The Cabin

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<<audio car volume 0 fadein>>\ <span class="date">FRIDAY, OCTOBER 23, 2009</span> <span class="date2">Cornfields. Nothing but cornfields.</span> <span class="delay">[[Watch the road.|It's been 3 hours]]</span>

It’s been three hours since you left Chicago. This drive is unbearably boring. The iPod battery just died, and there's at least five hours of driving left. <<set $pop = false>>\ <<set $rock = false>>\ <<set $oldies = false>>\ [[Turn on the radio.->Radio]]

You turn on the radio and flip through the channels to pass the time. [[Pop->Pop]] [[Rock->Rock]] [[Oldies->Oldies 1]] [[News->News 1]]

<<audio oldies stop>>\ <<audio rock stop>>\ <<audio pop play>>\ The pop station plays some mainstream garbage. Your fingers tap along to the beat on the steering wheel. You love this song, not that you would ever admit it out loud. <<set $pop = true>> <<if $rock is false>>\ [[Rock->Rock]] <</if>>\ <<if $oldies is false>>\ [[Oldies->Oldies 1]] <</if>>\ [[News->News 1]]

<<audio pop stop>>\ <<audio oldies stop>>\ <<audio rock play>>\ The Rock station plays some early nineties grunge song you can't remember the name of. Alex loved this song. Your stomach swells with existential dread. <<set $rock = true>> <<if $pop is false>>\ [[Pop->Pop]] <</if>>\ <<if $oldies is false>>\ [[Oldies->Oldies 1]] <</if>>\ [[News->News 1]]

<<audio pop stop>>\ <<audio rock stop>>\ <<audio oldies play>>\ The Oldies station plays song you loved as a kid. You're only twenty-eight. Why is a song from your lifetime playing on an oldies station? Did it really come out twenty years ago? It just makes you feel old. And lonely. [[Enter mental breakup loop.->Oldies 2]]

What if breaking up was a huge mistake? What if you never find someone else? What if you die alone, having lost the one person who understood you? Switch to a different station before you get trapped in another mental breakup loop. <<set $oldies = true>> <<if $pop is false>> [[Pop->Pop]] <</if>>\ <<if $rock is false>>\ [[Rock->Rock]] <</if>>\ [[News->News 1]]

<<audio pop stop>>\ <<audio rock stop>>\ <<audio oldies stop>>\ <<audio news1 play>>\ "...high of sixty degrees and an overnight low of forty-eight degrees . Chance of showers later this afternoon, and we can expect the clouds to stick around most of the weekend along with scattered showers continuing into early next week." [[Perfect—a gloomy weekend to complement your mood.->News 2]]

<<set $journal1 = true>>\ <<audio news1 stop>>\ <<audio news2 play>>\ “Tomorrow marks the twentieth anniversary of the beginning of the grisly murders of the serial killer known as the Baytown Butcher. Terrorizing the northern Wisconsin region over a period of nine years, the Baytown Butcher is responsible for at least eleven murders. The victims were all young women aged sixteen to twenty-six years old—mostly lone campers and hitchhikers. The killer would strangle the victims before dismembering and dumping the bodies into the bay." [[Keep listening.->News 3]] <div class="inventorynote">*New journal entry.</div>

<<set $journal2 = true>>\ <<audio news2 stop>>\ <<audio news3 play>>\ “Police believe the Baytown Butcher is responsible for an additional six women who disappeared between late 1989 and early 1990. The women are presumed dead although their bodies have never been recovered. No one has ever been charged in the murders, and with no suspects, the case has gone cold. If you have any information on the case, please call...” [[Keep listening->Phone Rings]] [[Turn off the radio->Phone Rings]] <div class="inventorynote">*New journal entry.</div>

<<audio news3 stop>>\ <<audio nokiatires play>>\ You nearly drive off the road when the phone rings. The news story piqued the interest of your inner true crime nerd, but this is the last thing you need to hear before spending a weekend alone in a cabin in the woods. 'Mom' flashes on the Caller ID. [[Answer the phone.]] [[Hit ignore.]]

Inventory <<if $inventory is true>>[[Key Items]]<</if>> <<if $cassette1 is true>>[[Cassette Tapes]]<</if>> <<if $map is true>>[[Map]]<</if>> <<if $journal1 is true>>[[Journal]]<</if>>

\ <<if $cassette1 is true>>Cassette One<</if>> \ <<if $cassette2 is true>>Cassette Two<</if>> <<if $cassette3 is true>>Cassette Three<</if>> \ <<if $cassette4 is true>>Cassette Four<</if>> \ <<if $cassette5 is true>>Cassette Five<</if>> <<back "Back">>

<<audio wind play>>\ <h1>The Cabin</h1> <div class="main-menu">\ [[Begin Story|Content Warning]] [[Chapter Selection]] [[Credits]] </div> <br>

<<audio wind fadeout>>\ <h2>Chapter One: Escape</h2> <span class="quote">"Desperation is the raw material of drastic change. Only those who can leave behind everything they have ever believed in can hope to escape.”</span> William S. Burrows [[Begin Chapter One|October 23, 2009]]

<<audio "wind" play>> [[Chapter One: Escape|Chapter One]] [[Chapter Two: Memory (coming soon)]] [[Chapter Three: Ghosts (coming soon)]] [[Chapter Four: The Butcher (coming soon)]] [[Chapter Five: The Way out (coming soon)]] [[Return to Menu|Main Menu]]

<strong>The Cabin</strong> is an interactive, fiction tale written by Kim Galovich and created using Twine. Special thanks to Tyler Sanders for audio assistance. <strong>IMAGES</strong> Main Cabin by Peter Thomas: unsplash.com/photos/BUdH3r6s0EM Car Driving by Esther Tuttle: unsplash.com/photos/w5sHBvTYss0 Car Driving Rain by Charlie Deets: unsplash.com/photos/IBPgeshzHvs General Store by Chor Tsand: unsplash.com/photos/Zf-Ajaj-zOI Car at Night by Hamid Khaleghi: unsplash.com/photos/_rqif5OKBOA Cashier by Jupiterimages: picspree.com/en/photos/woman-taking-orders-on-telephone-in-shop-1257065 Window by Алексей Паршуков: unsplash.com/photos/Bb7Iv61VJ04 Red wine PNG Designed By 588ku from Pngtree.com Beer png from pngtree.com/so/Beer Rum: www.pngwing.com/en/free-png-nicwb Newspaper: www.fodey.com/generators/newspaper/snippet.asp <strong>AUDIO</strong> Spooky Wind by Sound Effects: www.youtube.com/watch?v=26ihy9HPo0I&t Car Driving by adaH Ho: www.youtube.com/watch?v=ufpcM51AnZI&t=218s Phone Ringing by Windows Expert: www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vk4KK-gh0FM Tire Screech by iamfromsouthpole: www.youtube.com/watch?v=D_lvkcjC2Ls Miley Cyrus - Party in the USA by Miley Cyrus: www.youtube.com/watch?v=M11SvDtPBhA Fleetwood Mac - Gypsy by Fleetwood Mac: www.youtube.com/watch?v=mwgg1Pu6cNg Sonic Youth - Kool thing by Sonic Youth: www.youtube.com/watch?v=SDTSUwIZdMk News Segment by Read by: Tyler Sanders. Written by: Kim Galovich. 3Oh!3 - Don't Trust Me by 3Oh!3: www.youtube.com/watch?v=mdB3Oyd5HtU Switch Sound Effect by All Sounds: www.youtube.com/watch?v=15OTNgkUz0g&t=25s Rain on Windshield by Sound Effects [FREE]: www.youtube.com/watch?v=w7uoyiOmlzk&t=6s General Store Music by Diana Ross/Macintosh Plus Remix: www.youtube.com/watch?v=aQkPcPqTq4M News Segment by SleepTherapy - Topic: www.youtube.com/watch?v=ybT_g_MEr3s&t=37s Fast Breathing by n Beats: www.youtube.com/watch?v=TsDs-8wfGdY Deep Breathing by Digiffects Sound Effects Library - Topic: www.youtube.com/watch?v=qLnOnxvCURA Quick Heartbeat by Sound Effect: www.youtube.com/watch?v=HrCCcwmJ-mw Steady Heartbeat by justsoundfx: www.youtube.com/watch?v=gJpT_wHZeF8 Phone Beep by Free Music Every Day: www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q0DaUIhGuJ4 Windshield Wipers by n Beats: www.youtube.com/watch?v=KVLOT_kduQo Falling Sound by Sound Effect Database: www.youtube.com/watch?v=xiwou7-n9vE Window Opening by All Sounds: www.youtube.com/watch?v=nxYdOLs0udw Bell to Store by ProSound Effects: www.youtube.com/watch?v=YfOdmwtCXxU Landing Thud by IRK Productions: www.youtube.com/watch?v=V6OwOCjh55U [[Return to Menu|Main Menu]]

Content Warning: This story features themes of violence that some readers may find disturbing. For an optimal experience, play through this story with the sound on or with headphones. [[Continue|Inventory Info]]

<<audio nokiatires stop>>\ <<audio nokia stop>>\ You pick up your phone and answer it. [["Hi, Mom."]] [["What do you want?"]] [["It's dangerous to drive and talk on the phone."]]

<<audio nokiatires stop>>\ She’s just going to ask if you got to the cabin yet. Ignore her for now. [[Turn the radio back on.]]

<<audio badpopsong play>>\ A different song is playing on popular hits now. Your ears are being murdered. Better just turn off the radio. [[Turn off the radio. |Turn off the radio.]]

<<audio nokia stop>>\ <<timed 4s>><<audio nokia play>><</timed>>\ Once more, you ignore the call. Isn’t driving and talking on the cell phone illegal? Mom should know better. Try to relax. It's just you and the open road— <span class="delay">The phone rings again. If you ignore a third time, you’re just asking for a fight.</span> <span class="delay">[[Answer the phone.]]</span>

Mom: “Hi, honey. Have you made it to the cabin yet?” [["I'm literally not even close."]]

Mom: “Honey, I know you’re having a hard time, but there’s no need to take it out on your mother. Have you made it to the cabin yet?” [["I'm literally not even close."]]

Mom: “I’m sorry but this will only be a minute. Have you made it to the cabin yet?” [["I'm literally not even close."]]

Mom: “Will you let me know when you get there? You know I worry.” [["Sure."]]

Mom: “Thank you. Your father and I appreciate you doing this. We know how busy you are. I’ve been meaning to get the place ready to sell for years, but we’d have to fly back from Florida and you know how your father is about flying—” [["It's not a problem. It'll be nice to get out of the city."]]

Mom: “I’m sure. Do you like your new place? Emma said she helped you move in the rest of your things. You doing alright?” What else has your sister has told your parents about the breakup? [[“I’m fine.”]]

Mom: "Alright then. I'm always here if you need anything." You don’t want to talk about this right now, especially with Mom. Just change the subject. [[Ask about the cabin key.|Cabin Key]] [[Ask about the Butcher.|Butcher 1]] [[Ask about your family.]]

"I don’t have a key to the place. Is it unlocked?" Mom: “The cabin key should be on top of the door frame. It’s an old iron key—you can’t miss it." [[“What if it’s not there?”]]

"Have you heard of the Baytown Butcher?" Mom: “You and your crime stories. Why do you listen to awful stuff like that?” [["They were talking about it on the radio..."]]

"I know Uncle George and Aunt Terry spent a lot of time up there. Anything I should know before I start opening drawers? I don’t want to find any...surprises." Mom: "Your Aunt Terry...wasn't fully there in her final days. Maybe early on-set dimensia or something. She was always a bit of an oddball, so you might find some strange things in her room." Mom lets out a sigh on the other end of the phone. "Mom: "It destroyed your uncle to see her like that. He left the place shortly after she died and didn't take much with him. The cabin had too many reminders for him. Anyways, it was a kid-friendly cabin. You shouldn't have anything to worry about.” [[Mention the Uncle George's guns.|Guns]] [[Mention Aunt Terry's tools.|Tools]] <<set $family = true>>

"They were talking about it on the radio. They said he was killing young women throughout the nineties. How come I’ve never heard of him? We spent so much time there as a kid. Weren’t you worried?” Mom: “We didn’t want you girls to have to worry about those sorts of things. You were so young. And of course we were concerned, but he primarily went after women much older than you girls were, and more importantly people who were traveling alone. You’re uncle always kept a hunting rifle closeby, and we were close with the neighbors. We looked out for each other." <<set $butcher = true>> <<if $key neq true>>\ [[Ask about the cabin key.|Cabin Key]] <</if>>\ <<if $family neq true>>\ [[Ask about your family.]]\ <</if>>\ <<if $family is true and $key is true>> [["Does the cabin have power?"|Power]] <</if>>

Mom: “We asked the electric company to flip the power back on, but no one’s been there in a few years now. There will be some dust bunnies and critters waiting for you when you get there.” [["At least they’ll keep me company."]]

“Right, I remember all those ‘kid-friendly’ guns Uncle George used to keep around.” Mom: “Oh, hush. He always kept the safety on and the gun out of reach. Don’t speak ill of the dead.” “I was just joking, Mom. You know I loved him.” <<if $key neq true>>\ [[Ask about the cabin key.|Cabin Key]] <</if>>\ <<if $butcher neq true>>\ [[Ask about the Butcher.|Butcher 1]] <</if>>\ <<if $key is true and $butcher is true>> [[Does the cabin have power?|Power]] <</if>>

“Right, I remember all those ‘kid-friendly’ carving knives Aunt Terry would leave laying around.” Mom: “Oh, hush. When you girls were young, she would always keep them high out of reach. Don't speak ill of the dead.” “I was just joking, Mom. You know I loved her.” <<if $key neq true>>\ [[Ask about the cabin key.|Cabin Key]] <</if>>\ <<if $butcher neq true>>\ [[Ask about the Butcher.|Butcher 1]] <</if>>\ <<if $key is true and $butcher is true>> [["Does the cabin have power?"|Power]] <</if>>

<<audio car play>>\ There's a long pause on the other end of the line. Mom takes a deep breath. Mom: “You know I'm always here for you, right? If you need anything, if you just want to talk. Break-ups are hard, especially when your lives are so intertwined…” [[Cut her off.]]

“I know, Mom. I’m fine.” Mom: “Alright then. I’ll let you back to it. Please give me a call when you get there so I know you’re safe?" [["I will. Bye, Mom."]]

<<audio beepsigh play>>\ You snap the phone shut, frustrated. If only this wasn’t a cell phone so you could slam it down. You hate talking about the break-up, and you definitely don’t want to talk about it with Mom. [[Admit the truth.]]

<<audio car fadeout>>\ <<audio rain volume 0 fadein>>\ You're not fine. This trip is a welcome distraction. Spending time alone in the cabin will either be good for you or drive you completely insane, but you need to get out of the city and reset. There are too many reminders there. [[Look at the clouds.]]

It begins to rain. Not a good start. You were hoping to enjoy at least some time outside in the sun this weekend. [[Turn on the windshield wipers.]]

<<audio wiper play>>\ The rain grows more intense. You flip on the windshield wipers. The drops rap the windshield loudly as the rain and wind drown out your thoughts. <span class="delay">[[Continue...|Store]]</span>

<<audio rain fadeout>>\ <<audio wiper fadeout>>\ <<audio generalstore volume .3 fadein>>\ <<audio storebell play>>\ <<set $inventory = true>>\ The weather clears by the time you arrive at the general store in Baytown, your last stop in civilization before heading into the wilderness. Generic elevator music comes through the speakers. There doesn't seem to be anyone else in the store. Time to pick up some supplies: [[Shop for groceries.|Groceries]] [[Shop for entertainment.|Books]] [[Shop for alcohol.|Alcohol]]

\ <<if $beer is true>><img src="/thecabinstory/images/inventory/beer.png" class="inventory"><</if>> \ <<if $wine is true>><img src="/thecabinstory/images/inventory/wine.png" class="inventory"><img src="/thecabinstory/images/inventory/wine.png" class="inventory"><</if>> \ <<if $rum is true>><img src="/thecabinstory/images/inventory/rum.png" class="inventory" style="padding-bottom:20px;"><</if>> \ \ <<if $book is 'The Lion's Daughter'>><img src="/thecabinstory/images/inventory/lionsdaughter.png" class="inventory"><</if>> \ <<if $book is 'Misery'>><img src="/thecabinstory/images/inventory/misery.png" class="inventory"><</if>> \ <<if $book is 'American Gods'>><img src="/thecabinstory/images/inventory/americangods.png" class="inventory"><</if>> \ <<if $book is 'Devil in the White City'>><img src="/thecabinstory/images/inventory/devilwhitecity.png" class="inventory"><</if>> \ \ <<if $newspaper is true>><img src="/thecabinstory/images/inventory/newspaper.png" class="inventory"><</if>> \ \ \ \ <<if $lakephoto is true>>Photo of Aunt & Uncle at Lake<</if>>\ <<if $lakephoto is true>>Cassette Player<</if>>\ <<if $flashlight is true>>Flashlight<</if>>\ \ \ \ <<if $cabinkey is true>>Cabin Key<</if>>\ <<if $officekey is true>>Office Key<</if>>\ <<if $bdayphoto is true>>8th Birthday Photo of family missing uncle<</if>>\ <<if $macbeth is true>>MacBeth<</if>>\ \ \ \ <<if $whiskey is true>>Whiskey<</if>>\ <<if $oujia is true>>Ouija Board<</if>>\ <<if $note is true>>Note with Aunt's birth/death<</if>>\ <<if $catalog is true>>Clock catalog<</if>>\ \ \ \ <<if $deskkey is true>>Desk Key<</if>>\ <<if $pages is true>>Missing Pages <</if>>\ <<back "Return to Story">>

There isn’t a microwave at the cabin, and you're a terrible cook. You decide to pick up sandwich supplies, chips, canned soup, some fruit, and a few frozen dinners to make on the stove. <<set $groceries = true>> <<if $books neq true>>\ [[Shop for entertainment.|Books]] <</if>>\ <<if $alc neq true>>\ [[Shop for alcohol.|Alcohol]] <</if>>\ <<if $books eq true and $groceries eq true>>\ [[Checkout]]\ <</if>>

A small endcap holds a random array of paperback novels. Most of the weekend will be spent cleaning, but you'll need a break at some point. There’s no TV in the cabin. Better pick up a paperback. [[Choose Romance novel|Romance]] [[Choose Horror novel|Horror]] [[Choose Fantasy novel|Fantasy]] [[Choose True Crime novel|True Crime]]

A long aisle full of liquor looms before you. [[Choose Beer]] [[Choose Wine]] [[Choose Rum]] <<if $jager neq true>>\ [[Choose Jager]] <</if>>\

<i>The Lion’s Daughter</i> by Loretta Chase features a man wearing a completely unbuttoned white shirt tucked into his pants, revealing a chiseled six-pack. It could not be more of a caricature of a romance novel if it tried. Romance isn’t your type of genre, but maybe it will restore your faith in love. [[Enter mental breakup loop.]]

You’ve never read <i>Misery</i> by Stephen King, but you are a horror fan. Is it a terrible book to read while spending a weekend alone? Probably, but that’s later you’s problem. [[Put back.|Books 2]] [[Buy this book. |Buy Horror]]

Alex had been trying to get you to read <i>American Gods</i> by Neil Gaiman for years. You look at the back cover to see it’s an Americana-style novel about old gods and new gods battling for the soul of America. Sounds like an appropriate book for a Midwest weekend in the wilderness. [[Put back.|Books 2]] [[Buy this book. |Buy Fantasy]]

Your true crime heart flutters when you spot <i>Devil in the White City</i> by Erik Larson. It’s been years since you read it—the disturbing real tale about serial killer H.H. Holmes. He lured and killed his victims in his “Murder Castle” during the Chicago World’s Fair. A friend borrowed your copy years ago and never gave it back. What sort of friend borrows a book and never returns it? The sort you are glad not to have in your life anymore. [[Put back.|Books 2]] [[Buy this book. |Buy True Crime]]

You stand in front of the endcap of paperbacks, deciding what sort of weekend you have in store. [[Choose Romance novel|Romance]] [[Choose Horror novel|Horror]] [[Choose Fantasy novel|Fantasy]] [[Choose True Crime novel|True Crime]]

<<set $book = 'The Lion's Daughter'>> \ \ You grab <i>$book</i> and put it in your cart. <<set $books = true>> <<if $groceries neq true>>\ [[Shop for Groceries.|Groceries]] <</if>>\ <<if $alc neq true>>\ [[Shop for alcohol.|Alcohol]]\ <</if>>\ <<if $alc eq true and $groceries eq true>>\ [[Checkout]]\ <</if>> <div class="inventorynote">*You have a new Key Item in your inventory.</div>

<<set $book = 'American Gods'>> \ \ You grab <i>$book</i> and put it in your cart. <<set $books = true>> <<if $groceries neq true>>\ [[Shop for Groceries.|Groceries]] <</if>>\ <<if $alc neq true>>\ [[Shop for alcohol.|Alcohol]]\ <</if>>\ <<if $alc eq true and $groceries eq true>>\ [[Checkout]]\ <</if>> <div class="inventorynote">*You have a new Key Item in your inventory.</div>

<<set $book = 'Misery'>> \ \ You grab <i>$book</i> and put it in your cart. <<set $books = true>> <<if $groceries neq true>>\ [[Shop for Groceries.|Groceries]] <</if>>\ <<if $alc neq true>>\ [[Shop for alcohol.|Alcohol]]\ <</if>>\ <<if $alc eq true and $groceries eq true>>\ [[Checkout]]\ <</if>> <div class="inventorynote">*You have a new Key Item in your inventory.</div>

<<set $book = 'Devil in the White City'>> \ \ You grab <i>$book</i> and put it in your cart. <<set $books = true>> <<if $groceries neq true>>\ [[Shop for Groceries.|Groceries]] <</if>>\ <<if $alc neq true>>\ [[Shop for alcohol.|Alcohol]]\ <</if>>\ <<if $alc eq true and $groceries eq true>>\ [[Checkout]]\ <</if>> <div class="inventorynote">*You have a new Key Item in your inventory.</div>

<<audio generalstore fadeout>>\ <<audio newsmuffled play>>\ A woman in her late fifties with bleached blonde hair sits at the checkout counter, eyes glued to the small TV. The faces of three smiling, young women flash on the fuzzy screen—the last known victims of the Baytown Butcher. [[Place items on the counter.|Counter]]

The first time you ever drank was at the cabin. You were 15, and Emma snuck a pack of PBR from the fridge while your parents were out boating. It tasted awful, but you both finished the pack anyways. You fell asleep, drunk in the hammock tied between two trees behind the cabin. If this weekend is about nostalgia, beer only seems fitting. You grab a twelve-pack of some off-brand beer from the shelf. [[Put back|Alcohol]] [[Buy Beer]]

You notice the store clerk doing crossword puzzles, and can’t help but think of Alex. She is the only person under the age of fifty who regularly does the New York Times daily crossword puzzle. You don’t think she'd ever finished a single one. This is no time to get sad. Remember, you are on a mission. Forget the crossword puzzle and focus on the liquor. The only thing better than chocolate for a breakup is wine. You grab a cheap bottle of red wine from the shelf. Actually, better get two bottles—just in case. [[Put back|Alcohol]] [[Buy Wine]]

Beer? Wine? It's going to require something a lot stronger to get through this weekend. When was the last time you drank hard liquor? Time to live a little. You grab a bottle of rum from the shelf. [[Put back|Alcohol]] [[Buy Rum]]

The bottle of Jagermeister sitting on the shelf churns your stomach, transporting you back to a the less-than-flattering college days, your friend patting your back with your head plunged into the toilet regretting those four Jager and Red Bulls downed at the bar. Better pick something else. <<set $jager = true>> [[Put back|Alcohol]]

<<set $alc1 = 'a twelve-pack of beer'>> \ <<set $alc2 = 'grab a twelve-pack of beer from the fridge'>>\ <<set $beer = true>>\ You grab $alc1 and put it in your cart. <<set $alc = true>>\ <<if $groceries neq true>>\ [[Shop for Groceries.|Groceries]] <</if>>\ <<if $books neq true>>\ [[Shop for Entertainment.|Books]]\ <</if>>\ <<if $books eq true and $groceries eq true>>\ [[Checkout]]\ <</if>> <div class="inventorynote">*You have a new Key Item in your inventory.</div>

<<set $alc1 = 'two bottles of red wine'>> \ <<set $alc2 = 'pour a glass of wine'>>\ <<set $wine = true>>\ You grab $alc1 and put it in your cart. <<set $alc = true>>\ <<if $groceries neq true>>\ [[Shop for Groceries.|Groceries]] <</if>>\ <<if $books neq true>>\ [[Shop for Entertainment.|Books]]\ <</if>>\ <<if $books eq true and $groceries eq true>>\ [[Checkout]]\ <</if>> <div class="inventorynote">*You have a new Key Item in your inventory.</div>

<<set $alc1 = 'a bottle of cheap rum'>> \ <<set $alc2 = 'mix yourself a rum and coke'>>\ <<set $rum = true>>\ You grab $alc1 and put it in your cart. <<set $alc = true>>\ <<if $groceries neq true>>\ [[Shop for Groceries.|Groceries]] <</if>>\ <<if $books neq true>>\ [[Shop for Entertainment.|Books]] <</if>>\ <<if $books eq true and $groceries eq true>>\ [[Checkout]]\ <</if>> <div class="inventorynote">*You have a new Key Item in your inventory.</div>

You begin placing the groceries, $alc1, and a copy of $book on the counter, startling the cashier. Cashier: “Goodness! I’m so sorry—I didn’t realize anyone was in here. You find everything OK?” [["Yeah, thanks."]]

You shift uncomfortably at her excitement. “Not really. I used to come up here as a kid, but I don’t remember ever hearing about it.” Cashier: "Just awful what happened to those poor girls." [[“Do they have any idea who did it?”|Who did it]]

“I used to come up here as a kid, but I don’t remember ever hearing about it." You lean forward. "Tell me everything.” The cashier's eyes light up when she notices your excitement. You're so happy to have a fellow true crime junkie to talk to. Maybe this weekend won't be so bad after all. Cashier: “Oh, they tried to keep it quiet, keep people from panicking. Murder isn’t exactly great for tourism, but in a small town word always travels.” [[“Do they have any idea who did it?”|Who did it]]

The cashier keeps intense eye contact while she bags your groceries. Cashier: “Nope. Never been any suspects or persons of interest, at least that they released to the public. They’re pretty sure it must have been a local, or someone who spent a great deal of time out here. The Butcher knew the land inside and out—it’s what’s made him so hard to catch.” You raise an eyebrow. [["Him?"]]

Cashier: “Oh, come on now. How many female serial killers can you name, and ones that target young women no less? No, this has male suspect written all over it.” [["Do they know how he found his victims?"]]

“Do they know how he found his victims? Was he snatching them in the middle of the night or did he convince them to come with him somehow?" Cashier: “No one can say for sure as there are no survivors that the police know of. It’s unlikely he was just sneaking around though. You’d think someone would notice. More likely he’s a charming, unassuming fellow. One of those psychopaths like the BTK Killer—have a family and everything. We know he targeted ladies by themselves, but the lack of a struggle at the places they were last seen makes police think he convinced them to come with him willingly." [["How would he do that?"]]

<<set $journal3 = true>>\ Cashier: "Oh, lots of ways. The hitchhikers are obvious. Nice man offers them a ride into town. Then, they’re never heard from again. Could be the promise of alcohol, drugs, or maybe people are just lonely and looking for company. Who knows? But it’s scarier to think it could be anyone, even someone I know." The cashier flashes a toothy grin. Cashier: "What brings you all the way out here anyways? You don’t look like a hunter. Weekend getaway with your boyfriend?" [["No, I'm solo this weekend."]] [["No, I'm...recently single."]] <div class="inventorynote">*New journal entry.</div>

You snicker internally at the 'boyfriend' comment but decide to ignore it. A small town like this probably 'won't take to kindly to your type'. "No, I’m solo this weekend. My family owns a cabin up on the hill at the end of the county road. It doesn’t get much use. I'm fixing it up to get ready to sell." Cashier: "That’s the old Albertson place, right?" [[Nod.]]

You snicker internally at the 'boyfriend' comment but decide to ignore it. A small town like this won't 'take to kindly to your type.' "No, I'm...recently single. My family owns a cabin up on the hill at the end of the county road. It doesn’t get much use. I'm fixing it up to get ready to sell." Cashier: "I'm sure a pretty girl like you won't stay single for long. That cabin — that’s the old Albertson place, right?" [[Nod.]]

Cashier: "You one of Terry’s nieces?" "Yeah, how’d you know?" Cashier: "Oh, she used to spend a ton of time up here. Pretty much lived in that cabin except for the winter. I'd chater her up when she came in. Her and George just adored you girls. I was so sad to hear when your aunt passed." [["I miss her."]]

Cashier: "How’s your uncle these days?" [["He passed away a few years after my aunt. Heart attack."]]

Cashier: "I’m so sorry to hear that. They were wonderful people. I’m glad we finally had the chance to meet. You here for a while?" [["No, just the weekend. I have to be back in Chicago for work on Tuesday."]]

Barb: "Hell of a drive. Well, my name is Barb. It was great to meet you." [["I’m Robin. It was nice to meet you too, Barb."]]

Barb: "Take care now, and stay safe out there." [[Grab your groceries and leave.]]

<<audio newsmuffled stop>>\ <<audio storebell play>>\ It was nice to hear Barb talk about your aunt and uncle, but you miss them a lot. This weekend is going to be hard enough as it is. You don’t have much daylight left and really need to get to the cabin before dark so you can find that key...or break in. <span class="delay">[[Continue...|Cabin Intro]]</span>

<<audio nightsounds volume 0 fadein>>\ You drive up the long, dirt driveway to the cabin just after dark. It’s pitch black as the trees obscure the light of the moon. You keep the keys in the ignition, leaving the car lights on so you can see. [[Walk towards the cabin.]]

The cabin is smaller than you remember. You step onto the porch, waiting for the warm, fuzzy nostalgia feelings to kick in. They don’t. You just stand there, feeling empty and lonely. And a little creeped out. Leaves crunch as something rustles around in the bushes. Better just try to get inside. [[Try the front door.|Front Door]] [[Try the back door.|Back Door]] [[Search for the cabin key.|Search Cabin Key]]

You head towards the front door and turn the knob. Locked. It was worth a try. <<set $frontdoor1 = true>>\ <<if $backdoor1 neq true>>\ [[Try the back door.|Back Door]] <</if>>\ <<if $cabinkey1 neq true>>\ [[Search for the cabin key.|Search Cabin Key]] <</if>>\ <<if $backdoor1 eq true and $cabinkey1 eq true>>\ With the doors locked and the key nowhere to be found, it seems like climbing in through a window is the only option left. [[Search for an open window.|Open Window]] <</if>>

You head around to the back of the cabin to try the other door. The light dims as you move further away from the car. You pull your flip phone out of your pocket and open it up. The light doesn’t do much, but it’s better than nothing. [[Keep moving.|Back Door 2]]

You start to get chilly. You head back to your car to get your jacket, then head towards the Front Door. The rustling sound starts again. You squint into the trees, but it's too dark to see. [[Hurry to the porch.]]

You try to open the window to the right of the cabin. Locked. Of course it’s fucking locked. This cabin is Fort Knox. You clench your fists, frustrated. You can’t catch a break, even way out here. [[Try not to panic.]]

<<audio nightsounds fadeout>>\ <<audio quickbreath play>>\ You feel yourself beginning to panic. Not again. Your face is burning and your heart feels like it’s going to beat out of your chest. You fall to the ground and hug your knees as tears well in your eyes. <center><span class="shake">[[Calm down.]]</span></center>

You squeeze your knees tighter and close your eyes. <center><span class="shake">[[Take a deep breath.]]</span></center>

Crisp air fills your lungs as you breathe in deeply. You try to hold your breath, but your body shakes as you feel yourself losing control. Why are you like this? Why can’t you just be normal, just enjoy a relaxing weekend in the first place you can call familiar since your parents moved to Florida? <center><span class="shake">[[Breathe out.]]</span></center>

<<audio quickbreath stop>>\ <<audio slowbreath play>>\ Breathe leaves your lungs slowly. Everything is overwhelming. You’ve spent the last several months agonizing over a break-up that you instigated. You need to let it go, if not forever, just for this weekend. Remember why you’re here. <center><span class="shake">[[Take a deep breath.|Deep Breath 2]]</span></center>

Let go of your knees. It’s not a big deal. You’ll find a way in. Worst case, you grab a hotel for the night, order a pizza, watch reruns of <i>Friends</i>, and call a locksmith in the morning. <center><span class="shake">[[Breath out.|Breath out 2]]</span></center>

You can do this. <span class="calm">[[Stand up.]]</span>

<<audio slowbreath stop>>\ You stand up and wipe your tears away with your sleeve. You take one last giant gulp of air and walk around the side of the cabin to the next window. [[Try to open the window.]]

<<audio windowopen play>>\ You grab the bottom of the window and push up. The window gives way. Finally! See? You were almost there before your brain imploded. [[Climb inside.]]

<<timed 2s>><<audio thud play>><</timed>>\ You boost yourself up and swing your legs over the ledge of the windowsill. Your body slides downwards, feeling your feet make contact with the floor. You stand up straight... <span class="date2">...and head into the darkness.</span> <span class="delay">[[To Be Continued...|The End for Now]]</span>

<h2>Chapter Two: Memory</h2> <span class="quote">"How happy is the blameless vestal’s lot! <br>The world forgetting, by the world forgot.<br>Eternal sunshine of the spotless mind!<br>Each pray’r accepted, and each wish resign’d...”</span> Alexander Pope, <i>Eloisa to Abelard</i> [[Begin Chapter Two|Stand Up]]

<h2>Chapter Three: Memory</h2> <span class="quote">"I wasn't scared; I was just somebody else, some stranger, and my whole life was a haunted life, the life of a ghost."</span> Jack Kerouac, <i>On The Road</i> [[Begin Chapter Three|Dream Sequence]]

<h2>Chapter Four: The Butcher</h2> <span class="quote">“Apres nous le deluge”</span> King Louis XV [[Begin Chapter Four| ]]

<h2>Chapter Five: The Way Out</h2> <span class="quote">"[Death] is like walking up the stairs to your bedroom in the dark, and thinking there is one more stair than there is. Your foot falls down, through the air, and there is a sickly moment of dark surprise as you try and readjust the way you thought of things."</span> Lemony Snicket, <i>Horseradish</i> [[Begin Chapter Five| ]]

The window slams behind you as you slip underneath it and stand up. Your eyes struggle to adjust as you stand in the dark room. The car headlights illuminate dim silhouettes of furniture covered in white cloths. [[Search for a Lightswitch]]

First Floor Master Bedroom Bathroom Entryway Kitchen Living Room Office Second Floor Crawl Space Bathroom 2 Bedroom Outside Tool Shed? Firepit? Forest? <<back "Close Map">>

You feel along the wall, searching for the lightswitch. [[Search to the Left]] [[Search to the Right]]

Double-click this passage to edit it.

DREAM SEQUENCE VIDEO <span class="long delay">SATURDAY, OCTOBER 24, 2009</span> <span class="longdelay2">It's freezing when you wake up. The fire has gone out, and your neck is killing you from using NAME OF BOOK as an awkward pillow. You passed out on the couch last night, and your head is killing you from drinking too much.</span>

<div class="lines"></div>\ <ul class="list">\ <li style="font-size:58px;line-height:80px;">NOTES</li> <li style="font-size:28px;">BAYTOWN BUTCHER</li> <li>Years Active - 1989-1998</li> <li>Victims - 11 known, possibly more</li> <li>Victim Profile - Young women traveling alone, aged 16-26 years old </li> <li style="padding-left:60px;">probably campers, hitchhikers</li> <li>Modus Operandi - Strangle and dismember victims, dump bodies in the bay</li> <<if $journal2 is true>>\ <li>Unconfirmed Victims - 6 missing women, bodies never found</li> <li>Suspects - None</li> <</if>>\ <<if $journal3 is true>>\ <li>Suspect Profile - Male, possibly local, knows the area well</li> <</if>>\ <li><<back "Close Journal">></li> </ul>\

"This too," you say, handing the newspaper to the cashier. She flashes a smile that sends a chill up your spine. Cashier: “You familiar with the Baytown Butcher?” <<set $newspaper = true>>\ [[Not really...]] [[Tell me everything!|Not really everything]] <div class="inventorynote">*You have a new Key Item in your inventory.</div>

<center>The 'Saves' button allows you to save your progress to your browser or load a previous save file.</center> [[Continue|Restart]]

<center>The Restart button allows you to begin the story from the beginning.</center> [[Continue|Arrows]]

<center>The arrows in the upper-right hand corner can be used to visit previous passages. </center> [[Continue|Toggle]]

<center>Use the small toggle option in the upper-right hand corner to hide or show the menu.</center> [[Begin Story|Chapter One]]

<center>As you progress through the story, inventory items will become accessible through the menu above. </center> [[Continue|Saves]]

<<audio ":all" stop>> <<audio wind play>>\ <h1>The Cabin</h1> Thank you for playing the first chapter of The Cabin. I hope you enjoyed it. Chapters Two through Five will be available in Summer 2023. <div class="main-menu">\ [[Credits]] </div> <br>

<<cacheaudio "wind" "/thecabinstory/audio/wind.mp3">>  <<cacheaudio "car" "/thecabinstory/audio/cardrive.mp3">> <<cacheaudio "pop" "/thecabinstory/audio/partyusa.mp3">> <<cacheaudio "rock" "/thecabinstory/audio/koolthing.mp3">> <<cacheaudio "oldies" "/thecabinstory/audio/fleet.mp3">> <<cacheaudio "news1" "/thecabinstory/audio/news1.mp3">> <<cacheaudio "news2" "/thecabinstory/audio/news2.mp3">> <<cacheaudio "news3" "/thecabinstory/audio/news3.mp3">> <<cacheaudio "nokiatires" "/thecabinstory/audio/nokiatires.mp3">> <<cacheaudio "badpopsong" "/thecabinstory/audio/badpopsong.mp3">> <<cacheaudio "nokia" "/thecabinstory/audio/nokia.mp3">> <<cacheaudio "beepsigh" "/thecabinstory/audio/beepsigh.mp3">> <<cacheaudio "rain" "/thecabinstory/audio/rain.mp3">> <<cacheaudio "wiper" "/thecabinstory/audio/wiper.mp3">> <<cacheaudio "storebell" "/thecabinstory/audio/storebell.mp3">> <<cacheaudio "generalstore" "/thecabinstory/audio/generalstore.mp3">> <<cacheaudio "newsmuffled" "/thecabinstory/audio/newsmuffled.mp3">> <<cacheaudio "newsmuffled" "/thecabinstory/audio/newsmuffled.mp3">> <<cacheaudio "nightsounds" "/thecabinstory/audio/nightsounds.mp3">> <<cacheaudio "crash" "/thecabinstory/audio/crash.mp3">> <<cacheaudio "quickbreath" "/thecabinstory/audio/quickbreath.mp3">> <<cacheaudio "slowbreath" "/thecabinstory/audio/slowbreath.mp3">> <<cacheaudio "windowopen" "/thecabinstory/audio/windowopen.mp3">> <<cacheaudio "thud" "/thecabinstory/audio/thud.mp3">>

<<audio badpopsong stop>>\ <<audio nokia play>>\ The phone rings. Surprise! It’s Mom again. [[Answer the phone.]] [[Hit ignore.|Hit Ignore 2]]

<<audio crash play>>\ Your foot snags on something unseen. Your body crashes into what feels like a stack of wooden crates as you land flat on your face. Your elbow is scraped, and your finger slips into a new hole in the knee of your jeans. Pull yourself up and try to be more careful. [[Keep searching.|Back Door 3]]

You reach the back of the cabin and a open the screen door. You try to open the main door. Locked. <<set $backdoor1 = true>>\ <<if $frontdoor1 neq true>>\ [[Try the front door.|Front Door]] <</if>>\ <<if $cabinkey1 neq true>>\ [[Search for the cabin key.|Search Cabin Key]] <</if>>\ <<if $frontdoor1 eq true and $cabinkey1 eq true>>\ With the doors locked and the key nowhere to be found, it seems like climbing in through a window is the only option left. [[Search for an open window.|Open Window]] <</if>>

Mom: “Not sure why it wouldn’t be, but a lot of the windows are pretty old and the locks are busted. Just walk around until you find one unlocked and climb in.” “I’m already regretting this trip.” <<set $key = true>> <<if $butcher neq true>>\ [[Ask about the Butcher.|Butcher 1]] <</if>>\ <<if $family neq true>>\ [[Ask about your family.]] <</if>>\ <<if $family eq true and $butcher eq true>>\ [["Does the cabin have power?"|Power]] <</if>>

You and Alex used to make fun of these novels. You think back to a trip to a bookstore when you first started dating. You spent almost an hour walking through the romance aisle, laughing at the ridiculously seductive covers and reading the most perverse lines that you could find through a quick page flip. Where did things go so wrong? You feel yourself getting pulled back into the mental breakup loop. [[Put back.|Books 2]] [[Buy this book. |Buy Romance]]

The faded nametag on her chest reads 'Barb.' She grabs the items and mindlessly swipes and bags them one by one. Your eyes wander, falling onto the newspaper stand. The front page headline reads 'MURDERS UNSOLVED TWENTY YEARS LATER.' Is this all they ever talk about in this town? Though in a county of less than a thousand full-time residents, there probably isn't much else to discuss. [[Grab the Newspaper]]

Cashier: "I bet. She was a riot. I first met her, must have been almost twenty years ago now, at the farmer’s market. She was selling some of her miniatures. Ended up buying one for myself. A little, porcelian Christmas house." [["That sounds like Aunt Terry. Always tinkering, making things."]]

You stand on your tip-toes and reach up above the doorframe, feeling around for the <strong>Cabin Key</strong>. “Nothing,” you mutter under your breath. Of course there's nothing. It’s been years since that key was put there. It must have gotten blown off by the wind...or taken. You try to put that last thought out of your mind. You feel around on the ground aimlessly. It’s so hard to see right now. If the <strong>Cabin key</strong> is here, you'll have a better chance of finding it in the morning. <<set $cabinkey1 = true>>\ <<if $frontdoor1 neq true>>\ [[Try the front door.|Front Door]] <</if>>\ <<if $backdoor1 neq true>>\ [[Try the back door.|Back Door]] <</if>>\ <<if $backdoor1 == true and $frontdoor1 == true>>\ With the doors locked and the key nowhere to be found, climbing in through a window is the only option left. [[Search for an open window.|Open Window]] <</if>>