Delilah's Run

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<<set $northReciever = 1>><<set $southReciever = 1>>The center of Delilah's Run. The small outcropping of buildings all circle this spot, which is marked prominently by the town hall. <<if $lookedForHorse == 0>> Strangely, Sam's horse is no where to be seen. No trace of where he might have gone can be seen either, only adding to the peculiarity of the case of the missing steed. <<endif>>The [[town hall]] itself stands above the other buildings in Delilah's Run, being made up of two floors, instead of a mere one. It's white paint is chipped, cracked, and peeling, the windows are covered in a dust so thick, that even if there were lights in the windows, you would not be able to see through them. To the [[north]] is a small building which sticks out, only because of a wooden sign hanging from the porch awning which read 'Post Office' in faded black lettering. To the [[south]] is another large building, though not nearly as large as the town hall. A water trough sits in front, though it is comepletely dry. It appears that there was once a sign painted in the windows, made up of green and gold, but its so faded now Sam can't read it. <<if $genStoreVisited == 1>> You've already been inside the building, so you know it's the old general store.<<endif>> Beside the general store is the [[jail]]. It's strange that there are no houses here...<<if $lookedForHorse == 0>> [[Look for Sam's horse]]<<endif>> [[Leave the town]]

As Sam approaches the town hall, the white doors open slowly, of their own accord, as if to welcome him. Still, Sam proceeds into the building, and is shocked to find that it the kerosene lamps within the reception hall remained lit. Wary, but with little choice, he ignores the large double doors that clearly lead to a more important room than the humble [[archives]].

<<if $northReciever == 1>>Sam enters the post office. The door's hinges are surprisingly silent, despite clearly not being oiled in many years. <<endif>><<if $postOfficeLampLit == 0>>It's difficult to see in the dark room, but Sam can make out an [[oil lamp]] sitting on the lone counter, segregating where the customers would have stood from where the post office officials would have worked.<<endif>><<if $postOfficeLampLit == 1>>The warm orange glow of the oil lamp casts Sam's shadow ominously across the wall, causing it to flicker and waver as if it were it's being. A counter stands near the front of the building, segregating where the customers would have stood from where the post office officials would have worked. <<if $hasPen == 1>><<if $acceptanceBetrayal == 0>>[[The fleshy mass might still be in the back.]]<<endif>><<elseif $hasPen == 0 or $hasInk == 0>> <<if $penFound == 1 && $hasPen == 0>> [[Sam goes to the back to retrieve the pen]]<<else>> Sam considers [[searching behind the counter.]] <<endif>><<endif>><<endif>> Go back to the [[town center]].

<<if $southReciever == 1>><<set $southReciever = 2>>Entering the general store, the door creaks as Sam pushes it open. <<endif>>The moon dimly illuminates the store<<if $storeLampLit == 0>>, but a lamp sits by the door. [[Pick up the lamp]]<<else>>. Sam lifts the lamp high into the air, casting light further into the store and briefly down the various aisles. There are four aisles, almost completely barren, except for a few abandoned bottles and cans of food. <<if $hasInk == 1>><<if $acceptanceEnvy != 1>>[[The beating organ might still be here]]<<else>>There's nothing left for Sam to do here, so he decides to go back to the [[town center]].<<endif>> <<else>> Go down... [[the first aisle]] [[the second aisle]] [[the third aisle]] [[the fourth aisle]] <<endif>> <<endif>>

<<set $playerHP = $playerHPMax>>Waking up on a hard cot, with shackles around his wrists, Samuel Weaver sits himself upright, rubbing his temple, attempting to relieve himself of the splitting headache <<if $jailIntro == 1>>that he that found himself experiencing.<<elseif $jailVisited == 0>>that for some reason returned. What just happened? Oh right. He'd died. Did that mean that this was Hell? It must be...it was the only explanation as to why Sam had woken up after what was most certainly a gruesome death. Such a place seemed fitting for Sam to recieve his divine punishment.<<set $jailVisited = 1>><<else>>always accompanied his death. <<if $jailVisited == 1>><<set $jailVisited = 2>> Despite all the bloodshed Sam has seen, from Antietam to Gettysburg, he's never quite gotten used to the idea of dying. He didn't think anyone ever really did. They all simply put on a brave face, fixed their bayonets, and charged forward. But that didn't mean that they weren't afraid to die. He'd sometimes wondered what it would be like, to die. Would it be painful, full of fear and panic, or would be like a sudden calmness and warmth washing over him. He'd since learned it was most often the former. What he had never expected was the headache that would accompany death after waking up. But then again, if we was waking up, he wasn't really dead then, was he? So Sam didn't really know what it was like to die yet. That much he had gathered.<<endif>><<endif>> Despite the headache, Sam gets up from his none too comfortable cot, and pushes open the jail cell door. <<if $jailedIntro == 1>>It was never locked. He was trapped here, in Delilah's Run, anyways. It didn't matter if the cell was locked, or if it was left wide open, as it was. He's a prisoner to this town anyways.<<else>>Why wasn't it locked? It should've been if the town's residents had decided to arrest him. For what, though, he didn't know.<<endif>> Still rubbing his temples, Sam walks past the empty guard's chair, past the empty desk with it's half-filled visitor's log, and pushes open the jail's wooden, iron reinforced door, and walks out to Delilah's Run's [[town center]]<<if $jailedIntro != 1>>, to find the fountain pen and the inkwell that's evaded his grasp thus far, the keys to his escape.<<endif>> <<set $jailIntro = 0>>

Sam procures a matchbook from his pocket, and swiftly strikes a match. The small stick glows brightly for a moment before dying down to soft glow, and Sam lights the lamp with it. <<set $postOfficeLampLit = 1>> [[The room is lit.]]

<<set $jailIntro = 1>> <<set $jailVisited = 0>> <<set $lookedForHorse = 0>> <<set $southReciever = 0>> <<set $genStoreVisited = 0>> <<set $storeLampLit = 0>> <<set $inkAisle to random(1,4)>> <<set $northReciever = 0>> <<set $penFound = 0>> <<set $postOfficeLampLit = 0>> <<set $postOfficeSearch = 0>> <<set $hasInk = 0>> <<set $inkFull = 0>> <<set $hasPen = 0>> <<set $acceptanceReciever = 0>> <<set $acceptanceBetrayal = 0>> <<set $acceptanceEnvy = 0>> <<set $seenBrother = 0>> <<set $victoryUtil = " ">> <<set $enemyMove = " ">> <<set $playerMove = " ">> <<set $enemyType = " ">> <<set $enemyHP = 0>> <<set $playerHPMax = 20>> <<set $playerHP = $playerHPMax>> <<set $bullets = 6>> <<set $playerDMG = 3>> <<set $enemyCoyoteHP = 15>> <<set $enemySnakeHP = 30>> <<set $enemyBrotherHP = 35>> <<set $enemyRandom = 0>> <<set $coyoteLight = 1>> <<set $coyoteHeavy = 3>> <<set $snakeLight = 3>> <<set $snakeHeavy = 9>> <<set $brotherLight = 2>> <<set $brotherHeavy = 6>>

Sam moves behind the counter, and begins to shuffle around the shelves and drawers, searching for <<if $hasPen == 0>>the pen<<if $hasInk == 0>> or the inkwell<<endif>><<elseif $hasInk == 0>>the inkwell<<endif>>. There is nothing here though. Sam thinks about [[going into the back]] or going back to the [[town center]].

<<set $northReciever = 2>> <<goto [[north]]>>

<<if $penFound != 1>><<set $postOfficeSearch to random(1, 4)>> <<switch $postOfficeSearch>> <<case 1>> Sam rummages around the back, but fails to find anything. "Damn it..." <<case 2>> Sam looks in every crack and crevice he can find, but still he finds nothing. "'Go to a haunted ghost town,' they said. 'It'll be fun', they said." <<case 3>> Sam looks through a bunch of old forgotten mail. He finds nothing of interest. <<case 4>> Sam is about to give up his search when, he sees a small glint of metal from the corner of his eye. Could it be? Sam approachs the glimmer at the back of the post office, and indeed, there is a pen. A brief well of hope springs up through Sam's gut. <<default>> OH NO SOMETHING WENT TERRIBLY WRONG <</switch>><<if $postOfficeSearch <= 3>>[[Search again]]<<else>><<set $penFound = 1>>[[Sam picks up the pen]] [[Sam leaves the pen alone for now]]<<endif>> <<else>>Sam immediately heads to the back of the post office, and finds the pen once more, exactly where he left it. [[Sam picks up the pen]] [[Sam leaves the pen alone for now]]<<endif>>

<<goto [[going into the back]]>>

Sam reaches out to pick up the pen, but instinctively pauses. Something about this pen unsettles him. Despite this he persists, but as soon as Sam touches the pencil [[a high pitched cackling, like the yipping and howls of coyotes sends a chill down Sam's spine.]]

Something about the pen, with it's ebony handle and tarnished brass tip unsettles Sam, and so he decides to leave the pen alone for now. At least he knows where it is. He decides its best to go back out to the [[town center]] instead.

<i>Samuel, Did you really want to take over the plantation that badly? Do you hate me so much that you'd join those damned Yanks, and destroy everything our family has built! Mother fainted when she heard the news. She hasn't woken up yet, and the doctor's aren't sure what's wrong with her. But I know. You broke her heart, you bastard. I've donned the grey. I won't let you destroy our family. Pray to God that He might forgive you, for He knows that I will not. If we are ever to meet on the field of battle, I will show you no mercy. May God forgive you, for He knows that I will not. -Alexander Weaver</i> [[Set down the letter]]

With a shaking hand, Samuel sets the letter down on the table, next to the torn envelope that carried it to him. He'd expect the backlash from his brother, the anger. But he had not expected his mother to fall ill due to his choice. Alexander was right, he'd broke her heart. Samuel reached down to the bag beside his chair and procured a sheet of paper, and fountain pen made of ebony, with a brass tip. He spread and flattened the sheet of paper with his hand, picked up the pen and touched tip to pulp. He thought of how to explain to his brother that what he did, he did out of a sense of righteousness, justice. Proud words, meaningless words. In the end, he had no words with which to convey his thoughts, and no ink with which to write them. All he had was the words his [[brother]] had written him.

"Traitor," a familiar voice says from above, drawing Sam's eyes upwards. Long, thick, fur sprouts from top of the shelves, and beneath them, bright red eyes glow, staring a burning hole into Sam's chest. He can feel the gaze burrowing through him. "That's what your brother called you," the voice says, before breaking into a ravenous laugh once more. The head leans forward, revealing a long snouth and two more heads attached to the body of a coyote before the collective body tumbles down from the top of the shelf. Sam takes a startled step back as the detached head strikes the floor with a sound like stone striking wood. For a moment, the amalgamated creature is motionless, and Sam believes that it has died, but the three-headed canine suddenly shudders violently, and the heads began to nip and bite at each other, teeth ripping into it's own flesh. "But you're not just a traitor," the head hisses as it rights itself, "you're a murderer!" Then all three heads suddenly afix their gaze to Sam each repeating the same word two words, "traitor, murderer, traitor, murderer," in the same yipping tone as before. The creature prowls towards same, heads lowered and fangs bared. "Now, you must be [[punished]]."

The creature suddenly rushes forward, striking Sam in the chest, knocking him backwards, and into a row shelves, knocking them over. Pulling his revolver from it's holster, Sam takes aim and [[fires]].

<<set $enemyType = "coyote">><<set $enemyHP = $enemyCoyoteHP>><<set $enemyMove = "lightAttack">><<set $enemyRandom = 0>><<set $victoryUtil to "headWin">><<goto [[combatSpace]]>>

<<goto $victoryUtil>>

<<set $victoryUtil = "goToLetter">><<set $acceptanceReciever = 1>><<set $hasPen = 1>>The trigger is pulled back, the hammer strikes the primer, and the guns goes off. The bullet strikes the head between the brow and the creature stops in mid-pounce as if paralyzed, frozen in time. Then it shudders. The speed at which it shakes increases, more and more, and as the speed increases, so does the violence with which it shudders. Then all at once, it disappears in a cloud of smoke. Sam drops his arm and bends forward, trying to catch his breath. It was dead, right? In it's place, a peculiar fleshy mass sits. It pulses and udulates, like a heart, and it strangely gives off the sensation that it has a will of its own. For a moment, he considers [[touching it]]. Eventually, Sam, having rested, picks up the pen and decides to move on and <<if $hasInk == 0>>find the inkwell, going back to the [[town center]].<<else>>go to the [[town hall]].<<endif>>

<<set $storeLampLit = 1>>Reaching down, Sam picks up the lamp, before striking a match and lighting it. He's bathed in a warm glow as he lifts the lamp above his head, [[illuminating the area around him.]]

<<goto [[south]]>>

The aisle is mostly empty. There's are some cans of food, and Sam leans down and picks one up. Canned beans. The man tossed it back down to the floor with a clattering echo. <<if $inkAisle == 1>>At the very end of the aisle, however, a ray of light reflects off a small, black, glass bottle. [[Pick up the glass bottle]]<<endif>> Go to... [[the second aisle]] [[the third aisle]] [[the fourth aisle]] or go back to the [[town center]]

The shelves are devoid of occupants, whatever once stood on them has fallen to the ground. Loose papers and the occassional rusted can is all that's left. <<if $inkAisle == 2>>At the very end of the aisle, however, a ray of light reflects off a small, black, glass bottle. [[Pick up the glass bottle]]<<endif>> Go to... [[the first aisle]] [[the third aisle]] [[the fourth aisle]] or go back to the [[town center]]

Not even scraps are left behind in this aisle. Just dust, and the sense of something lost, but never found. Sam runs a finger over one of the shelves, and it comes away covered in a light layer of dust. <<if $inkAisle == 3>>At the very end of the aisle, however, a ray of light reflects off a small, black, glass bottle. [[Pick up the glass bottle]]<<endif>> Go to... [[the first aisle]] [[the second aisle]] [[the fourth aisle]] or go back to the [[town center]]

This aisle, at the end of the store, is strangely populated by rows of books and magazines. Old editions of print with names that Sam has never heard of. Perhaps local writers? The man tries to pick one of the books up, but the pages disintegrate in his hands. <<if $inkAisle == 4>>At the very end of the aisle, however, a ray of light reflects off a small, black, glass bottle. [[Pick up the glass bottle]]<<endif>> Go to... [[the first aisle]] [[the second aisle]] [[the third aisle]] or go back to the [[town center]]

<<set $hasInk = 1>>As Sam approaches the glass bottle, a strange rattling, like a child's toy, or a venemous snake, echos in his ear. He pauses, wary of whatever was the source of the sound, but he hears nothing and reaches for the bottle. As he reaches for the small opaque bottle, [[he is thrown off his feet]], and a loud crash fills the air.

<<if $acceptanceBetrayal == 0 and $acceptanceEnvy == 0>>The organ pulses and beats as Sam reaches out with his right hand to touch it. As soon as his fingers make contact with the mass of meat, it melts into a gelatinous puddle. "What in God's name!?" Sam yells out, pulling his hand away, but it's too late.<<elseif $acceptanceBetrayal == 1 or $acceptanceEnvy == 1>>Sam closes his eyes and takes a deep breath, preparing himself for what's to come. He reaches out with his left hand, and touches the organ, which immediately melts into a viscous puddle.<<endif>> The puddle begins to crawl up Sam's arm, of its own volition before sinking itself into the meat of his forearm, and dissolving into it.<<if $acceptanceBetrayal == 0 and $acceptanceEnvy == 0>> Then nothing. Sam lets out a sigh of relief as the ordeal appears to have ended.<<endif>> The sound of flesh tearing itself from flesh fills the room as Sam lets out a pained scream. His arms is rended open as gashes open themselves up, and bloody rivers carve their way up and down his arms as [[his vision darkens]].

<<goto [[Sam picks up the pen]]>>

<<set $victoryUtil = "goToLetter">><<set $acceptanceReciever = 1>>Sam goes to the back of the Post Office where the fleshy mass indeed still sits, beating like a heart. He could [[touch it]] OR Go back to the [[town center]]

<<goto [[touching it]]>>

The sounds of pitched battle filled Samuel's ears. Guns being fired. Distant cannons being fired, followed by the sound of their munition's impacting the ground. The screams of men as they were wounded and killed. The sound of a man's battle cry as he charged him made Samuel turn around and swing his rifle, deflecting the thrust of a bayonet. Samuel lifted the butt of his weapon, and slammed it into the face of his assailant. The sickening crunch of the man's nose breaking was followed by the sound of the man falling into the mud, and the squelch of Samuel's bayonet sinking into his stomach. The man was garbed in grey, and Samuel looked into the man's eyes, and realized he recognized them. They were the eyes of his father. His eyes. They were [[the eyes of his brother]].

Frozen in shock, Samuel found he could not move. He could do little but stare as he watched himself kill his own brother. Despite the blood Alexander coughed off, he still tried to speak. Amid the sputtering sounds, and gurgling syllables, Samuel could make out one word. "Traitor." Samuel fell back into the mud, scrambling away from his own act of fratricide. "A-alex...I'm sorry," Samuel muttered to his brother, begging his forgiveness, "I'm sorry, I'm so sorry." Samuel stood up and walked towards his brother in a daze, "Alex, come on, you have to get up." Samuel sank to his knees beside his brother. "You have to go back home to Delilah. [[Delilah, your wife.]] Alex, please."

Welcome to Delilah's Run! Enjoy your stay! [[Click here to begin!]]

<<goto [[Jailed]]>>

The impact knocked Sam into the row of shelves with great force, sending them tumbling, and him along with them. "Sssssamuel," a serpentine <<if $seenBrother == 1>>mimic of his brother's<<endif>> voice calls to him, "ssssee what your jealousssy brought, Ssssamuel?" The sound of scaled, slicked flesh gliding over wood floors surrounds Sam, and he then knew what had sent him careening through the air. The giant serpent tail that now slithered away from him and into the darkness. Amber eyes glowed in the black, and glared at Samuel. Slowly, a giant, long snout pierced the light, a flittering tongue tasting the air as the massive serpent leaned forward, revealing itself, and it's fatal fangs. "Your jealousssy killed him, Sssssamuel, your own brother." The giant serpent lunged forward, jaw unhinging and opening wide. With a startled shout, Sam leapt backwards, stumbling, tripping over the scattered remains of the shelves, and falling onto his back. The serpent chuckled and rattled its rattletail. "Prepare yourssself, Sssamuel. You'll ssssee your brother sssoon." [[Sam draws his revolver]] and cocks back the hammer.

Delilah Crane. She was the most beautiful woman that Samuel had ever laid eyes on. He'd never spoken to her, but the moment he saw her, peering at a fruit with her brows furrowed uncertainly, trying to discern if the spot on the apple in the market was a bruise or blight, he knew he would love her till the end of his days. He watched her from a distance, never quite garnering the courage to speak to her. From the way she stood and walked, he knew she had a sense of dignity all her own. A sense of pride that she'd allow no man or woman to tread upon. And that both enamoured and terrified him. Alexander, however, had no such fear. He never feared anything. He walked up to her, confident and charismatic, spoke, and it was not long before he had Delilah laughing and giggling, and not long after that till they were [[engaged.]]

Their wedding was beautiful. Both families were present, and that meant so was Samuel. He stood to the side of the alter, watching as his brother and the woman he loved, and yet never spoken to, said their vows, their 'I do's and pledged their lives to one another. He clapped along with everyone else, but secretly he wished his brother dead. For taking not just the plantation, which should have been his as the first-born, but also for taking the one thing he wanted more than anything else in this world. The love of Delilah Crane. As the small gathering of witnesses clapped, so did Samuel. The clapping echoed in his ears like rifles, and the [[toll of the bells]].

<<set $victoryUtil = "Gettysburg">><<set $hasInk = 1>><<set $acceptanceReciever = 2>>Sam takes aim, and pulls the trigger once more. The revolver goes off with a loud bang, and the bullet strikes the giant snake in the eye. With loud, shockingly human scream, the snake thrashes about violently before falling limply to the ground with a loud crash. Moment's later it has dissolved into smoke, leaving behind a pulsing, beating mass of flesh. Panting, Sam considers [[touching the organ-like mass]] or instead picking up the inkwell and returning to the [[town center]].

<<goto [[utilVision]]>>

<<set $acceptanceReciever = 2>>The strange fleshy organ-like mass still sits in the center of the general store. I continues to pulse as if pumping blood through invisbile veins and arteries. Sam could [[touch it]] OR Go back to the [[town center]]

<<set $enemyType = "snake">><<set $enemyHP = $enemySnakeHP>><<set $enemyMove = "heavyWindUp">><<set $enemyRandom = 0>><<set $victoryUtil to "snakeWin">><<goto [[combatSpace]]>>

As Sam slowly pushes open the door single door to the archives, the hinges squeak with rust, and light slowly floods the room. Row upon row of shelves filled with ledgers occupy the room, making it appear like a small library. [[Proceed]] OR [[go back]]

Sam cautiously steps into the room. The floorboards creak, and a lamp on a desk in the middle of the room is mysteriously lit. The man pauses, drawing his revolver from it's holster. Silence. [[Approach the Desk]] OR [[go back]]

<<goto [[town hall]]>>

As Sam approaches the desk, he can see a ledger, already open. The aging, yellowed paper has letterin at the top reading “Delilah’s Run - List of Residents”. There are three fields, “Name”, “Date of Arrival”, and “Date of Departure”. Sam's eyes drift down to the first entry of the open page, “Samuel Weaver”. <<if $hasPen == 1 && $hasInk == 1>>[[Pull out the items]]<<else>>Since Sam has nothing to write with, he decides to go back to the [[town center]]<<endif>>

Sam reaches into his pockets. First is the fountain pen, which he sets down beside the ledger, the brass briefly winking at him in the lamp light. Next is the inkwell. As Sam pulls out the glass bottle, he suddenly realizes it is without a top. He peers into the bottle, and finds it to be empty. He examines the label once more, this time, looking at the color. [['Sanguine']]

Sam sets the bottle down on the desk and reaches for the knife on his belt. "Sanguine..." he mutters to himself as he looks at the knife, and then his open palm. He presses the sharp edge against his palm, then pauses. [[Sam cuts open his hand]] OR [[Give up, and go outside]]

With a single swoft stroke, Sam draws the blade agains the flesh of his palm, drawing a steady flow of blood. Wincing, he sets aside the knife, and picks up the inkwell, positioning it beneath the dripping stream of crimson. It only takes a couple drops for the inkwell to become noticably heavier. The man peers into it once more, discovering it to be instantly full od blood red ink. Quickly, he bandages his hand before picking up the pen. [[Depart Delilah's Run]]

<<goto [[town center]]>>

Sam dips the pen into the inkwell, before putting tip to paper. "Good-bye, Delilah." Beneath 'Date of Departure', Sam scribbles in the current date, or at least what he believes is the current date. He's not sure how long he's been in Delilah's run, as the moon and stars have never seemed to drift. Immediately, sinister cackling fills the room, accompanied by a cloud of smoke. The smoke shifts and floats about, until finally it coalesces into the form of a man. <<if $acceptanceBetrayal != 0 || $acceptanceEnvy != 0>>Alex<<else>>The man<<endif>> stands before Sam, his flesh rotting and decayed, in the Grey uniform of the Confederates, a dark spot in his abdomen where <<if $acceptanceEnvy != 0>>Sam's<<else>>a<<endif>> bayonet pierced him. "Oh, Sam," he says with a chuckle. "You didn’t really think I’d let you go that easily, did you?" The man steps towards Sam as Sam backs away. Despite <<if $acceptanceBetrayal != 0 || $acceptanceEnvy != 0>>Alex<<else>>the man<<endif>>'s corporeal form, he walks through the desk. "You can’t run from your transgressions, Sam. You can’t run from me." <<if $acceptanceBetrayal != 0 || $acceptanceEnvy != 0>>Sam's mind reeled. Had the specter of his own brother, the grand architect of this town and it's hellish residents. A demon of Sam's own creation.<<endif>> "Good night, Samuel," the man said, raising his arm. "I’ll see you when you wake up in your cell." The man's arm rends itself apart, a barrage of blood and flesh vomiting itself at Sam with a sick, deathly aura. [[Sam raises his arms in defense]]

As same raises his arms in defense, <<if $acceptanceBetrayal == 1 and $acceptanceEnvy == 1>>the chains and shackles bound to his wrist come alive, with a mind of their own, and defend Sam from the fatal attack. The chains writhe and bat away the blood and guts with a blinding speed that could only be matched by the very same projectiles. "Hmph," the derisive noise coming from the specter. Sam only now becomes aware of the warm tricking sensation running down his arms. Looking at the bandages, they're dripping with blood, his wounds reopened. He unwraps them, and the blood flows freely, and down the chains of his iron shackles. Strangely, he does not feel light-headed. The amount of blood he's losing, Sam is certain he should be dead. And yet, he feels perfectly fine. The demon careens forward like a cannon ball, impacting Sam in the chest, sending him flying backwards, through the door, and out into the [[reception hall.]]<<else>>the last thing Sam experiences before [[waking up in his jail cell]] is the sensation of burning and drowning, all at once.<<endif>>

Sam awakes in his jail cell, the iron shackles still bound to his wrists. Of course...he was never going to leave this place was he? No, he could find a way out. With the last of his resolve, Sam stands, and goes out to the [[town center]].

<<set $enemyType = "brother">><<set $enemyHP = $enemyBrotherHP>><<set $enemyRandom to random(1,100)>> <<if $enemyRandom <= 25>> <<set $enemyMove = "lightAttack">> <<elseif $enemyRandom <= 50>> <<set $enemyMove = "defend">> <<elseif $enemyRandom <= 75>> <<set $enemyMove = "heavyWindUp">> <<else>> <<set $enemyMove = "wait">> <<endif>> <<set $victoryUtil to "Victory">><<goto [[combatSpace]]>>

<<goto [[Sam accepts his fate]]>>

The demon burns and bursts into flames, igniting the dry wood of the town hall. As the flames grow around Sam, the demon diminishes, turning to ash and crumbling away. Sam collapses to the ground, exhausted. He just needed a moment's rest. But the town hall would afford him no time. A piece of burning scaffolding falls to the ground beside Sam with a great crash! [[Get up]]

Sam scrambles to his feet, breaking into a sprint towards the exit. Its no more than a dozen feet away, and yet as the building burns and collapses around him, it feels as if it could be a dozen miles between him and safety. He bursts through the doors, and back outside, tumbling to ground, dust flying into the air as he rolls, until finally, he comes to a rest on his back. With great heaving breaths, Sam rests, staring up into the sky. He stares for seconds, minutes, and he realizes that the stars are gone. The sky above him slowly begins to fill with orange hue as the sun rises. The gorgeous view is blocked by the face of his horse. He came back. The horse nudges Sam's face with his muzzle before taking a step back. Sam gets to his feet, and tiredly pats his horse on the side before swinging himself onto the saddle. As Sam begins to ride, the town around him begins to crumble into ash, and is blown away by desert wind. Despite his exhaustion, Sam rides tall in the saddle, away towards the sunrise, going back East. <center>THE END</center>

The road westward is long. Samuel Weaver has lost track of how many days, weeks and months it had been since he left home. However many days it had been, it still hadn't been enough to reach California. Before the war, everyone had been packing their things and moving out to California, looking for gold, and that small chance of striking it rich. Sam didn't know if anyone actually had, but it was worth taking a shot. And if not that, at least it was worth it for getting away from home. Sam shielded his eyes from the setting sun as crested yet another hill on the long road to California. Despite the blinding light, Sam was grateful for the sun's drop beneath the horizon. It was blistering hot during the day, the sun's merciless rays wicking away all the night's coolness before the man was even awake enough to enjoy it. But at least when he would unroll his sleeping pack for the evening, the chilled air would prepare him for another day of harsh riding. [[Not tonight]]

Sam's eyes adjust to the searing light, but even then he has to blink twice to clear his vision and confirm what it was that he could see just on the otherside of the hill. A small town, no more than four buildings. Sam couldn't recall seeing it on any map he'd studied before. Perhaps that was because it was too small, though. Riding into the town, it seemed abandoned, despite the near pristine condition of the buildings. It was as if the townsfolk had just finished constructing the buildings, and then decided to leave. Sam dismounts from his horse and ties it to the post in front of the General Store. Much to his surprise, when Sam looks down into the water trough, he finds it completely filled, with water clear enough to reflect his blue eyes back at him from beneath the wide brimmed hat he wore. [[Look for people]]

With a hand placed on his revolver, still hanging at his hip, Sam pushes open the door to the general store. "Hello?" he calls into the dim room. No one responds. [[Enter]] [[Go back outside]]

Walking further into the store, it's difficult to see in the dying light. Even still, Sam is able to clearly make out the shapes of the shelves, counters, and various bottle and cans lining the shelves, fully stocked. "Hello?" Sam calls again, and again he gets no response. Sam begins to walk up and down the shelves. Ammunition, sweets, cans of all kinds of preserved foods. It was a selection he thought may as well rival any store in his hometown. [[Take a can of baked beans]] [[Leave]]

Sam turns around and leaves the general store. As his boots step off the wooden platform and back onto the dirt his vision begins to swim, and his mind begins to fog, and then the ground rushes up at him. [[Unconcious]]

"If anyone is in here, I'm going to take a can of beans," Sam shouts into the empty store. "I'm going to leave some money on the counter." With that, Sam picks up a can of baked beans, and begins to walk outside. [[Go back outside]]

<<goto [[Go back outside]]>>

<<goto [[Jailed]]>>

<<set $lookedForHorse = 1>>Sam puts his fingers to his mouth and lets out a sharp, piercing whistle. The sound quickly died down, but nothing returned. Not a horse, nor an echo. He figured he could go searching for the horse, but if he had ran away, there was no catching up now. Sam decided to give up for the moment, he had other things to worry about. [[Do something else]]

<<goto [[town center]]>>

As Sam returns to the present he falls to his knees, panting, gripping his mauled appendage, before sucking air in through his teeth and forcing himself to stand. As the man raises his head, he is greeted by the figure of his brother<<if $seenBrother == 0>>, the familiar blue eyes staring at him.<<else>>.<<endif>> <<if $acceptanceReciever == 1>>"Do you see what your envy did to us?" Alexander says<<if $seenBrother == 0>>, his voice hauntingly hollow.<<elseif $seenBrother == 1>>.<<endif>> "You've destroyed us...but that's okay. You'll be given your dues."<<elseif $acceptanceReciever == 2>>"You wanted her, didn't you?" The specter says, more a statement than a question. "But now, you can't even look at her. I can only imagine what she'd say to you." Alex begins to chuckle, a dark sound that reverberates through the air.<<endif>> <<set $seenBrother = 1>>Before his eyes, the apparition of Sam's brother [[fades away]], back into the ether.

<<goto [[utilVision]]>>

<<if $acceptanceReciever == 1>><<goto [[goToLetter]]>> <<elseif $acceptanceReciever == 2>><<goto [[Gettysburg]]>><<endif>>

<<goto [[utilFlesh]]>>

Sam goes to the counter and searches it for bandages. After searching through numerous drawers, finally he finds somewhat clean cloth, and binds his wounded arm. Deciding he is done with this godforsaken building, Sam decides to go back to the [[town center]].<<if $acceptanceReciever == 1>><<set $acceptanceBetrayal = 1>><<elseif $acceptanceReciever == 2>><<set $acceptanceEnvy = 1>><<endif>>

<<goto [[utilFlesh]]>>

The jail where Sam first awoke. It's completely empty, except for a chair, a table and a lit lamp. The cell door is open, as it always is, and in the cell is a cot. There's nothing to do here, so Sam decides to go back to the [[town center]].

Sam decided to try to simply walk out of the town. He wasn't sure why he was even attempting, since without any food or water, he was sure to die out in the barren dessert, but [[surely it was better than staying here]].

After hours of walking, Sam finally sees buildings in the distance. It isn't until he enters the familiar formation of buildings that he realizes he's back in [[Delilah's Run]].

<<goto [[town center]]>>

<<if $enemyType == "coyote">>Three-Headed Coyote's HP: $enemyHP/$enemyCoyoteHP<<elseif $enemyType == "snake">>Giant Serpent's HP: $enemyHP/$enemySnakeHP<<elseif $enemyType == "brother">>Alexander Weaver's HP: $enemyHP/$enemyBrotherHP<<endif>> Samuel Weaver's HP: $playerHP/$playerHPMax Loaded Bullets: $bullets/6 <<if $enemyType == "coyote">><<if $enemyMove == "lightAttack">>The Three-Headed Coyote lunges at Sam!<<elseif $enemyMove == "heavyWindUp">>The Three-Headed Coyote licks it's three chops, ready to bite into Sam.<<elseif $enemyMove == "heavyAttack">>The Three-Headed Coyote rushes at Sam, jaws open, eager to sink their teeth into Sam!<<elseif $enemyMove == "defend">>The Three-Headed Coyote watches Sam carefully, watching for his next move.<<elseif $enemyMove == "wait">>The Three-Headed Coyote paces around Sam in a predatory fashion<<endif>><<elseif $enemyType == "snake">><<if $enemyMove == "lightAttack">>The Serpent whips it's tail at Sam.<<elseif $enemyMove == "heavyWindUp">>The Serpent rears it's head back, an orange glow appearing in it's throat.<<elseif $enemyMove == "heavyAttack">>The Serpent opens maw, and a great spout of flames come out.<<elseif $enemyMove == "defend">>The Serpent coils it's tail around itself.<<elseif $enemyMove == "wait">>The Serpent watches Sam carefully.<<endif>><<elseif $enemyType == "brother">><<if $enemyMove == "lightAttack">>Alex lunges forward, his arm envoloping itself in crystalized blood, in the shape of a bayonet.<<elseif $enemyMove == "heavyWindUp">>Alex lifts his arm.<<elseif $enemyMove == "heavyAttack">>A barrage of flesh and blood lauches at Sam.<<elseif $enemyMove == "defend">>Alex watches Sam carefully.<<elseif $enemyMove == "wait">>Alex chuckles, amused by Sam's perserverance.<<endif>><<endif>> <<if $bullets != 0>>[[Shoot]]<<endif>> [[Dodge]] [[Block]] [[Reload]]

<<set $bullets -= 1>>Sam fires at <<if $enemyType == "coyote">>the Three-Headed Coyote<<elseif $enemyType == "snake">>the Giant Serpent<<elseif $enemyType == "brother">>Alex<<endif>>! <<if $enemyType == "coyote">><<if $enemyMove == "lightAttack">><<set $enemyHP -= $playerDMG>><<set $playerHP -= $coyoteLight>>The Coyote is struck by Sam's bullet, but his paws claw at Sam's chest anyways.<<elseif $enemyMove == "heavyWindUp">><<set $enemyHP -= $playerDMG>>The Coyote yips and growls as Sam's bullet strikes his hide.<<elseif $enemyMove == "heavyAttack">><<set $enemyHP -= $playerDMG>><<set $playerHP -= $coyoteHeavy>>The Coyote bits deep into Sam's arm, even as he fires at point-blank range.<<elseif $enemyMove == "defend">>The Coyote dodges Sam's bullet<<elseif $enemyMove == "wait">><<set $enemyHP -= $playerDMG>>The Coyote is struck by Sam's bullet, causing it to howl and yip.<<endif>><<elseif $enemyType == "snake">><<if $enemyMove == "lightAttack">><<set $enemyHP -= $playerDMG>><<set $playerHP -= $snakeLight>>Sam fires at the Serpent, but is struck by the tail.<<elseif $enemyMove == "heavyWindUp">><<set $enemyHP -= $playerDMG>>Sam fires at the Serpent, but the rumbling coming from the Serpent sounds dangerous.<<elseif $enemyMove == "heavyAttack">><<set $enemyHP -= $playerDMG>><<set $playerHP -= $snakeHeavy>>Sam fires at the Serpent, but feels the heat of the Serpent's flames burn his hand and arm.<<elseif $enemyMove == "defend">>The Serpent's seems unaffected by Sam's pitiful bullets.<<elseif $enemyMove == "wait">><<set $enemyHP -= $playerDMG>>The Serpent is struck in the face by Sam's bullet, and hisses in annoyance.<<endif>><<elseif $enemyType == "brother">><<if $enemyMove == "lightAttack">><<set $enemyHP -= $playerDMG>><<set $playerHP -= $brotherLight>>Sam fires at Alex, striking him in the chest, but it doesn't stop Alex. Sam feels the bloody bayonet bite into his arm.<<elseif $enemyMove == "heavyWindUp">><<set $enemyHP -= $playerDMG>>Alex is unfazed, despite the bullet striking him in the chest.<<elseif $enemyMove == "heavyAttack">><<set $enemyHP -= $playerDMG>><<set $playerHP -= $brotherHeavy>>Sam fires into the onslaught of flesh and blood and manages to hit Alex, but is wounded in return.<<elseif $enemyMove == "defend">>Alex quickly lifts his arm, and the bullet appears to stop in mid air before dropping to the ground.<<elseif $enemyMove == "wait">><<set $enemyHP -= $playerDMG>>Sam fires, and strikes Alex, who only laughs more.<<endif>><<endif>><<if $enemyHP < 0>><<set $enemyHP = 0>><<endif>><<if $playerHP < 0>><<set $playerHP = 0>><<endif>> <<if $enemyType == "coyote">>Three-Headed Coyote's HP: $enemyHP/$enemyCoyoteHP<<elseif $enemyType == "snake">>Giant Serpent's HP: $enemyHP/$enemySnakeHP<<elseif $enemyType == "brother">>Alexander Weaver's HP: $enemyHP/$enemyBrotherHP<<endif>> Samuel Weaver's HP: $playerHP/$playerHPMax Loaded Bullets: $bullets/6 <<if $enemyHP > 0 && $playerHP > 0>>[[The fight goes on]] <<elseif $enemyHP <= 0>>[[Victory!]]<<elseif $playerHP <= 0>>[[Defeat!]]<<endif>>

Sam attempts to dodge <<if $enemyType == "coyote">>the Three-Headed Coyote's attack<<elseif $enemyType == "snake">>the Giant Serpent's attack<<elseif $enemyType == "brother">>Alex's attack<<endif>>! <<if $enemyType == "coyote">><<if $enemyMove == "lightAttack">>The Coyote sails past Sam.<<elseif $enemyMove == "heavyWindUp">>The Coyote stares at Sam as if he's his next meal.<<elseif $enemyMove == "heavyAttack">><<set $playerHP -= $coyoteHeavy>>Sam misjudges the Coyote's speed and moves to soon. The Coyote bites Sam's leg.<<elseif $enemyMove == "defend">>Both the Sam and Coyote move away from each other.<<elseif $enemyMove == "wait">>Sam is locked in deadly staring contest.<<endif>><<elseif $enemyType == "snake">><<if $enemyMove == "lightAttack">>Sam leaps over the Serpent's tail.<<elseif $enemyMove == "heavyWindUp">>Sam moves away from the Serpent.<<elseif $enemyMove == "heavyAttack">><<set $playerHP -= $coyoteHeavy>>Sam can't avoid the gout of flame, and feels them eat at his flesh.<<elseif $enemyMove == "defend">>Sam assumes another strike is coming and leaps out of the way, but the Serpent never attacks.<<elseif $enemyMove == "wait">>Sam tries to avoid the Serpent's gaze.<<endif>><<elseif $enemyType == "brother">><<if $enemyMove == "lightAttack">>Sam narrowly gets out of the way of Alex's thrust.<<elseif $enemyMove == "heavyWindUp">>Sam leaps backwards, expecting another attack.<<elseif $enemyMove == "heavyAttack">><<set $playerHP -= $coyoteHeavy>>Sam tries to dodge the mass of flying flesh and blood, but fails. His skin burns as if acid had just been poured on him.<<elseif $enemyMove == "defend">>Sam steps back, which only causes Alex to laugh in amusement.<<elseif $enemyMove == "wait">>Sam moves away. Alex taunts Sam<<endif>><<endif>><<if $enemyHP < 0>><<set $enemyHP = 0>><<endif>><<if $playerHP < 0>><<set $playerHP = 0>><<endif>> <<if $enemyType == "coyote">>Three-Headed Coyote's HP: $enemyHP/$enemyCoyoteHP<<elseif $enemyType == "snake">>Giant Serpent's HP: $enemyHP/$enemySnakeHP<<elseif $enemyType == "brother">>Alexander Weaver's HP: $enemyHP/$enemyBrotherHP<<endif>> Samuel Weaver's HP: $playerHP/$playerHPMax Loaded Bullets: $bullets/6 <<if $enemyHP > 0 && $playerHP > 0>>[[The fight goes on]] <<elseif $enemyHP <= 0>>[[Victory!]]<<elseif $playerHP <= 0>>[[Defeat!]]<<endif>>

Sam attempts to defend against <<if $enemyType == "coyote">>the Three-Headed Coyote's attack<<elseif $enemyType == "snake">>the Giant Serpent's attack<<elseif $enemyType == "brother">>Alex's attack<<endif>>! <<if $enemyType == "coyote">><<if $enemyMove == "lightAttack">><<set $playerHP -= $coyoteLight>>The Coyote gets beneath Sam's guard and claws his chest.<<elseif $enemyMove == "heavyWindUp">>The Coyote stares at Sam as if he's his next meal.<<elseif $enemyMove == "heavyAttack">>Sam catches the Coyote in the air and tosses him aside.<<elseif $enemyMove == "defend">>The Coyote runs to the side of Sam, but doesn't attack.<<elseif $enemyMove == "wait">>The Coyote stares down Sam.<<endif>><<elseif $enemyType == "snake">><<if $enemyMove == "lightAttack">><<set $playerHP -= $snakeLight>>Sam tries to block the Serpent's tail but is sent flying off his feet from the impact.<<elseif $enemyMove == "heavyWindUp">> Sam prepares for another blow.<<elseif $enemyMove == "heavyAttack">>Sam dives behind a still standing row of shelves, and remains unaffected by the flames.<<elseif $enemyMove == "defend">>Sam raises his arms expecting another blow. The Serpent never attacks.<<elseif $enemyMove == "wait">>Sam stares down the Serpent.<<endif>><<elseif $enemyType == "brother">><<if $enemyMove == "lightAttack">><<set $playerHP -= $brotherLight>>Sam tries to block the bayonet, but it slips past Sam's defense.<<elseif $enemyMove == "heavyWindUp">>Sam attempts to block an attack that hasn't come yet.<<elseif $enemyMove == "heavyAttack">>The chains around Sam's wrists come to life again and defend him from the bloody barrage.<<elseif $enemyMove == "defend">>Both men stare at each other, evaluating their next move.<<elseif $enemyMove == "wait">>Alex chuckles at Sam's reaction.<<endif>><<endif>><<if $enemyHP < 0>><<set $enemyHP = 0>><<endif>><<if $playerHP < 0>><<set $playerHP = 0>><<endif>> <<if $enemyType == "coyote">>Three-Headed Coyote's HP: $enemyHP/$enemyCoyoteHP<<elseif $enemyType == "snake">>Giant Serpent's HP: $enemyHP/$enemySnakeHP<<elseif $enemyType == "brother">>Alexander Weaver's HP: $enemyHP/$enemyBrotherHP<<endif>> Samuel Weaver's HP: $playerHP/$playerHPMax Loaded Bullets: $bullets/6 <<if $enemyHP > 0 && $playerHP > 0>>[[The fight goes on]] <<elseif $enemyHP <= 0>>[[Victory!]]<<elseif $playerHP <= 0>>[[Defeat!]]<<endif>>

<<set $bullets = 6>>Sam attempts to reload his revolver. <<if $enemyType == "coyote">><<if $enemyMove == "lightAttack">><<set $playerHP -= $coyoteLight>>As Sam finishes reloading, he feels the Coyote's claws tear into his shoulder.<<elseif $enemyMove == "heavyWindUp">>The Coyote cackles as Sam reloads.<<elseif $enemyMove == "heavyAttack">><<set $playerHP -= $coyoteHeavy>>As Sam finishes reloading, the Coyote bites into his arm.<<elseif $enemyMove == "defend">>Seeing the movement, the Coyote leaps back.<<elseif $enemyMove == "wait">>The Coyote watches as Sam reloads with a sinister smile on his faces.<<endif>><<elseif $enemyType == "snake">><<if $enemyMove == "lightAttack">><<set $playerHP -= $snakeLight>>As Sam finishes reloading, he is knocked off his feet by the Serpent's tail.<<elseif $enemyMove == "heavyWindUp">>Sam takes the oppurtunity to reload.<<elseif $enemyMove == "heavyAttack">><<set $playerHP -= $snakeHeavy>>Sam reloads, but is burnt by the Serpent's flames.<<elseif $enemyMove == "defend">>Sam reloads as the Serpent coils around itself.<<elseif $enemyMove == "wait">>Sam reloads under the deadly gaze of the Serpent.<<endif>><<elseif $enemyType == "brother">><<if $enemyMove == "lightAttack">><<set $playerHP -= $brotherLight>>Sam reloads, but is struck by the bloody bayonet.<<elseif $enemyMove == "heavyWindUp">>Sam reloads before Alex can unleash his attack.<<elseif $enemyMove == "heavyAttack">><<set $playerHP -= $brotherHeavy>>Sam reloads, but feels the acid burn of Alex's flesh and blood.<<elseif $enemyMove == "defend">>Sam reloads as Alex smiles sadistically.<<elseif $enemyMove == "wait">>Sam reloads while Alex looks on with amusement.<<endif>><<endif>><<if $enemyHP < 0>><<set $enemyHP = 0>><<endif>><<if $playerHP < 0>><<set $playerHP = 0>><<endif>> <<if $enemyType == "coyote">>Three-Headed Coyote's HP: $enemyHP/$enemyCoyoteHP<<elseif $enemyType == "snake">>Giant Serpent's HP: $enemyHP/$enemySnakeHP<<elseif $enemyType == "brother">>Alexander Weaver's HP: $enemyHP/$enemyBrotherHP<<endif>> Samuel Weaver's HP: $playerHP/$playerHPMax Loaded Bullets: $bullets/6 <<if $enemyHP > 0 && $playerHP > 0>>[[The fight goes on]] <<elseif $enemyHP <= 0>>[[Victory!]]<<elseif $playerHP <= 0>>[[Defeat!]]<<endif>>

<<if $enemyMove != "heavyWindUp">> <<set $enemyRandom to random(1,100)>> <<if $enemyType == "coyote">> <<if $enemyRandom <= 50>> <<set $enemyMove = "lightAttack">> <<elseif $enemyRandom <= 75>> <<set $enemyMove = "defend">> <<elseif $enemyRandom <= 88>> <<set $enemyMove = "heavyWindUp">> <<else>> <<set $enemyMove = "wait">> <<endif>> <<elseif $enemyType == "snake">> <<if $enemyRandom <= 12>> <<set $enemyMove = "lightAttack">> <<elseif $enemyRandom <= 37>> <<set $enemyMove = "defend">> <<elseif $enemyRandom <= 87>> <<set $enemyMove = "heavyWindUp">> <<else>> <<set $enemyMove = "wait">> <<endif>> <<elseif $enemyType == "brother">> <<if $enemyRandom <= 30>> <<set $enemyMove = "lightAttack">> <<elseif $enemyRandom <= 60>> <<set $enemyMove = "defend">> <<elseif $enemyRandom <= 90>> <<set $enemyMove = "heavyWindUp">> <<else>> <<set $enemyMove = "wait">> <<endif>> <<endif>> <<else>> <<set $enemyMove = "heavyAttack">> <<endif>> <<goto [[combatSpace]]>>

<<goto [[Jailed]]>>