WTCOY Quiz

While you are sleeping that first night, a strange noise wakes you. You wander the halls in your silk pajamas until you come to a locked door. It seems to call you. You use the key in your pocket to open it and see that there is a desert behind this door. What do you do next? [[Slam the door shut -- Were you hallucinating? You open it again and the desert is still there. You step in.|Enter the desert]] [[You're intrigued, but the desert really isn't your speed. You try a different door to see if you can find something else.|Try a different door]] [[Close the door and walk away. You have no interest in finding out if what you saw is real. Plus, you're still wondering about that strange noise, so you head up to the promenade deck.|Investigate the noise]]

While you are sleeping that first night, a strange noise wakes you. You wander the halls in your brand new pajamas until you come to a locked door. It seems to call you. You use the key in your pocket to open it and see that there is a desert behind this door. What do you do next? [[Slam the door shut -- Were you hallucinating? You open it again and the desert is still there. You step in.|Enter the desert]] [[You're intrigued, but the desert really isn't your speed. You try a different door to see if you can find something else.|Try a different door]] [[Close the door and walk away. You have no interest in finding out if what you saw is real Plus, you're still wondering about that strange noise, so you sneak up to the promenade deck.|Investigate the noise]]

While you are sleeping that first night, a strange noise wakes you. You wander the halls in the only pajamas you own until you come to a locked door. It seems to call you. You use the key in your pocket to open it and see that there is a desert behind this door. What do you do next? [[Slam the door shut -- Were you hallucinating? You open it again and the desert is still there. You step in.|Enter the desert]] [[You're intrigued, but the desert really isn't your speed. You try a different door to see if you can find something else.|Try a different door]] [[Close the door and walk away. You have no interest in finding out if what you saw is real, so you head back to bed. Plus, you're still wondering about that strange noise, so you sneak up to the promenade deck.|Investigate the noise]]

The road is incredibly fun! There are never any cars out here in the countryside, and nothing compares to the feeling of tearing up the asphalt on a downhill, pushing 20mph. But soon enough, you're out of breath. Santiago catches up to you and between gulps of air, he asks: "Well... that was.... exciting! Where to next?" [[There's a great place for a romantic picnic underneath a big old tree.|Underneath the tree]] [[Let's go to the pond and skip rocks.|At the pond]]

The pirates sweep you off your feet, grab you by the hand, and haul you into their dance. Round and around the desk you go. The hypnotic rhythm of their sea shanty pounds its way into your head, and the fear you once felt has completely dissipated into... nothing. --- Maybe you didn't have the will to keep on fighting and exploring, or maybe you got unlucky and chose the wrong place to hide. Either way, your journey ends here on the pirate ship, dancing in circles eternally. Do you want to try again? [[I'll give it a shot. |Our adventure begins...]]

As you swim downward, the sea around you grows darker. Nevertheless, as you keep make your way lower, you see a faint green light -- maybe some form of bioluminescence? Soon, you come across an open door. As you look through the door you face a starry night sky illuminated by the Aurora Borealis. How does that even work? Why isn't the water flowing through the door? [[Now's not the time to think about physics! You're going to run out of air if you don't swim through that door!|On the pirate ship]]

You park your bikes by the edge of the water and begin to skip rocks on the surface of the pond. Neither of you are particularly good at it (although you would never admit it -- it's the rocks' fault), but Santiago managed to get a middling 4 skips on his best throw, edging you out by one point. After pumping his fist in joy, he said, "Better quit while I'm ahead! Where do you want to go now?" [[Along the road. You've got a need for speed, and the paved road is the best place to reach maximum velocity.|Along the road]] [[There's a great place for a romantic picnic underneath a big old tree.|Underneath the tree]]

You quickly stand right by the door, as close to the hinges as possible. Holding your breath, you peek through a small gap in the warped wood of the poorly made door. Three smelly pirates crowd into the room and begin to point at the map. (if: $sawPirate)[Wait a minute... you recognize one of those pirates! It's the same pirate who chased you in the city!] After one of them takes a swig from the beer/paperweight, you notice the pirates begin to visibly relax. They sound happy, and soon they begin to belt out a shanty (out of tune, of course). Their carousing steadily crescendos as they start to dance in circles around the desk, laughing and singing all the while. Then the worst happens. A strong gust of wind causes the door to swing shut, exposing your hiding spot. [[All three pirates stop and turn to look at you. And then...|Anchorage]]

In the dream, you're on a biycle. Under a clear blue sky and cotton-candy clouds, you ride your bicycle through the countryside. ... You stay trapped in the dream, unable to stop yourself each time the man sits down for a picnic. --- So close! In case it's not obvious, the Bicycle music video (already released) has the answer to this particular dream sequence. (link: "Bicycle (Music Video)")[(goto-url: 'https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lKfO6XQcClM')] Do you want to try again? [[I'll give it a shot. |Our adventure begins...]]

Under a clear blue sky and cotton-candy clouds, you and Santiago ride your bicycles through the countryside. It's a marvelous time, as you both enjoy the cool breeze in your hair, the exhilarating dopamine rush of going downhill, and most importantly -- each other's company. Santiago calls out to you, "I know a few beautiful spots around here. Where do you want to go?" [[Along the road. You've got a need for speed, and the paved road is the best place to reach maximum velocity.|Along the road]] [[There's a great place for a romantic picnic underneath a big old tree.|Underneath the tree]] [[Let's go to the pond and skip rocks.|At the pond]]

You park your bike by the edge of the water and begin to skip rocks on the surface of the pond. You're not particularly good at skipping rocks (although you would never admit it if anyone asked), but today was a lucky day! You hit your new personal best of 5 skips in a row, and after pumping your fist in celebration, you decide to quit while you're ahead. Where to next? [[Along the road. You've got a need for speed, and the paved road is the best place to reach maximum velocity.|Dream road]] [[You can stop and have a picnic underneath a big old tree.|Dream tree]]

The road is incredibly fun! There are never any cars out here in the countryside, and nothing compares to the feeling of tearing up the asphalt on a downhill, pushing 20mph. But soon enough, you're out of breath. After a while though you get tired. Where do you go next? [[You can stop and have a picnic underneath a big old tree.|Dream tree]] [[You go to the pond and skip rocks.|Dream pond]]

Your bike cruises to a stop beneath a tall and mighty oak tree. Massive leafy branches cast a huge swath of shade across the grass. It's the perfect spot for a picnic. As you lay out the picnic blanket in the shade, and you begin to unpack the picnic basket, you're shocked by the contents of the basket. There's a surprising variety of different breads, jams and jellies from the picnic basket. It's almost like you packed enough food for two people -- even though you're all alone. Even crazier, there's a handgun at the bottom of the picnic basket. Where did that come from? As you sit there and question whether these are early signs of memory loss, a well-dressed man in a maroon suit begins to walk directly over to you. Something about him seems off, like he's an impostor. He introduces himself as //Perry.// [[Don't think twice, put him on ice. Use the handgun to shoot the man.|I Just Killed A Man]] [[See what he has to say.|Bicycle]]

{ (set: $sawRyuji to true) }You enter the room and the door slams behind you, vanishing. You notice you're on a sailboat and you see someone standing on the bow. You walk up to them and tap them on the shoulder, and they hold out their hand, showing you the ring you lost to the pirate. The stranger introduces himself to you as Ryuji. You're grateful to Ryuji for retrieving this for you and you feel an instant connection, so you decide to join Ryuji on his adventure and sail the world together. What fun activity do you do first? [[Read a book! The sailboat has a small collection of titles. |Read a book]] [[Play a game of chess. You're curious about your newfound companion's skills. |Play chess]]

{ (set: $sawPirate to true) }You're sure you must be dreaming, but lo and behold, this door transports you to a bustling city. Taxis whiz by and lights from advertisements flash in your face. As you walk down the city streets, you notice someone following you. You turn around and see a //pirate//, following you. He does not look happy. "Give me back my ring!" He bellows. (if: not $sawRing)[[[His ring? What ring? |What ring?]]] (if: $sawRing and not $tookRing)[[[His ring? You didn't take it! You left it where you found it. |What ring?]]] (if: $sawRing and $tookRing)[[[That was //his// ring? You're in trouble. You break off into a jog that turns into a full-on sprint. You need to get out of here. |The pirate takes the ring]]]

{ (set: $sawRing to true) }You enter the desert and see a shiny object in the distance. You traverse the sands and brave the heat until you see that it's a ring that looks like it's from a different time. You pick it up and examine the ring, wondering who it belonged to. What do you do next? [[Finders Keepers. It's yours now.|You get the ring]] [[You don't want to disturb the sands of time, literally. What if you've altered the space-time continuum by just being here? It's time to head back.|Head back]]

This door takes you to the jungle. Here you find a wooden treasure chest and looks inside. You open up the chest but there's nothing inside, save for a few gold coins. Confused, you head back to the ship. [[You're done with this circus. You head up to the promenade deck to investigate the noise you heard earlier.|Investigate the noise]] [[You head to bed, sure that this is the end of the weirdest dream of your life.|Titanic]]

This door takes you to the jungle. Here, you track down the pirate and follow him to where he's hiding his treasure. He opens up a wooden treasure chest and looks inside. He swears, slams it shut, and then stalks away. You slither up to the chest seeing if he left the ring there, but there's nothing, save for a few gold coins. What happened to the ring? Confused, you head back to the ship one final time, and you see a door you hadn't noticed before. //Room 1945//. [[You step through the door, knowing deep down that once you enter //Room 1945//, there's no going back.|Enter Room 1945]] [[You're done with this circus. You head up to the promenade deck to investigate the noise you heard earlier.|Investigate the noise]]

You settle down in the village, eking out a living tending to the fishermen's nets. From time to time, Santiago stops by with a broken net, and you wonder what could have been between the two of you. Nevertheless, nothing ever came to bloom. One day, you don't see Santiago anymore in the village. It turns out he moved to the big city. You can't even remember the last time you saw him. There's not too much meaning in your life, but on Friday nights you perform a short stand-up comedy routine at the local tavern, earning you a reputation as the village's "Funny Girl." --- All things considered, it's better than sinking, but don't you want to see where things could have gone between you and Santiago? Do you want to try again? [[I'll give it a shot. |Our adventure begins...]]

You're back in the hallways of the ocean liner. That was enough adventure for you. You remember the noise that woke you up. [[You head up to the promenade deck.|Investigate the noise]] [[On second thought... Maybe one of those other doors wouldn't be such a terrible idea.|Try a different door]]

As you're helping someone climb onto one of the lifeboats, the inevitable happens. They've run out of space on the lifeboats! [[This time, you jump ship, knowing you have no other hope. |Jump Ship]] [[You're no coward. You go down with the ship. |Titanic]]

As crazy as it sounds, you shot the man with places to go. After all, this is a dream, it's not real life. The moment you do so, you feel time start to rewind in the dream. You rewind past the picnic, the bicycle ride, even your breakfast. Only the rewind doesn't stop there, if anything it speeds up. The days of your life fly by in reverse, until you find yourself... [[Before the gates of The Preparatory School you went to as a teenager. |The Prep School]]

In the dream, you're on a bicycle. There's no one else around. But why does it feel like someone's missing? Maybe it's just deja vu. Under a clear blue sky and cotton-candy clouds, you ride your bicycle through the countryside. Where do you go? [[Along the road. You've got a need for speed, and the paved road is the best place to reach maximum velocity.|Dream road]] [[You can stop and have a picnic underneath a big old tree.|Dream tree]] [[You go to the pond and skip rocks.|Dream pond]]

You notice that there's a bit of commotion on the deck. You overhear that the ship has hit an iceberg! Could it be true? This ship is supposed to be unsinkable! After a few minutes, you realize it's true and that you're all in grave danger. What's your next move? [[You jump ship, knowing how long the line for the lifeboats is. But you are //not// going down with this ship.|Jump Ship]] [[You spring into action to help people get onto the lifeboats. Women and children first, of course.|Help Others First]]

The arctic temperature of the water shocks you as you plunge into the murky sea. But you're determined to survive. Luckily, you come across a floating piece of wood and you grab on. What happens next? [[You hold on for as long as you can, but eventually, you pass out from exhaustion and cold. |Meet Santiago]] [[You realize that help isn't coming any time soon. Something inside you tells you that you should swim to the ocean floor and so you do, despite going against every survival instinct you have.|At the bottom of the ocean]]

Ryuji seems like a really sweet guy. Besides you're having so much fun! Why would you ruin the vibe by asking problematic personal questions? Just relax and go along for the ride. [[The days pass blissfully one after another, until one day the sailboat springs a leak.|The Sailboat Leaks]]

When you come to, you're not floating on a hunk of driftwood anymore. Whatever you were sleeping on feels more solid, secure, and most importantly, dry. You wake to find that you're in a small rowboat with a man looking down at you, concern in his eyes. When he sees you're okay, his face, tan and weathered from the sun, breaks open into a wide smile. His name is Santiago, and he's a fisherman from the local village nearby. There's an instant connection between you and Santiago.(if: $sawRyuji)[ Unlike Ryuji, something feels different this time. More genuine. More right.] Before you realize it, you've reached the shore, and Santiago is helping you out of the rowboat. "Well, my lady, here you are, dry land at last. What do you plan to do now?" [[You're just relieved to finally have made it onto dry land. You've had enough adventure for now, and this village looks like as good a place as any to settle down|Funny Girl]] [["Not to be too forward, but would you like to go on a bicycle ride with me?"|Bicycle Rides in the Countryside]]

Suddenly, there's a silence in the clearing. It seems like even the birds are holding their breath, waiting for Santiago's response. "That's what I thought. But there's no way that can happen." Santiago explains his plans to make a better life for himself, he has bigger aspirations than just being a local fisherman at the village, and he's convinced that he has to do it alone. There's no room for another person in his life. [[Santiago's sudden rejection catches you by surprise. Blinking back tears, you hit him with the most vicious insult you can think of.|The Villain]] (if: $sawRyuji)[[You remember another man who tried to take the weight of the world on his shoulders alone, without trusting others. Tell Santiago about Ryuji.|Tell Santiago About Ryuji]]

By the next day, the school is yours. People smile at you in the hallways, invite you to their tables, hang on your every word. You’ve become the new it girl, the center of everything. But something feels… off. Days blur together. You notice you’re always here: the same halls, the same faces, the same routine. Time seems to stop. You never leave the school grounds, and no one questions it. It’s like the world outside doesn’t exist. Weeks pass, and you realize the truth. You’re trapped. The school has enchanted you, bound you to its walls, its social games. You’ll never graduate, never grow up. Holly’s crown wasn’t just a symbol—it was a curse. You’re the queen now, but you’re also a prisoner. You sit alone in the empty cafeteria, your reflection staring back from the glossy tables. The weight of eternity presses on you. There must be another way, a choice that could break the cycle. --- Do you want to try again? [[I'll give it a shot. |Our adventure begins...]]

After swimming through the door, you end up on the deck of a pirate ship, coughing and sputtering but miraculously able to breathe. The Northern Lights dance above you, casting the whole scene in an eerie glow. There's no one around. The only sounds you hear are waves crashing against the hull, sails snapping in the wind, and ropes creaking under tension. There's nothing left to do but explore the pirate ship. Where do you go first? [[The hull. You want to know what they're hiding down there.|The Hull]] [[The captain's quarters. You need some answers.|The Captain's Quarters]] [[You're going to stay here and wander around the deck. Maybe you'll meet a pirate!|The Deck]]

Ryuji is a surprisingly good chess player! You've got Ryuji's king in check when the radio breaks your concentration with a sudden burst of static, followed by a man speaking with a country drawl. "Good afternoon, folks, it's currently 4:30pm on Thursday, March 15, 1945. In latest news from the front---" The radio suddenly cuts off as Ryuji cranks the volume down. His hand is trembling, and he's pale as a sheet. Ryuji looks like he's about twenty years old and of prime fighting age. The thought of him being a draft dodger shocks you, but you are more alarmed by the year. 1945? You must have time traveled when you went through that door! What do you do? [[Keep it to yourself. You need more information before you can ask questions. |Keep it to yourself]] [[Question Ryuji about both the draft and the date. |Question Ryuji]]

{ (set: $sawPirate to false) (set: $sawRing to false) (set: $tookRing to false) (set: $sawRyuji to false) (set: $theConcert to false) (set: $theMall to false) (set: $theMovies to false) (set: $exchangeNumbers to false) (set: $moreOfTheSame to 0) }The adventure begins on a glamorous transatlantic ocean liner. On the way to your room, one of the ship's officers stops you and hands you a strange-looking key. "Hold onto this," he says, then turns the corner, disappearing. The ship is massive, with over 10 decks and 1,000 staterooms. You open the door to your stateroom. Where are you staying? [[1st Class. This ocean liner is all the rage in the papers.|1st Class]] [[2nd Class. You've recently come into some money and you're excited to visit a new place.|2nd Class]] [[3rd Class. You spent your life savings on a ticket but you're hopeful about building a new life in the place you're traveling to.|3rd Class]]

It takes guts, but you confront Ryuji head-on and ask him about both the draft and the current year. What you didn't expect was the massive fight that ensued. Ryuji blamed his family, his country, and at one point ''even you'' for all of his problems! "That's why I'm on this sailboat anyways -- this is the only place in the world where I'm free from people like you trying to ruin my life!" After hours of yelling, you finally reach a tentative peace, but the magic is gone. [[The days pass by slowly, laden with tension. It feels like if you say one wrong word Ryuji will erupt in anger. And then one day, the sailboat springs a leak.|The Sailboat Leaks]]

While reading the book you notice a letter in the back, dated //March 15, 1945//. It's a draft notice, calling Ryuji into service, which shocks you, but you are more alarmed by the year. 1945? You must have time traveled when you went through that door! What do you do? [[Keep it to yourself. You need more information before you can ask questions. |Keep it to yourself]] [[Question Ryuji about both the draft notice and the date. |Question Ryuji]]

"I'll never forgive you for sinking my ship! You completely ruined my life. It's your fault I lost everything!" He walks right past you and never even looks back. You don't see him again. --- It seems like Ryuji was more important to you than you were to him. In hindsight, there were some pretty big red flags. Do you want to try again? [[I'll give it a shot. |Our adventure begins...]]

"That's wrong!" You explain to Santiago, using the example of Ryuji, the danger of relying solely on oneself. There's nothing wrong with having other people you trust in your life. [[After a long and heartfelt talk, it seems like the two of you are now better off. You're so relieved you close your eyes and drift into a dream beneath the branches of the oak tree.|In a dream]]

There's no one in the captain's quarters. The windows are cracked open, and the bone-chilling gusts of wind coming into the room threaten to extinguish the one flickering lamp illuminating the whole place. There's a heavy wooden desk with a map strewn across, held down on one corner by a sack of coins, and on the other by a beer so rancid you can smell it all the way from here. As you're taking in the scene before you, you hear footsteps approaching! You need to hide... and fast! [[Behind the door]] [[Under the desk]]

There was not a solution. First the hold filled up, and then the cabin. Soon the water was covering the deck and you and Ryuji were holding hands on the roof of the cabin, waiting for the end. Just when things were looking bleak, a plume of smoke appeared on the horizon and rapidly grew larger! When the Coast Guard cutter arrived, you wept for joy, but Ryuji's fists were clenched in anger. Weeks later you found out why when he was sentenced to three years in prison for felony draft evasion. Of course, you waited for him, after all, your trust in Ryuji is now near absolute. [[On the day Ryuji is to be released, you're there waiting at the entrance.|Room 1945]]

You pace back and forth across the deck, floorboards creaking under your steps. There's no one here. Time passes by as you wait on the deck, but there's no one to keep you company under the stars, except what may have been a rat or a //very// large cockroach. There's nothing left to do but explore the pirate ship. Where do you go next? [[The hull. You want to know what they're hiding down there.|The Hull]] [[The captain's quarters. You need some answers.|The Captain's Quarters]]

You take 10 steps down the stairs into the hull, but soon what little light was filtering in through the door can no longer pierce through the oppressive gloom. This is a dead end, there's no way you're going to stumble around blind in the dark. There's nothing left to do but explore the pirate ship. Where do you go next? [[You're going to go back above and wander around the deck. Maybe you'll meet a pirate!|The Deck]] [[The captain's quarters. You need some answers.|The Captain's Quarters]]

The main gates of The Prep School are closed shut as usual. Instead, all of the students are forced to walk through the two smaller gates on its left and right sides. Ostensibly, that's because the main gate is only meant to be used for induction and graduation, but you think the real reason is that the sheer amount of filigree and ornamentation on the gate (not to mention its size) means that it weighs over a thousand pounds, and there's no way that the seventy-something-year-old groundskeeper could even open it. Anyways, you go in through: [[The left gate|The Prep School Gate]] [[The right gate|The Prep School Gate]]

You're not sure how it started, but it's bad. Real bad. Something must have scraped against the hull because you see a trail of flotsam in your wake, and the ship is taking on water by the gallons. You beg Ryuji to put on his lifejacket, but he refuses to leave the sailboat for any reason -- even as it sinks. "This is all your fault! Everything was going so well until you showed up! I bet you're the one that sabotaged my ship! I always knew I couldn't trust you. I can't trust anyone except myself." [[He's clearly delusional. You're not going to stay on a sinking sailboat with this unhinged draft dodger. Anything is better than drowning, even jumping ship!|Jump Ship]] [[He doesn't mean it. Ryuji has been a perfect gentleman to you and you're definitely attracted to him. You trust in him completely to find a solution.|The Coast Guard]]

Your parting words to Santiago were "I hate you." You can't remember what he said to you, it's all a blur. That was the last time you ever spoke -- and it was 50 years ago. Maybe things could have gone differently between the two of you, if you'd just said the right thing instead. Maybe you let your anger get the best of you, or maybe you were just naive at that point in your life. ''You hadn't gone through any breakups before, and you didn't know the words to say. '' --- //Author's Note:// That last line is a big hint if you want things to succeed with Santiago. Do you want to try again? [[I'll give it a shot. |Our adventure begins...]]

He catches up to you, menacing you with his sword. This ring is cool and all, but you know you're no match for a pirate. You hand over the ring. How do you feel when you cross back into your world? [[You're fuming. You can't believe you let him get the ring back that easily! You decide to go for the final door on your right and see if you can get it back.|Follow the pirate]] [[You head up to the promenade deck. This adventure is over. Time to investigate the noise that woke you up. |Investigate the noise]]

As the pirates dance around you, you notice there's a brief moment that the three pirates are on all the sides of the desk //except the one closest to the window//. Seizing the opportunity, you explode upward and sprint with all possible haste towards the glass. While your aim was to jump through the gap in the window, you totally misjudged your own agility -- instead you crash into the glass like a charging rhino. All is not lost though! Because you were moving so fast (not to mention the ship was kind of rickety to begin with) the glass quickly gives way! You plummet into the arctic sea below. Thankfully, your own ineptitude seems to have saved you, since you manage to grab onto a piece of wood that must have been part of the window you smashed. [[You hold on for as long as you can, but eventually, you pass out from exhaustion and cold. |Meet Santiago]]

The ship sank and you went down with it, caught up in the chaos. You had a noble heart and sought adventure, but it wasn't enough to save you. Or maybe you went back to bed, ignorant to what was going on around you. Do you want to try again? [[I'll give it a shot. |Our adventure begins...]]

You see two other glowing doors. One to your right and one to your left. Which door do you choose? [[The one to the left.|Enter the city]] [[The one to the right.|Enter the jungle]]

You quickly scamper underneath the desk, holding your breath and praying you're not caught. Three smelly pirates swagger into the room and walk right up to the desk. Just as you think you're going to be caught, you realize they just wanted to look at the map. (if: $sawPirate)[Wait a minute... you recognize one of those pirates! It's the same pirate who chased you in the city!] The pirates crowd around the map, pointing and grunting just inches away from you. After one of them takes a swig from the beer/paperweight, you notice the pirates begin to visibly relax. They sound happy, and soon they begin to belt out a shanty (out of tune, of course). Their carousing steadily crescendos as they start to dance in circles around the desk, laughing and singing all the while. [[Maybe you misjudged them, why don't you emerge from hiding?|Anchorage]] [[You've got to get out of here... even if it means jumping through the window|Through the window]]

Your bikes cruise to a stop beneath a tall and mighty oak tree. Massive leafy branches cast a huge swath of shade across the grass. It's the perfect spot for a picnic. Santiago lays out the picnic blanket and manages to produce a surprising variety of different breads, jams and jellies from the picnic basket. For a while, the two of you eat in silence, simply enjoying the moment and the companionship, but when the last of the food is gone, Santiago turns to you and asks: "What exactly are we?" [["We are just friends. I enjoy hanging out with you, and I plan to settle down in the village, but I only really see you as a friend.|Funny Girl]] [["I'm not exactly sure, but I want to be more than friends."|More Than Friends]]

You're try to reason with the pirate. You stop and explain to him that you don't have his ring! He does not look happy, but he sighs and summons the door you came through. "Leave, and don't come back," he says. He pushes you through the door and you find yourself in the hallway again. What do you do next? [[Try the door to the left. |Enter the jungle]] [[You head up to the promenade deck. This adventure is over. Time to investigate the noise that woke you up. |Investigate the noise]]

{ (set: $tookRing to true) }You pocket the ring and head back across the door before someone discovers what you've done. [[Let's see what the other doors have in store.|Try a different door]]

Looks like you picked wrong today. You thought you could sneak past Holly, the school's resident //it girl// by keeping your head down and blending in with the crowd, but one of Holly's cronies spots you and shoots you her most cutting glare. The girls begin to whisper amongst themselves. You know they're whispering about you. You: [[Confront Holly. You've had enough of her spreading rumors about you.|Confront Holly]] [[Ignore them. You're fuming, but if you can just get through the courtyard, maybe you can calm down before class.|Ignore Holly]]

You take a deep breath and march straight up to Holly. Enough is enough. Holly raises an eyebrow, smirking. “Well, well. Someone’s feeling brave.” You keep your voice steady. “Cut the act, Holly. I’m done being your target. If you’ve got something to say, say it to my face.” Her smirk falters, but she recovers quickly. “Oh, sweetie, everyone already knows the truth about you.” You lean in, calm but firm. “Funny. The only thing people know is how desperate you are for attention.” The crowd murmurs, eyes flicking between you and Holly, who looks ready to explode. [[You walk away, leaving her to stew.|Ignore Holly]]

You push through a sea people to get to your first period of the day. If you're fast enough, you might be able to avoid another interaction with Holly and her minions before class. What class is it? [[English, of course. You're ready for your presentation on //The Old Man and the Sea//, which is today. |English Class]] [[Calculus. You're presenting on L'Hôpital's rule today, and you can't wait!|Calc Class]] [[History. You love memorizing facts, dates, and how it all comes together across the world. Today's unit is World War II.|History Class]] [[Chemistry. You're convinced you're the next Marie Curie.|Chemistry Class]]

The classroom smells faintly of pencil shavings and stale coffee, a stack of novels teetering on the teacher’s desk. You settle into your seat, organizing your notes to steady your nerves. The bell rings, and the teacher strides in, announcing it’s time for presentations. Your heart sinks when your name is called first. You weren’t expecting that. You walk to the lectern, gripping your index cards and book. A little flustered, you begin your analysis of the big fish’s symbolism. Then, someone snickers. You’d forgotten Holly is in this class. Your eyes meet hers, and your train of thought falters. Holly leans back, smirking. "Wow, riveting stuff," she says, loud enough for everyone to hear. "Is this about the fish, or are you just floundering?" [[You smile warmly, refusing to let her get under your skin. "I appreciate your enthusiasm, Holly. Maybe you'll find something meaningful in the presentation after all."|The Cafeteria]] [[You glare at Holly, voice sharp. "Careful, Holly, you might pull a muscle reaching that hard for attention. But hey, at least you're consistent—always desperate, never impressive."|The Cafeteria]]

The whiteboard is covered in half-erased equations and graphs. You glance at your notes, mentally reviewing L'Hopital’s Rule. The teacher enters, coffee in hand, and announces the start of presentations. Of course, you're first. You step up and start walking through a tricky limit problem, explaining how L'Hopital’s Rule helps when basic algebra doesn’t cut it. Holly leans forward with a fake thoughtful expression. "L'Hopital, huh? Guess it’s fitting, since this presentation’s on life support." [[You smile warmly. "Good one, Holly. I hope this helps when you’re studying later."|The Cafeteria]] [[You glare at her. "I’ll explain it slowly later, Holly. I know limits aren’t the only thing you struggle with."|The Cafeteria]]

The classroom walls are plastered with old propaganda posters and maps of Europe. You settle into your chair, flipping through your notes on World War II. The teacher walks in with a stack of yellowed primary source documents, signaling it's time for presentations. You're called up first. You grip your index cards and begin explaining the impact of wartime propaganda on civilian morale. Holly folds her arms, smirking. "Nice, another dramatic war story. Should we grab tissues or popcorn?" [[You smile warmly. "I’m glad you’re so invested, Holly. Hopefully, you’ll appreciate the real lessons from history."|The Cafeteria]] [[You glare at her. "Thanks, Holly, but maybe leave the jokes to someone who actually understands what we’re studying."|The Cafeteria]]

You take your seat in Chemistry, the faint smell of sulfur and a jumble of periodic table posters reminding you of the lab you forgot to clean up yesterday. The teacher walks in, adjusting her goggles, and announces it's time for presentations. You're up first. Not ideal, but you push through. You step to the front, preparing to explain the fascinating chemical reactions behind combustion. Holly leans back in her chair, swirling a pen between her fingers. "Wow, fascinating. Is this a presentation or your audition for MythBusters?" [[You smile warmly, refusing to let her get under your skin. "I appreciate your curiosity, Holly. Maybe science will surprise you today."|The Cafeteria]] [[You glare at Holly, voice sharp. "Careful, Holly, you might actually learn something—though I know that's asking a lot."|The Cafeteria]]

A few hours later, the lunchroom buzzes with chatter, trays clattering as students find their seats. You’re halfway through your sandwich when you notice the sudden hush that falls over your table. You glance up and, of course, it’s Holly. She strides toward you, her entourage—Beck, Frances, Dominique, and Grace—flanking her like it’s a scene out of a teen drama. She stops right in front of you, hands on her hips, loud enough for everyone nearby to hear. “Got something to say now, or do you only talk tough when you’re behind a lectern?” A few people snicker, others exchange glances, but the whole cafeteria seems to hold its breath, waiting for your response. [[You stay calm, refusing to rise to her bait.|Offer an olive branch]] [[You stand up, locking eyes with her. "You want to talk about performances? At least I don’t need backup dancers to make mine worth watching."|Fire back]]

The crowd murmurs, and Holly’s smirk wavers. But she leans in, voice low and venomous. "Bold words from someone who was practically crying during their presentation." A spark goes off in your head. You can still put a stop to this. Or you can finally put Holly in her place. [[You don’t flinch. Instead, you smile, just enough to unnerve her. "Better that than crying to me because you can’t even stand your so-called friends."|Killing blow]] [[You take a deep breath and soften your tone. "I know we’ve had our differences, Holly, but I’d rather not keep fighting. Let’s just move on."|Offer an olive branch]]

The cafeteria stirs, but you keep going, your voice loud enough for everyone to hear. "You remember that night, Holly. You said Beck was dead weight and Frances only stuck around because you made her feel relevant. You said Dominique was a try-hard, and Grace? You called her a charity case." The room erupts in gasps and murmurs. Holly’s face drains of color, her eyes darting to her entourage. Beck’s jaw clenches, Frances looks like she’s been slapped, and Dominique’s arms cross tightly over her chest. Grace blinks rapidly, visibly hurt. "You’re lying!" Holly snaps, her voice cracking. She looks at her crew, desperation creeping in. "You know I didn’t mean it like that—" Beck cuts her off. "Really, Holly? That what you think of us?" Frances takes a step back, shaking her head. "Wow. All this time, and that’s what you’ve been saying behind our backs?" Dominique narrows her eyes. "Guess we’re all just here for your little power trip, huh?" Grace looks down at her tray, her voice quiet but cutting. "Charity case? Seriously?" Holly stammers, but no words come out. One by one, her friends turn and walk to where you are, leaving her standing alone in the center of the cafeteria. You sit back down, calm and composed, as Holly storms out, her reputation shattered. The buzz of conversation swells around you, and for the first time, it’s clear: Holly’s reign is over. [[You're the new //it girl//. Feels good right?|Newfound Dream]]

You stand up and take a deep breath, softening your tone. "Holly, I’m tired of this. We used to be friends. Let’s stop making this worse." The crowd falls silent, waiting for her response. For a moment, something flickers in Holly’s eyes—anger, confusion, maybe even regret. She scoffs quietly, glancing away. "Whatever," she mutters, turning on her heel and walking off, her entourage trailing behind her. [[The tension eases, but the air still feels heavy. You sit back down, knowing that while the war may never be truly over, you’ve ended the fight, at least for now. |Meet Rebecca]]

The lunchroom slowly returns to its usual hum as the commotion dies down. You exhale, finally taking a bite of your now-cold sandwich. Just as you think the moment has passed, someone sets their tray down across from you. You glance up to see Rebecca, someone you’ve noticed but never really talked to. She has an air of quiet confidence, her sharp eyes flicking briefly toward the spot where Holly disappeared. "Interesting tactic," she says, her tone neutral but curious. "Most people don’t try reasoning with Holly." [["Did you need something?" you ask, your tone sharper than intended.|Blunt]] [["Why are you sitting here?" you ask, cautious.|Cautious]]

Rebecca smirks at your sharp tone, unfazed. "Wow, you really know how to make someone feel welcome." You sigh, realizing you might’ve overreacted. "Sorry, it’s been… a day." Rebecca nods. "Yeah, I caught the Holly Show earlier. You handled her better than most." [["Did I? It felt like I barely made it out alive."]] [["I just wanted to shut her up for once."]] [["What would you have done?"]]

Rebecca pauses, considering her answer. "Honestly? I was curious. You stood up to Holly, and most people just… don’t." You raise an eyebrow. "So, what? You’re here to judge my performance?" She laughs. "Not exactly. I just figured anyone who can go toe-to-toe with her might be worth talking to." [["I’m not looking for an audience."]] [["What, you think I’m some kind of hero now?"]]

Rebecca leans in. "You think Holly’s used to people standing their ground? You shook her. Trust me." You shrug, trying to play it cool. "Didn’t feel like it at the time." Rebecca smirks. "That’s how you know it worked." [[You start to relax as the conversation flows, realizing she’s not so bad.|Befriend Rebecca]] [[Despite her cynical demeanor, you find yourself warming up to her, the tension easing.|Befriend Rebecca]]

Rebecca raises an eyebrow. "And you did. She hates losing control, and you took it away." [[You start to relax as the conversation flows, realizing she’s not so bad.|Befriend Rebecca]] [[Despite her cynical demeanor, you find yourself warming up to her, the tension easing.|Befriend Rebecca]]

Rebecca blinks. "Probably what you did, but with more sarcasm. You were solid, though." You raise an eyebrow. "More sarcasm? Didn’t know that was possible." Rebecca grins. "You’d be surprised. I’ve got a talent for it." [[You start to relax as the conversation flows, realizing she’s not so bad.|Befriend Rebecca]] [[Despite her cynical demeanor, you find yourself warming up to her, the tension easing.|Befriend Rebecca]]

Rebecca smiles. "Good thing I’m not here for a show. Just conversation." Rebecca picks at her sandwich, her expression calm but attentive. "So, what’s your deal? Besides shutting down Holly, obviously." You smirk, shaking your head. "Is that how people see me now?" She chuckles. "It’s a good start." [[You start to relax as the conversation flows, realizing she’s not so bad.|Befriend Rebecca]] [[Despite her cynical demeanor, you find yourself warming up to her, the tension easing.|Befriend Rebecca]]

Rebecca shakes her head. "No, but you’ve got guts. That’s rare around here." You glance around the cafeteria, then back at Rebecca. "Guess I’m full of surprises." She smirks. "Let’s see if there’s more where that came from." [[You start to relax as the conversation flows, realizing she’s not so bad.|Befriend Rebecca]] [[Despite her cynical demeanor, you find yourself warming up to her, the tension easing.|Befriend Rebecca]]

Before you know it, Rebecca’s become a fixture in your life. She’s quick-witted, fiercely independent, and always seems to have a fresh perspective. Over time, you find yourself relying on her more and more, her words challenging you in ways no one else’s ever have. You do notice that she has a lot of opinions though, especially when it comes to you. [["She's just watching out for me," you think, dismissing it.]] [["She's so much smarter than I am... I should listen to her," you say to yourself.]] [["Who does she think she is?" you think. Her constant critiques are starting to irritate you.]]

The holidays roll around and you continue to build a friendship. You and Rebecca are hanging out one day. Naturally, you're at: [[The Mall. You need a sparkly new outfit for New Year's Eve!|The Mall]] [[The Movies. You both are dying to make fun of that new Christmas rom com that just came out.|The Movies]] [[A concert. Your favorite boyband is in town and Rebecca has deemed their music cool enough for you guys to listen to.|The Concert]]

The holidays roll around and you continue to build a friendship, despite your growing dependence on Rebecca for validation. You and Rebecca are hanging out one day. Naturally, you're at: [[The Mall]] [[The Movies]] [[The Concert]]

The holidays roll around and you continue to build a friendship, despite your growing resentment. You and Rebecca are hanging out one day. Naturally, you're at: [[The Mall]] [[The Movies]] [[The Concert]]

The theater lobby is bustling, the air filled with the warm scent of buttered popcorn and peppermint hot cocoa. Christmas music plays faintly in the background, mingling with the hum of holiday chatter and laughter. A towering tree, draped in twinkling lights, stands in the corner, drawing groups of people snapping photos. After grabbing your snacks, you and Rebecca step out of the concession line, arms full of popcorn and candy canes. As you glance toward the festive crowd, you spot a tan young man with curly hair standing by the Christmas tree. Something about him tugs at your memory. You can’t quite place him, and as you study him, he turns, catching your gaze. Instead of looking away, he smiles, a warm, genuine smile that makes your heart skip. You smile back and take a step toward him, but Rebecca quickly shifts, blocking your path. You try to look around her, but when you glance back, he’s already gone. "Who are you staring at?" [[You point in the direction of the guy you just saw, but since he's nowhere to be found, you just describe him to Rebecca.|Describe Santiago]] { (set: $theMovies to true) }

The venue is alive with energy, the hum of anticipation blending with the distant thrum of bass from the opening act. The air smells faintly of spilled beer and warm pretzels, and bursts of laughter ripple through the crowd as people jostle for better views. After weaving through the mass of bodies, you and Rebecca finally find a good spot near the stage. Out of the corner of your eye, you catch a glimpse of a tan young man with curly hair standing near the edge of the crowd. Something about him feels oddly familiar. You can’t quite place him, and as you study him, he turns and catches your gaze. Instead of looking away, he smiles. You smile back, instinctively moving to approach him, but Rebecca shifts in front of you, blocking your view. You crane your neck, but he’s already disappeared into the crowd. "Who are you looking at?" [[You point in the direction of the guy you just saw, but since he's nowhere to be found, you just describe him to Rebecca.|Describe Santiago]] { (set: $theConcert to true) }

The mall is alive and bustling with activity. The scent of cinnamon rolls and pretzels permeates the air, and from time to time shrieks of laughter pierce through the backdrop of people chatting. After diving in and out of countless stores, you and Rebecca finally emerge, dress in hand. Out of the corner of your eye, you notice someone the outline of a tan young man with curly hair. Something about him seems very familiar to you. You can't place him, and as you're studying him, he turns and catches you staring. Instead of being weirded out by your gaze, though, he smiles at you. You smile back and move to approach him, but Rebecca steps in front of you, blocking your view. You crane your neck to look at him, but he's already gone. "Who are you looking at?" [[You point in the direction of the guy you just saw, but since he's nowhere to be found, you just describe him to Rebecca.|Describe Santiago]] { (set: $theMall to true) }

Rebecca rolls her eyes in recognition. "Ohhhh... You're probably talking about Santiago. I've seen him here before. You should stay away from him." "Why?" You ask. "He's not from around here. He's from an- He's just... different, that's all." You add this to the list of //suggestions// Rebecca never tires of adding to. [["You're probably right," you say.|Listen to Rebecca]] [[You're feeling a bit sick of being patronized. "I'll be the judge of that," you retort.|Challenge Rebecca]] [[You nod your head, but you hope that you see Santiago here again. Maybe when Rebecca isn't looking, you can talk to him.|Hope to see Santiago]]

She seems satisfied with that. She changes the subject and the rest of the night passes by without incident. (if: $theConcert)[ The band plays the last song. As you're heading out, ears still ringing, you duck into the bathroom. Rebecca says she'll wait for you in her car. ] (if: $theMall)[ You find a dress you like. As you're leaving the mall, bags in hand, you duck into the bathroom. Rebecca says she'll wait for you in her car. ] (if: $theMovies)[ The credits roll, and you're still giggling at how stupid the rom com was. As you're leaving the theater, you duck into the bathroom. Rebecca says she'll wait for you in her car. ] As you're coming out of the bathroom, you collide with someone. It's the stranger from before! Santiago. As you pull back and lock eyes, you still can't shake the feeling like you know him from somewhere. "I'm not," Santiago replies. "It's not every day you run into the same pretty stranger twice in a row." [[You blush. You can't believe it's him! Damn what Rebecca said. You flirt back and exchange numbers with him.|Exchange Numbers]] [[Santiago is cute but... Maybe Rebecca is right. She often seems to know best.|Rebecca Knows Best]]

This earns you an incredulous look from Rebecca, but she changes the subject and the rest of the night passes by without incident. (if: $theConcert)[The band plays the last song. As you're heading out, ears still ringing, you duck into the bathroom. Rebecca says she'll wait for you in her car.] (if: $theMall)[You find a dress you like. As you're leaving the mall, bags in hand, you duck into the bathroom. Rebecca says she'll wait for you in her car.] (if: $theMovies)[The credits roll, and you're still giggling at how stupid the rom com was. As you're leaving the theater, you duck into the bathroom. Rebecca says she'll wait for you in her car.] As you're coming out of the bathroom, you collide with someone. It's the stranger from before! Santiago. As you pull back and lock eyes, you still can't shake the feeling like you know him from somewhere. "I'm not," Santiago replies. "It's not every day you run into the same pretty stranger twice in a row." [[You blush. You can't believe it's him! Damn what Rebecca said. You flirt back and exchange numbers with him.|Exchange Numbers]] [[Santiago is cute but... Maybe Rebecca is right. She often seems to know best.|Rebecca Knows Best]]

Some weeks go by, and you notice that Rebecca grows increasingly distant. It doesn't really bother you. You're hanging out with Santiago these days, so it's not like you've been lonely. You even kissed on New Year's Eve! One day, out of nowhere, she asks if you'd like to meet for coffee. You head to the coffee shop, the winter chill biting your cheeks. You can't shake the weird feeling in your stomach. This is just a catchup, right? You open the door and there she is, a pink coffee cup across from her, hot and ready for consumption. You take a seat, and she gives you a biting smile. "We need to talk," she says. "I know about Santiago. Why did you lie to me?" [[You deny it. She doesn't need to know about you guys. Not yet.|Argue with Rebecca]] [[You shrug, acting casual. Why does she even care, anyways?|Argue with Rebecca]] [[You become flustered, on the verge of tears. You know she doesn't like it when people keep secrets.|Argue with Rebecca]] { (set: $exchangeNumbers to true) }

Some weeks go by, and you notice that Rebecca grows increasingly distant. One day, out of nowhere, she asks if you'd like to meet for coffee. You head to the coffee shop, the winter chill biting your cheeks. You can't shake the weird feeling in your stomach. This is just a catchup, right? You open the door and there she is, a pink coffee cup across from her, hot and ready for consumption. You take a seat, and she gives you a biting smile. "We need to talk," she says. "Why did you post this?" She holds up her phone to reveal a photo you uploaded on your private blog from (if: $theMall)[that day at the mall, with the caption: "Cute stranger I bumped into today. If you're out there, send me a message." ] (if: $theConcert)[that night at the concert, with the caption: "Cute stranger I bumped into today. If you're out there, send me a message." ] (if: $theMovies)[that day at the movies, with the caption: "Cute stranger I bumped into today. If you're out there, send me a message." ] [[You deny that it's about Santiago. You didn't say his name. That post could be about anyone.|Argue with Rebecca]] [[You shrug, acting casual. Why does she even care, anyways?|Argue with Rebecca]] [[You become flustered, on the verge of tears. You know she doesn't like it when people keep secrets.|Argue with Rebecca]]

She launches into a full-fledged attack. Though she doesn't raise her voice, she curses you out between sips of coffee and waves her hands in your face. Each time you try and jump in to defend yourself, she lobs another insult at you, making sure you know just how //immature// and //childish// you are. Mid-sentence, you see a figure walking by the coffee shop in the window behind Rebecca. It's him. Santiago. He meets your eyes and takes in the scene before him. Though he can't hear the words, he can tell by your expression and by the gesticulations of the woman seated across from you that you no longer want to be a part of this conversation. He raises a brow - It's a question. //Want to get out of here?// [[You're not going to allow her to treat you like this anymore. You raise a finger to cut her off, nodding to Santiago.|Choose Santiago]] [[She's hurting your feelings, but she's one of your only friends. It's time to apologize for lying to her.|Re: Let's Get Coffee]]

You give a subtle shake of the head and Santiago goes on his way, giving you a sad smile in understanding. You apologize to Rebecca, and she forgives you. You promise to never lie to her again and to try and listen to her more. (if: $exchangeNumbers)[ Santiago texts you after that day to make sure you're okay, but in an effort to be honest with Rebecca and heed her wise counsel, you break things off with him. ] He respects your decision. You don't ever see him again. Decades later, you're alone and miserable, but hey... Rebecca is still your friend. Of course, she got married and had kids, so you rarely see her, but when you do, you go out for coffee, just like old times. --- Do you want to try again? [[I'll give it a shot. |Our adventure begins...]]

You raise your hand, cutting Rebecca off mid-sentence. Her eyes blaze with frustration as you stand, but you meet her glare head-on. "You’re right, Rebecca," you say evenly. "I should’ve told you about Santiago. But let’s not pretend this is about honesty. You’re just mad you weren’t the one calling the shots for once." Her face hardens, but she doesn’t interrupt. "I’m done apologizing for not fitting into your version of who I’m supposed to be," you continue. "And for the record? Santiago’s not a secret. He’s just not yours to know." Without waiting for her response, you turn and walk toward the door. Santiago catches your eye through the glass, his smile soft but reassuring. You step out into the cold, leaving Rebecca fuming behind you. [[The moment he envelops you in a hug, everything goes dark.|Waking Up in the City]]

You wake up wrapped in Santiago's arms. The familiar smell of roses reminds you that you're at home with Santiago. "I think you were having a nightmare," he says. The images of your dream flash through your mind -- killing Perry, confronting Holly, fighting with Rebecca. It's been almost three years since Santiago saved you from the sea and you both settled down in the big city, but it seems that he's still rescuing you, even in your dreams. You sit up to tell him about your day, but to your dismay, you notice that he's already in his white button down. It seems like he's going into the office today. You say, [["Why don't you call in sick today? I feel like we haven't spent time together in months."|Alone at home]] [["I wish you would quit your job. You work too hard."|Alone at home]]

"Sorry, darling. It's just too important." He gives you a conciliatory kiss on the forehead and gets up to finish getting ready. You have his routine memorized. First comes the dress shirt, then the watch. Then, he'll meander in the closet for exactly 30 seconds before choosing a pair of slacks and a belt. He disappears into the bathroom, and you know that when you smell his cologne approaching, there isn't much time left. You close your eyes and pretend to go back to sleep so he doesn't see you crying. You hear him button up his jacket and then he's gone, his footsteps growing softer as he heads out into the city. Once you're sure he's gone, you let the sobs you've been holding back loose. You still have some time before you have to be at work. How do you calm down? [[You turn to the keyboard at your window and write a song about how you feel.|Write a Song]] [[You clean the entire apartment in a rage, trying to distract yourself from your emotions.|Rage Clean]] [[You don't. You mope in bed until the last possible minute.|Mope in Bed]]

You wipe your tears and sit at the keyboard by the window, fingers hovering over the keys. The city hums outside, a backdrop to your swirling emotions. You start with a simple melody, letting the sadness pour out in chords and fragments of lyrics. The words come slowly at first, but soon they flow, raw and unfiltered. You write about loneliness, about feeling invisible in your own life. The music soothes you, like a balm for the ache in your chest. By the time you look at the clock, you realize you’re already late. You save your work and throw on the nearest outfit, rushing out the door, your heart a little lighter. [[Go To Work]]

You throw back the covers, your hands trembling with frustration. If Santiago won’t see how much this hurts, then at least the apartment will. You grab a sponge and start scrubbing the counters, then the sink, then the floor. Each wipe, each slam of a cabinet door, is a way to release the anger building inside you. Dishes clatter, the vacuum roars, and the clutter disappears, leaving behind a spotless, sterile space. But when you’re done, the emptiness returns. The apartment is clean, but your heart isn’t. You glance at the clock and realize you’re late. Grabbing your coat, you hurry to work, hoping no one will notice. [[Go To Work]]

You curl into a ball, pulling the blankets tighter around you. The weight of your sadness presses down, making it hard to move, hard to breathe. You let the tears fall freely, soaking into the pillow. The minutes tick by, but you can’t bring yourself to care. The world outside feels distant, irrelevant. You stay like that, unmoving, until the last possible second when the harsh buzz of your alarm jolts you. Dragging yourself out of bed, you throw on the first thing you find and leave, eyes puffy and head heavy with the remnants of your despair. [[Go To Work]]

The subway car is a humid, overcrowded nightmare. You’re wedged between a man blasting pop music through cheap headphones and someone who’s clearly had too much garlic. The train lurches, your grip on the rail tightening as you sway uncomfortably. The baby screaming across the aisle is just the cherry on top. By the time you reach your stop, you’re already drained. You rush into the office, hoping to slip in unnoticed, but the harsh fluorescent lights betray you. Kim is waiting by your desk, arms crossed, her usual smug expression locked and loaded. "Nice of you to join us," she says, loud enough for everyone to hear. "I’m sorry, the train—" She cuts you off with a sharp wave. "Spare me. We’ve all got trains. Maybe try catching an earlier one next time." You lower your gaze as she walks away, muttering something about "performance reviews." Around you, coworkers exchange subtle glances, pretending not to hear. You sink into your chair, staring at the endless spreadsheets, the day stretching out like an eternity. (if: $moreOfTheSame < 2)[ [[Finally, 4:59pm rolls around. You slam your laptop shut and go straight home and wait for Santiago.|Go Home]] ](else:)[ Something feels different today. Your patience has finally worn thin and you're at your breaking point. If things don't change today, it feels like they never will. [[Finally, 4:59pm rolls around. You slam your laptop shut and go straight home and wait for Santiago.|Roses]] [[You need to get out of here. You quit.|Go Find Santiago]] ]

You get home at 5:30. Time passes. It's now late. Santiago arrives home, peels off his shirt, showers, and falls asleep. [[I guess you ought to go to sleep as well.|More of the same]]

More of the same today. White shirt, wristwatch, slacks, belt, shoes and gone. Once you're sure he's gone, you let the sobs you've been holding back loose. You still have some time before you have to be at work. How do you calm down? [[You turn to the keyboard at your window and write a song about how you feel.|Write a Song]] [[You clean the entire apartment in a rage, trying to distract yourself from your emotions.|Rage Clean]] [[You don't. You mope in bed until the last possible minute.|Mope in Bed]] (set: $moreOfTheSame to it + 1)

The words echo in your ears: "I quit." No one even looks up, their faces glued to their screens as if your outburst was just another blip in the office static. You grab your bag and walk out, head held high, heart pounding in your chest—or at least you think it is. The cold city air hits you as you push through the revolving doors, but something feels off. People on the street glance your way, their expressions a mix of curiosity and unease. You quicken your pace, your heels clicking on the pavement, but the stares follow you. You try to ignore the stares, just following your gut, turning down the streets you feel a //tug// at. [[Brickston Boulevard seems to call you. |Turn down the street]] [[Lexington Place seems right. |Turn down the street]]

Back at home, the days blur together. Each morning, Santiago leaves for the city, a hopeful smile on his face, promising to be back by evening. And each day, you stay behind, sinking deeper into the weight of your own thoughts. Santiago returns every night, asking how your day went. You give him the same answers: "Fine. Same as usual." He doesn’t press, but you can see the quiet disappointment in his eyes. You watch as his excitement for the future fades. One evening, as you sit alone by the window, watching the city lights flicker in the distance, you catch your reflection in the glass. The person staring back looks tired, lost, a shadow of who they used to be. Santiago deserves more. You deserve more. But for now, the loop continues. --- Do you want to try again? [[I'll give it a shot. |Our adventure begins...]]

You catch your reflection in a shop window and freeze. Your skin is metallic, a shimmering silver sheen that catches the light. Wires snake along your arms and neck, and your eyes glow faintly with an unnatural hue. You lift a trembling hand, seeing gears shift beneath the surface. You’ve become… something else. A cyborg-like humanoid, trapped in a cold, mechanical shell. Panic wells up, but you force yourself to keep moving. The city feels overwhelming now, a cacophony of noise and judgmental eyes. You duck your head, ignoring the whispers, the sideways glances, the space people give you as if you’re contagious. Finally, you reach Santiago’s building. [[You hesitate. You don't want Santiago to see you like this. What if he's afraid of you? You turn around and go home.|Roses]] [[You stare at the revolving doors. It's now or never.|Kiss Santiago]]

Before you have a chance to change your mind, the doors open and there he is—Santiago, stepping out into the night, his coat slung over one shoulder. His eyes meet yours, widening slightly as he takes in your new form. But instead of recoiling, he moves toward you, his expression calm, his gaze unwavering. "April," he says softly, stopping just in front of you. "It’s okay." You shake your head, voice trembling. "Look at me… I’m not even human anymore." Santiago reaches out, gently cupping your metallic face. His warmth seeps into you, and for the first time all day, you feel real. "You’re still you," he whispers, leaning in. His lips brush against yours, soft and deliberate. As he kisses you, the wires dissolve, the metal melts away, and your skin returns to its warm, familiar texture. When you pull back, you glance at your hands—human again. The city seems quieter now, the world softer. [[Santiago smiles, brushing a strand of hair from your face. "Let’s go home."|Things My Lovers Gave Me]]

//Years Later// The salty breeze carries the hum of the port, mingling with the rhythmic sound of waves. The horizon stretches endlessly, painted in gold and lavender as the sun dips lower. You stand at the pier’s edge, coat wrapped tightly around you, watching the ships come and go. After everything, you and Santiago left the city behind. The chaos is a distant memory, replaced by a quieter life nearby. The sea almost claimed you once, its vastness threatening to pull you under. Now, it’s a reminder—of survival, of strength. “I never thought I’d come back,” you say softly. Santiago smiles, his hand steady on your back. “And yet, here we are.” You nod, the water no longer overwhelming but peaceful. “Thank you,” you whisper, for the pain, the growth, and the love that saved you. For the things your great loves gave you. Hand in hand, you watch the sun dip below the horizon. For now, you’re exactly where you need to be. -- Congratulations! You made it to the very end of the quiz. If you're reading this, it means you successfully navigated every possible pitfall in April's story and achieved the happiest ending. If you'd like to see April's story for yourself in person, don't miss the in-person screening of: //WITHIN THE CONFINES OF YOU: The Visual Odyssey// in theaters on Wednesday November 13th, 2024 at 6pm. (link: "Get your tickets here")[(goto-url: 'https://www.eventbrite.com/e/within-the-confines-of-you-the-visual-odyssey-tickets-1027276229857?aff=oddtdtcreator')] Make sure to take a screenshot of this ending and share it with (link: "@thevaleriemusic") [(goto-url: 'https://www.instagram.com/thevaleriemusic/')] on Instagram to be entered for two free tickets to the premiere.