Homecoming

I drive along the relatively smooth road to my hometown, radio going in and out as some generic pop music plays. (after:2s)[(text-style:"fade-in-out")[[[Continue -> 2]]]]

I don't want to be going home. But my best friends, Lettie and Veronica, begged me to. They hadn't seen me in ages after I went to college and neither of them could drive. (after:2s)[(text-style:"fade-in-out")[[[Continue -> 3]]]]

I have to admit, I miss them too. (after:2s)[(text-style:"fade-in-out")[[[Continue -> 4]]]]

I pull into town going up and down familiar streets before arriving at Veronica's house. Her mom always liked me. (after:2s)[(text-style:"fade-in-out")[[[Continue ->5]]]]

I park on the street near her house before I see a few things. A poster that looks strangely like a missing persons poster. Mrs. Goat, she's the type of woman who seemed to know everyone in town. And, of course, Veronica's house. (after:2s)[(text-style:"fade-in-out")[ =|= [[Look at missing persons poster ->Missing Persons Poster]] =|= [[Talk to Mrs. Goat->Mrs. Goat]] =|= [[Go into Veronica's House -> Home]]]]

"Hello, dearie." Mrs. Goat says, a smile on her face. "Are you new here, I don't think I've seen you around." (after:2s)[(text-style:"fade-in-out")[[[Continue ->Mrs. Goat 2]]]]

(align:"=><=")[An image of a young sheep appears on the poster. It says: ''MISSING Stephanie Sheep'' Age: 21 Height: 5'4" Hair color: Brown Last seen: 3 years ago] (after:2s)[(text-style:"fade-in-out")[[[Return->5]]]]

I knock on Veronica's door and hear a great deal of crashing from inside. (text-style:"rumble")["SIMON!"] The door swings open to see my friends smiling face. We hug as she ushers me inside. "You must be tired from your drive. Did you have dinner? Do you want to just go to sleep? How was your drive? How's college? Do you have any friends? Anyone more than friends?" Veronica's onslaught of questions is overwhelming. (after:2s)[(text-style:"fade-in-out")[[[Continue -> Answers]]]]

"Oh! You must be related to the Sheeps. You look an awful lot like them." She says. A grimace comes to my face. (after:2s)[(text-style:"fade-in-out")[[[Continue ->Mrs. Goat 3]]]]

"That poor family, their little girl went missing. They're still looking for her though." She sighs. "If you're family you might want to try to help looking for her." I nod. "Yeah, I'm a... cousin. I am meeting Veronica and her family though, so I'll see you around." (after:2s)[(text-style:"fade-in-out")[[[Continue -> Mrs. Goat 4]]]]

"All right dearie." She says as I leave. (after:2s)[(text-style:"fade-in-out")[[[Return->5]]]]

"Veronica!" I exclaim, laughing a little as we walk inside. "It's good to see you too." I answer her questions. Yes, I am tired. Yes, I got fast food on the road. College is going well and I have a group of some good friends there. And yes, I have a partner on campus. "I think I just want to go to bed though, Veronica." I say to her as she leads me towards her room. (after:2s)[(text-style:"fade-in-out")[[[Continue -> Home 2]]]]

"Fine, fine." She says as we drop my stuff off. "Sleep well, Simon." She smiles at me, and I fall asleep as soon as my head hits the pillow. I was exauhsted. (after:2s)[(text-style:"fade-in-out")[[Continue -> Day 2]]]

(align:"=><=")[DAY 2 (after:3s)[(text-style:"fade-in-out")[[[Continue->Day 2 1]]]]]

I wake up from a dreamless sleep and get ready for my day. (after:2s)[(text-style:"fade-in-out")[[[Continue->Day 2 2]]]]

"So, Simon." Veronica says. "I was thinking we could go into town later? Meet up with Lettie may-" (after:1s)[(text-style:"bold","italic","emboss","shudder")[KNOCK]] (after:2s)[(text-style:"fade-in-out")[[[Continue->Day 2 3]]]]

I go to answer the door for Veronica and see a middle-aged sheep in front of me. (after:2s)[(text-style:"fade-in-out")[[[Continue->Day 2 4]]]]

"Ah, hello!" The woman says. "I was just here to speak to Mrs. Donkey! But, you look very familiar! Do I know you?" (after:2s)[(text-style:"fade-in-out")[(align:"=><=")[ =|= [[Yes->End 1]] =|= [[Lie->Continue]] ]]]

"No, I don't think so." I reply nervously. "Ah, well I'm Mrs. Sheep." She extends a hoof to shake. "Me and my husband live right down the road." I nod. (after:2s)[(text-style:"fade-in-out")[[[Continue->Day 2 5]]]]

I nod. "Mom... don't you remember me?" I ask, I know I've changed... I know she doesn't want to recognize me but it still hurt. (after:2s)[(text-style:"fade-in-out")[[[Continue->End 1 2]]]]

"No." She states firmly. "My only child is missing, and she looks nothing like you." Before I get another word in she storms off, leaving me in the doorway. (after:2s)[(text-style:"fade-in-out")[[[Continue-> END1]]]]

(align:"=><=")[(text-colour:red)[BAD END] (text-style:"fade-in-out")[[[Restart?->1]]]]

"Say." She says, looking me up and down. "You seem like you have a keen eye, and nobody can find anything..." She trails off almost as if thinking deeply. "I know it's strange to ask someone I just met, but my daughter has been missing for quite some time. She's an adult but we're still so worried. Would you try to help us find her?" (after:2s)[(text-style:"fade-in-out")[[[Sure -> Day 2 6]]]]

I feel a pit in my stomach, but it's the right thing to do. "Oh that's wonderful!" Mrs. Sheep exclaims, grabbing my hoof to pull my out the door. I mouth "I'm sorry" towards Veronica as I'm lead away from the home. (after:2s)[(text-style:"fade-in-out")[[[Continue->Day 2 7]]]]

As Mrs. Sheep leads me away she describes the missing child, and everywhere there might be clues. "I thought you could check her(text-style:"buoy")[ (text-colour:yellow)[Bedroom]], she always spent so much time in there. She also loved the (text-style:"buoy")[ (text-colour:yellow)[Woods]], and the family always spent so much time at the (text-style:"buoy")[ (text-colour:yellow)[Church]] I'm sure you could try to talk to (text-colour:lime)[Father Mantis.] (after:2s)[(text-style:"fade-in-out")[[[Continue-> Choose]]]]

(align:"=><=")[Where should I investigate first? (text-style:"fade-in-out")[ =|= [[Bedroom->Bedroom 1]] =|= [[Woods->Woods 1]] =|= [[Church->Church]] ]]

I decide to visit Mrs. Sheep's house. The bedroom looks like that of an average teen, a twin bed, desk, and some knick-knacks from different TV shows that the kid must have enjoyed. (align:"=><=")[(text-style:"fade-in-out")[ =|= [[Examine Desk->Desk]] =|= [[Examine the bed->Bed]] =|= [[Examine the bookshelf->Bookshelf]] ]]

Leaves crunch under my feet, air biting at my face as I try to find purchase for my cane in the soft earth. As I go further into the woods I see a small shack, almost like a treehouse. On the door the initials (text-colour:magenta)[L], (text-colour:yellow)[V], and (text-colour:green)[S] are carved. (after:2s)[(text-style:"fade-in-out")[[[Enter->Woods 2]]]]

There's a weird air around the chapel as I make my way towards the massive red doors. As I enter the scent of stale inscense instantly berates my nose. "Hello, dear." A voice comes from further inside. (after:2s)[(text-style:"fade-in-out")[[[Continue->Church 2]]]]

I look at the bookshelf. It's covered in figurines, I recognize a lot of these shows, they were some of my favorites as a teen (after:2s)[(text-style:"fade-in-out")[[[Continue->Bookshelf 2]]]]

The bed is sturdy, soft. But not that notable. It seems to have fresh sheets meaning Mrs. Sheep must have put some on recently. Nothing to see here. (after:2s)[(text-style:"fade-in-out")[ [[Return->Bedroom 2]]]]

A solid desk stands in front of me. It's clear of everything except a lamp. Above it is a corkboard that told a story within itself. Ribbons from competitions, lists of reminders of a daily routine, art the ranged from paintings to coloring sheets from dollar store coloring books. But, nothing else of note, nothing that could help me find the kid, was here; only their memories. (after:2s)[(text-style:"fade-in-out")[ [[Return->Bedroom 2]]]]

A smile as I continue looking at all the books on the shelf, a lot of them well worn. On the shelf there's one of those diaries that makes you put in a secret code. (align:"=><=")[(text-style:"fade-in-out")[ =|= [[Examine the diary->Diary]] =|= [[Leave it be->Bedroom 2]] ]]

(align:"=><=")[Now what could the password be... (force-input-box:"=XX=","Password") (after:2s)[(text-style:"fade-in-out")[[[SUBMIT->Correct]]]]]

The diary reads: Dear Diary, I know they care. I know they do but I can't do this. I can't fucking do this. If they find out they'll kick me out, I have to wait. Dear Diary, I got into college today! I'm so excited! I start this fall, and I cannot wait to get out of this town! Dear Diary, I'm leaving. I'm leaving and I'm telling them today. (after:2s)[(text-style:"fade-in-out")[[[Continue->Bedroom 2]]]]

The bedroom looks like that of an average teen, a twin bed, desk, and some knick-knacks from different TV shows that the kid must have enjoyed. (align:"=><=")[(text-style:"fade-in-out")[ =|= [[Examine Desk->Desk]] =|= [[Examine the bed->Bed]] =|= [[Examine the Bookshelf->Bookshelf]] ]] [[Leave ->B Home]]

Once I got back to Veronica's house we spent time together, laughing and joking like we used to. (after:2s)[(text-style:"fade-in-out")[[Continue ->B Home 2]]]

Inside the cabin is cozy, pillows strewn across the floor and burnt down candles sitting on most of the surfaces. On one of the folding tables there's what looks to be a jewelry box. It's simple, something you could probably buy at a craft store. But it was painted in bright, happy colors. (after:2s)[(text-style:"fade-in-out")[[[Opent the box ->Box]]]

Inside the box laid a small, silver locket. It didn't have any ornamentation on it, just a silver heart on a thin silver chain. (after:2s)[(text-style:"fade-in-out")[[[Open the locket ->locket]]]

The photos inside showed a family. The mother looked a lot like Mrs. Sheep. This must have belonged to her child. (after:2s)[(text-style:"fade-in-out")[[[Take the locket and leave -> W Home]]]

Once I got back to Veronica's house we spent time together, laughing and joking like we used to. (after:2s)[(text-style:"fade-in-out")[[Continue ->W Home 2]]]

"So," Veronica starts "how was the visit with Mrs. Sheep?" I sigh looking at the ceiling of her bedroom. "It was fine. I found an old diary though." Veronica looks at me before I begin speaking again. "It's just weird. It's weird being back here y'know? Everything feels so close to the same... but it's all so different." "Yeah." She sighs. "Yeah, I get what you mean. Get some sleep Simon." (after:2s)[(text-style:"fade-in-out")[[[The light turns off-> B Dream]]]]

I see a child in a bedroom, corkboard with awards, shelves piled with figures. A dreamy haze covers my vision as I see the child crying, hunched over a book. "I hate them. I hate me! Why can't I be normal..." The vision fades as I (text-style:"fade-in-out")[[[wake up->Day 3b]]].

(align:"=><=")[DAY 3 (after:3s)[(text-style:"fade-in-out")[[[Continue->Day 3w 1]]]]]

"So," Veronica starts "how was the visit with Mrs. Sheep?" I sigh looking at the ceiling of her bedroom. "It was fine. I found the old fort though, which was neat. We should really go back there." I go silent for a bit and Veronica looks at me. I begin speaking again. "It's just weird. It's weird being back here y'know? Everything feels so close to the same... but it's all so different." "Yeah." She sighs. "Yeah, I get what you mean. Get some sleep Simon." (after:2s)[(text-style:"fade-in-out")[[[The light turns off-> W Dream]]]]

I see kids running around in the woods, a dream-like haze covering the scene. Their laughter echos in my ears "Come //on// Veronica! Let's go already!" One of them says, a young sheep. A silver neckalce bounces against their chest as they run towards a shack. The laughter fades as I (text-style:"fade-in-out")[[[wake up->Day 3w]]].

It's Father Mantis, the church's reverend. He's always creeped me out. "Ah, hello." I say, wanting to stay polite. "I'm looking for information about Mrs. Sheep's missing child? She said you might know something?" (after:2s)[(text-style:"fade-in-out")[[[Continue->Church 3]]]]

I awaken on Veronica's floor again. I guess I should help Mrs. Sheep. (after:3s)[(text-style:"fade-in-out")[[[Continue->Choose 2w]]]]]

(align:"=><=")[I Guess I should go to the kid's house next. The (text-colour:yellow)[Church] creeps me out too much. (after:3s)[(text-style:"fade-in-out")[[[Continue->WBedroom]]]]

"Ah yes, Stephanie." He says, sighing. "I presume you already know that she went missing soon after she left for college. Sad story." The mantis stares me down with his beady eyes. "What about //her//?" His smile widens ever so slightly. (after:2s)[(text-style:"fade-in-out")[[[Continue->C Continue 1]]]]

"Yeah, their mom asked me to help find them." I laugh, nervously. He hums, eyes still staring into me as if I know the answer to every question he has. "I think you know where she is." (after:2s)[(text-style:"fade-in-out")[[[Continue->Church 4]]]]

I don't really want to go there... That place has always freaked me out too much. (after:2s)[(text-style:"fade-in-out")[[[Pick Somewhere Else->Choose]]]]

My eyes go wide. (after:2s)[(text-style:"fade-in-out")[[[Continue->Church 5]]]]

(align:"=><=")[Where should I investigate first? (text-style:"fade-in-out")[ =|= [[Bedroom->Bedroom 1]] =|= [[Woods->Woods 1]] ]]

"She also does." I say. "She also knows. It's not like it's much of a secret." I came out to her when I went to college. Right when I went "missing" in her eyes. "I don't even know why I tried." I sigh, exhaustion settling in my mind. "This was stupid." (after:2s)[(text-style:"fade-in-out")[[[Leave->Home]]]]

I go back to Veronica's hot tears leaving tracks on my cheeks. I forgo any conversation with her and zip myself in my sleeping bag. (after:2s)[(text-style:"fade-in-out")[[[Continue->Home 2]]]]

I'm mad at myself, at my mom, at the world. Frustration bubbles inside me as I cry within the cacoon of flannel I've put myself in. Eventually I fall into restless sleep. (after:2s)[(text-style:"fade-in-out")[[[Continue->C dream]]]]

Golden light fills a chapel as I watch children running around the pews. Thick inscence and the dull hum the heater running fill the lofty room. For some reason there's a sense of safety. Of a life I used to live. I miss it. (after:2s)[(text-style:"fade-in-out")[[[Continue->C dream 2]]]]

I don't miss it though. I don't miss the time, the hatred of myself, or the aching //difference// I felt. What I miss is the simplicity. The ease of laughter and happiness that came to me as a child. (after:2s)[(text-style:"fade-in-out")[[[Continue->Day 5]]]]

(align:"=><=")[DAY 5 (after:3s)[(text-style:"fade-in-out")[[[Continue->Day 5 1]]]]]

(align:"=><=")[DAY 3 (after:3s)[(text-style:"fade-in-out")[[[Continue->Day 3b 1]]]]]

I awaken on Veronica's floor again. I guess I should help Mrs. Sheep. (after:3s)[(text-style:"fade-in-out")[[[Continue->Choose 2b]]]]

(align:"=><=")[I Guess I should go to the woods next. The (text-colour:yellow)[Church] creeps me out too much. (after:3s)[(text-style:"fade-in-out")[[Continue->BWoods]]]]

I decide to visit Mrs. Sheep's house. The bedroom looks like that of an average teen, a twin bed, desk, and some knick-knacks from different TV shows that the kid must have enjoyed. (align:"=><=")[(text-style:"fade-in-out")[ =|= [[Examine Desk->wDesk]] =|= [[Examine the bed->wBed]] =|= [[Examine the bookshelf->wBookshelf]] ]]

I look at the bookshelf. It's covered in figurines, I recognize a lot of these shows, they were some of my favorites as a teen (after:2s)[(text-style:"fade-in-out")[[[Continue->wBookshelf 2]]]]

The bedroom looks like that of an average teen, a twin bed, desk, and some knick-knacks from different TV shows that the kid must have enjoyed. (align:"=><=")[(text-style:"fade-in-out")[ =|= [[Examine Desk->wDesk]] =|= [[Examine the bed->wBed]] =|= [[Examine the Bookshelf->wBookshelf]] ]] [[Leave ->Whome]]

(align:"=><=")[Now what could the password be... (force-input-box:"=XX=","Password") (after:2s)[(text-style:"fade-in-out")[[[SUBMIT->wCorrect]]]]]

(align:"=><=")[DAY 4 (after:3s)[(text-style:"fade-in-out")[[[Continue->Day 4 1]]]]]

Inside the box laid a small, silver locket. It didn't have any ornamentation on it, just a silver heart on a thin silver chain. (after:2s)[(text-style:"fade-in-out")[[[Open the locket ->wlocket]]]]

The photos inside showed a family. The mother looked a lot like Mrs. Sheep. This must have belonged to her child. (after:2s)[(text-style:"fade-in-out")[[[Take the locket and leave -> Wb Home]]]]

"So," Veronica starts "how were the woods?" I sigh looking at the ceiling of her bedroom. "It was fine. I found the old fort though, which was neat. We should really go back there." I go silent for a bit and Veronica looks at me. I begin speaking again. "It's just weird. It's weird being back here y'know? Everything feels so close to the same... but it's all so different." "Yeah." She sighs. "Yeah, I get what you mean. Get some sleep Simon." (after:2s)[(text-style:"fade-in-out")[[[The light turns off-> bW Dream]]]]

I sigh as I leave Veronica's house, today I have to go to the church. (after:3s)[(text-style:"fade-in-out")[[[Continue->Church 1]]]]

It's the last day of my time back in my hometown. I should confront my mom. But do I want to? This stupid goose chase I went on, my hope to spend time with her, has fallen flat. I should just spend time with my friends like I had planned. (after:2s)[(text-style:"fade-in-out")[(align:"=><=")[ =|= [[Face her->Mom]] =|= [[Have fun->Friends]] ]]]

I choose to spend the rest of my day with Lettie and Veronica. We sit at the cafe in town as we watch my families car drive down the road. To the funeral home. I sigh, and my friends look at me. (after:3s)[(text-style:"fade-in-out")[[[Continue->Friends 2]]]]

I take deep breaths as I stand outside the door of my childhood home, for the second time this week. I'm frozen in fear, fist posed to knock on the deep purple door. (after:3s)[(text-style:"fade-in-out")[[[Continue->Mom 2]]]]

Then, without my fist even grazing the wood in a knock, it opens. There stands my father, looking like he'd seen a ghost. "Uh-" I don't know what to say, my mind races with the possibilities. "Hi dad." He smiles softly at me. (after:3s)[(text-style:"fade-in-out")[[[Continue->Mom 3]]]]

"Come in." He says, showing me to the couch. "Honey! Comapny!" My mom comes down and sees my face. "Oh! Did you find anything? Do you know where our daughter is?" She akses. (after:3s)[(text-style:"fade-in-out")[[[Continue->Mom 4]]]]

"Hey, I know it hurts." Lettie says, eyes soft. I just shake my head. "I can't believe it, but it almost feels like a relief. Like I can finally let out a breath again?" It is strange, but it's nice to have my friends here. To choose my family. (after:3s)[(text-style:"fade-in-out")[[[Continue->END 2]]]]

(align:"=><=")[(text-colour:red)[[[END?->1]]]]

"Mom..." I start, and her eyes turn icy. "Mom, I can't do this. You don't have a daughter. I'm seriously not sure if you ever did. But if you want any kind of child again you have to both realize who I am, and embrace me." She looks at me before saying. "I don't have a son." (after:3s)[(text-style:"fade-in-out")[[[Continue->Mom 5]]]]

I stand and leave the house. I walk to Veronica's and sit down next to her, sobbing. "I just wanted a mom again." I say. "I don't understand her, I don't understand." Veronica comforts me and invites lettie over. In the morning I leave to go back to school, now decidedly without parents. (after:3s)[(text-style:"fade-in-out")[[[Continue->END TRUE]]]]

(align:"=><=")[(text-colour:green)[END]]

(align:"=><=")[(box:"=XX=")[(text-style:"blink")[(text-colour:lime)[[[CORRECT->Diary 2]]]]]]

(align:"=><=")[(box:"=XX=")[(text-style:"blink")[(text-colour:lime)[[[CORRECT->wDiary 2]]]]]]