(set:$key to false)
(set:$photo to false)
(set: $letter to 0)
<h1>Back Home<span>by Bea Calces</span></h1>
It is about 12:00 AM and you managed to get on the last bus on the way home. It's rather lonely being the only passanger, but it is okay because you have sturdy-looking cardboard box sitting next to you.
Shall we open it to see what is inside and pass the time? [[Open|open]].
You lift up the flaps of the box and peek inside.
Inside you see a plush [[Doll]] and a [[Wallet]].
(if: $key is true and $photo is true)
[The bus pulls up to your stop. You pick up the box, bid the bus driver a good day, and walked towards your childhood [[home]].
<audio src="bus-sound.wav" autoplay></audio>
]
You pick up an old stuffed bear. The stuffing is coming out from the undone seams, but still as huggable looking as ever. It used to belong to your little sister.
That bear was a gift you gave to your sister before moving away. The two of you were close despite the 10 year age gap, but she always looked up to you. With your parents constant clashing and your own stubbornness, it was rough to watch as the youngest child.
But now it's just you and all you can see is a stupid bear. Frustrated, you gove it a [[hug|Hug the Bear]].
You pick up an old photo. It has yellowed with time and the corners are slightly bent.
In the photo is a picture of four people. Mom, dad, your sister, and you.
You [[flip it over|Flip it over]].The wallet used to your sister's and was one of the few things you could take after the funeral. It's worn, torn, and a hint of red on the corners. It was impossible to get out and you don't feel like wasting time on the damn thing. Looking at that staing made you thing how you haven't talked to her since you left the house. After a complete break as soon as you were finacially stable, you never looked back.
It's funny how as soon as you left, you want to go back in.
You open the wallet and inside are credit cards, id card, 10 dollars, and an [[old photo|Old Photo]]You give the beaten old thing a tight squeeze. You feel it loose some of its fluff and look down to see heart shaped fabric on the bus floor. You pick it up and [[stuff|stuff]] the old heart it back in through the busted seam.You [[place|open]] the bear back into the box.You jam the fabric heart back into the bear. Your hand suddenly brushes upon smooth, cool, metal. You grab it and bring it out of the bear to see it is a key. It is tarnished with rust and it feels heavy in your palm.
[[Why is it here?]]
(set: $key to true)
Well you can't really check where it is supposed to go on the bus! You begin to wonder why there was a key hidden inside the old thing.
You placed the bear back in the box. The key is now in your [[pocket|open]].
(set: $photo to true)
You flip over the photo and notice there is some writing on it.
<em>
It's lonely here... I don't like it.
If only we can go back to the times in this photo.
</em>
You haven't seen your parents for a long time. It is a bit weird that an old family photo has something like this or that your sister had this on her just like the bear.
You [[place|open]] it back in the box.You walk up the steps to your home and see that the front key is still under the welcome mat. You enter the home using the key.
You marvel at the old place. Your parents had told you that they would be out so you take the time to go up the stairs to your sister's room.
You enter the [[room]].
<audio src="suburbs.mp3" loop autoplay></audio>You open the door and see nothing has been moved. The bed sheets are straight and clean, the floor is cleaned up, and there was not a dust in sight. With a sigh, you place the box down on the bed and take out the [[stuffed bear]].
After looking over the room again, you noticed a small chest in the corner of the room. Catiously, you approach the chest. You remember the key in your pocket. Maybe this is where it's supposed to [[go]]?
<audio src="door.mp3" autoplay></audio>(set: $key to false)
You used the key that was inside the bear to open the small chest. Inside was a bunch of letters, ones with no name but three in yours.
[[To my favorite sibling]]
[[To my trusted friend]]
(if: $letter is 2)
[You spot a letter with just your name. No other titles attach just your name. You open the letter to [[read]] the contents.](set: $letter to $letter + 1)
<em>
To my favorite sibling,
It has been 4 months since I last saw you.
It's been boring staying with mom and dad.
They barely let me do anything, but I guess
it's what I get. Everything hurts. But Alice wants
me to come with her to the fair. I don't know if
Mom or Dad will let me.
-Hope
</em>
([[place it back in the chest|go]])(set: $letter to $letter + 1)
<em>
To my trusted friend,
Today I went to the doctor. The doctor is icky.
I don't like how Mom is crying. I don't like how Dad is yelling.
It's my fault right? I didn't mean to fall down. It hurts.
The doctor said I can stay in the hospital. I don't want to.
I don't like it here. I want to get out. Get Out. GET OUT!
-Hope
</em>
([[place it back in the chest|go]])<em>
Hey. So it's likely I am dead.
I want to say, sorry I left you alone. I tried
my best to fight it. I guess I wasn't strong enough.
To be honest, I think I would rather be dead than
be hooked up to needles and other stuff.
It's nice up here though. I can see grandma and grandpa here.
Also remember our dog, Mika? I can play with him again!
I'm actually kind of happy.
I hope you can be too.
-Hope
</em>
You couldn't help but shed a [[tear]].You place the bear right between the two pillows that sat upon the bed. It looked rather odd to see a beaten up bear with an eye missing amoung crisp white sheets. At the very least, he is back to where he was supposed to be. Protecting your sister from the evils of the [[world|room]]."It's almost like she's here." You said outloud. You pull out the old photo and sat amongst the letters you scattered around in the room.
What you won't give to at least say goodbye one last time...
<div>
<em>
April XX 20XX - Janurary XX 20XX
Hope Alexandre Paine
May her soul rest in eternal peace and happiness
</em>
</div>