❏ FLAT AS A MIRROR

[SHIVERS]

Your many eyes blink awake.







You are under some blankets, up against something warm.
The texture is nice.

You stretch a tendril out of the blanket, raising it up high to view your surroundings.



You are in a bedroom.
It's very dark, despite the clock by the bed showing 11:41 AM.
The curtains on the window are very thick, blocking out almost all light.
You like it that way.

It's quiet, too.
The walls are lined with more blankets, cheap rugs, and other various sound-blocking objects.
Posters are hung up along them, instead of being attached to the wall.

A rotating fan in the corner of the room adds low volume white noise. Consistent and calming.
It's been running all night and all morning, though.
The room is chilly, now.







You are still up against something warm.

A black-furred hare sleeps in the bed.
This creature's name is Violet.

You are attached to Violet's shadow.
You know that this is New, somehow, even if you can't remember how things used to be.

But, you feel comfortable where you are.
You do know that.









You are also: Bored.

Violet is still asleep.
You should find something to do.

In the room, you see a computer at a desk, a phone on the nightstand, a videogame console connected to the television in the corner,
and a handheld haphazardly dropped under the bed.
The television also has rabbit ears, so it may have access to local channels.
Lots of options, all electronics. Violet must like those, you think.

You could try to wake Violet up, instead.
It's almost noon, after all.

You just know you need something to entertain yourself, or you won't survive.



You think you had a name before, too,
but you'd like a new one.
You should find an identity, while you're entertaining yourself.










Something nags at you, though.

More than anything,
more than Anything at all,
you know that you need More.

It's a dim pang deep within you.
Ever-present, beyond a want.
You know you'll have to tend to it, when the time comes.

More of what, you aren't sure yet.





You'll figure it out.
Soon enough.

[Guest]

School some scrubs on the latest PvP shooter on PC.(With headphones in)

Also your name is now Bingles.

[MarxzVulpez]

check out the handheld for a bit, there should be a couple of cartridges nearby right? unless of course the one already in there is more your speed...
although we shouldn't go for too horribly long, like was mentioned it is almost noon and Violet and y'all probably have stuff to do today, maybe

as for a name, hmmm

you're attached to Violet's shadow, so maybe something to do with that? shading techniques in art come to mind, how about something like Crosshatch?

[knux400]

Given the nature of how the room is set up, it seems like Violet is very sensitive to noise. Since we seem to have just now spawned, I can't imagine there's a scenario where we don't freak Violet out when we wake them up, so we may as well kill two birds with one stone.

Go for the console, and make sure the TV is audible but not loud enough to startle.

As for a name... I want to say Noodles?

[Guest]

seconding crosshatch if i get out of allergy test purgatory ill suggest more later

[SHIVERS]

You think of names.

You split yourself into many branches, watching the tendrils of shadow wiggle about as you move them,
having some of your eyes watch each other; it's fun.

You're a shadow.



You think of art.

You think of shade.
Shading.



Crosshatch.

A little long for your liking.
One syllable will do.





Hatch.

It reminds you of a hatchet.
Swift and decisive.
Or an opening into somewhere dark and secret.

You like it.






Name done.
Your boredom calls you.

The various devices seem entertaining, but the handheld in particular almost seems familiar.

You retrieve it from the floor, finding five game cartridges there, as well.



You look them over.

'Solasphere: Comet of the Eclipse'
You know this one. Does Violet play it often?
It's something about space. A sidescroller. Dramatic, some horror in there. Interesting, but you know enough for now.
'Ultra Baseball: Triple Play!'
A baseball-themed RPG where the characters have psychic powers. Not your scene, not for now.
'Time-to-Turn 4'
A boring-looking puzzle game. No interest.

The other two you don't recognize at all.
'Driving With You 2: Synergy Series' and 'Port of Intrigue'.
Out of the two, Port of Intrigue sounds more intriguing.

Rather than popping it in, though, your excellent vision spots a similarly-shaped slot at the console on the TV.

You would rather Violet be awake, anyway.
It's getting late.

May as well.








You easily extend yourself across the room to the television.
You find a controller you like; a deep black that's somehow shiny and metallic.
The texture is enjoyable.

You pop in the cartridge and switch the console and TV on.
Immediately, you wince back from the bright light of the television.
You feel yourself slinking behind the chair instinctively, out of the brightest of the light.

Your tendrils sneak around, lowering the brightness, and the volume while you're at it.
Better to not wake the animal Too abruptly.



With the room now more comfortable, you creep back into the dimmer light, and start playing.



































You're hooked.

A woman in a long coat and hat is solving a murder in a rainy seaside town.
The beginning minutes set up the plot in such dramatic and moody fashion, it caught you off guard.
You've hardly put any conclusions together, as you've spent the last... however long, exactly, exploring the town and taking in the atmosphere.

You'd like to see the ocean, you think.









You've lost track of time.











You feel movement from the creature.




You drop the controller, withdrawing yourself back over.





You rise up above the groggy animal

just in time

to meet Violet's gaze.



You watch Violet's eyes widen.







"...This is an interesting look."



"Thank you."

The hare reaches out and touches your shadow, squinting as it has trouble parsing the texture.

"What are you attached to now?"
"Your shadow, Violet."
"Hmm."

It tilts its head, looking you over.
You watch its ears bend from gravity as its head turns sideways.

You can't help but mimic the motion.
Something about this act is satisfying.

"Do you have a new name yet?"
"Hatch. As in Crosshatch."
"Interesting."

It sits up, though you don't move to compensate,
ending up with the two of you only inches apart.





Violet blinks at your many eyes.



It doesn't move away, despite the lack of distance.
Does it trust you? Is this trust?
Maybe it's a fool.
You aren't sure You would trust you.
You're latched onto it like a parasite. Maybe that's what you are.
And The Fool isn't even trying to remove you.
Maybe it's too afraid to try. Maybe it's given up trying.

Then again, you remember almost nothing about this arrangement.
It's familiar.
This has certainly happened before, from how it speaks.
It doesn't mind, then?
That's interesting.

You wish you could remember more.
But, you aren't concerned, either way.
You feel comfortable here.
You could ask if you want to know more.

But would it tell you the truth?







You think so.

You trust Violet. You aren't sure why.





It's still looking at you.
Its eyes are curious. Observant.
Analyzing. Processing. It reminds you of a construct.
You don't mind this.

"Do you remember me?"

"Some.
More as I go."
"Did you figure out pronouns?"
"No. Soon.
...Anytime."

It nods, as if this makes sense.



One of your eyes glances at the alarm clock.
"It's 1:11PM.
You slept late."
"I can do that. It's my weekend."
It reaches its arms up, stretching with a yawn.
"Lazy," you tease.
"Sleep is good for you. You slept for days.
I wasn't expecting to see you back so soon, if I'm honest."



"Did I?"

Violet nods.

You look away, thinking.




You


aren't sure if you remember why.












Oh well.

You aren't bothered.
You shrug it off.
Violet isn't concerned, so neither are you.





The animal leans back against the headboard, rubbing its eyes.

"Do you want to go out today?
I wasn't planning on it, but I know you don't like being cooped up.
Or... you didn't, before.

What would you like to do today?

Really... you're back today, and I have the day off, so,
you can take the lead."









You think on this.

You think on everything.



What do you remember?
Is there anything you want to ask?

And most importantly:
What to do today?

[ಠ_ಠ]

you could eat. or find out if you eat.

[Guest]

you remember your last experience with a game- or perhaps a movie. a book. entertainment. you remember what you gravitate towards

maybe ask violet the same, and see if the answers line up with what you remember. pin down gaps.

eating would also be the move if you Can

also this is hazard ill log in later

[knux400]

Hmmm. Going out doesn't seem like a great idea, given that we don't seem to like light too much. Maybe we could stay in for the day and go out later, when it's darker? We could finish that detective game.

As for questions... Are we some kind of recurring thing? Violet is acting like this has happened before, presumably a few times since it's so casual about everything.

[Guest]

I remember the smell of petrichor, warm laughs, and terrible violence.

Questions: I don't feel worried but it does seem inconvenient whatever has happened to me. What did happen? Why am I like this? What am I?

I really like this game and would like to stay in today. I'm not ready for the outside.

[MarxzVulpez]

agreeing about inquiring into food and also seeing if Violet will fill us in on what's up with why we feel like we do and why we don't remember stuff. Maybe fill us in on some stuff that's happened while we were gone?

[SHIVERS]

You think for a long time.
You get tired of thinking.

"I don't want to go out.
Not yet. It's bright outside. I don't like bright light.
We can play the game until it's dark."

It tilts its head.
"The game?"
You tilt your head with it.
"Port of Intrigue.
We'll play together."
"I will, will I?" It chuckles.
"Well..." You quickly have to readjust as it pulls itself up from the covers, getting out of bed. 
You slide along the floor after it, rising up to be nearly as tall as the hare.
"You didn't finish."
"Well."
It rubs its face as it heads for the restroom.
"I've got to shower first, so you can play on your own until I finish."
"No."

It stops, looking over at you.

"No?"
You fight off the strange, prickly sensation that's all over you.
"...I don't want to be alone. I'll wait."
"Hatch, you are Not getting into the shower with me."
"I can wait over by the sink.
Is that fine?"

The hare places its arm against its other.
"...You won't look?"
"At what?"
"Me. Naked. In the shower."
"No, I don't care about that."

It sighs, retrieving some clean clothes from the dresser next to the restroom.

"We can try it.
I do need to find some privacy somehow, though."
"I'm better than privacy."
"Mhm. How so?"
"I'm your shadow."

It smiles.
"I Did actually have one of those Before you showed up."
"I'm a better shadow."
"You say that," It shuts the drawer. "But my last shadow didn't wake me up playing video games."
"Yes. You overslept." "I was definitely trying to."



Violet steps into the restroom.
You try to follow, only for it to stop you.

"I need to at least take off my clothes first.
That, and you said you don't like bright light.
So, I have to get it ready."
"...OK."
"Okay. I'll be quick."

It steps into the restroom.



You wait outside.










That sensation is back.

Pinpricks all over.
And motion, along with them.


Like tumbling through rose bushes.



No.


The motion is faster somehow.







Sharp


but all over.








Moving too fast.




Like boiling water.







"You can come in now."

You shoot under the door as if from a slingshot,
forcing yourself to stop before the shower,
pivoting over by the sink instead.

You cling to the sink itself, as you gradually settle.






The light is red.

"I hope you don't mind it.
I have quite a few colored lightbulbs in the closet.
Red is probably the dimmest normal one that I have."

The red light makes you feel strange,
but you can't make sense of why.
You shrug it off.

"Red is fine."
"Good."

The water starts up.









"So..."
"So."
"I'm assuming you have a lot of questions."
"Yes, Violet."
"Well, let's hear it."





You debate what to ask first.

"...Food."

The hare rubs its muzzle with a small sigh.
"This again...
Hatch, you don't need to be insistent about me eating.
I do eventually, and I eat enough.
I know you worry about me, but it's unnecessary, really."

Your eyes blink.

"Was talking about myself, Violet.
Do I eat?"

"...Oh.
Sorry about that.
The last time you were awake, you were always checking whether or not I was eating,
and making sure that I did so regularly.
It was difficult to keep up with, but you'd get so worried...

At any rate: No.
I've never seen you eat, so I assume you don't.
If I had to guess, considering you're attached to me,
you get whatever you need from me.
So, I suppose I eat for the both of us."

"That's very sad."
"It's really a lot of trouble, honestly.
Be glad you don't have to."
"Sad." You melodramatically slump, even though it can't see you.
"Nooooo."
"Sad."
The hare chuckles.






You want to try anyway.





You search around the sink.

Through the cabinets.



You find a bottle of mouthwash.

"...What are you doing out there?"

You pause.

Violet must be able to feel you moving.
You feel it moving, too, after all. It's washing its face.

Maybe it doesn't quite have the dexterity to identify what you're doing.
Just the general feeling of motion.







"Breaking absolutely Everything," you finally answer.

" . . . 
...No you're not."
"No I'm not.

I'm only looking at your things, Violet," you say, 
while unscrewing the top from the mouthwash.
"I need something to do.
No worrying."
"Alright..."

You form an open jaw on yourself.

You pour in a little of the mouthwash.
It makes no sound as it passes into you.





You taste nothing.
But, you can feel it somewhere within you.
As if a pocket had formed to put it in.



It fizzes within you in a way you don't like.

Without thinking too much,
you eject it from your jaws in a spitting motion.

It runs down the sink's drain.




That wasn't eating, really.
You know this.
You don't eat, then.

But...




You experimentally grab a little container of floss,

and 'eat' it.

Once more, you taste nothing,
but you feel a pocket form to put it in.




You can store things within you;
a fascinating discovery.

You remove the floss and place everything back in the cabinet,
leaving it all alone now.






"Hatch?"

"Yes."
"Questions?"
"Yes."

There's something you've been wanting to ask, anyway.

"Am I something recurring?
You're acting very casually."



"You've been with me for, maybe... seven or eight weeks, at this point.
So, yes.
Sometimes you end up sleeping for a while,
and you come back different, without many memories of the last time you were here."

"How many times?"
"This is the third time you've woken up.
You slept much longer last time."

"How long?"
"About a week and a half, if I remember correctly.



...What do You remember?
In general, I suppose."







You think.



You close your eyes.


























Rain.


Drops in a puddle.
Ripples on the surface.



You remember the smell of it most.

Wet earth.







You like it.



It reminds you of Violet.

Wet fur.







Standing in the rain.

It holds its arms out.
Breathing in


out.


You feel the deep breath.

You breathe together.









You feel it smiling.

You smile, too.








It's saying something.
Talking to you.


You don't remember what it's saying.
You don't remember what you said back.





It's nice


when it looks at you.





























The light is on.

It isn't too bright in your memory.





You're with Violet


watching its television.




Something is playing on it.

You don't know what.








You hear it laugh.

It tries to stop itself.
You watch its paw half-cover its muzzle.

It can't help it, busting out laughing;
a slight wheeze as it leans forward.




You aren't watching the television anymore.


You watch the hare double over giggling.






You feel

so warm.







You smile.

You laugh with it.





You're grinning, even now.









Oh,


you like when it laughs.


You like when it smiles.




You like to help it smile.

You like to make it laugh.







You say "Thank you"
but your voice is wrong.











You drift along your memories.

















Red.


There's red, here.







A flash
a spark

you watch it
cascade across 
the one before you







You flinch




You try to move






yellow


orange







Red.



A flash
a spark


you stop moving.



It feels terrible.



Another-






"Hatch?"



Your eyes open.



"Part of you is

...holding my leg.



Did something happen?"









No matter what

you don't want to tell it.
It'd only worry.

You don't want that.



"I pinched my--"
A lie.

You don't want to lie to it.
What can you say instead?

"...Not really.
I'm still over here.

Nothing to worry about."
" . . . 

Alright."
Its muscles are more tense.

It can tell, can't it?
It'll worry regardless.







"I tried some mouthwash."

"You what?"

"I don't like mouthwash."

It laughs, just a little bit.
"Neither do I."
It's more relaxed now, as far as you can tell.

You relax, too.







"So?"
"So?"
"What did you remember?"


"...You."
"Oh.
Well, I hope that isn't bad."
"It was nice."

You feel it turn its head to the side,
sinking down gently as its shoulders raise.
It's smiling
just a little.

It's embarrassed.

"...Anything else?"




You quickly search your memory.



"We watched a lot of movies."

"Yes, we did.
You loved them.
That was after the first time you woke up."
"...Seems boring."
"Really? I like them."
" . . . 
They're not awful.
But, they're very... long."
"Video games tend to be longer, you know."
"No. You can stop anytime."







Other things are still on your mind.


"Whatever happened to me seems

inconvenient.
I'm not worried.
But why am I like this?"

"I'm... not really sure about that."

"What am I?"

"...I don't have any idea."

"Why can't I remember anything?"

"Well.
You-
You... change, every time you sleep. I think.
Your personality, and even some of your mannerisms, all seem very different.
Some things stay the same, but not all that much.
I don't... know why.

I'm sorry, Hatch."




You droop across the countertop,
thinking too much.





"What happened while I was gone, Violet?"

Violet sighs.

"A lot of nothing, if I'm honest.
It's only been a few days.

I mostly worked.
I went out grocery shopping yesterday.
Watched some videos on my computer.

...You-
Last time you were awake - the second time - 
You liked to read a lot, so we'd gotten a library card for me.
So... I still had the books you'd been reading when you... fell asleep.
I went and took them back so they wouldn't be overdue.
I wasn't sure if you would want to; I didn't think you would."

The hare is standing still in the shower.

"The,
er,
first time, you were awake, when you wanted to watch movies a lot?
We started on a series that you really enjoyed.
We were going to do the last of it when you fell asleep.

When you woke up, I was ready to watch with you,
but you had no idea what I was talking about.
You didn't remember, so we never finished it.

 . . . 

None of that is a problem, for the record."

It says this,
but it seems down.

"My only point is that-
Well.
That's why I turned the books back in.

...That was about all I did while you were asleep."







"We could

start it over."
"Hm?"
"The movies."
"Oh."
"If you like them,
then I'll watch with you."


It smiles.

"...I'd like that, at some point.
Maybe not tonight."

"No, not tonight.





..Port instead."

"Yes, the Port."
It giggles.






The water turns off.

It dries itself with a towel.




"I never actually beat that, you know.
I've made a few save files,
but I'd always get stuck."
"I'll beat it."
"Mhm?"
"We can.




...but mostly me."



It points at you from around the corner as it exits the shower,
still keeping next to the shower to hide itself.

"I'm holding you to that."

"Yes."



"If you don't beat it, 
you owe me."

"You're naked."
"And?
So are you."



"You smell like wet rabbit."

"I don't!
I'm a hare."

"Prove it."

"Oh, make me."



You do your best to cackle evilly.



It just snickers at you,
rounding the corner fully clothed.


"...I'm evil."
"Very evil."
"I'm scary."
"You drank mouthwash."
"No." You tap at its snout with a tendril.
"No." It only laughs.





You follow it out of the restroom,
zipping around the corner as you stand up tall again.


"Food."

"Mm?"

"If you can eat, you should have some.
You forget.
Or you don't like it.
I used to remind you."

"Oh, but--"





It sighs, shaking its head.

"Well.
I didn't eat much all day."
"Food."
"Yes, yes.

I'll make something, but I want to watch you play while I eat."


You shake its paw with a tendril.
"Deal."
It jumps,
but laughs.


"Fine, fine,
go get it started."

You swoop your way around to the TV,
excited.






















































"I think you're stuck."
"No."
"See? I told you."
"No."
"You're stuck in the same spot I always get to."
"No."
"You aaare." It taps one of your tendrils.
You wiggle. "...Maybe."

The hare, with a clean plate in its lap,
looks at the clock behind it.




"Oh, we should definitely break."

You turn to see.



It's 8:44 PM.

"We really lost track of time."


It hadn't felt very long to you.








Violet stands and stretches.

You do the same, mirroring the motions.



"Well.
You wanted to go out."
"Yes."

It takes a peek out the bottom of the window.

"Oh, it's pitch black outside.
Perfect.
...Looks like it might storm later."
It turns back to you.
"Are you okay with possibly getting rained on?"



You remember.



"Yes, Violet."

"Okay."



Its smile is warm.








"Let me just grab my keys."

It walks towards the little stand by the door,
where its wallet, keys, and many keychains sit.



You rush there instead,




conjuring a maw 



with sharp-looking teeth






and 




CHOMP!




You eat all of them in front of the hare.





It stares at you,
eyes Wide.




You nonchalantly pull the keys out of yourself,
jingling them.

"Kidding."

It shakes its head, laughing it off.


Experimentally,
Violet takes your keys,
and reaches into you.

It fishes around, which feels odd but not unpleasant;
eventually finding and retrieving its wallet.

"You really had me worried there.
So you can just... hide things?"
"Yes."
"Well, that's fun." It pockets its wallet.

It unlocks its door, and peeks out into the minuscule apartment hallway.



Somehow, you know to wait.



It waves you on, and you follow,
blending into its shadow to keep a low profile.



"When did you figure that out?"
"Mouthwash."
"Oh, I see."

The hare locks its door,
then drops the keys in your direction.

There's a light plunk noise,
like a stone dropping in water,
as the keys as stored in you once more.

"Fun."
It continues down the stairs.























Soon enough, you exit the apartment building together.



Thunder booms in the distance.

Soft, grey and black clouds paint the sky.

A few raindrops fall on the both of you.




Violet extends its arms to its sides,
feeling the rain.

You feel yourself mirror it,
through its shadow.










"Ready?" it whispers.

"Yes."
"Where do you want to go?"
" . . . 

...Anywhere."

The hare smiles.

"Let's start with the park."
"Yes, Violet.
That sounds nice."



It starts walking,
and quickly rounds the corner into the alley behind its apartment building.



"Less people this way," it whispers. "So we can talk more."

"...Thank you."

"Mm? For what?"




"Just thank you."



"...It's no issue.




I'm happy to spend time with you."




It looks up at the clouds,
taking its time walking.




"Truth be told,
...when you showed up,
it was-

Well.

It was difficult, in some ways;
it was new.


But.

I had... mostly been alone.

And it was very nice
to have company."

It smiles back at you.



You smile, too.




You have no idea if it can tell.

You hope it can.

You believe it can.








"...How did we meet?"






It rubs its arm.




"It's... really a long story."



"Yes."










Its eyes look along the pavement

along the wall.







"...Can I tell you when we get to the park?" It asks.





"It'll give me more time 

to

remember everything."




You're immediately worried.

But,
you don't want to pry.

"Yes."

"Good. We'll talk then."








It hops over a puddle.

You reflect across its surface.










"So."

"So."



It turns a corner in the alley.









"Was there anythi--" 





Violet chokes.









A hand around its neck



as it's shoved into the wall.














You move to-



Something bright is pressed into its side.



Flash.

S p a r k.


You see nothing.


























































THUD.


A rough impact against metal.







You hear doors close.








Your many eyes open.






You hear Violet groan, 
and you snap awake,

rushing to its side.




"Violet!"
"Shhh..."

It puts a shaky finger to its muzzle.


You quiet down.







The both of you are in the back of a moving vehicle,
based on how the floor and walls shake together.

The space is small,
but highly reinforced; the entire interior black and silver 
with what you guess is steel.



A truck?




No, a van.











The hare lifts its shirt, wincing.


The fur along its left side has been singed.
Burnt.



You want to yell.



It drops its shirt,
leaning against the back of the van.





You spot something around its neck.

A grey, hard plastic collar.




There's a green light on the front.












Violet looks at the ceiling.
It seems a little out of it.

"...thought it might...

...Matilde... I should've...

...stupid, stupid..."




You move to hold its shoulder.










"I'm here.
We



We can get out.
I know how."


Your tendrils wrap around Violet.
The light on its collar turns yellow.

"Don't."
The light turns orange.

You ignore it,
attempting to pull it into yourself.





Red.




A flash.

A spark.




A zap runs through the both of you,

forcing you to stop what you're doing.

Violet falls to the floor.
Its muscles spasm as you retract into its shadow again.


















"Sorry!
Sorry.
Sorry.
Sorry."

"Not... your fault."












Violet looks down at you.
It shakes its head.




"Hatch."



You've never seen the look it gives you.





"...yes?"




"I have to do something.



It's the only way

any good comes out of this."




" . . . "






It reaches into its pocket,
pulling out its wallet


and dropping it quickly into you.




The light near-instantly goes from green to yellow to orange





then back down to green.













It sits back,
and takes a breath.

reaching down to touch its shadow - you.



"I experimented some

while you were asleep."




It pats you.





Then,












grabs hold of you.





"Forgive me."








It pulls.











Its shadow stretches out.






The collar light turns yellow.











Something feels wrong.



Everything feels wrong.








Violet strains,
pulling harder, and harder.





It hurts.






Orange.








You feel like you're being ripped in half.




One last pull, and-














Green.


















You detach from Violet,

forming into a small, black sphere in its paw.




You feel sore, 
all over.





The hare's fur is gradually draining of pigment.





It pants heavily, and coughs,
as its fur becomes white like snow.



You try to reach up to it,
but it's hard to move at all.



It coughs again,
harder this time,
leaning over as




it coughs blood onto the floor.








You can't seem to speak.

You can't scream.






The hare wheezes
as it pulls itself over to the back doors of the van.




It lifts you up.


Looking you over one last time.



Blood runs down its muzzle.




" B e  . . .  s a f e . "





It smiles.







With all its strength,
it shoves you against the crack between the doors.





Your body rapidly contorts,


stretching once more





until-




























You explode out of the van into countless ribbons of shadow,

flipping about in the air

before falling gently into a pile on the wet pavement.












You try to get move, to get your bearings,
but you feel weak

and you're tangled up in yourself.










You can see the van driving down the road.













You curse this terrible form.









You need something else.



Something solid.


Something fast.







You need to Move.






























Before you know it,
you're standing.

You're running.






You look at yourself.




You look like Violet.


















You stumble.



You don't care.






You can see the van

far, far ahead.





You will yourself to run faster.












Rain splashes behind your feet as the storm picks up.










You can hardly see.































The van takes a turn.







Which street?
Which street?






You squint.




















The world upends itself


as you fall hard



sliding across the slick concrete.









You throw yourself back upright,





















only for your legs to give out.


















You wheeze.
You can't run anymore.

The van is gone.

Violet



is gone.










































You're walking.

You don't really remember when you got up.





You've traced your way back to the park,

spotting the alley across the street,
and Violet's apartment.




You walk























You're in the apartment building.



Standing in front of Violet's door.

Staring.












You pull its keys out of yourself,
unlocking the door.


You stumble in.


You push the door shut.



You collapse into a wet heap on the floor,
keys jingling as they tumble across the carpet.








You lie still.






















A soft sound draws your many eyes to the door.




A piece of paper has been pushed under.




You

force yourself to stand up,

and retrieve it.




It's a handwritten note.





I'm not sure how you are what you are, but 
they're going to come back for you, and this 
is the first place they'll look. You need to 
leave ASAP. Grab some things and go. Find 
someplace safe. I'm not sticking around. 
If you make it out of this, I might find you 
later, but expect nothing. Go now.





You look at the time.

It's 11:29 PM.




You need a plan.