You wake up in bed to find, hold on. you aren't in your bed. It's a nest of some kind and it's too dark to see. What happened, what is this place? You look around the room, (or is it a den?) assessing the situation. You notice light filtering from the wall near you. A way out? Should you [[leave]] this place, or [[wait]] for someone to come by and help.You gaze up at the broken light source coming from the wall across the room. You come to realize the walls and ceiling are all made up of tightly woven sticks. You attempt to rise up from the nest, but it is surprisingly difficult to do so. The weight of your body has shifted all around. Your forearms felt light while your head and legs felt weighed down. Still, you manage to crawl over the edge of the nest to the ground. From there you begin picking at the wall with your nails (or are these claws??), which seems to be constructed from woven sticks. It's tiresome, but you press forward. You've managed to create a small hole, and are about to [[go outside]], but you feel a threatening presence behind you. You don't want to stay here, but what if you just [[accept what's coming]]?At first the silence is deafening. Yet the buzz of thoughts consume your mind. Where even were you last night? Why is there nothing to remember? It's as if you appeared on the world one day with nothing else. But you know there must be some sort of history to remember. You just forgot about your own existence is all.
The sound of footsteps interupt your thoughts. Finally, someone was coming! Relief was quickly replaced with alarm as you realize the footsteps were not coming from outside, but were echoing from within. Thinking quickly, your options are to either [[escape]] or [[accept what's coming]].An imposing figure rises up from out of the ground. The shadow, a creature was large, undefined, and had small white mirrors in place of eyes. Struck with terror, you [[escape]] or [[freeze up]].You bolt over to the wall. A clumsy attempt, as your body can't seem to keep up. It's not that you're heavier than you're used to, but you have surprisingly weak muscles. Still, you are determined to free yourself from this place. Your first instinct is to break through the wall with blunt force, but find scraping at it with your nails (or are these claws??) to be much more effective.
You break through to freedom. At first the light is blinding, but your eyes soon adjust. Still persistent on getting away, you make your way towards [[the woods]] ahead.The dark figure's prescence shoots an uncomfortably familiar terror through your body. Your rapid heartbeat fills the room as your breathing intensifies. You feel a numbness consuming your limbs and face. Not being able to move, all you can do is hope it all goes away. Time slowed down, and you felt words run through you.
//You are not right. You cannot be here.//
Was this shadowy creature talking? No, it's definitely not talking. But somehow it's communicating this feeling of words.
[[You can't be here.]] But [[you can't move.]]The forest's soothing sounds filled your ears, and you looked around at all there was. You felt as though you've been here before, although not for extended periods. It was a confusing place for your mind, but you seemed to navigate the foliage well. You begin to feel quite hungry, which plants a new worry in your brain: Where would you find food?
You soon notice [[a beetle]]You know you shouldn't be here. But what's the use in leaving? Surely, it'll be over soon.
//You are not mine. You are a danger.//
The threatening creature was still. Its piercing eyes still clutching your mind.
A danger? Even though your memory was like a brick wall, you still felt a tinge of guilt seeping through. What did you do? It couldn't have been very good. Surely it was for some benefit right?
//What you think doesn't matter. Or I will do it again, and again, until you are gone.//
The creature leaned forward. You were face to face with it. You close your eyes, not wanting to think about what's in front of you.
Time was at a standstill. Maybe it was a dream and everything was normal again. You peak your eyes open.
//enough of this!//
There was a flash of delicate white teeth and pure darkness.
[[Wake up]]You take a deep breath and find the strength to break your fear by taking a step back.
//You are not mine. You are a danger.//
The threatening creature was still. Its piercing eyes still clutching your mind.
A danger? Even though your memory was like a brick wall, you still felt a tinge of guilt seeping through. Yet you were still shrouded with confusion. What did you do? It couldn't have been good.
//What you think doesn't matter. Or I will do it again, and again, until you are gone.//
The creature leaned forward. You were face to face with it. Though the light was still deeply limited, you could make out what you were looking was not as scary once you realize it seems to just be an animal. It was familiar, but you couldn't recall what it was exactly. It had lots of fur, except it's face was smooth and scaly with a rounded head and pointed nose.
Its eyes weren't mirrors. They were alive, emotion even.
In fact, anger and grief pulsed through them.
//I'm going to allow you a chance if you will take it.//
Not giving a second thought, you instinctively turn towards [[escape]].You quickly finish making the hole large enough and emerge from the woven structure. Your eyes soon adjust to the light. Although you had a moment of fear, you still felt calm enough to attempt an analysis on what was happening to you. The buzz of thoughts consume your mind. Where even were you last night? Why is there nothing to remember? It's as if you appeared on the world one day with nothing else. But you know there must be some sort of history to remember. You just forgot about your own existence is all.
And on top of that, you have claws. Scaly at that. You look down at yourself. //What the hell...//
And thick fur. All you wanted to do was wake up from this nightmare. You could either curl up and go back to [[sleep]] or you could [[look around]].This will all be over in the morning. It's all just a ridiculously realistic nightmare. You find a spot to lay down and close your eyes.
As sleep set in, obscure images began to form in your mind. You were in a dimly lit room, an actual room, and you were at a desk. There were some items in front of you but you couldn't make them out. You couldn't seem to move either. A large shadowy figure was present in the corner. Terror was beginning to set in as it got closer. [[Wake up]] Wanting a momentary distraction from the situation, you begin to notice the world around you. There was a wooded area up ahead, which seemed vaguely familliar. You notice a few chirps were scattering the air, as well as the soft sound of leaves. You turn your head to observe more and notice a dirt path. You wonder what it could lead to.
Where did you want to go?
[[the forest]] or [[follow the path]]
You are drawn to the path, as it provides a familliar comfort. At first you walk on all fours, but find it's easier to stand on your hind legs. A thick tail drags in the dirt behind you. The path felt uncomfortable to walk on, but you trusted where it would take you. Then you see it: A playground. A wave of familiarity washes through you. You notice people at the playground as well. What would they think of you?
You could either [[continue forward]] or [[turn back]]Finally some people were around. Perhaps they would have some answers. You begin to walk over to a young girl using the swings. You imagine a child would react more positively to a talking animal than an adult.
//Hey! Come over here!// You attempt to shout to her, but no words come out.
Still, you did make a noise that caught the girl's attention. Her eyes light up as she runs over. Before you know it you're being smothered in a hug.
You either [[defend yourself]] or [[accept it]]Perhaps it was finding people wasn't the way to go. You feel a small pang of hunger, but you were also incredibly tired from your walk. You could still go back to [[the forest]] or you could take a break and find somewhere to [[go to sleep]]Your mouth waters with hunger. But why? You didn't want to eat the bug. But you have to. You find yourself slowly stalking the insect. You could either [[restrain yourself]] or [[go for it]]You turn away from the beetle. You were not about to eat a bug, no matter how hungry you got. Instead you decide to find some sort of shelter. You come across a hollow bush and lie down. It's pretty comfortable for now, but couldn't be permanant. Still, you were getting quite tired. Also, your hunger is becoming unbearable.
Should you [[close your eyes]] for now, or [[try again]] to find food?You continue to stalk the beetle. This is for survival afterall. You quickly snap at the bug and force it down. Not overly satisfying but at least it's something. Next, it was about time you found [[shelter]].The ambience of the woods. You felt as though you've been here before, although not for extended periods. It was a confusing place for your mind, but you seemed to navigate the foliage well. You begin to feel hungry, which plants a new worry in your brain: Where would you find food?
You soon notice [[a mouse]]Your mouth waters with hunger. But why? You didn't want to eat the mouse. But you have to. You find yourself slowly stalking the rodent. You could either [[refuse]] or [[hunt]] it.You stop yourself from going after the mouse. Even though you were hungry, there was no way you would kill and eat a wild animal. You begin to walk the other way again, hoping to find some shelter.You continue to stalk the mouse. You still have to survive. You lunge forward, instantly killing the mouse. You quickly swallow it down. This should be enough for a while. In fact it was more satisfying than you expected. Next you need to find [[shelter]]Feeling trapped by the girl's tight hold, you scramble and kick your way to freedom.
//Get off!//
The girl lets out a yelp and falls to the ground. You catch a glimpse of a trail of blood coming from her arm.
//Did I do that?// You are shocked at your newly found capabilities. Before you could react, a painful force slams off your skull, sending a shockwave through your body.
The world circles around you as you collapse and [[close your eyes]]The girl hugs you gleefully which you soon feel an immense comfort from. However it isn't long before her mother comes over trying to shoo you away. The warm feeling grew cold as you realized they didn't see you as a person. You were an animal now.
The girl held out her arms toward you, but was held back by her mother, who only gave you a suspicious glare. You could either [[turn back]] or stay and [[play nice]]You find a spot in the grass to lie down and you close your eyes. Faint visions of a dark room form in your mind. It isn't long before you [[Wake up]]You find a nice hole in the bottom of a tree. You take a deep breath and begin to relax. Despite everything, you were beginning to feel okay. The sky grows dark and you fall [[asleep]]As you go to sleep you reflect on your experience. Confusing, difficult, but still had moments of fulfilment. Hope is out there.You remain calm and after a moment the little girl and her mother relax as well. She allowed the girl to approach you once again. She reaches into her pocket and hands you a sandwich crust. The thought of eating it was a bit offputting but you remain tempted due to your growing hunger. You can't remember the last time you've eaten.
You [[eat]] the crust or [[reject]] it.Everything is dark. Brief visions of a large animalistic silhouette cross your mind.
[[Wake up]]You take the sandwich crust and eat it. A delicious famillliar flavour, although you couldn't quite place the ingredients. The little girl lights up, and her mother clearly notices. She offers a sympathetic smile once she realizes you mean no harm. While it was nice to get that approval, you still hated that feeling of not belonging. The girl however, was clearly excited no matter what and before you knew it you were being [[carried away]].You turn away from the food. You were still unsure about this girl and that food was not worth it, even though you were hungry. The girl's mother looked even more unsure of you. Feeling unwelcome here, you decide to [[turn back]]You venture out in search of food. It's become increasingly difficult to seek anything out, but you eventually come across a [[snake]].A snake. The thought of eating one was worse than the beetle. Still, what else could you do? You could either [[catch it]] or [[go back]]You bite down on the snake. It was tough to eat and you tried not to think about it, but it was enough. Next it was time you found a real [[shelter]]You return to your little bush feeling defeated. Perhaps if you [[close your eyes]] it'll be okay.The little girl, who you thought was incredibly strong before you remembered you were only just barely her size, brought you along. It seemed you were about to be a pet. As conflicting as your feelings were about this, her genuine joy spread to you. This could be a good companion.