=><= **(text-colour:red)+(css: "font-size: 175%;")[One Final Pitbull Song] (text-colour:red)+(css: "font-size: 110%;")[(at the End of the World)]** //(css: "font-size: 70%;")[A Game by Paige Morgan]// [[New Game->Quote Start]] (link: "Load Current Chapter")[(if: (saved-games:) contains "Slot A")[(load-game:"Slot A")](else:)[No save found!]] [[Chapter Select->Chapters]] [[Credits->Credits]] (css: "font-size: 65%;")[You can choose to save the game at the beginning of each chapter.] (css: "font-size: 65%;")[This game contains sound & music. You can control the volume by using the menu on the left.] (css: "font-size: 65%;")[(link:"Click Here for Content Warning")[//(Content Warning:) Excessive Gore, Violence, and Death — Explicit Sexual Content (in a horror-context, none of this game is porn) — Body Horror — Unreality — Descriptions of Genitals (human and non-human), Genital Mutilation, Bodily Fluids, and Nudity — Vomiting — Discussions of Transphobia, Homophobia and Racism (including how these relate to the prison-industrial complex) — Dysphoria — Brief Mentions of Depression and Allusions to Self-Harm — Suicide — Mentions of Domestic Violence — Claustrophobic Situations.//]] [[<img src="images/triangle.png" alt="title" height="100" width="100" />->ok lets see]]=><= **(css: "font-size: 200%;")[5840]** <= //The first signs of life since total extinction show themselves — [[A furry lifeform named Bal.->What Happened — 10672]]//=><= (text-colour:white)[**(css: "font-size: 200%;")[10672]**] <= (text-colour:white)[//Bal makes a friend. The two are happy — spending all their time together. [[Until the friend dies.->What Happened — 26635]]//]=><= **(css: "font-size: 200%;")[22365]** <= //Traces of humanity are discovered by two sentient giraffes: Simon and Peter. They are married. They use their necks to see down a big hole where they find a USB hard-drive. On it, they discover a small archive of entertainment from the 21st century. Enough movies, books, shows, and music to keep someone busy for years. Unfortunately, giraffes don't care about art. They throw the hard-drive back down the hole while kissing with their necks entwined — [[it's kinda hot...->What happened — 49511]]//=><= (text-colour:white)[**(css: "font-size: 200%;")[49511]**] <= (text-colour:white)[//The horrible sound of a human baby crying echoes in the middle of a giant cave... But where is it being born from? A particularly jagged rock splits open and from it plops out a little baby boy, covered in "slime" and mineral dust. [[Fucking disgusting.->What Happened — 60194]]//]=><= **(css: "font-size: 200%;")[60194]** <= //Humanity has evolved to the point of wanting to look down holes. They venture to the same hole as the married giraffes that never fought and also eventually adopted a kid. Inside of it, a young adventurer (believed to be Katherine of the pompous Diddat Family) finds the same hard-drive — but a little more dusty. She picks it up and places it inside her rucksack, and starts her climb back up. This is around the time that humanity is starting to re-learn the concept of betrayal — unfortunate timing for our intrepid explorer. Her spelunking partner (Aurelia of the destitute Bergers) cuts the rope before she can surface, and retrieves the hard-drive for herself off the splat of her former friend. [[That sucks.->What Happened — 60606]]//=><= (text-colour:white)[**(css: "font-size: 200%;")[60606]**] <= (text-colour:white)[//Culture has developed to the point of humanity enjoying various aspects of the mythical hard-drive. We find practical uses — the knowledge to propel ourselves ahead to the Industrial Revolution, and decades beyond in only years. And we didn't need to invent cars again, the giraffes already took care of that. As for entertainment: Some enjoy the comedy the hard-drive provides, even more the heart-pounding action. Others like to cry and be little sad bitches and listen to sad music...same. All of humanity especially likes Pitbull. They worship him like a god — the featuring artists his disciples. [[Except for Chris Brown, the old humans kept him off the hard-drive and the world forgot about him.->What Happened — 60669]]//]=><= **(css: "font-size: 200%;")[60669]** <= //Humanity likes Pitbull too much at this point, and takes a collective vote to eradicate all of the other content on the hard-drive. FYI: They are very explicit that other artist's songs featuring Pitbull still count. They go after everyone — putting staples in the bootleggers to get information, slamming a grandma's face into the carpet of their home for daring to own a VHS of Flubber. On a crisp Friday morning, they fill an accountant with bullets after they printed a Minion meme for their cubicle. Not a soul shudders at the sound of her body hitting the carpet. [[All in Pitbull's name.->What Happened — 60674]]//=><= (text-colour:white)[**(css: "font-size: 200%;")[60674]**] <= (text-colour:white)[//All idols fall. All heroes crumble into dust. There is an attack on the UWLoP (United World Library of Pitbull) in the middle of the month formerly known as June. All digital records of Pitbull are destroyed, and the attackers are killed before they can escape. Spirits are low. Many find it hard to get out of bed the next day. Some find themselves inexplicably crying when they hear the word "dalé". We all work to move on in the wake of tragedy. [[A few more years pass.->What Happened — 60680]]//]=><= **(css: "font-size: 200%;")[60680 — Present Day.]** <= //A desperate man asks his parents for money to buy a copy of Timber's lyrics. They turn him down and suggest he try Safe-Ketamine™ instead — it's brand new and said to be two times as safe as generic brand Ketamine™. If it isn't obvious — times are tough. The economy is in shambles. The Pitbull market is even more barren. Everybody knows someone that knows someone whose cousin has a .mp3 of Feel This Moment. But they're lying. Pitbull doesn't exist tangibly anymore, instead carried on in humanity's hearts and minds. Like the heart and mind of TeeJay Ivoné — a freckled twenty-something brunette, with painfully pale skin, living in the hot desert wasteland that used to be called Arizona. We are connected to each other. Her brainwaves match up to mine — the closest thing we will ever have to reincarnation. She remembers nothing of my life. I am only observing hers. [[She's sitting in the passenger seat of a speeding car right now. ->The heist of the... year? (Prologue)]]//(set: $Ch1 to true) (align:"==>")+(box:"===XX")[{(link:"Save game.")[ (if:(save-game:"Slot A"))[ Game saved. ](else: )[ Sorry, I couldn't save your game. ] ]}] <= //Thump...thump!// My pulse rings in my ears, I'm nervous and my legs are shaking. The sun is shining directly in my face — I swear I can sense its five-hundred degree heat through the glass. My eyes feel dry. //They always do.// From the driver's seat, Samuel speaks up. ''Samuel:'' You rememember what you have to do when we get there, right? I respond without thinking. ''TeeJay:'' I, uh— My voice cracks, I clear my throat. ''TeeJay:'' —sit in the driver's seat with the van idling until you come back out — or until something worse happens. ''Samuel:'' Good, you rememembered. ''TeeJay:'' Why wouldn't I have? ''Samuel:'' You've been spacey recently — not entirely present when we're working together. ''TeeJay:'' I don't know what you're talking about. //He's right — I've been acting abnormal recently. Since our breakup.// //I just can't seem to get certain thoughts out of my head now.// ''Samuel:'' It happened again. You spaced out. I come back to, clear my throat and apologize to him. I steal a glimpse at his profile, my heart hurts. ''TeeJay:'' Sorry — I promise I'll be more present today. ''Samuel:'' That's all I'm asking. Two different responses present themselves in my brain — a choice. I understand that my choices have brought me to where I am now and that they will continue to affect every aspect of my life. [["Got it."->I understand.]] [["I heard you the first time, jag-off."->Jag-off!]]=><= (text-colour:white)[//In the beginning of time... There wasn't much. Over the next thousand years, a lot happened. Why are you asking me? Look it up. This continued exponentially until we found ourselves evolved, sentient, and deeply bored in the 21st century. Unfortunately, the good times are never built to last. I like to think they stopped around 2012. I was fourteen — my body was spry and full of (css: "font-size: 55%;")[~~incorrect~~] hormones. I died in 2038. Along with the rest of the world. Yeah, the world "ended" — I mean, what were we taught to expect? I won't tell you how it happened. Way too sad. It didn't end the way you're expecting — I //can// tell you that. Some former lifeforms became concious observers, I was lucky enough to be one of them.// [[Click here to find out what happened next. Most of the time, the bottom line will both take you to the next page, //and// further your understanding of the story and characters.->What Happened — 5840]]]thecreaturedrawsnear: ./audio/thecreaturedrawsnear.mp3 thefirstroar: ./audio/thefirstroar.mp3 gaggle: ./audio/gaggle.mp3 newroar: ./audio/newroar.mp3 hello: ./audio/helloteejay.mp3 uphere: ./audio/uphere.mp3 pissing: ./audio/pissing.mp3 screaming: ./audio/screaming.mp3 pae: ./audio/paeisalive.mp3=><= [[Return to Title.->Title Screen]] Written by Paige Morgan (StamberRambler) (css: "font-size: 65%;")[//This Game is Dedicated to: Remi, for being a really great gerbil and an even better friend. Pitbull, for representing a time in music that reminds me of polo shirts, body odor, and not understanding myself. And Frankie, for being an editor that's as eager to be critical as he is supportive. And for inspiring this game.//] (css: "font-size: 65%;")[This game was made in Twine — with love, admiration, blood, sweat, piss, and my entire butt :)] (css: "font-size: 65%;")[I recorded the sounds too. Steal them if you want.] (css: "font-size: 65%;")[//Thank you to Arlo (tumblr.com/magiciansvoyage) and Frankie (tumblr.com/sassishuna) for testing this incredibly long game. An extra special thanks to Manonamora (manonamora.itch.io/) for help with saving. Even if I couldn't exactly figure it out. Like, seriously, thank you all.//]''Samuel:'' Thanks. Silence falls over us. I fiddle with the zipper attached to my jacket pocket. Letting go of it — its hit the leather, and I pick it back up. I continue to do this, a small sound is produced each time. //Clink, clink, clink...// ''Samuel:'' Can you cut that out? I drop the zipper. //Clink.// ''TeeJay:'' Sorry. Samuel shakes his head and apologizes. ''Samuel:'' Sorry about snapping on you. I'm just a little stressed. ''TeeJay:'' I get it. //I do the same when I get upset. I wish it was something we could've bonded over, instead of —// ''Samuel:'' Thanks. [[The car turns onto a dusty path.->Heist Start]]''Samuel:'' Jag-off? He laughs, warmth spilling out of his mouth and filling the cabin. //I feel like I haven't heard him laugh in a long time.// ''Samuel:'' Who says jag-off? My cheeks turn red, my words come out stuttered. ''TeeJay:'' I heard it from my uh, — a friend. ''Samuel:'' Which friend? ''TeeJay:'': Um...Jonathan. He's a friend to us all. ''Samuel:'' Jonathan is great. ''TeeJay:'' Eh. We both laugh again. ''Samuel:'' I'm gonna punch you, jerkass. I tease him further. ''TeeJay'': Jerkass...? Who says jerkass? //He won't punch me. He knows that it would hurt — and even for the best joke, he wouldn't hurt me.// //Our time together was amazing. I want it back.// [[I've almost brought the words to the front of my mouth when the car turns onto a dusty path.->Heist Start]] (set: $SamHeist to true)(if: $SamHeist is true)[Samuel stops laughing, and hunches over while tensing his body.] ''Samuel:'' Can't see a damn thing... Our visilibility hasn't held up — the wheels of our car kick up dirt from the path. //This is going to stress him out.// ''TeeJay:'' You want to pull over? ''Samuel:'' Not really. But sure. Samuel slows the car down and pulls to the shoulder. ''TeeJay:'' Maybe it would be a good idea to leave the car here? ''Samuel:'' //Great idea!// Then we just run away down the road while they shoot us in the butts. I //love// spilling red from my sweet, tight ass! ''TeeJay:'' You don't have to be mean about it. We'd be driving blind anyway. ''Samuel:'' Safe in a car! I'm just saying — can you even think a little bit about these things? ''Samuel:'' The idea was dumb, stupid, and idiotic. He slaps his hand down on his knee. ''Samuel:'' Oh, I understand now — do you actually enjoy spilling red? //In the right context.// //But I won't say that right now.// ''Samuel:'' Being shot in the ass sounds good to you? //He's too stressed to think about this decision. Both options have pros — and both have the con of us potentially dying.// (link:"//I want to leave the car.//")[//If it's your first time playing, you should too.//] //So I'll make the decision. I never do it — why not try?// [["No it's not, let's leave the car here."->Leave the Car]] [["You're right, let's just try to make it." ->Take the Car]]=><= Chapter Selection: [[Return to Title.->Title Screen]] [[Prologue.->Dalé!]] [[Chapter 1.->The heist of the... year? (Prologue)]] (css: "font-size: 130%;")[//Divergence A://] [[Chapter 2.->Divergence A - Chapter 2 Starting Quote]] [[Chapter 3.->Divergence A - Chapter 3 Starting Quote]] [[Chapter 4.->Divergence A - Chapter 4 Starting Quote]] [[Chapter 5.->Divergence A - Chapter 5 Starting Quote]] [[Chapter 6.->Divergence A - Chapter 6 Starting Quote]] (css: "font-size: 130%;")[//Divergence B://] [[Chapter 2.->Divergence B - Chapter 2 Starting Quote]] [[Chapter 3A.->Divergence B - Chapter 3A Starting Quote]] [[Chapter 3B.->Divergence B - Chapter 3B Starting Quote]] [[Chapter 4A.->Divergence B - Chapter 4A Starting Quote]] [[Chapter 4B.->Divergence B - Chapter 4B Starting Quote]] [[Chapter 5A.->Divergence B - Chapter 5A Starting Quote]] [[Chapter 5B.->Divergence B - Chapter 5B Starting Quote]] [[Chapter 6B.->Divergence B - Chapter 6B Starting Quote]]I awaken in total darkness and abject pain with my legs strapped against my chest. //Am I in a box?// //A really tiny box?// I try to wiggle myself, and find that there's no room around me to do so. //Guess that means I'm tiny. I knew it.// //I'm a tiny little doll in its box.// //Someone open me! Little Jonathan needs a happy birthday!// //I wonder what it must've been like to celebrate birthdays.// //I have one memory of a birthday party when I was eight, but not my own: My little cousin had the family over and the kids always ended up in the basement. This time, they wanted to play dress up with my brother and I. He refused. I played along — put on a dress. And loved how I looked.// //Then my brother ran upstairs to tell my mom what I'd done and I ripped it off faster than I had ever moved before—// //Hey, do you want to hear a Pitbull fun fact?// //I consider his lyrics to be generally sexist.// //This isn't breaking new ground, that's actually why those people attacked the UWLoP.// //That was a fun fact.// //Wait, where's Samuel? Did the Enforcers not grab him, or is he somewhere else?// //I want to smell him again. I already don't remember what he smelled like, how could I forget that?// //I think I might be in —// //Ha! No. He's mean to me sometimes.// //I want someone that isn't mean to me, I deserve better than that because...// //Because...// //Another fun fact is that I really need to scream right now.// I scream at the top of my lungs. ''TeeJay:'' Let me out of here! I thrash my body, attempting to shake the box to attract attention. ''TeeJay:'' I'm claustrophobic, please let me out! A voice from the outside returns my call. ''Outside Voice:'' Are you really claustrophobic? ''TeeJay:'' Yes! ''Outside Voice:'' I don't believe you— //Click!// The box unlocks and artificial light floods in from the outside. My eyes burn at its introduction. ''Outside Voice:'' But I also have a gun, and you don't. So it's not like I'm making a stupid decision. After my eyes adjust, I find the source of the voice — a short uniformed Enforcer dressed in all black stands over me. They have a crack in their visor. ''TeeJay:'' Where — am I? ''Cracked Visor Enforcer:'' Good news for you — we're going to Prison Island. [[//That's not good news at all...//->Prison Island?]]//this is a potential ending that i wrote around the time that i started the game. i think this is more of a idea of where i wanted it to go stylistically?// //the lines that don't have a name attached are most likely supposed to be samuel. i don't remember, so i'm not adding nametags.// Do you think that we should like — Do something with it? ''TeeJay:'' Like what? I dunno. Preserve it. Like how the earlier humans preserved it for us. I look at the CD in my hand, it reflects the neon lights of the party behind us. ''TeeJay:'' I don't think so. Isn't that kind of a big decision to make for a lot of people? ''TeeJay:'' Not really. We were fine without him. And, I mean — there had to have been a time before when Pitbull didn't exist. I don't think that's true. I think he was the first human. ''TeeJay:'' C'mon. It's a possibility, you have to admit it. Fine. There was probably a time before Pitbull existed. ''TeeJay:'' Maybe we don't need him in the future. ''TeeJay:'' Maybe it's time that humanity finds its next Pitbull. It's just... I dunno. ''TeeJay:'' I'm scared too. I grab their hand and squeeze it tight. ''TeeJay:'' I bet the first humans were scared out of their freaking minds. The third'll be the same when their time comes. You wanna head in? I nod my head. ''TeeJay:'' Sure, one sec. What's up? I look at the CD in my palm and close my fist tighter. I lean back and throw it into the swampland. ''TeeJay:'' Now I'm good.''TeeJay:'' You're right, let's just try to make it. ''Samuel:'' Thank you. Samuel continues down the dirt path and turns on the windshield wipers. They don't do anything to help. //He's nervous, and this isn't helping. I understand why he's feeling this way — it's not easy to rob people. But these aren't normal people. We rob bootleggers that sell covers of old songs and pawn them off on our own. It's not moral, it's not easy, and it definitely impacted our relationship enough to split us up. Samuel's still stressed from the last job, and he's been angry for days.// //At least he makes cute mistakes when he's angry. I just wish he wasn't as angry as he has been recently.// //It's the stress. This will all be over when there's no stress. And that means having money.// //So you can do this, TeeJay.// Samuel's deep voice interrupts my thoughts. ''Samuel:'' We're almost there. Do you want me to talk? ''TeeJay:'' Please. He nods his head as we pull in front of a dilapidated house. An older man sits in a rocking chair on the front porch. Samuel unlocks the doors and gets out of the car before me. He yells toward the man on the porch. ''Samuel:'' Hey! ''Porch Man:'' Are ye' Sam? ''Porch Man:'' C'mere! I'll take you both inside to meet the boys. Samuel looks at me, nods, and goes back to the man. ''Samuel:'' Actually — uh, she's gonna stay out here! Not feeling too well today! The porch man rubs his chin in thought. I feel him analyze me. ''Porch Man:'' She seems okay to me. Y'all should come inside. Samuel turns to me again. I nod my head. He yells back to the porch man. ''Samuel:'' Alright! [[We walk up the small set of stairs to meet the porch man. He shakes our hands, opens the screen door, and we walk into the house.->Inside the House]]''TeeJay:'' No it's not, let's leave the car here. ''Samuel:'' Are you even listening to me? ''TeeJay:'' I am. You're too stressed to think critically about this. ''TeeJay:'' It would be a lot more dangerous to not be able to see the road. We could crash — then it's really over. He takes his hand off the gear shift and stares into my eyes — he's angry at me. //Angry that I'm right?// ''Samuel:'' Fine. We'll leave the car here. He presses the button to unlock our doors, and steps out first. I follow behind. The sun blinds me and I begin to sweat, silently I long for the world to grow a shield to protect us from its harsh rays. //I remember watching other movies — without Pitbull songs in them. The people in them were never sweating as much as we do. Was the sun on a lower setting?// //Has humanity forgotten where the remote is?// //Then again — there was that movie with that guy...// //The South Floridian lawyer that starts an affair. And they sweat all over each other for the next two hours. They seemed to be hot.// //Hot...oh, "Body Heat"! That's the name!// I stretch my arms into the sky and yawn, proud of my brain for figuring that out. It would've killed me to not know. I turn to Samuel and speak over the car. ''TeeJay:'' You remember //Body Heat//? He doesn't look back to me. ''Samuel:'' Like how it feels when someone lays next to you? No, I don't remember. After breaking my heart, Samuel starts to walk away from the car. [[I walk around the car to join him on the road.->Walking There]]=><= //"Waiting..."// //"Oh, I'm waiting..."// //"I've been waiting for a long time..."// //"But how much longer can I wait to know if he's okay?"// <= //That's a short song about waiting that I wrote right now. Do you like it? I know I'm no Pitbull.// //I'm normally a patient person. I like waiting — my song was supposed to be happy.// //Maybe you didn't see that, art is subjective after all.// //But you know what isn't subjective to me? Waiting. God, I love it.// //I don't love the creeping fear that sets in after a while. Though that only happens when we do this together.// //Breaking the law with someone I like — what's hard to understand about that?// //For the last five years, we've stolen knockoff artist covers of Pitbull songs from bootleggers, and we sell them ourselves.// //Today is supposed to be our biggest haul yet. Last we heard, they have three or four crates inside.// //That may not sound like a lot, but you have to remember — CDs are small!// //A normal CD case is 4.7 inches by 4.7 inches looking from the front — inside a cardboard box that's 12-16 inches wide and the same height, you can fit a hell of a lot of them even laying down. So if the bootleggers were smart enough to stack them sideways...// =><= (css: "font-size: 175%;")[//BANG!//] <= I jump — the sound of a gunshot. //But whose gun?// I don't wait long for an answer. The door to the dilapidated house flings open, and Samuel falls face-first out of it. He raises his head up — yelling in my direction. ''Samuel:'' Help! //There's red spilling all around him.// //I have to do something.// [[Run to Samuel.->Run to Samuel]]I have to run to catch up with Samuel, he didn't even look back at me. //I want to cry.// //But I shouldn't. Maybe tonight, when I'm alone.// //I should ask something important though.// [["Are you mad at me?"->Are you mad at me?]] [["Are you excited to be done today?"->Are you excited?]]''TeeJay:'' Are you mad at me? //Why did I say that? I don't understand what came over me.// ''Samuel:'' Why are you asking me that? I stumble over my words. ''TeeJay:'' Uh— ''TeeJay:'' It just seems like you're being a little quiet. Samuel sighs and places his hand over the right side of his face. ''Samuel:'' Look, I'm sorry for being quiet. But I'm trying to focus. //He's lying. But why? He's been like this for at least the last few weeks.// //It's not worth asking him right now — I could probably get a better answer after we're back in the car.// ''TeeJay:'' I understand, sorry. We reach the end of the dirt path in silence and stand in front of a dilapidated house. An older man sits in a rocking chair on the front porch. He stands up and raises a pistol at us from his hip. With his other hand, he puts on a pair of large glasses. ''Porch Man:'' Hey! Who goes there? ''Samuel:'' We're uh — we're here for the CDs. ''Porch Man:'' Well, keep your damn voice down then! The porch man puts the gun back on his hip. ''Porch Man:'' C'mere! I'll take you both inside to meet the boys. Samuel looks at me, nods, and goes back to the man. ''Samuel:'' Actually — uh, they're gonna stay out here! Not feeling too well today! The porch man rubs his chin in thought. I feel him analyze me. ''Porch Man:'' Seems okay to me — feel better! I give a thumbs up. Samuel turns to me again. ''Samuel:'' I'll be right back. I nod my head, and he jogs up to meet the porch man. He opens the screen door, and both walk into the house. [[Time to wait.->Waiting for Samdot]]''TeeJay:'' Are you excited to be done today? ''Samuel:'' Not really. I try not to get excited about pointing a gun at people and robbing them. ''Samuel:'' I feel like that would make me a bad person. //I don't know why I asked that. I knew the answer already.// //He's never excited.// //So why are we still doing this?// We reach the end of the dirt path in silence and stand in front of a dilapidated house. An older man sits in a rocking chair on the front porch. He stands up and raises a pistol at us from his hip. With his other hand, he puts on a pair of large glasses. ''Porch Man:'' Hey! Who goes there? ''Samuel:'' We're uh — we're here for the CDs. ''Porch Man:'' Well, keep your damn voice down then! The porch man puts the gun back on his hip. ''Porch Man:'' C'mere! I'll take you both inside to meet the boys. Samuel looks at me, nods, and goes back to the man. ''Samuel:'' Actually — uh, they're gonna stay out here! Not feeling too well today! The porch man rubs his chin in thought. I feel him analyze me. ''Porch Man:'' Seems okay to me — feel better! I give a thumbs up. Samuel turns to me again. ''Samuel:'' I'll be right back. I nod my head, and he jogs up to meet the porch man. He opens the screen door, and both walk into the house. [[Time to wait.->Waiting for Samdot]]I hardly need to think. I sprint over to the front door. Samuel's lying face down on the wooden porch — it's glistening below him. ''TeeJay:'' Sam! ''Samuel:'' No — //Samuel raises his hand toward me. My feet aren't stopping.// ''Samuel:'' Gun! //Above Samuel's body and through the screen door, I spot the porch man aiming his pistol down the hallway.// //So that's where the gunshot came from...// //But I have to help.// When I reach the porch, I dive and stay down next to him. ''TeeJay:'' I'm here. He winces and breathes deep before speaking. ''Samuel:'' ...idiot. ''TeeJay:'' How about //my hero//? I place my palm over the bullet wound on his back and press down with the other. Samuel thrashes below me and screams in pain. ''TeeJay:'' I'm trying to — //BANG! BANG, BANG!// The netted-screen on the door rips open as three bullets fly over our heads. ''Porch Man:'' Someone call the gall-darn Enforceys! ''TeeJay:'' We gotta move. ''Samuel:'' Yes. ''TeeJay:'' Can you stand? ''Samuel:'' Maybe? ''TeeJay:'' Want to try? ''Samuel:'' Yes. I grab him under the arms and lift with all my might so that we tumble backwards down the stairs. I watch as our legs intersect and we reverse positions — me landing on him. ''TeeJay:'' Fancy //sneeing// — //"Sneeing"? I'm going to be embarrassed about that one for years.// ''TeeJay:'' Fancy, uh — seeing you...underneath me. ''Samuel:'' Get off me! He throws me off of him and onto the dirt. I hear the screen door open and someone else step onto the porch. ''Samuel:'' Run! Samuel stands and takes off hobbling down the dirt path. [[I follow behind him.->Running after Samuel]] (set: $CanYouStand to true)I take off after Samuel, and quickly catch up. I lean down next to him while moving, put my shoulder underneath his, and lift with all my might. Lifting him slightly off the ground, I drag him running behind me. ''Samuel:'' Ow, fuck! ''TeeJay:'' Gunshots hurt more than this, you baby. Samuel groans and mumbles something to me. He slurs his first word. ''Samuel:'' — my baby. ''TeeJay:'' I can't hear you! ''Samuel:'' You're — He grunts in pain again. ''Samuel:'' — my baby. I blush hard, and turn my head away from his. //What is he saying?// //Why now?// //Fuck. He thinks he's dying.// ''Samuel:'' You're my baby, TeeJay. I love you. ''TeeJay:'' Stop talking — I catch myself, and turn back. ''TeeJay:'' — also I love you too. The car reaches our view. I point to it with my free arm. ''TeeJay:'' We're almost there! //I hear something behind me.// //Tires?// I use the last of my strength to move faster toward the car — the most distance I can cover, the better. Something in front of us — //An Enforcer vehicle turns onto the dirt path.// //The tires from behind are approaching faster than I feared.// //Still around fifty feet...// The tires are behind us now, presumably speeding toward our not-currently-macerated bodies. //Here they come.// //Don't turn around, keep moving.// //I can hear it in my right ear...// I wait as long as I can, and dive to the left of the road when I think it's time. The car narrowly misses us to the right, careening straight down the path at an impossibly high speed. //They're not stopping...// //Holy —// The car that missed us collides head-on with the Enforcer vehicle, a huge tower of fire explodes into the air. //Fuck!// I stand, and begin picking Samuel up. I turn my head down the road both ways. //Nothing behind us — but I can hear more sirens.// ''TeeJay:'' We're going to the car. Samuel nods weakly from underneath my arm. [[We hobble toward the car together, careful to keep our distance from the fire.->Into the Sunset? (Prologue End)]]=><= //"The essence of life is choice. The choice to be free. The choice to be loved. The choice to love yourself. The choice to perservere. The choice to party in Miami. Every human is born with the right to chooose. Taking away autonomy is a crime deserving of death. The people that control our lives need to go. I'll kill them myself if I have to... And it'll be my choice."// (css: "font-size: 75%;")[- Armando Christian Pérez] [[Start Game.->Dalé!]](set: $DivBCh1 to true) (text-colour:white)[(align:"==>")+(box:"===XX")[{(link:"Save game.")[ (if:(save-game:"Slot A"))[ Game saved. ](else: )[ Sorry, I couldn't save your game. ] ]}]] =><= (text-colour:white)[//"Girl my body don't lie.// //I'm outta my mind.// //Let it rain over me.// //I'm rising so high.// //Out of my mind.// //So let it rain over me.// //Ay ay ay. Ay ay ay.// //Let it rain over me."// (css: "font-size: 75%;")[— Marc Anthony (in //"Rain Over Me"// by Pitbull ft. Marc Anthony, released in 2012).] [[Begin Chapter 2.->Journey to Prison Island]] [[Return to Title Screen.->Title Screen]]]//Thousands of years ago, the state of Florida and the rest of The Gulf were devastated in a flood.// //Hundreds of years ago, that water mostly receded — opening up wide stretches of reclaimed nature.// //Tens of years ago, warning signs of another flood appeared. Scientists estimate Florida will be submerged again within our lifetimes.// //Thus, its citizens have developed cities raised on stilts, above the previous flood's highest point. Orlando stands at 250 feet, Bradenton at 200, and of course, the new capital of Miami is the highest at 305 feet.// //If you thought "Is that a reference to Mr. 305?", you'd be correct. Old Miami has become a place of legend in history, a past utopia for humanity to enjoy life and party very hard.// //The spirit of Miami is kept alive and well in our current time, however, the cost of partying has significantly raised. You need to pay an upfront cost to go in for a night, and more money than I can imagine to live there.// //I'm not jealous of the people who live there. They live on stilts — a teetering existence.// //Hurricanes may not happen yearly anymore, but I'd still be scared shitless of the possibility. Hurricanes have EYES — can they see?!// //If they could, and if they were here now, they'd only see a scared girl with no idea what to do with herself. I'd probably stand still in the eye and wait for the storm to start again — an unfortunately apt metaphor for life after trauma.// //Oh, another fun fact about current Florida is that the city of Miami has expanded up the coast, all the way to where Boca Raton used to be.// //Prison Island is nearby — a series of connected islands that old humans used to call "The Florida Keys".// //It's where they put everyone guilty of "Pitbull Crimes" — any crime related to the concept or work of Pitbull. The list is expansive and slightly vague: Unauthorized Selling of Pitbull-related Contraband, Plagiarism of Pit, excessive party fouls in Miami, all the way to the extreme category of Pitbull-motivated Homicides.// //To further protect the high-class party people in Miami from its prisoners — the Everglades has been allowed to naturally expand, covering the area between the two.// //If any prisoner can escape, it's almost a guarantee that some wild animal living nearby will kill them.// //Panthers, water snakes, strangling snakes, alligators, dolphins, manatees...// The Enforcer stops my deep thought with the clearing of their throat. [[''Cracked Visor Enforcer:'' Okay, you've had time to rest. Stand up.->Stand up]](set: $DivACh2 to true) (align:"==>")+(box:"===XX")[{(link:"Save game.")[ (if:(save-game:"Slot A"))[ Game saved. ](else: )[ Sorry, I couldn't save your game. ] ]}] =><= //"Get lost with me tonight.// //Cruise slow motion, chase the sun as we burn one down.// //Get lost with me tonight.// //We going high as a mother- (woo).// //Nothing's gonna stop us now.// (css: "font-size: 75%;")[- Pitbull & Zac Brown (in //"Can't Stop Us Now"// by Pitbull ft. Zac Brown, released in 2022).] [[Begin Chapter 2.->You Can Only Meet Someone If They Have A Name]] [[Go to Title Screen.->Title Screen]](set: $DivBCh3A to true) (text-colour:white)[(align:"==>")+(box:"===XX")[{(link:"Save game.")[ (if:(save-game:"Slot A"))[ Game saved. ](else: )[ Sorry, I couldn't save your game. ] ]}]] =><= (text-colour:white)[//"Oh, now feel it comin' back again — Like a rollin' thunder chasing the wind — Forces pullin' from the center of the Earth again — I can feel it — I can feel it!"// (css: "font-size: 75%;")[— Ed Kowalczyk (in //"Lightning Crashes"// by Live, released in 1994).] [[Begin Chapter 3.->End of the (Lunch) Line]] [[Return to Title Screen.->Title Screen]]](set: $DivACh3 to true) (align:"==>")+(box:"===XX")[{(link:"Save game.")[ (if:(save-game:"Slot A"))[ Game saved. ](else: )[ Sorry, I couldn't save your game. ] ]}] =><= //"Quieres ser mi amor y me dices que eres sincero. Me pides por favor, me prometes el mundo entero. Sé cuál es mi valor y no quiero a un bandolero. Tengo un corazón y merezco el amor de un hombre real. Estoy lista pa' bailar. Estoy lista para gozar. Estoy lista, pero dime."// (css: "font-size: 75%;")[— Natti Natasha (in //"No La Trates"// by Pitbull ft. Natti Natasha and Daddy Yankee, released in 2019).] [[Begin Chapter 3.->Oko-homo]] [[Go to Title Screen.->Title Screen]]I throw open the passenger side door, and shift Samuel toward it. Sirens continue their approach in the distance. //He's very heavy...// //His arms feel solid beside me...// //I stop thinking, I don't have time to get excited.// I finish setting him on the passenger seat, and I shut the door next to him. //So many sirens...// I run to the driver's side and get into the car. When I sit down, I realize — //Where are the keys?// //I can't think.// //My heart is beating really fast.// //I need to breathe.// //In to your stomach...out through your mouth...// //I attempt to slowly breathe.// //It doesn't go well, and I'm still as frozen as I was before.// Samuel weakly mumbles something. ''Samuel:'' The keys are — in — His head slumps over, and he begins snoring. ''TeeJay:'' Seriously? C'mon! I shake him. ''TeeJay:'' Where are the keys?! He stirs and leans to the side, presenting his left pocket to me. I gulp and reach my hand inside, careful not to brush skin. //Found them!// I pull out the set of keys and put them into the ignition. The car starts up, and I turn us around toward the main road— —into a large blockade of Enforcer vehicles. [[The car screeches to a halt, and I put my hands in the air.->Divergence B - Chapter 2 Starting Quote]] (set: $SamArrest to true) **VARIABLES** //many of these variables are dumb and only change a few things throughout the game. i don't really understand how twine works, but i understand that my game works!// **PROLOGUE** SamHeist: controlled with the jag-off dialogue option, sam will be more flirtatious and open with his affection toward you SamNotArrest: whether sam is arrested in the prologue/div. b. he is traded over to the bootleggers/maybe he like isn't and you rescue him? Agh CanYouStand: whether or not you asked Sam if he could stand **DIV B** Dragged: if you are dragged further into the prison — 1 line of dialogue changes because i want it to Catgirl: if you meow at the Enforcer. makes you gayer, but only in my mind. //romance and conversation variables:// FrankieFirst ValFirst GraceFirst FrankieSecond ValSecond GraceSecond FrankieRomance GraceRomance ValRomance FrankieJoins — frankie joins you at dinner with sam **chapter select variables** DivACh1 DivBCh1 - divergence b chapter 1 DivBCh2 DivBCh3A DivBCh3B DivBCh4A i gave up on variables in july of 2022. i focused on writing better. keeping this here as a memory. enjoy or don't i guess.I look down at the metal ground — its silver coloring feels so heartless. ''Cracked Visor Enforcer:'' I won't say it again. Stand up. I stretch my legs down toward the ground, and realize how numb they still feel. //How long was I tied up?// ''TeeJay:'' I don't know if I can walk. [[''Cracked Visor Enforcer:'' You have to.->Welcome to Prison Island]] (if: $CanYouStand is true)[I breathe out of my nose. ''Cracked Visor Enforcer:'' What's so funny? ''TeeJay:'' Nothing. [[//I've said something just as insensitive before.//->Welcome to Prison Island]]]I place my wobbling feet onto the ground— —and fall onto my face. //OW!// //My teef!// //Why did my thoughts add a lisp? I don't even know if I have one yet.// ''TeeJay:'' Ow! My teeth! //Coast is clear.// //But it still hurts like hell.// ''Cracked Visor Enforcer:'' Get up! I spit at his boot. ''TeeJay:'' I just tried, jackass! The Enforcer stomps his boot into my hand. He stomps again and again to an imaginary beat. //Is this..."Hotel Room Service"? I love — ow, ow! Okay, now it's just Jingle Bells.// ''Cracked Visor Enforcer:'' Watch your tounge, you stupid fucking idiot. He reaches down, pulls me up to my feet and drags me along the steel floor. We turn down a hallway lit by a dim red. Eventually, we reach a large door. He turns my face to the side and types in a code — the door opens. Sunlight pours in, burning my eyes. ''TeeJay:'' Agh! My dry eyes! ''Cracked Visor Enforcer'': What are you talking about? ''TeeJay:'' I have dry eyes — it's like a real condition. My eyelids basically broke. ''Cracked Visor Enforcer:'' I'm gonna stomp you again. ''TeeJay:'' Sorry. He drags my body through the door and out onto the ramp. We go down and onto concrete. Without warning, the Enforcer drops me and salutes. ''Cracked Visor Enforcer:'' Sir! I look up from the concrete, spotting an Enforcer in a white uniform. //C'mon, they made the white uniforms the higher rank?// //Don't you like —// //Seriously?// ''Enforcer Chief:'' Stand down. Who's this newbie? The Chief points to me. ''Cracked Visor Enforcer:'' I dunno. But she's got some lip on her! ''Enforcer Chief:'' "Her"? If she says so. Take her to GC7. ''Cracked Visor Enforcer:'' Girl Cabin Seven, sir? The — He hesitates before continuing in a whisper. ''Cracked Visor Enforcer:'' — //rejects?// ''Enforcer Chief:'' You heard me. Now — I need to go take a bath, shave my entire body, and touch myself. ''Cracked Visor Enforcer:'' Have a great Tuesday, sir! He salutes The Chief again, who returns it for a moment before walking away. //I hate authority. But I won't say anything, because I don't think I can take another stomping.// ''Cracked Visor Enforcer:'' C'mon, let's get you to Reject Cabin Seven. ''TeeJay:'' Yippee. [[He kicks me once before dragging me again.->A Tour of Prison Island]]The Enforcer leads you through a series of hallways — down the hallway marked "Other" instead of "Men" — past a sign marked "Girl's Cabins 6-10" — into a room with five doors. //There's not much of a cabin experience here...// ''Cracked Visor Enforcer:'' It's through here. They point to a door with a red number seven on it. ''TeeJay:'' Why is the seven red? ''Cracked Visor Enforcer:'' Why do people spill red? They just do. //Pretty sure there's a reason spillage is red...// //I don't know it but — I could.// //Just get me a computer and an internet connection. For the rest of my life, all of the time, always. Because I don't actually know anything.// ''Cracked Visor Enforcer:'' Why do you keep just standing there? //I'm thinking!// ''TeeJay:'' I dunno. I'm dumb. The Enforcer opens the door and usher me inside. I step in, and they follow. Various voices begin to yell at us. The loudest yells in a distinct northeastern accent — tall, skinny, with olive skin. ''Girl:'' Enforcey! The Enforcer responds, sounding annoyed. ''Cracked Visor Enforcer:'' Hi, Grace. The other two girls sitting near her perk up. The one on the left is shorter than the first, blonde curls bouncing up and down when she moves her mouth. ''Other Girl:'' It's the one with the stinky, dirty pussy! The girl on the right talks next — chewing her straight brown hair, she spits it out of her mouth and onto her pale shoulder. ''Another Girl:'' What the fuck are you talking about, Jessica? ''Girl:'' Yeah, a little too far. ''Other Girl:'' They could wash it! ''Cracked Visor Enforcer:'' I don't even have a pussy! A boy in the corner joins the conversation. He's straddling his chair backwards, looking cool while he works at a desk. Short and fat with dark skin, he's wearing a green prison T-shirt — sleeves cut off. ''Boy:'' You can have mine. Literally, take it! But you pay. ''Cracked Visor Enforcer:'' I don't want it! The boy turns away, mumbling to himself. ''Boy:'' Why do people always say no...? ''Girl:'' Now I think it's funny to say they have a pussy. Say it again. ''Other Girl:'' Stinky, dirty pussy! ''Another Girl:'' Maybe one more time, without the stinky and dirty. ''Other Girl:'' Pussy! The Enforcer snaps, yelling at the group. ''Cracked Visor Enforcer:'' Shut up! All of you! The Enforcer points their rifle at the girls. They quiet down. ''Cracked Visor Enforcer:'' This is the new girl. Her name is — They pause. ''TeeJay:'' I'm TeeJay. ''Girl:'' Hi, TeeJay! ''Another Girl:'' Yay, TeeJay! ''Other Girl:'' Boo, Enforcey! The Enforcer sighs and pulls out a set of keys. ''Cracked Visor Enforcer:'' Have a good night ladies, and Frankie. They exit the room, and lock the door behind them. //I'm standing in front of so many people...// //I haven't talked to new people in so long.// //If I keep standing, they'll think I'm weird or something.// //Who do I talk to first?// [[Talk to the lone boy in the corner, working at a desk.->Frankie]] [[Work up the courage to speak to the group of girls talking in their beds.->Grace and Others]] [[Join the girl playing a card game on her own.->Val]]I walk up to the lone boy and clear my throat. He looks up at me with dark brown eyes that invite me to relax without words — a map of the prison on the desk in front of him. ''TeeJay:'' Hi, I'm TeeJay. He speaks in a uniquely deep voice. ''Frankie:'' I'm Frankie. ''TeeJay:'' Uh — what're you working on? Frankie looks back to the desk, then back up at me. He responds flatly. ''Frankie:'' That's none of your business. //Jeez.// ''TeeJay:'' Sorry, I just — Frankie starts laughing. ''Frankie:'' I know what you're doing. //What is he talking about?// ''TeeJay:'' //What am I doing?// Frankie smiles. ''Frankie:'' Oh, you're good. ''TeeJay:'' What are you talking about...? ''Frankie:'' You're a new type of Enforcer — dressed regular and sent to keep an eye on us. ''TeeJay:'' I'm definitely //not// an Enforcer. He grimaces at me. ''Frankie:'' I don't understand why another trans person would lie to us like this. ''TeeJay:'' Hey, let's not go there — ''Frankie:'' //You// went there first when you sided with the enemy! ''TeeJay:'' Really — I'm not an Enforcer! //Why doesn't he believe me?// He stares at my face, sizing me up. ''Frankie:'' Let me see your back. ''TeeJay:'' //Why...?// ''Frankie:'' Enforcers here have a tattoo on their back, duh. //I didn't know that, don't "duh" me.// ''TeeJay:'' Fine, whatever. I turn around and pull my t-shirt up a tiny bit. He grabs it and yanks the back up further. ''TeeJay:'' Hey — ''Frankie:'' Did you cover it with makeup? ''TeeJay:'' No! How would I get that here? Plus, I hardly know how to do makeup in the first place. I step away from Frankie, tugging my shirt back down. ''Frankie:'' Fine. I'll believe you for now... //Finally.// ''Frankie:'' But I'm keeping my eye on you. ''TeeJay:'' Fine. //Whatever.// [[I walk away from Frankie and back into the center of the room.->Who Next?]] (set: $GraceFirst to false) (set: $FrankieFirst to true) (set: $ValFirst to false)I venture forth toward the group of girls. I feel nervous, like my butthole is opening to spill forth my anxiety in varying shades of brown. //Just say hi. Then let them talk.// //They're all looking at me, I can't avoid this now.// ''TeeJay:'' Hi. I'm TeeJay. The group stares at me for a moment, it feels infinite. They all smile at me, letting their defenses down. ''Grace:'' Grace. The one in the middle holds her hand out to me facing down. //She's the popular one.// I reach out to shake hers, my grip is stronger. Grace points to the girl that was previously harassing the Enforcer. ''Grace:'' This is Jessica. She's a fun time. //Said very sarcastically.// Jessica cuts her off, her blonde bangs bouncing slightly with the movements of her mouth. ''Jessica:'' Hey, I'm Jessica! I'm a fun time! Grace points to the last girl, who appears to be the tallest person in the room. ''Grace:'' This is Kendra. She's an anxious bitch. Kendra waves to me, her wrist limp like Grace's. ''Kendra:'' What does that mean? Why would you say something like that about me? Aren't we friends? ''Grace:'' I was kidding, jeez. ''TeeJay:'' How long have you all known each other? Grace thinks for a moment, her lips pursed. ''Grace:'' I've been in here for two years when I punched a frat boy in Miami — Kendra was here before me for Pitbull Tax Evasion — Jessica the year after for possession. ''Kendra:'' I also used to work in foodservice...why'd I say that...? Jessica asks me a question that I was dreading. ''Jessica:'' Are you trans? ''Kendra:'' Jessica! You can't ask that, dumbass. Say you're sorry. ''Jessica:'' Sorry for what?! ''TeeJay:'' I am. Jessica nudges Kendra. ''Jessica:'' See! We don't care, so is Val! Jessica points to the lone girl in the corner, and then to the other boy. ''Jessica:'' Frankie is also trans. But like — boy trans. ''TeeJay:'' You mean transmasc? ''Jessica:'' Maybe. He doesn't wear a mask. ''Kendra:'' Jessica! That's so offensive! Frankie is really cool, and if he heard you say that he might get upset at you, or worse — //me...// //What is this girl talking about right now?// I lean forward to whisper. ''TeeJay:'' So why is he on this side? Grace whispers back. ''Grace:'' He came out like two months ago. They're still trying to process his transfer to the men's side. ''Jessica:'' Yeah, management sucks here... Kendra groans. ''Kendra:'' Jessica, there's not management here. Plus, I hope they take as long as they need. ''Jessica:'' So you can talk to your boyfriend — ''Kendra:'' Shut up! He's not my — Grace talks directly to me. ''Grace:'' I think these two will be at each other's throats for a little bit. I'm sure you're exhausted, so feel free to go meet the others and take a rest. ''Grace:'' But if you want to stay and talk shit, I'm your girl. [["I have some shit."->Talk to Grace]] [["No shit here."->Who Next?]] (set: $GraceFirst to true) (set: $FrankieFirst to false) (set: $ValFirst to false)I walk up to the girl playing a card game. She looks at me, I get a good look— //Mousy, glasses, dark brown hair.// ''TeeJay:'' Hi, I'm TeeJay. I stick out my hand toward her face. She stares at it. ''Val:'' Valerie, but people call me Val. And sorry, I don't shake hands. I put mine down at my side. ''TeeJay:'' I totally understand. My hand's probably got some nasty germs from the boat they shipped us here on. ''Val:'' Did they cram you into a box? I nod my head. ''Val:'' Typical. Enforceys usually shoot you full of enough drugs to sleep the whole way, but some people wake up. ''TeeJay:'' I woke up...an hour before we got here? Maybe? ''Val:'' Lucky. I woke up a full week before the end of the trip. Nobody would let me out, because of my voice. ''TeeJay:'' What do you mean? ''Val:'' The Enforcers around my box thought that a man had been boxed-up on the wrong side, so they wouldn't let me out until they got permission. ''TeeJay:'' How long did that take? ''Val:'' Until we arrived. The only person that can give permission to move a box to the other side is The Chief. He opened my box himself. ''TeeJay:'' Oof... ''Val:'' Oof. //Won't be a better time to ask this.// I lean forward and whisper to her. ''TeeJay:'' Uh, you're trans, right? She smiles and laughs. ''Val:'' I am, what gave it away? ''TeeJay:'' I could just tell. How — how is the treatment here for us? Val shrugs. ''Val:'' It's fine. As cruel as Enforcers can be, they aren't like the Old Humans. How we present ourselves doesn't matter to them. I sneak a look at the boy alone in the corner of the room. I move my eyes toward him indicating to Val. ''TeeJay:'' What about him...? ''Val:'' That's Frankie — he's also trans. They're still processing his transfer over to the men's side. ''TeeJay:'' Must be tough. ''Val:'' Eh, I guess. The men's side is a different beast, I don't know many people that would willingly go over. //If Samuel is here, he's definitely over on the other side.// ''TeeJay:'' Can we talk to the men's side? ''Val:'' Not during the day. But we all have meals together— Val starts speaking carefully, slowing the words. ''Val:'' Would you — want to eat together tonight? There's no assigned seating, but we all sit together. She motions to the room. [["I'd love to!"->Val is Happy!]] (if: $SamNotArrest is false)[[["My...friend was actually arrested with me. I think I might go look for him."->Val Says Okay]]] (set: $ValFirst to true) (set: $FrankieFirst to false) (set: $GraceFirst to false)The grass tickles my back as I'm dragged, and I let out a small involuntary giggle. ''Cracked Visor Enforcer:'' Did you just...giggle? ''TeeJay:'' Maybe. Do you want me to meow next? ''Cracked Visor Enforcer:'' Are you offering? ''TeeJay:'' If you want me to. ''Cracked Visor Enforcer:'' I'm good. [[Meow.->The Life of a Catgirl]] [[Don't meow.->You will never be a Catgirl.]]I hold myself back from meowing. It takes everything I have within me to break my natural desires. ''Cracked Visor Enforcer:'' I appreciate your restraint. ''TeeJay:'' Meow. [[I continue being dragged further into the prison.->Tour Begins]](set: $Dragged to true)//Meow!// I let out my best meow, and look up at the Enforcer. They let go of me, and I drop two feet onto the grass. ''Cracked Visor Enforcer:'' Not cool. Kinda offensive. Also, I'm working right now. ''TeeJay:'' Sorry, I couldn't resist. I raise my arms up toward them. The Enforcer shakes their head. ''Cracked Visor Enforcer:'' Human girls that meow walk on their own. //If you were ever questioning it — the future does have catgirls. They're their own species that came into existence around the 40,000's.// //The existence of catgirls also implies dogboys — I haven't personally seen any, but the idea—// ''Cracked Visor Enforcer:'' Ew! Do you— The Enforcer looks away from me quickly. I look down — ''TeeJay:'' Sorry, I must've been in that box for a while. ''Cracked Visor Enforcer:'' Fucking sicko. [[I stand up and follow the Enforcer deeper into the prison.->Tour Begins]] (set: $CatGirl to true)(if: $Dragged is true)[I feel the ground on my back shift from grass to metal again as we go deeper into the prison yard and toward the main doors. //Every piece of grass here is artificial anyway, grown on top of the metal that constructs this man-made atrocity.// //I don't think I should be here!// The Enforcer drops me again, and walks up to a woman behind a glass window. I stand up and join the conversation, I hope it's about me!](else:)[The Enforcer and I walk through the prison yard and toward a large door marked "Admitting". The grass below my feet transitions into metal once again. I sigh and say goodbye to the lush green. Inside the doors, The Enforcer leads me to a woman behind a glass window. Her nameplate says Denise.] ''Cracked Visor Enforcer:'' Got another one for you, putting her in GC7. ''Denise:'' You got permission to make that decision, rookie? The Enforcer sighs and grips their fist for a moment, before letting go. ''Cracked Visor Enforcer:'' Yes. The Chief told me to put her there. ''Denise:'' Just gotta check. Can't have you repeating yourself. ''Cracked Visor Enforcer:'' I promise it won't happen — ''Denise:'' Repeating your mistakes, I mean. ''Cracked Visor Enforcer:'' No, I understood that. I was trying to say that I promise it won't — ''Denise:'' Don't make promises you can't keep. The Enforcer speaks through gritted teeth. ''Cracked Visor Enforcer:'' I //hope// it doesn't happen again. ''Denise:'' I promise it will. Having gotten the last word, she presses a button on her right side and another set of metal doors slowly open. The Enforcer drags me behind them, grumbling. When we step through the door, they look at me for confirmation. ''Cracked Visor Enforcer:'' I hate that — ''Cracked Visor Enforcer:'' Sorry, can I say "cunt"? I shrug my shoulders. ''Cracked Visor Enforcer:'' I hate that...e—evil — female... ''TeeJay:'' Jeez, just call her a cunt. ''Cracked Visor Enforcer:'' Shut up. Do you want a tour or not? [["Sure!"->Tour Continues]] [["Just take me to my cabin."->Reject Cabin Seven]]The Enforcer leads me through a long hallway that splits in three directions. They point to the far left. ''Cracked Visor Enforcer:'' Over there are the Prisoner's Quarters. That hallway divides up a lot, it's confusing at first — but you'll figure it out. They point at the middle next. ''Cracked Visor Enforcer:'' That's the hallway to the cafeteria. There's also a small yard attached to it, where prisoners can eat if they like bugs in their food. They point to the right. ''Cracked Visor Enforcer:'' Last up is the Guard's Quarters. I don't need to tell you about the different hallways, because if you ever find yourself down there — you're about to be shot full of holes. ''TeeJay:'' Is this whole building a series of hallways? ''Cracked Visor Enforcer:'' Sometimes the hallways lead to rooms. They stick their thumb over their back. ''Cracked Visor Enforcer:'' Behind us is the Main Yard. That's where we just were. ''Cracked Visor Enforcer:'' Now that the tour's over, do you want to see anything for yourself? //Wait — the tour's over? They just pointed in directions and I'm supposed to trust they're telling the truth?// (link:"I'd like to go look around for myself, if that's okay.")[''Cracked Visor Enforcer:'' I was kidding. This is prison, you can't do that.] [["I'm good."->Reject Cabin Seven]]//That didn't go as bad as I thought it would.// //But now I'm back in front of so many people...// //Who do I talk to second?// (if: $FrankieFirst is false)[[[Talk to the lone boy in the corner, working at a desk.->Frankie Second]]](else:)[] (if: $GraceFirst is false)[[[Work up the courage to speak to the group of girls talking in their beds.->Grace Second Start]]](else:)[] (if: $ValFirst is false)[[[Join the girl playing a card game on her own.->Val Second Start]]](else:)[[[I sit down on a bed, content to not introduce myself to anyone.->Let's Get Some Dinner]]]''TeeJay:'' I kinda got some stuff on my mind. Grace smiles wide and nods. ''Grace:'' Hell yes! Do you, like, sit down ever? She points to the space on the bed to her left. I shake my head no. //I prefer to stand when I'm talking to new people — I like to shift my weight between my legs during conversations.// ''TeeJay:'' I'm good. So what's the deal with this place, anything I should be concerned about? ''Grace:'' Huh. That's a good question... She holds up one finger. ''Grace:'' Give me a minute to think. //Did I ask something too difficult? I thought you were supposed to ask people questions to get them to like you.// //They didn't warn me that the question should be one with an easy answer.// ''Grace:'' Honestly, I think the biggest thing to remember is that the Enforcers are different on both sides of the prison — but we all convene in the cafeteria. ''Grace:'' Don't mess with Enforceys from the men's side. They have different rules over there. //Is Samuel over there? Is he okay?// ''Grace:'' You look like you're thinking about something. //She's observant. That's not great, if she turns out to be mean.// ''TeeJay:'' Yeah. I was arrested with my boyfriend— ''TeeJay:'' Well, he's kinda my boyfriend... ''Grace:'' What's his star sign? //Yes.// ''TeeJay:'' Scorpio. //I lied. I don't know her — and I don't trust like that.// ''Grace:'' You're lying to me, you lying bitch. Why won't you tell me his star sign? ''TeeJay:'' Because I don't know it. Do //you// know your partner's star sign? ''Grace:'' I don't have a partner. On account of being in prison. ''TeeJay:'' Why? Are you not allowed to date people here? ''Grace:'' No, but why would you want to? It's prison. Some of the girls fuck, but nothing serious. I'm sure the men's side is the same. ''TeeJay:'' Samuel having sex with...other men? ''Grace:'' Maybe. He'd probably ask you first. ''Jessica:'' Woah, are we talking about men having sex with other men? ''Kendra:'' You can't talk to someone about sex so quickly, Jessica! ''Jessica:'' She mentioned it first! I blush red. Grace laughs. ''Jessica:'' Do you have pictures of him? Kendra points at Jessica, nodding in agreement. ''Jessica:'' I like pictures. ''Grace:'' On that note, maybe TeeJay wants to go meet the others? ''Jessica:'' Of course! ''TeeJay:'' Thanks. And nice to meet you all. ''Grace:'' See you later. [[I leave the group and return to the center of the room.->Who Next?]]I walk up to the lone boy and clear my throat. He looks up at me with dark brown eyes that invite me to relax without words — a map of the prison on the desk in front of him. ''TeeJay:'' Hi, I'm TeeJay. He speaks in a uniquely deep voice. ''Frankie:'' I'm Frankie. ''TeeJay:'' Uh — what're you working on? Frankie looks back to the desk, then back up at me. He responds flatly. ''Frankie:'' That's none of your business. //Jeez.// ''TeeJay:'' Sorry, I just — Frankie starts laughing. ''Frankie:'' I know what you're doing. //What is he talking about?// ''TeeJay:'' //What am I doing?// Frankie smiles. ''Frankie:'' Oh, you're good. ''TeeJay:'' What are you talking about...? ''Frankie:'' You're a new type of Enforcer — dressed regular and sent to keep an eye on us. ''TeeJay:'' I'm definitely //not// an Enforcer. He grimaces at me. ''Frankie:'' I don't understand why another trans person would lie to us like this. ''TeeJay:'' Hey, let's not go there — ''Frankie:'' //You// went there first when you sided with the enemy! ''TeeJay:'' Really — I'm not an Enforcer! //Why doesn't he believe me?// He stares at my face, sizing me up. ''Frankie:'' Let me see your back. ''TeeJay:'' //Why...?// ''Frankie:'' Enforcers here have a tattoo on their back, duh. //I didn't know that, don't "duh" me.// ''TeeJay:'' Fine, whatever. I turn around and pull my t-shirt up a tiny bit. He grabs it and yanks the back up further. ''TeeJay:'' Hey — ''Frankie:'' Did you cover it with makeup? ''TeeJay:'' No! How would I get that here? Plus, I hardly know how to do makeup in the first place. I step away from Frankie, tugging my shirt back down. ''Frankie:'' Fine. I'll believe you for now... //Finally.// ''Frankie:'' But I'm keeping my eye on you. ''TeeJay:'' Fine. //Whatever.// [[I walk away from Frankie and back into the center of the room.->Who Last?]] (set: $FrankieRomance to true) (set: $FrankieSecond to true) (set: $ValSecond to false) (set: $GraceSecond to false)I venture forth toward the group of girls. I feel nervous, like my butthole is opening to spill forth my anxiety in varying shades of brown. //Just say hi. Then let them talk.// //They're all looking at me, I can't avoid this now.// ''TeeJay:'' Hi. I'm TeeJay. The group stares at me for a moment, it feels infinite. They all smile at me, letting their defenses down. ''Grace:'' Grace. The one in the middle holds her hand out to me facing down. //She's the popular one.// I reach out to shake hers, my grip is stronger. Grace points to the girl that was previously harassing the Enforcer. ''Grace:'' This is Jessica. She's a fun time. //Said very sarcastically.// Jessica cuts her off, her blonde bangs bouncing slightly with the movements of her mouth. ''Jessica:'' Hey, I'm Jessica! I'm a fun time! Grace points to the last girl, who appears to be the tallest person in the room. ''Grace:'' This is Kendra. She's an anxious bitch. Kendra waves to me, her wrist limp like Grace's. ''Kendra:'' What does that mean? Why would you say something like that about me? Aren't we friends? ''Grace:'' I was kidding, jeez. ''TeeJay:'' How long have you all known each other? Grace thinks for a moment, her lips pursed. ''Grace:'' I've been in here for two years when I punched a frat boy in Miami — Kendra was here before me for Pitbull Tax Evasion — Jessica the year after for possession. Jessica asks me a question that I was dreading. ''Jessica:'' Are you trans? ''Kendra:'' Jessica! You can't ask that, dumbass. Say you're sorry. ''Jessica:'' Sorry for what?! ''TeeJay:'' I am. Jessica nudges Kendra. ''Jessica:'' See! We don't care, so is Val! Jessica points to the lone girl in the corner, and then to the other boy. ''Jessica:'' Frankie is also trans. But like — boy trans. ''TeeJay:'' You mean transmasc? ''Jessica:'' Maybe. He doesn't wear a mask. ''Kendra:'' Jessica! That's so offensive! Frankie is really cool, and if he heard you say that he might get upset at you, or worse — //me...// //What is this girl talking about right now?// I lean forward to whisper. ''TeeJay:'' So why is he on this side? Grace whispers back. ''Grace:'' He came out like two months ago. They're still trying to process his transfer to the men's side. ''Jessica:'' Yeah, management sucks here... Kendra groans. ''Kendra:'' Jessica, there's not management here. Plus, I hope they take as long as they need. ''Jessica:'' So you can talk to your boyfriend — ''Kendra:'' Shut up! He's not my — Grace talks directly to me. ''Grace:'' I think these two will be at each other's throats for a little bit. I'm sure you're exhausted, so feel free to go meet the others and take a rest. ''Grace:'' But if you want to stay and talk shit, I'm your girl. I swear I catch her wink at me. [["I have some shit."->Talk to Grace 2]] [["No shit here."->Who Last?]] (set: $GraceRomance to true) (set: $GraceSecond to true) (set: $ValSecond to false) (set: $FrankieSecond to false)I walk up to the girl playing a card game. She looks at me, I get a good look— //Mousy, glasses, dark brown hair.// ''TeeJay:'' Hi, I'm TeeJay. I stick out my hand toward her face. She stares at it. ''Val:'' Valerie, but people call me Val. She reaches out to shake my hand. I grasp it lightly and let go. ''TeeJay:'' I totally understand. My hand's probably got some nasty germs from the boat they shipped us here on. She looks at her hand. ''Val:'' Eh, you look pretty clean. //And she just looks pretty...// ''Val:'' Did they cram you into a box? I nod my head. ''Val:'' Typical. Enforceys usually shoot you full of enough drugs to sleep the whole way, but some people wake up. ''TeeJay:'' I woke up...an hour before we got here? Maybe? ''Val:'' Lucky. I woke up a full week before the end of the trip. Nobody would let me out, because of my voice. ''TeeJay:'' What do you mean? ''Val:'' The Enforcers around my box thought that a man had been boxed-up on the wrong side, so they wouldn't let me out until they got permission. ''TeeJay:'' I'm so sorry. ''Val:'' It's fine. This isn't a story about transphobia, so we don't need to stick on it too long. ''TeeJay:'' I know, right? Can two trans people have a conversation in a piece of media without talking about transphobia? ''Val:'' Guess not. //Won't be a better time to ask this.// I lean forward and whisper to her. ''TeeJay:'' Uh, you //are// trans, right? She smiles and laughs. ''Val:'' I am. ''TeeJay:'' How is the treatment here for us? Val shrugs. ''Val:'' It's fine. As cruel as Enforcers can be, they aren't like the Old Humans. How we present ourselves doesn't matter to them. I sneak a look at the boy alone in the corner of the room. I move my eyes toward him indicating to Val. ''TeeJay:'' What about him...? ''Val:'' That's Frankie — he's also trans. They're still processing his transfer over to the men's side. ''TeeJay:'' Must be tough. ''Val:'' Eh, I guess. The men's side is a different beast, I don't know many people that would willingly go over. //If Samuel is here, he's definitely over on the other side.// ''TeeJay:'' Can we talk to the men's side? ''Val:'' Not during the day. But we all have meals together— Val starts speaking carefully, slowing the words. ''Val:'' Would you — want to eat together tonight? There's no assigned seating, but we all sit together. She motions to the room. [["I'd love to!"->Val is Happy! 2]] (set: $ValRomance to true) (set: $ValSecond to true) (set: $GraceSecond to false) (set: $FrankieSecond to false)''TeeJay:'' I'd love to! Val claps her hands. ''Val:'' Oh my god, yes! Finally, another trans girl at the table. ''TeeJay:'' I bring nothing to it. ''Val:'' None of us do, you're okay. She laughs. //Finally — I got a real laugh. Now she knows I'm super funny.// ''Val:'' Why are you staring? ''TeeJay:'' Sorry, sometimes I get lost in thought. ''Val:'' In the future, feel free to share them with us if you want. We're a pretty tight group — She yells a chant, pumping her fist with each word. ''Val:'' Girl — Cabin — Seven! The other four repeat her, louder. ''Others:'' GIRL — CABIN - SEVEN! Afterwards, everyone goes back to what they were doing. I continue talking to only Val. ''TeeJay:'' Thanks. That really means a lot. ''Val:'' Gotta have each other's backs. Go meet the others now, I'll see ya' at dinner. [[I nod my head, a little more excited than I intend. Then I go back into the center of the room.->Who Next?]]''TeeJay:'' My...friend was actually arrested with me. I think I might go look for him. ''TeeJay:'' I'm really sorry, and I'd love to sit with you all later. Val shakes her hands in the air. ''Val:'' I totally understand! If you want help finding him, I'd be happy to— //I don't want her to have to see an awkward conversation.// ''TeeJay:'' No, no — I should be good! ''Val:'' I understand. Good luck finding him — you should give him a warning about the Enforceys on that side, if you can. ''TeeJay:'' Good looking out. I'm gonna go meet the others, if that's okay? ''Val:'' Absolutely! I'll just be here playing. [[Val goes back to her card game as I wave goodbye and walk into the center of the room.->Who Next?]]''TeeJay:'' I kinda got some stuff on my mind. Grace smiles wide and nods. ''Grace:'' Hell yes! Do you, like, sit down ever? She points to the space on the bed to her left. I shake my head no. //I prefer to stand when I'm talking to new people — I like to shift my weight between my legs during conversations.// ''TeeJay:'' I'm good. So what's the deal with this place, anything I should be concerned about? ''Grace:'' Huh. That's a good question... She holds up one finger. ''Grace:'' Give me a minute to think. //Did I ask something too difficult? I thought you were supposed to ask people questions to get them to like you.// //They didn't warn me that the question should be one with an easy answer.// ''Grace:'' Honestly, I think the biggest thing to remember is that the Enforcers are different on both sides of the prison — but we all convene in the cafeteria. ''Grace:'' Don't mess with Enforceys from the men's side. They have different rules over there. //Is Samuel over there? Is he okay?// ''Grace:'' You look like you're thinking about something. //She's observant. That's not great, if she turns out to be mean.// ''TeeJay:'' Yeah. I was arrested with my boyfriend— ''TeeJay:'' Well, he's kinda my boyfriend... ''Grace:'' What's his star sign? //Yes.// ''TeeJay:'' Scorpio. //I lied. I don't know her — and I don't trust like that.// ''Grace:'' You're lying to me, you lying bitch. Why won't you tell me his star sign? ''TeeJay:'' Because I don't know it. Do //you// know your partner's star sign? ''Grace:'' I don't have a partner. On account of being in prison. ''TeeJay:'' Why? Are you not allowed to date people here? ''Grace:'' No, but why would you want to? It's prison. Some of the girls fuck, but nothing serious. I'm sure the men's side is the same. ''Jessica:'' Woah, are we talking about men having sex with other men? ''Kendra:'' This is none of our business, idiot. I blush red. Grace laughs. ''Grace:'' Maybe. He'd probably ask you first, I know I would — if I was a boy. Jessica interrupts. ''Jessica:'' Do you have pictures of him? Kendra points at Jessica, nodding in agreement. ''Jessica:'' I like pictures. ''Grace:'' On that note, maybe TeeJay wants to go meet the others? ''Jessica:'' Of course! ''TeeJay:'' Thanks. And nice to meet you all. ''Grace:'' See you later, TeeJay. She smiles when she says my name, and it makes me feel light inside. //When was the last time Samuel smiled at me?// //When was the last time I smiled?// [[I leave the group and return to the center of the room.->Who Last?]]//Back in the front of the room...// //But this time I know almost everyone, so it's not as bad.// //Just one person left.// (if: ($FrankieFirst is false) and ($FrankieSecond is false))[[[Talk to the lone boy in the corner, working at a desk.->Frankie Last]]](else:)[] (if: ($GraceFirst is false) and ($GraceSecond is false))[[[Work up the courage to speak to the group of girls talking in their beds.->Grace Last]]](else:)[] (if: ($ValFirst is false) and ($ValSecond is false))[[[Join the girl playing a card game on her own.->Val Last]]](else:)[[[I sit down on a bed, content to not introduce myself to anyone.->Let's Get Some Dinner]]]''TeeJay:'' I'd love to! Val claps her hands. ''Val:'' Oh my god, yes! Finally, another trans girl at the table. ''TeeJay:'' I bring nothing to it. ''Val:'' None of us do, you're okay. She laughs again. //I'm already addicted to the sound...// ''Val:'' Why are you staring? ''TeeJay:'' Sorry, sometimes I get lost in thought. ''Val:'' In the future, feel free to share them with us if you want. We're a pretty tight group — She yells a chant, pumping her fist with each word. ''Val:'' Girl — Cabin — Seven! The other four repeat her, louder. ''Others:'' GIRL — CABIN - SEVEN! Afterwards, everyone goes back to what they were doing. I continue talking to only Val. ''TeeJay:'' Thanks. That really means a lot. ''Val:'' Gotta have each other's backs. Go meet the others now, I'll see ya' at dinner. She winks at me. [[I nod my head, a little more excited than I intend. Then I go back into the center of the room.->Who Last?]]After I finish introducing myself, the door to the outside opens — a black-uniformed Enforcer pops their head in. ''Enforcer:'' Dinner. All of the others stand and make their way to the door single-file. I follow behind Frankie at the back of the line. The line stops at the door, and we all wait to be led out. I whisper into Frankie's back. ''TeeJay:'' Is the food here good? He doesn't look back at me. ''Frankie:'' It's a prison. I scoff. ''TeeJay:'' Obviously I know this is a prison. ''Frankie:'' You aren't acting like it. ''TeeJay:'' Why are you being so mean to me? ''Frankie:'' Because— He says each word with emphasis. ''Frankie:'' This— ''Frankie:'' Is— I finish his sentence. ''TeeJay:'' —A prison! ''Frankie:'' Now you're getting it. ''TeeJay:'' I got it before. I stop talking, silence. Frankie speaks under his breath. ''Frankie:'' I'm sorry for being mean, but you're acting childish. Something big is about to happen — you have to be ready. The line starts moving in front of you. Frankie takes a step forward, I follow. [["What's going to happen?"->Something Big]] [[Don't ask more.->Dinner 1]]''TeeJay:'' What's going to happen? Frankie scoffs. ''Frankie:'' Just wait. I whisper-yell. ''TeeJay:'' But now I want to know. You can't just tell someone that something big is going to happen and then not tell them what. He whispers back. ''Frankie:'' Alright, fine. The Enforcers are announcing an event at dinner tonight. ''TeeJay:'' An event? ''Frankie:'' Yeah. I don't know what that means either. ''TeeJay:'' It sounds like it could be fun. ''Frankie:'' It could also be random firing squads. This prison is filling up. ''TeeJay:'' That's a pessimistic way of thinking about things. //Not to say that I disagree with his analysis...// ''Frankie:'' Maybe I'm a pessimist. (if: $FrankieRomance is true)[[[//He chuckles to himself and walks toward the rest of the line. I feel my heart bounce.//->Dinner 1]]](else:)[[[He chuckles to himself and walks toward the rest of the line.->Dinner 1]]]I walk up to the lone boy and clear my throat. He looks up at me with dark brown eyes that invite me to relax without words — a map of the prison on the desk in front of him. ''TeeJay:'' Hi, I'm TeeJay. He speaks in a uniquely deep voice. ''Frankie:'' I'm Frankie. ''TeeJay:'' Uh — what're you working on? Frankie looks back to the desk, then back up at me. He responds flatly. ''Frankie:'' That's none of your business. //Jeez.// ''TeeJay:'' Sorry, I just — Frankie starts laughing. ''Frankie:'' I know what you're doing. //What is he talking about?// ''TeeJay:'' //What am I doing?// Frankie smiles. ''Frankie:'' Oh, you're good. ''TeeJay:'' What are you talking about...? ''Frankie:'' You're a new type of Enforcer — dressed regular and sent to keep an eye on us. ''TeeJay:'' I'm definitely //not// an Enforcer. He grimaces at me. ''Frankie:'' I don't understand why another trans person would lie to us like this. ''TeeJay:'' Hey, let's not go there — ''Frankie:'' //You// went there first when you sided with the enemy! ''TeeJay:'' Really — I'm not an Enforcer! //Why doesn't he believe me?// He stares at my face, sizing me up. ''Frankie:'' Let me see your back. ''TeeJay:'' //Why...?// ''Frankie:'' Enforcers here have a tattoo on their back, duh. //I didn't know that, don't "duh" me.// ''TeeJay:'' Fine, whatever. I turn around and pull my t-shirt up a tiny bit. He grabs it and yanks the back up further. ''TeeJay:'' Hey — ''Frankie:'' Did you cover it with makeup? ''TeeJay:'' No! How would I get that here? Plus, I hardly know how to do makeup in the first place. I step away from Frankie, tugging my shirt back down. ''Frankie:'' Fine. I'll believe you for now... //Finally.// ''Frankie:'' But I'm keeping my eye on you. ''TeeJay:'' Fine. //Whatever.// [[I walk away from Frankie and back into the center of the room.->Let's Get Some Dinner]]I venture forth toward the group of girls. I feel nervous, like my butthole is opening to spill forth my anxiety in varying shades of brown. //Just say hi. Then let them talk.// //They're all looking at me, I can't avoid this now.// ''TeeJay:'' Hi. I'm TeeJay. The group stares at me for a moment, it feels infinite. They all smile at me, letting their defenses down. ''Grace:'' Grace. The one in the middle holds her hand out to me facing down. //She's the popular one.// I reach out to shake hers, my grip is stronger. Grace points to the girl that was previously harassing the Enforcer. ''Grace:'' This is Jessica. She's a fun time. //Said very sarcastically.// Jessica cuts her off, her blonde bangs bouncing slightly with the movements of her mouth. ''Jessica:'' Hey, I'm Jessica! I'm a fun time! Grace points to the last girl, who appears to be the tallest person in the room. ''Grace:'' This is Kendra. She's an anxious bitch. Kendra waves to me, her wrist limp like Grace's. ''Kendra:'' What does that mean? Why would you say something like that about me? Aren't we friends? ''Grace:'' I was kidding, jeez. ''TeeJay:'' How long have you all known each other? Grace thinks for a moment, her lips pursed. ''Grace:'' I've been in here for two years when I punched a frat boy in Miami — Kendra was here before me for Pitbull Tax Evasion — Jessica the year after for possession. Jessica asks me a question that I was dreading. ''Jessica:'' Are you trans? ''Kendra:'' Jessica! You can't ask that, dumbass. Say you're sorry. ''Jessica:'' Sorry for what?! ''TeeJay:'' I am. Jessica nudges Kendra. ''Jessica:'' See! We don't care, so is Val! Jessica points to the lone girl in the corner, and then to the other boy. ''Jessica:'' Frankie is also trans. But like — boy trans. ''TeeJay:'' You mean transmasc? ''Jessica:'' Maybe. He doesn't wear a mask. ''Kendra:'' Jessica! That's so offensive! Frankie is really cool, and if he heard you say that he might get upset at you, or worse — //me...// //What is this girl talking about right now?// I lean forward to whisper. ''TeeJay:'' So why is he on this side? Grace whispers back. ''Grace:'' He came out like two months ago. They're still trying to process his transfer to the men's side. ''Jessica:'' Yeah, management sucks here... Kendra groans. ''Kendra:'' Jessica, there's not management here. This is a prison. ''Jessica:'' Management sucks at this prison. ''Kendra:'' No, I don't— Grace talks directly to me. ''Grace:'' I think these two will be at each other's throats for a little bit. I'm sure you're exhausted, so feel free to go take a rest. [["Thanks, I think I will."->Let's Get Some Dinner]]I walk up to the girl playing a card game. She looks at me, I get a good look— //Mousy, glasses, dark brown hair.// ''TeeJay:'' Hi, I'm TeeJay. I stick out my hand toward her face. She stares at it. ''Val:'' Valerie, but people call me Val. And sorry, I don't shake hands. I put mine down at my side. ''TeeJay:'' I totally understand. My hand's probably got some nasty germs from the boat they shipped us here on. ''Val:'' Did they cram you into a box? I nod my head. ''Val:'' Typical. Enforceys usually shoot you full of enough drugs to sleep the whole way, but some people wake up. ''TeeJay:'' I woke up...an hour before we got here? Maybe? ''Val:'' Lucky. I woke up a full week before the end of the trip. Nobody would let me out, because of my voice. ''TeeJay:'' What do you mean? ''Val:'' The Enforcers around my box thought that a man had been boxed-up on the wrong side, so they wouldn't let me out until they got permission. ''TeeJay:'' How long did that take? ''Val:'' Until we arrived. The only person that can give permission to move a box to the other side is The Chief. He opened my box himself. ''TeeJay:'' Oof... ''Val:'' Oof. //Won't be a better time to ask this.// I lean forward and whisper to her. ''TeeJay:'' Uh, you're trans, right? She smiles and laughs. ''Val:'' I am, what gave it away? ''TeeJay:'' I could just tell. How — how is the treatment here for us? Val shrugs. ''Val:'' It's fine. As cruel as Enforcers can be, they aren't like the Old Humans. How we present ourselves doesn't matter to them. I sneak a look at the boy alone in the corner of the room. I move my eyes toward him indicating to Val. ''TeeJay:'' What about him...? ''Val:'' That's Frankie — he's also trans. They're still processing his transfer over to the men's side. ''TeeJay:'' Must be tough. ''Val:'' Eh, I guess. The men's side is a different beast, I don't know many people that would willingly go over. //If Samuel is here, he's definitely over on the other side.// ''TeeJay:'' Can we talk to the men's side? ''Val:'' Not during the day. But we all have meals together— Val starts speaking carefully, slowing the words. ''Val:'' Would you — want to eat together tonight? There's no assigned seating, but we all sit together. She motions to the room. I nod my head before she finishes. ''TeeJay:'' I'd love to! Val smiles. ''Val:'' Yay! Then, I'll see you there? ''TeeJay:'' See you there! //She invited you to sit with them. This is the point in the conversation where I leave.// [[I walk back into the center of the room.->Let's Get Some Dinner]]Outside of Cabin Seven's door, five Enforcers are rounding up a large group of girls. One of the Enforcers yells over the cacophony of voices. ''Enforcer:'' Cabins 6-10, follow me in a single-file line to the cafeteria! //If// you step out of the line, you //will// be carried to the cafeteria — and we won't lift with your comfort in mind. //This seems counterintuitive. If someone wants to cause a problem and distract the Enforcers, all they would have to do is step out of the line.// Frankie whispers from in front. ''Frankie:'' They forgot to mention that they'll taze you a few times too. //Or maybe they want a newbie to step out of line, just to show the others that they still mean business.// //So many theories, and all operate with the assumption that the people guarding me aren't guarding my life.// ''Enforcer:'' Follow me! The line begins moving in front of us, and we shift into the middle of it. The remaining Enforcers follow the line at random intervals. Through the hallway connecting us to the other hallways — down another one of those hallways — finally ending up in a hallway with a hint of green painted on the walls. //Finally a sign of something around me besides gray.// //It's only been an hour or two — but my time on the artificial grass outside feels miles away.// The line continues moving, and I enter the cafeteria behind Frankie. The men's side is already at their tables, enjoying the prison sludge. [[I crane my neck around the room, looking for Sam among the prisoners.->Finding Sam!]]Now inside, I take the time to survey my immediate surroundings. //The outside of this place didn't really do it justice — it's way shittier than I thought. Empty bottles are strewn around the room, half-eaten food on every visible surface. From the living room we're standing in, there's a small staircase going up in the left corner of the room, and a hallway that leads to a kitchen. The TV is turned on, only showing static.// ''Porch Man:'' Watch your step. The man leading us steps over a large dog that's sleeping on the floor — Samuel and I do the same and follow him into the kitchen. ''Porch Man:'' He's in here. Turning the corner, there's two men sitting at a wooden table playing cards. One turns their head to look at us. ''Porch Man:'' These're the new buyers. ''Samuel:'' I'm Samuel, and this is — The man nods, standing to shake Samuel's hand. ''Man:'' I don't need to know your names, and you don't need to know mine. ''Porch Man:'' You tell 'em, Stevie. The man, presumably Stevie, shakes his head and stutters. ''Stevie:'' What the hell, Ryan?! The man from the porch starts yelling. ''Ryan:'' Now you said my name! The remaining man raises his arm. ''Randy:'' My name's Randy. //Do I need to say my name now?// Stevie stomps his feet around the room. ''Stevie:'' Stop saying freakin' names! We are doing illegal freakin' shit here! ''Ryan:'' Sorry... ''Samuel:'' It's all good. I have an awful memory. ''Steven:'' What about her? He points at me, I move a little to the side and look behind myself. ''Stevie:'' Yeah, I'm pointing at you! Only freakin' her in this place. He sticks his hands up. ''Stevie:'' You don't have to be worried or nothin', we ain't interested. //I don't know how I'm supposed to take that...// He notices my confusion. ''Stevie:'' Sorry, not 'cause of yer, uh — Stevie points at Randy. ''Stevie:'' Randy here's trans too, Ryan and I just er'... He kicks his feet at the ground, rubbing the back of his head and not looking at us. ''Stevie:'' I'm not sure how much y'all know about, uh, asexuality...? Samuel stutters. ''Samuel:'' Uh, yeah — yeah, we know what that is. Ryan leans forward, close to Samuel's face. ''Ryan:'' Do ya' know what aromantic means? ''Samuel:'' Um, yeah, we know that one too. //I know what "awkward" means too.// ''Samuel:'' And we're all good with it. ''Randy:'' I'm not either of those, but I'm married. //Lucky.// I clear my throat. ''TeeJay:'' So now that we all know that we're knowledgeable and accepting of each other...should we maybe, like, do the deal —? Stevie snaps his fingers, pointing toward me. ''Stevie:'' Right, yeah! Yeah! Sorry! ''TeeJay:'' It's all good. Stevie walks to a cabinet on the other side of the kitchen. He opens it, bends down, and crawls inside. ''Samuel:'' What the fuck — where's he going? ''Randy:'' Into the secret room. ''Ryan:'' I call it the room of secrets. ''Randy:'' And I call you a freakin' idiot, //idiot.// //I'm really curious...// ''TeeJay:'' What's in the secret room? ''Randy:'' I can't tell ya' that. ''Ryan:'' And I won't tell ya' 'cause you didn't call it the room of secrets. We sit in silence for a second, before Ryan clears his throat. ''Ryan:'' We were talking about Crystal Castles before you guys got here — ''Randy:'' Don't start it that way! We were talking about the controversy. ''Ryan:'' Right! About how much it sucked...for women. Ryan looks directly at me. //Why is he acting like that's a service to me?// ''Randy:'' You're telling this so wrong, Ryan. She's probably not even heard of Crystal Castles, let alone the controversy! Start at the beginning! ''Ryan:'' Alright, shut up, Randy! Have ya' heard of Crystal Castles — or the controversy? //Next ask me if I've heard of Pitbull.// ''TeeJay:'' Yeah, I've heard of them...and the controversy. ''Ryan:'' See, told ya'! Ryan smacks the side of Randy's head and looks back toward me. ''Ryan:'' What'd ya' think of it? ''TeeJay:'' Uh — it sucked...for women everywhere, mostly Alice Glass. Sorry, but I don't really think about it that much anymore... ''Randy:'' 'Cause of how that guy died? //It's not even much of a story. He died in the first real giant-monster attack that took place in 2026. Along with everyone else that had committed a sex crime — it was a sex crime giant-monster. If you're worried that this attack might affect you, it probably will, you scumbag.// ''TeeJay:'' More because it makes me sad. ''Randy:'' That's fair. ''Ryan:'' I like Alice Glass' work after she left a lot. She's talented. Ryan looks to me for approval. ''TeeJay:'' Yeah, uh, she is. ''Ryan:'' You know who else was talented? He's staring at me. //Don't do it.// His lips form the first letter. //Please.// ''Ryan:'' Laura Les. //God damn it.// //What am I supposed to say here? He just clocked me while talking about music.// //I like her music a lot — but she's not my hero. God, I hope her ghost doesn't hear me thinking this.// Samuel takes over the conversation. ''Samuel:'' Yeah, she's good too. The dude in the band looks like he smells a little bad — but I do too, so it's all good. //I love people that smell a little bad. I wish I could've met all of the famous artists that smell a little bad just so I could charm them, sleep with them, and then SMELL THEIR HAIR AND BODY ALL NIGHT.// //It just helps me sleep better...// ''Randy:'' I'm attracted to people that smell, but like, not in an "I don't shower" way — but, like, an "I work hard" way. //GOD, YES, ME TOO, YES!// I can't stop myself from vomiting words. ''TeeJay:'' And like when they don't smell at all from a distance, and then you move close to their armpit and — We speak in unison, eyes locked. ''TeeJay & Randy:'' And they have that thing where their armpits stink really bad after getting off work, and they let you smell them! Randy claps, head rolling back. ''Randy:'' Yes! She gets it! You need to meet my husband, he doesn't believe that this is a real thing. ''TeeJay:'' I'm pretty sure it's like a science thing — that we like the smell of people we find attractive. ''Randy:'' I dunno about that science stuff, but it's sure true for me. //I don't know about science either — I failed almost every higher level math and science course, except for Zoology. Good old Zoology — where we learn that the dumbest animals of all are the students inside that room, willingly entering a place that smells like dead fish and dissecting a frog. Look — it has a little bean-shaped thing where all its food is! Cut it open to see what it had for lunch, before losing yours!// //My Zoology teacher in high school was also really into the military. And that's probably not a good thing to preach around a bunch of future burn-outs. She might as well have sold us cigarettes from her desk.// //Why am I thinking about this? We're in the middle of a conversation. What was he saying? Why can't I remember?// I chuckle. ''TeeJay:'' Uh — yeah, me too. //Play it safe.// Stevie's legs come back through the cabinet and into the kitchen, he backs himself up, dragging a cardboard box into the room. He sighs, breathes deep and pats the box. ''Stevie:'' Here's the first one — if you want to check it out. [[Samuel steps forward, and Stevie opens the flap of the box for him to see inside.->Criminals Don't Take Kindly to Crime]]//I don't expect to find him in this huge group, but I still need to try.// Frankie notices me looking around the room. ''Frankie:'' Your eyes don't deceive you, this is a room full of men. //Be quiet.// I scan over each table on its own, moving from left to right starting in the back of the room. ''Frankie:'' What are you— ''TeeJay:'' Shh. Frankie starts looking around. ''Frankie:'' Is there something I'm missing? //He's just going to keep asking...// ''TeeJay:'' I'm looking for someone. ''Frankie:'' Who? ''TeeJay:'' My, uhh— ''TeeJay:'' My friend. ''Frankie:'' Oh, I get it now. Frankie points at Val, eating tater tots. I look briefly, and go back to scanning the room. ''Frankie:'' Val knows a person that can get you drugs, once she knows you're cool. ''TeeJay:'' I'm not looking for drugs— I correct myself. ''TeeJay:'' Not right now, at least. I'm looking for someone I was arrested with. The line moves forward, I inch closer to the food. ''Frankie:'' What's he look like? ''TeeJay:'' Uh — //I picture Samuel in my mind — he's short with curly, brown hair, brown(er) eyes, and biceps that you can see tighten when he uses them.// ''TeeJay:'' He's short with brown hair. Frankie laughs at me. ''Frankie:'' I can see thirty people matching that description right now. ''TeeJay:'' He also has big muscles. And he's trans. Frankie takes another second, and points in a direction. ''Frankie:'' Is that him? I follow his finger— //It's Sam.// //He's sitting with a large group of men, eating mashed potatoes.// ''TeeJay:'' Oh my god, that's him! Thank you! //Should I wave? No — he probably can't see me.// Frankie smiles. ''Frankie:'' I'm great at this game. ''TeeJay:'' Seriously, thank you. ''Frankie:'' No problem, are you gonna go talk to him? I nod my head, unable to speak. ''Frankie:'' Mind if I tag along? It's not often you see other trans men here. [["I don't mind at all."->Frankie Can Come (Dinner)]] [["I think I should go talk to him alone."->Frankie Can't Come (Dinner)]]''TeeJay:'' I don't mind at all. Frankie smiles wide. ''Frankie:'' Thanks, sorry if I'm blowing up your spot. I shake my head. The line inches forward again, Frankie grabs a plate for himself and hands one to me. //He's not. This is going to be an awkward conversation, and if I can have a buffer there it may be easier.// ''TeeJay:'' Not at all, having you there will help a lot. ''Frankie:'' Nervous to talk to him? ''TeeJay:'' A little. I step forward and get a good look at dinner, basking in the light of a food warmer. //Meatloaf.// //It doesn't look that gross...// //From the outside.// I grab one meatloaf with a pair of tongs and place it on my plate. ''Frankie:'' There's no reason to be nervous. He's cute, you're cute — I think it'll work out. //I know he's trying to be helpful, but things haven't been great recently.// [[//My mind drudges up an unfortunate memory.//->Aside 1]] [[The line moves me toward a selection of side dishes.->Which Side at Dinner?]]''TeeJay:'' Uh— I think I should go talk to him alone. //Best to not have someone else around for this conversation.// Frankie looks at me, studying my awkward expression. ''Frankie:'' Oh, you're going to break up with him. //What?!// ''TeeJay:'' No! No I wouldn't— //Well...// I lean in to whisper. ''TeeJay:'' I'm not //going// to do that. ''Frankie:'' Oh, is he going to touch you — sexually — under the table? //WHAT?!// ''TeeJay:'' NO! I wouldn't— //Well...// ''TeeJay:'' I'm not going to do that either. Frankie sticks his lips out and pouts. ''Frankie:'' Then why can't I come?! ''TeeJay:'' Because — //Ah, fuck it.// ''TeeJay:'' I'm going to go talk about our relationship. It would just be awkward for you. Frankie's jaw drops. ''Frankie:'' That's seriously why I can't come meet the first new transmasc I've seen in months? ''Frankie:'' I don't //care//. I just want to say hi — I'll even stick up for you, you look like you're the right one in this argument. ''TeeJay:'' You don't even know what you're talking about. ''Frankie:'' I totally do. //This will go on forever, and I'm already tired of it.// ''TeeJay:'' Fine. You can come. Frankie fist-pumps as the line moves forward. I step forward and get a good look at dinner, basking in the light of a food warmer. //Meatloaf.// //It doesn't look that gross...// //From the outside.// I grab one meatloaf with a pair of tongs and place it on my plate. ''Frankie:'' There's no reason to be nervous. He's cute, you're cute — I think it'll work out. //I know he's trying to be helpful, but things haven't been great recently.// [[//My mind drudges up an unfortunate memory.//->Aside 1]] [[The line moves me toward a selection of side dishes.->Which Side at Dinner?]]=><= //Two months ago—// //I pound my fists into the mattress of our shared bed.// //The fitted sheet below me peels up, partially removed from the bed.// //"You're not listening to me!" I scream.// //"You're not listening to me either!" he screams back.// //This is going nowhere.// //Neither of us can hear the other.// //We can't help each other.// //"And I haven't felt listened to in — eight — months!" He cries out, agony spills from his mouth.// //My body goes limp and my face sinks into the mattress.// //He's right.// //All I can say is "I'm so sorry. I'm a monster."// //Over and over.// //"I'm so sorry!"// //"I'm so sorry!"// //He cries deeper, because my apology makes him.// //My stupid, self-punishing apologies.// [[Return.->Frankie Can Come (Dinner)]](align:"==>")+(box:"===XX")[{(link:"Save game — this feels important.")[ (if:(save-game:"Slot A"))[ Game saved. ](else: )[ Sorry, I couldn't save your game. ] ]}] I step forward again, and take a look at the side dishes presented to us. //Mashed potatoes or refried beans.// //It's such a binary choice.// //So why does this decision, this particular one of all of them...// //Feel so important?// //I guess it makes sense, it could determine how my tray of food is perceived by others. There's only one entree, but a choice of sides — the chance to choose something incorrect.// //I wish I understood why this feeling in my heart (and butt) exists. This...choice-anxiety.// //Yeah, that's what I'll call it from now on. But I'll never mention it again, so it won't become a thing.// Frankie mumbles something to himself as his fingers move between both options. ''Frankie:'' If he hollers, let him go — He finishes, now pointing to the mashed potatoes. He scoops two large servings onto his plate. //Interesting way to choose.// //Oh yeah — to get back to the decision, both of my choices don't particulary look that appetizing—// (link:"//And I like mashed potatoes and refried beans about the same amount...//")[//But if it's your first time playing, why don't you try the beans?//] [[I scoop some mashed potatoes onto my tray. ->Divergence B - Chapter 3A Starting Quote]] [[I slop some refried beans onto my tray.->Divergence B - Chapter 3B Starting Quote]]=><= //One year ago —// //Samuel comes into the bedroom at two in the afternoon, stirring me from my poorly scheduled slumber.// //He has his phone in his hand. He turns it toward me.// //"Were you upset when I said that thing about your name yesterday?"// //I squint my eyes, crusty and dry — it's hard to see.// //I have a premonition of what's on his screen. It's the post I made when I was high on my own last night.// //Most of my posts are written like that. My social barrier doesn't drop much, but it does allow me write stupid shit that makes me laugh.// //Back in the bedroom, I finally manage to get words out of my sleepy mouth.// //"I was a little upset, and it hurt my feelings."// //He looks at me, my eyes can finally discern the emotion on his face — guilt.// //He starts to cry. I made him cry.// //I dash that thought from my mind — he doesn't like when I say that. It usually makes him cry more.// //He speaks through tears "If you were hurt — why didn't you talk to me?"// //Good question. Why didn't I?// //He was asleep at the time that I realized I was upset about it, but I could've woken him up.// //He spits a few additional words out, broken up with sobs. "And someone else liked it. Now they know I'm bad."// //He's right. Why didn't I wake him up to talk? Why was my first choice to post something about how upset I was?// //Does that say something about us? If it does — what do I do about it?// //I—// //I made a mistake. And I'll continue making one if I don't start with an apology.// //"I'm sorry. I should have talked to you about it."// //We talked for a while. We skipped over a lot of the other stuff, it was mostly just me saying that I shouldn't have posted it.// //We only talked a little bit about what he said that hurt me. I still felt better afterwards, but not acknowledged.// //Why didn't I talk to him in the first place? Would I have been heard better if I did, instead of putting him in a situation of discovering the pain caused?// //What if I wanted someone else to notice instead of him?// //I've thought hard about this question in the successive months. I understand now: I did want someone else to see my post.// //They did see it. The acknowledgement of that part of my existence made me feel good.// //At least for a little bit.// [[Return.->Our Plan, Dance Plan]]After choosing your side, you grab a milk and walk with Frankie toward the table Sam is at. //He's right in front of me now. I just need to talk to him.// ''Frankie:'' Hey! Mind if we sit? //Frankie said something before I had the chance to. It doesn't matter anymore — because...// //My eyes lock with Sam's.// //His mouth drops open.// //He's not saying anything. I don't know what to say either.// ''Frankie:'' Did you hear me? Do you mind if we sit? Samuel's gaze turns from me toward Frankie. He nods his head. ''Samuel:'' Yeah. He shakes his head slightly and repeats himself. ''Samuel:'' Yeah, of course. I sit down in the stool next to Sam. Our arms brush for a second, until he pulls away. ''Frankie:'' I'm Frankie, nice to meet you. Sam nods his head toward Frankie and looks back at me. He stares at me for a moment. //Is he thinking?// ''Samuel:'' Did you ever dance when you were a kid? //What...? What kind of question is that?!// Frankie leans forward, huge smile on his face. ''Frankie:'' Oh, all the time! I've been shaking my ass up and down the street since birth! ''Samuel:'' I was asking her, sorry. Frankie goes back to his food. I clear my throat to answer. ''TeeJay:'' Yeah, I guess I did, but — ''Samuel:'' Were you good at it? ''TeeJay:'' I mean, //no...// but I enjoyed it. Samuel clicks his tongue, seemingly frustrated. ''TeeJay:'' Did I say something wrong? ''Samuel:'' No... He looks around the room. I try to follow his eyeline, with no luck. Samuel turns to face Frankie. ''Samuel:'' Sorry — Frankie, right? Frankie nods his head, meatloaf inside his mouth. ''Samuel:'' Are you in TeeJay's cabin? Frankie nods again. ''Samuel:'' Is there anyone else that knows how to dance? //What is going on with him...? Why is he so obsessed with dancing all of a sudden?!// Frankie looks at Samuel, surprised. He shrugs his shoulders. ''Frankie:'' //How'd you find out about that...?// Aren't you just as new as her? Samuel points to the other end of the table where two male prisoners are sitting — one with bulging arm muscles that appears to be over six-feet tall, the other shrimpy and barely over five-and-a-half. ''Samuel:'' I made some friends. ''Frankie:'' So they also told you — ''Samuel:'' Yeah. ''Frankie:'' You're lucky. Not a lot of people know about that. ''Samuel:'' I wouldn't call myself lucky. Maybe you can. ''Frankie:'' It's not my choice to be on this side. Samuel squints his eyes for a moment. ''Samuel:'' Yeah, I get it. Good luck anyway. Samuel turns his attention toward me. ''Samuel:'' Before I forget, I have to ask you something — //What could he be...?// ''Samuel:'' I know we've been broken up for about a month, but I still just wanted to ask you — //Oh god.// //Do I have enough time to cover my ears? Or crush my head underneath my meatloaf?// ''Samuel:'' Are you okay with me seeing other people? Frankie's mouth drops open. He mouths something. ''Frankie:'' //Oh — my — god...// Frankie stands and looks at me. ''Frankie:'' Uh — I'll wait over here for you, if that's okay? I nod silently. He walks away from the table and faces himself toward the nearest wall — his body shuddering with laughter. //I'm glad someone thinks this is enjoyable.// //I guess I need to answer with the only possible answer I have.// ''TeeJay:'' Yeah — I'm okay with it. //Because I'd be a bad person if I wasn't.// Samuel nods. ''Samuel:'' //Cool, I —// ''TeeJay:'' Yeah, so, okay — I stand up from the table and don't look toward him while I speak. ''TeeJay:'' I'm gonna leave now, see you around — maybe — kind of — hopefully? [[Without giving him the time to respond I walk away, toward Frankie. I tap him on the shoulder, and he leads us through the cafeteria without speech.->Dinner with Friends and Friends Only]](text-colour:white)[(align:"==>")+(box:"===XX")[{(link:"Save game.")[ (if:(save-game:"Slot A"))[ Game saved. ](else: )[ Sorry, I couldn't save your game. ] ]}]] (text-colour:white)[ =><= //"There's a Pitbull in the room. There's a bull in the room. There's a pit in the room. The party is in the room. There's a pit in the party. Is there a pit in//] =><= (text-colour:(hsl:120,0.8039,0.5,0.4))[//You//](text-colour:white)[?" (css: "font-size: 75%;")[— Apollyon (in //"Journey to the Pit Below (Wiggle that Body)"// by Pitbull ft. Apollyon and Jennifer Lopez, released in 2025).]] (text-colour:white)[[[Begin Chapter 3.->End of Another Line]] [[Return to Title Screen.->Title Screen]]]Inside the prison cafeteria, Frankie leads me through the maze of tables and bodies to a relatively empty one. Already sitting are the other members of Cabin Seven. Grace waves at you when you arrive. Kendra is frowning and staring at Frankie and I. //She's surrounded by her friends, Val sits on the other side alone.// ''Grace:'' TeeJay! I'm so glad you decided to join us! ''TeeJay:'' Oh, well, you all invited me... The table laughs. //I feel embarrassed. I want to go home.// ''Grace:'' I was just messing with you! Sit down! [[Frankie sits down first, choosing the seat next to Val's on the left. He pats the open seat to his right — I take it.->Frankie Dinner 1]]I scoop a sizable helping of mashed potatoes onto my plate. They make an unfortunately wet and sticky sound upon contact. //I feel a little happier, like I want to dance...?// ''Frankie:'' Good choice. Love these potatoes. ''TeeJay:'' Are they good? ''Frankie:'' Not really. I'm just attracted to mashed vegetables. ''TeeJay:'' You must've loved being a kid. All that baby food. Frankie laughs. ''Frankie:'' The baby food was great! Being treated as a tomboy was just okay. I take a pause before responding, Frankie interrupts my thought. ''Frankie:'' Sorry, was that too much? I shrug my shoulders. ''TeeJay:'' No worries, I understand. And I'm sorry. ''Frankie:'' Thanks. Frankie raises his arms above his head, yawning loud to change the topic. ''Frankie:'' Anyway, want to go sit? I nod. //Just need to take a second...// [[After gaining courage, you walk over to the table where Samuel is siting.->Talking to Samuel]]I take the open seat to the right of Frankie. He's sitting next to Val, and the other three are across the table. Grace leans forward and looks at Frankie and I. ''Grace:'' So, I saw you two were talking a lot in the line. Anything interesting, or...//deeper//? //Oh, she's one of those types that makes things awkward for other people.// //They mean well, but I never know how to take it.// //Most of them have strong support systems, and can handle a little bit of teasing.// //I crumble at the thought of my faults being noticed.// ''Frankie:'' We had a great conversation. ''Grace:'' That's awesome! You two are cute together. Kendra scoffs. //My face feels warm.// Val notices my expression. ''Val:'' C'mon, she's obviously feeling embarrassed. Grace reaches her hand over the table, extending her body toward me to pat me on the shoulder. ''Grace:'' Aw, I'm sorry! She also scoops a little mashed potatoes from my tray with her index and middle finger and places it on her tongue. //Hey — I was gonna eat that!// Grace returns to her seat, while Jessica places a finger on her chin. ''Jessica:'' But what were you talking about? ''Val:'' None of our business. ''Kendra:'' Were you talking about the ocean that catches on fire now? That's really scary — I hope it doesn't come close to my parent's house. I actually used to have a lot of nightmares about the ocean when I was a kid — ''Frankie:'' What the hell are you talking about? //He's handling everything in the conversation for me.// //I don't think that's something everyone likes, but I love it. I can turn my brain off and just listen and look at their faces.// //Then I can know how they're feeling.// ''Jessica:'' Grace — didn't you have //something// you wanted to tell TeeJay? Grace slaps Jessica hard with her meatloaf, pieces of meat scatter around and into everyone at the table's hair. //It's hard to see the brown meat in my meat-brown hair.// //I need to eat more meat. And more hair.// ''Jessica:'' You //bitch//! ''Grace:'' You're the bitch! You can't just allude to your friend's secrets for fun and not expect to get hit. You bitch. Jessica huffs for a moment, her pupils dilate. She starts picking meat from her hair, and turns toward her plate. //Fear?// //Or drugs just kicked in.// //Oh fuck, I just realized — what'll I do about drugs?!// //And drinking!// //How am I going to fall asleep?// //And what was Grace supposed to tell me?// Over my shoulder, an authoritative voice crackles over the cafeteria speaker. ''Voice:'' Is this thing on? I whip my head around to find the Enforcer Chief I met earlier, atop a large stage. ''Enforcer Chief:'' Attention! [[The table quiets down.->Announcement (of the Dancing Kind)]]Standing atop a raised stage, the Enforcer Chief talks into the small microphone gripped in his fists. ''Enforcer Chief:'' We have an announcement to make! There's still a few stragglers talking. The Chief wipes his brow and stares out over the crowd. //He's waiting for the rest of the room to quiet down.// The Chief speaks with a forceful tone, distinct over the sound of the rest of the cafeteria. ''Enforcer Chief:'' ATTENTION! We have an announcement! //That worked. Everyone shut up.// The Chief starts pacing back and forth across the small stage. ''Enforcer Chief:'' Now, we all know that Prison Island is one of the most secure prisons for hardened criminals such as yourselves. And we Enforcers work hard to make that a possibility. The other Enforcers around the room cheer. ''Audience Member:'' Enforcey! The Chief whips his head around and toward the stray voice. ''Enforcer Chief:'' Someone find whoever said that! A group of Enforcers surround one of the tables and grab one of its members. ''Enforcer Chief:'' Bring them up here! The audience member is brought to the stage, and tossed onto it face-first. The Chief crouches next to them. ''Enforcer Chief:'' Now, tell me prisoner — what's //your// name? The audience member picks their face up from the wood. ''Audience Member:'' Kevin. The Chief stands up and raises his hands in the air. ''Enforcer Chief:'' Let's give it up for Kevin! The room applauds. //Definitely not being forced to by the most powerful person in here.// ''Enforcer Chief:'' Yeah, big applause for Kevin! That's just great, because — The Chief pulls his gun from his hip and fires two bullets into Kevin's head. ''Enforcer Chief:'' This was his last minute on Earth! A few of the audience members scream, the rest of us too shocked to have any immediate reaction. //What the fuck.// ''Enforcer Chief:'' I've heard of fifteen minutes of fame, but to get it all done in one?! That's impressive, Kevin! The Chief turns to the crowd. ''Enforcer Chief:'' So, are we all done heckling me? Did Kevin get that out of our systems? Silence. ''Enforcer Chief:'' Good! Now, onto the announcement. The Chief begins pacing around the stage again, stepping carefully over the corpse in the middle. ''Enforcer Chief:'' So, we all know this is the most secure prison. But something you all may not know is — He points out over the crowded room. ''Enforcer Chief:'' We're all full! In fact, the Men's Side has //ONE THOUSAND// human bodies //OVER// the amount this prison was built for. //Where is he going with this?// ''Enforcer Chief:'' We can't let this keep happening! I held a meeting with all of the Enforcers a week ago, and we took a vote on how to deal with this — tournament style. //So that means...what?// ''Enforcer Chief:'' And we found that each side had its own clear, distinct winner. ''Enforcer Chief:'' The Men's Side will be participating in a Death Game, where you will be forced to elimate each other one by one. //No...he can't be...?// ''Enforcer Chief:'' The Other Side will be holding a dance competition, where the top two teams can go free. //That's horrifying! Killing each other?!// //Wait, what did he say our side was doing?// ''Enforcer Chief:'' Both will begin tomorrow. See you then. The Chief departs the stage, and the cafeteria erupts into conversation. ''Grace:'' A fucking dance competition? ''Frankie:'' I fucking //knew// it. ''Jessica:'' What the fuck is he talking about?! ''Val:'' I can't dance... A fight breaks out at the table next to us, a man grabs another by the back of the head and slams it into the table. Enforcers run over and pull the attacker back. ''Enforcer:'' Hey, it starts tomorrow! //What is going on?!// //I just got here — and...// //The Men's Side has to kill each other?!// //And we're —// //DANCING?!// //WHAT IS GOING ON?!// An Enforcer comes up to our table. ''Enforcer:'' We're taking everyone back to their cabins. Follow me. [[The table stands up, and we walk back through the crowded hallways toward our room.->A Dance Competition?!]]The return journey through the hallways is solemn, the few anxious voices only speaking to fill the void left by the announcement. **Prisoner:** They’re making us kill each other, this is illegal! **Other Prisoner:** They’re making us dance, and that’s just wrong! **Prisoner:** Ours is worse! **Other Prisoner:** Yeah, but we’re in this together. **Prisoner:** I’m not in //anything// with //anyone//. //We’re already at each other’s throats. But it just makes me wonder — was this intentional?// //Are they trying to make us compare our experiences — driving additional conflict to further thin the numbers?// //It’s hard to ascribe malevolence to what could just as easily be attributed to stupidity and lack of communication. Do both sides of the prison management even talk to each other?// //I can't think straight. There's too many possiblilties.// I bump into Frankie’s back — the line has come to a halt. **TeeJay:** Why’d we stop? **Frankie:** Because something’s happening up ahead. I sigh at the unclear response and lean over his shoulder to get a better look. //There’s a group engaged in a violent fight up ahead. A male prisoner is standing over someone else, pounding his fists into their face.// //I can’t even tell who he’s attacking…// A group of six or seven Enforcers arrive at the scene from further down. They latch onto the attacker and pull him up. **Enforcer**: Break it up! **Prisoner:** You’re too late! **Other Prisoner:** Yeah, they’re already dead! **Prisoner:** Better luck next time, pigs! **Enforcer:** You prisoners are savages! **Other Prisoner:** You told us to do this! What do you expect us to do?! **Enforcer:** We expected you to wait 'till tomorrow! Frankie pushes me off his shoulder. **Frankie:** Okay, that’s enough of that. It’s starting to hurt. **TeeJay:** Sorry. **Frankie:** It’s fine. You just have a pointy chin. Frankie looks me over from head to toe. **Frankie:** To be fair, you’re pretty angular everywhere. I look at my body — my elbows are pointy, my chin, my knees… //I wish my bones would chill out.// **Frankie:** Nothing bad about it, just uncomfortable on my body. Angular suits you. I smile. //That was unexpectedly sweet, coming from him.// **TeeJay:** Thanks. The line starts moving, they must’ve gotten the mangled corpse of our peer out of the way. I whisper to Frankie. **TeeJay:** So, how do you feel after that? He whispers back, shutting me down. **Frankie:** When we get back to the cabin, we can talk. We continue walking, passing a drying blood splatter on the wall. //With all of the commotion, I’ve hardly had time to realize — How is Samuel going to handle this? He’s strong physically. But can he emotionally handle hurting so many people? I’ve seen him fire a gun at someone, but never with the intention of hitting them. Then again, he could find a good team or something and hide out while the majority of the violence occurs. This isn’t worth stressing about until I can talk to him. Maybe he has a plan to get us out of here by now. More importantly, I still don’t know how to dance. What am I going to do about that?// [[As I’m thinking, the six of us are ushered into the cabin door marked with a seven. ->Cabin Seven Night Pre-competition]]I'm the last one inside the room. After I enter, the random Enforcer assigned to escort our group shuts the door. //That's not the same Enforcer as earlier today.// //Maybe they need all hands on deck for the other side.// The other five launch into conversation. ''Jessica:'' What the — fuck! ''Grace:'' Does anyone have a plan? ''Jessica:'' What are we gonna do?! ''Kendra:'' This is absolutely insane. ''Frankie:'' I have a plan. ''Val:'' I still can't dance... //Same here.// ''Jessica:'' What are we gonna do?!?! ''Grace:'' You have to stop yelling, we can't plan over yelling. ''Jessica:'' But if I can't yell how will I express my emotions? ''Grace:'' Hold them inside! ''Kendra:'' At least until we have a plan. ''Frankie:'' I have a plan. Jessica's gone silent, after a second she starts vibrating and screaming with her mouth closed. ''Grace:'' Oh my god, stop! You're too much right now. Not in a good way. ''Kendra:'' You are being a little much. Jessica's mouth falls open, and her scream is released into the room. She doesn't stop screaming. ''Frankie:'' STOP! Everyone stops talking, Jessica stops screaming and looks at the ground. ''Frankie:'' I //have a plan//. Please listen to me. Kendra looks to Frankie, her eyes glowing. //She definitely has a crush on him. Why do I feel jealousy about that?// ''Grace:'' We're listening. ''Frankie:'' My plan isn't really that extreme. Most of us don't know how to dance, right? Frankie looks around the room to our silent faces, the only person that raises a hand is Kendra. ''Kendra:'' I used to do tap when I was a kid. ''Frankie:'' Okay, that's a start. You can teach us what you know. ''Kendra:'' It's not much, I'm sorry. Grace puts her hand on Kendra's shoulder. ''Grace:'' It's okay — more than we know. Kendra nods her head and smiles slightly. ''Frankie:'' As for everything else, I've been thinking — Frankie leans forward from across the room, like we can't already hear him. ''Frankie:'' We don't have to win in the beginning. We just have to... He holds his hands out, waiting for us to finish his sentence. //I know this answer!// [["Not lose."->We Have to Not Lose]] (link:"\"Have sex with the other teams.\"")[//Stupid intrusive thought. People will not like me if I say this. Maybe think about why you picked it.//]''TeeJay:'' Not lose? Frankie points at his nose and then to my face. ''Frankie:'' TeeJay's got it! //His affirmation makes my legs weak.// ''Val:'' You didn't need to say that in the form of a question, though. That's like common sense. //She has a point. He didn't need to do it that way.// ''Frankie:'' It's like a little game. Grace stands to yell at Frankie. ''Grace:'' Maybe we shouldn't be wasting our energy playing useless games before a huge competition that could determine the next ten years of my freaking life?! Grace finishes yelling and sits down. ''Val:'' I have to agree with her. Jessica grabs onto Grace's shoulder. ''Jessica:'' I agreed with her first. Grace shrugs Jessica away. ''Grace:'' Get offa' me, freaking give me space. ''Kendra:'' Yeah, give her space. Grace turns her attention toward Kenda. ''Grace:'' Don't get me started on you. Standing over my fucking shoulder when I'm drinking from the bubbler. ''Kendra:'' I'm just trying to make sure you don't drown! It can happen when you're drinking! ''Grace:'' I'll stop drinking before! ''Kendra:'' What if you don't know what it feels like?! I know I don't! ''Grace:'' When I start dying, I will //stop drinking//. ''Kendra:'' You're just going to have to trust me on this one. Grace groans loudly. ''Grace:'' I'm OVER this! She flops backwards onto her bed, her hair spreads everywhere. She tussles it in frustration. From across the room, Frankie tries to resume his speech. ''Frankie:'' If I can talk again for a second — Grace yells from behind a curtain of hair. ''Grace:'' NO! ''Grace:'' Nobody here knows how to dance — except for Kendra ten years ago. ''Grace:'' And she can't teach us enough in one night that'll prepare us for this. ''Grace:'' Our best hope is that a lot of other Cabins are in the same position as us. They choose to stay up all night practicing, and get no sleep at all. By the time the competetion starts in earnest — at least three or four teams will hardly be able to keep their eyes open, let alone dance. //Can't argue with that logic.// //For as mean as Grace can be, she seems to have good intentions. She's frustrated, but she doesn't want us to lose.// //Also sometimes a girl being mean is a little bit hot. Get it together. This might not be one of those times.// //Maybe a little.// Frankie waits until there's been a few seconds of silence, ensuring Grace is done talking. He clicks his lips. ''Frankie:'' You may have a point. But eventually, we need talk talk about strategy. Grace doesn't respond. ''Frankie:'' But for tonight, we can stop. After he's finished talking, Val approaches me. ''Val:'' Do you have problems sleeping? ''TeeJay:'' Huh? She holds out her closed right fist. I put my open palm below and she drops a capsule into it. ''Val:'' For if you have problems sleeping. ''TeeJay:'' Oh — //I do have problems sleeping.// ''TeeJay:'' Thank you. She nods her head and moves over toward the beds. I put the pill in my mouth and work to swallow it. //It never feels good taking pills dry. Should I have asked Val for some water, or maybe to spit in my mouth? Just enough to take my medicine with, and with nothing sexual behind it. Maybe she could be dressed like —// //That thought was sexual. I should stop.// //What next?// [[Go over to an empty bed.->Trying to Sleep]] [[Ask where the bathroom is.->Where's the Bathroom?!]]When I settle onto the mattress, every stressful thought I have hits me at once. //Is Sam going to be okay? I can't believe that I've hardly been thinking about his situation. He has to be terrified right now. I was so caught up in the absurdity of my current situation that I totally forgot to think about him. After our conversation at dinner, I don't know where our relationship stands. But I still care about him a lot. I don't want him to die.// My head is on the pillow at this point, my stresses driving me beneath the thin sheets on the cot. //I just need to settle down and get some rest.// //I can do that.// //Let's try to do that now.// //Did it work? Am I asleep?// //No. 'Cause I'm still worrying.// I open my eyes and look around the dim room. Most everyone is laying down at this point. The room is quiet spare the sound of Jessica pulling on a fresh pair of jumpsuit bottoms. [[I shut my eyes again and try again to sleep. I imagine Sam laying next to me, tossing and turning — his body under the sheets spreading warmth to me.->A Dream About Online Friendships]]I approach Frankie, his back turned to me. He has his shirt off and is removing a binder. ''TeeJay:'' Sorry if I'm bothering you, but — Frankie turns around, breathing a heavy sigh of relief. He massages his chest, closing his eyes briefly. ''Frankie:'' Yeah, what's up? ''TeeJay:'' I was just wondering where the bathroom was...? ''Frankie:'' Uh, I do... He points to a door in the corner of the room marked with a toilet symbol. ''Frankie:'' Right there. ''TeeJay:'' Oh, I didn't see that...thanks. //God damn it! This is so embarrassing — it was MARKED with a toilet and I didn't even see it?! I need to have my eyes checked while I'm here.// He nods. ''Frankie:'' No prob. I walk over to the bathroom door, and push it open. There's no lock on either side — probably so that we can't lock ourselves in with something and die. //It also serves a double-purpose of dehumanizing us — and because most humans enjoy privacy between them and their butthole, taking it away is a simple and practical tactic.// //If you support the current system of incarceration, you should be forced to poop in an office every single day for the rest of you life. And right when you're about to shit — some old dude that you swear you met on your first day walks in and sits in the next stall. He's grunting — you're cowering — it's starting to stink...this is your prison.// [[I piss from my penis, wash my hands, and leave the bathroom.->Trying to Sleep]]I slop a sizable helping of refried beans onto my tray. They make an unfortunately wet and sticky sound upon contact. //I feel significantly more depressed after my decision, like there's a pit in my stomach...?// ''Frankie:'' Good choice. Love those beans. ''TeeJay:'' Are they good? ''Frankie:'' Not really. I'm just attracted to refried vegetables. ''TeeJay:'' Are there other things you can refry besides beans? ''Frankie:'' Yeah, there's, uh — He pauses for a second. ''Frankie:'' Come to think of it, I don't know. ''TeeJay:'' I can look it up later. Frankie raises his arms above his head, yawning loud to change the topic. ''Frankie:'' Anyway, want to go sit? I nod. //Just need to take a second...// [[After gaining courage, you walk over to the table where Samuel is siting.->Talking to Samuel About Holes]]After choosing a side, I grab a milk and walk with Frankie toward the table Sam is at. //He's right in front of me now. I just need to talk to him.// ''Frankie:'' Hey! Mind if we sit? //Frankie said something before I had the chance to. It doesn't matter anymore — because...// //My eyes lock with Sam's.// //His mouth drops open.// //He's not saying anything. I don't know what to say either.// ''Frankie:'' Did you hear me? Do you mind if we sit? Samuel's gaze turns from me toward Frankie. He nods his head. ''Samuel:'' Yeah. He shakes his head slightly and repeats himself. ''Samuel:'' Yeah, of course. I sit down in the stool next to Sam. Our arms brush for a second, until he pulls away. ''Frankie:'' I'm Frankie, nice to meet you. Sam nods his head toward Frankie and looks back at me. He stares at me for a moment. //Is he thinking?// ''Samuel:'' Did you see the big hole in the prison yard? //Is this some kind of conversation tactic?// ''Frankie:'' Oh, you saw me earlier? Sorry, my pants just kinda //fell down//. Frankie chuckles. Neither of us do. ''Frankie:'' Tough crowd. ''TeeJay:'' I didn't see a giant hole. Frankie looks me in the eye, trying to see if I'm lying. ''Frankie:'' Wait, you //actually// haven't seen it? I thought we were all in the know here. How did you miss it? I shrug. ''TeeJay:'' I didn't see any holes, I'm sorry. ''Samuel:'' They showed me on my tour. ''Frankie:'' They showed me too. Frankie rubs his chin. ''Frankie:'' Wonder why they didn't show you? ''TeeJay:'' I don't think the Enforcer liked me much. ''Frankie:'' That makes sense. You have to turn on the charm for someone to show hole. ''Samuel:'' I get it now. ''Frankie:'' Is it funny? ''Samuel:'' Kind of. ''TeeJay:'' Is this also seriously the first thing you decided to talk to me about? Frankie looks away from the awkward atmosphere that just formed. ''Samuel:'' What else was I supposed to ask you? //Is he serious?// ''TeeJay:'' How about how I'm doing? How our relationship is doing? ''Samuel:'' You don't want to talk about serious stuff like that. //I don't understand how the conversation went this way. When he was bleeding out, he called me "his baby." What happened to that?// //Oh, he was bleeding out.// ''TeeJay:'' I was sad, and I couldn't be there for you. But I'm doing better now. ''Frankie:'' Okay, now I get why you wanted to come alone. Samuel turns to Frankie for a second. ''Samuel:'' I'm sorry you have to hear this. He turns his attention back to me. ''Samuel:'' You ignored my needs for so long, but you still asked me for so much. //I feel frustration building in my chest. My words aren't being interpreted correctly.// ''TeeJay:'' But I'm trying to say that I'm doing better now. And that I can be there for you. I look into his eyes, he avoids my gaze. ''Samuel:'' I really don't believe you. And I don't think this is the best place to talk. I look around, we're being stared at by most of the people nearby. //Enjoying the show?// ''TeeJay:'' Fine. See you later. I get up and walk away from the table. From behind me, I hear Frankie speak up. ''Frankie:'' Sorry, uh — see you. Footsteps approach behind me, and Frankie grabs my right shoulder as he catches up. I glare at his face. //Don't even try to ask.// ''Frankie:'' We don't need to talk about what happened. He motions for me to follow him. ''Frankie:'' Let's go sit with the others. [[I nod and follow him into the crowd.->Dinner with Friends]]Inside the prison cafeteria, Frankie leads me through the maze of tables and bodies to a relatively empty one. //I'm not going to think about the conversation I just had.// //If he doesn't want to talk with me right now, it's not my fault.// //I'm trying to do the right thing.// //I think.// Already sitting are the other members of Cabin Seven. Grace waves at me when I arrive. ''Grace:'' Hey, Frankie! TeeJay! What's up? Kendra mumbles. ''Kendra:'' //Hi Frankie...// ''Jessica:'' What took you two so long? ''TeeJay:'' Sorry, it just took me a little bit to decide. Kendra smacks Jessica on the side of her head. ''Kendra:'' You can't ask stuff like that. People won't like you. Jessica rubs the spot where Kendra hit her. Kendra's mouth drops open. ''Kendra:'' Oh no, did I hit you too hard? Jessica holds back tears. ''Jessica:'' No...I'm — I'm fine. ''Kendra:'' Oh, Jessica, no! I'm so sorry! Oh no! Do you need me to get someone? Oh no! ''Frankie:'' You hardly hit her. Jessica continues speaking through her tears. ''Jessica:'' You — wouldn't understand. There's a whole emotional component to it. ''Kendra:'' I'm so sorry! Grace motions for us to sit on the other side of the table. Frankie takes the empty seat next to Val, I sit to his right. I look at Jessica, still sobbing with Kendra draped over her shoulders doing the same. //Is she going to be okay?// Grace catches me staring and mouths something at me. ''Grace:'' She does this //all the time//. I nod my head and turn my attention to my dinner. Val leans forward on my left. ''Val:'' What'd you get, TeeJay? ''TeeJay:'' Uh — I got meatloaf and refried beans. ''Frankie:'' She's aiming to destroy our bathroom on the first night. Val smiles a little bit, but doesn't laugh. Grace does. ''Grace:'' You're so right! She's going to — She pauses to laugh harder. Frankie joins her. ''Grace:'' And there's no window — Grace smacks her head on the table, she's laughing so hard. Her meatloaf jiggles with the aftershock. ''Grace:'' It's going to smell //so bad//! ''Frankie:'' Oh god! Val speaks under her breath. ''Val:'' Guys, this is so gross... ''Grace:'' There was this one girl that used to be in my cabin before I met you guys, and oh my god — //She has to pause to laugh again.// ''Frankie:'' What? ''Grace:'' So at dinner, something was off with the food — we all got food poisoning pretty much like, immediately. ''Grace:'' And the Enforcers couldn't escort us all fast enough, so this poor girl — Grace points to a garbage can near the door. ''Grace:'' She shits //in the garbage//. Frankie's eyes open slightly. Val looks away from the table. ''Frankie:'' You're fucking with me. Grace shakes her head. ''Frankie:'' Oh my god, that's //so// embarrassing! ''Grace:'' I know, right? And it's not like she can leave and never come back. ''Frankie:'' Is she still here? Grace nods her head. ''Grace:'' Oh, yeah. But I won't tell you who. ''Frankie:'' C'mon, you gotta — Val interrupts. ''Val:'' Guys — we're eating. Frankie sticks up his hands. ''Frankie:'' My bad. Sorry. ''Grace:'' Yeah, sorry. Over my shoulder, an authoritative voice crackles over the cafeteria speaker. ''Voice:'' Is this thing on? I whip my head around to find the Enforcer Chief I met earlier, atop a large stage. ''Enforcer Chief:'' Attention! [[The table quiets down.->Announcement (of the Pit Variety)]]From atop his platform, the Enforcer Chief barks into a tiny microphone. ''Enforcer Chief:'' I have an announcement! The room mostly quiets, the stragglers only taking a moment to follow suit. //Did he command silence with respect, or fear?// //"I command silence with respect" sounds like such a dad thing to say.// //Dads love respect.// //How did your dad command respect? Did he take charge? Did he buy you things? Did he listen to you and treat you with respect?// //Let's be honest, it's not the last one. Even though it should be.// //Maybe I'm generalizing the concept of dads. I have a habit of making sweeping statements for parental figures, and conflating my experiences with those of others.// [[//That actually reminds me of a story. But it makes me sad.//->why am i scared of his family knowing]] ''Enforcer Chief:'' I'm sure that everyone here has noticed the recent developments around "The Pit." The crowd murmurs in response. //Did everyone get to see this big hole except for me? No fair!// ''Enforcer Chief:'' So then, you know one thing — it's getting bigger. Frankie whispers to our table. ''Frankie:'' She's been practicing with her finger. Grace laughs. ''Enforcer Chief:'' I know, we all love Big Holes — ha! Like my freaking wife, am I right guys? ''Enforcer Chief:'' Because her vagina...'cause when we got married— The chief puts his hands close together. ''Enforcer Chief:'' And now— He extends his arms to his wingspan, and looks out to the crowd. Nobody laughs. A few Enforcers provide a pity response. ''Enforcer Chief:'' Really? I thought that was pretty funny... //It's just wrong. Factually and morally.// ''Enforcer Chief:'' Old humans used to pay to see comedy that was just transphobia. Be glad I didn't do that. //Misogyny in comedy is evergreen, apparently.// ''Enforcer Chief:'' Whatever, here's the announcement. Everyone in charge is confused about why The Pit is expanding. Tommorow at breakingfast — The chief pauses, his face flushed. ''Enforcer Chief:'' Sorry, I meant "breakfast" — I lost my dictionary. Tomorrow at breakfast, we'll be drawing names to send a few cabins down. //Wait, he's just going to drop that on us?// //Send a few cabins down—// //How deep is this hole?!// ''Enforcer Chief:'' See you all then. The chief hops off the stage and is escorted back into the hallways. The crowd around us gets louder with each passing second. ''Grace:'' What the fuck?! ''Jessica:'' I don't have any clothes to go down in the hole with! Kendra hyperventilates in her seat. ''Kendra:'' Oh god. I'm going to get jammed in a small tunnel that doesn't have an exit and die six-hundred feet below ground. The blood is going to rush to my head and kill me and I'll only be able to hear you all as I die. ''Grace:'' Jeez, Kendra. They haven't even picked names yet. ''Kendra:'' I have anxieties about this! ''Jessica:'' I have anxieties about accidentally jumping in mud. ''Grace:'' Wait, what? ''Frankie:'' Jumping in mud? Jessica shrugs her shoulders. ''Grace:'' Why would you accidentally jump in mud? ''Jessica:'' Why aren't we questioning Kendra about her anxieties? ''Grace:'' Because her anxieties make some level of sense. We could actually get sent to The Pit. You're in prison — and I don't see much mud on this metal platform. ''Jessica:'' The mud could be anywhere. Val speaks up for the first time in a while. She's angry. ''Val:'' Can we please — SHUT UP — about mud and other gross things? There's something we should be focusing on. ''Jessica:'' I'm going to jump in on purpose one day. Jessica smiles, happy to get her last words out. Val looks to Grace. ''Val:'' I'm going to kill her. Grace shrugs her shoulders. ''Frankie:'' Sorry, Val. What did you want to talk about? ''Val:'' Grace is right, we shouldn't get anxious until they draw names. But we should be preparing like they'll pick us. ''Grace:'' How do you prepare for something like this, though? ''Kendra:'' You can't! ''Frankie:'' Prayer. ''Val:'' We should finish our food, talk to a few other groups about what their plans are, and make sure we get rest. Grace and Frankie nod their heads, I join. Jessica and Kendra are in their own heads. ''Frankie:'' That's a good idea. Especially eating — I didn't even think of that. ''Val:'' Thanks. The table quiets as we switch our focus to the food. We force as much as we can into our anxious bodies, until an Enforcer wearing an apron comes to our table. //There's a few wearing aprons now — maybe they work in the kitchen?// ''Apron Enforcer:'' Dinner's over. ''Frankie:'' And it was delicious, thank you. Grace speaks in a fake-happy voice, not trying to hide sarcasm. ''Grace:'' You could really taste the vomit baked into the meat. A big step up from when you kitchen bitches would braise it with piss. The Enforcer grimaces and tightens their fist. ''Apron Enforcer:'' Thank you. I'll make sure to piss on yours extra tomorrow. ''Grace:'' That'd be lovely! You could even give it to me on the side in a little cup. ''Frankie:'' Like Papa John used to do with garlic. ''Grace:'' And piss! The Enforcer grunts in response. ''Apron Enforcer:'' I'm just like him. ''Frankie:'' You're both the same level of racist. But //you're// less rich. ''Grace:'' He's also not dead. Important difference. Frankie looks the Enforcer up and down. ''Frankie:'' I give him a year. [[The Enforcer grunts again, and starts walking away from our table. He waves over his shoulder for us to follow.->The Night Before Going in a Big Hole]]=><= (text-colour:white)[//It's another afternoon with him.// //I'm upset again. What's new?// //I feel like he doesn't understand my fears.// //He does, though. He always understands.// //And that's great. And good. And fantastic...// //It's just that my fears for this situation aren't based on any real evidence. But I want them to be externally validated and understood.// //I don't expect everyone to understand, but here's the story:// //Telling your parents that your partner is trans isn't something that's full of danger — most of the time.// //Samuel certainly wasn't worried.// //Well, he was worried, but only that they'd try to make a joke or something. Or that they'd try too hard and it'd be awkward.// //But it's not the same for me. I don't get along with my parents. They scare me.// //And them knowing would be terrifying.// //I'm placing those fears onto his family. Yes, it's unfair of me, but it's also all I know.// //In the end, he turns out to be right. His family handles it well and treats me with basic human respect.// //But it doesn't change that he didn't understand why I was so afraid. I felt like he didn't do enough to talk with me about those fears. I wanted someone to tell me calmly that I'm being irrational.// //And even though his family took it well, that doesn't automatically give me the confidence to be myself in front of them.// //Nothing can fill that space.// //Nothing can replace the stress. The feeling of hands that just won't work the way you want — and a dress that won't come off when the garage door is opening.// //Nothing can —// //They're probably going to find this eventually, I should just stop typing.// [[Return.->Announcement (of the Pit Variety)]]]The walk to our cabin is long and confusing, walking deeper into the prison and crossing through countless hallways that don't connect. //I'm the straggler, trailing behind the group by a few steps. It takes a strong, confident leader to lead from the back of a line — but somehow I manage it.// When I step inside the door marked with a red number seven, the door is shut behind me. The others retreat to their cots — I catch Kendra placing her face into a pillow before she starts crying. Grace notices Kendra, and leans down next to her bed. She whispers something, but I only catch a segment — ''Grace:'' It's going to be okay...there, there, come here. I look on the other side of the room and meet Frankie's eyes. We nod at each other. //His eyes are asking me: "You doing okay?".// I nod my head again. //Even if it's a lie, I don't want to worry him. We just met.// //I just met these people. And I could be sent down into a pit tomorrow with them.// //Not just any pit — The Pit.// //Is it really the biggest pit in the world? No, that would be the crater in my chest.// //I miss talking to Samuel. But I can't tell him that. He's done listening to me. I would be too. I was a jerk. There's a part of me that wants to give myself the space to be unhealthy. Why do I want the space to be alone and the space to destroy myself? Is this a part of me? Do I want it to stop? I don't know. All I know is that I want him.// I'm dragged out of my mind palace by Val tapping on my shoulder. She holds a closed fist out to me. ''Val:'' A sleeping pill. In case you need it. I hold my hand open and she drops a small tablet inside. I close my fist around it. ''TeeJay:'' Thanks. I'll definitely use it. Val nods and returns to her cot — reaching behind her back and pulling up her shirt. I spot three red sticks tucked in her waistband, along with a black rod. //Probably best not to ask.// I take myself over to one of the empty cots. I pop the sleeping pill into my mouth and swallow it dry. //One day I'll choke taking medicine without water. And then the anti-medicine people will have a field day.// //"She wouldn't have choked if she wasn't on happy pills!"// //I wouldn't be alive to choke without them. Why do you get to decide what people need?// //Fuck off, and mind your own business. Bodily autonomy.// //Why am I arguing inside my own head? And why is my argument so basic?// //Here, I can make a larger statement. Abortion is legal in the future, because I said it is. People that don't like abortion don't exist, because evolution filtered those lesser brain cells out.// //Trans healthcare is also better. Fuck regulation, they give hormones out to anyone that wants them. And it doesn't matter to anyone now if you're medically transitioning — they just believe you, and understand.// //Oh, I get it now. I'm ranting because I'm tired. The sleeping pill must be kicking in. Regardless, I'm right. That's the world in the future. This is my future.// [[I strip down and lay underneath the covers. I let the pill take me into a dream.->A Holely Disappointing Dream]]//The cool, artificial light of morning.// I pull myself out of bed, rubbing sleep and crusties from my eyes. //I should ask if someone in here has eyedrops — maybe Val?// //I can do that later though, cause I'm sure we're all...// The other members of Cabin Seven are all awake, in various states — Frankie and Kendra are still in their individual cots, but Kendra is shaking underneath the covers. Jessica is helping Grace get dressed, while Val does makeup in the bathroom with the door open. //I wish I knew how to do makeup — in any capacity at all, ever, please God. Samuel used to help me out if we were going somewhere important — hardly ever, but I still appreciated it!// //Now I can't ask him, for various stupid, dumb reasons that are all my fault.// //I wish he still loved me. I wish he didn't want to be with other people...// //Well — I'm kinda fine with him being with other people, but only if it's other people AND me.// //Me being there is important, it's all I really care about these days.// Val is approaching my bed, holding out her hands. ''Val:'' Do you want to borrow my makeup? She quickly apologizes. ''Val:'' Sorry — not saying that you need it, just if you don't have any. I nod my head. ''TeeJay:'' Yeah, I got it. //Do I want to? Do I feel good enough about myself today?// ''Val:'' So, whatd'ya say? ''TeeJay:'' I think I'm good, thanks for the offer though. Val frowns, just for a second. ''Val:'' I get that. A brief pause. ''Val:'' I like your eyes, by the way. You have really long eyelashes. ''TeeJay:'' Is that a — good thing? She nods. ''Val:'' Yeah, they're pretty. I blush a little. ''TeeJay:'' Thanks. Uh, and yours are too — and I love your makeup — Val interrupts me, speaking fast. ''Val:'' Okay, I'll just come out and ask it — //Oh god, what now?// ''Val:'' You don't know how to do makeup, do you? I shake my head, my voice rising. ''TeeJay:'' No — no! I do! ''Val:'' There's nothing wrong with it if you don't... Val turns her head away from me — looking at Jessica. She looks back to me. ''Val:'' I could even teach you, if you want. I don't know a lot, but I feel like I could at least teach the basics — ''TeeJay:'' You don't have to, it sounds like a really big inconvenience. //Why is my mouth moving without thought?// //I wanted her to teach me, why did I say that?// ''Val:'' There's always a million reasons to say no, TeeJay. //Ugh — I hate that one. It makes me feel like I have no choice in the matter, other than to just agree.// //But I want to agree with her, so why am I mad?// ''TeeJay:'' No, really, it — I look down toward the ground. //Please let this end.// Answering my silent prayer, an Enforcer opens the door — taking a closer look, I recognize their cracked visor. ''Cracked Visor Enforcer:'' Breakfast. ''Grace:'' You're a bitch. Grace immediately starts harassing them. ''Cracked Visor Enforcer:'' What'd I do?! ''Grace:'' You were being bitchy when you said that. ''Cracked Visor Enforcer:'' "Breakfast"? Val nods her head. ''Val:'' I hear it now too. Very bitchy. The Enforcer launches themselves toward Val, yelling. ''Cracked Visor Enforcer:'' You're one to —! Grace stands, putting her arm out to stop the Enforcer. ''Grace:'' You don't want to do that. Frankie stands in the back of the room. ''Frankie:'' Yeah. We'll destroy you, bitch. The Enforcer grits their teeth before taking a step backward. Val speaks from behind Grace's body. ''Val:'' What were you saying about my voice? The Enforcer looks away. ''Cracked Visor Enforcer:'' Nothing. ''Grace:'' Even that was a little bitchy... Kendra, still sitting on her cot, launches into a speech. ''Kendra:'' Sounding bitchy is actually a huge anxiety of mine. Sometimes I think that people just have this vision of me that I'm a terrible, mean, rude human being. But I just like — have a hard time talking to new people? People in school used to say that I would kill conversations — ''Grace:'' Chill out, Kendra! ''Kendra:'' I just did it again, didn't I? [[Nobody responds to her. The Enforcer leads us out of the room and into the hallways. We continue winding through them until we end up in the cafeteria for breakfast.->Cafeteria Before Dancing]]=><= (text-colour:white)[//I'm having some kind of a dream.// //In front of me, as far as my eyes can see — stretches a wide hole in the ground. It must be fresh: patches of dirt and grass are still falling into it, and whole trees are swinging by their roots below me.// //It feels...imposing.// //I don't want to, but I know I have to go below. There's nothing left for me on the surface. My place is down there.// //Leaning forward on my tiptoes over the ridge, I let myself fall in. My arms don't flutter, and I don't scream. My legs cross over my head again and again — I'm flipping in midair.// //This doesn't feel like it usually does. When I fall in my dreams, I usually wake up. But I don't dream about falling. I dream about holes.// //I'm not going to survive this — I've been falling for far too long. My velocity must be insanely high right now, but I don't have a speedometer to check.// //Do you pronounce it "speed-ometer" or "speed-o-meter"?// //Leave a comment down below with your answer.// //The aforementioned "below" being the vast hole I'm falling into. Drop your comment to me in there.// //Unless its a compliment. I want to see those.// //The walls around me disappear, I'm falling into a wide open space now. Above my head — a giant pyramid formed of rock.// //There's something standing below on the ground — hugging another "something" and sobbing into its chest.// //I'm nearing the ground now. The darkness should feel suffocating, but instead it's acting like a weighted blanket. The darkness isn't so bad down here. I can handle this forever.// //If this is what death is like, I can handle it.// //I can handle it.// //I can handle it.// //I can handle it.// [[I hit the ground, and wake up.->Waking Up]]]//I didn't die when I hit the ground. My head didn't explode and my organs are whole. I'm alive.// I raise myself out of bed and look around the room. My eyes take a moment to adjust to the dim lighting. Three people are awake. Val is getting dressed with her back facing me, Grace is combing her hair in front of the singular mirror. Jessica and Frankie are still asleep. Frankie has his entire body above the covers, laying face down. My eyes are drawn to his butt — sticking up in the air a little. //Everything reminds me of him...// Kendra is laying under the covers with her eyes wide open staring at his butt too. We make eye contact — it's weird. I look away and rub the remaining sleep out of my eyes. //My eyes feel crusty and dry. I wonder if anyone has eye drops.// //I'll ask later.// My feet carry me to the door with a toilet symbol. I open it and sit down to use the bathroom. //Hey, I didn't even wake up once to pee last night. That must be a personal record.// //Or I pissed the bed and just didn't notice. That sleeping pill was pretty powerful...// //Not possible. If I pissed the bed I would wake up covered in it. And I'm the type of person that pees on other people, not myself.// I stand, flush the toilet, and wash my hands. When I exit the bathroom, the two previously sleeping have woken up. Frankie is still stretching out in bed, and Jessica is helping Grace get ready. //Nobody is really chatting. And I don't feel like talking this early in the morning.// [[I get dressed and sit on my bed until something happens.->Enforcer from Earlier]]Thirty minutes have passed. //I'm not sure what time it is. There's no clock in this room. Just another dehumanization tactic employed by prisons in the past and present.// //Unfortunately, humanity in America hasn't moved past their use. They just work too well for what wealthy people need. Time and space away from poor people, minorities, and anyone considered a societal reject. Who cares if it does nothing?// //Don't even get me started on public schools. We still don't know how to catch those that have fallen off-course, or how to adapt education to fit everyone.// //Until we figure this out, it's morally okay to cheat. You need to use the tools you have at your disposal to game the system. Get an A+ on your take-home test that you found the answers to on Quizlet, it will only help you in the future. The rich people are trying to funnel you down a path. Jam the funnel down their throat.// //And then pour gross liquids down it.// The door to the hallway opens, and an Enforcer pokes their head in. //It's the one with a cracked visor that gave me a tour.// ''Cracked Visor Enforcer:'' Breakfast time. ''Grace:'' Did you know that you're the worst Enforcer? Frankie and Jessica laugh. I smile. //It's best not to anger.// ''Cracked Visor Enforcer:'' Did you know that your name is definitely gonna get pulled at the lottery, you ugly bitch? ''Frankie:'' Woah. That's too far. ''Jessica:'' And so mean! ''Grace:'' Yeah, you're in a position of power. We're just messing with you. The Enforcer stammers. ''Cracked Visor Enforcer:'' I — uh...sorry. They rub their helmet and shuffle their feet. ''Grace:'' I forgive you. ''Frankie:'' And I've forgotten you. Jessica laughs, then whispers to Grace. ''Jessica:'' I actually don't remember who this is, though... ''Grace:'' I'll tell you later. ''Cracked Visor Enforcer:'' C'mon, we're gonna be late. [[We all line up and are escorted to the cafeteria.->The Lottery Begins]]//The train ride was relatively uneventful. PeeBee went to sleep almost immediately, rubbing his belly and sighing deep before closing his eyes. I laid down next to him and fell asleep shortly after. The next morning came before I knew it — the train now resting in another desolate yard.// //I washed myself with a damp cloth and a bucket of slightly-dirty water next to a mop in the corner. Then I checked my phone: Sam couldn't make it out of Oklahoma City before they closed the dome. He's going to meet us as soon as he can get out — in Macklemore, Alabama.// //Macklemore is an artist with an interesting history in our time. He actually has one of the few songs that wasn't preserved fully by the Old Humans on their hard drive. Something went wrong with the copying process, and the file wouldn't play past the fourty-five second mark.// //"When I was in the third grade, I thought that I was gay."// //That's the only lyric. And then it cuts off. We'll never know if he was actually gay — only the Old Humans will. But I have a feeling that he wasn't. Gay people usually make good music. Not to say that Macklemore isn't good, especially if you like his work. Well...// //No, I'm not saying that. He sucks — I don't like Macklemore. Maybe he's a great dude. I don't really care. And plus, I thought that I was gay in the third grade too, but it turns out I was a lot more than that. Sometimes it just takes time to figure yourself out.// PeeBee's small body stirs, his fur matted and crusty with dry blood and vomit. He raises his head and meets my eyes. (text-colour:red)[//"Were breakingfast...?"//] //Are you hungry?// (text-colour:red)[//"Starvies!"//] //Let's go get something to eat. We're not doing anything anyway.// [[PeeBee nods, his head whipping around. After ripping the head off the mop and fashioning it into a really-shitty-looking wig for him...I cross my fingers that the disguise is good enough, and disembark the train car with him under my arms. ->Can't Hold Us]]Inside the cafeteria, commotion is already stirring. A few of the tables are yelling at each other, locked in some kind of argument. ''Voice 1:'' Shut up! You don't know what you're talking about, you freaking loser. ''Voice 2:'' If you end up down there, then you'll see! I heard it all the way from the top! ''Voice 3:'' There's //nothing// down there, you didn't hear anything — you're lying. ''Voice 1:'' If both our names are drawn, you'll see my freaking fist in your face, loser. ''Voice 2:'' Stop calling me a loser, loser! //Are they actually upset at each other, or just stressed and tired?// I take a tray and join the line for breakfast. Eggs that look fake, toast, and a small box of cereal. Yummy. At the end of the line, I find Frankie and follow him to the table again. ''Frankie:'' Do you want to talk to your, uh — ''TeeJay:'' I'm good. //Not like he'd want to talk to me anyway. Maybe if my name is drawn and I'm sent to certain death, he'll forgive me.// Grace waves at us as we approach the table. //We're the last ones here. Again.// ''Grace:'' Hey guys! I take the same seat as yesterday, and start eating my food. ''Grace:'' We were talking about our sleep before you guys got here. How'd you sleep, TeeJay? ''TeeJay:'' I slept pretty good. ''Val:'' Did the pill work? I nod my head. Grace looks at Val inquisitively. ''Val:'' I gave her a sleeping pill. //Maybe I should ask about eye drops now.// Grace nods. ''Grace:'' Right. Well, glad to hear it. I slept awful. //Guess it's about her now.// ''TeeJay:'' I'm sorry to hear that. She sticks her hands up. ''Grace:'' No, no, I'm just complaining. Thanks for the sympathy. I'm just all stressed out about the whole — She motions to the stage. ''Grace:'' You get it. I nod my head. ''TeeJay:'' Yeah, I'm pretty stressed about it too. Kendra finally speaks, not taking her eyes away from the table. ''Kendra:'' I think we all are. //Right, Frankie...?// Frankie looks up from his breakfast, he definitely wasn't listening. ''Frankie:'' Yeah, sure. I nod my head. ''Val:'' Yeah, same here. ''Jessica:'' I'm too blessed to — Grace puts her hand over Jessica's mouth. ''Grace:'' No. Not the time. Kendra's eyes go wide, and she points over my shoulder. ''Kendra:'' The Chief. I turn my head around to find the Enforcer Chief preparing for another speech. He is handed a microphone and turns it over in his hand. After a second, the speakers crackle to life. ''Enforcer Chief:'' Attention! The Enforcers around the room chime in. ''Enforcers:'' Everyone, listen up! [[The crowd quiets down, and we wait for the announcement to begin.->The Actual Lottery]]The Chief is handed a bingo wheel from an Enforcer on the side of the stage. //I'm close enough that I can see it's filled with little slips of paper. Our names?// //We're just bingo now?// ''Enforcer Chief:'' Alright, it's what you've all been waiting for. Time for the lottery. Like that short story I never understood. He places the bingo wheel on a small podium in the middle of the stage. ''Enforcer Chief:'' It'll go like this: There are two separate bingo wheels. One with all the names from the men's side, and another one. He points to the bingo wheel in front of him. ''Enforcer Chief:'' This overstuffed wheel is the men's side. I'm going to draw ten names from this one. They'll be sent down into the pit along with the rest of their cabins. An uproar starts in the crowd. ''Voice:'' What the hell?! ''Voice 2:'' Why all of us?! That's not fair! The Chief points to Enforcers nearby. ''Enforcer Chief:'' Shut them up! A group of Enforcers enters the crowd and bring silence with their nightsticks. ''Enforcer Chief:'' I don't want to hear //"This is so unfair"!// The Chief wrinkles his face mockingly. ''Enforcer Chief:'' //"Why can't just the people drawn go down?"// The Chief yells his next sentence. ''Enforcer Chief:'' Because there's too many of you freaks clogging up this prison! ''Enforcer Chief:'' If you don't make it back up, that's //good for us//! Your peers can eat better than the dirt they deserve for a little while longer. ''Enforcer Chief:'' Then I'll be handed the wheel for the other side. From that wheel, I will draw //five names//. Because there are less of you. Those five along with their cabins will descend with the men. ''Enforcer Chief:'' Do we understand? A few murmurs come from the crowd — positive and negative. ''Enforcer Chief:'' That was a rhetorical question. I'm going to draw the names now. He spins the wheel for the first time and reaches inside. He pulls a piece of paper from within. ''Enforcer Chief:'' Samuel Conrad. //My heart stops.// //The first name? He was seriously the first name chosen?// //This is a death sentence. I need to talk to him.// I look to Frankie with my eyes wide. He nods, understanding. Then mouths: ''Frankie:'' After. He points to the stage. I nod in response. He continues to pull names until he reaches the tenth slip of paper. There's an Enforcer off to the side that's writing it all down and making sure no cabins repeat. //That would be too fair.// After the tenth name, the Chief trades the bingo wheel for one that's visually similar — but much more frightening. //Nothing's different about the wheel. This one just means more to me.// ''Enforcer Chief:'' Here we go again. He reaches in and grabs a name. ''Enforcer Chief:'' Jai Hale. //One name down.// He spins the wheel again. I feel sweat forming on my forehead. He grabs for another name. ''Enforcer Chief:'' Jacqueline Avila. The table next to ours breaks out in tears. //Two names down. Still safe. But it doesn't feel good.// The wheel spins again, and another name is picked. ''Enforcer Chief:'' Miriam Hale. Are they in a different cabin than Jai? The Enforcer on the side of the stage checks a device, and nods. ''Enforcer Chief:'' And are they related? The Enforcer nods again. ''Enforcer Chief:'' Bad day for the Hale family. The Chief spins the wheel for a fourth time. He revels in the anticipation of the crowd, and goes on spinning for far too long. Eventually, he grabs a name from the wheel. ''Enforcer Chief:'' TeeJay Ivone. The world around me darkens. //What?!// //What are the odds of both my name and Samuel's being drawn? If I knew the number of prisoners I could ask someone else to do the math for me.// //My butt feels loose. I can't feel my legs, but they're bouncing up and down.// //Everyone else at the table is just staring at me with their mouth open.// ''Enforcer Chief:'' I don't recognize that name. Are they new? The Enforcer to the side nods. //Can he do anything else?// ''Enforcer Chief:'' Goddamn! The wheel is taking no prisoners — well, except for...never mind. One final spin for the end of the world! He spins the wheel again, but my hearing has gone. My vision is turning into a cone. //I can't feel anything right now. My life is over.// //They're going to send me down into a giant hole in the ground. My dream was a prediction.// //I know that's not true, but I want to act like I was prepared for this. I thought I was safe — being new here.// //But I'll never be safe. Not with the decisions I've made. This is just a giant representation of those.// //At least I'll be going with Sam. Can people rekindle their relationships in a giant cave?// //They did it in Avatar: The Last Airbender. And it's probably one of the best episodes. Except for the one where the library sunk into the ground. I always liked that one a little more. But that's because I liked how Toph acted a little bit like how I did. I always related to her and thought she was really cool...wonder why. There's no need to go into the details, I just remember being really sad watching Avatar sometimes.// The Chief read the final name a while ago, but I didn't hear it. I don't really care either. ''Enforcer Chief:'' We'll be escorting all of you straight from here to The Pit. Enjoy the rest of your breakfast. He finishes his speech and departs the stage. A few tables cheer and congratulate each other. Mine is silent, we're all staring at our trays — except for Frankie. ''Frankie:'' Guys, we can do this. This isn't the end. //I want to thank him for trying. But I don't have the energy.// The other shell-shocked members of the table also fail to respond to his encouragement, and he stops talking. I pick at my food until an Enforcer comes to our table. //It's the one with the cracked visor. I should've asked for their name if I was going to be seeing them so much.// ''Cracked Visor Enforcer:'' It might not have been your name drawn...but you'll still be dying down there, Grace. Grace doesn't look at them, keeping her eyes on a half-eaten piece of toast. ''Grace:'' We're not going to die. ''Cracked Visor Enforcer:'' If you knew what I knew, you wouldn't be so sure. Let's go to The Pit. [[They walk away from our table, motioning for us to follow behind.->The Top of The Pit]]My eyes remain glued to the back of Frankie's head as we are led through the increasingly familiar hallways. //Goodbye hallways...goodbye tile floors...goodbye prison-industrial complex.// //Hello to holes.// //Back before The Ban, I read a lot of books. One time in elementary school, I took home Holes by Louis Sachar. I stayed up super late and read it all in a night.// //That's not me trying to brag, except maybe about the quality of the book. Anything that you find yourself staying up to finish is special. We may have wasted our opportunity with the Old Human's hard drive, but it allowed society to artistically progress in an astounding fashion.// //Local, independent music has roused control from the radio hits — and I've seen almost all of my peers holding a camera at some point in the last five years.// //Pitbull was great, but the future sounds even...greater? I think the Old Humans would be mostly proud, and maybe a little conflicted of their history's influence on ours. It's kinda like we just picked up from where they left off.// //That's sad in some respects, but also hopeful. I'm hopeful that the next round of humanity will start with us as their base — which also allows the Old Humans to continue existing.// //I forget how Holes ends. I know the holes that the characters dig aren't deep — do they find something in them? I remember there being flashbacks about a woman that becomes an outlaw...how does that tie into the holes? And what about Zero? All of those plot elements bounce around in my mind, but I can't form them into a clear picture. He also threw shoes over a telephone pole, what the heck was that about?!// I'm not paying attention to where I'm walking, and I slam into the back of Frankie as a result. The line ahead has frozen. ''Frankie:'' Ow — watch where you're going! ''TeeJay:'' Sorry. Why did we stop? ''Frankie:'' I dunno. The front of the line is too far away. You in a rush to die? ''TeeJay:'' We're not going to die. Kendra turns around to join the conversation. ''Kendra:'' We are absolutely going to die. Whether we get trapped in a small cave that we can't get out of, eaten alive by a creature, or kill each other. Eighty-five percent of people that enter a cave don't come back out. Frankie and I laugh. ''TeeJay:'' Where'd you get that statistic from? ''Kendra:'' @CaveDeaths on Twitter. ''Frankie:'' Are they reputable? ''Kendra:'' Are //you// reputable? Frankie scunches his face. ''Frankie:'' I — I don't know. I think so? ''Kendra:'' @CaveDeaths on Twitter doesn't just //think// they're reputable. They post about how reputable they are. I look to Frankie. ''TeeJay:'' I don't think we're going to win this one. ''Kendra:'' So you agree — you agree that we're going to die? ''TeeJay:'' Yeah, I definitely agree now. We're going to die. ''Frankie:'' It sucks, but it's true. Kendra turns red. ''Kendra:'' Wait — hold on, but you were supposed to tell me that we aren't going to die, and that I'm being unreasonable... ''Frankie:'' But you're not being unreasonable. Kendra makes a strange groaning sound along to accompany her anxious face. ''Kendra:'' You guys! Say it's — tell me that it's going to me okay! ''TeeJay:'' It's not going to be okay. Kendra puts her hands on the side of her head and rocks it back and forth. Frankie frowns and places a hand on her shoulder. ''Frankie:'' Hey, it's all good. We're just messing with you. Kendra looks up, fresh tears in her eyes. ''Kendra:'' Do you really mean it? //I would be embarrassed for her, but it's pretty similar to how I'm feeling inside. She's just brave enough to show it, and to ask for the help she needs. I respect Kendra's open anxiety. I'll never to the point that she's at, so I can only admire from afar. And laugh a little bit at her.// //Maybe I can find Sam before we go in, and ask for his reassurance. I'm pretty sure his is the only one that'll work at this point.// //But will he give it to me? Do I even deserve it?// The line starts moving, Frankie leads Kendra with his hand on her shoulder. They separate when we reach the lobby, Frankie holds open the door for the two of us. ''Kendra:'' Thanks, for — ''Frankie:'' Don't mention it. Kendra blushes. Inside the lobby, I see sunlight beaming through the fogged windows ahead. It feels different than the rest of the light in the prison, probably because we're so close to the outside. //But we're not free. They're just putting us somewhere else. For some reason that they won't explain.// The front door is propped open by a group of Enforcers, and the crowd is shepherded outside. ''Enforcer:'' Keep left! The blob of prisoners is shifted to the left of the prison yard, around the exterior walls. We walk for twenty or thirty minutes on the artificial grass, I savor each second. ''Enforcer:'' Watch your steps! The grass shifts from its pristine green to cracked metal, I poke my head around the crowd to find: //A giant hole in the middle of the platform. That's not the significant part — they can just patch that up. It's the fact that...// //Two-hundred feet below the platform stretches a vast hole in the ground. The bottom isn't visible from where we're standing.// //My legs feel like jelly. I was so worried about being below the ground that I kind of forgot that we have to actually...descend. Pretty far.// The Enforcer Chief comes around the side of the crowd with a bullhorn, and barks into it. ''Enforcer Chief:'' Listen up, here's how we're gonna do this! We're going to send two groups down at a time on those ropes — He points toward the hole. //There's someone tall in front of me — I don't see what he means.// ''Enforcer Chief:'' We'll wait fifteen minutes after sending a group before sending another. Have to make sure you don't all kill each other right away. Does this all make sense? He doesn't wait for an answer. ''Enforcer Chief:'' Good. We're starting now — Men's Cabins Fifteen and Twenty-Seven, line up. Two groups make their way to the front, one young and the other old. The rest of us shuffle in around them to get a better view. //I don't see Sam. I'm glad he's not going first.// //There's a small guard rail around the perimeter of the hole in the platform. A shoddy wooden platform juts out from the bottom, holding twenty or thirty anchors — each with their own rope and carabiners.// //Are those going to hold us? Have they tested this?// ''Enforcer Chief:'' This is the first time we're using these ropes. Everyone give it up for our guinea pigs! The cabins in the front look like they're barely holding it together. A few Enforcers help them put on their harnesses before stepping out onto the platform. //They're whispering instructions in their ears. Or insults.// The first two cabins step single-file out onto the wood, and go to their own anchor. I spot a few giving their anchors a tug to test their strength. [[They clip themselves to their ropes, and I feel my chest tighten as they begin their descent.->Going Down?]]The group of men on the platform wait for someone to go first. They don't wait long until one of the gray-haired men steps closer to the edge. He looks straight down into the pit, and then at the crowd. He points to the Chief Enforcer. ''Gray-Haired Man:'' Are you watching this?! The Chief grabs the bullhorn from his belt loop and turns it on. ''Enforcer Chief:'' Yeah — Loud feedback echoes across the empty space, I cover my ears. ''Enforcer Chief:'' Sorry. Yeah, I'm watching. Why? The man smiles. He takes a step forward, and I finally see what I was missing — //He didn't clip his harness to the rope. He's killing himself.// My eyes go to the Chief's. His mouth drops open, he fumbles for the bullhorn's button. ''Enforcer Chief:'' Wait, hold on — //It's too late.// //With a frozen expression — the man tips forward into the pit.// A few of the other gray-haired prisoners step forward and look to each other. Some nod, others don't. //One by one, they throw themselves off the platform and into The Pit.// The young men on the platform start screaming, unsure of what's happening around them. ''Enforcer Chief:'' Someone, get on there! Stop them! The Enforcers around the Chief snap into action, and run toward the wood. The rest of the old prisoners take their time, keeping their pace of falling one at a time. Some of the younger prisoners realize what's happening, and unclip themselves too. //This is...// //Why am I watching this?// ''Frankie:'' Oh my...god. Kendra speaks from behind Frankie, whose body is hiding the display from her. ''Kendra:'' What's happening?! ''Frankie:'' Uh — they're... ''TeeJay:'' They're throwing themselves into The Pit. Kendra's mouth drops. ''Kendra:'' What?! Why?! I shrug my shoulders. ''TeeJay:'' A public display? Val's head spins around on my left. ''Val:'' To teach the Enforcers a lesson. ''Kendra:'' What lesson could //this// teach? ''Frankie:'' I'll explain it later. Kendra continues cowering behind Frankie. On the platform, the remaining prisoners are being held down and having their harnesses inspected. Eventually, an Enforcer yells out. ''Enforcer:'' All good! The Enforcer Chief nods his head, and grabs the horn. ''Enforcer Chief:'' Great! Let's not let something like that happen again, okay? //I'm not sure if he's talking to the other Enforcers or us...// ''Enforcer Chief:'' Pick 'em up! The Enforcers on the platform start lifting the prisoners up and carrying them to the edge of the platform. They wait for further instructions, as the prisoners flail and scream for help. ''Enforcer Chief:'' And send 'em down! The prisoners are dropped from waist-height into the pit. They fall for a few seconds, before their ropes snap tight and stop them. //A few of the prisoners screamed when the ropes pulled them back — were they hurt? Why are some of them just...dangling in the air now?// ''Frankie:'' This is just horrific. ''Enforcer Chief:'' Hey! What's happening down there?! Get a move on! One of the prisoners that's still moving yells from down below. ''Dangling Prisoner:'' You broke some of our backs, you fucking pigs! The Chief speaks to his side to another Enforcer. ''Enforcer Chief:'' I didn't think about that. He speaks into the bullhorn. ''Enforcer Chief:'' Can those of you still okay help the others down? ''Dangling Prisoner:'' And then do what? ''Enforcer Chief:'' I dunno, //help them//? ''Dangling Prisoner:'' With //what medicine//? ''Enforcer Chief:'' There's always a million reasons to say no... ''Dangling Prisoner:'' Shut the fuck up! The Chief's jaw drops and he barks to an Enforcer. ''Enforcer Chief:'' Someone cut their rope! They insulted me! ''Dangling Prisoner:'' No! Don't do that! An Enforcer on the platform yells back. ''Enforcer:'' Are you sure? ''Enforcer Chief:'' I think so! ''Enforcer:'' You //think// so, or you //know// so? ''Enforcer Chief:'' I swear to... ''Enforcer Chief:'' Someone grab that Enforcer and throw them off the platform! Three other Enforcers restrain the "defiant" one and throw him over the side of the platform. He falls on top of the dangling prisoner, knocking them both into the depths. ''Enforcer Chief:'' Wow, that was awesome! The rest of you, start going! The prisoners that can still move start their descent, lowering themselves further down into The Pit. The Enforcers on the platform give them additional slack in their ropes as they run out. The other Enforcers are lifting the ones with broken backs out of the hole. //Where are they going to take them?// Eventually, they lower themselves below our sightline. I try to keep my eyes on them, but the darkness swallows every last person. The slight movement of the ropes also stops with time, erasing the signs of life attached. ''Enforcer Chief:'' Start the timer! And start lining up Men's Cabins Fourty-Three and Fifty-Eight. The crowd around us thins as more prisoners walk to the base of the platform. They are helped into harnesses and led to an anchor. //Beep! Beep! Beep!// A small timer goes off near the Chief. He sticks a thumb up in the air and nods his head. The Enforcers start lifting the rest of the ropes back up, and clipping them onto each prisoner themselves. Once finished, an Enforcer returns a thumbs up. ''Enforcer Chief:'' Send 'em down! The majority of the prisoners step to the edge of the platform on their own, the resistant ones are "escorted." The two new groups of prisoners begin their descent, lowering themselves in a similar fashion as the first group. //I should be paying attention to their form. It could really help me.// //But I'm too anxious to pay attention. Plus, my hands don't work when I need them to — what good does preparation do?// ''Enforcer Chief:'' While they go down, let's line up Cabins Fifty-Nine and Seventy. [[The crowd thins even further, and I spot a familiar face walking toward the platform.->Sam is Going Down]]//It's Samuel. I'd recognize the back of his head anywhere.// He's standing near an Enforcer and having his harness checked. //Should I say something?// ''TeeJay:'' Sam! //My mouth is moving on its own.// ''TeeJay:'' Sam, it's me — TeeJay! He looks over in my direction. His eyes light up. Frankie follows my eyeline and locates Samuel, then looks back to me. ''Frankie:'' Let's get you closer. C'mon. Before I can argue, Frankie is dragging me behind him as he shoves through the crowd. ''Frankie:'' Coming through! My elbows bump into an innumerable amount of prisoners as we make our way through the crowd and toward Sam. Eventually, Frankie bursts through the front of the line and shoves me toward the platform. I stumble momentarily before I manage to get my footing. I'm staring at the metal ground, unable to look up at the group. //I'm so anxious. The last conversation with him didn't go well — I want this one to go better...// //Especially since —// A shoe enters my vision, and I feel Sam's presence in front of me. I look up to find him placing a hand on my shoulder. He speaks before I gather my thoughts. ''Samuel:'' Don't worry. I'll wait for you at the bottom. //He'll —// //Why is my heart...// ''Samuel:'' I know we haven't been getting along recently, but... ''Samuel:'' I'll still protect you down there. I promise. ''TeeJay:'' Thank you...I, uh, can't stop thinking about you. About us. ''Samuel:'' I've been feeling the same way. ''TeeJay:'' And this Pit thing just has me really scared — ''Samuel:'' You don't need to be scared. He removes his hand from my shoulder and grips both of my hands — giving them a small squeeze. ''Samuel:'' We're going to make it out. I squeeze back. ''TeeJay:'' Thank you. I — //Do I say it?// //If I don't, will I regret it?// ''TeeJay:'' I love you. ''Samuel:'' I love you, too. He looks into my eyes and I melt a little. A nearby Enforcer raises a thumb toward the Chief, who responds from a distance. ''Enforcer Chief:'' Send them down! I grip Samuel's hands. //There's no time to think.// ''TeeJay:'' Be careful. Please, please, be careful. Samuel nods. ''Samuel:'' You too. And we'll see each other below, okay? An Enforcer approaches us. ''Enforcer:'' Stop talking and hurry it up! Sam squeezes my hands one last time, then lets go. ''Samuel:'' I love you. ''TeeJay:'' I love you, too. The Enforcer rips him away from the conversation, and onto the wooden platform. Tears spill from my eyes, and I fall to my knees. //I don't understand why I'm so upset. He's going to be fine. I know that.// //I know that...// //Right...?// Another hand grabs onto my shoulders, and Frankie's voice comes from above me. ''Frankie:'' Enforcers are coming. We need to move... //I can't stop crying. Tears are just pouring out of me and onto the metal. Will it rust because of me?// //That's dumb. That's stupid. I hate my brain. I want to stop crying.// Frankie threads his arms under mine and lifts from the ground. He drags me backwards for a second, until we're swallowed up by the crowd. Gingerly, he places me back onto the ground. ''Frankie:'' Sorry that I just moved you. I didn't want you to get hurt. I choke out a sentence between heaving sobs. ''TeeJay:'' Thank you — I really — appreciate it. ''Frankie:'' You don't need to thank me. I continue crying until my body empties. I push my palms into the ground, and lift myself up. //Sam has already lowered himself down — far beyond my view. I didn't hear anyone freaking out around us, so I assume that everything went okay.// Frankie notices me searching. ''Frankie:'' He made it, don't worry. I kept an eye on him. ''TeeJay:'' Thank you. ''Frankie:'' You don't need to — ''TeeJay:'' Seriously, thank you for your help. Frankie pauses. //He doesn't usually do that.// ''Frankie:'' You're, um — welcome. The remaining groups from the Men's Side are sent down with the same time interval. //Keep waiting for me, Sam. I'll be down there soon.// ''Enforcer Chief:'' Now we're gonna start sending down the rest of you! First — Cabins Seven and Fifteen! Frankie nudges my shoulder. ''Frankie:'' Come on, that's us. [[We walk forward and toward the group of harnessed Enforcers holding our equipment.->Going Down!]]A nearby Enforcer hands me the harness in their hands. I put it over my head, and my arms through the holes. When I finish, the same Enforcer secures it to my body. They look at my face, I recognize the cracked visor. ''Cracked Visor Enforcer:'' Who would've thought that two days after giving you a tour, you'd be dying? I don't bother responding, there's no energy left in me. I hear Grace's voice over my shoulder. ''Grace:'' Stop talking to her! You gross me out. The Enforcer in front of me snaps at Grace. ''Cracked Visor Enforcer:'' Shut the fuck up! They clap their hands at another Enforcer. ''Cracked Visor Enforcer:'' Hit her or something! ''Enforcer:'' I don't think I should... ''Grace:'' Wow, even your friends don't listen to you. ''Cracked Visor Enforcer:'' ARGH! Eff you! Shut up! GOD! ''Grace:'' And now you're just getting angry? //She's really pushing them...// ''Cracked Visor Enforcer:'' I'll do it myself! They approach Grace with their palm stretched open. Grace takes a step back, toward the wooden platform. The other Enforcers nearby scatter, ready to let this play itself out. Grace takes another step back, moving from metal to wood. She glances behind her, and back to the Enforcer. ''Grace:'' Are you going to hit me, or just act like it? //I once had a therapist that said acting like you're going to hit someone causes the same emotional reaction as actually hitting them. That explains why I remember the times that my dad raised his fist at me as scary and not worth living through, while he commends his restraint.// The Enforcer takes a swing at Grace, stepping forward confidently. ''Cracked Visor Enforcer:'' Here comes a BIG punch — Grace steps out of the way at the last second, placing her hands on the shoulder of the passing Enforcer — before shifting them to their back. With a smooth motion, she applies pressure onto the Enforcer with the cracked visor — who stumbles forward toward the edge. ''Grace:'' Enjoy the bottom, asshole. Grace shoves the Enforcer one more time, sending them tumbling over the ridge and into The Pit below, they reach their hands out toward the platform — grabbing the rope by Grace's feet. They can't hold on, and drop further. //Holy shit...// Grace looks back at us, smiling. I raise my hands to clap, but before I can — Grace is dashed from my sight, tugged by the rope. ''Kendra:'' Grace! ''Frankie:'' Oh, shit! My eyes move down to find Grace's body snap into position, she's dangling horizontally one-hundred feet below the platform with her arms and legs hanging down. Below her, the Cracked Visor Enforcer has grabbed ahold of a section of her rope, and works to pull themselves up. The voice of the Chief comes from deep in the crowd. ''Enforcer Chief:'' Hell yes, this is amazing! Nobody move — let it happen! //Let what happen?// //Grace isn't moving.// //Are they seriously going to let her die?// The others around me notice. ''Jessica:'' Is she asleep? ''Kendra:'' No, she's dead! ''Frankie:'' She's not either of those, but she might be hurt. ''Val:'' And she can't move... ''TeeJay:'' What can //we// do? Frankie and Val start scanning the nearby area, before running deeper onto the platform. Kendra and Jessica lean down next to Grace's rope and continue yelling at her. ''Jessica:'' Grace, wake up! ''Kendra:'' Are you dead? I think that you're dead, but the others don't. Grace doesn't respond. Frankie yells for my attention at the far edge of the wood. ''Frankie:'' TeeJay, get over here! I run over to the edge and join him in staring over it. ''Frankie:'' Okay, so here's my idea — He points at a rock formation in the distance, just above the darkness. //Trying to focus on it is giving me extreme vertigo...// ''TeeJay:'' Sorry, I can't look for too long. ''Frankie:'' That's fine. You saw it, right? I nod my head and look into his eyes. ''Frankie:'' Okay, I'm going to start lowering myself down toward Grace. With your help, I can move faster. Then you're going to — He makes a large swinging motion. ''Frankie:'' — help me swing over to that rock formation with her. That's why we need to be standing right here. //I can't do all of that. I'm so weak.// I stare back at him with wide eyes. ''TeeJay:'' I can't do all that. ''Frankie:'' Why not? I raise my arms in the air. ''TeeJay:'' I'm not strong. ''Frankie:'' Neither am I — but if we don't do anything, Grace //will// die. //I don't know Grace that well — but I can't just watch someone die. We need to do something.// Frankie starts clipping himself onto the anchor below his feet. Once finished, he stands and looks at me. ''Frankie:'' Okay, you ready — His gaze shifts over my shoulder, he points. ''Frankie:'' What is she doing? [[I turn around to find Val has started lowering herself down using the anchor next to Grace's. ->Val Saves Grace]]''TeeJay:'' What the hell?! Val's hands move with accuracy as she lowers herself down the rope and toward Grace's dangling body. //Is she going to make it in time?// Val pauses her descent part of the way down, and takes her right shoe off. She chucks it at the head of the Cracked Visor Enforcer. ''Cracked Visor Enforcer:'' Ow! Stop throwing things! ''Val:'' Leave her alone! ''Cracked Visor Enforcer:'' I don't care about Grace! I'm trying to //not die// here! ''Val:'' How are you going to do that? ''Cracked Visor Enforcer:'' I'm going to — They shift themselves up the rope, grunting. ''Cracked Visor Enforcer:'' — climb over her body and go up to the top! ''Val:'' And you're not going to unclip her harness and clip yourself in? The Enforcer pauses before answering. ''Cracked Visor Enforcer:'' I mean, if it happens... ''Val:'' Oh, fuck off — Val starts lowering herself down again, faster than last time. The Enforcer starts furiously climbing toward Grace. When she gets closer, Val takes off her other shoe and holds it in her hand. She flips herself over in her harness and reaches a hand out toward Grace's chest. Val's arms makes a grab for Grace's sides, she catches on. She climbs around over the top of Grace, and onto her back toward the Enforcer, who stops moving. ''Cracked Visor Enforcer:'' No, please don't kill me! Val reaches the shoe toward the Enforcer's face, but can't quite reach. ''Val:'' Come here, you little asshole... ''Cracked Visor Enforcer:'' No, please! I wasn't going to actually unclip her harness! ''Val:'' Bull — shit! Val grunts and manages to smack the Enforcer in the front of their helmet with her shoe, shattering their visor. They flinch and one of their hands loses grip. ''Cracked Visor Enforcer:'' I'm slipping, help! Help me! //Actually — guess I should update their name to Shattered Visor Enforcer.// Val pauses before making her next move. She stares at the Enforcer, then reaches into her pocket and pulls out something shiny. ''Val:'' Take the clip! The Enforcer grabs it from Val's hands and attaches it to their harness. They look back up at her. ''Shattered Visor Enforcer:'' I can't hook myself down here, something's wrong! Val turns around on Grace's back and disembarks. Both girls dangle on their own, but close to each other. ''Val:'' That's 'cause you just have the rope, idiot! You need to climb up and use this one after I unclip Grace! ''Shattered Visor Enforcer:'' But that'll take so long! ''Val:'' Think about that next time that you attack someone on the edge of a hole! The Enforcer fidgets on the rope, trying to steady themselves. Val is above them, grabbing ahold of Grace. She sneaks a look down at the Enforcer. ''Val:'' God, you're pathetic... She looks up at us. ''Val:'' Someone up there grab ahold of our ropes! Frankie snaps into action, grabbing Grace's rope first. I grab onto Val's, and yell down to her. ''TeeJay:'' We've got you! ''Val:'' Okay, when I clip Grace to me — you're going to give us a little more slack in the ropes! More than one person should be holding onto my rope, since I'll be carrying her! The other members of Cabin Seven file in around me and grab ahold of the rope. A few of the other prisoners help as well. ''Frankie:'' You're good! ''Val:'' I'm going to attach Grace to me now! ''Shattered Visor Enforcer:'' What about me? ''Val:'' Can you climb any further? The Enforcer doesn't respond. ''Val:'' //Fucking incompetent loser//...just keep holding on tight. They can lower you down too. The Enforcer grunts in pain. ''Shattered Visor Enforcer:'' I don't think — I can hold for that long... ''Val:'' That's not my problem. You have to if you want to survive. Val yells up to the platform. ''Val:'' I'm moving her! The rope I'm holding onto shifts forward, significantly heavier. I dig my heels into the wooden platform and hold on tight. ''Val:'' Got her! Start giving me slack in my rope as I climb down! And whoever's got Grace's rope, feel free to let go! ''Shattered Visor Enforcer:'' No! Val chuckles to herself. ''Val:'' Or lower them down! That's called belaying! ''Shattered Visor Enforcer:'' Yes, yes! Belay me! ''Frankie:'' I really don't want to belay them... I look at Frankie's face for a second, his slight smile wipes away. He starts shifting the rope to lower the Enforcer. //He made the right decision.// [[All of us on the platform help Val descend with Grace into the darkness, Frankie does the same.->Okay let's get to the cave now]]When the Enforcer below disappears from sight, the Chief finally speaks up. ''Enforcer Chief:'' What a twist ending, nobody died! How exciting! Now get the other prisoners moving! //Asshole...// The other Enforcers step onto the platform and help us with the equipment, ensuring that it still functions properly. ''Enforcer:'' All good! ''Enforcer Chief:'' Send 'em down! I step forward to the edge of the platform and try not to think about what comes next. The ground disappears from under my feet, and I'm lowering myself down from the platform. //Don't think. Don't think at all.// My hands are grasping the rope above my head. I don't understand how I'm accomplishing this task. I'm autopiloting down into a large pit. Around me, my new friends and a bunch of strangers are also dangling in the air. The ropes that we're attached to stretch further than my vision. None of us speak as we lower ourselves around the varying rock formations. Losing sight of Frankie and Jessica behind a wide pillar, I lock eyes with Kendra, her lips quivering. //We don't say anything. We don't need to.// She reaches a hand out toward me. I grab on and she squeezes mine — hard. I squeeze her hand back and let go. We continue the descent in silence, together. The cloud of darkness grows closer beneath us — I don't know what lies below. //And I don't want to.// [[The shadows on the rocks around us grow wider, my own vision is starting to grow dim. ->The Darkness]](text-colour:white)[Frankie is hugging me, squeezing my sides hard. ''Frankie:'' Fuck, TeeJay, it's so good to see you! //Ow.// ''TeeJay:'' You're — //Ouch.// ''TeeJay:'' Squeezing too hard... Frankie lessens his grip on my body, still hugging me. ''Frankie:'' Sorry. I just have a huge fear of heights. //And he wanted to go save Grace earlier by himself? Idiot.// //In a cute way.// ''TeeJay:'' I'm glad we both made it. ''Frankie:'' Me too, man. Me too! Frankie stutters momentarily. ''Frankie:'' Sorry, I didn't mean to just call you "man" without your permission. I was using it in a more general — I laugh. ''TeeJay:'' No, it's okay. You're using it like a friend would. ''Frankie:'' Yeah. Still though, sorry. ''TeeJay:'' I forgive you. //And I was trying to say that you're my friend. But you missed that.// We settle into a silent hug for a few seconds. ''TeeJay:'' So what about these bodies, pretty crazy — ''Frankie:'' Oh shit, the others! I need to keep counting! Kendra's voice comes from the area I just left. ''Kendra:'' Yeah, you do! Jessica's voice comes from the opposite side. ''Jessica:'' Please keep talking! Frankie resumes counting. I hear Kendra unclipping herself, followed by a pained grunt. Footsteps come toward our direction. ''Kendra:'' There was a fall at the end?! You guys didn't say we had to fall! Kendra grabs onto my shoulders and touches my face. ''Kendra:'' Is this TeeJay? Who is this? Is this a monster? I lean backward away from her. ''TeeJay:'' I'm not a monster. ''Kendra:'' TeeJay! Kendra pulls me into another hug. I grimace a little. //So much contact...// //And I'm all sweaty from climbing...// ''Frankie:'' Thirty-six, thirty-seven — are you close, Jessica? ''Jessica:'' I think so! The same unclipping sound followed by a final pained grunt. ''Jessica:'' There was a fall! Kendra yells over my shoulder into the darkness. ''Kendra:'' I didn't lie! ''Jessica:'' But sometimes you hyper-bol-ate. Jessica works the last word out phonetically, and incorrect. Kendra lets go of me and scoffs. ''Kendra:'' No I don't! ''Jessica:'' Yes you do! You're so worried about dying all the time and you haven't even died! ''Kendra:'' That's why I'm worried about it! As the two argue, Jessica joins our group. We share in each other's presence as the argument concludes. ''Jessica:'' I'm just saying, you could stop worrying. ''Kendra:'' It doesn't work like that. You know it doesn't work like that. ''Jessica:'' You know I don't know that thing you said I know. A moment of silence as Kendra comprehends her sentence. She yells her reply. ''Kendra:'' What are you //talking// about?! A voice comes from an area to our right, startling me. ''Val:'' Kendra?! ''Kendra:'' Val?! ''Val:'' Where are you?! ''Kendra:'' Uh — I don't know! ''Val:'' Are you with the others?! ''Kendra:'' Yeah, we're all over here! ''Val:'' Follow my voice, I need help over here! It's Grace — ! Jessica takes off in the direction of Val's voice, and the rest of us do our best to follow. ''Frankie:'' Jessica, don't run ahead! We're going to lose you! Jessica continues running ahead of us. ''Jessica:'' Val?! ''Val:'' Over here! //It's to the left now.// I follow Frankie and Kendra toward Val. ''Frankie:'' Val?! ''Val:'' Here! //Straight ahead.// We continue on the rocky path until we reach a clearing — and a small beacon of light in the distance. ''TeeJay:'' There —! ''Frankie:'' I see it! ''Kendra:'' Let's go! [[The three of us run toward the light, which reveals itself to be a small flashlight placed at Val's feet. She's kneeling over the top of a body.->Divergence B - Chapter 4B Starting Quote]]](text-colour:white)[//I don't know when it happened, but I lost sight of Kendra. She's slipped into the darkness that creeps in around me, just like everyone else.// //There's no way I'll be able to find Sam at the bottom if it's this dark up here.// I hear a voice cut through the space around me, no telling in which direction. ''Kendra:'' TeeJay, are you still there?! ''TeeJay:'' I'm here! ''Kendra:'' I'm scared, TeeJay! Another voice in the darkness. ''Frankie:'' Kendra, is that you?! ''Kendra:'' Frankie?! ''Frankie:'' Kendra?! ''Kendra:'' Frankie?! A final voice. ''Jessica:'' Jessica! I hear a few scattered laughs around me. ''Jessica:'' Why is everyone laughing?! More laughs. ''TeeJay:'' We all just saw something funny. ''Jessica:'' Lucky! I can't see anything at all! ''Frankie:'' Maybe you went blind! ''Kendra:'' Let's not joke about going blind, I have a real anxiety about that! ''Frankie:'' If I wasn't able to talk about things that make you anxious, I'd have to be — ''Frankie:'' I dunno, mute or something. I couldn't think of a joke to finish that with. ''Jessica:'' It's okay. ''Kendra:'' But for real, I am super anxious about going blind! It could happen at literally any time — if I get hit too hard in the head by someone, if I fall and hit my head, if I fall off a bigger thing and hit my head, if I have an aneurysm inside my head — ''Frankie:'' I could use some head. ''Jessica:'' You've already got one! It's on your shoulders! ''Frankie:'' I'd give you a pity laugh, but I know that wasn't a joke. ''Jessica:'' I don't like making jokes. ''Kendra:'' If I have a tumor inside my head and it pushes on the part of my brain that controls vision — ''Frankie:'' You're still going?! ''Kendra:'' There's a lot of ways someone could go blind! ''Jessica:'' Do you hate blind people? ''Kendra:'' What?! No! Where'd you get that idea?! ''Frankie:'' Until it happens to you, I wouldn't stress about this kind of stuff! ''Kendra:'' That's a terrible idea! How will I prepare for the bad things if I'm not stressing about them? ''Frankie:'' But what if the bad things never actually happen? ''Kendra:'' Ugh, well now you just gave me a new anxiety! //I feel like I should be taking some kind of lesson away from this conversation, but I'm too busy focusing on my descent to critically think.// ''Jessica:'' Guys, how much longer do you think we have? ''Frankie:'' I dunno. ''Kendra:'' Probably miles! What if this hole never ends! ''Frankie:'' But we saw the ropes stop moving — the other groups made it to the ground. And it only took them like fifteen minutes. ''Jessica:'' How long have we been climbing for? ''Frankie:'' I don't know. I wasn't timing it... ''Kendra:'' Oh god, we've only been climbing for like two minutes, haven't we? I don't know if I have the energy to make it to the bottom if this was just two minutes! ''Frankie:'' It's definitely been longer than two minutes. ''Kendra:'' But you weren't timing it, you can't be certain! Frankie sighs. ''Frankie:'' You're too much. ''Kendra:'' In, like, a good way? Or, like, in a bad way? ''Frankie:'' You're too much. ''Kendra:'' But in a good way or a bad way?! Tell me! ''Frankie:'' You're — oh shit! Frankie grunts. ''TeeJay:'' Are you good? ''Frankie:'' Holy shit, yes, I'm at the bottom! //Holy shit.// ''Kendra:'' Keep talking, so we can find you! ''Frankie:'' Okay, uh... ''Frankie:'' One. Two. Three. Four. Five. Six. Kendra grunts. ''Kendra:'' Are these — ew!!! Kendra screams. ''Jessica:'' You good? ''Kendra:'' Yeah! It's just — ew!!! ''Frankie:'' Seven. Eight. Nine... I climb down the rest of the rope as Frankie continues counting. When I reach the end of the rope, I unclip myself and fall a short distance to the ground. //Hey — that didn't hurt too bad! This rock is actually kinda...// I push my hand deeper into the "rock". //This is a dead person — there's fresh corpses lining the floor of the pit.// //So that's what Kendra meant.// Standing, I brush something sticky and wet off my shoulder //— a chunk of someone?// ''Frankie:'' Twenty-three, twenty-four... //I should get a move on.// ''TeeJay:'' I'm on the ground, coming toward you! //My eyes aren't adjusting to the darkness, I can't see a thing.// [[I follow Frankie's voice until I reach him, and I'm pulled into a deep hug.->Frankie Hugging You]]]](text-colour:white)[When Val sees us approaching, she grabs the flashlight from the ground. She shines the beam in our direction before standing and facing us. ''Frankie:'' What's going on?! ''Val:'' She's — Val turns to look at Grace's body. ''Val:'' — not doing great... The three of us speak in unison. ''Frankie:'' What happened since the last time we saw each other? ''TeeJay:'' Where's the Enforcer? ''Kendra:'' Have you seen Jessica?! Val's eyes cross momentarily. ''Val:'' One at a time, jeez. She turns to face Frankie. ''Val:'' When I got Grace to the bottom, I moved her in this direction pretty quickly. She hasn't woken up. Val faces me next. ''Val:'' I haven't seen the Enforcer, but they probably made it down. For better and for worse... Finally, she turns to face Kendra. ''Val:'' And no, I haven't seen Jessica either. She isn't with you guys? ''Kendra:'' No, she — Frankie interrupts. ''Frankie:'' And the flashlight —? ''Val:'' I brought it. //Sleeping pills and now a flashlight? Where does she get this stuff...?// Frankie points to Grace. ''Frankie:'' What can we do to help her? ''Val:'' I have no idea. I'm not a doctor. //Sam has basic medical care skills, he could probably help.// I clear my throat. ''TeeJay:'' Uh — my ex-boyfriend knows a little bit about this kind of stuff... ''Kendra:'' That's great, I'm sure he'll be a great help for us down here... Frankie speaks up. ''Frankie:'' Actually, TeeJay's ex is here in the prison. He was sent down The Pit too. ''Kendra:'' Oh my god, I'm so sorry! That's why you left us in the crowd earlier! I'm always so afraid of being wrong, so I try not to say anything mean — just in case I'm wrong and I embarrass myself...and now I've embarrassed myself! //I know how this train of thought goes — I've been embarrassed plenty.// //[[A thought cuts through my brain.->em BareAss ment]]// I pause to remove it, then speak to stop Kendra. ''TeeJay:'' It's all good. Kendra pauses her apology, and nods. ''Kendra:'' Yeah, thanks. ''Val:'' So is our plan to take Grace to TeeJay's ex? Frankie looks to me. ''Frankie:'' Only if that's okay with you, TeeJay? //I was going to try to find him in the first place.// ''TeeJay:'' Yeah, sure. It's fine with me. And his name is Samuel — Sam. ''Frankie:'' Cool. ''Val:'' Did he say where he'd be waiting? I shake my head. ''TeeJay:'' Nah. Just that he'd see me down here. ''Frankie:'' So specific. Kendra interrupts the conversation and points a finger in the direction we came from. ''Kendra:'' What about Jessica, though? I haven't heard her voice in a long time. ''Frankie:'' Shit, you're right — where is she? ''Val:'' If we're going to go look for her, we need to figure out how to move Grace. ''Frankie:'' And just to be sure — Frankie leans in to whisper. ''Frankie:'' — you're certain she's still alive? ''Kendra:'' Oh my god, that's so offensive! Val nods her head, ignoring Kendra. ''Val:'' She's alive. You can see her breathing. Val points the flashlight toward Grace. //She's covered in sweat and dirt, sprawled out on the rock below her. Her chest is rising and falling with short gasps. It doesn't look good.// //I don't know Grace that well, but she was nice to me. And besides, I don't want to watch someone die.// ''Val:'' But I agree, it doesn't look good. She looked better when I was climbing down. Less...pale. Val's expression is pained. //Does she think she didn't do enough?// ''Frankie:'' Grace is strong. She'll hang in there, and we'll figure it out. Kendra shakes her head, her voice breaking. ''Kendra:'' Frankie, she's — dying... Frankie shakes his head, his voice incredulous. ''Frankie:'' She's not dying! Right, you guys? Frankie looks to Val and me. We stand silently, neither of us expressing our opinion. Frankie repeats himself with further emphasis. ''Frankie:'' She's //not dying//! Frankie leans down next to Grace's body, and puts an arm underneath her. He starts to lift, when — Grace's eyes flip open, she screams in agony. ''Grace:'' //AAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHH!!// Frankie drops her in shock, her back hits the rock and she screams again with her mouth hanging open. ''Grace:'' //AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!// Frankie stands up, staring at Grace's writhing form on the ground. ''Val:'' Stand back! She steps forward and places a hand on Frankie's chest — pushing him back. He collapses onto his knees. [[Next, Val hands me the flashlight and bends down next to Grace. I shine it toward her and hold still.->Checking on Grace]]](text-colour:white)[(align:"==>")+(box:"===XX")[{(link:"Save game.")[ (if:(save-game:"Slot A"))[ Game saved. ](else: )[ Sorry, I couldn't save your game. ] ]}] =><= //"Dark, damp, smelly, fearful, dangerous — If you've ever found yourself in a cave — these adjectives might sound familiar. A cave is something that should be respected. There are places we are not meant to find. In those places, you might even discover something from a time long past. Maybe it shines in a way that you like, the glitter exciting your heart and creating fantasies in your mind lined with gold and the promise of leisure. So maybe you decide to take it with you. Over time, maybe the object starts offering you advice. Maybe these messages feel real — too relevant to be a hallucination. How does it know these things about you? How does it know what to do next? Is it alive...?"// (css: "font-size: 75%;")[- Juno K. (in //"Cave Objects (Shake it, Baby!)"// by Pitbull ft. Daddy Yankee and Juno K., released in 2023).] [[Begin Chapter 4.->Whose Body?]] [[Return to Title Screen.->Title Screen]]](text-colour:white)[''Grace:'' //AAAAAAA —// Val interrupts her scream, placing a hand on Grace's stomach. She speaks in a gentle voice. ''Val:'' It's me, I'm here. Grace stops screaming, then groans and grabs her side. ''Grace:'' It hurts! It hurts, it hurts! Grace writhes on the ground, barely able to move her body. ''Val:'' I know it does... ''Grace:'' Don't leave me here! No matter how bad I'm hurt — please, don't leave me... ''Val:'' I'm not leaving, I promise. Val lightly hugs her — careful not to lift. Grace speaks into Val's shoulder, slightly muffled. ''Grace:'' //Am I — dying?// ''Val:'' No — Val lets go and moves her hand to Grace's right cheek. ''Val:'' No. //You're not dying.// But you need to stop moving and save your energy. Grace doesn't respond, closing her eyes while nodding her head. ''Val:'' We're going to help you. You deserve it. Val looks back to the rest of the group. I look over to Kendra, she's staring off into the darkness — Frankie picks himself off the ground and approaches the two. ''Frankie:'' Yeah, we've got you. I continue to stare at Kendra, deeply curious. ''TeeJay:'' Kendra? Frankie looks at Kendra. She doesn't turn around — staring at the same space. ''Kendra:'' Yeah...? ''TeeJay:'' What are you //doing?// She lifts her left arm and points at shadows. ''Kendra:'' Do you guys see that? //No...?// ''Frankie:'' See //what?// ''Kendra:'' That... =><= (css: "font-size: 75%;")[(text-style:"fidget")[//Shadow.//]] <= Kendra whispers, her voice shaking. She pauses for a second to watch, then points again — over and over. ''Kendra:'' Right there! It just moved! Frankie shakes his head. ''Frankie:'' I didn't see anything. ''TeeJay:'' Me neither. ''Kendra:'' What do you mean you didn't see anything?! Come over here! Frankie steps toward Kendra, she grabs his shoulders and tugs him in front of her. She points. ''Kendra:'' It's right there! ''Frankie:'' Where...? She grabs Frankie's index finger and points it too. ''Kendra:'' Right //there!// ''Frankie:'' I don't — Frankie takes a sudden step back. ''Frankie:'' Holy shit! He turns back to face me. Kendra keeps staring into the darkness. ''Frankie:'' Something's moving over there... I look over to Val and Grace, then point out the obvious. ''TeeJay:'' We should start moving her. Frankie nods his head and jogs back over to Grace. He grabs Val's shoulder. ''Frankie:'' There's something over there. I'm going to pick up Grace. Val doesn't have time to fully process. ''Val:'' Oh — yeah, sure. She stands and helps lift Grace from the floor and onto Frankie's back. Grace wakes up, and starts screaming again. ''Grace:'' //AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!! IT HURTSSSSSSSSSSS!!!!!!// ''Val:'' I'm so sorry... Frankie grunts again, shifting Grace's weight over his shoulder. ''Frankie:'' I've got her — let's go! Val starts leading Frankie forward and through the darkness, I keep the beam on them. //Kendra's still staring off into the distance...// //Should I say something? Or just keep moving?// [[Say something.->Kendra Still Gets Hurt But At Least You Tried]] [[Don't say anything.->Kendra Gets Hurt]]](text-colour:white)[//I need to say something.// ''TeeJay:'' Kendra! We're leaving! Kendra turns around to face me, and nods her head. =><= //Oh shit —// //[[I see something over her shoulder!->Kendra Attacked!]]// ](text-colour:white)[//I don't need to say anything. It's Kendra's problem if she gets left behind.// Frankie notices the stragglers, and calls out. ''Frankie:'' Hey, we're leaving! Kendra turns around to face Frankie, and nods her head. =><= //Oh shit —// //[[I see something over her shoulder!->Kendra Attacked!]]// ](text-colour:white)[After rubbing her red-soaked temple, Kendra is the first to speak. Her voice echoes off the tunnel walls that surround us. ''Kendra:'' I knew this Pit thing was bad news. I knew getting sent down here was a death sentence. But I didn't know dying hurt so much — ''Frankie:'' You're not dying. ''Kendra:'' I hope I'm dying. You saw the shadow too, so you know it wasn't the Enforcer out there earlier. Frankie stares straight forward, and readjusts Grace. ''Frankie:'' It had to be them. Kendra breaks free from Val's light grasp, and lurches toward Frankie. ''Kendra:'' I'm telling you, there's something else here! You saw it too! Frankie stops walking to talk. We all hold up. ''Frankie:'' I know what I saw. ''Kendra:'' What'd you see?! He takes a step closer to Kendra. ''Frankie:'' The fucking asshole that hit you! ''Kendra:'' It had //three// legs! Frankie leans closer to Kendra's face. ''Frankie:'' No it didn't! You're wrong! //You keep letting your anxiety freak the rest of us out!// Frankie takes shallow breaths. Kendra leans backwards, her eyes turning glassy. ''Kendra:'' I'm not wrong...//and that really hurt me...// Frankie takes a step forward, Kendra steps back. ''Frankie:'' Look, I'm sorry, I just — ''Kendra:'' You're just stressed, and that's why you got angry. But people always do this to me when they're stressed — //and it's not fair!// ''Frankie:'' Kendra, I — ''Kendra:'' Frankie, it's //wrong!// Kendra starts panting. Her eyes dart around, searching for something in the darkness. ''Frankie:'' What are you doing? Kendra speaks in a hushed tone, mostly to herself. ''Kendra:'' I'm freaking out...I need to...I have to — She takes off into the darkness, I shine the flashlight toward her back and yell. ''TeeJay:'' Kendra! ''Val:'' Kendra, come back — it's dangerous! Her back grows smaller, her body moving out of the beam's reach. Frankie looks on, mouth agape. Val turns to face him. ''Val:'' //What the fuck, man?!// ''Frankie:'' I just said what needed to be said. She was being too anxious and it was getting on my nerves! Val stares in disbelief, shaking her head. ''Val:'' She //likes// you! You — fucking — //idiot!// ''Frankie:'' What are you talking about?! ''Val:'' She has a crush on you! ''Frankie:'' How the hell was I supposed to notice that?! //Kendra has a crush on Frankie...? I haven't been here long enough to notice or confirm that for myself, so I just have to believe Val.// Grace groans from Frankie's back. Val sighs and walks forward. ''Val:'' We don't have time to talk about this right now. Two of us are out there in the darkness, we have to find them. [[//She's right. Because I kind of believe Kendra.//->A Scream]]]=><= (text-colour:white)[A jagged rock is swung from the darkness and at the side of Kendra's head!] <= (text-colour:white)[My mouth opens to warn her, but no words come out in time. ''TeeJay:'' Look out! The rock connects with Kendra's temple, small fragments of mineral splinter out from it — scattering in the air. Kendra collapses onto the ground, blood pouring from the right side of her face. //She dropped like...the rock that hit her.// Time is moving slow. My hands finally move the way I intend, shining the flashlight beam at Kendra's attacker. //An Enforcer stands above her body, shoulders heaving with each breath. Their helmet has its visor shattered.// Frankie screams from my left. I'm frozen in place. ''Frankie:'' Kendra! Val points. ''Val:'' It's that fucking dude! The Enforcer throws their head back, howling. They stick their arms in the air. ''Enforcer:'' My name is —] =><= (text-colour:white)[(css: "font-size: 175%;")[Kyle!]] <= (text-colour:white)[I laugh a little bit, a small breath escaping from my nose. Frankie's jaw drops, then he loses it. ''Frankie:'' Oh my god! //Kyle!// Val chuckles. ''Val:'' You can change your name, you know that, right? ''Kyle the Enforcer:'' Why would I want to change my name? Kyle is one of the most popular names in the world! ''Val:'' Oh, that's sad though... Kendra starts laughing on the ground, before coughing up a little bit of blood. //The Enforcer's name being Kyle was so funny that I kind of forgot about Kendra. Does that make me a bad person?// Kyle looks down at Kendra. ''Kyle the Enforcer:'' That didn't kill you...? They raise the rock behind their head again. ''Kyle the Enforcer:'' How about — I chuck the flashlight at Kyle's exposed face — hitting him in the nose. He drops the rock onto the ground next to Kendra. Val runs at the dazed Enforcer, diving into a tackle and taking them to the ground. Their helmet flies off their head and into the darkness. Frankie places Grace on the ground and comes over to help Kendra. I grab the flashlight from the ground and start smacking it against the Enforcer's head. //I'm not trying to kill them. I promise.// I turn the butt of the flashlight and bash it against their nose until red liquid starts dripping out of their nostrils. Val sits up and grabs for the rock. I push her hand away, shaking my head a few times before bashing them with the flashlight some more. ''Val:'' Ugh — fine! She starts punching them in the stomach over and over. ''Kyle the Enforcer:'' Stop — Val spits her words. ''Val:'' You're getting off easy, with what //you// did! She turns the Enforcer's head over and starts hitting their ear with a closed fist. ''Val:'' If Kendra isn't okay, I'll kill you right here! //She'll be okay, her head looks strong.// //This cabin really cares about each other. Sometimes I wish I had a support system like that...// //But really, I wish I had the support system I used to have.// Frankie speaks from behind us. ''Frankie:'' I think she's going to be okay, just a little shaken up. //See, I knew Kendra had a strong head.// //Her head game is —// I stop my thought, resuming the beating I'm putting on this dirtbag Enforcer. //Next, I'll hit them...// //I lock eyes with the Enforcer — begging for mercy.// //That's a great idea!// (css: "font-size: 125%;")[BAM!] I use the flashlight to hit their left eye. They scream in pain, I lean back and grab Val's arm. ''TeeJay:'' I think they've had enough... Val stops hitting them, and looks at the damage we've caused. Dark spots are already starting to form — their nose still leaking. ''Val:'' Did you see what this //motherfucker// did to Kendra?! Or to Grace?! They're dangerous! Kendra speaks from the ground with a weak voice. ''Kendra:'' They don't look that dangerous anymore, though... Val sighs and stands from her straddling position. She glares at Kyle, teeth gritted. ''Val:'' //Fine.// But if you even try to follow us... Kyle sticks their hands up. ''Kyle the Enforcer:'' I'm not gonna! I promise! I — ''Val:'' Just go back up the rope and leave us alone. They start to cry, heaving sobs. ''Kyle the Enforcer:'' //I can't!// The other Enforcers cut the ropes short! //That's new information.// Kendra speaks from her prone position. ''Kendra:'' Why...? ''Kyle the Enforcer:'' I — I don't know! Probably to stop you all from climbing back up, or maybe those — //other things// — can climb... ''Frankie:'' "Other things"? //What's down here?// Kyle leans forward on his hands, kneeling toward us. ''Kyle the Enforcer:'' They don't tell us anything — I don't know! Please, believe me! ''Val:'' You're useless. Val spits on their face before walking away. She helps Kendra to stand while Frankie picks Grace up. ''Val:'' TeeJay, let's go. I look down at Kyle's broken form — //A pathetic, violent, worthless person.// ''TeeJay:'' Don't follow us. [[I step away, joining the group as they start to walk into the darkness and into a tunnel. I keep the flashlight beam pointed forward.->Where's Jessica?]]](text-colour:white)[ =><= (css: "font-size: 150%;")[//AAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHH!//] <= A shrill scream comes from behind. We turn around and look down the tunnel. ''Val:'' Was that — //Jessica...?// ''Frankie:'' Had to have been. I nod my head in agreement. Frankie grunts, lifting Grace higher onto his back. ''Frankie:'' Should we go back? ''Val:'' Might give Kendra time to cool down. ''Frankie:'' Then it's settled. Frankie starts walking back down the tunnel, we pass the same rock fixtures as moments ago. The flashlight's beam flickers, plunging us into a full second of darkness before returning. I smack it on the left side a few times. ''TeeJay:'' That can't be good. Frankie turns to Val. ''Frankie:'' You didn't happen to bring batteries, did you? She shakes her head. ''Frankie:'' Shit. ''Val:'' Cut me a break. It was hard enough to get one. [[The light flickers again, and I resume smacking it. After a few seconds, it turns back on — but the beam is dimmer.->Another Scream]]](text-colour:white)[Another scream from down the tunnel, closer this time. ''Shrill Voice:'' AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!! I keep the light pointed down the tunnel. The beam is shaking all around looking down, I find that my hands are quivering. Footsteps echo around us, someone is running down the tunnel. //Or something...// Val tenses her fists, stepping in front of Frankie and Grace. I turn my attention back down the tunnel, waiting for... //Blonde hair.// //There's someone with blonde hair running toward us.// //It's —// ''Frankie:'' Jessica?! Jessica runs full speed toward our group, her face grimy and hair matted. Val steps forward to greet her — ''Jessica:'' RUN! //BAM!// Jessica shoves past Val — throwing her to the ground. She pauses for a second to look back, then continues running. Frankie turns around to run after Jessica, Grace bouncing on his back as he disappears from sight. I turn my attention to the other side of the tunnel, staring down it. Val picks herself up and runs past me. The flashlight bobs up and down with my heavy breathing. //Why can't...// //Why can't I move?// Something else is running down the tunnel toward me now. I can hear nails tapping on the rock, surrounding me as they grow closer. A tug on my shoulder, I turn my head around to find Val. ''Val:'' C'mon! //Is she mad at me?// She reaches an arm underneath mine and starts dragging me away. Eventually, I can move my legs again — I start running on my own. //Why couldn't I move? Why'd I freeze?// //Why did I need someone else to decide that for me?// //Why can't I pick anything?! Why can't I do anything right?!// Intrusive thoughts barrage my mind until I give in, permitting a memory to pass to the front. Val and I continue running down the narrow tunnel, until — //A fork.// //Left or right.// //A decision.// //I can't.// ''Val:'' Left! Val makes the decision, running into the left tunnel. I follow behind her, trying my hardest to keep the light steady. //Did —// I speak through panted breaths. ''TeeJay:'' Which way did Frankie and Grace go? //Used to run. Need to stop smoking. It's probably too late.// ''Val:'' Uh...I don't know! ''TeeJay:'' Why'd you pick this tunnel? ''Val:'' I just chose the first one I looked at. //Is that really how some people make their decisions? It's that easy?// //I'm sure it's not THAT easy...// //But that seems so much nicer than the way it is right now.// //I haven't been good with choosing things recently, and the choices I do make often lead to me feeling guilty or wrong.// //Can I really just — choose?// //No.// //I can't do it right now. I need time. Give me time.// ''Val:'' You aren't responding! ''TeeJay:'' Sorry, I was just thinking! ''Val:'' //About?!// ''TeeJay:'' How you — you know, like, chose the tunnel! ''Val:'' What about it?! ''TeeJay:'' It's just impressive! I'm never that decisive! ''Val:'' Uh, thanks? And sorry that you're not decisive! ''TeeJay:'' It's okay! ''Val:'' Sometimes, I think the best way to make a decision is to not think about how you're making one! //She doesn't get it —// ''TeeJay:'' But you're always making choices! ''Val:'' Then just don't think! I don't know! It's not bad to be indecisive! ''TeeJay:'' It's inconvenient! ''Val:'' Sure, but if everyone was decisive — we'd probably just end up repeating things! //I don't think Old Humans were particularly decisive.// ''Val:'' Whoah — Val digs her heels into the rock to slow herself down — reaching an arm out, she stops me. I catch my breath, and look forward — //Another giant pit stretches in our path.// ''TeeJay:'' What do we do? Val looks around the immediate area. She removes her arm from my chest. ''Val:'' I, uh — She crouches down and leans over the edge. ''Val:'' That's deep... ''TeeJay:'' Can we go down? ''Val:'' We can. We'd die though. I turn around, shining the light down the tunnel. ''TeeJay:'' Do you think it's still following us? Should we go back...? //I can't decide what to do. I need her help.// Val joins me, and we stand in silence for a moment. I strain my ears for the sound I heard earlier — ''Val:'' I don't hear anything... ''TeeJay:'' Me neither. ''Val:'' I don't think we should go back though. I nod my head. ''Val:'' So that leaves the option with the pit. Uh, we could maybe — She ventures toward the cliff's edge again, checking the walls for a possible foothold. ''Val:'' Nothing over here... She crosses in front of me and checks the left wall next. She steps back and grins. ''Val:'' Okay, this might work! Val walks up to me and grabs my shoulders. She drags me over to the left wall and pushes my foot toward the edge with her own. My legs tremble as I near the cliff. //I just need to trust her. She knows what she's doing.// My foot is moved onto a small section of cliff that stretches along the left side of the pit. ''Val:'' We're going to hug this all the way over to the other side. I can only stare at her. ''Val:'' It's going to be okay. I can coach you. Val moves me back a little bit, and places her foot where mine was. She steps fully onto the small ledge and holds her hand back toward me. I grab on and she pulls me onto the ledge, holding me against her side. She steps forward, and we move away from the cliff. My eyes are glued to the wall in front of my face — the flashlight gripped tight in my hand. //How is she —// I steal a brief glance at Val. Her body pressed against mine, the small section of stomach visible, our hair touching — dark brown mixing with darker brown. She speaks without turning back. ''Val:'' I did a lot of climbing when I was a kid. ''TeeJay:'' Did you...like it? ''Val:'' Yeah, I guess. //"Did you like it?"// //What the fuck am I thinking?! What's she gonna say back to that?!// ''Val:'' Did you do anything fun as a kid? ''TeeJay:'' I, uh — ''Val:'' Just asking to take our minds off the giant hole behind us. ''TeeJay:'' Yeah...I watched a lot of movies, uh — with my Grandma. ''Val:'' That sounds cool. Were you guys disappointed with The Ban? ''TeeJay:'' A little bit. She, uh — ''Val:'' Oh god, don't tell me she died before The Ban. ''TeeJay:'' No! No, she's still alive. ''Val:'' That's a relief. I was going to feel really bad if she had died. ''TeeJay:'' I think I'd feel bad too. Val chuckles. ''Val:'' Yeah, you're probably right. ''TeeJay:'' But like I was saying, uh — //How do I put this?// ''TeeJay:'' I don't really talk to her much anymore. She said some, um... //I'm just gonna go for it. Maybe she'll understand...// ''TeeJay:'' She said some pretty mean things about trans people when I was growing up. ''Val:'' Yeah, of course she did... Val sighs. ''Val:'' I'm sorry. ''TeeJay:'' No, you don't have to apologize. It's okay. ''Val:'' It was more of an empathetic "sorry". ''TeeJay:'' Oh...sorry. ''Val:'' I don't mean to cut you off, but — Val tugs me once again, my feet shift from the ledge to another rocky cliff. The walls around us expand, funneling toward a wider section of the caves. ''TeeJay:'' We made it... Val nods, smiling wide. ''Val:'' We made it. I shine the light back across the pit, searching for any sign of life. //Nothing.// ''Val:'' We should probably keep moving. ''TeeJay:'' Yeah, you're right. [[Stepping back from the cliff, I follow Val forward down the slight incline.->Wide Open Areas are Safe]]](text-colour:white)[The pit we crossed is next to a large crater, which we walk down the side of. Val drags her palm against the rock for a moment. ''Val:'' It's cold...and slimy. ''TeeJay:'' Is that not normal? ''Val:'' No, it is — especially underground. It just feels ominous right now. ''TeeJay:'' Yeah, I get you.] =><= (text-colour:orange)["I swear to God, I'm gonna fucking do it!"] <= (text-colour:white)[A man is yelling from further down, another angry male voice shouts back. I shut the flashlight off.] =><= (text-colour:green)["Fucking //do it//, little bitch boy!"] (text-colour:orange)["I'm not a little bitch boy!"] <= (text-colour:white)[The two voices scream at each other, grunting — they're either killing each other or fucking. //Sometimes those two things can mix. I don't want to come close to actually dying, but things did get a little hotter when Samuel got stronger and I started to realize he could actually hurt me. He holds back a lot during to not scare me.// //It's probably my fault. I feel like it's harder to start beating your partner up during sex when the relationship doesn't explictly begin with that knowledge.// //Maybe I should talk to him about it, if I ever see him again...// Val turns to face me. She holds up her finger, asking me to pause — then moves me toward a small batch of rocks. When we reach them, Val bends down to hide herself. I follow suit. The grunting continues until there's only one voice.] =><= (text-colour:orange)["Fuck you! //Fuck you, fuck you, fuck you!// I told you I wasn't a little bitch boy!"] <= (text-colour:white)[I meet Val's eyes briefly. //We're both scared. That's nice to know.// I try to move my eyeballs around in a way that asks "What do we do?". Val stares at me, confused. I lean forward and whisper. (css: "font-size: 75%;")[''TeeJay:'' What do we do?] (css: "font-size: 75%;")[''Val:'' We could try to —] The voice yells in our direction.] =><= (text-colour:orange)["Hey! Who's over there?!"] <= (text-colour:white)[Val shifts her weight to the right, peering around the rock. The man shouts again.] =><= (text-colour:orange)["I freaking //knew// I saw a light earlier!"] <= (text-colour:white)[Footsteps grow closer to our hiding place, Val moves back and we shrink in next to each other. //Hold your breath.// //You're going to be okay. But he'll hear you if you breathe. You just need to not breathe.// //Don't breathe...// //It's like that movie with the blind old man. And the semen.//] (text-colour:orange)["I see you behind those rocks, my eyes are adjusted to the darkness..."] (text-colour:orange)["I'm like the Predator but with pitch black. And you're about to get Predator'd."] (text-colour:orange)["That came out wrong. I'm just gonna kill you, promise."] (text-colour:white)[Fingers curl around the side of the rock, slowly inching forward.] (text-colour:orange)["Time to —"] =><= (text-colour:white)[(css: "font-size: 275%;")[THUD!] [[//Something// fleshy hits the ground nearby, closer to the man than us.->A Creature Draws Near]]](track: 'thecreaturedrawsnear', 'play') =><= (text-colour:white)[A horrible sound that chills my body.] <= (text-colour:white)[The hand on the side of the rock disappears, footsteps moving away from us.] (text-colour:orange)["What the...?"] (text-colour:white)[//Panic.//] (text-colour:orange)["What the fuck are you?!"] (text-colour:orange)["Do you —"] (text-colour:white)[The man clears his throat.] (text-colour:white)[//False confidence.//] (text-colour:orange)["Do you want to fight me?! Bring it on, little bitch boy!"] =><= (text-colour:white)[[[A sudden roar, followed by sounds of violence and a human scream.->A Sudden Roar]]](track: 'thecreaturedrawsnear', 'stop') (track: 'newroar', 'play') (text-colour:white)[//I can feel my heartbeat.// //I can't move — neither can Val. We scoot as close as possible. I long to merge into her body.// //Just so that she can handle this.// The screaming comes to a halt, the cave now silent. Heavy, slow footsteps walk around the surrounding area. //I'm not ready to die.// //We were literally just saved from another horrible death, there's no chance it happens again. The chances of that are nonexistent. We're fucked.// The footsteps approach the rock formation we're hiding behind. I hold my breath and reach my hand out to grab Val's. She grips on tight. //I'm going to die. I need to get ready.// //How do people get ready to die?// I look to Val's face, unclear in the darkness. //She's so pale. She's probably accepted our fate by now — she's strong like that.// //I don't know her that well...but I can just tell.// Val speaks softly, her voice barely audible. ''Val:'' We have to move. //Is she kidding?!// //There's something right behind the rocks!// Val inches herself forward, circling the rock to the right. She peeks around — slowly. She ducks her head back, nods toward me, then moves around the rock. //Does that mean...?// A warm breath tickles my leg — the sound of sniffing. //Fuck...// //Shit...// //It's right...//] =><= (text-colour:white)[[[//It's right next to me.//->It's Right Next to You]]](track: 'newroar', 'stop') (text-colour:white)[//My head isn't moving. I can't look at the monster approaching.// //I knew Kendra was right! I knew there had to be monsters! Well, I didn't know for certain...but I had a feeling.// //There's always monsters in caves. I'm certain of that. I think the Old Humans felt the same way.// //Caves are, like, prehistoric. Of course they have prehistoric-looking monsters in them.// //I don't even know what this one looks like — I still can't move my eyes. Will I even see the thing that kills me?// //I always thought that if I found myself in a life or death situation, I'd try my hardest to choose life. But I'm not doing that. I lied to myself the entire time. I'm a loser, here's where I lose. So sad and pathetic.// //This isn't important right now. I need to do something. So, I —// [[Meow.->Meowing at the Creature]] [[Don't meow.->the path of a little sad baby]]]=><= (css: "font-size: 175%;")[(text-colour:white)[//"Meow!"//]] <= (text-colour:white)[I meow facing straight forward — into the dark abyss. It reverberates in the space surrounding me, crushing me with shame. ''Val:'' Are you fucking kidding me, TeeJay?! //I think I made the wrong decision there.// //But I made a decision. So I can definitely make another.// My feet kick against the rocks as I run away — full sprint ahead. Val follows behind, pursued by the creature. ''Val:'' Keep running! Val passes me on my left, her breath controlled. ''Val:'' Run faster! //I think if I run any faster I'll launch into a coughing fit.// The rock grows steeper around me, almost vertical. Val pulls herself up the rock. My legs are numb with adrenaline, nails digging in as I pull myself up the side of the crater. //Is this the direction the hole was in? Or was it one of the others?// //I don't know. I have to trust that I chose the right way.// Val disappears from view, pulling herself onto a crater's side. She reaches down to grab my arm — tugging me up with her. I turn on the flashlight and shine it down below. //Long claws attached to darkened hands. Not human. Its body remains shrouded in darkness, as it starts scratching into the stone toward us.// Val yells from behind me. ''Val:'' This way! I pull myself up and run toward her voice. She reaches a hand out toward me — //Does she want to hold —// She takes the flashlight from me and turns around. //Oh.// ''Val:'' Come on! [[She runs into another tunnel, deeper into the labyrinth and further from where we started.->Finding Kendra]]](text-colour:white)[//I swallow my meow.// //It's not the time. But it would've been a little bit funny.// ''Val:'' Move, TeeJay! //I kinda feel like I made the wrong decision here.// //But I made a decision. So I can definitely make another.// My feet kick against the rocks as I run away — full sprint ahead. Val follows behind, pursued by the creature. ''Val:'' Keep running! Val passes me on my left, her breath controlled. ''Val:'' Run faster! //I think if I run any faster I'll launch into a coughing fit.// The rock grows steeper around me, almost vertical. Val pulls herself up the rock. My legs are numb with adrenaline, nails digging in as I pull myself up the side of the crater. //Is this the direction the hole was in? Or was it one of the others?// //I don't know. I have to trust that I chose the right way.// Val disappears from view, pulling herself onto a crater's side. She reaches down to grab my arm — tugging me up with her. I turn on the flashlight and shine it down below. //Long claws attached to darkened hands. Not human. Its body remains shrouded in darkness, as it starts scratching into the stone toward us.// Val yells from behind me. ''Val:'' This way! I pull myself up and run toward her voice. She reaches a hand out toward me — //Does she want to hold —// She takes the flashlight from me and turns around. //Oh.// ''Val:'' Come on! [[She runs into another tunnel, deeper into the labyrinth and further from where we started.->Finding Kendra]]](text-colour:white)[Val leads us through the tunnel, always choosing left when presented with a fork. //I guess her eyes just work that way.// The creature keeps pace with us. It's slightly further back — moving fast. Val shifts her body to the side to fit through a narrow space in the tunnel. I follow behind. My shirt rides up slightly, leaving my stomach scratching against the rock. //Is that —// //Can I see a light up ahead?// The narrow space expands, opening up into a large room filled with pillars. Another beam of light points toward us, I shield my eyes. ''Kendra:'' //Val...? TeeJay?// ''Val:'' Kendra? ''Jessica:'' Jessica! Kendra shuts her flashlight off, and run toward the two. ''Kendra:'' We found another flashlight! Kendra notices our panic. ''Kendra:'' What's going on? Why are you running? ''Val:'' We have to keep moving! I speak through gasping breaths. ''TeeJay:'' There's — something — following — ''Val:'' We just need to run! Val shoves past Kendra, running further into the room. ''Kendra:'' What are you all talking about? What's going on?! I manage to catch my breath, and grab onto Kendra's shoulders. She jolts when I touch her. ''TeeJay:'' There's something following us! Run! Kendra's eyes go wide. I move past her, looking behind briefly. ''TeeJay:'' Move! Jessica takes off running, passing me. Kendra stares after us. //Fucking...// I turn around and grab Kendra's shoulders again — firmer. ''TeeJay:'' Kendra, we have to run! She speaks softly. ''Kendra:'' I can't — ''Kendra:'' I can't move... I tug on her shoulders, but her legs remain locked in place. ''Kendra:'' I'm so scared. Why can't I move...? //I need to end this quick.// ''TeeJay:'' The same thing's been happening to me. It's going to be okay, but we have to run. She stares at our feet. The creature's footsteps enter the room. ''Kendra:'' //Am I broken...?// I sigh and whisper to her. //I'm just guessing here, and I hope this works —// ''TeeJay:'' //You're not.// You think about everything. I do it too — come up with solutions to potential stresses. But none of that matters if you don't move right now. Kendra blinks, then looks up at my face. She nods her head. ''Kendra:'' You're right... ''TeeJay:'' We need to run. Kendra takes a deep breath and nods again. ''Kendra:'' Let's go. [[A blur enters my vision, tumbling into the rock pillar behind Kendra.->Oh no not Kendra]]]=><= (text-colour:white)[//SMASH!// //CRUMBLE!//] <= (text-colour:white)[The pillar collapses behind Kendra, sending large chunks of rock soaring through the air and toward us. I look away, dropping to the floor and covering my head. Rock collides with rock, I hold my ears tight and hope for the best. The noise dissipates, revealing the sound of Kendra's groans. ''Kendra:'' Oh — fuck! I pull myself up and look around the surrounding area. Kendra's arm is pinned below a large boulder, her flashlight flickering and shattered. My feet run to her. ''Kendra:'' TeeJay...I'm fucked — this is one of my anxieties! I don't want you to cut my arm off! Please don't cut my arm off. ''TeeJay:'' You're going to be fine. She wiggles her body as I step around her. ''Kendra:'' No, no I'm not! What are you doing?! I grab ahold of the boulder and tip it backwards with all of my might. Kendra pulls her hand back, and I drop the rock — crushing her flashlight entirely, and darkening the room. ''TeeJay:'' See? ''Kendra:'' Thanks... I help her to stand and we run into the darkness, away from the sounds of the creature. It hears our movement, and chases after. ''Kendra:'' What the fuck is that thing?! ''TeeJay:'' I don't know! It attacked Val and I! ''Kendra:'' Oh my god! I'm gonna die! ''TeeJay:'' You're not gonna — We approach a solid wall of brown rock. I place my hand against it, pushing slightly. ''Kendra:'' I don't think it'll move. ''Jessica:'' Is that you, Kendra?! Jessica's voice comes from our right, down toward the ground. Kendra yells out. ''Kendra:'' Jessica?! ''Jessica:'' Kendra?! //I can't see her. Where is she?// ''Kendra:'' Jessica?! ''Jessica:'' Kendra?! //This'll never end.// ''TeeJay:'' Where are you, Jessica?! ''Jessica:'' Down here! //Great. Thanks.// Val's voice returns. ''Val:'' We crawled into a hole on the wall — we're in a different cave now! Follow my voice! I search along the floor with my hands, until — My hand pushes down into nothingness, sending me tumbling forward and into a small hole on the wall. I crawl forward, calling out. ''TeeJay:'' Kendra, over here! ''Kendra:'' I found it! My palms press against the stone as I crawl forward into the narrow tunnel. The ceiling slants down, until forming a small slit in the rock — I press my body flat against the rock and move forward. //Don't think about what you're doing.// My body wedges in the rock for a moment, I suck in my stomach and wiggle my body forward. I feel Kendra's breath hitting my ankle. ''Kendra:'' //I hate this...I really fucking hate this...// Face pressed against stone — I slowly move forward toward an opening. Dim light reflects off the ground. ''TeeJay:'' I see your light! Val shouts back down the tunnel. ''Val:'' Awesome! Just keep going, you're both doing great! I push forward, freeing my arm from my side. I reach forward, grasping at the rock to pull myself further. A firm hand grips mine, tugging me the rest of the way out. My eyes adjust to the light, I stretch my legs out. Val and Jessica are standing next to me, the flashlight now in Jessica's hands. ''TeeJay:'' I really hated that. Val nods. ''Val:'' Me too. Kendra speaks from further down the tunnel in a panicked voice. ''Kendra:'' Uh, you guys — I bend down next to Jessica, peering back into the hole. Kendra is pressed flat against the rock, against the most narrow part of the squeeze. ''Kendra:'' I think I'm stuck. //What are the odds?// Jessica covers her mouth. ''Jessica:'' Oh my god, you're really jammed in there! ''Kendra:'' Oh god! //Oh god!// Val bends down next to us. ''Val:'' (css: "font-size: 65%;")[Don't tell her that...]Kendra, you're going to be okay! You're almost through the most narrow part! ''Jessica:'' Sorry for scaring you! ''Kendra:'' I can't move — I'm stuck! ''Val:'' I can see you right now, you're not totally stuck. You have the space, just need to keep wiggling forward. ''Kendra:'' This is just one of my biggest anxieties, getting stuck...and I just — Kendra thrashes her body and screams in frustration. ''Kendra:'' I can't move! I can't fucking move! ''Jessica:'' But you're moving right now! Val yells over Jessica, firmly. ''Val:'' Stop doing that, Kendra! Kendra stops moving, her breath panting. Val reaches into the tunnel. ''Val:'' I'm going to come in to help you. Scratching against rock from behind Kendra, she whimpers and groans again. ''Kendra:'' It's in the tunnel! That //thing// is in the tunnel now! Val shoves her body back into the tunnel — wriggling her body toward Kendra, blocking our view. ''Val:'' I'm going to grab your right arm and pull it! I can't hear Kendra's response from where I am. Val grunts, exerting herself. ''Kendra:'' AAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHH!!!!!! Kendra screams out in pain. Jessica yells down the tunnel. ''Jessica:'' Kendra! Val, stop hurting her! ''Val:'' I'm sorry! I just need to — Val grunts again, leading to another scream. This goes back and forth multiple times — each attempt more desperate. A growl echoes down the tunnel. ''Kendra:'' It's right behind me! I can feel its breath! Please, Val! ''Val:'' I got you! Just gotta — Val continues her rescue attempt. Jessica taps her hand on the floor. ''Jessica:'' Come on, come on! Get her out of there! //If she can't get Kendra out, she'll be right in the path of —// //No, she's going to get her out. There's no way Val's not going to get Kendra out.// [[Val pulls again, but it's futile. Kendra is stuck.->Kendra Death]]]=><= (text-colour:white)[A loud growl, followed by the sounds of chomping.] <= (text-colour:white)[Kendra screams out. ''Kendra:'' (css: "font-size: 150%;")[OH MY GOD IT'S EATING MY LEG! HELP ME — //IT'S EATING MY LEG!//] Val tugs. Again. //And again. And again. And again.// The creature chomps. Again. //And again. And again. And again.// The screams blend into one another, the gnashing of giant teeth audible over all. Val speaks through heaving sobs. ''Val:'' I can't — I can't get you out... ''Kendra:'' (css: "font-size: 150%;")[PLEASE GET ME OUT, PLEASE HELP ME VAL! VAL I DON'T WANT TO DIE LIKE THIS, PLEASE, JUST NOT LIKE THIS! PLEASE!] ''Val:'' I'm trying! I'm trying my hardest! The sound of skin separating from bone. Kendra stops screaming, only speaking to Val. //I can't —// //Kendra's —// ''Kendra:'' (css: "font-size: 65%;")[I can't feel my leg anymore...Val, I think it's chewing on my leg...] Val turns toward us, wiping her nose with her arm. She snorts the rest of the snot back up her nose. //Her eyes. Pleading for our help.// //But what can we do that she can't?// I nod at Val. She nods her head at me, and turns toward Kendra. ''Val:'' I'm so sorry, Kendra. I'm so sorry! ''Kendra:'' Are you giving up...? Am I going to die?! The creature stops gnawing, and growls again. Kendra screams out. ''Kendra:'' (css: "font-size: 150%;")[AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!! IT'S EATING THE STUMP! IT'S EATING THE STUMP OF MY LEG!!] //What kind of sick sense of humor does this creature have?// Val stutters. ''Val:'' I — I don't — Kendra's tone shifts to an eerie calm, the chewing continues. ''Kendra:'' Val — ''Kendra:'' Please kill me... ''Val:'' //I can't...// Kendra screams out. ''Kendra:'' (css: "font-size: 160%;")[PLEASE KILL ME PLEASE KILL ME PLEASE KILL ME PLEASE KILL ME PLEASE KILL ME PLEASE KILL ME PLEASE KILL ME PLEASE —] Val sobs harder. ''Val:'' I can't! Please don't make me kill you, Kendra, please — please just — She grunts again, tugging with the reserves of her energy. ''Val:'' MOVE! Kendra's body shifts forward and through the squeeze, leaving behind a large trail of blood and revealing the rest of the tunnel — //Long, pearly white teeth chew pieces of Kendra's skin. Blood drips from the area around the creature's mouth. The rest of its body is hidden by the tunnel.// //If that's the size of its mouth...it can't get through, it's too big.// Val tumbles backwards through the opening, plopping Kendra into the cave and into a growing puddle of her own blood. //Kendra's right leg is chewed off at the knee, with deep bite marks around the flesh of the stump. Her face is pale and sweaty, breath raspy.// ''Jessica:'' Oh my god, Kendra! Kendra glances at Jessica, and then down to her leg. She screams out and grabs it. Val reaches down to pull her hands away. ''Kendra:'' My leg — it's gone! Val nods her head. ''Val:'' I know, I know. But we just need to — She looks to Jessica. ''Val:'' Tear off a piece of your shirt. ''Jessica:'' Uh, which piece? ''Val:'' It doesn't really matter. Jessica grips her shirt at the shoulder and rips straight across. The top of her shirt remains in her hands while the rest of it falls to the ground — revealing a form-fitting tank top. ''Jessica:'' Aw, darn it! I messed up my shirt! Val reaches to grab the larger piece of Jessica's shirt on the floor. She spins it around her arm, tying it. Kendra stares at her. ''Kendra:'' What are you doing?! ''TeeJay:'' She's going to tie it to your leg to stop the bleeding. ''Kendra:'' Is it going to hurt...? ''TeeJay:'' I don't know. I've never had my leg chewed off. //Silence.// ''TeeJay:'' Sorry. Val grabs ahold of Kendra's bloody leg and ties Jessica's shirt to it. ''Val:'' There. //The shirt's already been soaked by blood. There's some leaking out around the edges.// //She's losing a lot of blood...// ''Kendra:'' I don't feel — She falls backwards into the pool of her own blood. A little bit splashes up around her, and onto my shoes. The blood stains Jessica's top, she pulls it tight against her body to inspect it. //I can see the outline of her bellybutton...and her nipples.// ''Jessica:'' Aw, man! Now my tank top is all wet and sticky too! Kendra tries to sit back up — before falling backward again. Val attempts to soften her fall. ''Val:'' You're gonna be okay. The bleeding is stopping. //No it's not...// //But what good will worrying her do at this point?// //She's —// Kendra speaks in a whisper. ''Kendra:'' (css: "font-size: 75%;")[I think I'm dying...] She hacks and coughs, her body convulsing briefly. ''Val:'' You're not dying. Tears fall around Kendra's eyes. ''Kendra:'' But my body feels all warm, and my leg doesn't hurt so bad anymore. This is what they say dying is like. She speaks through sobs. ''Kendra:'' They don't know a lot, but I've looked into the research that exists...the body knows how to die when it's time. ''Val:'' Stop talking like that, you're going to be fine! ''Kendra:'' Val — ''Val:'' Shut up! ''Kendra:'' You tried your hardest, Val... Val screams at her, voice breaking. ''Val:'' Shut up, you're gonna be — Kendra reaches her hand from the puddle and toward Val's face. Val reaches down to support her. Kendra grips Val's cheek, wiping the blood on her skin. ''Kendra:'' You were a good friend, Val. ''Val:'' Please... Kendra drops her hand, and looks toward Jessica. ''Kendra:'' You too, Jessica — ''Jessica:'' Kendra, stop — Kendra's eyes meet mine, she interrupts. ''Kendra:'' I didn't know you for very long, TeeJay — but you understood my anxiety... I nod my head toward her. Kendra turns her attention back to Val. ''Kendra:'' You tried so hard, Val. ''Val:'' Kendra — ''Kendra:'' Will you make sure that you — She coughs red from her mouth onto Val's face. Val doesn't flinch. ''Val:'' I will. I'll make sure he makes it out. //Oh. They're talking about Frankie. I kinda forgot that Kendra has a crush on him.// //But why would I remember? I hardly know these people.// ''Kendra:'' Do you think that — She trails off, Val continues. ''Val:'' I do. He likes you too. The sides of Kendra's mouth angle up into a slight smile. ''Kendra:'' (css: "font-size: 75%;")[That's —] Kendra coughs again. ''Kendra:'' (css: "font-size: 55%;")[— so nice...] Kendra's head rolls back, her eyes remaining open. Val shakes her body. ''Val:'' Kendra! Kendra's limbs bounce around — her body limp. //Oh...// ''Jessica:'' Kendra... Val wails, tears streaming down her face. ''Val:'' Kendra! Please, please don't — I step forward and rest a hand on Val's shoulder. She looks up toward me, pleading eyes. ''Val:'' TeeJay, help me! We can pick her up, and we can — I bend down to Val's level. ''TeeJay:'' Val, I think she's — Val screams at me, shaking Kendra harder. ''Val:'' No! She's still warm — she's still alive! //I don't know what to do...// Jessica takes a step forward, tears pouring from her eyes too. ''Jessica:'' Val, she's dead... ''Val:'' No! //No...// Her voice drops to a whisper. ''Val:'' //First Grace, and now —// Val buries her face into Kendra's chest, then screams. ''Val:'' GOD DAMN THEM! WHY?! I'LL FUCKING KILL EVERY LAST ONE OF THOSE GODDAMN FUCKING STUPID ENFORCERS! Val screams out in anguish. ''Val:'' I'LL KILL THEM ALL! I step away for a moment, crouching down next to the tunnel we entered through. //The creature is trying to shove its hand through the squeeze now. The claws are scratching quietly against the rock — forcing their way through.// Standing, I join the other two. Jessica is leaning down next to Val, hugging her as she continues to hold Kendra's body. They're both crying. //Am I heartless for not crying too?// //I'm more in a state of shock and astonishment. I only knew her for a short time, but to see someone —// //That monster is fucked up. We have to get away from it.// I lean down, and speak softly. ''TeeJay:'' That //thing// is trying to get through the tunnel. We should probably start moving. Both of them look up at me, then back down to Kendra. ''Val:'' But what about her...? //I didn't think about that.// ''TeeJay:'' We can carry her if you want... I correct myself. ''TeeJay:'' If you can. No offense, you look strong and all, but — Val shakes her head. ''Val:'' I can't carry her. I could barely carry Grace earlier, and I had a harness... ''Jessica:'' I can't carry her either. Not saying that Kendra is heavy, I'm just weak. ''TeeJay:'' So — Val nods her head and gulps. ''Val:'' We have to leave her. I don't respond. Val nods her head, taking a deep breath before setting Kendra back down on the ground with care. //Lying dead in a pool of your own blood, body partially consumed —// //That's horrifying.// Jessica strokes Kendra's cheek. ''Jessica:'' Goodbye. ''Val:'' Rest easy, Kendra. After saying their goodbyes, we stand and walk further into the cave. I turn around to take a last look — //She's still dead. It's still sad. Nothing's changed.// ''Jessica:'' Where do you think this one leads? [[Jessica raises a finger and points in another direction — toward a tunnel that slopes up.->Going Up?]]](text-colour:white)[Val shrugs her shoulders. ''Val:'' No idea. ''Jessica:'' Maybe we should follow it. ''Val:'' Any reason? ''Jessica:'' Well — it goes up... Val shrugs again, satisfied with her answer. ''Val:'' Good enough for me. Jessica leads us up the incline with the flashlight in hand, the rocks shift colors around us from brown to a light green. I nudge Val and point it out. ''TeeJay:'' Are rocks supposed to be that kind of green...? ''Val:'' Uh — I'm not sure. Maybe? I like them this color. ''TeeJay:'' I don't. They look slimy. ''Val:'' The other rocks were slimy too. ''TeeJay:'' Different slime. Jessica interrupts us, her tone solemn. ''Jessica:'' Guys, I love you, but can we not talk about rocks? //She's right — this is meaningless. I didn't even realize it, but I guess I was just talking to fill the silence.// ''TeeJay:'' My bad. ''Val:'' Yeah, sorry. ''Jessica:'' It's okay. But just with — Jessica stops to take a breath. She can only be talking about one thing, I cut her off. ''TeeJay:'' I know. ''Jessica:'' It's just — Jessica wipes her arm across her face. ''Jessica:'' It's not fair. Kendra was anxious, and a little bit too much, but... I don't respond, there's no point in it. We resume walking in silence. //Up ahead. The faint sound of water.// Locking eyes with Val, she nods at me. //We don't need to talk right now.// The noise of rushing water grows closer as we continue up the incline. The tunnel widens and splits into two directions — left and right. In front of us, a wide river cuts through the middle of the cave. The water is colored dark blue — thick in texture and impossible to see through. I point it out to Val. ''TeeJay:'' Is //that// normal? ''Val:'' The water? Yeah, I guess. I've seen all kinds of water in caves — it's usually not clean. //After seeing that creature, I'm not too certain this is all conicidental. The rocks changing colors, the labyrinthian layout of tunnels, and now the water.// //What if we're not just being chased — what if we're being funneled a certain way?// //That theory frightens me, but it's worth considering at this point. I need to be prepared for anything.// //Has the creature found Sam? Is there just one creature — or more? Where did it come from?// //I have so many questions, but there's one that continues to bombard my mind: "Is he safe?"// //I have to find him.// Jessica hands Val the flashlight before stepping forward, toward the river. She bends down and reaches a hand inside. ''Val:'' What are you doing?! Jessica responds flatly. ''Jessica:'' I need to wash the blood off my shirt. ''Val:'' Right now? ''Jessica:'' When else? ''Val:'' I just — Jessica reaches her hand down, cupping it to grab a small amount of water. She groans in disgust. ''Jessica:'' Ew! It's all sticky! [[//From behind us in the tunnel — long nails skittering on the rocks.//->No, going further down.]]]=><= (text-colour:white)[ (css: "font-size: 75%;")[//Click, click, click...//]] <= (text-colour:white)[ The rhythmic tapping grows closer, unmistakably the creature. We hold our breath. //Did it force its way through the tunnel?// //Or did it know another way...?// ''Val:'' We should go. Jessica looks back to the river, and shrugs. ''Jessica:'' Guess it'll have to do. She scoops a big glob in her hand, and puts it onto her stained tank top. The substance rolls directly down the front, not sticking to the material. As it moves, it soaks up the top layer of blood from the white top — it clings tighter to her chest, revealing — I look away. ''Val:'' Jessica — ''Jessica:'' What...? ''Val:'' We can see your tits. Jessica glances down and smacks the side of her leg. She covers her chest, face red. ''Jessica:'' Darn it! Don't look!] =><= (text-colour:white)[(css: "font-size: 125%;")[//Click, click, click!//]] <= (text-colour:white)[The creature is close, moving fast. ''TeeJay:'' We need to leave. ''Val:'' Yeah, come on Jessica! Val starts moving down the bank of the underground river, I follow for a second. Jessica remains kneeling, cleaning her shirt further. ''TeeJay:'' Jessica — She whips her head around, glaring at me. ''Jessica'' I need to clean my shirt, TeeJay. ''TeeJay:'' But, there's — ''Jessica:'' I don't care. She turns her head around, whispering. ''Jessica:'' (css: "font-size: 65%;")[//Not anymore.//] The creature enters the cave from the tunnel behind me, running full-speed toward Jessica. //It's human in stature. It's also nine feet tall, running on all fours — and covered in dark red fur.// It hits Jessica from behind, sending her tumbling into the river — and down the current. The creature can't keep its balance, it tips forward and in after her. Jessica screams, mouth rising above and below the current. ''TeeJay:'' //Jessica!// Val, she's — I turn my head toward Val, she's already kneeling further down the river. She sets the flashlight down by her side. ''Val:'' I saw! Get down here, help me grab her! Val reaches her arm out over the current, reaching for something. //I can't see her!// ''TeeJay:'' Where is she?! ''Val:'' I've almost — Leaning a little too far forward on the slippery rock, Val loses her footing and falls into the dark substance below. Her screams carry away from me. //Shit!// //I don't —// My feet are carrying me along the side of the river, but I don't have a plan. I have no idea what to do. Reaching down, I grab the flashlight and shine it toward the river. //What do I do?// My eyes scan the water for signs of life, but the current is too wild — //I don't understand what's happening down here.// //I need someone else to help me. All I can do is follow.// //Am I no better than Kendra?// //No, I can —// [[My feet leave the floor, slipping on the wet ground. I fall forward and hit the ground face-first — knocking myself out.->Divergence B - Chapter 5B Starting Quote]]]](text-colour:white)[(align:"==>")+(box:"===XX")[{(link:"Save game.")[ (if:(save-game:"Slot A"))[ Game saved. ](else: )[ Sorry, I couldn't save your game. ] ]}]] (text-colour:white)[[[Begin Chapter 5.->A Dream in a Cave]]] (align:"==>")+(box:"=X")[(text-colour:white)[//I see [(text-colour:(hsl:120,0.8039,0.5,0.4))[you]] right now.// //The person playing this game. I can see (text-style:"fidget")[(text-colour:(hsl:120,0.8039,0.5,0.4))[you]].// //Do [(text-colour:(hsl:120,0.8039,0.5,0.4))[you]] believe me?// //Or are (text-colour:(hsl:120,0.8039,0.5,0.4))[you] waiting for me to prove it?//] ] (align:"<==")+(box:"=X")[(text-colour:white)[[[Begin Chapter 5.->A Dream in a Cave]]] ] =><= (text-colour:white)[[[q̸̢̡̛̯͎̤̥̜̺̟̖͖̻̰̯̰͕̝̳̭̠̫̼̦͔̱̲̬̙̦͎̹͔̥̦̼͇̲͔͕̟̲̫͙̓̈́̒̉̾͋͌͆̈́͒̐̈́̈̅͐͛̽̉̿́͌̔̀̔͂̈́͋̄̀̀̑̿̈̓͑͒̓͑̿̿̃̇̇͊͘͘̚͝͝ͅɒ̵̢̧̢̨̨̢̧̡̛̩̭̰͖̹̺̞̠̰̠̠̩̤̞̳͔̻̯̳̙̻̋̌́̌̓͐̒̂̈͐̍͛̎̄̋̓̂̀́̔̄̈́̑̉̈́̊̇͐̊̃̀̈́͊͊͘̕̕̕͜͝͠ͅị̸̢͈̪̗̭̘̥̦̺͓͈͖̠͖̫̩͚͎͖̰̲̩̦̣̿̍̍̀́̌́̉́̅̿̈́̓̏̈́́͊͋͑̀͌̃̍̋͘̚͘͠͝͠͝ͅͅͅͅϱ̸̧̢̧̧̡̛̻̖̖̬̯͍͖̥̥̦͓̯̰̬͙̫͉̰̹̼̙͚͖̝̣̯̩͉̠̜͖̪̹͈͙̱̫̯͇̟̤̩̰͑͌̄̏͐͒́͆͗̊̾̔̄̏̉͌͐̂͒̄̏̄̆͋̓̏͊̿͂̃̊̈́̍͘͜͝͝ɘ̸̛̹̜̪͍͎̜͍̟̯̗͓͕̮̘̲̣̘̙͍̫̜̳̯͙̣̃̔̆̆̊͆́̍̎́̀̀͛̂̈́͑̒͗̏̍̀̈́̅͛͘͜ ̷̛̜͇̯̞̰͉̜̰̫͚̪̘̩̞̘̺̟͖͈̹͍͎̳̹͇̤̭͈̖̝̤͓̫̫̱̱̟͚̣͉͚̟̜̯̳̙̓̒͒̋̇̋̑̋͆͋̈́̆̄̿̈̿̓̀̿̓̀̇̀̿̾̉̉̓̈́̌͘̕͜͜͝͠ͅͅï̴̧̢̨̛̫̩͔̫̫̣͕̹̬͕̫̖̪̰̖̣͓͍̻̣̥͔̳͙̳͍͈̟̜̥̜̞̻̣̮̑̅͐͊̊̋̏͋̂̂̓̄̋͑̎̋̃͑̍̽̑͋̈́̇̈́͂̓̕͘͘͝͝͝ ̴̡̢̧̢̡̧̟̜͈̣̰̗̣͖̬̘̠̭̻̫͍̞̭̪̫͓̠̦̭͈̤̞̭̟̘͎̘̭͉͙̙̳̹́̍̓̔̍͊͗̎̒̓̿̋͛͂̆̈́̇̃́̀͊̃̄͗̂̃̈̒̎͊̏̈͋̋̂͂̉̔́̌̄̒̕͘͜͝͠͝͝͝͝ͅͅw̸̧̡̡̢̧̢̛̯̙̫̳̦͎͚͖̼̹̟̼̼̬̞͉͚̩͓̪̝̤͉̟̗̲̥̝͉̥̯͓̬̰̏̽͒̑͛͂͆̈́̈́̓̑̿̇͑͂̈̀͊̾͐̍̊̓͋̐̑͂̋̾̌̐̕̚̕͜͠͝͠ͅͅɿ̷̨̨̛̭̤̳̱̯̗̻̦̱͉̬̲̮̜̖̣̭̝̤͔̗̯̠̱̙̮̜̬͎̏͊̃̌̉̆̎͂̾͐̀͋̓̆̐̉͋́̂̈́̓̀̒́͑̍͗̍̇̚̕̕͝ͅŏ̶̡̡̧̩̰͚̦̯͍̱̯̼̯̘̝̣̼̺͉̟̹͚̭̥͚͎̺̞̰̜̮̘̏̌̈́̋́͂̆̉̏͗̍͂̿̑́̋͌͋̎̐̓́͊͑͗̕͜͝Ɉ̶̧̺̟͓̙͇͈͔̗̟̬̭̹̪̯̤̰͔̯̗̟͚̪̤̗͎̙͖̬̩̲͉͔̝͓̿͐̆̽͐̀̈̋̐́̉͌̋̔̓̇̆̍̂͂͑́͐͐̋͐̐̌͆̅̀́́͊̈́̕͘͘̕͜͝͝͝͝͠ɘ̶̧̧̡̡̧̡̝̘̗̬͙̗̻̣̤̠͓͚̹̱̟͇̠͉̜̳̙̥͕͙̩̺̗̜̬̲̩̀̋̊̌̅̒͂́̀̒̆̃̏̎̓͂̈́́̑͊͑̈́̾̒͂̑̒̄̋̀͑̚̚͜͝͝͝͝͠ ̵̢̡̢̧̛̥͎̭̼̘͚̹̩͕͍̩̺̹̤̭̳͓̹͍̦͈̪̲̹̩͍̮̗̙̫̩̺͚̤̥͎̎̍̊͗̀͌̿̐́͒̇͐̄͑́̌̂̅̀͑̃̀́͌̕̕ͅͅͅɈ̶̡̢̨̧̛̛̖͈̫̪̪̞̬͕͚̗̝̳͕̫̬̪̜̟͇͍̙͈̜͈͓̠̗̗̦̠̳̥̰̤̰͖̖̗͎̒͒͛̐̊̌̓̈́̃́̽̈́͛̅́̉̈́̋̅͛̈́̀̈́͌̀̌͊̌̈́̓̽̿̎͒̕̚͜͜͝͝͝͝͠͝ʜ̷̡̨͓̹̙̱̣̖̺̯̻̮̫͎͓̬̭̰̗̫͔̰͓̟̣̙̤̤̗̘̰̬̫͖̱̜͎̹̙̺͇͔͍͉̭̯̪̭̈́́̑͐̈́͛́́̒͆̽̈̓̉̍͋̏̉̀̌̑̓̋̍̊͆̄̒̈̚̕͘̚͜͝͝͝ͅͅͅi̸̢̢̡̬͓͔̱̟̟͙̙̱̹̤̼̪͈̬͍͖̞͕̜̣͉̒͂͋̿̈͒̃̒̇̉͊̌̽͗̀͛̾̿̓̊͛̽͋̍̏͂͘͘͜ͅƨ̵̡̛̱͖̩̜̬̟̣͚̠͇͖̰̘̠̖̥̜̤̠̻͍̰̝͙̘̮̺̰̻͙͓̫̜͍̰̦̤̼̫͒̿͌̑̀̀̇̈̐́͆̽̇̓̄̑̇̏̍͐̍͋̃̍̆́̽̿͂̄͆͆̍̾̈́͛̆̑̐͒̏̆͘͘̕͜͜͠͝͝͠ͅͅͅ ̵̨̨̲̞̥͍͕̜̪̦̘̣̖̥͕͈͖̠̙̺̩̜̠̞̺̞͔̻̙̫̥͈̩̩̣̀̓͑̃̊̾̈́͊̄͋̒̾̍͑̒̋͛̀͛̏̇̔͋̃̈̐̈́̑̈́̅͋̈́̀͒̍̆̕͘͠͝͠͝͝ͅϱ̵̧̨̧̧̖̘̜̼̹̰̥͈̱̞͓͚͕̯̼̙̰̟̤͓̰͇̲̮̦̩̘͙͕̳̑͐̓̈́̅̊̈́̓͒͋͋͑̎͑̍͋̊͋͒̄̌̌̑͂͗̆͆̿̓̑͑̀̓͆͗̈́̊̕͘̚ɒ̷̛̤̹͙̫͙̥̞̻̳̳̹͈̺̯̬̖̩̰͚̙̰̯̣̠̤̘̰͍̙̜̮̹̺̞̟̞̰͍͇̘̤͇̝̰̬̝̯̱̌͆͊̃͊̀̔͒̓͒̌̊͗̒̈́̈́̾͂̇̐͐͐̔̄͐̆̂͆͘̚͜͜͠ͅͅm̷̢̧̡̛̦̝͚͓̟̗̤̜̤͇̭̥̺͕͙̠̝̼͕͍̯̞̬̣̺͎̳͖̣̭͉͍͇͎̠̣̘͓̹̥͊͂̊̏̈̓̍̋̇̎͋́̀͆̈͒̓͋̔̂̉̌̕̚͜͜͝ɘ̷̢̛̤̼̞͈̫̞̘̥͈͙͓͉͇̞̖͕̙̫͇͈̜͈̩͔̺̮̓͗̏͊͗͋̃̎̂̈́̃̽̌͋̈́͗́͋̾͆̇͆̃̃̑͐̔̂̓́̾̉̑͗̃̓͆̀͘͘͘͘͜͝͝͝͝͠͠͠͠ͅ ̴̨̡̧̛̛̯̱̪̣̻̜͚̹̗͖̦̦̫̺̖͚̹̰͉͈̣̳̤͔͖̟͇͓͇̭͈̙̰̠̣̖̯͔͔̙̯̼̜̞͕̣̇͑͆̅̀͋͊̋͊̒̈́̅̽̃͂̌̆̂̽̽͂̍́̀͗̌͗͑̽̂̓͋̒̐͐̎̈́̑́̀̂̚͜͝͝ɒ̵̨̢͔̫͇͔̝̮̝̪̣̗̫̥̝̭̥̞̠͖̗͖̖̝̑̏̋̒͑̾͛̀̿̆̀̉͆͗̐̀͊͌̆̃͐̋̅͊̉̈́͛̃̉̇͛̓̚̚̚͜͝͝͝͝͠ͅn̵̢̡̨̡̛̛͔͓̤̹͎̟̺̦͖̳͙͚̝̤̻̰̮͚̬̪͈̮̙̞͖͕̺̺͙͍̩͚̼̪̙̦̺͕̋͋́͐̆̇̽̈́̈́̍̒͒̑̐͐͆́̎̋͋̒̽͋̌͒́̿͊́̀̏͘̕̚̕͠͠͠͝b̶̨̛͔̞̹͕̖͇̟͚̩͖͍̯̭͎̱͙͓̲͍̤̠̠̬̭̪̘͎̬̎̿̆̍̆͒̍̈̂̅̈́̋͂́̓̉̓̈͗͑̌̔̆̂̑̒̐̃͗͋́̊̊͑̚̚͝͠ͅͅͅ ̷̢̧̛̼̮̳̙̺͖͙̲̘̲̖͎̗̥̲͍̦͓̲̠̘̲̻̻̘̼̤̫͉̼̻͉̺̺͍̻̹̹̜͇̺̩̟͙̗̾̒̒̎̍̾̊̽̇̇́́̾̿̍͒̈͊̽̋͂̊̚͜͜͠͝͠ͅͅͅī̸̛̺͔̹̱̰̮̺̳͈̫̥̣͉̬̗̜̘͎͚̪͙̬͓͖͕͇̗͈͙̱̩͖͍̼͒̎̍̂̿̀͌͋̃͂̎̿͌̃̉̃̅͑͘͘̚͝͝͝͠m̵̡̮̳̠̬̮̝͍͕̮͕̜̲̫͖̲̪͎͔̭̭͖͈͎̜͊̉͑̅̎͊̈́̅͆̈́̌͌̔̈́̑̉̀͑̅͗̇̌̕̚͜͝͝ͅ ̵̨̡̡̢̢̢̨̛̫͖̙̲̦̞͖̩͇͈̲͎̣̜̭̤̫̦̣̣̝̬͇̹̼̪̤̠̜̥̳̹̜͕̬͈̻̱̙̼̇̎͛̎͐͑͐̄́͊̇̅̈́̈́́̿͗̎̉̐̂͊̓̽̏̃̉̔̿̎͑̂̈́́͛̈́̇͆̚̚͜͠͝q̴̡̨̨̧̢̨͙̯̺͉̯̘͚̪̝̮̫̰̰̞̩̝̪̳͇̲͚̠͕̜̬͔̖͙̜̬̟̦̩͔̭̬̘̪̻̥̉̿͆̃͂́̓͗̆̏́͆̀̄̍́͗̓́͛͗̍͘͘͜͜͜͜͝͝͝ɿ̴̡̧̛̪̣̲͎̪̝̰͚̪̪̻͙͉̘͎̤̙͎̯̮̪̲̬̋͆̌̏́̉̀͂̐̓̑̀̐̏̀̈̈́́͐̈̀́͋͛̄̓̏́̅́̊̌̎̇͘͘͜͜͠͝͝͝ǫ̷̨̧̛͎̼̼̪̙̤̭̤̞̝̦̬̭̭̫̫̜͍͍̣̣̩̮͇̞̠̟̱̥͓͕̻̹̠̼̬͍̩̺̱͓̳͚̩͙̓̒̃̌̒̀́̓͌͐̈͒̒͊͂̈̈́́͐̔́̄̀͐̿̕̕̕̚̕̚͝͝͠ͅͅυ̷̡̧̨̢̢̛̛̛̼̣͖̤̥̖͙͍̟̰̞̞͕͎̫̜̟̹̗̻̖̣͕̱͙̰̼̗̬͉͖̠̪̹͖̲̪̮̜͇͎͎͌̇̏̓͂̓́͗̽̒̅͊̑̿͌͒͐̐̍̑̊͐̀͋̽͘ͅͅb̴̡̡̨̢̢̛̛̹̜̦̘͕̣͈͕̰̙̞̤̝͇̻̝̺̗̻͔̰̰͖̜̮̻̯̯̬̞̯̣͇͈̫͑̂̋̿̋͌͆̾́̃̍͌̂͗̈̑͗͐̑͆̂̅̓̂̏̂̄̀̒̾̈́̊̋͒̀͊͛̌̈̈́̕͘͘̚͜͜͝͝͝͠͝ͅͅ ̷̧̨̢̡̲̞̥̥̤̣̙̗͎̘͙̭͉͓͕̞̥͇͍͍̱̟̱͎̲̮͎͓̖̤͕͔̰̮͍̣͙̠̘̏͋̔̀̿́͆̒̏͛̎̓͆̈́͛͗̍̓̈́͑̄̾̋̓̀̌́͑̈́̋̾̍̏̀̊͊͑̒̕̚̚̕͜͠͝͝͝͝͝͝͝͝ó̶̢̙̤̱̬͔͈̩̤͙̝̱͙̙͉͉̦͚͔̙͇̞̲̳̜͙͇͕͔̜̠̭͈͎͖̖͚̅̔̒̓͛͆͐͊̈́̀̔̈́͑̃͛͑̀̋̍̌̽̅͗͘̚̕̕͜͠͠ͅʇ̶̨̡̛̼̖̦̭̖͖̞̥̠̟̯͖̞̻̻̼͈̥̰̠͔͙̮̻̤̪̬̯̱̞͍̦̝̭̲͓̄̇̅̇́̿͛́̀͑̐̉̽̍̑͒͋̎̈̅̋͆͑̓̿͆̊́͌̓͛̎̈̈́̋͊̕̕͘͜͝͝͝ͅ ̵̧̧̢̛̛̫͕͓̮̗̩̬͈̻͕̯͓̬͇̩̻̫̟̹̪̣̝̺̮̖͖͉̻̲͗̅̉̎̀̀̀̎̆͊̍̏̋̉̅̒͐̾̽͋͐͊̒̋̃̀̌̎̂͌̍͛̄́̈́̽̏̎͗̓̉͑͌̕̚̚͘͜͝͝͠i̵̡̧̡̨̧̨̛̛̛͓̝̗͍͔̳̙̩͚̩̯̩̬̥̠̭͔̘͉͖̼͓͑̿̾͂͋̄͒́͆͑̍̄̈́̓̓̓̈́̑͋͋̃̊̈́̽̓̾̉̍̌̈̉͑̆̑͜͝͝͝͝Ɉ̷̡̢̡̧̧̛̛̙͇̪̮͙̗͔̪̠̥̦̳̗̫̤̥̞̜̬̥̦̩͖̺͍͙̱̲̬̺̮͔̘̬͖͚̪̳̝́͌̀̎͑͆́͗̆̌̂̿̌̀̏̍͗̆̑͊̀̍͋̅̂̋̔̌̊̍̒͠͝͝ ̸̧̨̛̛̖͙̤̭̲̫̙̜̤̯̭̪̝̩͎͖͔̳̪͈͕̙̤̹̜̫͕͇͙̘̳̇̌̽̎͆͂͂̿͗͛̀͐̏͊͛̈́͗͌̅͐͌̆̄̓̊́̾̉͐̋͊̒̆̋̀̅̑̚̚ͅi̸̧̢̢̧̧̛̛͔̠̼̜̠̦͉̪̘̲̜̜̲͕̜̘͚̙̹̟͚̘͙͍̺̥͓̼̔̃̆̉͛͂̿̃͌̓͒̉̆̈́̅͐͛̾̊́̽͆͂̇́̈́͒͛͂͋̽͗́̅̇̓̃̾́̂̽̕͘̚̕͝͝͝ͅʇ̵̧̨̡̡̡̢̧̨̡̨̛̘̟̤̠̣̙͖̟̳͔͇̦̼͙̫̫̫̤̗̯͓̪̰̟̩̺̞͖̤̻̱̟̘̩̦̣̘͗͑̈́̔͋̎͑̌̅̅̿͌̆̊̋̓̉̅́͂̾̓̈͊͘̚͜͜͝͝͝͝͝ ̵̧̧̛̛̛̫̬͉͉̪̪̪̜̩̺̗̯̳͔̝͙̘̫̗̻͕̙̩͚̗̪͍̝̬̣̬͋̉̉͌̑̓̎̍̂͂͑̐̔̉̅̇̏͌̑͌̃̒͂̇͌͗̐̋͒͑͛́́͋̄̽͒̚͜͝͠͝͠͝ͅγ̴̡̨̨̨̢̜͇̱̗̫͕̮̺̼̤̩̳̝̜̠̩͖̠̲̞̝͙̗̠̯̹̦̜̘̻͙͖̭̱̝͉̗̠̲͓̺̰̌̉̀̒̍̑̀̈́͆͛̇́͛̋̒̔̔̌̇͋̈́̀̑̽̑̕̚̕͜ͅơ̸̧̨̢̗̪̳̻̦͙̦͍̳̟̻͕͓̟͔͖̤̭̭͎̜͇̞̠͙̒̈́̀̅̄̀̽́̈̉̀̇̀̔͆̾̌̽̃̋̌̓̀̂́̿̓̎̓̈͘̚̚͠͝ͅὐ̵̧̡̨̡̢͇͖͍̭̠͎̜̱͈͚̮͚͓̻̭̘͔̼͙̰̮͈̠͕̠͓̬̖͕̗̺̖̤̤̲̹̝̩̲̏͋̆͐́̂͂͐̐̓̍͆̍̉̀̊̔̀̉̿̓̈́̆͗̀͋̊̐̊͌͑͐̿̀͛́͊̌͊͊̾̊̀͘͜͠͝͝͝ͅͅ ̶̢̡̧͓͙̬̙̭̟̖̖̖̖̖͎̺̪͓̰̗̲̞̦̦̤̭̣̪̝̞̜̪̮̥̲̘̤̠͋̎̄̓̐̈́͊̽̽̀̾͑̾͂͋̃̈́̂̐͑̃͆̎̇̏̓́́̅̇͊̃́͌̒̔̕͝͠͝ͅq̵̡̧̖̮̗̬̜̰̰͈̖͉̭̖̰͎͓̤͚͈̹͇̮͙̤̲̠͓̜͓͕̯̼̈̆́̆̅͐͐̈͊̂͊̈́͗̈́̾̊̿̄̿͑͗͂̐̂̊̋̃̂̎̐͐͒͂̊̌͆͆͒́̋̆̎̅͊͘̚̚̚͝͝ơ̵̡̧͎̜̙̰͓͎̪̙͙̖̦͕͙̩͕̱̤̗̪̬̱̠͙̟̖̄͊͋̓̿̏̈̏̽͑̾͂̉̓̾̀͗̓̍͌̉̾̾̑͑̉͛̔̑̀̾̅́̾̒̅̃̓͂̊̈́̈́͐̀̕͜͠͝͝͝͝ƨ̷̡̛̛̛̛͈̰͚͈͍̤̬̦̖͕̝̗̥̰̘͈̩̞̖͔͍̝̰̖͕͉̤̣̬̜͎̰͕͉̹̲͇̓̽̒͐͊̓̓̏̒͗̿̑͛̓̃̾͑̓̈́̒͂̒̀͑̆̓͗̇̓͊̽͐̒̈́̆͛͛͗̽̔͘̚̕͜͜͠͠Ɉ̶̡̺̰̞̝̪̫̜̬͕̖̦͖̱̼̗̤͚̱͇̰̝͙̤͉̬̲͎̳̺̤̥̼̬̼͓̏̾̉͌̌́͆̅̋͆̑̊̐̒̉́̐̎̑͒͂͂͗͛̚͜͝ ̷̡̧̧̢̲͕̦͓̬̦͔͖͎̳̺͎̟̝̼̮̳̺̜̰͙̗̫̀͑̾͆͂͗̀̎̓̌͋̿͒̈́̏̔̏̄̋́̓͊̋̑̄͊̑̃̈́̽̿̔̆̂̊̚̚̚͝͠͝͝ͅƨ̴̡̧̡̛̣̫̼̠̝̻͍̞̝̦̣͇̞̥̱͚̹͉̖̻̝͖̗̖͎͙̤̻͈͓̦̰͍̹̦̜̠̻̺̯͇̺̋̈́̓̉̾̏̾͋́̔̿̓̍̎̍̎͌̃͐͆͗͑̂̈́͂͐̔̔̚̕̕͘͜͜͜͝͝ͅo̴̜̻̜͚̭̭͉̪̠͈͓̬͓͚̟͔̯̟̝͓̟̫̟͎̖̩̲̖̞̖̦̙̪̭͔̳͔͕͇͇̠͔͇͖̓͂͊́͆̍̓̀́̅͌͌̑̽͗̃̀͛͊͊̾̿̓̆̅̑̎͆̉̒͋͘̚͠m̸̡̧̢̨̨̨̨̘̯̝̠̰̰̦͎̮̳̙̝͙̪̺͇͕̞̜͎̥̥̰͈̲̖̣͈̫͎̦͇̳̪̟̝̻̼̺̞̩̼̱̍̆̓͒̍̒͋̾͒̾̂̐̉͂͌̇̓̎͋̆̃͌̋͑̓͘͠͝ɘ̷̡̡̙̙͓̫̬̺̼̟̟̖͚͇̪̱̰̖̜̝͓̹̼̝͕̮̤̪̖̤͙̜̺̖̣͔͇̪̟̼̣̞͎͉̮̳͍͊̒̿̎̀͒̊͊͊̽̇̈́̇̈́͑̋́͐̓͆̿̂̄̀͆̈̽̀̽͑̐́̚͘̕͜͝ͅͅͅɈ̶̧̧̛̛̛̛̟̖̯̭̠͕̥̜͕͕̪̺̖͕̭͇̪̟̰̘̰͔͎̪̯̮͇̺͖͇̱̯̰̝̣͚̭̤͓̲͙̟̈̐̎̋̇͌̔̎̎̔́̾̽͌̈̋̿̎͋́͋̋̿̓̆̿͋̌̀́͆͐͛͋̓̑̚̕͝͝͝ͅͅʜ̴̡̢̢̨̡̛̻͍̠͎͚͓̝̭͙̥͍̘̗͕̞̪̩͔̮̘̫̦̻̦̯̈́̓͌̋̌̓̄̌͐̐̄̎͌͂̅̿͌̉̉͒͑̋͋́̂͂̈́̓̏͌͛͂̅͘̕͘͘̕͠͠͝͠͝ͅi̷̡̧̧̛̗̙̱̩̫̬̗̳͎̮̝̦̘̣̥͙̟͓̗̬̼͔̰̝͍̪̱̲͔̙̬̙͙̖͋̀̈́̊̄̏̒̀̊͐̃͐̔̋͐̒̂̉̈͛̕̕͘̚͘͠͝͝n̷̨̢̡̨̮̪̬̟̘͍͉̮͉̪̼̟͓̫̝̳̖̤͚͚̰̳̗̝͕͈̬͔̫̲̳͔͗͑̆͑͊͒͐̾̑̽̐͐̈́̿̐̽̐̓̌̔̉͒̓̒̓͋͒͑̂̔̀̆̅͂̓̓̔́̈́̔̈́̔̇͑͘̚͝͝͝͠ͅͅϱ̷̧̧̡̣̗͎͔͉͎̜̰͍̮͇̥̥̜̤̻̩̯͚̹̘̜̜̟̯͉̬͕͈̙̻̰̣̰͇͔͂̽̏̀͒̃̂̂̀̂͗́̓̋̒͋̎͌́͛̂̄̌̒̂̈́͜͝͝ͅͅ ̷̡̢̧̡̡̺̬̟͔͓̲͈̖̟̳̩̤̭͈̹͙̩̞̥͕̩̹̖̫͓̳̳͔̱͖͇̙̝̣͍͋͆͛̓̈̄̓̾͆͐̐͋͐̓͆̅̉̇̔̽̌͌̈͋̂̌͘̚̕͠͝͝ͅɒ̷̧̡̨̡̜̺̣̟̝͍̠̯̙̣̲͈̯̱͓͈̰̞̥̱̹̩̰̙͉̲͙͍͉̭̮͚̙̹̟̩̯̹̝͍̔͂͋̇̽͌̿̋́̽͋̋̍͂̃̊̊͐͛͛̎̊̑̅̉͌̽̃̐͛̋̏̈͆͑̃̃̄͆͊̕͘͜͜͝͝͠͝͝d̸̡̨̡͎̮͇̟͓̹͔̩̠̗̳̖̮̳̙̦͔̺͍̦̪̮̤͚̘̰̹̭̬̺̫͎͎͉̮̂̿̓̂̿̾̅̊̌̐̓̉̌́͑̓͊̇̄͛̽́͐̈́͆̈̃́̈́̀͐̑̚̕͝͝͠͝o̸̧̨̢̝̪͚̝̣̬̞̱̦̖̥̯̝͍͈̻̤͔̳̱̟̜̜͖̞̰͚̹̯͙̳̘̩͈̯͙̖͉̹̐͌̀͊͋̎̋̈́̇̈́̀̂͌͑̊̄̌̈́̍̏̂̊̀̕̚̕͜͝ͅυ̴̧̨̧̨̢̨͉͙͓̲͕͖͓͇͔̬͓̜͇̝͇̼͕̩̤̣͓͉̼̗͔̥̪̼̺̱̳̟̮͎̟̅̈́̈́̍̒̋̂͒̍͐̄̾̀̽͊͗̎͋̆̄̈̈́͊͋̀̈́̈́̏̀̄̉̀̀̍̏̕͝͝͠Ɉ̴̢̨̧̭͙̜̥͔̹̬̭̥͉̯̹͙̲͉̳̼̱̹̼͎̱͙͛͛̄̐́̎͗̽́̔̏͂͆͒̈́̏̌͗̿͆͒̅̿͗̓́́̂̎͊́̔̽͗͋̍͗̄͋̀̈́͘̕͘͠͠ ̴̧̛̲̫̰̝̥̥̫̬̝͈͈͖̯̜̹̰͇̖̻͍͙̪͎̰͚̞͓̠̟̱͚̻̪̺̱̰̟͎̩̰̭̾̽̈͐̐̋͊̅̐̿̆̽̌̾̒̀̇̀̀͗̽̃̈́̃́̄͌̾͌͋̐̾̓̔̃͆͊͐̓̇͆̿̚̚͝͝m̷̡̨̛̞̜̺̙̲̱͓͕̟̬̞͈̱̻̱̤̦̲̭̫̯̰̟̣̣̬̹̰̠̖̫͕̗̠̖̬̹̤͖͔͖̱͍̼̞̙̫̉̿͆̉̋̉̀̇̌͊̀͆̎̑͋̎̓̌͐̂̔̓̋́̒̉̄͗̒͆̍́͋̿̓͆̚̚͘͜͝͝͝͝͝͝γ̷̢̧̡̡̡̛̝̤͕̝͕̣͕̺̠̞̱̫̖̗̰̰̻̝̺̩͈͓̩̝͉͎̣̘̹̰͎̘͖̺̻͕̰̜̹̝̜̗̊̈́̌̉̇̅̍̒͌͐̊́͐̓̔͐̀̆̑̇̑͛̃̈́́̔́̓͌̕̚̕͘͝͠͠ͅͅ ̴̧̧̧͚͉͓̥̺̤͎̰̼̖̥̺͈̠͎̯̠͖̥̺̥̗̹̺̯̓̀̍̇̈͊͛̂́͌̃̃͋̔̍͆̈̊̏͛̈̃̌͌͛̿̈̊̓̂̈̉͆̔͆̀̐͛̎̃̚͝͝͠ϱ̶̡̨̧̡̛̛͈̦͈̗̹̙͓͕͈̟͕̱͍̩̝͔̲̙̙̜͕̠͓̤̩̲̗͓̪̘͎̞̫̰͕̠̖̝́̀̄́̀̈́͋̓̎̑̀̒̇́̈͂̉̈́̽̈̉̒͋̓̅̈́̅̋͋̊͗͌́͘̚̚͜͝ɒ̵̧̨̢̲̥̩̺̰͍̞̱͉̙̤̼̠̺͕̘͉͓̰̟̬̹̹͗̉̂̂̑̓̇̐̉͌̍̊̓͋̈́̈́͐̐̑̍̀͊̋͋͌̈́̎́͐̄̄̃͗̀͊̋͗́̇̿̾̚͜͜͝m̵̧̨̨̡̡̛̛͉͉͚̤̫̣̦̱̭̜͎̗̝̖̮͖̘̖̞̼̖̞͚͙̖̱̳̱̹̣̫̥͖͉̼̭̭̻̈́̅͒̈̓́̎̇͑̒̿̓́͂̈̔̇͆̆̈̊̑́̌̈́̑͑͋̚͘̚͜͜͠͠ɘ̷̡̛͇̯͖̠͓̱̤͚̭̹̫̺͍̜̫͖̠̤̙̞̱̟̰̖̟͈͈̤̰̝̦̲͙̳͕̟͈̫͓̹̤̤̦̠͖̙̊͛̒̓͑̿͌͆̓̐̀͑̀̊̔̾̈́́̓̊̈́͒̂̊̑͋̉͘̕͝͝͝͝͝͠͠ͅ ̴̧̧̧̢̲̥̝͉̬̯̜̗̮̝̲̠̰̤͙̺̟̘͎̘͍͔͈̞͚͉̭͙̥͕̙̺̦͋̽̆́̈͂̋̀̓͊̓̾̒̍̒͂́̃͌͆̌͋͛̈́͂́̌͆̈͌͊̇͐̅̃̉͘͘͜͝͝ͅͅq̷̡̢̨̡̡̧̛̗͙̩̯͍̱̳͈̟̖͕͕̟͚̠̤͉͙͈͙͔̹͎̣̞̞͍̺̯̹̙̹̩̳̜̺̲̦̪̩͍͇͐͑̈́̓̓́͑̾̌̽̑̑̄̂̑̒̃́̾̒̓͗͒͂͋̀̏͑̕͘͘̚͜͜͜͜l̸̡̢̨̡̧̢̗͕̻͉̜̮̰̪͚͕̝͖͙̗͇͓̼͙̮͔͉͉̣̟̳͉̹̻̣͈̱͚̯͚̈́͂͑̉̍̈́̂̌̅̑̓́͊̒̑̓͐͐̊͑̎̽̈́͑̏͂̋͐̈́̀̇̉̊̌̓̽̄͊̾̈́͑̃̃͘̕͘͜͝͝͝ͅͅɘ̶̧̨̢̛͙̺͔͎͍̯̳̝̤̝̫̲̳͙̹̻̦͈̦̗̤̘̝̼̮͓͈̮̰̝̌͐͂̃̓̀͌̐͑̆̊̓͐͌̓̓̔́̐͗̓͗̀̉͗̈́̈́̃̅̋͗̀̍̌͌̿̿̎́͗̃̑͆͘͘̚͝͝͝ͅͅɒ̵̡̨̡̡̡̳͈͈͉͔̞̰̣̩̞̠͙̣̘̫̬̪̱̣̞̺̠̙̘̳͎͇̦̫̻̪́̓̀̾̋͌̌̍͆͑̄̈́̈́͂̅͋̒͛̂̀̕̚͜͜͜͜͝͝͝ͅͅƨ̵̧̡̛̛̮͕̗̯̤̟͚̖͖̖͈̲̭̬͔̗͇̠̺̭̭̳͓̟̮̮̘̹̮̮͒͊̀̅̊̏̓́͐̿̈́͋͌͆̊̏̋̏͆͌̓͌̎̾̈́̈́͋̕̕͘̚͜͝͝͝͝ͅͅɘ̴̢̡̨̡̡̢̛͈̺̹̙̮̥̲͖͇̩̦͇͍̼̣̭̰͍̣͙̙̯̺͉̣̠̲̯͓̰̫͍̗̝̞̹̗̘͍̄̇͗̒͐͂̏͊́̇͂̑̽̽͛̈̀̈́̇̓͋̽́͊͑͒͋̌̔͗͊͐̏̕̕͜͠͝ ̵̢̢̧̨̛̦͍̙̼̰̹̪̹̲̠͕͍̞͈̪̙̮̫̻̙̲͕͉͕̼̣̫̤̱̹̦̻͓̲̼̱̘͓̣̩̠̥͕̰͛̏͑̈́̇͐̐͆̑͆̿̀͐͌̆̿͐̅̊͂̍̓́͑̑͋̈́͑̿̒̀̉̉̿̓̈͐͆̚͠͝͝ͅͅb̶̨̢̧͙̯͓̹̱̬̠͖͓̬͇̤͈͉̭̮̝̰̹̹͉͓̲̩̙̥͇̟͙̣̜̖̫͉͓̬̬͍̬̝̦̈́̃̋̒̃̽̂̆̒̿̈́̇̉̀̈́̏̓̀̎̓̄́̎͒̌͋̏͌͑̇̌̔̒̚̚͘͜͜͜͝͝͠͝ͅǫ̸̧̡̢̡̧̣̯͕̮̱̙͚̝͕̰̮̜͍̣̰̻͈͍͚̘̟͈͉̻͈̩̖̜͉̪̩͚̙͈̘̔̓̎̍͑͛̈̽͒͋͗́̀͑͛̃̄͑̇̂̇̈̀̈́̉̀͌̀̊́̿̉́͑̆̇̓͌͗̾̇̔͗̕͘͝͝͝ͅn̴̢̢̯̮͇͉͔̠̪̭͍̳̬̺̖̥̣̹̮̥͎̪̰͙̝̼̓́̈́͆̉̽̋͐͛̀̃̾͌̐̄̔͛̏́̀̔̎̍͘̕͘͝ͅɈ̴̢̨̬̮͍̩̭͚̺͎̘̯̝͎̻̯̼̹̞͇͍̻̗͍̗͕͙̠͔̤̩̞̮̻͙͎̟̮̗̺̤̳̰̲̖̥͊͒̀̇̊͂̇̇̇͗̄̄͐͋͗̒̊̆͛̊̓̈̽̅̇͛̽̀̐̈́̎͌͗͑̽̑̾͆̃̈́̂̅̓͛̐̽̎͘͘̚͜͝͝ͅͅ ̸̢̡̢̧̡̛̛̦͔̲̘̟̦̠͇̗͈͇̠̦̖̳̘͕̩͉̖̰̼̬̟̜̦͓̱̖͚̔̈́̒͐̈́̿̀͑̾̓̀̂͂̽͂͒̉̈́̌̀̉̇̈́̿͌̑̿̓̂͑͐̄͆̊͐̉̎̌̃̆̃͒̋̋͘͘͠͠͝ɔ̵̢̧̛͔̬̹̱̯͖͇̦͈͓̬̥̱̟͍̘̪͔͇̮̝̪̖̩̬̯̤̱̟̟͖̗͓̞̃̈́̾͋̓̾́̑̎̾̓͆͂̊͆̑̄̉̌̽͂͗̅͂̈́͋͑̈́͝ͅͅɒ̵̧̢̡̨̛̺̰̫̯͉̟̝̟̳̙̬̯̹̦̻͚̬̠̥̜͈̖̞̱̫̪͈͚̙̰̫̃̓̿͛͗͊͌͒̀̈̓͗͗́̊̀̀̀̍̂̂͐̀͊͐͊͗̍̽̀͋̈̀̌̄̃̕͘̚͠͝͠͝͝ͅͅļ̵̢̢̛̛̛̖͕̝̗̜̬̬͇̤͓̺̩̺͖̘̬̠̭͔̜̹͈͚͖̰̱̰̥͙̊̅̐͂̽̊͑̆̈̄̓́̑̽̊̆̀̒̇͋̂̎͗̌̆̎̽̍́̍́͋͋͒͋̈́̉̀̓̈́̚̕̕͝͝͝͝ͅl̶̡̧̧̢̡̛̫̻̹͉͔͍̠͍̝̩͇͕̱̳̘̩͓̬̗͍͓̪͖͎̣̪̤̥͚̲̭̼̟͍͍͕͓̖̾͊͒͗͑̀͆͂̉̑̊̏̿̃̍̅͐̋̀͘̕͘͝͝͠͝ ̷̧̛̱̩̮̯͍̱̰̗͈͎͕̦̖͔̖̩͚̰̠̫̣̼̤͖̦͔̰̀̾͗̊̑̽̂̃̈̈̈́̈͐͂̈́̑͛͛̋͆̋͂͗̒̌̾̂̆̃̎̐̂͒͐̀̍͛̈́̈́͊͗̓̊́̔̄̔̌̚͝ͅḿ̸̢̡̡̡̢̦̪̖͖̳̥̫͓̫̙̩̰̰̭͓̲̘̳̬̞̪̺̯͔̰͔̩͉̖̰̝̺͚͙̝̮̤̝͎̟̊̐̈́̅͒̆̆̇̈́͌̅͛̇́̆͒̔̄̐̅̑͛̑̃̈́̌̇̈́̀̕̕͜͠͠͝ͅɘ̷̨̨̢̧̢̛͕͚̦̮͙͔̰͈̫̫̝͍̹̼̬̫̞̱͍͚̞̣͙̭̝͎̤͚̜̙̘͎̟̜͖̣̝̞̰̭͉̇̆́̑̍̈̈̀̔̎̏͊̿̈́̈̃̔̓̃̍̇͋͒̊͌̈́́̈̈́́́̔̋͆̀̔̌̀̈̾́͊̕̕͘̚̕͝ ̵̨̡̡̨̘͖̙͉͓̫̖̼̘̳̗͚̙̲̮̯̮͎̼̪̬̞͙̙̙̰̫͔͎̯͖̜̙̞̫́͗̔̀͆̒͛͊͒̽́̓̈́̊̇͋́̊̓̃̇̈́͗͒͊̋̒̔̿̎͒̃͐̎̽͒͗͑̿̉̔̔͗͌͘͘͜͝͠͝ɒ̶̡̡̢̨̨̨̘̥̣̥̲͈̩̞̤̪̠̥͉̺͕͚̜̫̥̮̰͖̘̺̳̪͖̰̰̬͇̗̥̒̀̐̾̿̍͛͐͊̂͊́͒̓͆̈́̀͗̿̅̂̂͛̀̌̒́̅̀͒͊͌̒̀̇̈́̿̈́͂̔̅̚͜͜͠͠͠͠ͅ ̷̢̧̧̛̛̻̝͎̟͉̰̙̞̹̩̮͙̭͍̮͎̘̼̭̜͉̦̙͎̲̺͈͔̼̙̙͙̥͈̬̟̏̓͆͋͒́̇̿͂̈̎̓̈́̈́͒̈́͂͒̈́̀͋̽́̈́̓̒̑́͊̊̏͊̈̃͛̉̕̚͘͘͘͜͝͝͝ͅͅͅͅḋ̸̢̨̢̡̞̱̜̫͉͍̠̤͙͎͖̤͎̝̯̜̖̺̠͚̳̥͕̳̳͕̱̬͉̥̱̱̥̣̠͎͙̱̭͇͕̩̹̀̃̍̂̀͌̀́̄̐͂̀̇͂̔̆͋́̌̓̅̊̕͘̚̚͜͜͝ͅͅͅơ̸̧̢̡̡̧̲̹͉̥̰͕̳͇͎͓̤̭͖̱̪͎̙̜͍̩͍͕̺̗̖̩̠̯̺̰̰̜̥̥͎̲̥̟͕̱̫̞̣͍̣͊̊̓̀̅̔̀̎͐͐̄͋́̄͗̔́̐̍͊̈́͐̀͊̕̕̕͜͜͝͝͝γ̸̡̢̢̡͍̲͇̭̠̻͙̺̳͇̤̺̪̯͉͓̹̬͖͌̍̓̐̊́̏̊͛̿͒͗̀͐̃̆͌͊̃̀̏͒̚̚͜͜͜͝͝ ̵̡̢̡̡̤̠͎̲̞̯̫̭̪͓̻̹͈͚͔͈̤̙̯̟̠͍̟͖̳̫̖͙̩̖͌̀͐͋̉̓̉́͐̾̀́͊̈̏͒͋̊̊̄̈́́͗̔̒̉̄͊͗̀̿͌̒̈́̚̚̚͜͠͝͠͝i̵̡̧̢̛̭̫̜͕͓͎̜̗͔̺͉̰̮͎̯͇̠̟̺̞̰̞͚̯̱̠͎̻͒̃̈́̅̆͗̄̓̃̀͌́́̂̍͆̈́̆̽̒͒̃̂̇̓̉̀̂̓͒͗̓̍̄̌́̑̑̽͘̚̚̕ ̴̡̢̧̛͈̳͍̫̲͇̳͉̱̘͓̲̻̩̖̺͚̱͇̫͕̻̮̏̾̎̀͌̾́͗̒̓̂̊̈̎̇̍̆͆͒́̉̔̀̀̇͋́̽͐̆̆̂̊̑̈̆̏̚̕͘͘̕͜͝ɒ̸̨̢̡̲͇̟̰̼̠̼̣̞̺̗̲͔̯̖̼̪͖̭̠̖̝͕͖͔̗͙͔̠̜̩̰͓̜̰͔͍̯̰̩̖̼͉͉͕́̀͑͆̇̿̒͒̄͂̀̅͗̾̂̈̾̉̑̀́̂̎̋͒͛̉͜͜͝͝͝͝ͅͅm̵̧̢̢̲̩̞͕͕̲͇̰͍̣̣̙̲̖̥͕̞̳̪͈̥̲͇̭͙̥̳͚̞̭͙̍̄̀͊̀̈͐̄̀̔͛̒̊̐̋́́͂͒́̿͂̄͊͒̃̃͊̄͌̊̍͛͂̐̓̿͛̏̃̀͒̏̅̀̕͜͠͠͝ ̸̧̢̧͎͎̜̤̦͇̦̣̘̜̭̩̦̼̘͓̜͚̹͚͉͓̟͖̣̺͔̞͖͉̠̤̹̰̗͎̫̼̘̠͔́̔̆̔̄̎͒͐̀̃̒́̓̀̒̂̂̊̍̆̿͛̏́͒̚͘͜n̷̢̢̛̬̠̻̭̯͚̜͚̳͖͉̩͙̩̲͔̖̦͍͕̦̥͖̺̻̗͇̱͇̭̐̄͂̒͛̏̿̾̀̒̈́̅̇̊̀̆̍̓̅̾̾̀̊̄͋̀͘͘̕̚͘͜͜͜͝͝͠͝o̷̡̡͈̫̞̯̦͔͔̠̭̯̖̜͈͔̣̠͚̱̫̲͔͉͓̭̙͖̣̞̘̩͔̖̖͗̆̎̉̍̐͌̂́́̂̎̈́͑̌̿͆̊̀͐̿͋̂̅͐̒͘̕͝͝͝Ɉ̴̡̢̡̧̢̨̱̩͉̙̖̠͍̳̯̤̞̥̗̙̼͈͔̭̦̪̭̲̫͍̻͇͎͎͙̼̻̝͉͎͖̠̳̟͇̪̿̿͌̄͊̂̑̽̽̃̈́̽̉̏͋͌̓̀̅̃̆̆̄͊̊͊̚̚̚͜͠͝͝͝͠ ̷̧̛̗̫͈̖͕̱̼͙̤͕̦̻̦̙͎͉͚͇̗͙̮͖̮̠̰̲̙̬̦̱̪͖͖̣̳̜̪̅̀̏͂̄͑͑̃̓͐̇̅͗̓̓̐̃̒́̉̒͗͌̿̌́̀̒̊̌̐̐̐̿͒͆͘̕̚̚̚̕͝͠͠͝͝ͅɒ̷̡̧̨̢̢̧̢̛̛̼̬̗̰̲̘͈͓͇̩͇͇͍̙̜̖̙̮̠̖̝͈͈͔͉̺͕̱̀̏̓͊͆̈́̎̈́͑͊͂̒̉͒̾͊̀̐̽̉̓̉̀̀̑́̅͋͐͝͠ ̵̨̧̨̫̼̟͚̗̯̠͚̺͇̙̞̠͙̠̪̪̪̺͖͙̲̼̼̩̥̱͙̯͕̉͑̅̍̋́̅́͒̔͑̀̀̂̃̈̋̒̌͊̓̑̉͐̍̈́̑̈̽̊̏͗̓͋͒̓͘͜͜͝͝ͅd̵̡̨̛̛̛̫̼̲͔͙͙̺̬͚̭͔̫̩̖̱̮̼̲̜͙̮̠̫́̿̀̾̊̏͊̊͊̓̏͌̐̔̀̈́̑̀̄̒̉͌͌͛̕̚͘͜͠͠͠ơ̶̛̳͇͓̬̻̜̱̟͉̘͖̳̩̖̱̹̤̪̮̟̻̣͉͔͕͙͇̜̤͎̰̠̇̂̓͌͗͌͊̈̑̄̊̈̔̊̾̑̎͌̑̈́͒́̇̒̈̓̚͘̚̕͘͝͝͝͝γ̷̡̧̧̛̤͎̱̮͓͕̫̺̱̣̪̹͙̺̬̼̰̪̙̤͙̙̜̻̟̙͙̼̭̔̓̏̑̐̇̋́͆͋͋̔̐̋̏͑̋͗́̆̈́̑̓̕̕͝͝͝͠->A Dream in a Cave]]] <= (text-colour:purple)[(css: "font-size: 65%;")[[[//do you like contests? clickme//->a contest for winners]]]] =><= (text-colour:white)[[[Begin Chapter 5.->A Dream in a Cave]] [[Return to Title Screen.->Title Screen]]] (text-colour:white)[//Fuck...// //My head kills.// //What happened to me?// //Why can't I see anything?// I reach my hands toward the ground, searching for the flashlight. Finding it, I press the button on the side — //Nothing — it won't turn on.// //Of course. It probably didn't shut off when I passed out.// //Tears are flowing — I can't stop them.// //I can't see anything, I'm alone, my friends are probably being eaten, my ex-boyfriend's missing, and I have no idea what time it is. This sucks.// //All of this is my fault. It's all because I can't make a decision.// //Hold up — can I even say that the residents of Girl Cabin Seven are my friends? Would they say that they're my friends?// //They probably would. They're all nice people —// I grab onto my knees, tucking my head in between them. //They were nice people.// //Frankie's the most likely to be alive right now, the others are a tossup.// //There's no point going on if I don't even know what to do next.// //I need to make a decision.// I untuck my head, and crawl toward the sound of the flowing current. Kneeling, I bend myself down toward it — //Maybe this'll be controversial — but I'm going to jump in the river. It's the fastest way to reach the others, if they're still there.// From the depths, a red hand reaches up and pulls me into the river. I scream for help — it's futile. A sticky texture surges into my mouth, I cough and spit it out. The current flips me upside down, my head smashes against the rocky floor. I flip myself back over, just in time to spot an approaching waterfall. //This is it —// //I'll die by falling off a waterfall.// //Is it actually a waterfall? This doesn't feel like water.// //It's still kinda cool, I guess. But not what I would've chosen. I wanted to get hit by a really big spaceship and have it split me in two and chop my dick off. Free surgery!// //How do other people want to go out...?// //Probably crushed between my thighs.// [[The current sends me careening forward, off the cliffside. My body flips about six or seventeen times before I hit the lake at the bottom.->Cumming 2]]](text-colour:white)[//My eyes dart open, they're burning — my mouth is full of something sticky and foul. I cough it out, sitting up and digging my hands into the solid rock below.// //I'm alive.// I laugh. Someone speaks to me in a worried tone from the area around my side. ''Jessica:'' Are you okay...? I blink my eyes over and over, trying to see. I spot the outline of Jessica's hand waving in my direction. I cough again before answering. ''TeeJay:'' Yeah, I think so. What — I look around, only Jessica's general shape is visible in the darkness. ''TeeJay:'' //What happened?// ''Jessica:'' When we got separated an hour or so ago, I ended up down here. Then when I heard you scream and hit the water, I swam out to drag you back to shore. She looks off, forlorn. ''Jessica:'' And I know what you're thinking — //Did something happen to Val...?// Jessica laughs, taking my worries away. ''Jessica:'' I didn't get my tank top all wet and sticky! I actually took it off before coming to get you. She pumps her fist, triumphantly. ''TeeJay:'' That's smart. Her inflection rises. ''Jessica:'' Yeah, //well...// //Am I about to be punished on TV's Impractical Jokers?// ''Jessica:'' I kinda, like, lost it. Isn't that funny? She laughs again, harder. //Wait a second...// //Does that mean she's not wearing —// ''Jessica:'' Why aren't you laughing? I stammer. ''TeeJay:'' I — Jessica claps her hands, flesh bouncing. ''Jessica:'' Oh! Do you want to take your shirt off too? I shake my head. ''TeeJay:'' No, no — I'm good. I was just — I pause. ''Jessica:'' Oh. Do you feel awkward? ''TeeJay:'' A little bit. ''Jessica:'' I'm sorry...I really didn't mean to lose it. I didn't mean to do any of the other stuff — Jessica points her head down, and slumps her shoulders. ''TeeJay:'' No, I know. We all know. ''Jessica:'' And I know that I'm not that smart — everyone tells me that... I try to interrupt, she continues speaking. ''Jessica:'' I'm just trying my best. I really am, TeeJay — Her voice breaks. ''Jessica:'' But my best wasn't enough to save Kendra. //I don't know what to do...// I reach forward, placing a hand on her bare shoulder. ''TeeJay:'' I understand. I've been there. I clear my throat. ''TeeJay:'' I'm actually kind of there right now... Jessica looks up toward me, tears pouring down her face. She speaks softly. ''Jessica:'' (css: "font-size: 65%;")[Really...?] I nod. ''TeeJay:'' //Really.// I've been having a hard time making decisions at all. ''Jessica:'' I haven't noticed anything like that... ''TeeJay:'' Well, we kinda just met yesterday. Or two days ago — I'm not sure what time it is. ''Jessica:'' Me neither — ''TeeJay:'' Hey — let's go try to find the others, is that okay? Jessica wipes snot from under her nose. ''Jessica:'' Oh, that reminds me, when I got down here — She breaks down sobbing again. ''Jessica:'' I couldn't find Val, and I — I didn't hear her hit the water...and — I place a firm hand on her shoulder. ''TeeJay:'' That's okay. She could still be alive — you could've just missed each other in the dark. ''Jessica:'' TeeJay, can I tell you something and will you promise to keep it a secret? ''TeeJay:'' Uh — //sure?// ''Jessica:'' I've had a crush on Val for a little bit now... I nod. ''Jessica:'' She's just really good at making decisions, and she's confident, and she's — Jessica shrugs her shoulders. ''Jessica:'' Well she's kinda like you, but better. I frown. //Gee, thanks.// ''Jessica:'' Not better, sorry! Just better for me! Sorry, I just — ''TeeJay:'' It's okay. Her voice breaks, she stutters. ''Jessica:'' And I just — I waited too long to tell her, and now she's... She cries out again, wails echoing on the walls around us. ''TeeJay:'' She's not. You know her — she wouldn't let herself go out like that. Jessica thinks for a moment, nodding, tears slowing — she slowly picks herself up from the ground. I stand after her, she reaches over and grips tightly to my side — burying her face into my shirt. ''Jessica:'' (css: "font-size: 65%;")[TeeJay...?] ''TeeJay:'' Yeah? ''Jessica:'' (css: "font-size: 65%;")[You smell nice.] //My face is hot.// ''TeeJay:'' Uh — thanks... ''Jessica:'' (css: "font-size: 65%;")[You're welcome.] Silence fills the space as Jessica continues to hug me. ''Jessica:'' (css: "font-size: 65%;")[Hey, TeeJay?] ''TeeJay:'' Yeah...? ''Jessica:'' (css: "font-size: 65%;")[Can you make my decisions for a little bit?] //I shouldn't make false promises...// //But this hug feels really nice.// ''TeeJay:'' Sure. Her arms grip tighter, pulling me closer to her. ''Jessica:'' (css: "font-size: 65%;")[Thank you.] ''TeeJay:'' You're welcome. I glance around myself. //Yep —still darkness. But being this close to her is starting to make me sweat, and I need something to do.// //I should say something. I should make a decision. Maybe that'll get me a kiss...// I point toward the pool of water, around the coast. ''TeeJay:'' Maybe we should try going that way. //Those words feel so unnatural coming from my mouth.// Jessica pulls her face away from my body, and looks in the direction I'm pointing in. She nods her head. ''Jessica:'' Yeah, seems good to me. She separates her body from mine. //I guess a kiss was kinda wishful thinking...// ''Jessica:'' Do you want to lead the way? [[I nod my head. Jessica reaches to my side and takes my hand in hers. We start walking along the rocky coastline.->An Adventure With Jessica and a Few Funny Friends]]](text-colour:white)[(align:"==>")+(box:"===XXXXXXXXXX=======")[//are you // //a//]] (align:"<==")+(box:"=========XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX=")[(text-style:"mirror")[(text-colour:yellow)[//winner?//]]] (text-colour:white)[(align:"<==")+(box:"=========XXXXXXXXXX=================================================================================")[//do you like//]] (align:"<==")+(box:"=========XXXXXXXXXX=================================================================================")[(text-style:"mirror")[(text-colour:yellow)[//to win?//] ]] (text-colour:purple)[(text-style:"blink")[//please email me// ]] (text-style:"underline","buoy")[(align:"<==")+(box:"=X")[(text-colour:red)[contestforwinnerz@gmail.com]//]] (text-colour:white)[(align:"<==")+(box:"========XXXXXXXXXXXXXXX==")[(text-style:"double-underline")[//with whatever subject line you want// //&// //tell me how much of a winner you are//]] //what is a time you won? i want to know// //this information will not be public safe with me//] =><= (text-colour:yellow)[(css: "font-size: 265%;")[//trustme:)//]] <= (text-colour:white)[(align:"<==")+(box:"============================XXXXXXXXXXXXXXX=======")[//if you a// //re// //early (10th. 9th. 12th maybe.)//]] (text-colour:white)[(align:"<==>")+(box:"==============XXXXXXXXXXXXXXX=====================")[//there will be more for you to do// //(if you want)//]] (align:"=><=")+(box:"===========================XXXXX==================")[(text-colour:purple)[(text-style:"subscript")[//talk soon.//]]] =><= (text-colour:white)[[[clickheretogoback->Divergence B - Chapter 5B Starting Quote]]](text-colour:white)[//Jessica's hand is clammier than my own. It's a small confidence booster. I'll take what I can get down here.// We come across a slippery section of rock, I place my feet carefully to avoid repeating previous mistakes. ''TeeJay:'' Careful up here. Jessica nods, and grabs ahold of my arm as we slowly walk through the darkness. I glance toward the underground lake. ''TeeJay:'' We should probably try to find another tunnel or something. There was a monster in the water earlier... ''Jessica:'' Really? ''TeeJay:'' Yeah. ''Jessica:'' I didn't see any swimming when I rescued you. //That was a filler conversation.// //Jessica's hurting. Everyone down here's hurting, but I'm hurting the least. I didn't know Kendra that well. I should say something, do something —// ''Jessica:'' The rocks are changing colors again. //She's right. It's hard to tell in the dark, but the green rock is shifting to blue as we continue forward.// ''Jessica:'' What do you think that means? //No idea. I don't understand anything that's occuring around me — it's becoming frustrating.// I shrug my shoulders. ''TeeJay:'' I dunno. Maybe the rocks are sad. Jessica pauses for a second, then rolls her eyes back. ''Jessica:'' Oh, I get it. Cause they're blue. ''TeeJay:'' Sorry, was that lame? ''Jessica:'' A little, but I've known you're lame. Frankie told us that after dinner on the first night. I laugh. ''TeeJay:'' He said that? ''Jessica:'' Yeah, he said you were "corny as fuck". //I guess he's not wrong.// ''Jessica:'' I hope you're not hurt, he said he meant it in a nice way. ''TeeJay:'' I'm not hurt at all — it's funny. ''Jessica:'' Okay, good. ''TeeJay:'' I only hope that I've gotten less lame since you met me. Silence. ''TeeJay:'' Jeez... ''Jessica:'' Sorry — no, I was just thinking. ''TeeJay:'' About? ''Jessica:'' The things you've done for us since we've met you. //Huh?// //What does she mean?// ''Jessica:'' You helped Val when she was saving Grace. You beat the fuck out of that Enforcer with Frankie. You've been so nice to me — She pauses. ''Jessica:'' And you didn't make fun of Kendra, //even when the rest of us were//. //That's not exactly true. I just made fun of her in my head.// //I don't know what to say back to her.// ''Jessica:'' You don't have to say anything. ''TeeJay:'' I — How did — ''Jessica:'' Your face is red. I can see it — even in the dark. //She —// ''Jessica:'' Your face is getting more red! Jessica laughs. She steps forward and hugs me, burying her face into my chest. ''Jessica:'' (css: "font-size: 75%;")[You're so cute, TeeJay...] She whispers. ''Jessica:'' (css: "font-size: 65%;")[//Please don't die.//] I respond without thinking. ''TeeJay:'' I don't think I can promise that — Jessica pulls away from me, staring at my face. ''Jessica:'' I'm not asking you to promise... ''TeeJay:'' Oh, I didn't know... She squints her eyes. ''Jessica:'' Are you — I cut her off. ''TeeJay:'' Yeah. ''Jessica:'' So was my brother. I guess he still is, he's — Jessica pauses, looking over her shoulder into the darkness. She turns back to face me. ''Jessica:'' Did you hear that? ''TeeJay:'' What? ''Jessica:'' That sound — She looks again. ''Jessica:'' The laughing? //Laughing? Like the Joker? A movie that I haven't even seen?// ''TeeJay:'' I don't hear anything. ''Jessica:'' It's coming from over here — She steps off into the darkness, I follow behind. //I'm not going to lose her in the dark again.// A blue wall enters my vision, Jessica pauses — putting an ear up to its surface. ''Jessica:'' Listen — [[I put my ear against the wall next to her, and listen closely.->Laughing?]]](track: 'gaggle', 'play') =><= (text-colour:white)[(css: "font-size: 55%;")[//(text-style:"expand")[Faint]//] //(text-style:"expand")[Distant]//] (text-style:"expand")[(text-colour:red)[(css: "font-size: 116%;")[[[//Laughter//->Eavesdropping is for Little Bitches]]]]](text-colour:white)[//What the fuck?!// //From behind this wall, multiple voices are laughing.// //Are they laughing at us...?// //What the hell is going on?!// ''Jessica:'' Do you hear it now? I turn my head to face her, and give a small nod. ''Jessica:'' Who do you think it is? ''TeeJay:'' I don't know. ''Jessica:'' Do you think it's people? I shake my head. ''Jessica:'' Should we leave? I don't mean leave The Pit — just this part of it. ''TeeJay:'' Maybe, but... //If they're laughing behind the wall — there's a chance they aren't laughing at us.// //There's a chance they don't even know we're here.// ''TeeJay:'' I think we should try to get closer. Jessica stares at me. ''Jessica:'' I know I asked you to make the decisions, but that's dumb. You want to go //closer// to the monsters...? ''TeeJay:'' Just close enough to hear what they're laughing about. ''Jessica:'' They're probably about to eat us, and that makes them happy. //There's something that's actually been bothering me about them —// ''TeeJay:'' That thing could've killed us so many times. It was right next to me — it didn't "eat me", it scared me off. ''TeeJay:'' And I saw how tall it was later, it definitely could've caught up to me to finish the job. Jessica listens, squinting her eyes. ''TeeJay:'' When it slammed into you and knocked you into the river, it didn't end up at the bottom of the waterfall. You swam to shore, and then rescued me — you didn't see anything, right? ''Jessica:'' Nope. ''TeeJay:'' Then it was still at the top — waiting for me to wake up. It didn't try to kill me then either. ''Jessica:'' But what about when it attacked Kendra? It was awful! //She's right. My theory on the creature is destroyed by the brutality demonstrated back in the sqeeze.// //I rack my brain for an answer.// ''TeeJay:'' I don't think that they're entirely non-violent. Val and I saw someone else get killed before Kendra too. ''TeeJay:'' So I don't really understand why they attacked then. But there's been too many other times that they've let us go for me to keep ignoring it. Plus — there's definitely more than one of them, and they haven't ganged up on us. When she's sure I'm finished, Jessica speaks. ''Jessica:'' So what does that all mean? ''TeeJay:'' I don't know. ''Jessica:'' Neither do I. ''TeeJay:'' I don't think they want to kill us — at least not yet? I think they're leading us somewhere first... Jessica sighs. ''Jessica:'' I don't understand what's going on, and I don't know a lot. But I've just been chased around a cave for hours by really scary-looking monsters — and I don't think we should go //toward// the monsters. //Is she right? Am I being foolish right now?// ''TeeJay:'' I think I'm just tired of not understanding what's going on. ''Jessica:'' I like not knowing things, it's nice sometimes. Maybe you should try it... She smiles at me. I nod my head. ''TeeJay:'' Yeah, maybe I should. //I can't force her to come with me.// I turn my head away, staring at the wall. //This is an important decision.// ''Jessica:'' What's going on...? //I need to make it myself.// ''Jessica:'' You look like you're about to — I take off into the darkness, dragging my palm against the blue wall. Jessica yells after me. ''Jessica:'' TeeJay! What the heck?! [[Following the wall, I trace the outline of the room until finding a tunnel angled in the same direction as the laughter. Crouching down, I follow its winding path, until —->A Creature Conversation (This takes forever to open)]]](text-colour:white)[//I'm dreaming again.// //"I'm dreaming again"? Again?// //I should stop starting my dreams that way.// //I want to dream about something fun. Like if Pokémon were real. Or if Samuel and I were still together.// //Why did he choose the name Samuel? Doesn't he know that pigeonholes me creatively? Two games about a person named Sam?// //I don't make games. Why did I say that?// //Dreams are weird like that sometimes.// //I wonder how other people feel about their partners. How do people dream about each other? Is that a signed agreement?// //This dream is really boring. I should try to make it more exciting.// I strain my mind. A dark blob with long tendrils growing from its base appears in front of me — it's screaming. //I feel like I should recognize this. Is this from something? This has gotta be from something.// //I'll never know what it's from — 'cause of The Ban. Maybe someone can point me toward a bootleg of whatever it is.// Staring at the blob, I yawn. //This is boring me too. Let's try again.// I strain once more, activating all of the muscles in my brain. This time — //It's me.// //The old me.// //I don't like how this person looks.// //They don't know anything.// //Go away.// I make the other version of myself disappear, an old woman with dyed-blonde hair replaces it in the space. //Not her. Not right now.// She looks in my direction. Then she notices. //Her face has twisted into a scowl, glaring at me...// I open my mouth to answer — but nothing comes out. She's opening her mouth, I need to stop this — [[Her mouth is forming that word again. I wake up before she can say it.->Coming To]]]=><= (text-colour:white)[[[Return.->Bath House]]] <= (text-colour:white)[//Here's some hypothetical situations — presented by question — directed toward one person.// //What if I post things just to see if you'll like them?// //What if it interests me to see which of my posts you like, and which you don't?// //Which leads me to questions of my own — presented by me — directed at you.// //Why don't you interact with posts about my relationships?// //Why don't you interact with posts about me destroying my body?// //Do these things scare you? Do you not like these parts of me?// //What do you think I am?// //You obviously thought I was something else. Why do you have expectations for me?// //When you told me that //](text-colour:(hsl:0,0.8039,0.5,0.6))[(REDACTED)] (text-colour:white)[//turning out to be//] (text-colour:orange)[(EXCISED)] (text-colour:white)[//didn't make any sense — that you would've done it differently if you were me — that it didn't match your personal tastes —// //What purpose did that serve?// //I respected you. I valued your opinion. Were you trying to help me, or put me down?// //When I stood by my work, and told you that you hurt me — did you expect that?// //Did you think I was like you? Shy and spineless?// //I'm not like you.//] =><= (text-colour:white)[//Do you wish you were like me?//] (text-colour:white)[[[Return.->Bath House]]] <= //I(text-colour:white)[']m not what you want me to be(text-colour:white)[.] =><= Do you wish you were with me(text-colour:white)[?]// =><= //Yearning(text-colour:white)[.] Is that all you(text-colour:white)[']ll ever do(text-colour:white)[?]//=><= (text-colour:white)[[[Return.->Whose Body?]]] <= (text-colour:white)[//Why do I get so easily embarrassed? Why do I let the things I did forever ago stick with me? I know it's pointless. I can rationalize all of them. Nobody remembers me — let alone the embarrassing things I was doing at the time.// //Yeah, sure, there were a few years where I smelled a little funky — same as all of you reading this. I learned how to take a shower — same as most of you reading this.// //How about my speech impediment? The one that people made fun of me for — that my parents forced me through years of speech therapy to correct? Nobody can make fun of me for it anymore, my voice is cute, I wasn't turned bitter.// //And everything goofy I said at the time was a thinly-veiled cry for attention and the desire to be treated as I am. It was easy to be embarrassed of those moments in high school, but I'm so different now. I'm not that person.// //The only part of growing up that manages to still make me curl into myself thinking about it are early relationships, the attempts to find one that felt right. I'm sorry to everyone that knew me during that time, desiring me in spite of who I was. I've learned so much from you — I'm not still living in your shadows.// //But there was plenty of good in youth! Parts of myself that I could never be ashamed of. No worrying about hairlines — old people are bald, and I'm not old. A single video game could entertain me for longer. Money spent without thought. Peers were herded together in a single building — new additions frequent. And, heck, I didn't want my whole goddamn dick and balls removed!// //I don't want the old world back. But it still feels strange that it's gone. Everyone older than me was right — time slips away.// //I'm older than those older kids were now. I'm one year younger than a standard "young person" on a T.V. show. A lot of my old peers have one foot in the grave — some both.// //Do I want to know that movie I saw the day it came out is ten years old? No, I'm good, thank you.// //Do I want to know that dude who sat next to me in high school died in a car accident with his wife and newborn? I'm really good on that one, thanks.// //Maybe that's just a common public school experience — to have a ton of classmates die young. I don't think about them often.// //I'm getting off-topic, sorry.//] =><= (text-colour:white)[[[Return.->Whose Body?]]]=><= (text-colour:white)[[[Loud, garbled voices from down the tunnel. I hold my breath and listen closer.->Discovered (This Cover)]]] (text-colour:white)[[["̶̡̻̖͈͈̬̦̩̩̙̳̩͚̣̝̯̦̅̐̉̄̄̓̃́̽́́̐́͆̑̆̃̅̐̕͜ͅ—̶̢̧̛̛̭̩̗͔͙̼̟͚͕̝̗̟̹̱̝̫̘̊̆̆͑̌͑̇̔̆͂͛̀͌̍͝͝͝ ̶̢̢̡̧̟̟̤̖̰̮͇̦̫͎̙͚͖̜̋̾͛͌̿͛̀͆̋̒̓̆́͗̀́͒͝͠I̸̡͍̻͙͕͕̙̫̱̮̞̝̮̦̖͉̱͗̿̈́̓̇͛̈̋͋̿͋́́̂̉͋̚̚͘͝ ̴̨̮̭̣̗͉̙͎̳̖̠͎͕̠̫̫̱̠̩́̈́̾͂̃̀̽́̉̍̏̈́̂͑̿̑͠į̸̨̡̡̛̥̺͓͙̲̹̳͙̤͈̦̘͍̪͙͚̠̍͒̅͑̆̀̌͗̓̓̈́̽̓̍̄̚̕̚͝ὺ̴̢̢̛̺̗̦̳̦͚̞̦͙͙̟̱̱͉͊̀̿̉̽̎̂̋̄̉͊̈́̚̚͘͜͝ƨ̸̧̡̡̯̣͕̙͔̩͓͖̭̦̦̤̣͎̲̮͕͐͆͌͋̆̿̂̊̉͂̍̿̑̏͊͝͠Ɉ̴̨̟͉͎̩͓̝̟̞̭̳͍͓̠̖̻̻̾̔͂̆̅͆̓̋̾̿̍̉̇͗̿̈́̿͘ͅ ̶̨̨̡͇̹̳̫͎̗̜̺̮̗̯̠̳͙͕̳̂͊͗͑̈́̈̉̐͗̆̇̄̈̾̿̓̏̚̚ɿ̴̛̺̣̹̱̻̹͇̪̠͎͚̜͍̭̮͔̠͍͐̓̎͒̅̐͂̅̾́͗͆̆̌̉͘͝͠͝ɘ̸̧̡̖̦͇̮̠̣̜͙̮̻͉̦̻̫̭͖̩͍̓̈́͛̆̅̎͗́̌̿̈́́͐̾͛̏͘ɒ̵̧͉̘͈͉͖̳͈͔̣̤̘͕̹̹̟̓̀̑̐̈́͋̓̉̂̆̉͌̎̄̄̾̓͜͝ͅͅľ̶̡̡̢̟͍̻͖̭͚̣̫̟̮̼̘̀͌́̋̄̈́͐̂̎̈͊͌͆́̇̓̃̚̕͜ͅļ̴̛̛͇͈̠̞̯̟̮̙͖̹̤͔̥̯̱̝̭̍͂͗̈́̽͛̀͒͒̆̎̆̚̚͝γ̵̡̛̟̺̘̻̙̫͔̭̜̦͙̣̮͙͇̖̳͍͓̈́̄̀̌̓̀̏̀͌͒̊̏͋̓̂͋̄͘͝ ̶̧͇̺̰̥͈̘̺̘̰͈͖̗̭̭̪̤̋̈́̿̂̀̿͐̃͛̓͊́̀̏͆̔͌͝͝b̴̡̢̛̩͚͚̗̮̩̖̟̜̟̱̱̜̞̳͇̓̓̃̄̀́̋̿̓̇̈͂̔̋̇̓͂̄ǫ̸̢̯̤͖̼̹̱̥͚̙͕̣̼̩̭͓̤̿̂̀̾̉́͋̆̉̂͒͆̔̏̐̓͝͝͠ͅń̴͕̘̘̥͕̟̙͓͖̹͕̜̗̗̩͉̟̻̝͑̑͋͂̎̍̍̋̑͛̄̊̋͛͗͘̚͜͠'̴̢̢̡̡̛̙͓̬̘̱̦͍͍͓͉̝̼̪͛̓̄̂̀̏̉́̃̒̅͆̓̔͐̕ͅɈ̶̢̧̜̟̭͚̙͎͍͔̙̣̩̞͎͍̯̥̓͐̓̋͌̊̽̔̔̎̓̆́̆̄̈̚͝ ̶̢̨̡̪̠̝̯̻͉͈̫̝̺͖͔̬̜̖̹̾͌̈́̂̏̈̈͆̏̾̊͑͗̆́͌̌̇̂͝ͅɈ̵̢̨͎̦̯͙̟̠͎̰͚͎͉̮̥͕͆͆̔͐̋̄͂̓̅̈̅̽̈̅̀̾͘͜ͅͅʜ̷̢̛͙̼̼̝͇͍̹̰̥̯̗̖̖͚̖̘̗͍͔͑̀̍̐̋́̀̐̈́̑͊́̏̏̐̾̚͝į̶̝̙̩͕̩̦̖̱̼̙͔̰̬̤̼̥̙̃͋̈́̂̒͐͂̾̈́̀̎̓̓́̽̊̚̕ͅn̵̢̢̡̧̼̞̥͇̣̞̩̫̭͓͉̳͕̅͋͒̋̈͊͋̃̄͂́̅̊̀͐͘͝ͅʞ̸̧͎̟̟͍̹̲̝̖̮̹͔͇̲̺͚͉̌̀̏̈́̀̄͂̇̆́̈̊̃̕̕̕̕̚͜ ̷̨̛̬̫̣̬̣̙͕̳̻͍͚̟͍̬̤͓̔͗̔̿̑͂̌̊̓̄̏̏̀̚͘͝͠͝I̵̛̛͎̭̩̜͎̯͇̖̝̳̯͕͈̹̗̘͎̳̒́̇͒͆͛͐́͌̾͗̈́̽̌́͊̕͜͜ ̷̨̡͓̖̻̱͓̼̮͈̩̰̦̥͈̻̯͍͉̄̉͗̾̀̈̂͆̋̑̿͊̒̽̈́̕͜͝͠ɔ̶̡̡̧̧̗̼̺̮͈̯͙̬̲͔͚͓͖͗̆̽̉͒́͌̒͑̽̔̅̉̄̚͜͠͝͠ɒ̶̡̧̬̰̮̼̠̭̖͇̪͚͉͉͓̮̱̟̾͌̌̐̊͊̄̋͆̂͆̅̈́͆̂̄͂͛̕͝ͅn̴̢̡̧̥̙̦̞̱̱̼̗̝͙̗̜͙̱̫̓̽̃͋͊̈͋̉̊̉̇͌́̿̂̿͒̇̀͒ ̴̨͕̫̩̱͔̲̯̗̭̜͎͇̱̝̃͌͗͌̔̊͂͑͗͋̐̍̌̈́͊̓̀͜͜Ɉ̴̨̪͚̖͎̥͚̻̙͇̘͎̠͕̫͍͉̪̥͍̊̋̒̀̎̈́̑̋́̉̾̊͑́͌͗̐͐̈̚ɒ̸̡̧̧̛͓̙̰̰̬̘͍̫̰̣̱̗͉̹̜̳͂́̓̈́͛̏̏͊̔̑͒͑͛̅̒̈̏̓͝ʞ̶̬̳̙̺̳̼͍̹̙͎̲͉̲̦̳̠̦̩̆̎̅͌̋̐̏̇̎͒̉̂̂͘͝͝͠͠ɘ̸̨̧̘̫̳̮̗̝̥̦̠̣̱͍̰̣̙̪̬̍̍̎͊̃̿̄́̒͛̆̊̾̈́̾͘͝͝ ̴̢̨̱̪̦̰̣̭̬͎̤̬͚͓̹͍̘̱͈͛̀̋̔̃͛̂̿̇̾͊̿̒̏̓̇̍̕ͅi̷͔̩̺̜̰͍̮͕̣̣̰͎̙͚͚̜̼̼̞̿̑͆̅͗̐̍̓̀̌̈̔̉͗̀̑̾̂̕͜͝Ɉ̶̢̥̜̜͚͍̬͉̗̹͚̰͖͔̱̱̊͋̔̆̄̾̓̾̈́́̎̓͊͂͘͜͜͝͝ ̶̜̲̰̳̘̜͎̗͈̗̝̦̟̳͉̖͓̈́͂̉̂̑͛̈́͂̒̉̏̈́́̇̔̆͘͜͝i̴̧̢̛̼̲̹̝̺̥͙̜͖̦͕̱̲̭͔̦̎̆̓̓͐̔̆̀̔͌͒̽͐̍̿̚̕͘͝ʇ̴̨̨̳͕̻͔̝̭̺̰̠̺͚͓̥̩͕̈́͆̄̓̂̂̀̉̊̈̄̃̐͊̑̿̊́̓ͅ ̴̢̛̘̠̹̫͇̲̲̝̥̤̳̥͚̰̫͌̏̈́͆̑̀͛̄͂͗̽͛̉̂̽̾̚͝ͅɈ̶̧̡̛̲̯̤̱̤̗̞̦̩̝̰͉͇̬̼̏̂̓͑̔̉͗͗̽̃̽̇͂͋̕̚͘͘͝ʜ̵̨̢̢̭͈͔̣͖͇͈͚̤̠͉̺͓̣͉̎̔̏͆̏̒͑̊̎͒̉̌̈̕̚̕͝ͅi̷͕̠̖̲̫̰̞̞̮͔͍̜̥̞̩̪̱͇͂̌́͌̋̎̎̈̋̾̆͋̓̔̓̚͘͜͜͠͝ƨ̵̡̨̰͙̝̦̩̰̜̣̖͎͍̪̰͚͉̯̒̈͂̆̋̆̏̀́͑̅̉̔̈́̐͘͝ ̶̛̛̪͙̼͙̮͚͙̻̙͉̙̗̮̟̝̯̞͍̳̽̈́̾̅́̎̔̈͆̾͋͛̌͘͜͠͝Ɉ̴̧̥̥̠͓̦͖͇̲͕̲͚̙͔̠̪̠̐͋͆͒́̏̂̂̽͛̽̊͒̋̚̕͜͝ͅʜ̸̨̝̦̥̤͎̙͙͉͉̙̞̱͓̣̱͎͇̐́͆̑̎͒̔͛̈̐͋͂̓͗̚͜͠͠ͅį̶̨̡̛̫̞͙͎͚͉̩͚̤̜̮̦̤͙̰͖̱̈͌̊́͆́͊̑͆̉̊̀̏͌̈́͘͠n̵̝̮̲̟̪̼̠̣̭͙̬̳͇̱͇͉̝̏̏̾͐͌̓͆͆̆̊̔̀́̉̈́͌͘̕͜͝͝ϱ̷̭͓̲̘̣̟̲̩̠̜̙̜̙̫͖͔͐́̀̅͐͋̍̈̋̎̎̔̈́̌͋̿̕͜͜͝ ̷̨̢̡͇̱͙̘̭̹͓͕̜̟͎̹͓̺̖͗̇̋͐̂͒̓̆̓̉́̈́͆̕̚̕̚̚͘ϱ̸̛̩̝̭̳͖̮̲̼͔̗͚̠̠͔̲̠̯͙̊̈́͋́̓̉̆̓̄́͆̉͋͝͝͠ͅơ̵̧̡̨͇̭͔̺͕̙̺̝̙̠̞̝̫͍̫̹̂͑̆̈͑̄̓͌̃͐̓͊͋̒̔͗̚͘ͅɘ̴̡̢̡̢̧̙̦̮̙̫̪̼̞͕̻̘͉̓̿̓́͐̅́͗̌̐̑͘̚͘̕̚͝ͅͅƨ̶̢̣̖͖̯̞̝̮̹̗̙͙̖͈̱̣̍́̿̏͒̎̔̃̈́̑́̾̉̑̆̆͠͝ͅ ̶̧̛̲̖͉̪̜̜͖̝͕̤̰̥̳̩̥̝̭̐̋̂͊̏̾́̌͑̀͆̽̍̓͊̚̕͝͝ơ̴̡͔̩͓͖̖̜̯͉̘̲͙͙̫͇͉̜̏͂͌́̓͒͑̓̀̉̆̓̊̈́̀̕̚͝n̸̨̮̺̤̠̥̤̳̟͔̲̟̦͕͇͓͉̉͆͋͆͂́͌̎̍͌̂̂̈́̃͋̉̈́͠͠ ̵̡̢̦̝̹͇͍̲͖̤̙͎̤̲̻̘̺̊̉̆̔̊̋̿̅͋́̑͌͐̌̃͋͜͝͠ɒ̸̡̧̛̞͍͚͙̜̙̦̹̝͎̫̣̻̤̭̅̾͛̋́̽̋̌̑̄̿̔̿̕̚̕͝ņ̷̗̰̯͔͇̝̲̣̖̲̝͖͈̭̯͖̱͎̖͆̎̎̽̋̂̿͗͂͒̌̓͐͋̇̀͛́̽̚γ̴̡̘͚̭̣̣̝̳̬̳̗̜͖͈͇͉̟̼͂̑̍̍͛̈́̎̈́̿͌̆̍̍̀̓̚͘͝͝ ̵̡̧̼̦͙͙̻͚̼̱̭̤͙̝̲̪͙́͑̔̌̏̀̋̓̃̈́̓̊̄͊͒̈́̊̕͜͝ͅͅļ̷̨̜̮̠̰̥͕̩̼̟͎̞̩̬͍̫̙̅̓͊͂̒̌̋͒̒̊̇̃̾̓͗̚͜͝ͅo̸̮̰͍̙̝̳̻͙̝͓͔͇̗̩̤̯͙͑́̅͗̒̇̈́̓̂̎̍͐̋̅̊́͜͠͝͠ņ̸̛͉̮͙̲̝͉̞̗͍̲̤̙̭͍̖̮̗͖̣̀̈̓̂̽̽̃́̈́̅͆̌͑̊̌̂̔͝ϱ̵̡̧͕͉̯̺͎̻̫̭̞̬̮͙̫̰͆͑͗͆͌̊͌̅͗̾̒̈́̊̃̎͛̒̕͠ͅɘ̷̡̨̹̮̳͔̯͉̯̭̱͎̳͍̥̰͇͗͊̉́̓̓̈́̐̿͛̄̈́͋͛̈̅͆͂̕̕ɿ̵̡̨̧̛̮̱̗̝̣̟̹̹̩̳̳̜̝̰̈̏͛́̿̏̍̓͒̀̇͆̉̃̕͝͠.̵̛̦̟̘̙̳̱͇̙̭̙̰̘̞͉̠̼̪̤̗̉̋̈́̓͂̍́̋̇̀́̍̓͘̕͘͝ͅ"̵̷̴̨̡̧̨̨̢̨̛̟̹̙̜̪͚̼̱̯͔̼̳̖̭̲̣͈͖̲̯̦͍̞̦̖͇̙̻̫͈̘̦̹͔̻̼̩̙͓͕͚̟͎̰̟̯̃͐̒̀͑̍̃̋̈̋͐̓͑̅̂́̏̏̄̃̂̍̽͂̐̽͌̒͆̋̏̑́͋͑̌͆͂͘͘̕̕̚̚͜͝͝͠͝͝͠"̷̨̛̼̤̠͉̺̥̠͎̯͇͔̩̙̳̳͙͋̊̔̅͆̅̌͌̆̇̀̿̍̃̂̒̉͘Ĩ̷̡͉̖̣̻͙̯͖̗͙̖̭̥̰͎̱̺͈̪̦̾̄̀̃̾̎̈́̀͆̓̎́͗̉̈́͝ ̷̨̡̘͖̤̟͇̣̭͔̯̬͔̜̹̟͎̖̊́̈̈́̅̅̿̽̑̎͂̉͛́̆͛̚͜ͅʞ̸̧̧̛̛͇͔̗̤̯̞̞̠͇̝͖̺̫͚͙̙̜͚̊͌̈́̒̈́̒̾̏̾͌̅͐͂̊̕̕ņ̶̧͖̥̦̻̥̙̭̱͈̖̦͕̭͔̪̒̏̒̀́̍̍̈́̎̑̋̃͋́͘̕͜͠ȏ̷̤̙̙͍̼̳̙̭̱͇͓̘̮̦̘͓͗̒͂̃̅͊̓̇̀̆̂̾̾͑͌̌̀́̕ͅẃ̶̡̢̻̬͎̭̯̻̼̭̟̰͉̬̯̹̹̗̉͗̑̍̈́͒̉̊̈̈́͊̈́̚̕͘͠͝͝͝.̸̛̛̰̬̮̱̳̟͙̲̰̮̜̜͓͉̝̥͎̱̺͌̾͂̈́̓̄̽̐̌̎̿̀͊̈́͂̕͝ ̷̨̧̡̯̝̤͎̯̳̘̰̝͚̦̲̳̜̓̍̍͗̊̒̌͛̅̈́͂̋͒̈́̀͂͜͝͝ͅI̴̧̨̤͔̖̦̻͙̬̳̮̤̥͖̼̩̳͔̐̅̓̒͑͋́́̀̅̔̄̊̌̎͐̅͛̚͘͜'̸̡̨̡̛͍͓̣̝̦̠̟̱̪̦̟̲̺̟̙̟̀̎̂͆͌́͛̿̀̐͗̒͛̀̕͝͠͝m̵̨̛̪̙̮͔͇͕̝͕̼̙͕̦̥̫̣͓̈́͌̊̓̈́̿̔̋͛̌̃̃̑͊͊̽̚̕͜͝ ̵̡̨̡̻͚̱̥̦̜̥̟̗͚͉͎̥̺̹͇͔̓̿̈́͛̓͛͌̇̽͊̊̇͘̚̚̚͠͠Ɉ̷̞̪̳̥̩̗̯̞͍̭͎̖̹̟͕̼̘̓̔̇͛͂̎̈̋͊͌̆́̂͐̊́̚į̷̢̧̡̱͙͇̯͈͈͖̜̗͎̻͍̣̽̂̀͂̇̔̈̐̉͛̊̾́͒́̿́͐̔͜͠ͅɿ̸̡̡̪̙̭̤͙͕̭̺̭͔͉̝͚͚͉̑̍̍̆͆͐́͆̽͋̀̉̍̑̽̀̄͝ɘ̵̯͈̦̼͉͕̩͙͈̟̭̖͙̼̖͚͌̍͗̒͊̈́̒̎̍͋̽͊̿̀̀̉͊̀̚ͅb̷̨̡̛̻̤̬͙̠͖̲̺̥̯͔̞̭͕͔̖̠͗͑̈̋̍̿̒̏͊̅̄̀͌̽̊͑́͗̀ͅ ̷̢͉̬͚̟͍̫̱̞͖̘̹̼̪̺̬̩̯̈̊̾̅̀̂̍́̀͗͛͑͊̄͐̚͠͝ͅɈ̴̡̱̺̰͉͈̪̭͔̝̰̦͖̠̜̖͓̱̈́̀̀̂̔̋͗̀͋̏̾͋̓͗̄̈́̍́̀͝ǫ̶̡̛̜͙̰͎̹̞̘̙͚͔̜͙͚͓̪̫̈́̂̔̊̆͐̇̀̈͗̅̿̚͘̕̚͠͠ö̸̧̨͓̗̱̰͙̙͇͇̻̤̟̼͈̜̹́̄̌͐͑͑́̎́̀̌̈̾̒̒̓̈͘͝.̸̢̦̬̘̹͕̖̘̘͚͓͔̦̥͔͙̝͇̤͊́̏̌̆̎̊͒͗́̔̇̿͒̉̚̚͘͠ ̷̡̡̳͇̝̻̱̬͙͇͕̺̳̬̙̯̫̅̉̂̈͂̑̄̽̇̉̽͊͛̿͛̇̕T̴͓̯̘͇͇̘͚̙̜̫͉̙̮͇̠͎̥͓̀̓͒͋̃̾͆͌̈́̐̄̿͂̔̊͋̅̚͝͝ʜ̴̨̨̳̯̭͍̖̳̞̠̬̘̺̲̼͇̳̇͌̄͒̄̍̔̃̅͆͋́͛͛̍̕̚͘ɘ̵̨̨̡̻̘̺͓͇̼͈̯͍̞̞̺͓͈̬̦́̈́̽̀̎̀͋́͂̎͌́͗̈́͘͘̕͝ͅɿ̷̳͔̹͚̰̫͍̠̝̰̫̮͇̦͉̥͚͌̄̔̍̇̈́̃͐́́́̆̏́̈́̇͘̚͝ɘ̶̛̛̺̭̗̦̠̮͈̱̪͈̫̝̘͓̘͚̠̪̌̓͂͐̌̊̇̓͊̃̔̈̀́̾̕͝ͅ'̸̡̛̟̫̦̖͇̭̲̦͈̻̟̝̭̬̦̯͚̤͗̃͛̐̄̆͋̔̒̊̊̔̓̆̈͘͠͝ƨ̵̨͇̯̬̮͍̟̮̫̮̺͖̲̜̰̥̟̹̘̊͌̈́͂̉̉̔̃̃̿̀̈́͑̆̒̚͝͝͠ͅ ̶̡̨̡̛͇͔̥͈̼͈̟͈̟̗͙̰̤̫̰͑̔̔̃̎̍͊̔͛͂́̊̑̚͘͘͘͠ͅņ̷̛͇̘̲͍̰̞̼͕̟̭̥͕̬̖͓̙̥͇͓͑̃͗̽̈͛̽̈̔̽̈̈́̈́̑̅̍̐͘̕ỗ̴̧̥͈̪͇͈̝͚͖̫̟͍̬͙̥̻̳̭͕̍̍́̂̀͒̋̀͊̎͊̂̓̆͂͜ ̷̨̛̘̪̦̩̼̦̳͍̤͉̙̫̤̻̝̤͚̈́̓͆̃̎̂̍̅̈́̉͆̓̎̇̚͠͠͝͝ͅŵ̴̢̧̧̼̯̗͉̜̼̞̲̟͕͍̩̙̟̳̦̿̑̌̎̐̅̐̑̍̂̑̀̉͑̄̂̍ɒ̴̡̡̛͎̳̩͚̯̦̱͔̗̝̭̞̱͙̱̯̈́͆̐͑̉͒̒̎̉́͋̒̏͂̒̃̐̕͜͝ͅγ̴̡̨͇̲̟̝͈̲̬̫̺͓̮͓̰̘͕̠͒̿̑͐̍̍̈́͒͂̃̆̚̚̚̕͝͝ ̸̢̛̮̺͚̝̭̺͉̘̥͔̟͙̼͕́̒͑͆͆́̎͐̓̓̉̓̔͐͑͋͠ͅͅw̷̨̨̡̛̹͎͇̭̞̦̜͉̮͎̭̣͔͍̼͆̆͐̓̈́̉́̒͊̓̑̋͐͐̕̚̕ɘ̴̢̛̺͇̲̻̪̥͇̥̦͕͓̯͎͔͎͋̑̈́͂́̈̎̍̾̍͋͆̓̀̽̌̚̚͘͜ ̸̢̡̡̢̡̢̱̬̬͍̖͉̖͍͉̻̺̤̎̇̇̾͛̐̎̄̅̑͆͌̍̂͐̓̚͜͝͠ͅɔ̸̢̛͍̝̙̦̻̟͕̮͔̰͔̬̮̰͈̦̯̑͐̈̓́́̂͒̿͋͊̔̑̂̓̚ɒ̴̨̨̖̫̪̪̻̦̻̘̩͓̫̞̼̝̭͉̫͙̋̓͋̆́̓̇̓̃̿̾̐̾́̕̕̚ň̶̢̜͇͓̟̤͚̫̱̗͓̘̲̺̟̖̮̪͋̍͆̃̑̾̈́̀͆͌͆̈́̈́͑̔̕̚͝ ̴̧̢̧̡͚̲̮̮̣̗̤̩̤̳͍̳̱̺̺̟̈͒́̐̋̂͑͋̒̑̾̇́͊̓̅̅͝͝ϱ̴̢̛̱̫̳̝͓̟̰̘͙͎̺̝̹͖̥̮̺͔̓̀̇̽̐̈́̔̀̄͋́́́̀͘̕͘͜͝ɘ̴̨̢̡̧͉̫̳̳̫͓̯̝̣͈̬̟̌͐͋͒̈́̍̆̏̊́̒̓̈͗̾̆͑͜͝͝Ɉ̵̢̦͕̼̼̠̣̩̬̦͓͖̘̜̳̤̦̻̱̓̃̾̓͐̇͛͗̏̃̃̅͌̋́̾̈́̕͝ͅ ̵̢̨̟͙̮͉̺̰͚͖͙̳̥͔̜̞͍͖̓̈́̾̃̋̍̓͗̉̒̄͂̋̾̀̎͜͝ͅǫ̵̦̤̝̰̱̪̱̗͙͎̹̤̙̻̟̥̺̟̞͗̔͆̊̓̒͂͛̃̇͐̈̈́̿̊̐̋̈͝υ̴̨̛̦̩͚̲̭̯̠͎̟̜̰͉̠͎̙̙͆͊̓̇̎̽̀̈́̋̽͂͋͒̃̅̽͜͝͝Ɉ̶̡̝͇͔̖̯͔̱͈̠̝̤͓͔̟̬̺̦̎̋̄̆̀̽͂̌̏̓̂̇͋́̓̐͒͘͜͝ ̷̬̰͎̹̮̪̖̘̭͔̟̥̻̫̪̯̥̇͛͂̅̈́̿̊̈́̉̾͆̿̐͌́̎̾̋̏͘ǫ̸̛̮̮͎͎͎̫̮̖͓̣͉̭̝͔̠͎̃͌̉̇̈́̐̈́͒̌̔̈́́͘̚͝͝ͅͅʇ̴̡̨̨̝͔͍͈̙̠̭͓̯͇̮̘͖̯̽͑͒͑̋͐̑͆̓͋͊͛̈́̿̃͘͠͝ ̶̢̘̭̮̳̙̦̝̜͚͇͕͈̰̞̭̭̜͎͗̾̈̎̓̃̃̀̉̔͛̆̋̑̉͘͜͝Ɉ̴̨̡̗̠̺̺̭̲̦̙̹̪̦̲̯̱̗͈̀̐̋̈̑͌͗̀̒͂́̀̈́̚̕͝͝ʜ̶̛̥̟̺̫̼͔̻̘͕̦̗͙̮̜̗͚́͑̈́̈́̄̉͂̾̔̂̍͐̆̚͝͠ͅi̷̧̢̛̛̞͙̜͔͓̞̫͓̹͔͔̘̠̦͉̍͂̀͐̓͑̏͐̊̀̑̂͌̊̇̕ƨ̷̧̡̧̛̼̻͍̩̖̗̹̲͈̭̘̪̥̘̼͕̈́͐̉̌̉̃̑̑̑̓̅̇͘̕͘͝ ̷̧̥̯̻̠̪̩͉͓̤͍͙̬̙̮̳͔͍̰̎̔̿̀̍͊̆͒́͑́̉͂͋̚̕̚͠Ɉ̷̧̨̹̫̹̜͍̭͍͈̱̪͕̩͖̲̻̿͋̊͗̃̔̌̂̈͌̂͛̓̽̌̕̕ͅʜ̶͉̪̠͕̗͓̜̟̪̤̠͓̥̠̣͙̗̭̹̾́̅̏̑̒͒͊̌̎͛̕̚̕̚͝͠ǫ̸͕̰̰̩̺̻̰͇͇̮̞͚̰̪͔̑̑̔̋̉͑̈̃̐̇͑̎̏̌͋̅̅̀̈́ͅὐ̵̛͚̪͓̝͉̭̻͖̹͉͍̲̹͓̯̙̯̂͋͋̃̂̾̔̇̀̔̈́́̽̃͘̕͘ͅϱ̵̡̛̛̼̹̳͕̝̙̮̼͔͈͇͔̤̟͇̬́͆̓̽̊̆̉̇̾̄̂͂̿̚̚͜ʜ̸̡̛͎̲̣͙̼͔̰̲̼̞̖̥̹̟̲̥̍̂̅͋̐̄̀̊̈͊̀̾̽̚͘͝͝,̵̢̡̛̪͓̱̫͔̳̥̤̲̠͈̰̩̰̖͖͎̤̑̿̋̌̎̈̀͗̀̾͛̂͒́̕̕͝ ̸̧̡̢̧̢̢̡̞͓͎̖̭̯̣̺͉̦̰̥̈́͌́̄̓͗̾̌͗̎̀̔̍̾͋̕͝γ̵̧͔̖͓̖̭̪̮͚̤̠̹̮̼̦͈̪̓̓͋͑͋̏̈́̽̎̎͂̍̑̈͑̈́̉̈́͆ͅͅǫ̶̛͉̗͎̮̯̼̗̳̟̮̻͚̰͖̖̘̹͉̙̎̍̆͒̈́̓̃̒̉̋́͆͌̅̈́́̚͝υ̷̰̖̰̝̜̻̮̖̟̣̮̦͉̩͉̪̜͒̌̀̾̍͌̍̃̋̒́̊̈́̔͛͊͝ ̵̜̠͔̩̖͇͈͇̭̹̤̱̘̯̞͕͚̪͕̥̎͗͐͒̌̀̿̀͋͛̀͒̊̒̕͝͝ʞ̶̛͔̣̺̹̣̟̪͖̫̖̹̻̤̘͙͖̲̬͉͂̇̈́͛͌́̾͒́́́̂̌̆̽͝͝n̶̡̨͕̱̱̼̰̤̰̞͚͈̰͕̲͓̭̿͒͗͌́̎̓͐͛̓̃͑́̕̕͝͝͠ǫ̷̡̧͚͓̱̝̥̻̱̖̮̝̜͍̩̬̱̜͇̀͊̈́͆̓͗͛̂̓̽͑́̒̌̊̀̅͘͝w̶̨̺̗͎͍͚̫̻̞̩̪̲̻̯̹͙͓̹̦̹̉̈́͑̂͂̐̆̒͛̈́̾̉̍́̃̈͠ ̶̡̢̛͇̰͚͚̜̝̼͚̼̳͔͓̻͉̭̟͒̎͌̀̀̂̏̃͋̑̈́̄̉̊̓̓͝Ɉ̷̨̧̧̢̖̥̩̮̦̲͎̻͇̩̪̽̅́̓͐̌̃̀̈̃̔̏̓̚͘͝͝ͅͅʜ̴̧̡̡̛̪̦̬̗̪̱͔̠͉̞̹̞̟̈͑͒̑̽͗͊͋͑̊̊̐͘̚͠͝ͅɒ̴̨̛̛̛̼̯̪̹͚̺͈̹̹̪̲̯̦͚̼͙̠̏̄͋̊̓̊͂̊́̀̔͛͆̚̕͝͠Ɉ̵̢̧̛̖̰̘̤͚͙͙̲̠̗̰̺̺̮̗͌̒̓͌̿͗͊͌̌̏̎͌̀̏͘̚̕͠.̸̨̛͈͉͇̲̲̼̬̜͎͔͔͇̞̗̳͙̈́̀̾͆̋̾̈́̓̈͌͆̾̐̚̚͝͝͠͝ͅ"̵̸̴̧̢̢̡̨̡̧̨̨̨̛̛̰̠̙̳̜̮̪̫͕̠̺̗͖̮͇̩̻̥̫͇̣̼̣̘͚̪̳̗͍̩̻̣̺̰̣̗̰͙͇̼̻͍̻͌́̒͒͋̂͛͆͂̌͊̈́̈́̓̏̈́̈̀͌̇̀͗͋̄͛͑̋͗̓̃͑̿͊̊̇͒̅͆̏̈̆͒̀̾̑̚̕̕͘͜͠ͅ"̸̨̛̛̝̝̳͍̳̼̦͕̤̝̞̫̤͍̖̳̺̠̟̿̾͆̓͗̆̉̾͋̍̅͊̈́̀͆̕͠͝Ƨ̸̧̡̡̨̥͍̺͕̟̝̭̰̪͖̹͓̣̠͆̅̽͒͐͒̀̔̓̉͑͛͂̿̽̕͘̕͠͝ͅö̸̢̹̪͇̝̻͎̜̰͚̜̭̙̙͚͇̙͔̱́̈̀̂̑̒̿̀̓̏́͆͊͐́͗͌̈́̚ͅm̷̨͔̹̭͚̟̬̳̠͉̝̤̳͚̖̻̙̺̮͈̌̋͋̋͗̅͑̏͌͐̈̂̊̎̿̈́͠ɘ̷̨̛̫͎̝̖̼͉̺̥̭̞͈̖̝̹̱̯͚̃̈́͆̍̒̋̂̄̄͐̊̇̉̄́͘ ̶̧̧̛͇̗̖͍̹̖͇̲̠̯̖͍̖̠̪͗͒̄̔͑͐͐̓̓̍͌́̈́̈́͘̕̕̕͠ớ̷̡̨̲̙͎͍̣̞͎̝̞͍̗̳̖̮̟̈͌̅͂̏̑́̋̽̽̂̊̆͆̀͝͠ͅʇ̵̢̧̡͉̱̠̯͓͖̼̖̱̖̟̳̖̩̦̃̐̃̈̊̊͛̓̌̏̎̋͂̄̈̋̃̌̚͝ͅ ̴̨̨̨̣̫̲̳̬͈̙̝͓͎͍̫̹̩̠͍̭͛̒̎̽́̓̔́̈́̃̔͑͐͑̿̀̈́̚͠͝Ɉ̴̘̠̠̲̹̪̜̳̪̹̙͖̫̬̦͍̙̈̈́̔̔̄͒̋͂͗̈́̒̄̉̈́̉̀̓́̆ʜ̴͎̲̻͙͔̹̹̱̖͉̜̟̥̘̦͍̘͊̈́̀́̓͑͆͊̀͊̑̌̏̋̄̎͠ɘ̵̨̗͉̭̥̝̠̲̦̞̺̰͍̮̝̳̗̈́́̋̈́͐̾̓͐̉̓̈́̍̈́̒͗̕̕͘ ̷̢̡̧̢̺̹͕̰̪̳̩̳͔̣͙̰̝̝̣͂̎̀̄̒̇̈́̊̃̉͐̉̋̒͑͘͝ơ̷̢̢̟͇̗̟͖̬̤̯̙̲̹̹̟̣̖͉̄͌̏̇͒̾̌̑̏̂̒́͘̚̚̕͝Ɉ̸̡̨̧̬̹͇̙̲͙̮̭̟͔͓̲̦̫̭̠͐̈̿̄̔̔̆̆̀͂̐̊͑̿̋͒̓̾̕͠ͅʜ̵̡̨̱̥̙͈̳̭̹̳̝̯̣̥͈̹̳̒̊̃̑̈́̂̐̈́̅͋̇͛̌͆̋̓̊̕͠ͅɘ̵̡̨̨̢̨̬͎̳͙̦̮̤̜̼̝͖͈͐̓́̑͊̈́̏̋̅̈́͛͛̾̉̒̏́͑ͅɿ̵̧̛̛͉̳̟̝̳̩̰̘̥͍̻͙͖̩̤̦̌̄̅̄̔̌͊̍̍̊̃́͒̕͘͜͠͝͝ ̶̧̢͇̞̹̜͖̯̮̯͙̮̪̭̮̭̻̃̈́̏̃̓̌́̇͂̓̋͑͐̅͗̕͝ͅϱ̸̡̺̣̦̻̰̜̰̼̙̘̭͎̱̠̙̖̹̀̄̈̆̏̋͂̽̒̈́̋̈͋̑́̓͗̕͝͝ɿ̸̢̧̟͕̻͇͔̤̰̝̻̦̺̘̯͖̹̅͊͗̔̊͛́̏́̅̏̀̽͂͋̚̚͜͠͝ͅơ̶̧̦̭͚͓̣̗̮̤̪͈̰̬͍̞̻̻͂̋͆̔̋̾̋̍̉̌͂̇̉̀̏̐ͅὺ̶̢̧̧̛̛̠̬͎̣̥̰̳̺͕͇̰̭̻͓̩̫͖͌̽͒͂̏͛̏͂̐̕͘̚͠͝q̵̢̨̝͇̝͎̥͇̭̥͍̩̜̖̱̆̂̾̃̍̂̅͆̇̉͐̽̉͋̃̇͜͠͠ͅƨ̶̛̘̮͚͚̗̝͈̖̜̪̯̱̲̣̭̼̣̽̓̄̎̂̒̀́͌̈́̈́̍͌͌̓͠ͅͅ ̷̧̖͉͖͈̬̙͚͚̳͚̬̟̤̙͙̟͈͆̔̐̎̓͌̿̈́͆͆̾̽̒̾̋̉͘ɒ̴̡̧̠̦̦̱͚̱̫͔̞̘̣̰͎̠͐̐͒̏̑̂̄͑͒̓̓͒̉͗̕͘̕͝ͅɿ̵̧̟̫͚̙̘̳͕̜͔̙͕̜̘̗͚̯̰̅̇͊̀́͊͊̾͗̓͌̀́̈́́̎̉͋̚͜͝ɘ̴̢̢̧̰̝͍̮͎͉̹̠̠̲͖̟͉͈͇̉̿̐̀̑͛́̀̾͒̏̄̕͘̕͝͝͠ͅ ̷̡̡͕̫͓̮̼̫̰̣͙̰̖̹̱͓̯̪͚̎̐͗̍̏͗͛͛̽̉̀̌͒͊̄̍̓͝ͅɒ̸̢̧̢̮͙̰̬͕̣̫̘͕̟̝̥̈́́͐̐̒̐͂̓̀̓͆͂̓̊̿̈́̾̕͝ͅͅl̶̢̥̣̥͖̺̗̠̜̙̝̰̫̞͍͈͓̓͗͌͒̒́̂̓͌̃̐̐̓̀̍́͘͝͠͠ͅɿ̵̧̨̨͉̺̙͖̘̙͇͍͉̫̯̪̮̠̅̀͗̓̍̇̈́̉̀̈́̔͆̂̂̿̕͠͝ɘ̵̧̛͙͕͕̳̘̠͉͇̳̱̖̙̫̳͈̪̣̖̲̐̅̌̅̐̐́̋̑̏̏̀̽̀̚̚͝ɒ̵̡̡̨̛̙̭̜̼̬͚͖͎̫͍̯͕͚̠̜̈́̐̌̀̿́͆͗̓̍̉̀͘̕͜͝͝b̶̧̡̧̛̹͕̬̝̤̻͎̺̩̯̫̥̻̰͕̋͑̄̇̋̀͗͛͊͂́̉̏̽͠͝γ̸̢̨̩̯̭̗̠̲̺̺̹͚̳̮̪̋͒̀̈́̽̏͂̆̓̏͂̔̏̎͂͘͝͝͠ͅͅ ̷̧͖̼̱͔̪͈̭͎̠̩̼̹̺̲͓̑̌̏͂́̅̓̔̈̑͑͋͂͆̕̚̚͜͝͝b̴̨̨̛̗̳̺̟͉̫̹͎̞͇̦̠͓̮̝̳̃͑̐͗͐́͛̏͆̅̊͊͑́͂̉̚͠ͅö̴̧̰̻̰̟̰̖͎̳̠̯͖̮̪̥̘̻̻́̐̽͗̿̒͋͒͆̀̋͆͆̓͘͜͝͝n̷̡̻̰̮̖̤͇͍̺̫̞̰̟̣͎̯̼̿̓̈̀̆̉̓̏̊́͛̏͊̂̀̋͠ɘ̴̡̡̬̬̺̺̹̹͈̞̲̻̼͙͖̦̽͌̋̽̐͛͒̈̾́̑͛͋͒̑̾̍̚̚͘͜͜ͅ!̵͖̮̫̖̳̣̼͇̣͈̫̺̥̹͎̜̳̘̾͒̉̍̉͐͒̿̈͊̇͌̈́̍́̏͋̚͜͝͝ͅ ̵̛͍͓̰̝̝͉̯̗̣̗̱̪̘͇̼̹̐̽̈́͆̌́̑́͂̔͒͂̽̉̽͘̚͜͝H̴̨̯̦͚͚̟̩͖̫͚̬̹͙̜̲̭͑̓̌͋͂͗͋͋͑͒͋̑̈́̓̎̋͋̕͜ö̴̢̡̢̭̲̠̱͚̗̟̝̳̜̫̬̯̫̐̌̏̄͂͆̽͋̔̽̈̆͂̑̈́̈́̕͠͠ͅw̷̡̺̪̞̬̣͍̤̖͍̮͎̮͖̘̱̯̒̔̄͋͒̾̾̿͑̂̑̔̏̊̕͜͝͝ ̸̧̨̨̛͚͚̜͎̭̮̩̝̜͔̣̩͍͉̺̃͒̓̾̓̐̂̇̈́̏̈́̈́̆̈̚͠ͅw̷̼̙̬̦͓͖̗͕̺̱̹̦͙̝̹͕͖͂̓̓̐̽̑́̍̒̓̇͋̈́̐̈́̚͜͝͝͝ö̸̡̻̹̲̜͔̠̙̩̦̣̩̻͕̭̖̖͓͇̠̿͑̐͊̆̍͑̔̈̍͆̀̾̕͠͠ὑ̸̡̡̛͖͕̜͈̲̬̙̣̞̰̳͖͕̳̬̟͖͔̒͋̄̌̃́̓͂̒̈́̍̈́̌͒̈́̑̈́͝l̶̢̢̹̜̲̟͕͖̤̝̥̹̣͎̻̰̬͆̌͐̆̍̅̓͛͊̑̓̄̃̏̂̑̕͜͝b̴̤̗̙͓̲͖͔͔̹̥̟͈̜̗̼̥̜̉͑̊͂̾̀̏̿͂̑̅̓̄̓́̓͘͠͠͝ͅ ̶̨̢̛͚͔̯̗͈̰͓͉̯̫͚̞̳̦̞̹̄͆̅̇̀̎͑͌̆̊̀̽̎͜͠͝͠ͅɈ̵̡̛̥͕̦̜̠̰̰̙̩̰͇̼̗̤̦̺̯̙̔̓̆͋͑̓̉͛̽͐͌̓̀̿́̔̀̽ʜ̵̡̡̡̛̲̖̰͎̝̩̹͇̳̱͙̳͈̠͈͚̄̾̈́̏̔͋̈́̌̽̊̾̈́̍͋̅̕͝͠ɘ̷̡̡͔̙̮̞̯͚͈̰̻̥͚͉͎̠̲̓́͛͌͋̏̔̐̌̾͒̌̓̿̔͘͝͝γ̷̡͉̞͔̦̮̳̺̖̜͕͚̟̫̭̝̗͇̻̒̒̾̐̊̌́̈́͗̓͐̄̒̅̕͝͠ ̶̧̧̛̛̱͖̩̞̯̠͎̟̟̩͇̰̭̣͓̿̑͆̆͗͊͗̈́̅͌̍̾͋͘͝ͅʞ̵̨̡̼̙̘̹̗̬͕͖̼̖̗̮̟̟̱̥̲̅͗́͛͌̌͒̽̉́̔͛̔̿̽̅̚̕͝n̶̨̨̙̞͇̘̭͙͈̟͙̯͔͓̣̣̦̎̾͒̓̊̀̑͗́͂̄̿̍̒̓̓̓͑ͅǫ̶̧̡̬̪̗̩̖͕͓̗̱͎͔̺̭̒̂̈̐͑̽̓̽͗͊̍̓̌̆͋̋̚͘̕͜ͅẘ̴̨̨̢͔̳̤͕̩̣̥̻͍̣͙͔̩̃͗̏̿͌͒̽̓̉́̾̇̓͛͜͜͜͝͠͝?̴̢̡̞͖͍̲͔͇͔̣͇̝̼̻̹͖̪̖̀̂̅̎͑͂͌̀͋͊̂̉̍̇̕̚͠͝!̸̢̛̰̗͔͔̭̜̮̗̣̱͕̙̝̦̺̫̝̯̽̐́̆̈̾̈̈́̀̇͐̓̉̈́͋̀̈́́̈́ ̴̨̡̛̛̟̪̼̗̰͕͍̩͇̥̘͙̙̺̘̭̮̬̆͆͛͌̉́̊̾̏̽͌͑̾̿̕͠͝͝H̵̛̪͖͔͚͈͎̜͉͕̗̩͚̠̘̙͕̹̣̫̳̓̈̽̉͌͋̇̒͋̈́̀̆̈͆̎͒̑͝͝ơ̶̧̜͕͚͙̯͇̳͇̞͚͙͍̖̼̟̮̋̔̈́̾̓̀́̂̾̿̒̕͘̚͝͠ẅ̴̢̧̢̡̬̖̜̭̙̙͔͈̻̤̻̺͙̻́̓̋̿̀̽̋͑̾̊̉̔͆͘͘͠͝ͅ ̵̻̩͈͕͔̜̼̠͇̖͓̬̜̲̩̱̜͍͇̈́̈͌̽͆̃̈͋̏͌̈́̂͋̈̌͌̕͘͘m̸̢̤̮̠͈̬̻̘͙̹̙͇͉̰̼̞̃̇̓͌̓̽̄͑̄̓̀̄́̒͒͂́͗͝͠ͅɒ̵̢͚͇͖͇͖͎̪̺̭̪̠̪̩̝̥̹̥͑̓̀͋͌̒͌͊̒̎̆̈͆̔͆̕͘͝͝n̴̡̪͎̹̺̝̝̼͉͕͚̘̤̰̱̳̄͐̈̇̉̈̍̂̒͂͊̀̒̒͌̉͆̕̚͜͜͝ͅγ̸̨̡̪̦̳̗͚̮̺̯̘̳̜͚̳̼̱̞̌̀͗̇͌̈́̿̀̿̌̈́̈́̿̓͋̂͘͘͜͝ ̶̢̢̢̛̼̭̙̺̖̠͇̙̱̙̟̖̻̰̌̃̌̃̽̈́̉̑̈́́͆͋̇̈́̓͌̕͝͝ͅo̵̡̢̪͈̮̘̯̝̺̠̻̫͇̝͔̲̔͗͌͆̀̀̒͆͋̔͊̅̽̈̚̕͘̕͜ͅʇ̴̧͈̻͇͇̱̼̟̘͎͈̪̯͈̥̱͍̯̭̇̑́̋̊͒̇͊̊̅̈́̎̅̈́̉̿̚͝͝ ̶̛̥͚̦͍̣̗̟͎̹͙̭͎̖̯̤̫͚́̃̐͑͒̆̋͂͗͂̈́͐̂̀̾̚͝͠Ɉ̵̛̳̟͕̯͇͓̣̰̣͉̝̪̣̙͔͇̤͖̻̽̿͗̈̉̅́̓̆̈́̈̒̈́̾̕͘͜͝ʜ̴̧̢̭̖͕̠͔̰͓͍̳̤̺͇̘̗͛̎̓́̒̈́̈́̒͆͂̃̀̽͛͋̕͘ͅɘ̷̡̨̛͈̜̺̫̳̬̠̙̟̻͖̩̙̺̗̄̉͂̇̍̀̒̀̿̿̑́̈́̚̚͝͝m̶̡͖̼̠̰͔̦̹͓̫͉̬̝͓̱̲͖͒͒̆̓̋̃͊̃̽̐̑̈́̐͆̄̇̄̌͠ͅ ̴̧̺̳̠̤͙͕̳͓̥͎̦͙͙̜͖͇̪̍̿͒̈̉̽̊͗̉̓̾̋̄́͛̉̕̚͝ɒ̶̡̛̙̯͎͔͉͎̼̯̗͚̦͈̤̼̞̭͂̔̍̉̈̋̔̃̄̄̅̉́͛́̓͜ͅɿ̸̡̢̢̧̘̼͈̱͕͚̳͇͕͙̞͔̩̼̲͗̐̂͌̐̑̍͗̀̃̔̍͑̈͌̒̈́̿̈́͜ɘ̶̬͇̬̻̜̘̠̰̺͚̥͙̩̮̺̘̩͙̎͋̐̄̓̽̈̏͗̽̄̔̒̓͂̑̑̚͜͠ ̷̨͓̜͓͖͚̼̯̘̗̻͍̖̰͕̱̓̋̌͌͂̀̅̒̽̃͛͛̚̚͘͜͝͠͝ɘ̸̢̘̭͎̪̤̟̫̞̠͕͈̹͙͉̙̼͎̟̂̀̾̋͌̄͆̂͐͐͆̌̒̅͗̕̕̕͜v̴̢̧̧͍͖̼̤̪̻͕̼͈̠̜̦̹̽̆͑̿́͋̿́͗̾̀͐̑͆͆́͂͘͝ͅͅɘ̴̢̧̨̡͉̯̞͍͇̹̥̠͕͇̟̉̃͗̋͂̔̄̈́̀̀̀͗̈́̈́͘̕͘͜͠͝͝ͅͅn̶̡̡̢̡̧͔̱̫͖͖̱̙̼͈̱͕̩͕̘̜͌̆̏̊̓͆̃̈́̍͂̇̋͐̅͊̕̕͝ ̵̨̢̲͔̝̼̙͕̪̖̪͙̣̬̞̳́̽̽̓͋̉̒̏͂͂̌̀͗͌͊͌̚͜͝ͅļ̸̨̪͚̥͙͍͙̖͍̱̙̳̲͔̰̝̭͓̾̔̔͊̈́̓̀̈́̍̐͑͋̇̈͑̌̍̀ͅɘ̴̨̧̨̝̭̯͓̞̥͕̥̖͓͇͓̳̯̝̺̽̈́͛̅̉́̓̾̾͗̈́͋̓̽̄̚͘̚̚͝ʇ̵̡̨̺̳̲̙͎̙̩̟̣͉͔͇̗̼̲̪͆̇́͐̀̐̋̒̿̈̓̔͐̓̈̔͘̚Ɉ̸̨̡̛͔̤͍̗̻̬̳̟̱̳͚̤͚̏̽̒̊͌͋́̂͑͒́̇̔̽̂̋͌͜͝͠ͅ ̷̡̡̧̨̮̙̤̮͍̫̟̳̠͚͍̟͇̫̟͗̍̐́̍̊͐͆̃͑͂͌͋̈́̌̕͝͠ͅi̷̡̢̛̛̙̼̻̘͕̪̤̫̼̼̫̰̝̲̺͓̮̰̿͗̅̊̏͊̆̃̎̐̑̈̆́̿̔̕͝ṉ̵̡̧͕̜̱͚̳̲̥̩̻͕̹̥̜̏̽̃̂̈͐͛̇͛̅̅́̈̐́̈́̕͝͝ͅ ̵̧̛̛͕͎̮̪̭̲̼̻̹̦̥̝̱͍̞̤́͗̎̍̃͐͊̂͐͂̔̍̂͗̉͐͠͝Ɉ̴̡̯̪̦̮͖͔̲̳͚̼͔̰̺͍̈́͒̀̓̽͗͆̂̏̊̇̐̌͛̚͜͠͝͠ͅͅʜ̶̨͍̦͕̣̹̥̲̲̦̼̤̮̰̳͍̮̙̊͋͐̿̇͒̂̏̿̈́̈́̐̂͗̎̎͘̚͠ɘ̸̨̧̯̲̪̫͓̻̱̜̩̻̖̳̺̳̟̺̭͙͗̑̊͂̉̂͛̾͋̇̂̈́̀͑̆̕̚͘͠͝ ̴̠̝̙̼̺̠̜̞͎̟͎͍͔̪͓̭̪͋̐̉͆̈́̀̈́̈́̿̃̽͊̈́̚̚͘͝ͅɈ̵̧͈͔̝̰̤̖̯͓̫̤̩̺̩͔̟͑̀̔̏̌̇͑͋͒̈́̀͌̿͗̄̈͝͠͝ͅὑ̶̨̢̦̥̤̠̗͉͍̲̻̻̲̹͙͕̦͗̀͗́̀̊̐͛̆́̓̊̆̓͊̕͠͝ͅn̶̨̨̰͕̹̯̠̮̦̫͚̮͚̹͖̳̘̿̍̇̓́͒̐̂̎͗͋͂͒͛̋̌͘͘͠͝n̷̺͚͙͚̘͈͖̮̝̻̯̰͖̮͕͈͍̿̎͑̅̆͆͆́̏̓͑̄͐̍̈́̒̇͒ͅɘ̵̲͙͚̠̩̙͔̬̮̯̲̼̻̠̹̤̞͔̽̏̈́́͑͛͒̊̌͐̌̉̃̋̏̚̚̚̕ͅĺ̷͇͈̫̠̭̹͖̲̟̻̬͍̭̭̟͇͕̱̌͗̽͐́̈́́̉́̏͊̓̀̇̌̈̇̚̕ƨ̷̡̧̛̬̫̬͉̺̺̲͔̦̗͎̼̰̖̊̒̎̅͑̃́̿̓͌̇̂̔̿̕̚͝ͅͅ?̵̧̧̧̼͉͕͙̭̱̖̗̮̞̦͓͔̰̋̊̾͛̇̈́̈́͛̇̀̀̇̊͋͛̒͠͝ͅͅ"̷̸̶̡̧̡̢̢̧̛̛͎̣̮̝̺͍̥̪̻͖̣̫͕̣̯͍͔̰̞̦̯̳̳̟̝̗͔͇̻̯͉̭̬̱̝̙̺̯͕̝͔̖̥͔͈̖̮͖̅̋̎̊͂͌̋́̇̈̾͌̐͛͗̉̍̓̏͑̍̎̔͊̓̒̍̈́̍̽̍́͒̾͌̾̐̍͋̐͒̌̐͋̑̚͜͝͝͝͝͝͠ͅ"̵̡̨̡̛̺͙̺̼̝͚̟̤͍̬̳̙̬̻͐́̓̔̐̒̌̑̐̎̌̐̈́̚̕͠͝Į̷̨̢̧̦̯̮̖͍̜̞͉͉̹̤̙̪̞̑̎͋̇̈́̂̍̔̈̀̏̽̅͗̿́̾͑̕̕ͅ ̴̛̛̳̙̳̜̘̹͍̘͕̺͚͔̖̊̀̿̂͋̾̎̇̂̐̄̉̌̏̚͜͜͜͝͝͠ͅb̴̡̟͍͚͔̟̭͔̳̮̱̹̬̹͕̥͔̫̯̃̀̍̉́͐́̿̇͗̂̓̈́͑́̍͠υ̴̢̢̛̛̬̺̯͙͇͔͇̱̣̥͓̥͉̭̣̟̐͌̄͐́̐͂̂͑͋͐̿̚͜͝͝n̶̢̡̲̫̲̭͇͓̼͖͉͇̙̯̹̠͛͌̂́̃̑̀̀̀͋͛͒̾͋̍͌̇͘͜͝n̸̡̥͉͚̲̦̼̼̜̰̝͙̪͙͖͈͕̅͐͋̋́̾̔͑̿̏̂̾̎̌͆̕͝ͅǒ̸̧̨̧̡̼̦̤̤͕̺̳͕̖͙̲̲̈́̓̽̒͑̔̿̅̓͌͐̇̏̅͝͠ͅ.̴̢̲̯̪̟̳͈͓̰̺̯̙̱̼̗̘̓̌̉̃̓́͌̇́̽͒̂͂͛̀̔͗ͅ ̶̩̖̯͖̗̼̱͔͔͔̟̩͉̟̰͇̝̞͔̐̅̈́̓͋͊̇̃͂́́̈́͆̀̚̕̕̚̕Ƨ̷̡̢̧̛̱͙̭̘̪̝͕̘̩̦͉̠̰̞͓̤̉̏̈́̿́͒̈́̏́̓̀̅̈͐͑̿̏̕͘͜ȍ̵̢̨̳͙͓̲̰̘̬̹̺̠̹̘͙̺̠̖̋͊̾̌̾͌̍͐̀͒̀͒͆͆͌͂̓͊͝ͅͅm̴̡̨͎̲͕̪͎̖̠͖̫̺̰̖̝̫̟̗̙͗͛̅̏̔̓͊͆̍͌̀͛̓͂̚̚̚̚͝ɘ̶̡̨͓͕̫̯͖̳͉̹̪̥̠̩̙̦̥͉̙͑̔̄͐͐͗́̓̆̿͂͗͋̋͐̿̐͘͠Ɉ̸̧̛̖͎͈͖͍͇͔̝̜̪̲̺̠͈̬͑̄̓̽̔͒͒͆̔̄̂̈́̆͒́̕͝͠ͅʜ̷̨̡̡̢̛͙̪̙̱̬̬̤̯̥̬̳̜̼̦̍̾̇̏͗̈́͗̀̽̄͊̄͐̌͛͌͜ḯ̵̢̨̡̡̡̢̨̯̞̟̳̮͈̠̫̭̝̀̊̊̏́̇̾̆̔͊͑̿̀̈͘͝͠ͅn̷̦͖̺͕̼̘̩̰̯̲̠̻̪̗̻͇̬̂̀͆͆͆̒͐̈́̽́͗͐͋̉̽͐̕̚͜ϱ̴̨̜̭̹̙̦̖̮̫̳̬̬͙̜̜̗̺͇̋͋͛͗͑̌̎̋͂̓̒̎̎̉̈́̆̀͒̂̚͜͜ ̶̨̧̧̺̞̮͙̪̟͖̳̼͚͉̱̘͍̐̏̈́̑̍̄͊̽̍̽͂̇̄͌͐͌͘͘l̷̨̫̰͚̫͇͈̳͖̤̫̖͇̖̰͎̰̱̐͌̿̔́͒̾̄̎́̇̐̾͆̂͘͝͝ḯ̶̧̧̢̼̼̜͈͓͈͈̹̱̼̖̫͉̟̜̰͆͑̎̆́͌͗̌͛̾̂͊̀͛͝͠ͅʞ̷̢̨̡͖̗̯̦͉̻̻̬̫͖̦̰̩̟̦͍̋̓̍̾̈́͒͂͒́̋̈̔͊͒̔̐͌͝͝ɘ̵̨̺̰̟̩͔̠̦̟̟̭͕̼̮̗̰̖́̈́̓͊̂̃̑́͒͊͒̿͌̂̈́͘̕̚͝ ̴̡̢̗̰̠̙̳̱̩͚̟̣͇̮͙̲̳͕͙̈́̐̿͊̋̑͌̏̌̾̎͌͌̂̌͛̒̚ͅʇ̷̡̡̯̪̲͈̰̤̬̤̲̭͖͚̖͎̮̬̤͛͛̂͊̽̽̒́̀͊̽̑̄́̾̚͠ï̵̧̠̩̱̮͇̺͎̤͓̙͙̝̲̹̭̜̄͑̍̎̾̌̇͂̅́̌̎̃̿̿̑͠͝͝ͅʇ̸̢͕̤̮̜͚͎̝̜̳̦͉̗̗̯͇̜͓͗̄̈́̀̅̀̑̏̔̅̾̏̋̐͘̕̕͝Ɉ̴̡̧̢̢̛̖̬̲̦͕̣̫̖̞̰̪͚͍͔̤̀͑̌͊̾͋̊̄͐̅͆͊́̍́͌͘͘̕ͅγ̵̱̖͓̪͓̬̣͚͎͖̙̯̹͓͍̱̯̰͆̓̔̊͛̒̏͂̎̀̒͒͌̊̀̕͘͝?̵̨̨̛̙̜̟̫̭̗̳̣̥̳͎̼̳͈͇̩̩̅̏̈́͛̅̒͌̽̎̽̌̅͂͛̄͂͌͂ͅ"̸̸̶̨̢̞̦̻̤̖͓̟̦̞̬̺̼̣̟͇͎̜͖͇͔̼̖͖͚̪͖͖̗͈̖̮̪̳͖̫̝̻̺͈̙͈͔̘̞͔̠̝̾̿̎͋̓̀̃̽̂̓́̽̆̀͗͆̆̏́̃̒͗̎̓̈̈̾̀͛́̏̿̏͂͒̇͋̋͆͐͆̽͗͋̚̕͘̕͜͜͠͝͝͝͠͝ͅͅͅ"̴̧͎̹͙͍̗͉͓͈͕͎̣͕̳͖͎͈̤̲̈̈́̎̾̍̊̓̈̄͗͛̌̇̚͘͘͝͝O̴̱͈̺̫̣̹͇̲̭̰̜̟̦̻̼͚̜̬̞͕̽̒̎̇̉͛̏̔̒̈̎̔̀̽̂͝͝͠ʜ̷̛͎͍̞̫̜̯͚̱̬̠̜̖͍̞̭̮͓̥̩̭̄́̎́͑̔̇͆́̈́̀̃̎̀̈̚͝͝͝ ̷̧̨̧̡̨̛̲̗͙̞̤̭̝̘̣͖̩̱̬̏̌̍́̓̑̃̓̈̽̀̀̚͘͝͠ͅḿ̴̧̧̧̛̯̙̻̥̯͚̗̖̞̱͈̯͚͈̓̊̈́̅̄̐̊͊̏̾̏͛̀̏̕γ̶̢̡̢̧̨̛̞̣̟̪̳̟̬̺̼̣͔̥̬̠͗̐͒̋̋͑̏̽̈́͌̊̑͌̈̈̒͘̕ ̵̛̜͍͖̮̩̩̱̺̳̣̙̻̦̼̼̹͖͊̋̎̀́̆̍̅̉͐̿͊̈̚̕͠ϱ̵̨̡̧̧̰͎̰̝̩̝̳̠̭̣̙̒̒̓͌͛̓͐̒͋͋̃̌̆͛̔̕̚͘͜ͅơ̶̡̢̡̧̨̫̘̬̬͎̣͔̣͙̭̭̤̘̗͋̔͌̄̓̈́̏̇̉̑̊̍̔̊̂́̉̕͠ͅb̶̨͔̹͙̙̘͚̩̗̮̱̲̣͓̰̲̆̄̔͌̔͌̽͌̀́̏̂͐̚̚͘̕̚͜͠͝,̸̤͖̤̪͚̰̲̜̪͔̙̱͉̞̮̣̫̭̉̉̎̃̒̾͐̒̓͊̌͂͂̔̏̕̕͘ ̶̧̛̛̦͍̥̠̙̥̗̤̦͓̗̲͈͕̳̤̺́̀̀̒̆̈́͗̈́̈́͗̀̉͑̾̕͠͝ͅ/̵̧̢͍͈̺̜̗̪̯̜̖͍͈̩̗̜̮̗̱͇̍̅̆̉͒͂̔̏͋̽̓̾̄̎̍́̍̌̈́/̴̡̨͚͖̳̯͖̪̗̱̝̖̺̪̞̩͙̱͙̅̀͐̎̔̌̎̾̆͋̀̍͊̇̀͑̿̚̕͜͝Ɉ̶̡̧̨͍̭̜̥̣̠̰͉͕̜̜̘̺͋͛́͊̎͌͛͛͛̽̈́̋͊̚͝͠͝ͅʜ̶̨̻̜̞̦̮̖̲̪̬̹̲̟͕̼̤̜̽̏̉̉̔̉̐̓̔͑̀̊̔͛͛͘͘̚͝͝ͅɒ̵̧̨͙̱̯̳̟͙̞̥͎͍͎͔̬̝̻͔̝͗̃̾͗̄͗͑̈̌͊̿͛̃̂́̉͋̏͠Ɉ̷̢̡̧̨̛͍̮͈̳̹͎̮͙̲͖͙̣̻̙͑͌̾̏̑̔͛͐̂̈́̈́̚̕̕͝͠ͅͅƨ̷̨̡̡̘̫̞̹̥͖̩̯̝̥̺̝͖͖̼͎̀͋̐͆̀̌͗̑̉̀̾͐̓̚̚̚͝͝͝ͅƨ̴̨̛̖̰̱̫̖̥̭̠̘̼̠͈̤͎̲̇̍͛͑̃̽̈́͒̿͂̃̃́̏̓̈́̅͂͠ͅͅͅǫ̴̧̢̢͇̻̯̗͓̮̬͇̦͚̥̮͍̞̠̈́̌̍̀̂͒̒̔̋̎̎̾͗͗̈͜͝͝m̵̨̥͎̰̦̖̹͍̬̖̥̩̬̖͖̉͗̀̾̀̀͆̈́̂͌͐̂̈̋̚̚͠͠ͅͅɒ̵̧̖̯̤͚̜̬̫̘͓̖͕̹̗̯̭̓̏͒̃̈́̃̂̉͋̈̾͗̃͌̈͊̍͘̕͝ͅͅͅn̶̡̜̩̫̠͚̗̥̬̞͓̞̯̗̭̹̼̏͒̍̅͊̓̐̅̔͒̿́͊̎̕͘͝γ̸̡̧̖̝̻̳͚͉̜̳̠̳̹̰̝̺̳̱̟͙̃͋̆̑̂͛̂̿̓͌̉͛͋̔̊́̚̕͝!̴̡̡͍̬̼̜͙̝̰͎̥̱͍̫͈̜͙̠̥̭͆̎̓͒͑͗͗͋͒̈́̈́̿̒͑̿̕͝͝͠/̷̺͕̫̖̹̟̱̪̪̤̞̭̰̝̻̬̱̲͒̽̒̇̀̌̿͛̏͑̑̀̄̿̈̆͘̕̚͘/̸̢̢̛̲̼̫̼̜̘͎̼̖͈̼̹͖̞̺̮̠̠̾͆͂̇̆̈́͌̎͗͒̉̀͑͂͒̚"̵̸̸̧̡̡̛̛̛̳͓̞͙̖̠͉͎̱̳̼̤̻͎̜̮̠̭̖̖̞̭͚͇̝̪̯̞̜̭̝͎̺͔̬͕̪̹͇͙͎͈̩͙̠͙͈̙̻̟̯̎̈́̔̀̈́͊̑̈͆͛̏́̒̈́̽̈́̓̽͊̇͂̆̏̍̓̏͐͒̌̿̿̇͊͋̇̃͗̅͋̑̅̚͘̚͘͘͝͠͝͝͝"̶̨͚͈̹̰͎̠̳̙͔̯̹̫͕̰̅̌̏̈̓̊͛̅̇͊̋̈͊̓͑̎̏̄͒͜͠ͅӚ̷̡̧̨̡̛̲̣̫̭̞͚̟͇͈̼̲̥̱̐̂̀̎̀̈́̊͐̍͊̉̎̚̕̚͜ɘ̷̢̡̛̪̠͇̙̥̗̺̙͚̙̼̘̭̩̭̟̍͗̑͗̃̾̌̈́̇̏̆̽́̃̿̈͛͋͗Ɉ̶̬̠͕̲͇͇͚̦̪͍̟͕̱̼͙̪͆̾́̉̄̊̃̃̃̊̾̽͆̓͆̏̐̽͝͝ͅ ̶̨̡̧̢̢̯̱̝̱̰̺͔͉̹̮̥̽̿͆͐́̾͆̀͂̀̍̀̉̈́͊̕͘͠ͅǫ̵̢̡̛̥͓̩̟̣̤̦͈̝̯̲̙̱̜̘̦̱̆̍͒̀̆͂̎̅̈́̇̅͒̽͒̽͂̓͝͝v̶̢̡̨̟̹̯̰͖̪̺̬̤͈̳̥̙̹͉͎̬͗͐̇͛̋̿̑̒̈́̀̏̈́́̇̔̿̕ɘ̶̢̧̛͈̮̤͕̩̻͎̙̼̙͈̭̱̱̻̩̟̏͌͂̾̈͋̅̀̂̀̀̃̆͗̚͜͠ɿ̶̧̡̩̳̩̹̥̤̩̱̞͍̜͈̘̗͎̫͈̾͑͂̋͆̓͆̊͊̑́̐̔̆͊̾̂͋̐̕ ̶̢̨̗̹̻̟̥̠̜̱̮͉̝͖̭̞̩̼̄̆̌̈́̑̓̽̋͐̎̒͑̆̾͂͠͝ͅγ̷̧̡̫͉̞̰͕̯̻̥̝̤̤̲̻̰̳͐̎̆̽͐̍́̉́̔͋̑̾̒͒̉͜͝o̷̢̨̪̺̲̱̱̬͇̣̱̤̹̺̙̤̦͉̐͛̒̍̇̏̏̈́̀̀̒̏͐̆͂̚̕̕͜͝ͅυ̷̢͓̮̲͇̼̰͖̩̰̝͓͇͙͕̗̮̰͊͛͗̾͒̐̔͗͊͌̈́̀̔̚͘͘͜͝ͅɿ̶̢̨̡̮̥͕͖̙̪̞͉͖̣̜̹̳͓̜̣͔̈͂̓̀̄͐̃̂̍̀̎̔̇͑̑͆̉̕͝ƨ̴̨̢̤̩͕̭̰̣͉̘͉̳̩̲͔̥͕͛̈́͋͂̎̇̐́͋̔̓̀̈́̊̀̆͜͜͠͠ɘ̶̡̲̩̗̝̰̟̳̹͍̳͕̠̖͕̜̬͔͔̍̐̓͌̽̉̎̆̃͛͗̆͘͘͘̕̕͠͝͝l̵̨̡̯̪̫̗̜̝̬̟͈̹̯͕̭̺̳̝͉̳̋̂̀̆͆́̀̓̋̓̀̀̂̌̆͐͆̇ʇ̶̢͍̟̜̤͚̭̟͎̖͚̠͇̬͎̳̠̊̈̄̉͊̌͛̓̐́͋̀͋̅̎͒̐̈͝ͅ!̴̢̨̨̛͙̱̗̪̲̯̟͍̯͙̞͈͈̥͆͛͑̇̽̊̍̿͒̆͐̎̉̾̈́͘͜͠ ̷̢̡̛̮̟̹̹͖͚̺̩̮̬̦̫͈͎͈̋́̽̍̓͗̄̾̽͆̋͐̆͊̃͒̑̚ͅY̶̡̛͎̺̰̲͎͈̦̙̳̬̮̹̠̲̱̫͓̻͛̍͑̄̉̏̄̔̈́̄͋̽̌̈̕̚ͅo̷̧̩͙͔̲̝̣͙̰̳̠͚̣͉̠̻͂̂̇͗̄̀̎̓̌̄̌̌̒̾̒̚͜͠ύ̶̢̛̱͕̖̜̺̲͕̤̤̣̬̦͈͇̺̹̀̓̈́͂̑̇̽̄̋̒͌̚͘͝͝'̵̪̙̫̙̩̰̫̳̘̠͙̤̳̩̗̻̘̼̩̻̑̓͑̓̀̀́̽̑̌̈͗̍͐̚͘͠ɿ̵̧̡̣̺͈̤̱̦̦͔͕͈̪̣̙̤͇̳́̐̈̀͋͗͂̊̌͌̇͗̎̓̒͘̚͘ɘ̵̨̢̡̛̣̩̞̖̞͕̠̙͎̻͚͇̜͐̾͌̄̈́̈̿́̅̈́͌̈̀̒̑̿͘͜ͅ ̶̨̡̛̖̬͖̣̟̻̙̳̻͍̮̻͓̬̥̰̾̎̽̓̌̀̀̀̽͌̇̏̊̎̅͘͘͝ͅͅƨ̴̡̢̹̬̥̘͖̯̹̣̭̝͕͎̹̙̫̪̌̔͋̑̏̅͆̈́̊̿̄͌͑̎̀̔̃̓́͜͝ŏ̶̢̨͉͚͔͔̯̥̙͍̘̣̙͔̠̩̠̀̈́́̑̌͌̈̔̃̀̌̀̊̾̋͘͘͜ ̸̨̖̘͚̻̞͙̼̩͙̗̪͕̱̠̮͖̄́̓̓͗̈́͂̀̈́͒͌͊̌́͑̓̏̕͝ͅl̵̡̛̼͇͎͚̟̦͎͈̞̭͕̤̬͚͉̍̓̀̆̾̃͐̉̅͛͊̎́̈́̓̋̍̈́͛͜ͅɒ̵̢̢̹͉̺̱̥͔̬̤̼͈̱͚͙͕̜͋̓̈́̈́͆͑̌̆̊͆̓͒̌̌͐͑̎̕̕̕ͅz̸̨͍̩̫̹͓̙͎̞͇͇͔̗̘̭̻̈̑̌̒̈́̀͌̽̈̓̎̂̄̆̕̕͘ͅͅγ̷̢̡̧̞̻͎̺̜̲̙̖̙̘͇͍̰̱͙̔̄̌̒̓̑̎͛̀̍͐̈͐̈́͂̈͠!̶̬̜̜̱̱̻͔̟̪͎̝̤͚̪̰̟̓̑͊̆̇̒̋̈́́̆͑̚͘̕͝͝͝ͅ"̴̶̶̢̢̨̨̛͉̟͙̲̬̲̙̰̯͖̻̺̤̬̳̜͇̩̟̟̦̗̞̞̞̼̯̙̖̯̘̙̮͍̖̱̟̦̤̫̼̞̣̬͕̼̫͇̑̎̾̊̊͒́̍̔̽̀͗͆̆̃͑̇̆͌̈́̀́̔̊̇͋̋͒͋͊̅̒̊̈͑͌̉͆͂͂͘̕̕͘̚͜͝͠͝͝͝ͅ"̵̧̹̮͈͖̺̫̦̜̲͖̮̩͎̻͈̟͂̌͐̓̓̑̃̿̍̌͐̓̿̐͗̋̃͝ͅT̸̨̧̢̡̛̬̻̻͚̩͚̫͕̦͙̖͖̭̙͕͋̔͌̌̇͛̈̀̆̀͛͌̈́͘̚͝͠ͅʜ̸̢̡͍͇̳̖͚̖̗̟̪͖̯̟͍͇̐̒͌̂͂͋͂͐͛̀͋͑̀͒̑͌̀͝͝ͅɒ̷̡͇̤̘͚̲͖̣̞̮̖̭͙̪͖̥̻̒̉̿̂̎̽̐̅̈́̈́̃̿̆̉̂̈̍͊̎͘͜ͅɈ̷̧̨͈͍͉̞̣̫̦̙͚̻͕̻̦̼̀̾̂̈́̇͒̽̊́̆̾̅̊̕̕̚͜͝͝'̸̢̡͖̲̪͎̯̗͇̳̭̩̺͙̱̮̣̬̀̑̎̂́̂̽̃͗́̀̐̿̈́̐̓̒͋̕ƨ̴̢̧̢̖̣̹͈͕̞͍̖̬̭̞̱͔̤̼̉̐̍͑̂̉̄̃̀̅̉̉̉͐͌̆͛̚̕ ̸̬͇̗̺̯̻͖̳̝̩̝̺̼̟͓͓̿̽̈͋͗́͆̿͐̔͋̄̉̈͒̈͆̚̕͜ͅw̶̨̡̢̢̺̬̖͈̭̘̭̪̜̝͖̱̞͚̘̌͆̓̆̀͌͒̿̅̾̉͐͊̅̃̅̕͝ͅʜ̴̢̢̬͉̦͈͇͚̮̲̰̹͍̙̱͚̠͓̍͑̃͊̄̉̀̐̓̋̂͗̔̉͌͆̈̚͜ɒ̶̺̦̱͉̞͖̬͔͚̰̻͍͈͉͔̩͙͉̣̆̈͒̂̒͋̿͛̈́̏̀͋̈́́͂͗̿̈̚͠ͅɈ̴̨̛̥̲͙͙͓̻̱̣̞̹̣̝̲̹̗̇̅̑́̓̈́́̓͂̂͒͆̀̉̋̐̕̕ͅ ̸̧̨̭̙̻̭͈̟̣̘̹̦̝͙̫͖̒́̑̔͒͌̉̈́̂̈́̽͂͒̒͒̒̚͝ͅƧ̷̨̧̛̯̖̦͇̦̟̱̙̱̱̬̻̹͎̮̀̂̓͆̇̈́̌̔̓̌́͐͘͘͝͝͝ͅͅʜ̸̖͖̹̫̙̼͍͈̜̘̗͈̼̯̩̗̺̹̓̄̍͐͋͗̏̀̓͊̈́͑̔̈̍̆͘͜͜͝ɒ̵̢̡͈̪̻̟͈͖̭̟͔͖̺̱̯͚͉̮̞͚̌́͂̆̓̉͒̀̓͂̍̓̆̈̔̕͝ɿ̸̧͙̦̲̹̮̜̫̪͈̯̟̤̗̠̦͇͛̑͌̔̔̍͊́̉͊̽̀̄͌̿̿͘̕͜͜͝͝ͅö̸̡̧͈̝̯̱̘͙͖͍̘̙̣̥̩̬̤͉́͗̐̀͋̉̒̈̂͂̂̓̇̑̏̋̏̚͝͠n̸̨͚̼̦̱͍̱͔̗̝̰̞̤̙͎̦̳̟̒́̑͑̄͗̒̑͋͐͐̊͐̈́̾̌̿̊͘͜͠ͅ ̸̢̡̧̝̜̭͔̜̬̩̗͙̘̝͇͚̣̆̉̓͆̃͋̽̑̇̽̊̓̓͒̀͛̔̿́̄͜͜͜ƨ̴̡̡̢̛̥͙͉̦̤͔̦̥̗̭̯̞̰̦̠̊̌̾̎͋̋̒͛̎̑͛̍̽̉̂͘ɒ̴̡͓̯̻̜̰̭̭͙̞̬̠̜̣̭͔̟̄̔̂͋̅̂͐̀̇̀͆͋͒͑͑͋̌̏͠͠γ̵̨̧̼̼̫͓̤͎̭̖̜͈̟͕͓̯̟̞̆͗́͂̾̀͛̇̃̉͆̌́͗͘͜͝͝ƨ̸̛̣͍͈̠̣̯̙͉̜̟̠̦͎͇͔̩̂̏̽̉̍̓̂̿̎͗̃͌̍͛͂̔̕͘͘͜ͅ ̵̛̱̮̪͕̳͍̘͍̘̰̥͔̙͈̭̭͈̙̝̤̃̾̿͊̈́͛͊̓̏̋͗́̑̈́̌͘̕̚͠ɒ̵̨̛͔͇̭̜̻̭̣̠̯̪͔̠̖̖̫͎̮͖͇̾͋̓͊̋͛͛̅͑̋̓͒̾́̃̽̕̕͝ḑ̵̢̱̣̺̺͍͙̺͕̮͇̘̦̙̱̟̓̅͒͗̂̈́̈́̎͒̍̾̀̐̍̀́̏̚͝o̷̧̝̠̱̳͖̩̼͈̱̥̻͚̤̯̟̫͉̔̒̓̓̈̈́̀̄̌̋̍͐̈̅͒̈́̋͜͝ͅυ̸̧̨̛̗̤̯̟̩͈͎̰̹͉̦͚̝̳̳̮͒̇̉̓̿̔͋̑̐͑̅̓͌̊̾͜͝͝͝Ɉ̵̧̛̱͓̬̻̗͉͚͙̩̻͖̟̹̙͎̝̼̭͙̌̈́͗̈́̑̈́̽̓͊̇̄͗̓͆͋̚͠͝ ̴̡̡̧̛̩̱̙̝̱̤̪̯̘̤̺͚̲̤͙̐̀͛́͊͆͊͑̋̐̏͑̇̎̑̆̓̾͜m̵̨̧̨̧̮̟͉̤̹̹̦̼͚̪͖̫͈͔̳͂͛̒̆̈͑̓̈̇̆̒̔̽͛̒̏̂̽͜͝͝ɘ̶͔̼̻̝̩̱̳̮̖͕͉͈̖̫̖̤͇̗̃̈́̋̅͛̃̆̇̓̈͗̑̑̔̓͊͑̄͜͝.̵̨̝͙̰̪̼͕͈͕̞̥̫̯̞͎̞͈̈́́̒̍̒̓̒͆͗́̿́̃̄̓͒͝͠͠ͅ.̴̨̧͇͇̰̪̜͖͇͎͈̱̞͈͓̯͇̪͖́̐͛̈̐̾̈́̍͂͑͊͗͐̀́̚͘͜͝.̸̧̛̗̹̻̩͈͔͚̲͖̩̗͇̼̩͉̯̥̾̒̔͂̌̀͗͆̍̏̌̏̈́͋̚̚͝"̷̸̷̡̨̢̨̻̼̝͙̞͕̥̜̬̥̰̪͓͈̤̥̩̤͉̻͙̰͇͇̩̪̭̣̟͇̯̻͕̖̘̘̘̹̙͖̻̱̤̭̣͉͔̖͚͍̓͆̾̂͆̾̔̋͋́̈́̒̀̉̑͂̐̅͗̆̃̇̽͆̐̌̍͑̆̓̓̃̏̔̆̋͛̒͂̒̃̃͌̑͒̀̊͂̆̕̚̕̚͠ͅͅ"̶̡̣͉̞̱̜̹͇͈̺̝̭͉̗̠̳̞̼̝̳͛͋͂̌̈͂̾͑̐̏̀̓̔̊̌̔̋̀͠͝Ǫ̵̢̛̬͙͙͍̦͔͔̖͎͎͍̠̠̺͗̒̾͂̆̈́̓̍̃̑̿͊͂͐̇͛̂̓̀ͅʜ̷̨̢̬͚̥̭̻̥̠̱͔̘̜̬̣̜̰̬̦͊̈̉̆̒̀̍̎̃͗͐̒̃̚͘͝͝,̸̛͖͚͕̗̥̳͇͓͈͎̜̘͙̬͙͑̂̓̏̈̈́͋̑̃̇͊̽͂͂̿͑̈̅̈́͜ͅ ̵̢̛̛̗͈̳̟̲̘̜̗͈̪͉̱͙͓̼̺̜̔̄́̒́͗̊͗͂̉̋̋̎͂̄̏̚ń̶̡̧̛̻̖̳̼͚̦͓̜̼̣̼̩̩͉̝̄͌̇̽̋̀̓̽̅̀̀͋͘̕̚̚̕ǫ̶͎̘̲͙͓̗̦̪͖͇̯̠͇̰͎͎͍̀̑̐͂͆̀̃͋͆̽̿̇̍̆̌͛̓̕̕!̶̨̭̦̱̰̯̦̳̰̱̣̩̠̪̝̳̠̾̏̈́̈̀͒͗̀̎̉͊͐͌̔͆̚͠ͅ ̴̨̧̧̛̰͙̹̖͎͎̣͇̦͚̗̺̻̭̄̒̑̄̇͆̒̉̌̋̉́͋̒̓̎̕͘͝ͅI̸̢̧̡̨̼͙̼͔͖͎̘͖̳̱̞̟̩̖̓̅̓̒͒̈́̌̒̆͛̃̆͛̿͛̏̓̒̈́ͅ'̶̨̛̹̫̱͚͕̭͔̭̰̼̲̥̰͚̤̖̩̘̊̈́̈́͗̏͒͑̀͐͂̓̇̈̂͐̚̚͜͝͝m̸͚̜͍̺̮̯̫̘͓̯̙͈̣̺̯̺̣̈́̓̈́̉̍̊̉́̌̔̿̇̑̈́̚͜͝͝ ̴̙̹͍̜͎̠͕͕̣̺͉̪̜̥̗̰̱̮̜̃̍̾̈́͛̌̇̒̓͒̈͌̔͗̅̆̓̈͘͝ͅƨ̶̨̧̨̛̛͕͚͈̤̼̻̩̗̤̖̲̫̲̳͈̯̔̑̓̇́̈́̑͗̀̊͛̉̓͘͝ȏ̸͔͍̦͇̠̞͕̭̺̖̫̳̖̖̯̥̽̓̿̿̉̌̆͛̽̑́͐̏̍̀͗͘͠ͅɿ̴̨̧̧͔̗̦̪̤͚͚̳̫̯̱̥̩̙͍͖̩̔̽̌̌̏̉́̇̈́̈̍͐̈́͒̾̓̄͂̕̚ɿ̴̡̛̞̹̱̝̙̜̭͉̙͙̺̩̣͈̮͊̓̃̇̍̅́̊̄̏̓̅̊̋̀̓ͅγ̷̧̥̪̲̜͙̩̲͍͓͈͚͈͙̺̩̯̞͚̆̉͒̅͑́͑͛̉̔̊́̃̽̀̈̌̆͘ ̴̢͓͎̼̳͉͖̱̮̞̦̰͖͕̩͈̓̈́͆͊̀͒̑̇̐̿͆̌̎̓̏̊͑̿̚͜ͅɈ̴̢̡̡̛̝̟͈͇̗̫̺̼̣̳̖͍̲͍̭͓̐̂̓̽̿͊̇̔̈́̎̐̐̿͑̑͆̕̚͘͜ò̸̧̨̭̪̦̦̭̣̥͔̺̹͚̖̼͕͉͆͑̿̈́̄̾͆̀̀̊͑̄́̚̕͝ ̸̢̩̟̝̟̤͈̩͙͕̝͖̲̝̗̯͑̂͊̊̏͛̅̆̓̀͒̈́̀̏̔̇́̓͑̓ͅͅʜ̸̛̣̭̘͎̹̭̪̰̼͕̦̲͍̗̫̠̒̽̌͆͑͆̅͊̆͗͊͗͊͑͒̉͊̇͘ͅɘ̵̡̢̡̢̛̹̥̱̝̼̮͕̠̫͎̜̳͕̝̃̍̄̆̎̒̀̃̐̌̎́͒̅̈͝͠ɒ̶̢̱͉̘̻̫̤̹̰̘͍̫̲͙̻͉̯͕̃́̂̃̍́̿̓̏̿́̑̅̆͌̇̈́͒̉͜͠ͅɿ̸̨̢̠͎̦̜̲͓̪̙̯̥͚̖͓̮̥͎͔̳̆̀͆̐̈́͐̉̿̃͒̋͒́̔̄͒̃̏͌ ̴̡͖̫̙̹̩̯̩̟̙̯̼̼̹̮͙̫̥͑̔́̿̃̿̏̎̎̆́́͌̓̑̏͊̅͘͠Ɉ̷̨̡̩͚̼͈̠̟̱̥̜̹͈̘̲̥̪͕̤̦̊̒̐̆̅͑͑̑̍̋̀̓̎͛̀̐͝͝ʜ̸̡̛̮̤̥̲͈̜̟̼͖̝͚͈̝͖͔̦̓̈̊̈͗̑̀̑̒̄̄͒́̿̓͘͘̚͝ɒ̴̧̜̬̯̗̜̪̝̞̰͈̲̜̱̹̤͕͇͓̓̎͆́͛̇̃̓̾̋͆̈́͂͑̌̚͘͝͠Ɉ̶̨̢̛̹̲͖̩̩̖͓̮̦̟͉͕̅̃̽͑̍̀̊̎̈́̍͆̋͛̑̾́͘̕͜͜͝ͅ.̴̧̣̳̣̯͇̮̬̬̣̦̟̼̲̲̱̥͑͛̔͑͛͂̓͗̈́̏̎̀̓̒͂̀̕͘͜͠ͅ.̴̡̤͈̲͈̠͎̼̻̹̻̠̠̣͕̠̮͊̂̏̊̑̈́̅̎͗͂͐̏̽͋̃̍̓͠.̵̨̨̬͙̦͓̫͉̩͚̰̩̭̘̘̞̏̾͊̇̉̉͊̾̌̂̐̈̃̈́̈́̍̏͘͜͜ ̷̧̺͎͍͚̺͚̪̰̖̠͍̖͓̮̯͖̘̠̈̉̌̃̅̑̌͊̆́́͆̎̽͛̐͐̓͜͠ʜ̴̧̛̫̭̰̜͚̲̞̭̱̦͖̼͉͔̫̃̃̈̎͆̃̾͗̔̎̒̾̒͌͘͝ͅͅͅọ̵̣̳̩̦͔̪̻̪̤̩̳̦̺̼̟̹͖̔͌̄͆͋̏̃̀̉́͗̅̎̎̐̄̕͠͝w̷̖̪̜̣͚̮̞̪͇̠͎̼̺̩̯͔̠̮̋͐͆́͂̏̊̅͆́͛̈́̒͌̎̊͝ͅ ̵̢̢̡̥̤̖̯͇̲̹͍͖͖̹̙̦͖̾́̀̄̎̈́̽̀̇̏̓̄́̏̿̿̃͊ɒ̴̡̢̢̺͖̫̯̗͓͍̺̺̻̱͖͍̥̺̬̲͛͑͊͗̈̊́̑̎̈͗͋̑̋̊͋͛͝͝͠ɿ̷̨̻̺͖̲̹͓͍͓̠̠͚̣̻͓͈͊̒̀̀̊͒̍͆́́͐̋̄̚͜͠͠͝ɘ̶̧͉̙̰͚̜̟͙̱͓͍̳̬̖͕͍̙͓̓̆͌͛̽͐͋͌͑͆̓̓͗͊̈́͂̈́̚͜͠͝ ̵̢̡̥̥͚̯̝͚̝̼͈̳̺̱̪͎̅͂̋̌̊̍͊͗̿̊̓̅̽̿̊̊͜͜͝͝͝γ̴̨̨̛̝̰̝͎̯̬͕̦̮͓̻̠̬̱͖̐̀̇͛͒̌́̎̎̿̆̾̒̋̀̚̚͜o̵̢̨̧͕̥̯̬͎̱̠̩̱̭͕̼̰̯̮͌̓̀̈̃̌̀̅̍̅́́͛̐̑̐͛͜͠͠͝υ̴̧̢̢̢̪̳̙̥̼̬͇͓̗͓̤̤̌̀̈́̏͋̅́̈̈́̈́̏̊͘̕͘͜͜͝͝ ̸̡̫͍̫͉̜̪̹̘̙̥͍̘̺̝̪̜̅̓͛̑͌͛̍́̂͆̈́͋͂̈̓̉́̉͌d̵̢̨̛̮̙̮͕̦̯͇̬͙͈̗̬̦͖̗͔͊͊͐̑̈́́̀̿̈̒̈́̔̾̓͒͝o̵̧̨̰͖͉̘̲͓͇̪͔̹̺͕̯̫̊̊̑̈͌̓̀̒͊̃̂̐͒̍́͑̏͘͜Ɉ̵̩͍̱͖̹̭̼̙̤̘̬͉̱͉̭̭̪̲͖̽̊́̈́͊̐͒̀̇͌̂̀̒̍̓͋͝ʜ̴̧̡̛͚̝̬͙̻̜̪̥͔̦͙͍̼̯͈͕̮̳́́͂̈́̃̌̅̃̈́̓̏́̃̾̌̚͝ ̵̢̨͔̱̺͙̗͎̺̥̝͎̻̳̞̜̠̮̲͐̊̑̑́̏̍̐͒̏͒͒͂̊͂̔͘ʜ̷̧̢̜̲̤̲͔̳̪̼̭̺̣̲̙̖͉̣̹̋̀̏̌̐͋̂̔́͌̓͐̌̕̕̕͝ͅò̴̡͉̩̜̳̙̫̼͉̟͕̠̟̩͕̗̞̘̣̎̇͌̇̉͋͆̑̽̈́̄̀̀̑͌̓͘̕ļ̸͖̣͙̭͔̪̹̭̞̗̜̱̞̙͈̅̌́̌̈̋̾̈̿̏͐͌̎͘͜͝͝͝ͅb̵̧̲̗̳̪̻̘̩̼̥̗͖̩̬̬͕̘̃́͋̂͊̎̾͐̍̉́̏̇̔̚̚̕͘i̸̢̨̨̡̢̢̢̛͇̬̗͇̹̘̳̥̹̜͚̣͐̐̈́̾̐͑̿̓͌̇͗̓͑̈́͂̾̕͜ņ̷̨͕̤͔͎̮̥̜͙̫̠̤͈̳̠̗̹̣̑̈̀́͋͐́͌̿͐̽̾͆͗͋̚͘̚ͅϱ̸̢̨̞̱̱̟̫̲̟͎̱̱͎͉͖̹̯͉̟̋̒͗́͂̀̄̀͋̍̀̏̎̾̎̄̕͠ ̵̨̧̢̖͎̹̯̻͖͕̭̙͇̱͕͎̝̘̻̏̓͋̏́̌̾̅̄̋̑͒̀̀̔̊̕̚͝υ̶̢̺͕̖̣̪̙͓̤̩̝̰̮̲̬̺͈̘͖̾̏̊͒̀̔̃̈́͛̿̒́̎̍́̋̚͠͝͝q̵̧̨̨̛̩̣͚̹̤̝͍̹̭̬̺͈̞̟̺̻͛̂͊́̾̊̽͂̉̔̂͗̅̉̔̚͠͝ͅ?̷̨͉̫͙͎̝̹̗̜͍̼̖̤̱̻̪̖͉̦͓̾̽̌̀̋̽͒̽̀̌̄̈́̍̃̂̉͠͝"̵̴̶̢̢̢̢̧̨̲̻̳̦̳̰̩͉̭̪̘̠̹̫̹̻͕̝̥̻̹̳͓̠̲͍̲̳̖͉̬͉̥̟͙̖̙̦̳̺͚͍̳̮͍̳̭̺͇͈͚͓̀̾̇̌͊̈́̂̒̓̄̈́͛̒̄̈́͆̃̎͂͆́̐͊͐̐͆́͒̿̏͌͂̈̑͋̋͆̉͐̎͗͋̏̂͛̌̅̐̌͘͝͝͝͝͠"̵̭͎̝̳̼̪̩̘͖̤̹̞̟̘͎̻͔͂̒̃̓̐͌͒͊̓̒̒͗͗́̓̅͘͝͝ͅW̶̡̨̡̱̼̭̻̤̠͈̣̟͍̙̟͖̤̜͉̅̽̈̆̍̑̊̀͗̌͒͋͋̾́͊̂̀͘ͅɘ̷̛̛̫̫̻̤͓̩͖̺̗̙̟̰̪̬̪̪͉̬̠̈̓̔̈́̓̏̓̏̔̈̆͌̈̈̀͛̋̕'̶̡͍̱̤̠̭̯̱̟͇͍͓̺͕̮̭̠̤͛̒̿́̑̍͊̆̆̒̌̑̄͊͛͌͒̓̚͠ͅɿ̶̨̢̛̠͈̳̘͈͇̼̙̬̼̺̩̞͍͖̣̊̈́̑̉̈́̆̒̿̑̇̋̂̐̈͑͌̓͜͝ɘ̵̢̨̢̙̖̯͉̯̰̬̘̗̮̙̭͙̞́͒̈́̊́̾͑̂̈́͛̆̿͒̕͘̕͠͠͝ ̵̡̡̛͖͔̬̖̠̱̹̱̘͔͙͉̤̘̲̲̝́̊̎̓́̓̆̀̅͐͑͌̍̔̈́͘͠b̷̡̢͎̩͖̘͇̠͉̘̪̱͉̭̬͖͇̗̥͌̾͒́̂̽͗̃̀͆͑́͋̔͐́̎̂̿͊ͅǫ̷̨̫̪͎͓̦̦̦̱̲̯̜̲̬̗͓͒́̄͒͆͆̅̆̂̽͊̿̆̇̕̕̕͜i̸̧̛̹͖͍̤̰̰̳̱͍̻̣̹̙̬̲͚̝̻̮͐̑̐̃̐̀̅̉̀͛̒̃̐̀̏͂̄͋̕n̶̡͚̠̮̲̼̺͉̰͕̫̪̼̩͚̹͚̦̮̎̋͒̾̾͛̀̐̉́͒͋̎̾̎͊̕̕͜ϱ̵̨̜͇͈̙̘͕͔̳̙̝̩̻̪̼̥̠̾̿̉̇̓̈́̆͐̆̀̃͗̔̎́͆̈̚͘͠ ̷̢̛̙̝͚̞͔͍̲̜̫̳̱̤̠̺̟̉͗̾͌̽͆̀̎̔͛̈́͑̍̀̆́͘͝ͅʇ̷̤̞̗̖̟̱̤͈͈̻̠̤̤̯̹͉̣̒͗̽̈͂̈͐̔̏̾́͛͌͋͐̒͜͠͠͠ͅḯ̵͍̱͓̺͔̜̤̮͈̯̠̙͉͖̦͕͍͌̑͆̽̌̔̇̀̏̍̔͌̉̐̚͘̕͜͠n̴̡̟̪͎̱̬̣̫͙͔͇̘͚̬̫͈̹̈̉̽̑͛̈́̒͂͛̍̆̊̇́͗͝͝͠ͅɘ̸̨̧̠̥̜͓̺͉͔͖͈͍̲̬̱̞̽̍̊̎̀̈́͌̍̓̌̈́̽͛͐͑̄́̚͝͝ͅ.̶̧̛̛͎̻͔͉̤͕̣͔̦̺̫̣͔̺̰̹͈̬̓̽͗̈̌̔͐̇́̇̋̆̔̃͘̚͘.̵̢̢̦̻̼̫͔̺̗͉̹̭̻̰̣͛̄́͌̂̒̿̆̏͐̈́́̈͆̃͛͘̕͝ͅͅ.̵̧̧̡̟̫͙̼̙͉̦̟̟̜̯̻̯͚͓̿̇͛̅̾̑͂͂̃̓̎̍̅͋́͘̕͝"̷̷̶̧̨̧̢̨̛̛͕̫̮̹͓̜̞̰͎͕̞̮͇̦̣̥̭̻̳͉̲̥̝̙̘̯̣͚̟̞̰̼̤͓̺͇̱̞̤̟̳̪̹͕͍̺̼̙̼͆̐̐̈́̿͋͒͐͗͂̆͌̒̾̔̓̾̇̏̐͋̆̅͛̿̈̑̋̆͂̃͆̿̀̔͂̉͐͌͆̔̓͌̊̈͛̓̅̕͜͜͠͠͝͝ͅͅ"̶̧̧̤͙̤̭͍̪͎̜̝̟͉̘̙̗̗̭͙͊͂̊̈͆͊̌͊̈́̃̆̂̽̀̕̚͜͝T̵̨̨͉̖͎̫̝̯̳̞̪̰̟̺̱͙̹͚́̒̀͂͐̄̇̓̌̾́̿̏̀̈̕͘̕ʜ̵̡̛̛̭̻̤̟̖̺͉̼͇̲̜͍̜̫̗͆̀̊͒̄̉͛͑͊̒̋̓̋̂̚ͅɒ̵̡̡͕̠̤̹̱̩̹͈̗̬̳̮͓̫̦̪̑͂͛̌́̋̀͗̽͂́̓̒́͘͜͜͠͠Ɉ̶̢̨̧̨̗̞̟̭̤̘̰͈̹̯̱̖̱̯͑͗͆̊́̓̅̉̂͆͐̒͑̃̎͒̽͋̚͜͝'̷̢͈͖̠̲͚̯̫͕̗̫͈̲̭̞̼̞͎̙̈́͂̅͒̈́̋̇̈́́͗̐͂̀͌̑̈́͗͝ͅƨ̸̧͎̭̲̦̥̱̼̺̫̙̳̩̱̬̼̥͓̾̇̏̍̇̍̒͊̀̀̄̌͒̚̚̚͘͘͝͝ ̴̨͈̗̰̝͈͕̜͙̭̮̗͈͚̥̹͚͌̽̈́̂͒̓͗͌̒̇̎̚͝͝͝͝͝ͅϱ̷̨̥̜̞̜̳͙͙͇̻͖͈̣̩̠̱̥̘͑͗̑̍͆̎̀̽͊͋̂̅̂͐̍́̚ͅͅǫ̸̢͔̺̭̟̤̯̺̣̮̪̜̙̲̩͉̤̾͊̐͗̃͋͊͆̏͐́͂̃̓͑͛͠ͅo̶̢̡̖̺͍͓͍̞̯̞̗͖͙̳̘̼̫̒̂̄͋͐̏͂̐̉͛̄͛̓̏̓͐̓̚͜͜͝͝b̷̢̡̨͔̲̱̺̪̥̞̫͖͙̮̝̩̥̗̄͊̿͑͊́͛̓͌̄̌͋͒͘͘̚͜͠ ̸̨͙͉͈͔̞̯͔̯̞͖̠̻̹͔̘̰̹̎͐͒͛̃́̒̿͗̾͐́̋̏̇̀̈̅̕͝—̸̨̡̡̮̲̘̘͙͎̻̫͍̳̙̖͓̖̤̠̄̊̒͊̓͂̍̎̋͑͊̅͗͌̽̚͘̕͝ͅ"̵̴̸̢̨̧̨̢̧̛̼̗̤̰͈̭̭̪̱̞̦̮̹͔̮͍̙̪͎̩͚̱̞͇̖̪̲̝͎̯̼͍͈̹̤̦͈̪̰͙̯̤̟͚̠͐͗̇̊̽̀̈́̈̅̀̈͂͂͐̃͗̊͆̉̀͛̈̿͐̐̍̂͒̾̇͌͌͊̾̋͗̂͂̒̃̈̑̍̆̾̚̚̕͜͜͜͜͝͝͝͝͝͝ͅ"̷̨̢͔̘̗̜͕̺̗͇̩̠̱̙̫̱̠̭̩̀͆̀̓͒̽̏̅̀̏̐̈́̀̾̏̚̚ͅÍ̸̡̛̛͖̘͇̫̖̮͉͙̻͓͍̻͚̝̜̘͔̓͑̆̈́̍̒̊̀͗͌̅͋̂͘͜͠͝͝ ̶̡̡̡̖̹̦͖̯͕̣͙̰͖̜͇̠͔̃̎͆̂͋̍͒̌̅̈̎̎̆͑͛͐͛̅͜͝͠į̶̢̛̛̮̻̬̼̟͖̱̗̻̤͚̺̝̺̿́̓̈́̑̈́̈̈́̓̂͋̐͘͘͜͠͝ͅͅυ̸̨̢̟͉̩̮̳̞͚͔̮̣̝̫̻͔͆̊̊̇̍͆̽̑̄̄̀̆̉̎̔̉́͜͜͝͠ƨ̷̢̨̨͍̫̥̺̲̖̻̖̬̖̅̓̓̐̏͒̃̃̄́͂̌̈́̉͌̇͘͜͜͜ͅɈ̷̨̧̧̛̼̲̮̯̮̫̹̜̗̥͖̻̦͉̉̃̐́̿͐͂̓̏̈́̋̈́̅̈́̔̚͘͜ͅ ̴̛̹̞̮̮̘̻͎̻͓͔̗̘̦̤̦̯̩̭̲̓̑̽͒̋̎̔̿̌͑̌̀̀̀̉̅̚͝͝b̴̙̦̣̯̲̱̣͍̰͉̖̦͍̺͚̟̘͙͋͐͑̽̊͐̾͛̋̽̅͐̏̎̚͜͝͠ͅö̶̢̨̧̢̨̥̳̤̘̣̹̮̟͔͓̣̻̮́̃̈͐́͌̄͐̓̀̏̿͋̀͂͗̉͠n̸̨̢͇͔̠͔̯͚̜̤͖̥̣̪̼͇̔͆̄̂̃̌͑͑̈͒̑̾̂̐͗͐̊͜͜ͅͅ'̵̨̧̺̜̗͚͈̺̥̲̺̘̤͍̠̯̘̌́̀̈́̑̄͊͛̀̆̿̑͋̅̈́̀̒ͅɈ̴̡̢̱̪͙̜̤͖͚̗̘̦̞̤͍̰̖͓̑̇̓̔̈́̒̃̎͗͋̿̚̚̚͝͝͠ ̶̡̰̣̥̱̦͚̰̲̝̱̘̖̜̭͎̱͔͂̇̾̌̈́͑̂̈́͗̈̍͛̑͆̓̓̚͘͝Ɉ̶̡̗͎̼̦̺͙̼͓̣̼̣̲̰̪͚̈́́̏̔̒̀̉̐̇͂͌̅̽͑̓͑̚̚͘͜͜͠ͅʜ̷̱̩̭̗͍̳̻͈̭͇̱̱̤̭̼̰̝̞͙͉̇̒͑̈́̿̇͋̎̎̀̾̄̍̂̏͝͝ỉ̸̧̡̧̨̘̱̣̬̻̤̫̥͈͙̺̞̪̻͇̑̋͐̋̌́̈́͐͗̃͒̆̆͊͊̾͜͠n̶̢̛͇̤̠͎̼̹͙̯̥̺̙̫̱͎̤̪̫̈̃͐̑̎̀́̏͊̈́̾́̒̌̆͛͜͠ʞ̴̛̻͎͇̭̦͓̪̮̘͈̻̪̞̬̹̹̬͎̒̍́̈́̇̏͊̓̔͆͛͌́̌̋̎͂͘̚ ̴̡̛͓̹̻̜̖̘͚̭̻̖̗̠̟̤̭̯̿̇̒̀̓́̑͑̆̆̋͛̀̇͘͝͠ͅͅi̶̢̯͓̹̜̣̝̤̥͈̗̪̟̥̤̞̙͍̝̰̊̉̃͊̆̎̈͛̈́͒̈́̍̇̉̚̚͠Ɉ̵̧̢͙̘̝͖̜̯̬̱͖̜͔̟̺̤͙̤̅͛̀̆̇̐͒̏̅̆̀̃͑͋̌͆͌'̴̡̱̰̜̱̬̹͉͎̠̗̫͓̪͎͖̗̏̾̋͊͛͒̎̒̈͗̆͊͂̔̀͑̈́͌̕͜ͅͅƨ̵̢̩̰̼̩̹̠̠͚͙͖̤̠̬͖͉̬̞͍̤̍̌̒͛͋̓̉̈̀̒͐̎̀͌̏̚͝͝ ̵̧͎̬͚̭͕̯̺̜̜̺̙̝̦̬̬̰̑̓͌̂̂̔̉̅́̉͛́́̚͘͜͝͝͠ͅͅɘ̶̨̢̲̜͓͉̭̞̠͇̰̙̖̳͎͎̲̯͚̤̄̈́̽̐̓̎̾̊̏̇͑̍͂̏̋̎̀̚͝ɒ̸̢̰̭̱̭̮͕̲͙̺̳̫̖̳̬͈̟͚̫͂͛̍̽͑͑͛͂̍̉͌̇͗͑̔͆̚ƨ̴̨̪̠͇̫͔͖̗̥͇̠̬̺̙̝̖͈̭͒̌̔͋͌̅̄̅͌̑̎̌̅̅̃̾͜͝γ̸̧̧̛̺̣̝͙̫͔̭̥̣͚̞̻͓̯̣̘̉͑̏͑̈́̋̀̾̒̄̏͆̆̌̚͝ ̴̛͖̮͇̙̺̬̯̪͓̹͎͖̟͔͚̥̜̤̈̈́̇̈́̓͒̅̈́̓̉̈́̑̿̈̾͋͘̚͜ʇ̸̯͕͈͕̱̱̝͙̹̣̱͓̦̼̱̖̣͛̋̌͗͑͌͗͒͊̐͆̒̃̏̓͘͠͝ͅò̸̡̼̭̹̣͍̰̼͖̘̗͙̳̟̳̲̖̈́͂͛̾́͌̌͋͌̂̊̂̎̓̓̅͘͠͠ɿ̸̢̡͎͈̰̳̺͉̜̝̱̤͓͚̬͇̟͂̈́̍̈́̃̓̄͂̍̐̍͛̐́̀̇̕̕͜ͅ ̴̧͈̲̙̤̝͙̖̜͙͎̬̮͖̖͓̿̈́̌͗̾͗̇̓̊̾̆͌̐̔̂͂̊͜͝͠ͅq̴̢͙̻̙͚̞͓̬̭̱̜̘̤̤͈͖͒̌̃̀̂̄̂̿͛̾̍̌͆̋̄̅́̕͝ͅɘ̷̢̧̳̼̖̬̠͓̬̪̤̥̖̤͍͙͊̀͊̈́͑͒͊̃͆̂̈͋͂͘̕͜͝͝o̸̤͖̪͖̯̜̠͇̱͍̜̻͈̦̠̞̣̲̙̓̾͐̀̀͋̃̀͗͒̈́̍̈́̽̂̀͘͘͝ͅq̴̡̨̛͎̭̘̥̳̥͎̱̗̬͎̝̱͔̫͍͉͂̑̂͂͂͆̒̏͆͛͐̈́̕̚͝͠ļ̷̢̦̮̥̪̺̪͎̮͓͚̮͉̲̝̩̘̍̆͆̋̈͆̏͂̽͗̿̀̾̈́͐͐̚ͅɘ̸̨̨̡͙͙̫̼̹̱̞̖͈̭̤̮̰̱͖̇̂̂̓̃̿͒̿̽̀̄̓̆̄̀̿̈́͝ ̷̛̱͈̣̗̲̘̤͓͖̤͚̦̰̞̘͙̒͋͒͗̒̐̿̈́̽̇͒̾̕͘͝͠͝͝ͅɈ̵̢̨̨̢̨͖̣͎̰̯̟̹̥̺͎͎͙͙̣̀́͑͂͊̌̊͗̅́͂̃͑̾̇͋̚̚͜o̴͔̻̫̜̦̝̰̳͍̠͍̩͇͇̦͈͇̭͍̻̐̊̾̎̏̒̽͑̋̏̆̆̄͐̚̚̚͠ ̵̟̪͖͖̠̱͎͍̞̮͕̳̩̜̳̲̻͛̎̎̿́͂̄͂́͂̊̓̇̂̈̉̊̾͠ƨ̴̡̡̟͚͚̰̪̱̹͓̬̳̱̭̲̙̤̩͉͋́͋̌̾̔͑̋̈́̍̈̉͊̓̑̀̈́ͅɈ̴̨̨̛̤̬̳̻̩̲̻̥̠͖͔̺͍̥̹͗̍̍̆̐͌̅͐́̅͒̉̔̓̏̚̚ͅɒ̸̧̧̛̳̞̜̟͍̹̦̟͓͉̬̫̼̝̈́͗͌͐̿̍̒̎̀̊͒͗̆͒͑͗̄͋͜͝γ̵̢̨̛̮̞͍͎͙͙̩̣͈̤̰͕͚̺̝̼̾̒́̍͒͛̓͆͆̀͗̾̀͌̔͛͘̚ ̸̢̨̻̜͉͇̰̖͎̦̲̭̦̠̝̩̀̐̆̎̅̔̈́̾̈́̈́̔͂̔̈́͒̈́̏͜͜͝͝Ɉ̴̨̛̠̠̹̣̜̰̤̣͉̬̪͇͇̟͈̱͑̈́̊͊͊͒́̾̏̽͗́̉̈́̈́̏͘o̶̧̡̧̲͚͓͖͇̮͔̫̻͙̥̲̦̒̈́̈́̃̅̾̂͛̒́̂̊͋͂͜͠͝ͅϱ̵̨̨̤̝̹͎͓̙͖͍̞̜̗̮̱̤̙̲̅́̓̾̾͋̀́̔̒̈́́̇̀̃͋̍̍ɘ̶̧̢̹̤̝͓̤͈̱͍͙̱̭̥̱͎̘͔̌͗̓̅̀̀̆̊̋̇͆̓̀̕͜͝͝͠͝ͅɈ̸̨̳̘͈̻͖̤͖͇͚͓͓̖͇̜̗͆̎̊͂̂͌̈́̐̊̅̊̂͛̀̃͂̔̾̏̕͜͜ʜ̷̨̣̲̥̱͔̙̞̥̦̦̙̤͓̼͎̟͐͋̃̽͌͒͗̄̀̉̀͛̒̌̉̄̕ɘ̸̟̞͕̝͍̺̩̫̗̳͙͉̼̳̮̝̫̤͎̑͆̓͋̾̆͐̀͐̓̅̋̓̀̽͗͜͝ɿ̴̡̢̻̪̱̲̯̼̬̘̻̱̬̘̱͖̹̺̑̋̀̒̎͆̄̌̉̀̔̄̾̓̉̈́͆̕͝͝ ̶̡̛͖͔̠͎̝̪̣̘̘͈̭͕̦̗̖͈̎̽͑͋̌͒̑̀͛̓̈̽̿͒̍̚͝͝ͅɒ̵̟͚̼͚̖̩͇͍̬̖̼̦̘͇̲̪̮͙̯̌̒̓̒͆̇́͒͗̎͊̆́̇̾̕͘̚͜ʇ̸͚̹͕͙͚͕͕͇̻͔̭̥̜͇̻̖̀̃́̌̏͊͛̈́̈́̊̎̓̍̃͊͛͂̃̕͘͜Ɉ̴̦̣͇͓̺͉̮̣̖̮̫̙̜̟̝̺̩͖̇̽̑̃̅̿̒̈̃̆͗͊̐̉̓̕͝͝ͅͅɘ̵̢̖̱̯̜̣̪̦̤̱͈̟̩͔̩̜̤̟͎̲̉̄͒̆͆͊̿͆͂̍͗̈͗̈̉̒̎̃͝ɿ̵̧̲͙̺͍̮͙͙̺̟̝͓̲̮̗͙̻̲̋͗̓͐̾̽͊̀̄͛͂̈́̏́̊͗̃̆̀͜ ̶͉̪͖͔̘̦̰͚͚̪̣̖̝̺̪̫͙̠͂̇͌͑̈́̾͆̎́̊̃͗͑̉̽̍́͜͜͝͝Ɉ̷̢̘̤̗̞̣̘̝̟̪̲͎̯̳̩̖͖̺̿̽̃̂̾͐͋́̃̈́̀͐͋́̇̕͜͠͝ʜ̸̱̹̠͓͇̳͔̹̩̻̱̪̹̹͖͈͈͂̈̆̊͒͗̈̍̊͌̋̋̈́͌̌͘͝ͅɘ̷̢̡̰̝̫͙͉̘͍̻̞̦͈̞̹̝̰̞͂̎̅̎̔̄̉́͂̅̀̽̆̋̕̕̕͝ ̴̡̧̨̧̼͖͍̭̳̜̳̤͕̬͉͉̻̱̓́͌͋̏̇̔͐͌̈́̅́̈́̕̚͝͝b̷̨̡͚̰̖͍̤̹̺̮̠͉͎̣̲̳̪̅̏̋̆̐́̈́̅̆͊͊̓͗̌̒̿͒̆͝ɘ̵̧͍͓͚͚̺̘̱̙̭̤̪͕͓͎̩̝͒̀̄͂́́̄͆̏͂̈́͂̂́̕͠͝ɒ̵̡͚̱͕͓͚͎̟̱͈͙̻̥͔̹̬̻̤̾́̎̏͊̏̋̐͒̀͑̐͋̕̚͘͝͠ͅɈ̸̢̢͈͓͕̮̦̻͇̳̩̟̝͎̙̤͈̉̃̈́̽̈́̏͋̐̏̔͋̔͐̑͑̈̓̒ʜ̸̨̤͉̠͍͚̟̹̺̞͎͕͕͍̗͖̱͚̋̋͆͊͗̉̈̇̔̈̏̒̓̾̅̚͘ ̵̧̡̧̛̰͇̗̯̭̼̤̤͙̯͇͈̜̩͉͍̠̂̆̑͊̽̾̀̎̂͒̔̉̀͌͑͑̚͝ő̶̧̩͖̟͎̳̭̖̘͕̱̭̝͇̜̟̻͕̜̎̀̽̋͛̿̌͆̎͌̍͌͐̆̽͜͝͝ʇ̷̧̡̛͕̺͈̥̣̻̝̲̤̥̯̗̖͇̱́̽͋̀́͊̇̍͒̑͂͊̓͘͝͝ ̷̢̧̛̘̻͓̗͇̺̮͔̭̮̘̖̲̮̘̥̬̆̃̾̏̃̒͊̊̒́̃̇̈̔͛̚̚̚͜ɒ̶̨̧̧̢̛̹̪̯͈̜̺͓͓̝̼̫̰̻̘͗́͛̄́̒̈̏̽̑̄͌̿̓̚̚͜͝ͅ ̴̨̨̖̤͖̰̜̼͎̬͖̯̠̳̞͕̳̇̄͒̐͂̒̒̋̈́̍́̈́̎̉̊͛͒͝ɔ̵̡̡̡͚̥̞̪̜̰͎̲̗͇̫͔̗̲͛̀͛͒́̈́̋́̊̏͗̐̿́̕̚̕͝ʜ̸̢̡̢̧̝̪͈̞͚̯͚̜͍͉̮̺̻̳͎̿̎͊̾̎̌̾́͂̂̈́̌̌͒͑̚̕̚i̴̢̡̢̨̨̧̢̖̖̮̺̜̬̟̼͚̫͖̾̅͂͗͗̾͛́̀̀̂͋̕̕̚͝͝͠͝l̷̛̛͚̗̣̪̞͔͕̫̙̤̮̜̮̤͎̘̬͐̉̃̏̋̈̓̀̓̉̈́̆̀̔̕̕͝b̴͔̞̪͇̬̭͎̣̭̪̯͙͕̜͚̹̫͍͙̿̋̍͂̾̒͆͒̂͒͋͌̄͌̈́̓̌ͅ.̸̢̛̲̰̣̺̩̤̟͉͕̭̙͎̹̞͚͎͛̍͆̾̈́͊́͑̈́̀̊̎͆͆̽̚̕͝͠ͅ.̸̡̛̥͍̺̯̫̬̝͈͖̞̰̻̩͓̼̯͕͂̿̒̐̈́́̒̀̈́̈́̃́́̍͐̃̽̕͘ͅ.̷̧̡̫̱͓̹̥͕͚̣̠͈̝͖̥̻͈̆̿̊̈̔͑̍͗̾̏͛̽̇̽̍̒̂̚ ̴̡̨̰͉̭͇̻̱͓̺͙̻͕̭̳̯̖͈̉̑͐͊͂̏̈́͗̋̒͌͌̂̆̂̀͂̚͝ͅl̸̨̧̺͇͙̰̜̺͇̱̖̳̮͚̲̲̟̟͈̟̈́̇́̀͌̇̇̋̈̋̑͑̓͗̕͠͝ɘ̸̧̡̡̮̖̮̝̫̭̬̖͓͖̥͔͎̗͐̇̂̈́̎̈́̑̑͋̌̾̾̃͒̀͘̕͠͝͝Ɉ̷̧̧̛̛̠̺͔͕͍͇̮͓̲̱̪̙̘̖̟̊̽̈́́̉̈̎͊̂̓͆̈̆̎̿͘͘̚͜͜ ̵̧̧͖͓̬̗̟̤̞͚̙̘̗̜̬̥͔̬̈̋̅̆̅̅̀̀̎̓̋̓͗͊͑̐̌̃͜ɒ̷̧̨̘̻͔̪̻̰̫̠̮̱͎͎̳̮͕̝̰̈́̾̓̽̈́̓̈̀͆̉̊͘̕̚͜͠͝͝͝͠ľ̸̢̨̥̼͇̠̬͇̝̯̙͕̪͚͈̯͙͇̫̎̈͊̈̈́̆̆̎͋͐̓̊́̚͠͝ó̸̡͚̺̫̼̘̪̖͓̟̳̙͍͖̭͍͇̈́̀̌͑̐̾͑̊͒͊͛̍͑̇̀̌̐̊͘͜ͅņ̵̦̯͔̥̝̗̹̟̳̜̻̭̟̪̜͗̃̉̋̀̂̋̓̉̐́́̄͊͘͘͠ͅɘ̶̢̛̟͎̳̙̼͎͇͓̣͈̥͉̯̩̭͉͉̟̝̌̈́́̋̎̊̈́́͑̅̇̐͆̌͒̎͌͠͝ ̸̤͉͔̺̥̱̺̼̖̭̣͎̹̳̤̈̌͌͆̓͌̊̈́͂̈̅̿̔̉̀̏̽͜͠͠ͅͅƨ̴̬̠̝̦̙͓͕̞̟̖̝͈͈̺̪̠͂͒́̇̈́͌̓̓͋̔̄̑̍̏̐͋̓̕̚͘͜͜i̷̧̧͍̠̩̺͎̥͔̼̫̠̰̮̱̺̺̻̻̿͋̊̑̀̈́̈́̍̃̅̾͌͂̉͘͘͠x̴̡̧̛̛͚̠͓͈̺̝̲͍̝͚͎̜͚̯̭̄̊͛̿͂̍̈́̃̀͌͌̉͘̚͠ͅɈ̷̧̤̗͕̺̼̫̺͖̳͉̹̱̩̱̜̗͖̓̉̉̄̆̈̅͛̾͂̎͒͋́͛͝͝ɘ̶̧̙͎̳̻̭̩͖̻͈͔͖̭͔̞͖̭͉̇̀̄̀̔͒̇̋͗͗́̏̔͋͑̾̍̕͘̕͜͜ɘ̷̡̧͖̹͍̻͕̘̞̩̠͓̘̙͚͇̲̤̳̞̔̍͋̅̔̐͊̌͊͋͗̄̊̍̊͘͘̕̚ņ̴̢̨͙̺͚̦̼̱̙͓͎̦̲͈̩͆̑̀̀̄̾̂̄̾͋̾̄̕͘̚̚͝ͅ.̶̢̧̫̭̥̦͎̗̱̱͖͍̲̼̳̩̟͊̉̿͋̔͐̽̏̄̽̏̽̇̌̐͋̈͝͝ͅ"̵̴̴̢̢̛̛̛̩̖͖̪͓̮͍͍̗̯̜̞͇̮̟̠͚̬̮͖̩̩̜̭̟͓̮̖̦̟̘̮̘̝̘̤̯̝̰̖͔̹͍͕͙͓̬̟̳̺͕̟͊̑̉̀͆̓̌̎̑̈͒͋̓͛̏̂͐̓̆̊͒̿͋̈́͗͒̀̇̽̈́̐̽̽͐̑̽̄͊̉̉̋̂̂̾̐͌̓̽̀̕̚͜͝͝ͅ"̶̧̜̱̫̣̰͉̹̮̱̟̩̻̩͚̠͈̜̑̒̀͋̓̍̔̂͆͑̊͐̓͒͘̚͝T̵̡̢͙̪͈̣̬̲̹̭͎͎͍̰̗̹͌̓̽̀̅̌̌̑̇͊̏̎́͑́̚͝ͅʜ̸̧̺̰̘̥̣̲̲̫̭͚͚͕̜̺̼̥͌͆̿̅̋̓̔̽͗̅̐͒͛͊͌̎͂̕̚ɘ̶̢̨̡͈̪̺͓̫͍͙̦͕͔̫̬̺̳̹̎͐̅́͂̈́̓̅̓̽̌͌̑̐̕͘̕̚͠ͅͅ ̸̢̢̖̖͎̘̳̳͔̭͙̟͙̣͕͕̊̎͐̓́̒́̇͋͑̏͆̐̃̀̽̽̆̎͛͜ͅʇ̵̧̢̨̢͕̞̱͙̲̦̥͉͕̮̼͍͕͚͎͂͆͌́̉͛́͑̔͊̔̅̆̀̋̐͠͝i̷̡̨̱̝̪̟̩̲͓̤̲̲͎̺̣̠̪͙͍͚͊̍̆̋̐͑̀̌̎͑̾́̀̂̕̕̚ɿ̷̛͇̣̭̟̞̺͓̰̣̘̬̮͇͇̻̪͙̘̆̒͛̍̾̔̽̈́͑͆̓̅̿̕̕͝͝ͅɘ̸̧̛͉̣̮̩̟̱̬̳̜̖͓̗̻̜̹̯͚̤͂͛̎̓͐͐͌̋̂̂̈́̆͂̇̐̍͌͝͝ ̶̢̡̧̘̙̪̪̻̯̺̙̰͙̪̖̘̳̔̿̍̀̄̓́̈́͗̿́̀͌͑̾̏͐͛͘͝ͅw̸̢̨̤͓̬̥̱̗̬͖͎̦̹̟̮̺͇̬͆̆̆̀̎͑̅̇̀͆́̎͂̿̂͘͝ɒ̵̧̧̡̡̛͓̭͍̥̭̫̦̳̺̯͍̜͈͆̈́̉͗̔̐͂̆̑́̉̀̓̉̐̐͗̾̕͜͜ƨ̷̨̧͍̯͉͓̰͍͕̹̳̗̠͕̬͔̣̰̐͐͂͗͑͋́̉̄̿̆̔̀̿̾̂̓́̚͜͜ ̸̻̺̩̬̦̜̮̭͈̪̜̞͇̮̩̞̾̇̋͂̎̓̑̎̓̉͂́̾̀̄͘̕ͅͅɈ̵̢̢̮̹͙͕̭͔͉̪̠͕̹̤͎̟̘̏̽́́̓̔̇̈́̑̈́̊͐͐̃̕͠͝ǫ̸̢̨̡̛̝̬̦͙̯̳̤̮͎͓̦͈̲͈̖́͂̂̌͑̅́̒̎͆̐̇̃̏́̕͠ṍ̷̢̨̖̪̝̮̘͈͕͓̱̭̥͇̩͇̮̥̀̆̓̅͗̂̄̃͊̀̇̽̈͗̈͜͠ ̴̢̛̹̪͖̗̭̦͉̠̩͍̝̗͇̩͈̜̉̓̽́͂͒̎̍̋̈̋̊̏̈́̏͘̚ḋ̶͔̱̩̠̖̬̻̰̫̣̳̪̩͇̲̜͉̐͌͌͐̋͌͂̄̅̉͋̆̒̈́͘̚͜͝͝i̴̢̡̧̡̛͇͖̘̳͖͔̝̻̲̰͎̭͈̙̓̈́̿̊̅̀̍̿̿̊͂̔̎͋́̕͜͝͠ϱ̵̛͕̳̞̣͈͉̦͇̲͚̬̭̤̯̞͉̳́͆̔̀͌͆̈́͗̒͂͐̈͗̽́̍̚̕,̵̡̧͎̰̠͙̩̖̺̖̜͙̱̱̦̖͕́͊́̊͗̈́͐́̏̇͐͒̓͆̇̚̚̕͝͠ ̸̢̗͙̹͍͍͍͔̝͕͍̙͕̘̹̲͇̦̖̍́̅̅̓̿̉̄̂̓̊́̓͒̏̾̌͒̇̕ͅɈ̵̠̘̘̭͚͔̞̗̳̺͖̞͔̜͈͉̞̱̗̑͗̂̑̈́͊͋̍̎̀̈́̚̚̚͠͝͠͝͝ʜ̵̢̮̞̬͈̦̞͓͍͚̼͖̥͉͚̗͈̞̺͋̍͊͐̒͋̔̈́̔͆̽̅͊̇̉̚̚͝ɒ̷̧̛͖̹̬̤̫͍̘̱͕͎̦̟͇̘̝̻̺̀̓́̈́̆̏̓́͐̏̓̃̋̇̊́͜Ɉ̸̢̢̡̡̭̙͕̖̗͖̠͖̮̭͓͔̹̓̐͊̉̋́̈̾̍̈̅̓̓͑̃͗̕̕ ̴̧̧̢̢̡̧̗͙̬̝̬̦̳͓̯̹̥̘̑̽̊̑̓̒̿̌̇̃̈́̓̅̽́́̄̐͂͒ͅw̷̨̧̡̛̭̗̙̟̞̼̬̳̠͈̩̙̘̣͉͒͋̀͌̔̊͆̍͒̐̀̋̾͛͂͊̋͠ɒ̸̺̮̙̱͉̼͖̩̗̹̺͔̺̱̺͍̖̽̿͑͋̑͐̈́͆̔̈́̈́͊̾̊̓͋̑̈́͜͠ͅƨ̴͚͔̗͖̘̲̯͍͖̼̺̼̣̬̲̜̘͕̹̭̀̏͊̊̀͋̓͗̉̊̈́̿̆͌̉̚̚̚ņ̷̡̥͎̟̟̺͉̤̞̠͇̜͈̤͎͎̇̊̔͋̊͋̏̿̏̽̅̅̈́̽̍̂̚̚͜͜͝͝'̶̡̲̟̞̙̞̭̝̱̬̰̦͎̤̬͇̘͌̄͌̒͐͗̀̈́̔́̒̍́̂́̿̚͝͝ͅɈ̷̢̡̥̯̜̱͓̞̳̺͔̙̰̫̯̝̠͖̈́̓̿͛̇̃̀̈́̄͊͂̅͌͐̒̕͝͝ ̷̛̛͎̪̹̗̰̰͇̮͇̯̹͍͔̤̬̭̣͎̔̄̂̀͑̏̿̈̃́̑̊́̂̈́̄̚͠ͅγ̷̨̰̭̠͕͙̳͔̜͍̫͉̮̞̬̮̬̟͗͂̓̆̓́̌̇̋̀̾̀̊͒̃̒͝͠ơ̷̧̧̨̙̮͔̱̘̝͙͉̫̼̪̞͎̥̦̻̆̾̾̾̓͆͂̋͐̾̌̿͛̀͊̂ύ̴̡͈͕̜̤̻̜̜̲̪̰̳̜͓͔̻͗͂̅̒̃̎̽̈́́̓͐͌͐̋̌̈̇͝ͅɿ̷̡̛̬̻̮͍̥̫͓͎̥̹̹͈͍̲̗͍͕̜̩͆̏̀͑̂̑͊̀̇̽͑̇̾̽́̄̽͘̚ ̵̨̧̛͉̙͙̜̠̪̰̝̝̮̺̣̖̓͂͆̃̍͗̔͊͒̄̀̈́́̾̈͜͜͠ʇ̸̧̡̨̨̫͇̞̹̝̻̥̰̦̗̪̦͙͔̃̈́̏̉͋́̊̿̅̉̆́̽̿̕͘͠ɒ̵̧̛̛̣͓̙̖͖̱̺͎͚̰̣̥̙̹̲͕̩̣̑͑̎̄̿̅̔̉͋̐̃̏̓̈́͒͜͝͝͝υ̵̢̗̗̝̬̯̪̻̭͔̼̫̰͍̮͉͎̜̜̊̂̈̆̈̿̈͋̅̍̄̑̇̀̏̀̚͝ͅl̸̹̜̞̻̩̮͇͚͇̳͙̮̙̫͔͎͙͔̩̀͌͛̔͂̿̓̓̓̑̓̄́́̋̚͘͘̚Ɉ̵̡̨̮̜̹͎̺̬̝͔̘̗̥͕͎̥͈̟͍̆̈̓̈͒̈́̒͗̎̓͌̿͘̕͜͠͝.̴̧̛̖̬̝̙̩̺̜͚̖̘̜̭̖̘̦͚̩̈͛͛̍̀̓̓͊̽͌̐̓͌̿͘̚͜͜͝͝͝"̸̸̷̢̧̡̢̡̡̡̛̥̗͙͎̩̣̹̥̗̻̫̳̜͚̙̗͉̤̜̺͍͈̼͇̩̼̹͕̗̫̬̹̱͇̞̭̪͉̣͍̣̻̮̀̑̄̑̔͂͑͐͒̄̃͑͒͒̑͒̈́̅͒̇͒́̍̂͂̋̀̍̃̒̀̿̌̄̇̔̏͗͂̽̉͊̓̋͘̚̚̕͜͜͜͝͠͠͝͝͝ͅ"̸̨͕̙̼̣̝̳̭͉̻̺̖̺̤͍͆͗͆̾̀̌͊̿̋͌̉͛͌͆̿͋͋͂͜͝ͅઘ̸̨̮͙̲͙̭͓͉̥̥͎͓͔̭̟̰͆͊̾̂̈́͆̃̈́̋͂͂̏̀̌͐͌̏̇̍̕͜͜υ̴̢̡̢̠͓̰̹͚̳̯̘̲̩̦̺̤͇̌̈́̉̑̈́́̓͐̐͌̀̓̓̒̆̚̕͝ͅͅɈ̴̨̨̛̘̩̯͙̪̜̼̞̖̮̱͉͕̝̣̹̋̾́̓̍̅̓̾͂̒̉́̈́̕͜͠͝͝͝ͅ.̸̨̨̧̢̧̼͈̟̗̫͚̩̤̘̼͉̹̖͎͓̈́͊̿͒̌̄̊̑̎̅̅͒̒̊͂̂̚͠͝.̴̡̡̛̻͉̺͚͍̯̞̙͕͙͕̥̦̻̮̝̂̆͊̏͐͒̒̊͋̓̓͐̅̕͝͝.̷̨̡̛̪̣̗̩̲̝͙̮̥͇͕̰͈̖̩̮̩̃͒̏̾̅̇̄́͗̂́̆͛̐̔͜͝͝ ̷̨̢̡̠̠͖̜̥̳̦͔͎͎̬͈̲͍̞̿͌̇͒̉̒̈́̊̏͛̂̉̏͘͘̚̚͜/̵̡̠̻̞̟̪̜͇̭̝͍̯̣̥̗̠͒̆̾̎̅̀́̓͋̄̓̃͂̀́̍͌̚̚͜͠ͅͅ/̷̛̫͎̣̣͖͖̪̤̦̙͖͈̺̭͚̗̬̇̎̊̇̇̊͆͗̒̋̆̾͆̎́̏̍͝͝ͅͅÍ̷̡̩͙̟̭̳̹̻͔̪̗͎̼̝̩̲̓̍̒̌́͑͂̐̊̄̽́̓̀̄̕͝͠͝ͅ'̴̨̤̻̭͙̟͚̪̗̟̭͍̜͕͎͇̺̝̻̍̾̆̐̿̍́̇͆̍̒̔̽͆̓̄͋͜͝m̶̡̨̛̪̻̭̜̩̤̼̲̻̺̗͍̗̠̜̥͇̏̿̿͑͛̓̊͛̀͒́̐̃̂́̓̿͠͝ ̵̛̠̹̯̬̞̼͉̭̱̱̖̜͈̬͈͖͉͎̠́̍̑̓̽͛̿͋̂̾͌̑̉͛͗̑͋̈͑Ɉ̶͔̠̮͙̱̯̱͖͔̟̙̲̲̼͓̺̝̳̽͂̉̔̆͆̓̎̈́͋̔̃͆̿̾͘͠͝͝ͅʜ̴̧̡̧̛̩̳͍̲͕̙͕̲̫̫͉̝̳̯̌͗̂͂̽̅̋̐̂̓͆͌́́̎͌͝͝ɘ̴̪͕̩͎̠̬̪̮̙̭̖̱͙̫͎͕͆̐̋̀͌̒̑̐̂̇̋̐͒̉̚͠͝ͅͅ ̸͉͉͓͓̞͈̤̖͍̖̮̹̯̞̗̩̱͖̹̆̍̊̈́̾̀̿̔̓̅̎͗̆̓͘͝͝͝ò̶̡̧̹͎̘̣͔̱͈̦̱͇̞̺͙͎͔̿͒̋̅̀͆̐̿̂̽̂̈́͐̍̆͠ͅń̷̨̡̢̖̝͇̬̯̩̮̙̗̬̞͎͔̱̫̽̈́̒̅͒̓̀̀̎̋̒̉̋̕̕͝ͅɘ̸̧̨̡̡̺̘͕̳͓͇̬̣̪̙͇͍̙̣̓̽̌̎͊͂̄͒̃̿͌̌̓̽̂͊̕͠͝ ̷̢̛̺͚͎͙̗̟̣̩̺̪̠̻̰̳̬̾͛̐̂́̓̂͑̈́͌͋̓̿͒̚͜͝͝ͅɈ̷̛̛͇̣̮͚̟̳͕͚͎͎͚̬͖̖͎̙̻̭̽͋̒̔̀̀̍͒̂̾̂̾̽̅̈́͒͜͝ʜ̶̡̛̝͔̥͔̜̙͖͙͎̼̝̩̮̖̱̳̀͛͒̀̑̿͋͆͂̍̀̋̓̀̇̒̚͝ɒ̷̡̧̯̻̼̙̗̗͖̠̺̗̼̘̳̞̅̏̎̋̿̔̋͊̎̈́̏̊̏̃̓̔̊̋̂͠ͅɈ̷̢̡̭̰͎̹͚͖͇͎͈̥̳̦̦̻̪̓̑̅͊̃͆̎̉̎̉͋̄͑̄̏̋͘͜͜͠ͅ ̶̢̯͈͎͉͙̮̻̘̱̩̪̟̤͇̟̼͖̬͎͊̈̓̽̓͒͛̀̈́̿̃̑̉̈̎̾̈̅̇͘ƨ̵̛̠͍̺͕͓͇̗̹̮͈̺͖̪͚̄̓̃͐͑̌̔͑͗́͑̓̆̀̕̕͜͜͠͝͠ͅɘ̸̧̢̨͍̟̟̮͈̫͖̬͖͖̝̰͎̼̦̗͋̅̆̀́̈̔̿̍̾͒̃̓̈́̐͊͘͝Ɉ̵̧͕̺̟̣̞̤̬̤̘̯̹̳̮̠̳̭͍̓͌̄͌͂̈́̋̅͌͌̒̓͆̋͆̒͒̑͘͝ ̵̢̨̨̳͈͔͍͔̣̱͙̦̦̬̦͇̹̩̙̉͐̊͗̿̒͒̈̆̂́̆͆̈́̽̈̕͜i̸̺̳̪̖͕̝̝͓͍̣̩̫̬͚̭̿́̏͋̈́̉̈́̽͗̋̈́́͑͋̚͘͜͝͠͝ͅɈ̴̡̧̡̛̫̠̱̫͖̱̩̙̠͉̗͈͙̠̠̪͊̓͊̐͋̄͋͑̒͂̅́̀̒̕̕͜͝.̴̪̘̞͍̖͙̞̲͎̺̘̝̖̦̞͉̹̂͛̋̾̇͂̎̈́̊̆̀̔͑́͑̏͋̕͜.̶̧̧͍̹͎̖̬̼͓͔̦̼̺̤̹̟̯͍̣̋̆̈́͐͂̃̉̈̍̀͋̂͆̎͋͛̌̈́͝͝.̶̧̧̡̨͇̫̼͙̩̘̮̤̝̦̺͇͕̰͇̇͊̑̔̀̌̇́̈́̾̓̈́̏̄̽͘͝/̶͚͎̝̞̝̠͈̬̠͈̮͓͇̲̜͑̾͗̅͐̿͛͌͊̄͒̆̈́̑̀̃͋̚͘͜͜͝ͅ/̸̛̝̱̳͍̜̥̱̖̤͉̜̬̭̰̤̘̫̼̱̗̒̒͂͑͑̃̆̀̌̈̈͊͑̅̄̚"̴̶̷̡̨̢̢̧̨̡̛̛̳̯̟̭̩̙͓̻̺̯͉̺͉̝̙͎͈̥̬͚̝̬͔̥̞̦̯͉̜̦̫̜̼͚̜͉̲͎͙̫̲̥̯̯̹͕͈̤̬̝̼̌͌̈́̇͐̐̒̽͛̒̈́́͒͛̇̍̑̋̑͗̐̔̔̿̑́͊̊́̆̅̿̎̂͒͂͗̒̒͌́̄̏̔̎̇̒͘͘͘̕͘͜͠͝"̷̡̡̯͕̱̦̱̭̣͉͖̥͉̥̥̥̟̘͕̈́̿͌̅̂̑͗̽̄̉̀̈̔͆͝͝͠O̶̡͚̦͎̯͚̮͖̪̦̹̜̮͉̫̭̟̭̻̊͗͛́́̀͂͐̀̋̏́̈̈̔͐̑͘͝͝ͅʜ̶̧̨̛̛̹͔̼͚̠̝̱̜͇̥͔̫͙̻̇͌̃̿̈́̃̀̑̀̅̓͛̾͐̑̕̕͠ͅ ̷̖̻͍̦̪͇̜͓̪̩̲̜͖̭͇̽́̄̈́̋̓̈́̅͐̄͌́̈́̍̄͐͜͜͠͝͝m̷̨̡̺̹̟͓̮̪͎̲͓̟̲͇̠̗̲̓̇̋̾́̈͋̒͌̑̀̇͒͒̕̕͘̚͜γ̴̢̛̟̹͖̮̘̤̪̖̘̖̙̤̜̘͙͎̀͂͌̽͂̐͗̒́͊͆̒͛̂́̋͆͛͝ͅ ̸̧̨̢̝̼̳͔̳̮͉̦͈̥̭͚̺̖̠̱̽̿̆̆̂͗̿̓͛͒̓́͛̎́̊̄̃́͒͜ϱ̵̨̢̡̬̲̠̱̗̯͉͕̠͖̺̠̼̦̥̗̋̀̑́̌̍̀̾̑͆̔̑͋̅́̚͘͝͝ͅǫ̵̧̛̭̰̗͖̦͎̰̤̹̳̞̥͓̯̩̎͗͑̽̾̾́̆̈́̒̃̔͊̏̒̑̐̕͘b̴̖̖̼̠̥͎̖̤͔̬̠̘̹̖̺͎͒̈́̔̐̈̀̈́̀̓̐̄͌̌̊̉̕͜͠͠.̸̡̢̼̲̭̤͎̝̙̣̱̳̳̹̮̱̞̤̳̃́̈́̓̄̐̀̽́̈́͒͗̄̑́̚̕.̵̧̧̩̹͎͉̞̳͓͉͖̪̮̯͓̠̬̌̽́̾̓̒̀̍̀̀̍̓̾̈́́̎͊͆̕͜.̶̡͓̰̯͉̠̦̝̟̘̝͈͎̭͕̬̮̏͐̂̔̏̍́̉́̀̿̇̒̄͜͠͝͝"̷̢̨̣̩̥͇̻̝͈̫̜͙͖̦͔͕̤͎̣̀̒̄̎̃͋̿̎͆̇̑͆̊̆̏̄̕̚̚->Discovered (This Cover)]]] =><= (text-colour:white)[I lean forward, further into the chamber — attempting to decipher any part of the conversation.] <= (text-colour:white)[//A single word, anything. Something's going on — I can't take not knowing.// From behind — ''Jessica:'' (css: "font-size: 150%;")[TEEJAY?! ARE YOU IN HERE?!] [[I fall forward into the tunnel, landing on my face. I groan in pain, stopping myself. I listen closely:->You're Fucked]]](text-colour:white)[//A loud roar echoes toward me.// //They heard me. They know I'm here. I'm fucked.// //Growling, running toward me —// My feet slide on the damp ground as I attempt to pick myself up. I manage to find my footing, and take off running the way I came. //I see the outline of another human — probably Jessica.// //I'm about to run into her, she's not moving.// //I need to warn her.// ''TeeJay:'' Jessica, get the fuck — I collide with Jessica's shoulder, shoving past her. I reach my arm around her body and pull her along with me. She screams a little. ''TeeJay:'' They're right behind us! She picks up her pace, and I let go — running on my own. I lead us straight through the blue chamber. ''Jessica:'' Where are we going?! ''TeeJay:'' We're running! ''Jessica:'' Where are we running to?! ''TeeJay:'' I don't know — away from the monsters! ''Jessica:'' Where is that?! ''TeeJay:'' I don't know! ''Jessica:'' Why?! ''TeeJay:'' Stop talking! On the other side of the blue chamber, we enter another narrow tunnel. It slopes down, until — ''TeeJay:'' There's another squeeze. //A small slit in the rock ahead.// I bend down, peering into it. //It's so dark inside — this is useless. I can't see where it ends.// I turn around to instruct Jessica. ''TeeJay:'' We have to go through. She shakes her head. ''Jessica:'' No, I can't — //not after what happened to Kendra.// I sigh. ''TeeJay:'' There's no other way. //I don't want to do this either. It's probably not worth saying that out loud though.// ''Jessica:'' I can't... ''TeeJay:'' I'll go after you. And you're smaller than me... Jessica pauses, breathing deep. She nods. ''Jessica:'' Yeah, that sounds okay. Thanks — for calling me small. I nod my head. Jessica approaches the rock slit and bends down next to me. She takes a large breath, then swallows. Extending her arms out — she lays herself prone, and starts crawling forward and into the squeeze. ''Jessica:'' The rock is scratching my tits! [[When her shoes disappear from view, I lay myself out on the cool rock. I hold my breath and crawl in after her.->Is it fucking a rock]]](text-colour:white)[//The squeeze is tighter than I envisioned. My butt scrapes across the top of the rock, my shirt is slightly untucked — leaving a small area on my lower back exposed.// //Fuck, this already hurts. My skin is being scratched by the rock — I can barely pull myself forward.// //Jessica's poor nipples.// From ahead in the darkness, Jessica's voice echoes back. ''Jessica:'' TeeJay, it opens up here! There's a tiny little chamber, cave...thing. ''TeeJay:'' That's great! Do you see anything?! ''Jessica:'' Let me check! A pause. ''Jessica:'' There's another tight squeeze up here — but it goes down this time! ''TeeJay:'' Is there anything else?! ''Jessica:'' I don't think so... ''TeeJay:'' Do you want to...go down it? Another pause. I grunt, pushing myself forward again. ''Jessica:'' No, but, like — ''Jessica:'' Don't you remember? ''TeeJay:'' Remember //what//? ''Jessica:'' The guy in the cave! The one Kendra was always talking about! //I don't remember that. Maybe it happened? There's a lot of things happening.// ''TeeJay:'' I don't remember. I only really knew Kendra for a day, I'm sorry... ''Jessica:'' There was just a guy that crawled down in a tight cave, and he got stuck — it horrified Kendra. A jagged rock cuts into my back, I scream out in pain. //I'm definitely bleeding...// ''TeeJay:'' Maybe we shouldn't think about this kind of stuff right now! ''Jessica:'' But what if I — what if I get stuck...? //I hate being the adult.// ''TeeJay:'' Jessica, you have to go down! There's no other way. Until we actually get stuck, we can't stress out about it. I sigh deeply. ''TeeJay:'' //We can't let indecision run our lives.// I'm sorry, but it's not worth it... A long pause. I pull myself forward, sucking my stomach in further. //Do I even believe what I said?// ''Jessica:'' You're right — I'm going down. ''TeeJay:'' I'm proud of you! She grunts, then screams out — moving away from me. ''TeeJay:'' Jessica?! //Silence.// I move forward, slowly — Or try to. //I'm stuck.// //Do I tell Jessica?// //What do I do?// //Do I panic?// A small whimper escapes my lips, I move myself back and forth to no avail. //I can't panic.// //Not after what happened earlier.// //I just have to —// //The sound of nails scratching behind me.// I wiggle my body around, breathing slow and deep. //Just stay calm.// //You're not stuck — you can get out of this.// //I feel lightheaded.// //Just keep moving yourself — slowly.// //I can do it.// //I can do this.// I suck in my stomach again — and move myself forward slightly. //I did it. I can move again.// My hands dig into the rock, moving myself forward. I'm moving faster, in front of me — I exit into a small rock chamber. Taller than my head — but barely enough room to expand my arms around me. I bend down, searching before finding — //The slope Jessica was talking about.// ''TeeJay:'' Jessica...? Silence for a moment. ''Jessica:'' TeeJay? //She's okay. Thank god.// ''TeeJay:'' Where are you? ''Jessica:'' Down here! //I can't —// I sigh, then respond calmly. ''TeeJay:'' Where is "down here"...? ''Jessica:'' Oh! There's another cave down here — it's pretty small! Moving forward, I tip forward over the slope. ''TeeJay:'' How long of a drop is — My body slips through, carried by gravity. I fall into another cave — landing on my face again. ''Jessica:'' TeeJay! I groan. She leans down and places a hand on my back. ''Jessica:'' Oh my god, are you okay?! Grimacing, I respond while lifting my body from the ground. ''TeeJay:'' Yeah — I look around the area. //Nothing but darkness. A faint ball of light in the distance, if I squint. Not sure why I expected to see anything.// //The ball of light grows larger.// ''TeeJay:'' Hey, what do you think — I grab Jessica's shoulder and turn her gaze toward the light. ''Jessica:'' (css: "font-size: 175%;")[Who's that over there?!] //What?// //Why?// //I chose the worst person to get separated with.// A familar voice returns. ''Frankie:'' Jessica?! ''Jessica:'' Frankie?! ''Grace:'' Jessica?! //Grace?!// ''Jessica:'' Grace! The ball of light gets closer — illuminating Jessica's bare figure next to me. I avoid staring. //It's another flashlight. Where are all these coming from?// Frankie approaches us first, followed by Grace — who's walking with a severe limp on her right leg. Both of them are covered in dried blood. ''Jessica:'' Grace! Frankie! You're alive! Jessica runs to meet Grace — hugging her deeply. The two friends reunite, tears in both of their eyes. ''Jessica:'' And you're both...covered in blood? Frankie grins. ''Frankie:'' I know, right?! It's not ours, or anyone's we know. Frankie notices Jessica's lack of clothing. ''Frankie:'' Why are your tits out...? Jessica lets go of Grace, touching her face next. ''Jessica:'' Are you okay?! ''Grace:'' Yeah, I'm okay. Frankie turns in my direction, a concerned look. ''Frankie:'' Where's Kendra? I shake my head — he nods, the light leaving his eyes for a moment. He looks back up, nodding firmly and determined. //I should ask something else. To not let this linger.// ''TeeJay:'' Have you guys seen Val? He nods. ''Frankie:'' Yeah, she's up ahead — with the others. //Others...? So many questions, hard to pick which to ask first.// ''TeeJay:'' Where'd you guys get the flashlight? //I need this question answered, don't judge me.// Frankie grins, staring at me for a moment. ''Frankie:'' Oh, I totally forgot! We actually got it from... Dramatically, Frankie shifts the flashlight to his right — //Sam.// //He's standing right there.// //He's not dead.// //He's right there.// //Covered head-to-toe in dried blood — just like the other two.// //But right here.// //I can't talk.// Stumbling forward, I reach my arms out — He pulls me into a deep hug. I bury my face into his hair, sniffing deep. Frankie laughs at us in the background. //He smells so relaxing...// //And a little stinky.// He pulls away from me, brushing my bangs to the side. ''Samuel:'' I missed you so much. ''TeeJay:'' Me too — I thought you were dead. //Why did I say that?// ''Samuel:'' Well — He motions down to his physical presence. ''Samuel:'' I'm not. I nod my head, and smile wide. ''TeeJay:'' Yeah — you're not. Samuel returns a smile, sticking his tongue out slightly. //He's so cute! I can't.// ''TeeJay:'' I've been doing a lot of thinking down here, and I — //I'm speaking without thought. This doesn't happen to me.// ''TeeJay:'' I think I'm ready to work on our relationship. Whether that means going on medicine, or whatever — I'm tired of feeling so guilty. //In front of so many others? People that I just met?// I stammer. ''TeeJay:'' I shouldn't be going into depression spirals every time that you ask me for a change. So I'm ready to work on that. //He's not responding. Did I fuck up?// ''TeeJay:'' O-Only if you'll let me though — ''Samuel:'' Of course I'll let you... I can't stop myself — I pull him into another hug. ''TeeJay:'' I'm sorry — I'm sorry for letting outside stuff affect us so much. I'm sorry that I worried you... I dig my face into his chest. //Right in-between his boobs. Where I belong.// ''TeeJay:'' (css: "font-size: 55%;")[I'm sorry that I tried to hurt myself.] ''Samuel:'' You don't have to be sorry — He corrects himself. ''Samuel:'' Well, you know what I mean. You don't have to say sorry to me. I lean back slightly, looking up at his face. ''Samuel:'' I know what you're going through — and I forgive you. Especially if you're going to work on being kinder to yourself. I squeeze him again. ''TeeJay:'' Thank you. //I'm crying. Frankie isn't laughing at us anymore — I'm not sure what the others are doing.// ''Frankie:'' Hey, uh, guys — //Speak of the devil.// Samuel tilts his head up, I don't leave his embrace. ''Samuel:'' What's up? ''Frankie:'' I think you should see this... I separate myself from Sam's body, wiping tears off my face. //Frankie has an expression of legitimate confusion mixed with slight concern.// ''TeeJay:'' See what? Frankie tilts the flashlight up, angling it so we can see the top of the hole Jessica and I dropped in from. At the tip of the slope, inside the sticking inside the slit — [[//The monster's penis is thrusting in and out of the hole — fast and hard, scraping its skin on the rock. Furry and red, the same as their skin — additional dark red liquid pouring from it with each movement. The red trail rolls down the slope, and drips down from the ceiling above.//->It's fucking a rock.]]](text-colour:white)[It's grunting now. This is fucking disgusting. //Is it — fucking to the beat of that Kelly Clarkson song...? Am I seeing that right? Do I remember the song right?// ''Frankie:'' Oh my god, is it gonna — The monster forces its testicles inside the slit as well, moaning as it does. ''Jessica:'' //Why, though...?// That can't be comfortable. //I assume to stop them from slapping against the rock on the outside —?// Jessica turns to face me. ''Jessica:'' TeeJay — would that be comfortable? ''TeeJay:'' I don't feel comfortable answering that... ''Jessica:'' Try it right now. //She's so...// Samuel clears his throat, speaking up. ''Samuel:'' Hey, we don't know each other, but you probably shouldn't assume what a trans woman's genitals are like — ''Jessica:'' But the internet... Samuel turns to Frankie. ''Samuel:'' Is she being serious right now? Frankie nods. ''Frankie:'' Probably. ''Jessica:'' What's wrong with thinking a trans girl has balls?! ''Grace:'' You know what they say about thought, right, Jessica? ''Jessica:'' Just thoughts about women's balls, or — ''Grace:'' I thought I had to fart, but I shitted on myself. ''Frankie:'' Shut up, Jessica! ''Samuel:'' You're making a terrible second impression. //I forgot how up-front Sam can be. So different from me.// I smile slightly. Frankie interrupts. ''Frankie:'' Hey, we should probably be talking about what's going on up there — right? He shines the light toward the monster's dick again — still thrusting in and out. //Now that I've watched it for a little bit...is it moving to the beat of "Beautiful Girls" now? Is my mind playing tricks on me?// ''Samuel:'' So it's definitely fucking the rock, right? Do we all see that? I nod. ''TeeJay:'' Yeah, it's fucking the rock. ''Jessica:'' Again — //why, though...?// Sam and Frankie shrug their shoulders in unison. ''Samuel:'' No idea. ''Frankie:'' Do you think it's trying to have fun or, like — //I know where he's going with this — it's thrusting through intense bleeding. It doesn't look enjoyable, leading to one answer.// ''TeeJay:'' Make a baby? Jessica's jaw drops. Frankie nods slowly. ''Frankie:'' Yeah, that's what I was thinking — ''Jessica:'' It's making a baby?! It's about to rip it's dick off in a rock — that's not how you do that! I glance up through the hole, just in time to see — //It thrusts deep inside the slit — running over a jagged rock. The rock catches the monster's foreskin — slicing deep — horizontally across the shaft, red surging forth and dripping down below. Half of its foreskin is loosely attached, danging below.// The monster howls in pain, but doesn't stop — fucking through the pain. //It accidentally drags its balls over a large patch of gravel — it sticks to them with the assistance of its blood.// //I want to throw up...// //We're all just watching in silence.// The monster moans loudly. ''Jessica:'' What do we do...? Frankie shrugs again. ''Frankie:'' I dunno — //watch?// //He's right. I turn my attention back to the real show. The creature's blood is making the process easier — and seemingly more enjoyable from their scream-turned-moan.// ''Jessica:'' We can't just stand here while it has sex with a rock! ''Grace:'' I mean — //it's a rock...// ''Jessica:'' Right — a living creature! Frankie bursts out laughing. ''Grace:'' We'll unpack this later. ''Jessica:'' But for now, we just watch?! What the hell are — The monster moans, screaming out in pleasure. A large spurt of blue shoots forth from its tip. //Did it just...// //This just went in such a different direction...// //Plus...// //That's a lot of cum!// I watch as the substance drops, sailing perfectly down the hole in an arc. It flies forward into the chamber, toward — ''Grace:'' Jessica, move! ''Jessica:'' Oh — Jessica opens her mouth to scream as the bucketload of //that stuff// hits her face. It rolls down her face and into — //Oh jeez...// //Did it go in her mouth?// Jessica leans her head back, retching. She vomits forward onto the ground, the blue substance dips from her face and starts mixing below — I look away. //It definitely did.// ''Grace:'' Jessica, are you okay?! Frankie and Sam laugh — Sam bending over on himself as he does. Jessica finishes vomiting, and screams toward the ceiling. The blue substance rolls down her body — reaching her pants, and rolling right off the material. ''Jessica:'' THIS IS SO FUCKING GROSS, //I HATE IT, I HATE THIS, I HATE —IHATETHISCAVE!!!!// Frankie speaks through heavy laughter. ''Frankie:'' I think — I think that's fair at this point...//oh my god...// He laughs even harder, making me smile. ''Jessica:'' Stop laughing at me! I just got cummed on //BYAFREAKINGMONSTER!!!!!!// //Wait a second...// I ask Jessica something vitally important, something that could change the trajectory of my life. ''TeeJay:'' Can I touch it? She grimaces at me. ''Jessica:'' Ew, why?! ''TeeJay:'' I just want to check something — for my sanity. She stares at me for a moment, still confused. ''Jessica:'' Sure — I guess... I approach her and reach my hand out slowly — I touch Jessica's face, rolling a glob of blue between my fingers. //Oh, it definitely is —// //I'm gonna be sick...// Leaning forward, I allow myself to get sick onto the floor — my own brew mixing in with the brown-blue concoction already present on top of the rock. ''Jessica:'' Oh my god, that's — Jessica resumes vomiting, our stomach-emptying sounds combining into a beautiful symphony. ''Frankie:'' Holy shit! ''Grace:'' This is fucking vile! //Skip to the end of the page if you can't handle it, you baby.// Sam's hand brushes my shoulder gently. ''Samuel:'' Are you okay?! I wipe my lips and speak through halted breaths, toward Jessica. ''TeeJay:'' The river was cum, Jessica — it was //cum!// ''Jessica:'' Oh — She vomits more, sputtering coughs. ''Jessica:'' — god! ''Frankie:'' "The river was cum"? That's the answer to a really sexy riddle. ''Samuel:'' Do you think she means the one we saw? ''Frankie:'' Oh — good point... ''Samuel:'' Was it all blue and sticky? I nod my head, craning my neck to look up the hole. //The creature's penis is just sitting there — bleeding profusely, shrinking in size...// Unleashing from deep within, I scream at the top of my lungs. ''TeeJay:'' FUCK YOU! YOU STUPID, HORNY, FUCKING — UGLY FUCKS! Jessica joins me in yelling. ''Jessica:'' I HOPE YOU FUCKING DIE YOU STUPID MONSTER FUCK — I HOPE YOU DIE BY GETTING YOUR HEAD — FUCKING — FREAKING, CHOPPED OFF! WAIT — YOUR DICK HEAD! ''Frankie:'' Harsh... Jessica scowls at Frankie. ''Jessica:'' You don't //GET// to talk! WE SWAM IN A RIVER OF — Grace clears her throat. ''Grace:'' Uh, we get it — and we're sorry... Jessica pants, her shoulders heaving up and down. ''Jessica:'' Thanks... ''Grace:'' Maybe we should calm down and start moving again? ''Frankie:'' Agreed. //That reminds me —// ''TeeJay:'' By the way, which way'd you guys come from? ''Frankie:'' Oh, we actually — Sam interrupts. ''Samuel:'' We separated from a larger group to come find you two. They should still be moving down, through some tunnels over there — Sam points to the left — into to the darkness. ''TeeJay:'' Seems good to me. ''Jessica:'' Did you guys happen to find a shower in one of them? I really want to clean this off — ''Grace:'' Uh, no — ''Frankie:'' There's an underground lake close, though. Jessica nods her head. ''Jessica:'' That should work. [[Turning our backs to the hole //(and the monster phallus)// — we venture off into the darkness. I reach for Sam's hand — he grabs ahold of mine.->An Almost Full Party! (For Now)]]](text-colour:white)[Our collective footsteps echo through the cave — none of us are speaking, most holding their breath. ''Jessica:'' So, I really wanna know — what'd you guys get up to when we were split up? //She's chipper for someone that just —// ''Frankie:'' When Grace and I lost Val and TeeJay, we were chased down into a crater or something — ''Jessica:'' I remember this — I went down in the crater with you. Skip this part. ''Frankie:'' Well, I would — but we've seen each other more recently than I've seen TeeJay, so I'm just trying to catch her up too... ''Jessica:'' Oh. ''Frankie:'' Yeah, so, in the crater is where we met up with Sam's group. They had probably — Frankie looks to Samuel. ''Frankie:'' Fifteen? ''Samuel:'' Sixteen. ''Frankie:'' Right, they had //fifteen// other people with them, and they all seemed pretty nice. I turn to face Jessica. ''TeeJay:'' You met Sam and didn't tell me? ''Jessica:'' I didn't know who he was! ''Frankie:'' I said he was TeeJay's ex... ''Jessica:'' Then I wasn't listening, lay off! ''TeeJay:'' All of the other humans I've seen have been pretty violent... ''Samuel:'' Oh, yeah — you weren't there for that part either. None of you were. Samuel clears his throat. ''Samuel:'' I told Frankie and Grace this already, but most of the men's side waited for the others at the bottom when we all climbed down. ''Jessica:'' Nobody was there for us! ''Samuel:'' Some of us wanted to wait for you! But — He pauses, choosing his words carefully. ''Samuel:'' Others disagreed. And then there was some fighting among the groups, and then there was a, uh — ''Samuel:'' I think the correct term is "prison riot"...? But in a cave. ''Frankie:'' I called it a cave riot. ''Samuel:'' Sure, yeah, a cave riot then. There was a cave riot — and I split up from the group with my cabin. Then those...//furry monsters// started attacking and chased us all the way down here. ''Frankie:'' When Grace and I found Sam's group, he recognized me — ''Samuel:'' From dinner. ''Frankie:'' And I remembered what you said about Sam's medical knowledge, so I asked him to help Grace, and, well — Frankie motions to Grace. ''Frankie:'' Here she is — //alive.// Grace nods, and looks at Sam. ''Grace:'' I still really owe you one. He rubs his head slowly. ''Samuel:'' It's nothing, really... ''Grace:'' No, really — thank you. ''Samuel:'' I — //He's feeling awkward. He's never been good at taking affirmations of his worth.// ''TeeJay:'' Then what happened? ''Frankie:'' Right when Grace was starting to feel better — the creatures swarmed us in the crater. They, uh, //they got a lot of us...//the ones that couldn't climb out. All but five, including us three — He continues, not letting the moment linger. ''Frankie:'' That's when we lost Jessica, she ran off in a different direction. We thought she died. The rest of us got chased toward //that river//, which we followed 'till... Frankie trails off. Sam picks the conversation up. ''Samuel:'' Until we found ](text-colour:(hsl:120,0.8039,0.5,0.4))[//The Pyramid//](text-colour:white)[. //Huh...?// ''Jessica:'' What's ](text-colour:(hsl:120,0.8039,0.5,0.4))[//The Pyramid//](text-colour:white)[—? ''Frankie:'' It's, uh — Frankie looks to Sam and Grace for assistance. Sam shrugs. ''Grace:'' It's probably better if you see it for yourself. Jessica squints her eyes — testing Grace. She responds flatly. ''Jessica:'' Fine. Let's go see it, then. ''Frankie:'' Didn't you want to go — ''Jessica:'' Not anymore. I want to go see it now. Sam, Frankie, and Grace exchange glances with each other — each waiting for someone to speak. ''TeeJay:'' What's going on with you all? ''Grace:'' It's — Grace turns to Sam. ''Grace:'' Sam, do you want to...? He nods. ''Samuel:'' It's really too hard to explain — we'll just show you. Sam turns to the right, leading us in a different direction. The rock around us shifts color the further we go — this time to ](text-colour:(hsl:0,0.8039,0.5,0.5))[crimson red](text-colour:white)[. [[When we approach an arched entrance, Sam stands to the side — handing me the flashlight and ushering me in. I brace myself, and enter when I'm ready.->Divergence B - Chapter 6B Starting Quote]]](text-colour:white)[//Stepping inside the arch — I feel my feet leaving the rock below, I begin floating upwards. My chest constricts, I can't feel myself breathing.// From behind, instructions yelled: ''Samuel:'' Just let it carry you! I flail my arms, attemping to flip myself over in the air. Sam's arms reach around my midsection — hugging me. ''Samuel:'' Stop panicking! I'm right behind you. //I've got you, trust me...// //He's right.// My breathing slows, and I stop wiggling myself. I stare forward, shining the beam down a long, narrow tunnel coated in faint red light. ''TeeJay:'' What's happening? ''Samuel:'' I'm not sure... He pauses. ''Samuel:'' Frankie thought it was some kind of invisible tractor beam — our group came this way earlier. ''TeeJay:'' Where does it take us...? ''Samuel:'' Just wait. //He's going to tease me, and then not say anything? In this dire of a situation?// ''TeeJay:'' C'mon, just tell me! ''Samuel:'' It's really better if you don't know anything. ''TeeJay:'' //Sam...// He snaps at me. ''Samuel:'' Stop asking me! //What the fuck?// He quickly apologizes. ''Samuel:'' Sorry — it's hard to explain, but I can't tell you. From further behind us. ''Jessica:'' TeeJay — is your boyfriend telling you anything about what's coming up?! //Boyfriend?// //I guess our conversation went well, but it's weird to hear Jessica say that so soon. Does he feel weird? Is this going to change things? Did she just ruin things for me?// //And why did Sam yell at me?// ''Frankie:'' Don't say anything, Sam! ''Samuel:'' I'm not! ''Jessica:'' I'm so impatient! Is it scary? ''Frankie:'' Not really. ''Grace:'' Can I just tell her? ''Frankie:'' You know that you can't! ''Jessica:'' Why not?! ''Frankie:'' //Watch this.// Grace, go ahead! ''Grace:''] (text-colour:(hsl:120,0.8039,0.5,0.4))[The Pyramid] (text-colour:white)[is like — Grace screams out in pain. ''Grace:'' AGH — uhh... ''Jessica:'' Grace!! ''Grace:'' //That hurt...// ''Frankie:'' See, Jessica?! ''Jessica:'' What just happened to Grace?! //I agree with her this time.// ''Frankie:'' Like I said, we can't explain it to you! //They can't explain it to us because it's indescribable — or they literally can't talk about it?// Before I can ask, the tunnel expands — opening in increments. The beam of my flashlight stretches into an infinite red abyss. Sam tightens his grip around my waist. My voice squeaks out. ''TeeJay:'' Sam...? ''Samuel:'' It's going to be okay. I promise. My body is carried forward into the largest underground chamber I've seen so far — the ceiling, already distant above me from my position, stretches out for miles. Red mist hangs in the air in front of my face, I shut my mouth to avoid it entering my lungs. Large rock formations — small mountains, rather, hang from the top, matching similar growths on the floor. This description neglects one crucial part of the cave — the massive green] (text-colour:(hsl:120,0.8039,0.5,0.4))[Pyramid] (text-colour:white)[built upside down on the ceiling. It radiates the red mist that surrounds us — sputtering it out from its sides. Small rock pod — coffin — cocoon...//things// hang below it, attached by thick, black "string". Samuel leans up, whispering toward my ear — the hair on the back of my neck stands up, I flinch. He holds me tighter. ''Samuel:'' I told you it was hard to explain... I open my mouth, gasping for air. ''TeeJay:'' What is it...? ''Samuel:'' It's] (text-colour:(hsl:120,0.8039,0.5,0.4))[The Pyramid.] (text-colour:white)[''TeeJay:'' I don't know what that means, though! ''Samuel:'' Trust me, it'll make sense. Jessica screams out. ''Jessica:'' AHHHHHH!! WHAT IS THAT THING?! WHAT ARE THOSE OTHER THINGS?!?! WHAT IS —?! //Guess she must've entered the chamber.// ''Frankie:'' Shut up, Jessica! ''Grace:'' We can't tell you anything, I'm sorry. ''Jessica:'' Where's it taking us?! ''Frankie:'' Down. //Down?// I look down below me — a large red-tinted lake. Around it, a bunch of little dots. ''TeeJay:'' Are those —? ''Samuel:'' Yeah. I lower my voice. ''TeeJay:'' Are they —? ''Samuel:'' No, they're alive. We'll see them in a little bit. ''TeeJay:'' How much longer? ''Samuel:'' I don't really remember. ''TeeJay:'' What happens? ''Samuel:'' There's a drop — into the lake down there. //I avoid looking back down, there's no use stressing about what's coming.// ''TeeJay:'' I hate heights... ''Samuel:'' I know — that's kinda why I didn't tell you. //I don't know whether to view that as him protecting me, or just lying to me? I feel protected — so let's go with that.// ''TeeJay:'' Does it hurt...? ''Samuel:'' Not really... //He sounds like —// ''TeeJay:'' Is there something else you're not telling me? ''Samuel:'' Uh... Jessica yells out again. ''Jessica:'' Is that a freakin' fuckin' LAKE OF BLOOD?! Samuel sighs, then mumbles. ''Samuel:'' (css: "font-size: 55%;")[//Yeah.//] Frankie laughs. ''Frankie:'' Yeah — we get to //fall// in it! ''Jessica:'' Why do you sound so happy about that?! ''Frankie:'' Jessica — He pauses. ''Frankie:'' You'll be just like //The Descent// girl. It's fucking cool! ''Jessica:'' I don't want to be that! ''Frankie:'' Did you see the movie? ''Jessica:'' No... ''Frankie:'' It's a compliment, trust me. ''Jessica:'' Is the girl small? // In stature, but not in spirit and tenacity.// ''Frankie:'' Not really. ''Jessica:'' I guess I'll still take it... Samuel speaks in my ear. ''Samuel:'' I think we're about to drop. I tense my muscles instinctively. ''Samuel:'' Loosen up. It'll hurt more if you're not loose. //I'm wet.// My body relaxes — still carried forward, suspended in the invisible beam. Below me, the middle of the lake — //I don't even have an eyelid wipe to take the blood off. That's gonna suck in an hour or two.// [[Gravity returns around me, and I fall straight down. I hold my breath and shut my eyes tight.->A Lake of Blood (and its Cousin, the Puddle of Anger)]]]=><= (text-colour:white)[My body plunges deep under viscous red liquid — eyes remaining closed, I attempt to swim to the top. Kicking my legs furiously, I force my way up. I breach the surface, gasping for air. It hurts to see — the blood dripping from my face onto my pupils, stinging and forcing them back closed. A voice from the left: ''Voice:'' Hey, over here! Swim toward my voice! [[I follow the voice, swimming until I can crawl onto the rocky shore. Two sets of hands grab me — pulling me further up.->Sam talks about me? Little old me?]]](text-colour:white)[I thrash myself around, attemtping to break free from their grasp. Behind me, another person falls into the lake — I can't tell who. One of the people pulling me along lifts my body up and over their shoulder. I smack their chest, digging my nails in. A gruff, Eastern-European voice returns. ''Gruff Voice:'' Make her stop. The voice from before. ''Voice:'' It's okay! We're safe! //I still can't open my eyes. I have no idea what these people look like. I can't trust them yet.// ''Voice:'' Oh — she can't see! ''Gruff Voice:'' That's not good. The person not holding onto me wipes their arm over my face, attemtping to clear blood out of my eyes. The world is a painful red-smeared blur. ''Voice:'' Holy shit — it's her! ''Gruff Voice:'' Hm, you're right. ''Voice:'' TeeJay...? //How do they know me?// ''TeeJay:'' //Yeah...?// ''Voice:'' Sam's told us so much about you! A splash as someone else hits the lake. ''Gruff Voice:'' He also showed us your picture. //Oh. That makes sense.// //Wait — he was talking about me to strangers within the first day of meeting them?// //And showing them my picture...?// //I knew he was proud of pulling me, but not THAT proud...// //Good thing there's blood on my face, or else these randoms would see me blushing.// Sam's voice from behind me — I can't see him while I'm pressed up against this buff dude. ''Voice:'' Sam! ''Samuel:'' Karan! Dominic! How are my boys? The smaller man responds first, I assume Karan. ''Karan:'' As good as we can be. We were just starting to get worried, when — The man holding me speaks — I can feel the vibrations of his voice from within his chest. ''Dominic:'' How many? ''Samuel:'' Two. Sorry if that isn't enough... Dominic grunts. ''Dominic:'' No. That's good. ''Karan:'' Didn't have time to find others, just wanted to get your girl back? Sam responds, embarrassed. ''Samuel:'' I guess... ''Dominic:'' Your girl is wiggling her butt. //Am I? I didn't notice.// Another splash. ''Samuel:'' That's Frankie. Hey Frank-ey! I hear Frankie swimming to shore. He coughs and sputters. ''Frankie:'' Did you see that flip, man?! ''Samuel:'' Hell yeah! They high five. I crane my neck up to the man holding me's face. ''TeeJay:'' Hey — Dominic, right? ''Dominic:'' Dominykas. ''TeeJay:'' Sorry — ''Dominic:'' No. You can call me Dominic, you are Sam's — eh... ''Samuel:'' Girlfriend. //AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH // ''Dominic:'' She's shaking again. //I find the mental capacity to move on with the conversation.// ''TeeJay:'' Sorry, Dominic — would you mind putting me down now? Dominic grunts as he sets me down gently on the ground. I sit up, rubbing my eyes. A triumphant-stanced blob of a person is standing on the top of a nearby ridge — nobody around me noticing it. The blob stomps its foot, drawing attention. ''Frankie:'' Oh, hey Val. ''Val:'' Hey?! Can't even let a girl make an entrance?! ''TeeJay:'' I saw you. //Kind of.// ''Val:'' Thank you, TeeJay. The blob that I now know as Val slides down the ridge, approaching us — from behind, a loud scream followed by another splash. ''Frankie:'' Aw, jeez — there's Jessica... I turn my body in time to watch Jessica emerge from the blood — she raises her right hand into the air before resuming her screaming. When she finishes, she takes slow breaths. ''Frankie:'' You looked AWESOME! Come over here! Jessica swims toward the shore, I finish wiping the blood from the area around my eyes. Now safely on the rock, Jessica sobs out. ''Jessica:'' I'll never be clean again! I want to die, I want to die, I want to die! ''Frankie:'' You don't mean that. ''Jessica:'' I can't take any more...//I can't do it...// Val speaks up. ''Val:'' Hey, Jessica. Nice boobs, and blue — //paint...?// Jessica's head snaps up, her gaze turning to Val. Her face lights up when their eyes meet. Frankie sighs. ''Frankie:'' Oh yeah, this whole thing... //If she hadn't told me less than an hour ago — I would've forgotten too.// Val and Jessica stare at each other for around twenty seconds, neither moving. ''Val:'' Is there something —? ''Jessica:'' IFWEMAKEITOUTOFTHEPITDOYOUWANTTOBEMYGIRLFRIEND? Jessica blurts out a confession, her words mixing together. ''Val:'' Huh...? //Is she embarrassed? I'm embarrassed for her.// Jessica breathes deep — then speaks. ''Jessica:'' If we make it out of The Pit, do you want to be my girlfriend? ''Val:'' Oh — sure. Val grins, facing her head down. //It's just that easy.// Jessica beams wide. ''Jessica:'' Can we hug? ''Val:'' Yeah, if you want. ''Jessica:'' Yeah! ''Val:'' Okay. Jessica runs over to Val, pulling her deep into an embrace — fresh blood mixing with the dried blood present on Val's clothes and body. Sam taps me on the shoulder. I turn to face him. ''Samuel:'' Do you want to make out? Or is that gross? Staring for a moment — I shake my head, too surprised to respond. ''Samuel:'' You don't to or —? I step toward him and pull his face toward mine, our lips meet. Then I make out with my boyfriend — and I don't describe it to you. The final splash as Grace hits the lake. ''Jessica:'' That's Grace! Grace — over here! Grace's voice in the distance. ''Grace:'' Yeah, yeah, I see you... She swims to shore, joining the rest of the group. With the full group assembled — Val yells for our attention. I pull away from Sam, my fingers scratch his head for a second — he smiles at me. ''Val:'' Now that we're all here, any ideas for what to do next? ''Frankie:'' Did you guys think any more about my idea? ''Karan:'' Yeah — we decided we didn't like it. ''Frankie:'' Why not?! ''Karan:'' 'Cause you're dumb. Dominic corrects him. ''Dominic:'' His idea was dumb. ''Frankie:'' //How// was my idea dumb?! ''Grace:'' You wanted to go inside](text-colour:(hsl:120,0.8039,0.5,0.4))[ The Pyramid](text-colour:white)[... ''Frankie:'' And —? ''Dominic:'' No. ''Karan:'' Fuck that! ''Frankie:'' C'mon, give it some thought! ''Samuel:'' It's a death sentence. Frankie crosses his arms and huffs. ''Frankie:'' Fine. We'll probably be taken there anyway... Jessica shudders. ''Karan:'' Oh, shut up already, dude! You're scaring the hoes. Jessica shakes her head. ''Jessica:'' Sorry, I'm just cold. Val takes off her shirt, tank-top underneath. ''Val:'' Do you want to borrow my shirt? ''Jessica:'' But what'll you wear...? Val motions to her tank top. ''Val:'' Uh — this, probably...? ''Jessica:'' Oh, yeah. Right. Jessica grabs Val's shirt, and pulls it over herself. ''Karan:'' Aw, man! ''Samuel:'' Control yourself. ''Karan:'' Sorry — being hypersexual is kind of just something I do to make myself seem cooler... ''Dominic:'' You're not. ''Karan:'' Then who //is// cool? ''Dominic:'' Pitbull. //Oh, right. I forgot about that part of the world.// //Here's a Pitbull fact to make up for it: Every time I heard a Pitbull song in middle school I was consistently sweaty. I think it's because I never actually sought out Pitbull songs — they'd just be on the radio while I was getting yelled at by my mom or during school dances while I was jumping up and down in a large crowd, happy just to receive the opportunity to drink soda inside my school.// //They ban soda in public schools in the future too, because of health or something. But they're missing the point of what they teach there — life is just a series of scheduled events and some of our schedules have to include crawling in sewage for the functionality of our society. Why can't a twelve-year-old's schedule include drinking sugar from Mr. Mountain himself?// ''Karan:'' I'm a lot cooler than Pitbull! ''Dominic:'' No. //Pitbull, Pitbull, Pitbull...let's get on with the real story!// Val clears her throat, interrupting. ''Val:'' I think we should try to find the others — ''Kyle the Enforcer:'' What if the others — found you? Pulling a genuine dramatic entrance, Kyle the Enforcer yells over the ridge of sand toward us. Assembled on both sides of him are five prisoners each — a mixture of genders. Val scowls and grimaces toward him. ''Val:'' //This fucking guy...// Val calls out to Kyle. ''Val:'' Hey!!! Before we do whatever you were planning to do — you wanna fight? Kyle looks around himself, not sure who she's talking to. ''Val:'' I'm talking to you! Enforcer Whatever-The-Hell! Kyle points to himself. ''Val:'' Yes — you! He yells back. ''Kyle the Enforcer:'' I mean, I guess? We were planning to kill you all though... Val starts approaching him. ''Val:'' You can do that after! C'mon, let's fight! [[Kyle looks to his group, all shrugging. He shrugs, and meets Val in the middle — just on the top of the ridge. They square up, Val grinding her teeth and rubbing her hands together.->Val vs Kyle everybody wants to see this happen]]](text-colour:white)[Val stretches her arms out, twisting her body. Kyle kicks his boot against the ground while he waits. ''Kyle the Enforcer:'' How are we gonna do this...? Val doesn't look at him. ''Val:'' What do you mean? ''Kyle the Enforcer:'' Like — what are the rules? ''Val:'' There aren't any. You're an Enforcer — I'm a prisoner. We aren't on the same level to begin with. ''Kyle the Enforcer:'' So it's like — He pauses. ''Kyle the Enforcer:'' — to the death? ''Val:'' Yeah, it's until I kill you. Kyle spits on the ground. ''Kyle the Enforcer:'' Why are you so certain that you're going to beat me? I have training to keep prisoners like you in — As he speaks, Val steps forward and reaches into her pocket. She pulls out a red gun and points it at Kyle — firing a glowing-red stick at his face. He grunts, falling backward and hitting the ground. //That explains the red stick-looking things tucked into her waistband — they were flares.// Val screams to the ceiling. ''Val:'' EAT SHIT! EAT SHIT! EAT MY SHIT, YOU FUCK! Kyle is now screaming on the floor, clutching his face. ''Kyle the Enforcer:'' IT BURNS! HOLY FUCK, IT BURNS! AHHHHHH — OH GOD!!!!! Val cackles to herself, both groups of prisoners staying away. ''Grace:'' Holy shit, she shot him with a flare gun. ''Jessica:'' That was so hot... ''Frankie:'' She had to have burnt him. That's gotta hurt — ''Karan:'' Oh it definitely does! I burned myself on the stovetop once during my eighth birthday and it hurt really bad, even though it was just my finger — I was really excited to eat pizza and — //I tune him out.// Kyle is still screaming on the ground. Val finishes laughing and steps toward him. I call attention to her. ''TeeJay:'' Wait — what's she doing? Val places one foot on each side of Kyle, standing above him. She smiles wide. ''Frankie:'' Oh my god, she's gonna kill him... Val bends down, straddling his chest. Kyle raises both hands weakly, attemtping to defend himself. She raises her right fist — and slams it into his face, hard — red splatters from his nose and onto her face, mixing with the blood already present. ''Grace:'' Jeez... ''Frankie:'' What'dya mean?! No "jeez"! That's the dude that attacked Kendra! Val continues beating his face with her right fist, each slam strengthening a primal moan now escaping Kyle's lips. Jessica screams out. ''Jessica:'' Val, don't kill him! //Please!// Val pauses her assault — staring at Jessica's face. At first a scowl, Val's expression shifts to a frown. She breathes fast and hard, looking at the damage on Kyle's face. //What's left of his face. His skin is already starting to melt downward — from his nose to his chin. Blood is dripping out of his mouth, frequent red bubbles on his lip with sputtered breaths.// Val spits on his face and stands over him. She turns to the group of prisoners Kyle showed up with. ''Val:'' Do you want to fight too...? A few of them shake their heads. One speaks up, pointing to Kyle's writhing body. ''Prisoner:'' We never wanted to fight you — he just told us that he'd let us leave The Pit if we did. ''Val:'' //And you trusted him?// A pause. ''Prisoner:'' Kinda...? She sighs. ''Val:'' He doesn't know the way out, he was lying — there is no way out. Another prisoner speaks. ''Other Prisoner:'' How do you know? ''Val:'' You think he wouldn't have left already, as soon as he dropped into this hellhole?! ''Other Prisoner:'' Kinda...? Val kicks Kyle, he screams out. ''Val:'' Tell them you're lying! Kyle tries to speak — but only coughs up more blood. He nods instead. ''Prisoner:'' Fucking asshole! ''Other Prisoner:'' Should //we// kill him? One of the prisoners yells to Jessica. ''Prisoner:'' Hey, blonde girl over there? Do you mind if we kill him? Jessica shrugs. Val walks away slowly, toward the beach. //Guess Jessica doesn't really care about life. She just doesn't want to be dating a cold-blooded murderer. Some people are babies — I'd do it for the right girl.// The other prisoners approach Kyle. I look away — his screams continue for a moment, before abruptly ending. Val reaches us on the shore. Jessica quickly pulls her into another hug. ''Jessica:'' Please don't do that again! ''Val:'' If I see another Enforcer, I have to — ''Jessica:'' Please... Val sighs. ''Val:'' Fine. Frankie coughs, then clears his throat. ''Frankie:'' So...what next? ''Samuel:'' Should we try to pair up with the other group? ''Karan:'' That's stupid — they're the bad guys! ''Dominic:'' They were //with// the bad guy. They are not the bad ones. ''Karan:'' How do you know that?! ''Dominic:'' They are pissing on his body. //Sure enough — the other group is, in fact, peeing on Kyle's broken body.// ''Karan:'' I see now. Frankie yells over. ''Frankie:'' Hey, do you guys wanna team up?! The other group talks amongst themselves for a second, one prisoner speaks for them. ''Prisoner:'' Yeah, sure! ''Frankie:'' Awesome! //The sound of bubbles from behind me —// [[I turn around, finding that the lake of blood is now bubbling — small waves rippling out from the middle of it.->The Swarm]]](text-colour:white)[''TeeJay:'' Uh, guys — Samuel is the first to turn, squinting at the lake with a confused expression. ''Samuel:'' What the —? The others turn to join us, expressing various forms of shock. ''Grace:'' Huh? ''Dominic:'' Hm? ''Jessica:'' I don't like that... A stream of blood shoots up in the middle of the lake — a fountain rising up from the depths. Statues of those creatures adorn it, pissing blood into the lake from stone penises. ''Frankie:'' Holy shit, //yes!!// I turn to Sam. ''TeeJay:'' What's happening...? He shrugs his shoulders. ''Samuel:'' It can't be good. The fountain continues to rise, the bottom cresting the surface of the water. Yet it continues to rise, a medium-sized rectangular building below it. When the building finishes surfacing, Frankie speaks. ''Frankie:'' That is so —] =><= (css: "font-size: 200%;")[(text-colour:white)[//BOOM!//]] <= (text-colour:white)[[[The stone wall closest to us breaks open — revealing an interior chamber filled to the brim with small — red — furry lifeforms. ->The Swarm Swarms]]]=><= (text-colour:white)[The furry wall of life screeches — rolling itself out. Hundreds of tiny creatures scatter into the blood, swimming toward the shore.] <= (text-colour:white)[''Val:'' Run! We take off, shoes slippery against rock — I keep myself upright by holding onto Sam's shoulder. When we reach the ridge, the prisoners from the other group reach their arms down to help us up. Now at the top, the group continues sprinting from the wave of creatures swarming behind us. A few stragglers that I don't recognize fall behind, absorbed into the wall of fur. Karan screams out behind me, desperation evident. ''Karan:'' I can't outrun them! I'm not — He coughs. ''Karan:'' — fast enough! ''Dominic:'' I will carry you! Dominic lunges toward Karan, slinging him over his shoulder like he did mine. ''Karan:'' Thanks — I love you! ''Dominic:'' I love you too. //Oh, that's cute — they're dating.// Sam tugs me further ahead, the group approaching a wall. We work to pull ourselves onto another tall ridge, and press our backs to the wall. ''Jessica:'' How did you guys get out earlier? ''Frankie:'' There's a squeeze — ''Jessica:'' No more squeezing! ''Frankie:'' Okay, so what then —? ''Val:'' I have an idea. Val reaches back into her pocket, and reloads the flare gun at her side. She lifts it — and fires into the wave. They dissipate slightly where the light hits them, before reforming. ''Val:'' Shit! ''Frankie:'' Do you have any more?! ''Val:'' One! Do you want me to — ''Samuel:'' No, save it! Val nods. ''Jessica:'' So what then?! Dominic points to the wave, fifty feet from our position. ''Dominic:'' They are close. ''Jessica:'' I can see that! Dominic sets Karan down next to him. He then reaches into his pocket, gripping something in his palm. ''Samuel:'' Dom, what's up? ''Dominic:'' I have a weapon too — like Valerie. Karan's face shifts, shock. ''Karan:'' //No...// Dominic nods toward Karan, reaching a hand forward and brushing his cheek with a finger. Dominic turns to the rest of us as Karan hits his chest softly. ''Karan:'' //No!// ''Dominic:'' Please keep him safe. Dominic looks to Sam, both nod. Sam steps forward, restraining Karan and allowing Dominic to walk away. He steps forward — pulling a small, silver knife out of his pocket. Karan sobs out. ''Karan:'' No! Please, no! [[Dominic waits for a moment — the wave feet away. He clutches the base of the knife tight, and steps over the ridge. A moment later:->Dominic's Sacrifice is for Naught]]](text-colour:white)[//Dominic lands on his feet, waving the knife around in front of his face. The wave of red moves away.// Dominic pounds his fist against his chest — screaming at the living wall in front of him. ''Dominic:'' Scared of a little knife? //Little bitches —// //The wall leans back slightly before swooping in toward Dominic — he screams out as it hits him, his body disappearing from view.// //The wave stops moving. There's no noise at all.// Karan screams out for Dominic. No response. //Clicking breaths. The red starts moving again, reforming into a square shape.// //It was all for nothing. He died for nothing. But there's no time to think —// ''Val:'' Shit! We gotta move! We pick ourselves off the ground and follow behind Val. Sam sticks behind for a moment — lifting Karan's small, sobbing body from the ground and onto his back. They run after us, not far behind. A random prisoner slips off the ridge — I watch from the corner of my eye as they attempt to lift themselves back up. The swarm of red swallows their body whole as it moves. //There's about seven of us still alive — eight maybe, it's hard to count accurately while running. I recognize almost all of their faces now.// //When does this end?!// Val's shoes skid on the rock as she slows herself down, lifting an arm out to stop the rest of us. ''Val:'' There's a break in the ridge — //I look around Frankie — she's right, there's a large fifty foot gap in the ridge we're using. The only usable footing is a small ledge that goes around the edge, close to the wall.// Val looks toward me. ''Val:'' Do you remember when we did this a while ago? I nod. ''Val:'' Good. I'll take Jessica across and teach the others, you help Grace. Grace looks in my direction, I look away instinctively before meeting her eyes. She approaches me and we slowly step toward the cliff. ''Grace:'' How do I — ''TeeJay:'' You just have to step onto the cliff, it's easy. I'll go first. ''Grace:'' Is it scary? //Is it worth lying to her?// ''TeeJay:'' A little bit... //No, it's not.// She gulps, then nods. I take the first step onto the cliff, pressing myself flat against the wall. When I'm settled, I reach my arm out for Grace. She grips on, and I pull her onto the cliff next to me. Hovering my arm around her, I hold her close to the wall as I take the first step. ''TeeJay:'' Just step with me. ''Grace:'' Yeah, got it. Grace keeps pace with me as I shimmy around the cliff — toward the other side. I don't look down, my gaze fixed on rock. ''Grace:'' Are we almost there? Out of the corner of my eye, I see around twenty feet of distance left. ''TeeJay:'' Kinda. //I'll lie this time. An even mixture.// Eventually — my right foot reaches a wider ridge. I step onto it, and pull Grace behind me. //Across the cliff, the others are slowly making their way over, everyone's doing a really good job and —// Another prisoner I don't recognize yelps, their feet slipping from the cliffside. They fall down — into the red wave hanging below like piranhas. //Piranhas can use guns and drive in the future. It's fucked.// The prisoner's body is shredded by the tiny creatures, their blood spitting around the surrounding area and walls. ''Grace:'' Oh my god! //Please make it, Sam...// [[The rest of our group crosses without issue, each of us appearing frazzled and low-energy on the other side.->The Swarm Ends, Frankie Dies, And You Wins]]](text-colour:white)[Val is the first of us to speak, ushering us forward with her hand. ''Val:'' Come on, we need to keep running! Frankie speaks between panted breaths. ''Frankie:'' Please, give us a second! ''Val:'' They're right down there — and trying to climb up! We don't have time, c'mon! //I glance over the side of the ridge, she's right. Little red hands are digging their claws into the wall below.// Val takes off further down the ridge, the rest of us behind her. Frankie sighs, then follows. ''Frankie:'' You're so high maintenance, Val! Val screams back from the front. ''Val:'' I'm keeping us alive — shut the fuck up! What have you done for us?! ''Frankie:'' I've kept the tone light! ''Val:'' That's not funny anymore! People are dying — //Kendra is dead, Frankie!// Do you care about that?! He doesn't respond. ''Val:'' No — you don't! Because even when you knew she liked you — ''Frankie:'' I //never// knew that! ''Val:'' You're lying! Frankie speaks through gritted teeth. ''Frankie:'' I really didn't know, you don't get to call me a fucking liar! Grace interrupts the argument. ''Grace:'' SHUT THE FUCK UP — both of you! Frankie almost continues, but holds his tongue. We continue running in silence. ''Samuel:'' There's a tunnel! Up ahead! I follow Sam's finger as he runs next to me, pointing at a distant wall along the ridge. ''Karan:'' Perfect! //A swarm of regular-sized creatures floods from the tunnel and onto the ridge. They turn their attention to us — then sprint on all-fours in the red glow toward our position.// ''Karan:'' Shit! ''Grace:'' What do we do?! Val looks over the ridge, I follow behind. //The swarm of the baby creatures are still present. There's nowhere to go but back toward the cliff — we're trapped.// Val gulps, her knees knocking together. She grimaces — looking to me for advice, something, anything. //I don't have any ideas...// //If I had one, I'd make the decision now — I'm sure of it. But I have no freaking clue.// //The threat of death has felt so constant to me in the past two days — I don't know how to feel now that it's a reality. How did the other prisoners I watched die handle it? How did Kendra?// //What will it feel like? Will I know it's happening?// My face is glued to Val's, hers to mine. We hold each other at a distance. Frankie clears his throat from behind me. I separate myself from Val, and he steps around me to whisper something to her. She frowns. ''Val:'' What?! Frankie continues whispering, Val's expression shifting from anger — to fear — to acceptance by the time he finishes. She reaches behind her side, holding the flare gun out toward Frankie. When he takes it from her, she reaches for the last flare. Both of them hold tears back — strong for the other. ''Val:'' I'm sorry...for what I just said... ''Frankie:'' No, you had a point. I knew — I just didn't want to. Val nods, biting her lip slightly. She mumbles. ''Val:'' (css: "font-size: 65%;")[Thank you.] //I know what's coming. I also know that I don't know Frankie well enough to convince him otherwise — not if Val couldn't.// Frankie nods toward her, then grabs the flare and steps forward. He spins himself around, toward the regular-sized creatures approaching. Sam notices him — screaming out and starting to run in his direction. ''Samuel:'' Frankie, no —! Val intercepts Sam, placing a hand on his chest. ''Val:'' He wants to do this. ''Samuel:'' What?! Why?! Sam attempts to push past Val — she holds firm. //He doesn't understand. He never met Kendra.// Frankie doesn't turn around, yelling over his shoulder. ''Frankie:'' Go! He raises his right arm — aiming the flare gun at the center of the monstrous group approaching us. Val starts shepherding us backward down the ridge, toward the cliffside. I continue to stare behind over her outstretched arms. [[Frankie pulls the trigger — the red flare shooting out and toward the creatures. They skid on their back legs, attempting to stop themselves before it reaches them.->You Win! I guess.]]](text-colour:white)[//The flare hits the center of the group — the creatures screech loudly, backing away from it.// Frankie stomps his foot. ''Frankie:'' Hey! Over here! The creatures regroup, and slowly approach Frankie on the ridge. He backs up toward the cliff. ''Frankie:'' You ugly fucks took someone very important away from me — before I even had the chance to realize she was important... He spits at one of the creatures — it flinches and moves back slightly. ''Frankie:'' But now I'm here! Here to fuck you up — Frankie launches his fist forward, punching a creature in the snout. It screams — he grabs for its leg and launches it behind his back, it sails over the cliff. ''Frankie:'' And here for Kendra! I bet she HATED you! //They're surrounding him...// ''TeeJay:'' Frankie —! Frankie makes eye contact with me. ''Frankie:'' I'm all good, TeeJay! Even if I die — Frankie grabs another creature in mid-air as it jumps toward him. He slams it onto the ground, bending down and snapping its neck. When he finishes, he resumes. ''Frankie:'' Even if I die, it'll just be another chance to tell Kendra how I feel! I believe in that spiritual shit! //The creatures to his side rear back.// ''Frankie:'' And this time — //I'll make the right decision.// A portion of the group lunges forward, tackling Frankie off the cliff and into the red wave below. They make no effort to recognize one of their own — shredding creature and human flesh alike. Frankie doesn't scream, or close his eyes. Val kicks me forward — facing my head toward the wall. She yells at me. ''Val:'' Stop looking! ''Val:'' //For your own good...// //I erase the sight from my mind — content to process it later.// The creatures on the ridge are running at us now — we move faster, toward the cliff. //The people still left alive are Samuel, Val, Jessica, Grace, Karan, and myself.// Val takes the first step onto the cliff, reaching a hand out for Jessica. She grabs on, pulling herself over. The creatures stalk closer — watching us from a distance. [[I step forward, holding Grace's hand and pulling her onto the cliff next to me. We shuffle over, making room for the others.->The Reveal]]]//I'm standing in the middle of a city. Skyscrapers adorn the skyline above me — I recognize it as a place I've only seen in movies...// //The world is desolate — sand covers every inch of the area around me, spilling from the street into the buildings through broken windows.// //A voice rings out around me — it's Bal:// ''Bal:'' I was born into this world alone. The first lifeform after your ancestors shattered our world. I knew everything — but had nothing. //Bal is standing, with its back facing toward me — one-hundred feet ahead in the middle of the road. Below it lies another creature, blue fur, not moving. Bal reaches its hand toward the sky.// ''Bal:'' Until the world gave me Pae — an apology for the life I was forced to live. We were the first of our species, it and I. //I approach Bal — realizing that it's crying the closer I get. I call out to it, but find that my voice won't work.// //I can't do anything. I'm just watching it.// //The creature stands — shoulders heaving up and down through its sobs. It screams out, its anguish filling the streets.// //Bal's omniscient voice echoes, calmer inside my mind. Its voice pauses slightly between words.// ''Bal:'' I lost Pae — because I couldn't choose between them. //I look down at Pae's body — a pool of blood gathered near the top of its legs, slowly trickling down.// //The physical Bal in front of me bends down, picking up the broken form of its loved one. It begins to walk forward — through the city.// //I follow behind — running to keeping pace with the long stride of Bal. Its voice tripling in my mind, all talking at the same time..// =><= //"I had nowhere to go. I didn't know what to do. I had no-one."// <= //The Bal in front of me turns its attention to the right — gazing out over the giant dunes of sand outside the city limits.// ''Bal:'' And I was in Florida. //Bal begins its trek out onto the dunes, Pae's body held tight against its chest, sobbing as it walks.// //Its sobs turn to dry wails as we continue, the hours passing us by. The sun rises, then sets, then rises again.// ''Bal:'' Then I found it, and I knew what I had to do — //A giant hole opens in the sand, mutliple cave systems visible below — The Pit.// //The physical Bal steps forward, clutching Pae tighter against itself. It breathes deep, stroking Pae's face, the sound of nails combing through fur.// //Bal jumps into The Pit — still holding onto Pae.// ''Bal:'' I jumped, and you did too. //An invisible force pushes me forward, toward the edge of The Pit. Leaning over, I'm unable to stop myself from toppling in —// //I fall for minutes, my scream inaudible. The ground approaches below — I shut my eyes tight and brace myself.// ''Bal:'' That was when I learned — //SMASH — I collide with the ground, ass-first.// //After feeling myself hit the the bottom, I sit for a moment before opening my eyes and standing up — totally fine. Bal and Pae are down here with me.// //Bal screams out again, shaking Pae's body around in front of it.// ''Bal:'' Pae's body allowed it to die, but mine would not. //Bal sets Pae down, sobbing into its chest on the ground. The area around us grows darker — isolating us to this small section of The Pit.// (text-colour:white)[//The speed of time picks up, events feel distant — Bal moving around me like lightning. A shack made of stones is built near Pae's body, along with a fire pit, and a small rock that Bal sits on in-between tasks.// ''Bal:'' Years passed... //Pae's corpse does not decompose as time moves around it. The shack doubles in size, then triples.// ''Bal:'' Then decades... //The shack made from rock is broken down, replaced by a sturdier base made of clay brick — held together by blue, sticky goo. Pae's corpse remains whole in its center.// ''Bal:'' And yet Pae's body stayed there — just as I remembered... //Bal continues stacking rocks around Pae's body — forming a large//] (text-colour:(hsl:120,0.8039,0.5,0.4))[// Pyramid//](text-colour:white)[ //around it.// ''Bal:'' I built a](text-colour:(hsl:120,0.8039,0.5,0.4))[ Temple] (text-colour:white)[for Pae, with its body encased inside — what you call a](text-colour:(hsl:120,0.8039,0.5,0.4))[ Pyramid](text-colour:white)[, instead its](text-colour:(hsl:120,0.8039,0.5,0.4))[ Tomb.] (text-colour:(hsl:120,0.8039,0.5,0.4))[//The Pyramid// ](text-colour:white)[//takes shape — then rises into the air, lifted underneath by Bal.// ''Bal:'' I gave my love the burial they deserve. //Bal's mouth opens — red mist spilling out, pushing //](text-colour:(hsl:120,0.8039,0.5,0.4))[//The Pyramid//](text-colour:white)[// out of its hands and into the air.// //The red mist spreads out to the walls, destroying each rock with its touch until forming a giant chamber that now envelops us.//] (text-colour:(hsl:120,0.8039,0.5,0.4))[//The Pyramid //](text-colour:white)[//continues to rise — twisting itself over and upside down. It slows as nears the ceiling, settling gently onto it.// ''Bal:'' When ](text-colour:(hsl:120,0.8039,0.5,0.4))[Pae's Tomb](text-colour:white)[ was complete — I became convinced that with increased power, I could create a new Pae. //Bal trains itself in the space in front of me, pounding its fists into the ground until they're bloody and mangled — continuing through the pain.// //The shape of a crater forms beneath — I recognize it as the lake of blood present in the current version of the chamber.// //Bal sobs in the center of the crater, its bloody hands cradling its face.// ''Bal:'' No matter how strong I became — I could not bring Pae back through sheer power alone. I devised an upsetting plan, something I was certain would work. //Bal digs its hands into the rock at the center of the crater — creating a small slit in the ground. Bal leans itself over the hole, and begins thrusting its pelvis into it.// ''Bal:'' At first, nothing occured — I thought my plan didn't work... //Bal leans back, removing itself from the slit in the ground. It starts crying again, screaming out for nobody.// //A small light forms in the ground beneath Bal, drawing its attention. Bal leans its head over the hole — peering deep inside —// //A pair of little red hands reach out from inside the slit. It forces the hole wider, wiggling itself out — revealing a smaller, baby version of Bal.// //Bal breaks down upon seeing it.// ''Bal:'' It couldn't speak, only grunt — having lesser intelligence than myself...it wasn't Pae. //The offspring of the Bal in front of me approaches its parent — nudging its side. Bal stops crying, reaching out to pick it up and hold it tightly against its chest.// ''Bal:'' But it was still useful. //Time speeds up again, Bal spends time at the bottom of the crater with its offspring. The two sleep curled next to each other, and spend each waking hour together.// ''Bal:'' I taught it to communicate through its grunts — a language created out of necessity, that only we understand. //When its offspring grows to a size similar to Bal, but still a foot or two shorter — Bal digs more holes into the ground, teaching it to create additional life through its use.// //More holes sprout up around me — filling the base of the crater and moving up onto its walls.// ''Bal:'' As you can presume, this chain continued, until — //Giraffes fill the cave — until they are led outside by Bal's other offspring.// //A particularly jagged rock splits open and from it spits a human baby, covered in "slime" and mineral dust.// ''Bal:'' I created the next branch of humanity. //Bal collects the child, and leaves the crater — climbing up the side of the cave.// ''Bal:'' I took it outside to give it the best chance of survival. I don't know what happened to it after that. //Bal returns to the crater. It trains its offspring, each day multiplying the size of its group. Nails scratch against rock, screams filling the crater.// ''Bal:'' We tried many things to create a new Pae. //The crater starts to fill with water — I turn around and climb up the side, barely escaping it.// ''Bal:'' Water didn't work. //The liquid changes form — black, green, gold, too many colors to count.// ''Bal:'' Nor oil, melted mineral, or seed — //The lake fills with red.// ''Bal:'' Until I tried the blood of lesser lifeforms. //Bal surfaces in the middle of the lake — looking exhausted and spent. It swims to the shore, pulling the body of another creature behind it.// //Upon reaching the rock, Bal sets the body down on the ground. It's —// ''Bal:'' I had created a New Pae. Not yet awake, not yet alive — //A pause. Bal's voice wavers slightly in my mind.// ''Bal:'' Yet, I knew all I had to do was wait... //The physical Bal nods, and calls a group of other creatures over. Speed increases — the creatures building a large mechanical device and then lifting it to the ceiling with chain.// //With the machine settled in place, Bal grunts loudly. The creatures standing on the floor rise into the air, floating toward the ceiling.// //Bal places the New Pae into the beam — which then takes it into an opening in//](text-colour:(hsl:120,0.8039,0.5,0.4))[ //The Pyramid //] (text-colour:white)[//above.// ''Bal:'' I just had to give Pae the time to find its new body. [[//The cave around me disappears as I'm pulled back into the real world —//->A Funeral for Lost Souls]]](text-colour:white)[Sam steps onto the cliff behind us, followed by Karan. The creatures approach the ridge — reaching their hands out toward Karan, not touching him. ''Karan:'' //Move, please move...// We continue moving along the cliffside, led by Val. She calls out to the group. ''Val:'' Only a little further! Val's sudden yell startles Karan, already anxious. He topples back and over the edge of the cliff. ''Karan:'' Whoa! Karan flips in midair, screaming, toppling toward the tiny creatures below. From within the group on the ridge, a deep voice booms from one of the creatures: ''???:'' TURN IT ON! The red glow around us grows deeper. Karan's body stops in midair. Our feet lift from the cliff, our bodies floating diagonally up toward](text-colour:(hsl:120,0.8039,0.5,0.4))[ The Pyramid](text-colour:white)[ — //I can't move my body. I'm stuck floating in place — moving toward...that giant green triangle on the ceiling.// ''Val:'' Another tractor beam! ''Grace:'' What do we do?! Karan grabs onto Grace — the closest to him. ''Karan:'' Kill me! Please, kill me! ''Grace:'' What?! No! Grace attempts to wiggle from his grasp. Karan turns to the rest of us, begging. ''Karan:'' Please — I don't want to go in there! He points up toward the ceiling. Samuel sighs. ''Samuel:'' If you really want to... A creature yells from below. ''???:'' Wait — hold on! Don't hurt yourself! That was the last one! //Who the fuck is that?// We all stare, unable to move. ''???:'' There's six of you left — you can stop worrying now! //The group of creatures spread out, standing on their hind legs and letting the tallest through to the front. It leaps into the beam, carried upwards with us and followed by the others. The creature in front swims forward through the beam to the closest person — Karan.// Karan stares down as the creature approaches him — ten to eleven feet tall and darker red than the rest. Karan whimpers in fear. It reaches a hand out, nails facing toward Karan. He tries to move back — still whimpering. The creature speaks again. ''???:'' Oh, my bad... Its nails retract into the flesh around its knuckles. It continues to reach its hand out toward Karan — who can only stare. ''???'' //What?// Humans don't know how to shake hands...? //What the fuck —// //I don't —// Karan reaches his trembling hand out toward the beast. It grabs ahold, shaking firmly. ''???:'' Congratulations! Karan's eyes roll back into his head, and his body goes limp around him. //He passed out.// The creature turns toward us — my heart skips a beat when our eyes lock. ''???:'' Does he have like...//a condition?// ''Grace:'' Huh...? Sam screams at the creature. ''Samuel:'' What the fuck are you talking about?! //The creature looks confused by Sam's reaction.// ''???:'' What do you mean...? It looks for any reaction from us. ''???:'' You don't know?! ''Samuel:'' Know //what?// ''???:'' That explains so much... The talking creature sighs deeply. It swims to the others floating below — they whisper amongst themselves in a language that I don't understand. Eventually, the presumed leader speaks in English to us once again — floating on its back below. ''???:'' We were under the impression that the — uh... It looks back for help. Scattered whispers, until it snaps its fingers. ''???'' The Chief! We were under the impression that he would've told you about what we're doing...did that not happen? ''Grace:'' No, it didn't... //"What we're doing"?// //What the hell is going on?!?!// The creature starts profusely apologizing. ''???:'' I'm so sorry — we had no idea that you didn't know! //I can't stand this.// ''TeeJay:'' We didn't know //what//?! A pause. It scratches the fur on its chin, deep in thought. ''???:'' How to say this... It sighs. ''???:'' Fuck it. //You're on a game show// — a game show I run for our the entertainment of my offspring down here every ten years or so. We chase a bunch of lesser lifeforms that devolved from me around 'till we kill all but six of 'em. The best of the best of y'all. Simple stuff, you get it. We used to come up to the surface to do it...and well — ''???:'' A few games ago, I made a deal with the Chief up there where he'd send down a few of the rowdier humans that they didn't want to deal with to be our victims. We'd stop coming up //and// I'd personally burn them any CD they wanted from our large collection of digital media. I've kept this agreement going for almost two centuries. ''???:'' This red-tinted cave we're in now is my home. My offspring fermenting in a pool of lesser-lifeform blood below, our dead hanging from](text-colour:(hsl:120,0.8039,0.5,0.4))[ The Temple](text-colour:white)[. //Does it mean//](text-colour:(hsl:120,0.8039,0.5,0.4))[// The Pyramid //](text-colour:white)[—? Val is cackling wildly, clutching the sides of her face. ''Grace:'' I don't believe it...this is too much to be real... ''Jessica:'' What the fuck, gross lizards?! ''Samuel:'' Frankie died for this?! //And Kendra.// ''???:'' I assure you that I'm telling the truth. He told us that the ones he sent were the worst of the worst — like those in our society that steal from chain stores! Val laughs harder, absolutely losing it. //She's probably lost it...// ''Grace:'' Yeah, well...we're not. ''???:'' I'm incredibly sorry for the miscommunication — but it's kinda on both of us. ''Samuel:'' The fuck does that mean?! What'd we do?! ''???:'' I mean...you all just started fighting when you got down here. How were we supposed to know that you weren't awful people? ''Jessica:'' Wouldn't you be a little bit pissed off if you were sent to the bottom of a pit? ''???:'' No...but that's 'cause I live down here... Nobody responds to the creature's "joke". It clears its throat and continues. ''???'' Anyway — this is our twentieth game. Big deal and all — two hundred year anniversary... We don't respond. ''???:'' You don't care...um, well — //this is really awkward...// The creature claps its hands together. ''???:'' So how do we make this up to you? We all yell over each other. ''Val:'' You guys freaking tore Kendra's leg off! Oh my god — this is so fucking funny! ''Grace:'' Frankie sacrificed himself for nothing! ''Samuel:'' You killed everyone else that was with us! ''Jessica:'' And had sex with an unwilling living being! ''???:'' Whoa — hold up, what was that last one?! When'd we do that?! It looks back to the group. ''???'' //We didn't do that...?// //I should just clear this up — we're over halfway to//] (text-colour:(hsl:120,0.8039,0.5,0.4))[ //The Pyramid//](text-colour:white)[ //already.// ''TeeJay:'' She means the rocks! It faces us again. ''???:'' A rock's not alive, though... ''Jessica:'' People need to stop saying that! ''???:'' Uh, well — it's the truth... Jessica huffs. ''???'' And we kinda need to make more of our own to survive — don't you guys? //But we have sex with each other — not rocks.// //Guess I shouldn't judge.// ''Samuel:'' You know that's not the same thing! The creature's tone turns a little sassy. ''???:'' Well, if we //didn't fuck rocks// — new humans wouldn't even exist! //That's a giant revelation for our species...and it's just telling us? And acting like a little brat while doing it?!// ''Jessica:'' That hurts my brain! ''???:'' From what I've seen, sweetie — your brain's kinda always like that... ''Jessica:'' Hey! Val speaks firmly toward Jessica. ''Val:'' Stop. Let it tell the story. ''???:'' Thank you! Where was I... It claps again. ''???:'' Well, I lost it! Anyway — you six are the winners, //five if that one doesn't wake up...// It's pointing at Karan's floating body, still unconscious. ''???:'' And even though it's both of our faults, we still feel really bad about all of the confusion and killing you all. So let's talk about what we can do to help you out. //I feel like my mind is shattering. I don't understand how this is occurring — it's all a big miscommunication? A former Chief making a deal that costs countless prisoner's lives long beyond his own...?// //I guess that makes some level of sense. I hate that it does.// //Creatures searching for the best of humanity — tearing through countless bodies? I've seen tons of movies like that. They witnessed us attacking each other — and took it as the starting bell for their game.// //By the time we got down here, they'd already mowed through the majority of the prisoners. That explains why they chose to chase us down to this cave — they use our blood to fill the lake below, where their offspring grow.// //But there's still something I don't get —// Nobody else is speaking — unable to parse the large amount of information received. I speak to the creature directly. ''TeeJay:'' We want to leave! The creature nods its head — its neck flaring out. ''???:'' Yeah, we can do that — ''TeeJay:'' Not just out of the cave. You're going to come back up and break us out of prison — all of us. ''???:'' Uh, no...how would we even do that? I shrug my shoulders. ''TeeJay:'' Eat the Enforcers. ''???:'' //Oh yeah!// I forgot we could do that. Sure, yeah, that sounds fine. I nod toward it. ''???:'' What's your name? ''TeeJay:'' TeeJay. ''???:'' I am Bal — like "ball" with only one L and pronounced different. ''Val:'' Like "Bael"? ''Bal:'' Absolutely not. Bal looks toward me. ''Bal:'' Are you the leader of this group? //Not really...that's sorta Val. Or maybe Sam?// Val speaks up from behind me — nodding in my direction. ''Val:'' Yeah, she is. ''Samuel:'' Yep. //My chest flutters.// ''Bal:'' Good. This is for you, then... [[The creature locks eyes with me — I stare into its bright red pupils, falling deeper inside. A memory that's not my own enters —->A Creature's Memory]]](text-colour:white)[''Samuel:'' What the fuck did you do to her?! Tell me where she is! //I re-enter the real world to the sound of Sam yelling at Bal, I clutch the side of my head and groan deeply — still floating in the air, much closer to the ceiling.// //Karan is still floating lifeless slightly below our group. Jessica floats nearby him — and notices me.// ''Jessica:'' TeeJay — you're awake! Sam turns to face me — dried tears on his cheeks. ''Samuel:'' Are you okay? //Was he crying for me?// I nod my head. My voice works again, words leaving my mouth with ease. ''TeeJay:'' Yeah, I think...how long was I gone...? ''Grace:'' //"Gone" —?// ''Val:'' You didn't go anywhere. ''Jessica:'' Yeah, you kinda just floated there — eyes rolled back... Sam continues to question Bal. ''Samuel:'' What did you do to her?! //My head hurts thinking about the answer.// ''Bal:'' I showed her something important. ''Samuel:'' Showed her //what//, you fucking —?! I cut them off. ''TeeJay:'' Sam — //it's okay//...it wasn't scary. It showed me — //My head feels like it's splitting open — I scream out in pain.// ''Samuel:'' TeeJay, are you okay?! Sam yells toward Bal. ''Samuel:'' I knew you fucked her up — you monster! ''Bal:'' I didn't "fuck her up". //I get it now. Why the others can't talk about//](text-colour:(hsl:120,0.8039,0.5,0.4))[ // The Pyramid —//] (text-colour:white)[''Samuel:'' What'd you do then?! Why can't she tell us?! I look at Bal's solemn face, nodding. ''TeeJay:'' It's 'cause you don't want us to talk about — //I hesitate — holding Pae's name on my tongue. I don't want to hurt myself.// ''Bal:'' Yes, that's right — we're about to enter](text-colour:(hsl:120,0.8039,0.5,0.4))[ The Temple.] (text-colour:white)[''TeeJay:'' Will you show me it...? Inside](text-colour:(hsl:120,0.8039,0.5,0.4))[ //The Tomb?//] (text-colour:white)[Bal nods its head. Jessica asks something, confused. ''Jessica:'' Uh — what are you two saying at the end there? //What does she mean?// ''TeeJay:'' ](text-colour:(hsl:120,0.8039,0.5,0.4))[The Tomb](text-colour:white)[ —? The rest of my group stares toward me, dumbfounded with my words. ''Jessica:'' Yeah, that's what I heard... ''Grace:'' I don't get it. ''Samuel:'' What the hell did you do, Bal?! //I don't understand.// ''TeeJay:'' What's going on? Do you mean](text-colour:(hsl:120,0.8039,0.5,0.4))[ The Tomb](text-colour:white)[...? ''Val:'' When you say that last word — you just grunt instead. It's weird. Bal says nothing, staring in my direction. //It's so sad...// //It can't talk about what happened all that time ago — and neither can I.// //I don't know if I'll ever be able to.// ''Samuel:'' Explain yourself, //monster!// Bal flinches when it heard that word being thrown at it. ''TeeJay:'' Hey, Sam — we should probably lay off of it...there's a lot that we don't understand. Sam stares at me. He sighs. ''Samuel:'' Damn it! I don't understand what's happening! Val responds flatly. ''Val:'' I'm leaning into the feeling. ''Jessica:'' What's that mean? ''Val:'' I'm just letting things happen — this probably isn't even real. ''Jessica:'' I hope it's real...(css: "font-size: 75%;")['cause if it wasn't we wouldn't be dating...] ''Grace:'' It's real, Jessica. Val frowns. ''TeeJay:'' You doing okay, Val? ''Val:'' (css: "font-size: 55%;")[Frankie...he died for nothing.] Bal speaks up. ''Bal:'' Not nothing — and he didn't die, not like you think it works. I can explain it, if — ''Val:'' I don't want to know. ''Bal:'' Yeah. Sometimes, I wish that I didn't learn.] (text-colour:(hsl:120,0.8039,0.5,0.4))[The Temple's](text-colour:white)[ top slides open — pulling us deeper inside. Once the group of creatures pass by the entrance, it slides back closed. Sam looks to me, fearful. ''Samuel:'' Are we going to —? I shake my head. ''TeeJay:'' No, it's not like that. ''Samuel:'' What is it then...? My mouth curves into a grin. ''TeeJay:'' //It's easier if you see it for yourself.// Trust me. His eyes light up — finally understanding. He nods. ''Samuel:'' I trust you. [[The invisible beam carries us higher — into a large chamber that makes up the center of the building. In the middle, a separate room stands on its own — wires attached from it to the surrounding brick.->A Dirge for Lost Love]]]//We're shifted slightly over to the left by the beam — then dropped onto the ground below. The creatures land on their feet, the humans on their butts.// ''Jessica:'' Sweet, sweet ground! Jessica starts kissing the ground, Bal grimaces. ''Bal:'' I wouldn't recommend doing that... She pulls her face away. ''Jessica:'' Why? ''Bal:'' Well, uh — //She doesn't want to know.// Bal nods toward me. //Did you just —?// Bal speaks into my mind. ''Inside Bal:'' Yes, I can read your mind. //What the hell?! Since the beginning?!// ''Inside Bal:'' No — just since we shared //my experience// together. //I see...// //Can you hear everything?// ''Inside Bal:'' Yes. //Shit.// ''Inside Bal:'' I don't really care. I can read the minds of thousands of my offspring, their thoughts don't mean much to me anymore — //I'm sorry to hear that.// ''Inside Bal:'' It's okay. //Sorry if you're uncomfortable — but where's Old Pae buried?// ''Inside Bal:'' Above us — in the ceiling. //Right...// //Can I —// //Can I see New Pae?// ''Inside Bal:'' Sure. But its current form is not ideal for viewing, and you'll have to leave the others behind. //Give me a second.// I pull myself to my feet, along with the rest of my group. Sam reaches down to lift Karan onto his back as I approach him. ''Samuel:'' What's up — can you tell me what's going on yet? ''TeeJay:'' Not yet, sorry. Sam shrugs his shoulders. ''TeeJay:'' I'm going to go with Bal for a minute. Don't be scared for me. ''Samuel:'' What the hell is that supposed to mean — "don't be scared for you"...? It's a freaking //monster//, TeeJay. I flinch, that word making me shudder now too. ''TeeJay:'' It's not — it's more than that... //What's safe for me to say? How can I explain this to him?// ''TeeJay:'' It feels like — I sigh. ''TeeJay:'' It feels really sad. ''Samuel:'' It's just tricking us! ''TeeJay:'' It's not. //Somehow, I understand that Bal showed me the full truth.// ''TeeJay:'' Trust me...? Sam thinks for a second. ''Samuel:'' Please don't die. I don't think that we... He trails off. ''Samuel:'' I can't handle it — you not being here. //My heart's soaring, but I don't the time to enjoy the feeling. I need to go see —// ''Samuel:'' Go. //How did he —? Don't tell me he can read my mind now too...// ''Samuel:'' Your face — I can tell what you're thinking. You can go, but first — He hugs me tight with one arm, pulling me into another deep kiss. Karan's body shifts on his back — falling backwards onto the floor. Sam doesn't let go of me. Karan finally stirs, groaning out loud. ''Karan:'' //What's going on...?// He looks around the chamber; at the group of creatures, the green brick now surrounding us, the room in the middle of — Karan passes back out. //Nice of him to join us, however brief.// Bal speaks into my mind. ''Inside Bal:'' Are you ready? //Yeah.// I pull backward from Sam's warm body, placing a final kiss on his forehead. He smiles, and squeezes my hand before I walk away. [[Bal joins me — leading me toward the room in the middle of the chamber. It places its hand against the flat rock, pushing in and revealing a door. Bal steps inside, and motions for me to follow.->An Elegy for Pae]](text-colour:white)[//Bal shuts the door behind us — the room fills with darkness. I can't see anything at all.// It speaks using its real voice, echoing in the small room. ''Bal:'' Come closer. I walk toward its voice, a hand reaches out to take mine. When Bal's palm touches my skin — a spotlight turns on above us. //The only thing inside the room besides us is a large stone slab. On its top lays a frail, gaunt skeleton of a lifeform similar to Bal — I understand it to be named New Pae.// ''Bal:'' Here it is. //How long —// //New Pae's body is completely decomposed...// //How long have you been waiting?// ''Bal:'' Thousands of years — more than I can count. Its flesh separated from bone within the first six months, and I've kept it here since... Bal reaches a hand out toward New Pae's skeleton. ''Bal:'' In here there's no wind — no parasites — no danger — and yet, Pae still hasn't found it. //I'm sorry.// ''Bal:'' I appreciate your sympathy, but I know that you'll never understand. //That's so...// //You don't deserve this.// Bal turns its body from me. ''Bal:'' //What if I do?// //Nobody deserves this.// ''Bal:'' I didn't do enough. //You didn't know what to do, it's not your fault —// ''Bal:'' Stop. You don't need to do this. Silence. Bal continues to stare toward the slab, crouching down further. //Are you tired of waiting?// Bal shakes its head. //Are you bored?// No response. //Is that why you're playing this game with us?// Still nothing back. //I'm not mad about it. And in a strange way, I understand it...// It shudders. //I understand you.// Shuddering again, its body starts to shake with sobs — crying forth Pae's name. I step forward with my arm outstretched. //Can I —// I reach my hand out slowly toward Bal, my skin touching its warm fur. It continues to cry out for Pae. ''Bal:'' It's never coming back...//Pae is gone from this world forever.// //But that doesn't mean you have to live like this. It doesn't mean you have to keep trying to bring someone back.// Bal sobs deeper, an emotional overload. ''Bal:'' I've been strong for so many years — for Pae... //But maybe it's time to be weak — maybe that's what it would want.// Sobs slowing, Bal stares up at my face. ''Bal:'' But what if I don't know how anymore...? What if — A small pause, voice weak. ''Bal:'' //What if I forgot how to...?// //Stop me if I'm being presumptious — but it seems like you're stuck in grief. You created a//](text-colour:(hsl:120,0.8039,0.5,0.4))[// Tomb//](text-colour:white)[// for your only loved one, and stored your emotions inside with it. You distracted yourself with pointless games — competitions created to entertain your offspring.// //But you can't keep doing it forever. 'Cause I'm pretty sure you're going to live forever, and that kind of life sounds awful.// //So why don't you come back out with us — to the surface?// Bal looks to the slab, biting its lip. //What if you let Pae finally be at peace? What if you found it for yourself?// The sobs begin again, shaking Bal's body hard and forcing it prostrate against the ground. I let it cry for a while. Bal wipes blue snot from underneath its nose, slowing its breath. ''Bal:'' You're — Tears drip down, mixing with its fur. ''Bal:'' — you're right. I help Bal to stand, pulling them into an embrace. //I'm hugging a lot of people today...// Bal pulls its face away from me, its voice tiny and uncharacteristically meek.] (text-colour:white)[''Bal:'' (css: "font-size: 75%;")[You think that I'm —](css: "font-size: 60%;")[ //people...?//] I nod my head. ''Bal:'' And people — overcome this type of thing...? I nod again, hugging it tighter. It speaks over my shoulder. ''Bal:'' (css: "font-size: 55%;")[Thank you.] //No problem. Do you want to say goodbye before we leave?// Bal thinks for a moment, I separate myself from it. //You can let me out, if you want to be alone for a minute.// [[Bal nods its head — and approaches the wall we entered from. It pushes a green palm against the stone, opening the door. I step outside and join the rest of the group.->A Celebration of Life]]]]//The stone door shuts behind me — Bal remaining inside.// ''Samuel:'' TeeJay! Sam runs over to meet me, hugging me tight. ''Samuel:'' Why do you smell like — wet dog...? ''TeeJay:'' It's a long story, and I can't tell you anyway. ''Samuel:'' I think I understand — but this all doesn't make much sense... I nod, agreeing with him. ''TeeJay:'' Yeah. But it's almost over — then we're getting out of here. Sam still looks hesistant. ''Samuel:'' Are we? //For real?// ''TeeJay:'' Yeah, trust me. ''Samuel:'' And what about all the other stuff — like, why a game show...? I shrug. ''TeeJay:'' I dunno. And anyway, who cares? He laughs. ''Samuel:'' Yeah, I guess you're right. //Do you?// //Sorry if you do, there's no satisfying resolution coming soon — just countless more questions. Maybe you can come up with some of your own in the meantime?// Val yells over toward us, she's standing near Jessica and Grace — next to Karan's unconscious body. The group of offspring are curled up next to each other, in a big ball. ''Val:'' Now you're getting it — nothing matters! Grace shouts to me. ''Grace:'' What was it like?! ''TeeJay:'' It was —! //Why am I yelling?// I take Sam's hand and approach the others. ''TeeJay:'' It was a lot different than you're probably hoping. ''Jessica:'' "Different" how? ''Val:'' I don't want to know! ''TeeJay:'' I don't think I have the words to describe it right now anyway. But we can trust Bal — I know that. Grace nods, content with my answer. The room in the middle of the chamber opens — Bal steps out. //Did it...go well —?// Bal responds inside my mind. ''Inside Bal:'' Yes. //Good.// ''Inside Bal:'' Thank you, TeeJay. Bal speaks out loud, grunting to its offspring. They stir awake next to us, standing themselves up. Bal switches to English for us next. ''Bal:'' I know you New Humans are real eager to get out of the cave, but now — One of its offspring hands Bal a boombox — it takes it into its arms. ''Bal:'' Are y'all ready to party? Bal hits the play button on the front. The speakers crackle to life, filling the room with music: =><= (css: "font-size: 155%;")["//J.R.! Sean Kingston!// //You're way too beautiful, girl —// //That's why it'll never work...//"] <= Bal's offspring break out in dance around us. Karan stirs, woken by the noise. He looks around again, and — //He passed out.// The rest of us aren't any less confused by what's happening. //There's no point in processing the last two days.// We take turns staring at each others faces, confused as hell, until Jessica screams out. ''Jessica:'' Wait — I kinda //love// this song! Jessica starts wiggling her hips from side to side. Val watches, smiling. ''Val:'' Yeah...I love it too! Val joins her in dancing, mostly moving her top half — waving her arms in the air next to Jessica. I listen to the song: =><= (css: "font-size: 155%;")[//"See it started at the park — Used to chill after dark — Oh when you took my heart — That's when we fell apart —"//] <= ''Jessica:'' Grace, TeeJay — c'mon! Grace shrugs her shoulders, and joins them. //Ah, fuck it. Why not?// I grab Sam's hand, beginning to dance around him. He stares at me, confused. ''TeeJay:'' So much has happened — why //not// dance? Sam shrugs his shoulders, then moves them up and down to the rhythm. We're all dancing — stepping over Karan, still laying on the ground. //I wonder what decisions brought me to this point.// //That thought doesn't stress me out anymore. I'm happy with them, regardless.// Bal enters a suggestion into the folds of my brain. ''Inside Bal:'' It was your dinner side — the choice that brought you here. //Huh?// //I mean, thanks — but how do you know that...?// ''Inside Bal:'' When I said goodbye, //Pae's bones told me.// //Did it say anything else...?// ''Inside Bal:'' Not much. But enough. I nod my head. //Thanks for letting me know. If I ever end up being sent back through time — I'll keep it in mind.// ''Inside Bal:'' Thank you too, TeeJay. Maybe we'll see each other again. //Well — we still have to break out of prison, right?// ''Inside Bal:'' In this world. //But you're talking about...somewhere else?// ''Inside Bal:'' Yes. //Can you tell me where...?// ''Inside Bal:'' No — but you're capable of finding it yourself. //Yeah, but maybe I'll wait a little bit before worrying about that kind of stuff. Currently, I've got a lot going for me right here.// I look at Sam, his curly hair bouncing as he moves around — a huge smile on his face. ''Inside Bal:'' //That actually gives me an idea...// He trails off. ''Inside Bal:'' I'll let you get back to dancing. //Thanks.// I grab Sam's hands — jumping and and down together as we dance. //This is great. I'm together with Sam — and we're both alive. At the bottom of a Pit.// //But that's not to say anything about the lives I've seen lost.// //Kendra — Frankie — Pae...I'll never forget these names. Your sacrifices got us to this point — and you'll stay with us as we move forward.// //Kendra, we're going to fuck that prison up for you — and I'll always understand your anxieties.// //Frankie, you were so kind to me, and deeply funny — even if you didn't always understand the emotional complexities we sometimes face in life.// //Pae, whose short time on a desolate Earth led to the creation of millions of additional lives — still expanding, enough to one day fill the planet.// Jessica and Val are kissing across the room. I lock eyes with Grace dancing next to them, holding hands with one of Bal's offspring to dance with it. I wave to her — she waves back, smiling. //This is it. It's over.// //I'm moving on with my life now — joined by Sam, the only person I've ever loved. I know that I'll lose him one day, or he'll lose me...// //But there's no point in stressing about that right now, because in this moment:// //We're together. We're dancing to Beautiful Girls by Sean Kingston, intermixed with Bal's offspring — most of us will move on from this. We're going to escape soon, free to begin our lives outside the prison's walls.// //And that's amazing.// =><= (css: "font-size: 200%;")[//PATH 1 OF 3 "The Pit"//] [[Go to the Choice that Bal Mentioned.->Which Side at Dinner?]] [[Return to Title Screen.->Title Screen]](text-colour:white)[(align:"==>")+(box:"===XX")[{(link:"Save game.")[ (if:(save-game:"Slot A"))[ Game saved. ](else: )[ Sorry, I couldn't save your game. ] ]}]] (align:"<==")+(box:"==================XXXXX==")[i am (text-colour:(hsl:120,0.8039,0.5,0.4))[bal] ] (align:"<==")+(box:"=========XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX=====================")[spelled like ball with one L] (but pronounced different) (align:"=><=")+(box:"============XXXXX========")[what is yours?] (force-input-box:"=XX=","pae") (align:"<==")+(box:"======XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX=========")[[[sub mit name->Divergence B - Chapter 6B Starting Quote 2]]] (align:"<==")+(box:"============XXXXX========")[(text-colour:white)[ [[begin chapter 6 (BREAK MY HEART)->The Tractor Beam]]]] (text-colour:white)[ (align:"<==")+(box:"============================XXXXXXXXXXXXXXX=======")[no its not]] (align:"<==")+(box:"=======XXXXXXXXXXXXXXX============================")[(text-colour:(hsl:120,0.8039,0.5,0.4))[liar]] (align:"<==")+(box:"========XXXXX============")[(text-colour:white)[[[begin chapter 6->The Tractor Beam]]]]=><= //The pill worked. I'm asleep now. And now I'm having a nightmare.// //Stupid pill.// <= //I had a really good friend online for six years. Our friendship ended when we got into an conversation/argument. I still remember their final messages: "I didn't know how you were feeling. I'm not a mind-reader." "It's not my responsibility to know you were being harassed."// //I'm sorry, but I still disagree. That's one of your most clear responsibilities as a friend.// //We're all going through things. That's why we need to be there for each other. I know you're fragile, even if you won't say it. Because I'm fragile too.// //And now people that I don't talk to anymore know things about me that I only want my friends to know.// //I can never make them forget what they know.// //I want to stop thinking about this.// //But I can never make them see what they ignored.// //I need to stop thinking about this.// //And I need to stop fighting with people online. They'll never understand who I am in real life.// //But sometimes I worry that if I don't say something when people upset me, I'll never feel like I stood up for myself.// //Just one of many worries.// //I also worry that I'm a few conversations/arguments away from staying inside and never talking to another person again.// //But that's something that I'll handle alone.// [[I wake up.->It smells like "dance" in here]]Inside the cafeteria — the tables have been pushed to the outskirts of the room, and the stage moved into the middle. The Chief Enforcer is already standing on top of it — reading a piece of paper and mumbling to himself. I point him out to Frankie, standing in front of me in line again. ''Frankie:'' Huh, wonder what he's doing up there already. Kendra turns around to join our conversation. ''Kendra:'' I think it's probably because he has another announcement that this whole "dance competition" thing is a big joke — and that we're going to be forced to kill each other too. That's why I'm not going to get cereal today. Frankie and I stare at her, both confused. ''Frankie:'' Why wouldn't you get cereal? ''Kendra:'' 'Cause then I'd have a spoon instead of a fork, and I can't use a spoon to defend myself. ''Frankie:'' Kendra, the utensils here are plastic... Kendra thinks for a moment. ''Kendra:'' Still would probably work to gouge someone's eyes out. //Jeez...// Kendra notices our shocked expressions. ''Kendra:'' That's another one of my anxieties. Frankie nods, answering sarcastically. ''Frankie:'' //Right.// The line continues forward — I grab myself a small box of cereal and find a bowl with the least amount of dishwasher stains present. Following Frankie and Kendra, we sit down at the table with the rest of our cabin. Jessica is the only one talking. ''Jessica:'' And the craziest part about it was that Gossip Girl wasn't even a girl. That's, like, offensive to girls that gossip — like girls that gossip erasure, right? Grace sighs deep. ''Grace:'' Sure, yeah, Jessica. ''Jessica:'' Thank you! Do you want to hear some gossip now? Val doesn't look up. ''Val:'' If it stops your summary, anything. ''Jessica:'' Oh, Val! You kidder! Jessica reaches over the table to lightly tap Val on the shoulder, giggling to herself. ''Jessica:'' You //love// when I talk! Val blushes a little bit. ''Val:'' I'm impartial — The speakers crackle to life, I whip around to see the Chief standing with his arms in the air — about to scream into the microphone: ''Enforcer Chief:'' Alright, prisoners! Who's ready to par-tay?! Nobody responds. The Chief leans forward and speaks softer. ''Enforcer Chief:'' Okay, I know I said to be quiet yesterday — but you can applaud a little... Still, nobody claps for him. //I swear I can see a tear on his cheek. What a sad, pathetic man.// When he can tell that nobody is going to applaud, he continues speaking through a wavering voice. ''Enforcer Chief:'' Well — //I'm ready to par-tay...// ''Random Voice:'' Loser! The Chief whips his head toward the voice. ''Random Voice:'' Sorry, it just came out — I couldn't stop myself! The Chief looks off to a group of Enforcers, then nods. The voice screams out. ''Random Voice:'' I'm sorry! Please, no! PLEASE! I can't see what's happening — but I can hear the sound of metal smacking on flesh. Eventually, the voice stops calling for help. ''Enforcer Chief:'' We just don't learn our lessons here! And now I'm doing your job — He points to a large group of male prisoners. ''Enforcer Chief:'' //— for you!// ''Random Voice 2:'' We don't even want to kill each other — you Enforcers are the only ones that think we do! The Chief stares at the new person yelling, breathing heavily into the microphone. ''Random Voice 2:'' //Sorry...// The Chief looks away, and moves on. ''Enforcer Chief:'' In two hours, the Men's Side of the prison will start a competiton for the ages — an obstacle course where you can also kill each other. It's incredibly hard, and we'll keep sending you through it 'till one-thousand of you are dead. He turns on his heel. ''Enforcer Chief:'' And if you're thinking — The Chief does a mocking prisoner voice, stomping his feet comically around the stage. ''Enforcer Chief:'' "He said the Men's Side was one-thousand bodies over the limit! Does that mean that we're done after today?!" He returns to his regular voice, standing up. ''Enforcer Chief:'' //Hell no!// 'Cause pay attention to what I said! When those thousand are gone — the next person admitted will just put us over the limit again, and then we're right back here! //I don't know if I agree with his logic. Like at all.// //He's kind of a huge fucking dick. If you know anyone that runs a prison in your real life — tell them that they're a bitch for me. And then maybe hit them with a car or something — or not, I'm just joking, don't come after me, haha!// ''Enforcer Chief:'' We're just done for today after those thousand! Then tomorrow, right back at it with another five-hundred! All the way until there's a manageable number of you freaks. When he finishes, an uproar rises around the room. Objections are being yelled toward the stage, Enforcers on the ground trying their best to stop them. ''Enforcer Chief:'' Aww, that didn't make you guys happy? He laughs into the microphone, feedback comes through the speakers. I cover my ears. //Yeah, I don't like loud noises. If you're reading into that to assume something about me — you're probably right.// ''Enforcer Chief:'' Shit! I don't — The feedback is looping in on itself — the Chief turns the microphone over to look for a power switch. An Enforcer from the ground jumps onto the stage, running over to fix it. The feedback stops after another moment. ''Enforcer Chief:'' Thanks, Peter. The Enforcer's voice is muffled in the background. ''Enforcer:'' No problem. The Chief continues as the Enforcer departs the stage. ''Enforcer Chief:'' Anyway, the Other Side of the prison will be doing a "Dance Til' You Drop" competition today. Each cabin will be paired up with others to make four big teams. The three teams that stop dancing are eliminated, the other team splits into their cabins to compete after that. The other side is still arguing amongst themselves and yelling at the stage. Our side is relatively calm, filled with mostly confused expressions. //This disparity is kind of absurd, though. Our competition is so much lower-key.// //Unless there's something the Chief isn't telling us about the teams that are eliminated...// The Chief yells over the noise of the room. ''Enforcer Chief:'' If you don't have any questions — enjoy your breakfast — and I'll see you in a few hours! The Chief departs the stage, still holding the microphone. He walks across the cafeteria and into another door. The speakers are still picking up his microphone. He sighs over the speaker, then unzips something nearby. ''Enforcer Chief:'' Time to shake a little dew off the ol' daisy. //He's not about to —// [[The Chief does what we're all dreading, and starts releasing liquid from his thick-sounding shaft.->Pissing]](track: 'pissing', 'stop') The whole table is laughing, Val manages to speak through it. ''Val:'' That was really funny and all — but, isn't it kinda fucked up? ''Jessica:'' That we have to dance? Totally! ''Val:'' No, that we — you know what, never mind... Frankie puts some cereal into his mouth, and talks while he chews it. ''Frankie:'' TeeJay — what about your ex-boyfriend? //Oh yeah — that.// //I haven't forgotten about it, more like I don't want to think about it at all. Because it'll just worry me.// //I love Sam, even if we're not together. And I'd be crushed if he died. But there's nothing I can do from my current position — and I have a feeling he wouldn't want my help anyway?// //Did he have sex with someone last night? Is that why he chose to ask me then? Did he already meet someone that understands him better than I do — someone that can actually handle an emotional conversation?// //That'd really hurt me, but it's not like I could be upset about it. It's something that we discussed when we were together — and now it's totally his decision who to sleep with.// //Why can't he only fuck me sometimes? My sex drive isn't as high as his — that could work for me. I could get into that.// //I like talking to other people romantically sometimes too, and we're young. So why not?// //But I can't find the right words to tell him that. Not now, and probably never. Because I always perceive him as being jealous, even when he's not.// [[//Like that one time that's cutting its way through my brain — I work hard and clench my fists to not think about it.//->1scifiwomanlover]] //Why am I so pessimistic about becoming a better person?// //I guess I should answer Frankie eventually. But how?// ''TeeJay:'' I'm not too worried. He'll be fine. //I guess by lying.// Frankie nods. ''Jessica:'' What do you think we'll be dancing to? ''Grace:'' Like what music? ''Jessica:'' Yeah! I hope they have Beyoncé. ''Grace:'' We haven't had Beyoncé in years — you know that. ''Val:'' Don't remind us. ''Grace:'' Right? Why didn't they choose her over Pitbull? Val shrugs. ''Val:'' Because the people in charge never get it. ''Grace:'' True... //Or it wouldn't be as funny.// ''Jessica:'' But for real though — what songs do you think they'll have? Frankie talks with his mouth still full. ''Frankie:'' Mm-fmmmff — He swallows, taking a second. ''Frankie:'' Probably just covers of Pitbull songs, right? Like everyone listens to now. ''Cracked Visor Enforcer:'' Well, actually — The Enforcer with a cracked visor pops up from underneath our table, hitting their head on the edge. Most of us scream, except for Frankie. ''Jessica:'' Oh my god! ''Grace:'' What were you doing down there?! ''Cracked Visor Enforcer:'' Uh, I was waiting for a good time to make an entrance...? Duh. We just stare at them. ''Cracked Visor Enforcer:'' Like I was saying...you won't be listening to covers, actually! They cross their arms, proud of themselves. ''Cracked Visor Enforcer:'' The Chief has his own personal collection of CDs that were burned just for him — //and the previous three Chiefs...// ''Grace:'' You're a fucking liar, you lying bitch. //She's right. This is actually absurd and definitely a lie. Probably?// //There aren't any music collections that you can burn a CD from anymore. There haven't been since six years ago — and those were just Pitbull. Does the Enforcer mean Pitbull songs?// //Would people with this much power have some kind of special access to media from the Old World? Is this a huge conspiracy that was revealed to us like a point of pride...?// //But if they're telling the truth — it gives me an idea. I'll bring it up later.// ''Cracked Visor Enforcer:'' I'm not a liar! Or a bitch! 'Cause — you're a bitch! Grace starts fake crying, leaning into Jessica's side. ''Cracked Visor Enforcer:'' I know you're faking it! Don't call me a bitch if you can't handle it! Grace keeps crying, very obviously fake. Other tables are starting to look at ours. ''Cracked Visor Enforcer:'' C'mon — They tap Grace on the shoulder. ''Cracked Visor Enforcer:'' Buck up there, kiddo... Val scowls at the Enforcer. ''Val:'' That's so weird, dude. ''Cracked Visor Enforcer:'' What?! I'm just trying to cheer her up! ''Val:'' By being a fucking creep? The Enforcer moves away from Grace, throwing themselves in front of Val's face — staring her down. ''Cracked Visor Enforcer:'' Don't even get me started on you! Frankie stands up, reaching his arm out toward the Enforcer, grabbing their shoulder. ''Frankie:'' Don't get you started on what? The Enforcer stares at Frankie, stuttering. ''Cracked Visor Enforcer:'' Oh — heh, n—nothing! Frankie doesn't remove his hand from the Enforcer. ''Frankie:'' No — really, were you going to say something transphobic or just plain old misogynistic? Frankie tugs the Enforcer closer to him — hovering over the table. ''Frankie:'' Or maybe you were going to be a really cool dude and combine them into one big word-vomit?! He pulls the Enforcer's face close to his. ''Frankie:'' You know what they call that...? ''Cracked Visor Enforcer:'' Uh — I...(css: "font-size: 45%;")[transmisogyny...?] ''Frankie:'' Huh —? What'd you say?! The Enforcer speaks up, voice breaking. ''Cracked Visor Enforcer:'' //Transmisogyny...?// Frankie lets go of the Enforcer, they fall forward and into Jessica's bowl of cereal. ''Jessica:'' Darn it! Frankie holds their head under the small amount of milk remaining, just for a second. Then he lets them go, stumbling backward. ''Frankie:'' Don't you forget that word! Val speaks up, her face a little red. ''Val'' And transmisandry! Frankie turns to look at Val, he nods. //What a good moment of trans-bonding that I wasn't able to take part in because I'm too nervous to talk to other trans people.// //What'll I miss next — Trans-bondage?! Please, no! I need to get better at socializing before I miss my shot!// The Enforcer is running away — halfway across the room at this point. ''Kendra:'' Do you think they were like, under the table — the whole time? ''Jessica:'' I hope not, I was farting a lot earlier. ''Grace:'' I knew that was you! ''Frankie:'' They probably just enjoyed it. ''Jessica:'' Yeah, but, like — my farts are valuable, so they should've at least offered — ''Val:'' Okay, let's stop talking about farting and maybe think about what we're going to do. ''Jessica:'' For the dance competition...? ''Val:'' Yes... ''Jessica:'' Just checking! [[Val leans forward, and begins detailing her plan. It mostly consists of conserving our energy at the beginning, staying pretty low-key during the whole competition, and peeing before we start.->Team Up, Scheme Down]]After Val finishes, Frankie claps a little bit for her. //I don't know if he's being serious or an asshole.// ''Frankie:'' Val, that plan sucks. //Ah.// Val sighs and places two fingers on her temple. ''Val:'' How does it "suck"? ''Frankie:'' 'Cause it tells the other teams that we're just a bunch of push-over, sucker, loser, bitch-babies. ''Val:'' Oh my god — you're so right! How would //you// do it? //She's practically spitting at him with each word.// ''Frankie:'' I know you're fucking with me, but we obviously need to wear cool outfits that stand out, do — ''Jessica:'' We could be naked! ''Frankie:'' Right... ''Grace:'' Ignore her. ''Frankie:'' Like I was saying, we could do a really awesome synchonized dance, and maybe do a wild dance or something with our arms swinging around so we can smack a few of the other prisoners. ''Val:'' Smack them?! Are you actually an idiot or are you just —?! ''Kendra:'' //I think we should hear him out...// ''Frankie:'' Kendra, you're hot and you //get it//! Kendra's turns her face down, but I can tell her cheeks are bright red. ''Val:'' That is so fucking stupid! ''Frankie:'' I don't hear any other ideas! ''Val:'' I literally gave one before yours —! ''Frankie:'' I said //better// ideas. ''Val:'' I swear to fucking —! Val lunges at Frankie, nails toward his face. She grabs on and digs them deep into his cheeks — red leaking out around her fingers. ''Grace:'' Hey! Break it up —! Grace stands and reaches over the table, placing her arm between Val and Frankie. ''Jessica:'' Hold on a second — Frankie didn't say "better ideas" at all! //I'm already tired of her.// ''Grace:'' Stop fighting! Even if you both disagree, you have to agree that this isn't the right way. Frankie grumbles something under his breath. ''Val:'' What'd you say?! ''Frankie:'' I said that you're stupid! ''Val:'' I swear to fucking GOD —! Reaching over Grace's arm, Val starts smacking Frankie face's with her right hand. He smacks her back — the two trade blows until Grace throws her body over the table and in-between them. ''Grace:'' Stop it — NOW! Frankie taps Grace's face with his palm. She frowns and spits her words. ''Grace:'' //Are we done?// ''Frankie:'' Sorry, you were just right there. An Enforcer dressed in an apron approaches the table. Grace leans up, and pulls herself the rest of the way over the table — her head falling into Frankie's lap upside-down and her shirt riding up around her chest. ''Grace:'' Kitchen bitch, it's you! The Enforcer scowls and speaks slowly, not making eye contact. ''Apron Enforcer:'' Hi, Grace. ''Grace:'' Why aren't you looking at me? That's rude... ''Apron Enforcer:'' Because — The Enforcer points down at Grace's chest. Frankie laughs really hard when he sees it. ''Frankie:'' //Your titty is out!// Grace screams and moves to cover herself up. She's still upside down, so her boob just pops out again. Val reaches forward and holds Grace's shirt in place. ''Apron Enforcer:'' Uh — when you've fixed yourself, I'm here to take you to the amphitheater. Val helps Grace to move off the table, she places her feet on the ground and stands in the Enforcer's face. ''Grace:'' You didn't see anything. The Enforcer raises their hands and waves them around. ''Apron Enforcer:'' No, no! I didn't! ''Jessica:'' I saw them looking. The Enforcer puts their hands on their waist. ''Apron Enforcer:'' No you didn't! I have a mask on! ''Jessica:'' I can see the outline of people's eyes no matter what — I think I have powers. ''Apron Enforcer:'' No, you don't! //Does she...?// Jessica shrugs. ''Jessica:'' Yeah, you're probably right. //She didn't even know?!// ''Apron Enforcer:'' I don't understand why evolution gave you speech. Frankie stands up, and stomps toward the Enforcer — staring them down. Val stands to watch. ''Apron Enforcer:'' What?! You all make fun of her for being dumb. ''Frankie:'' //We// do that, because we're Jessica's friends. You don't, because you //never will be//. ''Val:'' Plus, Jessica's not dumb. Jessica claps. ''Jessica:'' Aw, shucks, Val! ''Val:'' She's more of a bimbo. Jessica gives a coy, little wave. ''Jessica:'' Aw, shucks, Val... The Enforcer shrugs their shoulders. ''Apron Enforcer:'' I hate bimbos, read a book. ''Jessica:'' When was the last time you read a book? ''Apron Enforcer:'' Uh — maybe high school? ''Grace:'' Oh, so last year? ''Apron Enforcer:'' I'm thirty-seven! ''Grace:'' And you saw my boob?! Grace covers herself again, already clothed. ''Jessica:'' I read a book last year. The Enforcer responds snidely. ''Apron Enforcer:'' Was it the Pearls Before Swine Collection? I speak without thinking. ''TeeJay:'' Which one? The Enforcer turns to me. ''Apron Enforcer:'' What are you talking about?! ''TeeJay:'' What collection of Pearls Before Swine are you talking about? ''Apron Enforcer:'' Why does it freakin' matter?! ''TeeJay:'' 'Cause — I had a friend that had the collection called //Lions and Tigers and Crocs, Oh My!// I actually think they're called treasuries, not collections. ''Apron Enforcer:'' What...? //Was that too much?// ''TeeJay:'' Sorry. The Enforcer turns back to Jessica. ''Apron Enforcer:'' So, was it //Lions and Tigers and Crocs, Oh My!//? ''Jessica:'' Was what? What are you talking about? ''Apron Enforcer:'' You reading books — we were just talking about it. ''Jessica:'' That was forever ago, dude. Move on... The Enforcer does a little stompy dance around the table. They turn their back to us and bark a command. ''Apron Enforcer:'' Follow me! [[We stand, and follow the Enforcer with an apron outside of the cafeteria. The Other Side is split as we exit the main doors and head to the right toward an outdoor theater area. We pass a large obstacle course where prisoners from the Men's Side is getting dressed in athletic gear.->Divergence B - Chapter 4A Starting Quote]]//I'm standing at the top of the ampitheater, stretching far out to include over a thousand seats — nestled near the water, glistening behind the stage.// //I have a story that connects to this, bear with me.// //I had a professor from Greece in junior year of college, he taught Greek Tragedy (how ironic) — but he was honestly super cool and down to Earth. In the way that a professor typically isn't. Like he was just a cool dude that had an interesting life. And a really great energy in his voice, passion that I could listen to for hours each week. I was very attracted to him. He took my class to the Opera to see Elektra — the first and only time I'll probably ever see something like that. I didn't really like it, but it was something that I'll kinda always remember? The star basically scream-sang at us for three hours in German, getting progressively sweatier, my attention wavering, eyes wandering —// //Sorry, I lost track of myself.// //So like I was saying — handsome Greek Tragedy professor that was actually from Greece. You're still probably wondering, how does this connect to the ampitheater in front of this chick? Shut up, don't call me a chick, and let me get to it.// //He once told us a story about a prison island that Greece imprisoned left-wing combatants and sympathizers in during the Greek Civil War in the 1940s. Probably around five-thousand prisoners lived and worked on the island until it was shut down with the restoration of democracy.// //Still doesn't connect? Well — the island also had an ampitheater.// //There. You happy? I got to it.// //Prisoners would perform for each other, thousands watching in the audience. I've always wondered what it would've been like to see a play during that time — what if you couldn't see over the person sitting in front of you? There weren't giant screens that could've shown you what was going on either, you're just fucked if you have poor vision. And what about hearing it?! Projection can only carry you so far!// //So there you go — Greek prison island with an ampitheater. Now I'm on a prison island with an ampitheater. Funny how it all connects.// //Also just to be clear, as the author of this game — if you were the star of Elektra at the Lyric Opera of Chicago's 2019 staging, you can contact me anytime. Please everyone else, keep my inboxes clear so I can see her message. I really need this. We'll talk soon, I'm certain. Also, do you date trans women?// Frankie taps me on the shoulder, the rest of our group has already disappeared from view. ''Frankie:'' C'mon, stop staring! We're over here — He grabs my hand and pulls me down the stairs. We descend multiple levels, about halfway down the side of the ampitheater. Frankie points to the middle of a nearby row, I can see the back of Val and Jessica's head. Frankie yells over the crowd toward me. ''Frankie:'' Over there! I nod my head and follow him down the aisle. Frankie chooses to move in front of people already sitting with his front facing forward. //He's hitting them with the crotch. That's bold.// I turn myself around and scooch down the aisle with my ass pointed toward people. //Don't fart...// //Don't you do it.// I don't fart — and take my seat next to Frankie on the right end of the group. Grace is next to Frankie, with Kendra next to her. Kendra taps Grace on the shoulder and whispers something that I can't hear. Grace peeks at Frankie, then nods toward Kendra. //Or was she looking at me?// Grace stands up, trading seats with Kendra. Frankie notices, looking confused. ''Frankie:'' Uh — hi, Kendra. Kendra wiggles her legs and stares straight down at them. ''Kendra:'' Hi, Frankie... ''Frankie:'' So...//why'd you switch seats...?// Kendra turns bright red and starts to groan with her mouth closed, Grace interrupts. ''Grace:'' She said this seat was hurting her ass. Frankie nods. ''Frankie:'' Oh, right. Well, sorry about your ass... Kendra snaps back, waving her arms in the air. ''Kendra:'' No, no, it's all good! My ass is all good! I promise! Well, one time I was worried that I might have hemorrhoids 'cause my dad got them at — Kendra chuckles, not stopping. ''Kendra:'' He got them at the Grand Canyon. I laugh out loud, Frankie follows my lead. ''Kendra:'' So yeah, we were just at a World Wonder and my dad's ass was bleeding. //Fuck — I can't stop laughing...// ''TeeJay:'' Please — please tell me that's true! Kendra nods vigorously. ''Kendra:'' It is! He really got hemorrhoids at the top of the Grand Canyon — he was actively bleeding all day and we had to drive back that night. ''Frankie:'' Is his ass okay? ''Kendra:'' Yeah, well, I think — Kendra stops laughing, now staring into the distance. ''Kendra:'' I don't really talk to him anymore. //She looks so ashamed...// ''TeeJay:'' Uh — same here. //It's true. I don't talk to my parents anymore — it's a decision that carries a lot of weight, and double the guilt.// ''TeeJay:'' So, yeah. Nobody's talking. ''Kendra:'' Did I kill the conversation? I'm so sorry if I did... I shake my head. Frankie says nothing, sneaking a glance at Kendra's face. ''Frankie:'' Hey, Kendra? She turns her head to look at him. ''Kendra:'' Yeah...? ''Frankie:'' You look really pretty right now. Kendra's eyes go wide, and the color drains from her face. She falls backward onto Grace's lap momentarily, before snapping back up. ''Kendra:'' Thanks! You too! Her eyes go even wider. ''Kendra:'' No, wait! You're handsome — not pretty! Sorry, I was just — Frankie smiles wide, giggling. ''Frankie:'' Thanks! The color returns to Kendra's face. //Wait — stop! That's too much Kendra! Why'd you choose red?!// She stutters, laughing hard. ''Kendra:'' N-no p-problem! //I'm just watching a terrible demonstration of flirting now. One of you ask to see the other's holes — move it along already!// Kendra's still laughing. ''Frankie:'' I love your laugh. //FUCK EACH OTHER.// [[An Enforcer with a regular uniform takes the stage. She grabs a microphone from the side and turns it on, preparing to make another announcement.->Rules of Dancegagement]]''Stevie:'' Genuine Pitbull covers. ''Samuel:'' You weren't lying... ''Stevie:'' So you'll take 'em? Samuel nods, looking back up and toward the cabinet. ''Samuel:'' Yeah, we'll take 'em. They back there? Stevie nods. ''Samuel:'' You need help grabbing them? Stevie shakes his head and waves his arms in the air. He barks a response. ''Stevie:'' No! He clears his throat. ''Stevie:'' You can't, sorry. ''Samuel:'' Well, alright then... Stevie dives into the cabinet, closing it behind him as he crawls through. Samuel looks back to the rest of us. ''Samuel:'' That was weird. ''Randy:'' Stevie's always been a little weird. ''Ryan:'' Yeah, plus, he doesn't want you ta' see what's back there! Randy slams his fist into the table. ''Randy:'' Ryan — shut it! Ryan mumbles. ''Ryan:'' (css: "font-size: 75%;")[Alright, yeah, okay...] Scratching on the cabinet door, then something scurrying away. Stevie yells out from the other room. ''Stevie:'' C'mere, you... //This is so strange, and I have so many questions. Did I actually hear something scritchy-scratchying? Why did it sound small and cute? Why are they being so secretive about what's back there? And is my mouth moving on its own right now?// ''TeeJay:'' What's back there? Randy chuckles awkwardly. ''Randy:'' Ha-ha...//nothing...// Ryan speaks fast with a high pitch. ''Ryan:'' //WhyDoYouAsk?DidYouHearSomething?// I shrug my shoulders. ''TeeJay:'' Guess not. Ryan laughs out loud. ''Ryan:'' Good! That's good... He buries his face into his shirt. ''Ryan:'' (css: "font-size: 75%;")['Cause you don't want to hear what's back there...] ''Samuel:'' Okay, I heard you — what's going on? Is there something else back there?! The cabinet slams open, and Stevie returns from the dark abyss within. He drags another two boxes out, and dusts his hands off. ''Stevie:'' That's all of 'em! Samuel steps around Stevie and walks toward the cabinet, bending down to look inside. ''Samuel:'' What are you keeping in — Stevie grabs onto Sam, and pulls him back into the kitchen. He slams the cabinet. ''Stevie:'' We aren't keeping nothing back there! ''TeeJay:'' I'm pretty sure I heard something... ''Stevie:'' No you didn't! //Sure, whatever.// I walk around Stevie and grab ahold of the cabinet door. He runs to stop me, but this time — Sam grabs him and holds tight, nodding toward me. Randy and Ryan stare at me, unsure of what to do. ''Randy:'' Don't — [[I open the cabinet and throw myself into the darkness within, smacking my face onto dusty wood. ->The Dark Cabinet]](text-colour:white)[//Some of the dust definitely went into my eyes, fuck me! God, and I left my eyedrops in the car — I have special preservative-free ones that are supposed to be better for long-term use!// Stevie yells from behind me, struggling to break free from Samuel's grasp. ''Stevie:'' Stop her! ''Ryan:'' Uh, right! ''Samuel:'' Stop right the fuck there! ''Randy:'' He's got a gun! ''Samuel:'' Get on the fucking ground! Ryan sobs out. ''Ryan:'' Why are you doing this?! Please don't kill us! Samuel responds with a calm, reassuring voice. ''Samuel:'' Hey — are you okay? I'm not gonna kill you...I mean — He clears his throat. ''Samuel:'' U-unless you try to fuck with us! I start to crawl my body forward and through the dark tunnel ahead. I move further from the voices and into a bigger, dustier wooden room. //I can't see a goddamn thing...// I pull myself the rest of the way out of the tunnel and stand up, dusting my clothes off and straining my eyes to look around the room. //There's gotta be a —// A drawstring attached to a lightbulb, something that the New World still uses for some reason. //Why do lightbulbs with drawstrings attached always make me feel so, like, scared...? Is it 'cause a lot of my friends growing up had them — and most of them had similar domestic and financial issues to mine? Seeing a light with a string just feels like I'm going somewhere to avoid mine or someone else's parents yelling. I'd pull the string, and watch it settle back into place with that familiar clinking sound.// [[I reach my hand out toward the string on my tiptoes.->Illumination]]]The Enforcer taps the microphone and clears her throat. She speaks with a high-pitched, excited voice. ''Nelly the Enforcer:'' Hey guys! I'm Nelly the Enforcer! What's all your names? She holds the microphone out toward the crowd. We all say our own names, overlapping on each other. She smiles and pulls the microphone back toward her. ''Nelly the Enforcer:'' No way! That's my brother's name! A voice from the crowd. ''Audience Member:'' That doesn't make any sense! Nelly looks toward the audience member, a wide smile on her face — teeth visibly shining even from this distance. ''Nelly the Enforcer:'' Guess some things just don't make sense! Maybe I can explain something that does make sense! She claps and giggles with her high-pitched voice. ''Nelly the Enforcer:'' I can have you killed in seconds. Your life means nothing to me — it means nothing to the world. Your name won't go down in history, and you won't accomplish anything — you fucking burnout, loser, criminal, //FUCKING MEANINGLESS SCUMBAG!// She's spitting onto the stage now. ''Nelly the Enforcer:'' //DO YOU UNDERSTAND ME?!// The voice responds, shaky and frightened. ''Voice:'' Yes! (css: "font-size: 45%;")[I think...] Nelly turns around and waves an Enforcer toward the stage. ''Nelly the Enforcer:'' Bring them up here — I don't think they understand yet! The Enforcer in the crowd makes their way toward the audience member. They grab them — tossing them onto the stage next to Nelly. The audience member — young, pale, with curly brown hair, scrambles to their feet and backs away from Nelly slowly. ''Nelly the Enforcer:'' Where are you going...? The audience member shrugs. ''Nelly the Enforcer:'' Stop moving, then! The audience member stops in their tracks, feet away from the right edge of the stage. ''Nelly the Enforcer:'' What's your name? They scan the audience, searching for someone to help them. ''Lisa:'' My name's Lisa... ''Nelly the Enforcer:'' Lisa, do you know about — Nelly leans forward, the mic popping. ''Nelly the Enforcer:'' The power of dance...? Lisa shakes their head. Nelly reaches an arm toward them. ''Nelly the Enforcer:'' C'mere, I'll show you. Lisa grabs ahold, their legs wobbling as they're led to the center of the stage. Nelly lets go of their hand and walks to the left. ''Nelly the Enforcer:'' Okay — stay right there, Lisa. Lisa nods their head. Nelly closes her eyes and breathes deep, placing the microphone on the ground next to her — then kicking it away. =><= (css: "font-size: 145%;")[//SCREECH!//] <= //FUCK! That hurt my ears — and head — and mind — and body — and maybe my soul.// A puddle forms beneath Lisa's feet, coming from their — //Agh, god...poor Lisa.// Nelly's legs snap into a wide stance. She moves her arms toward her chest and yells off the stage. ''Nelly the Enforcer:'' Turn on the music! The speakers crackle back — this time playing a song that I don't recognize. Frankie nudges me. ''Frankie:'' "Lightning Crashes." ''TeeJay:'' The sky looks pretty clear though... ''Frankie:'' No — the name of the song. It's Live — my dad used to make me listen to them. //Oh.// //It's probably on everywhere music is in your time period — if you want to listen to it.// Jessica groans from down the aisle. ''Jessica:'' Ugh — I hate live music! I wish they would play the studio version! Frankie takes a second before responding. ''Frankie:'' Uh — the band is called Live. Like that's their name. ''Jessica:'' Shit! =><= "Lightning crashes, a new mother cries —" <= //It sounds genuine. Was that Enforcer telling the truth? Do they have copies of real songs here?// //That could be a gold —// //Wait, what's happening now?// =><= "The confusion sets in before the doctor can even close the door —" <= Nelly moves her arms back out to her side, then moves one leg forward and the other back. She raises her hands above her head and forms them into a circle. =><= "Lightning crashes, an old mother dies —" "Her intentions fall to the floor." <= Lisa falls to their knees, sobbing into them as Nelly continues to dance by their side — she pulls her hands back down, then forces them out in front of herself — taking a sharp breath inward as she does. =><= "The angel closes her eyes —" <= Nelly extends both arms outward, twisting herself around and dropping to her knees — pounding the stage with her fists. She jumps upward and toward Lisa, but doesn't touch them. Lisa sobs deeper, refusing to look at Nelly. =><= "Now feel it coming back again —" "Like a rolling thunder chasing the wind —" <= Nelly folds in on herself, before extending all limbs to their furthest reach. She takes another sharp breath inward and pushes her palms against her chest. =><= "Forces pulling from the center of the Earth again —" "I can feel it." <= Lisa's body snaps up, tense — like something is pulling them up by their hair. Their eyes are panicked, mouth open in a silent scream. Nelly continues to dance, now moving in a circle around Lisa's seemingly-possessed form. She forms a triangle with her hands — then a square. =><= "The angel opens her eyes, pale blue colored iris —" <= Her hands snap into another circle. She raises it high into the air. It becomes real in her hands — a blue, shiny sphere. =><= "And puts the glory out to hide —" <= The backing track picks up, filling the ampitheater with sound. Nelly moves the sphere down to her chest and holds it out toward Lisa. She crushes it between her palms — blue powder spilling out around her as she snaps her arms out, extended to her side. =><= "Now feel it comin' back again —" "Like a rollin' thunder, chasing the wind — <= Lisa's body stands without them moving it, picked up by some invisible force and placed on their feet onto the stage. =><= "Forces pulling from the center of the Earth again —" <= Nelly's lifts her arms above her head, then quickly slamming them against her side — definitely hard enough to bruise. =><= //"I can feel it —"// <= Lisa's head is torn from their body — their spinal cord pulling out of their neck like a ripcord, now dangling — blood spilling onto the stone below. Their body crumples into the red puddle. The crowd screams. =><= //"I can feel it!"// <= Nelly continues to move around Lisa's floating head, forming the same three shapes in various combinations. //Square, circle, triangle, circle, square, circle, triangle, square, triangle, circle, square, triangle, circle, triangle, square, triangle, circle —// =><= "I can feel it coming back again —" "Like a rolling thunder chasing the wind —" "Forces pulling from the center of the Earth again —" //"I can feel it!"// <= The music swells as Nelly holds her arms above her head — forming a triangle. =><= "I can feel it coming back again —" <= Nelly moves the triangle to three spots around her body — forming an invisible triangle with the path of her arms. =><= "Like a rolling thunder chasing the wind —" "Forces pulling from the center of the Earth again —" <= The triangle becomes real, forming above Nelly's now-dancing body and floating in the air toward Lisa's head. =><= //"I can feel it!"// <= The floating triangle expands, stretching itself to fit around Lisa's head. It moves down toward the ground, pulling the head deep inside of it. Blood and flesh spit out from the bottom, splattering the stage. =><= "I can feel it coming back again —" "Like a rolling thunder chasing the wind —" "Forces pulling from the center of the Earth again —" //"I can feel it —"// <= The triangle disappears, taking Lisa's mangled head with it. Their body is still crumpled on the stage. Nelly slowly stops dancing, pulling her hands to her side and breathing deep. Everyone in the crowd is just screaming — unable to process. =><= //[["I can feel it!"->What just happened?]]//The music fades out, leaving only the sound of screaming prisoners and the chuckling of Enforcers scattered around the ampitheater. //What the —// //How did she —// //Did Nelly rip their head off and make it disappear inside of a floating triangle by...dancing?// //This isn't something that happens in the New World — we don't kill each other by dancing. Not that I know of, at least.// Someone else in the crowd screams out, mousy with brown hair — similar to Lisa's. ''Audience Member:'' What did you just do to my sister?! Nelly laughs inaudibly, I can't hear her without the microphone. She gestures off to the side of the stage — it's thrown over to her, and she turns it on to talk over the speakers. ''Nelly the Enforcer:'' I saw it on T.V. once. She laughs again. ''Nelly the Enforcer:'' She was your sister...? ''Audience Member:'' Yes! And their pronouns were they/them! ''Nelly the Enforcer:'' Sorry — you said "sister", so I just got confused. ''Audience Member:'' You can be nonbinary //and// still be a sister! ''Nelly the Enforcer:'' I didn't know that... ''Audience Member:'' Yeah, it depends on the person — some people feel a strong connection to the societal role of sisterhood! Nelly shrugs and sucks her teeth. ''Nelly the Enforcer:'' Well, your nonbinary sister is dead. Nothing can change that. Dusting her hands, Nelly motions for Enforcers to take Lisa's body off the stage. They drag it — leaving a long red trail leading off the side of the stage. ''Nelly the Enforcer:'' If you're all confused about what just happened, that's okay! Stick with me — you'll be able to do that by the end of the week, and maybe more. 'Cause I'm Nelly the Enforcer, and I love dancing with style, determination, heart — Nelly continues speaking, but my mind is elsewhere. //What is she talking about?!// //I don't WANT to be able to do that! I liked the world before I knew people could do something like...by dancing.// Frankie clears his throat to speak, the first of our group to do so. ''Frankie:'' Did you all see that too...? I nod. ''Grace:'' Yeah, I saw it... ''Jessica:'' I think I blinked — darn it! ''Kendra:'' What the fuck?! Can someone just kill me on the street by dancing at me?! Has this been possible the whole time and I just didn't know?! Oh no, that makes me so anxious! Oh no! Kendra groans into her knees, the rest of us move on with the conversation. ''Frankie:'' So, what do we do now? //He's right. No matter what we could've prepared for — it wasn't this.// ''Jessica:'' Wait — someone tell me what just happened! Where's Lisa?! Frankie sighs. Grace pats her shoulder. ''Grace:'' They died, honey. ''Jessica:'' Oh my god! Jessica cups her face with her hands, mouth wide open. ''Jessica:'' When though? ''Grace:'' Just now, when — Jessica is just staring at Grace, no sign of recognition in her eyes. Grace sighs. ''Grace:'' I'll tell you later. ''Nelly the Enforcer:'' But enough about myself! Let's talk about what you'll all be doing today, and this week — A large projector screen descends from the ceiling hanging over the stone stage, Nelly is thrown a remote from the left — catching it with ease. //She's so much...better than the Chief...// //And scarier.// //And hotter?// //Stop that.// Nelly clicks a few buttons on the remote, projecting a presentation with the title slide //"Using Dance Competitions to Learn Mystical Powers, Transporting Life Across Worlds, Tangoing & You"//. ''Nelly the Enforcer:'' Slide 1! She clicks the remote, and three shapes appear on the screen — a triangle, a square, and a large circle. ''Nelly the Enforcer:'' These are the most important symbols you will ever see in your life — ever. She clicks to the next slide — just a triangle. ''Nelly the Enforcer:'' If you are sitting there, thinking to yourself some stupid B.S. like "I learned what the fuck a triangle was in first grade!" shut the EFF up! I don't want to hear from you again! She pauses for a moment, audibly licking her lips. ''Nelly the Enforcer:'' This //is// just a regular triangle — until you attach yourself to it through movement, opening a place for its concept in our world. //She just said that so seriously...?// //Am I supposed to take this shit seriously?// ''Nelly the Enforcer:'' Through the right moves and combination of shapes — you can do anything with them... Nelly snaps her arms to her side and bends herself down — forming shapes with her hands. //Circle, square, circle, square, circle, triangle, square, circle, square, circle, triangle —// In front of Nelly, a gray sphere of light appears — she stomps on it with her foot. A gray cat pops out of thin air and drops onto her shoulder. //There's a gas leak. That's what's happening — underneath the island there's a giant cave or something with deadly gas.// //That sounds like the most logical explanation, let's go with that.// ''Nelly the Enforcer:'' Your eyes are seeing the truth — I really did that. There isn't any other explanation for what just happened, I promise you all. //I don't believe you — witch, heathen, unnatural beast not fit to live in this world!// Nelly bends down and coos at the cat — speaking with a baby voice. ''Nelly the Enforcer:'' I think this wittle guy is hungies! Do you want to eat the sun — do you?! //Yes you do!// Nelly picks up the cat and throws it toward the sun. It doesn't come back down. ''Audience Member:'' You monster! ''Nelly the Enforcer:'' What else was I gonna do with it? ''Audience Member:'' Care for and nurture it! ''Nelly the Enforcer:'' Let me tell you somethin' — I don't condone killing cats. But that cat was a freaking asshole the entire time I knew him, and he fucking deserved it, //and// he wasn't even real 'cause I created him, so...figure that morality out. Nobody bothers arguing with her further. ''Nelly the Enforcer:'' Anyway, we're gonna be using the Dance Til' You Drop Competition as a process to weed out the weak-fucks here. You all know the three rules: Just keep dancing, no matter what — you can't hurt someone else, unless you do it funny — and uh, I forget the last one — no farting on the stage, whatever. //That last rule is impossible. I'm going to be farting up there.// ''Nelly the Enforcer:'' Alright — get up here, all of you! [[The audience rises to their feet and we make our way to the aisle — moving down the ampitheater and toward the stage.->Dance Til' You Drop]]We file onto the stage, funneled up two small staircases on either side of it. It's cramped — hardly enough room to move around. Nelly is standing in the front row, barking orders at Enforcers nearby. They run around, setting up electrical equipment. I strain my ears to listen. ''Nelly the Enforcer:'' Do it quicker! You know what'll happen if you don't, you rat-fucking assdicks — //Probably don't need to keep listening. Nothing she's saying makes any sense, besides the vulgarity. I understand that part entirely.// Frankie bumps into me, groaning. ''Frankie:'' Fucking — can't move around here... Frankie bumps Jessica to his left to make extra room. ''Jessica:'' Hey, I'm standing here! ''Frankie:'' Sorry, Jessica...but I kinda have — Frankie motions behind himself. Jessica nods and finishes his sentence. ''Jessica:'' A fat ass? ''Frankie:'' Yeah, that. ''Jessica:'' I noticed! Did you, TeeJay? I nod my head. She turns to Kendra. ''Jessica:'' What about you, Kendra? Kendra's face goes red in front of us. ''Kendra:'' No, I don't spend much time looking at — heh, I don't — ha... She trails off, Jessica turns to Grace. ''Grace:'' Oh, I noticed it on the first day. I try to look at it at least once every day. Frankie smacks Grace playfully on the shoulder. ''Frankie:'' Aw, thanks Grace! ''Jessica:'' What about TeeJay's ass? Grace, you start this time! Grace stammers. ''Grace:'' I, uh — I don't know if I've noticed... I tilt my head down toward the floor. ''TeeJay:'' Um...//it's okay if you did...// //God — I'm rebounding hard, aren't I?// ''Jessica:'' I don't know what the //heck// you're talking about, Grace! I noticed it immediately! ''Grace:'' Heh, I — Nelly barks from the front row. ''Nelly the Enforcer:'' Start dancing now! If you stops, you get drops! //She didn't have to rhyme it like that. But she chose to.// The speakers surrounding the stage start playing another song: =><= "If I could write you a song to make you fall in love, I would already have you up under my arm —" <= The giant crowd of prisoners start dancing. More accurately, we kind of just gyrate in the small space that we have available for ourselves. A few of the prisoners near the front of the stage are knocked off-balance and tumble forward into the audience. Nelly blows a whistle at them. //Am I dancing good enough? Am I even dancing...? My legs are stepping back and forth, and I'm swinging my arms slightly. I think this counts as dancing.// //I wish I could dance as well as others, I feel so uncomfortable in my body. Not like I hate the way I look, well — not always. I just feel like my body can never move the exact way I want it to — and I always make a fool of myself when I try to do anything athletic.// //I definitely can't cut it in this dance competiton. I'm going to let down everyone in Cabin Seven. There's no way I can remember a specific set of moves — I can seriously only gyrate. And maybe thrust? I guess that's good for grinding — can we have a grinding competiton? My dick feels great from that angle, and I hardly ever cum anymore — I'd win every round.// //How did Nelly use dancing to kill someone...? Did she just — want it bad enough? I want dick bad enough and it's never just shown up for me. I have to work for it. God, I'm horny.// //What's something else I desire that I can wiggle my body around and make a few shapes to obtain? Probably getting out of prison. Or Samuel shaking his bare ass in front of my face. Hold on — not that one.// //So let's just do the first one — let's just think about getting out of prison, and make random shapes with my hands. But what shapes do I make? And in which order? The answer can't be "what my heart wants", it has to be some kind of combination!// //Square — circle — triangle — circle — triangle — square — circle — square — square —// //Can I repeat the same shape twice? I moved my hands back and forth to actually form the square fresh both times. So let's just hope the answer is yes.// //Square — square — square — square — square —// //Okay, now I'm just doing squares —// [[A large flash of white in front of me, my shoes transition from the solid stage floor to soft grass.->Dance Til' You Stop]]=><= //Where am I —?// //How did I —?// //Why is it so — humid?// //Am I in a — swamp?// //Is that an —// //HOLY FUCK AN ALLIGATOR!// <= //It's just looking at me — staring into my soul...?// //Why am I here? Is this a dream? Did I pass out on stage? I already lost the competition and my body is just laying there being trampled on by others.// //But now that I've realized that this is a dream...should the alligator still be moving toward me?// //Why can't I move? I mean — I can physically move, I just can't mentally move. Does that make sense? Let me put it an simpler way — I'm being a pussy right now.// //I wish I had a —// [[That flash of white again, and I'm transported back to the ampitheater stage.->The Chosen One]]Frankie is staring at me when I reappear on the stage — everyone around us has stopped dancing too. He jumps forward and grabs onto me. ''Frankie:'' TeeJay — you're back! //He gives good hugs...// Nelly's voice from off in the distance. ''Nelly the Enforcer:'' Holy shit! We found one //this// fast?! //"Found one...?" What does she think I am?// ''Nelly the Enforcer:'' Take her off the stage! She needs to conserve her energy! //I don't understand — where did I just go? Didn't I pass out? Why is everyone looking at me? Why is that Enforcer —// I'm lifted from my feet by one Enforcer (css: "font-size: 75%;")[//(I am small)//] and carried down the stairs, set gingerly down in a front row seat. ''Nelly the Enforcer:'' Start the music back up! The music resumes — it's that sped-up version of "Say It Right" that I vividly remember hearing but do not think of at all. Nelly coughs as she approaches me, clearing phlegm from her throat. ''Nelly the Enforcer:'' //Hi// — ahem, hey — what's your name? She leans down close to my face, speaking to me like I'm a preschooler. ''TeeJay:'' What just happened to me? ''Nelly the Enforcer:'' That's a long name! ''TeeJay:'' Ah, fuck off — //Did I really say that out loud? I meant to just think it, I don't know what to do now.// Nelly stares at me for a second before laughing, slapping both knees. ''Nelly the Enforcer:'' I like when prisoners give me shit right back! Especially the ones like you. //She's being such a fucking asshole right now. I hate people like this.// ''Nelly the Enforcer:'' If you don't mind me asking — //how did you just do what you just did?// //No fucking clue. You're telling me that she doesn't know either?// ''TeeJay:'' Tell me what's going on, or I won't tell you how I did it. ''Nelly the Enforcer:'' Okay, but I can't really explain it, until I know that you actually went to the right place — ''TeeJay:'' Swamp. ''Nelly the Enforcer:'' Anything else of — ''TeeJay:'' Alligator. Nelly's eyes light up. She leans back and mumbles to herself, then claps her hands and speaks audibly. ''Nelly the Enforcer:'' Awesome. Well, nice to meet you, whatever your name is. ''TeeJay:'' Sure. Nelly walks away from me, joining a larger group of Enforcers — a few of them sneaking glances at me. I turn my attention back toward the stage, watching the rest of the prisoners attempt to dance. I watch the members of my cabin — Frankie is shaking his ass, Jessica is jumping up and down in place, Val waggles her arms in the air, Grace is — //Wait —// //Where'd Jessica go?// //She was just jumping next to Grace, but now she's —// //Val's noticed it now too, waggling her arms in front of Frankie's face to catch his attention. They both stare at the space where she was.// //She's taking a while — did it take me this long?// //I'm starting to get concerned. How did I come back? Was it just thinking about it? Does she know what she did to get there?// //She's definitely dead, the alligator got —// Jessica rematerializes in mid-air, falling on her face onto the stage. Nelly blows the whistle, and the music stops. She commands some Enforcers to go grab Jessica — they walk up the stairs and carry her down, sitting her in the seat next to mine. The Enforcers walk away, leaving us alone. Jessica looks around, searching for any indication of what just happened. I clear my throat. ''TeeJay:'' Hi. She turns to face me, eyes wide. ''TeeJay:'' Alligator? She nods her head silently. ''TeeJay:'' Me too. Jessica raises her finger, stammering, unable to get a sentence out. ''TeeJay:'' I have no idea either. She points to the stage. I nod. ''TeeJay:'' Yeah, we're just watching, I think. Jessica nods, her eyes glazing over and her mouth hanging open. I turn my attention back to the stage, and continue watching. Most prisoners are giving up at this point, realizing that whatever's happening to the people disappearing is probably not a great thing. When a prisoner is disqualified, they are taken back to the main prison, usually kicking and screaming. The other members of Girl Cabin Seven are still dancing, most reluctantly. As time goes on, a few prisoners disappear as they dance, reappearing a random amount of time later. When they do, they are carried and sat in the row next to Jessica and I. We don't do any talking, just continue watching. Hours roll by, the sun goes down. There's probably around one hundred prisoners still dancing, and thirteen others sitting in the row with us — Jessica and I making fifteen. The crowd thins out — Frankie is the first of our cabin to give up. Kendra screams and cries as he's carried away, she's disqualified when she falls to her knees yelling his name. Grace dances her heart out, Val backing her up with some major arm waggling. When there's twenty people left on stage, somewhere around midnight, Nelly makes an announcement. ''Nelly the Enforcer:'' Alright, I think we all want to get some sleep around here, so — She claps her hands, the music changes to "Like a G6". Jessica grabs my knee. ''Nelly the Enforcer:'' You can beat each other up now! Last one standing wins, and can join the others! The stage immediately turns to violence, Grace's jaw dropping and Val assuming a fighting stance in front of her. Another prisoner approaches the two, and Val sweeps their feet out from under them — the whistle blows, disqualifying them. Jessica digs her nails into my knee, breathing heavy and staring at Val. //God, she's dripping sweat. Is that how people feel when they see me?// //No, of course not. I never do anything like that — or anything at all. I guess I teleported, but I have no idea how.// Val is grappling with another prisoner, grabbing them by their hair and swinging them to the side, onto the ground. She runs at another, tackling them in their midsection, both of them toppling to the ground. Val groans and hits the stage with her fist. ''Val:'' Damn it! The whistle blows, and Val is carried off the stage with the other prisoner. Grace runs around the stage screaming, while two other prisoners chase her. She turns around and slaps her hands out in the air, and is slammed over and onto the stage. The remaining prisoners keep attacking each other, until one remains — the sister of Lisa. She tackles the other remaining prisoner and jabs her thumbs into their eyes, pressing down until they stop screaming and thrashing. The Enforcers watch her kill the prisoner, heaving breaths and blood dripping off her hands. //She looks happy to have won.// The prisoner is escorted down the stairs, and us sitting in the front row are directed to stand up and walk into the aisle. Nelly stands in front of us, clasping her hands together and shivering slightly. ''Nelly the Enforcer:'' Congratulations to all of the winners — you are the chosen ones! She motions to Lisa's sister. ''Nelly the Enforcer:'' And I guess one random person, whose sister I freakin' killed, oh — Nelly doubles over, laughing way harder than she should. She catches her breath after a moment. ''Nelly the Enforcer:'' Oh, god! That's rich...anyway, see you all tomorrow — right back here! Sleep perfect, my little babies! [[She turns around and motions for an Enforcer to her right to escort us forward. As we are taken back toward the prison, I turn around for a second to see a bunch of Enforcers with mops walk onto the stage.->The Chosen Ones!]]When I wake up, I find that I've thrashed the covers off of myself while I was sleeping — and I'm covered in sweat. Frankie is standing over me, about to reach down. I yelp in surprise, he jumps back. ''Frankie:'' Sorry! I didn't mean to scare you! I take a second to breathe and look around the room — the lights are all on, and the Enforcer with the cracked visor is standing near the door, holding it open. ''TeeJay:'' //What's// — what's going on...? ''Frankie:'' Uh — it's time for breakfast, and you were like making a lot of noise and rolling around, so we were afraid to wake you up with the rest of us... ''TeeJay:'' Oh...sorry. Frankie shrugs. ''Frankie:'' No worries. The Enforcer barks out an order. ''Cracked Visor Enforcer:'' Get a move on, girl! Frankie turns around to yell at them. ''Frankie:'' Hey — shut the fuck up! She was having a nightmare! ''Cracked Visor Enforcer:'' Like I freakin' care! Grace approaches the Enforcer and pokes their shoulder. ''Grace:'' What's your name? ''Cracked Visor Enforcer:'' Kyle. ''Grace:'' That makes so much sense. Val speaks, sitting on the edge her bed. ''Val:'' It kinda does. Kyle the Enforcer throws their hands up in the air. ''Kyle the Enforcer:'' What's that supposed to mean?! ''Grace:'' You're an asshole, and assholes are usually named Kyle. ''Kyle the Enforcer:'' Kyle is literally one of the most popular names in the world! ''Jessica:'' That's sad. Kyle the Enforcer grumbles, and steps out of the room, waving us all out. I quickly stand and follow the group out into the hallway. Frankie's back fills my vision as we're funneled through the hallways and toward the cafeteria. When we pass the Men's Section — there's an eerie silence that wasn't there yesterday. //There's one-thousand less prisoners — and the ones still alive probably aren't in the mood for talking. I wonder if —// //Is Sam alive?// I tap Frankie on the shoulder, he turns around to face me. ''TeeJay:'' Hey — do you remember that guy I was talking to at dinner? ''Frankie:'' Uh, you mean your ex? //I don't like calling him that — not yet.// I shrug my shoulders. ''Frankie:'' Whatever you call him, I didn't see him yesterday after breakfast, sorry. ''TeeJay:'' All good. ''Frankie:'' You want me to help you find him in the cafeteria again? Kendra turns around to join our conversation. ''Kendra:'' Unless he's dead. ''Frankie:'' Shut the fuck up, Kendra. Kendra yelps. ''Kendra:'' Sorry! Sorry! I'm so sorry! Sorry! Sorry! Frankie grabs her shoulders, shaking her slightly. He speaks with a calm, commanding tone. ''Frankie:'' Not the time, you don't need to apologize — control yourself. Kendra nods her head, staring deep into Frankie's eyes for a little too long. //This is making me uncomfortable. Thankfully the line's starting to move.// We are led into the cafeteria, where I grab cereal — I don't have much of an appetite, same as yesterday. Frankie nudges me with a plastic spoon in his mouth and points to the other side of the cafeteria. //Sam.// I nod my head, Frankie steps forward and leads us toward Samuel's table. He notices us approaching, and opens his mouth — I manage to speak before him. ''TeeJay:'' Hey. I have powers now. I slide into a seat across from Sam, Frankie sits down next to me. ''Samuel:'' Hey — wait, what? I shrug my shoulders, taking a soggy french fry from my tray to my lips. They taste salty — like salt. ''TeeJay:'' Yeah, I guess so. I can transport myself anywhere I want to go — I lean down, speaking into my collar. ''TeeJay:'' (css: "font-size: 45%;")[//As soon as I learn how to do some fancy dance...//] Samuel squints his eyes at me, before shrugging. ''Samuel:'' Uh — that's cool, I guess. ''TeeJay:'' Yeah, I guess so... I pick up another french fry, my head turned down to the tray. //I'm embarrassed now. Why did I say it like that? I don't want to look at him. I don't want to be here. I don't want to —// Frankie taps me on the shoulder with his own french fry. He sticks it into my ear and wiggles it around. I brush his hand away. ''Frankie:'' But for real though, Sam — can I call you Sam? Frankie doesn't give him the time to respond. ''Frankie:'' So, Sam — like she was saying, she has freaking powers now! Only one other girl in our cabin has them! Why is this not more exciting to you?! Samuel doesn't look at Frankie — staring straight at me. I don't make eye contact. Frankie tosses the french fry (slightly covered in my earwax) toward Sam, hitting him in the face. He flinches and looks toward Frankie. ''Samuel:'' Sorry — were you saying something? ''Frankie:'' Yeah, I was saying — Samuel looks back to me. ''Samuel:'' Look, TeeJay, I'm gonna be honest here — I did some really bad things yesterday, and I think that being stressed about doing those bad things maybe made me make some bad decisions. So I just wanted to say — I still want to be with you. Like really bad. Since we're on different sides, and I might die and all, I understand if you still want to have sex with other people, but um — He finally takes a breath. ''Samuel:'' I still want you to be my girlfriend. //Is he asking me to —?// ''Frankie:'' Holy shit, are you two going to be —? I interrupt, staring deep into Sam's dark brown eyes. ''TeeJay:'' //Uh, sure, yeah...// My mouth cracks a smile, I'm still not sure if this is real. //This is all so sudden. I came here to bitch at him, and now he —// Sam smiles wide, giggling to himself. ''Samuel:'' Okay, cool! Good, uh — He motions to the male prisoners sitting next to him. One is smaller — around 5'7", the other is tall and built. ''Samuel:'' This is Karan and Dominic, uh — The tall man speaks, his voice gruff and Eastern-European. ''Dominic:'' Dominykas. The smaller man adds on. ''Karan:'' That's his full name, but if you're Sam's girlfriend — ''Dominic:'' You can call me Dominic. I nod, then Samuel resumes speaking. ''Samuel:'' They helped me out a lot today. Uh, we did a lot of things that we shouldn't have done. ''Karan:'' He means killing people — we killed people today on the obstacle course. ''Dominic:'' And the Enforcers collected the blood. I grimace, moving slightly backward in my seat. ''TeeJay:'' Ew, that's — Frankie interrupts. ''Frankie:'' That's fucking sick, bro! Dominic shakes his head solmenly. ''Dominic:'' No. It was not. Frankie waits to see if Dominic has more to say, then stammers out a response. ''Frankie:'' Uh, yeah, sorry. Karan points behind us, where the stage is set up. Nelly and the Enforcer Chief are standing atop it, both holding microphones. ''Samuel:'' You should both probably get back to your Cabin. I nod, and Frankie takes leads the two of us through the cafeteria and toward the usual table that Cabin Seven sits at. Grace and Kendra are discussing something when we arrive. ''Kendra:'' I don't know — I just feel it! ''Grace:'' You can //feel// when something is going to go wrong? ''Kendra:'' Yeah, can't you? What if the dancers don't transport back to the swamp, or if they do, what if the freaking alligator eats 'em up?! ''Val:'' I think what you're feeling is called anxiety, Kendra. [[The speakers switch on, and the two Enforcers on the stage begin Day Two with a speech.->Day 2 of Dancing]]Inside Cabin Seven, the rest of our cabinmates are getting ready for bed. Grace steps out of the bathroom, in pajamas with her hair wet. Kendra is underneath her covers, shivering wildly. Frankie is talking to Val on his bed. ''Grace:'' TeeJay! Jessica! ''Jessica:'' Why'd you say my name second? ''Grace:'' Uh — I dunno? ''Jessica:'' It's just weird. Like, I'm your friend. Grace kicks her right foot against the ground. ''Grace:'' //TeeJay's kinda my friend too...// //Are we? We just met two days ago.// ''Jessica:'' But I'm your best friend. ''Grace:'' When did I say that? ''Jessica:'' Am I your best friend? Grace shrugs. ''Grace:'' Christ, I don't know! I talk to Kendra a lot too — she could be my best friend. I look to Kendra, still shivering underneath the covers. ''Grace:'' You good, Kendra? ''Kendra:'' I just don't know what's going to happen to the rest of us now that we're disqualified. What if they kill us? What if they slaughter us in the front yard and I die looking at the sun like the cavemen used to do? ''Jessica:'' I'm pretty sure the cavemen died looking at caves. ''Kendra:'' I hate caves! ''Jessica:'' I love men. ''Grace:'' Right — ''Jessica:'' Or women. Or whoever slash whatever can jam something in me! ''Grace:'' Sure... ''Jessica:'' I'm kidding though, I don't actually have a lot of sex. But I would say that I'm more attracted to women... Jessica looks over to the other side of the cabin, toward Val and Frankie. ''Jessica:'' Val — do you like women? Val looks up from her conversation and blinks a few times. ''Val:'' Like sexually? Jessica nods hard, yelling. ''Jessica:'' MHM! ''Val:'' Uh — yeah, sure. Jessica sits down on the nearest bed and fans herself with her hand. //She looks more frazzled by this than transporting to a swamp face-to-face with an alligator.// ''Jessica:'' That's freaking awesome, dude. ''Frankie:'' I like women too. Kendra passes out underneath her covers. ''Val:'' While it's great that so many of us like women...Frankie and I were talking, and I think we're all deeply curious about — Frankie interrupts. ''Frankie:'' What the fuck happened to you two when you disappeared?! Val points toward Frankie. ''Val:'' Yeah, that. //How do I even accurately describe it? We transported to a swamp and looked at an alligator — did nothing, and then transported back?// //I think I'll come up with something better if I just start talking.// ''TeeJay:'' Uh — we transported to a swamp and looked at an alligator...did nothing, and then transported back. //Guess not.// Frankie scrunches his face. Grace takes a seat on her bed, and Val stands up. ''Val:'' So — how'd you do that? I shrug my shoulders. ''TeeJay:'' I'm not really sure. I kinda just — wanted to get out of the prison? Jessica perks up next to me. ''Jessica:'' No way! That's what I pictured too! ''TeeJay:'' Oh, nice... Frankie stands and approaches me, staring deep into my eyes. His eyes relax me, even though they're being so invasive... ''Frankie:'' You're saying that you two didn't even talk before now, just to compare notes? //Sorry. Guess I'm awkward and shy. That's awful and totally not something people can like in a girl.// ''Jessica:'' Honestly, I was too scared to even talk. I don't know how TeeJay was even able to say a sentence to me. I blush a little. ''TeeJay:'' Oh, ya' know, I just — //talked...// ''Frankie:'' So, what'd the Enforcers do after we left? Did they say what was gonna happen to us? Kendra gains consciousness underneath her covers, joining the conversation. ''Kendra:'' Did they say that they were going to kill us? I heard a rumor that they were collecting the blood of the prisoners that died on the Men's Side and they're going to use it in some kind of ancient ritual to reach an ancient realm and make contact with some kind of creature. //Uh...// ''Jessica:'' How do you know that? ''Kendra:'' I had a nightmare the other night that my cat died and went to an ancient realm, and since my mom hasn't written to say she did die — that part of the nightmare didn't come true, so this is bound to. We're all so confused. ''Grace:'' I'm confused...so you had — //two nightmares?// Kendra snaps back. ''Kendra:'' No! She calms down. ''Kendra:'' Sorry, no — I heard a rumor that they were collecting blood, before that I had a dream about how my cat died and went to an ancient realm. ''Val:'' So how do the two of these connect? Kendra thinks for a second. ''Kendra:'' They just do, shut up! ''TeeJay:'' Well, they didn't say anything about collecting blood or killing you all — so I'm not really sure what they're planning. Kendra scoffs. ''Kendra:'' Great, thanks...//for nothing.// //Was that necessary?// Kendra looks me in the eyes. ''Kendra:'' Sorry. I'm just anxious. I nod my head and the conversation stagnates. Jessica goes to the bathroom to get ready for bed, I wait my turn and enter after she leaves. Getting in the shower, I realize that I hardly did anything physical today — just sat around in the heat and humidity. //What's tomorrow going to bring? Are they going to make us...dance again?// I finish showering and step out, drying myself off entirely before putting on a clean uniform — they're stacked in the corner of the bathroom. Stepping outside of the bathroom and into the dim light of the cabin, I notice Frankie and Val continuing their conversation, but the rest of the cabin is already in bed. Peeling back the covers, I lay down on the rough mattress. My anxiety about tomorrow would typically keep me awake for hours — but I've been anxious since around 7 A.M. I hardly have anything left in me. [[I let my brain carry itself into a deep slumber, and another dream.->Dream 2]]The sixteen "winners" from yesterday are ushered to the front of the ampitheater, and led onto the stage. The other members of Cabin Seven are separated from Jessica and I, sitting down in a row on the left of the stage. Nelly is in the middle of the front row, standing and staring at us. ''Captain Nelly:'' Hello, talented people! Are you ready for Day Two of dance? Nobody responds to her. She frowns and slumps her shoulders, playing up her sadness. ''Captain Nelly:'' Well, //two// bad! Get it...? //We can't get it, because you said it out loud and didn't write it down.// She shrugs and claps her hands when we don't laugh. ''Captain Nelly:'' Okay, so the goal today is to kill that alligator that you all saw earlier! Jessica screams out loud, a few others joining her. I can't move my legs. ''Captain Nelly:'' Now, I know — it sounds a little scary... She laughs to herself. ''Captain Nelly:'' But that's 'cause it freakin' is! Nelly cackles, doubling over on herself and slapping the side of the stage with her hands. ''Captain Nelly:'' Here's the thing though — the alligator ate our Pitbull CD, and we really need it back. And it seems like if certain people stand on this certain stage and dance...no matter what that dance is, while picturing escaping this horrible prison — then they'll instead //whisk themselves away// to a horrible swamp! How whimsical! She flutters her arms in the air, lifting herself off the ground slightly. When she stops, she falls back down and onto her feet. ''Captain Nelly:'' Now, for some reason, it won't work if you're not imprisoned against your will, 'cause when I picture leaving — I end up transported to a beach in Cabo. And Cabo sucks now, 'cause it's freaking five-hundred degrees! //She's not exaggerating.// My lips are just moving. ''TeeJay:'' So what was all that stuff about using dance to do anything? ''Captain Nelly:'' That's all true, friend! Didn't you see what you were capable of in the cafeteria?! And I'll teach you to do more — but you have to get my freakin' CD back first, friend. //That doesn't really make much sense. But up until yesterday I didn't know it was possible to use dance to do things, and now I've probably killed someone. But that person sucked.// I shrug my shoulders. ''TeeJay:'' Sure, whatever. //And then I'll use your powers to kill you.// Nelly squeals in excitement. ''Captain Nelly:'' You're such a good friend, friend! The rest of you ugly fucks should take a lesson from friend. Some of the others are glaring at me now. //Let's not make the other prisoners hate me.// ''Captain Nelly:'' Start the music! "I Love It" starts playing over the speakers, and Nelly slaps the stage with her palm. We all start dancing, I'm wiggling my hips around. //There's so many people watching me. I don't think I can do this with so many people watching me — and what if I die this time?// //I can see Grace in the audience, her face illuminated by the runoff glow of the spotlight pointed toward us. When I make eye contact with her, she looks away.// //There's a high chance that somebody else is looking at me — there's a lot of prisoners in the crowd. But it's also just as likely that someone isn't. I need to stay positive. I can't afford to get stressed before I've even —// Jessica disappears from my side, the first of us to go. Thirty seconds later, she's back, looking frazzled and everything below her knees covered in mud and dirt. She turns to look at me. ''Jessica:'' I jumped in the mud. I nod my head. ''TeeJay:'' Yeah, I can see. ''Jessica:'' Don't jump in the mud. ''TeeJay:'' Okay — I won't. ''Jessica:'' I see that look in your eyes, that glimmer! I had the same one...you want to jump in the mud! ''TeeJay:'' Uh — no, I don't. Sorry. ''Jessica:'' Well, you're missing out. //Didn't you just tell me —// [[Before I can say anything, a white flash of light appears in front of me, pulling me back to the same swamp as before.->Swamp 1]]//Back in the swamp, I need to look around, need to find it...// //There's the mud — complete with shoe marks where Jessica jumped in. But where is —// //There it is.// The alligator is resting near a large body of water. Its eyes are half-open, I'm not sure if it's looking in my direction. I try not to make any sudden movements, stepping forward and moving around it to the left. It lifts its head, and turns it toward me. I freeze, staring into its green eyes. Its pupils constrict, focusing their sight on me. I lick my lips, sweat dripping from my forehead and onto the dirt below. I take a careful step forward — the alligator charges forward and straight at me. I scream out, and close my eyes. [[A white bang through my eyelids, I'm taken away from the swamp and back onto the stage.->You Did It Once, Now Do It Twice]]I reappear in midair, my face tilted down. My jaw makes contact with the stage first, and I groan in pain while writhing on the floor. Jessica leans down and places a hand on my left boob. ''Jessica:'' Shh...hand on a titty. I start laughing, she joins me. ''Jessica:'' It was sleeping, did you see that? ''TeeJay:'' Uh — I'm pretty sure that I woke it up, actually. ''Jessica:'' Oh, well, that's not great, but it's not awful either. Jessica reaches her hand forward and grips my arm, helping me to stand. We resume dancing along with the other prisoners. One by one, the others disappear — each coming back after a short period of time. Lisa's sister doesn't ever disappear, but keeps trying her hardest — sweat beads visible on her forehead. //If she's sweating here, she definitely doesn't want to go to the swamp. Fucking humid! Wow! I hate that!// //I'm realizing that the prisoners in the audience don't care so much about our dancing skills — they're deeply interested in what the hell is happening to us when we disappear. Their faces go wide every time they realize one of us has disappeared.// Nelly's smile continues to grow wider, she's rubbing her hands together underneath her chin. //I've been really busy, so I haven't had the time to think about something — what is Nelly up to? What's her plan? When did she learn to do this? Who taught her? Why teach a bunch of prisoners to do the same — what purpose could this all serve beyond getting the CD back? And why was she okay with me killing the Chief? Well, that one makes sense — she's the Captain now, after all.// A prisoner on our left disappears, we all continue dancing while waiting for them to return. A minute passes, then two, then five... [[A white flash appears in front of me, and I am transported back to the swamp. I feel that a gruesome scene awaits me.->Swamp 2]]//Blood and viscera cover the grass around my feet — the alligator is laying in front of me, chomping its teeth in and out of someone's mangled corpse.// //Do I need to say that the corpse has a prison uniform on? Do I need to say how well it meshes with dark red gore and guts?// //The alligator couldn't give a shit about me right now — with one body, it has enough food to last itself at least a few days. It's probably about to take the biggest nap.// //How did this happen? Did the prisoner try to get the CD back? Or did the alligator just keep getting closer — and they got unlucky?// //I want to go back to the prison now, I'm definitely not going to be the one to die next. I don't even want to get the CD — Nelly didn't say anything about only teaching the person that retrieves it. She'll teach us all, there's no point not to.// //Well, there's the whole thing where she might not want a bunch of prisoners that she can't control knowing how to kill people with dancing and shapes. If Nelly only trains one prisoner, it leads to an even fight in the future. So what should I do? Should I make my move?// [[Approach the alligator.->Right now, Crocodile]] [[Don't approach the alligator.->See You Later, YouKnowTheRest]]//It finally happened — I'm dreaming about something I'm scared about. I think they call that a nightmare.// //But what's the nightmare about?!?// //Is it race cars? Is it video games? Is it fuckin' real hard?!// //I'm avoiding talking about something. Let's just cut to the fucking point.// //I'm dealing with a really large decision right now, and I kind of just need to talk it out. I really need this to be outside of my head — I think it'll help me think more rationally about it.// //So, long story short, I was in large part raised by my Grandma. My dad worked a lot, and my mom was mean and evil — I don't need to go into the backstory. I spent a lot of time over there. She loves me a lot, and respects a lot of things about me.// //I just wish those things she respected weren't so tied to gender and the roles of a son and brother. I'm not either of those things, I never felt a particular connection to those words. I wish she didn't say my name twenty times in a ten minute conversation.// //My mind keeps going back to this one time. We were driving in my Grandma's car, I was probably ten or eleven years old. We had these family friends, and they had a kid, and that kid said that they sometimes didn't feel like a little boy, and sometimes they felt like they were meant to be born as a girl.// //In the five seconds between that and her next sentence, I had some time to think — how did I feel about hearing this? I guess I felt like I wasn't alone, like I had —// =><= //"Isn't that sad?"// <= //I remember her inflection pretty well, her expression, the sadness she must've been feeling —// //Not for the kid, but for their family.// //I don't know what happened to that kid — sometimes, I wish I could know, but I understand that nothing good can come from it. I know that kid's family, I know the types of bars they hung out in with my family — the kid's probably not doing well right now. So why bother? Why bother doing anything? Why bother telling the person that raised me who I am?// [[//Why bother dreaming? I just won't anymore.//->Getting Back Together]]Nelly screams into her mic. ''Nelly the Enforcer:'' Who's ready to dance?! Sporadic applause. The Chief speaks with a neutral tone. ''Enforcer Chief:'' And who's ready to kill each other...? Silence. The Chief looks around the room, then yells a command. ''Enforcer Chief:'' CLAP! The cafeteria erupts into applause, some of us whooping and hollering. ''Enforcer Chief:'' See, I knew you were excited to get violent! Society is right about all of you! You just clapped for killing each other! //'Cause you forced us to.// //Dumbass.// //Prick.// //Bitch.// //Why is Nelly staring at me?// ''Nelly the Enforcer:'' I see my friend over there, hi friend! She waves toward me, I stick my hand up weakly to wave back. The Chief looks confused, like she's doing this out of nowhere. ''Nelly the Enforcer:'' My friend figured out how to //go there// faster than anyone else! I think that my friend is one of the most powerful people here — and they just don't know it yet! I shake my head and gulp. //Everyone is looking at me. I don't like when people look at me. I feel like I have something in my nose, can Frankie see it? Can the table across the room see it too? It's a huge booger, isn't it?// ''Nelly the Enforcer:'' Aw, she doesn't think she is! Hey, do this for me, friend — Nelly moves her hands to form different shapes. //Triangle. Square. Square. Triangle. Circle. Triangle. Square.// //Uh — that's a long combination...// I form a triangle, then a square, then another square, then — The Chief screams and doubles over, gripping his midsection. He vomits blood from his mouth, then blood explodes from behind him — his stomach bursts open, sending entrails and organs flying all over the stage, slipping off and into the crowd. Nelly smiles wide, licking the Chief's blood off her lips. She makes eye contact with me. //Did I —// //Enforcers are coming up next to me...// Nelly raises her hand in the air. ''Nelly the Enforcer:'' Everyone, stop — don't touch her! She giggles to herself. ''Nelly the Enforcer:'' I'm the Chief now. Nelly jumps, landing on her right foot and holding the other in the air — her left arm sticking straight up. She speaks in a cutesy voice. ''Nelly the Enforcer:'' And I wanna be called the Captain! That's the new Enforcer leader — the Captain! And that's me — //Captain Nelly!// Val mumbles from across the table. ''Val:'' (css: "font-size: 55%;")[You gotta be kidding me...] //Hold on. Did I seriously kill the Chief?! Was that real life?!// //He's laying dead right there, and I made the shapes right before he died — I probably did it.// ''Captain Nelly:'' I knew you were powerful, friend! You had Captain Nelly's back, and now Captain Nelly's got yours. //"Stop referring to yourself in the third person." This was such a common joke for Old Humans to make, it's surprising to see someone making a mistake like this.// ''Captain Nelly:'' Alright, well — uh, Kyle's in charge of the obstacle course today! And I'll be taking the people that "won" the competition yesteday to the stage, the others will be sitting in the audience. Does that make sense? Sparse grunts of agreement, still a lot of screaming. Guess that happens when someone vomits and shits blood, then bursts open. Nelly claps her hands, and an Enforcer with an apron approaches our table to lead us away. ''Grace:'' Kitchen bitch, wasn't the Chief your daddy? Aren't you sad? ''Apron Enforcer:'' He wasn't my dad. ''Grace:'' Oh. ''Apron Enforcer:'' He was my uncle. ''Grace:'' Oh. Ha. [[The Enforcer sighs and waves his weapon in the air, motioning for us to follow him. We're taken through the hallways and outside of the prison, toward the ampitheater.->Run It Back Again (From MinuteMen)]]I take a step backwards, away from the alligator. Holding my breath, I continue to move toward the body of water behind me. //I'm not going to try to fuck around with this. Let someone else kill it and rip a CD from its dead stomach. I already dissected stuff in high school — I did my time. Other people need to look at the insides of things that used to be alive. Other people need to smell what I smelled in that high school room.// //Here's a fucked up story — they made anatomy students dissect cats at my high school. Is that a normal thing? I never wanted to take anatomy in the first place — I know where my dick and balls are, and I know that there's something else inside my body. Why do I need to learn everything about myself while I'm here on Earth — including what I'm filled with? I wish I was filled with candy.// //I dissected a frog in senior year, and it was fucking vile. Why would they make anyone cut open a larger, domesticated, cute, lovable animal? And imagine if you had a cat at home! I'd just be crying all class period. But you couldn't — because that dissection was literally worth twenty-percent of the final grade in that class. It's just fucked up.// Keeping my eyes trained on the alligator, I step back again and onto the mudbank near the water. My shoe sinks in for a second, I lose my footing and start to topple forward. [[A flash of white appears in front of me, I breathe a deep sigh of relief and brace my body to fall onto the stage.->A New Place]]I take a step toward the alligator with its back still turned to me, my legs shaking and sweat already dripping from my forehead down over my face. //I had a leopard gecko a while back — he's still doing okay, he just moved out for college. I think it's easy to tell when a big scaly thing is paying attention to you — it's obvious when their eyes are focused and it's even more obvious when they're on you.// //When my leopard gecko is hungry, he does this thing where as soon as I walk into his field of vision — he locks onto me, looking straight up and at my face. He didn't do this at the beginning, it took around a year of consistently being the person to feed him. It's cute and makes me feel really special! When he's not hungry, he can't be any less interested in my hands being in his tank. He used to run away from them as a baby — it's nice to see the construction of trust from then to now.// //I hope he's doing well in college — his classes are hard, and one of his professors doesn't like him that much. But he's doing a lot better than his first year —// Taking another step closer, the alligator's head snaps to face toward me. Blood drips from its mouth, its jaw gnashing flesh and cotton material. I stare to the left of it, careful not to make eye contact. //I'm not sure if this works with bigger reptiles, but it sure works with the smaller ones. So let's try it. Let's try anything to not die!// [[A flash of white appears in front of me, I breathe a deep sigh of relief and brace my body to fall onto the stage.->A New Place]](text-colour:white)[The space around is filled with darkness. In mid-air again, I fall on my face onto a wooden floor. After I'm done groaning in pain, I can hear the sound of a faint heartbeat — its vibrations coming through the walls around me. //Are there walls? I can't see a goddamn thing right now. The sound's definitely not in this room.// I place my palms against the floor and lift myself to my feet. Reaching out my hands, I struggle to find a light switch, anything that can help me with — [[My right hand touches something cold, it feels like cheap metal. Gripping it, I find that it's a door handle — I turn it, opening the door into a dimly lit hallway.->A New Place 2]]]Behind the box, underneath a nearby low shelf, there's a little furry, red...dude. Just cowering underneath the shelf with its back to me. //I really want to touch it.// I reach my hand out slowly, toward the furriest-looking part. My fingers brush through the red fur, giving small scratches to the skin below. The furry ball purrs. //Oh my god, this is so fucking precious...// I move my hands up to give it a scratch behind its ears, both tucked in close to its head. //Scritch-scratch —// The red furball uncurls itself, revealing a humanoid, one-foot tall, red, furry creature with black button eyes. It bites toward my hand, I quickly withdraw it from its reach and tumble backwards onto the nearby boxes. The creature comes out from underneath the shelf, walking slowly toward me. I continue to back up on all fours, crab-walking across the room and backing into another set of shelves. My eyes dart from the creature to the exit — //I can probably make it...// The furry red thing starts running on all fours toward me, I scream out and close my eyes, preparing for the embrace of death. Instead — //Something is...licking my arm? And it really...really...tickles!// I laugh out loud, opening my eyes and taking a good look at the creature. It's standing on my chest, darting its tongue in-and-out at my left arm, making small chomping and chattering sounds. I reach my hand down to pet it again, it allows me to scratch behind its ears and rub the space below its chin. Someone yells from the tunnel. The creature darts underneath the nearby shelves, seemingly startled. ''Samuel:'' What's going on in there?! And can you, uh — //hurry up?!// I peer under the shelves at the cowering red puffball then yell my response through the tunnel. ''TeeJay:'' There's something — really — //really// — cute here! ''Samuel:'' Anything worth //money//? //I kinda forgot about that. But I have a perfect solution.// ''TeeJay:'' I mean — the little dude might be...? Stevie screams back. ''Stevie:'' No, you can't — Someone covers his mouth, muffling the rest of his sentence — probably Samuel. ''Samuel:'' They're getting real nervous in here — //grab it!// ''TeeJay:'' Yeah! ''Randy:'' No! I return to the shelf where I last saw the creature, reaching below and coaxing it out with my voice. ''TeeJay:'' C'mere, I'm not gonna hurt you... ''Ryan:'' You're making a huge mistake! The creature reaches a small paw out toward my hand, I grip onto it, holding for a moment as it looks into my eyes. It slowly climbs out from underneath the shelf and stands, looking back into my eyes and holding its arms up. ''TeeJay:'' You wanna be carried? The creature nods and mmm-mmms until I pick it up, standing up and returning to the tunnel. I set the creature down inside and point forward. ''TeeJay:'' We're gonna go this way, then I can pick you up again. [[The creature nods, and starts climbing through the tunnel toward the house. I follow behind, unable to stop looking at its little blue stub-tail peeking through its red fur in front of my face.->Let's Get PeeBee Outta Here]]I grip the string, pulling down on it and illuminating the room around myself. It's mostly full of boxes and shelves — plus a dirty bong, beer bottles, and a tattered Monopoly game board. A red flash scurries across the floor and into a corner with boxes. I reach my hands up to rub my eyes, but stop myself when I see how dirty they are. //I'm seeing too many things recently. As a kid, sometimes, I'd see things moving down the hallway or just out of the corner of my eye. A lot of the time — they'd look alive too. This is probably just one of those moments.// The red flash scurries again to the other side of the room, scattering boxes slightly as it moves. //Okay, I definitely saw something.// I bend down and slowly approach the space where I last saw movement. Moving my head close to the floor, I peek around the corner of a box. //I used to lay my head down on the floor like this when I was a kid. If I did it next to my door, I peer through the crack at the bottom and look for my parents. If they weren't there, I could play video games — if they were, run back to bed and pretend to be asleep.// [[Creeping forward, I reach to move a box out of the line of my vision.->Meeting PeeBee]](text-colour:white)[The hallway is lit from further down — a faint red glow illuminates the walls around me. //I'm in a pretty standard, fairly dilapidated beige house. It looks like the house that an early-2000s sitcom for children would be set in.// //You know — the first time I ever heard the word "sitcom", it was my dad talking about Disney Channel shows when I was ten. And since he said it with his nasally-septum-destroyed-by-constant-drinking voice, I thought he said "zitcom" — because, like, the kids in the shows had acne. So I laughed. He asked me why, and I explained through giggles — expecting him to laugh afterwards too. Instead he said no, called me an idiot and went into the kitchen.// //Why did Zack and Cody need to go to school on a boat? I know everyone questions that part of the setup now and gives it a lot of shit — but it was like, cool to me when I was watching it...? And I find it adds an aura of suspense to the show, knowing that if Zack crosses one line too many with Cody, and the S.S. Tipton crosses that legal line in the water...maybe that's just me.// //I need to move my body at some point — I need to go toward the room where the red light is coming from.// //But I know what's back there — I can feel it in the house. It's huge...deeply upset at something. And it's not like Monster House, or at least I don't think it is.// //How about that Monster House? It's a pretty good movie. I distinctly remember going to see it as a kid and being terrified of not only the climax, but the backstory of the woman that became the house. Being buried in cement has always been a lingering fear since. I was seven, don't make fun of me. Actually — fuck that, Monster House was a legitimately scary movie and I feel like a lot of kids got scared by it. But I watched the whole goddamn thing — and I felt like a champion. The animation was super ugly and offputting, and I had a stomachache in real life, so that makes me associate the animation with wanting to vomit. Maybe this is too much information. I'm just stalling for time at this point. I don't want to go down that hallway — there could be a carpet-tongue! That's another part of Monster House, by the way. Plus they make a joke that alludes to the word "vulva".// //I need to grow a vulva and stop standing here. I wish it was possible to grow —// //FUCK! I GOTTA MOVE!// [[I take the first step slowly, then run down the hallway toward the red light.->A New Place 3]]](text-colour:white)[The closer I get to the light, the more the heartbeat reverberates on the walls around me. I keep running straight forward, slightly slower, further down the hall. //The sound is coming from down here. I strain my ears, trying to make it out better.// //Nothing.// My sprint draws to a halt — the room with red light is now feet away from my body. I take each one slowly, careful not to make a sound. //Am I ready for this?// //Am I ready to see what's inside this room?// //I can do it if I shut my eyes. I can do anything with my eyes closed.// [[I shut my eyes tight and step inside the room, letting the dark red light cover my body entirely. I gulp and take a deep breath that catches in my throat — then open my eyes.->A New Friend]]](track: 'hello', 'play') =><= (text-colour:white)[(css: "font-size: 200%;")[[["Hello, TeeJay."->Uh, hi?]]]](track: 'hello', 'stop') (text-colour:white)[''TeeJay:'' Uh, hi...? //What the fuck just talked to me...? I'm looking around and there's nothing in this room. It's just all red light, nothing but red light all around me. I'm standing on red light.// [[It speaks again — directly into my brain.->Ceiling Crawler]]](track: 'uphere', 'play') =><= (text-colour:white)[(css: "font-size: 200%;")[[["Psst — I'm up here."->doG htiw ecaF ot ecaFFace to Face with God]]]](track: 'uphere', 'stop') (text-colour:white)[I look up to the ceiling, where I see it, the source of the red glow — //It's a large creature covered in blue fur — stuck to the ceiling with thick, fleshy, red wires...each wire has been forced inside of the creature's skin. The heartbeat sound is pumping out of a speaker implanted in its stomach. It looks almost dead, near the last of its strength — evidenced by its shaky, halting breaths.// ''???:'' We finally meet. It continues speaking into my head, its lips remaining still. Each word pierces my brain — causing extreme pain. ''???:'' Sorry for the pain. I've been told that it gets easier with time. //It's sure not easy right now — my head is splitting open from somewhere on the top of my scalp.// I reach a hand up to check for blood, bringing it down to eye-level — //I don't know why I expected to be able to see blood in a dark red room.// ''???:'' You aren't bleeding. You're not in any danger. //It sure fucking looks like I'm in danger.// ''???:'' You're not. //You're reading my mind — aren't you?// ''???:'' Yeah. //'Cause why not?! Nothing makes sense anymore, and I'm just going to die in a few seconds anyway. So, sure, I'll talk to the monster.// ''???:'' You're not going to die. Well — not now, but you will eventually...you get what I mean. And I'm not a monster. //You sure look like one.// ''???:'' That's judgemental of you. I'm God. //No you're not.// ''???:'' You're right, you got me. //So where is this place? Is it close to the prison?// ''???:'' I don't know where we are, or where //the prison// is — but I'm fairly certain it's underground. //How'd I get here?// ''???:'' Transporting back and forth from locations like you and your friends are doing draws a lot of attention. //And you —?// ''???:'' Think of it as me changing your destination mid-travel. //That's scary.// ''???:'' I guess...not for me, though. //How did you get here?// ''???:'' I was reborn into this world, and taken here by — //somebody.// //"Somebody"...?// ''???:'' I can't remember, I was just a child. //Do you want me to, like, get you down from there?// [[I reach up and grab onto one of the thick wires attached to its body, and tug it down.->God Asks A Favor]]](track: 'pissing', 'play') We all listen as the Chief starts to urinate, a group of Enforcers running toward the door to pound on it — which we also hear on the speakers. The Chief yells to them from inside the room, he doesn't stop peeing. ''Enforcer Chief:'' I'm busy here! Can't even have a moment free in the goddamn bathroom! I can't hear what the Enforcers are telling him. ''Enforcer Chief:'' I'm pissing, and I'm about to take my morning shit — leave me alone! Silence. The sounds of his stream growing faint. //He's almost empty.// The Chief panics. ''Enforcer Chief:'' My what —?! You heard //what//?! Oh — GOD DAMN IT! [[The microphone is unplugged, and the speakers die with it.->Our Plan, Dance Plan]](track: 'screaming', 'play') (text-colour:white)[(css: "font-size: 200%;")[AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA] It screams out in pain, some screams coming from the speaker as well — I fall backwards, ripping the wire out from its flesh. Black blood spills forth from the new hole in its skin — covering me from head-to-toe. Its mouth hangs open in a silent scream, its deep breath echoing within my mind. My brain is breaking, I feel so guilty. I can't control my own thoughts. //Shit! I'm so sorry!// ''???:'' Please — //don't.// //I'M SO SORRY!// ''???:'' It's fine...I didn't have much time left in the first place. //How...// //How much time do you have left?// ''???:'' Days. A week, maybe. //Why do I feel — compelled to help you...?// ''???:'' You're not compelled to do anything. My brain is screaming — I need to do something. //But what can I do?! Is there anything I can do to help you?!?!// //What's happening to me...? Why can't I think straight?!// ''???:'' There is...one thing. //Anything. Tell me what you need!// ''???:'' I need you to go back to the prison with a message for help. //What's the message...?// It whispers into my mind. ''???:'' Come close. [[I feel myself lift off the ground, floating up toward the creature on the ceiling. I gingerly move a wire out of my way and lean my ear to its mouth.->Leaving Heaven]]](track: 'screaming', 'stop') (track: 'pae', 'play') (text-colour:white)[(align:"=><=")+(box:"X")[(css: "font-size: 175%;")["My name is Pae — tell them that I'm alive."]] (align:"=><=")+(box:"X")[[[A flash of white mixes with the red, and I'm transported away from the creature.->Divergence B - Chapter 5A Starting Quote]]]]I'm in midair — //again//. I fall on my face onto a stone stage — //again//. //God damn it, my face is taking a beating!// //Wait —// //A stone stage...?// Tears well in my eyes, I paw at the stone with my hands and lean down to kiss it. After finishing — I look up to find the entire crowd, plus all of the prisoners on stage, staring at me with their jaws open. After taking a second, the audience erupts into applause. //Why is everyone clapping for me?// I glance around, confused. Jessica leans down near me to yell over the applause. ''Jessica:'' You were gone for //three hours!!!// My jaw drops — I feel lightheaded and the lights are starting to make me sweat. Jessica reaches a hand over to touch my shoulder. ''Jessica:'' Are you okay?! I nod my head, tears now flowing freely. They stream down my face and into my sobbing mouth. The audience has stopped applauding. //Why am I crying? Why can't I stop crying?!// Jessica hugs me, pulling my body toward hers. I can smell her sweat, overpowering my own. ''Jessica:'' //It's okay...// She strokes my head, running her fingers through my hair and detangling it as she moves. Jessica continues repeating soft affirmations, holding me tight to her. Behind her, Nelly jumps onto the stage and runs over to greet me. ''Captain Nelly:'' Friend, you're back! We thought you died hours ago, and nobody could transport themselves after you left. I'm still sobbing into Jessica's shoulder, my tears and snot now covering her uniform. ''Captain Nelly:'' So, did you kill the alligator...? I shake my head in wide motions, still unable to stop myself from crying. ''Captain Nelly:'' What the hell were you doing then?! I choke out the words. ''TeeJay:'' Pae — is — //alive!// Nelly's expression goes blank — she's just sitting there, silent. She nods slowly, her eyes lighting up, her breath picking up, and her mouth curving into a smile. ''Captain Nelly:'' Did you say — She pauses before finishing her sentence. ''Captain Nelly:'' //Pae?// I nod my head, tears starting to sting my eyes. Nelly stands up and reaches behind her back — She unzips her back and a furry red creature steps out from inside of Nelly's skin. It's human in stature, similar to Pae — but it's also nine feet tall. The prisoners around us start to scream, Jessica pulls me tight to her body and leans away from the red creature. The audience is screaming now too, the Enforcers in the crowd trying to retain peace. The creature that was formerly Captain Nelly stands and addresses the crowd with a loud, booming voice. ''Creature Inside Nelly:'' Do not be afraid! Everyone screams harder. ''Creature Inside Nelly:'' //Oh, for the love of...// Cupping its hands around its mouth, the creature yells. ''Creature Inside Nelly:'' SHUT THE FUCK UP! The audience stops screaming, all of the other prisoners on the stage have run to its edges. Jessica and I are feet behind where it stands, now making a speech. ''Creature Inside Nelly:'' I am a being known as Bal — it's spelled like Ball with one L, but pronounced different. My kind lives beneath this prison, we have a deal with the Enforcers, and some of us stand in their skin — so there is no need to be afraid of us! We are well aware of humanity! It clears its throat before continuing. ''Bal:'' After all, I created you. It waits for the audience to react — when nobody does, it continues. ''Bal:'' I know! Hard to believe. Whether or not you believe me, what my friend, TeeJay just said — //Wait, it knows my name now?!// Bal stops speaking in the middle of its sentence. It looks at me through the corner of its eye, and speaks into my mind. ''Inside Bal:'' I've always known your name, TeeJay. We're friends. //I don't fucking know you — you hellbeast.// ''Inside Bal:'' That makes sense, we met each other far down another path. I experience time in the correct order — with all of the potential decisions in the world accounted for. Chronologically, this is the second path. You've already changed yourself — but you don't even know it. The audience is waiting for Bal to continue. Lisa's sister yells from the corner of the stage. ''Lisa's Sister:'' Why'd you stop talking?! //I kinda forgot not everyone could hear what you're saying.// Jessica chimes in from next to me. ''Jessica:'' Yeah — what'd TeeJay say?! Are you talking about "Pae is alive"? I knew food was alive! What flavor Pae are you talking about? Bal clicks its tongue, thinking of a response. ''Inside Bal:'' Does she understand that Pae isn't spelled like "pie"? //I mean — they're pronounced the same. Why is it weird for her to think that?// Bal speaks in the real world, turning to the crowd to answer Jessica's question. ''Bal:'' "Pae is alive". P-A-E. Not pie. //Who — is Pae?// Bal turns to face me again, still using its mouth. ''Bal:'' Pae...was the love of my life. ''Jessica:'' I'm a cake girl, myself. Ya' know, I sit on them sometimes when I'm gassy — Bal continues speaking, interrupting Jessica. ''Bal:'' It died — a long time ago. And I knew that if I waited long enough, and checked in the right places, I could find it again. And I could use my offspring transporting themselves through interpretive dance to make contact with it, to attract its attention. //So that's what Pae meant. And that's why we were being sent to the swamp.// ''Jessica:'' So what about the alligator — do we still have to kill it to get your CD back? Bal shrugs its shoulders. ''Bal:'' Uh, I don't really care about it — I can just burn another one from my collection. I was just using the CD as an incentive to get you all to keep transporting around — a beacon for Pae to pull in. //Guess I'm just a beacon now.// ''Inside Bal:'' No — Bal leans down to wipe tears off of my face. Jessica holds her breath and stares at it. ''Inside Bal:'' You're so much more than that, TeeJay. My tears have stopped now, Bal's furry palm remaining on my cheek. ''Inside Bal:'' You're the only person that can do this — the only person that can save me. Because of how you feel for Sam, and the others in your life. The thought process around your decisions creates paths that connect through the universe — large enough for me to find and travel through. //I need you.// //I don't understand a single fucking word of what you're saying. I'll do whatever you need me to — I really want to help Pae.// Bal smiles, its eyes lighting up with joy and connection. ''Inside Bal:'' Me too. We'll help it together. I nod my head. Jessica taps me on the shoulder and whispers in my ear. ''Jessica:'' What's going on right now...? I lean my head up from her chest toward her face and chuckle in relief. ''TeeJay:'' I'll tell you later. ''Jessica:'' Uh — can you tell me now? [[Bal reaches down to help both of us to our feet. I grip its hand without thought, Jessica hesistates before grabbing on. Bal motions for us to stand behind it while it continues addressing the crowd.->The New Plan]]''Bal:'' Now that I'm certain Pae is here — we can stop the dance competition. Frankie screams out from the crowd. ''Frankie:'' What about the death game on the Men's Side?! ''Bal:'' Oh, yeah, I guess that can stop too. We were just using that to collect prisoner blood to fuel the dancer's transporting efforts. I also have a blood pool in my house — it's like a giant cave, really. //WHAT?!// The crowd is in an uproar. Bal seems surprised by their reaction, sticking its hands up in the air and apologizing. ''Bal:'' Look, I'm sorry. But none of you understand how important Pae is. //Now that you say it out loud — I do understand that. I felt that as soon as I met Pae.// ''Inside Bal:'' I felt it too...and I long to feel it again. Bal resumes speaking, yelling over the crowd. ''Bal:'' I'm sorry! But you're all my offspring, and I can just — It scoffs. ''Bal:'' //Well, I don't want to say that I can just make more of you...// The crowd screams out louder, objecting everything that Bal stands for. ''Bal:'' Okay — can I talk? Please?! The audience quiets down, I can see most of their faces scowling through the bright lights. ''Bal:'' Now that we know that Pae is alive, we have to get it back. If you don't agree with me — it's because you haven't met Pae. When you feel its presence in the room...you'll understand how I feel. Bal grabs my shoulders and pulls me in front of it. ''Bal:'' 'Cause TeeJay feels the same way, right...? I clear my throat and try to yell loud enough to be heard. ''TeeJay:'' Yeah — uh, Pae is really important. I could feel it too. Silence for a few seconds, then Frankie yells back. ''Frankie:'' We can't hear you! I speak louder. ''TeeJay:'' Yeah, Pae is important! I could feel it! Silence. Frankie yells. ''Frankie:'' Still nothing! I cup my hands around my mouth and scream out into the crowd. ''TeeJay:'' PAE IS IMPORTANT! ''Frankie:'' Jeez! You don't have to yell! Bal moves me back behind it, and continues. ''Bal:'' Please, we need to bring it back! Jessica whispers to me. ''Jessica:'' (css: "font-size: 65%;")[We need to bring back high-waisted pants.] //I still can't believe that trend died with the Old Humans. Now we have low-waisted pants — and they suck!// ''Bal:'' So, tomorrow, all of the prisoners and my my offspring will gather to witness the summoning of my love! //My Pae!// ''Jessica:'' The first pie I ever ate was a chocolate pie. I hated it. I like apple pie, because it's sweet and flaky, just like me...I have dandruff! She smiles wide at me, I tune her out. ''Bal:'' If you have any questions, please don't bother with them. See you here tomorrow. Bal claps its hands and motions for Enforcers to disperse the crowd. It turns to face Jessica and I — calling to the other dancers on the side of the stage. ''Bal:'' Alright, group up, my little chickadees! The other prisoners cautiously join us in the center of the stage, careful to keep their distance from Bal. ''Bal:'' Tomorrow's gonna be a big day. For some of you, it might be your last — not me though, I'm immortal. ''Lisa's Sister:'' Shut the fuck up, blue-cum beast. ''Bal:'' How do you know my cum is blue...? ''Lisa's Sister:'' I can just tell. ''Bal:'' Uh, 'kay. Bal continues speaking to the rest of the group, turning its back away from Lisa's sister. ''Bal:'' Let's make sure that we all get plenty of rest tonight, and take a nice long bath if you need it. ''Jessica:'' Our cabin doesn't even have a bath... ''Bal:'' It doesn't? What the fuck — I love baths? Okay, if any of you want to use the baths in my office, feel free to stop by tonight — I won't be there after eight. It's freaking huge! I'll leave the key in the plant. ''Jessica:'' Which plant? ''Bal:'' The one outside my office...? ''Jessica:'' Cool, just checking! Bal clicks its tongue. ''Bal:'' Yeah, well...I forgot what I was saying. See you all tomorrow, I guess. [[Bal disperses the group, and we are escorted back toward the prison. Upon reaching the top of the ampitheater, I turn my head down to watch Bal. It slowly falls to its knees, and drops its arms to its sides — facing its head up toward the lights. Its cheeks glisten, damp with liquid coming from its eyes.->Night 3]]Girl Cabin Seven is escorted by Kyle through the empty, dark halls of the prison. We pass through the lobby, where Kyle turns to face the receptionist that I saw earlier. ''Kyle the Enforcer:'' Denise, I need you to unlock the door. The receptionist grumbles from behind her desk. ''Denise:'' Why...? ''Kyle the Enforcer:'' Because Bal wants to see TeeJay. ''Denise:'' Who's TeeJay...? Kyle points at me, shaking their head. ''Kyle the Enforcer:'' That's TeeJay! She's kinda the most important person here right now! ''Denise:'' Pretty sure that's me. Denise reaches down and presses the button on her desk. The door ahead of us clicks open, revealing the main yard. Kyle ushers us through and we walk through the grass toward the ampitheater. The moon is high in the sky — it's probably around three in the morning. Bal is waiting for us at the top of the ampitheater. It's wearing a red track suit, with the top a little unzipped to reveal a chest of fur. It waves as we approach. ''Bal:'' Hey. I wave back. ''TeeJay:'' Hey. It shuffles its feet, kicking grass up with its talons. ''Bal:'' So, do you kinda get it now — why I want Pae back? I nod my head. ''TeeJay:'' Yeah. But I don't think I can do anything to help you — I didn't do anything when it called me there the first time. Bal shakes its head. ''Bal:'' You didn't do anything, you're right on that. But you're wrong — you can do something to help me. You're so much more powerful than you even understand, TeeJay. ''TeeJay:'' So what? Do you want me to like — go with the flow until Pae appears? That's all I've really been doing. ''Bal:'' But when I met you — you were having problems making any decisions at all. Now, you've made a few of them. You just told Grace that you didn't want to date her. Grace blushes, looking away. ''Bal:'' You're working on yourself, //so what?// I know that you can do this. I mumble my response. ''TeeJay:'' I don't even know how to dance... ''Bal:'' You don't need to know how to — you just have to understand what Pae means to me. ''TeeJay:'' So, you want me, because of — Someone approaches from behind, reaching their hands around my waist and pulling me close. I recognize the smell immediately, turning my head to kiss Samuel on the lips. ''Bal:'' Yes, I need you to help me because of our similarities...//around how we feel...// My lips part from Sam's for a moment, I take the time to respond. ''TeeJay:'' I think I get it...and I can at least try... Bal nods and smiles, revealing a set of long, sharp teeth. ''Bal:'' That's all I need from you. Frankie steps forward. ''Frankie:'' Do you need any of the rest of us? Bal shakes its head. ''Bal:'' Not really — you already all got your moment. ''Jessica:'' //When...?// [[Bal doesn't answer, instead leading us down toward the stage. It helps me up the stairs, pointing toward the front row seats for the others. The ampitheater lights are shut off, a red spotlight now shining on the stage.->The Beacon is Noticed]](set: $DivBCh4A to true) (align:"==>")+(box:"===XX")[{(link:"Save game.")[ (if:(save-game:"Slot A"))[ Game saved. ](else: )[ Sorry, I couldn't save your game. ] ]}] =><= //"Shimmy shimmy ya, shimmy yam, shimmy yay — I'm a old dirty dog all day No way, José Your girl only go one way (Ay mi madre) You should check that out Maybe you won't turn her out Maybe it's none of my business. But for now, work it out Let's get this, dale."// (css: "font-size: 75%;")[— Pitbull (in //"Dance Again"// by Jennifer Lopez ft. Pitbull, released in 2012).] [[Begin Chapter 4.->Dancing (with the) Starts]] [[Return to Title Screen.->Title Screen]](set: $DivBCh5A to true) (align:"==>")+(box:"===XX")[{(link:"Save game.")[ (if:(save-game:"Slot A"))[ Game saved. ](else: )[ Sorry, I couldn't save your game. ] ]}] =><= (text-colour:white)[//"I'm on tonight You know my hips don't lie And I am starting to feel you, boy Come on, let's go, real slow Don't you see, baby, así es perfecto?"// (css: "font-size: 75%;")[— Shakira (in //"Hips Don't Lie"// by Shakira ft. Wyclef Jean, released in 2005).] [[Begin Chapter 5.->Pae is Alive]] [[Return to Title Screen.->Title Screen]]]Back inside Cabin Seven — the others are sitting in a circle faced toward the door, seemingly awaiting our arrival. I wave to them all. ''Grace:'' TeeJay! Jessica! ''Jessica:'' Grace, you said TeeJay's name first again...we talked about this. ''Val:'' I think that discussion ended with the revelation that you weren't Grace's best — Jessica shushes Val. ''Jessica:'' Quiet, girl. Val laughs and shakes her head. Jessica walks over the other side of the room and plops herself down on her bed. ''Jessica:'' Grace just says TeeJay's name first 'cause she has a freakin' crush on her. Grace goes red, and turns her head toward the ground. She grips her ankles hard and digs her nails into her skin. ''Frankie:'' Jessica! Val scoffs. ''Val:'' What'd you expect her to do? //Not// notice...? //I didn't even notice. Maybe it's 'cause they've known her for longer. I wish I could be friends with people for long enough to notice small things about them like that. Actually — fuck that, I do notice things like that, I'm not going to pretend like I don't to be coy. I thought something was up with Grace, and I'm glad Jessica said something.// //But I'm not interested.// ''TeeJay:'' You know that you can talk to me, right, Grace? Grace doesn't look up. ''Grace:'' She doesn't know what she's talking about! Frankie rolls his eyes. ''Frankie:'' No — we're not going to pretend like Jessica's lying. You're twenty-six, Grace, you're not on your parent's insurance. Be an adult and talk to the cute girl you have a crush on, without being a freakin' weirdo. Grace clamps her hands down harder, rocking back and forth. ''TeeJay:'' I think you're cute too, I hope that's not too much. //She is cute. I'm not lying.// Grace squeals and looks into my eyes. ''Grace:'' Okay, yes, I have a crush on you! I stammer. ''TeeJay:'' Uh...I — Jessica screams from the other side of the room, holding something kinda-shiny up. ''Jessica:'' I just ripped my friggin' toenail off! Kendra immediately vomits onto the floor. She gets up and runs into the bathroom, leaving behind a light-orange colored trail. Shutting the door, she yells out. ''Kendra:'' I can't do feet stuff — I just can't! Jessica laughs to herself, rolling the toenail between her fingers. ''Jessica:'' Guess I was dancing too hard! Or my shoes were too tight or something... ''Val:'' //Jessica...// ''Frankie:'' Did it — hurt? ''Jessica:'' Not really! It was just hanging off my toe when I took my socks off. Grace is maintaining eye contact with me. ''Grace:'' Can we, uh, talk? I nod and point to the door. ''TeeJay:'' Yeah, I was actually gonna go to Bal's Office to take a bath, if you want to grab a swimsuit and come with? Grace nods fast, and gets up to grab her suit. Jessica looks in my direction, holding up her toenail. ''Jessica:'' TeeJay, look! ''TeeJay:'' I see it... ''Jessica:'' It's my friggin' — fuckin' toenail, dude! I nod slowly. ''TeeJay:'' //Yeah...// Frankie clears his throat. ''Frankie:'' Are, uh — //all of us// invited to the baths...? I shrug my shoulders. ''TeeJay:'' I don't see why not? [[We all prepare to leave for the baths, waiting for Kendra to finish vomiting and for Jessica to get over her toenail.->Bath House]](text-colour:white)[Bal's office is already unlocked by the time we arrive. We step through the doors and follow the sound of screaming and laughing into an attached bath house. There's three large baths — with a small corner dedicated to a shower to rinse off. The rest of my cabin is undressing themselves, all wearing prison-provided swimsuits, except for — ''Frankie:'' Jessica, your titties are out. ''Jessica:'' I know. ''Frankie:'' And your whole pussy. ''Jessica:'' Yeah...? ''Frankie:'' Did you not bring a suit? ''Jessica:'' Nah. ''Val:'' And you didn't want to wear, like, underwear...? ''Jessica:'' Why would I want to get my underwear wet? We all get dressed in front of each other, don't act like you're suddenly a bunch of prudes. I showed Grace a pimple on my bare ass yesterday. ''Kendra:'' I have nightmares about being naked at a pool. And they're not the same type of nightmare as going to school without clothes on, it's a very specific type of underpreparation that I think these dreams base themselves on. I'm worried about a hypothetical situation in which I //would// forget a swimsuit — that's what makes it a nightmare. ''Jessica:'' I don't think this is a nightmare — have you seen my nipples? ''Val:'' I can't really stop looking. ''Frankie:'' //Puffy...// Grace clears her throat and taps me on the shoulder. She looks down at the tile floor. ''Grace:'' Uh, do you want to, like, go somewhere and talk? [[//I'm dreading this. I'm having a terrible intrusive thought about another yearning girl I know, I work to swallow it down in the giant stomach that is my heart.//->2scififuturewomanlover]] I nod my head and follow Grace into the closest bath. I let my body relax in the warm water for a moment before joining Grace on the shallow end. ''Grace:'' So, uh — sorry about all of that. ''TeeJay:'' It's good. Um... ''Grace:'' I just wanted to ask... I gulp and interrupt her. ''TeeJay:'' Before you start, I just wanted to let you know that I'm not really interested. Grace's mouth hangs open slightly, not speaking. ''TeeJay:'' I'm kinda back with my ex now... ''Grace:'' But, uh, I heard that you and your boyfriend were — I nod my head. ''TeeJay:'' Yeah, we are. But I'm just not really interested in you, I'm sorry — I don't think we know each other well enough. Grace nods her head slowly. ''Grace:'' I guess I understand, but I really just wanted to have sex and like, hang out and stuff. I choose my words carefully. ''TeeJay:'' Actually, I'm not super into having sex right away... Grace sticks her hands up in quick apology. ''Grace:'' I'm so sorry, I didn't know! I just...kinda am? But that's not your problem, //ohmygosh!// I let my face sink partially down into the water, covering my chin. ''TeeJay:'' I don't feel like it is. And for what it's worth, I really appreciate you not getting upset at me. ''Grace:'' Why would I do that to you, though? I chuckle to myself. ''TeeJay:'' I don't know. Some people just do. Grace looks away for a second, then back toward me. ''Grace:'' They sound like assholes. I nod while laughing. ''TeeJay:'' Yeah, they definitely were. Our conversation dies out. Thirty seconds pass before Grace speaks again. ''Grace:'' Well, thanks for talking to me... ''TeeJay:'' Yeah, sure thing. //This is so incredibly awkward.// From our left, Jessica screams out. ''Jessica:'' Cannonball! Jessica's body hits the water, splashing everyone in the nearby area. From behind her, Frankie runs toward the water with a large smile. ''Frankie:'' Cannon — BALL! Frankie hits the water on his stomach with a loud slap, sinking slowly into the water. //Ouch.// He resurfaces and brushes wet bangs out of his face. ''Frankie:'' Nobody saw that! Kendra yells from the side of the bath. ''Kendra:'' I saw it! You shouldn't run around water, haven't you ever seen one of the lifeguard signs that say not to? You could fall and crack your head open, and then you'd bleed out all over the fucking side of the bath and the blood would drip into the water and mix and it would look really cool if I just filmed it with a camera... She trails off, walking away from our group. Val paddles up next to us, splashing Jessica with some water. ''Jessica:'' Val — you asshole! The two laugh and start splashing each other with water, back-and-forth. ''Val:'' This is so much fun! Jessica is hit in the face with a large splash, spitting water out of her mouth to respond. ''Jessica:'' Yeah! We should kiss! Val stops splashing Jessica, who continues doing so while laughing. //Did she even mean to say that?// Val clears her throat. ''Val:'' I mean... She paddles over to Jessica, and the two lock lips in the middle of the bath. Grace exits the bath, and Frankie turns to look at me. ''Frankie:'' They've both had crushes on each other since forever ago. ''TeeJay:'' Cool. [[I nod my head. The two girls are smashing their faces against each other, hardly keeping themselves above water. Eventually, they finish, and we all exit the bath to return to our cabin. I immediately lay on my bed and fall into a deep slumber.->A Creature's Memory 2]]]I'm awoken to the sound of an Enforcer pounding on our cabin door — the lights are still dimmed around us. It cracks open, revealing Kyle the Enforcer. ''Kyle the Enforcer:'' C'mon, we're going straight to the stage — Bal can't wait any longer. It's just gonna be all of you and TeeJay's trans boyfriend. //Why did he have to include "trans"?// The others are groggy, looking around and wondering what's going on. I look at Kyle, nodding my head and throwing my legs over the side of the cot. ''TeeJay:'' Yeah, let's go. [[I lace up my shoes and meet Kyle at the door, the others eventually drag themselves out of bed and join us.->It Takes Two to Dance Real Good]]=><= (text-colour:white)[The following section is intended to be read after completing all three paths. //What are//](text-colour:(hsl:120,0.8039,0.5,0.4))[// you//](text-colour:white)[// going to do?// [[Continue.->Perfect Divergence Starting Quote]] [[Return to Title.->Title Screen]]](set: $Perfect to true) (align:"==>")+(box:"===XX")[{(link:"Save game.")[ (if:(save-game:"Slot A"))[ Game saved. ](else: )[ Sorry, I couldn't save your game. ] ]}] =><= //"I was born in a flame. Mama said that everyone would know my name. I'm the best you've never had — If you think I'm burning out, I'm never am. I'm on fire. I'm on fire. I'm on fire. I'm on fire. Fireball."// (css: "font-size: 75%;")[— John Ryan (in //"Fireball"// by Pitbull ft. John Ryan, released in 2014).] [[Begin the Perfect Divergence.->TeeJay's Perfect Divergence]] [[Go to Title Screen.->Title Screen]](text-colour:white)[''Inside Bal:'' Are you ready? //You're wasting no time.// ''Inside Bal:'' I've been waiting for thousands of years for this moment, I've already wasted too much. I nod toward Bal, reaching my hands forward to meet its. It reaches its fingers out and between my own, our hands now locked together. The same song as earlier starts playing over the speakers lining the sides of the ampitheater — //What'd Frankie say this song was called? "Lightning Crashes"...?// ''Inside Bal:'' Pae's favorite song. =><= "Lightning crashes, a new mother cries —" <= Bal and I step side-to-side, holding hands and keeping our distance from each other. We sway to the beginning of the song, then separate when the lyrics start. I sweep my right leg out around me, drawing a large circle on the stage. I drag my left leg in a square — then both in a triangle. Bal is shimmying from left to right. =><= "The confusion sets in before the doctor can even close the door —" <= Bal moves its arms back out to its side, then moves one leg forward and the other back. It raises its hands above its head and forms them into a circle. =><= "Lightning crashes, an old mother dies —" "Her intentions fall to the floor." <= I form a triangle with my hands. I don't fully understand why I'm making the movements that I am — they're just coming through me. //It's because I know how Bal feels about Pae.// //Because I feel the same way about —// I make eye contact with Sam, he smiles at me and gives me a thumbs up from the front row. =><= "The angel closes her eyes —" <= Bal extends both arms outward, twisting itself around and dropping to its knees — pounding the stage with its fists. It jumps upward and toward me. I extend my arms out, making the same movements as Bal. Slapping the stone with my open palms, I leap forward and toward Bal. =><= "Now feel it coming back again —" "Like a rolling thunder chasing the wind —" <= Bal folds in on itself, before extending all limbs to their furthest reach. It takes another sharp breath inward and pushes its palms against its chest. I shrink, then expand my limbs out. Breathing deep, I place my hands against my chest with a circle. =><= "Forces pulling from the center of the Earth again —" "I can feel it." <= //I've just had a huge revelation. How did I not understand?// Bal continues to dance, forming a triangle with its hands — then a square. I position myself in front of it, and catch its attention. ''Bal:'' It's not working, Pae can't hear us! ''TeeJay:'' But watch //this.// =><= "The angel opens her eyes, pale blue colored iris —" <= My hands snap into another circle. I raise it high into the air, then lower my arms to my chest slowly. =><= "And puts the glory out to hide —" <= The backing track picks up, filling the empty ampitheater with sound. I form a new shape with my hands, one that's never been made before. The fourth shape takes physical form in front of me — the outline of Pae's body, covered in flesh wires. The heartbeat is still playing from the speaker embedded in its stomach. Bal's jaw drops and Samuel cheers from the front row. ''Samuel:'' Yes, TeeJay! =><= "Now feel it comin' back again —" "Like a rollin' thunder, chasing the wind — <= //Square, triangle, fourth shape, square, square, square, triangle, circle, fourth shape, circle, square, fourth shape, triangle —// The wires start removing themselves from Pae's skin, seeming to cause it no pain. //Or it's not alive at all anymore. We could be too late.// //But that's a depressing ending. That's not what's happening.// =><= "Forces pulling from the center of the Earth again —" <= Bal raises its arms high up, then slams them down onto the stage — I swear I can hear its bones shattering. =><= //"I can feel it —"// <= The remaining wires rip from Pae's skin, but no blood falls from the holes left. The speaker is still working, heartbeats mixing with the music around us. Pae's eyes open — making eye contact with Bal, who starts sobbing while continuing to move. =><= //"I can feel it!"// <= Bal continues to move around Pae's now-physical form, making the same three shapes in various combinations with its hands. Tears are streaming down its face, dripping onto the stone below. //Square, circle, triangle, circle, square, circle, triangle, square, triangle, circle, square, triangle, circle, triangle, square, triangle, circle —// =><= "I can feel it coming back again —" "Like a rolling thunder chasing the wind —" "Forces pulling from the center of the Earth again —" //"I can feel it!"// <= The music swells as Bal and I hold our arms above our heads — both forming a triangle. =><= "I can feel it coming back again —" <= Bal and I move our triangles to four spots around our bodies — then toward each other, making an imaginary pentagon. =><= "Like a rolling thunder chasing the wind —" "Forces pulling from the center of the Earth again —" <= The pentagon becomes real, blue energy forming it around us. Bal and I join hands again, pressing our chests against each other — I feel its energy surging through me, and mine transferring into its. //I understand everything. I get what's happening now. It doesn't matter if you do.// =><= //"I can feel it!"// <= The pentagon of energy expands, filling the entire ampitheater with blue light. I lock eyes with Sam, the blue light reflecting off his skin as he watches me intently. Frankie is standing on his chair next to him, shaking his ass toward the stage to the music. =><= "I can feel it coming back again —" "Like a rolling thunder chasing the wind —" "Forces pulling from the center of the Earth again —" //"I can feel it —"// <= The pentagon shrinks back in, Pae's body absorbing it all and shuddering after. Its limbs extend outward, floating back down toward the ground, holding tight onto the speaker. Bal slowly stops dancing, pulling its hands to its side and breathing deep. I follow suit, watching as Bal approaches Pae slowly, both staring deeply into each other's eyes. =><= [[//"I can feel it!"//->Two Become One (Again)]]]//I'm standing in a desolate, destroyed city. It feels vaguely familiar, but I know that I've never been here. Sand pours out of nearby buildings and onto the streets. Ahead of me —// //Bal is sitting with its head between its knees, rocking back and forth. Completely alone in the middle of the city. Its loud, booming voice speaks into my mind — not coming from the physical form in front of me.// ''Inside Bal:'' Hi, TeeJay. This is a memory of mine. I try to move my mouth to respond, but find that it's frozen shut. ''Inside Bal:'' Just think. I'll be able to hear it. //Oh yeah, I kinda forgot about that.// //Why are you showing me this? And why are you just sitting and crying? When was this?// ''Inside Bal:'' That's a lot of questions. I won't answer any of them, you just need to watch. The physical Bal sitting in the sand stops crying, pulling its head up from its knees. It continues to stare in-between its legs — before reaching its head back down. //Are you —// Bal starts sucking its own dick. It moans and groans to itself, working up and down its shaft with its lips. //Your flexibility is impressive, if anything...// ''Inside Bal:'' You weren't supposed to see this. I took you back too early. But it's okay, I don't last too long. The Bal in front of me is moving fast, bobbing its head up and down with perfect rhythm. Eventually, its legs tense and it grips its thighs — leaning back in pleasure and letting its penis go free. ''Inside Bal:'' Okay — this is the important part. Bal lays on its back in front of me. It reaches its hand down into the sand below, grabbing a handful and gripping it tight. Moving its hand toward its crotch — It jams sand into its penis, straight into the hole. //What the fuck are you doing, dude?!// ''Inside Bal:'' Just watch. The sand settles inside the hole, where Bal holds it in for a moment. It moves its penis around, shaking the sand inside and making a sound like a maraca. //Oh, so now you play music? Are you trying to make me attracted to you?// Bal responds in my mind with no indication that it understood my joke. ''Inside Bal:'' I'm not trying to. I would personally appreciate if you kept it in your pants. The physical Bal shudders with ecstasy — //or maybe pain?// Its bottom half is shaking around violently at this point, sparking on the ground with friction and kicking up sand into a cloud. A spurt of blue sand comes out from Bal's hole — plopping onto the ground and wriggling itself around. //Is that...?// (text-colour:white)[''Inside Bal:'' That blue ball of sand would become Pae. //You birthed...your own true love?// ''Inside Bal:'' There wasn't anyone else left in the world. I was the only living creature. I had to do //something.// My species doesn't really have morals in that way... //This is just a really interesting way to do it.// ''Inside Bal:'' This is a judgement free flashback. Please, just keep watching. Time speeds up around me, the blue ball of sand grows to the size of Bal — looking exactly like it, but covered in blue fur. //So I did see Pae. But it didn't look so —// ''Inside Bal:'' There's no need to keep talking. I stop myself from thinking further, and continue to watch the scene in front of me. Bal and Pae hug each other for the first time, then Pae asks Bal to go on a date. The two drag an old, broken table into the middle of the street and start eating sand and rocks. ''Inside Bal:'' We fell in love immediately. I never had seen anyone so wonderful...well, I'd never seen anyone else at all, except for on the hard drive. //You had the hard drive?// ''Inside Bal:'' I made the hard drive. Well, I copied the files onto it — from some nerd human woman's computer that I managed to get working. //This is a huge revelation for the world I live in — and you predicated it by shoving sand into your dickhole?// ''Inside Bal:'' Life can be weird sometimes. //Sure. I'll keep watching.// Bal and Pae both get down on their knees at the same time to ask an important question, then laugh and fall into each other's arms. They kiss on the ground and thrash around a little until — //C'mon dude! You don't have to keep showing me all of these things.// ''Inside Bal:'' Just watch this part — Pae orgasms really quick. ''Inside Bal:'' Impressive, //right?// //Okay, that was actually pretty impressive.// ''Inside Bal:'' Now watch me cum. Bal orgasms as well, then Pae shakes itself on the ground. //Were you two...trying to get pregnant?// ''Inside Bal:'' Yeah. Time speeds, Pae's stomach grows. At night, Bal strokes it with a light touch, whispering to the child inside. More time passes. Pae starts to become pale, its dark blue fur now appearing more as sky. ''Inside Bal:'' It was too much for Pae's body to handle. It was sick — I had to make a decision, I had to do something. Pae is now lying on the sand, eyes closed with Bal holding its hand and crying next to it. Its belly has decreased in size, but there's no child around — just copious amounts of blood and viscera. ''Inside Bal:'' But I couldn't... Bal heisitates before finishing its sentence. ''Inside Bal:'' I couldn't do anything. [[I'm ripped from the Old World and pulled back into my own, waking up in my cot.->Waking Up, Not Eating Breakingfast]]]The red spotlight is turned off, the ampitheater lights return to full power. Jessica is the first to say anything, screaming from the front row. ''Jessica:'' Kiss each other! Bal and Pae fall into each other's arms, locking lips with each other. Their long, slimy, slithering tongues trade space in each others mouths. I look away to avoid feeling grossed out. //This is beautiful, I don't need the moment tainted.// When the kissing sounds stop, Bal holds Pae close to its body, tight in an embrace. Pae speaks, its voice wavering and breath languished. ''Pae:'' Bal...it's been so long... ''Bal:'' I know. Bal grips Pae's back tight, pulling it in closer. ''Bal:'' But I'm here now. And — Bal places its hand on the speaker embedded in Pae's stomach, still beating rhythmically. Pae looks down, then back up into Bal's eyes — forlorn and broken. It shakes its head, tears forming at the corner of its eyes. ''Pae:'' Not here. ''Bal:'' //Somewhere else...?// Pae nods, then points at me. ''Pae:'' She knows it — Pae looks back into Bal's eyes, now crying, its voice quivering. It gulps and strokes Bal's cheek, laughing through tears. ''Pae:'' //She brings it back to us...// Bal looks back toward me, tears dripping off its face too. //I don't know what Pae's talking about...// It nods toward me, beaming its voice back into my mind. ''Inside Bal:'' You don't know //yet//. Our lives are so much more connected than you'll ever realize. //Sure, whatever, I'll buy it. You haven't been wrong so far.// ''Inside Bal:'' I promise you. //So I guess that means I'll see you again soon?// ''Inside Bal:'' Only if you want to. There's also a chance that you'll experience things out of order...this is the second time I've seen you, it could be the first or last time that you'll ever see me. //Sure. That sounds totally reasonable, and makes a lot of sense.// ''Inside Bal:'' You don't have to figure it out. Bal points past me, directly at your face. ''Inside Bal:'' //They do.// I shrug my shoulders. //Guess that means I'm free to enjoy myself? And to leave this prison?// Bal nods, stepping away from Pae and speaking out loud toward the small crowd. ''Bal:'' Pae's back and alive again — there's a chance for me to repair my life now. You can all go free, and all the other prisoners. We're shutting this place down! Girl Cabin Seven and Samuel erupt in applause, whooping and hollering with each other. //Guess this is wrapping up...// //That reminds me, how did Pae come back to life? Didn't it —// Pae's voice radiates out in my mind. ''Inside Pae:'' I don't know the answer to that...but I'm just happy to be alive again. Thank you, TeeJay, I know that I probably scared you when we met. //You were pretty creepy-looking. But I understood what was going on pretty quick...somehow.// ''Inside Pae:'' It's because you feel the same was about — //I know, I know!// I look at Sam, still smiling wide in the front row. I motion for him to join me on the top of the stage, then look back to Pae and Bal. They're holding each other again, nuzzling their faces together. //Thank you — for letting us all go, and for —// Bal interrupts me. ''Inside Bal:'' No, thank //you//, TeeJay. Pae chimes in. ''Inside Pae:'' You repaired our family. If you don't understand what this means for us, you should... Pae trails off. //I should...?// ''Inside Pae:'' I'm not sure how to say this... Bal takes over in the conversation. ''Inside Bal:'' You should go back to when you chose your side at dinner if you don't understand what this means for me, if you don't understand the pain I felt from losing Pae. Pae shrugs its shoulders. ''Inside Pae:'' Yeah, that. But you should definitely go back and take the car with you during your heist in the beginning first. ''Inside Bal:'' Why should she do that //first//? ''Inside Pae:'' Cause, it's where — Pae motions with her eyes, humming out the words. ''Inside Pae:'' //Mmm-mmm// is! Bal rolls his head back, nodding hard. It gives me a thumbs up. ''Inside Bal:'' Yeah, you should do that first. Then go back and choose a different side at dinner. //Okay, weirdos...I don't get what you're saying, but that's whatever...// Sam finally joins me on stage, wrapping his arms around me in a big bear hug and giving me a kiss on the cheek. I hug him back. ''Samuel:'' You freaking //did// it! Frankie runs up behind him, followed by Jessica and Val — their arms wrapped around each other. Trailing behind are Grace and Kendra. ''Frankie:'' We should celebrate! ''Val:'' TeeJay, we hardly knew ya', but you did a damn fine job dancing! Jessica unwraps herself from Val's embrace and speaks very passionately, something I'm not used to from her. ''Jessica:'' Actually, I got to know TeeJay pretty well when we were dancing...she taught me a lot...and made me think a lot about myself... Jessica blurts out the rest of her sentence, I can hardly understand her. ''Jessica:'' AndIThinkI'veRealizedThatTheWayIFeelAboutMyGenderIsn'tThatPositiveOrStrongAndIThinkIDon'tReallyFeelLikeAWomanAndIFuckingHateTheWayMyBoobsArePerceivedButIAlsoKnowI'mNotAManSo — ''Frankie:'' Whoah, hey, slow down — are you, saying that you're... Jessica finishes speaking, their head pointed down toward the stage. ''Jessica:'' I think that I'd really prefer if you all used "they" for me in the future! Val places her hand on Jessica's back, nodding and saying only three words. ''Val:'' Sounds good — congrats! Jessica starts crying, hugging Val around the waist. Frankie claps his hands. ''Frankie:'' Now we //really// have to celebrate! Frankie grabs Kendra and plants a fat kiss on her lips, pulling back to scream into her face. She blushes and falls over onto the stage. Grace taps me on the shoulder. ''Grace:'' Can, I, uh — talk to you? I nod my head and unwrap myself from Sam. Grace and I step to the side, away from the other conversation. ''Grace:'' I just wanted to say how sorry I am for yesterday in the bath house, I really didn't mean to make you feel uncomfortable in any way, and I totally understand if you don't like me and don't want me to ever talk to you again, 'cause I'm a freak — I shake my head. ''TeeJay:'' I didn't say that — we can still be friends, if you're okay with that. Grace takes a second to process what I've said, then nods slowly. ''Grace:'' Yeah, I'd like that. I nod my head too. ''TeeJay:'' Perfect. I'll see you around? Grace beams wide at me. ''Grace:'' Absolutely! We return to the larger conversation, where they're now discussing celebration plans with Bal. ''Bal:'' Well, I could play some music and you could, you know, like — dance around...? Frankie shakes his head violently. ''Frankie:'' No more dancing. ''Jessica:'' My freakin' toenail fell off 'cause of dancing. ''Bal:'' That's gross. Jessica nods, reaching into their pocket to pull the toenail back out, presenting it to us all like a prize. Frankie clears his throat. ''Frankie:'' We could...//sing?// ''Bal:'' Sure, that's fine. What song? Frankie grabs Val and pulls her into a huddle, they discuss for a moment, then answer together. ''Frankie & Val:'' Do you have any MCR? Bal smiles and nods, pulling out a small device to cue the music up. It plays out through the ampitheater speakers while Frankie and Val grab microphones and walk to the middle of the stage to sing "Helena" together. Sam grabs my waist and pulls me closer to him. ''Samuel:'' They're doing a good job. I like this song. I giggle and playfully smack his shoulder. ''TeeJay:'' Yeah, I know! You play it in the car all the time... ''Samuel:'' Just didn't know if you'd remember. I place my hand against his chest. ''TeeJay:'' I remember everything about you. Samuel smiles, his dark brown eyes pulling me inward. I kiss him, grabbing and moving my hands through his hair. He grabs my butt and — //You don't need to know this part. All you need to is that I brought two horrendous, deeply human creatures back together — one from the grave! And also somehow I'm dating my ex-boyfriend again...guess he's my boyfriend now.// //All of this wrapped around being tricked into dancing as some last-ditch effort to find Pae. It worked, Bal and it almost have their family back together. I guess I'm involved in that too, somehow, someway.// //But that doesn't matter right now. What matters is that I'm here with Sam, my new friends are having a great time around me, and we'll all be free by the morning. Free to live our lives the way that we want.// //And that's awesome.// =><= (css: "font-size: 200%;")[//PATH 2 OF 3 "The Dance Competition"//] [[Go to the Choice that Pae Mentioned.->Heist Start]] [[Go to the Choice that Bal Mentioned.->Which Side at Dinner?]] [[Return to Title Screen.->Title Screen]]When the creature reaches the end of the tunnel, it hops down onto the kitchen floor. Samuel screams out. ''Samuel:'' Oh my god, what the fuck is that?! I scream back, scrambling to the end of the tunnel on hands and knees. ''TeeJay:'' Don't hurt it! I plop out the other end of the tunnel, limbs splayed out. Samuel is holding Stevie at gunpoint, the other two are cowering in the corner next to the kitchen table. The creature sees me, and reaches its arms up toward me — I reach over to grab it, then stand up. Samuel looks toward me, eyes wide. I nod at him, then run for the front door. From behind, a gunshot rings out, then Stevie screams. I look back to find Sam running full-sprint toward me, he pushes me out the front door and pulls me along side him. I hold tight onto the creature. ''TeeJay:'' Did you — kill him...?! Samuel shakes his head, we're almost at the car. ''Samuel:'' I shot him in the leg! He'll be okay...probably! Sam throws the passenger door open, and pushes me inside. I buckle up and help the creature to sit comfortably in my lap. Samuel gets in on the driver's side and starts the car. I turn my head toward the dilapidated house. Ryan is running out the front door, his mouth open in a silent scream and hands covered in blood. //Probably not his own...// ''Ryan:'' I'll fucking //get you!// Savages! Pricks! The engines sputters to life, and we take off down the dirt path toward the road — dirt and dust kicking up all around our car, covering it in more grime. //We haven't gotten the car washed in years. That's not an exaggeration.// [[The main road appears through the cloud of dust, Sam swings the wheel to the left as we turn onto it. The car careens down the highway at top speed — probably around sixty miles per hour — and toward the setting sun. The creature curls up in my lap, I stroke its back and comb my fingers through its fur.->Divergence A - Chapter 2 Starting Quote]]//We've been driving for two days at this point. Far outside of Arizona, now somewhere in the middle of Colorado. Our motel surrounded on all sides by snowy mountains, the air frigid and cold. I'm having a hard time believing that this is so close to Arizona — I grew up covered in equal amounts of sand and sunscreen, the latter just serving as a base for more of the former to stick onto.// //They say that Colorado is still this way due to a large volcanic eruption that happened a few thousand years back — plunging the entire West Coast's atmosphere into an extended period of ash that covered the sun, and brought some of the coldest years in recorded history. Now Colorado is a snowy wasteland while the bordering states to the West couldn't be hotter. I don't really fully understand it, but it terrifies me that it could potentially happen again. I guess anything can happen at any time, so why should I spend my time before it happens stressing about it...? I'm convinced that the world will end (again) in my lifetime, but I can't enjoy my life if I'm stressing about the fucking world ending all the time. I should just try to chill out one day and stop worrying about this — by hitting my head with a fucking hammer until I can't remember my name.// The door to our motel room clicks open, my body tenses and I prepare to run into the bathroom. Samuel pokes his head through a crack in the door and motions for me to come to the door. I get off the bed and join him in looking outside. ''Samuel:'' //Look at him.// //He's pointing at PeeBee — that's the name of the red, furry, small creature we found in the bootlegger's house. We didn't actually give him that name, he uh —// [[//I'll just let you experience this memory for yourself.//->The Naming Process]]//Having just escaped the bootlegger's house, we were able to drive for about an hour on the highway at top speed before needing to stop for gas. Sam found an exit with a gas station and pulled off toward a small highway town with no visible signs or markings. Parking next to the pump, Sam stepped out, and started to fill the car up. I was left alone with PeeBee — whose name I didn't know yet.// //He was playing on the floor of the car by my feet — I had given him a small toy truck that he was now moving around while making driving sounds with his lips.// //This is off-topic — but when I was a kid, the McDonald's near my house didn't call the toys for their Happy Meals "Girl's Toys" or "Boy's Toys" like other restaurants tended to "gender" their kid toys. Nah, they called them "Truck Toys" and "Princess Toys", no matter what toys they actually were. This continued up until I stopped getting toys for myself — and you know I was dying for some of those Princess Toys...to drive the trucks around! Truck girls — woo-hoo!// //Anyway, PeeBee was playing with his actual truck toy, when something vile SURGED into my mind from his direction — cutting me deep inside, reverberating in my skull and making my eyeballs jut out. Slightly childlike, mispronouncing words in insignificant ways — he spoke to me.// (text-colour:red)[//"EYE'M PEEBEE — WHT IZUR NAME?"//] //I clutched the sides of my head, rocking back and forth while groaning, unable to think or process. The voice lessened in my mind, no longer yelling.// (text-colour:red)[//"Eye'm PeeBee! H-eye!"//] //I answered with my eyes closed, rubbing my temples, working through the pain.// ''TeeJay:'' I'm — TeeJay. Can you — talk out loud...? (text-colour:red)[//"Nop! My mowth dusent werk!"//] //Neither does your brain — apparently...// (text-colour:red)[//"Hay! Das meen!"//] //You can — hear my thoughts...?// //The red puffball stuck a paw in the air triumphantly, holding his truck in the other.// (text-colour:red)[//"Yepers!"//] //That will absolutely pose a problem. My thoughts are —// //I looked out the window toward Samuel, staring at his ass in those jeans he loves...// //— Vast.// (text-colour:red)[//"Eye em 2 yearzald."//] //I legitimately cannot understand what you're saying. We're going to have to teach you better English.// (text-colour:red)[//"I'm eh qick lerner!"//] //I have to control my thoughts right now. I can't let it know the plan.// (text-colour:red)[//"Wha' plan...? R u gunna tayke me home?"//] //You have a — house...?// //It rubbed its chin, presumably thinking hard.// (text-colour:red)[//"Eye think soooo..."//] //That's cool. I don't even have a house.// (text-colour:red)[//"Rally?"//] //Yeah, really.// (text-colour:red)[//"U cen live w/ me an' meye parants!"//] //Let's stick to shorter sentences in the meantime.// (text-colour:red)[//"Okie!"//] //Where's your house?// (text-colour:red)[//"Swahmp! Eye no were!"//] [[//That was how I learned PeeBee's name. After that, he explained to me that he was a little boy (or whatever his species would consider a boy), around two to three years old. He gave us one word to find his home — "swamp". I still don't know if we're going to help get him back home...or sell him.//->Now We Have To Leave Colorado Too?!]]Back in the present, Sam and I are still watching PeeBee as he plays in the snow. Both of us are standing outside our cracked motel room door. //People were right — having a little baby — thing...around does not strengthen a relationship, no matter how much it might feel like the right move. Sam is the one who wants to sell him to the highest bidder, I'm more on the side of —// //It doesn't matter. We're just arguing about it, almost all of the time. That's why Sam's outside watching PeeBee — he just didn't want to be around me anymore. And I didn't want to keep yelling in a semi-crowded motel, so I just let him go.// //Standing here now with him, just watching that little red dude run around in the whitest snow you've ever seen in your whole life...knowing that he hasn't seen something like this before. Knowing that you're there with them to share that first experience, even if they don't remember — you will. Ugh, I'm getting way off-topic, I think I need dick. Maybe Sam can watch PeeBee tonight while I go meet up with someone locally...if he's not already planning to do the same.// //We're both strictly T4T, by the way. I've talked to so many people that don't know what T4T means, stop bothering me! Sorry if someone doesn't fully understand what I mean at parts of this story, I'm not thinking this with the intention of someone like [[**REDACTED AUTHOR/KINDA REVIEWER NAME**->Why this game deserves five stars]] understanding me...actually, maybe he knows what T4T is. He just probably really hates it. Sorry if you do, and for singling you out.// PeeBee is now peeing in the snow, giggling to himself as he does. His stream shoots up — forming a perfect arch onto a nearby car. Samuel and I both laugh. ''Samuel:'' You think you can do that? ''TeeJay:'' Me?! There's hardly enough of it to point upward — PeeBee's freaking probably packin' more than me. And we both know that you — I look down at Sam's crotch, tracing the familiar outline with my eyes. ''Samuel:'' Yeah, I got a big dick. Turning my face away, I blush and stammer a response. ''TeeJay:'' S-sorry for looking... ''Samuel:'' It's fine — worked hard for it. I nod my head. ''TeeJay:'' I remember. You wouldn't let me touch the gel. ''Samuel:'' You don't want extra testosterone. ''TeeJay:'' Coulda' still let me taste it once. ''Samuel:'' That's my joke, jag-off! Sam shoves me playfully, I topple forward and into the snow. PeeBee finally notices us, turning his still-going pee stream in my direction. //It's going in slow motion — melting a trail through the snow...headed right toward my face.// I cover my head and pray for the best. A warm trickle of liquid travels up my arm and stagnates on my face. I keep my mouth closed, tight in a frown as Samuel loses his fucking mind behind me. ''Samuel:'' Oh my god — so fucking good — oh my god... I choke words out through the sheer force of the downpour on my face. ''TeeJay:'' //Make...him...stop...// Samuel continues laughing, running over to PeeBee and leaning down next to him. ''Samuel:'' Hey, do you wanna keep peeing on TeeJay...? PeeBee looks up at Sam, not moving his stream away from me. PeeBee's mouth doesn't move, but Sam's eyes and lids are fluttering. //We figured out that's how we look when we're being spoken to mentally by PeeBee. It's really off putting and strange...// Sam's eyes stop moving, and he nods his head toward PeeBee. His pee stream slowly retracts, moving up the snow and toward his body. ''Samuel:'' Careful not to get any on your feet. PeeBee takes a step back, guided by Sam. His stream finally ends with a strong fizzle by his furry feet. Sam picks him up and takes him over toward me — still laying on the ground, face covered in sticky liquid. ''Samuel:'' Go on, apologize to her. Sam sets PeeBee down in front of my body. His voice enters my mind a moment later. (text-colour:red)[//"Sorey TeeGay..."//] //It's okay —// //Wait, TeeGay!? Was that on purpose...?// (text-colour:red)[//"Maibee."//] //You're lucky that you're a cutie.// I lift myself off of the snow, dusting white flakes off my pullover. I reach down and pick PeeBee up. ''TeeJay:'' Let's get you inside. We enter the motel room, and Sam closes the door behind us, throwing his heavy coat onto the bed and then sprawling on it himself facedown. I set PeeBee down on the ground, he crawls on all fours over to the corner with his truck. I sit down next to Samuel and clear my throat. ''TeeJay:'' So...have you thought any more about what we should do...with —? Samuel shakes his head, turning over to face me. ''Samuel:'' I still think we should sell it. I don't know why the fact it can talk changes anything. ''TeeJay:'' PeeBee's not an "it". Samuel laughs to himself. ''Samuel:'' Of course you want to keep him... I lean backwards, shocked by his words. I scrunch my face, and feel my eyes watering. ''TeeJay:'' What's that supposed to mean?! ''Samuel:'' You have fuckin' — ya' know — issues with your parents... I throw my arms out to my side half-heartedly, voice wavering. ''TeeJay:'' //Why would you say that to me...?// ''Samuel:'' It's the friggin' truth, TeeJay. We can't keep him — we hardly have enough money to feed ourselves... ''TeeJay:'' We'll figure it out! I glance over to the other side of the room, where PeeBee is still playing with his toy, trying his hardest to ignore the argument. //We've been arguing a lot in front of him. Just like —// //Fuck. Maybe he's right. I do have parental issues.// //But PeeBee needs our help...// ''TeeJay:'' Please, Sam...//just trust me...// Silence. Sam lays sprawled on the bed, thinking of his next sentence. He shrugs his shoulders. //Why do I want to do this so bad? Why does this mean so much to me?// ''Samuel:'' (css: "font-size: 75%;")[If you can figure out how to feed him...] I lean down to hug him, tears now pouring down my face. I cry into his chest, but he doesn't move an arm to embrace me back. //That just makes me cry harder.// Sam finally speaks, done waiting for me to stop sobbing. I can feel his voice vibrating through his chest. ''Samuel:'' But we need to leave Colorado, and keep moving — I look up at his face, he's turned toward the curtained window, staring at it. //I know what he's worried about. Those guys know what our car looks like — and they probably know that PeeBee lives somewhere swampy.// //I should ask him the question that's been bothering me since we left the bootlegger's house.// ''TeeJay:'' Did, you...uh, kill — A voice enters my mind, interrupting my sentence — childlike and slightly scared. (text-colour:red)[//"Eye no were 2 go naxt."//] //Where's that?// =><= (text-colour:red)[[[//"Oko-homo."//->Divergence A - Chapter 3 Starting Quote]]](text-colour:white)[//This is Paige, a currently unranked reviewer, and struggling writer, talking to a **REDACTED** Reviewer on IFDB — The Interactive Fiction Database. You've never played one of my games, as far as I can tell. But I've been thinking a lot about your **REDACTED**-point scale. I loathe rigid review scales — not every game or story is the same, why review them like they are?// //What would this game get on it — three stars or four? Here's my argument for why this game deserves five — but only from you.// //Let's go down your review criteria: "Polish"? Sorry, I'm American, but I can try if it's that important. "Interactivity?" You're clicking your mouse — aren't you...? "Descriptive Writing"? Maybe I'm a little light at points, but I've got some pretty descriptive moments too, so let's count the highs over the lows. "Emotional Impact"? I think I've got that down — people will probably feel something when that monster almost rips its dick off.// //"Would I play it again?"// //What the fuck does that mean, dude?// //Actually, I changed my mind, give my game whatever you want. Your criteria makes no sense, and you're not the authority on these things. One of your recent reviews says that the game "REDACTED". How do you pretend to know and understand someone else's artistic goal and if it's been attained...? If you're so observant, why did I make this game — please tell me so I can finally understand what **REDACTED** thinks my intentions are. This is all a big fucking joke. Also, my opinion doesn't matter, but I played your **REDACTED** game and it deserves one star on my scale.// //Does that seem unfair and rigid to you? You don't think that game is worth two stars...do you? Those are YOUR beliefs. So why should my personal views impact how I review it? Do you want to say that you made a two star game? Don't you wish that game could be judged differently from your others? Shouldn't I focus on the things that you were trying to do? You know what you were trying to do with it — why don't the others understand? Maybe you've made someone else feel the same way as you when you see that, but who cares? It's all on the internet. It isn't MY fault, and it definitely, totally, one-hundred percent, isn't YOURS — so you're fine!// //I'm not saying people shouldn't review games if they hate them. Do that all you want, it's your prerogative. I'm just saying people should strive to be better at reviewing if they're going to be in the Top 5,682 (**is this a random enough number to be anonymous?**).// This is an addendum to this section (written twenty days post-release): I was recently sent an email asking for me to anonymize this section. Lame. So I did that. If it's not good enough, then send me another email.] =><= (text-colour:white)[[[Return.->Now We Have To Leave Colorado Too?!]]]We made it into Oklahoma around three in the afternoon. By six, we were in Oklahoma City — going straight through it is the fastest way through the state now. PeeBee is sitting on my lap, twiddling his thumbs and humming a little song. //Oklahoma City has gone through a lot of changes in the last two decades. Originally destroyed by a giant meteor around twenty-thousand years ago, its citizens have rebuilt using the crater it left to their advantage. Houses are stacked upwards, without reaching the top — allowing for a large metal dome to be deployed above the city to keep inclement weather out. It's looking like it's going to snow tonight — and we just need to get out of town before they close it up.// PeeBee's voice in my head. (text-colour:red)[//"Eye'm teyerd."//] //You're tired?// PeeBee nods, yawning wide — his tiny fangs briefly exposed, two large ones on the top and bottom. I turn to Sam. ''TeeJay:'' PeeBee's tired. Samuel sighs, rolling his eyes. ''Samuel:'' He's going to have to stick it out — we have to make it to the city limits. We can't get stuck here for the night. //Potentially even longer with the type of snowstorm they're expecting...// ''TeeJay:'' Are you sure we can't stop somewhere just for a little bit? ''Samuel:'' We aren't talking about this. ''TeeJay:'' I'm really confused by your tone right now... ''Samuel:'' My tone is neutral. ''TeeJay:'' It doesn't sound neutral, though. //It's hard for tone to carry across the page. I promise that his tone isn't neutral.// ''TeeJay:'' Are you mad at me? Samuel scoffs. ''Samuel:'' Yeah, I kinda am. ''TeeJay:'' Do you want to talk — ''Samuel:'' You ask me for too much, and you refuse to fix yourself in the meantime. ''TeeJay:'' //Oh...I'm sorry.// Sam keeps his eyes glued on the road ahead, switching lanes to pass a semi-truck with a giant bug on the side. //What kind of bug is that? I don't know if I've ever seen something that looks quite like that — what do you think?// //You can't see it...? There's no picture?!// //That's kinda your problem. I can see it just fine. It's a cool fucking bug. He has sunglasses on, and he's lowering them down a little so just his eyes are peeking out — and the left one is winking at me. He's got a hot babe on both sides, they're touching on his pecs. He looks rich and good for his age, like he makes at least eight figures a year, living relatively stress-free. And he's driving a really cool red car that I also don't know the name of. Why would I know cars...?// ''TeeJay:'' That's a cool bug. Sam looks over at the semi, then shrugs. ''Samuel:'' I guess. He clicks his tongue, then smacks the wheel with his right hand. ''Samuel:'' Shit, almost outta' gas. I look around on the side of the road, searching for a sign. Eventually — ''TeeJay:'' There — next exit. [[Samuel takes the exit, turning the car into a gas station at the bottom of the ramp. He hops out of the car, I stay inside with PeeBee.->Randy & Ryan Ride Rough]]The sound of Sam pumping gas from just out of view. A sign is brightly lit in the front window of the gas station for Safe-Ketamine™ nasal-spray, with the slogan "Smells great going up, tastes even better dripping down the back of your throat." A car pulls up to the pump on our right, two men get out of the car and walk into the gas station. //Don't I recognize them —?// PeeBee raises a paw to point at the brightly lit gas station, straight at the Safe-Ketamine™ sign. (text-colour:red)[//"Wha iz that?"//] //That's an advertisement.// (text-colour:red)[//"Ad-vor-tease-ment?"//] //Close.// (text-colour:red)[//"Wha iz a advorteasement?"//] //Well, you know how...like, when you eat chips, they have like a name — right?// (text-colour:red)[//"Eye lyke Son Chips."//] //Right! Well, how'd you first hear about Sun Chips?// (text-colour:red)[//"Eye ate'em."//] //The first time I heard about Sun Chips was on T.V. when I was a kid. They had a commmercial.// (text-colour:red)[//"Cum—"//] //I'll stop you right there. COM-mercial.// (text-colour:red)[//"CUM—//"] //Com.// (text-colour:red)[//"Cum."//] //COM.// (text-colour:red)[//"CUM."//] //This is going nowhere.// The two men from earlier leave the gas station, headed straight for our car. One reaches into their pocket, grabbing — Samuel yells from outside. ''Samuel:'' Get down! People around us are screaming, running for their lives. My mind freezes for a moment, unable to move my body. PeeBee stands, turning himself around and sinking his claws into my body, pulling me forward just in time for — (css: "font-size: 175%;")[BANG!] The front windshield shatters, fragments of glass shower onto my back. I hold PeeBee tight to my chest, his claws still deep inside. //I remember now, those are Randy and Ryan from the bootlegger's house. But where's —?// The voice of Randy from outside. ''Randy:'' You killed Stevie, ya' fucks! And then you took our fuckin' GOODS! Another gunshot, the skittering of shoes from outside the car, traveling around the back and opening the trunk. The small door connecting the trunk to the rest of the car opens. Sam pokes his head inside, meeting my eyes. He shoves himself inside from the trunk, clamboring over the back seat and swinging his body into the front. He ducks down, reaching in his pocket for keys. (css: "font-size: 175%;")[BANG! BANG! BANG!] Three more gunshots, shattering the windshield further. The screams from outside have faded, Randy and Ryan now approaching the car slowly. Sam is still fumbling with his head between his knees, unable to grab the keys from his right pocket. The voice of PeeBee in my mind. (text-colour:red)[//"You n33d sayve?"//] //Yes! And please don't let your language regress to the point of using numbers instead of letters...// (text-colour:red)[//"U smel. Lyke w33d."//] //Just save us!// (text-colour:red)[//"Okie!"//] [[PeeBee releases his grip on my chest, his claws sliding out of me slowly, sharp with a serrated edge, tugging on my skin. He jumps onto the floor, then unhinges his jaw wide — slightly more than two feet in diameter. PeeBee's head moves forward, swallowing both of my feet and moving up my leg. He swallows me whole. ->U Were Eight]]I spit out the viscera and undigested food remaining in my mouth. My body is covered in sticky, wet, and warm layer of film. We're at some kind of train station, there's two tracks on either side of us, a freight train stopped on the furthest to the right. PeeBee is standing triumphantly in front of me, his hands placed upon his waist — back straight, smiling wide. Light snow falls around him, the beginning of a storm. //Did you just...eat and then poop me out?// PeeBee nods, his head moving up and down like a bobblehead. //But you're like — a foot tall.// PeeBee nods again, harder. //Are you gonna...poop Sam out next...?// The smile wipes itself from PeeBee's face, his arms fall to his side. He turns his head down and starts crying, blue tears falling from his eyes and onto the pavement. I attempt to pull myself up from the pavement — instead falling forward onto my face when my palms are too slippery to gain traction. I use my legs to stand, wavering and walking slow to not slip as I approach PeeBee. Bending down, I place a hand on his shoulder, his fur absorbing most of the body juice still present. //What's up, little dude? Where's Sam...?// (text-colour:red)[//"Hee —"//] PeeBee cries out again, hands on his knees as he buckles. (text-colour:red)[//"HURGH!"//] Another man exits the space underneath PeeBee's tail, screaming and covered in the same goo as me. But it's — //Not Sam.// Ryan is writhing on the ground, his blonde hair filled with little wet chunks of Sun Chips mixed with bread. //Yep. That's the lunch I made him today. So we definitely —// I lean over, voiding my guts onto the pavement below. A little bit of the brown concoction splashes onto Ryan, still squirming on the ground. When he realizes — ''Ryan:'' Ah, man! Ryan joins me, both of us vomiting onto the same spot on the floor next to his body. He's covered in splashback, which just makes him vomit harder. PeeBee starts clapping, then touches his paws onto the edges of his lips, pulling them wide open. He then joins us in vomiting, his colored light-blue and spewing forward from his body upwards of ten feet, directly onto Ryan's face. Ryan starts vomiting more, his mouth now hanging open to receive PeeBee's brew. //I've stopped vomiting at this point, and am just watching the scene in front of me — I'm absolutely amazed. It's like a chain!// PeeBee finishes vomiting into Ryan's mouth from ten feet away, closing his mouth and clapping again. I join him in clapping, taking a step forward to pat him on the back — //Fuck!// Forgetting my shoes are still slippery, I take a step too fast — falling on my face into the giant collective pool of throw-up. Unable to lift my face, I start vomiting directly into the pile, it rises slightly, covering me with brown, blue, and orange. Ryan retches, disgusted with the continuing sight, his vomit launches toward me, covering my hair and setting deep into its fibers. PeeBee joins again — a beautiful, colorful shower falling upon my dainty head and shoulders. After around a minute of sustained vomiting, all three of us stop at the same time. //That was impressive.// My face is resting in the mess pile, my breath shallow and eyes unable to open — crusted shut. I sit up, wiping my hands on my jeans and then rubbing my eyes carefully as I stand. //I don't want to get an infection. But I can't fucking see anything, so I have to do something.// The crust now-removed from my eyes, I open them. The world is a mix of a constant burning sensation, blurred lines, and smeared colors. I clear my throat and look toward Ryan, still laying on the ground. I kick him with my right foot a little. ''TeeJay:'' What the fuck was that all about back there?! Kicking him harder this time, he groans his response. ''Ryan:'' You — killed — Stevie! ''TeeJay:'' We didn't kill anyone! Ryan screams, launching himself from the ground at my legs, arms outstretched. I step back, meeting his face with my vomit-covered boot. ''TeeJay:'' Stop that shit! I stomp on his head (just a tiny bit), he screams out in pain. His arms flail wildly, trying to make a grab for one of my legs. I keep them out of his reach, finding the time to kick him every once in a while. ''Ryan:'' You're a fucking //monster//! ''TeeJay:'' We didn't fucking do — My boot makes direct contact with his spine, forcing air out of his mouth as Ryan folds himself inward. ''TeeJay:'' — anything! He writhes around, screaming out and clutching his back. ''Ryan:'' Your boyfriend freakin' shot him, fuckin', execution style! //What?! But Sam told me —// ''TeeJay:'' He — //died...?// Ryan stops screaming, nodding without words. ''TeeJay:'' It had to have been an accident! He shot him in the leg! I look down at my hands. I flip them over — imagining them both covered in dark red blood. Shaking my head, I start pacing around. ''Ryan:'' Even if it was an accident — Stevie's dead! I scream at Ryan. ''TeeJay:'' Shut up! SHUT UP! //This isn't true. This can't be fucking true! My boyfr — sorry, my ex-boyfriend, CANNOT be a bad person.// Ryan is slowly picking himself up from the ground, spitting a little blood mixed with leftover vomit onto the gray pavement. He has his eyes set on — //PEEBEE!// [[Ryan lunges at PeeBee — who opens his wide mouth, sharp rows of teeth now gnashing and visible on the top and bottom. ->On the Train]]''Ryan:'' AGH!!!!! Falling back into PeeBee's wide-open mouth, Ryan screams as the razor-sharp teeth now surrounding his midsection start to bite into his flesh. Cutting deep into his skin — I watch as a bloody-divide forms, splitting Ryan's top half from bottom. ''Ryan:'' HELP ME!!! PeeBee doesn't stop, making loud chewing noises and sucking Ryan's blood down his gullet — like the meat-juice it truly is. His jaw opens wide one final time, holding for a moment as Ryan whimpers out. ''Ryan:'' //Please...// PeeBee chomps down, fully separating Ryan's torso from his legs. The torso slides down PeeBee's small throat, deep into his vacuous stomach. The legs on the ground are twitching around, blood spurting from its top and mixing with the vomit pile — adding a delightful red. PeeBee continues to make chewing noises, until eventually, his jaws and the legs on the ground stop moving. PeeBee looks at me, staring deep into my eyes. I take a step back, my shoes slippery on the floor. //Uh...// He smiles wide, bloody fangs fully-visible. PeeBee laughs loud, clicking his teeth together for a moment. (text-colour:red)[//"Eye'm the babie — gotta' luv me!"//] //I don't really know how to respond to that.// (text-colour:red)[//"Gimmy hugs!"//] PeeBee runs toward me, his little feet skittering. He leaps up and into my arms, I wrap him in an embrace and hold him tight to my chest. //I can hardly think. I can't process what's going on right now.// //What the fuck do I do...?// PeeBee's voice. (text-colour:red)[//"Tayke me 2 Borger Kyng."//] //That's not gonna happen.// //Burger King still sucks in the future.// From outside the train yard, the faint sound of sirens. //Sounds like a couple of them. And they're —// I strain my ears to listen, rocking PeeBee from side to side slowly. //They're getting closer. Someone must've heard the screaming...or the vomiting...or the scream-vomiting.// //But there's another sound too —// PeeBee interrupts me, excited and bobbing around in my arms. He points at a blinking red light next to a set of tracks. (text-colour:red)[//"Eh Tray-en. To Albummer."//] //Do you mean "a train to Alabama"?// (text-colour:red)[//"Tray-"//] //We're not doing this again. How do you know where it's going?// (text-colour:red)[//"Smel it. It stink.//] //I need to make a decision.// //But what about Sam...?// //He's got the car. And I've got a phone. I can just call him on the train.// I take off running in the direction of the red light — the train approaching from our left. //It's a freight train. I guess I kinda expected that — what normal, functioning, person would take a train to Oklahoma City?// //Unless you have — then that's a normal thing.// //Loser.// [[The train is directly in front of us now — I angle myself to the left and approach an open car. Slinging PeeBee inside first, I grab ahold of the rusted handle next to the door and pull myself up feet-first. Inside, I pull my phone out of my pocket and call Sam — telling him to meet us in Alabama as soon as possible. ->Divergence A - Chapter 4 Starting Quote]] (align:"=><=")+(box:"X")[(text-colour:white)[I'm surrounded on all sides by warm, red walls. I can't move any of my limbs, there's no room in here. //The (text-style:"fidget")[walls] are breathing, dripping, squelching — alive.// The car door opens, and the walls start moving with me in them. I can hear the faint sound of gunshots and Sam screaming. Another body enters the space above me, yelling for help — I'm unable to crane my neck to see who it is. The huffing and puffing of a small creature running on the pavement, all around us. It continues running for a few minutes, then stops, grunting slowly and breathing deep. //The fleshy walls are squeezing me tighter, pulling me deeper inside.// //Am I moving up — or down...?// //Please let it be up.// [[PeeBee's loud grunts fill my ears, a giant hole appears in front of my face. My body is forced forward, popping out from underneath his stubby little tail along with some other food onto the pavement.->Vomit Train]]]](set: $DivACh4 to true) (align:"==>")+(box:"===XX")[{(link:"Save game.")[ (if:(save-game:"Slot A"))[ Game saved. ](else: )[ Sorry, I couldn't save your game. ] ]}] =><= //"Let me tell you what we gon' do. Two plus two — I'm gon' undress you. Then we're gonna go three and three — you gon' undress me. Then we gonna go four and four — we gon' freak some more, but first... Forget about your boyfriend and meet me at the hotel room."// (css: "font-size: 75%;")[— Pitbull (in //"Hotel Room Service"// by Pitbull, released in 2009).] [[Begin Chapter 4.->Now Entering Macklemore, Alabama]] [[Go to Title Screen.->Title Screen]](set: $DivACh5 to true) (align:"==>")+(box:"===XX")[{(link:"Save game.")[ (if:(save-game:"Slot A"))[ Game saved. ](else: )[ Sorry, I couldn't save your game. ] ]}] =><= //"And that ass is off the chain! I hit that thing so hard — She called 411-PAIN, dammit mayne! Let's go to Jamaica for Sean Paul, Then take it to Talle' for T-Pain! Mami move that ass like chitty chitty bang bang — Chitty chitty bang bang."// (css: "font-size: 75%;")[- Pitbull (in //"Shake Senora Remix"// by Pitbull ft. Sean Paul & T-Pain, released in 2011).] [[Begin Chapter 5.->Whistle]] [[Go to Title Screen.->Title Screen]]//The state of Florida has gone through some pretty significant changes — geographically and politically.// //Let's start with the good news: Ron DeSantis was attacked and killed by a sandhill crane — which pecked both of his eyes out and then pecked directly on top of his dickhole, ripping it wide-fucking-open and spilling blood all over the greens of the golf course he was playing! And on the eighteenth hole?! Darn!!!!// //After that, Florida was able to elect someone a little more moderate as their governor — Pitbull. I don't know if you're aware of how much of a cool person Pitbull turns out to be when he gains political power. He doesn't do anything, and sits on his ass while other, smarter people make suggestions based on the will of the people, and the betterment of society and the Earth. Then he does those things. And that's the only way to be a "cool politician".// //The bad news: the entire state of Florida flooded during the early 3000s. Then that water receded a few thousand years later. Then another flood happened. Then the water receded. Then it flooded. So on and so on, until humanity realized — we have the power to build things. Construction began to raise Florida's cities on stilts, high above the flood lines. In order to live in one of these raised cities, either you or your family has money. And lots of it.// //Which brings me to the worst piece of news: the existence of Prison Island. It's the place they put everyone guilty of "Pitbull Crimes" — any crime related to the concept or work of Pitbull. The list is expansive and slightly vague: Driving while Pittoxicated (also known as Driving under the Pitfluence in some states), A Pit and Run, all the way up to the worst offense in our current times — jerking it to Pitbull.// //To further protect the high-class citizens from its prisoners — Florida's Everglades has been allowed to naturally expand, surrounding Prison Island with a dense swamp and copious amounts of natural predators. Alligators...crocodiles...I'm sure there's some that I'm forgetting too. Or lots.// //Samuel isn't excited about taking PeeBee to Prison Island. Neither am I. But if that's where he needs to go...we have to get him there.// Samuel clears his throat from the driver's seat. ''Samuel:'' We're like an hour away. ''TeeJay:'' Can I ask you something that's been on my mind...? //Might as well...// ''Samuel:'' Shoot. ''TeeJay:'' Were you trying to kill Stevie? Samuel stares at me, eyes squinting. ''Samuel:'' Why would you think that? No! ''TeeJay:'' Then what happened?! ''Samuel:'' I shot him in the leg — it was an accident! ''TeeJay:'' And what about Randy?! Did you shoot him too?! ''Samuel:'' NO! I apologized to him, and paid for his meal. The last time I saw him, he said he was going to search for Ryan. //He must still be searching...'cause PeeBee's belly is right here...// We're currently driving on a raised highway that covers the distance between Sarasota and Miami — which has a small connecting road to Prison Island that isn't as highly patrolled past the border. [[//Getting through the border ourselves won't be a huge problem. It's PeeBee that I think we're both reasonably concerned about. Will he stay quiet if we tell him to — or will he just chomp the Enforcer until their body is liquid on the pavement? Who knows? Let's find out.//->Building the Bridge]](set: $DivACh5 to true) (align:"==>")+(box:"===XX")[{(link:"Save game.")[ (if:(save-game:"Slot A"))[ Game saved. ](else: )[ Sorry, I couldn't save your game. ] ]}] =><= We're taking it, we're taking it, we're taking it down. We're taking it, we're taking it, we're taking it down. We're taking it, we're taking it, we're taking it down. We're taking it, we're taking it, we're taking it down. We're taking it, we're taking it, we're taking it down. We're taking it, we're taking it, we're taking it down. We're taking it, we're taking it, we're taking it down. We're taking it, we're taking it, we're taking it down. (text-colour:white)[Now we're bringing it, we're bringing it, we're bringing it back. We're bringing it, we're bringing it, we're bringing it back. We're bringing it, we're bringing it, we're bringing it back. We're bringing it, we're bringing it, we're bringing it back. We're bringing it, we're bringing it, we're bringing it back. We're bringing it, we're bringing it, we're bringing it back. We're bringing it, we're bringing it, we're bringing it back. (css: "font-size: 75%;")[- Pitbull (in //"Fireball"// by Pitbull ft. John Ryan, released in 2014).] [[Begin Chapter 6.->A Creature's Memory 3]] [[Go to Title Screen.->Title Screen]]]//Thump...thump!// My pulse rings in my ears, I'm nervous and my legs are shaking. //But this — feels familiar to me...// From the driver's seat, Samuel speaks up. ''Samuel:'' You rememember what you have to do when we get there, right? I stammer out my response, extremely confused. //How did I get back here...?// ''TeeJay:'' I, uh— My voice cracks, I clear my throat. ''TeeJay:'' —sit in the driver's seat with the van idling until you come back out — or until something worse happens. ''Samuel:'' Good, you rememembered. ''TeeJay:'' Why wouldn't I have? ''Samuel:'' You've been spacey recently — not entirely present when we're working together. ''TeeJay:'' I don't know what you're talking about. //He's right — I've been acting abnormal recently. Since our breakup.// //I just can't seem to get certain thoughts out of my head now.// ''Samuel:'' It happened again. You spaced out. I come back to, clear my throat and apologize to him. I steal a glimpse at his profile, my heart hurts. ''TeeJay:'' Sorry — I promise I'll be more present today. ''Samuel:'' That's all I'm asking. Two different responses present themselves in my brain — //No. That's wrong. There's only one response.// //I know that no matter what decision I make here...it's the right one. I don't have to worry about that kind of stuff anymore. I'm not going to be in danger. My decisions are predetermined to be correct in this branch. I can't choose wrong.// //If we continue down this path...I have a really bad feeling. My stomach feels vacuous, like a pit — my feet tapping without halt, a stationary dance — my heart yearns for more in life, a greater purpose.// //I just have to trust in my instinct. I should do something to fix this — for myself and for him. No matter what happens. This is the right decision.// =><= [["We should talk."->Final Credits]]=><= (css: "font-size: 175%;")[(text-style:"underline")[CREDITS]] **(text-colour:red)+(css: "font-size: 175%;")[One Final Pitbull Song] (text-colour:red)+(css: "font-size: 110%;")[(at the End of the World)]** (css: "font-size: 85%;")[//A Game by Paige Morgan//] (css: "font-size: 85%;")[//This Game is Dedicated to: Remi, for being a really great gerbil and an even better friend. Pitbull, for representing a time in music that reminds me of polo shirts, body odor, and not understanding myself. And Frankie, for being an editor that's as eager to be critical as he is supportive. And for inspiring this game.//] (css: "font-size: 85%;")[This game was made in Twine — with love, admiration, blood, sweat, piss, and my entire butt :) I recorded the sounds too. Steal them if you want. //Thank you to Arlo (tumblr.com/magiciansvoyage) and Frankie (tumblr.com/sassishuna) for testing this incredibly long game. An extra special thanks to Manonamora (manonamora.itch.io) for help with saving. Even if I couldn't exactly figure it out. Like, seriously, thank you all.//] =><= [[Return to Title.->Title Screen]]//WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU DOING?!// (text-colour:red)[//"U r angies @ hem. So eye eat."//] //But I didn't want to hurt him!// (text-colour:red)[//"U trap."//] //PeeBee!// He corrects himself. (text-colour:red)[//"U feel trap."//] //Oh, sorry. Maybe you're right.// Samuel is holding the space where his nose-tip used to be with his right hand — red seeping through the space in-between his fingers. ''Samuel:'' That //thing// bit my freakin', fuckin' nose off, TeeJay! Do something with it! Samuel whips his other arm around the car as he speaks. I look down at PeeBee, cowering and digging himself into my lap. My eyes go to the door handle, then back to Samuel — wide and unblinking. I unbuckle my seatbelt. He shakes his head. ''Samuel:'' Don't you fucking — I reach to my side, tugging on the door handle and spilling out and onto the highway alongside the stopped traffic. Samuel unbuckles his seatbelt, and throws his door open — stepping outside and walking around the back of the car toward me. //My heart is racing. My brain is saying I need to —// I lock eyes with a highway sign marking the start of the border between Miami and Prison Island. Scrambling to my feet, I scoop PeeBee off the ground and take off in its direction. Samuel yells from behind us. ''Samuel:'' TeeJay! Please, stop! //Can't listen. I won't listen anymore. Just run.// As I near the border, a few black-uniformed Enforcers take notice — positioning themselves in front of my path. //I already know how I'm handling this. The Enforcers are all wearing headsets, with long, black —// (text-colour:red)[//"WHY-ERS!"//] PeeBee wriggles out of my hands, and starts running toward the Enforcers. He leaps into the air — tackling one of them to the ground, landing on their chest and immediately chomping into it. After the man stops writhing, //which takes seconds//, PeeBee starts slurping up the wire connecting the Enforcer's headset to their radio. The other Enforcers take off running in various directions, screaming their heads off. //Pussies. Whenever they know they can't do anything, they just run. There's no "sacrifice for protection" mentality for them — just quiet farts and diarrhea.// PeeBee manages to catch another Enforcer as they're running. He swings them around by their right leg, like a dog with its toy — then throws their body at another. He sprints over and starts consuming them too. I stroll through the border with relative ease, the mass pandemonium surrounding PeeBee is distracting enough that the entirety of Prison Island could probably just...walk out this way. //Speaking of...// //PeeBee! Let's go!// [[PeeBee looks up from his flesh feast, smiling wide. He nods his head, and runs over to meet me. I pick him up and hold him tight as I run toward the giant prison in the distance.->I Destroy the Prison-Industrial Complex and Make a Friend]]The closer PeeBee and I get to Prison Island, the more the silence surrounding us feels...disconcerting. //I don't think it's normal for a prison to be...quiet...? Is that wrong of me...?// //It just feels like something's wrong. Sure enough, when the yard comes into view —// //Blood stains the artificial grass that covers the surface of the giant metal platform that we call Prison Island. Bodies are strewn around the yard. Most of them wearing Enforcer uniforms, a sporadic few appear to be prisoners.// //Was there some kind of...// Before I can finish that thought — a tall, furry, red, fully erect monster exits the front door of the prison. PeeBee wiggles free again, jumping down onto the pavement below. (text-colour:red)[//"Daddi!"//] The creature looks in our direction — locking eyes with me directly. A new voice enters my mind. ''???:'' TeeJay! There you are! //Wait — what...?// //How does that...thing...know me?!// The taller creature is looking at PeeBee now. It stoops down, beckoning for PeeBee to approach. He takes off running on all-fours, leaping into the arms of the larger creature. ''???:'' Thank you. For bringing him to me. It reaches a hand up — my feet lift from the pavement, now floating slightly above it. Its hand flips around, motioning for me to approach. My body soars through the air toward the creature, stopping short by only a few feet. The creature waves its hand one final time, I slowly descend onto the blood-stained grass. ''???:'' Sorry, that was rude of me. I'm Bal, spelled like Ball with one L, but pronounced different. I know you — you don't know me. I open my mouth, but no words come out. //I'm too nervous. Holy fuck, it's PeeBee's dad...// Bal's physical mouth moves in front of me. ''Bal:'' You don't need to be nervous. We're friends. I can explain...it just might take a little bit of time. It motions to the front door behind itself, shifting PeeBee's weight to its other arm. ''Bal:'' Before I do that — let me show you something. I manage to stammer out one word, my legs are shaking and I feel like I'm about to piss myself. ''Bal:'' You can just think, if you can't talk. I can hear your thoughts. //I hate that.// ''Bal:'' Sorry. //It's okay, just weird.// ''Bal:'' Can you...move? I shake my head slowly. Bal raises its hand again, and my feet lift off the ground — hovering close behind it and PeeBee as they walk through the front door of the prison. //The lobby is a fucking bloodbath. There's viscera and bodily fluids smeared across the tile floor and the gray walls of the prison.// Bal turns to face me. ''Bal:'' You probably don't remember it, but I made you a promise that I'd do this — destroying Prison Island. And we had a great time doing it. So while I wait around for you to show up in a path...just sometimes, I liberate the prison and kill all the Enforcers for fun. //I don't remember meeting you at all, though.// ''Bal:'' That makes sense. I don't think any of my offspring are as gifted as I am at seeing the possible paths life may take. Bal rolls its eyes. ''Bal:'' And yes, humans were born from me. //Wacky, I know...// It continues walking through the lobby, I hover behind as we walk through winding halls, deeper into the prison. Bal speaks with its back to me. ''Bal:'' The majority of the prisoners are safe, by the way. They're outside partying in the prison ampitheater. A lot of them wanted to, uh — show the Enforcers the same love they give... Bal points to an Enforcer's body on the floor — its head caved in the center, eyes popped out of their sockets. ''Bal:'' Unfortunately...my favorite little plaything, The Chief, is nowhere to be found in this path. I think he's hiding from me. Bal continues without leaving a pause. ''Bal:'' Anyway — this isn't important to you...let me show you something that might be meaningful for... [[It looks down to PeeBee, who's fallen asleep in Bal's arms. His tiny tooth is poking out of his mouth, lightly snoring. Bal looks back to me, making eye contact — sucking me into a memory.->Divergence A - Chapter 6 Starting Quote]]//PeeBee and I left the train yard and found a diner close by. He said it smelled bad and he could hear rats talking about how the food wasn't even that great to begin with — so we left and found a pancake house. Not the one you're thinking of — this one is called The Domestic Domicile of Panned-cakes.// //Sitting in a medium-sized booth shoved into a corner, PeeBee and I wait for our waiter. A young woman approaches our table — slightly nervous, pale skin with dark brown, tangled hair.// //My head hurts. This feels unnatural — my body feels like it shouldn't be here right now...// //But here I am. So it has to be right.// ''Kendra:'' I'm Kendra, and uh — I'll be helping you out two-gay. She smacks her palm on her leg and curses to herself. ''Kendra:'' Shit — fuck, sorry! I meant "today"! I can't even tell that you're gay — She hits herself harder with her fist closed. ''Kendra:'' SHIT! I mean, I don't even know if you're gay or not, I don't know what's freakin' wrong with me today. I'm like a wacko — but I'm not smoking that wacky-toba— I interrupt her, my eyes wide and brows creased. ''TeeJay:'' Don't worry about it...//you're good...// Kendra breaks down in tears, falling to her knees in the middle of the restaurant. ''Kendra:'' Do you — really think — that I'm good...? PeeBee and I stare at her, then look to each other in shared confusion. ''TeeJay:'' Yeah. I mean, you're a good waitress at least — She sobs out louder. ''Kendra:'' I would actually really — appreciate it — if you called me a server... //That's probably something we could all remember a little better.// ''TeeJay:'' You're a pretty good server at least. //Great ping AND no griefing?// Kendra stops crying, now screaming out in fear. ''Kendra:'' Who was that?! And why do they sound like — they're complimenting — a Minecraft server... //Could she see my inner thoughts reflected in my expression?// (text-colour:red)[//"Naw. Eye toweld hur."//] //One more time?// (text-colour:red)[//"Eye TOWELD hur."//] //Oh, "told".// //Wait — you talked to her?!// PeeBee looks at Kendra, rocking back and forth on the ground. After a second, she starts screaming again, clutching the sides of her head. //Stop talking to her!// I grab PeeBee's shoulders and pull him toward me. The mop head whips off PeeBee's and flies toward Kendra — revealing his red, smiling face. Kendra is clutching the "wig" in her hands, she looks back up toward us — then screams again. ''Kendra:'' Unholy beast! I knew monsters were real! //We've all known that...// Everyone else in the restaurant starts screaming a moment later, all of them staring at our table with wide eyes and open mouths. (text-colour:red)[//"Wii-Leafs?"//] //I don't think I played that one, actually. I've played Wii Sports, Wii Play, and Wii Party though.// He rolls his eyes at me, then repeats himself. His voice louder in my head than all of the screaming on the outside. (text-colour:red)[//"Wii-Liev?"//] //Never seen Ray Donovan, didn't know it had a game. Does that one come with a peripheral?// PeeBee grunts in frustration, then tugs my arm until I stand. //Oh, "LEAVE"!// PeeBee's little paws and nails skitter toward the front door — Kendra leaps into action, throwing herself on top of him. ''Kendra:'' Not on my watch! I scream out. ''TeeJay:'' Don't trap him, he doesn't —! Kendra starts screaming in anguish, her body flat on the ground. Her limbs start flailing around, something moving under her midsection. She locks eyes with me. ''Kendra:'' (css: "font-size: 175%;")[IT'S TEARING THROUGH —] Kendra's back bursts open, flesh and blood raining over the patrons and their pancakes. PeeBee's head pops through, one tooth hanging over his lip in a devious smile. //Hope nobody was using Strawberry Syrup. At least if you're using the regular kind, you'd be able to tell where the blood hit. Maybe Strawberry Syrup just IS blood — how would we fucking know?// Kendra is still writhing, clinging to life. PeeBee continues snacking on her flesh, creating a wide enough tunnel for his entire body to wiggle through. He prepares to pull himself up — ''Kendra:'' (css: "font-size: 175%;")[DON'T LET HIM GO THROUGH ME!] PeeBee forces his slightly-larger belly through the hole in Kendra's torso. When he gets far enough in... //It kinda looks like the blue light on Iron Man. Is his light blue...? It's been forever since I've seen what he looks like. I don't give a shit.// Kendra is now convulsing, red foam forming in the corners of her mouth. Her eyes cross, mouth hanging open in a silent scream. The other customers have left at this point, all running and screaming for help outside. PeeBee finishes his squeeze through Kendra — a triumphant paw sticking through, and digging into her flesh for additional leverage. He lifts himself all of the way out, ripping another small hole with his nails in the process. Kendra is groaning, unable to speak through it. //Why don't I feel bad for her? Am I losing it? Or do I just...// //Love this little dude?// //Fuck, Sam's right. I definitely have issues with my parents — and all they're doing now is making me want to give this little dude a hug, and clean off his fur, and then get him a meal, and then —// When PeeBee fully exits her body, Kendra wheezes, forcing out a quiet sentence. ''Kendra:'' (css: "font-size: 65%;")[I deserved it...haven't paid my Pitbull taxes in six years.] //Wow. I'm a real-deal criminal, and I've NEVER skipped paying my Pitbull taxes. This girl's a fucking monster!// PeeBee reaches into the hole in Kendra's back, gripping something tight in his paw. He pulls hard, ripping Kendra's heart from inside her body. He looks to me — then back to the heart, holding it up in my direction. (text-colour:red)[//"Snak?"//] //Uh, I'm good...// PeeBee shrugs, then pops the organ inside his mouth — his teeth mashing hard, blood vessels popping and spurting red around Kendra's unmoving body. When he's finished, I think toward him. //You wanna go get something else to eat...?// [[PeeBee nods. I reach down, scooping him up into my arms — careful not to lay a finger on the body below him. We leave the restaurant, taking off down the street.->Thrift Shop]]//We managed to get away from the screaming crowd outside of the restaurant, and ducked into a small thrift store down the block to lay low.// I grab a small hat from the closest rack and drape it over PeeBee's head. Holding him close to my chest, I continue further into the store. I pass by a vast collection of shoes. //I should try to find some moccasins. Get it? Like the song. Fuck off.// PeeBee's body starts wiggling in my arms. He pushes the brim of the hat up to peek at me. (text-colour:red)[//"Eye godda pee..."//] //Can you hold —// //Why am I asking that? The answer is always gonna be no. We'll find you a bathroom.// I catch the attention of the store attendant. ''TeeJay:'' Uh, where's the restroom? The attendant points at the opposite corner of the store, toward a door with a toilet symbol on it. //Duh — I feel dumb now. But I won't linger on it. Nothing good can come from regretting simple mistakes.// I carry PeeBee close to my chest, turning to the side when I pass by the attendant on our way to the bathroom. After shutting the door, I set him down on the ground and motion to the toilet. ''TeeJay:'' Go ahead. His furry cheeks turn a darker red. Kicking his feet on the ground, he avoids eye contact. (text-colour:red)[//"Eye Kant."//] //No, you're PeeBee. That's a whole other guy.// (text-colour:red)[//"Eye Kant goh wenn ur lookeng..."//] I turn my body around, now facing the door. //This good?// (text-colour:red)[//"Mhem."//] [[From behind, I can hear PeeBee lift himself up onto the toilet — then he starts going.->Same Love]](track: 'pissing', 'play') PeeBee unleashes a torrential downpour of piss into the toilet. He starts whimpering, voice quivering out. Without turning my back — //How's it going over there...?// (text-colour:red)[//"Meye pee es melting et."//] //Wait — what...?// I whip myself around, finding PeeBee standing on the rim, back turned to me — a bright blue stream of pee coming from his front just out of view. The space of porcelain he's aiming at has completely melted, the blue piss hitting the tile floor. //It's also starting to bubble...// //Are you almost done?// (text-colour:red)[//"Uhhh..."//] The stream builds additional force, PeeBee trying to stop as soon as possible. The blue "water" melts through the tile, tunneling into the dirt below. This continues for around thirty more seconds, creating a hole in the ground that's probably fourty-five feet deep. //Damn, dude! You can fucking piss!// [[PeeBee turns to me, smiling wide. He reaches his arms up into the air — I scoop him and we exit the bathroom.->Wing$]](text-colour:white)[//I'm standing in a giant cave.// //What's the last thing I can remember...? I was on Prison Island...so where's this place? It feels vaguely familiar, but I know that I've never been here. Above my head a large, upside-down,//](text-colour:(hsl:120,0.8039,0.5,0.4))[// pyramid//](text-colour:white)[// rests on the ceiling.// //Bal is standing on the ground in front of me, completely naked and fully erect. Its red penis points toward at me, but slightly to the left — large and imposing.// //Its voice enters my mind — the physical version in front of me doesn't move its mouth.// ''Inside Bal:'' 'Sup, TeeJay? This is the final memory that I have to give you. It corrects itself. ''Inside Bal:'' Well — it's the last memory chronologically. This might actually be the first of mine that you've seen. In that case...sorry. I try to move my lips to answer, but they're frozen shut. ''Inside Bal:'' Just think. I'll hear it. //Like...this?// ''Inside Bal:'' Yep, like that. You're a natural — I don't know why you think so low of yourself. //Probably depression.// ''Inside Bal:'' I got that impression. That depression impression. //Eh.// ''Inside Bal:'' Not funny...? //Not great.// ''Inside Bal:'' I don't have time to make every joke perfect. //Then just don't make a joke.// ''Inside Bal:'' But I felt like I had to. //Fine. I meant to ask — but, why's your dick out...?// ''Inside Bal:'' Hold up, something's about to happen that might answer your question. I don't want to explain until it's done. The physical Bal reaches its hands down to the ground, resting its claws on top of the rock. It holds for a moment, then starts scratching furiously, leaving behind white sketchings in the rock. First, it draws an approximation of itself. I can tell it's supposed to be Bal because of the penis — curved to the left. The drawn Bal is reaching its right hand out to the side, toward nothing. Second, it draws another creature like itself. This one doesn't have a penis — instead, a small slit where its crotch lays. Bal draws its left hand, connecting it with its own. The drawn creatures are now holding hands, both smiling wide. Bal reaches its arm down to erase the stomach of the other creature. It redraws it, slightly larger. //Did it — get preg...?// Bal's voice interrupts my thought. ''Inside Bal:'' Don't say that word. Bal reaches its arm down again, erasing the entirety of the other creature, and its own smile. It redraws the other creature — now laying in a pool of liquid. //Its own blood.// //You lost your child too...// ''Inside Bal:'' Yes. The physical Bal's eyes start watering, it reaches a hand down to stroke the rock where the other creature is drawn. It screams out toward the] (text-colour:(hsl:120,0.8039,0.5,0.4))[ pyramid](text-colour:white)[, then stands quickly. It looks down at its penis, extending its claws out to their maximum length. Bal reaches down, and starts stroking itself, its eyes crossing and mouth opening in an O-shape. When its shaft grows to its maximum size, Bal smiles wide. In one smooth motion, Bal goes from jerking itself to sawing off its own penis with its claws. It howls out in pain, pleasure, and irreparable agony as dark red liquid surges forth — dripping onto the rock below. //WHAT THE FUCK, DUDE?!// ''Inside Bal:'' I promise you — this makes sense. Plus, my penis grew back after a few months. The Bal in front of me finishes its job, holding a severed penis in its right hand. Its crotch spurts blood in time with its heartbeats, which slows to a trickle after a few moments. Bal looks down at it — proud, seemingly pleased with itself. It starts walking to the other side of the cave, toward a staircase. My body is dragged along with Bal, shoes hovering slightly above the ground. We continue through a large system of caves — Bal appears to know its way through them well.] Continuing for what feels like multiple hours, we eventually exit through a small tunnel near a beach. //It's really pretty. Why are we here, though...?// ''Inside Bal:'' You ask too many questions — just watch. Bal looks down at its severed penis, now covered in dried blood. It screams out, taking a step back, and then chucking the penis into the sand. Its shoulders shake with heaving breath, wiping fresh tears from the space around its eyes. Bal turns around and goes back into the cave — careful to not look back as it departs. My body stays where it is. //Should I be...// Bal's penis starts rolling away in the breeze, taking off down the beach and picking up sand with its sticky-surface. It doesn't stop rolling — and my body is carried with it. I watch as Bal's severed penis blows across the landscape, time speeding up as it covers vast stretches of distance. //This is like the fuckin' Chef Boyardee commercial — but with cock...// The penis moves through fields, mountains, rain, snow...nothing in its path proves too much of a challenge. Eventually — it moves into a dry, arid, sandy area, embedding itself deep into the ground among its grains. Time speeds rapidly, covering hundreds, then thousands, then tens of thousands of years... Eventually, a wooden house is built on top of where Bal's penis rests. Over time, it starts to fall apart, shifting into a place that I recognize. //The bootlegger's house.// My body is taken into the house, past the three familiar criminal faces, and into the cupboard. More years pass, until a small red sprout starts to peek through the floorboards. The sprout blooms — a beautiful red sunflower. The sunflower bursts open, and a small red, furry, tadpole-looking thing pops out from it. The bootleggers find the creature quickly, raising it for the next two years until it resembles — //PeeBee.// ''Inside Bal:'' Yes. This is how PeeBee was born. //I don't really know how to...// ''Inside Bal:'' I don't know how to react either. I didn't intend for this to happen — I just wanted to cut my dick off and be done with it. Another version of Samuel and I enter the house. I find PeeBee, Sam shoots Stevie in the leg, and we leave. //See, I knew he didn't mean to kill Stevie!// ''Inside Bal:'' Oh, yeah. I could've told you that, though. I watch as Stevie dies in the middle of the kitchen, Ryan and Randy rushing to save his life to no avail. ''Inside Bal:'' Don't worry about the morality of your actions — Stevie was an asshole. You brought my child back to me, to us. You're a good person. [[Before I can respond, I'm ripped from this version of the world and placed back into my physical body on Prison Island.->Everything Happens for a Reason]]My mind enters my physical body again, still hovering in the middle of a prison hallway. Bal waves to me. ''Bal:'' Do you understand now...? I nod silently. ''Bal:'' And are you...still scared of me...? I shake my head. Bal smiles. ''Bal:'' Good. Do you want to go meet my partner — and some of your friends? //Friends? I don't have friends in prison. I hardly have any friends at all.// ''Bal:'' You're right, because you met them in another path. But you're sure to get along with them here too. //Except for poor Kendra...// //I knew Kendra?! The pancake girl?!// ''Bal:'' Yeah. She usually ends up with Frankie...guess that won't happen here. Bal frowns, turning its back to me and walking further down the hallway. It waves its arm, I follow shortly behind. We head toward a door marked "Exit" — Bal stops walking just before reaching the door. Next to it, an overturned table. //Are we going to go out?// Bal takes a second to respond, not turning to face me. ''Bal:'' Yeah, in a second. I think that now's actually a good time to — Bal's back muscles tense, its fur standing up slightly. A blue circle of light appears on the ground next to me, the faint outline of a human body contained inside. The figure takes clearer form — Samuel. He materializes in the middle of the room, screaming and waving his arms around. He turns to look at me, back at Bal, then he screams more. ''Samuel:'' What's going on?! Bal speaks into my mind. ''Inside Bal:'' Tell him not to be afraid of me. ''TeeJay:'' Don't be afraid of it, Sam. That's Bal — we can trust it. Samuel slowly nods his head, eyes still wide. He looks at PeeBee in Bal's hands. ''Samuel:'' You're his...dad? Bal's physical mouth moves. ''Bal:'' I prefer "parent". ''Samuel:'' What the hell is going on?! Bal speaks into my mind again. ''Inside Bal:'' I think it's time for you and Samuel to talk — you do it in every single path, and it usually works out for the better. //But...what do I say at this point? He isn't the same.// ''Inside Bal:'' I guess you just have to try. I take a second before nodding my head, then part my lips while waiting for the words to come to me. ''TeeJay:'' Sam, I think that we should — From behind the overturned table next to Bal, an Enforcer in a white uniform reveals himself — the Chief. He has a gun in one hand, and a baton in the other — his crotch is stained yellow. He fires the gun wildly in all directions. ''Enforcer Chief:'' Die, monster! You don't — Bal reaches its arm over, grabbing ahold of the Chief's helmet and crushing it in one motion — red flies everywhere, covering all of us. Sam falls to the ground, clutching his chest. ''Bal:'' And that's the Chief for ya'! All loose ends tied up, and hardly anybody had to get hurt. I haven't taken my eyes off Sam, still clutching his chest and laying on the ground — red is seeping through his hands. //Sam's covered in...more blood...than a few seconds ago?// //He's moving less. Is that just because he's scared?// //Why are his clothes just getting darker?// Bal, hearing my thoughts, leans down next to Sam. It breathes deep, and smacks itself on the side of its face with its free hand. Bal turns its head up to look at me, tears welling in its eyes. //Bal...// //Why isn't Sam moving?// Bal shakes its head. Tears stream down my face, it starts crying too. PeeBee is stirred by the noise, when he sees what's going on — (text-colour:red)[//"He ded."//] ''Bal:'' PeeBee! Bal waves its hand, my feet return to the ground. I fall to my knees, sobbing and crying out for Sam, unable to bring myself to crawl closer to him. ''Bal:'' TeeJay...I didn't mean for this to happen. Samuel was shot by the Chief. In all of the paths — It wipes a tear from its eye, careful to remain calm. ''Bal:'' In every single one of them I've seen — he never dies... //I can't stop crying...he's gone...// Bal stands, pacing around the room. ''Bal:'' Please, don't get mad at me. I think I can fix this. We need to go see my partner. [[Bal lifts me off the ground itself, lugging my body over its free shoulder. I watch my tears drip from my chin onto the tile floor. Bal cradles PeeBee closer to its body, and walks out of of the prison with both of us.->Another Lost Soul. ]]//I sob the entire distance between the prison and its ampitheater, crying out the name of someone that doesn't exist in this world anymore.// As we approach the ampitheater, loud music is blaring and prisoners are dancing, celebrating their freedom. =><= (css: "font-size: 155%;")["But when I look into your pretty eyes — My heart just drops. Girl, you make me Dumb, dumb, dumb, dumb, dumb."] <= Bal carries me down the stairs, toward the stone stage in the center of the ampitheater dome. On top of it, there's another creature that looks just like Bal — but blue. Its behind a set of turntables, scratching at them —apparently DJing the celebration party. Bal walks up the stairs to the stage, and sets me down on its stone surface. I fall back down to my knees, continuing to cry out. ''TeeJay:'' SSSSSSSAAAAAAAAAAAAMMMMMMMMMMM!!!!! Bal walks over to the other creature, it starts weeping with joy when it sees PeeBee in its partner's arms. Bal whispers in its ear, they both turn to look at me — the blue one wipes its eyes and grabs PeeBee from Bal. Both of the creatures approach me. Bal bends down to my level, now with both arms free. It reaches them around me — and pulls me close to them, embracing me and rubbing the back of my head while I continue to sob. ''Bal:'' Can I ask you something, TeeJay...? The other creature interrupts, reaching down to plant a hand on my other shoulder. ''Other Creature:'' Hi, I'm Pae. You saved my life — but you probably don't remember that. I don't stop crying, Pae continues speaking. Its eyes are warm, and inviting. ''Pae:'' Do you //really// want to make up with Sam? Or do you... Pae trails off. Bal picks up where it left off. ''Bal:'' Want to break up with him? I sob out again, pushing myself into Bal's furry chest. ''TeeJay:'' I don't know! I don't know anymore! We're just...fighting...//all the time...// ''Bal:'' But do you want to keep fighting? I shake my head, crying harder. ''Bal:'' I have a proposition for you — ''Pae:'' It's more like a gift, honey. Bal corrects itself. ''Bal:'' You're right — I have a //gift// for you, TeeJay. I stop crying, looking into its eyes as it reassures me. ''Bal:'' I know you pretty well, and I think I understand what you want. We're going to create a new path for you. One where everything is going to be okay — I start crying again. ''TeeJay:'' But...I'll have to — make all of the right decisions — so that Sam — My words stop, the tears flowing too strong and my snot audible. ''Bal:'' In this path, you won't have to keep worrying about how your actions will affect things. Because everything is going to be perfect. Every decision you make is going to be the right one. Everything is going to go the way you want it to, whether you understand it or not — The Perfect Divergence. ''TeeJay:'' //But...why...?// ''Pae:'' Because it's what you deserve. Bal is too shy to communicate it clearly, but you've brought us together — you brought our family back. So, let us do this for you. ''TeeJay:'' How do you...do that...? Bal hugs me tighter. ''Bal:'' It's already done. The triangle on the main menu is a button — maybe you've already noticed that. Press it when you've had your fill of the other paths. ''TeeJay:'' But what about — your family...? ''Bal:'' This is already my Perfect Divergence — here with my family. We've actually met a lot. I first saw you when you chose refried beans for your side at dinner during your time on Prison Island, mashed potatoes the second time. But if this is the first time that you've met us all, that's okay. But this is the last time that Pae, PeeBee and I will see you in our lives. //Oh, PeeBee. I just got that.// ''Pae:'' Clever, right? //And a little stupid.// PeeBee stirs, his voice entering my mind shortly after. (text-colour:red)[//"Hay! Eye'm the babie —"//] //Gotta' love you!// //Well, I do — love you.// (text-colour:red)[//"Eye luv U2. Bono, The Edge, Larry Mullen Jr., Adam Clayton, teh hole gang!"//] Bal interrupts our conversation. ''Bal:'' So — how does it all sound...? I nod my head slowly, pulling back from Bal's chest and looking into its eyes. ''TeeJay:'' Yeah, let's do it. And I can go whenever I'm ready...? ''Pae:'' Whenever you're ready. ''Bal:'' For now, though...you wanna go party? ''TeeJay:'' I don't know if I'm in the mood for it...not when this is the path where Sam... ''Bal:'' But you're not here forever, remember that. The version of you standing here will cease to exist when any version enters The Perfect Divergence — you'll just poof out of existence and we'll be none the wiser. ''TeeJay:'' That's kinda...scary... ''Bal:'' Maybe. But you taught me a lesson in the Pit that I think is really important — it's okay for you to make the most of the life that you have now. You don't have to keep striving to make your life better by replacing someone...you can just be happy with the life you have... ''Pae:'' And I know it sounds like my partner is being a real hypocrite — but it was also you that gave Bal the hope to keep trying to find the path where I was still alive...however that happened. //This just doesn't...make any fucking sense...// ''Bal:'' I don't think it has to. Bal stands, dusting its legs off and reaching a hand down toward me. Pae stands up next to Bal, holding PeeBee tight in its arms. [[''Bal:'' C'mon, let's go dance. ->Bal's Perfect Divergence]](track: 'pissing', 'stop') Outside of the bathroom, the thrift store is now buzzing with customers. //What a coincidence! All of them are staring at...// //Us.// One of them points, screaming out. Short and fat with dark skin, he's wearing a tan T-shirt — sleeves cut off, a nametag on his chest that reads "Frankie — Manager". //Guess he worked at the pancake house.// ''Frankie:'' That's them! That //thing// killed and ate Kendra — my one true love! //Uh...// ''TeeJay:'' No it didn't... ''Frankie:'' Yes, it did! ''TeeJay:'' Uh — you sure...? ''Frankie:'' It was a tiny, furry, red thing! And you're holding a tiny, furry, red thing! ''TeeJay:'' Yeah, but this is //my// tiny, furry, red thing. The crowd is confused. ''Frankie:'' What?! ''TeeJay:'' Yeah, I bought it. In Europe. ''Frankie:'' That doesn't make sense. ''TeeJay:'' Yes it does. ''Frankie:'' It does look vaguely European...I don't know much about their culture, being an American. I don't want to try to pretend like I understand it — no matter how much I feel it might be the truth. ''TeeJay:'' So, can I go...? ''Frankie:'' Sure, yeah. [[This feels so contrived. A thought surges into my mind, I eat it for lunch.->Glorious]] Stepping outside of the thrift store, Samuel pulls our car up to the nearby corner and honks its horn. He reaches an arm out, beckoning me inside. I sit down in the passenger seat with PeeBee. //So, where to?// (text-colour:red)[//"Uhhh...Flo Rida. Prisson Eye Land."//] //Flo Rida?! I love "Whistle"!// [[I turn to Sam, and tell him our new destination. We take off down the road, toward the highway.->Divergence A - Chapter 5 Starting Quote]]//This is the last "personal essay" that I have to write for One Final Pitbull Song. Maybe it's the first that you've seen. Sorry if that's the case, this probably isn't a great one to start with. This game already says everything I wanted it to — and I'm tired...so I'm not writing something long and personally exposing. Instead, we can talk about something a little more important to me in the present: If you refer to my game as being made by a DUDE or a COOL GUY — I really hate you. That's too harsh, I just regularly hate you. Hatred that lasts like five minutes, then I forget you exist and go to the store or something. Maybe my screenname is a little masculine — but is it too much to expect people to click on my profile if they like the game so much?! This might not even seem like that big of an issue to some people! But that hour-long YouTube video of my stupid iCarly game ends with the GameGrumps-wannabes misgendering while attempting to compliment me — and then correcting it in the description. Oh, and hey, they also did a really offensive accent for T-Bo. That's racist. I'm not going to correct people. They can make an ass of themselves and ruin their own lives without my help. It's just funny at this point — maybe it's because gamers typically don't really like women. Gamers typically don't like a lot of people. Oops, don't say that out loud! But hey, we've all known it, and if it makes you angry to hear it's just because I'm a woman. Keep that anger to yourself — maybe give the rich men a little more money the next time you play your favorite game. They deserve it more than me, right?! And when they use that money to influence the world in ways that hurt us all, and kill your offspring's dreams before they're born — at least you got your premium weapon skin. Other lives don't matter if YOU get YOUR fifty-to-eighty years on this steadily less green globe. Anyway — the microwave's been beeping for minutes, go get your food. For future reference: My name is Paige, I am a trans woman, I am the one creating these games, and I fart a lot when I make them. Maybe those farts are my legacy. They're all I got left for you.// =><= [[Return.->Wing$]]//We're outside of Miami now, next to the border for Prison Island. Don't be crazy — they don't let the traffic go THROUGH Miami. Instead, all traffic is funneled around the raised city — a confusing, overpopulated, gray, tangled mess of a road.// //They say people have died waiting on this part of the highway. From the five minutes we've been here — I believe it.// (text-colour:red)[//"Kann eye hav a be-hickle...?"//] //You want a car...? Could your feet even reach the pedals?// (text-colour:red)[//"Knot 2 dryve! 2EAT!"//] //I mean — you could probably have a little bite of the glove compartment...// (text-colour:red)[//"WHY-ERS!"//] //You want to eat — wires...?// PeeBee nods his head, vibrating in my lap. He lightly taps my legs with his nails in a happy little song. (text-colour:red)[//"GIMME!"//] I turn to Sam. ''TeeJay:'' He wants to eat wires. Sam's brow creases, he stares at me for a moment. Traffic moves slightly forward — he puts his eyes back on the road before responding. ''Samuel:'' Well, he //can't//... ''TeeJay:'' I know, but like... I think back to our time in Oklahoma and Alabama — the two lives that have already been lost with the power of PeeBee's tiny jaws alone. //I don't want to be eaten.// After a brief pause, I respond. ''TeeJay:'' I think we need to find some wires for the little guy to eat. Samuel scoffs. ''Samuel:'' You're not even willing to have a conversation about this. ''TeeJay:'' //Me...?// Samuel turns to look at me, spittle flying from his mouth and toward me. ''Samuel:'' Yes, //YOU//! You keep doing this //shit//! Oh — poor PeeBee — poor TeeJay with her mental health issues that require me to fucking PARENT A MONSTER that I just wanted to FUCKING SELL! ''TeeJay:'' I didn't ask for you to do this with me. We could've talked! ''Samuel:'' There's no point talking to you anymore! Whenever I try to bring up a problem that I have — you just lock yourself in another room and hurt yourself or run away! //I'm not thinking anymore — just arguing with my ex-boyfriend.// ''TeeJay:'' And whenever I bring up problems — you just get mad and yell at me! ''Samuel:'' How DARE you! I NEVER YELL! I put my life on hold for you — I gave up on grad-school so I could work a fourty-hour a week job to fund your games. //Fuck you, Paige!// //Oh, these aren't the characters arguing anymore. It's my real life now. This is what I experience every day.// ''TeeJay:'' I didn't ask you to do that...I'm sorry. ''Samuel:'' You're not sorry — you //ruined my life//! ''TeeJay:'' //Then be done with me...// ''Samuel:'' You're really going there?! You're going to give up instead of fixing yourself?! You HURT me! //I hurt you...?// //You hurt me too!// //I'M NOT HAPPY.// [[PeeBee launches himself at Sam, teeth bared and mouth snarled. Sam screams for help as PeeBee starts to consume his nose — biting the tip off in one chomp. I reach my hands over and grab the little red guy before he can cause any additional damage.->Prison Island...again?]]Bal leads me by the hand toward another group of prisoners, all dancing in a circle. It points at three prisoners near the center. ''Bal:'' Those are your friends in other paths — Grace, Jessica, and Val. You should go talk to them, while you're here. And don't forget what I told you about the dinner choice. Bal shoves me toward the group of prisoners, I shuffle awkwardly toward the group. Wiping my eyes and nose, I try to get rid of all of the evidence of my breakdown. The one closest to me greets me with a distinct northeastern accent — she's tall and skinny, with olive skin. ''Grace:'' Hey, I'm Grace! Nice to meet you! ''TeeJay:'' Nice to meet you too, I'm TeeJay. The one to Grace's left speaks next. Shorter, their blonde curls bouncing up and down when they move their mouth. ''Jessica:'' I'm Jessica. Are you trans...? I nod my head. ''TeeJay:'' Yeah, I am. ''Jessica:'' Sick! Me too! Jessica raises their hand up in the air for a high five. I meet it — //it's pretty good.// The last prisoner speaks. A mousy girl with glasses and dark brown hair. ''Val:'' And I'm Val. Happy Liberation Day! //Is that what they're calling it? I guess it works. I'll use it too.// ''TeeJay:'' Uh...Happy Liberation Day to you too...? ''Jessica:'' I don't recognize you, are you new? Which Cabin were you in? I kick my shoe against the ground. ''TeeJay:'' I wasn't actually in a Cabin...I came here to...uh, return Bal's kid. I motion to Bal and Pae, standing on top of the stage watching as PeeBee rides one of the records on the turntables. He spins around really fast and throws up a little bit — Bal laughs and wipes it from the corners of PeeBee's mouth. ''Val:'' Oh, that's sick! Bal's awesome. ''Jessica:'' I still don't get how to pronounce its name! ''Grace:'' Pretty sure it's just "Bal". ''Jessica:'' That's written down! //These people seem cool. They already seem to like me — or they're in a good enough mood that it doesn't matter what I say.// //If I'm being honest with myself...// //This path kind of sucks. I just got in a really big fight with my ex-boyfriend as we drove a little creature cross-country, and then he died.// //But if I understand Bal correctly...// //This really isn't the best path for me to begin with. So what if there's some challenges in my way here?! I'm here. This version of me won't enter the Perfect Divergence. I'm not going anywhere.// //I'm just going to enjoy the time I have left here — I'm going to party, live it up, and enjoy the rest of my life. You can enter the Perfect Divergence whenever you're ready...just give me enough time to enjoy myself here first. I really need it...// //Maybe you still haven't seen the other paths yet! Now would be a perfect time to experience those, and let me have the rest of my life here in the meantime.// //Or maybe this is the last path you're going to see. In that case...please let me take care of myself in the Perfect Divergence. I don't need your help anymore, I've got this.// //Now if you'll excuse me, I'm going to go dance with three attractive and nice-seeming prisoners. Maybe we'll have a ton to drink tonight. Maybe I'll smoke weed for the first time in a week. Maybe it's none of your business.// //And that's terrific.// =><= (css: "font-size: 200%;")[//PATH 3 OF 3 "The Road Trip (Bootleggers!)"//] [[Go to the Choice that Bal Mentioned Earlier.->Which Side at Dinner?]] [[Return to Title Screen.->Title Screen]]