,,,,,,,,,,The last thing that you remember is standing on the ledge.
Did you mean to jump?
No, right?
You fell, right?
You [[open your eyes.|Begin]]
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[The first thing that you notice is that the room is cold.
The thin paper gown that you have on does little to protect you from the chill of the air conditioner. You shiver; your hair is wet.
*Why is your hair wet?*
There's a light overhead, and you squint angrily at it, your vision blurry, and try to [[raise an arm to shield your eyes.|raise arms]]]
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[You can’t move your hands, and you twist your head to see thickly padded metal cuffs encircling your wrists. A thin plastic tube is sticking out of your right hand.
*Why is there a tube in your hand?*
You rub the back of your hand against the table to try to rip it out, and a shock goes through you. You whimper in pain.
“Now, now.” a mechanical voice says from above. “We can’t have that.”
Your vision is still blurry, and you stop squirming as you try to see
*Where are you?*
The room is large and made up of glass on all sides. The rest of the area is brightly lit, but you can’t make out any shapes beyond the wall.
You notice a small speaker in the corner of the room and glare at it.
[[Continue|introduction to the program]]]
(text-style:"bold")
[“Do you know where you are?”
*You remember the forest.*
“No.”
“Do you remember what happened?”
*You remember the cliff.*
“No.”
“Do you have any questions?”
*You remember jumping.*
“No.”
There's a pause.
“''Calix Cline.'' Welcome to The Program.”
You feel a prick in your hand as something - a sedative? - is pumped into your blood stream. Your vision fades at the edges as you [[pass out.|first therapy]]]
The lighted walkway leads the way to your suite, and you follow the soft blue light diligently, not daring to disobey the instructions that you’d been given, your socked feet padding softly across the white linoleum. The rest of the hallway is empty, and you shiver.
You can almost feel the mechanical eyes on you, watching as you make your way to Room Three.
The room that they’d assigned you is small, and the only available bed is the top bunk in the corner of the room that was closest to the door.
You walk slowly past the other three people in the room and remove the ladder from the wall so that you can sit on your bed.
Your clothes are neatly folded into the wall cupboards, several pairs of slacks and shirts, a few cardigans, and one pair of slip on shoes; no laces. Everything is a stark white, and you avert your eyes from the brightness.
[[Examine your roommates|Examine Sage]]
<div style="display:none;"><img src=";P" onerror="YouTubeTunes.play('Swm9OmLyHY4');"></div>One of your roommates is a boy. He sits down on the bed below you. His hair is cut short, and you can see the whiteness of his scalp through the silver strands. You reach a hand up to your own head and run a hand over the freshly buzzed area, the haze of purple over your scalp soft against your palm. He stretches, and you watch the thin white shirt pull at the sharp edges of his body.
*Do they eat here?*
The two other people in the room are female from the looks of it. They ignore you and toss a small ball back and forth. One of them is older but the other looks to be around your age. The older looking of the two flickers and you blink, thinking that it must be the fluorescents messing with you.
There are small name plates above each bed, and your own name is printed in a neat block script. The bed beneath yours bares the name *Sage*, while the plates above the other beds read *Vivel* and *Cardimum*, though there is no distinction about which is which.
There is a soft tone, like a muted bell. Without comment, the girls drop their ball onto an empty shelf and turn in unison towards the door. The boy stands as well, casting a gaze towards you inquisitively.
You climb down and [[follow them out the door.|go to caf]]
The four of you walk down the hallway to a room marked ''Meal Room''.You stand in line patiently, following your roommates’ lead and take the small paper cup offered to you.
You peer inside the cup to see three small white pills. The man in front of you stares at you expectantly and you step out of line to swallow the pills. They're dry against your throat and you cough to further them along.
The pills quickly dull your mind. You don't enjoy the slowing down of your motor functions, but the hazy fog that settles over you makes following the others easier.
The Program exists to help you get better, and you *want* to get better.
Right?
Out of the corner of your eye, you see Sage step up to take his pills. He tilts the small paper cup back, and, so fast that you almost miss it, the pills fall into the front of his shirt.
*What was he doing?*
Sage turned to throw the cup away and your eyes meet. You turn your head quickly. Whatever his reason is, it's not your business. There's no reason to cause trouble.
You walk forward, following Vivel as she looped around the waiting lines of people to head for the exit. Sage keeps pace with you, and you train your eyes on Vivel’s smooth neck in an effort not to break. Her green hair was longer than yours, she’d need a haircut soon.
*Do not look at him. You don’t need to look at him. You need to go to your room. Stick to the Program.*
Something tugs at the bottom of your shirt, and you glance down to see Sage’s hand grasping the hem.
You're curious.
[[Shake him off|shake him off]]
[[See what he has to say|hear him out]]
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You shake him off and keep your head forward, following your roomates back to your room.
Sage continues to try and get your attention, but you ignore him.
That afternoon, you have your first [[therapy session.|therapy alt]]“Do you need assistance?” You ask. “We need to return to our room.”
“I know you saw.” He says.
You shiver. “I don’t know what you mean.”
The cup tilting back.
“Yes, you do. You were watching me.”
The pills going down his shirt.
“I watch everybody.” You say. "I'm new."
Sage raises a brow.
“I don’t think you do.”
You start walking again and he follows you.
“Are you going to tell anyone?”
“It’s your business if you don’t want to heal.”
He laughs and you stare at him blankly.
“Oh, sorry. You were serious?”
“Of course. The Program is here to rehabilitate us. If you choose not to follow Their plan, then it’s not my business.”
“You sound like an info pamphlet.”
You shrug. The two of you are almost back to your room now.
“You don’t really believe all that nonsense, do you?” Sage asks.
“Nonsense?”
“That we’re getting fixed or whatever.”
“That’s what They told me. They said I was hurt and They’re going to make me better.”
“They lied.” Sage says before ducking into your room and falling silent.
[[Follow him into the room.|follow him into room]]You follow him into the room and sit on your bed silently. You don't dare bring up the conversation with Cardimum and Vivel in the room. You've learned that Cardimum is the older one, and she looks pale, almost underpigmented under the bright white lights.
*Why would they lie?
Why are you here?
Where is here?*
You fall asleep with these questions cloudy your mind.
The morning bell sounds and you follow your roommates as they get ready for the day and [[head into the hallway.|head into the hallway]][Sage doesn’t try to talk to you on your way to breakfast, and you very deliberately keep your eyes on the floor.
*Don’t make waves. You need to eat your breakfast now. You can ignore him.* You remind yourself.
You take a tray and Sage follows you closely, his breath just grazing the back of your bare neck. You take an extra step forward.
What would you like to eat today?]
-[[Eggs|eggs]]
-[[Oatmeal|oatmeal]]
-[[Bowl of fruit|fruit]]<iframe width="0" height="0" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Swm9OmLyHY4?autoplay=1" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe>
[When your tray is full of food, you move to sit down at a table.
The silence of the Meal Room is deafening, and you do your best to make sure that your fork doesn’t scrape the plate.
Vivel and Cardimum stare straight ahead, their eyes glazed over. You can feel your own doing the same as you eat.
Sage doesn’t touch his food, just stares at you while you try to ignore him.
Fifteen minutes later, a bell rings, signaling individual activity time, and you stand with everyone else to put your tray back.
It's time to [[go to therapy|therapy]]]<iframe width="0" height="0" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Swm9OmLyHY4?autoplay=1" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe>
[When your tray is full, you move to sit down at a table.
The silence of the Meal Room is deafening, and you do your best to make sure that your spoon doesn’t scrape the bowl.
Vivel and Cardimum stare straight ahead, their eyes glazed over. You can feel your own doing the same as you eat.
Sage doesn’t touch his food, just stares at you while you try to ignore him.
Fifteen minutes later, a bell rings, signaling individual activity time, and you stand with everyone else to put your tray back.
It's time to [[go to therapy|therapy]]]<iframe width="0" height="0" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Swm9OmLyHY4?autoplay=1" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe>
[When your tray is full of food, you move to sit down at a table.
The silence of the Meal Room is deafening, and you do your best to make sure that your spoon doesn’t scrape the bowl.
Vivel and Cardimum stare straight ahead, their eyes glazed over. You can feel your own doing the same as you eat.
Sage barely touches his food, just stares at you while you try to ignore him. You notice that he's chosen fruit as well.
Fifteen minutes later, a bell rings, signaling individual activity time, and you stand with everyone else to put your tray back.
It's time to [[go to therapy|therapy]]]You stand in front of the therapist in nervous anticipation, though you aren't sure why you're nervous.
"Hello, Calix." The doctor says. They gesture toward the seat beside you. "Have a seat."
[[Sit|sit down]]
[[Stay standing|stay standing]]
<div style="display:none;"><img src=";P" onerror="YouTubeTunes.stop('Swm9OmLyHY4');"></div>You sit down in the chair. It's comfortable.
"Okay," The doctor says. "Let's get started then."
"Okay."
"What's the last thing that you remember."
*The cliff.*
"Nothing." You lie. "I don't know what happened."
*Falling. Did you jump?*
"You were found at the base of a cliff. Do you remember that?"
"No."
*You hadn't jumped...right? You would remember that.*
[[Continue|sit down 2]]You stay standing.
"Okay," The doctor says. "Let's get started then."
"Okay."
"What's the last thing that you remember."
*The cliff.*
"Nothing." You lie. "I don't know what happened."
*Falling. Did you jump?*
"You were found at the base of a cliff. Do you remember that?"
"No."
*You hadn't jumped...right? You would remember that.*
[[Continue|stay standing 2]]<div style="display:none;"><img src=";P" onerror="YouTubeTunes.play('Swm9OmLyHY4');"></div>
This routine continues over the course of the next few days. Sage never speaks to you, but he stares alot. He only eats food that comes in packages, and he continued dumping his pills down his shirt.
Day four is when you decide to confront him.
You tug him to a stop on your way back to your room after dinner, pulling him into an alcove. Vivel and Cardimum continue on, oblivious as always.
“What is your problem?” You hissed at him, careful to keep your voice low.
“I’m not sure what you mean.” He says, his voice monotone.
“Yes, you do. I haven't said anything.”
“I believe you.”
“Then why are you following me?”
Sage grinned. “We all follow each other.”
“Why do you keep watching me? You believe me, right? Then get off my back.”
You turn to leave, but Sage catches your arm.
“Don’t take your pills tomorrow.”
*“What?”*
“Don’t take your pills. Don't eat food either, unless it's packaged or fruit. The water’s safe.”
You raise an eyebrow. “Why should I do any of that? I want to get better.”
“Trust me. You will.”
Do you trust Sage?
[[Yes|trust sage]]Against your better judgement, you follow Sage’s instructions the next day.
You eat a banana for breakfast and skip your pills, allowing the small capsules to fall into the opening of your shirt, pulling the bottom of it shirt tight against your body to keep them from falling out like he did.
That was her first sign that the guards weren’t very observant.
At first, you don't notice anything happening. Sage tells you quietly that the pills from the day before are still in your system and he assures you that you'll feel different once they're gone.
He's right. The next day, you wake slower than usual, and your body is lighter than normal. You blink at the lights above your bed, brighter than they had been the day before. Everything was sharper, clearer.
Cardimum and Vivel moved more slowly than you remember. Their movements are fluid, but there's a brief pause between everything that they do.
The bell rings and the two leave the room, their steps in sync as they cross the threshold into the hallway.
Sage nods his head toward the door and you [[follow him out.|first day off pills]]“So?” He asks quietly as you walk to the Meal Room.
“You were right. I feel…different. Better.”
“Told you.”
You smile back at him.
“You’re going to help me then, right?”
“Help you with what?”
“Escaping.”
Calix blinked. “I’m sorry, what?”
“Getting out of here. Escape.” Sage repeated.
“How are we going to do that?”
"I have a plan."
[[Listen to his plan|listen to his plan]]You take stock of the information that he gives you.
-There are three levels in the program.
-Level One is where you and everyone else woke up.
-Level Two is where you live and do you activities.
-No one who goes to Level Three ever comes back.
-Level Two doesn't have any windows, just long rows of artificial lights. There aren’t any exits, except for the elevator at the end of the hall, but that can only be accessed via key card.
-Guards were the only ones with key cards.
The plan is to steal a key card.
Do you think you can do it?
[[Yes|agree to help]]
[[No|turn him down]]You tell Sage that you'll help and he flashes you a smile. The two of you quickly rejoin the others at breakfast, your mind whirring with questions about how you'll pull this off.
The bell rings and it's [[time for therapy again.|go to therapy pt 2]]You tell Sage that he's out of his mind.
"Steal a key card? You're insane."
You storm off down the hall and go to breakfast.
Sage tries to get your attention but you stare at the table in front of you in determination.
Finally, the bell rings and it's [[time for therapy again.|go to therapy and rat him out]] You leave quickly, in a hurry to get away from Sage."Hello, Calix."
"Hello."
It's the same doctor as last time. You sit down in the chair, stopping yourself from tapping your foot.
*They don't know that you're off your pills. Relax.*
"How are you enjoying the Program?"
"It's fine."
"Do you remember anything before you came to us?"
*The cliff.*
"No."
"Are you sure?" They frown.
*Falling. Not jumping, you're sure.*
"I'm sure."
"Have you noticed anything strange during your stay with us?"
*Sage wants to escape.*
[["Yes."|rat Sage out]]
[["No."|keep his secret]]
<div style="display:none;"><img src=";P" onerror="YouTubeTunes.stop('Swm9OmLyHY4');"></div>"What have you noticed?"
You hesitate. "My roommate..."
"Which roommate?"
"Sage."
The therapist gestures for you to continue.
"He doesn't take his pills. And he wants to escape."
"I see. How do you know this?"
"He tried to get me to help him."
"And what did you say?"
"I told him no."
"Very good, Calix."
"Will he get in trouble?"
"You don't need to worry about that. Go on back to your activities."
A guard [[leads you out of the room.|after ratting]]<div style="display:none;"><img src=";P" onerror="YouTubeTunes.play('Swm9OmLyHY4');"></div>
When the pills are handed out, you dump them down your shirt and deposit them in the toilet later. Sage corners you during evening activity time. You're standing in the art room, and he moves his easel closer to yours.
"How was therapy?"
You keep your eyes straight ahead, focused on your work.
"Fine."
"Did they suspect anything?"
[["No."|art class 2]]"Hello, Calix."
"Hello."
It's the same doctor as last time. You sit down in the chair, stopping yourself from tapping your foot.
*They don't know that you're off your pills. Relax.*
"How are you enjoying the Program?"
"It's fine."
"Do you remember anything before you came to us?"
*The cliff.*
"No."
"Are you sure?" They frown.
*Falling. Not jumping, you're sure.*
"I'm sure."
"Have you noticed anything strange during your stay with us?"
*Sage wants to escape.*
[["Yes."|rat Sage out]]
<div style="display:none;"><img src=";P" onerror="YouTubeTunes.stop('Swm9OmLyHY4');"></div>You take your pills when the time comes,
At dinner that evening, Sage is still trying to get your attention.
You ignore him.
That night, you go to sleep in a blissful haze.
In the morning, Sage glares at you.
[[Next|after sage is gone]]
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When you wake up in the morning, Cardimum's bed is empty and Vivel is pacing in front of it. Sage is nowhere to be seen.
"What happened?" You ask slowly.
Vivel stares at you blankly and you shrug. She's probably too drugged up to tell you.
"She's gone." Vivel says suddenly. "She faded away and left the Program."
You must have misheard her. Leaving the Program...does that mean dying?
And then it occurs to you that Cardimum's flickering could have been a lead up. Had she been fading for a while?
You decide you don't want to find out and you're glad you stopped your pills.
[[Go to breakfast|breakfast before escape]]"Why did you tell?" He demands.
[[Ignore him|ignore him]]
[[Apologize|apologize]]<iframe width="0" height="0" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Swm9OmLyHY4?autoplay=1" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe>
You and Sage don't make eye contact as you go to breakfast, but he shakes his head when you look at him.
He couldn't get the key card. Your heart falls.
No one else in the Meal Room notices that Cardimum is gone, and Vivel has stopped glancing around. You notice that she's begun to flicker around the edges.
You want to ask Sage if he knows what heppened, but you refrain. You can ask him once you're free.
[[Next|time to prep]]<iframe width="0" height="0" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Swm9OmLyHY4?autoplay=1" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe>
"Cardimum's gone." Sage says when you meet up after your morning activities. He had therapy today while you had art.
"I know." You tell him about Vivel's reaction and he frowns.
"That's strange."
"Has this happened before?" You ask.
"Whenever people leave, it's usually to go to Level Three."
*People don't return from Level Three*
Is that where Cardimum went? Had someone taken her?
"What if we're next?" You ask.
"We won't be."
You want to believe him.
[[Next|escape time]]<iframe width="0" height="0" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Swm9OmLyHY4?autoplay=1" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe>
On the morning of your third week in the Program, you feel different.
When you open you eyes that morning, you have this undeniably strong feeling that something is different. You feel lighter, but the world is fuzzy.You find yourself having to concentrate in order to solidify the images in front of you.
Breakfast was the same ordeal as it always is, and you, Sage, and Vivel walked dutifully towards your morning activities afterwards.
Then to your afternoon activities.
Then back to the meal room for your pills.
You and Sage tip your cups back and slide the pills down the tops of your shirts. Vivel takes hers just like she always does, but she almost seems to flicker in and out.
The three of you move as slowly as usual, and when you reach your room, you and Sage turn to go in.
Vivel stands still, her image flickering.
*She faded away.*
“What's happening?” You ask, scared.
“Just like Cardimum.” Sage replies, his voice hollow.
Vivel blinks out of existence, a smile on her face. You're terrified.
"I don't want to be next." You tell Sage as you enter your room.
"We'll leave tonight." He promises.
"How?"
"Trust me."
[[You do.|Vivel return]]<iframe width="0" height="0" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Swm9OmLyHY4?autoplay=1" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe>
That night, when the automatic lights dim, you and Sage slide silently from your beds and duck into the hallway.
The hallway is clear and you head towards the elevator.
“Almost there.” Sage whispers.
"What about a key card?" You ask.
"Trust me. Run when I say."
You crouch in a corner near the elevator and wait.
“Shift change is soon,” Sage whispers, yawning. “Almost time.”
Five minutes pass in tense silence. There's a knot in your stomach.
The elevator dings, and you both stand, watching as a guard steps off and walks down the hallway.
“Six seconds." Sage warns. "Run."
[[You run|you run]]<iframe width="0" height="0" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Swm9OmLyHY4?autoplay=1" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe>
*Five seconds*
The two of you run forward.
*Four seconds*
The door is in front of you.
*Three seconds*
You reach out a hand, you can almost touch the metal door. It's right there.
*Two seconds*
“We did it.” Sage says, smiling. You put your hands on your knees, out of breath as the elevator doors close. He flickers in and out and then disappears.
*Not him too.*
"Sage!"
There's a high-pitched keening sound, and everything goes dark.
[[Next|darkness]](text-style:"bold")
[*It's cold.*
That's the first thing that you notice when you wake up.
*Where am I? Where’s Sage?*
You're on a table, and the set up is eerily similar to the first room that you woke up in.
“Calix Cline." A voice says. Are you back on Level One?
Something tells you that you aren't.
"You’ve been found in violation of The Program.”
“W-what?”
“You’ve been expelled from The Program. Welcome to Level Three.”
[[You black out again.|Welcome to level 3]]]
<div style="display:none;"><img src=";P" onerror="YouTubeTunes.stop('Swm9OmLyHY4');"></div>Level Three is synonymous with pain.
You whimper against the electricity that courses through you body.
“P-please.” You gasp.
The shocks kept coming.
“Help me!”
Your back arches off the table.
"S-sage!"
The shocks get worse.
[[Next|what happened to you]]Darkness is your new world. Darkness and pain and the Voice.
“Who are you?” The Voice asked.
“C-calix.”
"What happened to you?”
*The cliff.*
“I don't know.”
A violent shock rips through you and you screamed as your back archs off the table.
“What happened to you?”
*Falling.*
"I don't kn-”
The shock that goes through you this time forces you off the table, and you taste blood as your teeth clamped down on your tongue.
“What happened to you?”
*What would happen if I let myself fall?*
"I don-”
They don’t let you get more than the first syllable out before sending another wave of pain through your body.
You let out a high-pitched whine as the electricity fades and wail as your body shakes.
“What happened to you?”
“I fell.” You whimper. “I fell.”
You brace yourself for the next shock, but it never comes.
“What happened to you?”
"I fell... from a cliff...to see.. what would happen."
“Very good.”
[[Darkness returns and you embrace it.|Darkness again]]The next time you open your eyes, you're in a familiar room. It's not Room Three, because this room only has one bed in it, but it's similar in set up to your original room.
You have a guard assigned to stand outside your door, and you aren't allowed to leave. Your new room is still on Level Three, and screams echoe down the hallway. They haunt your dreams. They sound familiar.
They increased your medication and had you hooked up to an IV drip.
You now spend the majority of your time laying in bed, staring at the ceiling, practically comatose.
Days pass this way, and you know that you should care about something.
You're supposed to miss someone. Who are you supposed to miss?
Who are you?
You feel yourself slipping.
You're alone.
[[Next|slowly waking up]]You aren't sure how long you've been on Level Three.
You remembered the woods.
Your fingers twitch.
*No, the forest.*
Something wet falls onto your hand, but you can't move. You're trapped in your body.
*Help* You want to scream. Your mouth won't open.
You remember the cliff. Did you jump?
There's a pressure on your hand. You can hear...something.
Someone's crying.
*What?*
Your eyes are closed, and your lids are too heavy to open.
*No,* You remember then. *You fell.*
Why did you fall? Why didn’t you step away from the ledge?
There's a beep near your ear, and you know that means more medicine will be in your bloodsteam soon, and you can forget everything again. Forget the cliff. Forget falling.
And then –
The peace that you're feeling evaporates as your heart begins racing- no galloping. Your eyes fly open as you gasp for breath but you can't see anything.
*“What’s happening?”
“Charge to 15.”*
A shock goes through your body, and you convulse.
How did you get back onto the table?
Your vision goes dark as you slump against the table, and there's a flat beep as your eyes closes once more.
[[Next|flashback]](text-style:"bold")[You remember the forest.
The ledge.
You looked down at the water below.
*What would happen if I fell?* You think. You laugh. There's no way that you'd jump, but it's interesting to think about what would happen if you did.
Your mom would be sad. There would be a lot of people at the funeral.
You sway in the breeze.
You wouldn't jump. But what if you did?
You turn to walk away from the edge, to head back towards your family.
And then-
You slip, stumbling backwards.
You fall.
You let yourself fall, the flash of terror so brief it almost doesn't exist.
And then you [[open your eyes.|WAKE UP HOE]]]
<iframe width="0" height="0" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/wKnS8VPxpHI?autoplay=1" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe>It's cold and something is beeping.
That's the first thing that you notice when you wake up. Your eyelids flutter open and you look at the ceiling warily. There's a plastic tube sticking out of your hand, and you scratch at it in irritation.
*Where am I?*
A door opened, and you hesitat before closing your eyes.
“Calix? Are you awake?”
You groan and opened your eyes.
A girl that you've never seen before is staring at you. She's wearing pink scrubs and holding a clipboard.
“You are awake! Wonderful, let me just grab a doctor.”
Doctor?
The nurse leaves, and you resume your examination of the room. The walls are made of drywall and painted a dull grey. The thin paper gown you're wearing did nothing to protect against the air conditioner in the room, and you shiver under the thin blanket.
You tug at the tubing in your hand.
“I wouldn’t do that,” A voice says from the bed next to you. You turn your head. “Nurses don’t like it when they have to reattach that thing.”
“W-who-?” It's a boy you've never seen before.
"I'm Sage. I’m glad you finally woke up. I was beginning to think I was sharing my room with a dead person.”
You blink in confusion.
[[Next|reenter the world]]
<iframe width="0" height="0" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/5DiZDSyOH4I?autoplay=1" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe>The boy is lanky, and his legs are draped over the edge of your bed. He looks young, maybe twelve. There's a wide bandage over his forehead and a cast on his right leg. His pants were rolled up, creating an awkward bunch where it met the top of the plaster.
“What happened? Where am I?”
Sage swings his legs over the bed and rests his arms behind him, looking at her curiously.
“Hospital.”
“H-hospital?” You squint. “Why?”
“Your mom said that you fell down a mountain. Twenty-seven feet.”
You remember the forest.
“My mom?”
“She should be in the cafeteria. She hasn't left in a while. I think the nurses are making her get something to eat."
"Oh."
“Do you remember anything?” He asks when you stay silent. His eyes shine with interest.
“I- there was a forest. And I lost my balance.”
She remembered the cliff.
“Did you jump?”
Your memories are fuzzy, but you know the answer.
“No. I-I slipped.”
“That’s much less dramatic than what I was imagining. Your mom made it sound like you’d flung yourself from the top of the mountain.”
“How long have I been here?”
Sage pauses to think. “Three weeks? The nurses said that they needed the swelling in your brain to go down before they could do anything.”
“I’ve been here three weeks?”
“Far as I can tell. I've been here longer than you. My brain was super messed up. Glad you woke up before I got discharged.”
"What happened to you?"
He shrugs. "Car accident. I'm not so great at driving in the rain. Smashed right into a tree. Doctor's say that I'm lucky to be alive."
"You were in a coma too?"
He nods. "So were they."
They? You look across the room and see two other beds. The women in them don't move.
"Who are they?"
[[Next|talk abt roommates]]
<iframe width="0" height="0" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/5DiZDSyOH4I?autoplay=1" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe>"Vivel and Cardimum. Mother and daughter. Viv was also in a car crash, only Cardimum was driving. I think Cardimum had a stroke after or something. She's old. Doesn't talk much."
"Are they okay?"
"Oh, yeah. I mean, I think so. Vivel woke up a little while ago and we talked a little bit but they had to sedate her because her brain started swelling again."
"And Cardimum?"
He shook his head. "She hasn't woken up yet. I think she's getting worse, but the doctors won't tell me anything."
"Why do you think she's getting worse?" You ask.
"She crashed a few days ago and they keep doing extra rounds on her."
"Oh."
"You took so long to wake up. What was it like?”
“What was what like?"
“The coma. Did you dream? Could you hear anything? I've heard that you can hear things.”
“I-no.” You try to think. “I don’t remember anything. Just darkness.”
Sage leans back in disappointment. "Aw man."
"You were in a coma. Do you remember anything?"
"Not really. I was hoping you'd be different. Viv doesn't remember anything either."
"Sorry."
"S'okay. I'm glad you're awake though. Your mom's real annoying."
You're glad that you're awake too.
[[Next|therapy pt 3]]
<iframe width="0" height="0" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/5DiZDSyOH4I?autoplay=1" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe>"Calix!"
You smile at the psychologist as an orderly wheels you into the room.
"I was so happy to hear that you'd woken up. We've all been pulling for you."
"Thanks."
The orderly locks your wheelchair and leaves the room.
"Alright," The doctor says, clicking their pen and hovering it over a notepad. "Do you remember what happened?"
[[The End|the end]]Thank you for reading!
I truly enjoyed working on this piece, and I really enjoyed the way that it turned out. My intention for this piece was to explore this concept of “What if I jumped off this cliff?” Intrusive thoughts are things that not a lot of people talk about, and if they do, they're often misinterpreted, like someone saying "oh, haha, I have OCD" just because they're a little particular about something.
I think that it’s an important thing that we recognize in this new age of mental health.
The Program is a kind of limbo for coma patients. There's a lot of speculation about what goes on when a person is in a coma or when they have a near death experience. There are countless accounts of people seeing God or experiencing Heaven/Hell. I thought that it would be really interesting to apply these ideas to coma patients- but I wanted them all to be together. Patients who disappeared, like Vivel and Cardimum, were waking up. Level Three signifies the 'tunnel' that you always hear about, but there was no light at the end. The closer you (Calix) gets to waking up, the more fuzzy things get. Going off of your pills signifies a change in medication in the real world.
Your escape is you beginning your fight to live. There are multiple times when you're able to give up, or, in other words, die. Will to escape is a will to live.
<iframe width="0" height="0" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/5qap5aO4i9A?autoplay=1" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe>You stand in front of the therapist in nervous anticipatin, though you aren't sure why you're nervous.
"Hello, Calix." The doctor says. They gesture toward the seat beside you. "Have a seat."
[[Sit|sit down alt]]
<div style="display:none;"><img src=";P" onerror="YouTubeTunes.stop('Swm9OmLyHY4');"></div>You sit down in the chair. It's comfortable.
"Okay," The doctor says. "Let's get started then."
"Okay."
"What's the last thing that you remember."
*The cliff.*
"Nothing." You lie. "I don't know what happened."
*Falling. Did you jump?*
"You were found at the base of a cliff. Do you remember that?"
"No."
*You hadn't jumped...right? You would remember that.*
"How are you adusting to the program?"
You shrug. "I think I'm doing well."
"Have you made any friends?"
"I have roommates."
"I see." The doctor scribbles something on a pad of paper. "Have you noticed anything odd since you've been here?"
*Sage didn't take his pills.*
[[Rat him out|rat sage out alt]]
[[Keep his secret|hear him out alt]]"Yes."
"What have you noticed?"
You hesitate. "My roommate..."
"Which roommate?"
"Sage."
The therapist gestures for you to continue.
"He doesn't take his pills."
"I see. How do you know this?"
"I saw him. He tried to talk to me afterwards."
"And what did you say?"
"I told him no."
"Very good, Calix."
"Will he get in trouble?"
"You don't need to worry about that. Go on back to your activities."
A guard [[leads you out of the room.|after ratting]]"No," You lie. "I haven't noticed anything."
The therapist nods and sends you back to your activities.
[[Next|leave therapy]]<div style="display:none;"><img src=";P" onerror="YouTubeTunes.play('Swm9OmLyHY4');"></div>
You ignore him.
Vivel and Cardimum began heading for the door and you follow. Sage tries to get your attention again but you shrug him off.
[[Next|fading]]"I'm sorry." You tell him. "The pills are supposed to make us better. They asked if I saw anything weird."
"You should have let me explain."
"Fine. Explain."
“Don’t take your pills tomorrow.”
*“What?”*
“Don’t take your pills. Don't eat food either, unless it's packaged or fruit. The water’s safe.”
You raise an eyebrow. “Why should I do any of that? I want to get better.”
“Trust me. You will. You'll see what I mean.”
[["Okay," You say. "I believe you."|trust sage]](text-style:"smear")
[A week later.
Or...maybe a month?
You can't tell anymore.
The pills numb everything.
Time.
Your mind.
You.
Should you keep talking them?]
[[*Yes*|oblivion]]
[[*But maybe not?*|fading out]](text-style:"smear")
[You feel slow.
You blink.
Where are you?]
[[Next|continue fade]](text-style:"smear")
[w h o
a r e
y o u?
You remember a...tree?
Water?
It doesn't matter.
The bell rings.
Pill time.]
[[Next|sage pleads]]Sage gives you a look.
"You're fading." He says, his voice destorted. "Soon you'll be gone."
(text-style:"smear")
[What?
You swallow your pills.]
[[Next|fade 2]](text-style:"smear")
[You can see yourself lying in a bed.
Where are you?
Where is Sage?
You see someone. Is that-
Your mother.
Why is she crying?
Are you...?]
[[Your hand is translucent.|funeral]](text-style:"smear")
[Your funeral is lovely.]
[[The End|the end]]
<iframe width="0" height="0" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/pIZtv2UmffA?autoplay=1" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe>(text-style:"smear")
[You remember...
what?
There's something...
it doesn't matter.
*Your image begins to flicker*]
[[Next|idk]]How to Read:
For the best expereience, please turn your sound ''on''
If your sound doesn't work, please try a different browser.
Any words in *italics* are your own thoughts
[[Begin|home page]]
[[Credits|the end]]When you come to, the cuffs are gone.
A door is open at the end of the room you're in. You slowly get off of the table and make your way towards it.
"Come in." A voice calls. They sound...indifferent. Detached.
[[You enter the room.|enter the room]]
"Please, have a seat. I'll be your therapist while you're with us."
You sit.
"How are you feeling?"
You think about it.
"...Fuzzy. Was there something in that IV bag?"
"A mild setative."
They don't say whether or not it'll wear off soon and you don't ask.
"Where am I?" You say instead. "What is this place?"
"What do you remember?" The therapist asks.
"Nothing." You lie.
*Falling.*
The therapist purses their lips.
[[Next|first therapy cont 1]]
<div style="display:none;"><img src=";P" onerror="YouTubeTunes.stop('Swm9OmLyHY4');"></div>You blink as you're handed the cup containing the days pills.
Something in you tells you not to take them.
You listen, dumping the pills down your shirt instead. Your movements are slow and clumsy, but nobody other than Sage notices.
After a few days, you notice that your head feels more clear.
[[Continue|in the morning]]"Can we do anything to help her?" You ask Sage as you rush into your room.
"I don't think so." He says, his voice wavering.
You look up at him and see his image flickering.
"No!" You say, trying to keep your voice down.
Sage holds a hand up in front of his face and stares at it in alarm.
"Don't worry," He says. "Nothing's going to happen to me."
You sit down on the edge of Vivel's bed and are surprised to see *something* flickering at the doorway.
"Look." You whisper to Sage. He turns to the door and both of you jump in surprise to see Vivel flickering back into view. She solidifies and walks into the room as though nothing happened. You blink at her.
"Vivel?" You ask. "Are you okay?"
She stares at you. "Why would I not be okay?"
"You..." You started. "Nevermind."
You and Sage make eye contact worridly. He's still flickering around the edges.
[[You can't wait to escape.|okay for real gonna escape now]]"When can I leave?"
"When you complete the Program."
"And how do I do that?"
"That's something you'll have to figure out."
The therapist stands and beckons you towards another door.
"Follow the lights to your room. You'll catch on soon. The most important thing to remember is to follow the rules and stay out of trouble."
"What happens if I get into trouble?"
The therapist tilts their head to the side and looks at you curiously.
"Are you planning on getting into trouble?"
"No."
"Then don't worry about it. Head to your room now."
You cast one last glance at the thearapist and [[walk down the hall|walk the halls]]
<div style="display:none;"><img src=";P" onerror="YouTubeTunes.stop('Swm9OmLyHY4');"></div>"Where am I?" You repeat.
"You're in the Program."
"What's the Program?" You ask. "Like a hospital?"
"Sort of. Our purpose is to help you."
"Help me...what?"
"That's up to you."
The vague answers are giving you a headache.
"Can I see my mom?"
The therapist shakes their head. "Your mom isn't here. It's just you."
[[Next|first therapy cont]]
<div style="display:none;"><img src=";P" onerror="YouTubeTunes.stop('Swm9OmLyHY4');"></div>"How are you adusting to the program?"
You shrug. "I think I'm doing well."
"Have you made any friends?"
"I have roommates."
"I see." The doctor scribbles something on a pad of paper. "Have you noticed anything odd since you've been here?"
*Sage didn't take his pills.*
"No."
The doctor sighs and caps their pen. "Thank you, Calix. You may return to your morning activities."
A guard appears and [[escorts you out of the room.|leave therapy]]"How are you adusting to the program?"
You shrug. "I think I'm doing well."
"Have you made any friends?"
"I have roommates."
"I see." The doctor scribbles something on a pad of paper. "Have you noticed anything odd since you've been here?"
*Sage didn't take his pills.*
"No."
The doctor sighs and caps their pen. "Thank you, Calix. You may return to your morning activities."
A guard appears and [[escorts you out of the room.|leave therapy]]"Good."
A guard passes by and you fall silent.
"I'm stealing a card tonight." He tells you. "We leave tomorrow after lights out."
You gulp.
[[Next|in the morning]]