"NO! .... "
"...don't turn back around..."
"it might hurt again... what if that pain comes back?"
....
"mother is waiting for me... i should hurry..."
[[Turn back to the hallway->Look around the hallway]]You try to be defensive. “My decisions shouldn’t matter to you, you are out of line!”
"I didn't mean to!" She seemed real.
Of course she didn't, what are you doing?
"I'm sorry, I just want what's best for you." She is starting to cry. “You mean so much to me.” You want to hug her, that’s the only feeling you are getting, but your arm feels heavy trying. And your stomach is rumbling.
[[Continue]]“The one you wanted? And who do you want?” she says while giggling to herself.
You are not sure. Do you even want someone? Sure you do, you tried hard with Mike.
“I’m not sure but I’m sure I'll find him.” You say, trying to give a neutral response to the question.
“You’ll find him?” She didn’t seem satisfied.
[[Let her talk]]“Maybe we just need some time apart from each other,“ you tell her while looking at the food you've prepared. “I’m not in the right state of mind and I feel like you care more about me than what I care about you” this is just giving yourselves time until you're better, “I'll let you know.”
You turn around to look at her and she's crying silently while looking at you.
She slowly walks away from the kitchen while almost tripping with her own feet. She's mumbling “I'm sorry Nix, I… I’ll give you your space I'm sorry”
Realizing that you may have made a mistake, you rush to her but your growling stomach makes you stop and fall to your knees.
After a few seconds you stand up. There's a cold feeling surrounding you.
(set: $ending to $ending + 1)\
[[Feel the moment]]"I just really need someone to listen to me...."
Even with you concern and outburst, she doesn't react.
She looks at you blankly.
[[Admit you were scared]](set: $anger to $anger + 1)\
"That's what I meant! You broke his heart after everything you said to him!" Her eyes are looking at you, starting to cry. “And if you end your relationship like that, what is going to happen to your friendships?” she covered her face “What is going to happen to us?”
But before you raise your voice to ask her what she’s talking about, your stomach starts rumbling.
[[Continue]](set: $anger to $anger + 1)\
"What?! Was that your first kiss?"
You giggled, her cheeks started blushing.
"Of course it was, he deserved it" I said while playing with my short hair.
"I-"
Her mouth became wide open. I guess your lie worked.
[["We even fooled around. you know!"]]
[["I'm joking, nothing happened."]]"Well that's not easy to see" she looked away, “at least, I haven’t seen it”. It seems like she was hiding something.
Could it just be my cruel remarks? You remember that during that time you didn't care too much about it.
Maybe you could try now. A new opportunity to ask "What did..."
But before you finish asking her, your stomach starts rumbling.
[[Continue]](set: $anger to $anger + 1)\
“I see,” she answered softly, “sometimes you don’t even know the consequences”.
You are struck with a wave of anxiety. What did she mean by that? It doesn't seem hurtful but you got a visceral reaction.
Should you ask?
[[“What do you mean by that?”->Let her talk]]: (Let her talk)
[[“What do you mean by that?”->Let her talk]]: (Let her talk)
[[“What do you mean by that?”->Let her talk]]: (Let her talk)“You are what?!” You knew this was a possibility. Her face was a mixture of disbelief and anger. “How bad is it?” She gets calmer and eager for a response.
But you can’t say anything else, you only look at her hoping that would count as a response.
She gets the cue and rests her head in her hand. “After all I’ve done for you this is how you want to act?”
You try to keep your composure but all you manage to reply is “I didn’t mean…”
But she cuts you off while pointing at you, “You are only meant to be the best, why didn't you tell me?”
[[Admit you were scared]]
[[Say nothing]]Her mouth dropped. "Why would you lie about that!?" She covered her face.
She actually seemed upset! You could feel my heart beating harder as my anxiety grew.
You asked “What’s wrong?”
[[Let her talk]]"What?" Her mouth was wide open. "But you said you loved him"
Indeed you remember doing that many years ago. There were a bunch of guys who you thought were "the one."
"Well maybe I was exaggerating a little bit."
You too giggled for a little bit.
[["I say a lot of things I don't mean."]]
[["He wasn't the one I wanted."]]You raise your head to look directly at her and exclaim "No! This is important"
She looks at you, her eyes wide open. "All right all right, I guess I can spare a few minutes."
She looks at her gold watch. "I'll just miss the reception, what do you want?"
This is your chance!
[["I just really need someone to listen to me"]]
[["I'm doing bad at school"]]
[[Admit you are struggling->Try to fight it]](set: $anger to $anger + 1)\
She went cold, but her face was red as blood. She started babbling “How- how far did you go?”
You winked at her and said “Have a guess.”
You laughed for a couple of seconds until you realized she isn’t laughing with you.
[["I'm joking, nothing happened."]]" thought 'mother' was just in the master bedroom. How did she past me? She didn't leave with me. ...."
*silence*
You try to understand what just happened but you can't think of any conclusion.
"What's going on? It's been weird since the moment I woke up. What's happening?'
Your not sure what to do so you turn back around facing the hallway.
(set: $reEnterMB to true)
[[Turn back to the hallway->Look around the hallway]]It's quiet. Too quiet.
....
You decide to unlock the doors and exit the closet but the air is a little different now.
After investigating the room, you heard a distinctive knock on the door. Two hard knocks and a light one.
You feel a familiar warm feeling.
[[Turn around to the sound]]
(group: 'playing', 'stop')
(track: 'mainTheme', 'play')
(track: 'mainTheme', 'loop', true)*silence*
The pain subsides again and you stand up.
"Ok!... I need to focus up and figure out whats happening."
[[You look around the hallway->Look around the hallway]]You prepare a BLT sandwich.
It would be something cute, it would be a thing that can reinforce your friendship with her. You add the ingredientes, then you add the meat and… you remember that she's vegetarian.
Your mind enters into an anxiety spiral. You start to think of other things you've done to Max. Is it true that you ignored her while you were searching for a partner? Are you sure you listen to her? How did you forget she was vegetarian?
You're glad that you caught this early and you didn't give her anything she couldn't eat but…
You come to a decision.
[["I don’t think we can be friends anymore"]]“Scared of what?! I give you everything you ever need! I think” Her eyes were fixed on yours. “This is your excuse?”
"I'm sorry..."
In this moment, you are scared and unsure of what to say.
Your eyes start tearing up.
"I was scared .... and I still am.. because it seems I don't know what to do
[[I think I need a hug.]]You feel enraged after her trying to change how you act. How could she say that when you are truly trying. She doesn’t even have any experience with romance!
You answer "Well no wonder you wanna judge me, you don't have anyone for yourself."
She stopped preparing the sandwich and without looking at you said.
"Nix..." her eyes were watery.
None of us said anything. You feel terrible, but you also feel forced to continue.
She says "I just wanted you to find someone important, I mean. Why would you date Mike?"
[[~~Apologize~~->Answer her]]
[["Don't judge me!"]]
[["I love loving."]]
[["I just thought he was hot, I didn’t care too much!"]]You back away smiling from the hug. You are happy how the situation ended up. Was it too much to ask that this happened how it did that long ago?
Her smile fills you. It's time to eat.
A warm feeling surrounds you and makes you smile.
(set: $ending to $ending + 2)\
[[Feel the moment]]You stumble out of the decrepit house, your mind still a twisted mess. The air outside is thick with an unsettling stillness. The moment you think you can escape, an excruciating pain grips you, rendering your helplessness on the cold, unforgiving ground.
[[‘....wHAT.. is HaPPENING!?!!?..’]]
(group: 'playing', 'stop')
(track: 'keyChangeCreepy', 'play')
(track: 'keyChangeCreepy', 'loop', true)Allured by the bed you decide to get closer. Upon inspection you see that it is a red satin duvet, definitely not for a child. It has holes all over it and it was splattered with a dark substance. Maybe it's just dirt.
The duvet was falling from the side closest to the door.
(if: $fixedBed is false)[[Make the bed]]
[[Stop looking around]]The ominous close gets to you, after getting close to it you see how destroyed it is. Some parts of the woods was rotten by the water, the door upper hinge was broken and now it was just hanging.
There's a good breeze coming from it but it was probably coming from the one of the holes in the wall. Right? The size of the closet is big enough, you could even fit inside if you tried.
[[Get inside the closet]]
[[Stop looking around]]You decide to close the door. Even if it was broken it seems that the lock still worked.
The breeze suddenly seemed to stop. But you were still cold. You can't feel the fingers in your feet.
[[...]]The voice stops fading and start to gets closer. It gets so close that it almost makes it feel like this person is now right next to you.
You start frantically start looking around, unsure if there is a person or not, you start getting dizzy.
You start loosing your balance and the voice starts overpowering your senses. It starts driving you mad and you drop to the floor.
[[Try to get up]]As you continue to listen to that fading voice, you realize that they sound familar. You try your best to concentrate.
[[Concentrate]]You continue making the sandwich.
After getting every ingredient to make yourself a sandwich. You feel how the memory freezes and Max is standing there looking at you. The plate on where to put it is in front of you and you have to pick what to make for yourself.
[[Peanut butter and Jelly->Prepairing Sandwich]]
[[Grilled cheese with turkey->Prepairing Sandwich]]
[[A BLT->Prepairing Sandwich]]
[[Endure your hunger]]Once you finish making the bed, you turn back to the room.
[[Check the closet]]You are visibly shaken by the traumatic vision.
After the vision, you are overwhelmed by the voices, and it seems like there's no escape from the chaos.
However, as you listen more closely, you hear a specific, soothing voice among the chaos. This voice helps calm you, peaking the question who it might be.
[[Contemplate the source of the soothing voice]]: You decide to focus on the soothing voice and try to figure out who it is.
[[Sike yourself up]]: You decide to try to calm yourself through self-reassurance.A sandwich is not gonna satisfy you. You decided to put up with your hunger and continue by yourself.
Is it healthy? Your stomach feels like it is slowly digesting itself.
It is aching but you have to endure it to go through this.
[[Make a sandwich for Max->Make a sandwich for Max?]]You figured that you tried as best as you can but you don't want to continue through this path. You start to walk backwards to the door but before turning around you reconsider.
Is this what you want?
[[Leave the room]]
[[Stay quiet]]You decide to investigate the hidden compartment behind the painting. With a careful push, you reveal a small, dusty box tucked away. Opening the box, you find a collection of old photographs and a crumpled letter.
[[Examine the photographs]]: You decide to look at the old photographs.
[[Read the crumpled letter]]: You decide to read the crumpled letter.
[[Go back to the room]]: You decide to go back to the room.You pick up a dusty photo album from the coffee table and flip through its pages. The images capture moments of joy, love, and connection. As you delve deeper, a specific photograph catches your eye—a snapshot of a time when things felt simpler. This revelation prompts you to reconsider the importance of the relationships in your life.
[[Reflect on the past]]
[[Put the photo album back]]You examine the photograph, and realize that it's of your family.
Your mother.
Your father.
You.
...
There's something else in the photo. A shadow .. behind your mother..
..OR A REFLECTION?!?!
You quickly turn around and nothing.... but the air seems to feel heavier. You rub your eyes but your vision is not so quick to clear up. You put the photo down.
[[Go back to the room]]: You decide to go back to the room.You leave the kitchen, leaving behind the remnants of your emotional turmoil within its worn walls.
The broken tiles and peeling paint bear witness to the struggles you face in understanding your own feelings.
As you step away, the echoes of past conversations fade, and the heavy air begins to clear. The impact of you traumas on those around me lingers, but in this moment, a newfound clarity emerges.
The journey through this neglected space serves as a mirror, reflecting the need to confront and reconcile the emotional wounds that have shaped my relationships.
(set: $finishedKitchen to true)\
[[Go back to hallyway->Proceed down the stairs]]You enter the hallway.
The wood floor cracks as you turn around to close the door to your room.
"What?..."
You are confused as you look back at the doorknob to your room. There is no key knotch.
That makes no sense. How was it that you needed a key to leave the room but now theres no knotch for the key on your door. Strange. Hesitant you look back at the hallway and remember you are on the second floor.
(set: $momTalk to false)\
(set: $fixedBed to false)\
(set: $roomEntered to false)\
(set: $masterComp to false)\
(set: $reEnterMB to false)\
(set: $scaredMB to false)\
(set: $supportedFriend to false)\
(set: $triedBathroom to false)\
(set: $ending to 0)\
[[Look around the hallway]](set: $feelAround to true)\
'.. it must be because the house is in this horrible condition... it wasn't always like this..
... right?...'
(if: $boxMove is false)[
'.. it's kind of cramped in here..'
[[Move some boxes]]: Maybe it'll be easy to find stuff in a less cramped space]\
[[Go back into the hallway->Proceed down the stairs]]: You don't feel as if there is anything else here for you.After getting that feeling the vision of Max disappears from the so-called kitchen. It is still broken down and you can still see mold.
The feeling from that moment quickly disappears from your person, but you feel like something was left inside you.
[[Exit the kitchen]]You leave but your uncertain of what happen and not sure why.
"Something is ... strange..."
As you try to think of it more, the pain that you felt when you first woke up reappears.
"...aArgHh!..." You scream in pain while dropping to your knees.
"What?... Why is this happening?!...'
You take a deep breathe.
(set: $masterComp to true)
[[...*inhale* ........ *exhale*....]](align:"==><===")[(text-colour:red)[(css: "font-size: 1000%;")[FINI.]]]
Thank you for playing our game.
We tried our best to convey how mental struggle may make an appearance in peoples lifes and how it slowly takes a toll on them. We hope that our game is able to envoke good habits in order to face these problems. If people who've played our game are able to understand that it's imporant to take one step at a time and that they can slowly get through it all, then our game has done its job.
Thank you again for playing our game and thank you to our wonderful team who have put in their efforts to make this game come alive.
Team members:
Chester A. P. L.
Leo Z.
Jake S.
Isala M.
Abduh M.
(set: $NixSW to true)\
You finish making your sandwich.
[[Make a sandwich for Max?]]
[[Endure your hunger]]'huuh?..'
In the corner of your eye you see a blue key.
'.... no way..'
'It's my old key for the back door! I used to use this in elementary. I wonder if it still work...'
(set: $blueKey to true)
[[Go back into the hallway->Proceed down the stairs]]: You don't feel as if there is anything else here for you.Maybe you were too hot and wanted to chill. Or who knows why, but you decided to get inside the closet. It was kind of hard as it was small but by flexing your legs you managed to get inside and surprisingly, it didn't broke.
The coldness of the breeze became stronger. You started to feel colder… and colder.
[[Close the door]]
[[Exit the closet->Go back to master bedroom]]You got closer to your mother and sat on the bed, as far as you could to the phantasmal figure.
Upon close inspection it had a white dress and she was putting on some red lipstick.
“What do you want dear?” said the figure while looking at a pocket mirror.
“Can’t you see I’m busy?”
You recognized this scene. Your mother standing in front of you, without looking at you.
The little stain of lipstick on her cheek… The coldness of the room.
[[You try to say something…]]You re-enter the master bedroom.
(if: $fixedBed is false)[[Check the bed]]
[[Check the closet]]
[[You go back to the hallway->Look around the hallway]]
(group: 'playing', 'stop')
(track: 'mainThemeChords', 'play')
(track: 'mainThemeChords', 'loop', true)There was no rush here, you could surely explore this later. For now there was still much you don't know about the first room you found yourself in. You return to the room
(if: $key is true)[*(text-colour:yellow)[You have a Key.]*]
[[Look around]]
[[Touch the walls]]
[[Listen]]
[[Try to leave room]]You hesitate as you put your hand on the knob.
'no'
You do not want to hide in your room. You feel as if something is wrong so you turn back.
[[Turn back to the hallway->Look around the hallway]]Swiftly but softly...
'I better hurry downstairs, the more answers I get the better chances I get out of this seemingly nightmarish reality. .... hmmm.. reality?'
'....whatever! I need to get out!'
(set: $finishedLR to false)\
(set: $finishedKitchen to false)\
(set: $boxMove to false)\
(set: $feelAround to false)\
(set: $movedBox to false)\
(set: $blueKey to false)\
(set: $anger to 0)\
(set: $startLV to false)\
(set:$photograph to false)\
(set:$sofa to false)\
(set:$memory to false)\
(set:$fireplace to false)\
[[...->Proceed down the stairs]](if: $ending is >= 9)['.... oh my.. is ...is this real'
You look at the outside.
IT'S Green! Something about it feels alive.
'..ugh!.. i have to hurry and get out..'
[[Go back into the hallway->Proceed down the stairs]]]\
(if: $ending > 3)[It's cloudy outside.
'..it's not to bad.. maybe if i could get out now...'
'.......i dont know... everything still seems off..'
You decide to head back in.
[[Go back into the hallway->Proceed down the stairs]]]\
(if: $ending <= 3)[The sky is grey and dark.
'..it's scary and gloomy..'
Maybe it's just best you go back inside.
[[Go back into the hallway->Proceed down the stairs]]](if: $finishedKitchen is false)[
(set: $NixSW to false)\
(if: $reEnterMB is true)[' 'Mother' is waiting for me. I better hurry so she doesnt get mad.]\
(if:$reEnterMB is false)["hmmm... hmmMMm....hmmm..."
'...what..?..'
You look into the kitchen to see who it is humming but find yourself puzzled.
Your 'mother' is standing there.
'...how?....'
"..m-mothe--" You try to speak up but your interupted. ]
You 'mother' seems to be cooking something in the kitchen.
"Nix! Come here! I'm making you something to eat, otherwise who knows when you'll feed yourself."
It seems like your mother is trying to hint at something but you just dismiss it.
'..not the first time I've heard it....' You'd rather keep that to yourself though.
Instead, you focus on your 'mother' and what shes doing. She invites you to the convesation.
[[Listen to 'mother']]]\
(else:)[You stand there for a moment to linger in the feeling you felt in the kitchen.
How real it felt to you.
'Was it real?'
You turn back around to the hallway
[[Go back to hallyway->Proceed down the stairs]]]
(group: 'playing', 'stop')
(track: 'mainTheme', 'play')
(track: 'mainTheme', 'loop', true)'Ugh.... its dark in here...'
Do you want to keep looking?
(if: $blueKey is false)[ [[Keep looking]]: In hopes that you might find something to help you.]
[[Go back into the hallway->Proceed down the stairs]]: You don't feel as if there is anything here for you.
(group: 'playing', 'stop')
(track: 'mainThemeChords', 'play')
(track: 'mainThemeChords', 'loop', true)You don't really have to use the bathroom right now.
But you still go and give it a try.
...
(if: $triedBathroom is true) [The knob doesn't work, you'll have to go back.]
(else:) [[Turn the doorknob->Go to bathroom]]\
[[Turn back to the hallway->Look around the hallway]]
(set: $triedBathroom to true)You decided to enter the room closest to where you woke up. The handle felt cold to the touch. After coming in you left the door open.
The room looked like a master bedroom, there was a king size bed with two little black nightstands made of rotting wood. The bed was not made and the tattered duvet fell from the left side. There were multiple paintings depicting blurry scenarios and a closet with an open door.
You don’t quite recognize anything from the room but it felt familiar somehow.
“What is this place?” you say out loud.
(set: $roomEntered to true)
[[Check the bed]]
[[Check the closet]]
(group: 'playing', 'stop')
(track: 'mainThemeChords', 'play')
(track: 'mainThemeChords', 'loop', true)(if: $blueKey is false)[You can't open this door.
You inspect it closer.....
'..huh?.... another lock?..'
It's so strange that the locks are put on backwards.
...
'...imagine all the bad things that could get in with this poor security..'
The lock looks rather old.
If only you could find something to open this old lock.
[[Go back into the hallway->Proceed down the stairs]]]
(if: $blueKey is true)[You use your key that you haven't used since elemtary.
*click*
'It opened!'
[[Go into the backyard]]](if: $finishedLR is true)[I checked every important room in the house. Is there really anything left?
(if: $ending >= 9)[[[Exit the house->Good Ending]]: No. You're sure. You need to leave, no going back now.]
(else-if: $ending > 3)[[[Exit the house->Normal Ending]]: No. You're sure. You need to leave, no going back now.]
(else-if: $ending <= 3)[[[Exit the house->Bad Ending]]: No. You're sure. You need to leave, no going back now.]
[[Go back to the hallway->Proceed down the stairs]]: Not sure yet? Maybe you should do one more look.]\
(else:)[(if: $finishedKitchen is false)[I think I should go see 'Mother' before she gets angry.
[[Go back to hallway->Proceed down the stairs]]](if: $finishedKitchen is true)[I think I saw something in the living room. I should go check that out.
[[Go back to hallway->Proceed down the stairs]]]]
(group: 'playing', 'stop')
(track: 'keyChangeRevelation', 'play')
(track: 'keyChangeRevelation', 'loop', true)(if:$finishedKitchen is false)[You glance into the living room, but it look kind of messy.
'Maybe I should just go to the kitchen into the kitchen instead.'
]\
(if:$finishedKitchen is true)[ (if:$finishedLR is false)[I step into the living room, a space that used to be vibrant with life, now subdued by the relentless march of time. It's almost as if the air itself holds the residue of past emotions, a silent witness to the highs and lows that unfolded within these walls. The dust, like a shroud, covers the furniture and memories alike, concealing the beauty that once existed.
[[Reminance]]] (if:$finishedLR is true)['i've finished my buiness here i should go back'
]]
[[Go back to hallyway->Proceed down the stairs]]
(group: 'playing', 'stop')
(track: 'keyChangeSlowSad', 'play')
(track: 'keyChangeSlowSad', 'loop', true)You stand at the top of the stairs.
(if: $masterComp is true)[[Proceed down the stairs->Go downstairs]]
(if: $masterComp is false)[You can't go down the stairs yet, you wanna see if your parents are home
[[Turn back to the hallway->Look around the hallway]]
]You exit the once decrepit house. Your mind feels calm, your body feels full and you feel warmth within you. You are fulfilled and free from the house and the memories.
You are standing in the middle of everything, from everything that was and everything that will be.
But there's something touching your shoulders…
[[Turn around to look]]You prepare a grilled cheese with turkey sandwich.
It would be something cute, it would be a thing that can reinforce your friendship with her. You add the ingredientes, then you add the meat and… you remember that she's vegetarian.
Your mind enters into an anxiety spiral. You start to think of other things you've done to Max. Is it true that you ignored her while you were searching for a partner? Are you sure you listen to her? How did you forget she was vegetarian?
You're glad that you caught this early and you didn't give her anything she couldn't eat but…
You come to a decision.
[["I don’t think we can be friends anymore"]]You go and hug her and time gets unfrozen.
You don’t care about what happened before or what might happen after. She reciprocates and gets her arms behind you.
When both of you are together she laughs and tries to wipe her tears before getting your shoulder wet. She fails. And now she completely stopped trying and is just trying to wipe herself on your shirt. “Hey what are you doing?!”
You both laugh at the situation, and get apart from each other a little bit. You are looking at her eyes and you feel. Happy? Whole.
(if: $anger is $anger <= 2)[ [[Try to kiss her]]]
[[Back away]]Your mother's sight became soft. Her eyes started shining at the same time yours started crying.
"Oh dear, come here" she says as she comes in for a hug.
You are very surprised, this didn't happen before. You feel… warm.
There's a feeling of something inside you being rescued.
After a minute or two you stop hugging, but once you try to look at her she disappeared.
The reasurrance of being able to control the situation fills you with determination.
You decide to leave the room.
(set: $ending to $ending + 3)
[[Leave the room->Final exit of MB]]You run your hand across the crack, only to discover what appears to be a hidden compartment
[[Examine the hidden compartment]]Maybe it was an opportunity.
You feel your arms getting relaxed and your head was feeling lighter.
After all, if this happened years ago, maybe it was time to finally face the situation. I can choose how to deal with it.
What could you say?
[[Scream]]
[[Tell her you need to have a conversation]]
[[(Lie) Say it’s nothing->Nothing2]]*...fooossuUUu...*
*aHwooooSssss...*
There's a cold draft.
'..hmmm.. there has to be something here...'
'......i hope..'
(if: $feelAround is false)[ [[Feel around]]: Theres a draft so maybe it'll lead to something?]
(if: $boxMove is false)[ [[Move some boxes]]: It's hard to move around. Maybe there something inside the boxes.]
[[Go back into the hallway->Proceed down the stairs]]: You don't feel as if there is anything else here for you.It's too soon to know for sure that this key holds importance, you need more information about where you've found yourself
[[Examine your options->Title Waking Up]]You decide to turn around and leave. Your mother stopped trying to talk with you.
You touch the doorknob but before leaving you turn around and see a shadow of your mother frozen in the same position before turning. You are left wondering if you could've done better.
You leave.
(set: $ending to $ending + 1)\
[[Leave the room->Final exit of MB]]She composed herself and tried to talk seriously. She normally never did this.
“Nix I want to get real with you” she said with a harsh boys “ lately you've been hanging out with weird guys and I'm afraid…”
You remember that time where you thought you were in love with everyone. But once you met them and got to talking casually, no one met your criteria.
“You are afraid of what?” you answer.
“I’m afraid this is hurting you.” you didn’t expect that answer.
“Mike was just one of them and you swore he was the one and now you don’t care… And when you think you’ve found someone you always stop hanging out with me and...” She closed her eyes tightly before saying “I mean the best to you.”
[[Answer her]]You strain to listen to the distant whispers more closely. The whispers become more distinct, and you hear fragments of conversations from your past. As you listen, the voices grow louder and more chaotic, leading to a vivid and distressing vision of your past trauma.
[[Continue to listen]]"What’s up with Mike?"
"Sooo what's up with Mike?" She says with a faint smile looking at your eyes.
You responded nonchalantly, "Well you know how that is."
“No, I don’t know how that is! Any updates?”
She seems very interested in the topic, should you spice things up?
[["I kissed him!" (Lie)]]
[["Nothing happened"]]You peer around the room, trying to make sense of your surroundings. You take in the flickering bulb, peeling wallpaper, dusty furniture, cobwebs, and the locked door. As you examine the room, you notice a small key hidden under a piece of torn wallpaper.
[[Pick up the key]]: You pick up the key.
[[Leave it for now]]: You leave the key behind and continue to explore the room.On the second floor is your room, a master bedroom close to where your room, a small room that leads to the bathroom, and the stairs to the main floor.
You stand in the middle, contemplating where to go.
[[Go back to your room]]
(if: $masterComp is false)[(if: $roomEntered is false)[[Go to master bedroom]] (if:$roomEntered is true)[[Go to master bedroom->Go back to master bedroom]]](if: $masterComp is true)[(if: $reEnterMB is false)[[Go to master bedroom->Why master bedroom?]](if: $reEnterMB is true)[(if: $scaredMB is false)[[Go to master bedroom->No master bedroom]] (if: $scaredMB is true)[[Go to master bedroom-> Stop MB]]]]
[[Go to bathroom]]
[[Go to the stairs]]
(group: 'playing', 'stop')
(track: 'keyChangeChords', 'play')
(track: 'keyChangeChords', 'loop', true)You think of making a sandwich for Max. But you have to pick what to make for her.
[[Peanut butter and Jelly]]
[[Grilled cheese with turkey]]
[[A BLT]]
[[~~Let her starve~~->Make a sandwich for Max?]]You pick up the side that fell and decide to fix it. Remembering how you always had to do this as a child you start to feel that irritation. But after finishing you feel accomplished that you fixed this rotten place even just a little bit.
(set: $fixedBed to true)
(set: $ending to $ending + 1)\
[[Continue looking around]]You move some boxes.
*cough... couGhh*
'...ugh all this dust... that's all i seem to be getting here.... whatever...'
[[Put boxes back]]: Put them back so no one will get ambushed with a cloud of dust.
[[Leave the boxes->Keep looking]]: You can't be bothered. That's someone elses problem. What else is there in this closet?....
"Maybe if I just look?..."
You turn back around to once again enter the bedroom, your head starts to pounding and the door in front off you is no longer clearly visible.
You scream out in agaony as the piercing pain overcomes you.
.... *breathe* ... ......*breathe*
After trying to control your breathing in hopes that it helps subside the pain, the pain fades and your unsure of why. Though from your first exiperence when you first woke up, it didn't feel as bad..
"weird..."
You turn back around, scared that you may feel the pain again.
(set: $scaredMB to true)
[[Turn back to the hallway->Look around the hallway]]You creep out the door, looking at your surroundings to see if outside is "normal".
You're met with many clouds stretching across the sky, suppressing any remnants of joy or sunlight. The clouds hang heavy, carrying the weight of unspoken sorrows. The sun, a mere memory, remains hidden, its radiant presence obscured by a sullen mist.
[[Continue walking]]You stay quiet while listening to your mother lecture you about how you should be less self centered.
“And that little friend of yours is ruining you! She’s probably a bad influence on you.”
“Max…” you think to yourself. The memory of your old friend invaded your mind. She was your only friend in elementary.
“She is my friend” you say with teary eyes.
“Your friend wouldn’t let you fall behind.”
[[Support your friend]]
[[Stay quiet]]You decide to make a peanut butter and jelly sandwich remembering her diet restriction. It might not be a very complex vegetarian sandwich but you don't have enough time to make something gourmet.
While making this sandwich you realize something. You are caring too much about this sandwich.
(if: $NixSW is false)[
“Even more than you cared about yours.”]\
Doing such a mundane task. A repetitive task. A time consuming task. It makes your hunger leave your body. You feel… lighter.
The time suddenly unfreezes and you're left in front of Max.
And with your mind cleared, you make a decision.
(if: $NixSW is true)[ [[Hug her]]]
[["I don’t think we can be friends anymore"]]You bend down and pick up the key. It's a small, ornate key that could potentially unlock the door.
(set: $key to true)
[[continue exploring the room]]You make yourself the sandwich. By taking your time to get the bread, putting the ingredients inside and grilling it.
The end product is a normal sandwich, but to you it felt deeper. You gave it a bite and it tasted like heaven.
Nevertheless, you feel how your stomach continues to ask for food.
[[Finish making sandwich]]
[[Endure your hunger]]You are now on the main floor hallway.
There is the front door, kitchen, living room, storage closet, and backdoor.
Where do you want to go?
(if: $blueKey is true)[(text-colour:yellow)[You found a (text-colour:navy)[blue] key.]]
[[Go to the front door]]
[[Go into the kitchen]]
[[Go to the living room]]
[[Go into the storage closet]]
[[Go to the backdoor]]
(group: 'playing', 'stop')
(track: 'keyChangeChords', 'play')
(track: 'keyChangeChords', 'loop', true)With all your strength you start to push the door but it doesn’t budge. You gave a look at your fists but they seemed unharmed.
“I have to get out of here!” said Nix while turning around to face the exit. She sprinted to the door and grabbed the cold knob.
But it didn’t turn.
Not bothered by her daughter punching a door, Nix’s mom continues to try and get her attention. “Is there anything you want to talk about?”
It didn’t seem like getting out was an option.
[[Go along with it]]'..ugh all this dust is definetly not good for me, but maybe this will avoid someone else getting caught in all this dust...'
'....'
'...someone else...'
(set: $ending to $ending + 1)\
(set: $boxMove to true)\
(set: $movedBox to true)\
[[Finish putting the boxes away]]You whisper (softly): "Maybe some things are better left undisturbed. Putting this back feels like locking away a piece of the past, preserving it in its imperfect beauty."
As you place the photo album back on the coffee table, you acknowledge the weight of unresolved emotions. The decision to leave the past undisturbed lingers, and you sense a subtle shift in the room's atmosphere as if the echoes of those captured moments are both quieter and more profound.
[[Continue Exploring the Room->Reminance]]"Dear Nix,"
It's for you.
"Please meet me when you can. I really need to talk to you.
Please don't make me wait, I don't think I can be alone so please...
-m#@"
The name, you can't seem to make it out.
[[Go back to the room]]: You decide to go back to the room."Hmm.." Maybe there is something else you can do in the room. The familiar feeling is still inside it.
(if: $fixedBed is true)[The bed looks done, and the only other interesting in the room is the closet]
(if: $fixedBed is false)[[Make the bed]]
[[Check the closet]](set:$photograph to true)\
You pick up a dusty photo album from the coffee table and flip through its pages. The images capture moments of joy, love, and connection. As you delve deeper, a specific photograph catches your eye—a snapshot of a time when things felt simpler. The image holds a nostalgic weight, and you find yourrself immersed in memories long buried.
You (whispering): "I remember this day. The sun was warm, and laughter echoed in the air. We were carefree, connected. What happened to those moments? To us?"
As you reflect on the past, a flood of emotions surges. The photo album becomes a portal to the times you’ve lost, a bittersweet reminder of what once was. You gain a renewed perspective on the significance of relationships in your life, setting the stage for a more introspective journey.
[[Continue Exploring the Room->Reminance]](if: $startLV is false)[“wow… this place changed a lot..”
“The TV, the sofa, the fireplace, everything was different…this spot used to be…”
“This spot used to be where we’d gather, laugh, share stories and memories. Felt like a lifetime ago, now its just a shell of what it once was....”
The walls seem to whisper, and the furniture holds the weight of words left unspoken. In this pivotal moment, I stand at the crossroads – to embrace the past or release the grip of lingering regrets. The choice is mine, and as I navigate this room, I realize it's not just about exploring the physical space but delving into the depths of my own soul.
(set: $startLV to true))]\
(if: $startLV is true)['there's so much here.... why am i feeling this way..'
'i've know this my whole life so whats wrong with me?']
(if: $photograph is false)[ [[Examine the old photographs]]]
(else-if: $sofa is false)[ [[Sit on the worn-out sofa]]]
(else-if: $fireplace is false)[ [[Inspect the neglected fireplace]]]
(else-if: $photograph and $sofa and $fireplace is true)[ [[Confront the memories]]]
(if:$memory is true)[ [[What am I?]]]\
(if: $finishedLR is true)['there's nothing for me here i should move on'
[[Go back to hallyway->Proceed down the stairs]]]“I have to get out of here!” you screamed while turning around to face the exit. You sprinted to the door and grabbed the cold knob, but it didn’t turn.
“This is no time for games Nix, I have to head out.”
You tried pushing harder but it didn’t work. The pressure on your head was building up.
[[Go along with it]]
[[Punch the door]]*silence*
You feel the situation escalating but with no clear answer to why this is happening, why now?
This couldn't be my mother....but...
....what if...
..what if it was a way to fix the path and change it...
[[Say nothing->Nothing2]]
[[Try to fight it]]You focus up.
"Please! This feels off! You seem different and somethings not right. .... Can we please figure something out! I'm confused and lost. .... I feel like I'm realizing something. It's not making sense!"
*silence*
"HELP ME FIX IT!"
[["I just really need someone to listen to me"]]'Calm down. It's just in your head.... right?....' 'yeah! just ignore it you'll be fine...'
[[continue exploring the room]]You struggle to her feet, her head throbbing. As you stands up, a sharp pain in your head intensifies. You stumbles towards the door and try to open it but realize that it's securely locked.
[[Look around]]
[[Touch the walls]]
[[Listen]]
[[Try to leave room]](align:"==><===")[(text-colour:red)[(css: "font-size: 1000%;")[A Mind Shattered]]]
(align:"==><===")[**Trigger Warning**]
(align:"==><===")[(text-colour:grey)[**Warning this game includes sensitive content.**]]
(align:"==><===")[[[Start->Title Waking Up]]]"We are going to talk about this later" her voice is raspy, she's no longer looking at you and is trying to fix her dress, "okay?"
"But mom" you try to save the situation.
"I wonder if there'll be an after party" the thought brings a smile to her face but she doesn't seem to listen to you.
You stay there looking how she gets ready to party, and it isn't long until she's ready and walks to the door without looking at you.
"I'll see you later sweetie, or maybe tomorrow." And she disappears into the air.
You are cold, and left with a pain inside. You are left wondering if you could've done better. Or if she could've done better.
(set: $ending to $ending + 2)
[[Leave the room->Final exit of MB]]You aren't sure if you want to keep looking around the master bedroom.
[[Reconsider?]]
[[You go back to the hallway->Look around the hallway]]“But mom, she’s the only one that helps me keep up.”
“Oh really? And what does she do?”
“She helps me study between classes”
“Really? Well it doesn’t seem like it’s helping.” She stayed serious, but after a few seconds she reconsidered.
“Although if it is really true, maybe you would do even worse without her help.”
“Yes!” Maybe it wasn’t completely true, but your mother agreeing with you helped you feel in control.
“But how could I be sure? I’ve learned that you hide everything for me” her eyes looked at the floor, disappointed.
(set: $supportedFriend to true)\
[[“She’s the only friend I have”]]
[[Stay quiet]]"Mom I need to talk with you" you say while looking down.
"I'm busy right now but you can tell me all about it tomorrow." She gives a look at the calendar on the nightstand. "Or well, maybe some other time."
[["This is important"]]
[["Nevermind"->Leave the room]]As your mind slowly awakens, you find yourself lying on a cold, hard surface. The room is shrouded in darkness, and the air is filled with faint echoes and distant whispers. You feel disoriented and confused.
What would you like to do?
[[Look around]]: You peer around the room, trying to make sense of your surroundings.
[[Stand up]]: You struggle to your feet, your head throbbing.
[[Touch the walls]]: You reach out to touch the walls, searching for any clues.
[[Listen]]: You strain to listen to the distant whispers more closely.
(track: 'mainThemeChords', 'play')
(track: 'mainThemeChords', 'loop', true)You reach out to touch the walls, searching for any clues. As your fingers graze the walls, you feel a slight breeze coming from a crack in the wall.
[[Investigate the crack]]
[[Look around]]
[[Listen]]You try to to explain to her how your feeling and explain whats happening but then she her face shifts and she starts ignoring you.
Her stare blank and cold.
"What is with this constant rollercoaster of atmosphere?" I thought she would help me.
[[Say nothing->Nothing2]]You stagger getting up and your head continues to pound.
*thu-thump.. thu-thump... thu-thump*
'it hurts...'
You try your best to focus up as the voice still overwhelms you, but then you come to a realization.
An image of a women flashes across your mind. She seems close and kind, the memory envoking a warm feeling. She doesn't look like somebody from your family but the image of her face is not clear. You are still unsure of who exactly this women is, but she makes you feel at ease and the pounding ceases.
You are now a bit more calm.
[[continue exploring the room]]You go for it. You give her a little peck on her lips before getting your back quickly. Her eyes are like two big plates. She is very surprised and your anxiety is starting to fill you up.
…
…
…
[[Wait for her response]]You walk up to your bedroom door to find it locked.
(if: $key is true)[[unlock the door]]
(if: $key is false)[[Go back to exploring->Go back to the room]]After turning you see a feminine familiar figure.
“Yeah that’s better, come here.”
Her skin was a very vivid color which contrasted the black tones from the room. It didn’t look like a complete person, her face showed an expression but… not quite.
[[“Mom?”]]
[[“You are not her.”]]You turn around and look at the future. The trees and grass are green, the sun bathes you with an orange light.
And there's a dirt path in the middle. It's sinuous and bumpy, it looks hard to navigate.
A little far away in the path is your girlfriend Max. She's waving at you with a smile.
(if: $letter is true)[“That's right you're supposed to meet with her for to watch a film.”]
She'll wait for you and once you manage to find your way through this path, your old illusions might become real.
Do you want to?
[[Walk through the bumpy road]]You turn around and your mother is looking at you, wearing a smile.
Behind her is the house, it doesn't look broken down anymore. The floor is clean, the walls are made of sturdy wood and the roof looks brand new.
You recognize it. It is the house you were born in, and the house you grew up in.
Your mother says, “There's a bittersweet feeling to it right?” she pauses for a second to look at the house over her shoulder before looking at you “but you've made great progress, I'm proud of you. And I'm guessing that the best memories are entwined inside you.”
She's right. You both hug tightly and a warm feeling surrounds you just like it did before.
A feminine voice screams behind you. “Nix!” she says.
[[Turn around once again]]You turned around quickly but saw nothing more than the closed door. But…
“Did I close the door when I came in?”, you thought to yourself.
But then right after you heard a distinctive raspy but feminine voice from behind. You started feeling pressure filling your head.
“Sweetie come in, we have to talk,” the feeling of warmness became stronger
[[Turn around]]After a couple of seconds that seem like hours to you she smiles.
She quickly gives you another kiss on the lips and giggles about it. It seems that you found “the one.” You smile back.
A warm feeling surrounds you and makes you smile. Your stomach stops rumbling.
(set: $ending to $ending + 3)\
[[Feel the moment]]It might take you a while, but you're sure you'll get there. At least, I am sure you will. I am proud of you.
A white light encloses your body and your eyes. The atmosphere matches your new found autonomy.
[[Fini.]]"Did you miss something?..."
You turn to the master bedroom door but as your about to reach for the handle....
"NIX!" she screames at you.
"...wait what?.."
Your confused.
"Now is not the time to dottle. I need to make you something before I go so you don't starve yourself. So stop messing around and hurry!" Your 'mother' descends the stairs, leaving you behind.
[['What just happened?']]“Mom-” But you are cut off by her.
“I’m all done dear, Mommy has a party to go to” She was putting on a gold necklace with a green jewel while smiling. She still continued to look at the mirror.
You then remember something.
[[reminance…]]You continued to explore the room, you took a closer look at the flickering bulb, the peeling wallpaper, and the dusty furniture. While examining the room, you notice a hidden compartment in the wall. It seems to be concealed behind a painting.
[[Examine the hidden compartment]]
[[Reconsider your choices->Go back to the room]]keyChangeChords: ./audio/Nix_Key_Change_Chords.mp3
keyChangeCreepy: ./audio/Nix_Key_Change_Creepy.mp3
keyChangeCreepyToRevelationTransition: ./audio/Nix_Key_Change_Creepy_to_Revelation_Transition.mp3
keyChangeRevelation: ./audio/Nix_Key_Change_Revelation.mp3
keyChangeSlowSad: ./audio/Nix_Key_Change_Slow_Sad.mp3
mainThemeChords: ./audio/Nix_Main_Theme_Chords.mp3
mainTheme: ./audio/Nix_Main_Theme_V2.mp3(set: $randRem to (random: 1,4))
It was a long time ago.
You remember entering the master bedroom looking for your mother. You had a bad day in school and wanted to feel the warmth of your parents. But you remember her leaving you, with your feelings to yourself.
The scene didn’t have a happy ending that time.
The muscles in your arm are starting to tense up. The pressure in your head is being mixed with the coldness of the room.
“Is this a punishment?”, you think to yourself.
(if: $randRem is 1)\
[ [[It is not]] <br>]\
[[It is->reminance…]]
(if: $randRem is 2)\
[ [[It is not]] <br>]\
[[It is->reminance…]]
(if: $randRem is 3)\
[ [[It is not]] <br>]\
[[It is->reminance…]]
(if: $randRem is 4)\
[[It is not]]You insert the key into the ornate keyhole on the locked door. With a slight turn, the door creaks open, revealing a dark hallway. You step through, and the door locks behind you. You find another door at the end of the hallway, and open it
[[Exit to Hallway]]: You decide to leave your room.
[[Go back to the room]]: You decide to go back to the previous room.“This is where Nix ends” “Why couldn’t you handle it”
“You’ve failed Nix.”
“You failed yourself.”
“You make me pity you.”
“You're going to be alone.”
(text-colour:red)[“You're not allowed to leave.”]
[[“Why?! How is this HaPpenINg?!.....]]It was like you stepped on a landmine, you lost feeling all over your body and was unable to fight back.
You collapse to your feet.
The only thing you can feel is your head and all these thoughts and whispers bombarding in. Desperation sets in as you try to claw at the earth, trying to escape.
But no. The atmosphere turns icy, and the ground trembles with an otherworldly force. The shadow figures close in, and grab you by your feet.
They drag you back into the house. The doors slam with a thunderous shut, leaving only your screams lingering in the darkness. The atmosphere matches your demise.
[[Fini.]]“Yes sweetie, it's me, quit playing and come with me.”
Nix’s mouth was wide open and her legs were getting weaker.
“What is this place?” you think to yourself.
[[Go along with it]]
[[Run to the door]]“What do you mean?” her inquisitive eyes look directly at yours and you feel anxiety building up. That cold feeling you had before coming into the room was growing. Your headaches are getting worse.
“Maybe it wasn’t the best choice” you think to yourself.
"Dear, what is going on? I’m here." You start feeling warmer.
[[I think I need a hug.]]
[[Escape and go away]]
[[Say it’s nothing, you lied->Stay quiet]]“You didn’t do what you needed to do, Nix.”
“It’s so sad here.”
“We brought you here for a reason, but you disappointed.”
“You're terrible.”
“It’s time.”
(text-colour:red)[“We’ll take you back till you learn!”]
As you writhe in agony, ominous shadows surround you, grotesque figures with hollow eyes and malevolent whispers. You hear an unbearable ringing in your ears.
[[“ARGHHHHHHHHHAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH”]]"What are you talking about sweetie? Now is not the time to start acting delusional. You would know that better than anyone."
You stunned by her words.
'Why would she say that?' you thought as concern was written all over you face.
"What is this place?"
[[Go along with it]]
[[Run to the door]] You take a seat on the worn-out sofa, and a rush of memories floods your mind. The sofa, witness to both laughter and tears, seems to hold the essence of your emotional journey. As you sit, you find a small, forgotten object lodged between the cushions. It's a trinket from your past, and its significance becomes a key to unlocking a buried memory.
[[Try to remember]]
[[Continue exploring the living room->Reminance]]
The neglected fireplace draws your attention. As you examine it, you notice a hidden compartment. Inside lies a letter addressed to you, revealing sentiments and thoughts long kept secret. This unexpected revelation prompts a choice.
[[Read the letter]]
[[Leave the letter for now]]
You decide to confront the memories lingering in the living room. The walls seem to whisper fragments of conversations, and the furniture holds the weight of unspoken words. In this moment of reckoning, you can choose to embrace the past.
Will you?
[[i can't]]
[[Embrace the past]]
As I settle into the worn-out sofa, memories flood my mind like an unsettling tide. The fabric beneath my fingertips holds stories of both laughter and tears, encapsulating the essence of my emotional journey. Lost in contemplation, my fingers discover a small, forgotten object lodged between the cushions.
Retrieving a trinket, a tangible relic from my past, its texture and weight evoke a sense of familiarity. As I examine it, the significance of the trinket becomes a key to unlocking a buried memory.
[[Stare at trinket]]
Delving into the memory associated with the trinket, fragments of the past come alive. The worn-out sofa transforms into a vessel of recollection, and I gain a deeper understanding of the emotions that have shaped my journey.
I find myself in different moments – alone, watching TV; with my mother, sharing a quiet moment in front of the screen. Another scene unfolds – Max running away, the weight of our unresolved issues lingering in the air; then, a contrasting memory of Max and me hugging, a snapshot of a time when our connection felt genuine. It all happened so fast, too fast.
[[..]]
(set: $sofa to true)\
These memories, like ghostly apparitions, flash before my eyes, creating a surreal and eerie atmosphere. The living room becomes a haunting tapestry, weaving together the threads of my past.
[[Continue Exploring the Room->Reminance]]
"Who wrote this? Why was it stashed away, as if someone was trying to protect me from a truth I wasn't ready for? Is this letter a mirror reflecting back the sentiments I've kept locked away?"
As you open the letter you are hit with a wave of emotions. It says:
“Dear Nix,
It has been a few weeks since that happened. And I didn’t know how to tell you this to your face so I am writing this letter for you."
'..hhuh.?..'
Your confused and try to remeber what you did.
[[Remember]]The neglected fireplace, though housing a letter that could rewrite the narrative of your past, remains untouched. The letter, tucked away in the hidden compartment, creates a palpable tension in the air. Leaving the letter for now suggests a reluctance to confront the complexities that lie within.
[[Continue Exploring the Room->Reminance]]After exploring every nook and cranny of the living room, a heavy silence settles in. The dust particles dance in the air, caught in the muted sunlight filtering through the worn-out curtains. The room holds secrets, both known and unknown.
I can't shake the feeling that there's something off, not just about this room but about me. The memories, the voices, the glimpses of people who were supposed to be part of my life—there's a dissonance, a jarring sense of unreality. It's as if I'm unraveling, my sanity slipping through the cracks of these dilapidated walls.
[[Look around the living room]]
'i ... i.. think... is this? ..is this Max..?'
'..she was with me in the kitchen...'
'where is she now?...'
(text-colour:red)['what did i do?']
You:
(if: $ending >= 6)[ [[kissed her?]]
]\
[[you hugged her?]]
[[rejected her?]]
"I am shy and you know it, so don’t laugh at what I say!
Ever since I met you I’ve wanted to sit with you, to talk to you and hang out with you. It wasn’t until a few months ago that I realized my feelings for you.
I never said anything… In part because I wasn’t sure if you because I was sure that you didn’t love me back and in part because you didn’t seem in the best state…
But you’ve been getting better and I know we can make this work.
Please, come to my house this friday! I got a new movie we should watch and don’t worry, I’ll be able to tell you all this in person. ;)
-Max"
There was a heart drawn on the corner
(set: $ending to $ending + 3)\
(set:$fireplace to true)\
[[Continue Exploring the Room->Reminance]]
"I’ve felt that lately there has been something going out with you, and every time I try to acknowledge it you just shrug it.
I know you are dealing with something. And it is okay if you don’t want to talk about it. And I am sure you can do it by yourself but I am your friend and you can always tell me anything you need… A little help from someone else won’t hurt right?:)
Please, come to my house this friday! I got a new movie we should watch together.
-Max”
(set: $ending to $ending + 2)\
(set:$fireplace to true)\
[[Continue Exploring the Room->Reminance]]I’ve been trying to get a hold of you but you ignore all my calls! I get it. You need your time, you are dealing with something. But come on Nix!
This is not something that you should deal with alone. But if that’s what you want, okay. I will leave your life. I will forget your name, your face, your eyes, your lips and every memory we had together! I’ll turn my back to you.
Because it seems that you already did all that.
This was xor your c choice.
-Max. Thank you for everything.”
There are tears at the end of the letter that erased some letters.
(set: $ending to $ending + 1)\
(set:$fireplace to true)\
[[Continue Exploring the Room->Reminance]]So, you decided to dig into those memories in the living room. It's like a trip down memory lane, with each piece of furniture telling its own story.
The fireplace, which you used to neglect, turned out to have this secret letter. It spilled out all these feelings from a long-lost friend – love, regret, and forgiveness. Reading it hits you hard, making you think about the people who mattered.
A photo of you, when you were so carefree and what seemed like a time where you were the happiest. Where was that now.
Lastly, a trinket. It fills you with the time you spend on that couch and continues to highlight the important people in your life.
'What happened to me?..'
'Was I always the way I am now?'
'Which part shows me as I am now?'
You keep wondering but just aren't getting anywhere.
(set:$memory to true)\
[[Continue Exploring the Room->Reminance]]
'i can't'
'i can't'
'i can't'
'i can't'
'i can't'
(text-colour:red)['why can you?']
[[i can't]]
[[Embrace the past]]I gaze at the old photographs, desperately trying to find a semblance of normalcy in the captured moments. My mother's smiling face, Max's fleeting presence—shouldn't these images ground me? Instead, they feel like fragments of a puzzle, pieces that don't quite fit together. Am I losing my grip on reality?
The worn-out sofa, witness to countless emotions, seems to cradle the weight of my confusion. Was it always this hard to understand my own feelings? The fireplace, a neglected relic, harbors hidden compartments of my past, each revelation a layer peeled back, exposing the raw truth beneath.
[[Try to understand]]As I confront the memories, I can't escape the nagging doubt that maybe I'm not seeing the full picture. The house, my own mind—it's all a labyrinth of mysteries, and I'm stumbling through, blindfolded. The disjointed scenes, the conversations that echo in the air—they're like fragments of a nightmare, lingering long after waking.
Could it be that I'm not just haunted by the past but also by my own mind? The disarray in the living room mirrors the chaos within me. The choices, the relationships—they all feel like a tapestry of madness. Am I losing touch with reality, or is this the only reality I've ever known.
I need to make sense of it all, to find the thread that connects these disparate pieces of my life. The living room, with its faded memories and hidden corners, holds the key. But as I grapple with the enigma of myself, a chilling realization sets in—the answers might be more elusive than I dare to admit.
[['do i understand?']]
'the whole time has this been my "wake-up call"?'
'am I blind?!'
'if i understand can i leave now???!'
*kkKreeeeeeeekk*
You turn around and it almost seems as if it came from the front door.
'i'm done with this room.'
(set:$finishedLR to true)
[[Exit living room->Proceed down the stairs]]There are parts of you that understand what happened but parts that you still don't.
Why did this happening to you? Did this only happen to you?
Were the people you saw even real? You still don't know. All you know is that those feelings and those moments were real.
'...'
You stop in your tracks and you look back at the house. The one that looks like your house but didn't feel like it was your house. Just like how it felt with your mother.
'....'
' ... .. 'should i?...'
[[Go back into the house]]
[[Keep walking fowards]]'i want to go in.'
You stare at the hosue. It's opened so many things in your mind and maybe...
..maybe it could a little bit more.
You walk up to the door and open it.
*squRReeeAkkkk*
'ahh..' It's dark and gloomy.
But something inside you gives you courage. The faces of those you remember and cherished. You know that if you face this house thinking of them you can do it and maybe when you walk out this door once more the sun will be brighter and those people will be waiting out here for you.
You do this for them.
You walk in and the door closes behind you.
*SLaAAAM!*
[[Fini.]] 'no no no! ... am I insane to put myself back in there?!'
'It carried so much weight, so many things I've never felt or seen before. Memories that were so real and showed me things I failed to notice then.'
You start crying.
'I can't understand why I became this way or why I chose to live my life that way but thats it! ..... i can do it.. I can figure it all out again, but in my own way! I'll keep walking forward so that I can be confident for my tomorrow.'
'I want to appreciate the things I saw and the things that I will remeber and fuel me for the better. ..... i-i'm going to be okay!'
You breathe in and take a deep breath out.
You wipe your tear away and start walking and you keep walking.
and walking.
(css: "font-size: 75%;")[and walking.]
(css: "font-size: 55%;")[and walking.]
(css: "font-size: 40%;")[ and walking.]
[[Fini.]]