The next morning you're kicked gently awake by "Katniss" when one of the gang members comes by with your breakfast, some kind of grey sludge that might have once been oatmeal. \n\n"Now's our chance," the girl says, sauntering up to the young man who's sliding the food through a slot at the bottom of the door. He's surprisingly young, maybe only 17 or 18, and he has a pistol holstered to his hip. \n\n"I want to talk to whoever's in charge around here," "Katniss" tells the boy as she takes her plate of food. \n\n"...why?" he asks, a mistrustful look on his face.\n\n"Cuz I think me and my friend here could be of some use." \n\n"You? You're just a kid. And your old man don't look like much either." \n\n"I haven't been a kid in a long time. And that's not my 'old man'." \n\n"Oh, I see how it is then," the youth says with a leer. \n\n"Don't be a pig. I heard you lost a lot of fighters. We aren't like these pathetic husks. We can be useful." \n\n"I don't think so --" The boy has stepped closer to the cage during their conversation, and "Katniss" doesn't waste the opportunity. She's grabbed his arm, quick as lightning, and twists it painfully up and behind one of the bars. \n\n"Let me go you little bitch!" \n\n"I will when you do what I asked."\n\n"I will, but I sincerely hope he decides to kill you instead of whatever you got planned, you crazy cunt!" \n\n"Whatever."\n\nThe kid scurries off, clutching his arm. He didn't finish handing out breakfast, but none of the others seemed to even notice he was there. \n\n[["You sure that was a good idea?"|gangstas]]

You continue hiding behind the molten remains of a McDonald's sign, and watch as the the radiation canaries do their thing. You block out the screams as best you can with your mindvise, and once the group has finally cleared out, you [[head back to camp.|on the way home 1]]\n

You follow the child in silence, and eventually she wheels around. \n\n"What the fuck is your problem? Are you some kind of pervert or something? Because I've had enough of those." \n\n"What? No, I just want to help you. Can't I just be a nice guy?"\n\nThe girl frowns. "No." \n\n[["Where is your family?"|dredging the past]]

"Well, that won't be too hard seeing how we've been having Carlo do it." \n\n"You won't see me complaining if I ain't gotta do it anymore," Carlo says with a shrug. \n\n"One wrong move and we won't even bother putting you back in the cage with the birds," Max says, producing a key and opening the door. \n\nYou have no idea what this girl has just [[gotten you into.|thug life cook]]\n

The store has obviously been ransacked, and most of the shelves (those still standing anyway) are empty. You find a dented can here and there. Mostly the things that people don't like, like canned clams. You take it anyway. \n\nYou decide to head towards the back of the store and see if there's anything more in the stock room. You aren't particularly hopeful, but something is better than nothing. \n\nAs you make your way through the the skeletal stacks, you hear movement. And...giggling? That's a sound you haven't heard in a while. \n\nYou [[pause,|kids]] readying your inadequate club, the only weapon you had left.

You take the cache, attaching the stake to your homemade stake belt, shoving the bullets and food into your well worn canvas backpack that you stole from a primary school. \n\nSuddenly, [[you hear a scream.|Radiation Canaries]]\n

"Katniss" rolls her eyes. \n\n"Shhh! There's something going on." She pulls you down beside her. \n\nYou decide to take her advice and try and listen in. It sounds like a larger group of people have come back, and they don't sound happy. \n\n"These fuckers are tougher than we thought they'd be," you hear a man say. \n\n"It's gonna take us longer to take over," this sounds like the woman who found you. "Prez is not gonna be happy." \n\n"Who is Prez?" You ask the girl, and she punches you in the arm, hard, to silence you. There is an [[odd look in her eye,|the plan]] however.

Prez arrives at the camp with a small amount of pomp, and you are surprised by his appearance. He's a thin, bookish looking fellow with glasses, not what you expected at all. He makes some speech to the camp about unity and safety by numbers, and then disappears into a tent with his top men. \n\nMax does indeed come to you and asks you to prepare something special, just as Kat said. No one notices when you slip the rhubarb leaves into the vegetable and barley stew.\n\nThe night's meal has the jovial air of a medieval feast, and things feel almost...normal. You purposely avoid eating any of the stew, and no one notices that the girl does the same. As the feast goes on, you worry that you didn't use enough, for nothing seems to have happened. \n\nIt's not until later in the evening that you start to hear the moans. You look out, and half the camp is running to the latrines, shitting and vomiting and wheezing. The girl is right. It's not pretty. You sneak out of the camp in the ensuing chaos. \n\nLater you hear that not everyone died that night, though Prez was found in the woods with his bowels slit open. The incident becomes practically legendary. \n\nThe girl, Kat, or whatever her name actually was, [[you never see again.|end]] \n

Nothing happens, and the night passes without event. It seems that whatever was out there came and went. \n\nYou wake up [[the next day|Next Day]] completely refreshed.

"We do need more bodies," Mel says pragmatically. \n\n"But is this really the best time? I'm not sure what Prez would think of this. Bringing in unknowns at a time like this?" Max replies. He's obviously much smarter than you would have initially given him credit for. \n\n"You really think I'd still be here if I was a fucking rat?" Kat says. You try not to laugh. You no longer have any illusions about what this girl would or wouldn't do in order to survive. These three don't need to know that though.\n\nMax sighs. "Fine. But one wrong move and I won't even bother putting you back here with the birds. And don't expect to be getting no easy jobs either. We got a city to take over. \n\n"I'd think you were an idiot otherwise," Kat says as they open the door and let you both out into freedom. Or at least as close to it as [[you're gonna get.|thug life capo]]

You strum random chords of the guitar. You actually have no idea how to play. \n\nSuddenly, you hear a twig snap behind you. \n\n[[Draw gun.|Draw]]\n\n[[Shoot gun in direction of the sound.|Shoot]]\n

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Wow, are you really going to rat out a teenage girl? That's pretty shitty. She didn't even try to kill you this time! She probably would have been more merciful to Prez than these guys will be with her. You sure you want that on your conscience?\n\n[[She's a psycho murderer!|rat 2]]\n\n[[OK, I guess she kind of did do me a solid here by not gutting me.|kat's revenge]]

You throw a few rocks at the dog, and he runs away. You feel slightly guilty about it, but you know that any dogs that have survived this long did so because they were ruthless. You've even heard that some ate some of the smaller dogs out of desperation. You've certainly never seen anything smaller than a bassset hound in a long time, now that you think about it. \n\nThe sky is now darkening over the horizon, so you decide to [[head home.|on the way home 2]]\n

You shoot, and hear a very feminine-sounding cry. You go and investigate the direction of the sound, and find the body of an extremely beautiful dead woman. You've shot her directly in the heart. She didn't turn to dust, so she clearly was a human woman. \n\nBut don't worry. This isn't the first time this sort of thing has happened. You know exactly how to dispose of the body so it won't attract Nuka-vampires to your camp. You feel a brief pang of remorse because she really was quite hot, and maybe you could have hit that. There is really nothing better than post-apocalypse sex. That is the one thing the medias got right. \n\n\nYou go to bed and wake up with the sun [[the next day.|Next Day]]\n

The meal is brought out, a large haunch of what appears to be pork, covered in herbs, mainly rosemary. It has been roasted with potatoes and other root vegetables. \n\n"Pork loin rolled in herbs, roasted over an open fire. Simple, but so delicious." The other diners clap appreciatively. \n\nThe doctor serves you a large portion, much bigger than the rest of the guests. You figure it's because you're new. You tuck in, almost forgetting how to use a knife and fork, and how not to tear it apart like an animal. You get through the meal, and some of the others even make conversation with you. \n\nYou're invited to stay afterwards, that they have a clean bed for you. How can you say no? Every day, the doctor cooks up another elaborate meal. It's always pork, though you never see or hear or smell any pigs. You start to get positively fat, and everyone even encourages you to eat more. You think nothing of it. \n\nUntil one day, when the doctor smothers you with a pillow with a hungry glint in his eye. You are served as croquettes with a dill cream sauce. \n\nK.O. YOU'RE DEAD.

"I'd like to help you, if I can. Maybe give you a little something to eat. Make up for our little misunderstanding earlier," he taps his head. "You did say that you were alone, yes?"\n\n[[Tell him the truth.|Truth]]\n\n[[Lie.|Lie]]

You arrive at your campsite, in a hidden grove on the outskirts of town. This isn't your first campsite, of course, but it's served you well for the past few months. You've even mananged to build a lean-to out of old erectile dysfunction billboards. You thank the gods that your parents sent you to that extreme wilderness summer camp when you were a kid. It's definitely your dryest camp yet, and it hasn't even been discovered by the rats yet. \n\nWhat would you like to do next? \n\n[[Sleep?|Sleep]] \n\n[[Stay up and reminisce by the fire.|Reminisce]]\n\n[[Stay up and play folk songs on your beat up guitar.|Sing]]\n

You follow the sound of the screams, and find a group of rough looking characters leading another group of more downtrodden looking individuals. They stand on the edge of a particularly destroyed part of town, one where the bombs had directly landed. There is a faintly neon tinge to the area. \n\nAh, radiation canaries, you realize. You had heard of this in your travels, though never seen it firsthand. Poor saps too weak to take care of themselves, captured by others to scout out areas of potential radiation. You notice that this group of radiation canaries includes children. \n\nWhat do you want to do? \n\n[[Keep hiding.|Hide]]\n\n[[Help them!|Help]]\n\n

You grab for your weapon, and point it in the direction of the sound. A soft, feminine voice says, "Don't shoot." You lower your gun, but keep a finger on the trigger. \n\nThe most beautiful woman you have ever seen emerges from the bushes. Tall but curvy, of [MARKET RESEARCH SUGGESTS THAT THE HOTTEST WIMMINS ALL NERDS WANT ARE OF BRAZILLIAN OR ASIAN DESCENT. WE RECOMMEND MAKING HER BRAZILLIAN-ASIAN] descent. Not even the dirt and stink of months without proper food or baths can disguise her beauty. Your night suddenly got a lot better. \n\n[[Try to sleep with her|SEX]]\n\n[[Offer her a warm place for the night|Warmth]]

You give him your name, and tell him you had just come into town looking for food when you could smell meat. You decide to implore to his kindness and human feeling by telling him that it's been a very long time since you've had meat. \n\nDr. Orwell merely smiles. "So you're alone then. So many lost souls out there."\n\n[[Tell him the truth.|Truth 2]]\n\n[[Lie.|Lie]]\n

Wow, are you really going to rat out a teenage girl? That's pretty shitty. She probably isn't even going to try to kill you for breaking your promise! She probably would have been more merciful with Prez than these guys will be with her. You sure you want that on your conscience?\n\n[[She's a psycho murderer!|rat 3]]\n\n[[OK, I guess she kind of did do me a solid here by not gutting me.|kat's revenge 2]]

You knock tentatively on the door. Nothing happens. You try and peek through the window, and as you do so, someone sneaks up behind you and [[knocks you out cold.|knock out]]

Are you fucking kidding me? You're no hero. You don't survive as long as you have by sticking your neck out. You learned this early, as you saw co-workers get their heads blown off when they stuck their heads out the window as the first bombs dropped, and later when you saw your friends with exposed necks immediately get eaten by Nuka Vampires (why else would the main fashion trend of the post-apocalypse be hankerchiefs tied around people's necks?). No, helping these people is pointless, and worse yet, stupid. \n\n[[But I really want to help them, there must be something I can do!|Help2]]\n\n[[Fine, I'll head back to camp|Camp]]\n

You set the girl down as gently as possible and tie her up. You didn't exactly foresee using your Boy Scout knowledge in quite this way when you were a kid. \n\nThen you start packing up your camp. You weren't planning on staying anyway after the last few days, but now it's even more important. It doesn't take very long. \n\n"I knew you were just like the rest of them," the girl says, eyes glinting with anger in the darkness. \n\n"I don't know what you're talking about," you reply. "I just want to protect you." \n\n"That's what they all say. Thing is, I don't want your protection, or need it." \n\n"Go to [[sleep|road trip]], we're heading out in the morning."

You spend the evening with a groaning belly, thinking about the girl you just met. Who is she? Why is she alone? Where is her family? You're convinced she still has one. You decide to do something about it if you ever see her again. You see, you used to be A Dad, and this girl has dredged up paternal feeling in your heart again. It's something you never thought you'd feel again. You don't want to let it go. \n\nYou spend an uneventful night tossing and turning, and [[wake with the dawn.|day 3]]\n

The man turns bright red, and gets sweaty. "Um well, I er, um, you see...oh, gotta go, I see my friend!" He then runs across the dining room to speak to one of the other guests. You frown. Why is he being so weird?\n\n[[Talk to the woman.|Talk woman]]\n\n[[Explore the house.|explore house]]

"I believe it's pork today, roasted over a fire, all lovely and crackled on the outside. We've done it a few times before, but I haven't gotten bored of it yet. We're working with very limited ingredients here, as I'm sure you understand. Dr. Orwell really does wonders with so little though." \n\n"I'm...really looking forward to it," you reply. \n\n[[Talk to woman|Talk woman]]\n\n[[Do nothing and wait to eat.|social fattening]]\n

Oh yes, all Dr. Orwell's," the man replies. "We've been having these little supper clubs for years now. I'm quite honoured to be a member. It's very exclusive, you know." \n\n"That's wonderful," you reply. "But [[where does all this food come from?|Talk man 2c]] Is there a farm or something?"\n\n

A stately older gentleman enters the room.He's the type of older man who seems to have a perpetual twinkle in his eyes. His clothes are miraculously clean and expensive looking, and he looks very healthy and well fed. Where the heck are you? \n\n"Hello there, sorry about the bump on the noggin," he says. "I thought you were one of those terrible gangsters. Can't be too careful these days, you know?"\n\n[["Who are you?"|Who]]\n\n[["What do you want with me?"|What want]]\n\n[[Make a run for it.|run]]

Whatever Max and his crew to do the girl, you never find out. You simply never see her again. You have no idea if she was killed, or escaped. Maybe she left before you even told Max anything. \n\nPrez comes to the camp, and you are surprised by his appearance. He's a thin, bookish looking fellow with glasses, not what you expected at all. But he rules the area with an iron fist, and soon more towns fall under his control. \n\nYou spend the rest of your days with Prez's gang, until one day a group of Nuka Vampires ambush the camp. You are one of the first to die. You swear one of them wears Kat's youthful, furious face. \n\nK.O YOU'RE DEAD.

The girl takes a deep breath. She beckons for you to move farther back in the cell. Your cellmates barely move or notice your presence as you both settle into the shadowier parts of your cage. \n\n"You said you wanted to help me. Does that offer still stand?" \n\n"Of course it still stands. You see, I used to be A Dad..."\n\n"Oh my god, this is boring. I'm bored. Look, I don't care about your reasons. I've heard them before. All I need to know is if you've got my back or not." \n\n[["Of course."|cell certainty]]\n\n[["I don't know..."|cell uncertainty]]

You set out as soon as the sun comes up. You're not entirely sure what direction you're going, and even feel a little bit sad about leaving your little hideaway. \n\nThe girl is sleepy but wakes up when you shake her. You tie a rope around her waist so she won't run off. \n\n"OK, let's move." \n\nYou start walking towards the old highway. Though it's not possible to drive on them anymore, they're still a good way to get from town to town. It's also too exposed to set up an ambush. Unofficially, the highways are safe zones, at least from other people. \n\n\n[["So, what's your name?"|roadtrip conversations]]

Your dodge is successful. Dr. Orwell may be a predator, but it's obvious he's been a sedentary one, able to lure his victims with little effort. He stumbles, and you take the opportunity to kick. He goes down, and you don't even bother to wait and see what happened before bolting up the stairs (no judgement here, the guy eats human flesh), through the foyer, and out the front door. \n\nYou don't stop until you're [[well into the woods.|on the way home 3]] It looks like it might be time to get the fuck outta dodge, so to speak.

The day proves to be a dreary one, dark and grey and drizzly. Your stomach grumbles. You make a paste of acorns, which tastes disgusting but at least fills you up and gives you a bit of energy for the day ahead. You know you can't last much longer without finding more substantial nourishment. \n\nYou decide to try your luck [[in town|town]] again, and hope you don't run into any more mishaps.

You invite the woman to sit by the fire. She huddles as close to the warmth of the fire as possible. You pass several moments in companionable silence. Your eyelids begin to droop. You're not sure why, or why it's hit you so suddenly. You sleepily glance at the woman, and see a strange look in her eyes. Has she somehow poisoned you? You can't fight it, and pass out. \n\nYou awake [[the next day|Next Day]] with all of you possessions gone, the word "sucker" etched into the side of your lean-to. There is no sign of the mysterious beauty.

You duck into one of the open cars and shut the door behind you. \n\n"Get down!" You tell the girl. \n\nYou huddle down between the seats, and throw a threadbare blanket that was sitting on the backseat over top of you. \n\n"Real great plan, genius," Katniss says. \n\n"Shut up." \n\nYou wait until you hear the din of battle die down, then poke your head out. The bolt of a crossbow is the first thing that meets your eyes. \n\n"Well, well, well. Look at this happy scene," says the woman holding it. You sigh and [[accept your captured fate.|prisoner]]

Prez comes to the camp with a small amount of pomp, and you are surprised by his appearance. He's a thin, bookish looking fellow with glasses, not what you expected at all. You find yourself scrutinizing the man, trying to find a connection with the girl. Is he her father? A brother? There's something about the eyes that seem familiar. \n\nHe makes some speech to the camp about unity and safety by numbers, and then disappears into a tent with his top men. \n\nYou're too busy preparing the night's stew to notice what Kat gets up to that day. In fact, you don't even see her. \n\nThe night's meal has the jovial air of a medieval feast, and things feel almost...normal. But you're on edge, unsure of whether the girl has followed through with her original plan. You eat next to nothing, and wait to see if anyone gets sick. \n\nBut nothing happens. \n\nThe next morning, you are awoken by a scream. The entire camp runs to the sound. Prez has been garrotted in bed, his mouth stuffed with the rhubarb leaves. \n\n[[The girl is nowhere to be found.|end]]

Since you're now running low on all provisions, you have no choice but to go out foraging again. Foraging in the city is dangerous, with provisions leftover from the time Before quickly running low, and most of it in the possession of the various gangs that now roam its streets. Not to mention how easy it is to walk into pockets of extreme radiation. \n\nThe woods are safer, though the likelihood of finding anything to eat are slim. You're no hunter, and while you learned a little bit of woodcraft (such as it is) at summer camp when you were a child, you are still by no means an expert. \n\n[[Forage in the woods.|Woods]]\n\n[[Forage in the city.|City]]

It was a day like any other day, the day the world ended. The sun rose, people went to work, walked their dogs, cleaned their sex dungeons. No one was expecting the bombs to drop, and they certainly weren't expecting the Nuka-Vampires <html><b>[Marketing Note: people love vampires and nuclear war]</b></html> that came out of them in ravenous, slavering hordes. \n\nYou are a white dude like any other. Maybe you had a family, maybe you had a boring job. Maybe you're an ex-Marine. Now you're just a solitary bro with mild to moderate emotional problems, decent aim, and an uncanny knack for finding weapon and food caches. \n\nIn fact, you spy a slightly irregular amongst the [[charred rubble now.|Cache]]

The basement door, which lays in the foyer across from the kitchen, has a very large padlock on it. The key is still in it though, and you have no problem opening the door and getting downstairs. \n\nWhat you find horrifies you. The room is steriley clean, like the rest of the house. A long metal table sits along one wall with all kind of knives arranged: a complete butcher's set. But that's not what horrifies you. A body - a human body - hangs from a hook to allow the blood to drain into a metal basin. There are a few parcels in butcher's paper.* It's pretty obvious what it's made of. You fight the urge to vomit. \n\nSuddenly, a voice says behind you: "Well, well, well, look who is a curious gus." It's Dr. Orwell. "I take you into my home, and is this how you repay me? Very well then, I guess we'll just have to speed this process along." A knife glints in his hand. \n\n[["You're sick, what has this world done to you!?|Basement escape]]\n\n<html><b>[MN: Hillbilly cannibals are so 1999. Let's piggyback on the success of Hannibal and have some truly disgusting, posh cannibals.]</b></html>

One of the gangs comes pouring out the woods on the left hand side of the highway. It takes you a few seconds to realize, however, that they're not after you. Another gang, the one you saw a few days ago using radiation canaries to navigate the high risk parts of town, come rushing out of the other side. You and Katniss are caught right in the middle. \n\n"Run!" You yell, pulling on the rope. The girl does not need any coaxing, and luckily for the both of you she has no problem keeping up. \n\nHowever, you need to make a decision about what to do next. \n\n[[Hide in a car.|hide car]]\n\n[[Head for the woods.|hide woods]]\n\n

Dr. Orwell is puttering around the kitchen, putting last minute touches on the large slab of meat. There is quite a lot of blood in the room, like whatever you were eating was slaughtered right there. It smells delicous though. \n\nSeveral splashes of blood dot the floor, leading out of the kitchen and into the downstairs foyer. \n\n[[Go back.|explore house]]

You lunge at the girl, but she's too fast for you. She sidesteps gracefully, letting you fall on your big dumb face. That's what you get for attacking a kid. \n\nShe's disappeared into the surroundings like a shadow, and you're left with nothing to do but [[return home.|camp 2]]\n

You can tell something fishy is going on here, and decide to make a run for it. Using all your strength, you push yourself up out of the bathtub and...immediately fall on your face. You forgot your feet are tied too, dummy. \n\nThe old man does not look pleased. "Well, I thought we could do this the easy way, but it doesn't look like you want to oblige. Very well then." \n\nHe turns and leaves, [[locking the door behind him.|solitary fattening]]

You toss a small rock that is actually just a bunch of melted Happy Meal toys stuck together. It immediately alerts the thugs to your location behind the remains of a McDonald's arch, where the seven men drag you out and beat you to death. You abortively try to defend yourself, but there are too many of them. You bleed out with a piece of the arch lodged in your femoral artery. The only witness to your death is a dead cat and the cracked head of Ronald McDonald. \n\n\nK.O. THE END.

You manage to sneak around the girl without alerting her suspicions. You're not really sure what to do when circumstances make the decision for you. You step in the wrong spot, and a twig snaps. \n\nThe girl freezes like a deer. You have no choice but to knock her out with a rock before she can get away. You throw her over your shoulder and take her [[back to your camp.|camp 3]]\n\n<html><b>[MN: hEro cant jksafdhjfajksahds&@$#%^(*nap (&*&%^&%^&!]</b></html>

"Are you messing with me? I won't appreciate it if you set me up." \n\n"No! I swear on my life." \n\n[[Believe her.|bye prez]]\n\n[[Agree, but rat her out to Max when she's not around.|rat alt]]\n\n[[Refuse to help.|no dice assassinate]]\n\n

The woman is about your age, and also nicely dressed. She's even wearing jewellery! You haven't seen that in so long you almost want to reach out and touch it, and sniff the clean scent of her hair. Instead, you decide to ask her a question. \n\n[["It sure smells good in here."|Talk woman 2a]]\n\n[["So, do you guys do this often?"|Talk woman 2b]]\n\n

Orwell laughs. "This world has done nothing to me! We've been having these meetings since long before any of that business went on! It's just made it easier! You know that saying about man being the most dangerous game? Not true. Have you ever tried to catch a chicken? Tedious business." \n\n"You were eating people BEFORE the apocalypse? The fuck is wrong with you?" \n\n"Nothing is wrong with me, as you can see, my friends and I are doing much better than you are, with your scruples. Fresh meat is fresh meat, and it's the tastiest meat of all." \n\nThe doctor lunges. [[You dodge his attack.|escape]]

You keep listening. \n\n"Easy enough for him to say. He's not the one out on the front lines," says another man. "We lost a lot of people today. Good people." \n\n"I would keep that opinion to yourself, if you know what's good for you." That's the blonde woman again. "I've already gotten word that he's headed this way to try and sort this mess out." \n\nThe crew goes silent. You can imagine what kind of "sorting" this Prez character has in mind. \n\n"Well, I guess that means there's nothing we can do until he gets here," says another woman. "I'm gonna catch some shut eye." You hear the footsteps of the group dispersing. You hear the girl curse under breath. \n\n"What's the matter?"\n\n"There's at least 5 of them. Too many to fight our way out." \n\n"That was a legitimate plan here?" \n\n"Well, not anymore. Don't worry, I have something else in mind." \n\n"Are you being serious right now? What's going on? [[Who is Prez?|who is prez]] Do you know who that is?"

Yeah, this tiny slip of a girl totally stabs you in the heart, and you die a pretty slow, horrible, splitery death. You might want to reconsider your choices there. \n\nK.O. YOU'RE DEAD.

Out of nowhere, stones begin pelting you from all sides. A gang of grubby children appear, weapons drawn, a determined look in each of their eyes. They range in age from about six to 10, as near as you can tell. You're bigger than they are, but you can tell they mean business.\n\n"This is OUR place," says the oldest, a dark skinned boy of 11 or 12. \n\n[[Suck it kiddos!|Bye kids]]\n\n[[Bargain for a retreat.|bargain]]

"I KNEW you were all talk." \n\n"Now wait a second, I just don't like saying yes to something when I don't have all the information." \n\n"Here's all the info you need: getting out of here depends on whether you help me or not. If you're not in, I can't have you tagging along." \n\n[[Go with the girl.|escape 2]]\n\n[[Take your chances on your own.|stay]]

The girl sniffs. "I haven't heard that question in a while. You don't seriously think they're still around do you? You're even crazier than I thought if you do." \n\n"Well, surely you're trying to get somwhere. I can help you." \n\nThe girl stops. "Look, pervert, back off or I'll do you like I did that deader. And it won't go quite as quickly for you." \n\n[[Press her.|attack girl]]\n\n[[Fall back and pretend to leave her alone, but follow where she can't see.|sneak attack]]\n\n<html></b>[MN: What are you doing? This girl needs to be a picture of innocence, how are you supposed to profjkhsjhfdhjkhdjkfd ERROR...]</b></html>

Your trip to the woods is relatively fruitful. You find some mushrooms and berries that (probably) won't kill you, and even some likely sticks to be transformed into new stakes. You even find some acorns that can be ground into a filling (though disgusting) paste. All in all, not a bad deal. \n\nYour pack is full and you head back to camp when you are surprised by a dog. His fur is matted and filthy, his ribs stick out painfully. You feel a twinge of sympathy. You've always liked dogs. \n\n[[Offer the dog some food.|feed dog]]\n\n[[Try and scare the dog away.|scare dog]]\n

Megan Patterson\n@mk_patter

Hahaha, who are you kidding? You haven't thought about or cared about this for months. You're not some kind of sensitive, feeling creature anymore. You take that shit without another thought. \n\nSuddenly, [[you hear a scream.|Radiation Canaries]]\n

You come to in the bathub of a very clean white bathroom. It's almost *too* clean. Your wrists and legs are tied in an expert fashion, not too tight, but tight enough so you can't escape. \n\nThe smell of roasting meat is strong here, and is that a whiff of rosemary you catch there? It's a smell you haven't experienced in a very long time. \n\nWho are these people? A new gang you've never heard of before? \n\nLuckily you don't have to wait long, because you hear a key in the lock, and [[someone enters.|greetings]]

You lie and tell the doctor that you are in fact part of a gang, and that they're probably looking for you right now. \n\n"Interesting. You don't seem to be wearing the colours of any gang I've heard of." Dr. Orwell doesn't quite seem like he believes you, but you can tell that he's maybe not willing to take that chance. "Well, we don't want any trouble here. I'll send you on your way. I'm willing to part with some food as long as you promise not to tell anyone about our little meeting here." \n\nYou can't believe your good luck. You agree and the doctor gives you a package of what appears to be pork and sends you on your way. You have no idea what his deal was, but since things have worked in your favour for once, you decide to [[return to camp before it gets dark.|on the way home 3]]

It's pretty meagre pickings, though not the worst cache you've come across: two energy bars, a homemade stake, a half used box of bullets. \n\n[[Pass.|Leave It]]\n\n[[Take it.|Take]]\n\n[[Wonder about who it might belong to.|Wonder]]\n

"Fine. You do what you have to do." \n\n"I will." The girl leaves. \n\nYou spend most of the night sleepless, and rise at dawn and go to find Max. Luckily, Kat doesn't seem to be anywhere around. Even at this hour you can tell something important is coming up, because there's an unusual amount of bustle. \n\n"Ah, there's our cook!" Max says affably. "We brought in a load of canned vegetables last night, even some fruit. Good timing too. Prez is finally coming." \n\n"About that, sir. I need to have a word. Privately."\n\nMax frowns. "Very well." \n\n"I think you need to know that Kat girl plans on poisoning Prez."\n\nMax laughs. "Kat? With what?"\n\n"I think if you search her belongings you'll find she has a pretty large amount of rhubarb, sir." \n\n"Rhubarb? Are you fucking with me? Would that even work?" \n\n"Probably. If you eat enough of the leaves." \n\n"I'll look into it. You're [[dismissed."|death of a girl]] \n\n

"Fine. You do what you have to do." \n\n"I will." The girl leaves. \n\nYou spend most of the night sleepless, and rise at dawn and go to find Max. Luckily, Kat doesn't seem to be anywhere around. Even at this hour you can tell something important is coming up, because there's an unusual amount of bustle. \n\n"Ah, there's our stalwart soldier!" Max says affably. "You did good on that raid yesterday. Good timing too. Prez is finally coming." \n\n"About that, sir. I need to have a word. Privately."\n\nMax frowns. "Very well." \n\n"I think you need to know that Kat girl plans on taking out Prez."\n\nMax laughs. "Kat? With what?"\n\n"I'm not entirely sure of the what, only the when." \n\nMax crosses his arms. "Alright, I"ll bite." \n\n"It will be sometime after he gets here. You'll know she's up to something if you can't find her. I'd have someone keep a close watch on her." \n\n"I knew she was too good to be true. I'll look into it. You're [[dismissed."|death of a girl]]

You build up the fire, and once the flames are the appropriate size, you sit down and squint intently, lost in thought. You become so lost in thought, in memories of the past, that you begin to have Feelings, and almost sprain your eyelid muscles from squinting to hard. \n\nLuckily, you're saved from that fate when you hear a twig snap behind you. \n\n[[Draw gun.|Draw]]\n\n[[Draw gun and shoot in the direction of the sound.|Shoot]]\n\n

THE END OF THE WORLD (AS WE KNOW IT)\n\nA nihilistic post-apocalyptic adventure by Megan Patterson\n\nSpecial thanks to Leon of Glorious Trainwrecks for the template and Ansh Patel for helping me get it to work, for I am the Jon Snow of Twine. \n\n[[Begin|Intro]]

Prez comes to the camp with a small amount of pomp, and you are surprised by his appearance. He's a thin, bookish looking fellow with glasses, not what you expected at all. You find yourself scrutinizing the man, trying to find a connection with the girl. Is he her father? A brother? There's something about the eyes that seem familiar. Maybe it's just your imagination.\n\nHe makes some speech to the camp about unity and safety by numbers, and then disappears into a tent with his top men.\n\nYou're kept pretty busy guarding the perimeter of the camp, but a few people come by asking you where the girl is. You try to come up with as good an excuse you can think of. "Oh, she's off on patrol", "I think I saw her getting some food a a while ago", "She went out to clear a Nuka nest". \n\nThe night's meal has the jovial air of a medieval feast, and things feel almost...normal. Prez even makes a toast. But it's in the middle of this toast, an arrow flys out of the darkness and lodges itself in the man's neck. It's fletched with the colours of one of the few rival gangs remaining, but you know better. \n\nThe camp erupts into chaos, and you use the distraction to slip away. \n\n[[The girl is nowhere to be found.|end]]

Killing the dog is easier than you thought. You kick him as he lunges for you, and are on him before he manages to get to his feet. A quick jerk of the neck, and the dog twitches, then relaxes as it dies. \n\n"There, there boy," you say. "It's over now." You're almost jealous. \n\nYou consider for a moment taking the corpse with you. It's a good size dog despite the malnourishment, and could feed you for a few days. But you remember the crazed look in its eye, the foaming at the mouth, and decide not to risk it. \n\nYou decide to [[go back to camp|on the way home 2]] before the Nuka-Vampires smell the blood.

"No way. I've got a pretty sweet gig here, you know. And I think this...might actually be a good thing. You've noticed things have been more stable, haven't you?" \n\nKat's eyes narrrow, and harden. You wonder if she's going to kill you. "So much for your word, then. It doesn't matter. I'll figure something out. This is just easiest." \n\n[[Convince Kat to give up her plans.|persuade kat]]\n\n[[Change your mind and agree to help.|death by rhubarb]]\n\n[[Let her go, but rat her out to Max.|rat]]

Dr. Orwell leads you downstairs. The rest of the house is in as good condition as the outside. Eveything is pristine and perfect, unblemished designer furniture, art on the walls. There's no sign at all of the horrors that occur outside its walls. It's like a tiny bubble of civilization. \n\nYou're led into the dining room, where there are three more equally clean, healthy individuals sitting around a perfectly arranged table, with more than one fork and everything. \n\n"Say hello to our new guest," he says. He pulls out a seat between a woman and a middle aged man. \n\n[[Talk to the woman.|Talk woman]]\n\n[[Talk to the man.|Talk man]]

You kick at the dog, hoping that will be enough to scare him off. It does little to stop the dog in its determination. When he goes for you again, you're too slow, and you and the hound crash to the ground. You wait for the creature to rip out your throat, but instead you feel wetness on your face as the dog licks you all over. Apparently what he really wanted was to thank you for your kindness. \n\nYou and the dog start to wrestle playfully, and you spend the bulk of the afternoon playing, throwing sticks, just enjoying eah other's company. It's almost enough to make you forget everything. \n\nAs the sun goes down, you and the dog stop your exertions and you nod at him, once. The dog wags his tail and you go your separate ways. You [[head back to camp|on the way home 2]] before it gets too dark.

You draw your gun in the direction of the twig snap. A husky, but distintly feminine voice says, "Don't shoot." \n\nYou lower your weapon. "Alright, come out with your hands up." \n\nThe most beautiful woman you have ever seen emerges from the bushes. Tall but curvy, of <html><b>[MN: MARKET RESEARCH SUGGESTS THAT THE HOTTEST WIMMINS ALL NERDS WANT ARE OF BRAZILLIAN OR ASIAN DESCENT. WE RECOMMEND MAKING HER BRAZILLIAN-ASIAN]</b></html> descent. Not even the dirt and stink of months without proper food or baths can disguise her beauty. Your night suddenly got a lot better. \n\n[[Try to sleep with her.|SEX]]\n\n[[Offer her a warm place for the night.|Warmth]]

You are left locked in the washroom for days, you're not sure how many. Surprisingly though, you are fed every day, and fed well. Meat, potatoes, vegetables, you have no idea where they're getting this bounty from, especially the meat. Do they have a small farm somewhere? How do they keep that hidden? \n\nHowever, you are still tied up, and it makes movement...difficult. While in some ways you feel healthier than you have in years, and you're even starting to put on weight, your muscles are slowly atrophying. The doctor checks in on you regularly, and one day, he grins with hungry satisfaction. \n\n"Perfect. I think we'll make a stew out of you." He produces a razor and slashes your throat. You don't even have a chance to scream. \n\nYou are indeed made into a stew, one filled with carrots and potatoes and even a splash of red wine. You are served with fresh baked bread and a green salad. \n\nK.O. YOU'RE DEAD.

You charm the panties off this woman, literally, as you have so many times before. It's not even a challenge anymore. \n\nEveryone is so desperate for the briefest moment of human contact, no matter how brief, that they'll take whatever they can get. It results in truly transcendant sex, unlike any you've ever had in the time Before. No one says anything that kills the mood, sweat doesn't go anywhere it's not supposed to, no one farts or queefs (unless that's what you're really into, I don't know your life). It's just two bodies, doing what they've done since time immemorial. As great as it though, you both know it's just a balm, and that nothing will have changed once it's over. \n\nYou awake [[the next day|Next Day]] spent and exhausted, and with all of your posessions gone. Scratched into the side of your lean-to is the word "Sucker." The woman is no where to be seen, with no trace of what direction she might have gone.

You run towards the sounds, and find the girl from earlier surrounded by two Nuka-vampires. She's on the ground, and one has her leg in its grasp. Neither of them have noticed you yet. \n\nYou unsheathe two stakes from your belt, and [[sneak up behind them.|big damn hero 2]] The girl sees you, but doesn't let it show on her face as she struggles. \n

You make a curt nod at the girl, and make like you're going to take on the vampire with a frontal assault. With the monster unaware of what's going on behind her, the girl takes her from behind, and stakes her right in the heart. It's obvious she's had lots of practice. \n\nWith the Nuka-Vampire dead, the girl picks up her dropped backpack and turns to leave without even saying thank you. \n\n[["What, not even a goodbye?"|banter]]\n\n[[Follow her.|follow girl]]

"So, what do you want me to do about it?" \n\nShe produces a large bundle of leaves from her bag. "These. Max or Carlo is going to come to you in the next couple of days and ask you to make something special for our guest. Put these in them." \n\nYou look the leaves over. They look a bit like green leaf lettuce, but you spot the edges of the distinctive pink stalks. "Rhubarb? Really?" \n\n"One of the most abundant poisons in this neck of the woods. Just make sure you use all of it. Put it in a stew or something, tell them it's spinach." \n\n"How do you even know this will work?" \n\n"I had a dog that ate some once. It wasn't pretty." \n\n"Oh, I'm sorry." \n\n"He was a stupid dog." \n\n[[Agree to help.|death by rhubarb]]\n\n[[Refuse to do it.|no dice poison]]

You confirm for him that you are, in fact, alone, and have been for quite some time. \n\nDr. Orwell breaks out into a wide grin. "Excellent." He unties your bonds. "I'll leave you a moment to clean up and then you can meet the others." \n\nHe brings in a bucket of water, even some handmade soap, and a set of faded but clean clothing. He tells you to knock when you're ready. \n\n[["I'm ready."|Meet the Supper Club]]

You decide to finish off the second vampire yourself. But she's much faster and smarter than the other one, and she quickly overpowers you. Her fangs puncture your neck and as you feel the blood and life slipping away from you, you notice the girl you came to save is long gone. \n\nK.O. YOU'RE DEAD.

You offer the dog a mushroom. He comes over hesitantly, tail wagging. He sniffs at your hands and takes the mushroom out of it with his mouth, delicately, almost politely. \n\nYou go to pat him on the head, and suddenly the dog is lunging at you, teeth bared, mouth foaming. He manages to do no more than rip your sleeve, but he looks ready to go for you again. \n\n[[Fuck this, he's dead!|kill dog]]\n\n[[Fight back, but try to just scare him away.|nonlethal dog]]\n

Whoa, these are kids! What is wrong with you? They are the future! Do you really want to be responsible for killing the future?\n\n[[Kill or be killed, bitches!|Bye kids2]]\n\n[[Fine, I guess I'll bargain with them or whatever.|bargain]]

"We'll see in a few minutes, now won't we?" \n\nSomehow, you don't find that answer very comforting. \n\nThe kid comes back with a very large man covered in tattoos, and the blonde woman who brought you here. The kid looks pissed (naturally), the man looks annoyed, and the woman looks amused. \n\n"This is the one who's been making trouble, Max." \n\n"This tiny thing?" the man asks. \n\n"That old man helped." The kid gestures in your direction. You don't particularly like being referred to as an "old man", but you're not really in a position to protest. \n\nThe girl walks right up in front of this Max fellow, and sticks her hand through the bars. "I'm Kat. Me and my friend here wanna join your gang." \n\nMax looks at the girl, then looks at you, and finally, looks at the proffered hand. The blonde woman starts laughing like it's the funniest thing she's ever seen. \n\n"Look at the balls on this one!" she says, wiping a tear from her eyes. \n\n"Well, it looks like Mel here approves. You're certainly much smarter than you look if you got the jump on Carlo so easily. But what does your friend do?" \n\n[["Well for starters, I can cook much better than whoever made this slop."|gangsta cook]]\n\n[["You heard Carlo, I helped. We're a team."|gangsta capo]]

You decide to take a rest. The cage isn't the cleanest place you've ever slept, but it'll have to do. You manage to catch a few minutes of shuteye when you hear voices talking loudly out in the front of the bar. You wake, slowly, and see the girl huddled near the front of the cage, obviously trying to listen in on what's going on. \n\nYou decide to join her. \n\n[["What's going on?" you ask in a whisper.|prisoner conversation]]\n\n

You take a moment to brace yourself before you try and kick down the door. Not only do you fail to open it, but your knee buckles in an unplesant manner. The pain knocks you back on your feet. \n\nYou don't even notice when someone comes up behind you and puts a [[bag over your head.|knock out]]

"You don't have to do this. You could have a good life here. He's changing things, you know. We could finally be safe." \n\nKat has a knife to your throat almost before you finish that final sentence. "NEVER tell me what to do, old man. You don't know him." \n\n"And you do?" \n\n"I do, better than anyone. But that's none of your business, Nice Guy. Now I know who's side you're on, don't even think about betraying me. I won't be so nice next time." \n\nShe disappears from your tent like a ghost. You know [[better than to call her bluff.|kat's revenge]]

Fine. Pick your poison.\n\n[[Distract with a rock.|Distract]]\n\n[[Run into the fray, guns blazing.|Attack]]\n\n

The End of the World (As We Know It)\n

Prez comes to the camp with a small amount of pomp, and you are surprised by his appearance. He's a thin, bookish looking fellow with glasses, not what you expected at all. You find yourself scrutinizing the man, trying to find a connection with the girl. Is he her father? A brother? There's something about the eyes that seem familiar. \n\nHe makes some speech to the camp about unity and safety by numbers, and then disappears into a tent with his top men. \n\nMax keeps you busy securing the camp's perimeter to notice what Kat gets up to that day. In fact, you don't even see her. \n\nThe night's meal has the jovial air of a medieval feast, and things feel almost...normal. But you're on edge, unsure of when the girl plans to strike, if at all. \n\nBut nothing happens. \n\nThe next morning, you are awoken by a scream. The entire camp runs to the sound. Prez has been garrotted in bed, a look of genuine shock on his face.\n\n[[The girl is nowhere to be found.|end]]

The man is a bit older than you, with wavy salt and pepper hair. You greet him politely, and he reciprocates.\n\n[["This is quite the spread you've got here."|Talk man 2a]]\n\n[["So, what's cookin'?"|Talk man 2b]]\n

You run as far ahead of the carnage as you can. It looks like, at least for now, the safe zone of the highway has been compromised. You lead the girl towards the woods, hoping that you've lost anyone who might have noticed you. \n\nAs soon as you hit the trees, you stop and to catch your breath. \n\n"What...the hell...was that?" Katniss asks.\n\n"I don't know. Gang war?"\n\n"Good guess," a woman's voice says behind you. You turn, and see she has a crossbow leveled at you both. "Now, if you don't mind, you're [[coming with me.|prisoner]]

The streets are quiet today, for it seems that most survivors have decided to stay in (wherever that may be) and out of the weather. The occasional person you do see quickly skitter out of your way. Other loners like you, with no choice but to avoid the gangs and do what you have to in order to survive. Most of them look eevn worse off than you though. \n\nYou pass into what was once an alleyway between upscale condos, giant, overpriced behemoths made of glass that shattered the second the bombs hit. You catch the scent of meat cooking in the air, and you salivate. \n\nYou decide to [[investigate.|investigate smell]]

The girl spits in your direction. "I'm not telling you that." \n\n"Fine. I'm going to call you...Katniss then." \n\n"I don't know what this is." \n\n"It's from a book. You should be flattered. She's tough." \n\n"That's stupid." \n\n"You're making it more difficult than it has to be." \n\n"I don't think I am, you kidnapping perv." \n\nYou're about to yell at her for misreading your intentions again, when [[a crossbow bolt thwacks into the remains of the car next to you.|attack!]]\n\n

"So, what do you want me to do about it?" \n\n"They're gonna put us on high alert, most likely. They usually do." \n\n"And how would you know that?" Kat doesn't answer, not that you really expected her to. \n\n"What I need you to do is cover for me if anyone notices I'm missing." \n\n"...That's it?" \n\n"That's it." \n\n[[Ask her if she's messing with you.|clarify]]\n\n[[Refuse to help.|no dice assassinate]]\n\n[[Agree.|bye prez]]

You take a look at the other prisoners. They're a sorry lot. Dirty, thin, with barely a spark of light in their eyes. You don't know if they were like this when this gang found them, or if this is what's happened to them since. You really don't want to find out. \n\nThe girl has since huddled between them, trying to look as small and harmless as possible. But she's positioned herself near the front of the cage. You can tell she's up to something. \n\n[["What are you up to? You can't fool me, you know."|prisoner conversation]]

You drop your weapon, and hold your arms up in surrender. \n\n"I didn't know! I'll leave right away." \n\n"We let you leave, other people think we're weak. Can't have that," their leader says. "Can't have that at all." He eyes your backpack meaningfully. \n\n[[Give him your backpack.|Bribe]]\n\n[[Fight them.|Bye kids]]\n\n<html><b>[PLEASE CUT THESE VICIOUS CHILDREN, AUDIENCE WILL NOT APPROVE.]</b></html>

On the way back to your campsite, you spy something strange in the underbrush. Thinking it might be useful, you take a look. It's a stuffed bear, tattered and worn, but clearly well cared for. \n\nYou hear a rustle to your left, and ready your weapons. You wait, tensed, for a good five minutes, waiting for anything to appear, but nothing does. \n\nYou pick up the bear and head back to [[camp.|Camp]]

You head back to camp in a daze. It's been a weird day, even in a world that has radioactive vampires running about. Speaking of, the Nuka-Vampires are oddly quiet as the sun starts to set. You're glad for some luck in this horrible day. Today's been so bad you figure it must be a Monday, if there were still some way to keep track of this. \n\nHowever, your luck doesn't last long. You hear a scuffle not far from you, and decide to [[go check it out.|big damn hero]]

You manage to avoid a couple of lone, slavering Nuka-vampires on the way home, by sheer force of luck. They're not very intelligent, especially when recently awoken from their day long slumber,so as long as you hide and don't cut yourself, it's not particularly hard to avoid them. \n\nAs you're passing through a bough of trees, something descends from above. You go down, and and small fists are pummeling you in the face. \n\n"Give it back!" yells a female voice. She doesn't weigh much, so it's pretty easy to push her off. A young girl, ragged, thin, probably 12 or 13 but small for her age due to malnutrition, springs to her feet like a cat. She has the face of an angry, bedraggled Disney princess.* A knife made from an old soda bottle glimmers greenly in her hand. \n\n"Give it back," she repeats. \n\n[["Give what back?"|Return bear]] \n\n[[Attack her.|Attack girl]]\n\n<html><b>*[Marketing note: must be physically appealing (no uggos) but as non-sexual as possible. We don't want players to have a boner for her! Think daughter not concubine.]</b><html>\n\n

You decide to leave the cache for now, in the hopes that something better will come along later. \n\nSuddenly, [[you hear a scream|Radiation Canaries]]\n

You trek the short distance into the city, keeping an eye out for any groups of bandits, radiation canaries, or Nuka-vampire. Things are oddly quiet today. \n\nYou decide to the head the mall, or what remains of it. This once great palace of commerce is now a crumbling ruin, or at least the whole eastern wing is. The rest is surprisingly intact, but most importantly, its grocery megastore is. You bought towels and JD Robb novel there once. Now, you have to [[go in there|groceries]] and see if there's any food remaining.

"The bear," she says. "I know you have it. I saw you." \n\n"You want this?" You pull the bear out of your knapsack, and throw it at her feet. It's kind of miraculous you still have it. "Take it. I don't even know why I kept it." \n\nAlmost before you finish the sentence, the girl has grabbed the item and is off like a shot. You decide not to follow her, not that you could probably catch up even if you wanted to. \n\nYou head back to your [[campsite.|camp 2]]

"No way. I've got a pretty sweet gig here, you know. And I think this...might actually be a good thing. You've noticed things have been more stable, haven't you?" \n\nKat's eyes narrrow, and harden. You wonder if she's going to kill you. "So much for your word, then. It doesn't matter. I'll figure something out. This is just easiest." \n\n[[Change your mind and agree to help.|bye prez]]\n\n[[Let her go, but rat her out to Max.|rat alt]]

"Oh, we have our ways. You'd be surprised what you can find if you're willing to get your hands a little dirty." \n\nShe then turns away from you and begins talking to one of the other guests. It's pretty obvious she doesn't want to talk to you about the food. \n\n[[Talk to man.|Talk man]]\n\n[[Explore house.|explore house]]

"Oh, you know, here and there," she says with a wave of her hand. \n\n"Yes, but...how?"\n\nThe woman turns away from you and begins chatting with the other guest. You suppose you were just being boring. It's been a long time since you've done a thing like sit down to a fancy dinner and talk to strangers, after all. \n\n[[Talk to man.|Talk man]]\n\n[[Do nothing and wait for dinner to arrive.|social fattening]]\n\n\n\n

"Oh yes," the woman explains. "Dr. Orwell's supper clubs are legendary. We've been having them oh...for years now. Even before all that nasty business with the bombs." \n\n[["How is that even possible!?"|Talk woman 2d]]

"Of course it does Darling, Dr. Orwell is an equisite cook. I am so glad to see a new...face at our little gathering. It's become so tedious in the last few months." \n\n[["So, where exactly did you get all this food?"|Talk woman 2c]]

You burst out from behind your hiding place, guns blazing. You managed to shoot one thug, two children, and one Nuka Vampire who was nearby and attracted to the smell of blood. \n\nThe Nuka Vampire kills you all, and uses the bones of the children to pick its teeth. \n\nK.O. YOU'RE DEAD.\n\n\n\n

You swing wildly at the closest kid. She ducks, with a speed you didn't know was possible. The children swarm on you like ants, and before you know it, you're on the ground. You struggle, but it's obvious these kids are better at this than you. Why wouldn't they be? They've spent more of their life in this world than you have. They have a malleableness that you never will. \n\nAs the leader plunges a knife into your heart, you almost feel hopeful for the future. Maybe mankind has a chance of surviving. \n\nK.O. YOU'RE DEAD.

And so you come to the end of your story. Maybe you live for another 100 years, maybe only another 5 minutes. It's really of no consequence. You're of no consequence. \n\nDespite fracturing the gangs once again, the world goes on. Maybe it all sorts itself out in the end. Maybe another Prez crops up, and actually succeeds, creating a kind of feudalistic state. Man naturally desires order, and no amount of nuclear powered vampires will change that. \n\nMaybe mankind dies out completely and the Nuka vampires take over and create their own dominion over the earth. Maybe octpuses crawl out of the seas equipped with super human intelligence and wipes everyone out and start their own dominant age. \n\nIt doesn't really matter. You're not there to see it. The world might as well not exist at all. \n\nFIN

"Oh how terribly rude of me. I'm Dr. Nelson T. Orwell. This is my home. Now, tell me a little bit about yourself."\n\n[[Tell him the truth|Truth]]\n\n[[Lie.|Lie]]

You manage to track the smell like a dog, and find it originates in a remarkably well preserved brownstone. If it weren't for the crumbled remains of its brethren surrounding it, it would almost look as if nothing in this neighbourhood had ever changed. You have no idea how you'd never noticed it before. \n\nYou can [[knock on the door|knock]] or [[break it down.|break door]]\n

The gang makes quick work of integrating you and Kat into the gang. There's no time to waste during war. You're not the best fighter, and never have been, but the girl distinguishes herself with her quick reflexes and thinking. You stick close to her, and while she never really warms to your presence, she at least tolerates this. \n\nYou quickly learn that this Prez fellow has been taking over many of the towns in the area, wiping out the local gangs and restoring almost a sort of order to his conquered lands. More and more people, mostly loners like you were, make their way into the cages as they're given the choice to join the gang or die. You even spend time hunting down Nuka vampire nests and clearing them. The area's never been safer, really. It's the closest thing to civilization the world has seen in years, despite the brutality. \n\nOne day, the girl comes and finds you while you're attending to your weapons alone. [["Prez is coming. Be ready."|prez assassinate]]

"Excellent. It sounds like they're not going to be checking on us anytime soon, so we'll have to wait until morning. Then, just follow my lead." \n\n"Follow YOUR lead." \n\n"Katniss" gives you a hard stare that you've never seen on a 13 year old girl before. You shut up. \n\nYou curl up in a dusty corner of the cell and [[try to go back to sleep.|escape 2]]

"Nope," she says, continuing on her way. \n\n"It's dangerous out here in the dark." \n\n"No shit." \n\nYou decide to [[keep following the girl.|follow girl]]

The girl manages to sweet talk her way out of the cell the next morning. She appears to leave you behind without a second thought. You don't know what her plan is, and you don't care. \n\nYou try a few ways of escaping: picking the lock, trying to get one of the others to help (they're not interested), even trying to sweet talk your way out yourself. Nothing works. \n\nSlowly, your spirit starts to flag, and you fall prey to the hopelessness of the situation, just like everyone else. One day when they finally take you out, you don't even have the will to try and break free. You are a broken husk, just like they wanted. \n\nWhen they use you as a meat shield in an upcoming "battle", you feel nothing but grateful for everything to finally be over. \n\nK.O. YOU'RE DEAD.

You hand over the backpack, slightly grateful it's not very full of stuff, but sad to give it up. You and Knappie have been through a lot together. But it's a small price to pay for your life, all things considered. You always have been nothing but pragmatic. \n\nThe children back off, slightly, giving you enough room to pass but not holding down their weapons. \n\nYour stomach grumbles as you [[return to the camp,|on the way home 2]] though that's nothing new. You've survived a day or two without food before. You can do it again.

She ties you both together and takes you back towards town.She thanks you for sparing her the trouble of tying up the girl. She takes you to an old bar on the outskirts of town. You seem to recall that it was once a hangout spot for biker gangs. You know, Before.\n\nShe takes you inside and throws you both in a cage with several other bedraggled prisoners in the back, then joins the rest of her compatriots at the front of the bar. You hear the clinking of bottles and are surprised there's still any alcohol left. \n\n"Good work, Nice Guy," the girl says sarcastically. \n\n[[Rest.|prisoner rest]]\n\n[[Talk to the others.|prisoner talk]]

You creep up the stairs as quietly as possible, a difficult task given the advanced age of the house and the ricketyness of the boards. It's pretty much a miracle that you get up there at all. \n\nAll you find are occupied rooms, clearly belonging to the people downstairs. But there's an extra one, and upon close examination, you spy some flecks of blood on the pure white walls, near the door. \n\n[[Go back.|explore house]]\n

You stake the first Nuka-Vampire in the heart with practiced ease. It disintigrates into a fine, flourescent dust. The one that was previously holding the girl, that was once a woman, jumps up and prepares to attack. \n\nThe girl has a stake in her hand and signals you to distract the creature. \n\n[[Distract the vampire.|teamwork]]\n\n[[Take care of it yourself.|the opposite of teamwork]]\n

You hunker down in your threadbare sleeping bag, after doing a quick sweep of the perimeter for any Nuka-Vampires. So many months of survival has made your sleep cycle erratic and your ears sensitive to any noise. As soon as you hear a twig snap, you instantly bolt awake. \n\nWhat will you do? \n\n[[Hide|Hide2]]\n\n[[Go check it out|Investigate]]\n

The gang wastes no time integrating you and Kat into the group. You see less and less of the girl, who quickly becomes an accepted member of the gang because of her ruthlessness and resourcefulness. You keep your head down, making meals that are palatable for the crew. If anything, it's endeared Carlo to you. \n\nYou learn that this Prez fellow has been taking over many of the towns in the area, wiping out the local gangs and restoring almost a sort of order to his conquered lands. More and more people, mostly loners like you were, make their way into the cages as they're given the choice to join the gang or die. The gang even spends time hunting down and clearing Nuka Vampire nests. The area has never been safer, as long as you're on the right side. It's the closest thing to civilization the world has seen in years, despite the brutality. \n\nOne night, you're awakened in your bunk by the girl. [["Prez is coming," she tells you.|prez poison]]\n

The other guests don't seem to be too concerned that you're up and about. Where would you like to explore? \n\n[[Kitchen.|Kitchen]]\n\n[[Upstairs.|Upstairs]]\n\n[[Basement.|Basement]]