Dream Dive 1

Speaking of suffocating... You glance at your brothers. The one on the other side of the car is the middle child, and the younger one was, unfortunately, stuck in the middle seat. The air conditioner that blows into the back seat is in the middle section in between the driver's seat and the passenger's seat. (if: $broAnnoyed is true)[Right now, it's blowing towards you, and your brother is glaring at you.](else:)[Right now, it's blowing towards the middle child. All that cold air, and not willing to share.] What do you do? (if: $rollWindow is not true)[ [[Roll down the window.->It's hot in here (Window)]] ] (if: $broAnnoyed is not true)[ [[Move the position of the fan so that the air is blowing towards you.->It's hot in here (Move the air)]] ] (if: $askedParents is not true)[ [[Ask parents to turn up the air.->It's hot in here (Parents)]] ] (if:$doCarNothing is not true)[ [[Nothing.->It's hot in here (Nothing)]] ]

(set: $carActions to it + 1) (set: $rollWindow to true) You roll down the window and are met with summer's warm embrace. Your dad tells you to roll it back up, because the air is going. You do. (if: $broAnnoyed is true)[Your brother's glare only grows deeper when he sees you roll down the window. Why did you even need that?] (if: $carActions <= 2)[ [[Back->Suffocating]]](else:)[ [["There it is."->Up ahead]] ]

(set: $carActions to it + 1) (set: $broAnnoyed to true) (set: $coldHearted to it + 1) You change the position of where the air is blowing. Now, it's blasting full-force in your face. Ahhhh. At the edge of your eyes, you can see your brother shooting you an annoyed look. (if: $carActions <= 2)[Because you're the eldest, he doesn't complain.](else:)[But before he could do or say anything...] (if: $carActions <= 2)[ [[Back->Suffocating]]](else:)[ [["There it is."->Up ahead]] ]

(set: $carActions to it + 1) (set: $askedParents to true) You ask your parents if they can turn up the air. They tell you that the air is on full blast, and they don't want to risk overheating the engine. Or battery. You didn't quite catch the last word. But being stranded in the middle of the cornfield on a hot, summer day wasn't ideal. (if: $broAnnoyed is true)[You can see, out of the corner of your eyes, your brother rolling his eyes at the question you gave to your parents.] (if: $carActions <= 2)[ [[Back->Suffocating]]](else:)[ [["There it is."->Up ahead]] ]

(set: $carActions to it + 1) (set: $doCarNothing to true) You do absolutely nothing. (if: $broAnnoyed is not true)[You ponder whether or not you should do something about the heat.] (else:)[But luckily for you, you're a little less prone to a heat stroke, now that you have the air blowing in your face.] (if: $carActions <= 2)[ [[Back->Suffocating]]](else:)[ [["There it is."->Up ahead]] ]

(set: $coldHearted to 0)(set: $warmHearted to 0)(set: $carActions to 0)(set: $money to 20)(set: $broAnnoyed to false)(set: $rollWindow to false)(set: $askedParents to false)(set: $doCarNothing to false)(set: $stayFiveMin to 0)(set: $puzzleFound to false)(set: $drinkGet to false)(set: $snackGet to false) Yellow. Yellow as far as the eye could see. Stuck on a hot, summer day in in a car, you look out the window at the endless fields of corn that stretched out towards the horizon. On the road, a rumble of the engine is heard, and a car speeds along the lonely strip in the middle of the farmland. You're on a family road trip with your parents and your two younger brothers. You go on summer vacations like this every year. Road trips where you're trapped in a car with your family for hours on end. Despite your road trips, you've never been to this part of America before. The new experience excited you at first, but after suffocating in a car in the middle of summer, more and more you're wishing you were back home. [[Continue.->Suffocating]]

"There's a gas station up ahead. We'll stop by it," your dad says, "And you can get whatever snacks you want." Because of your short stature, you're unable to see the gas station that was supposedly in the distance. But sure enough, you feel the familiar slow and turn, as the car pulls into the...oddly busy gas station. Now that you were at the gas station, you could see that there was a line of cars to the four stationed pumps. It looked like it was going to be a while before your family could get gas. Your mom turns around to face you and your brothers. "Do you guys want to get out? Come on, let's go get something at the convenience store. It will be a while until we can get gas." Almost immediately, the three of you pop out of the car. As you do, you're greeted by a wash of heat over your face. You feel your cheeks burn, and you squint your eyes against the intensity of the sun. [[Continue->The Gas Station]]

You were going to be here for a while, that you knew for sure. Your mom had given you money. Right now, you have $money bucks in your pocket. Currently, there was nothing of note in the gas station itself, and it was in your best interest to not only cool down, but to kill time. Before you was the gas station and its convenience store. It was a bit odd since it was in the middle of the cornfield.(if: $coldHearted > 4 and $metCharon is not true)[ Outside of the gas station's convenience store stood a man you hadn't noticed before. A wide-brimmed, black cowboy hat sat upon his head, and a trenchcoat as equally black covered his body. His hands were wrapped in old bandages, and to complete his outfit were black, steel-toed boots that looked like they had seen better days. From your angle, you couldn't get a look of his face, but you could see the stubble on his chin. He definitely looked out of place, but the people passed him by without a glance.](else-if: $metCharon is true)[ Outside of the gas station's convenience store, there is a black, shadowy stain where Charon used to be.] To the left of the gas station was an inn, and all around were cornfields as far as the eye could see. There was only one road - two lanes, going in opposite directions - and that was the only road for miles. You could check out the gas station's convenience store or the inn. Staying in the car was also an option, where there was sweet, sweet air conditioning. If you're feeling extra adventurous, you could potentially take either of the roads that led out of the gas station area, as well, if you were that bored. Where do you go? [[Inn->Area: The Inn]] [[Gas Station Convenience Store->Area: Gas Station Convenience Store]] [[Car->Area: The Car]] [[Leave on the road ahead->Leaving Ahead]] [[Leave on the road going back->Leaving Back]] (if: $coldHearted > 4 and $metCharon is not true)[[[Approach the man->The man in black]]]

You see a sign. "Closed for renovations." Go figure. [[Return to the Gas Station->The Gas Station]]

Sweet, sweet air conditioning makes you want to stay forever here in the store. (if: $drinkGet is true)[Currently, you are (if: $hideDrink is true)[hiding](else:)[holding] $drink.] (if: $snackGet is true)[Currently, you are (if: $hideSnack is true)[hiding](else:)[holding] $snack.] The layout is the same as any old convenience store you've been to in your life. Drinks in the back, aisles of snacks and toiletries, and a magazine rack near the front. In the back, you can see your two brothers perusing the drinks section. Your mom is in the snacks section. [[Go to the back, where the drinks are->The Drinks]] [[Go to the aisle where the snacks are->The Snacks]] [[Go to the magazine rack->The Magazine Rack]] (if: ($drinkGet is true and $hideDrink is not true) or ($snackGet is true and $hideSnack is not true))[ [[Return to the Gas Station->The clerk]] ](else:)[ [[Return to the Gas Station->The Gas Station]] ] (if: ($drinkGet and $hideDrink is not true) or ($snackGet and $hideSnack is not true))[ [[Pay for your item(s)]] ]

In the car, the air conditioning is still roaring on, and it's cooler now that you don't have two other siblings in the back to share it with. (if: $stayFiveMin is 2)[The rumble of the engine makes you feel sleepy. The car is halfway in line to the pump.](else-if: $stayFiveMin is 4)[Your father is filling up the tank with gas.] [[Stay here for 5 minutes.->5 minutes in the car]] [[Get out of the car->The Gas Station]]

When your family wasn't looking, you make off for the road ahead, leading out of the gas station. You walk down the road for what seemed like a while, and eventually come across...the same exact gas station. Your family's car is still in the same place in line. You scratch your head, confused. But somehow, this excites and scares you. [[That was strange.->The Gas Station]]

When your family isn't looking, you go back towards the road your family's car came. Off to the side, you see a dirt path leading into the cornfield. Or, you could keep going down the road. [[Go down the dirt path->The dirt path]] [[Go down the road->The road backwards]]

You walk up to the man in black. As you get closer, you can see his eyes, and you freeze. They're both white. No pupils. No irises. His face is heavily scarred. You wonder if you should really approach this man. There's still some time to go back. [[Keep approaching him.]] [[Go back.->The Gas Station]]

(if: $drinkGet is true)[You already have a drink, remember? But you could put it back and get another one.](else:)[You're at the back where the drinks are. A plethora of colorful drinks meets your eyes. But what to pick? Your brothers see you. (if: $broAnnoyed is true)[One of them frowns when he sees you. Looks like he's still not over you taking the air from him.]"Hey, what are you getting?" your younger brother asks. You reach over and get...] (if: $drinkGet is true)[[[Put back the drink.->putBackDrink]] [[Keep the drink.->Area: Gas Station Convenience Store]]](else:)[ [[Some juice.]] [[A soda.]] [[A sports drink.]] [[A water bottle.]] [[A milk product.]] [[Beer?]] [[Nothing]]]

(if: $snackGet is true)[You already have a snack, remember? But you could put it back and get another one.](else:)[You peruse the snacks. You notice your mom picking out some apple rings and peach rings. It's something she always got whenever the family was on a long trip. You look at the variety that they have. It's the typical selection from convenience stores.] (if: $snackGet is true)[[[Return the snack.->returnSnack]] [[Keep the snack.->Area: Gas Station Convenience Store]]](else:)[[[Get some candy.->Get some candy.]] [[Get some chips.]] [[Get jerky.]] [[Get a baked good.]] [[Get nothing.]]]

You approach the magazine rack. There isn't much, but one piece of paper catches your eye. [[Pick up the paper.]] [[Return->Area: Gas Station Convenience Store]]

(if: ($drinkGet is true and $hideDrink is not true) or ($snackGet is true and $hideSnack is not true))["Excuse me, you have to pay for that!"] You step back into the convenience store. [[Continue->Area: Gas Station Convenience Store]]

(set: $stayFiveMin to it +1) You stay in the car for five minutes. It's nice and cool and you don't feel like leaving. (if: $stayFiveMin is 2)[The line seems to move faster with you in the car.](if: $stayFiveMin is 4)[The car is now at the pump. Your dad begins to fill up the car with gas.](if: $stayFiveMin is 5)[Your tiredness eventually lulls you to sleep's comforting embrace.] (if: $stayFiveMin is not 5)[[[Return->Area: The Car]]](else:)[[[Sleep->You fall asleep...]]]

...and you dream of an old manor, hidden amongst the vast fields of corn. In the manor is a magnificent ballroom, and on the other side, you see the silhouette of a man. Even though he was cast in shadow, you could tell that he was handsome. He holds out his hand and you take it. You both dance the night away on the ballroom floor. When you wake up, it is to the sound of your father chattering away with your mother about something you didn't quite catch. The cornfields are far behind you now, a tiny blip of yellow in the distance. The car rumbles into more modern, suburban territory. All too familiar to you now. You couldn't help but feel as if you missed some sort of opportunity somewhere in that field. END. [[Start from beginning?->The road trip]]

You enter the cornfield through the dirt path. It's like a narrow hallway, with corn stalks squeezing you on both ends. You figure that it's a good idea to stay out of the corn for now and stick to the path. [[Continue->Corn Crossroads]]

You walk down the road for what seemed like a while, and eventually come across...the same exact gas station. Your family's car is still in the same place in line. You scratch your head, confused. But somehow, this excites and scares you. [[That was strange.->The Gas Station]]

(if: $puzzleSolved is not true)[Before you are three paths. You can take the one going down the middle, the one to the left, or the one to the right. Additionally, you could take the path behind you as well](else:)[You walk and reach the manor.] (if: $puzzleSolved is not true)[ [[Front->frontPath]] [[Left->leftPath]] [[Right->rightPath]] [[Behind->behindPath]]](else:)[[[Continue->reachManor]]]

You take the path to the front. Sure enough, you come to another set of paths. [[Continue->Corn Crossroads]]

You take the path to the left. Sure enough, you come to another set of paths. (if: $puzzleFound is not true)[[[Continue->Corn Crossroads]]](else-if: $puzzleFound)[[[Continue->Corn Crossroads 2]]]

You take the path to the right. Sure enough, you come to another set of paths. [[Continue->Corn Crossroads]]

You take the path behind. You somehow end up back at the gas station. [[Continue->The Gas Station]]

(set: $puzzleSolved to true) As your feet crunch against the dirt below, you see the tops of spires rising up from the corn field, the closer and closer you got. As the structure came into view, you realized that it was a large manor. What was this doing in the middle of a cornfield, you wondered? (if: $metCharon is true)[You see a small, inhuman-esque creature skitter past the doors and inside the manor. Gripping the revolver in your pocket, you begin to make your way to the manor's doors.](else:)[You see a small, inhuman-esque creature bow before you. But oddly enough, as close as you were too it, you still couldn't quite make out what it was. "We've been waiting for you, mistress. Welcome home."] TO BE CONTINUED

(set: $drink to "some juice")(set: $drinkGet to true) You get some juice. [[Continue->Area: Gas Station Convenience Store]] [[Hide the drink.->hideDrink]]

(set: $drink to "a soda")(set: $drinkGet to true) You get a soda. [[Continue->Area: Gas Station Convenience Store]] [[Hide the drink.->hideDrink]]

(set: $drink to "a sports drink")(set: $drinkGet to true) You get a sports drink. [[Continue->Area: Gas Station Convenience Store]] [[Hide the drink.->hideDrink]]

(set: $drink to "a water bottle")(set: $drinkGet to true) You get a water bottle. [[Continue->Area: Gas Station Convenience Store]] [[Hide the drink.->hideDrink]]

(set: $drink to "a milk drink")(set: $drinkGet to true) You get a milk drink. [[Continue->Area: Gas Station Convenience Store]] [[Hide the drink.->hideDrink]]

Are you sure about that? [[Yes->obtainBeer]] [[No->The Drinks]]

Before you are three paths. You can take the one going down the middle, the one to the left, or the one to the right. Additionally, you could take the path behind you as well. [[Front->frontPath2]] [[Left->leftPath2]] [[Right->rightPath2]] [[Behind->behindPath2]]

You reach in and grab a can of beer, despite the fact that you're well under the age of drinking. Your little brother looks at you quizzically. (if: $putBackBeer is not true)["You know...they're not going to let you buy that," your younger brother says, "you should put it back."](else:)["Why are you picking that up again? They're not going to let you buy that, you know."] [["I don't care."]] [[Hide it.]] [[Put it back.]]

(set: $coldHearted to it + 1)(set: $drink to "a can of beer")(set: $drinkGet to true) Your little brother shrugs. "Alright, but don't say I didn't warn you..." (if: $broAnnoyed is true)[You see the other brother walk off.] [[Continue->Area: Gas Station Convenience Store]]

(set: $coldHearted to it + 2)(set: $drink to "a can of beer")(set: $drinkGet to true)(set: $hideDrink to true) Your little brother give you a look of disapproval, but says nothing. (if: $broAnnoyed is true)[You see the other brother walk off.] [[Continue->Area: Gas Station Convenience Store]]

Your little brother looks at you in approval. (set: $putBackBeer to true) [[Continue->The Drinks]]

You decide not to get a drink. [[Continue->Area: Gas Station Convenience Store]]

(set: $snack to "some candy")(set: $snackGet to true) You get some candy. [[Continue->Area: Gas Station Convenience Store]] [[Hide the snack.->hideSnack]]

(set: $snack to "a bag of chips")(set: $snackGet to true) You get a bag of chips. [[Continue->Area: Gas Station Convenience Store]] [[Hide the snack.->hideSnack]]

(set: $snack to "some jerky")(set: $snackGet to true) You get some jerky. [[Continue->Area: Gas Station Convenience Store]] [[Hide the snack.->hideSnack]]

(set: $snack to "a baked good")(set: $snackGet to true) You get a baked good. [[Continue->Area: Gas Station Convenience Store]] [[Hide the snack.->hideSnack]]

You decided to get nothing. [[Continue->Area: Gas Station Convenience Store]]

You return the snack.(set: $snackGet to false)(set: $hideSnack to false)(set: $snack to " ") [[Continue->Area: Gas Station Convenience Store]]

You hide the drink of your choosing. (set: $hideDrink to true)(set: $coldHearted to it + 2) [[Continue->Area: Gas Station Convenience Store]]

Before you can take a step, and as if reading your mind, the man immediately turns his attention to you. You find yourself unable to move under his gaze. For a moment, time seemed to slow to a crawl, until ultimately stopping. The stranger, eyes locked to yours, steps towards you, closing the gap between you two. He takes your chin in his bandaged hands, and a stench that reminded you of musty attics hits your nostrils. "I'm amazed that you can see me," he says, turning your head over in his hands. You can only stand there, paralyzed by whatever force is causing this. "Normally, I'd take your life for seeing me. But given the circumstances of our current situation..." He huffs. His breath is oddly minty. "If you can see me, it means he's taken an interest in you. But what he doesn't know is that you're quite a selfish, mischievous one. Maybe you can even be the cold-hearted one." [[What does that mean?]]

"A proposition." He lets you go, drawing a small, silver revolver from his trenchcoat. He presses it into your hands. "...left, left, forward, right, left, back." (set: $puzzleFound to true) He takes a step back. "I am, I guess, what you would call, an exorcist. My name is Charon. I go around, laying souls to rest with my abilities of purification. Somewhere in this cornfield, along the dirt path on one of the sides of the road, is a manor." Charon looks at you sternly. "With the gun I gave you, I need you to purify everyone in the manor. I'm unable to do it because he's barred me from his realm. You, however, can still make it to the manor before he realizes my plan. If you do this for me...I will grant you one wish." [["A wish?"]]

"Yes. Within my power. Because of my divine abilities, I can grant you some wishes. But only if you shoot the denizens of that manor for me." He returns to his position. "Now...make haste. Remember. Left, left, forward, right, left, back." Before you call malarkey on Charon's claims, he watch as he dissipates before your eyes. As he does, time seems to go back to normal, and people move about as if nothing happened. Your pocket suddenly feels heavy, and when you touch it, you can feel the outline of a small revolver, sized just right to fit into your hand. (set: $metCharon to true) [[Return->The Gas Station]]

(set: $drink to " ")(set: $drinkGet to false)(set: $hideDrink to false)You put the drink back. [[Continue->The Drinks]]

You hide the snack of your choosing. (set: $hideSnack to true)(set: $coldHearted to it + 2) [[Continue->Area: Gas Station Convenience Store]]

The paper is old. There's no year, but you can tell by the way you picked it up that it's borderline brittle, as if it could turn into dust at any time in your fingers. The ink, oddly enough, was still somewhat intact, and they detailed local events. A charity auction. Harvest moon gathering. Some fancy party that was going to be hosted by the lord of a manor. Something looked out of place on the paper, though. [[Take a look.]] [[Put the paper back on the rack and do something else->Area: Gas Station Convenience Store]]

Some arrows were hastily scrawled on the corner of the periodical. Left. Left. Forward. Right. Left. Back.(set: $puzzleFound to true) As you read this, you sense something shadowy moving away just out of your vision. [[Look up.]]

Whatever it was, it darted out of the convenience store, a wisp of a tail trailing behind.(set: $metWisp to true) [[Chase it!]] [[Ignore it and do something else.->Area: Gas Station Convenience Store]]

You run out of the gas station convenience store, blasted by the heat wave. The figure - which you still couldn't quite make out, for some odd reason - runs towards the road that your family came from. [[Keep chasing!]] [[Leave it alone.]]

It disappears into a dirt path branch out from the side of the road. You follow it in, but to your dismay, you lose sight of it. [[Continue->Corn Crossroads]]

You decide that it would be best to leave it alone. It was probably just a wild animal that snuck into the store and got startled by you. [[Continue->The Gas Station]]

You take the path to the front. Sure enough, you come to another set of paths. [[Continue->Corn Crossroads]]

You take the path to the left. Sure enough, you come to another set of paths. (if: $puzzleFound is not true)[[[Continue->Corn Crossroads]]](else-if: $puzzleFound)[[[Continue->Corn Crossroads 3]]]

You take the path to the right. Sure enough, you come to another set of paths. [[Continue->Corn Crossroads]]

You take the path behind. You somehow end up back at the gas station. [[Continue->The Gas Station]]

Before you are three paths. You can take the one going down the middle, the one to the left, or the one to the right. Additionally, you could take the path behind you as well. [[Front->frontPath3]] [[Left->leftPath3]] [[Right->rightPath3]] [[Behind->behindPath3]]

You take the path to the front. Sure enough, you come to another set of paths. (if: $puzzleFound is not true)[[[Continue->Corn Crossroads]]](else-if: $puzzleFound)[[[Continue->Corn Crossroads 4]]]

You take the path to the left. Sure enough, you come to another set of paths. [[Continue->Corn Crossroads]]

You take the path to the right. Sure enough, you come to another set of paths. [[Continue->Corn Crossroads]]

You take the path behind. You somehow end up back at the gas station. [[Continue->The Gas Station]]

Before you are three paths. You can take the one going down the middle, the one to the left, or the one to the right. Additionally, you could take the path behind you as well. [[Front->frontPath4]] [[Left->leftPath4]] [[Right->rightPath4]] [[Behind->behindPath4]]

You take the path to the front. Sure enough, you come to another set of paths. [[Continue->Corn Crossroads]]

You take the path to the left. Sure enough, you come to another set of paths. [[Continue->Corn Crossroads]]

You take the path to the right. Sure enough, you come to another set of paths. (if: $puzzleFound is not true)[[[Continue->Corn Crossroads]]](else-if: $puzzleFound)[[[Continue->Corn Crossroads 5]]]

You take the path behind. You somehow end up back at the gas station. [[Continue->The Gas Station]]

Before you are three paths. You can take the one going down the middle, the one to the left, or the one to the right. Additionally, you could take the path behind you as well. [[Front->frontPath5]] [[Left->leftPath5]] [[Right->rightPath5]] [[Behind->behindPath5]]

You take the path to the front. Sure enough, you come to another set of paths. [[Continue->Corn Crossroads]]

You take the path to the left. Sure enough, you come to another set of paths. (if: $puzzleFound is not true)[[[Continue->Corn Crossroads]]](else-if: $puzzleFound)[[[Continue->Corn Crossroads 6]]]

You take the path to the right. Sure enough, you come to another set of paths. [[Continue->Corn Crossroads]]

You take the path behind. You somehow end up back at the gas station. [[Continue->The Gas Station]]

Before you are three paths. You can take the one going down the middle, the one to the left, or the one to the right. Additionally, you could take the path behind you as well. [[Front->frontPath6]] [[Left->leftPath6]] [[Right->rightPath6]] [[Behind->behindPath6]]

You take the path to the front. Sure enough, you come to another set of paths. [[Continue->Corn Crossroads]]

You take the path to the left. Sure enough, you come to another set of paths. [[Continue->Corn Crossroads]]

You take the path to the right. Sure enough, you come to another set of paths. [[Continue->Corn Crossroads]]

You take the path behind. (if: $puzzleFound is not true)[[[Continue->Corn Crossroads]]](else-if: $puzzleFound)[[[Continue->reachManor]]]

(if: $drinkGet is true and $snackGet is not true)["Oh, $drink? Okay. Your total is $2."](else-if: $drinkGet is not true and $snackGet is true)["Oh, $snack? Okay. Your total is $2."](else-if: $drinkGet is true and $snackGet is true)["You have $drink and $snack. The total is $4."] [[Pay for it.]] [[Return->Area: Gas Station Convenience Store]]

(if: $drinkGet is true and $snackGet is not true)[(set: $money to it - 2)(if: $money < 0)["You don't have enough money!" (set: $money to it + 2)](else:)["Thank you for your business!"(set: $drinkGet to false)(set: $snackGet to false)]](else-if: $drinkGet is not true and $snackGet is true)[(set: $money to it - 2)(if: $money < 0)["You don't have enough money!" (set: $money to it + 2)](else:)["Thank you for your business!"(set: $drinkGet to false)(set: $snackGet to false)]](else-if: $drinkGet is true and $snackGet is true)[(set: $money to it - 4)(if: $money < 0)["You don't have enough money!" (set: $money to it + 4)](else:)["Thank you for your business!"(set: $drinkGet to false)(set: $snackGet to false)]] You now have $money bucks. [[Return->Area: Gas Station Convenience Store]]