(set: $stringVar to "false")
(set: $rations to 0)
(set: $visitedfountain to "false")
(set: $visitedshop to "false")
(set: $visitedgarden to " false")
(set: $visitedlawn to "false")
There never is enough time for [[anything.]]
Especially not here—the *Bitten* limp across the courtyard, groaning as they shift back and forth. You don’t remember the last time you’ve seen this many of them in one place.
In all honesty, you don’t remember much at [[all.]]You crouch down behind the mossy wall with Faye, palming the jagged edge of your dagger. She seems preoccupied, tying the loose strands of her hair around the stem of a bird feather.
You notice her hands starting to shake.
[[What's wrong?]]She glances up.
“We need to get //rations//,” Faye says, her tone even and not betraying any of her outward nervousness. “If we don’t, the camp will eat itself alive. Teamwork is good until people start getting hungry. Then you really find out how people //really// feel about you.”
[[How many rations do we need?]]
“Whatever you can grab,” Faye says. “Maybe //four bags// worth? Water, canned food, processed crap, whatever. Anything to buy time while Gwenlynn recovers. Without her around, leadership has completely gone to shit."
[[I understand.]]
As you being to remove yourself from cover, you feel Faye’s nails dig into your arm. That surprises you—she had been anything //but// affectionate since you've met her.
“Don’t do anything stupid, okay? Just go, grab *four bags* worth, and come right back.”
You nod.
[[Go into the courtyard.]]
You crouch behind the wall and turn towards Faye.
(if:(history: where its name contains "Talk to Faye")'s length is 0)[Faye stares at you curiously—she stops twisting the feather in her hair.
"Do you have the rations yet? What are you doing?"]
(if:(history: where its name contains "Talk to Faye")'s length is 1)[Faye stares at you curiously— she stops twisting the feather in her hair.
"Do you have the rations yet? We need them. Go—I'm keeping watch."]
(if:(history: where its name contains "Talk to Faye")'s length is 2)[Faye stares at you curiously— she stops twisting the feather in her hair. She seems slightly annoyed now.
"Rations. We need the rations. Go."]
(if:(history: where its name contains "Talk to Faye")'s length > 2) [Faye stares at you curiously— she stops twisting the feather in her hair. She seems slightly annoyed now.
Then she leans in, cupping your face and planting a kiss on your cheek.
She smiles shyly, shooing you away.]
[[Go Back To Courtyard->Go into the courtyard.]]
(if:$rations is 4) [[[Show Faye Rations->Show Faye Rations]]]
(set: $visitedfountain to "true")
(set: $rations to $rations + 1)
You head to the fountain. It is bone dry with no water in sight.
You see a few granola bars. They look intact enough to take.
[[Collect rations.->Go into the courtyard.]](set: $visitedshop to "true")
(set: $rations to $rations + 1)
You sneak into the gift shop, easing the door open slowly. Your eyes widen. Cans and cans of food are still sitting on the shelves. Eagerly, you swipe all of it into a bag.
[[Collect rations.->Go into the courtyard.]]
(set: $visitedlawn to "true")
(set: $rations to $rations + 1)
You walk over to the lawn chairs. You aren't expecting much but you see a bottle of pills. Odd—but useful.
[[Collect rations.->Go into the courtyard.]]
(set: $visitedgarden to "true")
(set: $rations to $rations + 1)
You head to the garden. It is unruly, with vines and moss snaking through the wild bushes. You manage to scavange a large jug of water. It looks clean enough.
[[Collect rations.->Go into the courtyard.]]Faye rummages through the bags you show her. She nods, setting them to the side.
"That'll work. Hopefully it's enough to calm everyone down at camp."
She grabs your hand, squeezing it gently.
"Thanks. For helping me."
[[Of course.]]
(align:"=><=")[(text-colour:red)[For Those Bitten]]
(align:"=><=")[<sub>an *interactive experience* by Christian Husband</sub> ]
(END)You remove from cover, surveying the courtyard. None of the *Bitten* have noticed you yet.
(if:$rations is 0)[At least four bags worth of rations. You'll have to start somewhere.]
(if:$rations is 1)[One down, three to go...]
(if:$rations is 2)[Halfway there.]
(if:$rations is 3)[One more to go. No time to mess this up now.]
(if:$rations is 4)[That should be everything. Now to head back to Faye.]
Where do you go?
[[Talk to Faye]]
(if: $visitedfountain is "false")[[[Fountain->Fountain]]]
(if: $visitedshop is "false")[[[Gift Shop->Gift Shop]]]
(if: $visitedgarden is" false")[[[Unruly Garden->Unruly Garden]]]
(if: $visitedlawn is "false")[[[Lawn Chairs->Lawn Chairs]]]