The 3rd of July, 1692 . . .
Somewhere in Salem, MA [[. . .]]
TW: Violence and GoreYour sister, Amelia digs her nails into your left arm, you can feel the fear in her grip. You know they must be close on your tail, but you don't dare look back. Running during the night might conceal you two, but the paths are hard to follow.
She can't be a witch
She's been your best friend your whole life
How could your parents betray you and Amelia like this?!
It doens't matter, Amelia needs to live,
You have to bring her to [[safety]].They're going to burn her at the stake, you know that much - you can't let that happen . . .
All of those adventures, those soft memories, her tearful eyes . . .
No, this village will not be the death of you two . . .
Through desperate squints, you can see the path diverges. If only you were more adventerous as a kid and explored the haunted trails . . .
[[Left]]
[[Center]]
[[Right]]Your footfalls become wet, and the ground seems to slosh at your feet. Ah yes, how could you forget - the Swamp. . .
Your speed decreases and Amelia's grip becomes more perilous as you try to traverse the damp, mossy terrain. Luckily, the mob seems to be having the same trouble. However, as you think your luck has turned, the air near your right ear whizzes as a crossbolt thunks in a tree ahead of you. You have to think quick now -
[[Dive into the mud]]
[[Jump behind a log]]Might as well as go straight, no need for turning . . .
Of course, the hill. You (link:"remember")[remember the knife in your pocket! This might be useful later, anyway, remember(set: $Knife to "")]
it now - blissful days of playing Jack and Jill and rolling down it during the winter months. Beads of sweat fly off your brow and you can hear Amelia panting. Going up the hill is going to be hard, but you might lose the mob closing in on you. There's always going around the hill, but the thick of the forest looms creepily beneath it. This could also mean losing them within the trees . . .
Going up, up, [[up]] . . .
Going around, into the (t8n-arrive:"flicker")[[woods->Hide in the Forest]] . .The right path always has to be right, right?
You sprint down the path, narrowed by large trees waning in the wind. Amelia starts to fall behind, but still attatched to your arm. The yelling and sound of footsteps still follow in the distance . . .
You figure you might be able to head off the trail and hide, the townsfolk wouldn't expect you to do that, would they? You could obviously continue, but you fear your exhaustion might get the best of you, and who knows how your sister's doing.
(t8n-arrive:"flicker")+(t8n-time:1s)(link-goto:"[[Hide in the Forest]]","Hide in the Forest")
[[Continue on the trail]]The Forest . . .
You were told about the devil, hiding and waiting . . .
In the Forest . . .
You and your sister crouch behind a large log, successfully escaping the mob. Your (t8n-depart:"flicker")+(t8n-arrive:"flicker")+(t8n-time:1.9s)[[breath->breath]] is quick and hot, your chest rises and falls with a fast rythmn. So focused on your (t8n-depart:"flicker")+(t8n-arrive:"flicker")+(t8n-time:1.9s)[[breath->breath]], you didn't even realize Amelia's grip was no longer there. She was right here? She was catching her (t8n-depart:"flicker")+(t8n-arrive:"flicker")+(t8n-time:1.9s)[[breath->breath]] just like you how, where did she go?
you have to find [[her]]You keep sprinting, Amelia still locked on to your limb. You have to catch your breath somehow, but where?
As you keep your pace, you stumble into a clearing full of long grass. You remeber this place, playing hide and seek with your sister. You're going to need to be quick, the mob is going to catch up soon -
[[Hide in the Grass]]
[[Run through the field]]Begrudgingly, you start the steep climb of the hill. Luckily, your adrenaline is at an all time high and you claw your way up the mountain; your nails digging deep into the earth and the tips of your boots catching convenient rocks and ledges. Amelia is hanging off your back, quietly cheering you on.
You arrive at the top but your limbs are aching and your heart is racing. You bought yourself some time, but you can't stop now. You look out on the other side of the mountain. The (t8n-arrive:"flicker")+(t8n-time:1s)[[forest->Hide in the Forest]] seems to be calling you. You see another neighboring village across the way, you don't know their stance on the trials. Laslty, you see a river - the current running far beyond the eye's reach but quickly, like very quickly.
The [[village]]
The [[river]](enchant:?page,(background:black))Breath
It's so cold
so
silent
until you
look to your right
(after:15s)[and find Amelia]
(after:18s)[pinned to a tree
with a trunk
through her stomach]
(after:21s)[only to find
claws
carressing your (t8n-depart:"blur")+(t8n-arrive:"fade-down")+(t8n-time:1.5s)[[cheek->Death]]]
Your suffering is no more . . . you're dead
Start the adventure [[anew ->Beginning]] . . . You plant, face first in the mud - hearing a sickening crunch you presume is your nose.
Your sister doesn't follow right away, breaking her grip on your arm when you fall. Eventually, she falls with a dull thud . . .
You look over to you left
. . . Amelia is staring back at you
. . . a crossbow bolt sticking up through her cheek into her crown.
Her lifeless eyes are glazed over with fear.
You don't move, you can't (t8n-depart:"dissolve")+(t8n-arrive:"dissolve")+(t8n-time:1.9s)[[move->burned at the stake]]In a quick instant, you hurl yourself and Amelia to your left as a crossbow bolt just nearly brushes your shoulder.
You and your sister crouch behind an overturned willow, its trunk slowly being peppered with bolts. You may have bought yourself some time, but the mob will eventually reach you here. As you scan your surroundings for a solution, Amelia tugs on your torn, stained button up. She points in the direction of a crawling space under the drooping leaves of a nearby willow. If you're stealthy enough, you might just get under there [[undetected]] . . .You duck into the tall grass, grabbing Amelia on the way down.
You can see the mob exit the forest, now cutting through the grass to find you . . .
[[Stay in the same spot]]
[[Run through the field]]
[[Move Quickly and Quietely in the field]]You run and run, hoping to lose the mob on the way . . .
You can feel yourself start to slow down, but you can't let exhaustion take you over. You keep going, keep running and running, running. It's not until you trip over a large stone do you realize Amelia is no longer attatched to you.
Your feet fly above your head as you face plant into the long foliage and course soil. You sit there for awhile, secretly enjoying the break for your legs. However, your moment is ruined when you remember the mob . . .
You look back and see they have your sister - she must've tripped or stopped when you didn't realize. The townsfolk quickly advance on you; you can feel the [[end]] approaching. . .You make a break for it, the sleepy village in the distance . . .
You stumble into the town, the mob now at the top of the hill - ready to make the decline towards the village.
When you arrive in the town square, you see the pire, you see the wanted witch posters, and fear courses through your veins . . .
You have to hide, and do it quick
[[Behind a Barrell]]
[[In a House]]With your sister around your arm, you slide down the hill to get the river . . .
The river is quite wide and is moving at a brisk pace. You don't quite remember how deep it is and it's moving too fast to just walk across. However, jumping in might be the only way to escape the mob in time, or freeze to death you imagine. You could follow the river, but the mob might be able to catch up with you . . .
[[Jump in]]
[[Follow the River Along the Edge]]The angry townfolk drag you back to Salem, roped to a broken log . . .
They don't bother with a trial . . .
They douse you in lard and any animal fat they can find . . .
(if:$Knife is "")[Wait, Your Knife!! It's time to [[to get out of this!->hero!]]]
(if:$Knife is not "")[As they erect you in the courtyard, all you can think of is Amelia and the putrid smell of your burning flesh (t8n-depart:"blur")+(t8n-arrive:"fade-down")+(t8n-time:1.9s)[[. . .->Death]]]You trust Amelia and fall onto your stomach to start crawling. . .
The path is full of mud and moss, but you're able fit without making too much noise . . .
After a few minutes of sliding across the swampy floor, under logs and between vines, you come out to a new part of the swamp. This new area has a large pond right in the middle of your path . . .
Luckily, you have some time to think as your sister holds tightly to your arm. Going straight through the pond seems to be the only way, but what lurks underneath? You could try to scale around the pond but the swamp is so thick with foliage and trees you might lose your way . . .
[[Brave the Waters]]
[[Circle Around]]
[[Ask your Sister]]They drag you back to Salem, through the narrowing paths . . .
You keep your eyes trained on the back of Amelia's head - you can't let them touch her.
[[Accept Defeat]]
[[Be a Hero]]They don't bother with a trial, they want you dead tonight . . .
They tie you up at a charred, wooden post, your sister across from you. . .
Right before they're about to light your post, the man with the torch gives you a cruel, sinister smile. He backs away and goes to Amelia first . . .
Her voice cracks as she screams, "No, please no!"
Your sister's screams echo through the night as you watch her skin bubble and crisp . . .
You struggle and you twist, but your fate has been written and the reaper awaits (t8n-depart:"blur")+(t8n-arrive:"fade-down")+(t8n-time:1.9s)[[. . .->Death]]As the mob takes you back to town, you see your opening . . .
A man comes out from one of the houses with a pitchfork, obviously intoxicated. As he comes to assault you with crude words you finish the last exhausted knot of the twine around your wrist. In an instant you rush the drunk man, throwing his balance easily. Swiftly, your bondage falls to the ground and you grab the now fallen pitchfork with ease. The mob is startled and frozen with fear. . .
You know what you have to do. You rush again, this time at your sister. The man holding her by the hair loses his grip and jolts back out of suprise. You look Amelia in her soft and innocent eyes,
"Run," you tell her.
Tears well up in your sister's eyes, she doesn't want to leave you.
The mob around you starts advance, carefully sidestepping around you. You give your sister a [[loving]] look, reassuring her and advance on the nearest townsfolk . . .Your pitchfork sinks deep into the man's abdomen, small ribbons of crimson fall to the ground.
You see Amelia start to run, looking back at you longingly.
Your smile creeps up on your cheeks as you start advancing on another member of the mob. They're all focused on you, not sure where or when to strike.
You continue to swing the pitchfork - trying to distract them for as long as possible.
But none of it matters because Amelia is going to be free, you can feel it.
Even as the mob starts to hack away at your body, you can't seem to wipe that (t8n-depart:"blur")+(t8n-arrive:"fade-down")+(t8n-time:1.9s)[[smile ->Death]]off your face . . .You and Amelia stay crouched in the tall foliage as the mob swipes through the grass in the field, searching . . .
They're getting closer and closer . . .
One of the men locks eyes with you . . .
This has to be then end . . .
You hold your breath and your sister's grip tightens around your hand [[. . .->she's a witch]]
You and your sister make a break for it . . .
Weaving through the tall grass, you focus ahead with your sister attatched to your left hand . . .
Suddenly, you bump right into a woman with a long cloth nightgown . . .
She screams and you look in horror as the mob advances . . .
You accept the end . . .
Until your sister's grip on your arm [[tightens->she's a witch]] . . .As soon as you jump in you know it was a mistake. The water is cold and frigid and you and Amelia rush through the water . . .
Water is splashing your face like needles and water is filling your lungs.
Then, you feel Amelia's hand [[. . .->she's a witch]]You were right . . .
The mob was able to catch up quickly . . .
There is no hope for escape . . .
No Time to [[Pray->burned at the stake]] . . .You reckon the water is too deep for your sister so you hike her up on your shoulders and start treading through the water . . .
Suprisingly, the water isn't too cold, but it's unusually and suspicously thick as you continue on . . .
About halfway through the pond, you hear angry shouts behind you . . .
How did they find you?
No time for questions you think, and your legs move through the liquid even quicker, your sister starting to shake with fear . . .
Just as you make it out of the pond, you look back and see the mob jump in right after you. You have to keep moving . . .
Directly in front of you is a large, rocky hill - and without thinking, you stary your [[ascent->up]] . . .As your start making your way through the thick foliage, your mind starts to cloud . . .
Haven't you already seen that tree?
This corner seems all too familiar . . .
Where's your sister . . .
Who are (t8n-depart:"blur")+(t8n-arrive:"blur")+(t8n-time:5s)[[You->Beginning]]?Amelia looks up at you, her eyes a bit glazed over. She smiles softly, you think she apprecites that you asked her . . .
Your sister scans the pond and then at the swamp . . .
She looks up at you, takes your hand and she closes her eyes [[. . .->she's a witch]]
You give Amelia a warm exhausted hug . . .
She hugs back, snuggling into your shoulder . . .
You wish she would've used her magic a while ago but you can't change the past . . .
[[Right->The Ending]]?How?!
How can she a be a witch?!
You trusted her . . .
She was your best friend . . .
What are you going to do?
I don't (t8n-depart:"blur")+(t8n-arrive:"blur")+(t8n-time:5s)[[know->know]] . . .In an instant your surroundings change, like you blinked into a new dimension. You are in a field you've never seen before, it's still night. You still feel incredibly weathered from your adventure. Your sister is at your left, holding your hand firmly. She looks up at you and then behind both of you. You turn and see Salem far, far in the distance . . .
You look back at Amelia . . .
[[She might be a witch, but she's your witch]]
[[Scream and run in terror]]You and Amelia live happily ever after
Thank you for playing <3
Want to change the [[past->Beginning]]?You and Amelia sprint to a set of barrels in the ally close by . . .
The mob reaches the village, searching for you two - checking houses and questioning the families inside . . .
It's like hide 'n seek back in the good old days . . . When your parents didn't sell out your sister for lies . . .
(after:12s)[After some time, you think you lost the mob. It might be time to head [[on]].]You know it as soon as you open the door: You made big mistake . . .
It all happens in a blur . . .
Tonsfolk everwhere grabbing and you hear screaming . . .
They tie you up and prepare you for the journey [[back->end]]. . .As you start to move throughout the sleeping city you notice that Amelia is gone!
Where is she?!
And almost as a response, you see the guards starting to carry her away to you right . . .
You need to decide . . .
Run and [[help her]]
Run and [[save yourself]]
The 3rd of July, 1702
It's the 10th anniversary . . .
What do you do as you wake up . . .
(t8n-depart:"dissolve")+(t8n-arrive:"flicker")+(t8n-time:10s)[[Kiss your spouse->end2]]
(t8n-depart:"dissolve")+(t8n-arrive:"flicker")+(t8n-time:10s)[[Check on the kids->end2]]
(t8n-depart:"dissolve")+(t8n-arrive:"flicker")+(t8n-time:10s)[[Start the fire for breakfast->end2]](after:2s)[Do you remember her name]
(after:3s)[It was Amelia]
(after:5s)[You killed her]
(after:7s)[because you left her]
(after:8s)[she didn't deserve you]
(after:9s)[after she saved you]
(after:11s)[how dare you live]
(after:12s)[a life so calm]
(after:15s)[while she rots away]
(after:16s)[where is she ]
(after:18s)[what happened to her]
(after:25s)[how could you]
(after:28s)[big brother ]
(after:31s)[I trusted you]
(after:34s)[I loved you]
(after:37s)[You were my best friend]
(after:40s)[(t8n:"dissolve")+(t8n-time:2s)+(link:"END")[=You Monster]
(text-style:"shudder")[(text-style:"blurrier")[It's so dark
Where could she be
(after:3s)[WHOOSH!]
Do you hear her
(after:6s)[CRACK!]
She's screaming
(after:10s)[[["Help me!"]]]]]
Before she can process anything, you grab Amelia after hearing her screams for help . . .
As you rush out of the forest, fresh air and hope fills your lungs . . .
Amelia is gripping your arm for her life, the both of you are ready for this night to end . . .
However, the moment of calm is quickly ruined by sound of angry townsfolk approaching from a distant mountain - How the hell did they find you?!
Without skipping a beat, you sprint to the nearest thing in your vision - a [[town->village]] across the field . . .(if:(history: where (it)'s tags contains "amelia")'s length is 0)[As you cut through your bonds, all you can think of is Amelia. You need to get to her . . .
In a flash, you sprint to the other pyre with a tied up and crying Amelia. You work on her bonds quickly - the villagers luckily too busy getting a fire ready to notice. Just as soon as you get Amelia down, you hear the cries from the townsfolk around you . . .
In an instant, Amelia grabs your arm, smiles and you disappear into [[light->she's a witch]]. . .]
(if:(history: where (it)'s tags contains "amelia")'s length >= 1)[Amelia is dead. It's all you can think of as you cut you binds and run and run and run . . .
You don't look back, you don't get a happy ending. You will make them suffer for this, you will burn down that village until Salem is just a distant memory within the past . . .
(after:10s)[End]]You run to help Amelia . . .
They catch you as well . . .
At least you two are [[together->end]] . . .You run and run and run . . .
You don't look back, you never look back . . .
And so life continues . . .
(after:8s)[At least for [[you->know]]]