Books and Gumshoe

This is a complete history of all the known variations of [[Immortality]] in the year 2106. 01. [[Gene Alpha-Omega 662]] - First noticably appeared in 2028, prior cases suspected but unconfirmed. 02. [[Synergized Alpha-Omega 662 CRISPR]] - First successful human test on August 24th, 2034 03. [[The Galapagos Cellular Virus]] - Colloquially referred to as The Stasis, first outbreak occured in Nice, France, following a university group's return from a study of the Galapagos Turtles in March, 2042 04. [[Elven Syndrome]] - First discovered in 2105. Studies are still priliminary. [[Next Step]]

im-mor-tal-i-ty (i(m)ˌmôrˈtalədē) Noun: The ability to live forever, eternal life. Unending existence, the inability to die. [[[[Return->Beginning - Historical Briefing]]]]

Gene Alpha-Omega 662 is a gene that appears on the 13th chromosome that inhibits physical aging past the approximate ages of 25 to 35 years old in humans. It was uncovered by the scientific community in 2028, however there are numerous suspected individuals who possess Gene Alpaha-Omega 662 to have been around for centuries before the discovery. Incomplete List of Suspected Individuals: Anne Hathaway - American Actress Keanu Reeves - Canadian Actor Doctor Arthur Merlin - British Scientist [[Return to Main List->Beginning - Historical Briefing]]

The synergized variant of Alpha-Omega 662 was successfully tested in 2034 through use of Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats (CRISPR) by an international coalition. The variant works by activating the dormant gene inside those who possess it. Due to the way Alpha-Omega 662 works, those eligable to receive the treatment must be free of any and all illnesses and major physical injuries prior to administration. Most countries also require recipients be over the age of 30 years. [[Return to Main List->Beginning - Historical Briefing]]

The Galapagos Cellular Virus, also known as The Statis, is a Megavirus that, when successfully overtaking a large organism, slows down cellular aging by over 800%. The spread to humans came after close contact with Galapagos Tortoises, or //Chelonoidis nigra//, in 2042. It is spread through contact with infected blood and other bodily fluids such as white blood cells and bone marrow. Humans infected with the Galapagos Cellular Virus experienced reduced aging. Based on estimates and ongoing studies, assuming infected individuals do not experience unpredicted severe bodily trauma, they will continue to age at a fraction of the standard rate, potentially living for 800 to 900 years. Treatments are still in experimental phases, although public opinion has affected testing. [[Return to Main List->Beginning - Historical Briefing]]

Studies are currently inconclusive. A handful of subjects have been acquired for study, but very little has been gathered so far. Subjects: Professor Dimitri Zaryanova - Anadyr, Siberia, Russia Drew Hampton - Coffs Harbour, New South Wales, Australia Detective Aether Lilyjoy - Manhattan, New York, United States Doctor Brenda Adele - Hervey Bay, Queensland, Australia Patrick O'Brien - Drogheda, Northern Ireland [[Return to Main List->Beginning - Historical Briefing]]

Are you ready to take the next step? [[No! I wasn't done reading!->Beginning - Historical Briefing]] [[Who are you?]] [[Yes, I am.]]

Wonderful, then it's time to wake up, Detective. [[Wake up]]

Your name is Aether Lilyjoy, and you are a detective in Manhattan's [[Immortal Crimes Division]]. You have to go to work today. It's mostly paperwork, though. Depending on how the day goes, you might go to the local library to see [[Agatha Johnson]]. What do you want for breakfast? [[Cereal and milk]] [[Pancakes and eggs]] (if: $Pancakes_and_eggs is true)[ ~~[[Pancakes and eggs]]~~ ] [[Monster Energy and an old donut]] [[Starbucks on your commute]]

This division became standard in most police forces around the world around 2050. Given that most forms of immortality known are resiliant, severe trauma does not result in the victim's death. The ICD mostly keeps tabs on registered immortals in their district, making sure they don't disappear. [[Return->Wake up]]

You rummage around your kitchen after getting ready. You found a half-full box of Cinnamon Toast Crunch and a full box of Cheerios. Lucky you! Unfortunately, you're out of milk. What are you going to do? [[Pour the Cinnamon Toast Crunch in a bag and eat it on your way to work.]] [[Pour the Cheerios in a bag and eat it on your way to work.]] [[Mix the two into a bag and eat it on your way to work.]] [[Screw it, you'll just get Starbucks.]]

Aether, you have to be at work in 45 minutes, you don't have time to make pancakes and eggs! [[Fine, I'll pick something else.->Wake up]] (set: $Pancakes_and_eggs to true)

You've been good this mouth, you deserve a treat! There's a Starbucks on the corner between the subway station and your job, so you stop there. The barista, a teenage boy you've seen a few times, greets you and takes your order. It's early, so the only other customer is another detective. You don't know him that well, he works in a different divison. Still, you're polite and wave as he passes you with his coffee and sandwich. He gives you a nod. You get your hot chocolate and sandwich before ducking into the police station. The elevator is already packed so you elect to take the two flights of stairs to your floor and make it without dropping anything. You have a couple reports to finalize, but you also got an email last Friday that your boss wanted to see you. Which will you take care of? [[Finish the reports, you'll see your boss later anyways.]] [[Go talk to your boss first, it might be about the reports.]]

You have a feeling you might regret this as you fish that can of Monster out of the back of your fridge while holding the donut in your mouth. The donut is mostly stale, if you didn't have good dental insurance through your job, you wouldn't risk it. Between bites of the donut, you try to loosen the texture with gulps of Monster. Yuck! That tastes disgusting! By the time you get to work, your stomach is uneasy. The elevator is already packed so you elect to take the two flights of stairs to your floor with the hopes that it'll calm your stomach. By the time you reach your floor, your stomach has erupted into more pain. You collapse on the way to your desk, and one of your coworkers calls an ambulance. You spend the next 48 hours in the emergency room. Neutral Ending: You Can't Eat Like You're in Highschool Anymore [[Start Over->Beginning - Historical Briefing]]

You fill a ziplock bag with what is perhaps too much Cinnamon Toast Crunch before leaving to catch the subway. During your ride, you begin to fidget as the sugar courses through your system. When you arrive at work, the elevator is already packed so you elect to take the two flights of stairs to your floor and make it without tripping over anything. You have a couple reports to finalize, but you also got an email last Friday that your boss wanted to see you. Which will you take care of? [[Finish the reports, you'll see your boss later anyways.]] [[Go talk to your boss first, it might be about the reports.]]

You fill a ziplock bag with a reasonable amount of Cheerios before leaving to catch the subway. During your ride, you regret not bringing something to drink as your mouth is painfully dry before you're halfway through the bag. When you arrive at work, the elevator is already packed so you elect to take the two flights of stairs to your floor. You have a couple reports to finalize, but you also got an email last Friday that your boss wanted to see you. Which will you take care of? [[Finish the reports, you'll see your boss later anyways.]] [[Go talk to your boss first, it might be about the reports.]]

You throw together a few handfuls of each cereal in a ziplock bag before heading to work. The combination of the cinnamon and honey makes you smile as you're packed into a subway car with other early morning commuters and jostled around like packages being driven down a ptohole-filled street. The elevator is already packed when you arrive at work, so you elect to take the two flights of stairs to your floor and make it without dropping anything. You have a couple reports to finalize, but you also got an email last Friday that your boss wanted to see you. Which will you take care of? [[Finish the reports, you'll see your boss later anyways.]] [[Go talk to your boss first, it might be about the reports.]]

You head to your desk and continue writing up a report on the immortal tax fraud ring your unit had taken down last week. You find it amazing how sometimes, when people learn they're immortal, they suddenly believe the law no longer applies to them the same way it did when they believed they only had about eighty years on this floating rock. You've been an adult for almost forty years, and yet you still need to show the bartender two IDs when you get drinks with your mortal friends. The only real trouble you ever considered getting into was during college, when you wanted to vandalize your cousin's cheating girlfriend's car. A beeping sound interrupts your thoughts and you look at your work phone. Detective Hargreeves, one of the few mortals in the ICD, is calling. He isn't your favorite coworker. He's stolen your food out of the breakroom too many times and he looks at you weird whenever you dye your hair a new color, but on the job he's professional and scarily good. Do you answer? [[Yeah, I'll finish this report in a bit.]] [[Screw him, you're still bitter he stole your Chinese food during last week's graveyard shift.]]

You go and sit outside your boss's office. You wait for about thirty minutes. She hasn't shown up yet. Do you keep waiting? [[Yeah, I'll keep waiting.]] [[No, I have things to get done today.->Finish the reports, you'll see your boss later anyways.]]

You answer the phone, and Hargreeves sounds... Nervous? (text-colour:yellow)["Lilyjoy, thank god. I called Katrina but I think she lost her phone again, or maybe I dialed it wrong... Can you come give me some backup? Maybe bring a couple other officers while you're at it?" ] "Uh, yeah, yeah. One sec, let me get a pen. What's your location?" (text-colour:yellow)["You remember the //[[Ghost case]]//? I got a lead. I'm out in the middle of nowhere and there's this creepy fuck-off cabin. I think I heard crying inside, but there's two cars here and I'm alone."] [["No problem, give me the address and I'll be there as soon as I can."]] [["Give me the address and I'll send you some back up."]]

You let the call go to voicemail. You finish up your first report before lunch. You stop by your boss's office to turn in the two reports and find she isn't in. [[Finish the second report and go home.]]

Case ID: NY-ICD-D-22042055069 Head of Investigation: Lieutenent Emilia Santana Primary Point of Contact: Detective Zachary Hargreeves Description: Case opened after numerous immortals disappeared from prominent nightclub LOVO on 40 E 58th Street. Primary focus is locating missing individuals and preventing more disappearances. Missing Persons - See Missing Persons Database for full descriptions: * Natalie Courtly, female, 132 years old, missing since October 27, 2099 * Marcus Jackson, male, 77 years old, missing since November 13, 2099 * Vixen Zamora, nonbinary, 532 years old, missing since April 17, 2102 * Cassadin Westly, male, 54 years old, missing since July 4, 2104 * Starr Nightingale, nonbinary, 213 years old, missing since January 3, 2105 [[Return->Yeah, I'll finish this report in a bit.]]

Hargreeves gives you the address before hanging up. You scribble it down before taking one of the undercover cars and heading out, sirens on until you get out of Manhattan. Soon enough the brick and mortor fades away into countryside and lush forests. If it weren't for why you were heading out here, you'd find the scenery idealic. You drive past the cabin, noting the two trucks and you think you catch a man walking past one of the windows. After spotting what looks like the entrance to a trail, you park the car there and radio in your location before emerging. A quick look around tells you that you're alone here. What do you do? [[Head to the cabin alone. You can handle whatever's waiting for you.]] [[Find Hargreeves first.]]

You get the address and take it to dispatch, who agrees to send a couple cars over. After that, you return to your desk and finish your first report before lunch, and the second by the end of your shift, having it signed and turned in to your boss's secretary before making your way outside and thinking about where to get food. [[Pick up dinner and go home. ->Finish the second report and go home.]]

There's a Starbucks on the corner between the subway station and your job, so you stop there. The barista, a teenage boy you've seen a few times, greets you and takes your order. It's early, so the only other customer is another detective. You don't know him that well, he works in a different divison. Still, you're polite and wave as he passes you with his coffee and sandwich. He gives you a nod. You get your hot chocolate and sandwich before ducking into the police station. The elevator is already packed so you elect to take the two flights of stairs to your floor and make it without dropping anything. You have a couple reports to finalize, but you also got an email last Friday that your boss wanted to see you. Which will you take care of? [[Finish the reports, you'll see your boss later anyways.]] [[Go talk to your boss first, it might be about the reports.]]

You make your way to the cabin. Hargreeves was right in its description. Despite it looking like a normal mountain cabin, something about it made the hairs on your neck stand. It was eerily quiet too. [[Knock on the front door.]] [[Do a perimeter sweep. Maybe you'll find a way in.]] [[Sneak inside]]

A quick phone call reveals that Hargreeves is hiding near the two trucks near the cabin. You make your way there and discover him hiding in the bed of one of the trucks. "So, what do we do?" You ask. Hargreeves looks aside, and you realize that perhaps he wasn't supposed to be out here. "Did anyone know you were out here?" You pressed. "Ah... No... Look, I got a lead and decided to investigate. These people have been missing for so long, I had to act!" Hargreeves was scowling. You had never worked with him on a case, so this was revealing a lot about your coworker to you. "So... We don't have a warrant?" You ask. Hargreeves frowned. "Just checking. C'mon, let's go." [[Go knock on the door.]] [[Find a way inside.]]

You pull your badge out and knock on the door. Immediately, a deep, howling bark sounded from inside the cabin. A couple seconds later, the door bulged as the dog scratched against it. You strain your ears as a voice calls over the dog's vocalizations, and it falls silent. Heavy footsteps approach the door and several locks and deadbolts are turned. When the door opened, you were greeted with a pale man with at least two feet and a hundred pounds of muscle on you. "The fuck you want?" The man scowled. You held up your badge. "Detective Lilyjoy of the Manhattan Immortal Crimes Department. We've received reports of missing Immortals hiding in this location. Would you happen to know anything about that?" You ask. The man frowns. "You have a warrant?" "Sir if you are suspected to be harboring immortals, I am allowed to locate them without a warrant, as per the New York Immortal Protection Act enacted in 2088." You say. The man's expression darkens. "Fine," he spits. He grabs a massive leather leash and leads a massive mutt past you. "We'll be out here if you have any questions, I guess." [[Enter the cabin.]]

You slink around the cabin, looking in windows for any signs of life. You notice a massive mutt dog asleep in the main room of the cabin, on its back and kicking it's hind legs. Its maw is open, exposing sharp teeth. You aren't normally scared of dogs, but this one makes you feel uneasy. Further down, you pass a basement window. You crouch down and attempt to peer inside. Either the window is covered in fabric or the room is very dark. You can't tell from your position. However, you do hear several sounds of distress, including two different voices crying. One of the voices sounds oddly familiar. [[Go find Hargreeves.->Find Hargreeves first.]] [[Try to find a way inside.]]

Hargreeves realizes he forgot his badge and gun in his car. While he goes to get them, you decide to knock rather than wait for him. You pull your badge out and knock on the door. Immediately, a deep, howling bark sounded from inside the cabin. A couple seconds later, the door bulged as the dog scratched against it. You strain your ears as a voice calls over the dog's vocalizations, and it falls silent. Heavy footsteps approach the door and several locks and deadbolts are turned. When the door opened, you were greeted with a pale man with at least two feet and a hundred pounds of muscle on you. "The fuck you want?" The man scowled. You held up your badge. "Detective Lilyjoy of the Manhattan Immortal Crimes Department. We've received reports of missing Immortals hiding in this location. Would you happen to know anything about that?" You ask. The man frowns. "You have a warrant?" "Sir if you are suspected to be harboring immortals, I am allowed to locate them without a warrant, as per the New York Immortal Protection Act enacted in 2088." You say. The man's expression darkens. "Fine," he spits. He grabs a massive leather leash and leads a massive mutt past you. "We'll be out here if you have any questions, I guess." [[Enter the cabin.]]

You stand in the main room, looking for anything out of place. In the main room, nothing seems to be amiss. There's a kitchen through an archway, and a bedroom across from where you stand. Which do you go to? [[Investigate the kitchen.]] [[Investigate the bedroom.]]

You enter the kitchen and look around. There is what looks to be a pantry door with three deadboats on it. [[Open the door.]] [[Return to the main room.]]

There's nothing amiss here. Maybe the strangest thing you find is one of the bed's has a Miami Dolphins plush on the pillow. A little odd since you remember them changing their name to the Miami Manatees in 2086. [[Return to the main room.]]

As you fumble with the locks, something crashes over your head and everything goes dark. Bad Ending: Caught Red Handed [[Start Over->Beginning - Historical Briefing]]

As you turn around, you come face to face with another man similar in appearance but not nearly as tall as the first, but still heavily muscular. To make matters worse, he's holding a bat. You take several steps back and hold up your badge with one hand. The man stops and lowers the bat as he regards your badge. "The hell are you doing here?" The man asked. "I thought you were a robber." "Your ah, brother?" You guess. "He let me in, I'm with the Immortal Crimes Department," you explain. If you wouldn't mind, I believe he's waiting outside, please join him until I've concluded my investigation." "Yeah, that's my older brother. Why are you here, though? We're mortals." [[Lie.]] [[Tell the truth.]]

"Several immortals have vanished over the past few months related to financial crimes. I have reason to believe they are hiding out in the local area." You say. You feel like telling this man you believe kidnapped immortals are within his home while he's holding a bat isn't the best idea. "Oh wow. Alright." The man sets the bat on the ground. "I'll go wait with my brother." He turns and disappears out the front door. [[Open the locked door.]] [[Investigate the bedroom.]]

"Several immortals have vanished in recent years, and I have reason to believe they may be here." You explain. "Now please wait out front with your brother until I've finished my investigation." The man seems to mull this over for a moment. In the silence, you hear scratching at the locked pantry door. Slow, desprate scratching. You look between the pantry door and the man. "Do you have a cat?" You ask. The man frowns. "Apologies, Officer," he says, taking a couple steps forward and raising his bat. [[You hear a gunshot.]]

You look up to see the man now lying face first on the ground as a growing red circle spreads underneath his shirt. Hargreeves steps closer and lowers his gun after kicking the bat towards you. "What the hell was that shit?" He asks. "You trying to see if you can die?" You stand there, unsure of what to say. "Nathan? Nathan!" You look up, the older brother is standing in the doorway. "Sir, wait outside--" Hargreeves begins. "No man, you shot my fuckin brother! Call a damn ambulance!" The man yells. "Look, call an ambulance and I'll tell you everything, I'll show you where those immortals are." You and Hargreeves share a glance. He nods to you. [[Take the man up on his offer.]]

You make your way to the pantry door and begin fumbling with the dead bolts. As you open the door, a silvery blur crashes into your face and knocks you unconscious. Bad Ending: Careless [[Start Over->Beginning - Historical Briefing]]

You call in an ambulance and back up, but the paramedics pronounce Nathan dead on arrival. Luckily, his older brother, John, still follows through. He explains that he knew for a while that something was wrong with his brother, but only discovered his brother had been kidnapping immortals the previous year. John apologizes to you and Hargreeves profusely, explaining he was trying to get Nathan to let them go. He started crying after showing some other officers where the immortals were being held. You kept your distance. You'd been on a few cases like this, and it always broke your heart to see. You waited around, helping the others collect evidence and photographs before telling Hargreeves that if he needed a statement he could get it from you tomorrow. Do you [[go home]] or [[head to the library]]?

You wait a while longer. She still hasn't shown up. Maybe you should go do something else? [[Nah, I can wait.]] [[Yeah I got work to do.->Finish the reports, you'll see your boss later anyways.]]

Aether, come on, you've got work to do. [[Gonna keep waiting.]] [[You're right, I do have work to do.->Finish the reports, you'll see your boss later anyways.]]

Dude, seriously? [[I'm immortal, I have all the time in the world.]]

Good for you, but you also HAVE A JOB. [[You're not my dad, you can't tell me what to do.]]

I may not be your dad, but I can do //this.// [[Wait, what are you doing?]]

You wasted everyone's time today. Go home and think about what you've done. Bad Ending: Don't be a lazy jackass. [[Start Over->Beginning - Historical Briefing]]

Good Ending: Case Closed [[Start Over->Beginning - Historical Briefing]]

You make it back into the city and stop by a small sandwich shop, getting two sandwiches before making your way to the New York Public Library. Lucky for you, the section Agatha works in is fairly empty tonight, with only three patrons scattered around the place, all in the depths of reading or research. Agatha sees you approaching and offers you a smile before pulling up another chair to her desk so you can join her. "Aether, it's good to see you! You look tired," she remarks as you crash into the chair. "Long day... We solved the Ghost case," you tell her. "Some psycho was holding all these immortals in his basement and torturing them." You shake your head. Even after all these years in the ICD, sometimes cases surprise you. "That's insane," she says, shaking her head. "Sometimes I worry about the world, you know?" [[Offer Agatha a sandwich.]]

You push against the blackened window frame, surprised to find it give. As you ease it open, light illuminates the dark room below and the moans and cries become louder. Luckily, the window is just big enough for you to slip inside. Once inside, you feel bile raise in your throat. The smell is awful, but what you see is infinitely more horrifying. Collapsed against a wall is a man whose arms have been skinned, with large metal needles skewarded through his legs. He looks up at you and moans in pain. For a moment, you're speechless. You kneel in front of the man and notice the criss cross of fresh and faded scars across his skin. "Are you Marcus Jackson?" You ask. He nods. "Are the others here?" He nods again, barely. "I'm Detective Lilyjoy of the ICD, I'll get you all out of here. "F-Fucker brought someone in... Days ago?" Jackson strains and tilts his head towards a barred door. "Don't think... Don't think he's done much to her yet..." [[Go to the barred door.]]

You find a window that is slightly open that looks into an empty dining room. After watching for a minute, it doesn't appear as though anyone inside the cabin is nearby. Do you enter? [[Yes.]]

After speaking with a few of your coworkers, you gather that your boss hasn't been in the past couple days and no one's been able to get ahold of her. You remember that she's been working with Detective Hargreeves on the [[Ghost case]], maybe he's heard something? [[Call Hargreeves back.]] [[She's probably just sick or had a family emergency. I'll talk to her another time. ->Finish the second report and go home.]]

The two of you sweep the perimeter and find a darkened window leading to a basement. After a quick test, you realize it's unlocked. The two of you can hear soft whimpers and cries from within. Hargreeves and you look at each other, silently contemplating what to do. After a moment, Hargreeves gestures for you to go through the door. "Why me?" "You can't die. I'm going to try to talk to whoever owns this place. Figure out what's going on." "What are you gonna do while I'm down there?" "Well I'll wait for you to tell me what's down there, and then I'll knock on the door." [[Go into the basement.]]

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After you leave work, you pick up some take out and relax at home with a book. Neutral Ending: Nothing Ventured, Nothing Gained [[Start Over->Beginning - Historical Briefing]]

You acknowledge that this is probably one of your more dickish actions towards Hargreeves, but whatever. You get back to your desk and call Hargreeves back. It barely has a chance to ring before he's yelling in your ear. "Really Lilyjoy? I called you over an hour ago!" "Sorry, I just saw the call. I was looking for Lieutenant Santana. No one knows where she is. Have you heard from her?" Hargreeves starts cursing. It's muffled so you think he's moved away from the phone. "Yeah, about that. Lilyjoy, if I give you an address can you come to it as fast as possible?" You sigh. "Is it important?" "Of course it's fucking important! You think I like standing in the middle of a forest with my dick in my hand? Can I give you the address or not?" You might've deserved that one. [["Yeah Hargreeves, give me the address and I'll be on my way."]]

You scribble down the address and head out in one of the unmarked cars, sirens and lights on until you get out of Manhattan. Soon enough, the brick and mortor fades away into the countryside and lush forests. You drive past the cabin Hargreeves gives you the address before hanging up. You scribble it down before taking one of the undercover cars and heading out, sirens on until you get out of Manhattan. Soon enough the brick and mortor fades away into countryside and lush forests. If it weren't for why you were heading out here, you'd find the scenery idealic. You drive past the cabin, noting the two trucks and you think you catch a man walking past one of the windows. After spotting what looks like the entrance to a trail, you park the car there and radio in your location before emerging.

As you ease the window open further, it lets out a whine as the frames rub against each other. You manage to get a leg inside before you hear the hurried clacking. Looking up, you see a massive dog barreling towards you from another room, their growl sounding more like a bear or a chainsaw than anything else. Quickly, you retract your leg and attempt to retreat, but the dog sinks its teeth in your calf, tearing through your pantleg and immediately drawing blood. You try to yank your leg free, since the dog is too big to fit through the window, but they're latched onto you. With enough yanking and minimal amount of crying, you manage to free the bloody mess of your leg from the dog and stumble into the woods as it barks after you. Hopefully you'll be able to drive yourself to the ER. Bad Ending: Play Stupid Games, Win Stupid Prizes [[Start Over->Beginning - Historical Briefing]]

You ease the window open further and manage to get inside. It's still dark, but the sunlight fills the room dimly. THe first thing you notice is the awful smell, but what you see is infinitely more horrifying. Collapsed against a wall is a man whose arms have been skinned, with large metal needles skewarded through his legs. He looks up at you and moans in pain. For a moment, you're speechless. You kneel in front of the man and notice the criss cross of fresh and faded scars across his skin. "Are you Marcus Jackson?" You ask. He nods. "Are the others here?" He nods again, barely. "I'm Detective Lilyjoy of the ICD, I'll get you all out of here. "F-Fucker brought someone in... Days ago?" Jackson strains and tilts his head towards a barred door. "Don't think... Don't think he's done much to her yet..." You stand and walk back to the window, relaying this information to Hargreeves. He seems to tense when you mention the door. He slides something to you. It's an axe. "No questions, get her out," he said. "I'm going around. Meet me in the main house." [[Open the barred door.]]

You pry off the barricade on the door and press your ear to the frame in time to hear shuffled footsteps to the other side of the door. Whoever's inside is planning on jumping you. Fair enough. You grab the doorknob and push it open, standing back as a blur swings at the doorframe, a baton? You move to look into the door and see Lieutenent Emilia Santana, your boss, standing there. "Lilyjoy?!" She gasps in a raised whisper. "The fuck are you doing here?" "Hargreeves called me for backup. Are you why he called? Are you alright?" You ask. You study her for a moment, she doesn't appear to be hurt. "I'm fine," she spits. "I haven't... I haven't been here long enough for him to hurt me. We need to get out of here." [[Find a way out.]]

You pry off the barricade on the door and press your ear to the frame in time to hear shuffled footsteps to the other side of the door. Whoever's inside is planning on jumping you. Fair enough. You grab the doorknob and push it open, standing back as a blur swings at the doorframe, a baton? You move to look into the door and see Lieutenent Emilia Santana, your boss, standing there. "Lilyjoy?!" She gasps in a raised whisper. "The fuck are you doing here?" In that moment it clicks why he wanted you to open the door. "Hargreeves called me. Did he know you were here?" Santana chews her lip before responding. "We decided to try something... I'll let you know when we get out of here if it was worth it. For now, lets [[get out of here]].

You have a few options to get out. Either you and Lieutenent Santana can go back out the window, or go through the main house. Unfortunately, neither is best. If you go through the window, you'd have to wait until backup arrives to rescue the others. If you go through the main house, there's a chance you'll run into the person responsible for this. [[Examine the stairway leading to the main house.->get out of here]]

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After explaining to Santana where Hargreeves is, you two make your way to the staircase leading to the main house. Santana lets out a groan as you look up. "It's rigged." She points at a massive metal cylander hanging by a thick cord in the rafters. If you were to trip it, even if neither of you got hurt, the sound would alert whoever was inside. How are you going to go about this? [[Walk up the stairs normally, if the trap gets tripped, catch the metal.]] [[Try straddling your feet so you only touch the very edges of the stairs.]]

You make it up about five steps when you hear a click beneath your feet and the metal cylander comes flying down. You brace yourself to catch it, but it slams into you and sends you crashing into the wall below. [[Ouch.]]

Somehow you manage to climb the stairs by putting all of your weight on the outer most edgge of your shoes. At the door, you test the handle and are surprised to find it unlocked. You ease it open and listen before creeping out. You can hear Hargreeves speaking to someone in another part of the house. "...Sir I've already explained, I have reason to believe that there are unregistered immortals within the area. It is for your safety I must search your residence," he was saying. You take the opprotunity as he speaks to move throughout the kitchen, peering around the wall into the hallway. Hargreeves stood opposite a massive man in the living room, who had an equally massive dog at his side. "And I've already told you that you can come back with a warrant, or let me watch you search." The man sneered. "I moved out here so I wouldn't have to deal with you assholes meddling constantly in everyone's shit." "I understand that, Sir. However if I come back with a warrant, it will also be with a much more aggressive and destructive team..." "Are you threatening me?" The man shouted. "Absolutely not, Sir. I'm simply explaining..." You look away from Hargreeves and the man as movement catches your eye. Another man, younger than the one talking to Hargreeves, but nearly identical, creeps out of another room, a metal bat in his hands. [[Search the kitchen for aide.]] [[Use the axe.]]

Not going to lie, Aether. That's one of the stupidest things I've ever seen you do. But, because it was funny as shit I'm going to let you redo that without having to start all the way over. You're welcome. [[Try Again->get out of here]]

A quick glance reveals there is little of use except a big wooden cutting board with a handle. You grab it and look back out. The man is advancing on Hargreeves while Hargreeves attempts to explain something. From the look of it, he's going to take Hargreeves head off. [[Intervene.]]

You grip the axe handle tightly and watch the man advancing from the other side of the house. As he approaches Hargreeves and the other man, he raises the bat above his head. If he hits Hargreeves with even half his strength, you know he'll die. [[Intervene now.]]

You race forward, jamming the cutting board between the bat and Hargreeves. It explodes in a shower of splinters, but luckily Hargreeves dives forwards at the sound. "What the fuck?! Hey, you fucking pigs sneaking around now?" The older man cries out. Hargreeves pulls out his gun and backs towards the door. "Both of you, on your knees, hands where I can see them!" Surprisingly, the two of them comply. You get them both in handcuffs as Hargreeves calls for backup. "Make sure you call in five ambulances, they're all down there," Santana says, walking past the two men to Hargreeve's side. [[Wait for backup.]]

You run forward, catching the bat on the axe and locking the two of you together. Hargreeves rolls to the side as you get dragged across the room. "What the fuck?! Hey, you fucking pigs sneaking around now?" The older man cries out. You barely pay attention, just trying to keep your footing as you grapple for the bat handle. Suddenly, you hear a thud and the man collapses to the ground, leaving you holding the axe and bat. You look up to see Santana holding her baton. She must've knocked him out Hargreeves pulls out his taser and backs towards the door. "You, on your knees, hands where I can see them!" He says to the older man in front of him. Surprisingly, he complies You get them both in handcuffs as Hargreeves calls for backup. "Make sure you call in five ambulances, they're all down there," Santana says, walking past the two men to Hargreeve's side. "Wait," the still conscious man says. "Look, I know this... Is bad, but I want to help. I'll explain everything." [[Wait for backup.]]

The three of you wait for the paramedics and backup to arrive, and Hargreeves and Santana fill you in on what happened. Santana went undercover at LOVO and ended up getting captured and brought out here. However, they neglected to get clearance before trying this stunt, so Hargreeves couldn't just rile up the whole department to come out here. You were pretty surprised to hear this, since both Hargreeves and Santana are very "by the book" detectives. Luckily, the paramedics and police showed up pretty quickly. You help them into the basement, tripping the trap so they can navigate it with ease before telling Hargreeves and Santana you need to leave. [[Go home.]] [[Go to the library.->head to the library]]

Good Ending: Fairly Bloodless [[Start Over->Beginning - Historical Briefing]]

Good question. I am The Narrator. I dictate your story based on your decisions. Does that answer your question? [[Sort of?]]

I understand the confusion. However who I am isn't that important right now. What matters is your story. Are you ready to continue? [[Yes, I am.]]

A fellow Immortal and a librarian at the New York Public Library in Manhattan. You've known each other for years and consider each other close friends. You've had feelings for her for a while and she occassionally flirts with you. You've been working up the courage to ask her out on a date for a few months now. [[Return->Wake up]]

You pull out the sandwiches you bought and hand her one. She accepts it with a smile and unwraps it before taking a massive bite. "Wow, you remembered my favorite," she says after a moment. "Of course I did," you say. "I also remembered..." You reach into the bag again and pull out a small bundle of cookies. "Aether you're such a sweetheart, what would I do without you?" Agatha asks. She plucks the cookies out of your hand and laces your fingers together. "Probably eat the dinner you packed a lot more often," you suggest. She giggles. Heat rushes to your cheeks as she does. She has such a pretty laugh. You squeeze her hand. Maybe you should tell her how you feel? [[I really should.]] [[What if she doesn't feel the same? I need to wait.]]

"Hey, uh, Agatha?" You start. "Yes?" "Do you want to get dinner sometime?" There's a pause and your breath catches in your throat. "Are you finally asking me on a date, Aether?" She asks. "Are you saying yes?" She laughs. "It took you long enough. I was worried I'd have to do it!" She gives your hand an affectionate squeeze. "Yeah, I'd love to. How about tomorrow night?" There, was that so hard? Good End: Get the Girl [[Start Over->Beginning - Historical Briefing]]

God Aether, you're an idiot. She's literally holding your hand right now! Ask her out! [[But what if...]]

AETHER! NO BUTS! Ask Agatha out!!! [[Jesus, fine! You know, for a narrator, you're pushy as hell!->I really should.]]