Karrik

<h2>CHAPTER 1</h2> You wake up on the train, feeling a little dizzy. The booze from last night didn’t fit you well in the end. But it’s not every day you go to the funeral of your former bandmate – a fucking SOB but a goddamn good drummer. <i>He</i> deserved this terrible hangover you suffer from this morning. And at your age — hey, you were famous in ’96 — it hurts a lot. Still, as good as he was, Bill was a guy you haven’t spoken to for twelve years, and you wouldn’t be attending his funeral if it weren’t for your manager who pushed you to. But you don’t want to think about that right now – you still have three hours on the train, so there’s no need to chew on it for the whole time. [[Next. ->chooseYourface]]

<img src="img/KarrikControl.png"> “Excuse me, $gender. Can I see your ticket?” 1. [[“Here.” ->GiveTicket]] 2. [[“No.”-> MessingWithControleur]] 3. [[“Where the fuck did I store that damn ticket?” -> DrunkControl]]

The conductor takes your ticket, but his eyes remain fixed on you. “Sorry, but I think I know you …” 1. [[Yeah, yeah, I’m the former singer of Gaaramordus. -> tellTruth]] 2. [[No, I don’t think so. -> heRemembers]] 3. [[Okay. If you want. Can I have my ticket back? -> heRemembers]]

“$gender,” he starts. “Don’t force me to …” “Did I say no? Sorry, sorry, I mean, yes. Give me a few seconds to find it.” 1. [[Search slowly in your pockets. -> DrunkControl]] 2. [[Give him your ticket. ->GiveTicket]]

You love to make fun of authority, so you search slowly in your pockets while staring at the conductor with a bantering smile. You soon find the crumpled ticket and stick it in the man’s outstretched hand. [[Next. ->GiveTicket]]

<img src="img/KarrikGaaramordus.png"> “I’m the former singer of Gaaramordus. You may recognize me if you listened to punk-metal in the nineties. These days, no one cares about us except for people with tacky music taste and old dudes who lost their virginity while listening to our records. Have you bad taste, or are you old?” He looks at you with embarrassment and says: “Ha, okay ... I mistook you for someone else. Sorry, $gender. But … er … now you mention it – I do kind of remember that band of yours. Was it you guys who did that … er … I’m not sure if I remember well …” 1. [[Help him: “Pentacles.”-> heRemembers]] 2. [[Look at him with empty eyes.-> heRemembers]]

“Ha! Yes. I remember! You were the band that got arrested for painting pentacles on a church, right? The satanic guys?” You sigh. 1. [[“It was our young, stupid fans – not us. Not even fans. A bunch of kids who went to our gig. We were found not guilty, remember?”->yourReligion]] 2. [[“Yeah, yeah, it was us, if you want. My ticket please?”->yourReligion]]

(set: $face to "scholar")(set: $murderer to "ghost")When you get back to your seat, you find the conductor waiting. He says, “Excuse me …” 1. [[“Sir.” ->gender1]] 2. [[“Ma’am.” ->gender2]] 3. [[“Comrade.” ->gender3]]

When you get back to your seat, you find the conductor waiting. He says, “Excuse me …” 1. [[“Sir.” ->gender1]] 2. [[“Ma’am.” ->gender2]] 3. [[“Comrade.” ->gender3]]

(set: $gender to "Sir")(set: $gender2 to "dude") (go-to: " Control")

(set: $gender to "Comrad")(set: $gender2 to "pep") (go-to: " Control")

(set: $gender to "Ma’am")(set: $gender2 to "girl") (go-to: " Control")

The conductor keeps pushing the subject: “But in the end, are you really a satanist? You don’t look like a satanist.” (if: $face is "scholar")[You sigh again. “Fuck. No. I believe in nothing. That’s teenager bullshit.” You speak in a tone that hints that the conversation is over, so the conductor returns your ticket and leaves. You are left feeling angry.](if: $face is "rockstar")[“I was a fervent adept of booze and drugs – my two and only goddesses.” He laughs. “I can see that.” You look at him with a mean face, narrowing your eyes. He raises his hands apologetically and walks away.](if: $face is "dandy")[“I don’t pray to Satan, for fuck’s sake. I worship Gruütyenhberggh, who has nothing in common with that inferior mainstream demon.” “Okay, okay. Sorry, $gender. There’s no need to be mean.” The conductor returns your ticket and leaves.] [[Next. ->trainStation]]

Now that you’re alone again, you open your laptop to do some work. You check your emails and read, once again, the contract your manager sent you yesterday. <img src="img/band.png"> According to him, two big festivals want you this summer. Well, not <i>you</i> — your former band. It’s a big one because the royalty income is so fucking low these days. Gathering the crew, making calls, and begging the others to consider it, even for money, would have been a big no-no — but then “Toad” Bill died. As your manager said: “Funerals are the best way to renew old, cold, half-dead friendships.” Indeed, it’s the easiest way to see Dan, Jon, and Jane and try to convince them to go on stage again. But it’s possible they won’t be as happy to see you, and Bill retired to the fucking countryside to the smallest village in the world, so you almost ditched the idea. But yesterday, Monsieur Guillaume (your manager) got you drunk, slept at your place, and pressured you to the train station this morning, while you were in no state to say no. 1. [[Write Monsieur Guillaume’s name in your mental Death Note hit list. ->Station]] 2. [[Listen to music. ->Music]] 3. [[Go back to sleep. ->Slep]]

(replace: ?sidebar)[]

<h2>CHAPTER 2</h2> <img src="img/brother.png"> Bill’s brother picks you up at the train station and drives you to the church. Around fifteen years ago, you punched him in the face at an after-party in Saint-Matin-Sur-Tholon. It’s hard to remember why, but you always thought he was a cunt, so there’s no need for a particular reason. He probably thinks the same of you, and you can’t say he’s completely wrong. The drive is awkward and mostly silent. [[Next. ->The Church]]

(if: $face is "rockstar")[You listen to the good ol’ stuff – Led Zeppelin III, and the wicked stuff – De Mysteriis Dom Sathanas.](if: $face is "dandy")[You’re in your Olivier Messiaen phase of the year, so Messiaen it is.](if: $face is "scholar")[You’ve just been listening to noise, lately – hours of pink noise on YouTube. It erases other sounds. It eases the pain. It’s quite good.] [[Next. ->Station]]

(if: $face is "rockstar")[You have some pills hidden in your back pocket, and you swallow them with a sip from your flask. But it’s not booze — it’s water. Your manager must have switched the contents.](if: $face is "dandy")[No. There is no time to sleep. Instead, you ponder the brevity of life and the insignificance of the human being — you’re still a very gloomy person.](if: $face is "scholar")[Hmm … no time to sleep. You’ve been trying to finish <i>2666</i> for a long time, and now is a good opportunity. You open the book, but you fall asleep immediately and experience weird, unpleasant dreams.] [[Next. ->Station]]

<img src="img/KarrikChurch.png"> You walk into the church, looking around at the unknown faces. You hope to spot an acquaintance, and you soon notice Dan, Jane, and Jon. Dan and Jane are chatting, but Jon is alone, and he seems quite happy to keep it that way. Mike, your former sound engineer, is here too, speaking with a young, good-looking guy. As you sit waiting for the service to begin, you daydream about the experiences you had with Toad Bill and the rest of the band. (if: $face is "rockstar")[You remember the day T-Bill punched you in the face. You’d spent all the band’s money on a shirt supposedly owned by Jim Morrison. You were high when you bought it from that weird guy … what was his name – Jerrico? You can’t remember, but he was a failed manager slash failed musician slash part-time dealer who used to hang out at music studios. Bill yelled at you for half an hour when he found out, then went to Jerrico to seek reimbursement. You followed him, pitiful and still drunk, and when Bill discovered that Jerrico had left town with the cash, he exploded and beat the shit out of you. Ha! The good ol’ days. Speaking of which – you could use a rail of cocaine right now.](if: $face is "dandy")[You think about when that fucking church got ransacked. The band was playing a gig in Saint-Enogat-Sur-Mer, and during a song, police raided the venue and arrested you and your bandmates. You found out at the police station that after the previous gig, one or several people had broken into a nearby church and painted esoteric symbols on the walls and floor with pig’s blood. In the end, the police let you go, but the investigation continued, and you were the main suspects. Local newspapers, then national ones, then television and the internet, spoke about the incident for weeks. You remember how angry Bill was. He ran to the church, managed to obtain access, and took pictures of every pentagram. Then he assisted the defense lawyers for months and tracked the culprits during his spare time. You followed him to every metal bar in the region, where he beat the shit out of guys to collect information. But he never discovered who did it, although his work did help your band reach a not-guilty verdict. It was a hard time – reporters and police stalked you. But it was exciting too, like a fucking adventure.](if: $face is "scholar")[You remember the day that an exorcist from the Church of the Earth led a protest outside your gig. He and a bunch of fanatics had prevented fans from accessing the venue – but Toad Bill wasn’t the kind of guy you messed with, so he stormed out and yelled at them. The priest paused his lecture, stood silent for a moment, then pointed a shaking finger at Bill and said, with widened eyes, ‘You’re possessed. I … I see the demon crouched on your shoulder!’ Then he packed away his stuff and told his followers to leave, saying it was too dangerous. Bill never knew if the guy meant what he’d said or if he was just frightened and wanted to escape without losing face. Ha! Good ol’ days.] You were surprised that Bill’s funeral would be a religious ceremony, but when the service started, you discovered that the priestess was a follower of the Lunar Cult. The ceremony was dull, nonetheless, and when it ended, Bill’s brother took the microphone. “Thanks for coming. Everybody is invited to Bill’s house. You can eat and drink, and if you have any stories about Bill, you are more than welcome to share them. He would’ve wanted his home filled with friends and family at his funeral, so please hang around for a while.” [[Next. -> The Mansion]]

<img src="img/KarrikHouse.png"> Bill’s house is not just any house; it’s the biggest in the small village. Truth be told, it’s more like a manor sat at the top of a small hill. With its pointed slate roof, old-fashioned red brick walls, and front stairs flanked by two stone lions, it looks like the perfect place for a Claude Chabrol movie. Toad Bill liked luxury: big expensive watches, huge cars, so you’re not <i>that</i> astonished. [[Next.->Mansion2]]

“Sorry, Uncle Bill told me a lot of stories about you and the band. I’m Bill’s nephew, Harold. I’m glad to finally meet you, even in such sad circumstances.” 1. [[“Great, me too. Hey, Harold, do you have a spare cig?” -> AskNephewForACig]] 2. [[“Great, me too. Hey, Harold, can I have a bottle from your pack?” -> AskNephewForADrink]]

You apologize to the young man. “I didn’t mean to be rude. It’s just … we were into such gothic stuff a long time ago. I just assumed he’d moved on. Nice to meet you, er …” The man smiles. “Harold – Bill’s nephew. No need to apologize. My uncle was sick, he knew it, and he was in a gloomy mood. This last year, he bought a lot of original editions of Edgar Allan Poe and Villiers de L’Isle Adam.” “I’m sad we were …” You pause to think. “Hmm … not very close anymore. Since his last divorce, I guess. Sorry to say that, but he acted like a damn bastard with Samantha. Is she here? I didn’t see her.” “Yeah. They kissed and made up. He wanted to call you.” 1.[[“Hmm, okay, Harold. I’m kinda short on cigarettes. Do you have one to spare?” -> AskNephewForACig]] 2. [[“Hmm, okay, Harold. Can I have a bottle from your pack?” -> AskNephewForADrink]]

The young man raises his hands as a sign of appeasement and walks away. He glances at you one more time, seeming half scared and half surprised by your reaction. You continue walking and find two doors. 1. [[Look at the painting again. -> Picture]] 2. [[Take the left door. -> Salon]] 4. [[Take the right door. -> Kitchen]]

(if: $face is "rockstar")[(display: "CigRockstar")](if: $face is "dandy")[(display: "CigDandy")](if: $face is "scholar")[(display: "CigScholar")]

(if: $conso is "cigarette")[<img src="img/smoke.png">]</br>Harold waits a moment, letting you enjoy your $conso. Then, all of a sudden, he leans in closer, lowers his voice, and says: “I think Uncle Bill was killed.” 1. [[“What? Why do you think that?” -> AstonishedByRevelation]] 2. [[Look at him in silence. -> AstonishedByRevelation]] 3. [[“Hey … boy, you’re out of your mind!” -> AstonishedByRevelation]]

He looks around nervously and continues: “He told me he feared for his life, two days before he died. No one in the family wants to believe me because the doctor said it was a heart attack, and he was indeed quite sick, but still … strange timing, don’t you think?” 1. [[“Go on.” -> MakeHimTalk]] 2. [[“For Christ’s sake, shut the fuck up, boy.” -> DriveBackNephew]]

(display: "pic") 1. [[Open the secret door. -> EnterTinyDoor]] 2. [[Take the normal door on the left. -> Salon]] 3. [[Take the normal door on the right. -> Kitchen]]

You enter the crowded dining room, which is furnished with taste. Two long tables covered with food and empty glasses are standing at the sides, and visitors are eating amuse-bouche, drinking red wine, and muttering with low voices. You spot Jane and Dan. 1. [[Speak to “Spider” Jane -> Speak2Jane]] 2. [[Speak to “Dog” Dan -> Speak2Dan]]

You enter a huge kitchen filled with industrial furniture and expensive things. Food and bottles cover the central table, and people are standing around eating amuse-bouche, drinking beer, and talking cheerfully about Bill. You spot “Meteor” Jon. 1. [[Speak to “Meteor” Jon. -> Speak2Jon]] 2. [[Observe the other guests. -> LookAtPeopleInKitchen]]

(if: $murderer is "ghost")[<img = src="img/satan.png"></br>“A week before he died, he told me he’d discovered some weird facts about the house. Well, not exactly that, because the house was always a strange place; he was figuring out <i>why</i> it’s so strange. I guess you already know, but Uncle Bill was passionate about the supernatural, such as ghost stories and haunted houses.”](if: $murderer is "manager")[“A week before he died, he told me he’d received an unexpected call. A guy wanted to meet him about a gig, festival, and all. He declined the offer, but the dude kept calling him, and he finally agreed to meet.”](if: $murderer is "cult")[“You remember the affair of the sacked church? Uncle Bill was really pissed about that, and he still mentioned it from time to time. Well, he thought he had it figured out. He wanted to talk to me about it, but he never had time.”] [[Next.->Quest]]

(if: $face is "rockstar")[Paying no attention to the other guests, you crouch down at the wall and push the door.](if: $face is "dandy")[You wait for the other guests to leave the room, then you squat in front of the small door and give it a push.](if: $face is "scholar")[You pretend to admire the painting for another minute, and once there are no more guests in the hall, you take out your lockpicks.] [[Next.->Door]]

(if: $face is "scholar")[(go-to: "Pull")]The door is locked. 1. [[Pick the lock. ->Pull]] 2. [[Ignore. ->NoClue]]

The tiny door opens! On the other side is a dark and narrow passage. There is no light, so you can’t tell how far it leads or where it ends. If you enter, you’ll have to crawl on your knees. (if: $face is "dandy")[You may ruin your clothes, so the idea is not very compelling.] 1. [[Enter Passage. ->Inside]] 2. [[Ignore. ->NoClue]]

(if: $murderer is "ghost")[As you get up, you sense a presence behind you. You turn around quickly, but the hall is empty. You shiver and move one. It’s time to eat.](if: $murderer is "manager")[As you get up, you sense a presence behind you. You turn round quickly and see a guy, who’s just arrived, hesitating to pass through the lobby. He’s wearing a long raincoat, big glasses, and has a mustache. You announce to him: “Bill’s friends’ association. You’re at the right spot.” He looks at you with discomfort and then leaves. Weird, but he’s gone, and you’re hungry.](if: $murderer is "cult")[As you get up, you sense a presence behind you. You turn round quickly and see a woman, who’s just arrived, hesitating to pass through the lobby. She’s wearing jeans and a gray sweatshirt, which is unusual for a funeral. When she notices you, she turns and walks away. Strange. Maybe you could inquire about her.] 1. [[Take the normal door on the left. -> Salon]] 2. [[Take the normal door on the right. -> Kitchen]]

<img src="img/Jane.png"> Jane looks healthy and has aged better than you. She’s wearing black jeans and the same worn black-leather jacket you’ve always seen her in, even during the hottest summers. It was like armor in the very male world of touring.(if: $gender is "Ma’am")[ You can relate. It reinforced your friendship back then.](if: $gender is "Comrad")[ You can relate. Non-binary people have a hard time too during tours. Sometimes you wanted to dress like a girl, sometimes not. The days you did, it was nice to have her watching your back.] You wave to her, and she waves back. You approach her and (if: $face is "rockstar")[ break the silence with a loud voice: “Hey, at least Bill spent his money well. Not like me. Unless this furniture is cheap copies, and the cave is filled with booze, which is possible. Nice to see ya, Spider Jane.”](if: $face is "dandy")[ greet her politely: “Hey, Jane! It’s nice to see you. Well, it’s also strange to see each other again in Bill’s house after all these years. Especially when he’s not here to see that.”](if: $face is "scholar")[ greet her politely: “Hey, Jane! It’s nice to see you. Well, it’s also strange to see each other again in Bill’s house after all these years. Especially when he’s not here to see that.”] [[Next. -> GetQuestFromJane]]

<img src="img/Dan.png"> Dan looks unhealthy and hasn’t aged well. He’s wearing a jacket and a Gaaramordus t-shirt, so he hasn’t moved on. You can probably get him back in the band easily. He waves at you, so you approach him and try to talk. But he’s too drunk to hold a conversation, so you decide to speak with Jane instead. 1. [[Talk to Jane. -> Speak2Jane]]

(if: $murderer is "ghost")[Text. “Dialog.”](if: $murderer is "manager")[Text. “Dialog.”](if: $murderer is "cult")[Text. “Dialog.”]

“He didn’t buy a haunted house on purpose, but when he saw this one, he was hooked. The gothic look of it, you know – old manor and all. Anyway, he told me about a secret room inside the house. And he told me – I quote – ‘The skull indicates the way’. I know he spoke to Jane. Maybe you could ask her about it. I saw her enter the dining room.” He points you to a door on the left. “Hmm. Can you access Bill’s library?” you ask. “I could use the <i>Spirus Codex</i>, it’s a manual of exorcism. A real one. I bought and gave that book to him a lifetime ago, but I suppose he still has it.”(set: $fedex to "nephew") 1. [[Wait for Harold to fetch the book. -> ClueToTinyDoor]] 2. [[Take the door on the left to find Jane. -> Salon]]

“The day before he had the stroke, I tried calling him, and he sent me this text message.” Harold shows you his phone, and you read an exchange of messages. The last one reads: <i>Can’t talk rn. the fucking manager guy is here</i>. “He never called me back. The next morning, I came here, and he was dead.” “Do you have his phone?”(set: $fedex to "nephew") “Hmm. I think it’s my other uncle, Bill’s brother, who has it. But I think he talked with Jane about this guy, I recall.” 1. [[Take the door on the left to find Jane. -> Salon]]

<img src="img/Jon.png"> You approach Jon, but he ignores you and focuses on his glass of wine. You observe him for a moment, and then you clear your throat to speak. (if: $murderer is "ghost")[But Jon raises his hand and stops you. “Don’t even try. I’ll never work with you again. I know about the festivals – I’m still in the game – and it’s no! Please leave me alone.” (if: $fedex is "nephew")[(display: "wait_H")](else:)[1. [[Leave the kitchen and try the other door. -> Salon]] 2. [[Insist. ->InsistOnJon]]] ](if: $murderer is "manager")[(if: $tattoo is "spider")[(set: $contract to it + 1)“Hey, man. Err … nice to see ya.” Jon raises his hand and stops you. “I know, I know, $gender2. About the festivals – I wasn’t going to work with you again, but despite the bad memories …” He shows a scar on his cheek. “There are good ones too.” He shows you a tattoo. He has the same one on his neck. “So, maybe. But this is not the day to speak about it.” 1. [[“You already know about it?”-> Enquiry2J]] 2. [[“Okay. We’ll talk later then. It was good to see you, Jon – really.”-> Salon]]1. [[Leave the kitchen and try the other door. -> Salon]] 2. [[Insist. ->InsistOnJon]]] (else:)[But Jon raises his hand and stops you. “Don’t even try. I’ll never work with you again. I know about the festivals – I’m still in the game – and it’s no! Please leave me alone.” 1. [[Leave the kitchen and try the other door. -> Salon]] 2. [[Insist. ->InsistOnJon]]] ](if: $murderer is "cult")[But Jon raises his hand and stops you. “Don’t even try. I’ll never work with you again. I know about the festivals – I’m still in the game – and it’s no! Please leave me alone.” [1. [[Leave the kitchen and try the other door. -> Salon]]] 2. [[Insist. ->InsistOnJon]]]

Most of the guests are Bill’s family. You don’t know them, and you don’t feel the need to engage in conversation with strangers. 1. [[Speak to Jon.-> Speak2Jon]] 2. [[Leave and go to the other room. -> Salon]]

(if: $murderer is "ghost")[“Huh, right? Strangest thing – I almost came here last week. Did you hear? Bill wrote me an email. He was about to exorcise a demon from his house, and he invited me to come and watch.”](if: $murderer is "manager")[(if: $tattoo is "spider")[(set: $contract to it + 1)Jane smiles and laughs. “Still the same mad $gender2. Hard to stay angry when you’re foolin’ around. Luckily, it could make the festivals less painful.”](else:)[Jane sighs. “Still the same mad $gender2, huh? Well, I don’t think I could play again with you, even for the Lucifer True Fest.”]](if: $murderer is "cult")[“Huh, right? Strangest thing – I almost came here last week. Did you hear? Bill wrote me an email. He was about to expose the gang who desecrated that fucking church, and he wanted to talk to me about it.”(set: $contact to "Jane")] (if: $murderer is "ghost")[[[Next. -> QuestOnGhostFromJ]]](if: $murderer is "manager")[[[Next. -> QuestOnManagerFromJ]]](if: $murderer is "cult")[[[Next. -> QuestOnCultFromJ]]]

(if: $murderer is "ghost")[“Huh, right? Strangest thing – I almost came here last week. Did you hear? Bill wrote me an email. He was about to exorcise a demon from his house, and he invited me to come and watch.”](if: $murderer is "manager")[(if: $tattoo is "spider")[(set: $contract to it + 1)Jane smiles and laughs. “Still the same mad $gender2. Hard to stay angry when you’re foolin’ around. Luckily, it could make the festivals less painful.”](else:)[Jane sighs. “Still the same mad $gender2, huh? Well, I don’t think I could play again with you, even for the Lucifer True Fest.”]](if: $murderer is "cult")[“Huh, right? Strangest thing – I almost came here last week. Did you hear? Bill wrote me an email. He was about to expose the gang who desecrated that fucking church, and he wanted to talk to me about it.”] (if: $murderer is "ghost")[[[Next -> QuestOnGhostFromD]]](if: $murderer is "manager")[[[Next -> QuestOnManagerFromD]]](if: $murderer is "cult")[[[Next -> QuestOnCultFromD]]]

<img src="img/bang.png"> You bend down and enter the tunnel. You have barely made one meter, when suddenly the door closes itself behind you with a loud ‘BANG,’ almost as if someone has shut it purposely to lock you up. 1. [[Turn on your phone. ->LightsPhone]] 2. [[Try to back off and open the door. ->BackOff]]

You turn your phone on, which has (random: 18, 46)% battery left. 1. [[Use the LED torch on the phone. ->moveForward]] 2. [[Use the light from the phone screen. ->moveForward]]

You reverse in the tunnel until your feet touch the door. You push, but it remains closed. 1. [[Crawl through the passage.->LightsPhone]] 2. [[Scream. ->Scream]]

No one answers you. 1. [[Get your shit together and move on. ->LightsPhone]] 2. [[Let the panic invade you.->Panic]]

(if: $murderer is "ghost")[(go-to: " QuestOnGhost")](if: $murderer is "manager")[(go-to: " QuestOnManager")](if: $murderer is "cult")[(go-to: " QuestOnCult")]

Harold tears the plastic packaging and hands you a bottle (if: $face is "rockstar")[of beer.](if: $face is "dandy")[of mineral water.](if: $face is "scholar")[of tomato juice.] You open it, take a sip, and politely wait for him to say what he appears to be wanting to say. (set: $conso to "drink") [[Next. ->The Revelation]]

Harold hands you his cigarettes. “Thanks, man.” You open the packet. “But hey … do you have cocaine by any chance? No? Okay then. Say your say, boy.” (set: $conso to "cigarette") 1. [[Take one cigarette. ->The Revelation]] 2. [[Keep the pack. ->The Revelation]]

Harold hands you his packet of cigarettes. You take one, ask for a light, and politely wait for him to say what he appears to be wanting to say. (set: $conso to "cigarette") [[Next. ->The Revelation]]

Harold hands you his packet of cigarettes. You take one, light it with your Dupont, and politely wait for him to say what he appears to be wanting to say. (set: $conso to "cigarette") [[Next. ->The Revelation]]

You hold up your phone, and the moment the screen lights up the tunnel, you glimpse the white face of someone crouched just in front of you. The eyes are blank, the tongue blue, but it disappears instantly. You scream and drop your phone, which lands with a crack. You are now in darkness. 1. [[Raise your hands in front of you and push the thing away. ->fightBack]] 2. [[Search for your phone for light. ->findPhone]]

You try to push the thing away, but your hands don’t meet anyone or anything. You pick up your phone from the floor, light the screen, and look into the emptiness of the tunnel. [[Next. ->forward]]

You pick up your phone from the floor, light the screen, and look into the emptiness of the tunnel. [[Next. ->forward]]

(if: $murderer is "ghost")[(go-to: "ghostInTunnel")](else:)[<img src="img/desk.png"></br>You crawl through the tunnel, and after a while, the space opens up again. You stand to find yourself in a small room, where the phone light reveals an elegant desk covered with papers, a leather armchair behind it, and impeccable walls, which may have been recently painted. You scramble at the wall, find the light switch, turn it on, and light spills into the room. [[Next. ->cultOrManager]]]

After a while, fear and dehydration cause you to pass out. But when you wake up, you realize it was just a nightmare, and you’re still on the train, heading to Bill’s funeral. To clear your mind, you go to the toilet, which is dirty and gross because countryside trains seem to lack the budget for cleaning. But it’s the mirror that interests you. You run your fingers through your hair and look at your reflection: 1. [[You are wearing small, round glasses and a gray pullover. Your hair is gray, and you look like a middle-aged scholar with a tendency for the bottle. ->face1redux]] 2. [[You are wearing green-lens glasses, a thin black tie, and heavy rings on all of your fingers. You look like a tacky rockstar who took too much cocaine. Also, you should wash your hair.->face2redux]] 3. [[You are wearing black-framed glasses, an expensive but scruffy suit, and a luxury watch with scratched glass. You look like a snobby, yet penniless, aristocrat. ->face3redux]]

(go-to: "tatScholar")

(go-to: "tatStar")

(go-to: "tatDandy")

(set: $face to "scholar")(set: $murderer to "ghost")Despite your questionable hygiene, you manage to wash your hands and refresh your face with cold water. You straighten your clothes, and while you do so, you notice that old tattoo which reminds you of wilder times: 1. [[An old-school compass on your hand. ->face1a]] 2. [[A swallow on your throat. ->face1b]] <img src="img/Karrik02.png">

(set: $face to "dandy")(set: $murderer to "cult")Despite your questionable hygiene, you manage to wash your hands and refresh your face with cold water. You straighten your clothes, and while you do so, you notice that old tattoo which reminds you of wilder times: 1. [[Black hearts on your knuckles. ->face3a]] 2. [[A big peony on your hand. ->face3b]] <img src="img/KarrikTat03.png">

(set: $face to "rockstar")(set: $murderer to "manager")Despite your questionable hygiene, you manage to wash your hands and refresh your face with cold water. You straighten your clothes, and while you do so, you notice that old tattoo which reminds you of wilder times: 1. [[An evil spider on one hand and a stylized sun on the other. ->face2a]] 2. [[A snake on your throat. ->face2b]] <img src="img/KarrikTat02.png">

(set: $tattoo to "compass")(display: "face1")

(set: $tattoo to "swallow")(display: "face1")

(set: $tattoo to "spider")(display: "face2")

(set: $tattoo to "snake")(display: "face2")

(set: $tattoo to "hearts")(display: "face3")

(set: $tattoo to "peony")(display: "face3")

<img src="img/satan.png"> Jane continues: “He told me he didn’t want to buy a haunted house. It was an accident, but he was excited about it. After moving here, he encountered poltergeists from time to time – flying objects and all. Anyway, he told me he’d found a secret room inside the house, which explained all the – I quote – ‘massive dark energy’. According to him, the house was owned by a doctor who loved dark stuff, which he collected in this secret room. And he told me – I quote – ‘The skull indicates the way’.” “Thanks,” you respond. “It’s very interesting. Sorry, but I need to hmm, well, check … things. We’ll talk later?” She shrugs. “Whatever $gender2. Do what you have to do.” (if: $fedex is "nephew")[(display: "wait_H")](else:)[1. [[Return to the hall. -> LookAround]]]

“So, you know about the fests. Who told you?” “You don’t know? Really? Your manager.” “Monsieur Guillaume?” “Yeah.” “Hmm. I need to have a face-to-face conversation with him. I don’t like that.” (if: $tattoo is "spider")[“Yeah, you’re right. I have a manager too. Maybe I can ask him to manage the band, and you could kick out that Monsieur Guillaume prick.”</br> 1. [[Call Monsieur Guillaume. ->call]] 2. [[Ask Jane to call him. ->callFromJ]]](else:)[“If you want. I couldn’t care less.” [[Next. ->call]]]

<img src="img/encensoir.png"> “Okay, let me explain,” says Jane. “Long story short – during the looting of the church, a gold ostensory disappeared. One of Bill’s leads was to track it. A few years ago, it showed up during an auction, so Bill tracked the seller, then found the previous owner, etc. He told me he’d discovered who stole it first, and he was quite excited. You remember how pissed he was when we were on trial for that?” “I remember.” “He said he was about to meet a source who could confirm the whole story,” Jane continues. (if: $fedex is "nephew")[“I think Harold — you met him? — he can show us the research.” [[Next->waitforHWithJ]]](else:)[We could ask his nephew if he knows anything more. Harold is his name. [[Next->SearchHarold]]]

Double-click this passage to edit it.

As you wait in the hall, Jon enters the room on your right. 1. [[Follow him and try to convince him to reform the band. -> Kitchen]] 2. [[Fuck Jon. Look around the hall. -> LookAround]]

“Come on!” you say. (if: $murderer is "manager")[“That fucking Monsieur Guillaume guy already tried to force Bill. Bill told me about that last week. I’ve already thought about it, and it’s no. Period. Go to hell.” “I didn’t know about that, sorry. I’ll have a good talk with the manager.” 1. [[Leave the kitchen and try the left door. -> Salon]] ](if: $murderer is "cult")[ ](else:)[Jon left you without another word, so there’s no point insisting further. 1. [[Leave the kitchen and try the left door. -> Salon]]]

“Wait. How do you know about the festivals?” you ask. Jon shrugs. “Jane told me a few days ago. Better to ask her.” [[Leave the kitchen and try the left door. -> Salon]] [[Return to the hall. ->backInHall]]

While Harold is gone, you look closer at the hall, with its baroque decoration, and the big painting. That’s it! It’s the clue Bill gave to his nephew! (display: "pic") 1. [[Open the secret door. -> EnterTinyDoor2]] 2. [[Wait for Harold. ->wait]]

<i><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Ambassadors_(Holbein)#/media/File:Hans_Holbein_the_Younger_-_The_Ambassadors_-_Google_Art_Project.jpg">The Ambassadors</a></i> is a famous painting with an anamorphic skull. After looking at it carefully, you spot a small door hidden in the wall beneath. It’s covered with the same wallpaper and even has a piece of baseboard glued on it to maintain the continuity of the wall. Only a slim slot between the door and the wall reveals it to you. </br><img src="img/door.png">

Harold returns with the big book. He tries to hand it to you, but you’re too distracted, and you show him the secret door. “Incredible. I never spotted that. Well done!” he says. “Now, we have to enter.” [[Next. ->Inside3]]

(display: "lockpicking") 1. [[Enter. ->Inside2]] 2. [[Wait for Harold ->wait]]

There are no other guests in the hall, so you take out your lockpicks and get to work. The lock is simple, so you open the door easily. On the other side, the passage is in darkness, so you can’t see where it ends. To enter, you’ll have to crawl.

<img src="img/bang.png"> You crouch down and enter the tunnel, but you’ve barely crawled one meter when the door slams shut behind you. Someone may have shut it purposely to trap you. 1. [[Use your phone for light. ->LightsPhone]] 2. [[Back up and open the door. ->BackOff]]

<img src="img/bang.png"> You bend down and enter the tunnel, but you’ve barely crawled a meter when the door slams shut behind you, as though Harold shut it purposely. But you hear him on the other side yelling: “Fuck, it’s closed. I can’t open it again. I’ll search for a tool to open it.” “Don’t leave me here, prick!” you yell back. But he’s already gone. 1. [[Turn on your phone and continue crawling. ->LightsPhone]] 2. [[Back up and open the door. ->BackOff]]

[[<img src="img/cover.png">->title]] [[<h4>ENTER</h4>->title]]

You’re back in the hall. Jon and Jane knew about the idea to reform the band, but Monsieur Guillaume told you the others hadn’t been contacted yet. Strange. 1. [[Study the painting. -> Picture]] 2. [[Take the left door. -> Salon]]

You crawl through the tunnel and notice strange markings on the walls – esoteric symbols and meaningless scratches, which seem quite old. After a while, the space opens up again. You stand and find yourself in a small room, where the floor is strewn with dirt, and the walls are covered with blistered paint. Your phone light reveals a desk covered with scribbled paper and a small chair in front of it. A bulb dangles from the ceiling. You scramble at the wall and find the light switch, which you turn on, and light spills across the tiny room. 1. [[Look at the papers. ->readHouseStory]] 2. [[Search the room. ->exploreRoom]]

You explore the secret passages and spy on people, which is quite fun. After a while, you find a bedroom where a man is sacking the place, obviously searching for something. You notice a hidden door in the passage on your left that must connect with the room. 1. [[Observe the man. ->lookGuillaume]] 2. [[Enter the room. ->enterRoom]]

1. [[Return to the hall and wait for Harold to bring the book. -> LookAround]]

“You know, he was still working on the looting of the church. He found out that during the incident, a gold ostensory disappeared. One of Bill’s leads was to track it. A few years ago, it showed up during an auction, and Bill tracked down the seller. He also talked about this to Jane, I guess.” “Do you have his research? Are the files here?”(set: $fedex to "nephew")(set: $contact to "Harold") “Yes, yes,” he answers. “I can bring them to you.” Harold leaves you. 1. [[Wait for Harold to bring Bill’s papers. -> ClueToTinyDoor]] 2. [[Take the door on the left to find Jane. -> Salon]]

You sit in the chair and begin reading Bill’s notes. You discover that Bill investigated the house methodically to find the source of the supernatural phenomenons. Since it was an old manor, and because he’d explored everything twice without success, Bill assumed that, maybe, something was hidden in the old, walled passages built between the rooms to allow servants to move quickly and out of sight. After a few months of exploration, he discovered the room, which was used by a previous owner to hide stolen goods. The man, a dentist called Henry Pastèque Licourge, was a fanatic collector of antiques. But since some were clearly stolen from their rightful owners, he was stashing them away, along with his diary, which Bill found, so he figured it all out. In 1951, Licourge bought a small and unusual mosaic, stolen in Rome. Behind a collapsed wall in a sewer, a maintenance crew discovered an ancient place of worship. It must have belonged to one of the many cults in Rome at the time. Not much was in there, apart from this small piece, which ended up on the black market, and Licourge bought it. A specialist arrived with the mosaic fragments, reformed them on the floor of the secret room, and lay a thick sheet of glass on top. The dentist was proud of his purchase, but soon after that, strange things started to happen. Licourge’s diary stopped around this date, and he took off soon after. He took all his antiques, except for the mosaic, and didn’t even sell the house. When he died, the manor was sold, but nobody has since possessed the property for long – which suggests it is, indeed, haunted. Suddenly, a shrill hissing interrupts your reading. The sound is coming from the floor.(set: $papers to "read") (if: $floor is "looked")[[[Check the floor. ->revealFloor]]](else:)[[[Next. ->exploreRoom]]]

You crouch down, look at the ground, and find shards of broken glass where the protective sheet has shattered.(set: $floor to "looked") 1. [[Clear the broken glass and see what is underneath. ->revealFloor]] 2. (if: $papers is "read")[[[Read the papers again. ->readHouseStory]]](else:)[[[Read the papers first. ->readHouseStory]]]

You sweep away the broken glass with your feet and find an ancient Roman mosaic, depicting a screaming decapitated head. At the center of the mouth is a half-inch hole. You are not certain, but you think you can hear muffled voices coming from inside. <img src="img/bouche.png"> 1. [[Touch the hole. ->finger]] 2. [[Move your ear to the hole. ->listen]] 3. [[Look into the hole. ->pepthrough]]

You scratch the hole with your fingernail, and as you do, a dim light appears inside, and the hole widens. Things are getting weird. 1. [[Keep scratching. ->kepScratching]] 2. [[Leave the room. ->leaveTheRoom]]

You rest your ear on the hole, and a voice whispers inside. Suddenly, you feel a cold, wet sensation, like a tongue licking your ear. You sit up immediately — but there is nothing to see. 1. (display: "HoleOption1") 2. (display: "HoleOption3")

You peer into the hole. At first, you only see a tiny light, but then the aperture suddenly widens, revealing, beneath you, an impossibly gigantic cave, filled with fire and lightning. Rivers of lava flow through the rumbling cavern. Suddenly, dense black smoke rises from a lake of fire and comes at you fast. Before you can react, it rushes up through the hole and into your eyes. You experience terrible pain, and a warm, sticky liquid flows down your face, dripping red on the mosaic, and feeding the hole. The thick smoke continues to flow and fills the room. A voice then rises from the depths: “Thank you for the offering, my disciple. You are more useful than the previous owner of this house. Thanks to this blood sacrifice, I am free now. And since you are mine, I can grant you a wish in gratitude. What do you want, disciple?” 1. [[“Nothing!” -> nothing]] 2. [[“I want to be successful again.” ->pact]]

<img src="img/encensoir.png"> You sit in the chair and begin reading Bill’s notes. He took the investigation quite seriously and discovered similar incidents where churches got ransacked when metal or rock bands played nearby. Each time, items were stolen, and he made a list of them: gold ostensory, silver chalices, and other valuable objects. Some of these showed up from time to time, during auctions, and he occasionally purchased them, to test them for fingerprints. His idea was that a gang had used the cliché of satanic metal fans to hide their own identity. Police acted on the satanic shit and never suspected an ordinary burglary. They also never connected the cases that occurred in different towns. [[Next. ->noise]]

As you continue scratching, you hear screams from the hole. A disgusting smell of burned flesh fills the room, and the hole expands. Before you can react, your index finger is swallowed inside, with a sensation of being bitten by teeth. 1. [[Pull with all your strength. ->pull]] 2. [[Scream for help. ->pull]]

You turn around to leave, but the entrance has disappeared. You thump all the walls — but there is no way out. Distant screams rise from the hole in the mosaic. Touching it again would be foolish, so what next? 1. (display: "HoleOption2") 2. (display: "HoleOption3") 3. [[Search for help in Bill’s notes. ->solution]]

1. [[Touch the hole. ->finger]] 2. [[Move your ear to the hole. ->listen]] 3. [[Look into the hole. ->pepthrough]]

[[Touch the hole. ->finger]]

[[Listen more closely. ->listen]]

[[Look into the hole. ->pepthrough]]

You rummage through Bill’s papers until you find a drawing of the mosaic. He’s scribbled a few words on it: <i>“ancient daemonic cult”.</i> The mouth has been circled furiously, and next to it, in trembling uppercase, the following is written: <i>IS IT A GATE? TO HELL??? HOW TO CLOSE IT?</i> Stapled to the drawing is a photocopied page of an old book. This phrase is underlined: <i>To close the gate, light a candle and sing.</i> (if: $conso is "cigarette")[You have no candle, but you remember Harold’s cigarettes. You light one up and stand it like a candle near the hole.</br> 1. [[Sing a random song from your band. ->sing]] 2. [[Open YouTube on your phone and search for an exorcism song. ->youtubeSong]]] (if: $conso is "drink")[You have no candle, only a half-drunk bottle of tomato juice.</br> 1. [[Pour the tomato juice into the hole. ->pourTomato]] 2. [[Search the desk for a candle. ->searchCandle]]] (if: $conso is "void")[1. [[Search the desk for a candle. ->searchCandle]]]

The demon invades your body, your mind, and your soul. He can now walk this earth through you, and your conscience will slowly fade.

You sing a random song from your band – a song about the devil. “Ha! You little worm!” growls the sinister voice. “My gratitude. You have completed the ritual. You lit a candle and sang for me. Now I am free to walk this earth!” Bill was totally wrong: he found the summoning ritual, not the exorcism! As you understand it, the demon invades your body, your mind, and your soul. Your conscience will slowly fade, and the terrible Abaddon will now be unleashed. <h2>THE END</h2> (click:"THE END")[(reload:)]

A voice in your mind says, “Thank you for your offering, disciple.” Your finger splits from your hand; it bleeds a lot, and the extremity is missing. Thick, red drops fall on the mosaic, and the blood flows towards the hole. 1. [[Search for help in Bill’s notes. ->solution]] 2. (display: "HoleOption3")

“Ha! You little worm!” growls the sinister voice. “What is this foolish song? Now I claim your body as a vessel to walk the earth again.” The demon invades your body, your mind, and your soul. Your conscience will slowly fade, and the terrible Abaddon will now be unleashed. <h2>THE END</h2> (click:"THE END")[(reload:)]

You pour tomato juice into the hole, and after a few seconds, a snake wriggles out and strikes your hand. A sinister voice speaks in your mind: “It is the blood that must be offered. Do you think you can fool me with this? Now you shall die, as the last one did.” 1. [[Beg for your life. ->beg]] 2. [[Insult the demon. ->insult]]

There is no candle on the desk or in the drawers, and as you turn back to the mosaic, a dense, black smoke erupts from the hole. It forms the shape of a goat, then fills the whole room. You begin to suffocate. The smoke rushes into your lungs, and after a few seconds, you pass out. When you awaken, you realize it was just a nightmare, and you’re still on the train, heading to Bill’s funeral. To clear your mind, you go to the toilet, which is dirty and gross because countryside trains seem to lack the budget for cleaning. But it’s the mirror that interests you. You run your fingers through your hair and look at your reflection: 1. [[You are wearing small, round glasses and a gray pullover. Your hair is gray, and you look like a middle-aged scholar with a tendency for the bottle. ->face1redux]] 2. [[You are wearing green-lens glasses, a thin black tie, and heavy rings on all of your fingers. You look like a tacky rockstar who took too much cocaine. Also, you should wash your hair.->face2redux]] 3. [[You are wearing black-framed glasses, an expensive but scruffy suit, and a luxury watch with scratched glass. You look like a snobby, yet impoverished, aristocrat. ->face3redux]]

“As you wish, little worm,” growls the sinister voice. “No pact. I will claim your body as a vessel to walk the earth again.” The demon invades your body, your mind, and your soul. Your conscience will slowly fade, and the terrible Abaddon will now be unleashed. <h2>THE END</h2> (click:"THE END")[(reload:)]

A sheet of paper appears in front of you. Then, the voice resonates in your head: “Make the pact with blood.” With a trembling hand, you wipe some blood from your face and smear it on the paper. The voice speaks again: “I grant you five years of success, but after five years, I will come for you. I am now free, my sacrifice.” You locate the tunnel, but back at the hall, you pass out. People surround you and call an ambulance. Your eyes won’t be saved, but you will live. No one could explain what happened in that room. The mosaic vanished, along with Bill’s notes. But the incident brought you all together, and the band reformed, with great success. But you’ve let down your old friend, and the demon will one day come, so you’re the incarnation of the words: “bad decisions.” <h2>THE END</h2> (click:"THE END")[(reload:)]

After a short time, the man changes position, and despite the fake mustache and big sunglasses, you recognize him as your manager, Monsieur Guillaume. What the hell is he doing here? [[Next. ->enterRoom2]]

You burst into the room and grab the man by the arm. He cowers and turns around – it’s Monsieur Guillaume, your manager! 1. [[“What the hell are you doing here?” ->askAnswer]] 2. [[Punch him in the face. ->askAnswer]]

You burst into the room and grab the man by the arm. He cowers and turns around. 1. [[“What the hell are you doing?” ->askAnswer]] 2. [[Punch him in the face. ->askAnswer]]

He looks terrified and begins sobbing. “What are you doing here?” you ask. But he only cries in response. 1. [[Punch him in the face again. ->punchAgain]] 2. [[“It’s ok. It’s ok. For Christ’s sake, stop crying.” ->consoleHim]]

You wander the house for somewhere quiet, end up in another hallway, then you dial Monsieur Guillaume’s number. He doesn’t answer, but you’re surprised to hear his ringtone nearby. You approach the door, open it slowly, and find a man searching the room. [[Next. ->enterRoom]]

“I was saying that to be polite,” Jane says. “Call him yourself.” [[Next. ->call]]

<img src="img/Guillaume.png"> His nose crunches and blood begins to flow. “Ss … stop, please. Okay, okay, I came here a week ago to try and convince Bill to reform the band. We argued, I pushed him, he fell, and he suffered a heart attack. I left a phone behind, and I feared someone would find it and call the police, so I used the funeral as an opportunity to come back for it.” 1. [[Punch him in the face again. ->callPolice]] 2. [[Help him search. ->searchPhone]]

<img src="img/Guillaume.png"> He begins to calm down, so you demand answers. “Now, explain yourself.” “Okay, okay, I came here a week ago to try and convince Bill to reform the band. We argued, I pushed him, he fell, and he suffered a heart attack. I left a phone behind, and I feared someone would find it and call the police, so I used the funeral as an opportunity to come back for it.” 1. [[Punch him in the face. ->callPolice]] 2. [[Help him search. ->searchPhone]]

“For Christ’s sake, you’re worse than me, Guillaume!” (if: $contract is 2)[You immediately call Dan and Jane. “Call the fucking cops, please. This prick is the one who killed Bill, just because he didn’t want to do those fucking festivals.” You have solved the murder, and your former bandmates agree to reform the band. From now on, the memory of Bill will hold the friendship together. (if: $conso is "drink")[Also, you got a free beer, which is cool.](if: $conso is "cigarette")[Also you got a free cig, which is cool.] THE END](if: $contract is 1)[“It was stupid and useless. Only one of my bandmates agreed to work with me again. But, so what.” You call the cops and expose Monsieur Guillaume. (if: $conso is "drink")[But you got a free beer, which is cool.](if: $conso is "cigarette")[But you got a free cig, which is cool.]](else:)[“It was stupid and useless. No one will work with me again. The band is dead, and so is my career.” You call the cops and expose Monsieur Guillaume. (if: $conso is "drink")[But you got a free beer, which is cool.](if: $conso is "cigarette")[But you got a free cig, which is cool.]] <h2>THE END</h2> (click:"THE END")[(reload:)]

“For Christ’s sake, you’re worse than me, Guillaume!” You help him look for his phone and discover it under a desk. (if: $contract is 2)[“Now go. I will reform the band. Make sure it was worth it, prick.” You solved Bill’s case but didn’t expose the culprit – a strange choice of yours, but you’re the one who will live with it.](else:)[“Now go. It was stupid and useless. No one will work with me again. The band is dead, and so is my career.” You solved Bill’s case but didn’t expose the culprit – a strange choice of yours, but you’re the one who will live with it.] <h2>THE END</h2> (click:"THE END")[(reload:)]

You return to the hall to meet Harold. To make conversation, Jane says: “Bill told me he kept research papers in a secret room. Maybe he was right to do that. He told me, ‘The skull will keep my secrets safe.’ Pretty cryptic, huh?” Harold is not around, so you wait in the hall while Jane goes to look for him in the kitchen. You get bored, glance around, and observe the baroque decoration and the big painting. <i>The Ambassadors</i> – that’s it! The painting is the clue Bill gave his nephew! (display: "pic") 1. [[Open the secret door. ->enterTinyDoor3]]

(display: "lockpicking") 1. [[Enter. ->Inside2]] 2. [[Wait for Jane and Harold ->wait2]]

Jane returns with Harold, who appears frightened. “All of Bill’s papers are missing!” Jane announces. “His desk drawers have been opened!” “Well, I think I found the backup,” you say, pointing out the tiny door. “I guess we have to go inside.” [[Next. ->inside4]]

<img src="img/bang.png"> You crouch down and enter the tunnel, but you’ve barely crawled one meter when the door slams shut behind you. You thought someone had shut it purposely, but then you hear Harold shouting: “Fuck, it’s closed. We can’t open it! We’ll have to find a tool to open it.” “Don’t leave me here, pricks!” you answer. But they’ve already gone. 1. [[Turn on your phone for light. ->LightsPhone]] 2. [[Back up and open the door. ->BackOff]]

You hear movement in the hallway, and an unknown woman enters. She doesn’t look dressed for a funeral, with her jeans and gray sweatshirt. 1. [[Ask her what she’s doing here. ->askHer]] 2. [[Grab a paper-knife from the desk and threaten her. ->threat]]

<img src="img/womanWithGun.png"> “None of your business, $gender2,” she says before pulling a gun and aiming it at your face. “Just give me the fucking papers.” 1. [[“Bill was right! You’re one of the fucking burglars, and you killed him for figuring it out!” ->discovered]] 2. [[Give her the papers. ->obey]]

<img src="img/womanWithGun.png"> “Silence, $gender2,” she says before pulling a gun and aiming it at your face. “Just give me the fucking papers.” 1. [[“Bill was right! You’re one of the fucking burglars, and you killed him for figuring it out!” ->discovered2]] 2. [[Give her the papers. ->obey]]

“Of course. Are you happy to know the truth? Well, now you can die happy!” (if: $contact is "Jane")[But before she pulls the trigger, Jane appears and pushes her to the ground. The woman drops the gun as she lands. 1. [[Grab the gun. ->gun]] 2. [[Hold the woman down. ->block]]](else-if: $contact is "Harold")[But before she pulls the trigger, Harold appears and pushes her to the ground. The woman drops the gun as she lands. 1. [[Grab the gun. ->gunHar]] 2. [[Hold the woman down. ->blockHar]]] (else:)[The woman pulls the trigger. You begin to suffocate, and after a few seconds, you pass out. When you awaken, you realize it was just a nightmare, and you’re still on the train, heading to Bill’s funeral. To clear your mind, you go to the toilet, which is dirty and gross because countryside trains seem to lack the budget for cleaning. But it’s the mirror that interests you. You run your fingers through your hair and look at your reflection: 1. [[You are wearing small, round glasses and a gray pullover. Your hair is gray, and you look like a middle-aged scholar with a tendency for the bottle. ->face1redux]] 2. [[You are wearing green-lens glasses, a thin black tie, and heavy rings on all of your fingers. You look like a tacky rockstar who took too much cocaine. Also, you should wash your hair.->face2redux]] 3. [[You are wearing black-framed glasses, an expensive but scruffy suit, and a luxury watch with scratched glass. You look like a snobby, yet impoverished, aristocrat. ->face3redux]]]

You hand over the papers. She takes them and says, “Thanks, prick. Now, die!” (if: $contact is "Jane")[But before she pulls the trigger, Jane appears and pushes her to the ground. The woman drops the gun as she lands. 1. [[Grab the gun. ->gun]] 2. [[Hold the woman down. ->block]]](if: $contact is "Harold")[But before she pulls the trigger, Harold appears and pushes her to the ground. The woman drops the gun as she lands. 1. [[Grab the gun. ->gunHar]] 2. [[Hold the woman down. ->blockHar]]] (else:)[The woman pulls the trigger. You begin to suffocate, and after a few seconds, you pass out. When you awaken, you realize it was just a nightmare, and you’re still on the train, heading to Bill’s funeral. To clear your mind, you go to the toilet, which is dirty and gross because countryside trains seem to lack the budget for cleaning. But it’s the mirror that interests you. You run your fingers through your hair and look at your reflection: 1. [[You are wearing small, round glasses and a gray pullover. Your hair is gray, and you look like a middle-aged scholar with a tendency for the bottle. ->face1redux]] 2. [[You are wearing green-lens glasses, a thin black tie, and heavy rings on all of your fingers. You look like a tacky rockstar who took too much cocaine. Also, you should wash your hair.->face2redux]] 3. [[You are wearing black-framed glasses, an expensive but scruffy suit, and a luxury watch with scratched glass. You look like a snobby, yet impoverished, aristocrat. ->face3redux]]]

You dive for the gun, grasp it, but in your panic, it fires, and the bullet narrowly misses Jane. Luckily, no one is hurt, but Jane looks at you angrily as she begins tying the woman’s wrists with the electrical wire of a nearby lamp. “You’re still the same stupid fucking $gender2. There’s no way I’ll ever tour with you again.” <h2>THE END</h2> (click:"THE END")[(reload:)]

You lunge at the woman and pin her to the ground. Jane hands you the electrical wire of a nearby lamp for tying the woman’s wrists. She then laughs. “You’re still the same mad fucking $gender2. One never gets bored when you’re around! I can’t wait to gig with you again.” <h2>THE END</h2> (click:"THE END")[(reload:)]

“Please,” you beg. “I don’t want to die. I’ll do whatever you ask.” The pain becomes unbearable, and a warm, sticky liquid flows from the bite. Blood drips from your hand onto the mosaic and feeds the hole, then thick, black smoke billows out and fills the room. “Thank you for your offering, my disciple. You’re more useful than the previous owner of this house. Thanks to this blood sacrifice, I am free now. And since you are mine, I can grant you a wish in gratitude. What do you want, disciple?” 1. [[“Nothing!” -> nothing]] 2. [[“I want to be successful again.” ->pact]]

“Shut the fuck up!” you shout. “As you wish, little worm,” growls the sinister voice. “No pact. But I will claim your body as a vessel to walk this earth again.” But as frightening as the words are, the snake chokes and convulses. 1. [[Pour more tomato juice into the hole.->moreTomato]] 2. [[Stamp on the snake’s head. ->smash]]

You pour the remaining juice into the hole. More snakes wriggle out, but they also choke and die immediately. The demonic voice fades, and the hole shrinks and disappears. You found Bill’s killer and destroyed it. Congratulations, $gender2. <h2>THE END</h2> (click:"THE END")[(reload:)]

You stamp on the serpent while yelling: “Die, die, die!” The demonic voice fades, and the hole shrinks and disappears. You found Bill’s killer and destroyed it. Congratulations, $gender2. And also – you’ve got some great material for new songs. <h2>THE END</h2> (click:"THE END")[(reload:)]

You found Bill’s killer and destroyed it.

You dive for the gun, grasp it, but in your panic, it fires, and the bullet narrowly misses Harold. Luckily, no one is hurt, but Harold looks at you angrily as he begins tying the woman’s wrists with the electrical wire of a nearby lamp. “Uncle Bill warned me about you. ‘It’s dangerous to be near you,’ he said. Now I see it’s true.” “At least I found his murderer. I deserve another $conso I guess.” Harold shrugs. “Yeah, I suppose you do.” <h2>THE END</h2> (click:"THE END")[(reload:)]

You lunge at the woman and pin her to the ground. Harold hands you the electrical wire of a nearby lamp for tying the woman’s wrists. He then laughs. “Whoa that was crazy! One does not get bored when you’re around!” “Yeah. That’s my curse. Now, would you mind giving me another $conso?” <h2>THE END</h2> (click:"THE END")[(reload:)]

To clear your mind, you go to the toilet, which is dirty and gross because countryside trains seem to lack the budget for cleaning. But it’s the mirror that interests you. You run your fingers through your hair and look at your reflection: <img src="img/KarrikFace.png"> 1. [[You are wearing small, round glasses and a gray pullover. Your hair is gray, and you look like a middle-aged scholar with a tendency for the bottle. ->tatScholar]] 2. [[You are wearing green-lens glasses, a thin black tie, and heavy rings on all of your fingers. You look like a tacky rockstar who took too much cocaine. Also, you should wash your hair.->tatStar]] 3. [[You are wearing black-framed glasses, an expensive but scruffy suit, and a luxury watch with scratched glass. You look like a snobby, yet penniless, dandy. ->tatDandy]]

[[<img src="img/credits.png">->wakeUpInTrain]] <h4>Typography: <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="http://www.phantom-foundry.com/">J.-B. Morizot</a> & <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.bretagnebretagne.fr">Lucas Le Bihan</a> Editing & proofreading: <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.gibbocreations.com/">Gibbo Creations</a> Illustrations: <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="http://legrumph.org/Terrier/">John Grümph</a> Publisher : <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="http://velvetyne.fr/">Velvetyne</a> Text: <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="http://www.phantom-foundry.com/">J.-B. Morizot</a></h4> (set: $fedex to "void") (set: $conso to "void")

But inside, you’re astonished in the end, as the interior decoration is gothic. Black wallpaper with dark gray chrysanthemums covers the walls, and an accurate reproduction of Holbein’s <i><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Ambassadors_(Holbein)#/media/File:Hans_Holbein_the_Younger_-_The_Ambassadors_-_Google_Art_Project.jpg">The Ambassadors</a></i>, with its strange anamorphic skull, greets you as you enter the lobby. You can’t help but mutter, “Didn’t know our good ol’ Toad was still in the goth game.” <img src="img/Harold.png" > “Well, you gave him the taste for it, right?” replies a young man standing next to you. 1. [[“What was that?” -> AnswerNephew]] 2. [[“Sorry, I was talking to myself.” -> Excuse to Nephew]] 3. [[“Mind your own business.” -> DriveBackNephew]]

(if: $murderer is "cult")[<img src="img/investigation.png"></br>It appears that good old Bill was quite a detective. The hidden room contains all his research about the people who desecrated the church. The walls are covered with pinned papers and photographs. [[Next. ->investigation]]](if: $murderer is "manager")[It appears that good old Bill was paranoid. The small room has four passages leading from it. You try one, and you end up behind the wall of the living room, where small holes allow you to see and hear the people on the other side. Your deranged old friend must have been spying on his guests. [[Next. ->spyingroom]]]