For the first time in a while, you have the house to myself. Almost. Your little brother, Joey, is still here, but he usually stays locked in his room gaming. You don't do much when you have an empty house like this except play music really loud on the speakers in the living room or watch videos/play video games on the flatscreen your dad usually hogs. These seem like normal things to do at home on any given day, but to you, at 8 pm on a weekday, this is like a free for all.
What should you do then? The world is your oyster.
[[Watch big YouTube.]]
[[Bother Joey]]
(set: $fade to (transition: "dissolve") + (transition-time: 1s))You hook up your laptop to the flatscreen archaically with an HDMI cable and pull up a stream of videos on YouTube. It immediately defaults to autoplaying [[3 hour game analysis videos]] and you remember that you can't sit still and watch these for so long with your brain turned off. Instead you make yourself a snack and play something on your phone while you listen to the videos. The voice of the narrators lull you into a slumber.
[[A loud crashing noise wakes you from your sleep.]]You go upstairs and knock on Joey's door for like two seconds before going in. He's sitting on all his blankets and pillows on the floor with a bowl of takis, his laptop open to //Terraria//, and his DS Lite open to //Pokémon Emerald// to the side. He always has his gamer area set up like this, and he is [[always playing Emerald]] to the side of anything he does.
"Hey do you remember //My Sims Racing//?" Your only real connections to him is your interest in video games and shared past growing up in the same family. Usually your conversations go a little something like this, where you combine the two.
"Yeah it was the best game ever," he says. You talk to him about obscure games from your past and connections to new games that have been coming out this year.
[[Hours pass.]]Both of you are engrossed in a game of //Mario Party// when suddenly a loud crash is heard from downstairs.(set: $counter to 0)(live: 1s)[ (set: $counter to it + 1) (replace: ?amount)[$counter]
(if: $counter is 2)[$fade["What the hell was that?" You hop on your feet. You walk down the hallway and peek over the railing to survey what happened. You see a picture of yourself from years ago on the floor, with it's frame shattered. You assume that was what made the loud noise. The lights are still off, so maybe somebody bumped into it on accident. Did the rest of your family come back?]](if: $counter > 2)["What the hell was that?" You hop on your feet. You walk down the hallway and peek over the railing to survey what happened. You see a picture of yourself from years ago on the floor, with it's frame shattered. You assume that was what made the loud noise. The lights are still off, so maybe somebody bumped into it on accident. Did the rest of your family come back?]
(if: $counter is 10)[$fade["Mom? Dad? Tori?" you yell from your vantage point. Your voice echoes off the hardwood floor below, but nobody returns the call. You go back to Joey's room and tell him what happened.]](if: $counter > 10)["Mom? Dad? Tori?" you yell from your vantage point. Your voice echoes off the hardwood floor below, but nobody returns the call. You go back to Joey's room and tell him what happened.]
(if: $counter is 14)[$fade["What if... somebody broke in?" he says nervously. You turn around and lock his door and turn off the lights.]](if: $counter > 14)["What if... somebody broke in?" he says nervously. You turn around and lock his door and turn off the lights.]
(if: $counter is 18)[$fade["No way dude. We live in an upper middle class neighborhood, it should be safe," you say, but whisper anyway.]](if: $counter > 18)["No way dude. We live in an upper middle class neighborhood, it should be safe," you say, but whisper anyway.]
(if: $counter is 20)[$fade["That makes us a prime target, though," he says. You both quietly turn off your games.]](if: $counter > 20)["That makes us a prime target, though," he says. You both quietly turn off your games.]
(if: $counter is 24)[$fade["They might have been scared off when I yelled? Also I didn't see any way they got in," you whisper. "I'm going to go out there and check."]](if: $counter > 24)["They might have been scared off when I yelled? Also I didn't see any way they got in," you whisper. "I'm going to go out there and check."]
(if: $counter is 28)[$fade[You arm yourself with
[[A pair of nunchucks.]]
[[A pair of scissors.]]]](if: $counter > 28)[You arm yourself with
[[A pair of nunchucks.]]
[[A pair of scissors.]]]]Joey is a black belt in Taekwondo, so you aren't sure why you didn't make him go out instead of going out yourself and taking this padded weapon you barely know how to use. If you die out there, it isn't very reassuring to know that you will be found with this thing and will live out embarrassment in the afterlife.(set: $counter to 0)(live: 1s)[ (set: $counter to it + 1) (replace: ?amount)[$counter]
(if: $counter is 5)[$fade[You use your phone as a flashlight rather than turning on the lights like a normal person to highten the suspense. You scan the living room as you come down the stairs, and make sure to avoid the glass at the bottom. You don't see anyone in the room, so you continue to investigate the kitchen.]](if: $counter > 5)[You use your phone as a flashlight rather than turning on the lights like a normal person to highten the suspense. You scan the living room as you come down the stairs, and make sure to avoid the glass at the bottom. You don't see anyone in the room, so you continue to investigate the kitchen.]
(if: $counter is 14)[$fade[You round the corner, nunchucks at ready, pointing your phone's light ahead first. You don't see anything at first, but over the counter you hear someone rustling through the pantry. You freak out and run back upstairs.]](if: $counter > 14)[You round the corner, nunchucks at ready, pointing your phone's light ahead first. You don't see anything at first, but over the counter you hear someone rustling through the pantry. You freak out and run back upstairs.]
(if: $counter is 19)[$fade[You get back to the safety of your brother's room and lock the door.]](if: $counter > 19)[You get back to the safety of your brother's room and lock the door.]
(if: $counter is 23)[$fade["There is definitely someone here, I'm too small to fight him, he's like a fully grown man I think," you tell him. "Obviously we have to make a [[trap.]]"]](if: $counter > 23)["There is definitely someone here, I'm too small to fight him, he's like a fully grown man I think," you tell him. "Obviously we have to make a [[trap.]]"]]
(set: $scissors to false)
(set: $nunchucks to true)You grab a pathetically small pair of scissors just in case. You figure if you can get in close, you can just stab the intruder in the neck or something, right?(set: $counter to 0)(live: 1s)[ (set: $counter to it + 1) (replace: ?amount)[$counter]
(if: $counter is 4)[$fade[You use your phone as a flashlight rather than turning on the lights like a normal person to highten the suspense. You scan the living room as you come down the stairs, and make sure to avoid the glass at the bottom. You don't see anyone in the room, so you continue to investigate the kitchen.]](if: $counter > 4)[You use your phone as a flashlight rather than turning on the lights like a normal person to highten the suspense. You scan the living room as you come down the stairs, and make sure to avoid the glass at the bottom. You don't see anyone in the room, so you continue to investigate the kitchen.]
(if: $counter is 12)[$fade[You round the corner, scissors at the ready, pointing your phone's light ahead first. You don't see anything at first, but over the counter you hear someone rustling through the pantry. You freak out and run back upstairs.]](if: $counter > 12)[You round the corner, scissors at the ready, pointing your phone's light ahead first. You don't see anything at first, but over the counter you hear someone rustling through the pantry. You freak out and run back upstairs.]
(if: $counter is 16)[$fade[You get back to the safety of your brother's room and lock the door.]](if: $counter > 16)[You get back to the safety of your brother's room and lock the door.]
(if: $counter is 20)[$fade["There is definitely someone here, I'm too small to fight him, he's like a fully grown man I think," you tell him. "Obviously the only course of action is to make a [[trap.]]"]](if: $counter > 20)["There is definitely someone here, I'm too small to fight him, he's like a fully grown man I think," you tell him. "Obviously the only course of action is to make a [[trap.]]"]]
(set: $scissors to true)
(set: $nunchucks to false)You fall off the couch, and hit the floor pretty hard.(set: $counter to 0)(live: 1s)[ (set: $counter to it + 1) (replace: ?amount)[$counter]
(if: $counter is 3)[$fade["Oww..." you roll over and scramble for your phone. The nearest light switch is on the opposite wall, so you turn on the flashlight app. You scan the area searching for what caused the noise. Your light lands on a picture of your younger self on the floor, with broken glass from the frame scattered about.]](if: $counter > 3)["Oww..." you roll over and scramble for your phone. The nearest light switch is on the opposite wall, so you turn on the flashlight app. You scan the area searching for what caused the noise. Your light lands on a picture of your younger self on the floor, with broken glass from the frame scattered about.]
(if: $counter is 13)[$fade[You knit your brow at the scene. What could have caused this? A creeping feeling starts to get to you from behind and you make a break for the stairs.]](if: $counter > 13)[You knit your brow at the scene. What could have caused this? A creeping feeling starts to get to you from behind and you make a break for the stairs.]
(if: $counter is 18)[$fade[You go straight for the first source of light you see upstairs, which happenes to be the outline of [[your brother's door.]]]](if: $counter > 18)[You go straight for the first source of light you see upstairs, which happenes to be the outline of [[your brother's door.]]]]You burst through it, and slam it shut once you're in. (set: $counter to 0)(live: 1s)[ (set: $counter to it + 1) (replace: ?amount)[$counter]
(if: $counter is 3)[$fade["What's happening?" Joey asks, pausing his game.]](if: $counter > 3)["What's happening?" Joey asks, pausing his game.]
(if: $counter is 6)[$fade[You don't answer immediately, instead you crack the door open a bit to peer into the hallway.]](if: $counter > 6)[You don't answer immediately, instead you crack the door open a bit to peer into the hallway.]
(if: $counter is 10)[$fade["I think someone broke in," you whisper. There is nobody in the hallway, however. Despite that, you turn off all the lights in his room and tell him to turn off his games. He complies, as he is starting to get a little unsettled by your frantic actions which are quite unusual for you.]](if: $counter > 10)["I think someone broke in," you whisper. There is nobody in the hallway, however. Despite that, you turn off all the lights in his room and tell him to turn off his games. He complies, as he is starting to get a little unsettled by your frantic actions which are quite unusual for you.]
(if: $counter is 18)[$fade["I'm going back out to check," you say after a few minutes of suspenseful silence. You start to think that maybe the fear of the unknown got to you.]](if: $counter > 18)["I'm going back out to check," you say after a few minutes of suspenseful silence. You start to think that maybe the fear of the unknown got to you.]
(if: $counter is 22)[$fade[[[You take Joey's nunchucks. ->A pair of nunchucks.]]
[[You take a pair of scissors. ->A pair of scissors.]]]](if: $counter > 22)[[[You take Joey's nunchucks. ->A pair of nunchucks.]]
[[You take a pair of scissors. ->A pair of scissors.]]]]You and Joey set up a trap in the bathroom triggered by a series of strings. It is much too complicated to explain. You call up your neighborhood friend David to help you out. He shows up in no time at all and climbs through Joey's window. (set: $counter to 0)(live: 1s)[ (set: $counter to it + 1) (replace: ?amount)[$counter]
(if: $counter is 5)[$fade["Hey, David good thing you're here now. We have a trap set up in the bathroom, and Joey is going to lure the guy in there. You brought your gun, right?" David nods, showcasing a handgun. "Okay, good. When the intruder gets caught in the trap, it'll go off and we will hear it. Then you and I will confront em."]](if: $counter > 5)["Hey, David good thing you're here now. We have a trap set up in the bathroom, and Joey is going to lure the guy in there. You brought your gun, right?" David nods, showcasing a handgun. "Okay, good. When the intruder gets caught in the trap, it'll go off and we will hear it. Then you and I will confront em."]
(if: $counter is 12)[$fade["Wait, why do I have to lure the guy?" Joey says.
"Because David and I can confront him better than you can and you know Taekwondo," you snap back.
"That's not true you just wanna hide!" Joey exclaims, exaggerating hand motions.]](if: $counter > 12)["Wait, why do I have to lure the guy?" Joey says.
"Because David and I can confront him better than you can and you know Taekwondo," you snap back.
"That's not true you just wanna hide!" Joey exclaims, exaggerating hand motions.]
(if: $counter is 20)[$fade["Shh, be quiet," David whispers, "How about rock paper scissors on who has to be the bait?" he suggests quite unhelpfully. "Winner stays with me."]](if: $counter > 20)["Shh, be quiet," David whispers, "How about rock paper scissors on who has to be the bait?" he suggests quite unhelpfully. "Winner stays with me."]
(if: $counter is 25)[$fade["[[Rock]], [[paper]], [[scissors]], shoot!"]](if: $counter > 25)["[[Rock]], [[paper]], [[scissors]], shoot!"]]"Yes! I got you, I knew you'd pick rock," Joey excitedly says, holding out a flat hand. You sigh. A deal is a deal. You grab (if: $scissors is true)[the scissors](if: $nunchucks is true)[the nunchucks] and sneak into the hallway. You choose not to turn on the lights so the intruder can't see you directly, although (link-reveal: "they definitely know that you're in the house at this point.")[$fade[
They've been going through all your stuff downstairs and haven't bothered to come upstairs yet, so you stand at the top of the stairs, looking down at the obscure black shapes that make up the funiture of your living room. It's all been turned over and moved around, and (link-reveal: "you can hear more shuffling near the computer.")[$fade[
"Hey!" you shout, "What are you looking for? I have something that you might want up here!" (link-reveal: "You suddenly regret your whole plan.")[$fade[
//What are you doing? Why did you think that would work? A trap? Really? Just call the police.// The rational part of your brain is screaming in agony as it watches you do this, but at this point you have to completely ignore it.
[[The intruder stops looking around and starts sprinting towards the stairs.]]]]]]]]
(set: $rock to true)"Oh, a tie. Let's try again." You say.
"[[Rock]], [[paper ->paper2]], [[scissors]], shoot!""What?! How did you not pick rock? Everyone picks rock!" Joey quietly yells.
"I knew you were gonna think that, so I picked scissors," you say smugly, "Now get out there." You push him out the door.
You and David wait in Joey's room, lights still off, waiting for the distinct sound of glass breaking that signalled that the trap went off. David leans against the wall near the doorknob, and (link-reveal: "you are listening from the other side.")[
(link-reveal: "''//CRASH//''")[
You hear the glass bottle break against the floor of the bathroom from down the hallway. David opens the door and strafes down the hallway, gun readied. (if: $scissors is true)[You grab your scissors](if: $nunchucks is true)[You grab your nunchucks] and follow him [[down the hallway]].]]Your hallway is pitch black, and much longer than you remember it being. All the way at the far end, you see the ouline of the bathroom door and a single lightbulb glowing softly next to it on the wall. With David leading with his gun, the two of you cautiously approach.
As you come closer, you hear a rhythmic thumping sound, which is odd because the mechanism was only supposed to go off (link-reveal: "once.")[
(link-reveal: "
Thump.")[
(link-reveal: "
Thump.")[
(link-reveal: "
Thump.")[$fade[
You tense up at the door, clutching your weapon. David slowly pushes it open, and the [[scene reveals itself to you.]]]]]]]"I got him!" you yell, "Guys come on, I got him in the trap!"
It's too dark to see more than a foot ahead of you, and the only source of light is the outline of the bathroom door next to you. You don't hear anything through the door. (link-reveal: "You don't hear anything at all.")[
(link-reveal: "$fade[Nobody comes.]")[$fade[
You get up and try to walk back the way you came, keeping your hand along the wall, but it seems to go nowhere. Are you even in your house anymore? You turn back around and go back to the bathroom, which isn't too far away. It seems like you didn't walk very far.]
(link-reveal: "$fade[You knock on the door.]")[
(link-reveal: "$fade['Hello? Are you in there Mr. Robber?']")[$fade[
Silence.
[[Open the door.]]]]]]]Inside, the bathroom appears to be much smaller and different than your actual bathroom. The trap doesn't seem to be in there at all, either. Right across from you, you see something sitting in the bathtub. A very tall, skinny, naked pale person with wiry black shoulder length hair sat in the tub facing away from you. That can't be the intruder, can it?(set: $counter to 0)(live: 1s)[ (set: $counter to it + 1) (replace: ?amount)[$counter]
(if: $counter is 10)[$fade["Dude, are you okay?" you say concerned, although you have your shitty weapon behind your back.]](if: $counter > 10)["Dude, are you okay?" you say concerned, although you have your shitty weapon behind your back.]
(if: $counter is 15)[$fade[The guy turns around to face you, and it becomes immediately apparent that he isn't a person at all. His eyes are scratched out, leaving gaping black holes with dried blood caked around them. His mouth is huge, taking up over half of his face. What looks like a forcibly fixed smile showcases his teeth. They're cracked, much like the dry skin at the edges of his mouth.]](if: $counter > 15)[The guy turns around to face you, and it becomes immediately apparent that he isn't a person at all. His eyes are scratched out, leaving gaping black holes with dried blood caked around them. His mouth is huge, taking up over half of his face. What looks like a forcibly fixed smile showcases his teeth. They're cracked, much like the dry skin at the edges of his mouth.]
(if: $counter is 25)[$fade[Your eyes widen at the sight. You try to run away, but the door is stuck and won't budge. The creature stretches to its full height, almost touching the ceiling.]](if: $counter > 25)[Your eyes widen at the sight. You try to run away, but the door is stuck and won't budge. The creature stretches to its full height, almost touching the ceiling.]
(if: $counter is 30)[$fade[ [[You try to defend yourself.]]]](if: $counter > 30)[ [[You try to defend yourself.]]]]The first thing that catches your eye is that the light was sort of red along with a kind of sickly yellow color, flickering above the mirror to the left of the door. It seems like the red is being caused by a liquid splattered on the bulbs. As you two open the door opened wider, you got to see the main attraction. (link-reveal: "Directly across from you was the bathtub.")[$fade[
Blood splattered the surrounding walls, and speckled the floor, coming from a mangled corpse lying in the tub. The body was so distorted and mashed up that you could hardly tell it was ever a person in the first place. The only indication of the bloody pile ever being human was the foot hanging out of the side of the tub near the bashed in head. (if: $nunchuckdeath is true)[Strangely, there's bloody nunchucks on the floor next to the toilet. Without thinking, you reach for your head as if it's in pain.](if: $scissorsdeath is true)[ There's also a pair of scissors on the floor next to the tub. You find yourself reaching for your side...]
Standing over the mess was a very tall, skinny, pale person with wiry black shoulder length hair that obscured his face. (link-reveal: "He was completely naked.")
[(link-reveal: "
Thump.")
[(link-reveal: "
Thump.")
[(link-reveal: "
Thump.")
[$fade[
The man was repeatedly lifting a blunt object of some kind and slamming it down on the mushy mass, causing more blood to fly every time it hit. You wince at every one.
For some reason, at first you thought it was Joey, but was quickly proven wrong.
"Hey, you can stop. He's dead already," you say.
[[The man stops.]]]]]]]]]He finally turns to look at you. His eyes are scratched out, leaving gaping black holes with dried blood caked around them. His mouth is huge, taking up over half of his face. What looks like a forcibly fixed smile showcases his teeth. They're cracked, much like the dry skin at the edges of his mouth.(if: $scissorsdeath is true)[There seems to be a long scratch or tear in his skin running down the body from the chest. The black ooze contrasts against the pale skin making the details a bit too noticable.]
"What the hell is that?" David asks, stepping back. He had his gun drawn, but his arms were shaking. Although you're as shocked as he is, eyes wide open absorbing the scene, you had to do something so you yell,
[["Shoot!"]]You and David make a break for the stairs, which are much further away in this distorted version of your house. The creature chases after close behind. You don't bother looking back to see what it's doing, you just have to keep moving forward. You try to lead David to the front door, but in the dark you can't tell where it is, and the house (link-reveal: "continues to distort.")[$fade[
(link-reveal: "You trip over a chair that the creature knocked over from earlier and scramble to get up.")[$fade[
"Where is it?!" you hear David shout.
"I don't know man, go towards the window!" you yell back. The moonlight shines through the window next to the front door. It looks so far away from where you are. You continue to struggle to get there, (link-reveal: "but something starts to move and it obscures the window.")[$fade[
"Where is it? Where is it?" you start to (link-reveal: "panic.")[
"AH-" David's shriek tears through your thoughts. Two gunshots echo through the room, then (link-reveal: "silence.")[$fade[
"David? Are you okay?!" you shout. You don't stop to check, though. You can't see anything anyway. You keep trying to go somewhere, but you're all turned around. Your face smashes against a smooth cold object. It feels as if it's on a wall. Your hands find a (link-reveal: "doorknob.")[$fade[
[[You go through the door.]]]]]]]]]]]]]The creature easily gets through the door anyway, knocking it down off its hinges. You and David ran back down the darkened hall, fleeing to where you think your room is. Your house reshapes to become a bit more like how it's supposed to look. Thankfully, you find your room, locking the door behind you as well.(set: $counter to 0)(live: 1s)[
(set: $counter to it + 1) (replace: ?amount)[$counter]
(if: $counter is 5)[$fade[The second you did that, however, you knew it was a mistake because your room is at the end of the hall on the second level of your house, which means there's nowhere else to run. The reshaping house doesn't seem to want to agree with you either. Maybe it is changing at the whim of the creature.]](if: $counter > 5)[The second you did that, however, you knew it was a mistake because your room is at the end of the hall on the second level of your house, which means there's nowhere else to run. The reshaping house doesn't seem to want to agree with you either. Maybe it is changing at the whim of the creature.]
(if: $counter is 15)[$fade[You hold the door shut, knowing that the monster has the strength to break through easily anyway. David crouches in front of it with his gun ready. Both of you hold your breaths as you hear the creature come rambling down the hall, getting closer,]](if: $counter > 15)[You hold the door shut, knowing that the monster has the strength to break through easily anyway. David crouches in front of it with his gun ready. Both of you hold your breaths as you hear the creature come rambling down the hall, getting closer,]
(if: $counter is 23)[$fade[and closer,]](if: $counter is > 23)[and closer,]
(if: $counter is 28)[$fade[ [[and...]]]](if: $counter is > 28)[ [[and...]]]]You wake up.
Sweating and panicked, you instinctively grab your phone to check the time. The bright light blinds you at first, but your eyes adjust.
(link-reveal:"''3:41''")[
Oh. Good. It was just a dream. You're safe in your bed. After the inital confusion wears off, you realize that you're afraid of the dark and hop out of bed to turn on the lights. Now don't get it twisted, you aren't normally afraid of the dark, it's just because of the nightmare. You already knew that though, (link-reveal: "there's no need to say that to yourself, buddy.")[
Enough of this. You have to take the SAT approximately three hours from now. Your friend is coming in about an hour and a half to grab some coffee before taking the test. There is no way you can get back to sleep before she comes, so (link-reveal: "you might as well stay awake.")[
You open your phone and start to scroll through social media and looking at pet videos to erase the image of that monster from your brain. Was that Joey in the tub? [[The thought of it makes you sick to your stomach.]]]]]The creature jumps at you at a blinding speed. You raise your arms in defense, but it does little when you are thrown against the wall. (if: $nunchucks is true)[You whip out your nunchucks and try to remember how Joey uses them. You swing them around your body in a smooth motion that surprises even yourself with how cool that must look, and smack the monster. The monster doesn't even react. (link-reveal: "It must be that damn padding.")[$fade[
It grabs you by the neck and drags you into the bathtub. You start choking and struggling under its grasp. At this point you begin to wonder if it was the right choice to use nunchucks as a real weapon. Some kind of object materializes in its other hand. Your vision is too blurry to make out what it is exactly. (link-reveal: "Suddenly a blinding pain erupts in your head.")[$fade[
The creature seems to be hitting you with the object while keeping you still. You try to struggle more, but lose too much oxygen. Your vision fades off and the last thing you hear is the object hitting you in a way (link-reveal: "too rhythmic of a pattern.")[$fade[
(link-reveal: "Thump.")[$fade[
(link-reveal: "Thump.")[$fade[
(link-reveal: "Thump.")[$fade[
(set: $nunchuckdeath to true)
[[Try Again? ->Start]] ]]]]]]]]]]]]]
(if: $scissors is true)[You get up quickly and pull out your scissors to try to stab it. The blades sink right into the monster's flesh, and you pull it down its chest. It makes a strange grugling sound, presumably in pain, and a strange black ooze gushes out from its skin. Why is the blood on its eyes look red, then? You jump back in surprise, not wanting any of it to get on you. You back away and trip over the tub and fall in. The monster rips the scissors out from itself and drops it on the floor. It slowly walks towards you, likely burdened by the wound. The black substance oozes onto the floor as it moves. You have to do something.
(set: $counter to 10)
|amount>[$counter]
[[Go for the scissors again.]]
[[Go for the door.]]
(live: 1s)[
(set: $counter to it - 1)
(if: $counter is 0)[(go-to: "Go for the door.")]
(replace: ?amount)[$counter]
]
]You tend to watch these stupidly long videos in the backround while doing homework or playing a game, but they aren't necessarily background noise. You still actively pay attention to them, especially the analysis videos as you find them particularly interesting. Although, it defeats the purpose of hooking them up to the big screen if you are just going to listen to it.
[[Back ->Watch big YouTube.]] You jump out of the tub and dive for the scissors. The creature swipes at you while you're vulnerable on the floor causing hot blood to sizzle on your skin. Clutching your own wound with one hand, you stumble to your feet and try to use your scissors again. The monster swipes at you with a long fingered, black stained hand and (link-reveal: "you stab at it.")[$fade[
A sickening squishing noise comes out of its hand when your scissors rip through it like putty. It doesn't seem to be affected by this attack however. Its hand splits into two and throws you into the tub again. (link-reveal: "You hit your head hard on the wall.")[$fade[
You feel dizzy and your side feels like its being burned by hellfire. All you can see is red staining the walls of the tub at this point and (link-reveal: "you can't muster the energy to get up and fight back anymore.")[$fade[
(link-reveal: "It's over for you.")[$fade[
(set: $scissorsdeath to true)
[[Try Again? ->Start]]]]]]]]]]
(set: $fade to (transition: "dissolve") + (transition-time: 1s))You dodge the monster's next swipe at you and push past it to get to the door. You desperately pull on it, kick on it, anything to make it open. It's still stuck, or locked. The monster approaches you from behind and stabs you in the back with something that feels much bigger than a pair of scissors. You gasp as your lungs pool with blood. It lets you flop to the floor. As you lose consciousness, you feel your body being dragged along the (set: $counter to 0)(live: 1s)[ (set: $counter to it + 1) (replace: ?amount)[$counter](if: $counter > 10)[disgusting] (if: $counter > 12)[bathroom] (if: $counter > 14)[floor.]
(if: $counter is 15)[$fade[You're dying at the hands of a weird unknown monster and you're seriously thinking about how disgusting a bathroom floor must be. Your priorities are certainly in order.]](if: $counter > 15)[You're dying at the hands of a weird unknown monster and you're seriously thinking about how disgusting a bathroom floor must be. Your priorities are certainly in order.]
(set: $scissorsdeath to true)
(if: $counter is 20)[$fade[[[Try Again? ->Start]]]](if: $counter > 20) [[[Try Again? ->Start]]]]Joey's favorite game in the world is //Pokémon Emerald//, or at least you think so. You haven't seen him go to school or work or on any family outings without taking it with him. As far as you can tell, a majority of his hours on the game has been spent soft resetting for shiny legendaries. He regularly tells you all the nuances of the game that he has learned, from in game hidden mechanics to glitches to unused assets. Good for him.
[[Back. ->Bother Joey]]You stumble into a wide open room. It's cold, but it doesn't feel like you're outside quite yet. A bright light blinds you, then someone pushes past you and slams the door shut.
"How did you get out of there?" you hear a voice ask. When your eyes adjust you realize that (link-reveal: "the other person is...")[$fade[
(link-reveal: "Joey?")[$fade[
"How are you alive?" you ask.
"The second I saw that guy, I just ran, I'm not stupid," he says, "I ran through the garage door, but for some reason I can't get outside."
"Um... who was in the bathtub then?" Joey stares at you blankly. "The monster... we heard the trap go off so we went to the bathroom and it was smashing a body up in there."
"I don't know anything about the bathroom, I've been in here the whole time," Joey says, "Where's David?"
You shake your head "I don't know, probably dead at this point. What are we supposed to do now?" you ask. Joey shrugs.
"I tried calling for help, but I all my calls go to voicemail and texts don't go out at all," he says. (link-reveal: "You aren't even sure where you left your phone last, in all this chaos.")[$fade[
You pace around the garage, thinking about the current situation. There's a weird monster destroying things and killing people in your house, the house itself is being distorted, and you are trapped inside it. What is the best course of action here?
[[Fight the monster.]]
[[Wait it out.]]]]]]]]"Let's just kill it," you suggest, but Joey shakes his head vehemently.
(set: $counter to 0)(live: 1s)[ (set: $counter to it + 1) (replace: ?amount)[$counter]
(if: $counter is 2)[$fade["I don't want to even look at it again," he says.]](if: $counter > 2)["I don't want to even look at it again," he says.]
(if: $counter is 4)[$fade["Come on, man, we have to get rid of it otherwise we're gonna starve in our garage," you start to dig around the garage to find something you could use as a weapon. Something better than scissors or nunchucks. You find a pair of large shears and an emergency flashlight.]](if: $counter > 4)["Come on, man, we have to get rid of it otherwise we're gonna starve in our garage," you start to dig around the garage to find something you could use as a weapon. Something better than scissors or nunchucks. You find a pair of large shears and an emergency flashlight.]
(if: $counter is 10)[$fade["You can stay in here then. I'm going back inside." Joey hesitates for a moment, as if he is doubting his decision, but ultimately chooses to walk away and sit on a bench in another part of the garage. You sigh, but steel yourself to fight the monster.]](if: $counter > 10)["You can stay in here then. I'm going back inside." Joey hesitates for a moment, as if he is doubting his decision, but ultimately chooses to walk away and sit on a bench in another part of the garage. You sigh, but steel yourself to fight the monster.]
(if: $counter is 15)[$fade[ [[You sneak back inside with your new weapon.]]]](if: $counter > 15)[ [[You sneak back inside with your new weapon.]]]]
"What if we just wait here? Maybe it'll go away by morning?" you suggest. Joey shrugs.
"I'm not against that." He pulls up an emulator on his phone and starts to play //Pokémon Emerald//, as he does.
You take a seat on your dad's work out bench, staring at the door to the living room anxiously. Although you don't hear anything, you don't even bother trying to check. Despite your anxiety about the situation, you can't help but [[fall asleep eventually. ->and...]]"Oh wow I didn't expect you to pick paper again," Joey says, defeatedly holding a fist out.
"I knew you would think that because that's what everyone thinks. If you were smarter, you'd think three steps ahead. Now get out there." You push him out the door.
You and David wait in Joey's room, lights still off, waiting for the distinct sound of glass breaking that signalled that the trap went off. David leans against the wall near the doorknob, and (link-reveal: "you are listening from the other side.")[
(link-reveal: "''//CRASH//''")[
You hear the glass bottle break against the floor of the bathroom from down the hallway. David opens the door and strafes down the hallway, gun readied. (if: $scissors is true)[You grab your scissors](if: $nunchucks is true)[You grab your nunchucks] and follow him [[down the hallway]].]] You turn on the flashlight and point it ahead of you, looking around for the creature. Inside, the living room has become a much larger space, with the kitchen and stairs nowhere in sight, or perhaps are on the far wall. The furniture has multiplied, all of it tipped over, ripped up, or broken. You can see blood smeared on the floor and splattered on the wall to (link-reveal: "your right.")[$fade[
You hear the thumping sound again, which you know signals the location of the creature finishing its kill. You follow the sound down a hallway that in your normal house would have led to the kitchen, but here it goes on for a while. (link-reveal: "You think you begin to see a pattern with the way this thing works.")[$fade[
Eventually you find the creature bashing in whatever is left of David, most of which is hidden behind a turned over couch. As if it was expecting you, it stares you down as you enter the room.
(link-reveal: "Thump.")[
(link-reveal: "Thump.")[
(link-reveal: "Thump.")[
It's arm seems to be moving on its own, and its face is as static as ever. You take a deep breath and holdup the shears in front of you.
[[Charge!]]]]]]]]]You drop your flashlight and run straight at the creature with your shears, attempting to stab it directly. (if: $scissorsdeath is true)[The stab wound it already has makes it a prime target for your attack.] The creature stops smacking the corpse and swings its object at you.
You duck expertly, and swing with your shears. It creates a gash on the side of the creature, spilling black blood. You back away before it retaliates.
(set: $counter to 10)
|amount>[$counter]
[[Try to cut off its arms.]]
[[Wait and defend yourself when it attacks.]]
(live: 1s)[
(set: $counter to it - 1)
(if: $counter is 0)[(go-to: "retaliation")]
(replace: ?amount)[$counter]
]You run towards it again, aiming for one of its arms. The flashlight being on the ground makes it difficult to see where they are, though. The creature simply moves to the side, causing you to lose your target and miss. It hits you hard in the back of your head, sending you tumbling forward, tripping on something. You fall in something wet and sticky. Your first thought is David's remains. You gag at the thought.(set: $counter to 0)(live: 1s)[ (set: $counter to it + 1) (replace: ?amount)[$counter]
(if: $counter is 8)[$fade[The creature comes up on you and stabs your leg with something, and you scream in pain. You dislodge it, finding out that its your shears. You try to defend yourself, but the pain in your head and leg makes it hard to concentrate, not to mention how dark it is.]](if: $counter > 8)[The creature comes up on you and stabs your leg with something, and you scream in pain. You dislodge it, finding out that its your shears. You try to defend yourself, but the pain in your head and leg makes it hard to concentrate, not to mention how dark it is.]
(if: $counter is 14)[$fade[Your shears connect with something squishy, but it doesn't stop the creature from stabbing you right back. You thought it had a wooden plank or something, but what marked your death just now was definitely something sharp.]](if: $counter > 14)[Your shears connect with something squishy, but it doesn't stop the creature from stabbing you right back. You thought it had a wooden plank or something more dull as a weapon, but what just marked your death was definitely something sharp.]
(if: $counter is 17)[$fade[[[Try Again? ->Start]]]](if: $counter > 17)[[[Try Again? ->Start]]]]
You pick up your flashlight to get a better view on the creature, and watch its movements. It makes a gurgling sound, as if its blood is pooling in its lungs and throat. It takes its weapon, which looks like a very dark and stained plank of wood in the light, and morphs it into a pointed end, resembling your shears. It takes a big step over the couch, and swings its newly sharpened stick.
You block its attack by opening your shears and catching the plank between the blades. You have to drop the flashlight again.
(set: $counter to 12)
|amount>[$counter]
[[Close your shears, cutting it in half.]]
[[Push it back, and swing again.]]
(live: 1s)[
(set: $counter to it - 1)
(if: $counter is 0)[(go-to: "Close your shears, cutting it in half.")]
(replace: ?amount)[$counter]
]You make the sudden decision to do what your primal instinct wants you to do and cut the wooden object cleanly in half, causing the weight of the creature to collapse on you. You both fall to the ground, and you feel its blood smear against your pants. The stickiness makes you cringe. You try to push yourself backwards to stand up, but the creature grabs your arm. The flashlight provides a small bit of light, allowing you to see the features of its face up close.(set: $counter to 0)(live: 1s)[
(set: $counter to it + 1) (replace: ?amount)[$counter]
(if: $counter is 10)[$fade[Your breathing becomes erratic as you begin to panic again. You struggle against the creature's grasp, but it holds firm, not showing any signs of letting go. You watch as its jaw unhinges, the inside of its mouth looks like an endless abyss in the dark.]] (if: $counter > 10)[Your breathing becomes erratic as you begin to panic again. You struggle against the creature's grasp, but it holds firm, not showing any signs of letting go. You watch as its jaw unhinges, the inside of its mouth looks like an endless abyss in the dark.]
(if: $counter is 15)[$fade[You struggle more, pushing and kicking to get away. Nothing stops it as its mouth overtakes your head.]](if: $counter > 15)[You struggle more, pushing and kicking to get away. Nothing stops it as its mouth overtakes your head.]
(if: $counter is 18)[$fade["No-!" Every breathe you take is full of moisture and a putrid smell reminiscent of rotting food and trash. You want to throw up.]](if: $counter > 18)["No-!" Every breathe you take is full of moisture and a putrid smell reminiscent of rotting food and trash. You want to throw up.]
(if: $counter is 22)[$fade[Before you can, its jaw closes shut.]](if: $counter > 22)[Before you can, its jaw closes shut.]
(if: $counter is 25)[$fade[[[Try Again? ->Start]]]](if: $counter > 25)[[[Try Again? ->Start]]]]Taking a page out of sword combat, you use your weight to push the creature back with your shears and kick it in the chest. It staggers backwards, allowing you time to swing your shears upwards, connecting with its right arm.
It gurgles even more, and you use this time to pick up the flashlight again to get a better look. You can see more black blood sputter out from its mouth, through its cracked teeth and wired shut jaw. You hope this means it is dying. It looks like you managed to get its primary attacking arm pretty good. Maybe you have a shot at this.(if: $scissorsdeath is true)[The wound it had sustained before in the bathroom might have made this easier for you, luckily.]
(set: $counter to 10)
|amount>[$counter]
[[Try to stab it again.]]
[[Try to cut off its head.]]
(live: 1s)[
(set: $counter to it - 1)
(if: $counter is 0)[(go-to: "you get hit")]
(replace: ?amount)[$counter]
]You hold the flashlight with your teeth, although it barely fits in your mouth. You don't want to mess this up. You close your shears and jab at its torso again. You manage to sink the blades deep into the original opening you made, and you twist it to make it worse.(set: $counter to 0)(live: 1s)[
(set: $counter to it + 1) (replace: ?amount)[$counter]
(if: $counter is 5)[$fade[The creature gurgles more, spilling the black blood on your head. It feels heavy and thick, like paint. You shrink down, trying to retract yourself from it. The creature grabs the shears, which you are still holding, and rips it out, taking you with it. You let go and fall on your ass while the creature tosses your shears to the side.]](if: $counter > 5)[The creature gurgles more, spilling the black blood on your head. It feels heavy and thick, like paint. You shrink down, trying to retract yourself from it. The creature grabs the shears, which you are still holding, and rips it out, taking you with it. You let go and fall on your ass while the creature tosses your shears to the side.]
(if: $counter is 12)[$fade[You don't have time to think or react before the creature strikes back with its newly shaped weapon.]](if: $counter > 12)[You don't have time to think or react before the creature strikes back with its newly shaped weapon.]
(if: $counter is 16)[$fade[It knocks you out cold.]](if: $counter > 16)[It knocks you out cold.]
(if: $counter is 18)[$fade[[[Try Again? ->Start]]]](if: $counter > 18)[[[Try Again? ->Start]]]]You hold the flashlight with your teeth, although it barely fits in your mouth. You don't want to mess this up. You run up to it, to try and wrap your shears around its neck, but realize its too tall for you to even reach.
The creature swipes at you with its stick, but you hit the floor before it can hit you. You manage to maneuver yourself behind it and jump on its back, using the shears to hoist yourself up. The creature flails around, trying to get you off, but you hold onto its oily hair. You manage to get yourself high enough to get the blades of your shears on two sides of its neck, (link-reveal: "and,")[$fade[
(link-reveal: "//snip.//")[$fade[
The shears cut through its flesh much more easily than it should have. The head rolls off the shoulders and its body collapses. You fall with it. You sigh in relief. It's over, huh? You get up and kick its lifeless body. (link-reveal: "This is great! You have to tell Joey.")[$fade[
You turn in the direction you would assume would take you back to the living room and therefore the garage, but you quickly realize the house is just as distorted as before. Why? Wasn't it caused by the creature? It's dead now, so the house should have returned to normal, (link-reveal: "right?")[$fade[
(link-reveal: "Suddenly, the gurgling sound returns.")[$fade[
[[Check on the creature.]]]]]]]]]]]]You turn around and shine your flashlight on it to see the creature's two body parts seemingly reforming. The hair on the head is turning into a bunch of spider-like legs, growing longer and more solid. The body twists and reforms to become a four legged headless animal. Its hands and feet turn into long claws.
[[Do something about it?!]]You drop the flashlight and pick up your shears again. You run towards the body, the closer of the two, and try to stab the neck wound. You connect, but your shears get stuck in its weird blood and you have to get away before it claws at you.
Now you have two enemies and one flashlight, and they're coming at you.
''Fast.''
(set: $counter to 7)
|amount>[$counter]
[[Run away.]]
[[Attack with the flashlight?]]
(live: 1s)[
(set: $counter to it - 1)
(if: $counter is 0)[(go-to: "double death")]
(replace: ?amount)[$counter]
]You take off down the hallway that should lead you to the living room. This new source of light makes it much easier to figure out where to go. You hear shuffling and the distinct sound of thumping footsteps fairly close behind. You make it to the living room, frantically searching for something to defend yourself with. The head circles around you on the wall, which closes in for it to stand on, and blocks your path. It's spidery legs freaking you out so much that you close your eyes and smash it blindly with your flashlight. You definitely have a phobia of things with more than four legs. (set: $counter to 0)(live: 1s)[ (set: $counter to it + 1) (replace: ?amount)[$counter]
(if: $counter > 10)[$fade[Unfortunately, this roadblock allows for the body to get close enough to you to get a good slash with its claws. You scream in pain as your right arm is torn open by it. You immediately run to the left, towards the garage door.]]
(if: $counter > 13)[$fade[//Wait, you don't want to endanger Joey. It's your choice that you wanted to die out here.//]]
(if: $counter > 15)[$fade[Your hesitation causes you to trip on a chair and fall just a couple of feet away from the door. The spider head starts to come at you, crawling over all the overturned furniture and other things on the ground. You use the chair you tripped on to kick towards it when it gets close. You get up, but where is there to go?]]
(if: $counter > 20)[$fade[You prepare to stand your ground with your flashlight and whatever is on the floor next to you. The head recovers quickly and leaps at your face. You're just about to swing your flashlight like a baseball bat when [[something else attacks the head first.]]]]]You decide that as a last resort, you're going to just bash it with the flashlight. You stand your ground and attack full force on the head, which got to you first. It goes flying to the side. Your flashlight flickers, and darkens due to the blood staining part of the bulb. The body runs towards you with a limp, thanks to its many wounds. You hold up your arms to protect yourself, but its claws tear through your skin like paper. The burning stinging sensation pains you like nothing before. You strike back by kicking its chest. (set: $counter to 0)(live: 1s)[
(set: $counter to it + 1) (replace: ?amount)[$counter]
(if: $counter is 10)[$fade[You take this chance to run away, because clearly that was a stupid idea. Using the flashlight's dying energy to guide you, you're able to return to the living room. You search around for something else to fight with or to bandage your arms, but the creatures come at you too fast to allow you to do this.]](if: $counter > 10)[You take this chance to run away, because clearly that was a stupid idea. Using the flashlight's dying energy to guide you, you're able to return to the living room. You search around for something else to fight with or to bandage your arms, but the creatures come at you too fast to allow you to do this.]
(if: $counter is 15)[$fade[You're forced to attack the head again with your flashlight, causing it to flicker more. The head is much more stealthy and quick compared to the severely damaged body.]](if: $counter > 15)[You're forced to attack the head again with your flashlight, causing it to flicker more. The head is much more stealthy and quick compared to the severely damaged body.]
(if: $counter is 18)[$fade[You prepare to stand your ground with your flashlight and whatever is on the floor next to you. The head recovers quickly and leaps at your face. You're just about to swing your flashlight like a baseball bat when [[something else attacks the head first.]]]](if: $counter > 18)[You prepare to stand your ground with your flashlight and whatever is on the floor next to you. The head recovers quickly and leaps at your face. You're just about to swing your flashlight like a baseball bat when [[something else attacks the head first.]]]]You turn your flashlight in the direction of where the attack came from.
(set: $counter to 0)(live: 1s)[ (set: $counter to it + 1) (replace: ?amount)[$counter]
(if: $counter is 3)[$fade["Joey?" you say, surprised. It was him, standing there with a bike helmet on and brandishing an actual baseball bat now stained black.]](if: $counter > 3)["Joey?" you say, surprised. It was him, standing there with a bike helmet on and brandishing an actual baseball bat now stained black.]
(if: $counter is 8)[$fade["Yeah, I couldn't just let you die out here. I can see it already scratched you up. Do you need this?" he hands you another wooden baseball bat from your dad's collection.]](if: $counter > 8)["Yeah, I couldn't just let you die out here. I can see it already scratched you up. Do you need this?" he hands you another wooden baseball bat from your dad's collection.]
(if: $counter is 13)[$fade["Yes, please." You set the flashlight on the bookshelf near you to try and provide better lighting with whatever life is left in it.]](if: $counter > 13)["Yes, please." You set the flashlight on the bookshelf near you to try and provide better lighting with whatever life is left in it.]
(if: $counter is 16)[$fade["I'll take the head, you get the body," Joey says. You nod. Thank God, this is just what you needed.]](if: $counter > 16)["I'll take the head, you get the body," Joey says. You nod. Thank God, this is just what you needed.]
(if: $counter is 20)[$fade[You charge at the body, which is coming at you as fast as it can with its injuries. You take stance and wait for the perfect moment.]](if: $counter > 20)[You charge at the body, which is coming at you as fast as it can with its injuries. You take stance and wait for the perfect moment.](if: $counter > 23)[.](if: $counter > 24)[.]
(if: $counter > 25)[''//BLAM//'']
(if: $counter is 27)[$fade[You slam the bat directly into its side, sending it rolling over. Despite how strong this thing seems to be, its quite easy to hurt. The head was easy to cut off, it was easy to stab and slash at it, you suppose it's sort of a glass cannon. The body tries to get up to come at you again, but you get to it first. You raise the bat over your head and bring it straight down on it, driving the shears deeper into it. And then you raise the bat and throw it down again. And again. [[And again.]]]](if: $counter > 27)[You slam the bat directly into its side, sending it rolling over. Despite how strong this thing seems to be, its quite easy to hurt. The head was easy to cut off, it was easy to stab and slash at it, you suppose it's sort of a glass cannon. The body tries to get up to come at you again, but you get to it first. You raise the bat over your head and bring it straight down on it, driving the shears deeper into it. And then you raise the bat and throw it down again. And again. [[And again.]]]]Your father trained you for this moment. This big finale to the story. He knew this day was coming upon you eventually and he instilled the skills within you to deliver the ''//final blow.//''
All those days in your youth correcting your stance and swinging the bat at just the right time- No, it wasn't to play baseball or softball. You never actually played, did you? That's not what your training was for, it was for [[THIS.]]''//CRUNCH//''(set: $counter to 0)(live: 1s)[ (set: $counter to it + 1) (replace: ?amount)[$counter]
(if: $counter is 3)[$fade[You shifted all your weight forward as you swing, putting as much velocity as you can into it. The bat connects dead on with the head, either the head or bat breaks on impact. The mass that was the head is launched to the far end of the room, making a sickening splattering sound when it lands.]](if: $counter > 3)[You shifted all your weight forward as you swing, putting as much velocity as you can into it. The bat connects dead on with the head, either the head or bat breaks on impact. The mass that was the head is launched to the far end of the room, making a sickening splattering sound when it lands.]
(if: $counter is 10)[$fade["Thanks, dad," you say, dropping the bat. You help Joey onto his feet.]](if: $counter > 10)["Thanks, dad," you say, dropping the bat. You help Joey onto his feet.]
(if: $counter is 13)[$fade["It-it's over, right?" he says nervously.]] (if: $counter > 13)["It-it's over, right?" he says nervously.]
(if: $counter is 16)[$fade["I think so..." you say, staring in the direction you heard it went. When you're sure it's dead, you feel a rush of relief and collapse on the floor. All the adrenaline that has been fueling your incredible acts of survival is draining from you, and you start to feel the repercussions. Your arms scream in pain, both from the extreme exertion your muscles aren't used to and the wounds that might be infected by now.]](if: $counter > 16)["I think so..." you say, staring in the direction you heard it went. When you're sure it's dead, you feel a rush of relief and collapse on the floor. All the adrenaline that has been fueling your incredible acts of survival is draining from you, and you start to feel the repercussions. Your arms scream in pain, both from the extreme exertion your muscles aren't used to and the wounds that might be infected by now.]
(if: $counter is 23)[$fade[Hot tears stream down your face, and you begin to whimper on the ground, clutching your arms and trying not to think about what just happened. The creeping feeling returns to crawl up your back. Why is it there? What is it? Your mind begins to get fuzzy. Maybe from the pain, maybe from the emotional distress, or maybe something else entirely. Whatever it is, you end up [[losing consciousness.->Start]]]](if: $counter > 23)[Hot tears stream down your face, and you begin to whimper on the ground, clutching your arms and trying not to think about what just happened. The creeping feeling returns to crawl up your back. Why is it there? What is it? Your mind begins to get fuzzy. Maybe from the pain, maybe from the emotional distress, or maybe something else entirely. Whatever it is, you end up [[losing consciousness.->Start]]]][[Thump.]]You hold your breath. [[Was that what you thought it was?]][[Thump. ->paranoid]]
Oh God, please, [[you're just being paranoid.]][[Thump. ->anxiety]]
Whatever it is, you must have heard it in your sleep and your anxiety about the test must have formulated that nightmare, (link-reveal: " obviously.")[
(link-reveal: "
Thump.")[
(link-reveal: "
Thump.")[
(link-reveal: "
Thump.")[
[[You still don't release your breath.]]]]]]Thanks for playing through my nightmare.
[[Want to start over?->Start]]He fires his gun, but it seems like he either misses or it doesn't affect the creature. Your ears ring from standing too close. The creature starts to go after the two of you, but you're quick enough to get out and lock the door before it gets to you.
(set: $counter to 10)
It won't hold for long.
|amount>[$counter]
[[Go downstairs.]]
[[Go to your room.]]
(live: 1s)[
(set: $counter to it - 1)
(if: $counter is 0)[(go-to: "breaks through")]
(replace: ?amount)[$counter]
]The creature blows the door off its hinges with such extreme force it clips your head. It comes strides out of the bathroom, going after David first. It rips the gun out of his hands, or maybe it rips his hand off his arm?
David screams in horror or pain, and tries to run away. You plaster yourself to the wall next to the empty doorframe and do little but watch as the creature takes its weapon and knocks David out in (link-reveal: "one blow.")[$fade[
(if: $scissors is true)[It comes after you next. You pull out your scissors, which feel much more like safety scissors now when forced into this tense situation. The creature is covered in the blood of the other people, and is still smiling like crazy. Your mind is swimming with the thought of the body in the bathroom, seeing this unnatural looking monster come at you, and seeing your friend possibly die right in front of you. It's too much for you to make a decision. You're frozen in your place, costing you your life.](if: $nunchucks is true)[It comes after you next. You whip your nunchucks around, blindly hoping it will slow down the creature or something. You find yourself backing into the bathroom, but your hesitation to pick somewhere to run is now turning into your hesitation to step inside the bloody bathroom that smells like a mix of piss and rotting flesh. It's more appalling than getting killed by this monster. You end up being trapped in a bit of limbo, between trying to pathetically defend yourself with a pretend weapon and trying not to step inside a murder scene contained in the bathroom.
The creature isn't affected by your nunchucks at all and knocks you out as easily as it did to David.]
[[Try Again?->Start]]]](link-reveal: "Thump.")[
(link-reveal: "Thump.")[
(link-reveal: "Thump.")[$fade[
(link-reveal: "You fall into a trance, raising and dropping the bat onto the body over and over, even though it fell limp a while ago.")[$fade[
(link-reveal: "'HELP!'")[$fade[
Joey's scream breaks you from your trance, and you turn to see him weaponless on the ground. The head's legs outstretched and pinning him down. You pick up a random object from the floor, a hamster ball, and throw it at the head. You shake off the dreadful feeling that has returned to creep up upon you. You have to act fast to save your brother.
"Over here!" you shout. The head turns, and starts to go after you.
[[This is it.]]]]]]]]]]Time moves in slow motion. You ready your stance. Positioning yourself sideways, your right leg bent, holding all your weight, you hold the bat above and behind your head, ready to strike. As the head crawls towards you, you see every step it takes as clear as day, even in the broken light.
The jaws unhinge, revealing a slimy, dark abyss. You are staring death quite literally in the face, but you do not falter. It needs to be just a little bit closer. Do not close your eyes, keep them on the target. (link-reveal: "Get ready.")[
(link-reveal: "Just")[
(link-reveal: "A")[
(link-reveal: "Little")[
(link-reveal: "Bit")[
[[Closer...->You swing.]]]]]]]
"Oh shit-" you stumble a bit as you turn around and run towards the bathroom on the opposite end of the hallway. Your house seems to stretch way longer than it's supposed to, and as you run towards the trap, your vision fades until it's totally pitch black save for the light of the bathroom.
The intruder starts to catch up with you, but you make a quick dodge to the right so they fall into the bathroom, with the door shutting behind him, triggering the trap.
[[You lean against the wall to take a breather.]]You panic and freeze under pressure. This allows the creature to zero in on you and crack your skull with its weapon full force. You don't even react.
All you hear is a sickening crunching noise as the weapon collides with your head, and then,
nothing.
(set: $counter to 0)(live: 1s)[
(set: $counter to it + 1) (replace: ?amount)[$counter]
[[Try Again?->Start]]]Before you're able to attack again, the monster rushes at you with its pointed weapon. It looks like it's going to try to stab you head on. You instinctively use your shears as a shield, but the force of the blow knocks you off your feet.(set: $counter to 0)(live: 1s)[ (set: $counter to it + 1) (replace: ?amount)[$counter]
(if: $counter is 5)[$fade[You feel your own shears slide your face open as it is slammed into you. You land on your back, hitting your head on something on the floor. You feel a bit dizzy, but the pain is quite dull, as if your body had gotten used to it.]](if: $counter > 5)[You feel your own shears slide your face open as it is slammed into you. You land on your back, hitting your head on something on the floor. You feel a bit dizzy, but the pain is quite dull, as if your body had gotten used to it.]
(if: $counter is 10)[$fade[You push yourself back up, forcing muscles to move and attack the creature before it can get to you again. It's already pretty hurt, you just have to get through this. You swing your shears in the general direction you think the creature is.]](if: $counter > 10)[You push yourself back up, forcing muscles to move and attack the creature before it can get to you again. It's already pretty hurt, you just have to get through this. You swing your shears in the general direction you think the creature is.]
(if: $counter is 15)[$fade[You catch nothing but air. You hear a swift movement from your right, and before you can turn to react, something strikes you in your side. Something wet starts to stain your shirt. Your heart is beating like crazy.]](if: $counter > 15)[You catch nothing but air. You hear a swift movement from your right, and before you can turn to react, something strikes you in your side. Something wet starts to stain your shirt. Your heart is beating like crazy.]
(if: $counter is 20)[$fade[But it doesn't beat for long.]](if: $counter > 20)[But it doesn't beat for long.]
(if: $counter is 24)[$fade[[[Try Again?->Start]]]](if: $counter > 24)[[[Try Again?->Start]]]]The head gets to you first. The spider legs made out of hair freak you out. It latches onto you with its legs and sprays more of its black blood at you. You recoil and spit it out of your mouth. It tastes metallic, like blood should, but thicker. It's disgusting. You try to push away from the head, but its legs/hair grow longer and you become entangled in them. The metallic taste in your mouth turns more foul and you feel your consciousness slipping away as you get wrapped up in its hair like a spider's web.
[[Try again?->Start]]