From 381bbdef43418fda200178039d9ccd0d0b69aacd Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001 From: Jeffrey Date: Thu, 6 Oct 2022 21:06:04 +0000 Subject: Edit: /library/the-anarchist-news-collective-series-1-en #21020 * 2022-10-06T21:05:53 added -- jeffrey --- .../the-anarchist-news-collective-series-1-en.muse | 249 +++++++++++---------- 1 file changed, 131 insertions(+), 118 deletions(-) (limited to 't/ta/the-anarchist-news-collective-series-1-en.muse') diff --git a/t/ta/the-anarchist-news-collective-series-1-en.muse b/t/ta/the-anarchist-news-collective-series-1-en.muse index 7ed7b91..e5bb83b 100644 --- a/t/ta/the-anarchist-news-collective-series-1-en.muse +++ b/t/ta/the-anarchist-news-collective-series-1-en.muse @@ -1,206 +1,219 @@ -

Story 1, Episode 1

+#title Series #1 +#author The Anarchist News Collective +#source via Anarchist News dot org https://anarchistnews.org +#lang en +#pubdate 2022-10-02T16:05:52 -
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This is an installment of a story. Each week we will write a new piece of a story, and invite you to use your comments to help choose what happens next, or just add description to whatever is already going on. Assuming it works at all, sometimes we will have an arc in mind, sometimes we will toss dice, sometimes we will be at your whim. Let's have some fun!

-

Intro
-Alyx paced through the trees, stroking bark, watching ant patterns, checking how the shadows changed as the afternoon passed. Trying to be calm and notice things while urgency poked and nickered at them. Something strange was happening in this area and there wasn't a lot of time to figure out what it was, But rushing was only going to make it harder to see or hear or smell whatever was twisting the breeze, making that occasional burnt acid scent, and why that tingling, ringing thing kept happening inside their ears.

+* Story 1, Episode 1 -

a. Alyx doesn't have long on this planet for some unrelated reason
-b. Alyx is on the run, but is a spirit who is responsible for this forest
-c. Alyx only exists for a day
-d. Alyx is your mom

+This is an installment of a story. Each week we will write a new piece of a story, and invite you to use your comments to help choose what happens next, or just add description to whatever is already going on. Assuming it works at all, sometimes we will have an arc in mind, sometimes we will toss dice, sometimes we will be at your whim. Let's have some fun! -

Story 1, Episode 2

+Intro +
+Alyx paced through the trees, stroking bark, watching ant patterns, checking how the shadows changed as the afternoon passed. Trying to be calm and notice things while urgency poked and nickered at them. Something strange was happening in this area and there wasn't a lot of time to figure out what it was, But rushing was only going to make it harder to see or hear or smell whatever was twisting the breeze, making that occasional burnt acid scent, and why that tingling, ringing thing kept happening inside their ears. -

This is an installment of a story. Each week we will write a new piece of a story, and invite you to use your comments to help choose what happens next, or just add description to whatever is already going on. Assuming it works at all, sometimes we will have an arc in mind, sometimes we will toss dice, sometimes we will be at your whim.

+a. Alyx doesn't have long on this planet for some unrelated reason +
+b. Alyx is on the run, but is a spirit who is responsible for this forest +
+c. Alyx only exists for a day +
+d. Alyx is your mom -

The stench became unbearable as a thick smog enveloped the forest.
-Alyx vomited and retched while crying, finding it hard to breathe.
-The canopy resembled a black ceiling under the new moon.
-An imposing vagueness commands reverence.

+* Story 1, Episode 2 -

a. Alyx stands tall
-b. Alyx bows down
-c. Alyx welcomes death with open arms
-d. Polemos is the father of all things

+This is an installment of a story. Each week we will write a new piece of a story, and invite you to use your comments to help choose what happens next, or just add description to whatever is already going on. Assuming it works at all, sometimes we will have an arc in mind, sometimes we will toss dice, sometimes we will be at your whim. -

Story 1, Episode 3

+The stench became unbearable as a thick smog enveloped the forest. +
+Alyx vomited and retched while crying, finding it hard to breathe. +
+The canopy resembled a black ceiling under the new moon. +
+An imposing vagueness commands reverence. -

This is an installment of a story. Each week we will write a new piece of a story, and invite you to use your comments to help choose what happens next, or just add description to whatever is already going on. Assuming it works at all, sometimes we will have an arc in mind, sometimes we will toss dice, sometimes we will be at your whim.

+a. Alyx stands tall +
+b. Alyx bows down +
+c. Alyx welcomes death with open arms +
+d. Polemos is the father of all things -

Alyx took off their backpack and rummaged through it looking for some water and their spare t-shirt to wrap around their face like a balaclava to help with the smog blanketing the night forest air. The water tasted like one of the best sips they had ever had, but in their mind they know it was just their brain reacting to something so pleasant in otherwise difficult times. Their stomach continued to rumble and Alyx tried to let their eyes adjust to the night, but soon turned on their headlamp. The light was dim and the batteries were dying, but it helped to faintly see as they slowly continued plodding deeper into the forest, listening to the darkness as a bird or some other animal made warning sounds to alert the rest of the woods of their presence.

+* Story 1, Episode 3 -

It felt like an eternity, but dawn soon arrived and up ahead Alyx heard the flow of water and found a shallow stream meandering through the towering Hemlock trees. Unwrapping the t-shirt from their face they used it as a pillow to rest their head on as they laid down on a bed of damp sphagnum moss. Death crept closer as Alyx could go no further and their body felt like a log submerged in a whirlpool. Their eyes looked up into the forest canopy and all the pine needles started to blur together and dance around the red morning sky. Alyx took a journal from their backpack, wrote some words and took their last breath as they clutched the book to their chest.

+This is an installment of a story. Each week we will write a new piece of a story, and invite you to use your comments to help choose what happens next, or just add description to whatever is already going on. Assuming it works at all, sometimes we will have an arc in mind, sometimes we will toss dice, sometimes we will be at your whim. -

a. A torrential deluge pours into the dusk, filling the stream banks with a cold autumnal runoff, carrying Alyx’s dead body downstream.
-b. Alyx wrote something important.
-c. Alyx wrote an incoherent scribble.
-d. Time passed, Alyx decomposed, years later, someone found the bones and the journal.

+Alyx took off their backpack and rummaged through it looking for some water and their spare t-shirt to wrap around their face like a balaclava to help with the smog blanketing the night forest air. The water tasted like one of the best sips they had ever had, but in their mind they know it was just their brain reacting to something so pleasant in otherwise difficult times. Their stomach continued to rumble and Alyx tried to let their eyes adjust to the night, but soon turned on their headlamp. The light was dim and the batteries were dying, but it helped to faintly see as they slowly continued plodding deeper into the forest, listening to the darkness as a bird or some other animal made warning sounds to alert the rest of the woods of their presence. -

Story 1, Episode 4

+It felt like an eternity, but dawn soon arrived and up ahead Alyx heard the flow of water and found a shallow stream meandering through the towering Hemlock trees. Unwrapping the t-shirt from their face they used it as a pillow to rest their head on as they laid down on a bed of damp sphagnum moss. Death crept closer as Alyx could go no further and their body felt like a log submerged in a whirlpool. Their eyes looked up into the forest canopy and all the pine needles started to blur together and dance around the red morning sky. Alyx took a journal from their backpack, wrote some words and took their last breath as they clutched the book to their chest. -

“Just admit we’re lost.”

+a. A torrential deluge pours into the dusk, filling the stream banks with a cold autumnal runoff, carrying Alyx’s dead body downstream. +
+b. Alyx wrote something important. +
+c. Alyx wrote an incoherent scribble. +
+d. Time passed, Alyx decomposed, years later, someone found the bones and the journal. -

“We’re not lost. The coordinates are right here.”

+* Story 1, Episode 4 -

46.949075,-117.882609

+“Just admit we’re lost.” -

“And, what does that say to you? Those are numbers, not a location.”

+“We’re not lost. The coordinates are right here.” -

“The numbers are the location. What don’t you understand about that?”

+46.949075,-117.882609 -

“Numbers aren’t real, none of what you’re using as proof is real!”

+“And, what does that say to you? Those are numbers, not a location.” -

“Listen, not this argument again. I can’t take it. Let’s just put it aside until we get back on track.”

+“The numbers are the location. What don’t you understand about that?” -

“HA! I knew we were lost!”

+“Numbers aren’t real, none of what you’re using as proof is real!” -

“That’s not what I said.”

+“Listen, not this argument again. I can’t take it. Let’s just put it aside until we get back on track.” -

Day six of the course was much less agreeable than the first five. What began as a cooperative venture turned sour at some inexact point. The liquid shared between them evaporated, leaving behind a ghost-like outline on the surface—neither good nor bad, but distinguishable, at least, as if proof they were once somewhere. Similar proof existed they were on the same path as Alyx, though they were unwilling to avert their eyes from the coordinates of their destination to notice such a sign.

+“HA! I knew we were lost!” -

“How many more days do you think for us to finish?”

+“That’s not what I said.” -

“Finish? I’m not that concerned with finishing, I’m just trying to get the fuck outta these woods.”

+Day six of the course was much less agreeable than the first five. What began as a cooperative venture turned sour at some inexact point. The liquid shared between them evaporated, leaving behind a ghost-like outline on the surface—neither good nor bad, but distinguishable, at least, as if proof they were once somewhere. Similar proof existed they were on the same path as Alyx, though they were unwilling to avert their eyes from the coordinates of their destination to notice such a sign. -

Sid, a city-dweller from birth, felt an absence in place of whatever emotions biology classes are instructed to teach you about the natural world. Nature lived in a book and Sid felt they had little to learn from pages so insecure and flammable.

+“How many more days do you think for us to finish?” -

“We’re not far off, I don’t think.”

+“Finish? I’m not that concerned with finishing, I’m just trying to get the fuck outta these woods.” -

“And how would you know that?”

+Sid, a city-dweller from birth, felt an absence in place of whatever emotions biology classes are instructed to teach you about the natural world. Nature lived in a book and Sid felt they had little to learn from pages so insecure and flammable. -

“Listen, I know this stuff.”

+“We’re not far off, I don’t think.” -

Born from humble middle-class parents, the suburban cul-de-sac Tulip called home had a few trees in each yard—no more than three, all of which had to satisfy the regulations of the omnipresent HOA—non-invasive, de-spermed shoots of lumber reminiscent of No. 2 pencils. Standardized, unoffensive, and bland just as the surrounding lots. To conquer land and demonstrate such aesthetic restraint is the significance of power, like paper-thin skinned fingers twisting in a young boy’s hair.

+“And how would you know that?” -

A robotic voice echoed from the speakers mounted in the nearby trees, shooing a family of idle birds away from the tinny black box. “YOU ARE IN 3RD PLACE. 1 CONTESTANT HAS COMPLETED THE COURSE.”

+“Listen, I know this stuff.” -

“What?? Someone has finished? How the fuck?”

+Born from humble middle-class parents, the suburban cul-de-sac Tulip called home had a few trees in each yard—no more than three, all of which had to satisfy the regulations of the omnipresent HOA—non-invasive, de-spermed shoots of lumber reminiscent of No. 2 pencils. Standardized, unoffensive, and bland just as the surrounding lots. To conquer land and demonstrate such aesthetic restraint is the significance of power, like paper-thin skinned fingers twisting in a young boy’s hair. -

“That can’t be right,” Sid said laughing. “There’s no way someone finished already unless they didn’t sleep or stop to eat or drink.”

+A robotic voice echoed from the speakers mounted in the nearby trees, shooing a family of idle birds away from the tinny black box. “YOU ARE IN 3RD PLACE. 1 CONTESTANT HAS COMPLETED THE COURSE.” -

Thumbing through their pockets, Tulip drops the thin, reflective aluminum food wrappers on the ground, watching as they catch air and flutter side to side, dancing with gravity.

+“What?? Someone has finished? How the fuck?” -

“I guess maybe it’s possible? I don’t know, I think they’re fucking with us. I think they set us on this course knowing we’d die no matter what.”

+“That can’t be right,” Sid said laughing. “There’s no way someone finished already unless they didn’t sleep or stop to eat or drink.” -

“Why would they kill us? The whole reason we’re here is because we need their help.”

+Thumbing through their pockets, Tulip drops the thin, reflective aluminum food wrappers on the ground, watching as they catch air and flutter side to side, dancing with gravity. -

“HA! You actually think they’re helping us? They treat us like prisoners. My god, how subservient can you be? Have you remembered to thank them, yet?”

+“I guess maybe it’s possible? I don’t know, I think they’re fucking with us. I think they set us on this course knowing we’d die no matter what.” -

“Listen, I feel bad about what I did to get here, and I’m ready to put it behind me. Honestly. Call it selling out or whatever the fuck you want, this shit stopped being fun. I’m good to just settle down and stop making everything so complicated. I’m not proud of anything I’m capable of, whether it’s compliance or rebellion. I just want to be left alone. But here I am, fucking tethered to some other fuck up who’s here because they couldn’t even kill themselves correctly! They’re being nice in calling it a suicide attempt, like your participation was appreciated and you get a trophy for trying. You wanted out and so do I, but I’m not enough of a weasel to throw in the towel like you. I can still feel joy and happiness in whatever box I’m put. Humans are incredibly adaptive, and I’m through feeling like I deserve better. We don’t deserve shit. We’re just the latest iteration of the rolling release candidate of our epoch: human model #387299. Context doesn’t matter when you eliminate the need for a narrative backstory. I’ll conform, just like we all have, to the immediacy of what we encounter. Call it something other than what it is, but it’s survival of the fittest, not a competition for who’s the most convincing actor.”

+“Why would they kill us? The whole reason we’re here is because we need their help.” -

“No, you listen. I don’t wanna go down this road again. You’ve told me allll about your theories. I’m very impressed, I am. You’ve figured it all out! I’ll be even more impressed when we get back on course. I just wanna finish so we go our separate ways. The judge said we needed to learn how to cooperate, and we both chose this over prison. Remember you chose to be here. Another example of the wiggle room in life you choose to ignore. A-GEN-CY. Sound familiar?”

+“HA! You actually think they’re helping us? They treat us like prisoners. My god, how subservient can you be? Have you remembered to thank them, yet?” -

As the spent sun turned orange and then a soft, glowing scarlet, the intensity of their conversation echoed against the calming air. Clenched facial muscles could relax for the first time in hours, as the sheen from the palm-sized leaves’ reflection dimmed. Each night in the forest was a learning experience, one they hoped to never learn again. Flying insects, each the size of a watch face, buzzed in endless circles, mocking those who require stillness in such vibrant darkness. The two's restlessness, a consequences of sacrificing life to sleep, was at odds with rhythms some would call natural. Sid and Tulip's clashing with convention is perhaps what lead them off course in the first place, even long before this ordeal began. To, instead, live in the night and rest in the sun's warm rays is to speak another language than those who only spend their waking hours saturated with light. Some demand a price be paid for such incoherence.

+“Listen, I feel bad about what I did to get here, and I’m ready to put it behind me. Honestly. Call it selling out or whatever the fuck you want, this shit stopped being fun. I’m good to just settle down and stop making everything so complicated. I’m not proud of anything I’m capable of, whether it’s compliance or rebellion. I just want to be left alone. But here I am, fucking tethered to some other fuck up who’s here because they couldn’t even kill themselves correctly! They’re being nice in calling it a suicide attempt, like your participation was appreciated and you get a trophy for trying. You wanted out and so do I, but I’m not enough of a weasel to throw in the towel like you. I can still feel joy and happiness in whatever box I’m put. Humans are incredibly adaptive, and I’m through feeling like I deserve better. We don’t deserve shit. We’re just the latest iteration of the rolling release candidate of our epoch: human model #387299. Context doesn’t matter when you eliminate the need for a narrative backstory. I’ll conform, just like we all have, to the immediacy of what we encounter. Call it something other than what it is, but it’s survival of the fittest, not a competition for who’s the most convincing actor.” -

Just as their eyes adjusted to the encroaching shade, Tulip cried out.

+“No, you listen. I don’t wanna go down this road again. You’ve told me allll about your theories. I’m very impressed, I am. You’ve figured it all out! I’ll be even more impressed when we get back on course. I just wanna finish so we go our separate ways. The judge said we needed to learn how to cooperate, and we both chose this over prison. Remember you chose to be here. Another example of the wiggle room in life you choose to ignore. A-GEN-CY. Sound familiar?” -

“T-T-There! There’s something!”

+As the spent sun turned orange and then a soft, glowing scarlet, the intensity of their conversation echoed against the calming air. Clenched facial muscles could relax for the first time in hours, as the sheen from the palm-sized leaves’ reflection dimmed. Each night in the forest was a learning experience, one they hoped to never learn again. Flying insects, each the size of a watch face, buzzed in endless circles, mocking those who require stillness in such vibrant darkness. The two's restlessness, a consequences of sacrificing life to sleep, was at odds with rhythms some would call natural. Sid and Tulip's clashing with convention is perhaps what lead them off course in the first place, even long before this ordeal began. To, instead, live in the night and rest in the sun's warm rays is to speak another language than those who only spend their waking hours saturated with light. Some demand a price be paid for such incoherence. -

“Where? Fucking be specific, you’re just pointing in a direction.”

+Just as their eyes adjusted to the encroaching shade, Tulip cried out. + +“T-T-There! There’s something!” + +“Where? Fucking be specific, you’re just pointing in a direction.” + +“Right there!” Pointing with both hands to an obvious focus that one couldn’t unsee unless avoiding it on purpose. -

“Right there!” Pointing with both hands to an obvious focus that one couldn’t unsee unless avoiding it on purpose.

What do Tulip and Sid find? -
    -
  1. A tree with a red ribbon tied to a branch, indicating they’ve found their way back on course.
    2. -
  2. A lone microphone stand, equipped with a Shure SM58 plugged into a battery-powered mixer. Perhaps this is amplifying the voice through the speakers in the trees? They agree to use the microphone to call for help to anyone within earshot.
    3. -
  3. A safe-house checkpoint—one of only two on the course, they’re told. With no clue as to how many other participants are playing this same game, a checkpoint so luxurious may attract more potential inhabitants than it can comfortably hold. Sid and Tulip know the hostilities born from crowded spaces with limited resources.
    4. -
  4. A smoky haze in the distance. Their initial briefing described the finish line as one thick with a burning mist, one that choked the air from lungs and induced a drowsiness that must be kept at bay until one crosses the point of no return and is eventually released back from where they came.
    5. -
  5. Society!
    6. -
+ 1. A tree with a red ribbon tied to a branch, indicating they’ve found their way back on course. + + 1. A lone microphone stand, equipped with a Shure SM58 plugged into a battery-powered mixer. Perhaps this is amplifying the voice through the speakers in the trees? They agree to use the microphone to call for help to anyone within earshot. + + 1. A safe-house checkpoint—one of only two on the course, they’re told. With no clue as to how many other participants are playing this same game, a checkpoint so luxurious may attract more potential inhabitants than it can comfortably hold. Sid and Tulip know the hostilities born from crowded spaces with limited resources. + + 1. A smoky haze in the distance. Their initial briefing described the finish line as one thick with a burning mist, one that choked the air from lungs and induced a drowsiness that must be kept at bay until one crosses the point of no return and is eventually released back from where they came. + + 1. Society! + +
+ +* Story 1, Episode 5 -

 

+Sid and Tulip made their way to the safehouse. They were still some distance away when the smog that enveloped the area every evening started rising from the forest floor, forcing them to mask up. -

Story 1, Episode 5

+The door opened on the third round of heavy knocking from Sid, accompanied by some yelled insults from Tulip. A shabby-looking man straddled the doorway of the equally shabby-looking safehouse, staring them down with all the presence he could muster. -

Sid and Tulip made their way to the safehouse. They were still some distance away when the smog that enveloped the area every evening started rising from the forest floor, forcing them to mask up.

+“No room at the inn, folks, you best get moving.” -

The door opened on the third round of heavy knocking from Sid, accompanied by some yelled insults from Tulip. A shabby-looking man straddled the doorway of the equally shabby-looking safehouse, staring them down with all the presence he could muster.

+“What do you mean there’s no room?” Tulip growled before Sid could get a word in, hackles up. -

“No room at the inn, folks, you best get moving.”

+Sid’s fist was already clenched out of reflex. Licking this guy would be easy, even on five days of granola bars and water, but who knew how many people were in there? -

“What do you mean there’s no room?” Tulip growled before Sid could get a word in, hackles up.

+“Now listen, I’m Sid, and this is Tulip, we’re trying to survive this thing just like you. If you’ll just give us some space on the floor, or…” -

Sid’s fist was already clenched out of reflex. Licking this guy would be easy, even on five days of granola bars and water, but who knew how many people were in there?

+“I don’t wanna hear it. Get going,” the man glanced behind him. “You and, ah, Turnip can keep moving, we don’t want any trouble.” -

“Now listen, I’m Sid, and this is Tulip, we’re trying to survive this thing just like you. If you’ll just give us some space on the floor, or…”

+That we seemed to include the man himself, who kept glancing behind him. He must have been the runt of the litter, forced to talk with some dangerous and possibly armed strangers. Sid could already feel a room of eyes following them from the musty shadows of the bungalow, waiting to take advantage of the confusion to eliminate a few more contestants. Fucking dog-eat-dog world. -

“I don’t wanna hear it. Get going,” the man glanced behind him. “You and, ah, Turnip can keep moving, we don’t want any trouble.”

+“It’s Tulip motherfucker, and I’m gonna prune your ass if you don’t-” -

That we seemed to include the man himself, who kept glancing behind him. He must have been the runt of the litter, forced to talk with some dangerous and possibly armed strangers. Sid could already feel a room of eyes following them from the musty shadows of the bungalow, waiting to take advantage of the confusion to eliminate a few more contestants. Fucking dog-eat-dog world.

+Sid un-clenched their fist with effort, placing their hand on Tulip’s shoulder to calm them. This fight wasn’t worth it. -

“It’s Tulip motherfucker, and I’m gonna prune your ass if you don’t-”

+“Fine. Then can we at least use the bathroom?” -

Sid un-clenched their fist with effort, placing their hand on Tulip’s shoulder to calm them. This fight wasn’t worth it.

+Sid could see the shabby man relax too. He clearly wasn’t spoiling for a fight. “As long as you’re quick about it.” -

“Fine. Then can we at least use the bathroom?”

+… -

Sid could see the shabby man relax too. He clearly wasn’t spoiling for a fight. “As long as you’re quick about it.”

+“Dude, what the fuck, we could have totally taken that guy.” -

…

+Sid lapped at some water from their newly-filled canteen and slipped their mask back on before answering. They’d headed uphill where the smog wasn’t so thick, but Sid could still catch some of its distinct rankness seeping in around the edges. -

“Dude, what the fuck, we could have totally taken that guy.”

+“I’ve been carrying your ass through this whole thing, I didn’t need more trouble this close to the end. Plus, who prunes someone? That guy’s probably laughing his ass off right now.” -

Sid lapped at some water from their newly-filled canteen and slipped their mask back on before answering. They’d headed uphill where the smog wasn’t so thick, but Sid could still catch some of its distinct rankness seeping in around the edges.

+“Yeah, laughing his ass off indoors. While we’re rough camping. Again.” -

“I’ve been carrying your ass through this whole thing, I didn’t need more trouble this close to the end. Plus, who prunes someone? That guy’s probably laughing his ass off right now.”

+“Hey, this isn’t so bad. Back to nature, right? We’ve got the smog, the forest, I think I can even hear a stream. A lot better than staying up all night worried I’m gonna wake up without boots.” -

“Yeah, laughing his ass off indoors. While we’re rough camping. Again.”

+Sid grimaced as they got up, the effort it took belying their confident words. “That stream sounds close. I’m gonna wash up before it’s totally dark.” They’d wandered out of sight of the safehouse, far enough to avoid any unwanted visitors, but they were losing daylight fast. -

“Hey, this isn’t so bad. Back to nature, right? We’ve got the smog, the forest, I think I can even hear a stream. A lot better than staying up all night worried I’m gonna wake up without boots.”

+Ambling towards the sound of the stream, Sid shook their head, trying to clear it of the day's events. Dog eat dog world. The fighting over scraps of comfort, turning their belly up in a plea for solidarity, this whole survival game, it all felt like society. Even out here in the middle of nowhere. Especially out here, where the mask came off and people were just tearing each other apart without any pretense. Wasn’t this exactly what they were trying to escape? Wasn’t this exactly what they’d be going back into if they won this whole thing? -

Sid grimaced as they got up, the effort it took belying their confident words. “That stream sounds close. I’m gonna wash up before it’s totally dark.” They’d wandered out of sight of the safehouse, far enough to avoid any unwanted visitors, but they were losing daylight fast.

+The smog was getting thicker. They could barely make out anything now. The sound of the stream seemed to grow distant and hollow. Sid searched the brown, billowing darkness for some sign of where to go. Back to Tulip, towards the stream, anywhere out of this confusion. -

Ambling towards the sound of the stream, Sid shook their head, trying to clear it of the day's events. Dog eat dog world. The fighting over scraps of comfort, turning their belly up in a plea for solidarity, this whole survival game, it all felt like society. Even out here in the middle of nowhere. Especially out here, where the mask came off and people were just tearing each other apart without any pretense. Wasn’t this exactly what they were trying to escape? Wasn’t this exactly what they’d be going back into if they won this whole thing?

+Before they’d taken two steps, they heard a crunching underneath their feet. Looking down, they saw a faint, almost bioluminescent glow. A… book? -

The smog was getting thicker. They could barely make out anything now. The sound of the stream seemed to grow distant and hollow. Sid searched the brown, billowing darkness for some sign of where to go. Back to Tulip, towards the stream, anywhere out of this confusion.

+Crouching down, Sid took the book into their hands. It was a small, tattered notebook, glowing in the darkness. Flipping through it, their mind reeled, overwhelmed by a riot of confused script and drawings. But the more they looked, the more it made sense. Stopping on a random page, they found the answer they were looking for. -

Before they’d taken two steps, they heard a crunching underneath their feet. Looking down, they saw a faint, almost bioluminescent glow. A… book?

+The page looks like a map - where does it lead? Turn to THE STARS WILL AID IN THEIR ESCAPE -

Crouching down, Sid took the book into their hands. It was a small, tattered notebook, glowing in the darkness. Flipping through it, their mind reeled, overwhelmed by a riot of confused script and drawings. But the more they looked, the more it made sense. Stopping on a random page, they found the answer they were looking for.

+The page contains a warning - what does it say? Turn to NOWHERE TO RUN -

The page looks like a map - where does it lead? Turn to THE STARS WILL AID IN THEIR ESCAPE

+Story 1, Episode 6 -

The page contains a warning - what does it say? Turn to NOWHERE TO RUN

+Tulip tracked Sid with difficulty, eyes tearing from the smoke, pissed off that yet again, Sid wanders off for indeterminate periods, requiring Tulip to chase after them, especially when the visibility is so terrible. But pique faded on seeing Sid hunched over some glowing object. -

Story 1, Episode 6

+“Hey, what is...” As Tulip approached Sid, they barely noticed stumbling over something hard and round that cracked under their feet. Huddled shoulder to shoulder in the faint light, they focused on the crackling, muddy, stained pages of the plasbook. “It’s Alyx’s. Look, right here… where is it… yeah, here. Page 42, see? ‘This is Alyx’s journal.’ How the fuck did we stumble across this...” -
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Tulip tracked Sid with difficulty, eyes tearing from the smoke, pissed off that yet again, Sid wanders off for indeterminate periods, requiring Tulip to chase after them, especially when the visibility is so terrible. But pique faded on seeing Sid hunched over some glowing object.

+“Wow, they knew they were sick.” -

“Hey, what is...” As Tulip approached Sid, they barely noticed stumbling over something hard and round that cracked under their feet. Huddled shoulder to shoulder in the faint light, they focused on the crackling, muddy, stained pages of the plasbook. “It’s Alyx’s. Look, right here… where is it… yeah, here. Page 42, see? ‘This is Alyx’s journal.’ How the fuck did we stumble across this...”

+“They couldn’t have known how sick though; look, it says that the smoke was bad even then. Maybe it made them worse?” -

“Wow, they knew they were sick.”

+“What is that word?” “I think it’s ‘buried’.” “So that says ‘I have buried peach’?” “No, that’s an e.” “Why are some pages glowing and others ones dark?” “Probably because Alyx was bleeding and coughing and whatever. The glowing stuff is attached to that, not to the plastic.” -

“They couldn’t have known how sick though; look, it says that the smoke was bad even then. Maybe it made them worse?”

+“Oh.” -

“What is that word?” “I think it’s ‘buried’.” “So that says ‘I have buried peach’?” “No, that’s an e.” “Why are some pages glowing and others ones dark?” “Probably because Alyx was bleeding and coughing and whatever. The glowing stuff is attached to that, not to the plastic.”

+“You realize this is going to make everyone super self-righteous, right? I can’t stand to think about how the judge is going to be so proud of herself. Can hear her now. ‘oooh, so you think being part of a family is a prison sentence, hunh? Well don’t look now, but… ” -

“Oh.”

+“I know. So are our families. They’re going to be unbearable. More unbearable.” -

“You realize this is going to make everyone super self-righteous, right? I can’t stand to think about how the judge is going to be so proud of herself. Can hear her now. ‘oooh, so you think being part of a family is a prison sentence, hunh? Well don’t look now, but… ”

+“Wait, what’s that say? Oh, it’s a pawprint. Never mind.” -

“I know. So are our families. They’re going to be unbearable. More unbearable.”

+“I’m torn between showing this off and not telling any of them. I think that’s a… hmmm. ” -

“Wait, what’s that say? Oh, it’s a pawprint. Never mind.”

+“I know, but no way. We’re going to lose this contest, and this journal will make up for that. Oh look, this part’s clear...” -

“I’m torn between showing this off and not telling any of them. I think that’s a… hmmm. ”

+You think that you made these choices. You think that you can fight the people around you. You think that you can just die. But it doesnt end. And anyway, the fight is all. -

“I know, but no way. We’re going to lose this contest, and this journal will make up for that. Oh look, this part’s clear...”

+The smoke billowed. -

You think that you made these choices. You think that you can fight the people around you. You think that you can just die. But it doesnt end. And anyway, the fight is all.

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The smoke billowed.

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-- cgit v1.2.3