LateBus

<html><br><br><font size="20"><b>latebus</b><font size="3"><br> What is your [[name?|name2]] <html>  (set: $ending_1 to "locked", $ending_2 to "locked", $ending_3 to "locked", $ending_4 to "locked", $ending_5 to "locked", $ending_6 to "locked", $ending_7 to "locked", $ending_8 to "locked", $ending_9 to "locked", $ending_10 to "locked", $ending_11 to "locked", $ending_12 to "locked", $ending_13 to "locked") (set: $june_name to "another kid", $murphy_name to "the only other kid at the bus stop", $kyler_name to "one of the kids") (set: $bus_time to 0) (set: $spiders to 0) (set: $lilo_status to "warm") (set: $june_status to "neutral") (set: $rock to 0, $paper to 0, $scissors to 0, $shoot to 0) (set: $rock_counter to 0) (set: $your_name to (a: "_", "_", "_" , "_", "_", "_", "_", "_", "_", "_", "_", "_", "_")) (set: $chris_memory to "locked", $anne_memory to "locked", $theo_memory to "locked", $mumble_memory to "locked") (set: $memory to "locked") (set: $begin_check to 0) (set: $win to 0) (set: $sure to 0)  <style> tw-story { background-image:url("https://i.imgur.com/oahLHtT.gif"); background-repeat: no-repeat; background-attachment: fixed; background-position: right; background-size: 60%; overflow-y: scroll; overflow-x: hidden; } </style>

<html><br><br><font size="20"><b>latebus</b><font size="3"><br>(set: $inputname to (prompt: "What is your name? <br>", ""))(if: $inputname is "")[(set: $inputname to "Blank")](set: $inputname to (upperfirst: $inputname)) $inputname? [[No. No, that's not it.|name3]] <style> tw-story { background-image:url("https://i.imgur.com/hLPzIcj.gif"); background-repeat: no-repeat; background-attachment: fixed; background-position: right; background-size: 60%; overflow-y: scroll; overflow-x: hidden; } </style>

<html><br><br><font size="20"><b>latebus</b><font size="3"><br> That's not it. You can't remember what it is. You can not remember your [[name.|name4]] <style> tw-story { background-image:url("https://i.imgur.com/V8P33dl.gif"); background-repeat: no-repeat; background-attachment: fixed; background-position: right; background-size: 70%; overflow-y: scroll; overflow-x: hidden; } </style>

<html><br><br><font size="20"><b>latebus</b><font size="3"><br> You can not remember your [[name.|name5]] <style> tw-story { background-image:url("https://i.imgur.com/w7tSh6V.gif"); background-repeat: no-repeat; background-attachment: fixed; background-position: right; background-size: 80%; overflow-y: scroll; overflow-x: hidden; } </style>

<html><br><br><font size="20"><b>latebus</b><font size="3"><br> [[You can not remember your name.|title]] <style> tw-story { background-image:url("https://i.imgur.com/ZNRmtLg.gif"); background-repeat: no-repeat; background-attachment: fixed; background-position: right; background-size: 90%; overflow-y: scroll; overflow-x: hidden; } </style>

<html><br><br><font size="20"><b>latebus</b><font size="3"><br> Welcome to Latebus. Headphone warning: here comes the background music. Content warning: for descriptions of gore/body horror, cartoon violence, arachnid propaganda, social ineptitude. [[Works for me.|bus5]]  (set: $bus_time to 0) <style> tw-story { background-image:url("https://i.imgur.com/oahLHtT.gif"); background-repeat: no-repeat; background-attachment: fixed; background-position: right; background-size: 60%; overflow-y: scroll; overflow-x: hidden; } </style> <script> var audio = document.createElement('audio'); audio.src = 'https://www.dropbox.com/s/kr0cit5581r0wur/latebus.mp3?dl=1'; audio.loop = true; audio.play(); </script> (set: $begin_check to 1)

<html><br><br><font size="20"><b>latebus</b><font size="3"><br> (if: $ending_13 is "unlocked")[Your name could be $inputname.](else:)[Your name is not $inputname.](if: $spiders is 1)[<br><br>(text-colour: yellow)[You found Michaelangelo!]](else-if: $spiders is -1)[<br><br>(text-colour:red)[You killed Michaelangelo.]] ENDINGS — 1/13: (if: $ending_1 is "unlocked") [(text-colour: white)[PATHETIC] // you can do better ] 2/13: (if: $ending_2 is "unlocked") [(text-colour: gray)[SELF-ABSORBED] // you are what you eat ] 3/13: (if: $ending_3 is "unlocked") [(text-colour: white)[VEGAN] // plant have feeling too ] 4/13: (if: $ending_4 is "unlocked") [(text-colour: white)[ASCENDED] // the chosen one ] 5/13: (if: $ending_5 is "unlocked") [(text-colour: gray)[SILENT] // sore throat ] 6/13: (if: $ending_6 is "unlocked") [(text-colour: gray)[FLAT] // should've looked both ways ] 7/13: (if: $ending_7 is "unlocked") [(text-colour: gray)[DRIVEN] // the road less travelled ] 8/13: (if: $ending_8 is "unlocked") [(text-colour: white)[TIRED] // haha get it? ] 9/13: (if: $ending_9 is "unlocked") [(text-colour: purple)[MORTAL] // and that's okay ] 10/13: (if: $ending_10 is "unlocked") [(text-colour: orange)[PROTECTED] // you deserve to be safe ] 11/13: (if: $ending_11 is "unlocked") [(text-colour: blue)[NOMADIC] // bromads ] 12/13: (if: $ending_12 is "unlocked") [(text-colour: green)[INVINCIBLE] // killer queen ] 13/13: (if: $ending_13 is "unlocked") [(text-colour: yellow)[FREE] ] ADVICE — (if: $rock is 1)[Murphy is lawless, is laying low, and has a few mild morals.<br>] (if: $paper is 1)[Kyler is vaguely rich, has a helicopter mother, and is a pushover.<br>] (if: $scissors is 1)[June has a suspicious job, a psychotic sister, and a bit of bloodlust.<br>] (if: $shoot is 1)[Lilo wants you to be safe. ](if: $lilo_status is "hostile")[(text-colour: red)[Lilo isn't talking to you anymore.] You won't be able to get Ending 10 or Ending 12, unless you planned ahead.] NAME — (if: $chris_memory is "unlocked")[(set: $maybe to 1)Murphy called you Chris.<br>] (if: $anne_memory is "unlocked")[(set: $maybe to 1)Kyler called you Anne.<br>] (if: $theo_memory is "unlocked")[(set: $maybe to 1)June called you Theo.<br>] (if: $mumble_memory is "unlocked")[(set: $maybe to 1)Lilo called you Mumble.] LETTERS — (for: each _item, ...$your_name)[_item ] (if: $ending_13 is "unlocked")[You remember your name.<br><br>Thank you for playing Latebus! I hope it was just as fun to play as it was to make. The public school transportation gods hereby give you their blessing.<br><br>(You can still [[play for other endings|bus5]], or [[try inputting other names|input]].) ](else:)[[[You still don't remember your name.|bus5]](if: $maybe is 1)[<br><br>[[You might remember your name.|input]] ]] (if: $ending_1 is "unlocked" and $ending_2 is "unlocked" and $ending_3 is "unlocked" and $ending_4 is "unlocked" and $ending_5 is "unlocked" and $ending_6 is "unlocked" and $ending_7 is "unlocked" and $ending_8 is "unlocked" and $ending_9 is "unlocked" and $ending_10 is "unlocked" and $ending_11 is "unlocked" and $ending_12 is "unlocked")[(set: $memory to "unlocked")] <style> tw-story { background-image:url("https://i.imgur.com/9DKEuHB.gif"); background-repeat: no-repeat; background-attachment: fixed; background-position: center; background-size: 60%; overflow-y: scroll; overflow-x: hidden; } tw-passage { background-color: black; margin-right: 25%; margin-left: 15%; } </style> (set: $sure to 0) (if: $win is 0)[ <script> audio.pause(); </script>]

<html><br><br><font size="20"><b>latebus</b><font size="3"><br> It's a familiar nickname, one you adopted several years ago, when you had a favorite dinosaur and wore too many wristbands. It is not your name, but it makes you remember chapter books and box lunches and a [[half-finished fossil collection.|things you know]] <style> tw-story { background-image:url("https://i.imgur.com/9DKEuHB.gif"); background-repeat: no-repeat; background-attachment: fixed; background-position: center; background-size: 60%; overflow-y: scroll; overflow-x: hidden; } tw-passage { background-color: black; margin-right: 25%; margin-left: 15%; } </style>

<html><br><br><font size="20"><b>latebus</b><font size="3"><br> It's a familiar nickname, one you chose a couple years ago, when you wanted to be an artist and tried to smile more often. It is not your name, but it makes you remember fake friends and read-receipts and pretending that oversize thrift-store clothes were [[your aesthetic.|things you know]] <style> tw-story { background-image:url("https://i.imgur.com/9DKEuHB.gif"); background-repeat: no-repeat; background-attachment: fixed; background-position: center; background-size: 60%; overflow-y: scroll; overflow-x: hidden; } tw-passage { background-color: black; margin-right: 25%; margin-left: 15%; } </style>

<html><br><br><font size="20"><b>latebus</b><font size="3"><br> It's a familiar nickname, one you chose last year, when you had that unfortunate haircut and permanent bags under your eyes. It is not your name, but it makes you remember walking home by yourself and the taunting of strangers and the swiss army knife you took with you [[wherever you went.|things you know]] <style> tw-story { background-image:url("https://i.imgur.com/9DKEuHB.gif"); background-repeat: no-repeat; background-attachment: fixed; background-position: center; background-size: 60%; overflow-y: scroll; overflow-x: hidden; } tw-passage { background-color: black; margin-right: 25%; margin-left: 15%; } </style>

<html><br><br><font size="20"><b>latebus</b><font size="3"><br> It's a familiar nickname, one you don't remember ever having, but it feels familiar all the same. It is not your name, but it makes you remember a hand on your hand and a blanket on your shoulders and a promise to always be there that turned out to be [[empty.|things you know]] <style> tw-story { background-image:url("https://i.imgur.com/9DKEuHB.gif"); background-repeat: no-repeat; background-attachment: fixed; background-position: center; background-size: 60%; overflow-y: scroll; overflow-x: hidden; } tw-passage { background-color: black; margin-right: 25%; margin-left: 15%; } </style>

<html><br><br><font size="20"><b>latebus</b><font size="3"><br> [[No, that's not it. |things you know]] (set: $inputname to (str: $inputname) + ", or " + (str: $inputguess)) <style> tw-story { background-image:url("https://i.imgur.com/9DKEuHB.gif"); background-repeat: no-repeat; background-attachment: fixed; background-position: center; background-size: 60%; overflow-y: scroll; overflow-x: hidden; } tw-passage { background-color: black; margin-right: 25%; margin-left: 15%; } </style>

<html><br><br><font size="20"><b>latebus</b><font size="3"><br> No, [[that really is not it.|things you know]] <style> tw-story { background-image:url("https://i.imgur.com/9DKEuHB.gif"); background-repeat: no-repeat; background-attachment: fixed; background-position: center; background-size: 60%; overflow-y: scroll; overflow-x: hidden; } tw-passage { background-color: black; margin-right: 25%; margin-left: 15%; } </style>

<html><br><br><font size="20"><b>latebus</b><font size="3"><br> (set: $sure to $sure + 1)(if: $sure is 1)[(if: $memory is "unlocked")[You've been standing here for five seconds. <br><br>You are cold. You have not combed your hair. <br><br>[[You are awake.|chrys2]]<style> tw-story { background-image:url("https://i.imgur.com/0kfICRz.gif"); background-repeat: no-repeat; background-attachment: fixed; background-position: right; background-size: 60%; overflow-y: scroll; overflow-x: hidden; } </style>](else:)[That might be it.<br><br>But there's no going back after this. <br><br>Are you sure you're ready to [[move on?|chrys]]<br><br>No, [[not yet.|things you know]]<style> tw-passage { background-color: black; margin-right: 25%; margin-left: 15%; } </style>]](else:)[You've been standing here for five seconds. <br><br>You are cold. You have not combed your hair. <br><br>[[You are awake.|chrys2]]<style> tw-story { background-image:url("https://i.imgur.com/0kfICRz.gif"); background-repeat: no-repeat; background-attachment: fixed; background-position: right; background-size: 60%; overflow-y: scroll; overflow-x: hidden; } </style>]

<html><br><br><font size="20"><b>latebus</b><font size="3"><br> Nobody else is at the bus stop but you. You know for a fact that the bus is not going to arrive, not for a very long time. [[You're done waiting.|chrys3]] <style> tw-story { background-image:url("https://i.imgur.com/5esWSZX.gif"); background-repeat: no-repeat; background-attachment: fixed; background-position: right; background-size: 60%; overflow-y: scroll; overflow-x: hidden; } </style> <script> var audio = document.createElement('audio'); audio.src = 'https://www.dropbox.com/s/kr0cit5581r0wur/latebus.mp3?dl=1'; audio.loop = true; audio.play(); </script>

<html><br><br><font size="20"><b>latebus</b><font size="3"><br> You remember the tree, the lake, the lamp. The cars and the houses and the people who lived in them. You remember being safe, being strong, being okay, being human. The home on the lakeside. The jostling minivan. The Bolex. The woods on the right. [[You look to the left.|chrys4]] <style> tw-story { background-image:url("https://i.imgur.com/dGcq164.gif"); background-repeat: no-repeat; background-attachment: fixed; background-position: right; background-size: 60%; overflow-y: scroll; overflow-x: hidden; } </style>

<html><br><br><font size="20"><b>latebus</b><font size="3"><br> To the left, there is nothing but the sidewalk. It goes out of the neighborhood and over the meridian, following the road for what seems like forever. [[You wonder where it ends.|chrys5]] <style> tw-story { background-image:url("https://i.imgur.com/xHGNUfH.gif"); background-repeat: no-repeat; background-attachment: fixed; background-position: right; background-size: 60%; overflow-y: scroll; overflow-x: hidden; } </style>

<html><br><br><font size="20"><b>latebus</b><font size="3"><br> Your family named you Chrysanthemum. You've always thought it was beautiful, even if it was a mouthful, even if it didn't fit you at all and you distanced yourself from it as much as possible. You respected it. Maybe you even liked it. You can let it be your name, if you want to. Or you can choose a new one. It can be anything. It can even be $inputname. It is [[no one's decision but yours.|chrys6]] <style> tw-story { background-image:url("https://i.imgur.com/lfCl6lS.gif"); background-repeat: no-repeat; background-attachment: fixed; background-position: right; background-size: 60%; overflow-y: scroll; overflow-x: hidden; } </style>

<html><br><br><font size="20"><b>latebus</b><font size="3"><br> [[It is no one's decision but yours.|free]] <style> tw-story { background-image:url("https://i.imgur.com/dT9SpCW.gif"); background-repeat: no-repeat; background-attachment: fixed; background-position: right; background-size: 60%; overflow-y: scroll; overflow-x: hidden; } </style>

<html><br><br><font size="20"><b>latebus</b><font size="3"><br> It takes a very long time to find peace with yourself. It is difficult, and tiring, and lonely a lot of the time. But you hold on. You leave everything behind and throw yourself into the world, and [[it welcomes you.|mikey's ending]] <style> tw-story { background-image:url("https://i.imgur.com/sMho0Q8.gif"); background-repeat: no-repeat; background-attachment: fixed; background-position: right; background-size: 60%; overflow-y: scroll; overflow-x: hidden; } </style>

<html><br><br><font size="20"><b>latebus</b><font size="3"><br> The people in your life come and go. Some are lasting, powerful presences. Some are negative forces you need to learn to deal with. Some are only around for a little while, but you think about them for years. (if: $spiders is 1)[Michaelangelo, who lives a long, beautiful life, passes away quietly in her spider sleep, surrounded by spider friends. <br><br>You bury her by the ocean and never forget her.<br><br>][[And you move forwards.|free2]] <style> tw-story { background-image:url("https://i.imgur.com/DNBjaK6.gif"); background-repeat: no-repeat; background-attachment: fixed; background-position: right; background-size: 60%; overflow-y: scroll; overflow-x: hidden; } </style>

<html><br><br><font size="20"><b>latebus</b><font size="3"><br> On your own, in your own life, you finally begin to figure out what it is that you are. You found an animal rescue shelter and you live surrounded by dogs, nursing them to health and keeping them secure, offering the old ones a place to live and play and adopting the small ones off to homes that will adore them. You never do find a home of your own, but it doesn't really bother you. You wait for nothing. You find that [[you never needed to wait to begin with.|free3]] <style> tw-story { background-image:url("https://i.imgur.com/lkMdaGZ.gif"); background-repeat: no-repeat; background-attachment: fixed; background-position: right; background-size: 60%; overflow-y: scroll; overflow-x: hidden; } </style>

<html><br><br><font size="20"><b>latebus</b><font size="3"><br> <span style="background-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 1)">You've been standing here for five minutes. You are cold. You have not combed your hair. It's possible that you're still asleep. Just [[wait a little longer|bus10]]. Or [[look around]].</span> (set: $bus_time to 5) (set: $murphy_talked to 0) (set: $kyler_talked to 0) (set: $june_talked to 0) (set: $lilo_talked to 0) <style> tw-story { background-image:url("https://i.imgur.com/jE8iBgz.gif"); background-repeat: no-repeat; background-attachment: fixed; background-position: right; background-size: 60%; overflow-y: scroll; overflow-x: hidden; } </style> (if: $begin_check is 0 and $win is 0)[ <script> var audio = document.createElement('audio'); audio.src = 'https://www.dropbox.com/s/kr0cit5581r0wur/latebus.mp3?dl=1'; audio.loop = true; audio.play(); </script>] (set: $begin_check to 0) (set: $win to 0)

<html><br><br><font size="20"><b>latebus</b><font size="3"><br> <span style="background-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 1)">You've been standing here for ten minutes. Your blood has been chilled into the consistency of a Powerade Mountain Berry Blast Slushie. Just [[wait a little longer|bus15]]. Or [[look around]].</span> (set: $bus_time to 10) <style> tw-story { background-image:url("https://i.imgur.com/3qIdFAJ.gif"); background-repeat: no-repeat; background-attachment: fixed; background-position: right; background-size: 60%; overflow-y: scroll; overflow-x: hidden; } </style>

<html><br><br><font size="20"><b>latebus</b><font size="3"><br> <span style="background-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 1)">You've been standing here for fifteen minutes. Your hands hang frozen at your sides. They might need to be [[amputated.|bus15pt2]]</span> (set: $bus_time to 15) <style> tw-story { background-image:url("https://i.imgur.com/x0ZkvYE.gif"); background-repeat: no-repeat; background-attachment: fixed; background-position: right; background-size: 60%; overflow-y: scroll; overflow-x: hidden; } </style>

<html><br><br><font size="20"><b>latebus</b><font size="3"><br> A shiny sports car pulls up to the bus stop. Shoving into $june_name, $kyler_name starts walking to the [[vehicle.|bus15pt3]] <style> tw-story { background-image:url("https://i.imgur.com/zey8lN8.gif"); background-repeat: no-repeat; background-attachment: fixed; background-position: right; background-size: 60%; overflow-y: scroll; overflow-x: hidden; } </style>

<html><br><br><font size="20"><b>latebus</b><font size="3"><br> <span style="background-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 1)">Just [[wait a little longer|bus20]]. Or [[look around]]. You could also just [[go home]].</span> <style> tw-story { background-image:url("https://i.imgur.com/x0ZkvYE.gif"); background-repeat: no-repeat; background-attachment: fixed; background-position: right; background-size: 60%; overflow-y: scroll; overflow-x: hidden; } </style>

<html><br><br><font size="20"><b>latebus</b><font size="3"><br> <span style="background-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 1)">You've been standing here for twenty minutes. In desperation you press your hands to your face, to your mouth, to your stomach under your shirt, but warmth is a forgotten memory. You [[suffer.|bus20pt2]]</span> (set: $bus_time to 20) <style> tw-story { background-image:url("https://i.imgur.com/IJ38hE6.gif"); background-repeat: no-repeat; background-attachment: fixed; background-position: right; background-size: 60%; overflow-y: scroll; overflow-x: hidden; } </style>

<html><br><br><font size="20"><b>latebus</b><font size="3"><br> A minivan rounds the bend, veering close to the curb, and lurches to a stop by the sidewalk. It honks [[once.|bus20pt3]] <style> tw-story { background-image:url("https://i.imgur.com/CBNZwjB.gif"); background-repeat: no-repeat; background-attachment: fixed; background-position: right; background-size: 60%; overflow-y: scroll; overflow-x: hidden; } </style>

<html><br><br><font size="20"><b>latebus</b><font size="3"><br> <span style="background-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 1)">Just [[wait a little longer|bus25]]. Or [[look around]]. You could also just [[go home]].</span> (if: $scary is 1)[<style> tw-story { background-image:url("https://i.imgur.com/jE8iBgz.gif");} </style>] (else:)[<style> tw-story { background-image:url("https://i.imgur.com/IJ38hE6.gif");} </style>] <style> tw-story { background-repeat: no-repeat; background-attachment: fixed; background-position: right; background-size: 60%; overflow-y: scroll; overflow-x: hidden; } </style> (set: $scary to 0)

<html><br><br><font size="20"><b>latebus</b><font size="3"><br> <span style="background-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 1)">You've been standing here for twenty-five minutes. You exhale into your frozen fish-stick fingers, thawing them with such animalistic fury that $murphy_name begins to look troubled. Just [[wait a little longer|bus30]]. Or [[look around]]. You could also just [[go home]].</span> (set: $bus_time to 25) <style> tw-story { background-image:url("https://i.imgur.com/UGFhSzp.gif"); background-repeat: no-repeat; background-attachment: fixed; background-position: right; background-size: 60%; overflow-y: scroll; overflow-x: hidden; } </style>

<html><br><br><font size="20"><b>latebus</b><font size="3"><br> <span style="background-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 1)">You've been standing here for thirty minutes. Shaking, you insert an ice-encrusted hand directly into your mouth and you discover, in ecstacy, that the inside of your oral cavity is blessedly, blissfully warm. You press both hands into your gaping maw and close your eyes in [[euphoria.|bus30pt2]]</span> (set: $bus_time to 30) <style> tw-story { background-image:url("https://i.imgur.com/hKX41iI.gif"); background-repeat: no-repeat; background-attachment: fixed; background-position: right; background-size: 60%; overflow-y: scroll; overflow-x: hidden; } </style>

<html><br><br><font size="20"><b>latebus</b><font size="3"><br> At that moment, $murphy_name deserts the gravel pile he'd been making and turns away from you with surprising speed. He walks purposefully down the sidewalk, rounds the street corner, and vanishes, [[liberated.|bus30pt3]] <style> tw-story { background-image:url("https://i.imgur.com/wZA3OEM.gif"); background-repeat: no-repeat; background-attachment: fixed; background-position: right; background-size: 60%; overflow-y: scroll; overflow-x: hidden; } </style>

<html><br><br><font size="20"><b>latebus</b><font size="3"><br> Just [[wait a little longer.|bus35]] <style> tw-story { background-image:url("https://i.imgur.com/hKX41iI.gif"); background-repeat: no-repeat; background-attachment: fixed; background-position: right; background-size: 60%; overflow-y: scroll; overflow-x: hidden; } </style>

<html><br><br><font size="20"><b>latebus</b><font size="3"><br> <span style="background-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 1)">You've been standing here for thirty-five minutes. You are now elbow-deep in your own esophagus. Hunched over, eyes bulging and glazed over with frost, you have never felt more alive. Just [[wait a little longer.|bus40]]</span> (set: $bus_time to 35) <style> tw-story { background-image:url("https://i.imgur.com/MVSmZeh.gif"); background-repeat: no-repeat; background-attachment: fixed; background-position: right; background-size: 60%; overflow-y: scroll; overflow-x: hidden; } </style>

<html><br><br><font size="20"><b>latebus</b><font size="3"><br> <span style="background-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 1)">You've been standing here for forty minutes. You salivate, your arms snaking down your throat, your shoulders protruding from your teeth, your fingers dipping into your stomach acid. You see visions and see stars and tears stream down your face, forming jagged icicles that hang down from the surface of your eyes. Just [[wait a little longer.|bus45]]</span> (set: $bus_time to 40) <style> tw-story { background-image:url("https://i.imgur.com/MMkQGwo.gif"); background-repeat: no-repeat; background-attachment: fixed; background-position: right; background-size: 60%; overflow-y: scroll; overflow-x: hidden; } </style>

<html><br><br><font size="20"><b>latebus</b><font size="3"><br> <span style="background-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 1)">At the dawn of the forty-fifth minute, as the last inch of your spine disappears between your lips, [[a flash of yellow|bus45pt2]] rounds the corner.</span> (set: $bus_time to 45) <style> tw-story { background-image:url("https://i.imgur.com/eiSPZzO.gif"); background-repeat: no-repeat; background-attachment: fixed; background-position: right; background-size: 60%; overflow-y: scroll; overflow-x: hidden; } </style>

<html><br><br><font size="20"><b>latebus</b><font size="3"><br> <span style="background-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 1)">You exit the mortal plane and wink out of existence just in time for the bus to roll up to the sidewalk, stopping directly beside the small puddle of frozen spit that is [[all that remains of you.|bus45pt3]]</span> <style> tw-story { background-image:url("https://i.imgur.com/2YmiY3R.gif"); background-repeat: no-repeat; background-attachment: fixed; background-position: right; background-size: 60%; overflow-y: scroll; overflow-x: hidden; } </style>

<html><br><br><font size="20"><b>latebus</b><font size="3"><br> The bus doors open. [[And then they close again.|bus45pt4]] <style> tw-story { background-image:url("https://i.imgur.com/2Wt6gxU.gif"); background-repeat: no-repeat; background-attachment: fixed; background-position: right; background-size: 60%; overflow-y: scroll; overflow-x: hidden; } </style>

<html><br><br><font size="20"><b>latebus</b><font size="3"><br> Sputtering softly, the bus lurches past your stop and [[drives off into the sunrise.|ENDING 2/13]] <style> tw-story { background-image:url("https://i.imgur.com/HkwKvME.gif"); background-repeat: no-repeat; background-attachment: fixed; background-position: right; background-size: 60%; overflow-y: scroll; overflow-x: hidden; } </style>

<html><br><br><font size="20"><b>latebus</b><font size="3"><br> (if: $june_name is not "June")[(set: $june_name to "Sharpie")](if: $murphy_name is not "Murphy")[(set: $murphy_name to "Pebbles")](if: $kyler_name is not "Kyler")[(set: $kyler_name to "Moneybags")] There is a [[tree]] here. It is adorned with a grocery bag that says Thank You on it a bunch of times. (if: $bus_time < 15) [<style> tw-story { background-image:url("https://i.imgur.com/uwYEKtT.gif"); } </style>There are three other students at the bus stop. <br><br>One of them is shuffling pebbles into a pile with his shoe. One of them is wearing a suit for some reason. It looks expensive and you hate him instantly. The other one is spinning a Sharpie marker between her fingers like her life depends on it. <br><br>You could approach (if: $murphy_talked is 0)[[[$murphy_name|murphy]]](else:)[$murphy_name], approach (if: $kyler_talked is 0)[[[$kyler_name|kyler]]](else:)[$kyler_name], or approach (if: $june_talked is 0)[[[$june_name|june]]](else:)[$june_name].] (else-if: $bus_time < 20) [<style> tw-story { background-image:url("https://i.imgur.com/dKwOquB.gif"); } </style>There are two other students at the bus stop. <br><br>One of them is shuffling pebbles into a pile with his shoe. The other one is spinning a Sharpie marker between her fingers like her life depends on it. <br><br>You could approach (if: $murphy_talked is 0)[[[$murphy_name|murphy]]](else:)[$murphy_name], or approach (if: $june_talked is 0)[[[$june_name|june]]](else:)[$june_name].] (else:) [<style> tw-story { background-image:url("https://i.imgur.com/fOSJQrc.gif"); } </style>There is only one other kid at the bus stop. He's shuffling pebbles into a pile with his shoe. <br><br>You could approach (if: $murphy_talked is 0)[[[$murphy_name|murphy]]](else:)[$murphy_name].] (if: $bus_time is 5) [Or you could [[just wait a little longer.|bus10]] ] (else-if: $bus_time is 10) [Or you could [[just wait a little longer.|bus15]] ] (else-if: $bus_time is 15) [Or you could [[just wait a little longer.|bus20]] ] (else-if: $bus_time is 20) [Or you could [[just wait a little longer.|bus25]] ] (else:) [Or you could [[just wait a little longer.|bus30]] ] <style> tw-story { background-repeat: no-repeat; background-attachment: fixed; background-position: right; background-size: 60%; overflow-y: scroll; overflow-x: hidden; } </style>

<html><br><br><font size="20"><b>latebus</b><font size="3"><br> The tree is a perfect specimen of ornamental pear, shivering in the blistering cold. The Thank You bag eludes you, caught in the branches just beyond your reach. You anger on behalf of this tree, this innocent life marred by the cruel mistresses of supermarkets and capitalism. You notice that there’s a full forest off to the right of the sapling you’re currently staring at. You could check out that [[forest]], or just keep hanging out with [[pear dude]]. Or you could [[go back.|look around]] <style> tw-story { background-image:url("https://i.imgur.com/E6vWRwQ.gif"); background-repeat: no-repeat; background-attachment: fixed; background-position: right; background-size: 60%; overflow-y: scroll; overflow-x: hidden; } </style>

<html><br><br><font size="20"><b>latebus</b><font size="3"><br> No. It's not just a tree. You are no fool. You understand when there is a deeper, more emotional connection than simple physical admiration. You understand this tree. And this tree [[understands you.|pear dude pt3]] <style> tw-story { background-image:url("https://i.imgur.com/DPIKdMq.gif"); background-repeat: no-repeat; background-attachment: fixed; background-position: right; background-size: 60%; overflow-y: scroll; overflow-x: hidden; } </style>

<html><br><br><font size="20"><b>latebus</b><font size="3"><br> You burrow beneath the welcoming soil, offering your supple body to the beautiful branched being. Your devotion is so thorough that you are [[officially declared a missing person for seven days.|pear dude pt4]] <style> tw-story { background-image:url("https://i.imgur.com/c6aeZm6.gif"); background-repeat: no-repeat; background-attachment: fixed; background-position: right; background-size: 60%; overflow-y: scroll; overflow-x: hidden; } </style>

<html><br><br><font size="20"><b>latebus</b><font size="3"><br> You are eventually unearthed by the authorities and strapped to a stretcher, your malnourished, dehydrated body writhing in agony over this seperation from your beloved. You are given a stomach pump to clean your digestive system of topsoil, a brain scan to appease the medical journals, and [[a lifetime of therapy.|ENDING 3/13]] <style> tw-story { background-image:url("https://i.imgur.com/lRSqOD4.gif"); background-repeat: no-repeat; background-attachment: fixed; background-position: right; background-size: 60%; overflow-y: scroll; overflow-x: hidden; } </style>

<html><br><br><font size="20"><b>latebus</b><font size="3"><br> You wander briefly through the forest, ducking beneath branches and crunching through leaves, only to immediately encounter civilization again. The joys of suburbia. You discover that you're in an area of the neighborhood that you [[recognize.|lakeside]] <style> tw-story { background-image:url("https://i.imgur.com/ls1RJOP.gif"); background-repeat: no-repeat; background-attachment: fixed; background-position: right; background-size: 60%; overflow-y: scroll; overflow-x: hidden; } </style>

<html><br><br><font size="20"><b>latebus</b><font size="3"><br> You are standing by a rippling [[lake]] that the neighbors like to throw trash in. It's lit up by a nearby [[lamp-post|lamp]] that's absolutely swarming with moths. By the lakeside are three houses. One is [[white]]. One is [[orange]]. One is being aggressively [[chainsawed|chainsaws]] by a bunch of people in hard hats on the rooftop. <style> tw-story { background-image:url("https://i.imgur.com/GyaYjz7.gif"); background-repeat: no-repeat; background-attachment: fixed; background-position: right; background-size: 60%; overflow-y: scroll; overflow-x: hidden; } </style>

<html><br><br><font size="20"><b>latebus</b><font size="3"><br> You approach the house that is being chainsawed. The hard hat people look down upon you, gods smiting you from the heavens. One of them makes direct eye contact and rubs two roof shingles together threateningly. You hate the [[suburbs.|lakeside]] <style> tw-story { background-image:url("https://i.imgur.com/M6l7Yix.gif"); background-repeat: no-repeat; background-attachment: fixed; background-position: right; background-size: 60%; overflow-y: scroll; overflow-x: hidden; } </style>

<html><br><br><font size="20"><b>latebus</b><font size="3"><br> You jump into the lake. You sink to the bottom like a stone. You're now covered in mud, water, the neighbors' trash, and six different strains of E coli. You've always wanted to jump into the lake. [[You have never been happier.|lakeside]] <style> tw-story { background-image:url("https://i.imgur.com/P51RdkB.gif"); background-repeat: no-repeat; background-attachment: fixed; background-position: right; background-size: 60%; overflow-y: scroll; overflow-x: hidden; } </style>

<html><br><br><font size="20"><b>latebus</b><font size="3"><br> You look at the lamp-post. It is glorious. The moths hum. Return to the [[lakeside]], or [[keep looking|lamppt2]]. <style> tw-story { background-image:url("https://i.imgur.com/9HC86v2.gif"); background-repeat: no-repeat; background-attachment: fixed; background-position: right; background-size: 60%; overflow-y: scroll; overflow-x: hidden; } </style>

<html><br><br><font size="20"><b>latebus</b><font size="3"><br> You look at the lamp-post. It is ethereal. The moths sing. Return to the [[lakeside]], or [[keep looking|lamppt3]]. <style> tw-story { background-image:url("https://i.imgur.com/w9oepQY.gif"); background-repeat: no-repeat; background-attachment: fixed; background-position: right; background-size: 60%; overflow-y: scroll; overflow-x: hidden; } </style>

<html><br><br><font size="20"><b>latebus</b><font size="3"><br> You look at the lamp-post. It is all-encompassing. The moths scream. Return to the [[lakeside]], or [[keep looking|lamppt4]]. <style> tw-story { background-image:url("https://i.imgur.com/csVTC40.gif"); background-repeat: no-repeat; background-attachment: fixed; background-position: right; background-size: 60%; overflow-y: scroll; overflow-x: hidden; } </style>

<html><br><br><font size="20"><b>latebus</b><font size="3"><br> [[Keep looking.|lamppt5]] <style> tw-story { background-image:url("https://i.imgur.com/csVTC40.gif"); background-repeat: no-repeat; background-attachment: fixed; background-position: right; background-size: 60%; overflow-y: scroll; overflow-x: hidden; } </style>

<html><br><br><font size="20"><b>latebus</b><font size="3"><br> [[Keep looking.|lamppt6]] <style> tw-story { background-image:url("https://i.imgur.com/csVTC40.gif"); background-repeat: no-repeat; background-attachment: fixed; background-position: right; background-size: 60%; overflow-y: scroll; overflow-x: hidden; } </style>

<html><br><br><font size="20"><b>latebus</b><font size="3"><br> [[Never look away.|lamppt7]] <style> tw-story { background-image:url("https://i.imgur.com/csVTC40.gif"); background-repeat: no-repeat; background-attachment: fixed; background-position: right; background-size: 60%; overflow-y: scroll; overflow-x: hidden; } </style>

<html><br><br><font size="20"><b>latebus</b><font size="3"><br> The moths surge towards you in an unstoppable wave, and you are ready for them. They cover your body in an intimate embrace, pulsing across your skin. They crawl into your ears, your nostrils, your pores. You laugh and you laugh and you laugh. All at once, they open their wings. They take to the skies. And you [[soar.|ENDING 4/13]] <style> tw-story { background-image:url("https://i.imgur.com/ZziTxvv.gif"); background-repeat: no-repeat; background-attachment: fixed; background-position: right; background-size: 60%; overflow-y: scroll; overflow-x: hidden; } </style>

<html><br><br><font size="20"><b>latebus</b><font size="3"><br> You approach the white house. There is a damp, forgotten newspaper on the front doorstep that's growing sentient fungi. [[Ring|whitept2]] the doorbell, or [[turn back.|lakeside]] <style> tw-story { background-image:url("https://i.imgur.com/vZOqbQL.gif"); background-repeat: no-repeat; background-attachment: fixed; background-position: right; background-size: 60%; overflow-y: scroll; overflow-x: hidden; } </style>

<html><br><br><font size="20"><b>latebus</b><font size="3"><br> There's a centipede on the doorbell. (if: $spiders is 1)[It has human hair and human teeth and it's demanding you to [[sacrifice Michaelangelo.|dont do this]] ] (else:)[It has human hair and human teeth.] [[Run.|lakeside]] <style> tw-story { background-image:url("https://i.imgur.com/zLyCgNF.gif"); background-repeat: no-repeat; background-attachment: fixed; background-position: right; background-size: 60%; overflow-y: scroll; overflow-x: hidden; } </style>

<html><br><br><font size="20"><b>latebus</b><font size="3"><br> The centipede opens its face and stuffs Michaelangelo into its horrible mouth and chews on her, keeping her alive as long as possible, painfully pulverizing her spindly legs and delicate abdomen into a thick soup that drips out of its lips. You hear the spider crying, drowning in corrosive arthropod saliva. It takes a very, very long time for her to go [[silent.|why]] (set: $spiders to -1) <style> tw-story { background-image:url("https://i.imgur.com/19H2uop.gif"); background-repeat: no-repeat; background-attachment: fixed; background-position: right; background-size: 60%; overflow-y: scroll; overflow-x: hidden; } </style>

<html><br><br><font size="20"><b>latebus</b><font size="3"><br> The centipede swallows, and then it smiles. Nothing else happens. (text-colour: red)[You killed Michaelangelo.] [[She trusted you.|whitept2]] <style> tw-story { background-image:url("https://i.imgur.com/zLyCgNF.gif"); background-repeat: no-repeat; background-attachment: fixed; background-position: right; background-size: 60%; overflow-y: scroll; overflow-x: hidden; } </style>

<html><br><br><font size="20"><b>latebus</b><font size="3"><br> You approach the orange house. (if: $spiders is 0)[There's a tiny [[spider|mikey]] on one of the steps. She waves hello.<style> tw-story { background-image:url("https://i.imgur.com/etF1XtL.gif"); } </style>](else:)[<style> tw-story { background-image:url("https://i.imgur.com/h91D1tQ.gif"); } </style>] [[Go|orangept2]] to the doorstep, or [[turn back|lakeside]]. <style> tw-story { background-repeat: no-repeat; background-attachment: fixed; background-position: right; background-size: 60%; overflow-y: scroll; overflow-x: hidden; } </style>

<html><br><br><font size="20"><b>latebus</b><font size="3"><br> She is the smallest spider you have ever seen. She looks up at you. She has beautiful eyes. [[Hold|hold]] her. Or [[don't.|orangept2]] <style> tw-story { background-image:url("https://i.imgur.com/XFcTuGy.gif"); background-repeat: no-repeat; background-attachment: fixed; background-position: right; background-size: 60%; overflow-y: scroll; overflow-x: hidden; } </style>

<html><br><br><font size="20"><b>latebus</b><font size="3"><br> You gently reach out to the spider. She looks down at your hand, looks up at you again, and then softly sits upon your fingertip. You give her a little pat on the head. She wiggles. You name her [[Michaelangelo.|orangept2]] (set: $spiders to 1) <style> tw-story { background-image:url("https://i.imgur.com/6zoDDK7.gif"); background-repeat: no-repeat; background-attachment: fixed; background-position: right; background-size: 60%; overflow-y: scroll; overflow-x: hidden; } </style>

<html><br><br><font size="20"><b>latebus</b><font size="3"><br> You're standing on the doorstep. There's a small amount of mildly susceptible spiderweb on the doorbell. You're not sure you want to touch that. (if: $spiders is 1)[<br><br>Michaelangelo nods in encouragement, tapping her tiny feet against your palm.](if: $spiders is 0)[<style> tw-story { background-image:url("https://i.imgur.com/etF1XtL.gif"); } </style>](else:)[<style> tw-story { background-image:url("https://i.imgur.com/h91D1tQ.gif"); } </style>] [[Ring|ring]] the doorbell, or [[turn back|lakeside]]. <style> tw-story { background-image:url("https://i.imgur.com/h91D1tQ.gif"); background-repeat: no-repeat; background-attachment: fixed; background-position: right; background-size: 60%; overflow-y: scroll; overflow-x: hidden; } </style>

<html><br><br><font size="20"><b>latebus</b><font size="3"><br> (if: $lilo_status is "warm" and $lilo_talked is 0)[(if: $rock is 1 and $paper is 1 and $scissors is 1 and $shoot is 1)[You ring the doorbell, but nothing happens. <br><br>[[Turn back.|lakeside]] <style> tw-story { background-image:url("https://i.imgur.com/h91D1tQ.gif"); } </style>](else:)[You ring the doorbell and the front door swings open instantly. <br><br>[[Walk inside.|lilo]] <style> tw-story { background-image:url("https://i.imgur.com/NUkaeGR.gif"); } </style>]](else:)[You ring the doorbell, but nothing happens. <br><br>[[Turn back.|lakeside]] <style> tw-story { background-image:url("https://i.imgur.com/h91D1tQ.gif"); } </style>] <style> tw-story { background-repeat: no-repeat; background-attachment: fixed; background-position: right; background-size: 60%; overflow-y: scroll; overflow-x: hidden; } </style>

<html><br><br><font size="20"><b>latebus</b><font size="3"><br> You attempt a nod of acknowledgement in the direction of $kyler_name. He catches your eye and nods back, but his eyes bulge unsettlingly as he does it. To your horror, he walks over to you, adjusting his [[cufflinks.|kylerpt2]] (set: $kyler_talked to 1) <style> tw-story { background-image:url("https://i.imgur.com/vMHqcjr.gif"); background-repeat: no-repeat; background-attachment: fixed; background-position: right; background-size: 60%; overflow-y: scroll; overflow-x: hidden; } </style>

<html><br><br><font size="20"><b>latebus</b><font size="3"><br> "The bus is really late, isn't it?" he observes. It sure is. (if: $bus_time is 5)["It's, ah—" $kyler_name makes an incredible show of pulling back his suit sleeve to look at an offbrand Rolex. "—seven minutes late now."](else:)["It's, ah—" $kyler_name makes an incredible show of pulling back his suit sleeve to look at an offbrand Rolex. "—twelve minutes late now."] Still holding his wrist in front of him, he gives you a saucy smile. "Cool watch, right?" It is, in fact, a [[cool watch|cool watch]], but you would very much like him to [[choke]] on it. (if: $spiders is 1)[ (text-colour: yellow)[You could also show him the [[spider.|spider kyler]]] ] (if: $paper is 1) [(text-colour: orange)[You could also drop the [[100 dollars,|cash]] completely on accident.] ] <style> tw-story { background-image:url("https://i.imgur.com/Xlizpq4.gif"); background-repeat: no-repeat; background-attachment: fixed; background-position: right; background-size: 60%; overflow-y: scroll; overflow-x: hidden; } </style>

<html><br><br><font size="20"><b>latebus</b><font size="3"><br> You turn around without a word and return to your spot at the bus stop. (if: $bus_time is 5)[$kyler_name makes a small wounded noise from behind you, his right arm still [[outstretched.|bus10]] ] (else:)[$kyler_name makes a small wounded noise from behind you, his right arm still [[outstretched.|bus15]] ] <style> tw-story { background-image:url("https://i.imgur.com/jyEiT9k.gif"); background-repeat: no-repeat; background-attachment: fixed; background-position: right; background-size: 60%; overflow-y: scroll; overflow-x: hidden; } </style>

<html><br><br><font size="20"><b>latebus</b><font size="3"><br> Swelling with pride, his smile widens. "It's actually not a real Rolex. But no one can even tell the difference." You wonder if you should alert him that the name on the watch's face very clearly says [[Bolex.|cool watch pt2]] <style> tw-story { background-image:url("https://i.imgur.com/WK2cNPW.gif"); background-repeat: no-repeat; background-attachment: fixed; background-position: right; background-size: 60%; overflow-y: scroll; overflow-x: hidden; } </style>

<html><br><br><font size="20"><b>latebus</b><font size="3"><br> "Your name's Anne, right?" You have no idea. It may as well be. "I'm Kyler, remember?" He grins, his gums glittering with silver braces. "We had algebra together two years ago." This is true. He had worn that same suit every day for the [[entire school year. |cool watch pt3]] (if: $kyler_name is "Kyler")[(text-colour: yellow)[Why do you remember this idiot's name?]] (set: $anne_memory to "unlocked") (set: $kyler_name to "Kyler") <style> tw-story { background-image:url("https://i.imgur.com/WK2cNPW.gif"); background-repeat: no-repeat; background-attachment: fixed; background-position: right; background-size: 60%; overflow-y: scroll; overflow-x: hidden; } </style>

<html><br><br><font size="20"><b>latebus</b><font size="3"><br> Some form of recognition must display on your face, because Kyler gets twitchy and excited. "Hey, tell you what? My mom's on her way to drive me to school. In a Tesla. You want to come with?" He raises his eyebrows. "That's not something I'd offer to just anyone, by the way." Looking over at $june_name, he scoffs quietly. "Definitely not just anyone." It's [[yes|accept kyler]] or [[no|refuse kyler]]. <style> tw-story { background-image:url("https://i.imgur.com/WK2cNPW.gif"); background-repeat: no-repeat; background-attachment: fixed; background-position: right; background-size: 60%; overflow-y: scroll; overflow-x: hidden; } </style>

<html><br><br><font size="20"><b>latebus</b><font size="3"><br> The face-splitting smile Kyler gives you makes you momentarily regret this decision. But the damage is [[done.|accept kyler pt2]] <style> tw-story { background-image:url("https://i.imgur.com/5AeL95i.gif"); background-repeat: no-repeat; background-attachment: fixed; background-position: right; background-size: 60%; overflow-y: scroll; overflow-x: hidden; } </style>

<html><br><br><font size="20"><b>latebus</b><font size="3"><br> Kyler's mother is nice enough, though she inexplicably wears sunglasses for the entirety of the moonlit drive. You exchange niceties and ride to school in relative silence. You pretend not to notice Kyler whispering "friend, friend" under his breath. The route is one you've never seen before, short-cutting through the forest, but you make it to school [[nonetheless.|accept kyler pt4]] <style> tw-story { background-image:url("https://i.imgur.com/emHcfQD.gif"); background-repeat: no-repeat; background-attachment: fixed; background-position: right; background-size: 60%; overflow-y: scroll; overflow-x: hidden; } </style>

<html><br><br><font size="20"><b>latebus</b><font size="3"><br> Then you go to class. And you move on. Later, you graduate. Later, you graduate again. Later, you move to the coast and get a job at a marketing firm that's only mildly corrupt. You learn how to network. You cry about your student loans. You live out your days semi-comfortably in a small apartment. You raise two medium-size dogs. You forget that this particular morning ever [[happened.|ENDING 9/13]] <style> tw-story { background-image:url("https://i.imgur.com/afP2IgK.gif"); background-repeat: no-repeat; background-attachment: fixed; background-position: right; background-size: 60%; overflow-y: scroll; overflow-x: hidden; } </style>

<html><br><br><font size="20"><b>latebus</b><font size="3"><br> Kyler's face contorts. "No?" His lips pull back to reveal a confused, frustrated snarl, his silver braces gleaming in the early-morning moonlight. "No?" You find yourself backing away. In retaliation, he strides forward, closing the gap with alarming intensity. Your [[fight]] or [[flight]] response kicks in. <style> tw-story { background-image:url("https://i.imgur.com/YgG4s6j.gif"); background-repeat: no-repeat; background-attachment: fixed; background-position: right; background-size: 60%; overflow-y: scroll; overflow-x: hidden; } </style>

<html><br><br><font size="20"><b>latebus</b><font size="3"><br> You barrel past the Thank You tree, bursting into the sanctuary of the forest beyond. "You think you're better than me?" you hear from somewhere behind you. "You think you're too good for me?" Fueled by pure adrenaline, you don't stop until you can no longer hear his stupid pubescent voice. After a few aggressive dry-heaves into the dying grass, you discover that you're in an area of the neighborhood that you vaguely [[recognize.|lakeside]] <style> tw-story { background-image:url("https://i.imgur.com/ls1RJOP.gif"); background-repeat: no-repeat; background-attachment: fixed; background-position: right; background-size: 60%; overflow-y: scroll; overflow-x: hidden; } </style>

<html><br><br><font size="20"><b>latebus</b><font size="3"><br> You throw a blind, swinging punch and clock Kyler squarely in the [[mouth.|fight2]] <style> tw-story { background-image:url("https://i.imgur.com/rCYIl4f.gif"); background-repeat: no-repeat; background-attachment: fixed; background-position: right; background-size: 60%; overflow-y: scroll; overflow-x: hidden; } </style>

<html><br><br><font size="20"><b>latebus</b><font size="3"><br> Staggering backwards with a "hwuhuhg", he falls to the sidewalk and his head connects with the curb and his skull makes a fascinating [[crunch.|fight3]] <style> tw-story { background-image:url("https://i.imgur.com/rCYIl4f.gif"); background-repeat: no-repeat; background-attachment: fixed; background-position: right; background-size: 60%; overflow-y: scroll; overflow-x: hidden; } </style>

<html><br><br><font size="20"><b>latebus</b><font size="3"><br> And he lies there, [[motionless.|fight4]] <style> tw-story { background-image:url("https://i.imgur.com/rCYIl4f.gif"); background-repeat: no-repeat; background-attachment: fixed; background-position: right; background-size: 60%; overflow-y: scroll; overflow-x: hidden; } </style>

<html><br><br><font size="20"><b>latebus</b><font size="3"><br> Slowly, you turn to face your fellow bus stop inhabitants. They seem [[entertained.|fight5]] <style> tw-story { background-image:url("https://i.imgur.com/ysyjf0w.gif"); background-repeat: no-repeat; background-attachment: fixed; background-position: right; background-size: 60%; overflow-y: scroll; overflow-x: hidden; } </style>

<html><br><br><font size="20"><b>latebus</b><font size="3"><br> "Oh my god," $june_name says. "You killed Kyler." (if: $june_status is "warm" and $scissors is 1)["I'm out," announces Pebbles, abandoning his pile of rocks and sprinting away down the street at [[mach speed.|fight yes june]] ] (else:)["I'm out," announces Pebbles, abandoning his pile of rocks and sprinting away down the street at [[mach speed.|fight no june]] ] <style> tw-story { background-image:url("https://i.imgur.com/guXBo3X.gif"); background-repeat: no-repeat; background-attachment: fixed; background-position: right; background-size: 60%; overflow-y: scroll; overflow-x: hidden; } </style>

<html><br><br><font size="20"><b>latebus</b><font size="3"><br> You lock eyes with Sharpie. "Run," she says urgently, stepping closer to the body. "Call the police. Go." You're frozen to the spot. Sharpie looks straight into your soul, her whole body shaking. "Please!" she cries. "Go!" [[You go.|fight no june pt2]] <style> tw-story { background-image:url("https://i.imgur.com/guXBo3X.gif"); background-repeat: no-repeat; background-attachment: fixed; background-position: right; background-size: 60%; overflow-y: scroll; overflow-x: hidden; } </style>

<html><br><br><font size="20"><b>latebus</b><font size="3"><br> You hold out your hand to reveal Michaelangelo. She enthusiastically hops in the middle of your palm. Moneybags freezes, coughs weakly, makes an spluttery sound with his mouth, and then becomes very interested in the sidewalk. (if: $bus_time is 5)["I'm, ah—" he mutters, "I'm going to go stand [[over there now."|bus10]] ] (else:)["I'm, ah—" he mutters, "I'm going to go stand [[over there now."|bus15]] ] <style> tw-story { background-image:url("https://i.imgur.com/tkOuHkT.gif"); background-repeat: no-repeat; background-attachment: fixed; background-position: right; background-size: 60%; overflow-y: scroll; overflow-x: hidden; } </style>

<html><br><br><font size="20"><b>latebus</b><font size="3"><br> Subtly, you pull the cash almost out of your pocket. You pretend to try and get a better look at the Bolex and in the process, you brush the bill loose. It falls to the concrete and you quickly scoop it up, but not without giving Moneybags an eyeful of Benjamin Franklin's [[piercing gaze.|cashpt2]] <style> tw-story { background-image:url("https://i.imgur.com/3GQMxXB.gif"); background-repeat: no-repeat; background-attachment: fixed; background-position: right; background-size: 60%; overflow-y: scroll; overflow-x: hidden; } </style>

<html><br><br><font size="20"><b>latebus</b><font size="3"><br> Stuffing Benjamin back into your pocket, you offer Moneybags a conspiratorial smile and watch as his pupils expand. "Ohoho, dude." He might actually be drooling. "That happens to me all the time. What can you do, right? Hoho." (if: $bus_time is 5)[You feel [[unclean.|bus10]] ] (else:)[You feel [[unclean.|bus15]] ] <style> tw-story { background-image:url("https://i.imgur.com/NFFAsX7.gif"); background-repeat: no-repeat; background-attachment: fixed; background-position: right; background-size: 60%; overflow-y: scroll; overflow-x: hidden; } </style>

<html><br><br><font size="20"><b>latebus</b><font size="3"><br> You lock eyes with June. "Run," she says urgently, stepping closer to the body. "Call the police. Go." But you're not going anywhere. You approach the body as well, standing eye-to-eye with her, with Kyler sprawled between you. June looks straight into your soul, her whole body shaking. "Please," she cries. "Go." You raise the [[scissors.|fight yes june pt2]] <style> tw-story { background-image:url("https://i.imgur.com/dOaOFnq.gif"); background-repeat: no-repeat; background-attachment: fixed; background-position: right; background-size: 60%; overflow-y: scroll; overflow-x: hidden; } </style>

<html><br><br><font size="20"><b>latebus</b><font size="3"><br> June's eyes light up, and you lift the weapon above your head, and you bring it down with all the force you can muster, dropping to your knees to impale Kyler in the chest. You both stare at the weapon, sticking out of Kyler's torso at a 90 degree angle. "Points for theatrics," June says, "but that didn't kill him." [[Oh.|fight yes june pt3]] <style> tw-story { background-image:url("https://i.imgur.com/4HloUAm.gif"); background-repeat: no-repeat; background-attachment: fixed; background-position: right; background-size: 60%; overflow-y: scroll; overflow-x: hidden; } </style>

<html><br><br><font size="20"><b>latebus</b><font size="3"><br> Kneeling down beside you, June lifts her Sharpie marker, and a glittering blade flips out from its cap. "See, you need to go for the jugular." She slashes neatly across Kyler's neck. His jugular gurgles once and falls [[silent.|fight yes june pt4]] <style> tw-story { background-image:url("https://i.imgur.com/9fEqhxM.gif"); background-repeat: no-repeat; background-attachment: fixed; background-position: right; background-size: 60%; overflow-y: scroll; overflow-x: hidden; } </style>

<html><br><br><font size="20"><b>latebus</b><font size="3"><br> June wipes some blood from her face with a shirtsleeve. "God, that felt fantastic." She practically glows. "You know what? I'm done. I'm moving on." You watch as she stands up, as she affectionately kisses her bloodstained blade. "I'm done with letting people tell me when, and who, and where and how." You stare reverently up at her, and she smiles. [["I'm killing who I want, whenever I want."|fight yes june pt5]] <style> tw-story { background-image:url("https://i.imgur.com/xohdle3.gif"); background-repeat: no-repeat; background-attachment: fixed; background-position: right; background-size: 60%; overflow-y: scroll; overflow-x: hidden; } </style>

<html><br><br><font size="20"><b>latebus</b><font size="3"><br> June reaches out to lift you to your feet. You lock eyes. She has finally stopped shaking. She asks, "Will you help me out with that?" [[You will.|june's ending]] <style> tw-story { background-image:url("https://i.imgur.com/eZ7FRnk.gif"); background-repeat: no-repeat; background-attachment: fixed; background-position: right; background-size: 60%; overflow-y: scroll; overflow-x: hidden; } </style>

<html><br><br><font size="20"><b>latebus</b><font size="3"><br> You and June become masters of your craft, your tag-team turning into a household name in certain suspicious households. You make a brand for yourselves even more notorious that that of June's far-reaching famly industry. You work with each other with fearsome accuracy, a perfect storm. You are vigilantes. You are violent and voracious and you revel in it, and June loves to see you [[revel in it.|june's ending pt2]] <style> tw-story { background-image:url("https://i.imgur.com/GwtBnRd.gif"); background-repeat: no-repeat; background-attachment: fixed; background-position: right; background-size: 60%; overflow-y: scroll; overflow-x: hidden; } </style>

<html><br><br><font size="20"><b>latebus</b><font size="3"><br> In time, you become leaders of your own powerful organization, respected and honored and manhunted. You experience great power and great responsibility and you exploit them both as much as possible. You live in a comfortable cabin hidden deep in the woods with two rescued dobermans and a reticulated python. You live long, and [[fear nothing.|ENDING 12/13]] <style> tw-story { background-image:url("https://i.imgur.com/GwtBnRd.gif"); background-repeat: no-repeat; background-attachment: fixed; background-position: right; background-size: 60%; overflow-y: scroll; overflow-x: hidden; } </style>

<html><br><br><font size="20"><b>latebus</b><font size="3"><br> The marker spins across her hand with fairly remarkable agility, but she barely even seems to notice that she's doing it. You wonder if it's a nervous tic. You kind of want to [[join in|spin]]. (if: $bus_time is 5)[But maybe you should just [[leave her alone.|bus10]] ] (else-if: $bus_time is 10)[But maybe you should just [[leave her alone.|bus15]] ] (else:)[But maybe you should just [[leave her alone.|bus20]] ] (set: $june_talked to 1) <style> tw-story { background-image:url("https://i.imgur.com/A96g4J3.gif"); background-repeat: no-repeat; background-attachment: fixed; background-position: right; background-size: 60%; overflow-y: scroll; overflow-x: hidden; } </style>

<html><br><br><font size="20"><b>latebus</b><font size="3"><br> You need something to spin. Spin that [[stick]] that's on the ground. Spin the [[bus stop sign]]. Spin [[yourself]]. (if: $spiders is 1)[ (text-colour: yellow)[Spin the [[spider.|spider june]]] ] (if: $scissors is 1) [ (text-colour: orange)[Spin the [[scissors.|spin scissors]]] ] <style> tw-story { background-image:url("https://i.imgur.com/A96g4J3.gif"); background-repeat: no-repeat; background-attachment: fixed; background-position: right; background-size: 60%; overflow-y: scroll; overflow-x: hidden; } </style>

<html><br><br><font size="20"><b>latebus</b><font size="3"><br> You grab it with both hands and make an absolutely Herculean effort to rip the street sign from the earth. Nothing happens. You think it's laughing at you. You try again and somehow make a humiliating moaning noise and decide not to [[tempt fate any further.|spin]] <style> tw-story { background-image:url("https://i.imgur.com/HtKBSP9.gif"); background-repeat: no-repeat; background-attachment: fixed; background-position: right; background-size: 60%; overflow-y: scroll; overflow-x: hidden; } </style>

<html><br><br><font size="20"><b>latebus</b><font size="3"><br> You spin in a circle. You pretend you're a blender. It's the most fun you've had in years. $june_name doesn't notice this. Or she's deliberately ignoring this. [[You don't really blame her either way.|spin]] <style> tw-story { background-image:url("https://i.imgur.com/YPj3Jhl.gif"); background-repeat: no-repeat; background-attachment: fixed; background-position: right; background-size: 60%; overflow-y: scroll; overflow-x: hidden; } </style>

<html><br><br><font size="20"><b>latebus</b><font size="3"><br> You pick up the stick and twirl it between your fingers a few times, with varying degrees of success, until it clatters to the concrete. It's enough to make $june_name look up at you. You immediately feel embarassed, but for some reason she [[smiles.|stickpt2]] <style> tw-story { background-image:url("https://i.imgur.com/Iu3LacE.gif"); background-repeat: no-repeat; background-attachment: fixed; background-position: right; background-size: 60%; overflow-y: scroll; overflow-x: hidden; } </style>

<html><br><br><font size="20"><b>latebus</b><font size="3"><br> She walks over to you, picking up the stick along the way. "Keep it between your pointer finger and your middle finger," she says. "Ring finger for support." You try again and you're significantly more successful. "Nice." She nods, and you feel [[accomplished.|stickpt3]] <style> tw-story { background-image:url("https://i.imgur.com/pI7OJxd.gif"); background-repeat: no-repeat; background-attachment: fixed; background-position: right; background-size: 60%; overflow-y: scroll; overflow-x: hidden; } </style>

<html><br><br><font size="20"><b>latebus</b><font size="3"><br> A soft dog-barking noise comes from $june_name's jacket pocket, and it takes a second for you to realize that it's her phone. "Sorry," she whispers, stepping away from you. She pulls out the phone and one-handedly thumbs out a response, the marker still spinning in her other hand. Rejected, you make your way back to (if: $bus_time is 5)[ [[where you were standing.|bus10]] ] (else-if: $bus_time is 10)[ [[where you were standing.|bus15]] ] (else:)[ [[where you were standing.|bus20]] ] <style> tw-story { background-image:url("https://i.imgur.com/dYoP21U.gif"); background-repeat: no-repeat; background-attachment: fixed; background-position: right; background-size: 60%; overflow-y: scroll; overflow-x: hidden; } </style>

<html><br><br><font size="20"><b>latebus</b><font size="3"><br> You stretch your hand out and Michaelangelo eagerly crawls to the tip of your pointer finger. Why not? You twist your fingers around the spider experimentally and she makes dainty leaps between them, navigating your movements with acrobatic expertise. She's doing great, and it's quite the spectacle. When you look up, $june_name's watching Michaelangelo [[in awe.|spin spider]] <style> tw-story { background-image:url("https://i.imgur.com/JS24z5s.gif"); background-repeat: no-repeat; background-attachment: fixed; background-position: right; background-size: 60%; overflow-y: scroll; overflow-x: hidden; } </style>

<html><br><br><font size="20"><b>latebus</b><font size="3"><br> $june_name abruptly looks away, her marker spinning with exponentially increasing speed, but you walk over to her. You reach out and present Michaelangelo. $june_name hesitates. She holds out one hand. She pats the spider on her little head. Michaelangelo vibrates. Sharpie shakes her head, staring at the spider as if it were the messiah. [["This is the smallest spider I have ever seen."|spin spider pt2]] <style> tw-story { background-image:url("https://i.imgur.com/22n8TOr.gif"); background-repeat: no-repeat; background-attachment: fixed; background-position: right; background-size: 60%; overflow-y: scroll; overflow-x: hidden; } </style>

<html><br><br><font size="20"><b>latebus</b><font size="3"><br> You watch as $june_name carefully weaves Michaelangelo between her fingers. The little spider looks like she's having the time of her life. "You were in my chemistry class last year, right?" $june_name comments between manuevers. You nod. She had been the only one who didn't fail the [[nuclear fission practical exam.|spin spider pt3]] <style> tw-story { background-image:url("https://i.imgur.com/22n8TOr.gif"); background-repeat: no-repeat; background-attachment: fixed; background-position: right; background-size: 60%; overflow-y: scroll; overflow-x: hidden; } </style>

<html><br><br><font size="20"><b>latebus</b><font size="3"><br> "I remember you. Theo." She smiles, letting Michaelangelo run across the back of her hand. "It's a really pretty name on a girl." Theo. She's so confident in it that you barely even question it. You feel a rush of unease. (if: $june_name is not "June")[You should probably know Sharpie's name, but you absolutely do not.] (else:)[There's a brief pause, and you realize a little too late that (text-colour: yellow)[you're supposed to prove you remember her, too.]] "June," she clarifies before you can say anything. "My name's June." (if: $june_name is not "June")[She sees the relief register on your face and bursts out laughing. ]You wince apologetically but she just winks at you and [[changes the subject.|spin spider pt4]] (set: $theo_memory to "unlocked") (set: $june_name to "June") <style> tw-story { background-image:url("https://i.imgur.com/22n8TOr.gif"); background-repeat: no-repeat; background-attachment: fixed; background-position: right; background-size: 60%; overflow-y: scroll; overflow-x: hidden; } </style>

<html><br><br><font size="20"><b>latebus</b><font size="3"><br> You're still attempting to recover from that when a soft dog-barking noise comes from June's jacket pocket. It takes a second for you to realize that it's her phone. "Sorry," she whispers, gently placing Michaelangelo back into your hands. Then she starts typing out a response, her expression darkening. You find yourself wondering if everything's [[okay.|offer]] (set: $june_status to "warm") <style> tw-story { background-image:url("https://i.imgur.com/rpOlKht.gif"); background-repeat: no-repeat; background-attachment: fixed; background-position: right; background-size: 60%; overflow-y: scroll; overflow-x: hidden; } </style>

<html><br><br><font size="20"><b>latebus</b><font size="3"><br> You hold the shiny blades in your hand, and you sort of remember the technique that you were shown for about five seconds. You twist your fingers around experimentally and the scissors spin with some success. You let them swing from your fingertips and they make little swishing noises as they flip open and closed and open again. It's satisfying in a terrifying way. When you look up, $june_name's watching the scissors with [[great interest.|spin scissors pt2]] <style> tw-story { background-image:url("https://i.imgur.com/awRwKDB.gif"); background-repeat: no-repeat; background-attachment: fixed; background-position: right; background-size: 60%; overflow-y: scroll; overflow-x: hidden; } </style>

<html><br><br><font size="20"><b>latebus</b><font size="3"><br> $june_name abruptly looks away, her marker spinning with exponentially increasing speed, but you walk over to her. You reach out and present the scissors. $june_name hesitates. She takes the scissors tentatively, then, feeling the satisfying heaviness and even weight distribution of them, she begins to [[smile.|spin scissors pt3]] <style> tw-story { background-image:url("https://i.imgur.com/kD7rXRY.gif"); background-repeat: no-repeat; background-attachment: fixed; background-position: right; background-size: 60%; overflow-y: scroll; overflow-x: hidden; } </style>

<html><br><br><font size="20"><b>latebus</b><font size="3"><br> You trade techniques and tricks, swapping the scissors between the both of you. Her fingers are nimbler, but you learn faster. You make a good team. She looks over to you between blade maneuvers. "You were in my chemistry class last year, right?" You nod. She had been the only one who didn't fail the [[nuclear fission practical exam.|spin scissors pt4]] <style> tw-story { background-image:url("https://i.imgur.com/kD7rXRY.gif"); background-repeat: no-repeat; background-attachment: fixed; background-position: right; background-size: 60%; overflow-y: scroll; overflow-x: hidden; } </style>

<html><br><br><font size="20"><b>latebus</b><font size="3"><br> "I remember you. Theo." She smiles, flipping the scissors in the air once and catching them again. "It's a really pretty name on a girl." Theo. She's so confident in it that you barely even question it. You feel a rush of unease. (if: $june_name is not "June")[You should probably know Sharpie's name, but you absolutely do not.] (else:)[There's a brief pause, and you realize a little too late that (text-colour: yellow)[you're supposed to prove you remember her, too.]] "June," she clarifies. "My name's June." (if: $june_name is not "June")[She sees the relief register on your face and bursts out laughing. ]You wince apologetically but she just winks at you and [[changes the subject.|spin scissors pt5]] (set: $theo_memory to "unlocked") (set: $june_name to "June") <style> tw-story { background-image:url("https://i.imgur.com/kD7rXRY.gif"); background-repeat: no-repeat; background-attachment: fixed; background-position: right; background-size: 60%; overflow-y: scroll; overflow-x: hidden; } </style>

<html><br><br><font size="20"><b>latebus</b><font size="3"><br> You're still attempting to recover from that when a soft dog-barking noise comes from June's jacket pocket. It takes a second for you to realize that it's her phone. "Sorry," she whispers, gently placing the scissors back into your hands. Then she starts typing out a response, her expression darkening. You find yourself wondering if everything's [[okay.|offer]] <style> tw-story { background-image:url("https://i.imgur.com/To3Rr4U.gif"); background-repeat: no-repeat; background-attachment: fixed; background-position: right; background-size: 60%; overflow-y: scroll; overflow-x: hidden; } </style>

<html><br><br><font size="20"><b>latebus</b><font size="3"><br> Shoving her phone back into her pocket, she turns to face you. There's nothing in her hands now, and with the absence, her fingers shake. "My sister's coming to drop me off at school," she says without meeting your eyes. "Do you need a ride?" It's [[yes|accept june]] or [[no|refuse june]]. <style> tw-story { background-image:url("https://i.imgur.com/35D0nKe.gif"); background-repeat: no-repeat; background-attachment: fixed; background-position: right; background-size: 60%; overflow-y: scroll; overflow-x: hidden; } </style>

<html><br><br><font size="20"><b>latebus</b><font size="3"><br> You shake your head no and she visibly relaxes. She deflates. Before you can decide if you should be offended by that or not, she touches your arm with a grateful half-smile. "Good choice," she says quietly. "If I ever tell you to run, run." You're worried and kind of disturbed but something in her face tells you not to say anything. (if: $bus_time is 5)[ [[So you don't.|bus10]] ] (else-if: $bus_time is 10)[ [[So you don't.|bus15]] ] (else:)[ [[So you don't.|bus20]] ] (set: $june_status to "warm") <style> tw-story { background-image:url("https://i.imgur.com/Expqezh.gif"); background-repeat: no-repeat; background-attachment: fixed; background-position: right; background-size: 60%; overflow-y: scroll; overflow-x: hidden; } </style>

<html><br><br><font size="20"><b>latebus</b><font size="3"><br> You nod your head yes and she visibly stiffens. She panics. Before you can decide if you should be offended by that or not, she grabs your arm. You freeze up involuntarily, but she doesn't let go. "You don't want to do that," she says, her expression begging you to [[understand.|accept june pt2]] <style> tw-story { background-image:url("https://i.imgur.com/R6RPQRb.gif"); background-repeat: no-repeat; background-attachment: fixed; background-position: right; background-size: 60%; overflow-y: scroll; overflow-x: hidden; } </style>

<html><br><br><font size="20"><b>latebus</b><font size="3"><br> But you don't. You have a feeling that something is wrong, that she's not going to be safe on her own. You want to stay with her, just to make sure everything's alright. Maybe you'll be able to [[help her.|accept june pt3]] <style> tw-story { background-image:url("https://i.imgur.com/R6RPQRb.gif"); background-repeat: no-repeat; background-attachment: fixed; background-position: right; background-size: 60%; overflow-y: scroll; overflow-x: hidden; } </style>

<html><br><br><font size="20"><b>latebus</b><font size="3"><br> Before long, a shiny sports car arrives to pick up $kyler_name. He sneers something at the both of you, under his breath, on his way to the car. Then he climbs inside and you watch as it putters away. A speeding minivan arrives close behind. "You take the front seat," she says quietly, [[and you comply.|june car]] <style> tw-story { background-image:url("https://i.imgur.com/BfBAaJF.gif"); background-repeat: no-repeat; background-attachment: fixed; background-position: right; background-size: 60%; overflow-y: scroll; overflow-x: hidden; } </style>

<html><br><br><font size="20"><b>latebus</b><font size="3"><br> The second you close the door of the front seat and she closes the door of the back, the car launches into drive. Worn and angry-looking and smelling faintly of cough syrup, both the car and its driver unsettle you deeply. Smirking, the sister eyes you up and down, rakes a hand through her tangle of disheveled hair, and sneers into the [[back seat.|june car pt2]] <style> tw-story { background-image:url("https://i.imgur.com/0x6Yhyo.gif"); background-repeat: no-repeat; background-attachment: fixed; background-position: right; background-size: 60%; overflow-y: scroll; overflow-x: hidden; } </style>

<html><br><br><font size="20"><b>latebus</b><font size="3"><br> "Who's this?" she taunts. "Stop it, Margot." "Oh, you're shy about this one, eh? What makes em special?" "Nothing! We had chemistry together last—" "You had chemistry!" Margot cackles, turning around in the driver's seat, looking straight through you with watery brown eyes. [["You had chemistry!"|june car pt3]] <style> tw-story { background-image:url("https://i.imgur.com/0x6Yhyo.gif"); background-repeat: no-repeat; background-attachment: fixed; background-position: right; background-size: 60%; overflow-y: scroll; overflow-x: hidden; } </style>

<html><br><br><font size="20"><b>latebus</b><font size="3"><br> Margot makes a rough turn into the thicket and you have no idea where you're going. "You think you've made a friend? Think you have friends? This kid isn't your friend." You hear heavy breathing behind you and you grope for the car door handle but there isn't a handle there [[at all.|june car pt4]] <style> tw-story { background-image:url("https://i.imgur.com/lvzbqJu.gif"); background-repeat: no-repeat; background-attachment: fixed; background-position: right; background-size: 60%; overflow-y: scroll; overflow-x: hidden; } </style>

<html><br><br><font size="20"><b>latebus</b><font size="3"><br> "I'll prove it," Margot says suddenly. She turns towards you, the forest blurring by on either side, your pulse skyrocketing, her face twisting into a maniacal smile. "You're not her friend. [[You don't even know her name."|remember]] <style> tw-story { background-image:url("https://i.imgur.com/lvzbqJu.gif"); background-repeat: no-repeat; background-attachment: fixed; background-position: right; background-size: 60%; overflow-y: scroll; overflow-x: hidden; } </style>

<html><br><br><font size="20"><b>latebus</b><font size="3"><br>(set: $nameguess to (prompt: "What is her name? <br>", "")) (if: $nameguess is "June")[<style> tw-story { background-image:url("https://i.imgur.com/U7e5C0Q.gif"); } </style>"June!" you yell. "Her name is June!"<br><br>Margot stares.<br><br>Her grimace deepens, warping her face beyond recognition, and from behind you, [[June exhales.|rememberpt2]]](else-if: $nameguess is "june")[<style> tw-story { background-image:url("https://i.imgur.com/U7e5C0Q.gif"); } </style>"June!" you yell. "Her name is June!"<br><br>Margot stares.<br><br>Her grimace deepens, warping her face beyond recognition, and from behind you, [[June exhales.|rememberpt2]]](else:)[<style> tw-story { background-image:url("https://i.imgur.com/BnrZ8cj.gif"); } </style>"(upperfirst: $nameguess)!" you yell.<br><br>But Margot just laughs and laughs. <br><br>"Now!" she roars, and hands grab you from behind and slam your head against the window. <br><br>You see spots. You feel a blade against your neck. You hear distant giggling, and a quiet sigh. <br><br>And then you don't hear [[anything at all.|ENDING 5/13]]] <style> tw-story { background-repeat: no-repeat; background-attachment: fixed; background-position: right; background-size: 60%; overflow-y: scroll; overflow-x: hidden; } </style>

<html><br><br><font size="20"><b>latebus</b><font size="3"><br> The van begins to slow, and somehow that's even scarier than the speeding. You recognize the car in front of you. A shiny sports car, a Tesla. $kyler_name. Why are they following $kyler_name? You're hyper-aware that you're still in the forest. There's no other cars or houses or people in [[sight.|rememberpt3]] <style> tw-story { background-image:url("https://i.imgur.com/U7e5C0Q.gif"); background-repeat: no-repeat; background-attachment: fixed; background-position: right; background-size: 60%; overflow-y: scroll; overflow-x: hidden; } </style>

<html><br><br><font size="20"><b>latebus</b><font size="3"><br> "I'm trying to raise you right, you little brat," Margot growls into the backseat. "I know you want friends, but you don't need them. You don't deserve them." Margot looks over to you and sighs. "A friend won't be there when you really need them." She takes a ballpoint pen from the cupholder, and a blade flashes out from its cap. "A friend won't help you wash the blood from your hands. A friend won't help you kidnap a rich boy so that you can put [[dinner on the table tomorrow."|rememberpt4]] <style> tw-story { background-image:url("https://i.imgur.com/U7e5C0Q.gif"); background-repeat: no-repeat; background-attachment: fixed; background-position: right; background-size: 60%; overflow-y: scroll; overflow-x: hidden; } </style>

<html><br><br><font size="20"><b>latebus</b><font size="3"><br> "For that, you need family." Margot stares emptily at the windshield. "You need me." For a second, the car is silent. And then, softly, June speaks. "No, Margot. [[You need me."|rememberpt5]] <style> tw-story { background-image:url("https://i.imgur.com/U7e5C0Q.gif"); background-repeat: no-repeat; background-attachment: fixed; background-position: right; background-size: 60%; overflow-y: scroll; overflow-x: hidden; } </style>

<html><br><br><font size="20"><b>latebus</b><font size="3"><br> [["I don't need you."|rememberpt6]] <style> tw-story { background-image:url("https://i.imgur.com/aATjJp3.gif"); background-repeat: no-repeat; background-attachment: fixed; background-position: right; background-size: 60%; overflow-y: scroll; overflow-x: hidden; } </style>

<html><br><br><font size="20"><b>latebus</b><font size="3"><br> June grabs her sister's head from behind with both hands and slams it against the top of the steering wheel. Margot crumples. The van veers into the forest and June cries out, "The wheel, the wheel, [[get the wheel!"|crashy smash]] <style> tw-story { background-image:url("https://i.imgur.com/7k7ZpR3.gif"); background-repeat: no-repeat; background-attachment: fixed; background-position: right; background-size: 60%; overflow-y: scroll; overflow-x: hidden; } </style>

<html><br><br><font size="20"><b>latebus</b><font size="3"><br> You reach across the dashboard and you grab the wheel but you have never driven a car in your life. You stare cluelessly at the pedals across from you, reach out with one foot, and stomp a pedal down as hard as you can, praying that [[it's the brake.|crashy smash pt2]] <style> tw-story { background-image:url("https://i.imgur.com/7k7ZpR3.gif"); background-repeat: no-repeat; background-attachment: fixed; background-position: right; background-size: 60%; overflow-y: scroll; overflow-x: hidden; } </style>

<html><br><br><font size="20"><b>latebus</b><font size="3"><br> [[It's not the brake.|ENDING 7/13]] <style> tw-story { background-image:url("https://i.imgur.com/Ovq2Qdm.gif"); background-repeat: no-repeat; background-attachment: fixed; background-position: right; background-size: 60%; overflow-y: scroll; overflow-x: hidden; } </style>

<html><br><br><font size="20"><b>latebus</b><font size="3"><br> He has both hands in his pockets, rearranging the gravel with small nudges of his foot. As you regard his craftmanship, he looks up at you, gesturing to the neighbors' garden with a tilt of his head. "You think those folks could call the cops if I stole their rocks?" [[Probably not.|murphypt2]] (set: $murphy_talked to 1) <style> tw-story { background-image:url("https://i.imgur.com/hN9saL5.gif"); background-repeat: no-repeat; background-attachment: fixed; background-position: right; background-size: 60%; overflow-y: scroll; overflow-x: hidden; } </style>

<html><br><br><font size="20"><b>latebus</b><font size="3"><br> He rushes to the flower bed, digs through the rubble, and returns with an armful of diversely-sized rocks, holding them as if they were [[precious metals.|murphypt3]] <style> tw-story { background-image:url("https://i.imgur.com/rbEiGeJ.gif"); background-repeat: no-repeat; background-attachment: fixed; background-position: right; background-size: 60%; overflow-y: scroll; overflow-x: hidden; } </style>

<html><br><br><font size="20"><b>latebus</b><font size="3"><br> He falls into a cross-legged position on the sidewalk, carefully placing the rocks against the pavement. You're sort of [[curious]] about what he's doing, but also sort of [[concerned]]. <style> tw-story { background-image:url("https://i.imgur.com/fRrqWG0.gif"); background-repeat: no-repeat; background-attachment: fixed; background-position: right; background-size: 60%; overflow-y: scroll; overflow-x: hidden; } </style>

<html><br><br><font size="20"><b>latebus</b><font size="3"><br> You leave him alone on the sidewalk, surrounded by his metamorphic brethren. He doesn't even seem to notice that you (if: $bus_time is 5)[[[leave.|bus10]] ](else-if: $bus_time is 10)[[[leave.|bus15]] ](else-if: $bus_time is 15)[[[leave.|bus20]] ](else-if: $bus_time is 20)[[[leave.|bus25]] ](else:)[[[leave.|bus30]] ] <style> tw-story { background-image:url("https://i.imgur.com/45SHEA1.gif"); background-repeat: no-repeat; background-attachment: fixed; background-position: right; background-size: 60%; overflow-y: scroll; overflow-x: hidden; } </style>

<html><br><br><font size="20"><b>latebus</b><font size="3"><br> You know this kid. He was in one of your classes a while ago. Years ago. Halfway through the year he completely stopped showing up. It's sort of nice to see that he's still alive. $murphy_name points up at you. "It's Chris, isn't it?" You shrug noncommittally. "Chris. Good to see you again, dude." He gives you a lopsided smile. "I don't think we ever formally met." He sticks his hand up at you from his position on the ground. "I'm Murphy." (if: $murphy_name is "Murphy")[<br><br>(text-colour: yellow)[Somehow, you already knew that.]] You shake his [[hand.|curiouspt2]] (set: $murphy_name to "Murphy") (set: $chris_memory to "unlocked") <style> tw-story { background-image:url("https://i.imgur.com/fRrqWG0.gif"); background-repeat: no-repeat; background-attachment: fixed; background-position: right; background-size: 60%; overflow-y: scroll; overflow-x: hidden; } </style>

<html><br><br><font size="20"><b>latebus</b><font size="3"><br> Taking a deep breath, sitting in his oddly monklike position, Murphy lifts three stones like he's about to perform a magic trick. And then he places them on top of each other. They're at odd angles, angles that shouldn't work — and yet he holds them with steady hands and when he lets go, they stay. You're vaguely impressed. "It's counterbalance," he announces. "Supposed to be zen or something, [[who knows."|cool rocks pt2]] <style> tw-story { background-image:url("https://i.imgur.com/pt8LdCc.gif"); background-repeat: no-repeat; background-attachment: fixed; background-position: right; background-size: 60%; overflow-y: scroll; overflow-x: hidden; } </style>

<html><br><br><font size="20"><b>latebus</b><font size="3"><br> Murphy starts picking up and putting down the rocks in front of him, analyzing their weights and their shapes. "You wanna see something cool?" You ask yourself if rocks are [[cool|cool rocks]] or [[not|concerned]]. (if: $spiders is 1)[(text-colour: yellow)[This [[spider|spider murph]] is pretty cool.]] (if: $rock is 1)[(text-colour: orange)[This [[obsidian]] is pretty cool.]] <style> tw-story { background-image:url("https://i.imgur.com/fRrqWG0.gif"); background-repeat: no-repeat; background-attachment: fixed; background-position: right; background-size: 60%; overflow-y: scroll; overflow-x: hidden; } </style>

<html><br><br><font size="20"><b>latebus</b><font size="3"><br> You realize you have the urge to stack rocks. You ask yourself if you're the kind of person who has [[rock-stacking urges.|cool rocks pt3]] Maybe it's time to [[walk away.|concerned]] <style> tw-story { background-image:url("https://i.imgur.com/pt8LdCc.gif"); background-repeat: no-repeat; background-attachment: fixed; background-position: right; background-size: 60%; overflow-y: scroll; overflow-x: hidden; } </style>

<html><br><br><font size="20"><b>latebus</b><font size="3"><br> Boredom is a powerful drug. You sit down with Murphy amongst the rocks. He's on Rock Number Five, the structure appearing more and more gravitationally impossible. Your first few attempts immediately topple, but eventually you get a tower of two to stay upright. Murphy sees your accomplishment and bursts into applause, knocking over his tower of seven in the process. "Race you to three," he challenges, completely unfazed. You ask yourself if ah screw it [[let's rock race|cool rocks pt4]] <style> tw-story { background-image:url("https://i.imgur.com/M3Os9ww.gif"); background-repeat: no-repeat; background-attachment: fixed; background-position: right; background-size: 60%; overflow-y: scroll; overflow-x: hidden; } </style>

<html><br><br><font size="20"><b>latebus</b><font size="3"><br> You battle valiantly, but your hand-eye coordination is sorely out of practice, and the most you can successfully arrange is still two. Murphy makes it to eight rocks at one point and gets really excited, but then he starts nervously laughing so much that he never makes it to nine. You're laughing along when you remember that there's a bus you're supposed to be [[waiting for.|confession]] <style> tw-story { background-image:url("https://i.imgur.com/M3Os9ww.gif"); background-repeat: no-repeat; background-attachment: fixed; background-position: right; background-size: 60%; overflow-y: scroll; overflow-x: hidden; } </style>

<html><br><br><font size="20"><b>latebus</b><font size="3"><br> You stare down the empty street. Murphy follows your gaze. "Yeah, I wonder if the bus is even coming at all." It's silent for a second, and then he speaks again. "It isn't." You look at him. He looks down. "It isn't," he repeats. [["I slashed its tires this morning."|confessionpt2]] <style> tw-story { background-image:url("https://i.imgur.com/M3Os9ww.gif"); background-repeat: no-repeat; background-attachment: fixed; background-position: right; background-size: 60%; overflow-y: scroll; overflow-x: hidden; } </style>

<html><br><br><font size="20"><b>latebus</b><font size="3"><br> You manage a weak laugh. "I'm serious," he says. "I broke into the bus lot, three in the morning. Bus 102. I slashed its tires." Murphy's tower falls over, and he sighs, staring at the [[carnage.|confessionpt3]] <style> tw-story { background-image:url("https://i.imgur.com/TnlNPZE.gif"); background-repeat: no-repeat; background-attachment: fixed; background-position: right; background-size: 60%; overflow-y: scroll; overflow-x: hidden; } </style>

<html><br><br><font size="20"><b>latebus</b><font size="3"><br> "You're taking this pretty well," Murphy remarks. Unsure of what to do with yourself, you let out a long exhale. "Listen, it's like this. Obviously they're just going to send another bus, right? I knew that." Murphy looks up from the rocks, meeting your gaze. "But I didn't know it'd take them more than half an hour for them to do it. I just wanted to see what would happen." He stares at you, smiling, but with clouded-over eyes. "Don't you ever do things [[just to see what'll happen?"|confessionpt4]] <style> tw-story { background-image:url("https://i.imgur.com/TnlNPZE.gif"); background-repeat: no-repeat; background-attachment: fixed; background-position: right; background-size: 60%; overflow-y: scroll; overflow-x: hidden; } </style>

<html><br><br><font size="20"><b>latebus</b><font size="3"><br> Murphy sighs, and his whole body seems to shrink. "That's all it is." He stands up, brushing gravel from his jeans. [["That's it."|murphy leaves]] <style> tw-story { background-image:url("https://i.imgur.com/P7ARHyj.gif"); background-repeat: no-repeat; background-attachment: fixed; background-position: right; background-size: 60%; overflow-y: scroll; overflow-x: hidden; } </style>

<html><br><br><font size="20"><b>latebus</b><font size="3"><br> Murphy turns around and walks away, towards the woods on the right. "I'm going towards the woods on the right," he says. "I don't know what I'm doing anymore. I'm just going to go." You don't really want to interrupt this guy and his soul-searching. On the other hand, you don't exactly want to go to school, either. [[Follow|follow]] him, or [[don't]]. <style> tw-story { background-image:url("https://i.imgur.com/ajMQuyI.gif"); background-repeat: no-repeat; background-attachment: fixed; background-position: right; background-size: 60%; overflow-y: scroll; overflow-x: hidden; } </style>

<html><br><br><font size="20"><b>latebus</b><font size="3"><br> Murphy looks over his shoulder and nods at you. "Good luck out there, man." [[You nod back.|don'tpt2]] <style> tw-story { background-image:url("https://i.imgur.com/ajMQuyI.gif"); background-repeat: no-repeat; background-attachment: fixed; background-position: right; background-size: 60%; overflow-y: scroll; overflow-x: hidden; } </style>

<html><br><br><font size="20"><b>latebus</b><font size="3"><br> The replacement bus arrives at the stop five minutes later. The police arrive at school a few weeks later, because law enforcement finally decided to investigate Murphy, thanks to a report made by $kyler_name's mom about a [[private property violation.|don'tpt3]] <style> tw-story { background-image:url("https://i.imgur.com/fMXtXpK.gif"); background-repeat: no-repeat; background-attachment: fixed; background-position: right; background-size: 60%; overflow-y: scroll; overflow-x: hidden; } </style>

<html><br><br><font size="20"><b>latebus</b><font size="3"><br> You hear stories about Murphy, who slashed tires just for fun, who had a bizarre academic record, spotted with other such crimes. You go on the lookout for news about this kid, for proof that he's still out there, for proof that he's still alive, but you never find anything. You never see him again. Later, you graduate. Later, you graduate again. Later, you land a job at a startup company that's successful enough to give you a good referral when it inevitably crashes and burns. You live out your days in a slightly crumbly apartment with two mixed-breed pitbulls. Your whole life, you find yourself doing things [[just to see what'll happen.|ENDING 8/13]] <style> tw-story { background-image:url("https://i.imgur.com/XpB811Y.gif"); background-repeat: no-repeat; background-attachment: fixed; background-position: right; background-size: 60%; overflow-y: scroll; overflow-x: hidden; } </style>

<html><br><br><font size="20"><b>latebus</b><font size="3"><br> You walk over and stand by his side. Murphy faces the forest, tilting his head upwards, and you do the same. The sunrise is almost beginning to filter through the trees. "I said I'm just going to go," Murphy says, half-smiling. "I'm sort of saying goodbye." You nudge him a little. He looks over at you. "Well, unless." He gestures grandly towards the forest. "You want to go with me?" [[You do.|friend]] <style> tw-story { background-image:url("https://i.imgur.com/w0gToQa.gif"); background-repeat: no-repeat; background-attachment: fixed; background-position: right; background-size: 60%; overflow-y: scroll; overflow-x: hidden; } </style>

<html><br><br><font size="20"><b>latebus</b><font size="3"><br> The trees stretch on endlessly before you, the world yours for the taking. You nod at Murphy, and he grins, and you [[enter the woods.|friendpt2]] <style> tw-story { background-image:url("https://i.imgur.com/w0gToQa.gif"); background-repeat: no-repeat; background-attachment: fixed; background-position: right; background-size: 60%; overflow-y: scroll; overflow-x: hidden; } </style>

<html><br><br><font size="20"><b>latebus</b><font size="3"><br> You both disappear completely from your previous lives. You leave behind people and places and things and you build them again from the ground up. You hitchhike. You travel. You build counterbalancing towers in impractical places. Together, you live for nobody but yourselves. You don't know your future. And you come to realize that [[you like that.|ENDING 11/13]] <style> tw-story { background-image:url("https://i.imgur.com/bl5m4oZ.gif"); background-repeat: no-repeat; background-attachment: fixed; background-position: right; background-size: 60%; overflow-y: scroll; overflow-x: hidden; } </style>

<html><br><br><font size="20"><b>latebus</b><font size="3"><br> You present the obsidian and Murphy looks at it as if it just added ten years to his life. "You found that here? God, it's gorgeous." He tenderly accepts it from you, turning it over and over in his hands. "Obsidian, man. I might start crying." You wouldn't know how to deal with that so [[you hope that he doesn't.|obsidianpt2]] <style> tw-story { background-image:url("https://i.imgur.com/mqjeaMH.gif"); background-repeat: no-repeat; background-attachment: fixed; background-position: right; background-size: 60%; overflow-y: scroll; overflow-x: hidden; } </style>

<html><br><br><font size="20"><b>latebus</b><font size="3"><br> "I feel bad just taking this from you," Murphy laughs, rummaging in his pockets. "Here, we'll trade." He hands you (if: $rock_counter is 0)[ a rock flecked with a spectrum of reds, blues, and greens.<br><br>"It's just a piece of granite, ](else-if: $rock_counter is 1)[ a smooth, flat rock patterned with interesting ridges.<br><br>"It's just a piece of shale, ](else-if: $rock_counter is 2)[ a rock that looks like it's made up of several smaller rocks.<br><br>"It's just a piece of conglomerate, ](else-if: $rock_counter is 3)[ a grayish rock with dark stripes across its surface.<br><br>"It's just a piece of gneiss, ](else:)[ a rock that sort of looks like a hunk of cheese.<br><br>"It's just a piece of sandstone, ]but it's one of my [[favorites."|cool rocks]] (set: $rock_counter to $rock_counter + 1) <style> tw-story { background-image:url("https://i.imgur.com/13bNK3o.gif"); background-repeat: no-repeat; background-attachment: fixed; background-position: right; background-size: 60%; overflow-y: scroll; overflow-x: hidden; } </style>

<html><br><br><font size="20"><b>latebus</b><font size="3"><br> You present Michaelangelo, and she does a joyful little circle around the center of your palm, and Murphy looks equal parts distressed and wonderstruck. It takes a second before he manages to speak. [["That is the smallest spider I have ever seen."|spider murph pt2]] <style> tw-story { background-image:url("https://i.imgur.com/3Mz092M.gif"); background-repeat: no-repeat; background-attachment: fixed; background-position: right; background-size: 60%; overflow-y: scroll; overflow-x: hidden; } </style>

<html><br><br><font size="20"><b>latebus</b><font size="3"><br> Carefully, you let her leap from your hands to his, and she nestles comfortably upon his index finger. Murphy manages to stay still for ten seconds or so before he starts to emit anxious laughter. "I think that's enough," he admits, and after she's safely returned to your hand, he [[resumes breathing.|cool rocks]] <style> tw-story { background-image:url("https://i.imgur.com/jKavxm8.gif"); background-repeat: no-repeat; background-attachment: fixed; background-position: right; background-size: 60%; overflow-y: scroll; overflow-x: hidden; } </style>

<html><br><br><font size="20"><b>latebus</b><font size="3"><br> The front door closes behind you, and you stand uncertainly on the Welcome mat. There's a nice rug in the middle of the foyer, and a living room off to your right. There's a staircase right in front of you, and a girl sitting on the staircase. "Hi," she says. You wave. "Why are you in my house?" [[You stop waving.|lilopt2]] (set: $lilo_talked to 1) <style> tw-story { background-image:url("https://i.imgur.com/gwglpZd.gif"); background-repeat: no-repeat; background-attachment: fixed; background-position: right; background-size: 60%; overflow-y: scroll; overflow-x: hidden; } </style>

<html><br><br><font size="20"><b>latebus</b><font size="3"><br> She laughs a little. "Relax, I don't care. You don't seem like much of a threat." You decide now's not the time to argue with that. "Word of advice." She leans forward. "Today's not a good day to be at that bus stop. Things are happening. Develop a sudden illness, alright? Go home." [[Things are happening?|lilopt3]] <style> tw-story { background-image:url("https://i.imgur.com/gwglpZd.gif"); background-repeat: no-repeat; background-attachment: fixed; background-position: right; background-size: 60%; overflow-y: scroll; overflow-x: hidden; } </style>

<html><br><br><font size="20"><b>latebus</b><font size="3"><br> "I know some stuff about our neighbors." She sighs. "Today's gonna be a big day for at least one of them." Self-consciously, you sweat a little bit. "Yeah, I know some stuff about you, too. I'll be honest—" she pauses, struggling not to smile, "—there isn't a whole lot going on with you. You don't do much. You're still figuring some stuff out, [[aren't you?"|lilopt4]] <style> tw-story { background-image:url("https://i.imgur.com/gwglpZd.gif"); background-repeat: no-repeat; background-attachment: fixed; background-position: right; background-size: 60%; overflow-y: scroll; overflow-x: hidden; } </style>

<html><br><br><font size="20"><b>latebus</b><font size="3"><br> She's absolutely right, but that doesn't mean you have to like it. You mumble something under your breath. "What was that?" You don't reply, fixing her with what you hope is a glare, but you probably just look constipated. "I'll call you Mumble until you can figure out your name." With that, she reclines against the stairs and grins. "You can call me [[Lilo."|game]] (set: $mumble_memory to "unlocked") <style> tw-story { background-image:url("https://i.imgur.com/gwglpZd.gif"); background-repeat: no-repeat; background-attachment: fixed; background-position: right; background-size: 60%; overflow-y: scroll; overflow-x: hidden; } </style>

<html><br><br><font size="20"><b>latebus</b><font size="3"><br> Lilo regards you for a moment. "Listen, I know what you're capable of. You have the power to change whatever's happening out there." She points at you pointedly. "I know you do." You puff up your chest a bit, and she watches with mild amusement. "I'm gonna help you, but only a little. I'll tell you some background on one of the kids out there. Just one of them. It could get you some insight on how to manipulate that situation [[however you want it."|gamept2]] <style> tw-story { background-image:url("https://i.imgur.com/gwglpZd.gif"); background-repeat: no-repeat; background-attachment: fixed; background-position: right; background-size: 60%; overflow-y: scroll; overflow-x: hidden; } </style>

<html><br><br><font size="20"><b>latebus</b><font size="3"><br> This makes sense and sounds great at first, but then it doesn't, and your brow furrows. "Oh, you want information on all three of them. I'm not doing that, Mumble, at least not all at once." You hold out your hands. "Why?" You nod. "I don't know, I enjoy [[mayhem."|choice]] <style> tw-story { background-image:url("https://i.imgur.com/gwglpZd.gif"); background-repeat: no-repeat; background-attachment: fixed; background-position: right; background-size: 60%; overflow-y: scroll; overflow-x: hidden; } </style>

<html><br><br><font size="20"><b>latebus</b><font size="3"><br> "Alright." Lilo claps her hands. "I've got a gift for you, Mumble. Make your choice. Rock, paper, scissors." What? "No, I'm not challenging you." She tilts her head. "Those are the gifts. You choose one. Rock, paper, scissors." You choose one. (if: $rock is 0)[[[Rock?|rock]]](else:)[Rock?] (if: $paper is 0)[[[Paper?|paper]]](else:)[Paper?] (if: $scissors is 0)[[[Scissors?|scissors]]](else:)[Scissors?] [[Shoot?|shoot]] <style> tw-story { background-image:url("https://i.imgur.com/gwglpZd.gif"); background-repeat: no-repeat; background-attachment: fixed; background-position: right; background-size: 60%; overflow-y: scroll; overflow-x: hidden; } </style>

<html><br><br><font size="20"><b>latebus</b><font size="3"><br> Lilo stands up and slides downstairs. She's at eye level with you now. She hands you a [[small, smooth black rock.|rockpt2]] (set: $rock to 1) <style> tw-story { background-image:url("https://i.imgur.com/ENvlfNl.gif"); background-repeat: no-repeat; background-attachment: fixed; background-position: right; background-size: 60%; overflow-y: scroll; overflow-x: hidden; } </style>

<html><br><br><font size="20"><b>latebus</b><font size="3"><br> "Igneous rock," she explains. "I'm not a collector or anything, but man it looks neat." Lilo clears her throat. "The boy who has too much fun with the gravel — his name is Murphy. Multiple counts of theft and destruction of property, but he keeps his crimes petty and humble enough that he gets away with it every time." "Today, he bit off a little more than he could chew. He's gonna be a good boy now because one more slip-up will probably land him in juvie." "He has morals. Supposedly. He messes with people's things, but usually not with the people themselves." Lilo blinks, and then shrugs. "That's all I got. [[You can keep the rock."|return]] (set: $murphy_name to "Murphy") <style> tw-story { background-image:url("https://i.imgur.com/v2g3sTl.gif"); background-repeat: no-repeat; background-attachment: fixed; background-position: right; background-size: 60%; overflow-y: scroll; overflow-x: hidden; } </style>

<html><br><br><font size="20"><b>latebus</b><font size="3"><br> Lilo stands up and slides downstairs. She's at eye level with you now. She hands you a [[$100 bill.|paperpt2]] (set: $paper to 1) <style> tw-story { background-image:url("https://i.imgur.com/YV7pLBs.gif"); background-repeat: no-repeat; background-attachment: fixed; background-position: right; background-size: 60%; overflow-y: scroll; overflow-x: hidden; } </style>

<html><br><br><font size="20"><b>latebus</b><font size="3"><br> "Don't get excited, it's a counterfeit," she explains, and you're disappointed but not surprised. Lilo clears her throat. "The boy who wears that stupid suit all the time— his name is Kyler. Little to no friends. He's a pretty rich kid, though he's not nearly as rich as he'd like you to think he is." "His mother's sort of a nightmare, the power-hungry type. Thinks her son fell from heaven. She always takes the scenic route when she drives him to school." "He has an incredible amount of fury in his tiny body but he would lose a fight against a petunia." Lilo blinks, and then shrugs. "That's all I got. [[You can keep the paper."|return]] (set: $kyler_name to "Kyler") <style> tw-story { background-image:url("https://i.imgur.com/t7d6qaA.gif"); background-repeat: no-repeat; background-attachment: fixed; background-position: right; background-size: 60%; overflow-y: scroll; overflow-x: hidden; } </style>

<html><br><br><font size="20"><b>latebus</b><font size="3"><br> Lilo stands up and slides downstairs. She's at eye level with you now. She hands you a pair of [[shiny scissors.|scissorspt2]] (set: $scissors to 1) <style> tw-story { background-image:url("https://i.imgur.com/1zy0mPk.gif"); background-repeat: no-repeat; background-attachment: fixed; background-position: right; background-size: 60%; overflow-y: scroll; overflow-x: hidden; } </style>

<html><br><br><font size="20"><b>latebus</b><font size="3"><br> "Have you ever tried spinning scissors?" She makes a few motions with her fingers. "It's a great fidget for people with no sense of self-preservation." Lilo clears her throat. "The girl who shakes all the time— her name is June. She's caught up in a family business that she has no interest in." "They want something from the rich kid. They need him alive. They've instructed June and her hobo sister to get that kid, and to get rid of anyone who gets in the way." "June doesn't like that. She doesn't like when people get hurt unneccessarily. She likes to hurt people who deserve it." Lilo blinks, and then shrugs. "That's all I got. [[You can keep the scissors."|return]] (set: $june_name to "June") <style> tw-story { background-image:url("https://i.imgur.com/7hbqq70.gif"); background-repeat: no-repeat; background-attachment: fixed; background-position: right; background-size: 60%; overflow-y: scroll; overflow-x: hidden; } </style>

<html><br><br><font size="20"><b>latebus</b><font size="3"><br> "Oh, uh." Lilo hesitates. "I think it'd help you more to choose one of the others." (if: $rock is 0)[[[Rock?|rock]]](else:)[Rock?] (if: $paper is 0)[[[Paper?|paper]]](else:)[Paper?] (if: $scissors is 0)[[[Scissors?|scissors]]](else:)[Scissors?] No, you still want [[Shoot.|shootpt2]] <style> tw-story { background-image:url("https://i.imgur.com/gwglpZd.gif"); background-repeat: no-repeat; background-attachment: fixed; background-position: right; background-size: 60%; overflow-y: scroll; overflow-x: hidden; } </style>

<html><br><br><font size="20"><b>latebus</b><font size="3"><br> Lilo sighs, then pats the place beside her, motioning for you to sit with her. You climb the stairs and [[you sit.|shootpt3]] (set: $shoot to 1) <style> tw-story { background-image:url("https://i.imgur.com/PGaqm9L.gif"); background-repeat: no-repeat; background-attachment: fixed; background-position: right; background-size: 60%; overflow-y: scroll; overflow-x: hidden; } </style>

<html><br><br><font size="20"><b>latebus</b><font size="3"><br> You meet her eyes briefly, with one small concern. "What, what if they bust down my door and attack me in my house? Don't even worry about it." Lilo nods towards the wall of the living room, and there, mounted on the wall, is a dignified-looking hunting rifle. "Winchester Model 70 .300 Win Mag," she announces. "I take down feral hogs when hunting's in season. They're invasive species, screw 'em." She flashes a grin. "It's a worst-case scenario home security option, but it's there." [[Understood.|shootpt5]] <style> tw-story { background-image:url("https://i.imgur.com/03LgSdW.gif"); background-repeat: no-repeat; background-attachment: fixed; background-position: right; background-size: 60%; overflow-y: scroll; overflow-x: hidden; } </style>

<html><br><br><font size="20"><b>latebus</b><font size="3"><br> "I made fun of you earlier for being boring," Lilo says, "but there's nothing wrong with that. I'm boring-er than you. I'm staying inside just because I have a bad feeling about what's going on outside. Educated bad feelings, with valid reasoning — but I shouldn't attack you for keeping safe by keeping to yourself. I'm doing the same thing." "I can't control what other people do. All I can control is me. If people are doing stupid stuff out there, let them. That's my coping mechanism." She crosses her arms. [["I'll be in here."|shootpt4]] <style> tw-story { background-image:url("https://i.imgur.com/03LgSdW.gif"); background-repeat: no-repeat; background-attachment: fixed; background-position: right; background-size: 60%; overflow-y: scroll; overflow-x: hidden; } </style>

<html><br><br><font size="20"><b>latebus</b><font size="3"><br> Lilo sighs, resting her hands on her knees. "There's no gift for this choice, though. Technically this wasn't even an option." This is the first time you've seen her look uncertain. "There's only one thing I can offer you, and I'm not sure if you'll want it. I won't be offended [[if you don't."|protect]] <style> tw-story { background-image:url("https://i.imgur.com/03LgSdW.gif"); background-repeat: no-repeat; background-attachment: fixed; background-position: right; background-size: 60%; overflow-y: scroll; overflow-x: hidden; } </style>

<html><br><br><font size="20"><b>latebus</b><font size="3"><br> With a resolute exhale, Lilo meets your eyes. "You can stay here. Sanctuary, yknow? Nothing will ever hurt you here, Mumble. I can promise that." She smiles ruefully. "It's sort of a selfish request. I won't think any lesser of you no matter what you decide." She shrugs. "I just want you to be safe." You can [[stay]], or [[go]]. <style> tw-story { background-image:url("https://i.imgur.com/03LgSdW.gif"); background-repeat: no-repeat; background-attachment: fixed; background-position: right; background-size: 60%; overflow-y: scroll; overflow-x: hidden; } </style>

<html><br><br><font size="20"><b>latebus</b><font size="3"><br> She meets your gaze. And then she gives your shoulder an affectionate shove. "You only love me for my gun," she laughs. "You're gonna regret this." [[But you don't think that you will.|staypt2]] <style> tw-story { background-image:url("https://i.imgur.com/6sQZElr.gif"); background-repeat: no-repeat; background-attachment: fixed; background-position: right; background-size: 60%; overflow-y: scroll; overflow-x: hidden; } </style>

<html><br><br><font size="20"><b>latebus</b><font size="3"><br> True to her word, Lilo's house is a sanctuary. You hear screams and sirens and shuffling feet but none of the havoc ever reaches the both of you. When the day is over, you return to your own house, but somehow it doesn't feel nearly as safe to you as Lilo's did. You keep on making visits. You exchange phone numbers. She teaches you to shoot. You go hunting in the fall and fight back against the horribly skyrocketing feral swine population. Lilo becomes a [[friend.|staypt3]] <style> tw-story { background-image:url("https://i.imgur.com/6sQZElr.gif"); background-repeat: no-repeat; background-attachment: fixed; background-position: right; background-size: 60%; overflow-y: scroll; overflow-x: hidden; } </style>

<html><br><br><font size="20"><b>latebus</b><font size="3"><br> Of course, school has a way of making friendships fall apart. You're on different paths. You grow up. You move on. Later, you graduate. Later, you graduate again. Later, you somehow end up in graphic design and you score a half-decent studio apartment. You make art and make a living and adopt a mixed-breed terrier whose eyes shine like the sun. And you know in your heart that she's still out there, looking out for you, [[hoping that you're safe.|ENDING 10/13]] <style> tw-story { background-image:url("https://i.imgur.com/oNWA6U6.gif"); background-repeat: no-repeat; background-attachment: fixed; background-position: right; background-size: 60%; overflow-y: scroll; overflow-x: hidden; } </style>

<html><br><br><font size="20"><b>latebus</b><font size="3"><br> You shake your head with a sad smile, and Lilo nods in understanding. "I won't hold you hostage. Be free." There's some form of approval in her [[expression.|returnpt2]] <style> tw-story { background-image:url("https://i.imgur.com/03LgSdW.gif"); background-repeat: no-repeat; background-attachment: fixed; background-position: right; background-size: 60%; overflow-y: scroll; overflow-x: hidden; } </style>

<html><br><br><font size="20"><b>latebus</b><font size="3"><br> (if: $spiders is 1)[<style> tw-story { background-image:url("https://i.imgur.com/yrn42U9.gif"); } </style>Lilo pauses, and peers down at your hand. "Hey there." <br><br>You lift your hand up in front of you and Michaelangelo scurries to your fingertip, doing the dance of her people. <br><br>Lilo gives Michaelangelo a little scratch under her chin, and then regards you with newfound respect. <br><br>"Take good care of my child," she commands, and you promise to do so.<br><br>] (else-if: $spiders is -1)[<style> tw-story { background-image:url("https://i.imgur.com/gwglpZd.gif"); } </style>Lilo pauses, and her face goes absolutely emotionless. <br><br>(text-colour: red)["You killed her, didn't you?"] <br><br>You don't say anything, and she just sighs. (set: $lilo_status to "hostile")<br><br>](else:)[<style> tw-story { background-image:url("https://i.imgur.com/gwglpZd.gif"); } </style>]With that, Lilo turns around and climbs back up the stairs, assuming her position on the mountaintop [[once more.|returnpt2]] <style> tw-story { background-repeat: no-repeat; background-attachment: fixed; background-position: right; background-size: 60%; overflow-y: scroll; overflow-x: hidden; } </style>

<html><br><br><font size="20"><b>latebus</b><font size="3"><br> "It's been fun, Mumble," she says. "But you need to get out of my house now." That's fair. She motions towards the living room. "Leave out the back door. I'll see you around." [[You know that she will.|backdoor]] <style> tw-story { background-image:url("https://i.imgur.com/gwglpZd.gif"); background-repeat: no-repeat; background-attachment: fixed; background-position: right; background-size: 60%; overflow-y: scroll; overflow-x: hidden; } </style>

<html><br><br><font size="20"><b>latebus</b><font size="3"><br> You emerge from the back door of the house and realize that the bus stop is within your field of vision. You must have travelled in a big circle  (if: $bus_time is 5)[[[somehow.|attack stop]]](else-if:$bus_time is 10)[[[somehow.|fight stop]]](else:)[[[somehow.|murphy stop]]] <style> tw-story { background-image:url("https://i.imgur.com/4o2WwHX.gif"); background-repeat: no-repeat; background-attachment: fixed; background-position: right; background-size: 60%; overflow-y: scroll; overflow-x: hidden; } </style>

<html><br><br><font size="20"><b>latebus</b><font size="3"><br> It takes you a second to process that a cloud of smoke is billowing up from where the bus stop should be. Your heart lurches into your throat and you run to the stop. You smell hot metal and feel glass crunch beneath your feet, and then you see a familiar minivan wrapped around the tree that had the Thank You bag stuck in it. Scraps of automobile are strewn everywhere. Off to the side, lying on her stomach, is $june_name. She is not breathing. In the center of the wreckage, curled up into a ball, is [[$murphy_name.|murphy stop pt2]] <style> tw-story { background-image:url("https://i.imgur.com/RWzn8k1.gif"); background-repeat: no-repeat; background-attachment: fixed; background-position: right; background-size: 60%; overflow-y: scroll; overflow-x: hidden; } </style>

<html><br><br><font size="20"><b>latebus</b><font size="3"><br> Hearing you approach, he lifts his head. "She had a knife. Why did she have a knife?" Terrified, you don't dare approach him. "She attacked me—" He holds his head, his voice going shrill. "The car came out of nowhere— I don't— [[I didn't—"|murphy stop pt3]] <style> tw-story { background-image:url("https://i.imgur.com/RWzn8k1.gif"); background-repeat: no-repeat; background-attachment: fixed; background-position: right; background-size: 60%; overflow-y: scroll; overflow-x: hidden; } </style>

<html><br><br><font size="20"><b>latebus</b><font size="3"><br> Dazed, he scrambles to his feet and looks at you pathetically. "Call the police," he manages. "I have to get out of here." With that, he dashes past you, disappearing into the forest just beyond [[the bus stop.|murphy stop pt4]] <style> tw-story { background-image:url("https://i.imgur.com/JyhYnyr.gif"); background-repeat: no-repeat; background-attachment: fixed; background-position: right; background-size: 60%; overflow-y: scroll; overflow-x: hidden; } </style>

<html><br><br><font size="20"><b>latebus</b><font size="3"><br> But you don't get the chance to call the police. As you're standing amidst the chaos, you see something stir in the front seat of the crushed minivan. Eyes open in the darkness of its crumpled chassis. A hand presses against the windshield. "I'm going to die in thirty seconds," you hear the driver whisper. "But I'm not letting my family's business die in thirty seconds [[too."|murphy stop pt5]] <style> tw-story { background-image:url("https://i.imgur.com/jGiE9pu.gif"); background-repeat: no-repeat; background-attachment: fixed; background-position: right; background-size: 60%; overflow-y: scroll; overflow-x: hidden; } </style>

<html><br><br><font size="20"><b>latebus</b><font size="3"><br> The driver makes a sudden motion and the ruined car roars to life, surging towards you with impossible speed. There is no time to react. There is not even enough time to [[scream.|ENDING 6/13]] <style> tw-story { background-image:url("https://i.imgur.com/T1gEZ5c.gif"); background-repeat: no-repeat; background-attachment: fixed; background-position: right; background-size: 60%; overflow-y: scroll; overflow-x: hidden; } </style>

<html><br><br><font size="20"><b>latebus</b><font size="3"><br> It takes you a second to process the flurry of movement coming from the bus stop, and the telltale glint of a knife. You rush over just in time to see $june_name lunge at $murphy_name, making a broad, precise swipe with her switchblade that he frantically ducks to evade. You need to try and de-escalate this. Grab [[$june_name|help june]], or grab [[$murphy_name|help murph]], or carefully step [[between them]]. <style> tw-story { background-image:url("https://i.imgur.com/b6kJOUI.gif"); background-repeat: no-repeat; background-attachment: fixed; background-position: right; background-size: 60%; overflow-y: scroll; overflow-x: hidden; } </style>

<html><br><br><font size="20"><b>latebus</b><font size="3"><br> When you get closer to her, all you can see is how badly she's shaking. You hold her arm and gently pull her away from the battle, and she barely even tries to fight it. "I don't want to kill him," she hisses. "My sister put me up to it, just because he was alone. There's no reason to kill him." "For the record," says $murphy_name, [["I agree."|fight stop pt2]] <style> tw-story { background-image:url("https://i.imgur.com/6NgP22W.gif"); background-repeat: no-repeat; background-attachment: fixed; background-position: right; background-size: 60%; overflow-y: scroll; overflow-x: hidden; } </style>

<html><br><br><font size="20"><b>latebus</b><font size="3"><br> When you get closer to him, you notice he's barely even fighting back. He's ducking and weaving away from the blade, but he isn't going on the offensive at all. You take his arm and try to pull him away. "She attacked me," he says. "Why?" He looks to her. "What did I do?" $june_name hisses, but she stops attacking. "You didn't do anything. My sister put me up to it, just because you were alone. [[There's no reason for me to kill you."|fight stop pt2]] <style> tw-story { background-image:url("https://i.imgur.com/nUsx0rU.gif"); background-repeat: no-repeat; background-attachment: fixed; background-position: right; background-size: 60%; overflow-y: scroll; overflow-x: hidden; } </style>

<html><br><br><font size="20"><b>latebus</b><font size="3"><br> Encouraged, you relax a little at this de-escalation. You relax a little too soon. "I don't want to," $june_name exhales, "but I have to. And [[I'm sorry."|fight stop pt3]] <style> tw-story { background-image:url("https://i.imgur.com/6NgP22W.gif"); background-repeat: no-repeat; background-attachment: fixed; background-position: right; background-size: 60%; overflow-y: scroll; overflow-x: hidden; } </style>

<html><br><br><font size="20"><b>latebus</b><font size="3"><br> $june_name rushes at $murphy_name with a furious slash that should have cut him open but somehow, he just barely sidesteps it. Unbalanced, $june_name staggers forwards. She loses her footing and falls heavily against the concrete, directly into her blade. [[She doesn't get back up.|fight stop pt4]] <style> tw-story { background-image:url("https://i.imgur.com/XRo0pxU.gif"); background-repeat: no-repeat; background-attachment: fixed; background-position: right; background-size: 60%; overflow-y: scroll; overflow-x: hidden; } </style>

<html><br><br><font size="20"><b>latebus</b><font size="3"><br> Your first thought is one of panic: you just saw someone die. Your second thought is one of dread: her overly-violent sister is not going to be happy about this. Confirmation of this thought arrives two seconds later in the form of an absolutely deafening screech, and the full force of a two-ton vehicle going 140 miles per hour colliding directly with your upper body. You are rendered [[two-dimensional.|ENDING 6/13]] <style> tw-story { background-image:url("https://i.imgur.com/7TVCyEW.gif"); background-repeat: no-repeat; background-attachment: fixed; background-position: right; background-size: 60%; overflow-y: scroll; overflow-x: hidden; } </style>

<html><br><br><font size="20"><b>latebus</b><font size="3"><br> As you walk towards the bus stop, you see some sort of suspicious movement. You come closer and it takes you a second to process that you're watching $june_name slowly approach $murphy_name. She's holding a blade. You need to stop this. You need to step [[between them]] or make a [[loud noise]] or something. <style> tw-story { background-image:url("https://i.imgur.com/pnxnimv.gif"); background-repeat: no-repeat; background-attachment: fixed; background-position: right; background-size: 60%; overflow-y: scroll; overflow-x: hidden; } </style>

<html><br><br><font size="20"><b>latebus</b><font size="3"><br> [[You are happy.|ENDING 13/13]] <style> tw-story { background-image:url("https://i.imgur.com/zsnTxMX.gif"); background-repeat: no-repeat; background-attachment: fixed; background-position: right; background-size: 60%; overflow-y: scroll; overflow-x: hidden; } </style>

<html><br><br><font size="20"><b>latebus</b><font size="3"><br> (text-colour: white)[ENDING 1/13: PATHETIC] you can do better [[C.|things you know]] (set: $ending_1 to "unlocked") (set: $your_name's 1 to "C") <style> tw-story { background-image:url("https://i.imgur.com/tAiQ74x.gif"); background-repeat: no-repeat; background-attachment: fixed; background-position: right; background-size: 60%; overflow-y: scroll; overflow-x: hidden; } </style>

<html><br><br><font size="20"><b>latebus</b><font size="3"><br> (text-colour: gray)[ENDING 2/13: SELF-ABSORBED] you are what you eat [[H.|things you know]] (set: $ending_2 to "unlocked") (set: $your_name's 2 to "H") <style> tw-story { background-image:url("https://i.imgur.com/UwcpTv5.gif"); background-repeat: no-repeat; background-attachment: fixed; background-position: right; background-size: 60%; overflow-y: scroll; overflow-x: hidden; } </style>

<html><br><br><font size="20"><b>latebus</b><font size="3"><br> (text-colour: white)[ENDING 3/13: VEGAN] plant have feeling too [[R.|things you know]] (set: $ending_3 to "unlocked") (set: $your_name's 3 to "R") <style> tw-story { background-image:url("https://i.imgur.com/GxYZmeO.gif"); background-repeat: no-repeat; background-attachment: fixed; background-position: right; background-size: 60%; overflow-y: scroll; overflow-x: hidden; } </style>

<html><br><br><font size="20"><b>latebus</b><font size="3"><br> (text-colour: white)[ENDING 4/13: ASCENDED] the chosen one [[Y.|things you know]] (set: $ending_4 to "unlocked") (set: $your_name's 4 to "Y") <style> tw-story { background-image:url("https://i.imgur.com/JUrqhVE.gif"); background-repeat: no-repeat; background-attachment: fixed; background-position: right; background-size: 60%; overflow-y: scroll; overflow-x: hidden; } </style>

<html><br><br><font size="20"><b>latebus</b><font size="3"><br> (text-colour: gray)[ENDING 5/13: SILENT] sore throat [[S.|things you know]] (set: $ending_5 to "unlocked") (set: $your_name's 5 to "S") <style> tw-story { background-image:url("https://i.imgur.com/sUuaMkL.gif"); background-repeat: no-repeat; background-attachment: fixed; background-position: right; background-size: 60%; overflow-y: scroll; overflow-x: hidden; } </style>

<html><br><br><font size="20"><b>latebus</b><font size="3"><br> (text-colour: gray)[ENDING 6/13: FLAT] should've looked both ways [[A.|things you know]] (set: $ending_6 to "unlocked") (set: $your_name's 6 to "A") <style> tw-story { background-image:url("https://i.imgur.com/KHXLtKe.gif"); background-repeat: no-repeat; background-attachment: fixed; background-position: right; background-size: 60%; overflow-y: scroll; overflow-x: hidden; } </style>

<html><br><br><font size="20"><b>latebus</b><font size="3"><br> (text-colour: gray)[ENDING 7/13: DRIVEN] the road less travelled [[N.|things you know]] (set: $ending_7 to "unlocked") (set: $your_name's 7 to "N") <style> tw-story { background-image:url("https://i.imgur.com/Ovq2Qdm.gif"); background-repeat: no-repeat; background-attachment: fixed; background-position: right; background-size: 60%; overflow-y: scroll; overflow-x: hidden; } </style>

<html><br><br><font size="20"><b>latebus</b><font size="3"><br> (text-colour: white)[ENDING 8/13: TIRED] haha get it? [[T.|things you know]] (set: $ending_8 to "unlocked") (set: $your_name's 8 to "T") <style> tw-story { background-image:url("https://i.imgur.com/XpB811Y.gif"); background-repeat: no-repeat; background-attachment: fixed; background-position: right; background-size: 60%; overflow-y: scroll; overflow-x: hidden; } </style>

<html><br><br><font size="20"><b>latebus</b><font size="3"><br> (text-colour: purple)[ENDING 9/13: MORTAL] and that's okay [[H.|things you know]] (set: $ending_9 to "unlocked") (set: $your_name's 9 to "H") <style> tw-story { background-image:url("https://i.imgur.com/dcMuNxg.gif"); background-repeat: no-repeat; background-attachment: fixed; background-position: right; background-size: 60%; overflow-y: scroll; overflow-x: hidden; } </style>

<html><br><br><font size="20"><b>latebus</b><font size="3"><br> (text-colour: orange)[ENDING 10/13: PROTECTED] you deserve to be safe [[E.|things you know]] (set: $ending_10 to "unlocked") (set: $your_name's 10 to "E") <style> tw-story { background-image:url("https://i.imgur.com/oNWA6U6.gif"); background-repeat: no-repeat; background-attachment: fixed; background-position: right; background-size: 60%; overflow-y: scroll; overflow-x: hidden; } </style>

<html><br><br><font size="20"><b>latebus</b><font size="3"><br> (text-colour: blue)[ENDING 11/13: NOMADIC] bromads [[M.|things you know]] (set: $ending_11 to "unlocked") (set: $your_name's 11 to "M") <style> tw-story { background-image:url("https://i.imgur.com/mchvlcP.gif"); background-repeat: no-repeat; background-attachment: fixed; background-position: right; background-size: 60%; overflow-y: scroll; overflow-x: hidden; } </style>

<html><br><br><font size="20"><b>latebus</b><font size="3"><br> (text-colour: green)[ENDING 12/13: INVINCIBLE] killer queen [[U.|things you know]] (set: $ending_12 to "unlocked") (set: $your_name's 12 to "U") <style> tw-story { background-image:url("https://i.imgur.com/GwtBnRd.gif"); background-repeat: no-repeat; background-attachment: fixed; background-position: right; background-size: 60%; overflow-y: scroll; overflow-x: hidden; } </style>

<html><br><br><font size="20"><b>latebus</b><font size="3"><br> (text-colour: yellow)[ENDING 13/13: FREE] [[M.|things you know]] (set: $ending_13 to "unlocked") (set: $your_name's 13 to "M") <style> tw-story { background-image:url("https://i.imgur.com/zsnTxMX.gif"); background-repeat: no-repeat; background-attachment: fixed; background-position: right; background-size: 60%; overflow-y: scroll; overflow-x: hidden; } </style> (set: $win to 1)

<html><br><br><font size="20"><b>latebus</b><font size="3"><br> You make it two steps before you see a familiar minivan come careening down the street, jumping the curb and swerving onto the sidewalk. You have enough time for your brain to process that the car is aiming straight for you, picking up speed by the second — and that its driver is screaming in a blind rage. You do not have enough time to [[react.|ENDING 6/13]] <style> tw-story { background-image:url("https://i.imgur.com/lhNdi4o.gif"); background-repeat: no-repeat; background-attachment: fixed; background-position: right; background-size: 60%; overflow-y: scroll; overflow-x: hidden; } </style>

<html><br><br><font size="20"><b>latebus</b><font size="3"><br> You go home. You go up to your front door. You go into your room. You go back to sleep. Nothing happens to you. In fact, you continue to actively prevent things from [[happening to you.|go home pt2]] <style> tw-story { background-image:url("https://i.imgur.com/ZMAq2fO.gif"); background-repeat: no-repeat; background-attachment: fixed; background-position: right; background-size: 60%; overflow-y: scroll; overflow-x: hidden; } </style>

<html><br><br><font size="20"><b>latebus</b><font size="3"><br> Tomorrow, the bus is on time, and you go to school. Later, you graduate. Later, you graduate again. Later, you are employed at an insurance firm five miles from the house you grew up in. Later, you draw your last breath in the cramped bathroom of your decomposing apartment, and it is several days before your body is discovered. You are survived by [[one small, moldy goldfish.|ENDING 1/13]] <style> tw-story { background-image:url("https://i.imgur.com/402h6Be.gif"); background-repeat: no-repeat; background-attachment: fixed; background-position: right; background-size: 60%; overflow-y: scroll; overflow-x: hidden; } </style>

<html><br><br><font size="20"><b>latebus</b><font size="3"><br> You're once again standing here. It has been twenty minutes. You watch $june_name intently but she doesn't so much as look in $murphy_name's direction at all. $murphy_name still seems completely oblivious. It looks like $kyler_name is already [[gone.|bus20pt2]] (set: $bus_time to 20) <style> tw-story { background-image:url("https://i.imgur.com/jE8iBgz.gif"); background-repeat: no-repeat; background-attachment: fixed; background-position: right; background-size: 60%; overflow-y: scroll; overflow-x: hidden; } </style> (set: $scary to 1)

<html><br><br><font size="20"><b>latebus</b><font size="3"><br>(set: $inputguess to (prompt: "What is your name? <br>", ""))(if: $inputguess is "")[(set: $inputguess to "Blank")] (set: $inputguess to (upperfirst: $inputguess)) (if: $inputguess is $inputname)[[[$inputguess?|input inputname]]](else-if: $inputguess is "Chris")[[[$inputguess?|chris]]](else-if: $inputguess is "Anne")[[[$inputguess?|anne]]](else-if: $inputguess is "Theo")[[[$inputguess?|theo]]](else-if: $inputguess is "Mumble")[[[$inputguess?|mumble]]](else-if: $inputguess is "Michaelangelo")[[[$inputguess?|mikey!]]](else-if: $inputguess is "Murphy")[[[$inputguess?|murphy!]]](else-if: $inputguess is "Kyler")[[[$inputguess?|kyler!]]](else-if: $inputguess is "June")[[[$inputguess?|june!]]](else-if: $inputguess is "Lilo")[[[$inputguess?|lilo!]]](else-if: $inputguess is "Margot")[[[$inputguess?|margot!]]](else-if: $inputguess is "Chrysanthemum")[[[$inputguess?|chrys]]](else:)[[[$inputguess?|other]]] <style> tw-story { background-image:url("https://i.imgur.com/9DKEuHB.gif"); background-repeat: no-repeat; background-attachment: fixed; background-position: center; background-size: 60%; overflow-y: scroll; overflow-x: hidden; } tw-passage { background-color: black; margin-right: 25%; margin-left: 15%; } </style>

<html><br><br><font size="20"><b>latebus</b><font size="3"><br> There's not much more to do here. It's a tree. You wonder why you're leering at it with such hyperfixation. [[It's just a tree.|tree]] [[Or is it?|pear dude pt2]] <style> tw-story { background-image:url("https://i.imgur.com/TUG7bKw.gif"); background-repeat: no-repeat; background-attachment: fixed; background-position: right; background-size: 60%; overflow-y: scroll; overflow-x: hidden; } </style>

<html><br><br><font size="20"><b>latebus</b><font size="3"><br> The prophecied Tesla arrives shortly, and against your better judgement, you get ready to climb inside. On his way to the vehicle, Kyler shoulders into $june_name. "Oho, a car that nobody lives in," he jeers softly, walking around her. "I know you're not too familiar with that concept, baby." $june_name's face darkens, and Kyler looks a little too [[proud of himself.|accept kyler pt3]] <style> tw-story { background-image:url("https://i.imgur.com/Bdn3EKm.gif"); background-repeat: no-repeat; background-attachment: fixed; background-position: right; background-size: 60%; overflow-y: scroll; overflow-x: hidden; } </style>

<html><br><br><font size="20"><b>latebus</b><font size="3"><br> It's a lovely name for a very small friend. But it is [[not your name.|things you know]] <style> tw-story { background-image:url("https://i.imgur.com/9DKEuHB.gif"); background-repeat: no-repeat; background-attachment: fixed; background-position: center; background-size: 60%; overflow-y: scroll; overflow-x: hidden; } tw-passage { background-color: black; margin-right: 25%; margin-left: 15%; } </style>

<html><br><br><font size="20"><b>latebus</b><font size="3"><br> With a self-satisfied smirk, he clambers into the car and slams the door shut. You watch as it [[rumbles away.|bus15pt4]] <style> tw-story { background-image:url("https://i.imgur.com/6lYaQ3m.gif"); background-repeat: no-repeat; background-attachment: fixed; background-position: right; background-size: 60%; overflow-y: scroll; overflow-x: hidden; } </style>

<html><br><br><font size="20"><b>latebus</b><font size="3"><br> You insert yourself directly into the altercation. $murphy_name looks up and looks beyond you and his eyes widen and you turn around just in time to see $june_name's blade come down [[upon you.|between them pt2]] <style> tw-story { background-image:url("https://i.imgur.com/jdTPTRy.gif"); background-repeat: no-repeat; background-attachment: fixed; background-position: right; background-size: 60%; overflow-y: scroll; overflow-x: hidden; } </style>

<html><br><br><font size="20"><b>latebus</b><font size="3"><br> It connects with your neck. It's funny. When you're in this much pain, you're supposed to go so numb that you don't even feel it. But you definitely feel it. You see $murphy_name stumble backwards in shock. You see $june_name drop her switchblade and start to hyperventilate. You see your own knees hit the concrete as you go down. "Oh god," $june_name says. "Not the jugular. Tell me I didn't slice the jugular." But she definitely [[sliced the jugular.|ENDING 5/13]] <style> tw-story { background-image:url("https://i.imgur.com/J2Tplap.gif"); background-repeat: no-repeat; background-attachment: fixed; background-position: right; background-size: 60%; overflow-y: scroll; overflow-x: hidden; } </style>

<html><br><br><font size="20"><b>latebus</b><font size="3"><br> You loudly say hello to $murphy_name. He gives you a small confused smile and immediately goes back to his rocks. When you look back at $june_name, the blade has retreated back into her marker — a switchblade, you realize — and she's spinning it as if nothing just [[happened.|scary bus20]] <style> tw-story { background-image:url("https://i.imgur.com/dKwOquB.gif"); background-repeat: no-repeat; background-attachment: fixed; background-position: right; background-size: 60%; overflow-y: scroll; overflow-x: hidden; } </style>

<html><br><br><font size="20"><b>latebus</b><font size="3"><br> With some sort of urgency, $june_name climbs into the vehicle and says something to the driver. She is [[carried to freedom.|bus20pt4]] <style> tw-story { background-image:url("https://i.imgur.com/OtfKEgt.gif"); background-repeat: no-repeat; background-attachment: fixed; background-position: right; background-size: 60%; overflow-y: scroll; overflow-x: hidden; } </style>

<html><br><br><font size="20"><b>latebus</b><font size="3"><br> Michaelangelo trembles within your palm, looking up at you with huge, terrified eyes. Cold and unfeeling, the centipede smiles. There is no reason for you to do this. She will die, and you will have killed her, and the centipede will still be here. The centipede was here before you entered this world and it will be here long after you leave it. Just [[run.|lakeside]] No, you really want to [[sacrifice Michaelangelo.|sacrifice]] <style> tw-story { background-image:url("https://i.imgur.com/zLyCgNF.gif"); background-repeat: no-repeat; background-attachment: fixed; background-position: right; background-size: 60%; overflow-y: scroll; overflow-x: hidden; } </style>

<html><br><br><font size="20"><b>latebus</b><font size="3"><br> It's a lovely name for a rock-stealing self-proclaimed bad boy. But it is [[not your name.|things you know]] <style> tw-story { background-image:url("https://i.imgur.com/9DKEuHB.gif"); background-repeat: no-repeat; background-attachment: fixed; background-position: center; background-size: 60%; overflow-y: scroll; overflow-x: hidden; } tw-passage { background-color: black; margin-right: 25%; margin-left: 15%; } </style>

<html><br><br><font size="20"><b>latebus</b><font size="3"><br> It's a lovely name for a sad pseudo-richkid. But it is [[not your name.|things you know]] <style> tw-story { background-image:url("https://i.imgur.com/9DKEuHB.gif"); background-repeat: no-repeat; background-attachment: fixed; background-position: center; background-size: 60%; overflow-y: scroll; overflow-x: hidden; } tw-passage { background-color: black; margin-right: 25%; margin-left: 15%; } </style>

<html><br><br><font size="20"><b>latebus</b><font size="3"><br> It's a lovely name for a spinny, stabby individual. But it is [[not your name.|things you know]] <style> tw-story { background-image:url("https://i.imgur.com/9DKEuHB.gif"); background-repeat: no-repeat; background-attachment: fixed; background-position: center; background-size: 60%; overflow-y: scroll; overflow-x: hidden; } tw-passage { background-color: black; margin-right: 25%; margin-left: 15%; } </style>

<html><br><br><font size="20"><b>latebus</b><font size="3"><br> It's a lovely name for a lonely gift-giver. But it is [[not your name.|things you know]] <style> tw-story { background-image:url("https://i.imgur.com/9DKEuHB.gif"); background-repeat: no-repeat; background-attachment: fixed; background-position: center; background-size: 60%; overflow-y: scroll; overflow-x: hidden; } tw-passage { background-color: black; margin-right: 25%; margin-left: 15%; } </style>

<html><br><br><font size="20"><b>latebus</b><font size="3"><br> It's a lovely name for a questionable role model. But it is [[not your name.|things you know]] <style> tw-story { background-image:url("https://i.imgur.com/9DKEuHB.gif"); background-repeat: no-repeat; background-attachment: fixed; background-position: center; background-size: 60%; overflow-y: scroll; overflow-x: hidden; } tw-passage { background-color: black; margin-right: 25%; margin-left: 15%; } </style>