Exercise #4

config.style.dark..link.lineColor: "red-4" config.style.dark.page.link.active.color: "red-2 on red-6" config.style.dark.page.link.lineColor: "red-4" config.style.page.theme.override: "dark" dayTwoGwenlynnSus: false dayTwoGwenlynnTrust: false -- [align center] *For Those Bitten* contains themes and scenarios that may be distressing to some players. Proceed at [[your own discretion.->Introduction]] [continue] ---- [align center] <sub>an *interactive experience* by Christian Husband</sub>

config.header.center: "Day Two" -- You weren’t sure what to expect when you were ushered onto the second floor of the abandoned building. Jimmy—the thin guard with missing two teeth—had told you that this entire camp used to be a small town called *Tarrin.* This particular building—which used to be a flower shop—was transformed into Gwenlynn’s office, and held all of the resources necessary for her to perform her daily [[operations.]]

config.header.center: "Day Two" -- *Gwenlynn.* You had heard that name multiple times last night while you settled into camp. And now she wants to meet you. Jimmy turns to you. “Listen—keep your cool. Don’t do anything dumb. I like you, but I won’t be able to save you if you get on her bad side. Got me?” You nod. There was a clear hierarchy here. Everything seemed to go through [[her. ]]

config.header.center: "Day Two" -- Gwenlynn was strangely shorter than you expected, her combat boots only elevating her to about five-foot-two. Her hair was red, hanging stiffly past her chin. Most striking of all—there was an eyepatch nestled around her right eye, worn and faded with age. She seemed like she had been eyeing a map on the table below her before you came inside the room. She glances up, fixing you with a long look. “I considered having you shot in your sleep.” >[[Why?]]

config.header.center: "Day Two" -- Gwenlynn pulls out a dagger from the folds of her jacket, twirls it between her fingers, then slams the blade through the wood of the table. “I hardly trust anyone. You being vouched for speaks volumes, but anyone can be corrupted. Including the people I think are closest to me. They have the easiest access to stab me in the back.” Gwenlynn tugs the dagger out of the table, closing the distance between you both. “Which one are you, *survivor*? Someone I should trust or someone I need to watch out for?" >[[Someone you should trust.]] >[[Someone you should watch out for.]]

config.header.center: "Day Two" dayTwoGwenlynnSus: true -- You tell her you are trustworthy. Gwenlynn snorts. “So I should just blindly trust you then?” She returns back to the map, using the dagger to draw lines across it. “We’re running low on rations. People are getting upset. You may be asking why I’m telling you this—you coming here now just gives me another *damn* mouth to feed. So, you’re going to help me fix it.” >[[Agree to help.]] >[[Don't.]]

config.header.center: "Day Two" dayTwoGwenlynnTrust: true -- You tell her you are trustworthy, but the smartest thing to do would be to keep an eye on you anyway. That’s what you would do if you were her. Gwenlynn seems slightly pleased with that answer, the thin line on her face curling upwards. She returns back to the map, using the dagger to draw lines across it. “We’re running low on rations. People are getting upset. You may be asking why I’m telling you this—you coming here now just gives me another *damn* mouth to feed. So, you’re going to help me fix it.” >[[Agree to help.]] >[[Don't.]]

config.header.center: "Day Two" -- You nod. “Good. My people are scouting an area that looks promising. You’ll go there with them tomorrow. If you want food, you’ll have to work for it. As for right now…” Gwenlynn hands you a heavy box with ease. You’re barely able to get a good grip on it. “These are rations for today. That’s it. All we have. Usually, the guards get the honor of handing this out. I want you to do it." >[[Why?->Why2]]

config.header.center: "Day Two" -- [if dayTwoGwenlynnTrust] Gwenlynn peers up at you, seemingly impressed by your sudden defiance. She sweeps her hair from falling in front of her yes. "I understand. You don't know me. And I am asking you to risk your life." Gwenlynn walks towards the window, clasping her arms behind her back. "Tarrin was a dream of mine. That somehow we could return the world back to how it used to be. It was like that here for a while. But people get greedy. People get complacent. They always ruin things that are meant to last forever. | [[~~**Next**~~->Confession]] [continue] [if dayTwoGwenlynnSus] Gwenlynn waves you away. “Then you aren’t my problem either. Jimmy!” Jimmy comes inside of the room, rifle at the ready. “Yes, ma’am.” “Take this survivor back to the gate. I don’t think they’re needed in Tarrin any [[longer.”->end]] [continue]

config.header.center: "Day Two" -- [if dayTwoGwenlynnTrust] For the first time in this conversation, Gwenlynn grins. “Because I want to see if you’re someone that I should *try* to trust. Only rule is this—that box has to be empty when you come back to me. So hoard it. Distribute it evenly. Play favorites. I don’t really care—the guards will tell me everything you do with it anyway.” [continue] [if dayTwoGwenlynnSus] Gwenlynn's face thins. “Because I want to see if you’re someone that I need to *watch* closely. Only rule is this—that box has to be empty when you come back to me. So hoard it. Distribute it evenly. Play favorites. I don’t really care—the guards will tell me everything you do with it anyway.” [continue] >[[I undestand.]]

config.header.center: "Day Two" -- Jimmy raps his knuckle against the door. “Got the survivor here, Gwenlynn.” A raspy voice calls back. “Let them in.” Jimmy butts you with the end of his rifle, gesturing you to [[walk forward.]]

[align center] *For Those Bitten* (END)

config.header.center: "Day Two" -- Gwenlynn dips her head. "Wonderful. Jimmy!" Jimmy comes inside of the room, rifle at the ready. “Yes, ma’am.” "This survivor will be useful. They'll be handing out rations today. Watch them closely and then report back to me once the box is empty." Jimmy nods. "Yes, ma'am." You and Jimmy walk out of the room and as soon as you are no longer in earshot, he grabs you by the shoulder, hissing in [[your ear.]]

config.header.center: "Day Two" -- "You fucked up." >[[Why?->Why3]]

config.header.center: "Day Two" -- "Because Gwenylnn is a power trip. She loves to play games. And you're walking right into her [[web."->end]]

config.header.center: "Day Two" -- Gwenlynn sighs. "The situation is worse than I'm letting on. Rations are the lowest it's ever been. I don't remember the last time I've had a decent meal. Mabye a month? Everyone is too scared to be a scout or a solider. Our doctor is no closer to finding a cure." >[[I'm sorry.]]

config.header.center: "Day Two" -- Gwenlynn shakes her head. "I don't need sympathy. I need assistance." She sighs. "I understand if I came off too strong before—I am used to bulldozing people. You see how I look—if I'm not strong, they'll walk right over me. But I'm asking *you* because I think you're someone who is coming into this camp with a fresh perspective. And I need people like that here. Work with *me*, and I'll work with you." You ponder for a moment. >[[Alright, I'll help.]] >[[No, I'm good.]]

config.header.center: "Day Two" -- Gwenlynn nods. "Good. Come—let's talk a little more about what I need you to do." Your heart skips a beat. You hope you made the right choice. >[[Okay.->end]]

config.header.center: "Day Two" -- Gwenlynn slouches. It looks like she aged a decade in merely a second. "Then leave. Go!" >[[Exit the room.]]

config.header.center: "Day Two" -- You exit the room. Jimmy is standing here, looking perlexed. You and Jimmy walk out of the building and as soon as you are no longer in earshot, he grabs you by the shoulder. "You turned Gwenylnn down and she didn't *shoot* you?" You shrug. Jimmy barks out a laugh. "We'll have to talk someone. You got some magic voodoo over there." >[[Maybe I do.->end]]