Twine Game Storytelling

It's the same dream, as always. Something about drowning really doesn't do it for you, and is again the reason why you're awake thirty minutes before your alarm. Looking over at the clock, it says 7:45 a.m. [[Make Food|Food]] Or [[Make Coffee|Coffee]]

You turn over on the cot, careful not to disturb your sister sleeping above you. Pressing a button on the wall reveals a small panel, and it slides open with a few creaks and groans. If only you had the premium model. You place your bowl underneathe the small nozzle in the little alcove, and the machine starts making a whirring sound. After a few moments, a steaming hot grey sludge drips out of the nozzle, sloppily into the bowl. Breakfast is served. [[Get up|Up]]

The hallway of the building looks rough. Torn, faded wallpaper turns to rusting steel and exposed wires as you enter the elevator. You push the button for the first floor and the gears shudder away, bringing you down all of the 350 floors that it takes to reach the bottom. The lobby is more of the same. Homeless people fill the entrance of your building, their only source of warmth during the cold years. They must wish it was the 2,000s, where the winters only lasted a few months in most places. They can thank the human race for that. The back door is your usual entrance and exit, so you head that way. [[Exit the building|Exterior]]

You turn over on the cot, careful not to disturb your sister sleeping above you. Pressing a button on the wall reveals a small panel, and it slides open with a few creaks and groans. If only you had the premium model. You place your mug underneathe the small nozzle in the little alcove, and the machine starts making a whirring sound. After a few moments, a steaming hot brown jet of coffee squirts into your cup. Yum [[Get up|Up2]]

You swing your legs over the side of the cot and put your pants on. It isn't hard to choose which pair because you only have two, and yesterday's pair got muddy and ripped when [[Yasir's|Yasir 2]] dogs came at you and you had to jump the fence. They haven't been washed in a couple of days, but they aren't too dirty yet, which is good because you have to look presentable today. [[This meeting|Meeting2]] has to go well. You finish the mug of coffee and set it in the tub of dirty dishes. Your sister will take it down later to the apartment building's only washroom, and sit on the floor of the showers while she washes them. Putting on your shoes, you start to head out the door, grabbing your jacket and the cash for the meeting as you leave.

A frigid wind is roaring through the streets and almost takes the door from your hand as you step outside. It snowed last night, but only a few feet, and the heated sidewalks and lightrail are already almost clear. Megaphones around the city all blare the same propaganda, whether it's the Republican or Demacratic party's sector. Trudging along, you are also subjected to endless advertisements. Projections of little animated M&M's with legs and feet pretend to tug at your coat as a speaker tells of the delicious taste of their rich and creamy milk chocolate. The street turns slightly and then heads downhill to a maze of alleyways. You reach the first set of alleys, but can't remember which left you take? [[Take the first left|Bad]] Or [[Take the second left|Good]]

The hallway of the building looks rough. Torn, faded wallpaper turns to rusting steel and exposed wires as you enter the elevator. You push the button for the first floor and the gears shudder away, bringing you down all of the 350 floors that it takes to reach the bottom. The lobby is more of the same. Homeless people fill the entrance of your building, their only source of warmth during the cold years. They must wish it was the 2,000s, where the winters only lasted a few months in most places. They can thank the human race for that. You turn to exit through the back door, but a stabbing pain hits you in the stomach. You really should have eaten something, and the coffee didn't help either. The bathroom seems like the only choice for you at the moment, but you might be late to your meeting with Dustin. [[Enter the bathroom|Bathroom]] Or [[Exit the building|Exterior]]

Much better. After finishing in the bathroom, you sprint out and run to the exit. [[Exit|Exterior2]]

You walk a bit further and take the second left. You've never actually met Anthony before, if that's even his real name. But one of his other runners told you to come here for a job, and that's the only information he gave. This part of the alley is starting to look familiar, and eventually you see a group of hooded men in an open area that is connected by a few different alleys. You look at your watch. 10:15. Just on time. [[Announce youself|Good Final]] Or [[Walk Over|Good Final]]

A frigid wind is roaring through the streets and almost takes the door from your hand as you step outside. It snowed last night, but only a few feet, and the heated sidewalks and lightrail are already almost clear. Megaphones around the city all blare the same propaganda, whether it's the Republican or Demacratic party's sector. Trudging along, you are also subjected to endless advertisents. Projections of little animated M&M's with legs and feet pretend to tug at your coat as a speaker tells of the delicious taste of their rich and creamy milk chocolate. The street turns slightly and then heads downhill to a maze of alleyways. You reach the first set of alleys, but can't remember which left you take? [[Take the first left|Bad3]] Or [[Take the second left|Bad2]]

You swing your legs over the side of the cot and put your pants on. It isn't hard to choose which pair because you only have two, and yesterday's pair got muddy and ripped when [[Yasir's|Yasir]] dogs came at you and you had to jump the fence. They haven't been washed in a couple of days, but they aren't too dirty yet, which is good because you have to look presentable today. This meeting has to go well. You finish the bowl of oatmeal and set it in the tub of dirty dishes. Your sister will take it down later to the apartment building's only washroom, and sit on the floor of the showers while she washes them. Putting on your shoes, you start to head out the door, grabbing your jacket and the cash for the meeting as you [[leave.|Meeting]]

You turn into the first alleyway. The walls don't seem too familiar, but you trust your gut and continue walking. You look at your watch and it reads 10:14. You'd better hope Anthony doesn't have too much of a temper for people who are late. Eventaully you round a bend and see an open area that is fed by a few different alleys. A group of hooded men stand in it, looking exhasperated. [[Announce yourself|Bad Final]] Or [[Walk Over|Bad Final]]

You walk a bit further and take the second left. You've never actually met Anthony before, if that's even his real name. But one of his other runners told you to come here for a job, and that's the only information he gave. This part of the alley is starting to look familiar, and eventually you see a group of hooded men in an open area that is connected by a few different alleys. You look at your watch. 10:18. You're late. [[Announce yourself|Bad Final]] Or [[Walk Over|Bad Final]]

Jonah's Story By Andrew Higgins [[Start|Start]]

You turn into the first alleyway. The walls don't seem too familiar, but you trust your gut and continue walking. You look at your watch and it reads 10:20. You'd better hope Anthony doesn't have too much of a temper for people who are late. Very Late. Eventually you round a bend and see an open area that is fed by a few different alleys. A group of hooded men stand in it, looking exhasperated. [[Announce yourself|Bad Final 2]] Or [[Walk Over|Bad Final 2]]

Before you can, one of the hooded men turn around. "Hello, Jonah", he says. "H-hello? Anthony? Your runner, Jacob, sent me." "You're late," he says with a disgruntled look on his face. "Don't be late again." "Yes I-," you try to say, but Dustin cuts you off. The look on his face is serious, but the other men are all laughing. "Alright kid, there you go," he says after a few moments. A drone comes whizzing around the corner, carrying a small white [[package.|Package 2]]

Before you can, one of the hooded men turns around. "Hello, Jonah", he says. "H-hello? Anthony? Your runner, Jacob, sent me." "My runner? What's a runner?" he says with a sly grin. He motions to one of his men, who then pulls out a small device and proceeds to type something into it. A small drone carrying a small package eventually descends down from somwhere above your head. [["There you go,"|Package]] says Anthony.

"I would stay away from mid-town if I were you. Especilly the mid-town trail." Him and his crew clear out quickly, leaving you standing alone. Avoid mid-town and the trail? That only leaves the south river trail, and an extra mile or two of walking. He must know something you don't. [[Go Home|Home]]

You reach up, your hands getting close to the drone, but it quickly moves out of reach. "Not so fast, now. You bring something for me kid?" Embarrassed, you take out the money, four hundred dollars to be exact. The most money you'd ever collected in your life. You reach over and hand it to him to count. The drone then drops the package, landing front of you. You open up the package and see the contents. Small, clear crystals in paper box, often used in the blasters the government uses for it's "Peace Corps." "You get those to my people on the West side of town, and they'll pay you," says Anthony. His men snicker and laugh, as if you didn't already know how dangerous getting there would be. Do you say: [["I'll get it there"|There]] Or [["Which way should I take?"|Way]]

Before you can, one of the hooded men turn around. "Hello, Jonah", he says. "H-hello? Dustin? Your runner, Jacob, sent me." He doesn't answer, but rather looks at one of the men with him who then pulls out a small device and types something into it. A small drone whizzes in from around the corner and hovers above you. "Where's my money?" he finally says. You reach into your pocket and pull it out for him to count. After a few moments, the drone drops a package in front of you. "Get it to my people on the West Side by tomorrow, and don't be late like today," Dustin says. Him and his crew clear out quickly, leaving you with un-answered questions. Open the [[package|Open2]]

Yasir, a rogue cyborg who prowls the apartments on the eastside where you live, is a constant menace to the residents of your apartment. Nobody is sure where he stays, but your best bet if he targets you is to give him what he wants. [[Back|Up2]]

It hovers above you head, and slowy descends after a moment. You reach up, but just as you are about to grab it, the drone pulls back. "Not so fast now. Where's my money" Embarrassed, you take out the money, four hundred dollars to be exact. The most money you'd ever collected in your life. You reach over and hand it to him to count. The drone then drops the package, landing front of you. You open up the package and see the contents. Small, clear crystals in paper box, often used in the blasters the government uses for it's "Peace Corps." "You get those to my people on the West side of town, and they'll pay you," Anthony says. His men snicker and laugh, as if you didn't already know how dangerous getting there would be. Do you say: [["I'll get it there"|There]] Or [["Which way should I take?"|Way]]

"I'm sure you will," Anthony says sarcasticly. He and his men quickly vacate the area, and you probably should as well. [[Go Home|Home 2]]

The walk back home is just as cold as it was the first time. The light is fading already and clouds are setting in. The walls of the allyway are black, and show the amount of years they have been standing. Combined with the light, it makes it very dark. You round the final corner The apartment building shines bright and high, all 500 floors of it. The tip lights up the clouds above and the streets below. The wind is now ripping through the streets again, and you see the main door to the building has a pile of poor souls begging to be let in. Still, the back door is the best option. [[Enter the building.|Lobby]]

You turn and see a disheartening sight. Yasir. In all of his metallic, machine glory, stands at a uncomfotable angle, hunched over. His back shudders, and you'd think he could barely move. But you know just how fast he can be. Do you: Say, [["Yasir please, no."|Please]] Or [[Run|Run]]

The lobby is quiet, unlike the creaks of the elevator. Once on your floor, you start to smell the aromas of ramen and broth. The small apartment you share with your siblings sort of comes to life at night. The warm glow of lamplight and the sound of water bowling is a relaxing sight. You spend the night eating and laughing with them, and reminding yourself why you're doing what you're doing. Laying your head on the pillow once again, you drift back to [[sleep.|Sleep]]

You turn, taking off faster than ever before. Your legs are pumping as you fly by brick walls and alleyways, and your apartment building appears in the distance. Little did you know, it was already too late. The scratch of metal on concrete sends a chill down your spine, and you look behind you. A small blur of silver explodes onto the street with malicious intent. The best description of this thing would be a metal chupacabra, and it's boring down on you fast. It lunges and cuts at your ankles, hitting one of them. You go down hard, and the package flies out of your hand. The last thing you see is the cloaked figure of Yasir bending over to retireve it before your vision disolves and you black out. [[Wake up|Wake]]

"I won't say it again." Do you: [[Give him the package|Give]] Or [[Run|Run]]

The ocean pulls you down again. The constant pull is tiring, and makes you want to succumb to it's weight, but you can't. Something in you won't let you. [[Wake up|Awake]]

You throw the package at his feet and take a few steps back. He grabs it and in one motion, hops the fence, with his "dog" following. Before you can turn around, his second dog comes boudning around a corner, diving straight into your ankle with enough force to knock you to the ground. You hit your head on the concrete and black out. [[Wake Up|Wake]]

The cold has crept into your bones during the time you've been sleeping. It's also much darker now. You get up off of the ground and stumble your way home, your head bloody and throbbing. The main entrance to the apartment is closest, but the homeless block the entrance. The back will have to do again. [[Enter|Lobby2]]

The lobby is quiet, and makes it easy to sneak over to the elevator. You stumble out of the elavator when it opens at your floor, and barely make it to the apartment. Your sister has ramen boiling, and opens the door with a warm look, until she realizes the state your in. She brings you inside and tends to your wounds, but you don't tell her what happened, mostly because you fall [[asleep|Sleep2]] the second she has you bandaged.

The ocean pulls you down again. The constant pull is tiring, and makes you want to succumb to it's weight, but you can't. Something in you won't let you. [[Wake up|Awake2]]

You open your eyes to dim sunlight streaming through the blinds. You get up, repeating the previous day's routine. After a few minutes, it's time to leave, so you grab the crystals and [[head out.|Leave]]

You jolt up from the chair your sister had propped you up in, she's asleep in the cot now. You don't have many belongings, but in this small space it feels like you are hoarders. With no crystals to deliver to Dustin's gang, your situation is dire. He'll be looking on the streets for you within a day, and to leave the city it will take at least that. But you can't face Yasir. You don't even know how to find him. Raising out of the chair is painful. Your face is bruised, but it's your ankle that really smarts. Putting weight on it sends shooting pain up your leg, but after walking around the room, you can manage. It's time to [[leave.|Time]]

The weather is calm today, making the journey to the west side an easier feat. You start off toward the river, making sure to dodge the sweeping drone patrols that are used to enforce the segregation of the city. Seeing the cutout in the fence, you make a run for it. Once you're through, you feel a little less stressed. Plants have grown over the remnants of this span of highway that used to connect the east and west side. Now it sits as rubble. You're picking your way through the well trodden path that many use to smuggle things into the west side, when you hear the buzz of a drone nearby. Do you: [[Hide in the bushes|Hide]] Or [[Keep walking|Walk]]

You dive into the bushes off the side of the trail, hitting somthing solid as you go down. The drone swoops in overhead, scanning the area with it's camera. Now that you can see it closer, the drone is not of government issue. It looks to be older and thrown together with scrap parts, and has a small insignia on it's side. It flies away after a few moments. Getting up, you see what you had hit when you fell into the bushes. Its a small wooden crate about the same size as a briefcase, with the same insignia that the drone had painted on it. [[Open it|Open]]

You keep walking, ignoring the drone. It sounds like its getting closer, but you can't see it. Eventually, it fades away. [[Keep Walking|Walking]]

You undo the latch and open up the top of the crate, revealing something surprising. Five government issue M-19 blasters sit in place on top of packing peanuts, each with an extra power cell. This is obvoiusly not government practice, leaving them here. Who did? Do you: [[Take one|Take]] Or [[Leave them|Walking]]

You keep walking, following the river trail for a while longer. The sun is overhead now, and there are no clouds in sight. It's times like these that you can take a step back and appreciate the true beauty of this place. The city conditions make you forget that there's a whole world out here, and the problems there seem far away now. Eventually, you see the fenceline that blocks your way to the west side of the city. Of course, over the years, smuggling has run rampant, and there are plenty of ways to enter through holes long forgotten. [[Enter|Enter2]]

You take a blaster out of the crate and examine it. It has a weight to it, but isn't too heavy. There is no aiming reticle, but these things aren't hard to aim. Anything with a few inches of the energy blast is instantly vaporized. You also grab an extra power cell. You keep walking along the river, glad that you found something that most would give an arm and a leg for. Someone is going to be looking for that gun, though. Eventually, you see the fenceline that blocks your way to the west side of the city. Of course, over the years, smuggling has run rampant, and there are plenty of ways to enter through holes long forgotten. [[Enter|Enter]]

This side of the city has always been worse than the east side. Wolves run these streets at night, and there are no citizens here, only gangs and groups not wishing to be under the rule of the current government. You are sure that a camera must have spotted you by now, and Anthony's men are on their way, so you sit down and wait for their arrival. In the distance, you hear the rumble of an ancient machine, the only that stood the test of time. A toyota tacoma comes squeeling around the corner carrying five men in the truck bed. It stops near you, and the men get out. "You with Anthony?" you say, aimed torward the one continuing at you. [[He responds|Respond]], but not what you were expecting.

This side of the city has always been worse than the east side. Wolves run these streets at night, and there are no citizens here, only gangs and groups not wishing to be under the rule of the current government. You are sure that a camera must have spotted you by now, and Dustin's men are on their way, so you sit down and wait for their arrival. In the distance, you hear the rumble of an ancient machine, the only that stood the test of time. A toyota tacoma comes squeeling around the corner carrying five men in the truck bed. It stops near you, and the men get out. "You with Anthonu?" you say. [[He responds|Respond2]], but not what you were expecting.

"Throw the crystals on the ground," he says. Immediately, his men train their blasters on you. "Hey now, Anthony said you'd pay me for these," you say, trying to reason with them. They don't drop their weapons, and instead prime them to fire. "We will pay you, just drop the crystals first! We don't want to get scammed." Do you: [[Drop the crystals|Drop]] Or [[Question him|Question]]

"Scammed? I just talked to Anthony yesterday! What are you going on about!?" you say. You can't see their faces, but the men shuffle their feet nervously. Sweat beads down your forehead, and your hands become clammy. "I don't know why I bothered, fire!" he says. "WAIT!" you scream, throwing your hands in the air. The men hesitate. A new object is gripped in your hand, though. The extra power cell. It's said these have explosive capabilities, but you're not sure where you heard that from. "I'll give it to you, just be calm," you say as you reach into your pocket for the crystals. You feel the blaster tucked in your waistline, and are sure to move it further up to be more accesable. "Just, please, let me go." [[Throw the power cell.|Cell]]

"How do I know you'll pay me?" you say. The look on his face grows more serious with each question you ask, and he takes longer to respond this time. "I'll give you one more chance, drop the crystals." Do you: [[Drop them.|Drop]] Or [[Say no|No2]]

You get up, making sure to turn your body so that they can't see your face, but it doesn't matter. They are already entering the car you just left. The light rail is starting to move now, and the cold air out here is stinging your face. You hop over the couplings to the other car, but before entering it you come to a realization. The only way to make sure that they can't get you is to unhook the cars. You look back and see that only two cars would be left behind, with only a few people on each. [[Unhook the coupling.|Coupling]]

Reaching into your pocket, you feel the package. The thought of running crosses your mind, but there is nowhere to go. You bring it out and throw it a few feet in front of you. "Good job, kid," he says. And then he takes out his blaster and shoots you. This is the last thing you see before a blinding light engulfs your vision, and you are turned into [[particles.|Died]]

You open up the package and see the contents. Small, clear crystals in paper box, often used in the blasters the government uses for it's "Peace Corps." Dustin must be preparing for something [[Go Home|Home 2]]

Your sister sleeps peacefully as you tip toe around the apartment, gathering your things. You contemplate waking her. You'd want nothing more than to flee with her, but that would put a target on her head, and you can't take that risk. She's strong. She may be younger, but she will be in good hands with the other women and children in the building. You take one last look around the room before [[you leave.|Flee]]

The city is connected by light rail that runs north and south through through downtown. It'll be the only way to get out of the city, but getting there in one peice is going to be trouble. Anthony shouldn't be looking for you for a few more hours, but if he sees you moving away from the west side, he might be suspiscious. The light rail station is a few miles away. Do you: [[Walk|Walk2]] Or [[Take a speeder-taxi|Taxi]]

Walking takes a little more time, but you're able to take alleyways and cross streets so that you might be unseen by most cameras. The station starts to come into view in the distance, and you can see people going in and out. You cross one more street, but hear the buzz of a drone above your head. Do you: [[Hide from the drone|Hide2]] Or [[Keep walking|Keep]]

On the street, you see a few men on speeders waiting for someone looking for a ride. You flag one of them down and ask him to take you to the next lightrail station. The ride is short, and you make sure to tip the driver. He hasn't said anything tho whole ride, though, and takes off as soon as you hand him the money. There aren't many people on the platform, and you can feel the burning glare of the cameras watching. You'd better hurry. Get in the [[rail car|Railcar]]

You dive behind a dumpster, careful to hide your face from the drone. It passes overhead and keeps moving. [[Keep walking|Keep2]]

You keep walking and ignore the drone, making a beeline for the terminal. A train is just about to leave, but you should be able to make it. You step into the traincar and take a seat. Just before the train is going to leave, a commotion breaks out on the platform. Dustin and three men are walking through the small crowd of people, checking faces for who you presume to be you. [[Move to the next train car.|Next]]

The station is just up ahead. A train is just about to leave, but you should be able to make it. You step into the traincar and take a seat. Just before the train is going to leave, a commotion breaks out on the platform. Anthony and three men are walking through the small crowd of people, checking faces for who you presume to be you. [[Move to the next train car.|Next]]

You step into the rail car and the door slides shuts behind you. Looking around, you see that there are plenty of open seats. You turn to sit down, but see a group of men standing at the end of the car. "Hello again, Jonah." Petrified, you stand still. Anthony walks forward, holding a blaster, and stretches out his hand. "Give me the crystals," he says. Do you say: [["I don't have them."|Don't]] Or [["No."|No]]

"Where are they, then?" "Yasir stole them off of me, I couldn't do anything!" "Aghhhh, you lost my crystals to Yasir?!!" He points his blaster at you, a threatening look in his eyes. "We made a deal, and nobody rips off Anthony." He pulls the trigger, turning your body to particles as you take your last breath. Nothing in life is fair, and this doesn't change anything. You try and do better for yourself and your sister, but what do you get for it? A blaster bolt to the face. The End. [[Start again.|Jonah]]

"Fine." He points his blaster at your chest and pulls the trigger. This is the last thing you see before a blinding light engulfs your vision, and you are turned into particles. Nothing in life is fair, and this doesn't change anything. You try and do better for yourself and your sister, but what do you get for it? A blaster bolt to the face. The End. [[Start again.|Jonah]]

You bend over, trying to make sense of how to unhook this thing. There are handles and bolts everywhere, and a few wires that go from one car to the other. You unplug the wires and give one of the handles a tug. Nothing. Anthony and his men have already searched both of the cars and are coming torwards you. You have to try one more time. [[Pull the handle.|Handle]]

You raise your hand back and throw the power cell as hard as you can at the truck. None of the men were expecting this, which is why you're able to get your blaster out and are already aiming at the cell on the ground. [[Pull the trigger|Trigger]]

The man sighs, and slowly walks forward while reaching into his jacket. He pulls out his own blasters and aims it at you. This is the last thing you see before a blinding light engulfs your vision, and you are turned into [[particles.|Died]]

A blinding white light engulfs the truck, sending out beams of light in every direction. Bewildered and blind, the men turn around, wondering what is happening. You take your chance and dive back through the fence, landing in a ditch near the river trail. The follow moments are pure madness. The white light turns, hot, searing everything in it's way. It almost outshines the sun, and beams of light bouncing off buildings and glass burn your exposed skin. The cries for help stop quickly when a sudden but small boom shakes the ground. [[Go home|Home2]]

It's time to go home. You still have the crystals, but are not sure how Anthony is going to react about his men. He might not even know what happened, as there isn't much of a crimescene anymore. You might be able to sell the crystals somewhere, maybe even have someone sell them back to Anthony, but you'll have to lay low for a while. Other than the money you lost, you are glad to be alive and are going to go back to you sister. You'll figure out how to get out of this mess eventually. The End. [[Start again.|Jonah]]

You're dead, while Anthony and his crew of scammers lives on. If only you had grabbed a blaster, or did something different along the way, but it's over now. Until Dustin is taken down, this cycle will repeat itself once more. The End. [[Start again.|Jonah]]

You yank the handle hard, pushing with your legs as if you were trying to squat it. After a few moments, it gives with a loud screach as the coupler disengages and the two cars start to slow down. Before the car can get too far away, Anthony opens the door and leaps onto your car, holding on with only his arms and his legs dangling off of it. He's trying to scramble up to get to you. [[Kick him off.|Kick]]

You slam your foot down on his fingers, crushing them until an audible pop is heard. He recoils in pain, screaming insults at you. "You little bastard! Get over here!" With your final move, you swing your leg back and kick, as hard as you can, torward his chest. It connects and send him flying back onto the tracks. You quickly leave him as your car is moving at a substancial speed, and you can finally relax. You'll miss your sister, but you'll be back someday. It would be nice to leave the city for good, but there aren't many other places to go. The sun is starting to set now, and it's getting colder. You open the door to the next car and go inside, where you find empty seats. The train speeds along the tracks, taking you somewhere you've never been. It's a scary feeling, but you know that whatever waits for you on the other side, you're going to be okay. The End. [[Start again.|Jonah]]