishes from your hands. He steps off the curb, and suddenly you aren't standing on the street anymore, you're back in the alley behind your workplace.
The man tips his hat to you and vanishes.
[[PLAY AGAIN?->Untitled Passage]]](set: $anomaly3 to 'yes')(colour: "#F08080")[You return to the man at the streetlight empty handed.
"You alright?" he asks. "You look a little shaken up."
"I'm fine," you say gruffly.
You hold out the tin of mints with the capsule inside, and he stamps it with red ink. It vanishes from your hands a few moments later.
The man steps off the curb, and suddenly you aren't standing on the street anymore, you're back in the alley behind your workplace. The man tips his hat to you and vanishes.
[[PLAY AGAIN?->Untitled Passage]]](set: $anomaly3 to 'no')<div style="border:4px solid #afc6c4">
EMPLOYEE WORK SUMMARY:
NAME: (colour: "#F08080")[STEVE HEATHERS]
TIME OF COMPLETION: (colour: "#F08080")[(current-time:)]
(colour: "#F08080")[ANOMALIES CONTAINED:](if: $anomaly1 is 'yes')[
ANOMALY ONE: (colour: "#F08080")[ LEO HARTWELL]](if: $anomaly2 is 'yes')[
ANOMALY TWO: (colour: "#F08080")[ ELLIE WISE]](if: $anomaly3 is 'yes')[
ANOMALY THREE:(colour: "#F08080")[ HADLEY SHAW]](else-if: $anomaly1 is 'no' and $anomaly2 is 'no' and $anomaly3 is 'no')[(colour: "#F08080")[ N/A]]
NOTE: (colour: "#F08080")[Employee has shown signs of company standard personality and objective divergence. Not a critical threat. Caution and an observation period is recommended.]
<small>This document is property of the Anomaly Response Team</small>
</div>
[[NEXT->secret2]]<div style="border:4px solid #afc6c4">EMPLOYEE TERMINATION NOTICE
Dear (colour: "#F08080")[MR. HEATHERS],
On (colour: "#F08080")[(current-date:)], your employment with the Anomaly Response Team will be officially terminated for the following reasons:
(colour: "#F08080")[GROSS MISCONDUCT
REPEATED SABOTAGE OF COMPANY EQUIPMENT
FAILURE TO MEET PERFORMANCE STANDARDS
DISHONESTY
THEFT]
Please arrive at the ART discharge office upon getting this notice.
</div>
[[Turn over notice->secret3]]<div style="border:4px solid #afc6c4">(colour: "#F08080")[steve-
it isn't safe for you to remain in the city. i know there is much to do, but it is not your burden to bear. i will do as much as i can, and you have to get as far away as you can. come to my office when you get this. try not to be seen.
-max]</div>
[[Go to the discharge office->discharge]]
[[Go to Max's office->max]]The ART discharge office is located near the west wing of the building. As you approach the door, you feel a strong aversion to entering, but there is something preventing you from making the decision to turn around.
There's only one person in the office, back turned to the door, working on something. The walls and floor are white. Once the person turns around, you see that the mask they're wearing is a smooth white ceramic.
"Steven Heathers?" they ask. You nod.
[[Next->wiped]](colour: "#F08080")[He's waiting in your office when you get to the door. He doesn't bother to preface the meeting with a greeting.
"You have to leave."
"I can't do that," you insist.
"It can't be helped. Do you //want// to die?"
You close your eyes, deliberating. "I can't leave-- (if: $anomaly1 is 'yes')[Leo, ](if: $anomaly2 is 'yes')[Ellie, ](if: $anomaly3 is 'yes')[Hadley, ](if: $anomaly1 is 'no' and $anomaly2 is 'no' and $anomaly3 is 'no')[all the anomalies I've captured--] I have to help them."
"There's no time," Max insists. "I'll do what I can to help them."
"You can't touch the containment capsules," you argue. "You're- you're //human//. You can't even touch containment boxes."
"Steve, this is not the time to be arguing. There isn't much time."
]
[[Leave the city->leave]]
[[Save the anomalies->save]]
(colour: "#7fb3b3")[You're standing on the sidewalk, a bit dazed. You look around before you remember where you are.
There are a few people walking dogs, a few opening up shop nearby. You have a cardboard box filled with office supplies held against your chest.
One of the dogs pulls away from their leash and bumps your leg with their nose. Their owner doesn't look at you.
You smile at the dog, but keep walking.
You're more of a cat person anyways.](colour: "#F08080")["Fine," you say. "What's the plan."
"There's no way you can leave the building without being seen. Unless we get the gatekeeper to send you away."
"He won't do that."
"He will if I ask." Max hands you a palm-sized wooden box with his name printed on it. There is no capsule. "Bring this out to the back alley. Don't come back."
You take the box, and Max pushes you down the hall. You glance back at him, and he waves. You wave back, blink a couple of times, then run down the stairs.
[[Next->escape]]
]Hundreds of capsules line the shelves, connected to the generators at the back. You cross to the generators and start pulling at the cables feeding into them. They barely give(if: $trust1>0)[, but someone comes over and pulls out the cables. You look over. (if: $leo is 'yes')[Leo](else:)[The anomaly from the school] stands there, metal blades bristling from their arms.
"Thanks," you say. He nods, and the two of you return to pulling out the cables.
"Go!" you call to the others. "Downstairs. There's a back alley." You disconnect another cable as alarms begin to go off.
At least fifty anomalies burst from their capsules, joining the stampede out of the room.
You're almost finished when security shows up.
[[Next->fightgen]]](else:)[. You can't get them out, so you start manually pulling out capsules and releasing the anomalies. You're about thirty in when security shows up.
Security is filled with expressionless, methodical androids. Undeviated machines wrapped in synthetic skin. You're an android too. The insurgent. There are too many to resist.
[[Self destruct->rest in fucking pieces]]
[[Succumb->bye bitch]]](colour: "#F08080")[You step into the alley. The box in your hand rattles violently, and the alley melts away around you.
You're standing in the middle of a road, surrounded on both sides by flat, dry land. In front of you stands the gatekeeper, inside a large tollbooth. He eyes you skeptically.
"What can I do for you?" he asks. You hold out Max's box silently. "I see. A payment for your escape. One person goes, the other can never leave. You're lucky to have a friend like that."
"We've been through a lot. And I'll come back," you say. "I'll come back and get him."
"You don't want to come back here," he says. "Unless you want them to kill you." He pockets the box. "Go."
He waves his hand, and you're standing at a ticket counter in a train station. The gatekeeper stands behind the glass. He slides a ticket towards you. You take it.
]There are at least a dozen of them, perfectly lined up in front of the door, preventing the remaining anomalies from leaving. They're all expressionless. They're like you. Androids.
A voice rises above the sound of the alarms. "//Close your eyes!//"
You barely get your eyes closed when there's a loud bang. You open your eyes and see security staggering away from the doorway. The anomalies surge forwards, trampling security underfoot. (if: $name is 'yes')[Ellie](else:)[The anomaly from number nine] remains. She's still too bright to look at, but not blinding.
"Come on!" (if: $leo is 'yes')[Leo](else:)[the anomaly beside you] says, pulling out another cable. "There are three left."
The two of you work on disconnecting the generators, (if: $name is 'yes')[Ellie](else:)[Light girl] holding back security, calling out a warning before each pulse. You finally finish.
[[Next->end1]](colour: "#F08080")[The last anomalies leave the room. (if: $name is 'yes')[Ellie](else:)[Light girl] and (if: $leo is 'yes')[Leo](else:)[the metal boy] drag you past the other androids, following the other anomalies into the back alley.
It's raining. There's a space where the rain seems unnaturally heavy, and all the anomalies standing there vanish. Hadley appears, working through the crowd, transporting the other anomalies away from the alley.
Androids charge through the door. You lose (if: $leo is 'yes')[Leo](else:)[the metal anomaly] in the crowd. Hadley appears beside you. "You need to get out. We can deal with the ART."
They grab your arm. You appear in front of a small library. "Stay here. We'll come find you. Me, the metal man and the star girl."
A moment later, and they're gone, and you're left there, standing in the rain.
[[Next->good ending]]](colour: "#F08080")["Steve!"
You look up. You're sitting at a table in the library, reading. The three kids sit down around you.
You talk for a while. (if: $leo is 'no')[The metal kid's name is Leo. ](if:$name is 'no')[The star girl's name is Ellie. ](else:)[It's nice to see them again.]
Leo's metal spikes lie flat and retract into his arms so they fit comfortably under his sleeves, and Ellie, although still radiant, could pass as a normal person. You're not sure if the generators had begun to exhaust their transformations, or if they'd just learned to control it while in their capsules.
(set: $trust1 to it+10)(set:$trust2 to it+10)(set:$trust3 to it+10)
Leo: //Trust: $trust1%//
Ellie: //Trust: $trust2%//
Hadley: //Trust: $trust3%//
You've done well to save them. You feel as if your desires and the choices made for you have finally aligned, and that for once, you've done something good.
]You reach into the back of your mind, feeling for the off switch. You're not going to get your memory wiped, and you're not going to force your own people to kill you.
You self destruct. It doesn't hurt. Everything goes black.You don't try to resist the waves of androids. Federal law states that androids aren't allowed to be deactivated without authorization, so you'll be alive, but they'll wipe your memory.
They drag you into disciplinary services.
"Steven Heathers," they say. You close your eyes tight. "Good night."
[[Next->wiped]]