Your Brother's Maps

You wake up next to the water. You don't know who you are. You don't know how you got here. You look around. The beach you're sitting on is long, expanding endlessly into the horizon. The water would be cold -- freezing, even -- if it wasn't for the fact that your fingers have already been numbed by the howlings winds. The rocks, eroded by the water, jab at the soles of your boots as you walk... [[Towards the water]] [[Away from the water]]

(if:visits is 1 and (history: where its name contains "Go back to the water")'s length is 0)[You think it's an ocean, given how to seems to extend forever. But there are no waves -- only ripples at the surface that feel like the remnants of whispers you can't hear anymore. ] (if:visits is 2)[The water is the same as it was before. It feels familiar. It feels like home.](if:visits >= 3)[You feel the water beckon you forwards. [[Go into the water]]] (if:visits <= 2 and (history: where its name contains "Go back to the water")'s length is 0)[ [[Go into the water]] [[Turn around |Away from the water]]] (if:visits >= 1 and (history: where its name contains "Go back to the water")'s length > 0)[You feel the water beckon you forwards. [[Go into the water]] ]

The rocky beach gives way to sharp grass that brushes against your pants. You see on your left a cottage, small and overtaken by flowers. Someone is sitting in the front yard. On your right is a trolley, old and rusted but functional nonetheless. On the horizon in the distance is an expansive city. It seems to extend eternally. You go... [[To the cottage]] [[To the trolley]] [[To the city]] [[Back to the water |Towards the water]]

It squeaks when you move it, and it's more like a wagon than a trolley, but the wheels and engine seem to be working fine. The tracks are a straight shot to the city, but the journey looks like it'll be long. You wonder if you are prepared. [[Hop into the trolley]] [[Go to the cottage|To the cottage]] [[Go back to the water|Towards the water]]

The city is much too far away for you to walk there on your own. Looking at it fills you with a strange feeling in your chest -- warm, alluring, but scared. You look elsewhere. You go... [[To the cottage]] [[To the trolley]] [[Back to the water|Towards the water]]

(if:visits <=2 and (history: where its name contains "Go back to the water")'s length is 0)[You can't breathe. You [[wake up|Wake up]].] (if:visits >=3 or (history: where its name contains "Go back to the water")'s length > 0)[You fall into a deep sleep. You [[wake up.| wake up in the city.]]]

You wake up in a dead-end alleyway. The buildings are high above you, harsh angles nearly blocking out the whole sky. You hear some mechanical whirring sounds in the distance. You don't know where you are. You don't know how you got here. You are scared. [[Check inventory |Inventory check, city]] [[Start walking]]

[[Sleeping bag]] [[Water bottle]] [[Rations]] [[Flare gun]] [[Map Fragment|Map Fragment City]] [[Leave inventory| wake up in the city.]] (set:$InventoryCheckFountain to false) (set:$InventoryCheckCity to true) (set:$InventoryCheckAn to false)

The alleyway opens to a wide street. The wind is cold and flakes of snow fall from the sky. You're lucky that it's not enough to stick to the ground. On your right, the buildings seem to lean in closer and closer together. On your left, the buildings seem to have toppled over, leaving only rubble. (if:(history: where its name contains "Map Fragment")'s length is >= 1)[ [[Go left. Your brother's map says it'll lead you to a fountain.|Go left Fountain]] [[Go right. Your brother's map says it'll lead you to a church.|Go right Church]] ] (if:(history: where its name contains "Map Fragment")'s length is 0)[ [[Go left|Go left Fountain]] [[Go right|Go right Church]] ]

The sleeping bag is thin and has holes in it, but you suppose it's better than nothing. (if: $InventoryCheckCity is true)[[[Return to inventory.|Inventory check, city]]] (if:$InventoryCheckAn is true)[[[Return to inventory.|Inventory check, An]]] (if:$InventoryCheckFountain is true)[[[Return to inventory.|Inventory check, fountain]]]

It is filled halfway with water. It will probably last you 3 days if you ration it. (if: $InventoryCheckCity is true)[[[Return to inventory.|Inventory check, city]]] (if:$InventoryCheckAn is true)[[[Return to inventory.|Inventory check, An]]] (if:$InventoryCheckFountain is true)[[[Return to inventory.|Inventory check, fountain]]]

Your brother gave this to you when you were younger. It's loud and bright and it always scared you a little when you fire it, but it protects you nonetheless. You hold it in your hand as you walk. (if: $InventoryCheckCity is true)[[[Return to inventory.|Inventory check, city]]] (if:$InventoryCheckAn is true)[[[Return to inventory.|Inventory check, An]]] (if:$InventoryCheckFountain is true)[[[Return to inventory.|Inventory check, fountain]]]

Food rations, enough for 30 days. (if: $InventoryCheckCity is true)[[[Return to inventory.|Inventory check, city]]] (if:$InventoryCheckAn is true)[[[Return to inventory.|Inventory check, An]]] (if:$InventoryCheckFountain is true)[[[Return to inventory.|Inventory check, fountain]]]

The crumpled piece of paper has been crudely shoved into your bag. The map is hand-drawn in the familiar handwriting of your brother. You keep it in your pocket so you can look at it while you walk. [[[Return to inventory.|Inventory check, city]] [[Start walking]]]

You walk for what feels like hours, carefully traversing over fallen stones and nearly loosing your footing over loose rocks. As you walk, the landscape changes from an overbearing city to unrecognizable destruction. What could have caused this? It's been long enough that vines and ivy have become climbing back over the stone, reclaiming the earth it once lived in. If you weren't so tired and scared, you may have found it beautiful, As you keep walking, the mechanical whirring noises seem to get louder. You grip your flare gun tightly. [[Keep walking |Walking left]]

[You get holy water from the Church. You find a letter from your brother, along with a map fragment]

(if: visits is 1)[The trolley's wheels begin to roll, and soon you're speeding down the tracks and towards the city. You watch as the fields of grass give way to fallen blocks of stone and concrete -- remnants of houses that may have once tended to these lands. You think about the people who used to live here. Would you have considered them your neighbors? Or would you have kept to yourself, hiding in your room? (if:(history: where its name contains "To the cottage")'s length > 0)[Your brother would probably be good friends with your hypothetical neighbors. They'd probably see him as a hero, braving the city's walls for the slim chance of food rations, or water, or, if he's lucky, a weapon. You laugh at the thought of your brother fighting off automatons with a sword, or a spear, or a real gun, even. He would sure look cool, but you think he looks cool enough with that old [[grappling hook]] of his.]] You lay your head down on the trolley's walls and watch the clouds pass by overhead. It stats to get colder, windier, and soon, the trolley's wheels begin to slow down as you reach [[the city's gates]].

The kid scoffs at you. You feel annoyed. "Is your memory really that bad?" he says. "My name is An. I tend to your house and garden. Given all the good work I've done, I really should expect more respect from you. You should be more like your brother. He always remembers my name." [["My brother?"]] [["What are you, a landlord?"]]

You recall that the kid's name is An. You don't know how you remembered that fact, but you know it's true. "Did you find your brother?" An asks. [["My brother?" |Mr brother 2]] [["No, I didn't.]]

"Yep," he continues, "Sammy's always bringing me nice treats from the city, like old furniture that's been left behind, or even a cool postcard if he's lucky. I bet he likes me more than you. The only thing he left you this time were these [[weird doodles.|Map Fragment An]]

"As if," he says, "You don't even have an income. Though I guess the gifts that your brother gives me are fine enough. Look at this tea set. He said he found it in the glass cabinet of some run-down apartment on the eastern edge of the city. He gave it to me -- probably because I can actually find some use with it -- unlike you." You feel annoyed. An seems to sense it and keeps talking. "You know, I bet Sammy likes me more than you. He gets me all these cool gifts from the city, but he only ever leaves for you these [[weird doodles. |Map Fragment An]]

A torn piece of paper with your brother's handwriting on it. It's covered in sprawling lines and circles and squares. You recognize it as the map of the city's entrance. (if:(history: where its name contains "\"Who are you?\"")'s length is 1 and (history:where its name contains "Inventory check, An")'s length is 0)["You know," An says. He seems nervous. "Sammy's been gone for a bit longer than usual. Should we be worried for him?" [["Maybe a little..."]] [["I'm sure he can handle himself."]] ] (if:(history: where its name contains "I'm back")'s length > 0 or (history: where its name contains "Inventory check, An")'s length >0)[ [[Return to inventory|Inventory check, An]] ]

"Your memory's not getting worse, is it?" An says. "Your brother's gone to the city. He hasn't been back for a while. I'm getting worried -- Sammy's trip have been getting longer, but a month is way too long, right? But I'm sure he's out there. You'll keep looking for him, right?" You're worried for your brother, but you're also feel so, so tired. "Are you still going to go to the city again? Make sure you have everything with you, and be careful of the automatons. They've been getting more aggressive. "The trolley should still be good to go when you're ready." [[Check inventory |Inventory check, An]] [[Go to the trolley |To the trolley]] [[Go back to the water]]

An nods in understanding. He takes a sip of tea. "I'm sure he's out there somewhere. The city can't possibly be that big, can it? Maybe he left you a note in your things or something. I'm sure you'll find him soon." You're worried for your brother, but you also feel so, so tired. "Are you still going to go to the city again? Make sure you have everything with you. The trolley should still be good to go when you're ready." [[Check inventory |Inventory check, An]] [[Go to the trolley |To the trolley]] [[Go back to the water]]

(if:visits is 1)[The person in front of the cottage is a child, maybe a few years younger than you, but he carries himself with poise. Flowers are braided into his dark hair and he wears bright, loose clothing that seems much too cold for the weather. He sits at a small table, upon which sits a tea set. He drinks lavendar tea. You wonder if he's real. "Oh," he says, "You're back." [["Who are you?"]] [["I'm back."]]] (if:visits > 1)[An looks up at you. "Forget anything?" he says. [[Check inventory |Inventory check, An]] [[Go to the trolley |To the trolley]] [[Go back to the water]]]

[[Sleeping bag]] [[Water bottle]] [[Rations]] [[Flare gun]] [[Map Fragment |Map Fragment An]] [[Leave inventory|Trolley vs water]] (set:$InventoryCheckFountain to false) (set:$InventoryCheckCity to false) (set:$InventoryCheckAn to true)

You hear An calling after you. You keep walking [[towards the water|Towards the water]].

An perks up. "You're right! A month's been way too long. I bet he's just lazing around on some rooftops near the entrance. Finding him can't possibly be that hard." An fiddles with his teacup. "Say, you're gonna be okay out there too, right? Make sure you have everything -- Sammy always tells me that the city is really dangerous, especially with all those automatons roaming about. Remember to bring food -- and water! And when you're ready, the trolley will take you to the city." You think about your brother. You get worried, thinking about him being all alone in the city. But at the same time, a heavy weight seems to be sitting on your shoulders, and you just want to lay down. [[Check inventory |Inventory check, An]] [[Go to the trolley |To the trolley]] [[Go back to the water]]

An looks deflated. "Are...are you sure? It's been a month. Usually he only leaves for a few days...maybe a week at most...and he didn't pack much when he last left. I'm sure you know him best, though. Sammy's always been really strong." He fiddles with his teacup. "But...if you change your mind, the trolley will take you right to the city. Make sure you have everything with you before you go, though. Sammy's always told me it's really dangerous, especially with all the automatons in the streets. They'll kill you if they see you, is what I heard." You think about your brother. A month is quite long to be gone, but your brother is strong. He's capable. And you, well, you've never been much help in the city. Still, you feel a little worried for him. You look at the city in the horizon. Behind you is the beach. The water seems to shimmer. [[Check inventory |Inventory check, An]] [[Go to the trolley |To the trolley]] [[Go back to the water]]

The trolley sits to your right. It will lead you right to the city, where your brother might be. You feel ready for the journey, but you're so, so tired. The water sits behind you. It seems to beckon you. [[Go to the trolley |To the trolley]] [[Go back to the water]]

You remember your brother's grappling hook. He would keep its long rope wrapped around his hip and hang the hook on his belt. It's four metal prongs were rusted and scratched up, bearing the marks of years of exploration into the city. He first found in the south-west edge of the city, in an underground bunker that was hidden under some rich man's house-turned-museum. It was one of his first finds, and you remember how happy he was to find it. "Think of how much more of the city I can see once I climb all the buildings!" he had said. You were always impressed at how well he handled the grappling hook. It seemed that no matter how hard you practiced, you could never quite throw it right. [[...|Hop into the trolley]]

You get off the trolley and stand before the city's walls, which tower so tall that they see to be bending towards you. The gate is locked shut. Maybe with your brother's grappling hook, you could have scaled these walls, but you're brother isn't here right now. (if:(history:where its name contains "Map Fragment An")'s length >= 1)[[[Go left. Your brother has drawn a downward arrow on the left side of the city's gate.|Go left city gates]] [[Go right. Your brother has drawn an upward arrow on the right side of the city's gate.|Go right city gates]]] (else:)[[[Go left|Go left city gates]] [[Go right|Go right city gates]]] [[Return to the cottage]]

Entering the water brings you back to where you last left your bag

(if:visits is 1)[The walk is harsh.] (if:visits is 2)[The wind is cold.](if:visits is 3)[Your joints burn.](if:visits is 4)[Your legs tremble.](if: visits is 5)[Your hands shake.](if: visits >= 6)[You miss your brother.] (if:visits < 6)[[[Keep walking.|Walking left]]](if:visits >= 6)[[[Keep walking|Fountain]]] (if:visits is 3 or 6)[[[Sit down|sit down left]]]

You sit down among the rubble. Despite all the dust around you, resting feels good. Your body feels heavy and you feel like you can stay here forever. The clouds look like whales in the sky. You wonder what it's like to be a cloud. You think it would feel like flying. You wonder what flying feels like. [[Fall asleep|Sleep Fountain]] [[Get up. Keep walking|Fountain]]

End of demo...

In your dream, you are soaring through the sky with your brother. He is flying far faster than you, but you are catching up quickly. The wind feels exhilarating. You laugh. You hear a mechanical whirring sound. It seems to be getting louder and more unsteady. [[Wake up|Wake up fountain]] [[Keep Dreaming]]

You have almost reached your brother when you both fly through a cloud. The humidity is shocking, but refreshing, and by the time you get out, you both are laughing. The mechanical whirring growls in your ear. Your fingers brush against your brother's ankles. [[Wake up|Wake up fountain]] [[Keep dreaming|Fountain death]]

You wake up among the rubble. (if: (history: where its name contains "ConLoop Go into the water")'s length > 0)[You find your backpack sitting in your arms. [[Check inventory|Inventory check, fountain]]] The mechanical whirring sounds are loud. They seem to reverberate through your bones. The automatons must be nearby. You... [[Hide]] [[Run]]

You feel something sharp pierce your chest, and your body burns. In your dream, the sky fades red, and you begin to fall through the sky. As you get closer to the ground, you see the surface of an endless, glimmering ocean. [[...|Wake up consistent loop]] (set: $FountainDeath to true) (set: $ChurchDeath to false)

You feel your body wrapped by water like a blanket. It is warm, and the pain you feel slowly subsides, becoming so numb that you forget you've felt anything painful at all. The water carries you far, far away. [[...|Wake up ConLoop beach]]

You wake up next to the water. The beach is long, expanding endlessly into the horizon. The water would be cold -- freezing, even -- if it wasn't for the fact that your whole body has already been numbed by the howlings winds. The rocks, eroded by the water, jab at the soles of your boots as you walk... [[Towards the water|towards the water ConLoop]] [[Away from the water|Away from the water ConLoop]]

(if:visits is 1 and (history: where its name contains "Go back to the water")'s length is 0)[The ocean extends forever. There are no waves -- only ripples. [[Go into the water|ConLoop Go into the water]] [[Turn around |Away from the water ConLoop]]] (if:visits is 2)[The water feels familiar. It feels like home. [[Go into the water|ConLoop Go into the water]] [[Turn around |Away from the water ConLoop]]](if:visits >= 3)[You feel the water beckon you forwards. [[Go into the water|ConLoop Go into the water]]]

The rocky beach gives way to sharp grass that brushes against your pants. You see on your left a cottage. Someone is sitting in the front yard. On your right is a trolley. In the distance is an expansive city. You go... [[To the cottage|Cottage ConLoop]] [[To the trolley|Trolley ConLoop]] [[To the city|City ConLoop]] [[Back to the water |towards the water ConLoop]]

(if: $FountainDeath is true)[You fall into a deep sleep. You [[wake up.|Wake up fountain]]] (if: $ChurchDeath is true)[You fall into a deep sleep. You [[wake up.|Open the door]]] (if: $CaveDeath is true)[You fall into a deep sleep. You [[wake up.|Catacombs]]]

The trolley will take you into the city. [[Hop into the trolley]] [[Go to the cottage|Cottage ConLoop]] [[Go back to the water|towards the water ConLoop]]

The city is much too far away for you to walk there on your own. Looking at it makes you feel scared. You look elsewhere. You go... [[To the cottage|Cottage ConLoop]] [[To the trolley|Trolley ConLoop]] [[Back to the water|towards the water ConLoop]]

(if:(history: where its name contains "To the cottage")'s length is 0)[(go-to: "To the cottage")](else:)[An looks up at you. "Oh," he says, "You're back." He fiddles with his tea cup. "Are you going to keep looking for your brother? I'm sure you'll find him soon." [[Check inventory |Inventory check, ConLoop]] [[Go to the trolley |Trolley ConLoop]] [[Go back to the water |Go back to the water ConLoop]]]

You hear An calling after you. You keep walking [[towards the water|towards the water ConLoop]].

You have nothing in your inventory. [[Go to the trolley |Trolley ConLoop]] [[Go back to the water |Go back to the water ConLoop]]

[[Sleeping bag]] [[Water bottle]] [[Rations]] [[Flare gun]] [[Map Fragment|Map Fragment Fountain]] [[Leave inventory |Wake up fountain]] (set:$InventoryCheckFountain to true) (set:$InventoryCheckCity to false) (set:$InventoryCheckAn to false)

You crouch between two fallen pillars. The roaming footsteps of the automatons get louder and louder, and you hold your breath in hopes they won't sense your movement. From behind the pillars, you can see bits of the automatons passing by. These ones look like hunting dogs, with long legs and sharp fangs. They seem lost, and they wander around the rubble as though they were searching for something. They sniff the air. [[Keep hiding]] [[Run]] [[Fire your flare gun]]

You run away from the automatons, praying you don't stumble and fall. You begin to hear footsteps pounding on the ground behind you. Your heart drops. The automatons must have seen you. You run as fast as you can, but the automatons' footsteps keep getting louder and louder. You're not fast enough. You're running out of breath. [[Keep running]] [[Fire your flare gun]] [[Throw away your backpack]]

End of demo...

(if: visits >= 3)[(go-to:"Fountain Automaton death")]You keep running. You're too slow. The automatons are getting closer. [[Keep running]] [[Fire your flare gun]] [[Throw away your backpack]]

You pull your arms out of your backpack straps and throw the backpack behind you, hitting one of the automatons. With the heavy load off your shoulder, you find yourself able to run faster.

(if: visits is 1)[(set: $coin to (random: 1,2,3,4)) (if: $coin is 1,2,3)[(go-to: "Fountain Survive")] (else:)[(go-to: "Fountains Automatons see you")]] (if: visits is 2)[(set: $coin to (random: 1,2,3,4)) (if: $coin is 1,2)[(go-to: "Fountain Survive")] (else:)[(go-to: "Fountains Automatons see you")]] (if: visits is 3)[(set: $coin to (random: 1,2,3,4)) (if: $coin is 1)[(go-to: "Fountain Survive")] (else:)[(go-to: "Fountains Automatons see you")]] (if: visits is 4)[(go-to: "Fountain Survive")]

The automatons don't see you. They wander around the area. They sniff the air. [[Keep hiding]] [[Run]] [[Fire your flare gun]]

The automatons see you from the corner of their eyes. They begin to run towards you. { (live: 1s)[ (if: $timer is 0)[ (stop:) (goto: "Fountain Automaton death") ] (else: )[ (set: $timer to it - 1) You figure you have $timer seconds to [[run.|Run]] ] ] } (set: $timer to 4)

You close your eyes as the automatons tear you apart. Your body burns horribly. The pain is too much to bear, until suddenly... [[It all disappears. |Wake up consistent loop]] (set: $FountainDeath to true) (set: $ChurchDeath to false)

You walk along the wall. As you walk, the ground begins to get squishier and looser, until you come across a hole in the ground at the foot of the wall. It seems to tunnel deep into the ground and curve underneath the wall. [[Descend down the tunnel]] [[Return to the city's gates |the city's gates]]

End of demo...

You hop back into the trolley and leave the city. You head back [[to the cottage.|To the cottage]]

It's cold. It's hard to breath. The dirt walls around you get tighter and tighter until you are crawling on your stomach. [[Keep going]] [[Go back|Exit tunnel]]

(if: visits is 1)[You breathe in dirt and dust.](if: visits is 2)[There's no more light, and you cannot see](if: visits is 3)[Your elbows begin to hurt](if: visits is 4)[Your fingers grasp desperately at the dirt.](if: visits is 5)[You feel dust in your lungs](if: visits is 6)[You think of your brother going through the same journey.] (if: visits < 6)[ [[Keep going]]](if: visits >= 6)[ [[Keep going|Catacombs]]] (if: visits is 3 or 6)[[[Go back|Exit tunnel]]]

You crawl back to the surface. You look at the tunnel. [[Descend down the tunnel]] [[Return to the city's gates |the city's gates]]

(if: $CaveDeath is false)[You finally break out of the tunnel. It's hard to tell where you are -- the only light is coming from holes in the ground above you. You conclude that you must be in some kind of sewage system. ](if: $CaveDeath is true)[You find yourself back in the cave.] (if: (history:where its name contains "Map Fragment An")'s length >=1)[Your brother's map only shows you what's on the surface. You don't know where you are now. ]You see that scrawled on the wall, barely visible in the dim light, someone has drawn a giant plus sign. At the top of the plus sign are three wavy lines stacked on top of each other. On the left of the plus sign is a downwards arrow. On the right of the plus sign is a cross. [[Go left. The leftward path seems to slope downwards.|Cave left]] [[Go right. The rightward path seems to get narrower.|Cave right]] [[Go straight. The path in front of you seems to get wider.|Cave straight]]

The ground begins as a gentle slope downwards, but you can feel it getting steeper and steeper and soon you are stumbling over your feet as you try to fight gravity. The dirt loosens beneath you. You can smell wildflowers as you [[fall]].

The dirt walls begin to enclose around you as you walk, becoming so narrow that you must side-step through the pathway. There is no more light, and you cannot see what's in front of you. Suddenly, your body hits a wooden wall. You feel around and find a [[door knob]].

You walk straight, and soon the path becomes so wide that you feel you are in an endless, underground plain. You struggle to orient yourself in any direction, so you keep walking forwards and hope you are on the right path. You begin to hear the sound of dripping water. You begin to run towards the sound. You come upon a [[lake]].

You land hard in the dirt. You think you broke your leg. You can't walk anymore. Your backpack is too heavy to move with. [[Look around |Look around cave]] [[Try to walk]] [[Throw away your backpack |Throw away backpack cave]]

The cave that you have fallen in expands endlessly in all directions. You cannot see any cave walls -- only the rocky ceiling above where dirt and pebbles periodically fall from. The space is illuminated by masses of fireflies that flutter eradically througout the cave. In the low light, you can see buildings -- or rather the skeletons of buildings, constructed out of metal frames and rusted wires. They are placed wildly throughout the cave, as though made by someone who knows what a building is but has never entered one before. You can hear mechanical whirring echoing all throughout the cave. You can't walk anymore. Your backpack is too heavy to crawl with. [[Try to walk]] [[Throw away your backpack and crawl|Throw away backpack cave]]

(if: visits is 1)[You manage one step forwards.](if: visits is 2)[You manage a second step forwards.](if: visits >= 3)[You fall. You can't get up anymore.] (if: visits < 3)[ [[Try to walk]]] [[Throw away your backpack |Throw away backpack cave]]

You take your backpack off and drop it onto the ground. (if:(history: where its name contains "Try to walk")'s length >= 3)[You crawl around the cave.](if:(history: where its name contains "Try to walk")'s length < 3)[You limp around the cave.]

You open the door and find a narrow staircase. There is a single lightbulb, on the verge of burning out, at the very top of the staircase. You... [[Ascend the staircase]] (if: (history:where its name contains "Turn back around")'s length is 0)[ [[Turn back around]]]

You climb up the stairs. They are small and slippery, and you nearly fall three times. You find another door at the top of the stairs. [[Open the door]] (if: (history:where its name contains "Turn back around")'s length is 0)[ [[Turn back around]]]

You turn back around and walk back the way you came. [[...|Catacombs Automaton walking]]

As you are walking, you begin to hear a mechanical whirring sound. [[Keep walking | Catacombs automaton]] [[Turn back around |Cave right]]

The mechanical whirring gets louder and louder. Then, you see it. It towers over you, its body overtaking the entire space. With its spidery legs, it crawls all over the ceiling and walls, its metallic claws digging up dirt wherever it steps. Each rusted joint creaks as it moves. Camera-like eyes are embedded into its body, scanning the cave. All while it roams around, it lets out the constant mechanical whirring that all automatons make. It [[sees you]].

(if: (history:where its name contains "holy water")'s length is 0 and $ChurchDeath is false)[You open the door and find yourself in a church. The pews are worn down and the walls are covered in rot and mold. Light filters through the stained glass windows. You are above ground.](if: $ChurchDeath is true)[You find yourself back at the church.] At the altar stands a stone statue -- an Angel. She's worn down, her left arm broken off and her face smashed in, but her wings are spread out on either side of her body, sturdy as can be. Upon the altar sits a bowl of [[holy water]]. You... [[Pray to the Angel]] [[Destroy the Statue]] [[Leave the Church]] (set: $CityMap to false) (set: $GrapplingHook to false)

{ (live: 1s)[ (if: $timer is 0)[ (stop:) (goto: "Catacombs Automaton death") ] (else: )[ (set: $timer to it - 1) You figure you have $timer seconds to... [[Run.|Run Catacombs]] [[Fire your flare gun | Flare gun Catacombs]] ] ] } (set: $timer to 3)

Where do you run? [[Down the leftward path]] [[Down the rightward path]] [[Forwards]]

End of demo...

As you run down the leftward path, the pathway begins to slope downwards, steeper and steeper, until you lose your footing and are rolling down the dirt. You can hear the automaton chasing you, its mechanical whirring sounding like its right by your ears. Suddenly, the ground underneath you gives way, and you feel yourself [[falling|Cave death]].

You run down the narrow pathway, and the walls enclose around you as you shuffle forwards. The narrow pathway stops the automaton from chasing after you, but it reaches its spindly legs down the corridor. It flails wildly and stabs you in the side. You manage to get away, but now you are bleeding. You keep walking. Suddenly, your body hits a wooden wall. You feel around and find a [[door knob]].

End of demo...

You land hard in the dirt. You think you've broken a bone. You think you've broken multiple bones. You see the automaton falling down above you, its metallic form getting larger and larger as it falls. You close your eyes. You feel your body crushed by an unbearable weight. Your body screams in pain, until... [[It all disappears. |Wake up consistent loop]] (set: $FountainDeath to false) (set: $ChurchDeath to false) (set: $CaveDeath to true)

You fill up your water bottle. You now have enough water to last your 6 days. [[...|Open the door]]

You clasp your hands together in prayer. What do you pray for? [[Your brother]] [[Safety]]

You grab the statue by her wings and push her to the ground, smashing her into hundreds of stone slabs that roll down the aisle. The destruction echoes through the halls and reverberates in your ears. You feel good. You walk through the broken statue, kicking at the stone pieces. Suddenly you hear footsteps behind you and a click of a [[gun]]. (set: $DestroyStatue to true)

You find yourself in a narrow street. The rightward path is blocked by an overwhelmingly tall building. On the leftward path, the buildings seem to have toppled over, leaving only rubble. (if: $CityMap is true)[ [[Go left. Your brother's map says it will lead you to a Fountain.|Go left Fountain]] (if: $CityMap is false)[ [[Go left |Go left Fountain]] (if: $GrapplingHook is true)[ [[Scale the building]]

You pray for your brother. It's strange -- you feel you can barely remember what he looks like. His face feels blurry; you can only image a mirage of warm smiles and quiet laughter. Despite the fog in your head, you desperately hope that you will find him once more. As you stop praying, you can hear the sound of footsteps behind you. You [[turn around]]. (set: $Brother to true) (set: $Safety to false) (set: $DestroyStatue to false)

You think about that cottage in that vast field of grass. The thought fills you with warmth inside, but a deep fog seems to overlay your memories. You've lived there your whole life, but you can't seem to remember what the bedrooms look like, or how the kitchen smells, or how you came to that house in the first place. Despite your confusion, you desperately wish to get out of this city, and to return home. Suddenly you hear footsteps behind you and a click of a [[gun]]. (set: $Brother to false) (set: $Safety to false) (set: $DestroyStatue to false)

You think of the cold winds outside, and those towering buildings that block out all sunlight. You wonder how you are going to survive. You pray for something -- anything -- to have mercy on you. As you stop praying, you can hear the sound of footsteps behind you. You [[turn around]]. (set: $Safety to true) (set: $Brother to false) (set: $DestroyStatue to false)

A young girl stands before you, a rusted pistol pointing right at your face. She's got to be no older than you, but her stoic face makes her look like she's lived ten times more lifetimes than you. She wears long, tattered robes that lick at her ankles, and hanging from her neck are necklaces bearing the cross of the church. Wrapped across her body is a grappling hook. You recognize it as your brother's. You... [[Attack her]] [[Run |Run church]] [[Talk to her]]

You lunge at her, going to wrap your hands around her throat. But you're much slower than a bullet, and you feel a piercing pain spread through your chest. As you sink to the ground, you wonder what she has done to your brother. As your world goes dark, you swear that one day, you will find her again. [[...|Wake up consistent loop]] (set: $ChurchDeath to true) (set: $FountainDeath to false) (set: $CaveDeath to false) (set: $DestroyStatue to false)

You try to run, but you're too slow. You hear a gunshot fire, and a piercing pain spread through your back. As you sink to the ground, you fear what she has done to your brother. As your world goes dark, you hope you will never meet her again. [[...|Wake up consistent loop]] (set: $ChurchDeath to true) (set: $FountainDeath to false) (set: $CaveDeath to false) (set: $DestroyStatue to false)

(if: $DestroyStatue is true)(go-to:"Laura Hostile") (else:)[You open your mouth to speak. [["Who are you?|Who are you laura]] [["I'm not here to hurt you."]]]

You open your mouth to speak but she interrupts you. "Leave." she says. "Never show your face around here again." [[Leave the Church]] [[Attack her]]

"Who are you?" she responds instead. [["My name is..."]] [["I'm looking for my brother."]]

She looks skeptical. Her eyes dart to the flare gun in your hand. You... [[Set your gun down]] [[Point your gun at her]]

You set your flare gun on the ground. She hesitates before lowering her gun as well. "Who are you?" she asks. [["My name is..."]] [["I'm looking for my brother."]]

You barely raise your arm before pain pierces your forehead. As you sink to the ground, you wonder who this girl is. Your world goes dark. [[...|Wake up consistent loop]] (set: $ChurchDeath to true) (set: $FountainDeath to false) (set: $CaveDeath to false) (set: $DestroyStatue to false)

You can't seem to finish that sentence. Your mind goes blank. What is your name? The girl looks at you expectantly. You shake off your confusion and continue speaking. [["I'm looking for my brother."]]

"What does he look like?" she asks. (if: $Brother is true)[You struggle to recall his features.](if: $Survive is true)[You try to think, but all memories of your brother seem to be hidden by fog. His face feels blurry in your mind. What //does// he look like?] You struggle to speak. [["Um...tall and...a little older than me...]] [["His name is Sammy."]]

A young girl stands before you She's got to be no older than you, but her stoic face makes her look like she's lived ten times more lifetimes than you. She wears long, tattered robes that lick at her ankles, and hanging from her neck are necklaces bearing the cross of the church. You notice that she holds an old, rusted pistol in her hand. Wrapped across her body is a grappling hook. You recognize it as your brother's. You... [[Attack her]] [[Run |Run church]] [[Talk to her|talk to her friendly]]

idea: ending -- open up the city gates and ride the trolley onwards

You open your mouth to speak. [["Hello..."]] [["Who are you?"|Who are you laura]]

"Hi..." she says carefully. "What are you doing here?" [["Just passing by."]] [["I'm looking for my brother."]]

"I suggest you leave," she says. "This place is one where people stop by but do not stay." (if: $Safety is true)[ [["Why not? Is it dangerous here?"]]] (if: $Brother is true)[ [["I'm looking for my brother."]]]

"Sorry," she shakes her head. "I haven't seen anyone like that around here. Most people who pass by don't tend to stay." (if: $Safety is true)[ [["Why not? Is it dangerous here?"]]] (if: $Brother is true)[ [["His name is Sammy."]]]

"Sammy..." her hands touch the grappling hook around her body. "He passed by here many times. He last told me to keep hold of his grappling hook. He has yet to retrieve it." (if:$Brother is true)[ [["Do you know where he went?]]] (if:$Safety is true)[ [["Do you know when he'll come back?"]]]

She seems to think for a moment. "No," she says, "Not dangerous. Just lonely." [["Can I stay here for a while?"|"Can I stay here and wait for him?"]]

"I don't know, but..." she reaches a hand into the pocket of her robes and hands you a torn piece of paper. You recognize your brother's handwriting on it. You recognize it as a Map Fragment. She takes the grappling hook around her body and places it around you. "I hope you find him," she says. You thank her. You [[Leave the Church]]. (set: $GrapplingHook to true) (set: $CityMap to true)

She shakes her head. "No...but maybe he'll return soon. He doesn't tend to stay away for too long." [["Can I stay here and wait for him?"]]

End of demo...

She thinks for a second. "Sure," she says, "but you should stay in this room." She turns around and leaves. You [[wait in the church]].

You stay in the church for the rest of the day. As night falls, the church becomes cold and dark, but you're safe from the outside. You feel at peace. Hours later, you hear a mysterious sound coming from outside the room. It sounds metallic, like grinding gears and high-pitched whirring. You.. [[Ignore it and go to sleep]] [[Go investigate]]

You ignore the noise and eventually fall asleep. When you wake up in the morning, you can't seem to find the girl anywhere. The outside is cold and windy. You... [[Leave the Church]] [[Stay one more day]]

You investigate the noise. You follow the sound down the church corridors and to a staircase that leads to the second floor. You climb the stairs and find yourself in a room covered in metallic scraps ad gears. In the center of the room stands a massive, sprawling automaton. It takes the form of a human, but it is gigantic. Iits wires seem to connect to every single wall of the room, extending like veins throughout the church's architecture. The automaton sits motionless, but you can tend from the humming in the room that it is not lifeless. The girl stands before the automaton, praying. You.. [[Pray to the automaton]] [[Leave the room]]

You stay in the church again. Like the night before, you hear metallic grinding outside the room. You.. [[Ignore it and go to sleep]] [[Go investigate]]

You join the girl in prayer. You pray for the rest of the night. In the morning, the girl gives you your robes and a stale piece of bread to fill your stomach. You tend to the church during the day and pray to the automaton during the night. On your seventh day here, the girl presses something into your hands. It is a pistol, rusted and only able to fit 6 bullets, but lethal nonetheless. It weighs heavy in your pocket as you pray. Your prayers cloud your mind. You begin to forget how long you've spent here, what the outside world looks like, why you came here in the first place. The grappling hook around the girl's body confuses you -- it seems familiar, and that familiarity scares you. You run your hand along the barrel of your pistol when you feel that fear, after which you go back to praying. You bow your head to the automaton. You close your eyes. You feel like you are asleep.

You try to leave quietly, but the automaton seems to sense you. Wires entend from the walls and wrap around your body, squeezing you tightly until you are in unbearable pain. As your world goes dark, you can see the girl and the automaton staring at you. The girl seems disappointed. You wonder how the girl came upon this church. [[...|Wake up consistent loop]] (set: $ChurchDeath to true) (set: $FountainDeath to false) (set: $CaveDeath to false) (set: $DestroyStatue to false)

The dirt mixes into mud as the ground sinks into a round body of water. You try to drink from the water but it tastes horrible and you spit it out. You realize that the sound of dripping water is coming from the center of the lake, as streams of water fall from the cave's ceiling. It sounds like it's raining overhead. The streaming water looks much cleaner than the murky lake. [[Wade into the water]] [[Look around|Look around lake]]

The water soaks into your trousers as you step into the lake, but the streams of water allure you. Soon, the water is falling right over you, and the lake reaches up to your chin. You open your mouth to the falling stream and taste fresh, pure water. You feel like you are alive again. Something shifts underneath your feet. You hear a mechanical whir, and suddenly the lake floor kickes up and you are submerged into the water. The water is too murky to see what automaton has captured you. You feel a sharp pain across your body. The pain is unbearable, until.. Suddenly, it goes away. [[...|Wake up consistent loop]] (set: $FountainDeath to false) (set: $ChurchDeath to false) (set: $CaveDeath to true)

You notice that high above you, there is a hole in the ceiling, and you can glimpse the world overhead. It's far too high up for you to climb out. You think about your brother's grappling hook, and you wish your brother was here with you. From where you stand, you can see the cloudy skies and the edges of a stone fountain. [[Stay and look]] [[Go back]]

You're worried you'll loose your sense of direction again. [[Continue]] [[Stay at the lake|Stay and look]]

You take a seat at the water's edge and look up at the sky above you. You feel peaceful. You think your brother must have looked at the same view. You close your eyes and you fall asleep.

(set: $coin to (random: 1,2)) (if: $coin is 2)[(go-to:"return sucess")] (else:)[(go-to:"return unsucess")

You walk in a straight line and eventually find yourself back at where you started. [[...|Catacombs]]

You walk in a straight line, but the vastness of the space pushes against you, and you soon look track of where your are. You follow the sound of the dripping water back to the [[lake]].