The Waiting Room v1

The buzz of cicadas fills the air as you stare at [[the faded sign.->the sign]] (set: $help_ethel to false)

The lights in the front half of the building are all on. Through the windows, you see staff and patients milling about. But the back half is dark and the windows are empty. Almost like half the building is abandoned. Then, out of the corner of your eye, you see movement in one of the windows - a shadow. But when you turn to look closer, it's gone... (if:(history: where its name contains "ch1.03")'s length is 0)[[[Look at the forest. ->ch1.03]]] [[Enter the building. ->ch1.04]]

Dense foliage surrounds the building. A looming forest, dominated by thick oaks. You're in the middle of nowhere. The middle of nowhere, Florida - even worse. The cicadas scream a chitinous chorus as you tug at your sticky scrubs. This humidty could kill. (if:(history: where its name contains "ch1.02")'s length is 0)[[[Look closer at the back half. ->ch1.02]]] [[Enter the building. ->ch1.04]]

The cool A/C blasts you as you push open the glass door. White tile. Tan walls. A typical nursing home. "We're streakin'!" You spot an old man running toward you - ''butt naked''. "No we're not, Frank!" A tired woman in a white coat chases after him. "Stop him!" [[Step in front of Frank.]] [[Jump out of the way.]] [[Point and laugh.]]

"Stop!" You step in front of Frank, but he keeps running. Unsure what to do, you stretch out your arms - and he runs right into them! "Woo!" You close your arms and hold Frank until the nurse reaches you. "Thank you. You must be my new hire." [[Who are you?]] [[That's right.]]

You jump out of Frank's way and let him run by. He reaches the exit but simply loops around and heads back toward you. Seems he's just doing laps. The nurse catches him on his return and walks him back. She glares at you as she passes. "Really helpful. Don't tell me you're my new hire." [[Who are you?]] [[That's right.]]

You point and laugh at Frank as he streaks by. He seems emboldened by the response and gives a little skip as he reaches the end of the hall and loops back around. Seems he's just doing laps. The nurse catches him on his return and walks him back. She glares at you as she passes. "Really helpful. Don't tell me you're my new hire." [[Who are you?]] [[That's right.]]

"I'm Donna, Director of Nursing here at Shady Oaks. You know, your ''boss''." [[Right... Sorry.|ch1.05]]

"Well, good to see you can already handle Frank. I'm Donna, Director of Nursing here at Shady Oaks." [["Nice to meet you, Donna."|ch1.05]]

Frank wriggles in Donna's hands. She sighs. "Sorry, it's been a long day." Donna turns to her left, you follow her gaze to the front desk. A male nurse sits with his feet up, chewing a toothpick and texting. "Austin! Get over here! Show our new CNA the ropes." Donna turns and escorts Frank down the hall while [[Austin jogs up...->Austin meet]]

Austin smiles big, holding his toothpick in place with his teeth. "Ah, the newbie! Come on, I was just about to turn some beds. You can help." Austin spins and heads down the hall. [[You walk fast to keep pace with his long legs.->Follow Austin]]

You follow Austin past a [[large room on your right->Function hall]], full of patients and visitors.

"That's the function hall. Three pm is 'arts and crafts,' so good time to turn some beds. [[Come on.->follow austin 2]]"

You follow Austin further down the hall, when suddenly, the fluorescent lights cut out - leaving you [[in the dark.->dark2]]

"Help! Somebody help me!" A voice screams (t8n:"flicker")+(t8n-time:2s)+(link-reveal:"from the hall...")[ The lights [[flicker back on.->Not again]]]

"Ugh, not again," Austin says to himself. [[What was that? ->itsethel]] [[Someone needs help! ->itsethel]]

"It's just Ethel. She does this every day for attention." Austin sighs. "She doesn't need help. I was just with her." [[It sounded pretty serious. -> trustme]] [[If you say so. -> trustme]]

"Trust me, she's fine. I tell you what, let's start with Sue's room. Right here. I'll pull the sheets. You go grab some fresh ones. They're in the closet at the end of the hall." [[How about you grab the sheets and I pull. -> you need to learn]] [[End of the hall, got it. -> to linen closet 1]]

"You're the one who needs to learn. So go learn where the linen closet is." [["Okay, okay." -> to linen closet 1]]

You leave the room and look to the end of the hall, where double glass doors seal your wing off from the other half of the building. Behind the doors, you see nothing but darkness. The other wing seems to be abandoned. And without power. Alright, all you have to do is walk to the end of the hall, right up to those doors, and find this closet. (t8n:"flicker")+(t8n-time:1s)+(link-reveal:"Easy...")[ The lights flicker. Not a good start... [[Rush and get it over with. -> rush 1]] [[Approach cautiously. -> cautious 1]]]

You speedwalk down the hall. One, two. One, two. When the lights (t8n:"flicker")+(t8n-time:1s)+(link-reveal:"flicker again.")[ Suddenly, you see a shape beside you, then it's [[gone.->rush 2]]]

Your footsteps (text-style:"buoy")[echo] on the white tile as you walk carefully, one foot in front of the other, down the quiet hall. As you creep nearer to the dark, double glass doors, you begin to hear something. It starts quiet at first. Then grows. (text-style:"shudder")[HACK! HACK!] It's a gurgling, throaty hacking sound, and it's coming from the glass doors. You take one careful step closer just as - (t8n-time:2s)[[the lights die.->cautious 2]]

You startle and start jogging. The empty rooms fly by as you approach the dark, glass doors. You're almost at the end of the hall, when - (t8n-depart:"instant")+(t8n-arrive:"blur")+(t8n-time:2s)[[the lights die.->rush 3]]

Unable to see, you smack into the door at the end of the hall! You feel the cool glass against your cheek and hear something on the other side of the door. (text-style:"fidget")[A throaty, coughing sound.] Just beyond the glass. (text-style:"shudder")[HACK. HACK.] It's a terrible, desperate sound. Almost like someone's [[struggling to breathe.->rush 4]]

If someone's in the back hall, they could need your help. That was coughing you heard... wasn't it? You reach out, grab the cool metal handle, (t8n-time:2s)[[and pull.->locked door]]

CLANG! The door is locked. You pull it a few more times. Nothing. [[Peer through the glass.-> look closer]] [[Forget it. You should grab the linens and return to Austin. -> grab linens]]

You turn to your left and find a tiny closet marked, "Linens." You open it and grab as many sheets as you can. They remind you of Grandma's. You're not sure if it's her smell or the same detergent. Either way, it brings you back... [[Those were great times. -> great times]] [[I was always so bored there. -> so bored there]]

You cup your hands against your forehead to block the light and lean against the glass, peering into the dark... Hmm, nothing. But you swear you saw someone... [[Oh well, time to get back to work. -> grab linens]]

Grandma's house was the best. She always let you eat sugary ceral, she had the best hiding places, and she even let you watch those silly Naked Gun movies she had on VHS. Man, you can't believe how long it's been since she passed... Before you can snap out of your reverie, the closet door slams shut in (t8n:"flicker")+(t8n-time:2s)+(link-reveal:"front of you!")[ The lights flicker as you catch your (t8n-time:2s)[[breath.->Ethel scream]]]

There was never anything to do at Grandma's. All your parents ever did was sit around and reminisce with her while you were left to 'play' in a smelly house with no toys. Before you can snap out of your reverie, the closet door slams shut in (t8n:"flicker")+(t8n-time:2s)+(link-reveal:"front of you!")[ The lights flicker as you catch your (t8n-time:2s)[[breath.->Ethel scream]]]

(text-style:"shudder")[HACK! HACK!] The coughing continues as you hold your breath in the dark, just feet from those double glass doors. It's a terrible, desperate, wheezing sound. Almost like someone's (text-style:"blur")[struggling to breathe.] Then, after a terrible moment in the dark, the lights finally (text-style:"blink")[flicker back on.] For just a brief moment in the flickering of the fluorescents, you see a shadow move away from the glass door and disappear into the darkness of the back hall. [[Someone's in the back hall, and they could need your help. Open the door. -> try door]] [[It was a trick of the light. Or something worse... Grab the linens and get out of here. -> grab linens]]

"Help! Please, it hurts. Someone, please!" Oh, no. Not again. It's Ethel, coming from just a few doors down. Austin told you to ignore her. He said she does this every day. That she's just acting out. But... what if she isn't? [[I should check on Ethel. ->check ethel]] [[Austin's been here a lot longer. I should do what he says. ->return to austin]]

(if:(history: where its name contains "check ethel")'s length is 0)[You enter Ethel's room and find her lying on her bed. You can see that she has an IV attached to her arm and a catheter inserted.](else:)[Ethel lays on her bed. She has an IV atttached to her arm and a catheter inserted.] "Please, don't go. I need help." [[What's wrong? -> what's wrong]] [[Check her IV. -> check iv]] [[Check catheter. -> check catheter]] [[You should get help. ->get help]] [[She seems fine. ->return to austin]]

"It hurts. My stomach. It feels like it's gonna explode. (t8n-time:2s)[[Please..."->check ethel]]

The needle looks like it's inserted correctly and the bag is still full of fluid. As far as you can tell, (t8n-time:2s)[[it seems fine.->check ethel]]

Being it's your first day, you haven't been trained on catheters yet, but you notice there's no fluid in the bag. That (t8n-time:2s)[[does seem unusual...->check ethel]]

You return to Austin with the linens. "Ah, took you long enough!" He taps a fresh toothpick out of a crumpled cigarette carton and pops it in his mouth. "What? Trying to quit." He shrugs at the pack before tucking it in his back pocket. "Helps. Anyway, let's see if you can fold hospital corners." You set the linens down on an empty chair, grab a sheet off the top of the pile, and start making the bed, careful to do that weird double-tuck on the corners. [[Make the bed in silence. -> quietly make bed]] [["I heard someone coughing in the back hall." -> heard someone in back hall]] (if:(history: where its name contains "check ethel")'s length >= 1)[["I checked on Ethel." ->I checked on ethel]]

On your way out, you run into Donna in the hall. She looks at you confused. "I thought you were helping Austin. What were you doing in Ethel's room? Is something wrong?" You could ask her to check on Ethel, but it might make Austin look bad. You don't want to get him in trouble if it really is nothing... What should you do? [["Everything's fine. I'm just heading back to Austin now." ->say you'll return to austin]] [["Ethel was screaming. Austin said to ignore it, but I think she really needs help." ->ethel needs help]] (if:(history: where its name contains "check catheter")'s length >= 1)[[["I think something's wrong with Ethel's catheter. -> bad catheter]]]

You quickly excuse yourself and hurry, (t8n-time:2s)[[back to Austin.->return to austin]]

"What was wrong with her?" Donna asks. "I... I guess I don't know. I checked on her, but I'm not sure what's wrong." Donna looks stern for a second then softens. "Okay. I'll check on her." "Thanks," you stammer then turn and (t8n-time:2s)[[hurry down the hall.->return to austin]] (set: $help_ethel to true)

"What do you mean?" Donna asks. "Ethel was crying for help. Austin said to ignore her, but it sounded serious so I checked her out and, I'm not sure but, I think something's wrong with her catheter. There's no urine in the bag." "Nothing?" Donna looks concerned. "Nothing." "I'll check on her. Thanks for telling me." Donna turns and heads into Ethel's room. For a moment, you're left in the hall contemplating your decision. Then you turn and head (t8n-time:2s)[[back to Austin.->return to austin]] (set: $help_ethel to true)

You tuck in the bottom of the sheet then pull the sheet toward you, create a little triangular fold, and tuck that on the side. You smooth the white fabric with your hand. The sheet is rough and cheap... figures. You repeat the process on the other side then stand back for examination. "Nice work," Austin says with a smile. "But we've got plenty more beds to make. Let's go." [[Follow Austin. -> make the rest of the beds]]

Austin laughs. "Impossible. They shut that wing down years ago. Nothing's back there but storage." [["Storage?" ->storage?]] [["Why'd they close it?" ->why closed]] [["Why don't they reopen it?" ->why don't reopen]] [["Shut down? But I saw someone." ->saw someone]] [[Let it go and finish making the bed. -> quietly make bed]]

"I told you not to bother." Austin frowns. "Well, find a mysterious illness plaguing our Ethel?" [["No, I guess not..." -> told you so]] (if:(history: where its name contains " check catheter")'s length >= 1)[["I think something's wrong with her catheter. -> austin's reply]]

In room after room, Austin pulls sheets while you tuck corners. (t8n-time:2s)[[Time passes...->Donna barges in]]

"Yeah, I used to think she needed help, too. Don't worry, you'll learn. Sometimes they just want attention. Now, you want to finish this bed or what?" [[Make the bed in silence. -> quietly make bed]] [["I heard someone coughing in the back hall." -> heard someone in back hall]]

"Impossible, I inserted it myself this morning." "Yeah, but -" "Trust me, I know what I'm doing, okay? Why don't you just focus on the bed so we can move on." [[Make the bed in silence. -> quietly make bed]] [["I heard someone coughing in the back hall." -> heard someone in back hall]]

"Yeah, extra linens, mattresses, things like that. What else would we use it for?" (if:(history: where its name contains "why locked")'s length is 0)[[["If it's just storage, why's it locked?"" ->why locked]]] (if:(history: where its name contains "why closed")'s length <= 0)[[["Why'd they close the wing?" ->why closed]]] (if:(history: where its name contains "why don't reopen")'s length <= 0)[[["Why don't they reopen the wing?" ->why don't reopen]]] (if:(history: where its name contains "saw someone")'s length is 0)[[["But I saw someone in there." ->saw someone]]] [[Let it go and finish making the bed. -> quietly make bed]]

Austin chews his toothpick and thinks. After a moment, he says, "Ugh, it's a long story. I wouldn't worry about it. Electrical problems, mostly." (if:(history: where its name contains "storage?")'s length <= 0)[[["They use it for storage?" ->storage?]]] (if:(history: where its name contains "why don't reopen")'s length is 0)[[["Why don't they reopen the wing?" ->why don't reopen]]] (if:(history: where its name contains "saw someone")'s length is 0)[[["But I saw someone in there." ->saw someone]]] [[Let it go and finish making the bed. -> quietly make bed]]

"There just isn't enough demand. I'm sure if we got enough residents, there'd be a need. But so far it just isn't worth renovating the wing to staff it." (if:(history: where its name contains "why locked")'s length is 0)[[["If it's just storage, why's it locked?"" ->why locked]]] (if:(history: where its name contains "why closed")'s length <= 0)[[["Why'd they close the wing?" ->why closed]]] (if:(history: where its name contains "why closed")'s length <= 0)[[["Why'd they close the wing?" ->why closed]]] (if:(history: where its name contains "saw someone")'s length is 0)[[["But I saw someone in there." ->saw someone]]] [[Let it go and finish making the bed. -> quietly make bed]]

"We don't want the residents getting in there unsupervised, do we?" (if:(history: where its name contains "why closed")'s length <= 0)[[["Why'd they close the wing?" ->why closed]]] (if:(history: where its name contains "why don't reopen")'s length <= 0)[[["Why don't they reopen the wing?" ->why don't reopen]]] (if:(history: where its name contains "saw someone")'s length is 0)[[["But I saw someone in there." ->saw someone]]] [[Let it go and finish making the bed. -> quietly make bed]]

Austin gives a hearty guffaw. "Oh boy, you're starting to sound like one of the residents!" (if:(history: where its name contains "storage?")'s length <= 0)[[["They use it for storage?" ->storage?]]] (if:(history: where its name contains "why don't reopen")'s length is 0)[[["Why don't they reopen the wing?" ->why don't reopen]]] (if:(history: where its name contains "why closed")'s length <= 0)[[["Why'd they close the wing?" ->why closed]]] [[Let it go and finish making the bed. -> quietly make bed]]

(if:$help_ethel is true)[While finishing the bed in the last room, Donna comes in. "There you are." She gives Austin a cross look. "Both of you, come with me." And just like that, Donna's out of the room and tramping down the hall. You glance at Austin. His cool demeanor is gone. He waves for you to follow and scurries after Donna. You follow them to (t8n-time:2s)[[the staff room.->In the staff room]]] (else:)[While finishing the bed in the last room, Donna barges in - looking harried. Her hair is sweaty and matted to her forehead. "You two, come with me." And just like that, Donna's out of the room and tramping down the hall. You glance at Austin. His cool demeanor is gone. He waves for you to follow and scurries after Donna. You follow them to (t8n-time:2s)[[the staff room.->In the staff room]]]

The room is clean, white. With a simple round table for the employees to eat at. Donna stands in the center of the room, her arms folded, staring at you. To your left stands Austin, nervously chewing a toothpick. To your right, a nurse you haven't met. A woman who kind of reminds you of a bulldog: short, muscular, and serious. (if:$help_ethel is true)[Donna clears her throat. "This afternoon, our newest CNA, saved a life." What?! [[You?!->you saved ethel]]] (else:)[Donna clears her throat. "This afternoon, we lost a resident. Ethel's catheter was inserted incorrectly, meaning no urine could drain. It built up, causing her bladder to rupture." Donna's voice faulters and she looks at the ground. In a quieter voice, she contines. "We lost her." [[What?!->you lost ethel]]]

It's hard to sleep through the day. You've never done it before. Laying in your bed while the rest of the world moves about outside your window is eerily lonely. And you don't really sleep much at all. You just toss and turn, unable to take your mind off yesterday. Every time you close your eyes - [[You see Ethel's face. ->ethel's face]] [[You hear that choking sound. ->choking sound]]

You jerk awake and your eyes shoot open - and there you are. Standing in front of the nursing home in the dark, ready for your first night shift. You rub the sleep from your eyes and examine the building. The surrounding forest is even more ominous in the dark. Fluorescents light the windows along the front half of the building, while the windows in the back are full black. You scan them, then see her, there in the last window, staring at you, her pallid face holds no expression - Ethel. You blink and she's gone. Rub your eyes and look again. Nothing. [[It's just my imagination. I'm just tired. ->inside]] [[Something's up with this place. I need to be careful. ->inside]]

You jerk awake and look around - and there you are. Standing in front of the nursing home in the dark, ready for your first night shift. You rub the sleep from your eyes and examine the building. The surrounding forest is even more ominous in the dark. Fluorescents light the windows along the front half of the building, while the windows in the back are full black. You scan them, then see it, a shadow moving in the last window. You strain your eyes to look closer then hear a throaty cough from right beside you! You spin to find - nothing. [[It's just my imagination. I'm just tired. ->inside]] [[Something's up with this place. I need to be careful. ->inside]]

Inside, you find Maria waiting for you. "Ready for your first night shift?" [["Not really." ->maria laughs]] [["Um, I think so?" ->maria laughs]] [["Actually, I think I just saw someone in the back hall." ->maria laughs]]

"Hah. You're just tired. Now come on, we need to do our rounds while the residents are still up. You take the left rooms, I'll take the right. Give them their meds, refresh their water, see if they need anything. Good?" [["Yeah, good." ->which room]] [["Hey, um, is this place haunted?" ->haunted?]] [["How do I know what they need?" ->chart]]

"Good. Now, take this." Maria pushes a cart to you. On top is a folder with information on the residents and little plastic cups of pre-separated pills with residents' names on them. Maria turns and pushes a cart of her own down the hall. [[You open the folder. ->open folder]]

"Don't be ridiculous. Now here, take this." Maria pushes a cart to you. On top is a folder with information on the residents and little plastic cups of pre-separated pills with residents' names on them. Maria turns and pushes a cart of her own down the hall. [[You open the folder. ->open folder]]

"Check their chart. Here." Maria pushes a cart to you. On top is a folder with information on the residents and little plastic cups of pre-separated pills with residents' names on them. Maria turns and pushes a cart of her own down the hall. [[You open the folder. ->open folder]]

In the folder you find charts on four patients, detailing their routine and what service they need, as well as their room numbers. Where will you go first? [[Ethel's room. ->ethel night shift]] [[Frank's room. ->frank night shift]] [[Pauline and Douglas' room. ->pauline night shift]]

(if:$help_ethel is true)[You peek inside the room to see Ethel in bed, watching General Hospital. She looks so engaged in the show, so happy. You smile to yourself. She's here because of you. You look around the rest of Ethel's room and get a chill. There's no question she's Catholic. A giant crucified Jesus hangs over her bed and various statues, like the Virgin Mary, are placed around the room. Creepy. You wonder how you missed it before. But, you suppose you were pretty distracted. You glance down at Ethel's chart - she just needs her routine pills and that's it. You close the folder and step into the room. [["Hi, Ethel!" ->ethel talk]]] (else:)[Ethel... You stop outside her empty room and look inside. The bed sits bare. Her family photos already removed. Like they're washing her memory away. If only you had made a different choice, Ethel might still be here. You could have gotten to know her. Even asked her about this place. See if she knew anything. But it's too late now... You turn away from the empty room and [[return to the hall.->resident loop]]]

You check Frank's file and see he doesn't need anything tonight, just a check in. You head to his room and find him flipping through an old photo album in his room. He brightens up as soon as he sees you. "Ah, come in, come in! I was just reminiscing. Here, look at this one." You take the album and look. It's an old sepia-toned photo of a young man in a navy outfit, smiling at camera. "Dashing, aren't I? World War II." [["Wow, I didn't know you were in the War." ->didn't know]] [["The War, that must have been terrifying." ->terrifying]]

You check your file on Pauline and Douglas. Looks like Pauline needs Donepezil. For Douglas, just some standard medication. You close the file and peek inside their room to find Douglas brushing Pauline's hair. Both are dressed for bed. You knock politely before entering. "Douglas?" "Call me Doug!" He smiles bright, clearly excited to see you. "You know, when I was your age, they even called me 'Dougie,' haha. Guess I'm not your age anymore though, am I?" "Guess I"m not your age anymore, am I?" Pauline repeats. [["But you still look it!" ->nice reply]] [["Yeah, it doesn't look like it." ->mean reply]]

Ethel turns away from General Hospital and beckons you nearer. "Come here," she says quietly. You hesitate then step forward, trying hard not to look at the eerie crucifix hanging right over her head. Ethel grabs your hand, earnestly. "I worked here for years, taking care of patients. At the time, never thought I'd be the one in the bed." Ethel squeezes your hand tighter. "You're the only one who listened to me. Thank you." [["You worked here?" ->you worked here?]] [[Gently squeeze Ethel's hand in return. ->squeeze hand]] [[Give Ethel her pills. ->give pills]]

"Oh, yes. I started when I was about your age." Ethel smiles. You try not to notice her missing front tooth. "I know all the secrets." [["What kind of secrets?" ->what secrets]] [["What can you tell me about the back hall?" ->back hall open]] [["Is this place haunted?" ->ethel haunted?]]

You take the little cup labled, "Ethel" off your cart and hold it out. "Here, I brought your pills." "Thank you, dear." Ethel says as she accepts the cup with a shaky hand. You help her to some water as she swallows each pill. [[Time to check on another resident. ->resident loop]] (if:(history: where its name contains "you worked here?")'s length is 0)[[["I didn't know you worked here." ->you worked here?]]]

You gently squeeze Ethel's hand and smile. "Whatever you need, you just let me know." Ethel smiles at you and releases her grip. [["You worked here?" ->you worked here?]] [[Give Ethel her pills. ->give pills]]

In the hall, you look back at your list of residents. (if:(history: where its name contains "ethel night shift")'s length is 0)[[[Check Ethel's room. ->ethel night shift]]] (if:(history: where its name contains "frank night shift")'s length is 0)[[[Check Frank's room. ->frank night shift]]] (if:(history: where its name contains "pauline night shift")'s length is 0)[[[Check Pauline and Douglas' room. ->pauline night shift]]] (more:)[[[That's all of them. ->run into maria]]]

"Oh, terrible things, dear. Who killed who. That kind of thing." Ethel smiles at you, but there's no humor in it. It sends a chill down your spine. "Why do you think the back hall is closed?" [["Can you tell me about the back hall?" ->back hall open]] (if:(history: where its name contains "give pills")'s length is 0)[[[Give Ethel her pills. ->give pills]]] (else:)[[[Time to go. ->resident loop]]]

"The back hall... It used to be the Dementia Ward. Then, one summer, a hot one, the year Hurricane Andrew blew through, something happened. A resident died suddenly one day. No one was sure why. She was healthy before, but... these things happen. And one afternoon, Austin found Izzy dead. She went [[peacefully in her sleep."->back hall open 2]]

Ethel leans close. "Of course, dear. That's why the Lord here watches over me." "What's haunting it?" "Ghosts of course. The lost. Places like these are always haunted." Ethel grabs your arm and pulls you closer. "And I think something in the back hall, too..." [["Can you tell me about the back hall?" ->back hall open]] (if:(history: where its name contains "what secrets")'s length is 0)[[["What secrets can you tell me?" ->what secrets]]] (if:(history: where its name contains "give pills")'s length is 0)[[[Give Ethel her pills. ->give pills]]] (else:)[[[Time to check on another resident. ->resident loop]]]

Maria bursts out of a room on your right with a bundle of sheets in her arms. "Ay, Dios mío!" "What's wrong?" You ask. "Ada threw up in her bed, and we're out of sheets so I can't make her a new one." "I can grab sheets from the closet." "No, you can't, because no one restocked the closet from the back hall today. I guess Austin was too busy ignoring Ethel." [["Why don't we restock it now?" ->no backhall at night]] [["Why don't ''you'' restock now?" ->no backhall at night]]

"Most people don't know much about the residents. They don't bother to ask." [["I'm sorry, Frank, but I have to keep moving." ->bye Frank]] [["What can you tell me about the others?" ->talk about others]]

Frank stares off for a minute, remembering something. "Yeah, yeah it sure was." He takes his album back and flips a few pages. "You know, most nurses don't ask about our past. They don't know much about me or the others." [["I'm sorry, Frank, but I have to keep moving." ->bye Frank]] [["What can you tell me about the others?" ->talk about others]]

"Ah, of course it is. Well, thank you for spending a few minutes with an old man." Frank turns back to his photos as you [[leave the room.->resident loop]]

"Who do you want to know about?" (if:(history: where its name contains "tell me about ethel")'s length is 0)[[[Ethel ->tell me about ethel]]] (if:(history: where its name contains "tell me about Pauline")'s length is 0)[[[Pauline and Douglas ->tell me about Pauline]]] [["Actually, it's time for me to go." ->bye Frank]]

"Ethel, hmm. I heard about yesterday. Makes sense you'd want to know more. She was a nurse here for years. Never had much family though, so when it was her turn, she went from turning the beds to laying in one. Great lady. She tried to tell me about this place's past. The back hall-" Suddenly the lights flicker and Frank stops short. When the lights finally steady, he continues. "But I don't talk about that. [[Anything else you want to know?"->talk about others]]

"Ah, you mean 'Paulie'." "Paulie?" "That's what they call her, because she repeats everything she hears. Started a few years ago when the dementia really set in. Poor Doug. He's a postive guy, but you can see it's hard on him. Living with his partner who's not really there. Anyway, she hasn't spoken a word of her own in years. Just repeats, like Paulie." Suddenly Frank looks at you, realizing what he's said - "Don't tell Doug I said that, of course." "Of course." [[Anything else you want to know?"->talk about others]]

"Hah! She lies!" "She lies," Pauline repeats. "She does, dear. Ah, but we used to be lookers, didn't we?" Doug asks as he pats Pauline's head and sets down the brush. "We used to be lookers though, didn't we?" Pauline repeats. Doug looks at her quietly for a moment, lost in thought. In this moment, he looks tired, sad. Then it's gone, he looks up at you and smiles. [["Now, did you bring our candies?"->give doug pills]]

"Hoho! Well, I guess not." "I guess not." Pauline repeats. "Yes, dear. We used to though, didn't we?" Doug asks as he pats Pauline's head and sets down the brush. "We used to though, didn't we?" Pauline repeats. Doug looks at her quietly for a moment, lost in thought. In this moment, he looks tired, sad. Then it's gone, he looks up at you and smiles. [["Now, did you bring our candies?"->give doug pills]]

You hand Doug two little cups, each with their name and their pills. He thanks you, takes his, then helps Pauline with hers. "We'll take it from here," he says. "It's our bed time, after all." "It's our bed time, after all." Pauline repeats. "Yes, dear. Come on, let me help you." Doug helps Pauline into bed as you turn and [[close the door.->resident loop]]

Maria stops and looks at you. "No. No, not at night." "What do you mean, 'not at night?'" "We don't go into the back hall at night. That's for the day shift." "Why?" You know something's up with this place. Why won't Maria just say it? Maria looks down the hall to the dark glass doors. Considers, then says, "It's not safe." "What's not safe?" "The lights don't work." "That's it? That's the only reason?" "Yes." This is crazy. Why won't the staff tell you what's really going on? You want to push the issue. You can't take it anymore. You consider. [["I'm not afraid of the dark. I'll go get them." ->you enter backhall]] [["You should go get the sheets. I'll hold the door open for extra light." -> maria enter backhall]]

You step into the dark back hall and glance at Maria holding the door. "Closet is last door on your left. I'll be right here." "Great..." "And hurry." You turn and step further [[into the dark...->the hallway]]

Maria glares at you. "Unless you're afraid of ghosts?" You offer. "Of course not. Dios mío - [[let's go."->maria enters]]

You and Maria walk to the dark glass doors to back half. She withdraws a silver key, looks at you, then unlocks the doors. She pockets the key before taking a breath and pushing open the [[glass doors.->open doors]]

You shoot awake! The sheets of your bed stick to you with sweat. It was a dream. But which part? You're pretty sure you saw something. You're just so tired from this new sleep schedule, it's hard to keep straight. You look over at your phone, 5:59 pm. One minute until your alarm. Dammit. You throw the sheets off and climb out of bed. It's gonna be another long [[night.->next night]]

The first thing you notice is the smell. The air is musty, uncirculated. And //foul//. Then you take in the hall. Old, ratty party streamers hang from the walls, like it was evacuated mid-party and no one ever bothered to clean it up. Maria takes a step forward into the dark then turns to look at you. "I'll be right back. Don't go anywhere." "I won't." She turns and hustles into the dark. You see her pass a fogged up glass room on the left, some kind of viewing room? Then she's out of view, the dark swallowing her shape. You wait for one minute. Then two... What's taking so long? [[Call after Maria. ->call after Maria]] [[Go looking for her. ->look for Maria]]

"Maria!" You call into the dark. At first, there's no reply. But then you hear something. Something shuffling forward from the end of the hall. A tall, dark shadow. Hunched over. Maria? No - it's too tall. Then, it's starts (text-style:"shudder")[coughing]. The figure drags itself closer to you. You can make out long hair - a woman. It stands at the end of the hall, just outside the reach of the light, obscured by the dark. Then, suddenly, [[the lights die and -->maria returns]]

You step into the dark, letting the door shut behind you. You slowly make your way down the hall, peering in empty rooms. Each still has personal affects and family photos, made beds, like they were abandoned in short notice. And never returned to. Then you hear something. Something shuffling forward from the end of the hall. A tall, dark shadow. Hunched over. Maria? No - it's too tall. Then, it's starts (text-style:"shudder")[coughing]. The figure drags itself closer to you. You can make out long hair - a woman. It stands at the end of the hall, right at the end of the light. Then, suddenly, [[the lights die and -->maria returns]]

Maria runs into you! The two of you collapse on the ground and the glass door to the back hall slams shut. "Dios mío! What are you doing?" Maria scrambles to her feet. "What am I doing? Where did you come from?" "I was calling for you! You wouldn't get out of the way." [["I saw someone." -> i saw someone]] [["What happened in there?" -> what happened?]]

"No you didn't. There's nothing to see back there." Maria says as she produces the silver key and hastily locks the door. "Right," you say. Then the lights die and you're face to face[[ with the figure.->you shoot awake]]

"Nothing. I got the sheets, that's what happened." Maria says as she produces the silver key and hastily locks the door. "Right," you say. Then the lights die and you're face to face[[ with the figure.->you shoot awake]]

You stand in a long, dark hallway with doors on either side. The walls are covered in torn party streamers. Ahead is a [[glass room->glass room]] on the left and a [[function hall->function hall]] on the right. You hear a (text-style:"shudder")[coughing sound] coming from the [[end of the hall.->end of the hall]]

It's a large room with glass walls. Like a viewing room. In the center of the room sits a chair with leather straps. Dust covers the chair. What did they used to do here? As you peer into the room, fog slowly covers the windows... You turn back to [[the hall->the hallway]].

The function hall reeks of death and stale air. In the dark, you can see deflated balloons, molded black cake. Dishes and forks. Party hats. Torn streamers. And overturned chairs. It's like the place was evacuated mid party. And no one ever came back. [[Investigate the smell. -> body]] [[Return to hall. ->the hallway]]

At the end of the hall, you find [[a linen closet->second linen closet]] on your left and a [[closed door on your right->closed door]]. Behind the closed door, you can hear scratching, wheezing, and (text-style:"shudder")[coughing].

You step deeper into the room and look around. Your foot kicks something squishy and soft. You look down and find a decomposing body at your feet. It looks trambled and black with mold. You gag, gasp for air, and run [[back to the hall->the hallway]].

You jerk open the closet door and grab a pile of sheets. As soon as they're in your arms, the coughing stops... and the door behind you [[slowly opens.->door opens]]

You reach for the closed door, but find it locked. Behind it, the (text-style:"shudder")[coughing] intensifies. Nothing else to do, you turn to the [[linen closet.->second linen closet]]

You turn to find a tall, dark figure hunched over in the doorway, wheezing for breath. It has long hair - a woman. She stands in the archway, staring at you, not moving. [[Run! -> run]] [["Hello?" -> investigate]]

You turn and race down the hall, past the glass room, past the function hall. As you run, you hear something scrapping along behind you, following you. But there it is! The door! You're so close. You keep running, but just as you reach it, you see that's not Maria holding the door - it's the figure! It reaches out, grabs you - and [[screams!->you shoot awake]]

Your voice echoes in the dark. The figure doesn't reply. Instead, it takes a step forward. "Are you okay? Do you need help?" It takes another step forward, closing the distance between you and it. In the dark you can make out it's wispy hair and clouded eyes. Then, before you can react, it lunges forward, grabs you by the shoulders, and [[screams!->you shoot awake]]

When you reach the nursing home, the place looks more ominous than ever. You see the lights flickering in the front half and feel a strange energy in the air. (if:(history: where its name contains "you enter backhall")'s length >= 1)[Then you hear something to your right - a light coughing sound. You turn to look and see a figure standing under a parking light. It's the woman from the hall! How's that possible? Then the light flickers and she's gone. You're suddenly overwhelmed with the sensation of someone standing right behind you. But when you spin around, no one's there.] (if:(history: where its name contains "maria enter backhall")'s length >= 1)[Inside, you see Maria walking the hall, passing window after window. Then you notice someone following her. Except, it's not really a someone, it's more of a shadow. The figure, from the hall. Maria walks by another window and nothing follows. The shadow is gone. Did you imagine it?] [[You need to calm down. -> go inside]] [[You need to talk to Maria. -> go inside]] [[You need to get this night over with. -> go inside]]

Inside you find Maria consoling a frail, white-haired lady you haven't met before. "I saw them. They passed by my room!" The lady insists. "There's no one here. Now go back to your room Ada. Everything's fine." Maria says. "They're here. They're here tonight." The lady says as Maria guides her inside her room. After a moment, Maria renters the hallway, looking exhausted. [["What was that about?" ->what was that about]] [["Are you okay?" ->are you okay]] [["I saw something in the parking lot." ->saw something]]

"The residents... sometimes, when someone's sick..." Maria studies you for a minute. Then sighs. "I need to tell you something about this place. Come on." Maria scuttles down the hall. After a brief pause, your head spinning - tell you what? - you follow her [[to the breakroom->maria explains]].

(if:(history: where its name contains "maria enter backhall")'s length >= 1)["I didn't sleep well. I keep seeing this... shadow."] (if:(history: where its name contains "you enter backhall")'s length >= 1)["I'm fine, it's just..."] Maria studies you for a minute. Then sighs. "I need to tell you something about this place. Come on." Maria scuttles down the hall. After a brief pause, your head spinning - tell you what? - you follow her [[to the breakroom->maria explains]].

"Oh yeah, what?" (if:(history: where its name contains "maria enter backhall")'s length >= 1)["There was this shadow... following you in the hall."] (if:(history: where its name contains "you enter backhall")'s length >= 1)["I saw this shadow... or woman... in the parking lot. I think she's following me."] Maria studies you for a minute. Then sighs. "I need to tell you something about this place. Come on." Maria scuttles down the hall. After a brief pause, your head spinning - tell you what? - you follow her [[to the breakroom->maria explains]].

In the breakroom, Maria walks to the fridge and takes out a Pepsi. She unscrews the cap and takes a swig before turning to you. "Doug is sick." "Doug? What? What happened?" Maria shrugs. "No explanation. He just took a turn today and has been steadily declining. It looks like it'll be tonight." Maria takes another sip as you consider this for a minute, then continues. "There's something you need to know about this place. When a resident is close to passing, things happen. The others start to see things. And say things." [["Like what?"->maria explains 2]]

Maria shrugs. "Our rounds. that's what. And... don't forget to check on Doug." Maria turns away and gathers her things. You don't think you'll get anything else out of her for now, so you turn and do the same. [[Then you head into the hall.->resident loop 2]]

"No, like I said, there's no good explanation." She shrugs. "These things happen. But still, it is weird... Anyway, let's just do our rounds, and... don't forget to check on Doug." Maria turns away and gathers her things. You don't think you'll get anything else out of her for now, so you turn and do the same. [[Then you head into the hall.->resident loop 2]]

"Yeah, I'm fine. Let's just do our rounds, and... don't forget to check on Doug." Maria turns away and gathers her things. You don't think you'll get anything else out of her for now, so you turn and do the same. [[Then you head into the hall.->resident loop 2]]

In the hall, you look at your list of residents. (if:(history: where its name contains "ethel night shift 2")'s length is 0)[[[Check Ethel's room. ->ethel night shift 2]]] (if:(history: where its name contains "frank night shift 2")'s length is 0)[[[Check Frank's room. ->frank night shift 2]]] (if:(history: where its name contains "pauline night shift 2")'s length is 0)[[[Check Pauline and Douglas' room. ->pauline night shift 2]]] (more:)[You've checked in on everyone for now, but it's gonna be a long night. You should take this opportunity to [[grab some coffee from the break room. ->run into maria 2]]]

(if:$help_ethel is true)[You find Ethel in her room. No General Hospital tonight. Instead she's kneeling at her bed, praying with a rosary. You knock politely and step into the room. [[Ethel?" ->ethel talk 1]]] (else:)[Ethel... Her empty room weighs on you. Your choices... they have consequences. Is all of this happening because of you? After another minute of staring at the empty room, you turn away and [[reopen your folder.->resident loop 2]]]

You find Frank sitting in his room, staring at the wall. His good cheer gone. [["Frank? You okay?" ->you okay?]] [["Hi Frank, can I get you anything?" ->you okay?]] [["See anything strange tonight?" ->see anything strange]]

You find Doug in bed, Pauline over him stroking his white hair with her hand. He looks exhausted, weak. His eyes purple and tired. He looks like months have gone by since you last saw him, just yesterday. You can't believe it. It's almost like something's... drained him. "There you are," Doug croaks. "Can a sick man ask a favor?" Doug manages a smile. "A sick man," Pauline repeats. [["Depends on what it is." ->favor]] [["Of course. What is it?" ->favor]]

You enter the break room to find Maria sitting in a little folding chair in the center of the room, facing away from you. You call her name, but she doesn't answer. [[Call her name, again. ->say her name]] [[Approach her. ->approach]]

Upon entering, Ethel launches straight into conversation. "You scared me at first. It's been so long since I've seen you." [["I was just here, yesterday." ->ethel next 1]] [["Sorry I didn't come sooner." ->ethel next 1]] [[Prepare Ethel's pills. ->ethel next 1]]

"I know I shouldn't be scared, but these nights are always hard." You prepare Ethel's pills while she talks. "Poor Dougie, do you know why they're taking him?" [["We're not sure what's wrong with him." ->ethel next 2]] [["Who's taking him?" ->ethel next 2]]

You try to hand Ethel the cup of pills as you ask. She turns as if seeing you for the first time. "Oh, dear, I didn't see you come in." Ethel says as she takes the cup. [["But we were talking?" -> ethel next 3]] [["Then who were you talking to?" -> ethel next 3]]

"Huh? Oh, I wasn't talking to you dear. I was talking to her." Ethel points behind you. A chill runs down your spine. There was no one else in the room when you entered. Is someone or some//thing// behind you now? [["Who's there?" ->who is it?]] [[Look behind you. ->look behind you]] [[Leave the room without looking. ->leave the room]]

"It's Izzy. One of the old patients. Her room was in the back hall. She says she didn't die peacefully." (if:(history: where its name contains "look behind you")'s length is 0)[[[Look behind you. ->look behind you]]] [[Get out of the room. ->leave the room]]

You slowly turn around, but find nothing there. Just a blank corner of the room. Still, you swear you can almost feel something in the air, a familiar presence. (if:(history: where its name contains "who is it?")'s length is 0)[[["Who is it, Ethel?" ->who is it?]]] [[Get out of the room. ->leave the room]]

You hustle out of the room and back into the hall, then stop to catch your breath. What's happening? Is it the shadow people? Was something really in there? (if:(history: where its name contains "maria enter backhall")'s length >= 1)[The hallway lights flicker momentarily then steady. You turn back towards Ethel's room, waiting for something to emerge, but nothing does. You exhale a deep breath and grab [[the list of residents off your cart.->resident loop 2]]] (if:(history: where its name contains "you enter backhall")'s length >= 1)[Suddenly, the hallway lights die - leaving you standing alone in the dark. As you wait for them to come back on, you begin to hear something behind you. Something shuffling up the hall. You spin around and squint, but you can't see anything through the dark. The shuffling gets closer and closer when - the lights flicker back on leaving you face to face with nothing but an empty hall. You exhale a shaky breath you didn't even realize you were holding, then grab [[the list of residents off your cart.->resident loop 2]]]

"Hmm? Oh, I'm fine. It's Doug who needs help." [["We're doing everything we can for him." ->doing everything we can]] [["Do you know what's wrong with him?" ->know what's wrong with him]]

"Depends what you think is strange. Some might think the shadows walking the hall are strange, but in this place, it's par for the course. And I don't have to worry about them tonight, only Doug does." [["What shadows?" ->what shadows]] [["What do they want with Doug?" ->know what's wrong with him]]

"Oh, there's nothing you can do for him. If it's his time, it's his time. That's why they're here." [["Who's here?" ->what shadows]] [["Do you know what's wrong with Doug?" ->know what's wrong with him]]

"The Shadow People are here to take him. They come when someone's about to pass. They're not evil, more like... guides. But sometimes some of the residents see other things too." [["What kind of other things?" ->what kind of other things]]

"The Shadow People. The staff don't always see them. They come to collect those who are dying. All I know is, tonight they're here for Doug." [["What do they want with Doug?" ->know what's wrong with him]]

"Ah, of course." Doug swallows then continues, his throat dry and hoarse. "Can you take care of Pauline when I'm gone? Make sure she takes her pills?" "Make sure she takes her pills," Pauline repeats. [["Of course, Doug." ->of course]] [["What's in it for me?" ->what's in it for me]]

Doug looks visibly relieved with your answer, like a weight has been lifted. He smiles. "Thank you. I can rest easier knowing someone's watching after her." Doug sighs and closes his eyes. He breathes shallow little breaths as you hand Pauline her pills and help her take them. When you're done, Pauline returns to stroking Doug's hair. Doug opens his eyes, looks up at her, and smiles. [[You decide to leave and let them enjoy their remaining time together.->resident loop 2]]

Doug looks at you, saddened and disturbed. "I thought you were here to help people, but I guess I had that all wrong." "All wrong," Pauline repeats. Doug slowly lifts a shaky hand to the door. "People like you get what's coming to them, especially here. Now, please, leave us be. Maria will help." "You get what's coming," Pauline repeats. Wondering what exactly that means, you turn and head [[back to the hall.->resident loop 2]]

Frank looks behind you to the hall, watching something. You turn but find nothing there. "What kind of other things do people see?" You press Frank, again. Frank turns back to you. "Best not to talk about it." [[Press Frank for answers. ->press Frank]] [[Let it go and return to your duties. ->resident loop 2]]

"What kinds of things do people see, Frank?" You press one more time. Frank looks at you. Hesitates then simply whispers, "Back hall things." Frank looks behind you again, then says suddenly, "Can you shut the door on your way out?" "Of course, Frank." You turn and [[head into the hall.->resident loop 2]]

"Maria?" Nothing. "Hey, Maria! What are you doing?" Still no response... [[Approach Maria. ->approach]]

As you cautiously approach Maria, you start to hear a light coughing sound and then you realize it - she's choking! You race forward and grab Maria's [[shoulder -->not Maria]]

(if:(history: where its name contains "you enter backhall")'s length >= 1)[Maria clamps down onto your forearm, spins to face you, and (text-style:"shudder")[screams!] That's when you notice - it's not Maria! It's the woman from the back hall. She leaps forward and throttles you as she screams in your face, her ghastly mouth coming closer and closer, [[until -->maria wakes you]]] (else:)[She spins, sees you, and (text-style:"shudder")[screams!] "Leave me alone! I'm sorry, I'm sorry, just please leave me alone!" Maria's face twists in horror as she tries to pull away. [[Shake her. -> shake her]] [[Slap her. -> slap her]]]

"Wake up! Wake up!" Suddenly, the ghost isn't shaking you, it's Maria. "Snap out of it," she yells in your face! You jerk away and stumble back. "Wait, stop, I'm okay," you mutter as you catch your balance. "What happened? I came in and you were screaming." "I saw her again. The woman from the back hall." [["I think she's following me." ->P screams]] [["I think I'm losing my mind." ->P screams]]

You shake Maria. "Hey! Snap out of it! It's me, it's just me!" Finally, Maria jerks away then looks at you with recognition. She's back. "What happened?" Maria asks. "I came in and you were choking. Then you freaked out." Maria stares at you then averts her gaze as she says, "I think it's following me. The thing from [[the back hall."->P screams]]

You (text-style:"rumble")[slap] Maria! "Hey! Snap out of it! It's me, it's just me!" Finally, Maria calms down and looks at you with recognition. She's back. "What happened?" Maria asks. "I came in and you were choking. Then you freaked out." Maria stares at you then averts her gaze as she says, "I think it's following me. The thing from [[the back hall."->P screams]]

Maria stares at you and shakes her head. "This can't be happening." Suddenly, the lights flicker and a scream tears through the front hall. It sounds like a woman's voice. Pauline? Maria crosses herself, Father, Son, Holy Spirit, then looks at you. [["What should we do?" -> what should we do?]] [["I'll check it out." -> I'll check it out]] [["We should check on Doug." -> we check on Doug]] [["You should check on Doug." -> you check on Doug]]

"Ay, Dios Mío." Maria looks at you. "It's happening. It's Doug. We have to go check it out." Just then another scream tears through the hall! [["You're right, let's go." -> check on doug]] [["I'm right behind you." -> check on doug]]

"Wait," Maria says. "Not alone. Not tonight. Ay, Dios Mío..." She shakes her head. "I'll go with you." Just then another scream rips through the hall! [["Then let's go!" -> check on doug]]

"Ay, Dios Mío." Maria sighs and nods. Just then another scream tears through the hall. [["Come on, let's go!" -> check on doug]]

Maria shakes her head. "Not tonight. Not alone." She stares at you, waiting as - - another scream rips through the hall! [["Fine, we'll go together. Come on!" -> check on doug]]

Maria leads you out of the room and begins jogging down the hall. Residents poke their heads out as you pass. "Is it time?" One asks. "Are they here?" Another says. Just as you reach Doug and Pauline's door, another scream comes from the room. Maria rushes through the door, and [[you follow her in.->doug dead]]

In the room, you find Pauline backed into the far corner, her eyes darting around the room, crazed. Doug lays still on the bed. [["Pauline, what's wrong?" -> P what's wrong]] [["Doug?" -> doug?]] [[Check Doug's pulse. -> check doug's pulse]] [[Ask Maria to check Doug's pulse. -> ask Maria to check doug's pulse]]

"They beat me until I was dead," Pauline says, her eyes still darting crazed around the room. [["What? Who did?" -> who did?]] (if:(history: where its name contains " doug?")'s length <= 0)[[["Doug?" -> doug?]]] (if:(history: where its name contains " check doug's pulse")'s length is 0)[[[Check Doug's pulse. -> check doug's pulse]]] (if:(history: where its name contains " ask Maria to check doug's pulse")'s length is 0)[[[Ask Maria to check Doug's pulse. -> ask Maria to check doug's pulse]]]

Doug is unresponsive. You call his name again. Still nothing. "I died in a car accident on my way home from the grocery store," Pauline says. (if:(history: where its name contains " check doug's pulse")'s length is 0)[[[Check Doug's pulse. -> check doug's pulse]]] (if:(history: where its name contains " ask Maria to check doug's pulse")'s length is 0)[[[Ask Maria to check Doug's pulse. -> ask Maria to check doug's pulse]]] (if:(history: where its name contains " P what's wrong")'s length is 0)[[["Pauline, what happened?" -> P what's wrong]]]

You move forward and check Doug's pulse with two fingers. You turn to Maria: "Still alive." "I was drowned. By my father." Pauline stares at you. [["What are you talking about?" -> what are you talking about]] [["I thought she only repeated things?" -> repeats only]]

Maria moves forward and checks Doug's pulse with two fingers. She turns to you: "Still alive." "I was drowned. By my father." Pauline stares at you. [["What are you talking about?" -> what are you talking about]] [["I thought she only repeated things?" -> repeats only]]

"I died in a fire. I tried to take the elevator but got trapped," Pauline says. (if:(history: where its name contains " doug?")'s length is 0)[[["Doug?" -> doug?]]] (if:(history: where its name contains " check doug's pulse")'s length is 0)[[[Check Doug's pulse. -> check doug's pulse]]] (if:(history: where its name contains " ask Maria to check doug's pulse")'s length is 0)[[[Ask Maria to check Doug's pulse. -> ask Maria to check doug's pulse]]]

"What are you talking about?" Pauline repeats. Maria, eyes wide, with a chill in her voice: "She's not talking... she's repeating." Suddenly Pauline cocks her head like she's listening. Then she turns back to you. "I choked to death," Pauline says. "And I'm back." Pauline lifts a hand to Doug. "And now it's his turn. [[Because of you."->maria takes you to hall]]

Maria, eyes wide, with a chill in her voice: "She's is repeating." Suddenly Pauline cocks her head like she's listening. Then she turns back to you. "I choked to death," Pauline says. "And I'm back." Pauline lifts a hand to Doug. "And now it's his turn. [[Because of you."->maria takes you to hall]]

Maria grabs you by the arm, causing you to jump! You spin to face her. "Come on, come on," she says as she pulls you out of the room and into the hall. "I knew it. This your fault!" "What? How is it my fault?!" (if:(history: where its name contains "maria enter backhall")'s length >= 1)["You made me go into the back hall."](if:(history: where its name contains "you enter backhall")'s length >= 1)["You went into the back hall."] And now it's free!" [["What's free?" -> what's free]] [["So what do we do?" -> what do we do]]

(if:(history: where its name contains "maria enter backhall")'s length >= 1)["You know what's free. The... thing from the back hall. The woman who's following me. What if I'm next?"] (if:(history: where its name contains "you enter backhall")'s length >= 1)["You know what's free. The... thing from the back hall. The woman you keep seeing. What if you're next?"] [["So what do we do?" -> what do we do]] [["It's from the back hall... maybe there's a way to make it go back." -> you have idea]]

"We need to find a way to stop it before it's too late." [["It's from the back hall... maybe there's a way to make it go back." -> you have idea]]

(if:(history: where its name contains "you enter backhall")'s length >= 1)[Maria's eyes go wide. "Puta madre! NO, you started this. You finish it." [["You're right. This is my fault. I'll go." -> you go back]]] (if:(history: where its name contains "maria enter backhall")'s length >= 1)[Maria's eyes go wide. "Puta madre! NO, I'm not going back there again. It's your turn." [["Fine, I'll go." -> you go back]]]

The lights flicker as you turn and face the dark glass doors of back hall. It's like they're daring you to [[step forward.->to back hall]]

"Like what?" Maria stares at you, anxious, waiting for answers. You rack your brain. What should you do? [["We need a way to kill it." ->kill it]] [["We need a way to trap it." ->trap it]] [["We need more information on it. Maybe we can figure out what it wants and end this peacefully." ->info]]

"Kill it. I like the sound of that.... But how?" You consider... "If it came from back hall, there must be a way to end it there too... If there is a way at all." Maria turns and looks at the dark glass doors to the back hall. [["You need to go back into back hall and try to kill it." -> maria go back]] [["This is my fault. I'll go into back hall and try to kill it." -> you go back]]

"Trap it... I don't like the idea of it always back there, but at least it won't be up here... But how do we do it?" You consider... "I'm not sure yet, but if we want it trapped in the back hall, that's where we should start looking for a way to do it... If there is a way at all." Maria turns and looks at the dark glass doors to the back hall. [["You need to go back into back hall and try to lure it." -> maria go back]] [["This is my fault. I'll go into back hall and try to lure it." -> you go back]]

"End this peacefully? Are you sure?" You consider... "Maybe it's just trying to tell us something. If we can figure out what it wants, maybe it will just leave us alone. Like a spirit that can't rest... or something." Maria turns and looks at the dark glass doors to the back hall. "So you're gonna go back there and... search for information?" [["No, you should do it." -> maria go back]] [["Yeah, this is my fault. I'll find a way to end it." -> you go back]]

You approach the glass doors and unlock them with Maria's key. You push a door open and prop it with your foot. The dark hall extends before you, a malicious prescence in the air. You turn back to Maria, standing behind you in the light of the front hall. "Come here." You drag Maria forward and put her hand on the door, holding it open. "Don't. Move." Maria nods quickly then gives you a little nudge. "Hurry up," she whispers. You turn back to the dark hall [[and step inside.->back hall loop]]

Back Hall stretches before you, long and dark. Doors on either side. The walls are covered in torn party streamers. Ahead is the [[glass room->glass room 2]] on the left and the [[function hall->function hall 2]] on the right. You hear a (text-style:"shudder")[coughing sound] coming from the [[end of the hall->end of the hall 2]].

It's a large room with glass walls. Like a viewing room. In the center of the room sits a chair with leather straps. Dust covers the chair. What did they used to do here? As you peer through the glass, you notice [[a handheld camera->inspect camera]] on the chair... [[Open the viewing room door. ->open viewing room]] [[Turn back to the hall. ->back hall loop]]

The function hall reeks of death and stale air. In the dark, you can see deflated balloons, molded black cake. Dishes and forks. Party hats. [[Torn streamers.->happy birthday]] And overturned chairs. It's like the place was evacuated mid party. And no one ever came back. [[Investigate the smell. ->body 2]] [[Return to hall. ->back hall loop]]

At the end of the hall, you find a closed door on your right. Behind the closed door, you hear scratching, wheezing, and (text-style:"shudder")[coughing]. [[Open the door. ->open Izzy door]] [[Return to hall. ->back hall loop]]

A handheld camera? What's that doing there? You wonder if there's anything on it. [[You'd have to get in the room to find out. ->glass room 2]]

You pull on the door, but it's locked. There's a slot for a [[key on the handle.->glass room 2]] (if:(history: where its name contains "take keys")'s length >= 1)[[[Use nurse's keys. -> unlock viewing room]]]

You step deeper into the room and look around. You find a decomposing body on the floor. It looks trambled and black with mold. You look closer and notice it's wearing scrubs. [[Leave the body alone. ->function hall 2]] (if:(history: where its name contains "nurse keys")'s length is 0)[[[Turn the body over. ->turn over body]]] (else:)[[[Examine body. ->roll body 3]]]

You try to roll the body over with your foot, but it's too soggy. You can't get enough leverage. [[Bend down and roll over the dody. ->roll body 2]]

You bend down and place your hands on the soft, decomposing body. Your fingers slide into the shoulder and the stench intensifies, like ripe meat. You conjur an image of sweetly rotten hamburger meat and try not to vomit. You count to three and roll [[the body over.->roll body 3]]

The body lays face up, eyes white, skin torn and rotted, mouth frozen in a what could be a cough or a scream. (if:visits is 0)[You scramble back on all fours and look at the body. You see a [[nametag->nametag]] and something [[shiny->nurse keys]] fastened to a belt loop.] (if:(history: where its name contains "take keys")'s length >= 1)[On the body, you see a [[nametag->nametag]].] (else:)[On the body, you see a [[nametag->nametag]] and something [[shiny->nurse keys]] fastened to a belt loop.] [[Leave the body. ->function hall 2]]

The nametag reads, "Rose." Nurse Rose... You try to think if you've heard anything about her, but [[nothing comes to mind.->roll body 3]]

You carefully reach forward and grab the shiny object. It jingles lightly at your touch. Keys. [[Take the keys. ->take keys]] [[Leave keys. ->roll body 3]]

You slide the key ring off the belt loop and pocket the keys. As you do, a coughing sound intensifies in the room. You spin around to find a figure standing at the door. It watches you then turns and walks down the hall into the dark... [[Enter the hall. ->back hall loop]] [[Stay in the room. ->function hall 2]]

(if:(history: where its name contains "locked izzy's room")'s length is 0)[You try the handle, but it's locked. (if:(history: where its name contains "nurse keys")'s length >= 1)[[[Open with nurse's keys. ->open Izzy door 2]]] [[Return to the hall. ->back hall loop]]] (else:)[The door shudders under the strain of the body clawing at it. You back away and [[return to the hall. ->back hall loop]]]

You open the door and enter. The first thing you notice is the stench, and [[the body->Izzy's body]] decomposing on the bed. The second thing is the sound. It's dead quiet. The coughing stopped as soon as you entered. A dresser holds dusty [[family photos.->family photos]] Open the [[dresser. ->dresser]]

You move closer to examine the body. It's eyes are wide, staring at you. It's mouth is frozen in what could either be a perpetual cough or scream... or both. You notice the body's right hand grasping a [[teddy bear.->teddy bear 1]] [[Leave the body. ->Izzy room 2]]

Various photos of a smiling elderly woman with her family. She was taller than the rest of her family, maybe six foot. The back of one is marked, "Tom, Mark & Izzy - Summer '06" [[They all look so happy...->Izzy room 2]]

The [[decomposing body->Izzy's body]] lays on the bed. A dresser holds dusty [[family photos.->family photos]] Open the [[dresser. ->dresser]]

As you reach to take the teddy bear, the body coughs and spasms. You jerk your hand back and freeze, waiting for the thing to come to life. But nothing happens. You steel yourself and grab the bear. You pull but rigor mortis has set a steel grip upon the bear. [[Pry the fingers open. ->teddy bear 2]]

You carefully pry open the wet, dead fingers and pull the bear. It springs free and into your arms. You notice an odd weight to it and something solid inside. [[Examine the bear. -> teddy bear 3]]

You carefully look at the bear and notice a little pinhole on the front. A lens? Is this a nanny cam? You turn the bear over in your hands and find a hidden zipper in its side. You carefully unzip it and [[reach inside...->teddy bear 4]]

Inside the bear you feel some electronics. Then you feel a little [[sd card.->take thumb drive]]

You eject the sd card and pocket it. If only you had some way to watch it... Suddenly the body squirms to life next to you. It hacks and coughs, reaching for you. You back away, dart out the room, slam the door, [[and lock it!->locked izzy's room]]

You hear the body hack, cough, and claw against the door. You slowly step away, hoping it will hold, and turn [[back to the hall.->back hall loop]]

You unlock the door and [[enter the room. ->enter viewing room]]

The glass observation room is empty except for [[the chair->the chair]] in the center of the room. The [[handheld camera->handheld camera]] sits on the chair. [[Leave the room. ->back hall loop]]

The cameras small side screen is open. The display reads, "30% battery." But there's no media inserted. If you had something to view, you could use the camera. [[Leave the room. ->back hall loop]] (if:(history: where its name contains "take thumb drive")'s length >= 1)[[[Insert sd card. ->insert thumb drive]]]

You insert the sd card into the camera and press [[play.->play]]

The monitor lights up and displays an image of one of the rooms with a lady lying in bed, talking to herself. It takes a second, then you recognize it, it's the room where you got the teddy bear. The woman in bed, it's the tall woman. (if:(history: where its name contains "you enter backhall")'s length >= 1)[[[The one who's been following you.->play 2]]](if:(history: where its name contains "maria enter backhall")'s length >= 1)[[[The who's been following Maria.->play 2]]]

"Time for our meal." You hear a male's voice come on then Austin enters the picture carrying a tray of food. He sets the food down near the woman and starts [[to feed her.->play 3]]

It's clear she needs help eating. Austin gives her little bites at a time and says, "Slow. [[There you go."->play 4]]

(text-style:"rumble")[RING, RING] It's Austin's phone. He looks at it then glances back at the woman. "It's a hot date. You don't mind, do you?" Austin laughs to himself as he picks up the call. "Hello?" He listens for a minute. Then, "Wait, I'm losing you. Hold on." Austin hurries [[out of the room.->play 5]]

The woman grabs more food absentmindly and puts it into her mouth. It's a lot at once. Too much. Then - inevitably, you realize - she's choking. It starts slowly, like she's trying to clear her throat. Then you see the panic set in as her [[eyes bulge and swell.->play 6]]

She (text-style:"shudder")[hacks] and (text-style:"shudder")[hacks] but nothing comes out. She wriggles in the bed. Squirms. Goes blue. Then slowly, terribly, she stops fighting. You see her right arm, the one with food still on it, twitch one last time and [[then go still.->play 7]]

You stare dumbfounded at the woman's lifeless body. Then Austin returns. "How are we doing, Izzy?" He takes in the scene. Not believing at first. "Izzy?" Then he rushes forward. Checks her pulse. "No, no, no." He slams the wall with a fist. "Fuck!" He looks around. [[Thinking.->play 8]]

Austin quickly reaches into the woman's mouth and fishes out the food. He wipes her down with a napkin, grabs the tray, and [[hustles out of the room.->play 9]]

Suddenly the feed cuts. (text-style:"rumble")[Static.] Then it's back. Austin stands over the woman's body with Donna. "I just came in and she was gone. Must have gone peacefully in her sleep." You hear Austin say as the [[video cuts to black.->play 10]]

You look up from the camera to find the woman - Izzy - staring at you [[through the glass.->play 11]]

Her eyes burn into you and she slams a hand against the glass. Then slowly points to the camera. She's the reason everything here is happening. The reason poor Doug is dying, or possibly already dead. But Austin is the reason this happened to her. What should you do? [[Threaten Izzy. ->threaten izzy]] [[Help Izzy. ->help izzy]]

"Don't come any closer or I'll destroy the evidence," you yell. Izzy looks at you maliciously. Considers. Then slinks away [[from the glass and disappears down the hall. ->threaten izzy 2]]

"It's not your fault. I'll tell everyone what happened. Just please, leave us alone," you yell. Izzy looks at you curious. She considers. [[Then shuffles down the hall and out of view. ->help izzy 2]]

You're left alone in the room, with no sign of Izzy. Did it work? [[Leave the room. ->threaten izzy 3]]

The hall is dark, empty. No Izzy. You see Maria, holding the door open and start [[running toward her.->threaten izzy 4]]

As you run, you start to struggle to breathe. Then it's full on, like something is clogging your throat. You stop and hack, trying [[to clear it.->threaten izzy 5]]

You hack and hack, but nothing happens. You panic and drop the camera. You grope and claw at the air, trying to call out for Maria to help, but [[no sound comes out.->threaten izzy 6]]

Your throat constricts and contracts as it struggles to move the invisible blockage. As you hit the floor, you see a pair of dirty feet standing near you. Then two hands reach down and grab the camera. Izzy looks you in the face, and [[SCREAMS.->threaten izzy 7]]

Thank you for playing //The Waiting Room//. Created by: Billy Krolick Tested by: Brian Burns, Stephanie Aebi, Adam Sharp, and Kyle Bohl Cover art: Adam Sharp Restart(click:"Restart")[(restart:)]

You're left alone in the room, with no sign of Izzy. Did it work? [[Leave the room. ->help izzy 3]]

The hall is dark, empty. No Izzy. You see Maria, holding the door open and start [[running toward her.->help izzy 4]]

Maria slides out of the way as you burst into the hall. "What happened?" She asks. [[Tell the truth. ->help izzy 5]] [[Cover it up. ->lie izzy 5]]

You tell Maria all about what you found. Izzy may be haunting the place, but she's doing it because of Austin's negligence and cover up. This is Austin's fault. And you're going [[to set it right. ->set it right]]

"It's the ghost of Izzy. She's killing people, but I don't know why," you explain, the [[camera tight in your grip.->lie izzy 6]]

The two of you call Donna and expose Austin. The next day Donna calls Izzy's relatives and explains the truth. It's not easy, but it's [[the right thing to do.->doug recovers]]

Shortly after, Doug recovers and the hauntings stop. You exposed the truth, allowing Izzy's spirit to finally find peace. Everything feels in order. This is how it should be. Even though you feel certain you've done everything right, you can't help but wonder what might have changed if you'd done [[things differently...->end credits]]

You shoot awake in your bed. (text-style:"shudder")[Coughing] fills the room. You reach under your pillow and feel the camera. Still there. You look up to see Izzy standing over you, like she does every night, waiting for you to share the truth with the world. As you stare into her black, lifeless eyes, you wonder if you made the right decision keeping Austin's secret or if you should have done things differently. [[It was right to protect Austin.->lie izzy 7]] [[I made a mistake.->made mistake]]

It wasn't Austin's fault. It was just a mistake. You couldn't bring yourself to blow his life up just because of a little negligence. Even if it means a vist from Izzy. Every. Single. Night... But even so, listening to Izzy choke in the dark, you can't help but wish you had a chance [[to do it all again.->end credits]]

Shady Oaks Nursing Home. A [[long, flat building stretches out->the building]] in front of you, surrounded by large trees - oaks, you assume.

The building is "L" shaped, with the short end serving as the entrance in front of you and the long body extending off to your left. You skim the line of windows that run the building's length and notice something off about the back half of the building - all the lights are off. The windows dark and empty. //Weird//. [[Look closer at the back half. ->ch1.02]] [[Look at the forest. ->ch1.03]] [[Enter the building. ->ch1.04]]

Ethel coughs lightly into her hand then continues. "After that, that's when things changed. The lights started flickering and residents in the hall started talking about the Shadow People. [["Shadow People?"->back hall open 3]]

"They're shadows that come to take residents when they pass. At the time, only residents in the Dementia Ward could see them." Ethel pauses and coughs. She points a shaky hand to the glass of [[water on her side table.->back hall open 4]]

You grab the water and help Ethel with it. "So you closed it down because of these... [[Shadow People?" You ask.->back hall open 5]]

Ethel shakes her head. "No, we didn't think much of it. Until the party. One day, a resident had a Birthday in the back hall. We decorated the activity room and got everyone together to celebrate. But in the middle of the party, [[the power died..."->back hall open 6]]

"...and a strange presence drifted into the room. I never saw it, but I could hear it. This (text-style:"shudder")[coughing] sound. Like it was [[struggling to breathe... ->back hall open 7]]

"The residents began screaming that it was 'her'. Then everyone was coughing. Me too. I can't describe it, it's just like suddenly I couldn't (text-style:"blur")[breathe], like I was choking. It was a panic. Everyone ran out of the back hall. We lost a few residents that day. Even a nurse, Rosie. We should have helped them. But, we just fled. [[And we never went back."->back hall open 8]]

Ethel grows silent and stares off into the corner of the room. You're not sure if she's lost in thought or if she sees something you can't. And you really don't want to ask. You've put her through enough. (if:(history: where its name contains "give pills")'s length is 0)[[[Give Ethel her pills. ->give pills]]] (else:)[[[Time to go. ->resident loop]]]

Suddenly the lights (text-style:"blink")[flicker] on and for a split second, you swear you're face to face with a shadow. Someone on the otherside of the door. But in the flickering light, the shadow moves, and then it's gone. And by the time the fluorescents are steady, you're not sure what you saw. [[Someone's in the back hall, and they could need your help. Open the door. -> try door]] [[It was a trick of the light. Or something worse... Grab the linens and get out of here. -> grab linens]]

"Shadow people. Or that's what they say anyway. They see shadow people in the halls, waiting to collect the dying. And then, once they pass... Well, anyway, by the next day everything's fine. But I just want you to be prepared for tonight. It could be... unusual." [["So what do we do?" ->your rounds]] [["They don't know why he's sick?" ->no do rounds]] [["Are you going to be okay?" ->i'm fine rounds]]

"That's right. //Someone// didn't insert Ethel's catheter correctly, so urine wasn't draining. It built up, and it would have ruptured her bladder, killing her, if not for you. You answered Ethel's cries for help, and saved her life." Wow! You can't believe it. First day and you've already saved a life. Guess you made the right decision after all! "Never forget to listen to your patients." Donna glares at Austin. "No matter what someone else says." Donna turns back to you. "I'm impressed. But that means I'm gonna put you where I need you. You'll be accompanying Maria on the night shift. She needs good help like you." Wait, the night shift? With that closed wing, the flickering lights, and that... thing you saw? You search your thoughts in an attempt to decide how you feel about this. [[Sounds like Maria could use the help. ->night shift]] [[I'm sure it will be fine. ->night shift]] [[The night shift. Just the idea gives you the creeps... ->night shift]]

Oh my god, if you had just checked on her, and told someone, she could still be here. Is this your fault? It feels like it is... Donna looks back up and studies you. "Now, I don't know what happened, but I'm gonna find out. In the meantime, you, you're with Maria on the nightshift. At least she can keep an eye on you. And Austin, you're with me." Donna pauses. No one speaks. "And remember, always listen to the residents, no matter what anyone says." Oh man, the night shift? With that closed wing, the flickering lights, and that... thing you saw? You search your thoughts in an attempt to decide how you feel about this. [[I guess I deserve it. ->night shift]] [[I'm sure it will be fine. ->night shift]] [[The night shift. Just the idea gives you the creeps... ->night shift]]

THE WAITING ROOM inspired by various true stories [[Play ->ch1.01]] [[Credits ->credits]] [[Disclaimer ->disclaimer]]

Created by: Billy Krolick Tested by: Brian Burns, Stephanie Aebi, Adam Sharp, and Kyle Bohl Cover art: Adam Sharp [[Back ->Start]]

This is a horror game. As such, it aims to scare and make you think about things you may not want to think about. If hauntings, scares, or general macabre images aren't your thing, this may not be the game for you. This game also takes place in a nursing home. If themes of aging, negligence, or death are triggers for you, this may not be the game for you. While //The Waiting Room// was inspired by various snippets of true accounts, it itself is a work of fiction as are all of its characters. Any resemblance to anyone living or dead is merely coincidence. [[Return ->Start]]

There's nothing inside except for an old, empty [[pill bottle.->pill bottle]] [[Leave the bottle. ->Izzy room 2]]

Donepezil prescribed for Isabel Coombs. Alzheimer medication... [[Leave it. ->Izzy room 2]]

The old, leather straps on the chair have dark stains on them. [[You don't want to know what they're from. ->enter viewing room]]

One of the streamers reads, "Happy Birthday." It hangs lopsided, suspended only [[by the "Y". ->function hall 2]]

You didn't think things through enough. Acted hastily. Made mistakes. If only you could do it over, you swear, you would do [[everything differently.->end credits]]

As the world fades and you stare into Izzy's dark, lifeless eyes, you find yourself wondering what might have changed if you'd done things differently. If only you could go back and do it again... But then, [[the world goes black.->end credits]]