You see a tall man walking down the street. A strange, glowing aura is emitted from his torso.
[[Talk to Him]]You experience a Shadow of his life story. He has schizophrenia.
You are scared.
[[Run to Your House]]
[[Run to Friend's House]]You run to your house. You are exhausted.
[[Go to Sleep]]You run to your friend's house. His name is Dave. Dave is surprised to see you.
You see a light green aura around him.(set: $friendship to 1)
[[Experience Dave's Shadow]]You go to sleep. Your mind is restless, and your sleep is of low quality.
You are late to work. (set: $mood to -1)
[[Go to Work]](set: $bulimia to (1))You experience Dave's life story. He has bulimia.
You collapse.
(click-append: "bulimia")[, an eating disorder that causes victims to binge excessive amounts of food before purging, often done by vomiting]
[[Sleep]]You wake up.
You are on a couch with a blanket on top of you. Dave is nowhere in sight.
You start preparing for work.
Dave walks into the room. He tries to stop you. You do not listen.
(set: $mood to -2)
[[Go to Work]] You arrive at work late.
You sit down and start researching for your next article.
You get bored.
[[Visit Co-Workers]]
[[Visit Secretary]]You visit with your co-workers.
One has a bright yellow aura. You walk up to them.
[[Experience Co-Worker's Shadow]]You visit your boss's secretary.
She has a crisp blue aura.
[[Experience Secretary's Shadow]]You experience your co-worker's life story. Your co-worker has insomnia.
(click-append: "insomnia")[, a sleeping disorder that makes falling and/or staying asleep difficult]
[[Return to Work->Get Fired]]You experience the secretary's life story. She has OCD.
(click-append: "OCD")[, an anxiety disorder that causes sufferers to have obsessive thoughts that severely impede normal life]
[[Return to Work->Get Demoted]]You return to work.
After work, you start to exit the office.
Your boss stops you. He says that you are fired for coming to work late and distracting others.
He has a cool blue aura.
(set: $mood to $mood - 1) (set: $job to 0)
[[Experience Boss's Shadow]]You return to work.
After work, you start to exit the office.
Your boss stops you. He says that you are demoted for coming to work late.
He has a cool blue aura.
(set: $job to 1)
[[Experience Boss's Shadow]]You experience your boss's life story. He has antisocial personality disorder.
(click-append: "antisocial personality disorder")[, a disorder that causes impaired empathy and narcissistic tendencies]
[[Go to Mother's House]]You go to you mother's house to tell her you are (if: $job is 0)[fired](if: $job is 1)[demoted].
She screams at you.
[[Yell Back]]
(if: (random: 25) is 0 and $job is 0)[[[Calm Her Down->Yell Back]](set: $mom to 2)](else:)[[[Calm Her Down->Calm Her Down]]](if: $mom is 2)[You try to calm your mother down. She keeps screaming.(set: $try to 1)](else:)[You yell at your mother.]
You notice that she has a grey aura glowing brighter.
(set: $mood to $mood - 1) (set: $mom to 0)
[[Experience Mother's Shadow]] You try to calm your mother.
She calms down and invites you to sleep at her house.
You notice that she has a grey aura.
(set: $mood to $mood +2)(set: $mom to 1)
[[Experience Mother's Shadow]]You experience your mother's life story. She has major depression.
(click-append: "major depression")[, a disorder that causes sufferers to experience extreme and constant sadness, emptiness, and loss of interest in everyday life]
(if: $mom is 0)[[[Go Home->Go Home]]](if: $mom is 1)[[[Sleep at Mother's House->Sleep at Mother's House]]]
(set: $method to (either: 0, 1, 2))
(if: $method is 0 and $mom is 1 and $job is 1 and (random: 99) is <30)[(set: $live to 0)]
(else-if: $method is 0 and $mom is 1 and $job is 0 and (random: 99) is <45)[(set: $live to 0)]
(else-if: $method is 0 and $mom is 0 and $job is 1 and (random: 99) is <70)[(set: $live to 0)]
(else-if: $method is 0 and $mom is 0 and $job is 0 and (random: 99) is <85)[(set: $live to 0)]
(else-if: $method is 0 and $mom is 0 and $try is 1 and (random: 99) is <60)[(set: $live to 0)]
(else-if: $method is 1 and $mom is 1 and $job is 1 and (random: 99) is <35)[(set: $live to 0)]
(else-if: $method is 1 and $mom is 1 and $job is 0 and (random: 99) is <50)[(set: $live to 0)]
(else-if: $method is 1 and $mom is 0 and $job is 1 and (random: 99) is <75)[(set: $live to 0)]
(else-if: $method is 1 and $mom is 0 and $job is 0 and (random: 99) is <90)[(set: $live to 0)]
(else-if: $method is 1 and $mom is 0 and $try is 1 and (random: 99) is <65)[(set: $live to 0)]
(else-if: $method is 2 and $mom is 1 and $job is 1 and (random: 99) is <40)[(set: $live to 0)]
(else-if: $method is 2 and $mom is 1 and $job is 0 and (random: 99) is <55)[(set: $live to 0)]
(else-if: $method is 2 and $mom is 0 and $job is 1 and (random: 99) is <80)[(set: $live to 0)]
(else-if: $method is 2 and $mom is 0 and $job is 0 and (random: 99) is <95)[(set: $live to 0)]
(else-if: $method is 2 and $mom is 0 and $try is 1 and (random: 99) is <70)[(set: $live to 0)]
(else:)[(set: $live to 1)]You are kicked out. You go home.
[[Sleep at Home]]You sleep at your mother's house.
(if: $job is 0)[You need to go job hunting soon, but first you need groceries.](if: $job is 1)[You decide to go grocery shopping.]
Your mother gives you some money to shop with.
(set: $money to 1)
[[Go Shopping]]On your way to the store, you see a homeless person.
They ask if you could shop for them(if: $mom is 0)[.](if: $mom is 1)[, but you could also give them change.]
[[Shop for Homeless]]
[[Shop for Self]]
(if: $mom is 1)[[[Give Change->Give Change]]]You go to sleep, waking up early to shop for groceries.
[[Go Shopping]]You agree to shop for the homeless person. (set: $mood to $mood + 2)
(set: $money to $money - 2)
[[Go Shopping->Shop Homeless]]You ignore the homeless person and shop for yourself. (set: $mood to $mood - 1)
[[Go Shopping->Walk to the Store]]You give change to the homeless person.
They thank you. (set: $mood to $mood + 1)
(set: $money to $money - 1)
[[Shop for Self->Shop]]You go shopping for yourself, happy that you helped the homeless.
You finish shopping and decide to invite your friend, Dave, to lunch.
[[Eat Lunch With Dave]]You go shopping for the homeless.
You finish shopping and decide to invite your friend, Dave, to lunch.
(set: $homeless to 1)
[[Eat Lunch With Dave]]Go shopping, ignoring the homeless person.
You finish shopping and decide to invite your friend, Dave, to lunch.
[[Eat Lunch With Dave]]You eat lunch with Dave.
After eating, Dave goes to the bathroom.
(if: $bulimia is 1)[You remember he has bulimia.](if: $bulimia is 0)[He has a light green aura around him]
(if: $bulimia is 0)[[[Experience Dave's Shadow->Experience Dave's Shadow1]]](if: $bulimia is 1)[[[Follow Him->Follow Him]]
[[Stay Seated->Stay Seated]]]You follow Dave to the bathroom.
You hear him purging.
You walk into the open stall and put your hand on his back.
You comfort him, and ask him to attend therapy. (set: $mood to $mood + 2)
(set: $follow to 1) (set: $friendship to $friendship + 2)
[[Return to Table]]You stay seating, feeling bad that you did not help Dave.
Dave comes back to the table. (set: $mood to $mood - 1)
A waiter brings the bill.
(set: $follow to 0)
[[Dave Pays the Bill]]
[[You Pay the Bill]]
[[Split the Bill]]You experience Dave's life story. He has bulimia.
(set: $bulimia to 1)(click-append: "bulimia")[, an eating disorder that causes victims to binge excessive amounts of food before purging, often done by vomiting]
[[End Shadow->Eat Lunch With Dave]] You return to the table with Dave, happy that you helped him.
A waiter brings the bill.
[[Dave Pays the Bill]]
[[You Pay the Bill]]
[[Split the Bill]]You ask Dave to pay the bill, explaining that you are short on cash.
He agrees (if: $follow is 1)[wholeheartedly(set: $mood to $mood - 1)](if: $follow is 0)[begrudgingly(set: $friendship to $friendship - 1)(set: $mood to $mood - 1)].
(set: $bill to 1)
[[Say Goodbye and Go Home]]You pay the bill(if: $follow is 1)[, but Dave stops you.
He ask to pay for himself, and you agree.
You split the bill.(set: $money to $money - 1)]
(set: $bill to 0)
[[Say Goodbye and Go Home]](set: $friendship to $friendship + 1)(if: $follow is 0)[(set: $money to $money - 2)]You ask Dave to split the bill.
He agrees. (set: $money to $money - 1)
(set: $bill to 2)
[[Say Goodbye and Go Home]] You tell Dave bye, and leave to go home.
You remember that you need to talk to your landlord, but it is(if: $homeless is 1)[ too late at night](if: $homeless is 0)[ getting late].
[[Go to Sleep->Day Four]]
(if: $homeless is 0)[[[Talk to Landlord->Talk to Landlord]]]You go to sleep.
(if: $landlord is 0)[You are woken up by a burly man with a rust-colored aura. He is your landlord.](else:)[You wake up and get ready to go (if: $job is 1)[to work](if: $job is 0)[job hunting].]
(if: $landlord is 0)[[[Experience Landlord's Shadow->Experience Landlord's Shadow]]](if: $landlord is 1)[(if: $job is 1)[[[Go to Work->Work1]]](if: $job is 0)[[[Go Job Hunting->Go Job Hunting]]]]You walk over to your landlord to tell him why you cannot pay the bills tonight.
You pay him what you can, and wait for his reaction.
(if: $money is >-2)[He understands, and says you can pay within the next six days.(set: $home to 2)](if: $money is -2)[He gets angry, and tells you to pay in four days.(set: $mood to $mood - 1)(set: $home to 1)](if: $money is <-2)[He gets furious, and tells you to be out in two days.(set: $mood to $mood - 2)(set: $home to 0)]
He has a rust-colored aura.
(set: $landlord to 1)
[[Experience Landlord's Shadow]]You experience your landlord's life story. He has PTSD.
(click-append: "PTSD")[, an anxiety disorder that causes sufferers to have extreme and dramatic flashbacks or other anxiety-related symptoms after a traumatic experience]
(if: $landlord is 1)[[[Go to Sleep->Day Four]]](if: $landlord is 0)[[[Get Chastised by Landlord->Morning Landlord]]]You go to work.
You are working on an article for Mental Health Week about stigma and the misunderstanding of mental illnesses.
To research, you go to a mental health ward.
You meet a man with a bright red aura.
[[Experience Man's Shadow]]You go job hunting.
You walk into the employment office, and see a lady with a deep purple aura.
[[Experience Lady's Shadow]]You experience the lady's life story. She has maladaptive daydreaming.
(click-append: "maladaptive daydreaming")[, a disorder that causes sufferers to experience vivid daydreams that distracts them from real life]
[[Return to Employment Office]]You talk to the lady. She gives you two job options.
[[Janitor]]
[[Server]]You ask to be a server at Starry's Eatery.
The lady hands you the paperwork, and you fill it out.
Your first shift starts tomorrow afternoon.
(set: $job to 2)
[[Go Home->Go Home1]] You go home.
You notice a voicemail from your mother.
You are confused; it is late and she should be asleep.
You figure something must be wrong.
(set: $i to (text-style: "italic"))(set: $b to (text-style: "bold"))
[[Answer Message Now]]
[[Answer Message Tomorrow]]You answer the message now.
You hear her sobbing.
She speaks, her voice broken and strained.
[[Listen->Mom Message]]You run to your mother's house as fast as you can.
She is about to commit suicide.
You barge into the house and try to find her.
You run to her room.
The door is locked.
[[Bang on Door]]You decide to answer the message tomorrow.
(set: $live to 0)(set: $momnote to (text-style: "italic") + (text-style: "blur") + (text-color: "#bebebe"))(set: $fade to (transition: "dissolve") + (transition-time: 5s))(set: $caution to (text-style: "italic") + (text-color: "#bebebe"))(set: $wait to 1)
[[Go to Sleep->Sleep1]]It is 4 in the morning.
You are woken up by a phone call.
Confused and annoyed, you answer it.
[[Answer Call]]Your mother collapse in your arms.
$caution[$b[I'm sorry. Thank you.]] She mumbles.
$b[It's okay. I'm here for you.]
You clear away the (if: $method is 0)[pill bottle](if: $method is 1)[gun](if: $method is 2)[rope].
$b[Why don't we go to sleep? We can talk about it in the morning.]
[[Sleep with Mom]]You run up to her limp body.
$caution[No.
This can't be.]
Your voice starts to waiver.
$caution[Please. Come back.]
Tears start to flow.
$caution[Please.
I need you.]
(text-style: "italic")[Your mother is dead.]
[[Lay in Bed]]
[[Wander Outside]]You lay in bed.
It could have been minutes. It could have been hours. It could have been days. You don't know.
Everything is meaningless.
You don't cry.
You don't sleep.
You just look into the void, your mother's lifeless body behind you.
Your eyes glaze over. They aren't closed, and you aren't asleep, but time passes.
(set: $lay to 1)
[[Emergency Services Arrive]]You stare at the body in disbelief.
You exit the house, feeling as if her death is your fault.
And it is.
If you had stopped her. If you were more compassionate(if: $mom is 0 and $try is 0)[. If you hadn't yelled at her].
If you had only tried harder.
She would still be alive.
(set: $lay to 2)
[[Lay on Bench]](set: $i to (text-style: "italic"))$i[Are they awake?
Shhh](set: $nurse to ($i) + (text-color: "#9ab0e1"))
You open your eyes.
You are in a hospital bed.
You don't remember how or why you got there.
A nurse comes in.
$nurse[Andi Free?]
You shake your head, as if to break the brick wall clouding your brain.
$i[(text-color: "#e5e5e5")[That's me. Why am I here?]]
$nurse[It's your mother. Iris Clementine.
She commited suicide last night.]
Your face goes blank.
Suddenly, you wish you hadn't asked.
$nurse[(if: $wait is 1)[Your friend, Dave, brought you here. Officers searched your mother's house. Iris left a note addressed to you.](else:)[We found your ID and made the connection. Officers searched the house. Iris left a note addressed to you.]]
[[Receive Note]]You slowly crawl out of the bed.
Before leaving, you grab the note from the bed stand and shove it into your pocket.
You march to the bathroom and look in the mirror.
You dry your cheeks and apply cold water under your eyes to reduce the puffiness.
You barge out the hospital room, hysteria and spite controlling you.
You walk pass the front desk, and prepare for an Uber to bring you to work.
(if: $job is 3)[[[Go to Work->Janitor Job]]](else-if: $job is 2)[[[Go to Work->Server Job]]](else-if: $job is 1)[[[Go to Work->Journal Job]]](else:)[[[Go to Work->Server Job]]]You arrive at Momary High School to start your shift.
As you are cleaning up during lunch, a young boy starts hyperventilating.
Another child, who you assume is his friend, gets up to tell a teacher.
The first boy has a pulsing, deep red aura, mixed with shades of lavender.
[[Experience Boy's Shadow]]You arrive at Starry’s Café and start your shift.
A customer has his hands over his ears and looks panicked. He is rocking back and forth.
He has a pulsating orange aura around him.
[[Experience Customer's Shadow]]You arrive at work and start your shift.
You can't focus, and start looking around the office.
A woman continuously brings her hands up to her eyes, as if she is crying.
She has a dark green aura.
[[Experience Woman's Shadow]]Sirens wail outside.
People bust through the door.
Someone grabs you and puts you on a stretcher.
They ask you questions.
Your sight starts to fade.
Before you black out, you hear four words.
$caution[It was a suicide.]
[[Wake in Hospital]] Your mother goes to sleep.
You lay awake thinking of what just happened.
Once you decide your mother is fast asleep, you wander around the house.
You approach the living room; the same room you saw as you ran in the house only hours ago.
You feel a different mood. Now, you scan the room, taking in every detail.
Your eyes land on a piece of worn down paper. It is filled will marks of moisture.
[[Read Note]]You pick up the note and read it.
[[Note->Note - Live]]Tears start to form in your eyes.
You contemplate what to do.
The bright flames leaping from the fireplace fill you with determination.
[[Burn Note->Back to Sleep]]She hands you the note.
[[Read It->Note]]You watch the flames dance wildly, consuming all that happened before now.
You return to bed.
[[Wake Up]]You wake up to find your mother nowhere in sight.
You start panicking, and run into the kitchen.
Your mother greets you, a platter of pancakes in her hand.
She invites you to eat.
[[Eat Brunch]]After eating, you tell her you have to go to work.
You call Dave to stay with her while you are gone.
(if: $job is 3)[[[Go to Work->Janitor Job1]]](else-if: $job is 2)[[[Go to Work->Server Job1]]](else-if: $job is 1)[[[Go to Work->Journal Job1]]](else:)[[[Go to Work->Server Job1]]]You arrive at Momary High School and start your shift.
As you are cleaning the teacher's lounge, a teacher enters.
He has an autumn orange aura.
[[Experience Teacher's Shadow]]You arrive at Starry's Café and start your shift.
A customer comes in the building sitting in a wheelchair.
She has a bright green aura.
[[Experience Customer's Shadow->Experience Customer's Shadow1]] You arrive at work and start your shift.
Today, you are suppose to interview a man with dissociative identity disorder.
You go to a mental hospital to meet him.
All around you are bodies surrounded by auras of multiple colors and intensities.
[[Interview Man]]You ask to be a janitor at Momary High School.
The lady hands you the paperwork, and you fill it out.
Your first shift starts tomorrow afternoon.
(set: $job to 3)
[[Go Home->Go Home1]] You experience the man's life story. He has Stockholm Syndrome.
(click-append: "Stockholm Syndrome")[, a disorder that causes sufferers to form an emotional bond to their kidnapper]
[[Continue Working]]You continue working.
You finish today's research, and head home.
[[Go Home->Go Home1]] (set: $momnote to (text-style: "italic") + (text-style: "blur") + (text-color: "#bebebe"))(set: $fade to (transition: "dissolve") + (transition-time: 5s))
$fade[$momnote[Before I go, please remember;
I love you.
I love you more than anything else.
[[Goodbye.->Go to Mom]]]]You bang on the door.
You bang, and bang, and bang.
The door does not open.
(set: $caution to (text-style: "italic") + (text-color: "#bebebe"))
[[[Pick the Lock->Pick the Lock]]]You remember the key on top of the doorframe.
You grab it and unlock the door.
(if: $method is 2)[Your mother is in her closet, a rope tied like a noose in front of her.](if: $method is 0 or 1)[Your mother is sitting on her bed, crying with (if: $method is 0)[pills in her hand](if: $method is 1)[a gun pointed towards her head].
She looks at you, then back at the (if: $method is 0)[pills](if: $method is 1)[gun].](if: $method is 2)[
She is standing on a box with her hands around the rope.]
(if: $method is 0 and $live is 1)[[[Stop Her->Method OD - Life]]](if: $method is 1 and $live is 1)[[[Stop Her->Method Gun - Life]]](if: $method is 2 and $live is 1)[[[Stop Her->Method Hang - Life]]](if: $method is 0 and $live is 0)[[[Stop Her->Method OD - Death]]](if: $method is 1 and $live is 0)[[[Stop Her->Method Gun - Death]]](if: $method is 2 and $live is 0)[[[Stop Her->Method Hang - Death]]]You dash across the room, yelling at her to stop.
She looks back at you with a twinkle in her eye.
With a small smile, she throws her head back.
(text-style: "italic")[(if: (random: 99) is 100)[She swallows the pills.(set: $swallow to 1)]You slap the pills out of her hand.]
(if: $swallow is 1)[$caution[[[Continue->She Lives - OD]]]](else:)[[[She Lives->She Lives]]]You start walking slowly, caution in your eyes.
$caution[Don't do it.] You warn.
$caution[Please, don't do it.
You don't want this.
I can help you.]
She looks at me, then back at the gun.
$caution[Please.]
She gives me a crooked smile, and raises the gun a bit more.
$caution[No!] You scream, slapping the gun from her hand.
(text-style: "italic")[She lives.]
$caution[[[She Lives->She Lives]]]You dash across the room, yelling at her to stop.
She looks back at you with a twinkle in her eye.
With a small smile, she throws her head back.
(text-style: "italic")[She swallows the pills.]
$caution[[[Continue->She Dies]]]You start walking slowly, caution in your eyes.
$caution[Don't do it.] You warn.
$caution[Please, don't do it.
You don't want this.
I can help you.]
She looks at me, then back at the gun.
$caution[Please.]
She gives me a crooked smile, and raises the gun a bit more.
$caution[No!] You scream, watching her eyes sparkle for the last time.
(text-style: "italic")[She pulls the trigger.]
$caution[[[Continue->She Dies]]](set: $momnote to (text-style: "italic") + (text-style: "blur") + (text-color: "#bebebe"))(set: $fade to (transition: "dissolve") + (transition-time: 5s))$momnote[$fade[Andi,
I'm sorry.
I was broken.
You couldn't have saved me.
I love you
Remember...
Love,
[[Mom->Nurse Leaves]]]]You go home to find Dave waiting by the door.
He explains how he heard the news, and was worried about you.
You let him in, allowing him to comfort you.
You share stories about your youth; how Livy was always by your side, as well as Max, who smiled everyday, and Percy, who was too vulnerable for his own good.
You go on and on, stopping after each anecdote to wipe your tears and drink some water.
Eventually, it gets late, and you let Dave sleep on the couch.
[[Go to Sleep->Nightmare]]You return from work and see your mother and Dave happily chatting.
Upon seeing you, your mother bounces up and hugs you.
She tells you that you were the medicine she needed, and she should be fine now.
Nonetheless, you politely request for her to attend a support group tomorrow.
She agrees, stating that she would do anything for you.
Dave asks if you need anything else before he goes.
Your mother urges him to stay and sleep in the spare room.
[[Go to Sleep->Next Day]]You wake up early to search for a support group for your mother.
You find one and start preparing breakfast.
When your mother walks out of her room, you tell her about the group you found.
As you and your mother talk about the group, Dave walks in.
Once you all finish eating, your mother goes to the support group.
You ask Dave if you and him could go to his house to talk about something.
You have decided to tell him about your Shadows.
[[Go to Dave's House]]You and Dave go to his house, and you ask him to sit down.
You know he will not believe you, but you have to try.
This week has been hectic, and you have to get everything off your chest.
You rehearse what you will say while making tea.
You will start at the beginning of the experience; the man with Schizophrenia.
Then, your (if: $job is < 0)[secretary with OCD](else:)[co-worker with insomnia].
Your boss and mom, sociopathy and depression; your landlord and the (if: $job is 1)[ward patient, PTSD and Stockholm Syndrome](else:)[job helper, PTSD and gender dysphoria].
The (if: $job is 1)[dissociative identity disorder](if: $job is 2)[cerebral palsy](if: $job is 3)[seasonal depression].
Everything must be said.
[[Tell Dave]]You tell Dave everything.
[[Wait]]$b[Please... Dave, I am not a monster. It is the side effects of the drug. I swear...
I swear on my mother's existence. $i[I am NOT a monster.]]
He stares at you and slowly lowers his cup.
He tries to calm his breathing.
$b[Please... Trust me. I swear. I am no monster. It is just the drug. It is just... the drug.]
$caution[I.. it.. it is just... just the drug? It is just the... the drug.]
$b[Yes. It is just the drug. Just the drug.]
You slowly take the cup out of Dave's hand, and you gently lead him to the couch.
$caution[So... This isn't some kind of joke, right?]
$b[Right.]
(set: $dave to 0)
[[End Game]]You look around and make a split-second decision.
Turning on your heel, you run to the door.
You look behind you to see Dave, face blurred, and a cup:
The same cup you gave him earlier, before spilling out your entire life.
The same cup he stroked as you told him about your Shadows and burdens.
The same cup he almost threw at you when you chose to put your trust in him.
Except now, he did throw it at you.
He hurled the cup with all his might, and now it was flying towards your face as fast as your life had changed with the taking of the drug.
The cup shatters upon making contact with your stunned features, and blood covers your eyes.
You turn your body around and stare menacingly at Dave.
(text-style: "bold")[Who's the monster now?]
(set: $dave to 1)
(if: $friendship is 4)[[[Run->Dave Help]]](else:)[[[Run->Run]]]same as leaveShe starts to rest her head on the noose.
You stand in shock, not knowing what to do.
Suddenly, you grab the knife that is on her dresser.
As you turn to cut the rope, your mother gives you a small smile.
(text-style: "italic")[You slice the rope.]
$caution[[[She Lives->She Lives]]]She starts to rest her head on the noose.
You stand in shock, not knowing what to do.
Suddenly, you grab the knife that is on her dresser.
As you turn to cut the rope, your mother gives you a small smile.
(text-style: "italic")[She steps off the box.]
$caution[[[Continue->She Dies]]]You lay on a bench.
You don't go to sleep.
You don't close your eyes.
Someone ask if you're awake.
You don't have the energy to answer.
They call emergency services.
[[Wake in Hospital]] The nurse puts her hand on your leg.
$nurse[I'll leave you alone now. It's a lot to handle. Press the button on your left if you need anything.]
$i[(text-color: "#e5e5e5")[Thank you.]]
She leaves the room.
[[Cry]]The door closes.
A single tear rolls down your cheek, then another.
Before you know it, your face is red and puffy and full of moisture.
You shake your head.
$i[(text-color: "#e5e5e5")[I can't do this,]] you say, resilience strengthening your voice.
$i[(text-color: "#e5e5e5")[I need to move on. I have work today. I will go.]]
[[Leave->Barge Out]] (set: $timer to 0)(live: 4s)[(set: $timer to $timer + 1)](set: $momnote to (text-style: "italic") + (text-style: "blur") + (text-color: "#bebebe"))(set: $fade to (transition: "dissolve") + (transition-time: 4s))$fade[$momnote[Andi,
$fade[(live: 4s)[(if: $timer > 0)[I'm sorry.]]]
(if: $timer > 1)[I was broken.]
(if: $timer > 2)[You couldn't have saved me.]
(if: $timer > 3)[I love you]
(if: $timer > 4)[Remember...]
(if: $timer > 5)[ Love,]
(if: $timer > 6)[ [[Mom->Nurse Leaves]]]]]You walk over to your landlord to tell him why you cannot pay the bills, and apologize for not paying them last night.
You pay him what you can, and wait for his reaction.
(if: $money is >-2)[He understands, and says you can pay within the next five days.(set: $home to 2)](if: $money is -2)[He gets angry, and tells you to pay in three days.(set: $mood to $mood - 1)(set: $home to 1)](if: $money is <-2)[He gets furious, and tells you to be out by tomorrow night.(set: $mood to $mood - 2)(set: $home to 0)]
(if: $home is 2)[You thank him](else-if: $home is 1)[You tell him you will have the money by then](else:)[You nod your head meekly].
(if: $job is 1)[[[Go to Work->Work1]]](else-if: $job is 0)[[[Go Job Hunting->Go Job Hunting]]]You experience the boy's life story. He has panic disorder and social anxiety disorder.
He is having a panic attack.
(click-append: "panic disorder")[, a disorder that causes sufferers to experience panic attacks, which are intense occurences of fear and anxiety that happen for seemingly no reason](click-append: "social anxiety disorder")[, a disorder that causes sufferers to experience irrational anxiety relating to social situations and interactions]
[[Continue Working->Janitor Continue]]The crying child reminds you of your mother:
(if: $wait is 1)[The brokenness you felt as the nurse called you at four in the morning.](else:)[The brokenness you saw on her face as she smiled at you before (if: $method is 0)[swallowing her last](if: $method is 1)[pulling the trigger](if: $method is 2)[stepping off the box].]
The hopelessness you felt as you read the note she wrote saying she was broken beyond repair.
The tears that flowed from your face right now as you thought back upon her life.
[[Snap Out of Daze]]You snap out of your daze and run away from the lunchroom, unable to let the student's see your tear-filled face.
You find the principal's office and open the door, knocking as you do so.
The principal looks at you with concern, then realization spreads to her features.
She was a close friend of your mother, and understands that you were her child.
You are dismissed immediately.
[[Go Home->Go to Your Home]]You experience the boy's life story. He has autism spectrum disorder.
He is having a hypersensitive episode.
(click-append: "autism spectrum disorder")[, a disorder that affects communication, social interactions, and behavior. It can also cause hypersensitivity, which impairs the brain's ability to regulate senses]
[[Continue Working->Server Continue]]The panicked child reminds you of your mother:
(if: $wait is 1)[The fear you felt as you heard the nurse call you at four in the morning.](else:)[The fear that consumed you when you heard her message over the phone, thinking it was too late.]
(if: $wait is 1)[The apprehension that swallowed you as you awoke in the hospital bed.](else:)[The anxiety that engulfed you as you pounded the door to her room, begging it to $i[just open].
The terror in your eyes as she (if: $method is 0)[swallowed the pills](if: $method is 1)[pulled the trigger](if: $method is 2)[stepped off the box], giving you a small smile in the process.]
The shaking you took part in right now as you thought back upon (if: $wait is 1)[your failed chance to save her](else:)[her last seconds alive].
[[Run to Manager]]You run to your manager, tears starting to pour down your cheeks.
You find the manager's office and open the door, knocking as you do so.
The manager looks at you with concern, then realization spreads to her face.
She was a close friend of your mother, and understands that you were her child.
You are dismissed immediately.
[[Go Home->Go to Your Home]]You experience the woman's life story. She has Tourette's Syndrome.
She is sleep deprived, anxious, and feeling self-conscious about her tics, making them worse.
(click-append: "Tourette's Syndrome")[, a nervous system disorder that causes sufferers to experience repetitive, uncontrollable vocal/motor tics]
[[Continue Working->Journal Continue]]The woman's worried looks reminds you of your mother:
(if: $wait is 1)[The fear you felt as the nurse called you at four in the morning.](else:)[The fear in your face as you ran to her house, hoping it wasn't too late.]
(if: $wait is 1)[The apprehension that swallowed you as you awoke in the hospital bed.](else:)[The frantic pounding of your fist when her door didn't open.
The pleading gaze you gave her as she (if: $method is 0)[clutched the pill bottle](if: $method is 1)[pointed the gun at her head](if: $method is 2)[rested her head on the rope].]
The anxiety that consumed you right now as you thought back upon (if: $wait is 1)[your failed chance to save her](else:)[her last seconds alive].
[[Run to Secretary]]You run to the secretary, needing her to understand.
You find the secretary's office and open the door, knocking as you do so.
She looks at you with concern, then realization spreads to her face.
She was a close friend of your mother, and understands that you were her child.
You are dismissed immediately.
[[Go Home->Go to Your Home]](text-style: "italic")[(text-color: "#a1aea8")[$fade[You walk around, staring at trinkets as you go. A picture of four young children rest on a wooden table nestled next to a stack of newspapers. The hard floor creaks as you step over an abandoned toy longing to be played with. Behind you, a noise fills the air. The sound yearns to be heard, desperate for help yet unable to find it. You attempt to turn your head, but a force stops you. You try again, but your skull remains looking in the same direction of which it started. Frantic, you scream, hoping to aid the voice, but the voice's scream only gets louder. This chorus of the two yelps fades away as darkness surrounds you. Every sound, once so vibrant and distressed, disappears. All is loss.]]]
[[Wake Up->Day 6]]You wake up in a cold sweat.
$i[It was just a nightmare. It's not real,] you assure yourself.
Dave rushes in, concerned as to why you were screaming.
You calmly tell him that it was only a dream
He reluctantly accepts your answer, and motions you to get ready.
He says you are going to a support group, as requested by the doctors who found you.
You stubbornly agree.
[[Go to Support Group]]Dave drops you off at the support group.
You go inside, and you hate every second of it.
[[Return Home]]You run up to her, watching her body shake chaotically.
$caution[$b[I'm sorry.]] She cries.
$b[You $i[will] live. I promise.]
Picking up her pill bottle, you call emergency services.
$b[They'll be here soon. Just stay awake.]
You tell them what she took and explain the situation.
[[Emergency Services Arrive->Emergency Services - OD]] They arrive, and your mother is taken away.
You are allowed into the ambulance to go with them.You experience the teacher's life story. He has seasonal affective disorder.
(click-append: "seasonal affective disorder")[, a disorder that causes sufferers to experience depression during certain seasons, most often starting in early fall and ending in spring or summer]
[[Continue Cleaning]]You continue cleaning.
Once your shift is over, you go to your mom's house.
[[Go to Mom's House]] You experience the customer's life story. She has cerebral palsy.
(click-append: "cerebral palsy")[, a disorder that affects muscle growth, motor skills, and movement]
[[Continue Working->Continue Serving]]You continue working.
Once your shift ends, you go to your mom's house.
[[Go to Mom's House]] You walk up to the man.
He has a strawberry and turquoise colored aura.
[[Experience Man's Shadow->Experience Interview Shadow]]You experience the man's life story. He has dissociative identity disorder.
(click-append: "dissociative identity disorder")[, a disorder that causes sufferers to have multiple distinct personality states]
[[Start Interview]]You interview the man.
You learn how his disorder affects his life dramatically.
After you are pleased with the information you have recieved, you go home.
[[Go to Mom's House]](set: $nurse to ($i) + (text-color: "#9ab0e1"))$fade[$b[$nurse[Andi Free?]
$i[Yes?]
$nurse[It's your mother.
She commited suicide last night.]]
$i[And with those words, your world crumbles.]]
[[Continue->Wake in Hospital]]He still doesn't respond.
You guess he must be processing all that you told him.
[[Keep Waiting]]Soon, you can't take it.
$b[Please. Say $i[something]].
$caution[You...
You're a...
You're a monster! A Monster!
Get away from me! You're a monster!]
Dave starts to get up, spilling his tea everywhere.
$b[Wait! Dave, please, hear me out! This isn't natural, I swear! It's a drug! A drug is doing this to me! I am a test subject for a drug to improve the empathy in people who can't feel it! Please, I am $i[NOT] a monster!]
$caution[S-st-st-STAY BACK! Stay AWAY from me! I'm warning you, you FREAK!]
Dave gets ready to throw his cup at you.
[[Run Away]]
[[Stay Calm]]Ignoring Dave's inquiries about the support group, you return home.
With everything that has been happening, you have to tell $i[someone] about your Shadows.
That would be one large load off of your already-overburdened chest.
You decide that, despite him forcing you to go to a support group, Dave would be the best option.
You ask him to sit down, and start making tea.
You rehearse what you will say.
You will start at the beginning of the experience; the man with Schizophrenia.
Then, your (if: $job is < 0)[secretary with OCD](else:)[co-worker with insomnia].
Your boss and mom, sociopathy and depression; your landlord and the (if: $job is 1)[ward patient, PTSD and Stockholm Syndrome](else:)[job helper, PTSD and gender dysphoria].
The (if: $job is 1)[Tourette's Syndrome](if: $job is 2)[autism](if: $job is 3)[panic disorder].
Everything must be said.
[[Tell Dave]](set: $momnote to (text-style: "italic") + (text-style: "blur") + (text-color: "#bebebe"))(set: $fade to (transition: "dissolve") + (transition-time: 5s))$momnote[$fade[Andi,
I'm sorry.
I was broken.
You couldn't have saved me.
I love you
Remember...
Love,
[[Mom->Burn Note]]]]You rush to your apartment as fast as you can.
$b[$i[I can't do this.]]
You ignore the screams of the wind and the complaints of passing cars.
$b[$i[I can't do this.]]
You throw the apartment door open and rush to the syringe.
$b[$i[I can't do this.]]
You grab the needle filled with a dark purple liquid, and pierce your skin.
$b[$i[I can do this.]]
You wait as the substance enters your bloodstream, having patience as it floods you with a sense of peace.
$b[$i[This is it.]]
$b[$i[Goodbye.]]
(set: $help to 2)
[[End Game]]STAY CALM:
calm him down
RUN AWAY:
if: go to Dave's house + follow him + try to pay bill (friendship is 4)
then: he finds you when you reach your home and helps you
else-if: mom live: almost OD, but think of mom
else: OD, throw syringe, jump out of balcony
PUNCH HIM:
You rush to your apartment as fast as you can.
$b[$i[I can't do this.]]
You ignore the screams of the wind and the complaints of passing cars.
$b[$i[I can't do this.]]
You throw the apartment door open and rush to the syringe.
$b[$i[I can't do this.]]
You grab the needle filled with a dark purple liquid, and pierce your skin.
$b[$i[I can't do this.]]
$caution[You can do this.]
(set: $help to 1)
[[Turn Around]]Double-click this passage to edit it.You turn around and see Dave, sweat-covered and breathing heavily.
$caution[You $b[can] do this.]
$b[When... When did you get here?]
$caution[Just now. Please, put the syringe down.]
You slowly remove the syringe, eyeing Dave cautiously.
$caution[I'm sorry. I shouldn't have treated you like a wild animal. I was stupid and ignorant and inconsiderate.]
You continue staring at him while gripping the syringe tightly.
$caution[Please, forgive me. You were there for me in my hardest times, and I need to be there for you. Just put it down, and we can talk it out. This time, I will be there. I won't lash out, and I will try to understand, even if the things you say sound impossible. I'm sorry. You are $b[not] a monster]
[[End Game]]Copy this code:
(text: ...(a: $live, $method, $job, $help, $mom, $wait, $mood, $money, $homeless, $home, $try, $dave, $lay, $bill, $friendship, $follow))
Go to this link:
http://bit.ly/KeepInMindSurvey