Today is the big day. You're going to do it. You somehow managed to score a dinner reservation at The Pier for seven o'clock. The ring is in your bedside table. Emilia is still asleep.\n\n[[It's time to get up|To the kitchen]]\n\n[[Just one more hour|Wake up Bastian]]
You figure the old man's crazy anyway. Besides, it's just a few eggs. He won't miss them. You change out of your pajamas and put on your sneakers. \n\nAs you head across the lawn you make sure that damned dog isn't anywhere nearby. The door is banging against the siding. You close it behind you as you enter.\n\nYou're immediately assaulted with the smell of rotten meat and garlic. All around you the flower wallpaper is curling and strange stains line the walls. As you walk down the hallway to the kitchen you can see several small symbols carved into the floor boards. How strange. You don't recognize them from any symbols you've ever seen or used at work.\n\nYou shrug. You just want some eggs. \n\nIn the kitchen, the smell is even stronger. You notice that the water in the sink is stained red and a plethora of tools are soaking in it. It looks like your neighbor might be a butcher. It would expain why he's always wearing that blood stained apron. Maybe you'd come back and buy some steak from him later. You open the fridge and grab a carton of eggs. You leave a five dollar bill on the counter and turn around to leave. As you're leaving you notice one of those strange symbols carved on his basement door and some strange noises coming from below. Then the dog starts barking and music starts playing. Classical music, you think. Really dark, depressing classical music.\n\n[[You got what you came for, time to leave|Back home]]
"What the hell is your problem old man?" you cry as he approaches. \n\nBut he isn't listening. He throws a punch and knocks you out.\n\n[[Well crap...|Basement]]
You figure you'll buy her some roses. It's a classic symbol of love and you happen to be into the cheesy archetypal stuff. Flowers it is. You turn down 2nd street towards the flower shop. \n\nThere's a parking spot just in front of the door. It must be your luky day. You get out a lock the car behind you. Inside, the store owner has his back to you as he's watching the news on the TV just above the register. You ignore it as you search for the perfect bouqet. There's one in the back corner wrapped in white tissue paper and tied with a golden rope. It's perfect. You pick it up and take it to the counter.\n\n"I'd like to buy these."\n\nThe store owner jumps at the sound of your voice. "Oh, I didn't even hear you come in! Yes, yes, of course. Just got myself a little worked up over the news. Crazy, don't you think?"\n\nYou look up at the screen and see the bulletin. "Mass Destruction in London."\n\n"Yeah, pretty crazy." You laugh and scratch the back of your neck. "It's a good thing we live here."\n\n[[You pay for the flowers and head out to the car|To the office]]
"No, I...I won't let you."\n\n"You know, don't you?" he asks, taking a step towards you. His voice has changed. "Look Bastian. Look at the neighborhood. It's destroyed! But my house...it is untouched." He leans into you, eyes ablaze. "Because it is under divine protection!"\n\n[[It's starting to make sense...|Agree]]\n\n[[This is crazy|End this]]
Yeah, why not? You're a handsome guy. No one can refuse that face. \n\nYou head back to your room to change out of your pajama pants and into something presentable. For some reason, though, you're extremely nervous. The old man had a reputation for being a bit off his rocker. \n\nYou shake your head and slide into your shoes and head out the door and across the lawn. Last year he had painted his house black and it was beginning to chip, showing the deep red that it used to be. Emilia had called it unnerving and insisted they complain, but as a Grapgic Designer, you admired the work for its sheer artistic presence. You liked it, even though it reminded you of a horror movie and sometimes kept you up at night. And you sometimes heard strange noises coming from it at night. And saw strange lights. But I mean, he was just an old man. So whatever.\n\nYou approach the door.\n\n[[Knock politely|Here he comes]]
"You're crazy!" You dive for the hammer.\n\n"NO!" His hands close around your neck and he yanks you out of the air, slamming you into the ground, knocking you out...\n\n[[...Again|Torture chamber]]
You take a deep breath. This isn't over yet. You can change it. You wave your hand and time reverses. You wake with a start, back in your bed. Back in the morning. Next to Emilia. She's alive.\n\n[[Do it different|To the kitchen]]
You take hold of her and stagger to your feet. She lolls in your arms. As you head towards the basement door you see on the wall, written in blood, "I was wrong."\n\nYour face is hard as you carry her up the stairs, out the door, and down the street. The dull roar of the tornadoes echoes in your empty body. You move through the wind like a ghost, towards the gazebo in the center of the park. When you arrive you see that the roof has been torn off and the lights and flowers your friends had set up are gone. They're probably gone too.\n\nYou carry her up the steps and set her down on the bench. You sit next to her.\n\n[[She's dead.|The proposal]]
"No!" you scream. "You're crazy. This is crazy! I've had enough of it!" You turn on your heel to dash away. That's when you spot her. She's tied up and gagged in the middle of that crazy shrine and she's watching you.\n\n"That's right...you don't want to leave her here without hearing what I have to say."\n\nYour whole body is filled with anger. You want to kill him. You should. This is disgusting and disturbing and...and crazy! But Emilia is still right there and the way he's looking between you knots your gut.\n\n[[Follow him for her sake|The end of the world]]\n\n[[Kill him|Fight!]]
You try to stagger up but your legs give out under you and you come crashing to the ground, a loud grunt escaping you. The hammering noise stops.\n\nWhen you look up, the old man is standing over you.\n\n[[Push him out of the way and get out|Run]]\n\n[[Give up|A sickening smile]]
Drew Thompson
You stand up and take out the ring. It doesn't matter. You throw it across the park and don't look back as you begin walking towards the eye of the storm. Your life doesn't matter. This world doesn't matter. The tornadoes don't matter. It's all over and there's nothing after it.\n\nIt almost feels good knowing that.\n\n[[Almost.|Epilogue]]
The Nothing
You manage to get everything cleaned up. You'll explain it all to Emilia later. For now, you just want to see her and propose before anything else horrible happens.\n\n[[Just get ready|Shower]]
He did let you borrow some eggs. You might as well humor him. \n\nThe old man grabs you by the hood of your sweatshirt and yanks you down so your face is right in his. You squirm uncomfortably as he breaths in your face.\n\nSomething comes over him as he says, "Nothing matters anymore Billy. You're nothing. I'm nothing. The old gods have foresaken us. The world is ending unless we can find someone who does matter. You have to help me."\n\nYou push him away as politely as you can and try to wipe the slimy feeling of his fingers from your skin. "It's Bastian." The old man grimaces. "I...uh...have to go."\n\n[[Get the hell out of there|Back home]]
As she opens her mouth to reply, something catches her eye. You see a glint in the rearview mirror and then...him...\n\nA knife comes barreling down as you swerve the wheel and slam on the breaks. But it's too late. The knife tears into her chest, latches on, pulls her with him as the old man goes flying out the front windshield. She goes with.\n\nThey weren't wearing their seatbelts.\n\nThe car skids to a stop as the glass shatters around you. Your face smacks against the wheel and breaks your nose. You struggle for a moment to maintain consciousness and stumble out of the car. \n\n"Emilia?" You crawl to your feet, only to fall back down. "Emilia!"\n\nYou can see her through the red laying on the pavement. She's not moving. She's bleeding. You pick yourself up and stumble to her, dropping to the ground before her.\n\nShe didn't even get a chance to say yes.\n\n[[Now she's dead|What will you do?]]
"Oh, I, uh, I have to get goi..."\n\n"COME IN." The old man grabs you by the arms and pulls you inside.\n\nYou are immediately attacked by a sour, rotten smell. You look around and the wallpaper is curling. The old man doesn't seem to notice as he leads you towards his kitchen.\n\nHe doesn't talk to you, he just grunts occasionally. \n\nHis kitchen smells even worse. It's like he left out a bunch of meat in the sun and then poured garlic all over it. You try and hold your breath, but the smell creeps in through you eyes and ears. How can he live like this?\n\nYou notice the water in his sink is a dirty red and a set of tools is soaking in it. Maybe he's a butcher. That would explain all of this. \n\nThe old man reaches into his rusting fridge and yanks out a carton of eggs, handing them over to you.\n\nYou grab hold of them but he doesn't let go.\n\n[["Mr. Jenkins?"|What?]]\n\n[[Yank on them as hard as you can|What the heck?]]
"Uh, Mr. Jenkins? Are you okay?" you ask, giving him a weird look.\n\nBut he just stares at you and mutters, "Nice skin, yes, yes, green eyes, dark hair. Youthful. But no...he isn't the one. Keep waiting Tobias. Keep waiting." His eyes narrow at you as he lets go of the carton. "You know, Bobby, you're a good kid, so I'm going to give you a little advice."\n\nThe old man leans forward with his yellow death glaring. His breath smells like dead things.\n\n[[Listen|Warning]]\n\n[[You've got the eggs. Now run!|Escape]]
"No. I can't. I won't let you."\n\n"And why is that?" he snarls. "Because you love her? Well let me tell you something boy, there are a lot of people in this world who have someone that they love. And they're all going to die today if we don't do this. Would you honestly be so selfish to deny the world another chance when you can so easily give it?"\n\n"Easily," you cry. "She's the love of my life!"\n\n"And our only chance at saving everyone else's."\n\nYou know it's wrong. But when you look outside and see those tornadoes you wonder what love is really worth when you're going to die anyway?\n\n[[It's worth everything.|Get her]]\n\n[[You can't believe you're considering this.|But you are]]
There's a grunt. "What do you want boy?"\n\n"I was wondering if you had any eggs I could borrow?" There is a long silence and you wonder if he's still there. "Um, Mr. Jenkins?"\n\n"What?"\n\n"The eggs?"\n\nHe starts hacking violently. "Right! Right...eggs. Why don't you come on in?"\n\nYou hear several deadbolts being unlocked before the door creaks open to reveal the crooked old man in his sweat stained pajamas. His little dog stares up at you silently.\n\n[[Go inside|What's that smell?]]\n\n[[Politely decline the invitation|Nope, you go in anyway]]
"Fine." \n\nYou swallow your heart and it's eaten by the acid in your stomach. This is the right choice, you think. It is. The old man is right. Either way...she's going to die. This way, maybe it'll mean something. It'll count. You finger the ring in your pocket. You'll give it to her first.\n\nAs you walk back down the stairs together you see her there, tied up and crying. She's so scared. But it'll be okay. They're going to die together.\n\nYou walk over to her as the old man prepares his ritual. "Emilia, baby," you say softly as you kneel before her. "Everything is going to be alright. We're gunna be alright. We're gunna be together."\n\nShe's staring at you with those wide, scared eyes and she knows. You start to cry a little. "I'm really scared right now and I don't know what to do. How to say this. But I love you and we're going to die."\n\nShe starts sobbing beneath her gag. You don't remove it because you're afraid of what she'll say to you.\n\n[[It's time to propose|The worst proposal ever]]
You run back into the basement and find her there, among the candles you had vaguely seen in your haze. She's crying and she's tied up and she's gagged. You almost left her. God...you almost left her.\n\nYou're quick to untie her and pull her into your arms. "It's okay. It's going to be okay. We have to go. Now."\n\n"The world is ending. That's what he said. Is...is it true?"\n\nYou take her by the hand and say, "We have to go."\n\nShe sobs when she sees the destruction outside but you don't have time for that. When you peer over the glass again, the old man's body is gone. You curse yourself.\n\n"Let's go." \n\nYour house is gone, but your car is in his driveway. He must have driven you back in it. And, thank god, he left the keys inside. Someone was surely smiling down on you.\n\n[[Get in and go!|Driving off into the sunset]]
What great luck. You grab a broom and begin sweeping everything up. When that's all done you find some cardboard to cover up the hole with, just in case it starts raining. Weather has been sporadic.\n\nYou don't really want to buy a new window.\n\n[[Go back in time and answer the door instead|No one's there]]\n\n[[You'd rather not know what was on the other side|Continue2]]
Your doctor says you don't need that kind of negativity in your life. It's bad for your blood sugar. You pick up the brick and take it to the trashcan. When you look up you can see the old man staring at you from his window. \n\nWhat the hell is his problem? \n\n[[Throw it away and hurry back inside|The photographer]]
You tear off the note and stuff it into your pocket. It might be handy if you ever have to call the police on the guy. You close the door behind you and make sure to lock it tight.\n\n[[Time to call the photographer|The photographer]]
His eyes are wide and unblinking as he turns to look at the both of you. Emilia screams and backs up. He steps out and grabs you by the arms, his grip stronger than you had anticipated.\n\n"Why did you ignore me?!"\n\nYou can only stare at him.\n\n"Answer me boy! The world is at stake!"\n\nAbove you, a thunderstorm is starting to form. Emilia is sobbing, frozen there. "Bastian!"\n\nYou try and squirm free but the more you move the tighter his grip gets. "Would you let me go Jenkins? You're crazy!"\n\n"No I'm not!" he screams, throwing you into the car next to you. "Would you look at the damn sky, boy? Look at the news? I'm not crazy! You are for being so blind! We have to stop this! And the only one who can save us..." he turns and points to Emilia. "Is her!"\n\nA bolt of lightning comes crashing down, making you jump.\n\n"What the hell are you talking about?" you ask shakily.\n\n"You'll see," he mutters and throws a punch.\n\n[[You fade out|Basement]]
You've had enough of him. Of this. You pour every ounce of strength you can into your spring as you come flying up and shove him as hard as you can. He lets out a sharp cry as you will yourself to run on your unfeeling legs. Adrenaline pumps through you as you dash up the stairs and out into the kitchen. That strange roaring noise is much louder up here. \n\nYou can hear his heavy steps on the stairs as he comes up after you. "Wait!"\n\nBut you aren't going to wait. You move through the house in a haze, trying to get to the sun room. You push open the door and fly towards the screen.\n\nAnd then...you stop...\n\nThe old man comes running up behind you, huffing and puffing. "I tried to warn you," he says as you stare out into the chaos.\n\nThat roaring noise...it's the sounds of seventeen tornadoes dancing around a megastorm that's tearing up everything in its path. The city over the horizon is destroyed and the neighborhood is on fire. It really is the end of the world.\n\n"You could have stopped it you know. With Emilia."\n\n[[Oh my god Emilia!|Where is she]]
You peer out your window to the neighbor's house. Jenkins seemed to have a personal vendetta our for you. You frequently caught him prompting his dog to leave surprises for you in your yard. The idea of asking the man for anything made you sick, but it was a special day and you were going to get those eggs! But how?\n\n[[Eh, I'll just ask nicely. He can't be that bad.|No he's that bad.]]\n\n[[It looks like the side door is open. I can just sneak in and take them and pay him back later.|So you're a thief now?]]
You start to come to, your head throbbing uncomfortably. It takes your eyes a while to adjust to the dark. In the haze you see a group of candles in the middle of the floor, arranged in some sort of shrine. Next to that is the old man, beating at a slab of meat with a hammer. There's some strange noises upstairs.\n\n[[Try to get out|Found out]]\n\n[[Reason with him|Words]]
"What do you want from me old man," you sigh, giving up. What use is running? He always seems to find you anyway.\n\n[["For you to listen."|Listen to him]]
You kiss her and promise everything is going to be alright, even though you're not sure yourself. You climb in together and start the car. \n\nThe storm is devastating and dangerous, but it moves very slowly. Maybe you can get out of it and find somewhere safe to hide. There has to be somewhere safe. Someone has to have found out something. This can't be the end of the world. \n\nYou fly out of the driveway and punch it down the street and away from the danger. After everything that's happened, you can't wait any longer. You dig in your pocket for the ring.\n\n"Emilia marry me," you say, setting the box in her lap. \n\nShe looks up at you, tear soaked eyes wide. "What?"\n\n"A lot of crazy sh*t has happened today and I can't wait any longer. I need you to know I love you now, before anything else happens. I need to marry you."\n\nDespite everything that's happened to him, to her, to them, she manages to smile.\n\n[[It's going to be alright|Sike no it's not]]
You grab your cell phone and head towards the door, but when you open it there's no one out there. \n\nSitting on the step is a red brick with one of those strange symbols carved into it. There's a ote attached to it. It reads:\n\n"The world is coming to an end Bobby. You can stop it can't you? I know what you can do. You have to help me find the one."\n\nThat old man is crazy, but you can't help feel uneasy.\n\n[[Throw out the message|To the trashcan]]\n\n[[Pocket the note, just in case|Back to the kitchen]]
"I was going to propose to you here." You reach into your pocket to feel the ring. "But now you're dead."\n\nThe storm rages around you.\n\n"We all die anyways. It just kinda sucks it happened like this. To you. To us. I suppose there are no old gods. I suppose there's nothing really, or this wouldn't be happening."\n\nYou sigh and stretch out your legs.\n\n"I guess it's my turn to die now."\n\n[[Unless...|Another chance]]
You figure pancakes and bacon will suffice. You scour the kitchen for the materials, only to find that you don't have enough eggs for the recipe. Well...damn.\n\n[[Make something else instead|Eggs are boring]]\n\n[[Go next door to see if Old Man Jenkins has some eggs|Ugh, that crusty old guy?]]
You kiss Emilia's forehead, careful not to wake her up and sneak out of bed and down to the kitchen. She has a meeting this morning, so you figure you'll make her a nice breakfast before she goes.\n\n[[You're such a good boyfriend|Pankcakes and Bacon]]
You tear off the note and stuff it into your pocket. You might have to press charges now.\n\n[[Clean that glass up|Damages]]
No way. You've got your eggs and this place is starting to make you nauseous. You offer a quick, "No thanks" as you turn on your heel to skip out. \n\nBut the pomeranian is behind you, snarling. You know the dog is small enough for you to punt across the living room, but something tells you you probably shouldn't. Mr. Jenkins comes at you.\n\nYou jump around the small dog that starts barking crazily and chasing after you.\n\n"Wait!" Mr. Jenkins screams after you. "I have to tell you something important!"\n\nBut you don't care about whatever he has to say. You've got your eggs. You're getting the hell out of there.\n\n[[You wonder what he was going to tell you|Back home]]
You might be able to change this. \n\n[[Go back in time and choose a new path|Refresh]]\n\n[[Accept the fact that she's dead and nothing matters|Revelation]]
"Haha, yeah thanks," you say taking the bear with a shaky hand. Janie can tell something is wrong with you.\n\n"Oh my god you didn't know did you."\n\n"No," you say quickly, turning and running out the door. My god a baby?\n\n[[It's a good thing your proposing to her or this might be extremely awkward|Back to the car]]
You suffered through that quite well. I can see the pain in your eyes. The disgust. The discomfort. \n\nGood.\n\nBut just to let you know...your feelings don't matter. Because this is just a stupid story. Nothing more.\n\nAnd let me remind you of something...you chose this path. All of the power was in your hands. And still...\n\n...It meant nothing.
You grab him by the straps of his blood stained butchers apron. It scares you. You shove him back into the wall, eyes ablaze with hostility.\n\n"WHERE IS SHE?"\n\n"Calm down," the old man urges you. "She's downstairs. But you and I need to talk."\n\n[[No way|Get her]]\n\n[[Fine.|Listen to him]]
Your name is Bastian. You're a freelance graphic design artist and a connoisseur of comic books. You own a quaint house in the suburbs with your girlfriend of five years, Emilia. And today is the day that you've finally decided to [[propose|4:00 AM]].
You can change this. You can change all of this. You have the power. You can go back and save her. Do things differently.\n\n[[Go back|Refresh]]\n\n[[No. You can't|She's dead]]
Why does this guy have to constantly ruin your day? All your trying to do is propose for God's sake!\n\nYou grab Emilia by the arm and pull her up, dashing around the man and running for the door. \n\n"Bastian!" she screams as she trails behind you, kept close by your iron grip. You throw open the door and bolt for the car. You can hear the old man screaming after you, ready to chase. But he doesn't know where you parked!\n\nYou both run around the corner and into the lot behind the old tavern where your car is hidden. You throw out your arm to unlock the car door.\n\nEmilia grabs you nervously as you throw open the driver's side door.\n\n[[The old man is sitting inside|Evil eye]]
You can't risk it. He's come back for you far too many times. There's a large trophy sitting among the cluttered ornaments and do-hickeys in the room. You take in a breath and shake your head a few times. \n\nWith the heavy object in hand you move outside to him as he struggles to get up. As you stand over him you think of Emilia and how you must protect her.\n\nThe trophy comes down and, you think, it feels almost natural. You strike him twice in the head. Twice more to make sure he's dead. Three more times for a reason you can't explain. He's dead now. Really, really dead. You throw the trophy to the side and run your bloody hands through your hair. It's okay. You had to do it. He would have died in this anyway.\n\n[[You turn to go back to the basement and save your girl.|Back down]]
You look down at her face and wonder if it ever really meant anything. If your love meant anything. If your existence meant anything. If she was so easily taken from you then how could it mean anything? How could you mean anything if you so easily let her go?\n\nYou snort and relax your body, ready for the tornadoes to take you up and join them in the nothing.\n\nLife must have just been some creul joke someone decided to play on you.\n\n[[Because it really was nothing.|Epilogue]]
"I can't believe you," she hisses as the host leads you to your table. She squeezes your arm excitedly. "What's going on?"\n\n"I told you! Nothing is going on."\n\nYou sit down and begin your meal. She tells you all about her meeting and how much she hates her coworker Annabelle. You watch her talk, shocked at the fact that this girl is yours.\n\nA smile crosses your face.\n\n[[Here comes the food|Crazy old man]]
She comes around the corner and you grab her around the waist and twirl her around. Like a man. When she's got her feet on the floor and she's giggling you grin at her. Like a man.\n\n"I made you breakfast."\n\nShe smiles. "I see that."\n\nBut she's in a rush to get to her meeting so she doesn't have much time to exchange any pleasentries as she eats. You sit with her but she's done quickly and jumps to her feet, kissing your cheek before she hurries out the door.\n\n[[You've got a lot to do today|It begins]]
You take a deep breath. Okay, let's just focus on getting to her for now. Today has been crazy. Really, really freaking crazy. Just go to dinner and you can worry about all this news another time.\n\nYou drive down to the office and see her waiting for you outside. When you pull up you're sweating nervously.\n\n"Hey," you say, stepping out of the car and kissing her on the forehead. "Are you ready?"\n\n"For what?" she asks suspiciously.\n\n"Nothing in particular," you shrug, rubbing the back of your neck.\n\n"Uh huh," she says eyeing you. "Well, I have something to tell you too, but we can do that later."\n\nYou swallow hard.\n\n"Okay, let's go."\n\n[[Open the car door for her|The Pier]]
"Jenkins..." you groan as you roll onto all fours. "What...? What is going on?"\n\nThat sickening hammering noise stops. "Good Billy, you're up."\n\n"It's Bastian!" you cry breathlessly. "Bastian!"\n\n"Right, right. Sebastian." He wipes his blood stained hands on his white butcher's apron. "Come on boy, there's something I have to show you."\n\n[[Just follow him|The end of the world]]\n\n[[No way, get out of there!|Threat]]
"What is it these 'old gods' want you to do?"\n\n"Kill Emilia."\n\nYour heart stops.\n\n[["I can't let you do that."|Why?]]
You pull the ring from your pocket and sniffle. "I was...I was going to propose to you today. Would you believe it? Today of all days? The end of the world."\n\nThe old man comes towards you.\n\nEmilia is screaming now.\n\n"Listen to me. He's going to make it quick. And soon after I'm going to be with you. I promise. Just...just hold my hand and get it over with quick. You're going to save the world. The old gods told him."\n\nYou can't watch her die. You look away, but you feel the blood. When he's done with her, he reaches his hands into the sky and cries out happily. Then he turns to you. "Are you sure about this kid?"\n\nYou nod. Any world without your love isn't a world you want to exist in. It's a world with no meaning. \n\nHe starts laughing. "Alright then!"\n\nJust as he's about to bring down the axe on you, you hear an incredible roar and the house shakes violently.\n\n[[What the...?|End game]]
You call the photographer to make sure he'll be there at 8:15. He confirms it and you hang up, far too tired already. And it's only 6:00. You decide that you just want this day to be over.\n\n[[Go get ready for dinner|Shower]]
You look around you. At everything. At the chaos and the destruction. And the prestine condition of the house. You have to admit...he is starting to sound a little less crazy. Or maybe it's you getting crazier. You don't know!\n\n"She's going to die either way, Bastian," the old man eggs you on. "This way, her death will mean something."\n\nYou look up at him and nod. "Yeah. Yeah okay." He smiles at you. "Under one condition."\n\nThe old man narrows his eyes at you. "What?"\n\n[["You have to kill me too."|You're a terrible boyfriend]]
Your doctor says you don't need that kind of negativity in your life. It's bad for your blood sugar. You pick up the brick and take it to the trashcan. When you look up you can see the old man staring at you from his window. \n\nWhat the hell is his problem? \n\n[[Lock the doors and clean up the glass|Damages]]
The food runner comes to your table with your steak and her lobster on his arms. As he comes to the table and sets it down you notice a commotion near the door. When you turn and look, you see Old Man Jenkins in the doorway, being told to leave by the host. But he isn't listening. He's standing there staring straight at you from across the restaurant. It's creepy.\n\n"Bastian, what's wrong?"\n\nYou figure the host will take care of it. "Nothing. Nothing. Just lost in thought. How's your food?"\n\nShe smiles at you. "It's good. Very good. Thank you." But her smile fades quickly and is replaced by a look of perplexion. "Hey, who is that?"\n\nYou turn again and see the old man coming straight for you, his speed unnatural and stride long. He's got an angry look on his face. You scramble to your feet as he approaches, seeing the host laying face down by the door as the other patrons stare on horrified. \n\n"Jenkins..."\n\n[[Grab Emilia and run|Escape2]]\n\n[[Stand your ground and end this now|Too late]]
You can't help but see the truth in his words.\n\n[[My god you're really considering this|Agree]]
You stare at the love of your life. The DEAD love of your life. You think to yourself, nothing matters. If she's gone and this is happening, then nothing ever did matter. There was nothing out there looking down on you. Looking out for you. And there's nothing for you when you die next.\n\nYou pick up the ring, look at it, then throw it across the street. You never want to see it again. You just want to die.\n\nIt's all over. But then again...it was already over before it even began.\n\n[[You've lost|Epilogue]]
Oh my god your grilfriend is pregnant. With a kid! What the hell are you going to do now? I mean, you made that thing. Like...together. It's a thing you did together. Like a baby. Like a mini you and her. What? \n\n[[Just calm down and go to the office|To the office]]
You head down to The Pier. Emilia begins to grow suspicious when you pull up.\n\n"Bastian, what are we doing?"\n\n"Going out to eat," you shrug at her.\n\n"Here?!" she asks raising her brows. "Do you know how hard it is to get in here without a reservation? We'll be waiting for hours!"\n\n"Uh huh," you mutter with a smile as you get out and jog around to open her door for her.\n\nYou step inside and see that the lounge is full of couples waiting for a table. Emilia tugs at the sleeve of your sports jacket. "Bastian there's no way you can wait this long without eating. You'll get grumpy. Let's just go somewhere else."\n\nBut you step up to the podium with a smile and say, "Cross party."\n\n"Yes, Mr. Cross, right this way."\n\n[[The look on her face is priceless|To the table]]
She's dead. You can't bring her back. The ring lays by her side. You don't even know if you want to do this again. To watch it all happen. To see...this. \n\nWhy is it happening? What is going on? Why would anyone let this go down? \n\nYou sit there and think about your dead girlfriend. You wonder if she really would have said yes, not that it really matters now. \n\nYou look up at the sky. Why didn't you check the backseat?\n\nYou suppose that doesn't matter either. The storm is getting closer to you. [[You'll die here too.|Revelation2]]
You're a terrible person. Go get some damn eggs from the old guy.\n\n[[Well jeez...|Ugh, that crusty old guy?]]
You can feel it in your gut. Nothing will change this, because nothing matters. You don't matter. There is nothing.\n\n[[Absolutely nothing|Walk away]]
You wake up when the clock chimes 4:00 AM once again. Time to get up and make your girl some breakfast [[because you're a good boyfriend.|To the kitchen]]
Do you want to go back in time and try something else?\n\n[[No way, I'm scarred enough as it is|Continue]]\n\n[[Why not, maybe I can avoid that|Ugh, that crusty old guy?]]
"Just...tell me."\n\nThe old man smiles. "I tried to tell you the world was ending. But you wouldn't listen! You could have stopped this, you know? The key has been right there under your nose this whole time. The old gods told me."\n\n"What are you talking about?"\n\n"Her. Down there." Your breath hitches. Please don't say it. "We have to kill her."\n\nYour heart stops.\n\n[[Refuse|Convinced]]
You don't know what to do. So you follow him. He leads you upstairs and out into the kitchen. He pushes open the door to the sun room, gesturing for you to enter. \n\nWhen you do, you are faced with the horrible reality that the world is ending. You can see it as soon as your eyes meet the horizon. Seventeen tornadoes circle an endless storm that sends lightning crashing into the ground. \n\nThe old man comes up behind you. "I've been trying to tell you all morning, but you wouldn't listen for some reason." He sighs. "The old gods told me this would happen. They told me to mark my house with their symbols. That's why it's the only one still standing."\n\nAmazingly enough, you see that he isn't lying. The whole neighborhood is destroyed. Including your house. You finally realize what all those crazy marks meant. \n\n"They granted me the power to subdue you at the restaurant."\n\nThat explained why he was taken down so easily.\n\n"They also told me that the only way to end this was to kill your girlfriend."\n\n[[NO.|Where is she]]\n\n[[What?|Why?]]
"What? What could you possibly have to say to me now?"\n\n"What I've been trying to tell you all along," he says, putting a hand on your shoulder. "The world is ending."\n\n"I can see that!"\n\nHe smiles. "But you and I have the power to end it. The old gods told me."\n\n"What the hell are you talking about you crazy old man."\n\n"Before you freak out. Listen," he says backing away from you as you poise yourself to run again. "Look at the neighborhood. At your house. It's all on fire. Every building. Destroyed. Except for mine."\n\nYou look out and see that...he's right. Even your house is gone, swallowed up by a tornado. It makes you sick. "So what?"\n\n"My house has divine protection," he says gesturing to his walls. You finally realize what those crazy symbols meant. "I've been trying to tell you all morning that this would happen. And that you could stop this. But you wouldn't listen to me. And now...here we are. Will you help me?"\n\n[[It makes more sense than the end of the world.|You listen]]
You tug on the carton of eggs but he won't let go. He's just staring at you. You make an uneasy face and attempt to tug them out again.\n\n"Uh..."\n\nYou yank them as hard as you can, but the old man still won't let go. In fact, his arm won't even budge. You yank them again with every ounce of strength you can possibly muster...and go flying backwards. He still has the carton in his hands. You go crashing into his basement door.\n\n"What is wrong with you?"\n\nYou push yourself up and see a strange symbol carved into the door. \n\n"Billy!" Mr. Jenkins grabbs your shoulder and yanks you to your feet, thrusting the carton of eggs into your hand. "I have to tell you something."\n\n[[What? No way! I'm out.|Escape]]\n\n[[You stay and hear it|Warning]]
Footsteps come barreling towards the door. "WHO'S OUT THERE?"\n\n[["It's me Mr. Jenkins. Bastian, your neighbor?|Crazy old guy]]
Forget this. You're saving your girl and getting the hell out of there. \n\nYou hurtle off the wall twoards him. He dodges your punch easily. You crash into the table, the meat, and...the hammer. Blood covers your front. You pick the hammer up. WHen you turn around he's running towards the stairs. You follow.\n\nYou take the stairs by two. As you near the door those strange noises get louder. But you don't care. You crash into the kitchen, eyes wild. He's running to the sun room.\n\nHe's locked the flimsy, wooden door. You smash the handle and kick it in. \n\n"Oh my..." The hammer falls from your fingers. The drumming of pumping blood in your ear is quickly replaced by the sound of the chaos outside. You count ten...no seventeen!...tornatdoes revolving around an ominous mass of clouds in the sky. The sun is completely blacked out; the only source of light are the strongs of lightening flashing out and weaving through. In the distance you can see the ruins of the city. The neighborhood is on fire.\n\nThe old man had been right.\n\n"Do you see?"\n\nYou look at him, unsure of what to do now.\n\n"Will you listen?"\n\n[[Yes.|Breath]]\n\n[[No.|Get her]]
First you have to call the photographer to make sure that he'll be able to make the time you specified. But there's someone knocking at the door.\n\n[[Call the photographer|Windows]]\n\n[[Answer the door|No one's there]]
You have to get up at 4:00 AM if you want to get anything done today. But who says it has to be 4:00 AM right now? You wave your hand and the clock changes to 3:00 AM\n\n[[You can control time|Seriously Bastian you need to get up]]
You don't have time for distractions. You ignore the door and call the photographer instead. \n\n"This is Ocatvio, how can I help you?"\n\n"Hey Octavio, this is Bastian. I was just wondering if you were still going to be able to photograph my proposal tonight by the tree..." You look up and out the window and see a red brick come hurling straight at you. "Holy sh*t!" you yell as you manage to scramble out of the way before it comes crashing through the glass and slides across your freshly polished wooden floor. \n\nThere's a note attached to it. \n\n"Bastian is everything alright?"\n\nYou suck in a hard breath and rush back to the window to see if you can spot the vandal. As you look out, you swear you can see the old man's side door crash shut. You turn to the brick. "Yeah. Yeah I'm okay. Someone just...threw a brick through my window."\n\n"Oh," Octavio says. "Well then. I hope everything is alright. I'll be by the tree at eight fifteen." He hangs up.\n\nYou reach for the brick, which has a strange symbol carved on the front. The note attached reads:\n\n"The hour is now. I know what you can do. Help me find the chosen one so we can save the world."\n\nWhat the actual hell?\n\n[[Get rid of the thing|To the trashcan2]]\n\n[[Keep it|Evidence]]
You switch the channel and are surprised when a strong male voice begins speaking to you.\n\n"This is a News Alert. Another earthquake has struck the coast of California, clocking in at 7.5 on the richter scale, a shocking point higher than the one recorded two hours ago. Cities and suburbs have suffered severe damage, and the national guard has been called in to aid. In the meantime, a large tsunami is headed straight for the islands of Japan and experts believe that the increased activity at Yellowstone Park may be a sign of an impending eruption. The area is now being evacuated..."\n\nYou turn the radio off. That sort of negativity is really bad for your blood sugar! Besides, you've got more important things to do. Like buy your girl a gift.\n\n[[Buy her some flowers|The flower shop]]\n\n[[Buy her a teddy bear|The stuffed animal shop]]
The house is ripped from its hinges and goes flying up into the air. Above you, tornadoes rage at the angry attempt to silence them. They will not be silenced. The old man screams only for a second before he is torn up into the air.\n\nYou look down at Emilia. \n\nIt didn't work. \n\nIt didn't work. It didn't work. It didn't work.\n\nAnd you killed her. You killed her for nothing and now you are going to die for nothing. \n\nYou look up at the angry sky and wonder what the old man was really hearing when he heard the old gods. You take the ring from your pocket.\n\nIt means nothing now that she's dead. You throw it up into the air. \n\n[[It all means nothing.|Look down]]
You jump into the shower and get cleaned up before putting on your best clothes. You saved a significant sum from your last paycheck to fund this dinner so she could have whatever she wanted. \n\nWhen you're ready and you've pocketed the ring, you wave your hand and time flashes forward to 6:45 PM. You head out to your car to go get her something nice. She doesn't know that anything is happening tonight. You told her to be ready for you at seven because you had a surprise but that was it.\n\nOnce you get the car started you turn the radio on.\n\n[[Turn on the news|News Alert]]\n\n[[Turn on some electronica|News Alert]]\n\n[[Turn on some country|News Alert]]\n\n[[Turn on some alternative music|News Alert]]\n\n[[Turn on some gangster rap|News Alert]]
You'd rather use your power for something else, like skipping work. Besides, why go through that again?\n\nYou rush across the yard and back into your house. Emilia is still asleep. It's 4:15 AM. You hurry to start breakfast before she gets up at 4:30 to start getting ready for work. She normally cooks and lets you lick the spoon, so your abilities are a little lacking. But you give it the old college try and manage to whip up something edible and presentable. Just in time, too, because she's fresh out of the shower.\n\n[[Suprise her like a MAN|Wow]]
Well, no eggs means no pancakes. You search the cabinets for some other breakfast alternative, but come up with nothing. Unless of course, you want to serve your girl some cereal.\n\n[[She can deal with cereal|Bastard]]\n\n[[No, I guess Old Man Jenkins it is|Ugh, that crusty old guy?]]
You head to the little toy store on the corner of Main Street. They have the best stuffed animals there. \n\nInside, all the employees had gathered around the little TV sitting on the counter to watch the news. John, the police officer is leaning against the counter with them, half watching the news, half watching Janie's reaction to it. You tip your head at him with a knowing smile when he sees you come in.\n\nYou head into the back corner and pick the softest bear you can find before returning to pay for it.\n\n"Hey Janie, you wanna help me out?"\n\nShe starts at the sound of your voice. "Oh! Bastian! I'm sorry I didn't even see you come in! Sure, sure...what have you got?"\n\n"A little something for Emilia."\n\nShe takes the bear and runs it through the scanner, smiling. "She came in this morning you know, looking around at baby toys. I had no idea she was pregnant. You should have told us before!"\n\nYour heart stops.\n\n[["What did you just say?"|Oopsie]]\n\n[[Pretend you didn't just hear that|Oh my god]]
You can't kill him. You just can't. Besides that blow would have had him knocked out for sure. You peer over the edge of the broken glass and see him lying there, bleeding and unconscious. You might have already killed him anyway.\n\nIt was an accident, you tell yourself. A necessary accident I was just protecting myself it's okay.\n\n[[You have to get to Emilia|Back down]]
"I'm sorry...what...what did you just say Janie?"\n\nHer whole face turns white. "Oh...oh my god I thought you knew."\n\n"N-no..."\n\nJohn looks between you, not knowing what to do. You grab the bear with a shaky hand and turn around to leave. "I...should go get her now."\n\n"Bastian I'm so sorry!"\n\n"Nope," you say without blinking. "Not a big deal. It's just my pregnant girlfriend after all."\n\n[[It's a good thing you're proposing to her I guess|Back to the car]]
When you wake up again the candles have all been blown out. You struggle for a moment before you remember...\n\n"No," you whisper. You scramble to your feet and struggle over to the dead shrine. As you get closer your throat begins to close. There are two bodies. There is blood. You kneel down between them. The old man is dead, laying face down in a pool of his own innards. An embalming tool is stuck in his chest. You're afraid to look at Emilia. Afraid of what he's done. Afraid of what you'll see. \n\nYou reach out and touch her hand. It's wet. You sob.\n\nWhen you look up ou can see the terror on her face, the emptiness in her eyes, the blood on her lips. You couldn't save her.\n\n[[You failed.|Leave]]
"No!"\n\nAll your anger, your hatred, your fear, powers your body as you fling him across the room and into the glass. He crashes through and onto the lawn outside.\n\n[[Leave him.|He's done for]]\n\n[[Kill him.|It's finally over]]
You take a hesitant step inside and are immediately attacked by a sour, rotten smell. You look around and the wallpaper is curling. The old man doesn't seem to notice as he leads you towards his kitchen.\n\nHe doesn't talk to you, he just grunts occasionally. \n\nHis kitchen smells even worse. It's like he left out a bunch of meat in the sun and then poured garlic all over it. You try and hold your breath, but the smell creeps in through you eyes and ears. How can he live like this?\n\nYou notice the water in his sink is a dirty red and a set of tools is soaking in it. Maybe he's a butcher. That would explain all of this. \n\nThe old man reaches into his rusting fridge and yanks out a carton of eggs, handing them over to you.\n\nYou grab hold of them but he doesn't let go.\n\n[["Mr. Jenkins?"|What the heck?]]\n\n[[Yank on them as hard as you can|What?]]