Run to You

“Thanks for the help,” you say, as you lift the luggage up the front steps. “No problem at all. I should be the one to thank you for making the purchase.” Ludwig returns a polite - if slightly restrained - smile. “This may be under my name, but my uncle’s the one signing the papers.” But seriously, this property is surprisingly inexpensive given its land size, even if it does have its downsides. “Why do you insist on living here, Mr Jones?” Ludwig asks. “Same reason why you refuse to get assigned to another estate, Lud.” “I just thought that maybe I’ll get to see him again some day.” “Maybe you will." We are now standing in front of the main entrance. “Shall we?” [[Open the Door]]

You press down on the door handle. The door creaks open. “Are you sure this is all right, Mr Jones?” Ludwig asks in a low voice. “’Course it is!” you laugh. “And just call me Alfred.” (link-replace: "Coffee?")[“Coffee?” you offer, remembering that you have some in your luggage. “Gotta be a good host, y’know.” “Thank you, but I have another matter to attend to. Good luck, Alfred.” Ludwig checks his watch and makes a quick exit. [[Unpack Your Luggage]]]

These two luggages contain everything you have from your college dorm days, which officially ended yesterday. The smaller luggage is navy blue, with a Captain America Sigil on it. You adjust the number lock to 0704 and unzip the luggage. (click: "unzip the luggage")[(link-replace:"Figurines")[Carefully-wrapped figurines of Batman and Joker. They took up most of the space.(set: $luggage to it +1) ] (link-replace:"DVD Collection")[Your favourite movie collection. You look longingly at Groundhog Day and The Truman Show.(set: $luggage to it +1) ] (link-replace:"Bike Licence")[You look as smashing as ever... and //almost// old enough to buy alcohol. //Almost//.(set: $luggage to it +1) ]] (live: 1s)[(if: $luggage is 3)[At the very bottom of the suitcase, there is a (somewhat crushed) [[newspaper article]]. You thought you’ve put it in the folder!(stop:)]]

The dining room is illuminated by a small chandelier as well as what natural lighting may come from the two windows at the side. A large wooden table is surrounded by half a dozen white Scandinavian-looking chairs. A small semi-open kitchen is comfortably tucked away at a corner, with a wall of (textcolor: "inherit")[appliances] and floor-to-ceiling (textcolor: "inherit")[cabinetry]. (click: "appliances")[A microwave, a water boiler and a fridge are all you need.] (click: "cabinetry")[Hamburgers, check; Cup noodles, check; Doritos, check; Three 1.75 litre bottles of coke, check...] [[Go to the Living Room->Living Room]]

The reading room is dominated by a towering library, adorned by handsome (textcolor: "inherit")[volumes] that obscure the walls almost entirely. There is a large Victorian-looking writing desk with a lamp and your laptop on it, accompanied by a single chair. Opposite them is a single sofa. (click: "volumes")[“… //Volontariamente e consapevolmente la morte… peccato… recordo//…" After flipping through a few, you realise that a significant portion of the library’s books are written in Italian. Your uncle has once likened Italian to a rose in full bloom: romantic and elegant. No wonder Italians are so skilled at picking up girls. Unfortunately for you, you are unable to appreciate its beauty.] [[Go to the Living Room->Living Room]]

You can see part of the living room and the front door from the landing, which is enclosed by a metal balustrade. A dimly-lit hallway stretches beyond you, white walls growing all the way from the marble floor to the ceiling — save for a square spot right above you, which looks like it is made of wood. The hallway is comparatively barren, save for the (textcolor: "inherit")[trophy heads of exotic animals] flanking you, dozens of dark eyes possessing a glint similar to that of a polished bayonet. It gives you the creeps. The master bedroom is at the other end of the hallway, with two smaller ones at the side. (click: "trophy heads of exotic animals")[You’re //so// getting them removed.] [[Go down the Stairs->Living Room]] [[Go to the Master Bedroom->Master Bedroom]] [[Go to the East Bedroom->East Bedroom]] [[Go to the West Bedroom->West Bedroom]]

The interior of the house is a subject of wonder regardless how many times you have seen it. Typical of a house built in the late nineteenth century, the house is brick and mortar. Yet, the living room looks its past century all put together: the walls are painted sky blue, an unorthodox choice, but one that seems to suit the dark wooden floor. A telephone sits uncomfortably on top of a vintage lacquer desk. A CRT Philips TV faces a gondola-style sofa and a coffee table. Not much cleaning has been done yet, but it looks liveable. [[Go to the Dining Room->Dining Room]] [[Go to the Reading Room->Reading Room]] [[Go to the Courtyard->Courtyard]] [[Go up the Stairs->Hallway]]

The master bedroom, newly renovated, is simple and functional. Your queen-sized bed and nightstands occupy a third of the space, near some evenly-spaced tall windows and thick, opaque (textcolor: "inherit")[curtains]. There is a refined rosewood closet at the bed’s foot, complete with an ornate full-length (textcolor: "inherit")[cheval glass]. [[Unpack Your Luggage->Unpack2]] (click:"curtains")[You draw aside the curtains for sunlight to flood the room. It is a tad too dim even with the lights on.] (click:"cheval glass")[Handsome. Optimistic. Muscular. Boisterous. Gullible. Worrying IQ. Other people may perceive you as such, but all you see is a young man with messy golden hair, a cowlick, blue eyes and sun-kissed skin, and most importantly, a pair of glasses concealing your secret identity. You strike a heroic pose and imagine a flowing cape attached to your shoulders.] [[Go to the Hallway->Hallway]] [[Go to the Bathroom->Bathroom]]

You collapse onto your bed, which protests against your weight with a squeak. The clock strikes thrice. You sit up, perhaps a bit too abruptly, as you feel a sudden pain shoot through your temples. You open the closet, revealing the mess you have made two hours ago, and resume your work resignedly. <hr>(link-replace: "Your Favourite Hoodie")[Black with a silver bat sign at the front, the words “What is a Batman’s favourite part of the joke?” printed at the back. The answer to this is obvious, yet no one you know seems to get it. A pity.] (link-replace: "Riding Apparel")[Two years old, yet good as new: boots, long navy jeans, a camo vest, fingerless leather gloves, and a pair of sunglasses. Too bad you’re missing the most important equipment of all: the motorcycle itself.] (link-replace: "Underwear")[No, you absolutely do //not// have a pair of spongebob shorts.] <hr>The organisation is tedious. In the midst of it, you accidentally elbow the (link: "cheval glass")[(goto: "Attacked")] beside you, causing it to spin a bit.

Yes, it is undoubtedly you, staring back at yourself in the mirror. (live: 3s)[(text-style: "blur")[Then, ]](live: 4s)[(text-style: "blur")[you]] (live: 5s)[(go-to: "Night")]

It takes (if: $becounter is 1)[two](else-if: $becounter is 2)[three](else-if: $becounter is 3)[four](else-if: $becounter is 4)[five](else-if: $becounter is 5)[six](else-if: $becounter is 6)[seven](else-if: $becounter is 7)[eight](else-if: $becounter is 8)[nine](else-if: $becounter >8)[ten](else:)[one] whole minute(if: $becounter >0)[s] for you to curl your fingers into a fist. (live: 3s)[You are lying on the floor surrounded by a messy pile of your own clothes. Supporting yourself with both arms on the bed foot, you lift yourself back to a standing position, feeling blood course through your veins and heat up your brains for good.] (live: 8s)[Oh right, you’ve just moved into the house, and you were organising your closet. (if: (history:) contains "BE1")[(textstyle:"blur")[...Or were you? Your memory is quite the jumble.]](else:)[Well, not anymore.]] (live: 12s)[You shut the closet door for the time being. (if: (history:) contains "BE3")[(textstyle:"blur")[ If you had opened the door again then, you would have seen a pair of glinting emerald eyes and lips bent into a smile. ]]] (live: 12s)[[[Switch on the Lights->Master Bedroom1]]]

You realise that the light is coming from the reading room. You hear the sound of a page flipping. [[Go to the Reading Room->Reading Room1]]

The master bedroom, newly renovated, is simple and functional. Your queen-sized (textcolor: "inherit")[bed ] and nightstands occupy a third of the space, near some evenly-spaced tall (textcolor:"inherit")[windows] and thick, opaque curtains. There is a refined rosewood closet at the bed’s foot, complete with an ornate full-length (textcolor: "inherit")[cheval glass]. (click: "bed ")[As comfortable as it may look, you are in no mood for sleeping.] (click:"windows")[Moonlight floods your room with silver frost.] (click:"cheval glass")[Handsome. Optimistic. Muscular. Boisterous. Gullible. Worrying IQ. Other people may perceive you as such, but all you see is a young man with messy golden hair, a cowlick, blue eyes and sun-kissed skin. You remove your glasses and try to channel your inner Superman. Nothing happens. Your neck seems a tad red.] [[Go to the Bathroom->Bathroom1]] [[Go to the Hallway->Hallway1]]

The hallway seems to stretch to the end of the universe. The complete lack of illumination is not helping. (live: 1s)[Hmm?] (live: 2s)[There is a warm orange light coming from downstairs. Did Ludwig forget to switch off the lights when he left? [[Go down the Stairs->Living Room1]] [[Go to the East Bedroom->East Bedroom1]] [[Go to the West Bedroom->West Bedroom1]] [[Go to the Master Bedroom->Master Bedroom1]]]

Wait. You reach for the door handle but your hand refuses to press down on it. Wait. You go over the present situation in your head. (live: 3s)[You have recently moved into this house, //alone//. You unpacked your luggage just hours ago. There is //someone// in the room. The floor must have turned into a huge block of ice, for you can no longer feel your blood running hot. Your heart roars to resist the change, but to no avail. You should be //alone//. [[Enter]] (if: (history:) contains "BE1")[(link-replace: "Do Not Enter")[(link-goto:"Are you suuuure?","Do Not Enter")]](else:)[[[Do Not Enter]]]]

Hero’s made his resolution when he moved in — You don’t care whether the intruder is a rat, a cat, a demon, a ghost or anything else! In one swift manoeuvre, you swing open the door, and shout: [[“Ha!”->Fateful Encounter]]

Hero has made his decision. You slowly retract your hand from the door handle, tiptoe up the stairs and back to the master bedroom, creeping under the blankets and surrounding yourself with it. Be it a rat, a cat, a demon, a ghost — you simply cannot take anymore surprises in your life. You just need to go back to the reading room when the sun rises.(set: $be to 1) [[Sleep->Sleep2]]

Streams of light bounced off his sandy blonde hair, scattering in arbitrary directions. (live: 3s)[The intruder turns around, wearing a half-amused, half-bemused expression on his face. His thick eyebrows may be distracting, but your eyes automatically lock with his, which seem to contain an entire sunlit forest in themselves.] (live: 7s)[What strikes you as the oddest is how //formal// the intruder looks: a collared shirt and trousers, a silk necktie, a dark vest concealed by a fitting black suit jacket, all buttoned up, crispy clean.(if: (history:) contains "BE1")[ Give him a trench coat and a bowler hat, he will look just in place for a walk in the streets of London.](if: (history:) contains "BE3")[ (textstyle: "blur")[The intruder seems to be suppressing a smirk, fighting hard to put on a surprised expression.]]] (live: 15s)[[[Wrong.]]]

You extend your hand tentatively to grasp his. His hand reminds you of a piece of white jade: pale, soft, and //cold//. (set: $alike to it +1) “My apologies,” the man says after a couple of seconds, hastily retracting his hand — it now looks a bit pink. “My attitude just now was not exactly exemplary. I live in the neighbourhood, and I am fairly acquainted with the previous owner of this house. The door to his courtyard never closes, so I’ve always used it as an entrance.” [[My name is Alfred.]] [[Who are you?]]

(set:$alike to it +1)“Interesting name,” he says after a beat. “Isn’t this the point when you usually introduce yourself?” you say. “My name…” The man lowers his head for a second, then goes around you and makes a beeline for the door. “My name is of little importance. Instead, maybe you want to consider closing your courtyard door to prevent any further ‘intrusions’, so as to speak.”(if: $intruder is 1)[ (textstyle:"blur")[But wouldn’t that lock //him// out too?]] [[Go to the Living Room->Living Room1.1]]

A sardonic smile appears on the man’s face. He goes around you and makes a beeline for the door. “If I were you, I would close my courtyard door to prevent any further ‘intrusions’, so as to speak. Your choice, really." (if: $intruder is 1)[(textstyle:"blur")[But wouldn’t that lock //him// out too?]] [[Go to the Living Room->Living Room1.1]]

(if: $meet is 0)[The man strolls through the side door. [[Chase after him!->Garden1]]](if: $meet is 1)[You feel a storm brewing up in your mind. Time to get some rest. (if: $be is 0)[(link-replace: "Lock the Courtyard Door")[(if: $intruder is 1)[The intruder has said that he enters the house via the courtyard door. ](link-replace: "Are you suuuure?")[You lock the door shut. Best not to have anymore intrusions, the man be damned. You can hardly take another “surprise”.(set: $be to 1)]]] [[Go to the Reading Room->Reading Room1.1]] [[Go up the Stairs->Hallway1.1]]]

He is gone. The garden is empty. (textcolor: "inherit")[(link-reveal: "Under the moonlight, the roses are covered in a silver sheen.")[ These thriving bushes of red are perhaps the only ones in the entire estate not to succumb to its ancient atmosphere. Something is dripping from the tip of the petals down the stems and into the soil. At first you thought it was blood, then you realise that it is just the midnight dew. ]] Green eyes and blonde hair… previous owner… brothers, maybe? You truly have no idea. Maybe he knows something. Although he is nowhere to be found. You can hear the grandfather clock chime once. Time to rest. (set: $meet to 1) [[Go to the Living Room->Living Room1.1]]

The man has left his (textcolor: "inherit")[book] on the writing desk. (click: "book")[//The Candyman// by A. Kirkland. Huh.] [[Go to the Living Room->Living Room1.1]]

(set: $intruder to 1)You trudge up the stairs, make your way to the master bedroom and lie down on the bed. Unfortunately, you feel even more awake than before. (if: (history:) contains "BE2")[(textstyle:"blur")[That reminds you. Since Ludwig was your property agent before you finally sealed the deal, you should probably text him to ask about this “previous owner”. ]] (link-replace: "Read a Book")[(set: $sleep to 1)You are barely two pages into the first chapter before your eyes start protesting.] (link-replace: "Check Cellphone")[<hr>(textstyle:"fade-in-out")[—YOU HAVE 3 NEW MESSAGES—] Uncle: Hey son! Hope you’re doing fine. W: Good luck finding out what exactly is going on in this house. Ludwig B: Talk to me if you need help with the move-in.<hr>(if: (history:) contains "BE2")[](else:)[Maybe Ludwig would know something about the man, being the agent for this property for the past three years and all? ]You type out a reply. (click:"reply")[(set: $sleep to 1)(set:$favour to 1)<hr>Uncle: Thanks uncle! - AFJ W: No pain, no gain. - AFJ Ludwig B: Lud can you come to my house tmr morning? Need a favor from you. Will treat you to breakfast! - AFJ<hr>]] (live: 1s)[(if: $sleep > 0)[[[Sleep->Sleep2]]]]

After a while, your active mind finally slips into the blissful abyss. (live:3s)[ (if: $becounter>0)[(goto: "BENightmare")] (else:)[(go-to: "Nightmare")]]

(colour: "white")[The house is enveloped in darkness. There is a dim light coming from the second floor. Maybe you are just being paranoid, but you hear //something// coming from upstairs. (live:4s)[//Drip, drip.//] (live:6s)[The wooden stairs creak under your feet, adding to your wariness. You reach the second floor and confirm that both the light and noise come from the master bedroom, door slightly ajar. ] (live:10s)[//Drip, drip.//] (live:11s)[Onto the glazed tiles.] (live:12s)[//Open the door.//] (live:13s)[[[RUN.]]] (live:17s)[The door opens.]] (live:19s)[(go-to: "Nightmare1")]

(text-color: "red")[(text-style: "blur")[Red. A blinding mass of red. Drenching the entire room. Oozing out of gaping wounds. Gaping wounds on two lifeless bodies. Murdered by differing means, stacked up, tossed around, to a corner of the room. (live:4s)[[[RUN.]]] (live:5s)[[[SCREAM.]]] (live:8s)[The red creeps up your feet, your abdomen, your chest, your fingertips. It invites itself into your mouth, nose, eyes and ears. You are drowning.] (live:9s)[[[MOVE.]]] (live:13s)[A black trench coat. A man. Turning around, blonde hair drenched in a similar red, an emerald eye, peeking out under a black hat.]]] (text-color: "red")[(live:18s)[**“Suppose I were already dead.”**]] (live:23s)[(go-to: "Day2")]

**"Haaaah—"** You are lying face down on your bed, gasping for air, the smell of blood lingering in your nostrils. The images still fresh behind your closed eyelids. (if: $becounter >0)[ (textstyle:"blur")[**The lucid dream gets more fuzzled each time you experience it. The only details left imprinted in your memory are emerald eyes and words uttered.** ]] “OK, OK,” you whisper to yourself, “You are Alfred Jones. 19. On your college summer break. You recently moved into a freaking haunted house even though you knew better.” And your goal — ever since you moved into this house — has been to //find out what is going on in here//. (if: $becounter>0)[ (textstyle:"blur")[**Don’t give up. Find out everything you can.**] ] This always helps after you wake up from a nightmare. [[Open Your Eyes->Master Bedroom2]]

It’s a brand new day, a brand new morning. The master bedroom, newly renovated, is simple and functional. Your queen-sized bed and nightstands occupy a third of the space, near some evenly-spaced tall windows and thick, opaque (textcolor: "inherit")[curtains]. There is a refined rosewood closet at the bed’s foot, complete with an ornate full-length (textcolor: "inherit")[cheval glass]. (if: $changec is 0)[(link-replace: "Change Clothes")[You change your T-shirt and shorts to something more presentable. (set: $changec to 1)]] (click:"curtains")[You draw aside the curtains for sunlight to flood the room. It is a tad too dim even with the lights on.] (click:"cheval glass")[Ha, a nightmare does //wonders// to your complexion. Your golden hair is messier than ever and even your cowlick looks less energetic. Blue eyes peek out from behind your glasses, staring tiredly back at you.] [[Go to the Bathroom->Bathroom2]] [[Go to the Hallway->Hallway2]]

The bathroom is snowy white from ceiling to floor, aside from the occasional metallic glint coming from a pewter handle or a knob. It is insanely clean and utilitarian. There is a toilet, a sink (with two (textcolor: "inherit")[drawers], one on top of the other), a mirror and a porcelain (textcolor: "inherit")[bathtub]. (if: $shower is 0)[(link-replace: "Take a Shower")[You step into the cubicle and toss out your clothes. (if: $be3 is 1)[(textstyle:"blur")[For some reason, you don’t hear the sound that clothes make when they land on the floor. Maybe it’s just you, but you hear someone cursing outside.]] A good fifteen minutes later, a much calmer you step out of the shower. (set: $shower to 1)]] (if: $brushteeth is 0)[(link-replace: "Use the Sink")[You brush your teeth, then look into the mirror to flash yourself a grin. Once again, you try to press down the annoying bit of hair (affectionately referred to as “cowlick” by your uncle).(set: $brushteeth to 1)](if: (history:) contains "BE3")[ (textstyle:"blur")[Oddly enough, you hear a chuckle beside you.]]] (click: "drawers")[In the bottom drawer is a bottle of medication labelled “Ambien”. You decide not to touch it.] (click: "bathtub")[That yellowish stain covering the interior of the bathtub...You should probably stick to just showering for now.] [[Go back to the Master Bedroom->Master Bedroom2]]

You can see part of the living room and the front door from the landing, which is enclosed by a metal balustrade. A dimly-lit hallway stretches beyond you, white walls growing all the way from the marble floor to the ceiling — save for a square spot right above you, which looks like it is made of wood. The hallway is comparatively barren, save for the (textcolor: "inherit")[trophy heads of exotic animals] flanking you, dozens of dark eyes possessing a glint similar to that of a polished bayonet. It gives you the creeps. The master bedroom is at the other end of the hallway, with two smaller ones at the side. (click: "trophy heads of exotic animals")[You’re //so// getting them removed.] {(if: $be is 1)[[[Go down the Stairs->BE1]]] (else-if: $favour is 1)[[[Go down the Stairs->Living Room2]]] (else:)[[[Go down the Stairs->Lunch]]]} [[Go to the Master Bedroom->Master Bedroom2]] [[Go to the East Bedroom->East Bedroom2]] [[Go to the West Bedroom->West Bedroom2]]

(text-color: "White")[The remnant of a headache still in you, you slowly descend the stairs with a hand on your temples.] (live: 3s)[Red.] (live: 4s)[Dripping from tables, tricking down tiles, the red has come to seize you again. You realise that your bare feet has touched something wet. You look down. Red.] (live: 9s)[Red overtaking the light blue of the walls. Red blooming from everywhere. Blooming like spider lilies, famous for inviting people over the realms of the dead.] (live: 14s)[Corpses again. A man with **a hole in where his left eye is supposed to be**. Another with **scratches and cuts** all over his body, oozing red. ](if: $intruder is 1)[(live: 18s)[ //Yesterday’s intruder, lifeless body dyed in red.//] (live: 22s)[Red. Red again.] (live: 25s)[A long dinner jacket, dark breeches and a black bowtie. A figure turns around in the middle of it all, the rays of sunlight struggling through the curtains to **lace his brown hair with specks of gold**. The **sharp edge of a knife** peeks out from in between his fingers, splashed in red.]] (live: 32s)[(text-color: "White")[And then.] [[RUN.->BE1.1]]] (live: 45s)[(goto: "BE1.2")] (set: $becounter to it +1)

(textcolor: "white")[You start to run. Away from the red. Away from the despair. Away from your nightmares. Away from the mysteries that you have sought to unravel. Never to return. Or can you?] <div id="messagewhite">(font: "Russo One")[BAD ENDING 1] ^^//You failed to investigate the mysteries of the house. Do you wish to try again?//^^ (link-goto: "Wake up", "Night") (link-goto: "End story", "Start")(display: "reset")

Ludwig is sitting on the staircase, left hand outstretched as if expecting to grasp something in the air. (if: (history:) contains "BE3")[(textstyle: "blur")[A ghost, maybe? This is a ‘haunted’ house, after all.]] “You always seem to be expecting something to happen when you come here,” you say casually. “I’m sorry for forgetting the time.” The German retracts his hand hastily. “It’s all right.” [[Go to the Reading Room->Reading Room2]]

The two of you make yourselves comfortable; you on the chair behind the writing desk, Ludwig in the single sofa opposite you. “All right, fire away,” he sighs. (link-replace: "Do you know the previous owner?")[“Lud, d'you know the previous owner of this house?” “The previous…? Why do you ask?” “Someone came last night, says he lives nearby and comes often 'cause he’s close to, like, the previous owner or something. Y'know him?” “No. Are you sure he’s not a burglar?” [[Maybe.]] [[Not Really.]]]

“Maybe,” you say. “He’s way too suspicious.” (if: (history:) contains "BE3")[ (textstyle:"blur")[You hear a slight //huff// beside your ear. ]] “Well, whatever you say,” Ludwig shrugs. “Actually, you’re the first real owner of the house ever since I was assigned to this property.” “Huh? You mean, no one's been here for the last three years?" “Not exactly... but most of them rent the house, then move out after a day or two.” “Let me guess. ‘**Haunted**’?" “Many say that the house //isn’t suited for living//. Something lurking in here. Their children kept crying. And there’s also //that//.” (click:"that.")[Oh right, //that//. The murders that took place in the house. You look at Ludwig’s face and remember that //he has an agenda too//. Furthermore, for him... “Sorry, never mind 'that'. I need you to do something for me, Lud,” you say. “Could you tell me more about the previous owner of this house?” (click: "previous owner")[(goto: "Previous Owner")]]

“Why do you insist on finding out about them?” Ludwig asks in confusion. “I think,” green eyes, blonde hair, if not for the mismatched age… “that it is an important clue.” “I’ll try my best, then,” Ludwig starts towards the door. “Alfred, what do you think?” “Hmm?” “What do you think? Are you even going to find the person you’re looking for… **alive**?” With that, Ludwig makes his way to the front entrance. The grandfather clock strikes twelve times. (set: $owner to 1) [[Lunch]]

After a quick bite at your favourite restaurant by the name of McDonald’s, You squeeze through the front door, your arms full of groceries from the supermarket nearby. Suddenly, your nose catches a thick, autumnal scent coming from the kitchen. [[Go to the Dining Room->Dining Room2]]

“You didn’t lock the door.” You drop your groceries at the kitchen with a wordless smile. “It’s afternoon.” The intruder from yesterday greets you with a small cup of black tea in his hands, the lurid red-brown liquid glistening in the sunlight. “Tea?” [[No thanks]] [[Stare]] [[Your name?]]

“No thanks,” you say. “I’m more of a coffee person.” “Not very welcoming, are you?” he raises a noticeable eyebrow. {(if: $alike is 0)[“Well, just making sure you’re not up to something weird,” you say.] (else:)[“Nah. Quite happy to see you, really,” you scratch your head and smile.]} [[Looks like you’re familiar with the kitchen too.]]

(set: $alike to it +1)Rather than a grassy plain, the man’s eyes look like a tropical forest illuminated in the morning sunlight. You keep getting distracted by his bushy brows... His ears are turning red. Maybe you should stop staring. “Are you sure you don’t want some? I am rather proud of my tea-making skills,” he extends his cup to you. A clean, crisp British accent. His shirt is buttoned all the way from his neck to his wrists, revealing only his pale, long hands. Seriously, this is //summer//. [[Looks like you’re familiar with the kitchen too.]]

“Still not telling me your name?” “Why, a secret keeps a relationship interesting.” he curls his lips into a coy smile. “You said you’re my neighbour. If I know who you are, maybe I can go to your house instead." “Oh no, thank you. I quite like the environment here, especially the garden,” he shrugs. [[Looks like you’re familiar with the kitchen too.]]

“Looks like you’re familiar with the kitchen too.” “What can I say, I was on good terms with the previous owner,” he says with a fixed gaze on the teacup, but you notice him peeking at you out of the corner of his eye. The previous owner, again. “C’mon, don’t refuse the cuppa,” the man hands you the teacup insistently with an amused smile. (link-replace:"Refuse the Teacup")[“//Hmmmph?//” Suddenly, the man’s smile turns into something //much// more menacing. ] [[Take the Teacup]]

“You all right?” you grab his hand and try to pass on some warmth. “Wha — Unhand me! At once!” he struggles vehemently, and both his hands and his cheeks start turning peach. You realise that you must have used too much of your strength and quickly release him. “I’m fine, thank you for asking.” He departs for the living room, leaving his tea set on the table. [[Chase after Him]] [[Stay]]

“Why are your hands so cold?” you ask, maybe a tad too bluntly, because you see his eyebrows furrow in displeasure. That doesn’t stop him from answering even more so: “The thing is, I’m dead and I’m now a zombie and zombies are cold.” “Wow, are you going to tear my head off?” you deadpan. “Oh don’t worry, I imagine your brains not very appropriate for high tea.” he says merrily. Haha, very funny. “Seriously though, why —” “I’m fine, thank you for asking.” He departs for the living room, leaving his tea set on the table. (set: $alike to it +1) [[Chase after Him]] [[Stay]]

No one. There is no one in the living room. Did he just vanish without a trace? You return to the dining room to (link-reveal: "investigate.")[ There is a single delicate teacup, a teapot, and a teaspoon on the table. The tea set, of snowy porcelain, looks meticulously taken care of. //Wait...// Where did the tea, milk and sugar go? Where is the rest of the tea set? You should search the house thoroughly. This could well be an important clue. [[Go to the Living Room->Living Room2.1]]]

You sit in the dining room for a while, watching sunlight fall on the white-glazed teacup. [[Go to the Living Room->Chase after Him]]

The dining room is illuminated by a small chandelier as well as what natural lighting may come from the two windows at the side. A large wooden table is surrounded by half a dozen white Scandinavian-looking chairs. A small semi-open kitchen is comfortably tucked away at a corner, with a wall of appliances and floor-to-ceiling cabinetry. (click: "wooden table")[ The mysterious stranger has left a single delicate teacup, a teapot, and a teaspoon on the table. ](click: "appliances")[ It looks like the water boiler has recently been used. ](click: "cabinetry")[ Hamburgers, check; Cup noodles, check; Doritos, check; Three 1.75 litre bottles of coke, check...] [[Go to the Living Room->Living Room2.1]]

The reading room is dominated by a towering library, adorned by handsome (textcolor: "inherit")[volumes] that obscure the walls almost entirely. There is a large Victorian-looking writing desk with a lamp and your laptop on it, accompanied by a single chair. Opposite them is a single sofa. The man has left his (textcolor: "inherit")[book] on the writing desk. (click: "volumes")[“… //Volontariamente e consapevolmente la morte… peccato… recordo//… I don't understand anything-o..." After flipping through a few, you realise that a significant portion of the library’s books are written in Italian. Your uncle has once likened Italian to a rose in full bloom: romantic and elegant. No wonder Italians are so skilled at picking up girls. Heh.] (click: "book")[//The Candyman// by A. Kirkland. Huh.] [[Go to the Living Room->Living Room2.1]]

(if: $attic is 0)[A dimly-lit hallway stretches beyond you, white walls growing all the way from the marble floor to the ceiling — save for a [[square spot]] right above you, which looks like it is made of wood. The hallway is comparatively barren, save for the trophy heads of exotic animals flanking you, dozens of dark eyes possessing a glint similar to that of a polished bayonet. It gives you the creeps. ](else-if: $attic is 1)[Heart palpitating, you break open the trapdoor, tripping down the stairs and landing loudly on the second floor hallway. The attic made you remember. There is a *space* underground that you have yet to explore...You totally did not avoid it on purpose! (set: $attic to 2) (link-replace: "Go to the Attic")[//No//.]](else-if: $attic is 2)[A dimly-lit hallway stretches beyond you, white walls growing all the way from the marble floor to the ceiling — save for a square spot right above you, which looks like it is made of wood. The hallway is comparatively barren, save for the trophy heads of exotic animals flanking you, dozens of dark eyes possessing a glint similar to that of a polished bayonet. It gives you the creeps. (link-replace: "Go to the Attic")[//No//.]] [[Go to the Master Bedroom->Master Bedroom2.1]] [[Go to the East Bedroom->East Bedroom2.1]] [[Go to the West Bedroom->West Bedroom2.1]] [[Go down the Stairs->Living Room2.1]]

Oh right, you have forgotten entirely about it. You jump to grasp the handle and pull it down with your weight. the retractable stairs that slid down nearly hit your head. You climb up the stairs to reveal a small and dusty room. Perhaps Ludwig did not notice the presence of an attic, however unlikely that seems. (link-replace:"Switch on the Light")[There are a few cardboard (link-reveal:"boxes")[ containing things left behind by the previous owners of this house] and [[something]] on the (link-reveal:"windowsill")[ (it looks like the window has been broken before)].]

A small… bird. More accurately speaking, a round soft toy. Its feathers are yellow, but covered in dust. (live: 3s)[The light flickers and turns off.] (live: 5s)[(stop:)(t8n:"dissolve")[You hear something slithering in the darkness.]] (live: 9s)[(stop:)(t8n:"shudder")[You hear the familiar tunes of //Fur Elise// coming from a music box, its tempo ominously slow.]] (live: 12s)[(stop:)(t8n:"dissolve")[Suddenly, the speed of the song doubled, tripled, quadrupled… You hear maniacal laughter ringing right beside your ear.]] (set: $attic to 1)(set: $basement to 1) (link-repeat:"Leave the Attic!")[(if: time < 6s)[ The trapdoor won’t budge. But you didn’t even lock it in the first place!](else-if: time>5s and time<14s)[ Come //on//!](else-if: time > 13s)[(goto:"Hallway2.1")]]

Unlike the master bedroom, this bedroom has retained its look from a century ago. Its furniture are exquisite and clean, with a desk and a chair by the bedside. You can see the courtyard through the window. (click: "desk")[There is a letter opener inside.] (click: "window")[The windowsill looks fairly unstable. Maybe you should get Ludwig to look at it sometime later.] [[Go to the Hallway->Hallway2.1]]

Unlike the master bedroom, this bedroom has retained its look from a century ago. Its furniture are exquisite and clean, with a desk and a chair by the bedside. You can see the driveway through the window. (click:"desk")[There is a very heavy book resting on the desk.] [[Go to the Hallway->Hallway2.1]]

The basement reeks of dust, darkness and rotten wood. You let out an unmanly squeak as a rodent darts past your feet. (if: (history:) contains "BE3")[(textstyle:"blur")[Furthermore, you can’t shake the feeling that you’re being watched by someone...]] There are a few aged cabinets and a few [[cardboard boxes]]. (click: "cabinets")[Previous owners’ stuff. Pair of knickers… metal plates… candlesticks… a (link-reveal:"metal box.")[ There is a photograph inside. Rather badly burnt, you can only see the silhouette of a family of four.]] (link-reveal:"Go back to the Living Room")[ N-no, Hero has made the decision to investigate. Hero shall investigate to the fullest! Hero just needs to find his Robin real soon. Surely he can’t be expected to do the investigation all by himself...?]

White porcelain. Broken. Dusty. Weird odour. Shattered into pieces. The remainder of the intruder’s tea set lie in this box, looking at least //a decade old//. (live: 5s)[Your phone buzzes.(stop:) (click: "buzzes")[<hr>(textstyle:"fade-in-out")[—YOU HAVE 1 NEW MESSAGE—] Francis: Don’t make me wait~ <hr>Right. Time to pay the weekly visit. [[Go back to the Living Room->Living Room2.2]]]]

“Alfred.” The intruder — again — intrudes. He stands up from the sofa. “I am here to apologise for my loss of courtesy yesterday… I might have left in a bit of a haste.” “It’s fine.” “Where are you going?” “To see a friend. Damn, I’m late.” You check your watch. [[Come along?]] [[Leave]]

“Do you want to come along?” you ask. The intruder stares through the opened door at the world outside and takes a subconscious step forward, but halts immediately. “N-no, it’s fine. However... do you mind if I stay in the reading room while you’re away?” “Huh?" [[Sorry, but...]] [[It’s fine.]]

"Wait, Alf —" You sprint out of the house without listening to what the intruder has to offer. You hear a sigh. (live: 6s)[(go-to: "Francis")]

(set:$out to 1)“Sorry, but I prefer if… next time, while I’m here,” you said, slightly wary. “All right then,” the intruder says softly before silently leaving through the back door. (live: 7s)[(go-to: "Francis")]

“I don’t mind, you can stay for as long as you want,” you reply before rushing through the front door. (set: $alike to it +1) (live: 4s)[(go-to: "Francis")]

Francis is sitting at the bar. You approach the bartender, trying to look as natural as possible, trying to remember some cocktail names you read on Buzzfeed: (link-replace: "Death in the Afternoon")[“Um, uhhh... Death in the Afternoon.” The bartender looks disturbed. ] (link-replace: "Long Island Iced Tea")[“Long Island Iced Tea?” The name sounds healthy enough. But the bartender is eyeing you suspiciously as if questioning your sanity. ] (link-replace: "Incredible Hulk")[“The Incredible Hulk. Ohhh yes.” “We don’t serve that kinda fancy stuff here, pal,” the bartender drawls. “Ya want that, ya get ya ass to some restaurant in New York.” “What //is// with you and your love of superheroes?” Francis sighs. ] (live: 12s)[“No need, got your favourite already,” Francis gestures towards a glass of coke. Well, so much for underage drinking. Francis is one of the people involved when the murders took place.. You were searching for him when Lady Luck smiled upon you and let you bump into him by coincidence, so you treated him to a drink for apology — as well as information. To elicit information, you need to bring the topic up. Although it may be good if you don’t go for a frontal attack... “What have you been doing lately? Don’t see you around often,” Francis says. You take a gulp from your coke, and say: [[Taking a break from college.]] [[Bought a house and moved in.]] [[Wondering what motorcycle to buy.]]]

"Ah, yes.” Francis gazes into his glass of red wine. “Out for some romance in the streets?” “Hardy har har." [[What about you?]] [[There’s this man in my house...]] [[Buy him a drink]]

“Ah, yes, I almost forgot that you are filthy rich,” Francis says with a roll of his eyes. “From inheritance. Anyway, there is something funny about this house.” “Well?” [[It’s haunted]] [[There’s this man in my house...]] [[Buy him a drink]]

“//Another one//? Pffft, I guess you finally gave up being //discreetly// wealthy.” Francis teases with a smirk. “Hey — not //my// fault my last bike was stolen!” you protest. “What, when? I recall you saying that it’s a birthday gift from your uncle.” [[My uncle]] [[Buy him a drink]]

“What about you? Doing okay?” you ask. “As usual. Well, relatively more sober than //my// college days,” Francis laughs. “Wha — You spend five hours at the bar every week!” “Gil, Tonio and I used to party all night long, doing silly things and //acquainting// ourselves with the ladies… //magnifique//. The three musketeers, we were.” Francis’s eyes twinkle in reminiscence. (link-replace: "Why, something happened?")[“Why, something happened?” “We’ve always said that if we were to die we’d die in the coolest ways… I prefer dying in a threesome…” Francis’s pupils are dilated in drunkenness. “Erm, don’t you think it’s better if you don’t die at all?” you ask. “Well, ‘life is short so live everyday as if it’s your last’, right?” Francis mutters. "Still, they wouldn’t be happy if they knew how they…//merde, why did they have to—//” (set: $house to 1) Your phone (link-goto:"buzzes", "Message").]

“There’s this man in my house…I found him in my reading room, and just a few hours ago he pretty much appeared out of nowhere drinking tea in //my// dining room!” “How’s he look like?” “… That’s what you care about?” “Sounds like good prey~” “You’ve had too much to drink.” You sigh, but Francis persists. “Fine. Short, British, blonde hair, cold skin. And he’s so //uptight//. Always wearing this three piece suit.” “//Suit//?” Francis shudders. “Pray tell, //mon cher//, what is the colour of his eyes?” “As green as a cat’s.” “Oh, oh good.” Francis relaxes his shoulders. You notices that his hands are trembling. His head hangs low, neck stiff, every movement unnatural. //Fear//? Francis sips from his glass wordlessly. He calms down enough to throw you a wink. “So, do you intend to pursue this cute little robin?” “What — no!” you sputter indignantly. “In that case, maybe you could introduce me sometime,” Francis smirks. For some reason, you don’t quite like the idea. Their difference in personality is as wide as the English Channel. (set: $man to 1) Your phone (link-goto:"buzzes", "Message").

“Yup, he treats me like real family. Been that way for eleven years,” You say with a slightly nostalgic smile on your face. “Your depictions of his kindness makes me want to meet this Mr Williams myself.” “Well, I’m sure you’ll hit it off. As long as you don’t flirt with him like you do with everyone else." “That reminds me, Alfred.” Francis seems entranced by the swirl of red held in between his fingers. “Have you come out yet?" (set: $uncle to 1) Your phone (link-goto:"buzzes", "Message").

“People say it’s haunted. Cursed, even,” you speak in a meaningful tone. Francis freezes. “I wonder why,” you feign ignorance. He stands up abruptly from his barstool. “Err.. sorry, I just remembered I have something on today…” Francis stutters before swallowing down the rest of the wine with a gulp. He puts down a bill and makes a hasty exit. (set: $house to 1) Your phone (link-goto:"buzzes", "Message").

You buy Francis another round of red wine. “//Merci, mon cher,//” Francis drawls, “keep doing that and I’ll fall in love with you.” “Your love is pretty affordable, eh?” “Big brother is open to anyone~” You let out a deep, deep sigh. (set: $drink to 1) Your phone (link-goto:"buzzes", "Message").

<hr>(textstyle:"fade-in-out")[—YOU HAVE 2 NEW MESSAGES—] Ludwig B: Alfred, I sent you the information about the previous owner of the house. Check your email. W: How’s it going? <hr>{(if:$house is 1)[Well, even though you did not get to know anything new, you have made Francis recall memories of the murders. Maybe just one more push next time…] (else-if:$man is 1)[Francis seems to know the intruder, or at least someone who looks like him. That’s something new. ] (else-if:$drink is 1)[Francis seems too wasted up to say anything useful now. Never mind, you’ll try again next time.] (else-if:$uncle is 1)[It seems like you gave more information rather than gained… Never mind, you’ll try again next time.]} You type out a reply to each of them. (click:"reply")[<hr>Ludwig B: Thanks Lud! - AFJ W: It’s alright. - AFJ<hr> (if: $alike >=3)[You look at the sky and notice that the sun is setting. Time to [[leave.->Buy Tea Set]]] (else:)[You look at the sky and notice that the sun is setting. Time to leave.(click: "leave")[(if: $favour is 1)[(goto:"leave.")] (else:)[(goto:"BE2")]]]]

The sun is setting. You push open the front door, groceries(if: $teaset is 1)[ and tea set] in hand. You put the things in the dining room before quietly slipping into the (link-replace: "reading room.")[reading room. The intruder is comfortably asleep on the single couch with a book in his lap, the warm, orange rays of sunlight caressing his innocent smile. (if: $out is 1)[You remember telling him not to come while you’re away. Maybe you shouldn’t have... the library is probably like a second home to him.](else:)[Had he been in the reading room all the while? He certainly is fond of books.] (link-replace:"Use the computer")[You open your computer and gain access to your email account. From: Ludwig Beilschmidt To: Alfred Foster Jones Dear Alfred, Attached are [[two documents]] with information regarding the previous owner of this house.]]

This person may have emerald eyes and blonde hair, but he looks fresh from college, at least //a decade and a half younger than the person you are looking for//. //Wrong//. He’s not the right person. “So, you are the newest occupant of this house?” Calm and composed, the intruder continues his retrieval of a book from the library. (if: (history:) contains "BE3")[(textstyle:"blur")[ Almost as if the intruder here is you, not him. ]] (link-replace: "Yup.")[“Yup. So, you are the //stranger// who //intruded// this house?” you reply. “Huh.” The intruder raises an eyebrow and turns a page. “What?” The man shuts the book with a snap. With a smile, he stands and extends his hand to you in expectation. (link-replace:"Wait")[“Hmm?” The man merely stands there, a hand outstretched.(set:$alike to it -1) ] [[Shake his hand]]]

On your way back, you see a furniture shop. You remember the broken old teacups and the intruder’s love for tea and decide that you should probably buy a new set. A fine bone china tea set with rose patterns catches your eye. You remember the roses blooming in the garden. Wait, why are you buying things for an intruder and a stranger again? (link-replace: "Buy")[You make the purchase.(set: $teaset to 1)] (link-replace: "Leave")[(if: $favour is 1)[(goto:"leave.")] (else:)[(goto:"BE2")]]

The red starts retracting from the walls, climbing up tables and retracing its footsteps. (live: 3s)[And then.] (live: 4s)[Gone — The red, the bodies, the brown-haired man, evaporated into thin air.] (live: 8s)[The living room stands as clean and magnificent as always. There is white and blue and brown and black, but not a single drop of red. ] (live: 12s)[Your heart is working like a horse but your brain failing to react. Nothing is falling into place. (if: (history:) contains "BE2")[But one thing is certain: the previous tenants of this house must have seen the same.](else-if: (history:) contains "BE3")[But one thing is certain: the previous tenants of this house must have seen the same.]] (live: 16s)[Nonetheless, you quickly decide that this place simply is not for you and your palpitating heart. Ludwig does not believe you when he hears this but arranges for you to move out anyway.] (live: 20s)[Yet, that scene keeps revisiting whenever you let your guard down.] (live: 23s)[This is a brand new addition to your plethora of nightmares—] (live: 25s)[<div id="messageblack">(font: "Russo One")[BAD ENDING 2] ^^//You failed to investigate the mysteries of the house. Do you wish to try again?//^^ (link-goto: "Wake up", "Night") (link-goto: "End story", "Start")](display: "reset")

The sun is setting. You push open the front door, groceries(if: $teaset is 1)[ and tea set] in hand. You put the things in the dining room before quietly slipping into the [[reading room->BE2.1]]. (set: $becounter to it +1)

The intruder is comfortably asleep on the single couch with a book in his lap, the warm, orange rays of sunlight caressing his innocent smile. (if: $out is 1)[You remember telling him not to come while you’re away. Maybe you shouldn’t have... the library is probably like a second home to him.](else:)[Had he been in the reading room all the while? He certainly is fond of books.] Nonetheless, you can’t help but manage a small smile as you look at the man’s face. Surrounded by an aura of tranquility, he looks just like any young lad who is just taking a break from college. Those bushy eyebrows actually complement his features once he stops frowning. He is just like you, isn’t he? You should get him to smile more. You still don’t know why he visits you so often. But he probably won’t be harming you anytime soon. You are alone, and so is he. Maybe if you try to [[reach out->BE2.2]] to him, both of you will no longer be.

Arthur slowly rolled over in the bed and blinked. (live: 4s)[Sunlight was streaming in from the windows; he could hear the faint cries of an albatross in the garden. ] (live: 8s)[He sat up.] (live: 11s)[Oh dear, he had left the window half open. How could he have made such a terrible mistake?] (live: 15s)[//Doesn’t matter now.//] (live: 19s)[He unbuttoned his nightshirt and let it fall onto the carpeted floor of the master bedroom. ] (live: 24s)[He hadn’t felt so clear-minded in ages. No more fear from nightmares, no more gloom from the lack of a goal, no more suffocating guilt.] (live: 30s)[He looked at himself in the cheval glass. It faithfully displayed his unclothed upper body.] (live: 37s)[[[End Memory->Revealed]]]

(text-color: "#af111c")[Red.] Arthur Kirkland explodes into laughter. Dumbfounded, you ask, “What are you —" He vanishes into thin air. The light blows out. The windows snap open with a gust of wind. It is night. A caterwauling storm is sweeping across the room, along with Arthur’s maniacal chortle. (link-replace: "Search for Arthur")[(set: $path to "B")(goto: "Search for Arthur")] (link-replace: "Stay")[(set: $path to "A")(goto: "Search for Arthur")]

(textcolor:"white")[(if: $path is "A")[You squint your eyes to see nothing but darkness.](else:)[You trudge around the reading room, hands reaching out blindly in the dark.] (Live: 3s)[A pair of icy hands tighten around your neck. The coldness gnaws at you —] (live: 7s)[//The organisation is tedious. In the midst of it, you accidentally elbow the cheval glass beside you, causing it to spin a bit. Yes, it is undoubtedly you, staring back at yourself in the mirror. (text-style: "blur")[Then, you see a figure with emerald eyes and sandy blonde hair looming behind you.]//] (live: 15s)[— //This// was the sensation you had felt the first day you moved in! Thankfully, he is only restraining you this time, and your lungs aren’t screaming as hard for oxygen.] (live: 20s)[“Why aren’t you laughing along? Isn’t it rather amusing?” Arthur says softly. His breath is cold. His face twisted into a frenzied grin.] (live: 24s)[“What is?”] (live: 26s)[“I am dead, Alfred! I’m a ghost!”] (live: 29s)[“I know!” Thank god no one lives in the vicinity.] (live: 32s)[“I can snap your neck!” Arthur’s voice is growing hysterical. “//Right now!//”]] (live: 32s)[[[RUN.->BE3]] (if: $alike >=3)[[[STAY.->Calmed]]](else:)[[[STAY.]]]]

(textcolor:"white")[With your superhuman strength, you forcibly extract yourself from Arthur’s iron grip. You bolt towards the door. As soon as you step through the front gate, you feel the looming sensation on your shoulder lighten considerably. You do the most logical thing you can think of at the moment:] [[Call the Police|BE3.2]] (set: $becounter to it +1)

“But you won’t.” If he had wanted to do that, he would have done it ages ago. (live: 4s)[You feel the grip around your neck loosen considerably.] (live: 8s)[(stop:)Half a minute later, Arthur appears in front of you with a //poof//. His eyes are a deep red and hair even more dishevelled than usual. (link-replace: "You won’t.")[“You won’t.” The wind stops and the lights flicker back on, flooding the room with warm orange once again. (live: 5s)[The red retracts, revealing the mesmerising swirl of emerald underneath.(stop:)] (live: 10s)[For a moment, you think that tears are going to fall from them.(stop:)] (live: 18s)[(goto: "After the storm")]]]

(textcolor: "white")[Yet, the police treats your words the way they treated Francis’s testimony three years ago: A bumbling incoherency. Nonetheless, you quickly decide that this place simply is not for you and your palpitating heart. Ludwig does not believe you when he hears this but arranges for you to move out anyway. ] [[A week later, you receive a message from W.|BE3.3]]

(if:$teaset is 1)[Arthur looks like a child who has received his favourite toy when he unwraps the tea set. Subconsciously, he extends a hand to caress the cups. His eyes are //shining//. ]“You realised that you were spending time with a ghost for the past two days, and your first reaction was not to run,” Arthur shakes his head in disbelief(if:$teaset is 1)[, “but to give a… passable tea set to your potential murderer.”](else:)[.] (if: $teaset is 1)[(link-replace: "Yup.")[(set: $path to "A")(goto: "You are the weird one.")] ](link-replace: "You are the weird one.")[(set: $path to "B")(goto: "You are the weird one.")]

{(if: $path is "A")[“Sounds crazy, but I just thought of you when I looked at the tea set,” you say good-naturedly. (set: $alike to it +1)] (else-if: $path is "B")[“You are the weird one,” you laugh. “I thought ghosts are supposed to frighten people? Why approach me as a human and get all nice and friendly with me? Such a horrible pretence some more!”]} “You —” Arthur is at a loss for words. “What?” He disappears with his cheeks a deep maroon. “Arthur?” Maybe he is standing right where he was, but you don’t know. The clock strikes eleven times. It has been a long, long day. [[Sleep->Sleep3]]

“Sounds crazy, but I just thought of you when I looked at the tea set,” you say good-naturedly. (set: $alike to it +1) “You —” Arthur is at a loss for words. “What?” He disappears with his cheeks a deep maroon. “Arthur?” Maybe he is standing right where he was, but you don’t know. The clock strikes eleven times. It has been a long, long day. [[Sleep->Sleep3]]

You barely make it to the master bedroom before you fall asleep with your glasses on. (live: 3s)[(go-to: "Nightmare2")]

(text-color: "red")[(text-style: "blur")[You reach the second floor. (live: 2s)[(stop:)(t8n: "dissolve")[//Drip,//]] (live: 2.2s)[(stop:)(t8n: "dissolve")[//drip.//]] (live: 3s)[The master bedroom door opens.] (live: 4s)[(stop:)(t8n: "dissolve")[//Drip,//]] (live: 4.5s)[(stop:)(t8n: "dissolve")[//drip.//]] (live: 5s)[Red again.] (live: 6s)[A black trench coat. A man. Turning around, blonde hair drenched in a similar red, an emerald eye, peeking out under a black hat.] (live: 10s)[(text-style: "bold")[“Suppose I were already dead.”]] (live: 15s)[The dream usually ends at this point. Gets duller each time you experience it.] (live: 20s)[But what if you don’t wake up?]]] (live: 24s)[(goto: "Nightmare2.1")]

You are lying face up on your bed, feeling a bit light-headed this time. You step onto the carpeted floor — “What in the world are you doing!” “Aaaargh!” You immediately crawl back into bed and curl into a ball. Oh wait, it’s Arthur, half-awake, lying on the carpet and glaring at you. Damn, last night was not a dream. “What are you doing here!” you scream. “Sleeping.” (set: $changec to 0)(set: $brushteeth to 0)(set: $shower to 0) [[So you decided to sleep beside my bed.]] [[It is awesome that you can still sleep.]]

“It is awesome that you can still sleep.” (set: $alike to it +1) “Technically no. I’m just ‘hibernating’.” Recovering from your unintentional kick, Arthur stands up slowly. “‘Hibernating?’” “I retained the human habit of resting at night, but some do stay up all night.” Makes sense, but… “Do you mean that there are //more of you// here?” Arthur looks at you with a mocking smile. He glances around before replying: “Of course." “You know what, why not we talk over tea in the dining room,” Arthur says. “I imagine there is a lot you want to know.” (link-replace: "OK.")[(set: $path to "A")(goto: "Master Bedroom3")] (link-replace: "Nah.")[(set: $path to "B")(goto: "Master Bedroom3")]

(if: $path is "B")[Arthur harrumphs in indignation and disappears. (set: $alike to it -1)](else:)[It’s a brand new day, a brand new morning.] The master bedroom, newly renovated, is simple and functional. Your queen-sized bed and nightstands occupy a third of the space, near some evenly-spaced tall windows and thick, opaque (textcolor: "inherit")[curtains]. There is a refined rosewood closet at the bed’s foot, complete with an ornate full-length (textcolor: "inherit")[cheval glass]. (if: $changec is 0)[(link-replace: "Change Clothes")[(if: $path is "A")[Arthur turns his head away. ]You change your T-shirt and shorts to something more presentable. (set: $changec to 1)]] (click:"curtains")[You draw aside the curtains for sunlight to flood the room. It is a tad too dim even with the lights on. (if: $path is "A")[Arthur frowns and retreats into the shadows.]] (click:"cheval glass")[Handsome. Extroverted. Optimistic. Boisterous. Gullible. Worrying IQ. Other people may perceive you as such, but all you see is a young man with messy golden hair, a cowlick, blue eyes, sun-kissed skin, mesomorphic build, and most importantly, a pair of glasses concealing your secret identity. You get down on one knee as fast as possible in an attempt to recreate the classic Hero landing pose. (if: $path is "A")[“Face it, tiger… you just hit the jackpot!” Arthur says sarcastically. “Hey! Wrong hero!” ]] [[Go to the Bathroom->Bathroom3]] [[Go to the Hallway->Hallway3]]

The bathroom is snowy white from ceiling to floor, aside from the occasional metallic glint coming from a pewter handle or a knob. It is insanely clean and utilitarian. There is a toilet, a sink (with two (textcolor: "inherit")[drawers], one on top of the other), a mirror and a porcelain (textcolor: "inherit")[bathtub].(if: $shower is 0)[ (link-replace: "Take a Shower")[You remove your clothes and enter the cubicle. A good fifteen minutes later, a much calmer you step out of the shower. (set: $shower to 1) You truly hope that Arthur isn’t watching.]](if: $brushteeth is 0)[ (link-replace: "Use the Sink")[You brush your teeth, then look into the mirror to flash yourself a grin. Once again, you try to press down the annoying bit of hair (affectionately referred to as "cowlick" by your uncle).(set: $brushteeth to 1)]] (click: "drawers")[In the bottom drawer is a bottle of medication labelled “Ambien”. (if: $path is "A")[Arthur looks at it with an unreadable expression on his face.](else:)[Maybe it belonged to Arthur. But from what you know, “Ambien” is a brand for...]] (click: "bathtub")[The interior of the bathtub, however, is covered in a thin layer of yellowish stains, presumably due to age. (if: $path is "A")[“I would advise you not to use it.” Arthur says with a slight frown.](else:)[Seriously, did the previous owner never clean the bathtub or something? What //is// this stain?]] [[Go back to the Master Bedroom->Master Bedroom3]]

A dimly-lit hallway stretches beyond you, white walls growing all the way from the marble floor to the ceiling — save for a square spot right above you, which looks like it is made of wood. The hallway is comparatively barren, save for the (textcolor: "inherit")[trophy heads of exotic animals] flanking you, dozens of dark eyes possessing a glint similar to that of a polished bayonet. It gives you the creeps. (click: "trophy heads of exotic animals")[ (if: $path is "A")[“Did you put those heads in?” you ask Arthur. “No. The third owner of this house was a pompous halfwit with a lack of taste.”(set: $halfwit to 1) ](else:)[Seriously, why animal heads? Why? ]] (link-replace: "Go to the Attic")[(if: $path is "A")[“Ah, yes, the attic. That was a //thoroughly// entertaining episode,” Arthur remarks.](else:)[//No,// you will //not// go into the attic, and it is //not// because you’re scared. ]] [[Go to the Master Bedroom->Master Bedroom3]] (link-replace:"Go to the East Bedroom")[(if: $path is "A")[“Don’t be rude, he might still be sleeping,” Arthur says.] (else:)[You would rather go there without an empty stomach.]] (link-replace:"Go to the West Bedroom")[(if: $path is "A")[“I imagine that they would be //very// happy to see you barge in,” Arthur smiles smugly.](else:)[Stomach is groooowwling...]] [[Go down the Stairs->Living Room3]]

(set: $alike to it +1)“Not really,” you say. “He seems to know his way around the house too well." “Well, whatever you say,” Ludwig shrugs. “Actually, you’re the first real owner of the house ever since I was assigned to this property.” “Huh? You mean, no one's been here for the last three years?" “Not exactly... but most of them rent the house, then move out after a day or two.” “Let me guess. ‘**Haunted**’?" “Many say that the house //isn’t suited for living//. Something lurking in here. Their children kept crying. And there’s also //that//.” (click:"that.")[Oh right, //that//. The murders that took place in the house. You look at Ludwig’s face and remember that //he has an agenda too//. Furthermore, for him... “Sorry, never mind 'that'. I need you to do something for me, Lud,” you say. “Could you tell me more about the previous owner of this house?” (click: "previous owner")[(goto: "Previous Owner")]]

Typical of a house built in the late nineteenth century, the house is brick and mortar. Yet, the living room looks its past century all put together: the walls are painted sky blue, an unorthodox choice, but one that seems to suit the dark wooden floor. A telephone sits uncomfortably on top of a vintage lacquer (textcolor: "inherit")[desk]. A CRT Philips TV faces a gondola-style sofa and a (textcolor: "inherit")[coffee table]. Not much cleaning has been done yet, but it looks liveable. A trapdoor near the stairs reveal a possible descent to the basement. (click: "basement")[(if: $path is "A")[“If you start screaming again, they’d think I have a girl down there." “Hey!” You shut the trapdoor close.](else:)[You would rather not go down there with a half-empty stomach.]] (click: "desk")[Your figurines sit on top of the desk. You pull open the drawers to reveal nothing but your DVDs. (if: $path is "A")[“H-hold it right there! //Doctor Who//?” Arthur sputters in shock. “Yeah, they revived the series last year. The Ninth is really good!” You make a mental note to watch it with him sometime later.]] (click:"coffee table")[You were in the midst of revisiting your DC Comics collection.] [[Go to the Dining Room->Dining Room3]] [[Go to the Reading Room->Reading Room3]] [[Go to the Courtyard->Courtyard3]] [[Go up the Stairs->Hallway3]]

The dining room is illuminated by a small chandelier as well as what natural lighting may come from the two windows at the side. A large wooden table is surrounded by half a dozen white Scandinavian-looking chairs. A small semi-open kitchen is comfortably tucked away at a corner, with a wall of (color: "inherit")[appliances] and floor-to-ceiling (color: "inherit")[cabinetry]. [[Breakfast]] (click: "appliances")[A microwave, a water boiler and a fridge are all you need.] (click: "cabinetry")[Just basic utensils(if: $teaset is 1)[ and the newly acquired tea set]. You’ve also got your hamburgers, Doritos, cup noodles and coke.(if: $path is "A")[ “Why am I not surprised,” Arthur says with a roll of his eyes.]] [[Go to the Living Room->Living Room3]]

The reading room is dominated by a towering library, adorned by handsome (textcolor: "inherit")[volumes] that obscure the walls almost entirely. There is a large Victorian-looking writing desk with a lamp and your laptop on it, accompanied by a single chair. Opposite them is a single sofa. (click: "volumes")[“… //Volontariamente e consapevolmente la morte… peccato… recordo//…” (if: $path is "A")[“Can you read Italian?” you ask Arthur. “Let me take a look.” You hand Arthur the book. His face turns pale as soon as he catches a glimpse of a title. He scans the pages for a while and then puts the book back onto the shelf, acting as nonchalant as possible. “...Sorry, I don't know.” It’s best not to press him on it.](else:)[Perhaps Arthur can understand it? He looks British from head to toe, though.]] [[Go to the Living Room->Living Room3]]

The courtyard connects the main building and the garden. There are a few wooden benches littered around the place. There is also a small, decrepit fountain in the middle. As of present, the courtyard is completely overpowered by some fast-sprawling ivy. (if: $path is "A")[“If you’re going to live in this house, then fix it, will you?” Arthur says. “Don’t tell me that an aerospace engineer can’t fix a mere fountain.” “Um, that’s not how it works.”] [[Go to the Living Room->Living Room3]] [[Go to the Garden->Garden3]]

The garden is home to an enormous rose collection. You cannot name any of the cultivars, but they are latching onto lampposts, peeking out from the pavement and rambling onto the colonnade — virtually everywhere. There are also meticulously manicured shrubs of exclusively (textcolor: "inherit")[red roses]. There is a small (textcolor: "inherit")[shed] that stores garden tools. (if: $path is "A")[Arthur admires the roses with a wistful smile.] (click:"red roses")[Delicate yet passionate, these roses possess a colour richer than blood. They look both wild and meticulously manicured. (if: $path is "A")[ "Were you the one who took care of the roses?”you ask Arthur. “Ever since I owned the property,” Arthur says.(if: $teaset is 1)[ “Knew it,” you chuckle. (set: $alike to it +1) “No you didn’t.”]] (else:)[ You can’t help but wonder whether Ludwig is truly the one taking care of them all these years.(if: $teaset is 1)[ Judging by Arthur’s reaction to the rose-patterned tea set, it is clear that he has a soft spot for roses...]]] (click:"shed")[There is a metal spade, pruning shears, a bag of Epsom salt, and a watering can with some water left inside. (if: $path is "B")[Someone must have used it recently, and you have a clear suspect in mind.] (else:)[“Oi, get a move on, I need to water my roses after we’re done talking,” Arthur says.]] [[Go to the Courtyard->Courtyard3]]

“So you decided to sleep beside my bed.” More like //on// your bed. Arthur frowns and glances at your bed. Right, this had been //his// house, //his// bed. Makes sense, but... That means he may have been watching you ever since you moved in. Arthur must have noticed your realisation, because he pales and disappears with a //poof//. (set: $path to "B") You sigh and decide to [[get yourself some breakfast->Master Bedroom3]].

You make two servings of eggs and bacon and get yourself a cup of coffee. (if: $path is "A")[“Make me a cuppa, will you? I retrieved some tea and sugar from the attic,” Arthur says.](else:)[Arthur appears at the table with a //poof//. “Passable breakfast, I suppose,” he says. He makes himself a cup of tea(if: $teaset is 1)[using the newly acquired tea set].] You dig into your breakfast while Arthur enjoys his cup of tea. Oddly enough, he doesn’t even take a sip. He just seems to be taking in the aroma. The grandfather clock strikes nine times. “(if: $path is "A")[My apologies](else:)[Now excuse me], I’ve got to tend to the flowers,” Arthur says. “Wait —” //Poof.// “Darn it.” You have a free day ahead of you. Perhaps you can try to find Arthur, or kill time some other way. [[Go to the Living Room->Living Room3.1]]

(display:"cat")Typical of a house built in the late nineteenth century, the house is brick and mortar. Yet, the living room looks its past century all put together: the walls are painted sky blue, an unorthodox choice, but one that seems to suit the dark wooden floor. A telephone sits uncomfortably on top of a vintage lacquer desk. A CRT Philips TV faces a gondola-style sofa and a coffee table. Not much cleaning has been done yet, but it looks liveable. A trapdoor near the stairs reveal a possible descent to the (link-reveal:"basement")[ (N-no, you are //not// scared at all!)]. (if: $watchtv is 0)[(link-replace: "Watch TV")[You can’t wait to catch the morning news! Just kidding. You switch the TV on to reveal… nothing. Right, Arthur can’t possibly have paid the bills. He’s dead. You slot in one of your DVDs and watch an episode of Doctor Who.(set: $watchtv to 1)]] [[Go to the Dining Room->Dining Room3.1]] [[Go to the Reading Room->Reading Room3.1]] [[Go to the Courtyard->Courtyard3.1]] [[Go up the Stairs->Hallway3.1]]

(display:"cat")The dining room is illuminated by a small chandelier as well as what natural lighting may come from the two windows at the side. A large wooden table is surrounded by half a dozen white Scandinavian-looking chairs. A small semi-open kitchen is comfortably tucked away at a corner, with a wall of (textcolor: "inherit")[appliances] and floor-to-ceiling (textcolor: "inherit")[cabinetry]. Arthur has left his cup of tea on the table. (link-repeat: "Snack")[(if: $snack <2)[ One hamburger and one glass of coke later, a 0.25kg heavier you stand up from the table.(set: $snack to it +1)](else:)[ N-no! You’re //not// lovin’ it!]] (click: "appliances")[A microwave, a water boiler and a fridge are all you need.] (click: "cabinetry")[The tea supplies seem to be running short.] [[Go to the Living Room->Living Room3.1]]

(display:"cat")The reading room is dominated by a towering library, adorned by handsome (textcolor: "inherit")[volumes] that obscure the walls almost entirely. There is a large Victorian-looking writing desk with a lamp and your laptop on it, accompanied by a single chair. Opposite them is a single sofa. (if: $readabook is 0)[(link-replace: "Read a Book")[You finger over your rows of astrophysics magazines before finally picking up an issue of //Batman//.(set: $readabook to 1)]] (if: $usecomputer is 0)[(link-replace: "Use the Computer")[You work on your pet project, a super robot that can unclog space toilets at a press of a button (you call it “Mario”.)(set: $usecomputer to 1)]] (click: "volumes")[“… //Volontariamente e consapevolmente la morte… peccato… recordo//…” A significant portion of the library’s books are written in Italian. Your uncle has once likened Italian to a rose in full bloom: romantic and elegant. No wonder Italians are so skilled at picking up girls. Unfortunately for you, you are unable to appreciate its beauty.] [[Go to the Living Room->Living Room3.1]]

(display:"cat")The courtyard connects the main building and the garden. There are a few wooden benches littered around the place. There is also a small, decrepit fountain in the middle. As of present, the courtyard is completely overpowered by some fast-sprawling ivy. You can hear Arthur humming happily in the garden. [[Go to the Living Room->Living Room3.1]] [[Go to the Garden->Garden3.1]]

(display:"cat")You can see part of the living room and the front door from the landing, which is enclosed by a metal balustrade. A dimly-lit hallway stretches beyond you, white walls growing all the way from the marble floor to the ceiling — save for a square spot right above you, which looks like it is made of wood. The hallway is comparatively barren, save for the (textcolor: "inherit")[trophy heads of exotic animals] flanking you, dozens of dark eyes possessing a glint similar to that of a polished bayonet. It gives you the creeps. The master bedroom is at the other end of the hallway, with two smaller ones at the side. (click: "trophy heads of exotic animals")[What kind of person //puts// these things? Just why?] [[Go down the Stairs->Living Room3.1]] [[Go to the Master Bedroom->Master Bedroom3.1]] [[Go to the East Bedroom->East Bedroom3.1]] [[Go to the West Bedroom->West Bedroom3.1]]

The garden is home to an enormous rose collection. You cannot name any of the cultivars, but they are latching onto lampposts, peeking out from the pavement and rambling onto the colonnade — virtually everywhere. There are also meticulously manicured shrubs of exclusively (textcolor: "inherit")[red roses]. There is a small (textcolor: "inherit")[shed] that stores garden tools. ...A watering can is moving in mid-air. (if: $talktoarthur<4)[ (link-repeat: "Talk to Arthur")[(if: $talktoarthur is 0)[ “Arthur?” The watering can pauses before resuming movement.(set: $talktoarthur to it +1)](else-if: $talktoarthur is 1)[ “Arthur!” The watering can does not stop moving. He must be ignoring you deliberately.(set: $talktoarthur to it +1)](else-if: $talktoarthur is 2)[ “Arthur—” “Sod off.”(set: $talktoarthur to it +1)](else-if: $talktoarthur is 3)[(goto: "Smack")]]] (click:"red roses")[Delicate yet passionate, these roses possess a colour richer than blood. They look both wild and meticulously manicured.] (click:"shed")[There is a metal spade, pruning shears, and a bag of Epsom salt.] [[Go to the Courtyard->Courtyard3.1]]

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(textcolor: "white")[The sun finally disappears behind the horizon. You are convinced that there will be many more sunsets to come, many more sunrises to see. (live: 5s)[You close your eyes.] (live: 8s)[You were so intent on finding out the truth behind your parents’ suicide and the murder of Francis’s friends. Do they matter anymore?] (live: 13s)[No more blood, no more tears, no more nightmares, no more mysteries. Maybe you will learn to drink tea. Get to know his name, even.(if: $teaset is 1)[ Surely he’ll like the tea set.]] (live: 17s)[//Thud//.] (live: 18s)[The book that the intruder was holding, //The Candyman// by Arthur Kirkland, falls onto the floor.] (live: 22s)[(stop:)(textstyle:"smear")[Then, Arthur Kirkland vanishes.]]] (live: 25s)[<div id="messagewhite">(font: "Russo One")[BAD ENDING 3] ^^//You failed to investigate the mysteries of the house. Do you wish to try again?//^^ (link-goto: "Wake up", "Night") (link-goto: "End story", "Start")](display: "reset")

(text-style: "blur")[(text-style: "bold")[“Suppose I were already dead.”] (live: 4s)[The man keeps turning until you can see the pair of emerald eyes in full. You can’t see his face clearly, not in a dream.] (live: 9s)[But you know who he is.] (live: 13s)[(text-style: "bold")["And one day, here I am again, standing right in front of you,”] the man says as he inches towards you.] (live: 20s)[(text-style: "bold")["Would you scream, or burst out crying?”]] (live: 26s)[You have been asked that question before. How did you reply? How //will// you reply?]] (live: 26s)[(link-replace: "Scream")[] (link-replace: "Cry")[]] (text-style: "blur")[(live: 34s)[The man cradles your face with warm, bloodied hands and plants a kiss onto your forehead.] (live: 39s)[You can wake up now.]] (live: 45s)[(goto: "Day3")]

Unlike the master bedroom, this bedroom has retained its look from a century ago. Its furniture are exquisite and clean, with a (textcolor: "inherit")[desk] and a chair by the bedside. You can see the courtyard through the (textcolor:"inherit")[window]. You //can// unpack here, but this isn’t where you’re going to sleep in... (click: "desk")[There is a letter opener inside.] (click: "window")[The windowsill looks fairly unstable. Maybe you should get Ludwig to look at it sometime later.] [[Go to the Hallway->Hallway]]

Unlike the master bedroom, this bedroom has retained its look from a century ago. Its furniture are exquisite and clean, with a (textcolor:"inherit")[desk] and a chair by the bedside. You can see the driveway through the window. You //can// unpack here, but this isn’t where you’re going to sleep in... (click:"desk")[There is a very heavy book resting on the desk.] [[Go to the Hallway->Hallway]]

Unlike the master bedroom, this bedroom has retained its look from a century ago. Its furniture are exquisite and clean, with a (textcolor: "inherit")[desk] and a chair by the bedside. You can see the courtyard through the (textcolor:"inherit")[window]. (click: "desk")[There is a letter opener inside.] (click: "window")[The windowsill looks fairly unstable. Maybe you should get Ludwig to look at it sometime later.] [[Go to the Hallway->Hallway1]]

Unlike the master bedroom, this bedroom has retained its look from a century ago. Its furniture are exquisite and clean, with a (textcolor:"inherit")[desk] and a chair by the bedside. You can see the driveway through the window. (click:"desk")[There is a very heavy book resting on the desk.] [[Go to the Hallway->Hallway1]]

Unlike the master bedroom, this bedroom has retained its look from a century ago. Its furniture are exquisite and clean, with a (textcolor: "inherit")[desk] and a chair by the bedside. You can see the courtyard through the (textcolor:"inherit")[window]. (click: "desk")[There is a (textcolor:"inherit")[letter opener] inside.] (click: "letter opener")[Also called a paper knife. You’ve seen your parents use it to slice open envelopes.] (click: "window")[The windowsill looks fairly unstable. Maybe you should get Ludwig to look at it sometime later.] [[Go to the Hallway->Hallway2]]

Unlike the master bedroom, this bedroom has retained its look from a century ago. Its furniture are exquisite and clean, with a (textcolor:"inherit")[desk] and a chair by the bedside. You can see the driveway through the window. (click:"desk")[There is a very heavy book resting on the desk.] [[Go to the Hallway->Hallway2]]

(text-color: "red")[(text-style: "blurrier")[Red. A blinding mass of red. Drenching the entire room. Oozing out of gaping wounds. Gaping wounds on two lifeless bodies. Murdered by differing means, stacked up, tossed around, to a corner of the room. (live:1s)[The red creeps up your feet, your abdomen, your chest, your fingertips. It invites itself into your mouth, nose, eyes and ears. You are drowning.]]] (live:2s)[(stop:)(color:"red")[(text-style: "blurrier")[A black trench coat. A man. Turning around, blonde hair drenched in a similar red,] **an emerald eye, peeking out under a black hat.**]] (color:"red")[(live:5s)[**“Suppose I were already dead.”**]] (live:8s)[(go-to: "Day2")]

(display:"cat")The master bedroom, newly renovated, is simple and functional. Your queen-sized bed and nightstands occupy a third of the space, near some evenly-spaced tall windows and thick, opaque (textcolor: "inherit")[curtains]. There is a refined rosewood closet at the bed’s foot, complete with an ornate full-length (textcolor: "inherit")[cheval glass]. (if: $nap is 0)[(link-replace: "Nap")[You close your eyes, but your mind is simply too active to let go.(set: $nap to 1)]] (click:"curtains")[You draw aside the curtains for sunlight to flood the room. It is a tad too dim even with the lights on.] (click:"cheval glass")[Handsome. Extroverted. Optimistic. Boisterous. Gullible. Worrying IQ. Other people may perceive you as such, but all you see is a young man with messy golden hair, a cowlick, blue eyes, sun-kissed skin, mesomorphic build, and most importantly, a pair of glasses concealing your secret identity. You get down on one knee as fast as possible in an attempt to recreate the classic Hero landing pose.] [[Go to the Hallway->Hallway3.1]] [[Go to the Bathroom->Bathroom3.1]]

You decide that you’d better take a sip, even if you don’t have much of a thing for tea. When your fingers come into contact with his, the coldness of his hands immediately catches your attention. [[Grab His Hand]] [[Inquire]]

(display:"cat")Unlike the master bedroom, this bedroom has retained its look from a century ago. Its furniture are exquisite and clean, with a (textcolor: "inherit")[desk] and a chair by the bedside. You can see the courtyard through the (textcolor:"inherit")[window]. (click: "desk")[There is a letter opener inside.] (click: "window")[The windowsill looks fairly unstable. Maybe you should get Ludwig to look at it sometime later.] [[Go to the Hallway->Hallway3.1]]

(display:"cat")Unlike the master bedroom, this bedroom has retained its look from a century ago. Its furniture are exquisite and clean, with a (textcolor:"inherit")[desk] and a chair by the bedside. You can see the driveway through the window. (click:"desk")[There is a very heavy (textcolor:"inherit")[book] resting on the desk.(click:"book")[ It is written in Italian.]] [[Go to the Hallway->Hallway3.1]]

(display:"cat")The bathroom is snowy white from ceiling to floor, aside from the occasional metallic glint coming from a pewter handle or a knob. It is insanely clean and utilitarian. There is a toilet, a sink (with two (textcolor: "inherit")[drawers], one on top of the other), a mirror and a porcelain (textcolor: "inherit")[bathtub]. (link-replace: "Relieve Yourself")[(if: $relieve is 0)[Done.(set: $relieve to 1)](else:)[You don’t have any more material to work with.]] (click: "drawers")[In the bottom drawer is a bottle of medication labelled “Ambien”.] (click: "bathtub")[The interior of the bathtub, however, is covered in a thin layer of yellowish stains, presumably due to age.] [[Go back to the Master Bedroom->Master Bedroom3.1]]

//Poof.// (live: 2s)[Arthur finally reveals himself. He walks towards you holding the watering can.] (live: 5s)[Then, he smacks your silly grin away.] (live: 7s)[He smirks when he sees you cry out in pain and vanishes again.] (set: $talktoarthur to 5) (live: 10s)[(goto: "Garden3.1")]

(set: $showcat to 0)You bend down and extend a hand to skritch behind the kitten’s ears. (live: 3s)[But another hand beat you to it.] (live: 6s)[(color: "#af111c")[**A hand soaked in pure red**.]] (live: 9s)[**“//Bene!// Cute, little cat...huh?”**] (live: 12s)[(color: "#af111c")[**A pool of red quickly reaches your feet, swallowing the wooden floor around you.**]] (live: 20s)[“$glo[//Meow?//]”] (live: 23s)[(goto: "Welcome")]

(textstyle: "rumble")[**“ARTHUR —!”** **“//FRATELLO// —!”**] (live: 3s)[You and the mystery person scream in unison. You fall backwards and curl into a ball, hands on head.] (live: 7s)[From the corner of your eye you notice the strange appearance of the person.] (live: 11s)[Brown hair, a long dinner jacket, dark breeches and a black bowtie. Like some aristocrat from the 1900s… If not for the burnt marks all over his clothes and the red emerging continuously from //several holes in his chest//.] (live: 18s)[“What are you doing!” Another stranger emerges and pulls the mystery person away.] (live: 22s)[They look completely identical. But this one has decidedly less blood and a normal chest; instead, there is a //huge slash wound// over his throat.] (live: 28s)[(goto: "Welcome2")]

(textstyle: "blink")[[[SPEAK.]]] “Brother, he can see us…” The twin with wounds in his chest sobs, apparently reeling from the shock too. (live: 4s)[“Lovino, was that Feliciano I hear?” Another man rushes through the door. He looks normal. Tanned, wearing jeans and a white T-shirt… ] (live: 9s)[You take that back immediately when you notice scratches and cuts all over his body.] (live: 13s)[“What happened? What happened to little Feli!” //Yet another// man peeks out from behind the doorframe. Albino, casual wear, black jacket...] (live: 18s)[//There is a dark red hole in his face where his left eye is supposed to be.//] (live: 23s)[(goto: "Welcome3")]

(textstyle: "rumble")[[[SPEAK.]]] The albino notices your twisted expression. He asks, “Antonio, can he see us?” (live: 4s)[The man who looks like he fell from the sky glances at you. “Oh, I guess so.”] (live: 9s)[At last, Arthur arrives. It seems like he too is at a loss for words.] (live: 15s)[Finally, he says with a pitying look on his face, “I guess this is //quite// the introduction.”] (live: 19s)[//You don’t say.//] (live: 23s)[Your mind finally gives way to the ever so blissful darkness.] (live: 27s)[(goto: "Welcome4")]

{(set: $glo to (font: "Gloria Hallelujah")) (set: $cat to it +1)(if: $cat is 2)[$glo[Meow~]] (else-if: $cat is 3)[$glo[Meow~] Where is the noise coming from?] (else-if: $cat is 4)[$glo[Meow~] You don’t remember ever seeing a feline in the house.] (else-if: $cat is 5)[$glo[Meow~] Maybe you should seek out this elusive being.] (else-if: $cat is 6)[$glo[Meow~] A small kitten with silky, black fur. It must have snuck in through the garden or one of the windows.] (else-if: $cat > 5)[The kitten keeps following you around. It demands your attention with cute, little $glo[meows]. You should give it a good (link-replace: "pet")[(set: $showcat to 0)(goto:"pet")].]}(if: $cat >1)[ ]

“So //they// are… ‘the others’?” (live: 3s)[Arthur nods wordlessly.] (live: 5s)[“Brother and I were in this house first, then Arthur joined us, then Gilbert and Antonio!” The Italian beams at you. He is caressing the kitten, trying hard not to stain it.] (live: 10s)[“Cut it out, Feli, he doesn’t need to know.” The less gentle of the Italian twins has his arms crossed. How can he even speak with his throat slashed?] (live: 15s)[“Oh, Lovi, don’t be so negative. //¡Hola//, Antonio here!” The Spaniard with a thousand cuts all over his body waves at you.] (live: 19s)[“Don’t forget that //you// helped me in the attic, Tonio!” A sudden pain shoots through your entire being, forcing you to double over. ] (live: 24s)[Gilbert, the albino with a hole for his left eye, materialises in front of you with a bout of laughter. Being passed through by a ghost feels //horrible//.] (live: 29s)[“Since it doesn’t look like he’s going to move out anyway, you may as well stop the pranks,” Arthur says.] (live: 33s)[(goto: "Welcome5")]

//Plot plot plot plot plot//… Stop the Infodump! What’s with this sudden development! You didn’t even get all of their names and appearances! “You know what, I’ll go and rest. There’s a //lot// I want to know, but I’m having a freaking headache and I’ll only talk to you tomorrow, OK?" All five of them nod in consent. [[SLEEP.]] [[SLEEP.]] [[SLEEP.]]

“PLONK.” You trudge up to the master bedroom and collapse in a heap on the bed. (live: 7s)[(goto: "Nightmare3")]

There is light coming from upstairs. (live: 2s)[A black trench coat. A man. Turning around, blonde hair drenched in a similar red, an emerald eye, peeking out under a black hat.] (live: 4s)[“Huh, a kid,” the man says.] (live: 7s)[“Who are you?” You rub your eyes, suddenly feeling less afraid. “Are you daddy and mummy’s friend?”] (live: 10s)[The man turns around and smiles at you. “Talkative child, aren’t you?” He squats down to look you in the eye.] (live: 13s)[“Since you have so many questions, I’ll ask you one as well.”] (live: 16s)[**“Suppose I were already dead.”**] (live: 19s)[**“And one day, here I am again, standing right in front of you.”**] (live: 22s)[**“Would you scream, or burst out crying?”**] (live: 22s)[(link-replace:"Scream")[] (link-replace:"Cry")[]](live: 27s)[(goto: "Nightmare3.1")]

You shake your head in confusion. (live: 3s)[“You can’t answer mine, I won’t answer yours.” The man stands up and makes for the door.] (live: 6s)[“Are you leaving?” You grasp a corner of his clothes. He freezes, then squats down again.] (live: 10s)[“You’re still a child… aren’t you afraid of being alone in the house?”] (live: 14s)[“Yeah…” You feel a tingly sensation in your nose. “B-but I’m used to it!"] (live: 18s)[He plants a kiss on your forehead and ruffles your hair.] (live: 22s)[“I’ve cast a spell on you to protect you from harm. Be brave, like a hero!”] (live: 26s)[You feel a bit warm as you watch him walk out of the house and onto the streets.] (live: 33s)[(goto: "Day4")]

You open your eyes. Huh, maybe yesterday’s exhaustion actually gave you a good night’s sleep. (live: 4s)[(goto: "Day4.1")]

You have four days until you visit Francis again. You have many, //many// unanswered questions. The ghosts are scattered throughout the house doing their own things, though. You should probably //spend the day with just one of them//. You walk around the house to see what everyone is up to. [[Arthur]] is cooking in the dining room. [[Feliciano]] is there as well. Lovino, Antonio and Gilbert are nowhere to be found.(set: $day to 1)

Arthur is baking some sort of dessert to go along with tea. You watch him move about the kitchen with hurried steps. “What are you making?” You ask casually as you sit down at the table. “Blueberry scones. I’ll make some for you too.” He says, strangely excited at the idea of showing you his cooking. [[Wait]]

Feliciano is watching Arthur in a strangely tense manner. The pool of red around him is very distracting, not to mention horrifying. “What are you doing?” you ask. “Arthur likes cooking, but he isn’t good at it,” he whispers. “We keep an eye on him in case he sets the oven on fire again. The property agent… Ludwig, I think? He always comes around. We don’t want him to notice.” [[Does Ludwig know of your presence?]] [[Do you remember how you died?]]

(set: $arthurmemory to it +1)(if: $taste is "good")[(display: "Good")](else-if: $taste is "bad")[(display: "Bad")] “That reminds me,” you say. “What exactly are you? Do you still need to eat?” “When people die of unlawful killing, some get turned into ghosts.” Arthur says. “Others, like people who died of disease, turn too. But they hang on for only a few minutes before they move on.” “Why unlawful killing only?” Arthur shrugs. “We wonder about the place we die without a purpose for a few decades or centuries. Eventually, we’ll vanish.” “We don’t need to eat, though we retain the sense of taste. But if a ghost died hungry, he will remain hungry forever… a threat to humans. There’s even some festival in Asia meant to placate those.” [[Interesting.]]

“Interesting.” “Some are more dangerous than interesting. People like us didn’t exactly die happy.” By the time you finish your conversation, it is time to [[end the day->Sleep4]].

“Suicide is a //sin//!” A twelve-year-old Arthur sat with his hands on his lap. “Oh, Artie… Oh God, why would you…” his mother let go of the knife and pulled him into a brittle hug, tears falling onto Arthur’s shoulder. Arthur stared into a corner. Mr Ghost grinned at him, as if beckoning him to play with him. [[Next->Arthur's Memory1.1]]

When did he discover that he was not truly alone? “You can see me!” “I think so, sir.” Mr Ghost lowered his head for a moment, then flashed him a //large, large grin//. Fear engulfed Arthur, as Mr Ghost closed in on him and whispered: “Come and play with me… It hurts to be alone…” Alone. Mr Ghost was laughing maliciously beside his ear. But he no longer feared. When he said “yes”, Mr Ghost was the one to be stunned instead. (set: $memory to 1) {(link-replace: "End Memory")[ (if: $day is 1)[(goto: "Day5")] (if: $day is 2)[(goto: "Day6")] (if: $day is 3)[(goto: "Day7")] (if: $day is 4)[(goto: "Day9")]]}

“Well, let’s start playing!” Mr Ghost said. From then on, Arthur’s life went on a complete overhaul. He could see people like Mr Ghost everywhere. //Person in the street, run-over stomach. Traffic accident. Man in the park, huge bruise around neck. Hanged himself. Teenage girl, head smashed in… Jumped off a building, maybe?// He used to utter his deductions out loud. He was an idiot. No one spoke to him anymore. He started ignoring the ghosts. But Mr Ghost kept hanging around in his room. [[Next->Arthur's Memory2.1]]

“Poor Arthur, all alone…” “Please don’t speak to me.” But this seemed to have only emboldened Mr Ghost. “What? //You// saw us. //You// chose to tell others. Who can you blame, ‘freak’?” Mr Ghost sneers. **Freak.** “Are you unhappy?” “If you are unhappy, there’s a way.” Ten-year-old Arthur had the knife handed to him for the first time. He looked at the cuts on his arm. Soon, his emerald eyes saw nothing but (text-color: "red")[**red**.] (set: $memory to 2) {(link-replace: "End Memory")[ (if: $day is 1)[(goto: "Day5")] (if: $day is 2)[(goto: "Day6")] (if: $day is 3)[(goto: "Day7")] (if: $day is 4)[(goto: "Day9")]]}

The first time Arthur slit his arm, he was immediately found out. His mother was in tears as she wrapped a bandage around his wound. Mr Ghost guffawed triumphantly. Mr Ghost would always tell him where his mother had hid the knife. “Suicide is a //sin//! Oh, Artie… Oh God, why…” The hug feels warm. Arthur likes warmth. Mr Ghost is always cold. //What am I doing?// The pain felt stronger than ever as he hugged back. “Promise me. Never do this again. Never!” “Never.” This was the first time he ever felt fear. (set:$memory to 3) {(link-replace: "End Memory")[ (if: $day is 1)[(goto: "Day5")] (if: $day is 2)[(goto: "Day6")] (if: $day is 3)[(goto: "Day7")] (if: $day is 4)[(goto: "Day9")]]}

Arthur never spoke to Mr Ghost again. Eventually, he left London for a college in America. Odd accent, spelling and grammar. Fast food. Over-enthusiasm. Everything felt strange. Ironically, the ghosts reminded him of home. Today, there was a suicide ghost near the school plaza. Huh. “Eh? You can see it too?” A Chinese man stood beside him. He had black eyes, like the abyss. “Wha—" “People who commit suicide get punished, you know.” (set:$memory to 4) {(link-replace: "End Memory")[ (if: $day is 1)[(goto: "Day5")] (if: $day is 2)[(goto: "Day6")] (if: $day is 3)[(goto: "Day7")] (if: $day is 4)[(goto: "Day9")]]}

He pouts. “Never mind, I shall try again next time,” he mutters to himself. //Oh no, please don’t.//

(set: $alike to it +1)“Really?” He quickly suppresses his delighted grin. “I mean, I knew it! I guess I shall make some more when I’m free.” At least his happy smile makes you feel less bad about lying.

You key in the same password to unlock the blue suitcase. You pick out your New Super Mario Bros. and Assassin’s Creed, amongst other game CDs. You put them on the nightstand to be later carried to the living room. The main concern here is the clothes. (link-replace: "Put Clothes in Closet")[You put all of your clothes into the closet. At first, you are hanging them properly. However, eventually you are reduced to dumping them all in and shutting the door, deciding to sort it out later. The clock strikes once.(set: $luggage1 to 0) It may be one-o-clock in the afternoon, but staying up an entire night to pack and all that has followed have left you in dire need of some rest. [[Sleep]]]

You hop onto bed and shut your eyes, feeling hopeful that you are getting closer to the truth. (set: $day to 1) {(live: 4s)[ (if: $arthurmemory is 1 and $memory is 0)[(goto: "Arthur's Memory1")] (else-if: $arthurmemory is 2 and $memory is 1)[(goto: "Arthur's Memory2")] (else-if: $arthurmemory is 3 and $memory is 2)[(goto: "Arthur's Memory3")] (else-if: $arthurmemory is 4 and $memory is 3)[(goto: "Arthur's Memory4")] (else:)[(goto: "Day5")]]}

You have three days before you visit Francis again. You feel refreshed after doing a morning jog in the neighbourhood. However, there is a surprise visitor today. (textstyle:"blink")[//Ding dong.//] [[Answer the Door->Day5.1]]

You open the door to reveal Ludwig, a hand still on the doorbell. “What’s going on?” You let him in and make him a cup of (if: $alike >3)[tea (Arthur is growing on you).](else:)[coffee.] Ludwig looks slightly embarrassed. “I am terribly sorry for disturbing you, Alfred. I’m just used to coming here once in a while.” [[Do you really think that this house is haunted?->Day5.2]]

“Let’s just chat then. Do you really think that this house is haunted?” you put up a casual front, although you have seen more ghosts than living people in the past few days. Ludwig lowers his head. “I don’t know.” (link-replace: "Then why do you keep waiting?")[“Then why do you keep waiting? You could’ve earned much more if you’d asked to be assigned to another property.” Ludwig carefully sits down at the stairs leading up to the second floor. “Alfred, my elder brother is a very unreliable person.” “He’s the ultimate prankster and an idiot, always getting into trouble with his friends. I often had to clean up after him.” “He might have died, but he’s still //mein Bruder//. I’ll keep waiting.” His words are not new to you, actually. Yet this time, there is an odd thought floating in your mind like an annoying fly. “Lud.” “//Ja//?” [[What is your brother’s name?]] [[My condolences.]]]

“Didn’t I mention? His name is Gilbert.” [[Do you want to see him again?]] [[My condolences.]]

“My condolences.” “Three years have passed. I don’t feel that upset anymore.” he smiles briefly. “Sorry, I really shouldn’t be intruding…” It seems like Ludwig has not found out about the ghosts yet. If you allow him to continue visiting this house, he may eventually start seeing them like you do. God knows what may happen next. But… Someone taps on your shoulder. You look up. (color: "inherit")[(link-reveal: "Feliciano, the younger— and perhaps gentler— Italian twin, is looking at you with beseeching eyes.")[ Feliciano really likes Ludwig for some reason. But can you really allow this to continue?]] [[You’re always welcome.]] [[Yeah, you probably shouldn’t.]]

“Do you want to see —” You feel an icy hand clutch your neck, while the other closes around your mouth. //It is Lovino, the elder Italian twin. His eyes are burning in fury.// “Alfred?” Ludwig is alarmed, but he can’t see Lovino. Lovino’s hand tighten around your neck in warning before he finally vanishes. “I-I mean, do you want to take a look at the garden? The roses are really pretty.” “//Nein//, but thank you. I really shouldn’t be intruding…” It seems like Ludwig has not found out about the ghosts yet. If you allow him to continue visiting this house, he may eventually start seeing them like you do. God knows what may happen next. But… Someone taps on your shoulder. You look up. (color: "inherit")[(link-reveal: "Feliciano, the younger— and perhaps gentler— Italian twin, is looking at you with beseeching eyes.")[ Feliciano really likes Ludwig for some reason. But can you really allow this to continue?]] [[You’re always welcome.]] [[Yeah, you probably shouldn’t.]]

“You’re always welcome. Come visit any time!” You can only hope for the best. “Thank you.” With that, he starts spacing out on the stairs. Feliciano’s grateful smile makes you feel a lot less uneasy about your decision. (set: $ludwig to 1) (live:7s)[(goto: "Day5.3")]

“Yeah, you probably shouldn’t.” It’s for the best. Feliciano watches him leave. Then, he walks up the stairs, step by step, but not before making eye contact with you. For a moment, you see something //burning// in his otherwise brown eyes. (live: 7s)[(goto: "Day5.3")]

[[Arthur->Arthur2]] is tending to the plants in the garden. (if: $ludwig is 1)[Ludwig is spacing out on the stairs, and Feliciano is staring at him curiously. It is impolite to talk to the former and dangerous to chat up the latter.](else:)[Feliciano is soundly asleep in the East bedroom. ] [[Antonio]] is vegetating in the courtyard. Lovino is nowhere to be seen. [[Gilbert]] is in his usual hideout, namely the attic.(set: $day to 2)

(set: $arthurmemory to it +1)Arthur is carefully applying Epsom salt onto the base of some rose plants. “They look really nice.” “Why, thank you,” he replies merrily. “You must be very experienced at this.” “Absolutely,” he looks very pleased. “Also, my body provided ample nutrients for them.” “... Sorry, what?” “Oh, I buried my body right here,” he points his shovel towards a thriving rose bush. Change the topic, //now//. [[How did you die?]] [[Why are you wearing a suit?]]

“¡Buenas!” Antonio raises a hand lazily and gestures for you to sit on the wooden bench. Before you can speak, he asks, “Alfred, do you know how I died?” [[Fell out of a window?->Antonio1]] [[How should I know?->Antonio2]]

You walk up the stairs hesitantly. (textstyle:"shudder")[“BWAH!”] You are mentally prepared this time, so you manage to prevent yourself from tripping. “//Scheisse//! Need more practice.” Gilbert is sitting on the windowsill. “So, what does you want with The Awesome Me?” “You actually //capitalise// a reference to yourself?” “(color: "inherit")[(link-reveal:"Don’t you do that too? ")[” “What do you mean?” You ask hesitantly. “Y’know, ‘Hero’ this and ‘Hero’ that. You gotta stop doing that to the mirrors,” Gilbert smirks. “Shut up.” “]]Anyway, The Awesome Me only has time for pranks, Gilbird and little Feli!” “Gilbird?” He gestures to the yellow bird soft toy next to him, the very same that you saw in the basement last time. Dude… Regardless, you try to make conversation. (link-replace: "Do you remember how you died?")[“Do you remember how you died?” “//Nein//. The Awesome Me doesn’t give a //scheisse// about it!” He sticks his tongue out. (set: $gilberttalk1 to it +1)] (link-replace: "You sure are close to Feliciano.")[“You sure are close to Feliciano.” “Little Feli is soooo sweet! He’s like an angel! He even lets me borrow his blood for pranks! Although Lovino won’t let him help out directly. And Lovi is cute toooo! But Tonio fawns over him so much that I barely see him!” Whoa, he acts like a fangirl when he speaks of the twins. A bit like an overly excited elder brother. (set: $gilberttalk1 to it +1)] (live: 0.1s)[(if: $gilberttalk1 is 2)[(stop:)The two of you chat for a while more. By the time you finish your conversation, it is time to (link-replace: "end the day")[(set: $gilberttalk1 to 0)(goto: "Sleep5")].]]

“Fell out of a window? I mean, look at all the cuts all over your body!” “That much I know.” He flashes you a bright smile. “But I want to know why I’m here.” “Why ask me?” “Let me give you a hint. None of us know our own surnames, right?” True. They’ve only ever mentioned their first names. “We don’t retain any memory of our past living selves. Our surnames were washed away as well,” Antonio says slowly. “//Almost as if they are tied to our memories.//" “Help me out, won’t you?” He pats your shoulder before vanishing silently. Deep in thought, you barely notice that the day has passed. [[End the Day->Sleep5]]

“How should I know?” He flashes you a bright smile. “I’m just wondering why I’m here.” “Why ask me?” “Let me give you a hint. None of us know our own surnames, right?” True. They’ve only ever mentioned their first names. “We don’t retain any memory of our past living selves. Our surnames were washed away as well,” Antonio says slowly. “//Almost as if they are tied to our memories.//" “Help me out, won’t you?” He pats your shoulder before vanishing silently. Deep in thought, you barely notice that the day has passed. [[End the Day->Sleep5]]

You hop onto bed and shut your eyes, feeling hopeful that you are getting closer to the truth. {(live: 4s)[ (if: $arthurmemory is 1 and $memory is 0)[(goto: "Arthur's Memory1")] (else-if: $arthurmemory is 2 and $memory is 1)[(goto: "Arthur's Memory2")] (else-if: $arthurmemory is 3 and $memory is 2)[(goto: "Arthur's Memory3")] (else-if: $arthurmemory is 4 and $memory is 3)[(goto: "Arthur's Memory4")] (else:)[(goto: "Day6")]]}

You wake up to the sight of Arthur floating (literally) around in the master bedroom. Sometimes, he looks into the cheval glass, or extracts a book from the nightstand to flip through. Most of the times though, he is just looking at you. He floats near you and extends a finger to poke your cheek. (link-replace:"Bite His Finger")[(set: $bite to 1)(goto: "You know I can see you, right?")] (link-replace:"You know I can see you, right?")[(set: $bite to 0)(goto: "You know I can see you, right?")]

(if: $bite is 1)[His finger is as cold as a popsicle in summer. Arthur cries out in pain before realising that you can see him. ]“That wasn’t supposed to happen!” (if: $ludwig is 1)[ “No idea why, but I can see more and more nowadays.” You shrug. “Anyways, what are you —” (textstyle: "shudder")[**“Ahhhhhhhhh!”**] That was Ludwig’s scream. [[Search for Ludwig]] ] (else:)[“No idea why, but I can see more and more nowadays.” You shrug. “Anyways, what are you —” He disappears with a //poof//. [[Start the Day]]]

You jog up and down the house to search for him. After ten minutes or so, you finally realise that he is in the basement. (live: 3s)[There are muffled voices coming through the trapdoor.] (live: 6s)[“So, about a hundred years ago, you ‘woke up’ knowing only your own name and your brother’s?” Ludwig is (rightfully) incredulous.] (live: 11s)[Darn it, Ludwig found out too. That was //fast//.] (live: 14s)[“Yes. And brother too.”] (live: 17s)[“So,” Ludwig is sounding like he needs an aspirin pill or ten. It happens quite often, poor man. “You are… a real… //ghost//?”] (live: 21s)[“Yes!” Feliciano sounds strangely excited.] (live: 24s)[(link-replace: "Enter the Basement")[(set: $enter to 1)(goto:"Enter the Basement")] (link-replace: "Eavesdrop")[(set: $enter to 0)(goto:"Enter the Basement")]]

(if: $enter is 1)[Before you make a move, Feliciano shoots you a glance through the small slit in the trapdoor. (live: 3s)He is still smiling sweetly, but there is something… //not good// mixed in it that makes you freeze on the spot. His irises are a deep red. (live: 7s)[Ludwig asks carefully, “In that case, do you know about a ghost who... lost his left eye?”] (live: 10s)[“Gilbert?” Feliciano answers on reflex.] (live: 12s)[“Yeah.” Ludwig mutters, suddenly very hopeful. For some reason, Feliciano’s smile freezes and he seems to be fighting off a frown.] (live: 19s)[(goto: "Lovino")]](else:)[Ludwig asks carefully, “In that case, do you know about a ghost who... lost his left eye?” (live: 3s)[“Gilbert?” Feliciano answers on reflex.] (live: 6s)[“Yeah.” Ludwig mutters, suddenly very hopeful. For some reason, Feliciano’s smile freezes and he seems to be fighting off a frown.] (live: 13s)[(goto: "Lovino")]]

Suddenly, you are shoved aside. (live: 1s)[(textstyle:"rumble")[**CRASH.**]] (live: 2s)[Lovino kicks open the trapdoor.] (live: 5s)[“//Leave//,” Lovino says sternly to Ludwig. “Don’t you lay a //finger// on my brother!] (live: 8s)[With that, he lifts Ludwig up by the collar //single-handedly// and tosses him out the front door.] (live: 11s)[“You too,” He turns around to glare at you. “If that British idiot weren’t so damn //‘interested’// in you, I’d have driven you out //the first day you came//.”] (live: 16s)[With that, he floats up to the West bedroom.] (live: 20s)[(goto: "Start the Day")]

[[Lovino->Lovino1]] is in the West bedroom. [[Arthur->Arthur3]] is reading a book in the living room. (if: $ludwig is 1)[Feliciano is still in the basement. You probably shouldn’t disturb him.](else:)[Feliciano is nowhere to be seen.] [[Antonio and Gilbert]] are cavorting about in the attic.

“Don’t come near me,” Lovino says. (link-repeat: "Talk to Lovino")[ {(if: $talktolovino is 0)[“//Vaffanculo//, you stupid American!” Feliciano is mild and sweet; his twin is anything but. (set: $talktolovino to 1)] (else-if: $talktolovino is 1)[“Go bother the British //idiota//, I have no business with you.” He waves you away.(set: $talktolovino to 2)] (else-if: $talktolovino is 2)[“Leave.”(set: $talktolovino to 3)] (else-if: $talktolovino is 3)[“If you don’t go, I’ll be forced to start repeating myself.”(set: $talktolovino to 4)] (else-if: $talktolovino is 4)[“Leave.”(set: $talktolovino to 5)]}(else-if: $talktolovino is 5)[You should probably talk about someone he is familiar with. [[Talk about Antonio]] [[Talk about Feliciano]](set: $talktolovino to 6)]] (link-goto: "Leave", "Sleep6")

(set: $arthurmemory to it +1)“Arthur!” “What?” Arthur raises his head from the Italian book. “Let’s go out for a bit!” You’ve been in this house for //days//. You wonder why you haven’t done this sooner. “No.” Arthur looks a bit rueful. [[Come on!]] [[Never mind then.]]

Before you could ascend the stairs, you hear voices coming through the trapdoor. (link-replace:"Eavesdrop")[“When we ‘woke up’ together three years ago, you on the stairs, me in the garden… Who did this to us? What did we do to deserve this?” Antonio sounds increasingly frantic towards the end. “Tonio.” Gilbert is actually sounding serious now. "What you don’t know cannot hurt you.” “But I might’ve had a family, or friends! I want to know who they are, even if I can’t regain my memories. Who says we can’t be happier //with// our memories?” Well, this is quite the heated discussion. Nonetheless, //your// objective is to find out the truth, no matter what it takes. You sit on the stairs as they talk about their lives after death. (link-goto: "End the Day", "Sleep6")]

The moment you reach the front entrance, you feel his hand vanish. You look back and see him standing at the front door. “We can’t leave where we died,” Arthur says apologetically. That must be really lonely. “There’s one exception, though.” He brightens up a bit. “We can roam the streets on Halloween night.” (if: $alike > 4)[“Then I’ll take you out to a movie or something on Halloween night. I’ll have my bike by then. It’s a promise!” “… Thank you.” (set: $promise to 1)](else:)[“Huh? I thought Halloween were just an excuse to see great costumes.” “It does have a proper mythical origin! But you do look like the type of idiot who would buy thousand-dollar Batman suits just to dress up for one night.” “Wha- how did you know?” “... You actually do?” “But Hero doesn't just wear them for one night!” Arthur looks utterly disgusted.] (link-goto: "End the Day", "Sleep6")

”Never mind then.” you sit onto the sofa. “What are you reading?” “I don’t know, actually. I’m picking up some Italian from the twins, but it’s still difficult to comprehend.” “Huh? Then why don’t you go out and buy some English books?” “We can’t leave where we died,” he says. That makes sense. Otherwise, there could be hundreds of ghosts gathering in one place, causing a pandemonium… (link-replace: "Have ghosts ever done that?")[“Just out of curiosity, has any ghost caused harm to the living?” “Yes. Most of them scare them for laughs, like Gilbert. But some, they… like to trick the living into joining them.” Arthur’s eyes are downcast. (link-goto: "End the Day", "Sleep6")]

“Are you close to Antonio? I mean, you guys share a bedroom and everything…” That seems to calm Lovino down. “Well, he’s been my underling ever since he ‘arrived’,” he says with a slight huff. “And this is //my// room. I only let him use it because I have no choice. Arthur has a scary temper in the morning, so no master bedroom. And we all agreed to let Feliciano have the East bedroom to himself.” Perhaps Lovino does have a nicer side to him, given that he didn’t make Antonio sleep on the sofa. “What about Gilbert?” “He never sleeps.” The two of you actually manage to make polite chit-chat. (link-goto: "End the Day", "Sleep6")

“I see that you are very close to your brother.” “Obviously. Stop talking to him.” “Why?” “We shouldn’t have introduced you to our world. Nothing good ever comes out of that. Now leave.” Lovino pushes you out of the door. (link-goto: "End the Day", "Sleep6")

You hop onto bed and shut your eyes, feeling hopeful that you are getting closer to the truth. {(set: $talktolovino to 0) (set: $day to 3) (live: 4s)[ (if: $arthurmemory is 1 and $memory is 0)[(goto: "Arthur's Memory1")] (else-if: $arthurmemory is 2 and $memory is 1)[(goto: "Arthur's Memory2")] (else-if: $arthurmemory is 3 and $memory is 2)[(goto: "Arthur's Memory3")] (else-if: $arthurmemory is 4 and $memory is 3)[(goto: "Arthur's Memory4")] (else:)[(goto: "Day7")]]}

The information fed into your brain for the past few days are overflowing. But today, you wake up with a clear, fresh objective. (live: 3s)[[[Time to pay Francis a visit.->To Francis]]]

<img src = "https://giraffe.neocities.org/pic/news.jpg"> Unfortunately, taking place in rural America means that it slipped under the media’s radar. This article from two years ago is the most detailed you could find. You take a while to put your treasures into the right places. Now you need to deal with the greater challenge: the other suitcase. Well, you are certainly not going to take out your undies in the living room, for one. Now, the house is yours to explore. Although you would much prefer if you could unload your luggage somewhere... (set: $luggage1 to 1) (link-goto: "Go to the Dining Room","Dining Room") (link-goto: "Go to the Reading Room", "Reading Room") (link-goto: "Go to the Courtyard", "Courtyard") (link-goto: "Go up the Stairs", "Hallway")

Not a bar this time. Surprising. Francis lets you into his tiny apartment, which is an absolute //mess//. Clothes everywhere, bottles of beer… [[What happened to you?]]

“Francis, what happened to you?” Francis flinches when you pull the curtains back. “For heaven’s sake, Alfred! Do you not know what a hangover is?” He takes out a packet of ice from the fridge. “If I don’t let some light in, your room’s gonna rot.” “Whatever you say. I’m leaving for Paris the day after tomorrow anyway.” (link-replace:"What?")[“//What//?” “It was a rash decision on my part, but it’s a good one. I need… //time to forget//.” [[When will you come back?]]]

(if: $man is 1)[“The intruder kept appearing out of nowhere.” “Last time I told you that his eyes are green. They actually turn red when he’s angry. Weird, right?”](else:)[“There’s this intruder in my house.” “He has sandy blonde hair and green eyes, and he always wears a suit. For some reason they turn red when he’s angry.”] Francis freezes. “I really need to get packing, //mon cher//.” He says hurriedly and tries to usher you out. Enough beating around the bush for the past two months. You’ll go straight to the point this time. [[What happened on the night Gilbert and Antonio were killed?]]

Francis freezes. “You knew about //that//?” he snaps. “Enough to know you’re involved.” [[Never mind.->Give up]] [[It must have hurt, losing your best friends.]]

“It must have hurt, losing your best friends.” “I’m about to get over it and start a new life, can’t you see?” Maybe it’s the hangover, but his eyes have dark circles under them. He massages his temples with one hand. “I don’t want to have those nightmares anymore… every time I pass by a large house I… Why did I have to be the one to live on… I don’t even dare to meet their families…” His voice breaks. [[Ludwig is still grieving over his brother, you know.]] [[It’s over. I’m sure you can forget.->Give up]]

“Yeah, yeah… I’m sorry for losing my temper…” Francis seems to relax. “Anyways, it’s good seeing you one last time. Keep in touch.” He sends you out with a slightly forced smile. You hear the lock click. (link-repeat: "Knock on the Door")[(if: time < 10s)[ //Knock.//](else:)[ Seems like it will not generate any response. You have no choice but to leave.]] [[Leave->Sleep7]]

“Ludwig is still grieving over his brother, you know. Antonio’s family too. They don’t even know who or //what// killed them.” Francis looks like his is going to cry and vomit at the same time. He grasps you by the collar and starts pushing you out of the door. [[Sorry, I take that back.->Give up]] [[It’s your fault that things turned out like this!]]

(set: $francis to 1)“It’s //your// fault that things turned out like this!” You’re so, so sorry. “It is **NOT**!” Francis finally loses it. He nearly flings you against the wall. Luckily, you extract yourself from his iron grip in time. He collapses onto the floor, face buried deep in his hands. “Yes, it was I who suggested that we enter… I was such an //idiot//… But it’s //the house//, //the house took them away// —” With that, Francis’s body goes slack, as if he has exhausted three years’ worth of energy at once. He stares emotionlessly into nowhere. You keep trying to elicit a response out of him for hours, right into the wee hours of the morning. But you receive no reply. Did you fail? You [[return->Sleep7]] to your house for the time being.

You dive headfirst onto your bed in the master bedroom. Is this the end…? (live: 4s)[(goto: "Day8")]

You are woken up by your buzzing phone. <hr>(textstyle: "fade-in-out-")[—YOU HAVE (if: $ludwig is 1)[2](else:)[1] NEW MESSAGE(if: $ludwig is 1)[S]—] (if: $ludwig is 1)[Ludwig B: Alfred, do you mind if I bring a guest over tomorrow? ]W: Have you found him? <hr>You type out a reply.<hr>(click:"reply")[(if: $ludwig is 1)[Ludwig B: Sure, thanks for telling me in advance! - AFJ ]W: Yeah. - AFJ W: Thank you. <hr>][[Start the Day->Day8.1]]

[[Arthur->Arthur4]] is having his morning tea in the dining room. [[Feliciano->Feliciano2]] is in the reading room. Lovino and Antonio are in the West bedroom. You’d best not disturb them. Gilbert is nowhere to be found.

(set: $arthurmemory to it +1)Arthur is quietly sitting at the table with a cup of tea and a marmite sandwich at his side. He nods at you. You feel like you have experienced this scene before. [[Make Tea]] [[Make Coffee]]

“//Ultime… Vipera… Vita… Volata… Zar…//” Feliciano is arranging the books on the shelves. (link-replace: "Need a hand?")[“Need a hand?” “//Grazie//. Can you shift the stack of English books to the corner?” Feliciano smiles gently at you. “Hmm. Most of these books are written in Italian,” you remark. “//Sì//. I think brother and I lived here. We ‘woke up’ in a fire, and brother immediately ran downstairs while I tried to preserve the books.” (link-replace: "Any clues?")[“You’ve done a great job,” you say. “But since this is //your// house, have you found any clues about who you were?” “No. The fire probably destroyed them all.” By the time you complete the arrangements, it is time to [[end the day->Sleep8]].]]

(set: $alike to it +1)Arthur’s lips twitches upwards, but he quickly settles back into a careful neutral expression. “Seems like you can finally appreciate the wonders of this beverage.” “Why do you like tea so much?” “A fine gentleman shall always have a cuppa in hand,” he huffs, arms crossed. “What kind of gentleman is that?” “Anyway, I don’t really feel like eating, so avail yourself of the sandwich.” Marmite is a food spread made from yeast extract. It has an… //interesting// taste, to say the least. A British favourite. What should you do? (link-replace: "Eat it")[(link-goto: "Are You Suuuuure?!", "Faint")] [[Change the Topic->Arthur4.1]]

Arthur clicks his tongue. “I don’t really feel like eating, so avail yourself to the sandwich.” Marmite is a food spread made from yeast extract. It has an… //interesting// taste, to say the least. A British favourite. What should you do? (link-replace: "Eat it")[(link-goto: "Are You Suuuuure?!", "Faint")] [[Change the Topic->Arthur4.1]]

Hmm, a bit slimy, tangy… … … … Six hours later, you wake up with Arthur by your side. “//What the hell did you put in there!//” “//Nothing//! I’ve eaten from //that very same// jar even //before// I died, and I was perfectly fine!” He sounds offended, but mostly worried. “Dude, it’s been there for more than //ten years//?” You have no choice but to [[end the day->Sleep8]].

You dive headfirst onto your bed in the master bedroom. (if: $ludwig is 1)[You wonder what Ludwig is up to. Guess you'll have to wait till tomorrow to find out.](else:)[Is there really nothing to do about Francis? Maybe you should give it another try...] (set: $day to 4) {(live: 4s)[ (if: $arthurmemory is 1 and $memory is 0)[(goto: "Arthur's Memory1")] (else-if: $arthurmemory is 2 and $memory is 1)[(goto: "Arthur's Memory2")] (else-if: $arthurmemory is 3 and $memory is 2)[(goto: "Arthur's Memory3")] (else-if: $arthurmemory is 4 and $memory is 3)[(goto: "Arthur's Memory4")] (else:)[(goto: "Day9")]]}

“Why do you make food for yourself when you aren’t hungry?” you ask. “I suppose it’s a habit. When we go out on Halloween, we restock our food supplies and then have a feast the next day. But they only allow Feliciano into the kitchen.” His eyes are downcast. “You can cook for me.” The words just came out of your mouth. Maybe you’ll die earlier this way... but anything to make him happier. “Really?” His eyes seem to sparkle when they look at you. “Why not?” You are already regretting it. It is time to [[end the day->Sleep8]].

Ludwig enters the house, followed by a young lady in her mid-twenties. (link-replace:"You are…?")[“You are…?” “Elizabeta,” she smiles politely, speaking with a Hungarian accent. “I looked Feliciano’s name up, along with the house address,” Ludwig says. “I found some useful [[information]] in the company’s archive.”]

<img src = "https://giraffe.neocities.org/pic/info.png" alt="INVESTIGATION OF HAUNTED COLONIAL REVIVAL HOUSE. Construction: Early 1900s, Colonial Revival style, by an Italian aristocratic family that migrated to the United States. Estimated Worth: 800,000 USD. Details: Owner and wife passed away, allegedly due to illness. Their two sons died in a fire a year later. The only survivor was Elizabeta Héderváry, the housekeeper. CASE CLOSED due to insufficient funding."> “I was named after my grandmother. She spoke often of the ‘adorable Italian twins’.” Elizabeta says. //Does she know that…// Ludwig shakes his head slightly. “Ludwig here asked me for my help. See if I can dig up anything useful around here. I don’t know how, but we should probably get started.” Elizabeta stands up and ties her hair into a ponytail. [[Start Investigation]]

The reading room is dominated by a towering library, adorned by handsome volumes that obscure the walls almost entirely. There is a large Victorian-looking writing desk with a lamp and your laptop on it, accompanied by a single chair. Opposite them is a single sofa. (if: $felilook is 1)[Feliciano is doing his best to ignore your little party of three.](if: $felilook is 0)[A puzzled Feliciano looks at you, book in hand. “Alfred, who is...” You signal for him to keep silent. Elizabeta takes one glance at the books before shaking her head. “If it’s here, I don’t see why you haven’t seen it before.” True.(set: $felilook to 1)] [[Go to the Living Room->Living Room9]]

The courtyard connects the main building and the garden. There are a few wooden benches littered around the place. There is also a small, decrepit fountain in the middle. As of present, the courtyard is completely overpowered by some fast-sprawling ivy. Antonio is vegetating on one of the benches. He shoots you a questioning glance. (click: "fountain")[ Nothing but stagnant water. ] [[Go to the Living Room->Living Room9]] [[Go to the Garden->Garden9]]

You can see part of the living room and the front door from the landing, which is enclosed by a metal balustrade. A dimly-lit hallway stretches beyond you, white walls growing all the way from the marble floor to the ceiling — save for a square spot right above you, which looks like it is made of wood. The hallway is comparatively barren, save for the trophy heads of exotic animals flanking you, dozens of dark eyes possessing a glint similar to that of a polished bayonet. It gives you the creeps. The master bedroom is at the other end of the hallway, with two smaller ones at the side. (click: "trophy heads of exotic animals")[ “…Grandma never mentioned //these//.” ] [[Go down the Stairs->Living Room9]] [[Go to the Master Bedroom->Master Bedroom9]] [[Go to the East Bedroom->East Bedroom9]] (link-replace: "Go to the West Bedroom")[Lovino is inside. He isn’t exactly welcoming to outsiders.]

The garden is home to an enormous rose collection. You cannot name any of the cultivars, but they are latching onto lampposts, peeking out from the pavement and rambling onto the colonnade — virtually everywhere. There are also meticulously manicured shrubs of exclusively (textcolor: "inherit")[red roses]. There is a small (textcolor: "inherit")[shed] that stores garden tools. (if: $arthurshock is 0)[ Arthur looks at you, eyebrows raised. “Grandma said that the garden was burnt to the ground,” Elizabeta wonders out loud. “It’s not here. She was sure that it survived the fire.” “Who is this young lady? Did a previous tenant lose something in this house?” Arthur asks you. Ludwig seems to sense Arthur, but he can’t see him.(set: $arthurshock to 1)] (click:"red roses")[ Delicate yet passionate, these roses possess a colour richer than blood. Arthur must have spent much time and effort taking care of them.] (click:"shed")[ There is a metal spade, pruning shears, a bag of Epsom salt, and a watering can with some water left inside. ] [[Go to the Courtyard->Courtyard9]]

The master bedroom, newly renovated, is simple and functional. Your queen-sized bed and nightstands occupy a third of the space, near some evenly-spaced tall windows and thick, opaque (textcolor: "inherit")[curtains]. There is a refined rosewood closet at the bed’s foot, complete with an ornate full-length (textcolor: "inherit")[cheval glass].(if: $housekeeper is 0)[ “Here?” You ask. “She’s a housekeeper. Why’d she leave anything in the master bedroom?” Ludwig says. Elizabeta nods in agreement.(set: $housekeeper to 1)] (click:"curtains")[ You draw aside the curtains for sunlight to flood the room. It is a tad too dim even with the lights on. ](click:"cheval glass")[ Elizabeta Hédeváry is a beautiful lady in her mid-twenties. Her chestnut brown hair flows neatly onto a long green dress, which shade perfectly complements her eyes. She winks at you when she notices you looking at her. Ludwig Beilschmidt is a tall, muscular young man with a piercing gaze. His blonde hair is neatly slicked back, and he always wears his suit like a soldier would wear his uniform. All he needs to complete the stereotypical German look is a jug of beer in hand. ] [[Go to the Hallway->Hallway9]] [[Go to the Bathroom->Bathroom9]]

Unlike the master bedroom, this bedroom has retained its look from a century ago. Its furniture are exquisite and clean, with a desk and a chair by the bedside. You can see the courtyard through the [[window]]. “Was this where my grandmother lived?” Elizabeta mutters. (click: "desk")[“Why is there a knife inside?” Elizabeta asks. “It’s a letter opener. Quite handy for taking out the plastic wrap on new books.”] [[Go to the Hallway->Hallway9]]

The bathroom is snowy white from ceiling to floor, aside from the occasional metallic glint coming from a pewter handle or a knob. It is insanely clean and utilitarian. There is a toilet, a sink (with two (textcolor: "inherit")[drawers], one on top of the other), a mirror and a porcelain (textcolor: "inherit")[bathtub]. (click: "drawers")[In the bottom drawer is a bottle of medication labelled “Ambien”. (if: $ambien is 1)[ Ludwig shoots you a questioning glance. You casually shut the drawer. ](else-if: $ambien is 0)[ “Alfred, are you suffering from insomnia or something?” Ludwig asks. “No, why?” “This is a sleeping agent.” “This isn’t mine. I think the previous tenant left it here.” (set: $ambien to 1)]] (click: "bathtub")[(if: $bathtub is 1)[The interior of the bathtub looks really yellowish.](else-if: $bathtub is 0)[“The bathtub looks so //yellow//. Did the previous tenant really really love having baths or something?” “I did try to scrub it off. Whatever it was, it must have seeped into the ceramic.” Ludwig said apologetically.(set: $bathtub to 1)]] [[Go back to the Master Bedroom->Master Bedroom9]]

“Ah, the windowsill is a bit unstable. I’ll get it fixed soon,” you say. Her hands ghost over the windowsill before pressing down and giving it a pull. //A hidden cabinet.// There is an old journal inside. Elizabeta retrieves it and hugs it close to her chest, muttering a few prayers. Then, she opens the book. “It’s written in Hungarian. I haven’t spoken it in a few years, so it’ll take a while before I work it out,” she says. (text-style:"blink")[//Ding dong//.] [[Answer the Door]]

(if: $francis is 1)[(goto: "F AND L")] (else:)[(goto: "YAO ARC")]

You find, to your surprise, Francis standing outside. He looks even worse than the last time you saw him. You can smell alcohol. “I’ve had enough,” before you could make any reply, he continues. “I’m here to settle everything once and for all.” Then, he makes eye contact with Ludwig. “You’re back?” “You’re still here?” Well, Francis //was// close to Gilbert. Of course he knows Ludwig, “You still think that you can see him again as long as you stay here?” Ludwig nods slowly. [[Why are you here, Francis?]]

“Why are you here?” (live: 3s)[“I couldn’t quite control myself the last time I met you. I realised that I can’t keep running away from this.” Francis closes his eyes, as if saying a prayer.] (live: 8s)[“I’ll tell you everything. Maybe this way, I can finally let go.”] (live: 13s)[Ludwig stands up abruptly and starts walking up the stairs. “I’ll check on Elizabeta’s progress —”] (live: 17s)[“Gil was the first.” ] (live: 20s)[Ludwig stops.] (live: 23s)[“He had no idea what’s going on. He didn’t fear or despair before he...”] (live: 28s)[Ludwig’s lips are trembling. He continues walking up and disappears behind the metal balustrade. A curious Feliciano follows him upstairs.] (live: 33s)[(stop:)Francis opens his eyes. [[He...?->Fire away.]]]

//“I’ll check on Elizabeta’s progress.” Ludwig’s lips are trembling. He continues walking up and disappears behind the metal balustrade. A curious Feliciano follows him upstairs. **Feliciano was following him.**// You have a very, //very// bad feeling about this. [[Go up the Stairs->Truth2]]

This is abnormal. The house is too quiet. You dash up the stairs as silently as possible. The door to the East bedroom is ajar. (link-replace: "Peek")[Elizabeta is knocked unconscious on her chair. (live: 3s)[Ludwig is kneeling on the floor, a sharp blade pointed at his neck. You can’t enter without risking his life.] (live: 8s)[“He really likes you, doesn’t he? He’s never let me out when he’s near you.” Feliciano sits on a chair, keeping the blade trained at his neck. ] (live: 13s)[He speaks so //casually//, yet there isn’t a trace of the sweet, gentle, slightly timid Feliciano that you’ve come to know in it.] (live: 18s)[“But I can finally meet you, now that he’s remembered everything. How //useless// and //horrible// he was.”] (live: 23s)[(goto: "Truth3")]]

“//Feli is not a horrible person,//” Ludwig spat. (live: 4s)[“He killed his parents and caused himself and his brother to die.” Feliciano lifts a corner of his lips and twirls the letter opener between his fingers. “You still think he’s not horrible?”] (live: 11s)[“That’s not Feli, that’s //you//.” You never thought Ludwig could speak with so much spite.] (live: 16s)[“But I //am// Feliciano Vargas, Lud. ” Feliciano merely //smiles//. ] (live: 22s)[With a casual swing, he raises his blade, preparing to deliver it into Ludwig’s chest with a flourish. “Come to our side.”] (live: 26s)[[[**NOW!**->Truth4]]]

(textstyle:"rumble")[BAM!] You burst through the door. (live: 3s)[Distracted, Feliciano’s grip on the blade loosens.] (live: 6s)[You pounce on him. The two of you struggle over the blade, but you’re momentarily blinded by his blood. He takes a deadly precise swing at you.] (live: 12s)[“Idiot brother.”] (live: 20s)[Lovino stands at the door.] (live: 27s)[(goto: "Truth5")]

Feliciano stops. (live: 2s)[His hand trembles and lets go of the blade. It drops onto the carpeted floor soundlessly.] (live: 5s)[His irises, once dark red, return to their usual brown. ] (live: 8s)[His eyes widen in shock before tears start falling. “Lud, what was I doing? No, no, it wasn’t on purpose, I didn’t…”] (live: 12s)[Lovino draws Feliciano into a tight hug. He looks at you and mouths, reluctantly, “thank you”.] (live: 20s)[(goto: "Truth6")]

Arthur pulls Ludwig up from the floor. (live: 3s)[“You do know that he really would’ve killed you, right?” Arthur’s voice is cold.] (live: 6s)[“He’s not Feliciano, and I don’t want to hurt him…”] (live: 9s)[“Ridiculous. What makes you think you can harm a ghost?”] (live: 11s)[“You knew about this?” you ask Arthur. He turns his head away.] (live: 14s)[“Ask Lovino if you want to know more about Feliciano. Take care of the lady, would you?”] (live: 17s)[He escorts Ludwig through the front gates. You let Elizabeta recover in the West bedroom while Lovino stays with Feliciano through the night.] (live: 22s)[The next day, you [[speak to Lovino]]]

A Chinese man is standing outside the front door. (if: $ludwig is 1 and $francis is 0)[ “You entertain your guest. I’ll go check on Elizabeta upstairs,” you hear Ludwig say. ] “You are...” “Wang Yao. Just call me Yao,” he says. “The landed properties around here are all architectural beauties, especially yours…” He is peeking into the house, black eyes reminding you of an owl. [[Sorry, but we don’t take sightseers here.->Yao1]] [[Come in.->Yao1]]

He cuts you off with a pondering smile on his face. “An architectural marvel that survived a fire. //Exceedingly// beautiful, don’t you think?” You can’t tell whether Wang Yao is talking to himself or asking you a question. He clearly isn’t a mere sightseer. He invites himself in and heads straight for the garden. (link-replace: "Follow Him")[“Long time no see,” Wang Yao calls out to Arthur, who is tending to the rose bushes. (live: 2s)[//Clonk.//] (live: 4s)[Arthur drops his watering can.] (live: 7s)[“Yao…”] (live: 9s)[“I had Alfred move into this house so that I can find out whether you’re here.”] (live: 11s)[Huh? Who is he even? Wait. You [[pull out your phone]].]]

<hr>(textstyle: "fade-in-out")[—YOU HAVE 1 NEW MESSAGE—] W: I’ll be paying a visit.<hr>(live: 2s)[“You… knew him?” Arthur asks you, face pale. You frown in confusion.] (live: 5s)[“He was the one who sent me information about this house in the first place, I think.”] (live: 9s)[“Seems like your gardening skills have only improved.” Wang Yao admires the roses. “You should grow some peonies for me —”] (live: 12s)[“Why are you here?”] (live: 14s)[Wang Yao chuckles. “Is this how a ‘fine gentleman’ treats a friend visiting after ten years?”] (live: 17s)[Silence.] (live: 20s)[“I have to prove that I am right.” [[Prove?]]]

“That //no good ever comes out of the living interacting with a ghost.//” Wang Yao strolls around Arthur’s garden. (live: 4s)[“Alfred is the prime example.”] (live: 6s)[“What are you talking about!” Arthur seems to perk up at the mention of you. “I’ve admitted that boring conjecture of yours ever since I moved in. Why did you get Alfred involved?”] (live: 13s)[“//Liar!// If you’d known then, why would you kill yourself!” Wang Yao raises his voice. ] (live: 17s)[“You’re the only one who could talk to me, Arthur.”] (live: 21s)[“I’ve been alone ever since you vanished.”] (live: 25s)[“If only you had listened to me… You know how it feels to not be able to tell anyone anything…”] (live: 32s)[(goto: "Yao2")]

“Yao.” (textstyle: "smear")[//(live: 1.2s)[(stop:)(t8n: "dissolve")[Drip,]] (live: 1.4s)[(stop:)(t8n: "dissolve")[drip.]]//] (live: 3s)[“Do you remember the question that I asked you?”] (live: 6s)[Wang Yao raises an eyebrow.] (live: 8s)[“Suppose I were already dead. And one day, here I am again, standing right in front of you. Would you scream, or burst out crying?”] (textstyle: "smear")[//(live: 12.2s)[(stop:)(t8n: "dissolve")[Drip,]] (live: 12.4s)[(stop:)(t8n: "dissolve")[drip.]]//] (live: 14s)[“So your answer is to cry.” Arthur shows a hesitant smile to Wang Yao. He wipes his face and turns around, a bitter smile on his face.] (live: 19s)[“I knew it. Nothing good ever comes out of interacting with a ghost.” He leaves the house in hasty steps. (link-replace: "Arthur.")[ (if: $ludwig is 1 and $francis is 1)[(goto: "LAST ARC")] (else:)[(goto: "Yao3")]]]

“Arthur —” //Poof.// Playing the disappearing trick again. //What if he never appears one day?// Nah. (if: $ludwig is 1)[ [[Check on Elizabeta and Ludwig->BE4]]](else:)[ ... ... ... (link-replace:"Then, Arthur Kirkland disappears.")[(set: $path to "A")(goto: "BE5")]]

(textstyle:"blink")[//Ding dong.//] You open the door. (click: "open the door")[ (if: $francis is 0 and $ludwig is 0)[(goto: "YAO ARC")] (else-if: $ludwig is 1)[(goto: "LUDWIG ARC")] (else-if: $ludwig is 0 and $francis is 1)[(goto: "FRANCIS ARC")]]

(color: "white")[This is abnormal. The house is too quiet. (live: 3s)[You ascend the stairs as silently as possible. The door to the East bedroom is ajar.]] (live: 5s)[(textstyle: "blur")[Red.]] (live: 6s)[Trickling out of the room.] (live: 8s)[(textstyle: "blur")[Red.]] (live: 9s)[Oozing out of Ludwig’s chest.] (live: 11s)[(textstyle: "blur")[Red.]] (live: 12s)[Climbing onto a lifeless Elizabeta’s hair. Gnawing through every page of the journal, rendering every word undecipherable.] (live: 14s)[(textstyle: "blur")[Red.]] (live: 19s)[(goto: "BE4.1")]

“Alfred?” Feliciano stand in the middle of it all, a shining blade in his hands, stained by red. (live: 6s)[//Then, he smiles.//] (live: 11s)[(stop:)<div id="messagewhite">DEAD ENDING ^^//You failed to investigate the mysteries of the house... and got into huge trouble. Do you wish to try again?//^^ (link-goto: "Wake up", "Day4") (link-goto: "End story", "Start")] (display: "erase")

You find, to your surprise, Francis standing outside. He looks even worse than the last time you saw him. You can smell alcohol. “I’ve had enough,” before you could make any reply, he continues. “I couldn’t quite control myself the last time I met you. I realised that I can’t keep running away from this.” Francis closes his eyes, as if saying a prayer. “I’ll tell you everything. Maybe this way, I can finally let go.” ... [[“Gil was the first.”->Fire away.]]

(color:"red")[(textstyle:"shadow")[**//BANG—//**] (live: 2s)[The murderer...John Doe, shot Gil through the eye. He died in an instant.] (live: 5s)[Tonio and I ran to the living room and saw Gil's body on the stairs.] (live: 10s)[The fugitive was holding a gun. He fired again and again, we dodged over and over.] (live: 16s)[(stop:)Then... we heard him (textstyle:"shudder")[scream].] (live: 23s)[//Something// dragged him away, as if the air was clutching his neck. The gun snapped right into half.] (live: 27s)[(stop:)Then, a man just... (textstyle:"fade-in-out")[appeared] in front of me. He had red eyes and wore a three piece suit. He opened the door to the courtyard and told me to run.] (live: 32s)[I heard a scream from the living room. I think I saw the murderer’s body (textstyle:"expand")[//fly out//] onto the streets.] (live: 38s)[(stop:)That man frowned and said something like (textstyle:"smear")[“Vino”] and vanished.]] (live: 44s)[(stop:)[[I ran.->Next1]]]

(textcolor: "red")[(textstyle: "expand")[I ran.] (live: 3s)[(stop:)Then, I heard glass (textstyle: "shudder")[//shatter//] on top of me. Behind me, there was a (textstyle:"condense")[**plonk**]. I turned around.] (live: 8s)[(stop:)(textstyle:"shadow")[//Tonio was lying in the rosebush. His skin was covered in a thousand cuts and gashes.//]] (live: 12s)[//Someone// was standing at the window.] (live: 17s)[Things stopped making sense to me. Maybe it stopped ever since we entered the house.]] (live: 22s)[[[I woke up in the hospital.->Next2]]]

<div id="first-passage">The ghosts in the house were Arthur, Feliciano and Lovino. **Who appeared in front of Francis?** (link-replace: "Lovino")[(color: "red")[Lovino is dressed in a dinner jacket from the last century. His eyes are brown.]] (link-replace: "Feliciano")[(color: "red")[Feliciano is dressed in a dinner jacket from the 1900s.]] (link-replace: "Arthur")[(color: "green")[Arthur’s eyes turn red with malice. He wears a three piece suit.] [**Who took care of the fugitive?** (link-replace: "Feliciano")[(color: "red")[What did Arthur say when he heard the scream coming from the living room?]] (link-replace: "Lovino")[(color: "green")[Arthur muttered Lovino’s name when the fugitive screamed.] **Who pushed Antonio out of the attic window?** (link-replace:"Feliciano")[ (if: $ludwig is 1)[(goto:"Truth")](else:)[(goto:"truthwoludwig")]]]]</div>

So //this// is the truth of the murders… You send Francis off at the airport with a heavy heart. Lovino is not exactly friendly to outsiders. At the very least, it sounds possible for him to kill a hostile intruder. But Feliciano... In the next few weeks, you repeatedly try to speak to Lovino and Arthur about this. They deny it over and over again and tell you to stop mentioning it. Feliciano refuses to speak to you as you did not allow Ludwig to visit the house. Although he caves in eventually, his answers are anything but satisfactory. “What are you talking about? One day, Gilbert and Antonio just somehow joined us. I was really happy!” The next day, you hear the doorbell ring. [[Answer the Door->YAO ARC]]

Lovino looks very tired. Without probing, he tells you everything resignedly. (live: 4s)[(goto: "Lovino Memory")]

Feli and I had parents and Elizabeta. We were happy. (live: 3s)[One night, I woke up and didn’t see Feliciano anywhere. Then, I heard him wailing and calling for me from the master bedroom.] (live: 10s)[Feli was sitting on the floor, crying. I walked over and saw him covered in blood, with a knife in hand.] (live: 16s)[Elizabeta screamed. Feli kept crying and trembling and shaking his head.] (live: 22s)[I was crying too, but I hugged him and said, “Idiot brother, it’s fine, your big brother is here.”] (live: 27s)[Elizabeta locked the door, cleaned the mess up, and told everyone that our parents were ill and passed away.] (live: 32s)[I don’t know what she was thinking, but she saved our lives.] (live: 37s)[[[I thought that was the end of it.->Lovino Memory2]]]

(color: "red")[But I killed him. (live: 3s)[Elizabeta was away and we were alone at home. His… the //other// him suddenly emerged again, and tried to strangle me.] (live: 8s)[I struggled. He knocked over a candlestick and it started a fire. I grabbed a table knife beside me.] (live: 13s)[Was I already mad, or was it just instinct? I stabbed him in the chest.] (live: 18s)[He wasn’t Feli. I couldn’t control my hand from doing it over and over, just like how I couldn’t stop myself from shouting and crying.] (live: 23s)[I killed him. I couldn’t accept it. I slit my own throat.] (live: 28s)[I didn’t expect ourselves to ‘wake up’ as ghosts. Feli didn’t remember a thing, and I wanted him to stay that way. I destroyed all the evidence pointing to who we were.]] (live: 35s)[[[End Memory->Lovino Memory3]]]

“Feli’s second personality still pops out sometimes, especially if he interacts with the living. This is dangerous to both Feli and the living tenants.” (live: 5s)[“I tried my best to keep him away from people. I even asked Arthur to help me.”] (live: 8s)[“I guess I failed.”] (live: 11s)[Lovino’s head hangs low.] (live: 13s)[“Wait...” you say hesitantly.] (live: 14s)[There is something wrong with this.] (live: 16s)[[[Why are you able to explain this in the first place?]]]

“I thought you lose your memory after you die. How do you remember things that happened before you became a ghost?” (live: 5s)[Actually, how did //Feliciano// recall what happened in the past too?] (live: 8s)[“Did Arthur not tell you?” His eyes widen.] (live: 12s)[“One way we can recall our past is when we are reminded of our surnames. ‘Vargas’, for Feli and me.”] (live: 16s)[“But for people who commit suicide, there is a special punishment.”] (live: 20s)[“//We never forget who we were or how we died. We carry on the burden of our past sins, strapped to this world for eternity.//”] (live: 26s)[//Arthur remembers.//] (live: 29s)[Hope arises like a balloon expanding in your chest. You are ever so close to the truth.] (live: 32s)[(stop:)[[TALK TO ARTHUR]]]

Arthur is tending to the plants in the garden. (live: 2s)[“Alfred?” he spins around.] (live: 3s)[“Suppose I were already dead.”] (live: 4s)[“And one day, here I am again, standing right in front of you.”] (live: 5s)["Would you scream, or burst out crying?”] (live: 7s)[Arthur shakes his head in confusion.] (live: 10s)[“That’s how I answered then.” You twist your lips into a bitter smile.] (live: 13s)[“You committed suicide, so you should remember everything that happened before you died.”] (live: 20s)[[[Why is it that you don’t remember this?->Alfred Memory]]]

“Daddy, where are we going?” you ask. (live: 5s)[There are dark circles under daddy’s eyes. He keeps muttering something to himself.] (live: 8s)[“Mummy?”] (live: 10s)[Mummy hasn’t dressed up pretty ever since you moved into this house two years ago.. Not even for your seventh birthday. She isn’t even responding, just staring into blank space.] (live: 15s)[“We’re leaving this house, Al. Never coming back.” Daddy looks so scared and tired.] (live: 18s)[You remember sandy blonde hair, emerald eyes and a kiss on your forehead. “But daddy, I want to meet the mystery man—” ] (live: 20s)[“**STOP IT!**” Daddy roars. You burst into tears.] (live: 24s)[“That young man— what’s his name again? Arthur Kirkland. He’s right. This house isn’t for the living. We should’ve just sold it to him last year.”] (live: 29s)[“Ghosts, intruders… I’ve had enough. Take me out of my misery…” He continues packing the luggage feverishly.] (live: 32s)[You don’t understand a thing.] (live: 35s)[(goto: "Alfred Memory2")]

“My mother hanged herself a month later. The next day, my father killed himself with a pistol.” Arthur’s eyes finally widen in recognition. “//You were//… I don’t understand… your parents…” (link-replace: "What did you do to them?")[“Yeah. What did you do to them? What did you //do// to them!” You’ve waited eleven years for an answer. Arthur says nothing. He merely looks at you. There is something //boiling// in his eyes. (link-replace: "Why aren’t you talking?")[“Why aren’t you talking?” (link-replace: "Why are you looking at me like this?")[“Why are you looking at me like this?” [[Say that I’m wrong!]]]]]

It is a lonely path, being able to see ghosts as a living person. //Maybe I should reach out to them,// thought Arthur. And so, he started talking to the ghosts, finding out how they died. He even helped solve a few “haunted” issues here and there by talking it out with the dead. (if: (history:) contains "Arthur's Memory4")[ His Chinese friend, Wang Yao, did not approve of it. “We’re still alive. We shouldn’t associate ourselves with the ghosts. Nothing good ever comes out of it.” But he persisted. ] One day, he heard about a haunted house in the rural parts of America. It appeared that its tenants tend to develop some sort of depression after staying in it for a short while. (if: (history:) contains "Arthur's Memory1")[ It reminded him of Mr Ghost. ] [[Next->Arthur's Memory5.1]]

He decided to investigate. But there were people living inside. It was a happy couple with a seven-year-old son. He needed to acquire the land so that he could conduct the investigation to his hearts desire. He used… a //trick//, disguised himself as a murderer, to make the couple believe that the house was not suited for living. He ran into the child by accident. Though he snuck out in time. The couple finally made the decision to move out. This way, they would not be harmed anymore. Then he heard about the couple’s deaths. The couple’s mental health had been greatly eroded by the unknown inhabitants of the house. His trick must have been the last straw. [[End Memory->Almost There]]

Arthur looks as if he has exhausted ten year’s worth of emotions in that one story. “After I acquired the property from your parents, Lovino came forth.” “He told me that because of Feliciano’s amnesia, all of his negative emotions are gathered in... the //other// Feliciano. A potent threat to anyone in this house.” “Maybe it was guilt pushing me… But I stayed here to neutralise that threat forever.” “I shouldn’t have tried to reach out to ghosts in the first place.” But then… [[I wouldn’t have met you.]] [[You wouldn’t have helped so many people.]]

“I wouldn’t have met you. I wouldn’t have known that you liked tea and roses. I wouldn’t have known that even though you may not be forthcoming, you’re actually a nice person deep down—” He looks a bit stunned at that. //Ding dong.// Who is it now? [[Answer the Door->YAO ARC]]

“You wouldn’t have helped so many people.” He smiles bitterly. //Ding dong.// Who is it now? [[Answer the Door->YAO ARC]]

“Arthur —” (live: 2s)[//Poof.//] (live: 4s)[Playing the disappearing trick again.] (live: 7s)[//What if he stops appearing one day?//] (live: 11s)[The thought feeds on your mind like a parasite.] (live: 15s)[(goto: "LAST ARC2")]

The next day, you wake up to see a cup of tea and a note on your nightstand. (click: "note")[<img src = "https://giraffe.neocities.org/pic/notete.jpg"> You search the house the entire day. You shout his name over and over. Your voice breaks. Is it that you stopped being able to see him? No. You can still see Feliciano, Lovino, Gilbert and Antonio. They refuse to talk. You make a cup of tea in the dining room and wait for him. The tea goes cold. You make another cup of tea. [[Go to the Living Room->Living RoomTE]]]

The next day, you wake up to see a cup of tea and a note on your nightstand. (click: "note")[<img src = "https://giraffe.neocities.org/pic/notege.jpg"> You search the house for days, weeks, and months. You shout his name again and again. Your voice breaks. Is it that you stopped being able to see him? No. You can still see Feliciano, Lovino, Gilbert and Antonio. You make a cup of tea in the dining room and wait for him. The tea goes cold. You make another cup of tea. All to no avail. Eventually, you resume your college life. Sometimes you’ll think about Arthur. Most of the time, you won’t. Perhaps this is the best ending you could hope for.(if: $path is "A")[ But a part of you is screaming. Crying. Hoping for the dream to continue.] <div id="messageblack">(if: $path is "A")[(font: "Russo One")[BAD ENDING 4] ^^//You failed to investigate the mysteries of the house. Do you wish to try again?//^^](else-if: $path is "B")[(font: "Russo One")[NORMAL ENDING] ^^//You continued your life without Arthur. Are you happy with this ending?//^^] (link-goto: "Wake up", "Day4") (link-goto: "End story", "Start")</div>] (display: "erase")

The walls are painted sky blue. Your parents chose the colour to match with your eyes. A telephone sits uncomfortably on top of a vintage lacquer desk. A CRT Philips TV faces a gondola-style sofa and a coffee table. These furnitures have not changed ever since you moved out ten years ago. (if: $promise is 1)[//“Then I’ll take you out to a movie or something on Halloween night. I’ll have my bike by then. It’s a promise!” “… Thank you.”//] [[Go to the Reading Room->Reading RoomTE]] [[Go to the Dining Room->Dining RoomTE]] [[Go to the Courtyard->CourtyardTE]] [[Go up the Stairs->HallwayTE]]

The reading room is dominated by a towering library, adorned by handsome volumes that obscure the walls almost entirely. There is a large Victorian-looking writing desk with a lamp and your laptop on it, accompanied by a single chair. Opposite them is a single sofa. (color: "grey")[//Streams of light bounced off his sandy blonde hair, scattering in arbitrary directions. The intruder turns around, wearing a half-amused, half-bemused expression on his face. His thick eyebrows may be distracting, but your eyes automatically lock with his, which seem to contain an entire sunlit forest in themselves.//] [[Go to the Living Room->Living RoomTE]]

The dining room is illuminated by a small chandelier as well as what natural lighting may come from the two windows at the side. A large wooden table is surrounded by half a dozen white Scandinavian-looking chairs. A small semi-open kitchen is comfortably tucked away at a corner, with a wall of appliances and floor-to-ceiling cabinetry. (color: "grey")[//“It’s afternoon.” The intruder from yesterday greets you with a small cup of black tea in his hands, the lurid red-brown liquid glistening in the sunlight.//] [[Go to the Living Room->Living RoomTE]]

(text-color: "grey")[The bathroom is snowy white from ceiling to floor.] (live: 3s)[(stop:)(t8n: "dissolve")[In the bottom drawer is a bottle of medication labelled “Ambien”. You open the bottle to reveal a dozen sleeping pills.]] (live: 8s)[(stop:)(t8n: "dissolve")[You take out the letter opener that you confiscated from Feliciano. The blade glints icily.]] (live: 13s)[(stop:)(t8n: "dissolve")[You let warm water fill the bathtub.]] (live: 18s)[(stop:)(t8n: "dissolve")[**This is the only way you will ever see Arthur again.**]] (live: 23s)[(stop:)(t8n: "dissolve")[But you still have a chance to turn back. To **wake up** from this twisted dream. ]] <div id="first-passage"> (live: 30s)[(stop:)(t8n:"dissolve")[<span class="wakeup">[[Wake up.->HE]]</span>] <span class="dreamon">(textstyle:"upside-down")[[[**Dream on**.->True End]]]</span>]

//(textstyle: "blur")[The organisation is tedious. In the midst of it, you accidentally elbow the cheval glass beside you, causing it to spin a bit. (live: 3s)[Yes, it is undoubtedly you, staring back at yourself in the mirror. ] (live: 6s)[Then, you see a figure with emerald eyes and sandy blonde hair looming behind you.] (live: 9s)[It’s him. It must be him. You swing around at once, but you find no one standing behind you.] (live: 13s)[…You must be hallucinating. You smile bitterly and return to your work.] (live: 17s)[Then, you feel a pair of cold hands grasp at your neck.]]// (live: 22s)[[[How could you have forgotten?]]]

You can see Arthur in the mirror even when he is hidden. You trip downstairs to make a cup of tea, then bring up the entire tea set. You place the tea on the table and shift it to in front of the mirror. [[You wait.]]

(live: 5s)[“Arthur, come back…”] (live: 11s)[“Please…”] (live: 18s)[...] (live: 19s)[...] (live: 21s)[...] (live: 24s)[...] (live: 30s)[It has been a day.] (live: 35s)[You see a flash of emerald behind you.] (live: 38s)[(goto: "Arthur!")]

“Arthur!” You swing around, but all you grasp is a lump of air. You nearly toss the entire tea set onto the mirror. (textstyle: "blur")[//“Wake up, Alfred..." “Wake up…”//] You hear someone mutter beside your ear. This is it. [[Go to the Bathroom->BathroomTE]]

You tuck the letter opener back into your pocket and let the water drain. You toss the bottle of pills into the trash can. (live: 5s)[(stop:)(t8n:"dissolve")[You walk out of the master bedroom, hands in pocket, ready to put your nightmares behind you.]] (live: 9s)[(stop:)(t8n:"dissolve")[...]] (live: 10s)[(stop:)(t8n:"dissolve")[...]] (live: 11s)[(stop:)(t8n:"dissolve")[...]] (live: 13s)[(stop:)(t8n:"dissolve")[[[A brand new day begins.->EpilogueHE]]]]

You slit open your left wrist and immerse it into the warm water bath. (live: 3s)[(stop:)(t8n: "dissolve")[(textstyle: "blur")[//The starry sky and endless waters stretch before you.//]]] (live: 7s)[(stop:)(t8n: "dissolve")[You pop the dozen sleeping pills right into your mouth and force yourself to swallow them whole.]] (live: 11s)[(stop:)(t8n: "dissolve")[(textstyle: "blur")[//A slightly frail body standing in front of you. You can only see the silhouette of his messy hair and three piece suit.//]]] (live: 16s)[(stop:)(t8n: "dissolve")[Nausea. Cold. Your warmth slipping away from you, staining the water with red.]] (textstyle: "blur")[(stop:)(live: 20s)[(t8n: "dissolve")[//The person turns his head. A youthful, familiar face. Irises brighter than the starry sky. He seems to be saying something with a smile, but you cannot hear.//]] (live: 25s)[(stop:)(t8n: "dissolve")[//It’s all right. Come to my side.//]] (live: 32s)[(stop:)(t8n: "dissolve")[//You edge closer and closer to him. This time, he does not seem so far away.//]]](live: 40s)[(goto: "True End2")]

(textstyle: "blurrier")[(live: 1s)[(stop:)(t8n: "dissolve")[“Alfred!”]] (live: 5s)[(stop:)(t8n:"dissolve")[Arthur?]] (live: 8s)[(stop:)(t8n:"dissolve")[“Alfred, you //stupid idiot//!”]]] (textstyle: "blur")[(live: 10s)[(stop:)(t8n:"dissolve")[Arthur hugs you ever so tightly. His tears trickle onto your body.] (if: $promise is 1)[ “Didn’t you promise that you’re going to bring me out on Halloween?” “You liar!” ]] (live: 13s)[(stop:)(t8n:"dissolve")[…]] (live: 19s)[(stop:)(t8n:"dissolve")[You feel your lips move.]]] (live: 24s)[(textstyle:"blur")[(stop:)(t8n:"dissolve")[“**I’ll…**”]]] (live: 30s)[(stop:)(t8n:"dissolve")[“**I’ll run to you.**”]] (live: 35s)[[[Wake up->Last]]]

You are lying on your bed. Your stomach is burning. It feels like a needle has been pierced through your temples. (live: 5s)[Your left wrist is bandaged.] (live: 7s)[Ludwig is making conversation with Feliciano outside. Both of them look stunned when they see you.] (live: 10s)[Did he finally make up with Feliciano?] (textstyle: "blurrier")[(live: 16s)[“Alfred!”]] (live: 16.5s)[[[Arthur!->Last2]]]

“**Where is Arthur!**” You dash towards Feliciano and start shaking him violently. “Where is he!” “Alfred, calm down!” Feliciano just looks frightened. Lovino comes out from the West bedroom and pulls Feliciano behind him. He scrutinises you. Antonio and Gilbert watches you silently. The clock strikes four times. //It’s tea time.// You wonder down to the dining room. A broken tea set lie in the middle of it all. When did you break it? You try and put back the broken pieces. **No more tea. Arthur won’t be happy.** [[Buy Tea]]

You dash towards the front entrance, with Ludwig chasing you. (live: 4s)[An unknown force tugs at your stomach. And then you find yourself back at the door. You try again.] (live: 9s)[“The Awesome Me has tried more than a hundred times. You can’t leave this house,” Gilbert says.] (live: 14s)[“What do you mean?”] (live: 17s)[“Is it because of the suicide?” Antonio asks Lovino.] (live: 21s)[Lovino nods. “No significant gap in memory, so he doesn’t even realise that he’s dead.”] (live: 26s)[“Can you really not see him?” Feliciano asks you.] (live: 31s)[[[I…]]]

You are pulled into an embrace from behind. (live: 6s)[“Al…” Arthur’s voice is breaking.] (live: 12s)[You can’t help but cry out in a smile.] (live: 22s)[(link-goto: "Epilogue")]

<div id="first-passage">//Epilogue// Feliciano and Ludwig finally start talking again. (live: 3s)[Whenever they talk, Lovino always huffs and walks away.] (live: 6s)[Francis decides to stay in America and pursue a new life.] (live: 9s)[Antonio and Gilbert behave like always. You have thought of telling them how they died... but you thought better.] (live: 12s)[Arthur buried your body in the gardens. He had to sacrifice quite a number of roses for that.] (live: 18s)[(goto: "Epilogue2")]</div>

<div id="first-passage">//Suppose I were already dead.// (live: 3s)[(stop:)(t8n: "dissolve")[//And one day, here I am again, standing right in front of you.//]] (live: 6s)[(stop:)(t8n: "dissolve")[//Would you scream, or burst out crying?//]] (live: 14s)[(stop:)(t8n: "dissolve")[**I’ll run to you.**]] (live: 22s)[<div id="messagewhite">(font: "Russo One")[TRUE ENDING] (link-goto: "Dream again?", "Day4") (link-goto: "End story", "altStart")](display:"erase")(display:"reset")</div>

<div id="first-passage">//Epilogue// Feliciano and Ludwig finally start talking again. (live: 3s)[(stop:)(t8n:"dissolve")[Whenever they talk, Lovino always huffs and walks away.]] (live: 6s)[(stop:)(t8n:"dissolve")[Francis decides to stay in America and pursue a new life.]] (live: 9s)[(stop:)(t8n:"dissolve")[Antonio and Gilbert behave like always. You have thought of telling them how they died, but you thought better.]] (live: 12s)[(stop:)(t8n:"dissolve")[You never saw Arthur again.]] (live: 16s)[(stop:)(t8n:"dissolve")[You resume your college life, hoping that one day, you will put him behind you.]] (live: 20s)[(goto: "EpilogueHE2")]</div>

<img src = "https://giraffe.neocities.org/pic/contract.png" alt="Land Contract: ALLEN JONES and CASEY ELISA JONES agree to sell the real property located at 1776 Freedom Street to ARTHUR KIRKLAND in January 1996."> You remember signing a similar contract. So Arthur Kirkland is the previous owner of this house. You scroll down to reveal the next attachment. Unsurprisingly, it contains information on Arthur Kirkland, but it is not the usual profile, it is a… [[Certificate of Death]]

Half an hour later, an... //intriguing// smell permeates the room as he puts down a plate containing lump of a **mystery charcoal-like substance** in front of you. He flashes you an small smile, looking hopeful yet anxious. “Here, try it!” You take a very hesitant bite. The taste is... true to its appearance. “Thanks. It tastes…” (link-replace: "Be honest and say it’s bad.")[(set: $taste to "bad")(goto: "Arthur1")] (link-replace: "Nono, be kind and say it’s good!")[(set: $taste to "good")(goto: "Arthur1")]

“How did you die?” He pales but soon regains composure. “The cause of death is suicide. Apart from that, I cannot supply you with more information. We don’t retain memories of our past living self.” “But as far as I can tell, all the ghosts ‘wake up’ with their bodies preserved at their moment of death. You should at least know //how// you killed yourself…” “I don’t want to talk about it.” He frowns. The two of you chat for a while more. By the time you finish your conversation, it is time to [[end the day->Sleep5]].

“Why are you wearing a suit?” “I like to be dressed proper,” he huffs. Even at the moment of his death? It is almost as if he knew he would turn into a ghost. “Out of curiosity, why did you have such a large reaction when you met the others? You didn’t //pass out// upon knowing what I am.” “You looked like a normal person, at least. The others, their fatal wounds are really scary. Especially Feliciano and Gilbert’s…” “Ah, yes. Gilbert often borrows Feliciano’s blood for pranks. It disappears after a few minutes or so.” The two of you chat for a while more. By the time you finish your conversation, it is time to [[end the day->Sleep5]].

“Does Ludwig know of your presence?” Feliciano shakes his head. “Have you thought of revealing yourself to him?” “Actually, brother says we shouldn’t talk to humans at all. We’ll drive them mad, he says. But if I can, I would! He’s a really nice person even if he looks all tall and scaaaary.” It seems like any talk of Ludwig will bring a smile to his face. The two of you chat for a while more. By the time you finish your conversation, it is time to [[end the day->Sleep4]].

“Do you remember how you died?” “No. None of us do. When I ‘woke up’ in this house, surrounded by flames, I only knew that my name is Feliciano, and that my brother is Lovino,” he says. “Would you want to find out?” “I don’t think I died a peaceful death.” The young Italian smiles wistfully, a hand over the fatal wounds on his chest. “I want to know what happened, but brother says we shouldn’t. If I do, I don’t think I’ll ever be the same. For now, I’m just grateful to be with everyone here.” The two of you chat for a while more. By the time you finish your conversation, it is time to [[end the day->Sleep4]].

(if: $manual is 1)[(if: (passage:)'s tags's length < 2)[(textcolor: "#DEDEDE")[[save]<saveb|(click: ?saveb)[d(save-game: "FileB", "Passage1")]]]]

Your parents’ death. You wailed over their dead bodies until you lost your voice. (live: 4s)[Your uncle thought almost thought you were gone too when he saw you collapsed beside them.] (live: 8s)[Every month or so you would jolt up from the bed, dreaming about that night the umpteenth time. ] (live: 12s)[You feared, you raged, you hated.] (live: 16s)[//Is it fine if one day, you wake up to see no one in the gardens, tending to the roses? No one in the dining room, making cups of tea? No one in the master bedroom, chiding you for not having the posture of a “proper gentleman”?// (link-replace: "It is fine.")[(set: $path to "B")(goto: "BE5")] [[It is not.->Yes]]]

“When will you come back?” “Never.” Shoot. You thought you had enough time! If you miss this chance… Sorry, Francis. But you’ll need to [[//**get the truth out of him**//->Francis1]], no matter what.

{ (set: $francis to 0) (set: $ludwig to 0) (set: $memory to 0) (set: $day to 0) (set: $arthurmemory to 0) (set: $alike to 4) (set: $promise to 0) (set: $felitalk to 0) (set: $arthurtalk2 to 0) (set: $felilook to 0) (set: $ambien to 0) (set: $bathtub to 0) (set: $arthurshock to 0) (set: $housekeeper to 0) (set: $changec to 0) (set: $shower to 0) (set: $brushteeth to 0) }

<div id="first-passage">“…You mean, we are buried together?” You say amusedly. (live: 5s)[“That’s no laughing matter! Do you even //understand// how I felt? Not to mention I had to bury my own body when I died too.” Arthur huffs.] (live: 8s)[“Arthur.”] (live: 10s)[“Yes?”] (live: 16s)[[[Suppose I were already dead.|Epilogue3]]]</div>

<div id="first-passage">You never saw Arthur again. (live: 4s)[(stop:)(t8n:"dissolve")[You resume your college life, hoping that one day, you will put him behind you.]] (textstyle: "blur")[(live: 10s)[(stop:)(t8n:"dissolve")[//Suppose I were already dead.//]] (live: 13s)[(stop:)(t8n:"dissolve")[//And one day, here I am again, standing right in front of you.//]] (live: 17s)[(stop:)(t8n:"dissolve")[//Would you scream, or burst out crying?//]]] (live: 23s)[(stop:)<div id="messageblack">(font: "Russo One")[HAPPY ENDING] (link-goto: "Dream again?", "Day4") (link-goto: "End story", "Start")</div>](display:"erase")</div>

(set: $manual to 1)(link-replace: "ON")[(display: "MANUALOFF")]

(link-replace: "OFF")[(display: "MANUALON")]

{(set: $menulink to (font:"Russo One")+(textcolor:"#65545c")) (set: $menuhead to (font:"Russo One")+(css: "font-size:115%;"))}

{(set: $meet to 0) (set: $be to 0) (set: $luggage to 0) (set: $luggage1 to 0) (set: $alike to 0) (set: $favour to 0) (set: $changec to 0) (set: $shower to 0) (set: $brushteeth to 0) (set: $sleep to 0) (set: $attic to 0) (set: $basement to 0) (set: $teaset to 0) (set: $out to 0) (set: $house to 0) (set: $drink to 0) (set: $uncle to 0) (set: $man to 0) (set: $owner to 0) (set: $intruder to 0)}

“I woke up in the hospital.” “Doctors, nurses, police… no one really cared about what happened. No one.” Francis cannot stop trembling, as if he is going to fall apart. (link-repeat:"Speak")[] [[Think->Truth.1]]

“**SAY THAT I’M WRONG!**” You grasp his arm. He cries out in pain. “Alfred, your body temperature — It //burns// —” You immediately let go him. (link-replace: "Are you all right?")[“Are you all right?” (live: 3s)[He covers his eyes using one arm, but tears start falling nonetheless.] (live: 6s)[“You—”] (live: 7s)[“//I thought I could help them…//”] (live: 10s)[(goto: "Arthur's Memory5")]]

Run to You

Giraffe, adapting from the literary work of Heimiao

<img src = "https://giraffe.neocities.org/pic/cert.png" alt="Certificate of Death, Arthur Kirkland, Male, 23. Date of Death: December 28, 1996, Cause of Death: Suicide"> (link-replace:"Attached is a photograph of Arthur Kirkland.")[(t8n:"dissolve")[Sandy blonde hair, emerald eyes, pale skin, bushy eyebrows, a gentlemanly smile.] (live: 4s)[(stop:)(t8n:"dissolve")[“//You// are… Arthur Kirkland?” you hear yourself muttering.]] (live: 8s)[(stop:)(t8n:"dissolve")[Arthur Kirkland, once fast asleep in the couch opposite you, opens his eyes.]]] (live: 14s)[ (if: $alike >=3)[(goto: "Arthur's Memory")](else:)[(goto: "Revealed")]]

(text-color: "white")[<hr>(textstyle:"fade-in-out")[—YOU HAVE 1 NEW MESSAGE—] W: Have you found him? <hr>Icy hands wrapped around your neck, a grin not unlike a cheshire cat’s —] (link-replace:"You type out a reply.")[(textcolor: "white")[<hr>W: Yeah. -AFJ W: Thank you. <hr>That was the last message that W ever sent you. That scene keeps revisiting whenever you let your guard down. (if: $alike <3)[ //Maybe if you have warmed up to Arthur just a little more…//] This is a brand new addition to your plethora of nightmares —] <div id="messagewhite">(font: "Russo One")[BAD ENDING 4] ^^//You failed to investigate the mysteries of the house. Do you wish to try again?//^^ (link-goto: "Wake up", "Night") (link-goto: "End story", "Start")(display:"reset")]

(set: $undo to 1)<script>$('tw-story').addClass('no-navigation')</script>(link-replace: "OFF")[(display: "UNDOON")]

(set: $undo to 0)(link-replace: "ON")[(display: "UNDOOFF")]<script>$('tw-story').removeClass('no-navigation')</script>

{(set: $menulink to (font:"Russo One")+(textcolor:"white")) (set: $menuhead to (font:"Russo One")+(css: "font-size:115%;"))}

{(set: $menulink to (font:"Times New Roman")+(textcolor:"#402712")) (set: $menuhead to (font:"Times New Roman")+(textstyle: "bold")+(css: "font-size:115%;"))}

(goto: (either: "Start", "altStart", "teaStart"))