shadows on the mirror
by Chrysoula Tzavelas (2003)
Genres: Superhero

I am falling, I am fading, I am drowning, help me to breathe...

action: %
response: It's raining out. You lean your head against the window, the glass cold against your cheek, and watch the world slide by. The city is as grey as the skies, but rainbows catch in the trembling drops of water. The swish-slap of the windshield wipers and low hum of the air conditioner covers up the faint sound of his breathing. If you close your eyes, you can almost be somewhere else. Maybe if you try...

You tremble inside like a raindrop on the verge of falling, fighting to spread yourself out, let yourself drift away into the sky, away from this car, away from him, away from the fate ahead. But even with the fear, it's so hard to move on... or maybe because of the fear. Metal snugs around your wrist as he tightens the cuff, shattering your concentration. "None of that," he says. His voice isn't even cold, it's just empty. He touches a panel on the car's dashboard. "We'll be there soon," he adds. Soon.

IFComp ver 1.0
Players new to this game should type ABOUT. Hints are also available.

I see no more than you do
Believe me, I've tried
To find what is missing, to find what is wrong
To write the words to my happy-ending November song

- "November Song," Mark Henley

The car is large and comfortable, but it's still just a traveling cage, upholstered in sleek grey. The control panel on his side flashes discreet symbols you never learned to read, but in the center of the dashboard is the stereo, and above it hangs a mirror. The car has a back seat as well as a front; usually his kind comes in groups. There's only a plain black briefcase back there, though.

Your backpack is on the floor.

Galen is driving the car.
action: You examine Galen
response: From your dreams, you always thought he'd be tall. Big. Enormous.
He cast such a shadow in your dreams. But when you looked up in the park and saw him standing there in front of you, just a man, you could barely believe it. This is what had been hunting you, night and day, across world and wane? Not so tall, almost slight in build, unremarkable brown hair. But then his hand closed around your arm, stronger than the silver band there now, and you knew him. "Your grandfather asked me to find you, Enra," he said, and caught you as your knees buckled.

He's wearing an expensive-looking pair of shades that scrape across your nerves. His suit is very fine, although it bears the signs of being driven in for many hours. It's typical Man In Black garb. Silver glints at his neck.
action: You look at the backpack
response: When he caught you, he peeled it off of you like you were a child, holding your arm in one hand. After he had you cuffed, attached securely to him, he went through it. He took your caheris and stepped on it, breaking it into a thousand glittering pieces, and he took the rose pin that Bobby had given you, snorted, and tossed it into the undergrowth. He looked at your battered mystery novels, your dice, your lensless eyeglasses, laughed humorlessly, and left them in the backpack.

It's raining steadily out.
action: You look at the silver
response: (the cuff)
The silver cuff can loosen and tighten around your wrist like a training collar on a dog when he pulls on it, which is easy for him to do, because the other end is around his own wrist. It's closed.
action: You talk to Galen
response: He glances at you expectantly.
action: You ask Galen about the grandfather
response: "What does my grandfather want?" you ask.

"The usual," he says. "Power and immortality."
action: You ask Galen about the caheris
response: "Why did you break my little crystal?" you ask thoughtfully.

He gives you a look. "Instructions from your grandfather."
action: You ask Galen about the grandfather
response: "My grandfather told you to break my stone, specifically?"

"Yes."

Galen touches the control panel and a symbol flashes. It's still raining.
action: Drift
response: The word "drift" is not necessary in this story.

(If this was an accidental misspelling, you can correct it by typing OOPS followed by the corrected word now. Any time the story points out an unknown word, you can correct a misspelling using OOPS as your next command.)
action: You examine the control panel
response: You never learned to read the symbols. You've never had to drive yourself anywhere before. First there were Daddy's people, and then Stephan, and then Bobby. And now Grandfather's people, apparently. But not for long. Soon you won't go anywhere ever again.
action: You examine the briefcase
response: It probably has terrible weapons in it. Bombs. Nerve poisons. Battery swords. Laser nunchunks. Tasers. Smooth black tronic devices for unlocking doors and people equally well. It's closed.
action: You examine the door
response: This is the kind of door where all the useful functions- the window, the lock, the handle- are controlled from the driver's side. There's a handy ashtray, though. Too bad you don't smoke. It's closed.

Galen turns his head to look at you directly for a moment. The clouds directly ahead are darker.
action: You look at the ashtray
response: Absolutely spotless. Of couse.
action: You open the door
response: The car door seems to be locked.

Galen scowls at the storm ahead.
action: You ask Galen about the storm
response: "Do you like the rain?" you ask.

He turns to look at you, his mirrored gaze discomfiting. Then he turns back to the front again. "It suits my mood."
action: You examine the mirror
response: Yourself. You usually avoid mirrors because they always make you feel like you're falling, like if you don't hang on you'll slip to the other side and never find your way back.

Definitely nasty weather ahead.
action: You touch the mirror
response: You feel nothing out of the ordinary.

You finish passing the great bulk of the city.
action: You ask Galen about the immortality
response: His eyes flick towards you and then back outside.
action: You open the cuff
response: The cuff seems to be locked.

Galen taps his fingers on his leg thoughtfully.

Ahead, the sky is even darker, and flashes of light dance between clouds.
action: You examine the galen's neck
response: Half-hidden by his hair and collar, the links of the necklace are thin and wide. There seems to be a pendant of some sort but it's tucked under his shirt. When he moves his head, you can see that the skin under the chain is a chafed and fiery red.
action: You ask Galen about the chain
response: "Will you take this cuff off me?" you ask.

He doesn't bother responding.

A big truck passes, sending up a wave of spray that washes over the car.
action: You ask Galen about the necklace
response: "So, where'd you get the necklace from?" you ask.

His mouth curves up in a humorless smile. "It was a... gift... from your grandfather."

There's a flash of lightning in the distance.
action: You get the necklace
response: You lean back in your seat, stretching your hands out so wide. He moves his head to his left as you threaten his personal space, leaving his neck open. Quick as a fish, you dart your hand in, wrap your fingers around the chain and yank. He recoils, which helps, because the surge of energy that tingles through you almost makes you lose your grip. You fight back- and with a snap, the chain is in your hand.

"Oh," he says quietly. "Oh."

His hands go up to the weal around his neck. There's a pulse of white around you, and for a moment for a moment you are overcome by a wild, sourceless joy. From the pendant in your hand there sings an answering note. And then-

The car is large and comfortable, but it's still just a traveling cage, upholstered in sleek grey. The control panel on his side flashes discreet symbols you never learned to read, but in the center of the dashboard is the stereo, and above it hangs a mirror. The car has a back seat as well as a front; usually his kind comes in groups. There's only a plain black briefcase back there, though.

Your backpack is on the floor.

Galen is driving the car.

There's a click as ordinary vision returns, and the cuff drops off your wrist. Galen gives you a long, steady look, and then returns to driving.
action: You examine the necklace
response: The pendant is a flat, seven-sided crystal, in which a tiny downy feather has been imprisoned. The chain melds organically to the pendant, the links narrowing to a tiny filigree as they intersect the pendant. Holding it in your hand, you can feel the quiet thrum of an alien power in the artifact.
action: You ask Galen about Grandfather
response: You're certain, based on recent events, that he hates your grandfather as much as you do. Maybe even more.
action: You ask Galen about the necklace
response: "Where did this come from?" you ask, holding the pendant.

"Your grandfather had it crafted from certain materials he gathered. Then he collared me with it." His voice is almost entirely even.

Galen mutters something under his breath.
action: Break necklace
response: You move to swing the pendant sharply against the door. As you do, Galen says sharply, "Don't!" and reaches over to take hold of the chain just long enough to check its momentum.

"Don't," he says again. "It's not a good idea."
action: Wear necklace
response: You slip the chain over your head.

Galen takes the next exit, which is an interchange. You're now running parallel to the storm rather than driving into it.
action: 1
response: Saved.
action: You open the briefcase
response: You reach in the back seat and haul the briefcase forward into your lap. Galen watches this, raising his eyebrows. Fortunately you've learned a lot from this journey and ignore him quite successfully as you fiddle with the clasp. Locked, of course. You glare at it. A globular field sparkles around the clasp and there's a click as it unlocks and opens.

Inside, socks and toothpaste share space in a tiny overnight kit with a pair of neatly folded boxers. In the main compartment of the case there's a slim laptop and on top of it- aha! A battery sword!

Galen takes the next exit, which is an interchange. You're now running parallel to the storm rather than driving into it.
action: You get the sword
response: Almost certainly contaminated by MIB cooties. But you study it for a while, and suspect that with some time to digest the information, you could create one for yourself later.
action: You look at the sword
response: These show up in video games and spy novels all the time, but you've never seen a real one. Wow.
action: Inventory
response: You are carrying a cuff and a necklace.
action: You get backpack
response: You pick up your backpack.

Galen adjusts his sunglasses. It looks like the freeway is curving back around to the city.
action: You examine the laptop
response: Very sleek, very nice. Certainly top of the line, although you don't really pay attention to that stuff anymore.
action: You ask Galen about Bobby
response: "Why did Bobby act so strangely when you came to get me? Why didn't he help me?" He'd stood back, practically cowering, with your other friends when Galen showed up.

"I've been in his dreams, too. He doesn't remember them, but they probably made him uneasy. But, let's face it, anyone that might hurt him makes him uneasy."
action: You ask Galen about the dreams
response: "Why did I see you in my dreams?" you ask him.

"You're special," he says. "Most people don't."
action: You ask Galen about special
response: He has nothing but silence to offer you.

Galen watches you for a long moment.
action: You ask Galen about the destination
response: "Where are we going?" you ask.

"A park," he says. "I thought I'd drop you off at a park."

The car takes the upcoming offramp.
action: You ask Galen about park
response: "When we were at the park, you showed up practically out of nowhere. How did you find me?" you ask.

He hesitates and then says, "By visiting you in your dreams, a temporary link was forged that gave me a directional heading when we were both awake."
action: You ask Galen about the freedom
response: You're free now, though you're not quite sure why.

Now you're racing along the edges of the city again, back along the skeletal ribs of the city freeway system. This is a rather nice part of the city, but not where you would have expected to find yourself.
action: You take the backpack
response: You are already carrying the backpack.
action: You look at the feather
response: It's a tiny white feather, with a translucent, almost crystalline quill.

As you pass by a park, the car turns into the parking lot. A moment later, Galen has parked the car. He turns toward you, inscrutable behind his sunglasses. Then he brushes his fingers on the panel and the door beside you clicks as well.

"Go on, get out of here."
action: You go outside
response: (first opening the car door)
You open the door.
You slide out of the car.

There's comfortable scent of wet sidewalk and shattered ozone. Whirling autumn leaves race down the gutter as the late afternoon sky brightens overhead. To the south, there's a park, and beyond that, the embrace of the city awaits.
action: You look at car
response: The car that took you so far... Man, it's dirty.

It's open.
action: You get on the car
response: The car is large and comfortable, upholstered in sleek grey. The control panel on his side flashes discreet symbols you never learned to read, but in the center of the dashboard is the stereo, and above it hangs a mirror. The car has a back seat as well as a front; usually his kind comes in groups. There's only a plain black briefcase back there, though.

Galen is lounging inside the car.

A bird flies across the front of the car.
action: Go south
response: You head south, to the park. As you do, he gets out of the car and leans against it, taking his sunglasses off to watch you go.

***The end***
action: You get the backpack
response: You pick up your backpack.

Galen turns his head to look at you directly for a moment. It's raining steadily out.
action: You examine the shades
response: You can see yourself in his sunglasses, all distorted and wavy. You don't like them. Nothing's real through sunglasses, everything is just a game with a wall between you and the world. You've been there.

Galen scowls at the storm ahead. It's still raining.
action: You take the shades
response: You lunge at him, grabbing at the sunglasses. The metal tightens around your wrist again, but it can't do much to stop you. The car swerves for the briefest instant as he is distracted, his other hand coming up to fend you off. There's a brief tussle that ends with him holding your arm in an iron grip. But you are clutching his sunglasses. He looks at you impassively for a heartbeat, and then thrusts you away from him, back into your seat.

You have his sunglasses. Triumph!
action: You examine the shades
response: Lightweight, sleek, partially reflective. He looked good in them. Well, intimidating, which is what his kind consider 'good'. Too bad for him. They're yours now.
action: You wear the shades
response: You put on his sunglasses. You can feel his warmth on your cheeks for a moment, and then you hastily take them off, embarassed that he saw you acting so frivolously.

The clouds directly ahead are darker.
action: You examine the galen's face
response: The word "face" is not necessary in this story.

(If this was an accidental misspelling, you can correct it by typing OOPS followed by the corrected word now. Any time the story points out an unknown word, you can correct a misspelling using OOPS as your next command.)
action: You examine the galen's eyes
response: His gaze is constantly moving, flicking down the road, over passing cars, and towards you. He meets your eyes expressionlessly and then something flickers- what was that? Something strong. Even without your caheris you can see that.
action: You examine the glove compartment
response: There's a hatch flush with the dash of the car. It's closed.
action: You open it
response: Opened.

Galen rolls his head around his shoulders, stretching his neck. You catch a glimpse of his necklace.
action: You ask Galen about the sunglasses
response: "Do you want your sunglasses back?"

He eyes you warily. "All right."

"Tough!" you say gleefully. He snorts and turns his attention away from you.

Definitely nasty weather ahead.
action: You ask Galen about the caheris
response: "Why did you break my little crystal?" you ask thoughtfully.

He gives you a look. "Instructions from your grandfather."
action: You ask Galen about instructions
response: "My grandfather told you to break my stone, specifically?"

"Yes."
action: You look at the glove compartment
response: There's a hatch flush with the dash of the car. It's open.

Galen scowls at the road ahead.
action: You look in it
response: You see nothing in the glovebox.

Galen turns a fierce look on you. You finish passing the great bulk of the city.
action: You examine the necklace
response: Half-hidden by his hair and collar, the links of the necklace are thin and wide. There seems to be a pendant of some sort but it's tucked under his shirt. When he moves his head, you can see that the skin under the chain is a chafed and fiery red.
action: You ask Galen about yourself
response: Quietly, you ask Galen, "Do you know the sort of things I can do?"

He glances over at you, his voice flat as he recites. "Yes. You interface with reality on a subdimensional level as a result of prenatal modifications to your genetic and aethereal nature and catalyzed by a nanomechanistical substrate absorbed during adolescence. You require a focus item, and your generative capabilities can be externally suppressed." He sighs, but his eyes are burning.. "Or, as I imagine Bobby would say, some whacked out magic shit."

You've never heard it expressed quite like that before.
action: You ask Galen about Bobby
response: "Why did Bobby act so strangely when you came to get me? Why didn't he help me?" He'd stood back, practically cowering, with your other friends when Galen showed up.

"I've been in his dreams, too. He doesn't remember them, but they probably made him uneasy. But, let's face it, anyone that might hurt him makes him uneasy."
action: You ask Galen about the necklace
response: "So, where'd you get the necklace from?" you ask.

His mouth curves up in a humorless smile. "It was a... gift... from your grandfather."

Ahead, the sky is even darker, and flashes of light dance between clouds.
action: You ask Galen about the focus item
response: He just shakes his head, very slightly.
action: You ask Galen about the magic
response: Hah, magic. People always try to turn what they don't understand into magic. You're a product of technology.

Galen frowns at the dashboard.
action: You ask Galen about the necklace
response: "The old man really expects you to wear that thing even though it hurts?"

He inclines his head.

There's a flash of lightning in the distance.
action: You ask Galen about the technology
response: It's hard to describe your interface with computers and other machines in ordinary language, and not much fun to try. You've become pretty good at pretending you use all the normal methods, though.

There's the thunder.
action: You get the briefcase
response: It's very awkward to get a hand into the back seat to fiddle with the briefcase, as there's a cuff around the hand closest. You'd have to do some pretty significant contortions to get to the briefcase.
action: You examine cuff
response: It's very shiny, and there's a fine texture on the metal. You don't like it. You don't like touching it. It's a leash and collar, with spikes on the inside. It's closed.
action: You ask Galen about the necklace
response: "Where did this come from?" you ask, holding the pendant.

"Your grandfather had it crafted from certain materials he gathered. Then he collared me with it." His voice deepens, anger roughening it.
action: You ask Galen about Grandfather
response: You're certain, based on recent events, that he hates your grandfather as much as you do. Maybe even more.

Galen looks out the window.
action: You get the briefcase
response: You reach in the back seat and haul the briefcase forward into your lap. Galen watches this, raising his eyebrows. Fortunately you've learned a lot from this journey and ignore him quite successfully as you fiddle with the clasp. Locked, of course. You glare at it. A globular field sparkles around the clasp and there's a click as it unlocks and opens.

Inside, socks and toothpaste share space in a tiny overnight kit with a pair of neatly folded boxers. In the main compartment of the case there's a slim laptop and on top of it- aha! A battery sword!
action: You ask Galen about the sword
response: "Why do you have a battery sword?"

He sighs."It reminds me of home."
action: You get the laptop
response: Nah, you don't need it. It's very lightweight, sure, but nothing's as lightweight as what's between your ears.

Maybe you should reconsider the phrasing on that before you say it aloud. Anyhow, it would slow you down.
action: You ask Galen about the home
response: "They make battery swords where you're from?" you guess.

He smiles faintly. "Not battery swords, no."

Galen takes the next exit, which is an interchange. You're now running parallel to the storm rather than driving into it.
action: You read the laptop
response: That's so last evolution.
action: You open the backpack
response: Opening the backpack reveals some mystery novels, a pair of eyeglasses, and some dice.

Galen glances over at you, an odd look on his face.
action: You look at the dice
response: Six siders and twenty siders. Useful in work and play.
action: You roll the dice
response: Unfortunately, there's no good surface in the car to roll the dice.

The car takes the upcoming offramp.
action: You examine the eyeglasses
response: Coppery round metal frames with iridescent butterflies dancing along the earpieces. They help you focus sometimes.

It looks like the freeway is curving back around to the city.
action: Wear the eyeglasses
response: (first taking the pair of eyeglasses from the backpack)
You pull out your glasses.
You put your glasses on. Ah, that's better.

This is a rather nice part of the city, but not where you would have expected to find yourself.
action: You ask Galen about laptop
response: He has nothing but silence to offer you.

Galen shifts in his seat.
action: You examine the laptop
response: Very sleek, very nice. Certainly top of the line, although you don't really pay attention to that stuff anymore.

As you pass by a park, the car turns into the parking lot. A moment later, Galen has parked the car. He turns toward you, a half-smile on his face. Then he brushes his fingers on the panel and the door beside you clicks as well.

"Go on, get out of here."
action: You examine Galen
response: He's actually kind of attractive, now that you think about it. Not pretty, like Bobby, but there's something there that makes him not unpleasant to look at.

His suit is very fine, although it bears the signs of being driven in for many hours. It's typical Man In Black garb. His hair has been tousled from its previous immaculate state.

A bird flies across the front of the car.
action: You examine the necklace
response: The pendant is a flat, seven-sided crystal, in which a tiny downy feather has been imprisoned. The chain melds organically to the pendant, the links narrowing to a tiny filigree as they intersect the pendant. Holding it in your hand, you can feel the quiet thrum of an alien power in the artifact.
action: You get novel
response: Taken.

Galen leans back in his seat. A gaggle of children races down the sidewalk into the park.
action: You read the novel
response: You're not really in the mood for reading now.

Galen stretches his hand, watching as it closes into a fist.
action: You ask Galen about Grandfather
response: You're certain, based on recent events, that he hates your grandfather as much as you do. Maybe even more.
action: You ask Galen about himself
response: "So, what are you going to do now?" you ask.

"Oh, I'll be paying one last visit to your grandfather. He won't like that very much at all." Galen smiles unpleasantly.
action: You ask Galen about the recent events
response: He just shakes his head, very slightly.
action: You ask Galen about himself
response: "Um. What will you do after you... visit... my grandfather?"

He glances over at you. "I haven't decided."
action: You ask Galen about the necklace
response: "Did you really get this from my grandfather?" you ask, fingering the chain.

"Oh yes," he assures you, his jaw clenching. "Oh yes. He brought me to him and bound it around my neck. Bound me to him."

The cement is drying outside.
action: You close the door
response: The car door is already closed.
action: You drive
response: Galen just shakes his head.
action: Kiss galen
response: The mood has to be right...
action: You examine the sword
response: These show up in video games and spy novels all the time, but you've never seen a real one. Wow.

For a moment there's a bit of blue sky in the shifting clouds overhead.
action: You ask Galen about the dreams
response: "Why did I see you in my dreams?" you ask him.

"You're special," he says. "Most people don't."
action: You ask Galen about yourself
response: "So," you say. "You're not mad at me or anything, right?"

He gives you a quizzical look. "I'm very happy with you."
action: You look under the seat
response: You see nothing unusual under the front seat.

A kid on a scooter zooms by.
action: You turn on the stereo
response: You tuck a strand of hair behind an ear and flick the stereo on. Running your fingers across the touchpad, you make haunting cello strains fill the vehicle.

The beautiful sonorous chords of cello music flood the car.
action: You examine the stereo
response: State of the art, of course, but not much used, from the looks of it. The beautiful sonorous chords of cello music flood the car.
action: You turn on Galen
response: Not at the flip of a switch, you don't.

Galen rubs a spot under his eye.
action: You ask yourself about yourself
response: Talking to yourself won't accomplish anything.

A pair of teenagers wander by, sharing a cigarette.
action: About yourself
response: Definitely feeling better now that the evil cuff has been removed.
Not panicking was a great plan.
action: Break cuff
response: Stomping on it won't work. And it'd be best if this sort of thing couldn't cage you ever again. So you decide to spend the time and focus yourself on the cuff, analyzing every aspect of it. When you're done, you tell the cuff to stop existing. With a puff of dust, it is gone.

A dog races down the sidewalk, its leash trailing behind it. A shouting, grinning child chases after.
action: You destroy the necklace
response: You move to swing the pendant sharply against the door. As you do, Galen says sharply, "Don't!" and reaches over to take hold of the chain just long enough to check its momentum.

"Don't," he says again. "It's not a good idea."
action: You take the feather
response: You can't have that; it's part of the necklace.

A child carrying a pair of rollerblades marches past.
action: You examine the necklace
response: Half-hidden by his hair and collar, the links of the necklace are thin and wide. There seems to be a pendant of some sort but it's tucked under his shirt. When he moves his head, you can see that the skin under the chain is a chafed and fiery red.
action: You ask Galen about the destination
response: "So, where exactly are you taking me?" you ask, trying to sound casual.

He barely turns his head in your direction as he repeats calmly "Your grandfather asked me to return you to his estate."

More lightning.
action: You ask Galen about the estate
response: He has nothing but silence to offer you.

Galen shifts uncomfortably in his seat. The rain briefly becomes a downpour, reducing visibility, before returning to a steady drizzle.

Thunder.
action: Wear the eyeglasses
response: (first taking the pair of eyeglasses from the backpack)
You pull out your glasses.
You put your glasses on and stare defiantly out the front window. You're cute. You know it. Screw him.

Galen glances over at you.

Lightning.
action: You read the novel
response: You pick up one of the novels and flip restlessly through it before dropping it again, distracted by the rain.

THUNDER!
action: You wait
response: Time passes...

Lightning, THUNDER!
action: Break cuff
response: You can't. Every attempt you make to focus on the cuff slides off, and the cuff tightens around your wrist like a living thing.

A big truck passes, sending up a wave of spray that washes over the car. The car turns right into what turns out to be a very long driveway,old-fashioned wrought-iron lamps illuminating the darkened afternoon, making rainbows sparkle in every raindrop on your window.
action: You examine the rainbow
response: Staring into the raindrop is a little like focusing on your caheris. You can feel your breathing deepen and sense the raindrop expanding to surround you. All you have to do is step inside...

just let go of everything here...

and go on to something...

more...

lightningTHUNDERYour concentration is shattered.
action: You examine the raindrop
response: They're wiped from the windshield almost as fast as they can land, but on your window, they cling to the glass. Inside them, a rainbow shivers.

A large house comes into view around a gentle bend. Dread knots your stomach.
action: You look at the rainbow
response: "I can't!!" you shriek, and then whimper, "I'm afraid. I don't know what will happen..."

"Don't be," Galen says gently.
action: You examine the rainbow
response: You take a deep breath and then let the vast layers of repressed comprehension buried in your brain unfold around you. You enter the rainbow and the rainbow enters you.

Prismatic light spills out of your skin, your eyes, your mouth. You are going somewhere else, becoming something more as you stop resisting.

You are no longer afraid.

There are bells, cathedral bells.

A faraway voice, very near, whispers, "I'm glad you're finally free..."

***You have transcended***
action: Break mirror
response: Breaking that would serve no purpose.

A large house comes into view around a gentle bend. Dread knots your stomach.
action: You take the necklace
response: You lean back in your seat, stretching your hands out so wide. He moves his head to his left as you threaten his personal space, leaving his neck open. Quick as a fish, you dart your hand in, wrap your fingers around the chain and yank. He recoils, which helps, because the surge of energy that tingles through you almost makes you lose your grip. You fight back- and with a snap, the chain is in your hand.

"Oh," he says quietly. "Oh."

His hands go up to the weal around his neck. There's a pulse of white around you, and for a moment you are overcome by a wild, sourceless joy. From the pendant in your hand there sings an answering note.
And then-

The car is large and comfortable, but it's still just a traveling cage, upholstered in sleek grey. The control panel on his side flashes discreet symbols you never learned to read, but in the center of the dashboard is the stereo, and above it hangs a mirror. The car has a back seat as well as a front; usually his kind comes in groups. There's only a plain black briefcase back there, though.

Galen is driving the car.

Galen gives you a long, thoughtful look, and then returns to driving.

Galen leans back in his seat.
action: Wait
response: Time passes...
action: You look at your surroundings
response: The car is large and comfortable, but it's still just a traveling cage, upholstered in sleek grey. The control panel on his side flashes discreet symbols you never learned to read, but in the center of the dashboard is the stereo, and above it hangs a mirror. The car has a back seat as well as a front; usually his kind comes in groups. There's only a plain black briefcase back there, though.

Galen is driving the car.

The car stops. Galen touches the cuff around your wrist and looks past you at the men coming out of the house, loathing on his face. Then, coldly, he smiles and the cuff binding you, binding your power, opens. You are free, and all your fear transforms into exultation, and rage that seeks a target. Coming out of the house, your grandfather. And after-

***He'll never cage anybody again.***
action: You ask Galen about the stereo
response: He doesn't bother to respond.

A large house comes into view around a gentle bend. Dread knots your stomach.
action: You ask Galen about the fear
response: You lean against the door, hugging your backpack and ask quietly, "Are you afraid of my grandfather?"

You can see his jaw clench suddenly. Then he says quietly, "I'm afraid of being helpless." He pauses and then shrugs. "With your grandfather sometimes it's the same thing."
action: You ask Galen about the revenge
response: His eyes flick towards you and then back outside.

More rain.
action: You ask Galen about the love
response: You can't figure out how to bring that topic up.

The wind gusts, blowing the rain horizontal. The car stops. Galen leans back, sighing. He runs a hand through his hair, looking at you, something mysterious in his eyes. The front door of the house opens, and men in black suits come out. And after them- your grandfather. Galen releases the cuff from around his wrist and raises his hand to touch your cheek gently. "I'm sorry, Enra." Despair has never tasted so bitter.

***You did not escape***
action: You examine your glasses
response: Coppery round metal frames with iridescent butterflies dancing along the earpieces. They help you focus sometimes.

A large house comes into view around a gentle bend. Dread knots your stomach.
action: You tell Galen about yourself
response: You sit quietly, looking at the rain streaming down the window. "My favorite flower is wisteria. My father's estate had an arbor just covered in it, and the scent would be so strong it dizzied me."

"I know," he says softly.

You glance at him quickly. "How do you know?"

"You dream about it," he says simply.
action: You tell Galen about the daddy
response: His eyes flick towards you and then back outside.

The car stops. Galen leans back, sighing. He runs a hand through his hair, looking at you, something mysterious in his eyes. The front door of the house opens, and men in black suits come out. And after them- your grandfather. Galen releases the cuff from around his wrist and raises his hand to touch your cheek gently. "I'm sorry, Enra." Despair has never tasted so bitter.

***You did not escape***
action: You tell Galen about yourself
response: You sit quietly, looking at the rain streaming down the window. "My favorite flower is wisteria. My father's estate had an arbor just covered in it, and the scent would be so strong it dizzied me."

"I know," he says softly.

You glance at him quickly. "How do you know?"

"You dream about it," he says simply.

The wind gusts, blowing the rain horizontal.
action: You tell Galen about yourself
response: The plan to make him see you as a person seems to be foiled by the strange looks he keeps giving you and the distinct impression you get that he already sees you quite personally.

More rain.

More lightning.
action: You tell Galen about Bobby
response: "I wonder if I'll ever see Bobby again," you muse.

"Probably not," he says, his words clipped and angry.

Thunder.
action: You tell Galen about Grandfather
response: "Do you know what kind of man my grandfather is?" you demand. "He's not a kindly old man. He doesn't want to spoil me rotten. He wants to put me in his lab and take me apart."

White knuckles. He takes a deep breath and mutters, "I wish I knew what to do."
action: You tell Galen about yourself
response: You clear your throat. "I was pretty upset at you for kidnapping me." You hesitate. "But since it seems like you were in the same situation as myself... I don't think we need to worry about it anymore."

He studies you. "That's kind of you. Since I'd like to talk to you again in the future..."
action: Keep going
response: You're not sure you trust him... but in the end, you just got scared a little. You can forgive that, under the circumstances.

Galen throws an annoyed look up at the sky.
action: You tell Galen about Grandfather
response: "My grandfather, the bastard." you comment.

"You're too kind," he observes.

You shrug. "I'm keeping it PG."

Galen stretches his hand, watching as it closes into a fist.
action: You tell Galen about Bobby
response: "I hope he's not too worried about me."

"I'm sure he isn't."
action: You tell Galen about Bobby
response: "You are a bastard, but that doesn't mean you're bad," you inform him thoughtfully.

"Thanks," he says dryly.

He seems to have a poor opinion of Bobby.
action: You ask Galen about Bobby
response: "Come on, what is this problem you have with Bobby?"

Galen growls, "He's a worm. If he'd understood what you were, I could have paid him to turn you over to me. Anyone could have, and he wouldn't have asked for very much. He let me have you at the park."
action: You ask Galen about Bobby
response: You hesitate. "Really?"

He pauses, and his voice is a bit softer. "I've learned to recognise the scent, and I've seen his dreams."

Galen takes the next exit, which is an interchange. You're now running parallel to the storm rather than driving into it.
action: You ask Galen about Bobby
response: "What was in his dreams?" you ask nervously.

"Your nightmares. Domination. Degredation," he says.

The car takes the upcoming offramp.
action: You ask Galen about Bobby
response: You're not sure you believe him, but you always knew, deep inside, that Bobby was charming, not virtuous. You wanted something human.

Galen glances over at you, an odd look on his face.
action: You tell Galen about Bobby
response: "I really liked Bobby,' you say sadly.

He sighs. "I know."

Galen leans back in his seat. This is a rather nice part of the city, but not where you would have expected to find yourself.
action: You ask Galen about Galen
response: "So, what are you going to do now?" you ask.

"Oh, I'll be paying one last visit to your grandfather. He won't like that very much at all." Galen smiles unpleasantly.

It looks like the freeway is curving back around to the city.
action: You ask Galen about Galen
response: "Um. What will you do after you... visit... my grandfather?"

He glances over at you. "I haven't decided."

As you pass by a park, the car turns into the parking lot. A moment later, Galen has parked the car. He turns toward you, a half-smile on his face. Then he brushes his fingers on the panel and the door beside you clicks as well.

"Go on, get out of here."
action: You ask Galen about Galen
response: There's suddenly so much to ask that a thousand unasked questions beat each other into the silence that emerges. You'll clearly need some time to put your thoughts in order before you can interrogate Galen further.

A bird flies across the front of the car.
action: You look at Galen
response: He's actually kind of attractive, now that you think about it. Not pretty, like Bobby, but there's something there that makes him not unpleasant to look at.

His suit is very fine, although it bears the signs of being driven in for many hours. It's typical Man In Black garb. His hair has been tousled from its previous immaculate state.
action: You ask Galen about the hair
response: His eyes flick towards you and then back outside.
action: You ask Galen about human
response: He doesn't bother to respond.

A gaggle of children races down the sidewalk into the park.
action: You turn on the stereo
response: You tuck a strand of hair behind an ear and flick the stereo on. Running your fingers across the touchpad, you make haunting cello strains fill the vehicle.

The beautiful sonorous chords of cello music flood the car.
action: You tell Galen about the dreams
response: "I remember you, from my dreams." You close your eyes. "You were a presence watching me. At first I thought you were just another of the ephemera, but there's something different about your presence there." He is quiet, but you can sense that he is listening closely to you.

The cement is drying outside.
action: You tell Galen about the dreams
response: "You didn't intrude, for which I'm grateful." There's a bit of heat in your cheeks. "You were just on the edges, a shadow in a cloak of black wings, with burning eyes, watching. And getting closer."

He smiles faintly at your description of him.
action: You listen
response: The beautiful sonorous chords of cello music flood the car.

For a moment there's a bit of blue sky in the shifting clouds overhead.
action: You ask Galen about the wings
response: Look, it's plain to see, he doesn't have wings. Just a rumpled suit. And you don't have wings (which is a pity), and there aren't any pet birds in the car.
action: You examine the mirror
response: Yourself. You usually avoid mirrors because they always make you feel like you're falling, like if you don't hang on you'll slip to the other side and never find your way back.
action: Kiss galen
response: The mood has to be right...
action: You ask Galen about the mirror
response: He just shakes his head, very slightly.

A kid on a scooter zooms by.
action: You ask Galen about dreams
response: You frown. "How did you find me in my dreams? You did it, I know it was you chasing me."

He turns to look at you. "I know about you, Enra. I haven't just read the files, I've been in your dreams. Whatever you are, you make me look ordinary."
action: You ask Galen about Galen
response: There's suddenly so much to ask that a thousand unasked questions beat each other into the silence that emerges. You'll clearly need some time to put your thoughts in order before you can interrogate Galen further.
action: You ask Galen about the dreams
response: "How did you get into my dreams?" You enunciate carefully.

He sighs. "I just do it. I've always been able to do it. It's just something I do."
action: You ask Galen about the dreams
response: Man, his special abilities aren't well-documented at all.

Galen looks out the window.
action: You tell Galen about the stephen
response: He has nothing but silence to offer you.

Galen shifts in his seat.
action: You look at the galen's eyes
response: Good humor flickers in his eyes as he keeps an eye on you as well as the surrounding park.

A baseball flies over the roof of the car. A moment later, a girl scrambles after it.
action: You ask Galen about the home
response: There's not a flicker of expression on that face.

"So where are you from?" you ask.

He says, "Oh, the city."

Galen rubs a spot under his eye.
action: You ask Galen about the city
response: "Do you like the city?" you ask.

He looks out the window. "It's not too bad," he says.
action: You ask Galen about family
response: "Do you have any family?" you ask.

He smiles. "Siblings only."
action: You ask Galen about the siblings
response: "What's it like, having siblings?" you ask.

"We fight a lot," he admits. "There's always some drama going on. I miss them."
action: You ask Galen about the siblings
response: "So, are you going home to your siblings after this?" you ask.

"I suppose I will eventually." He gives you a little smile. "But not yet, I think."
action: You ask Galen about the home
response: "Are you really from the city?" you ask him suspiciously.

He chuckles. "A city, certainly."
action: You ask Galen about the sword
response: He just shakes his head, very slightly.
action: You ask Galen about the home
response: "What's your home like, then?" you ask.

"My home in this city is an apartment. I keep my collections there," he explains.
action: You ask Galen about the collections
response: "What do you collect?" you ask.

"Stained glass. Old maps." He shrugs. "They pass the time, and remind me of home."
action: You ask Galen about the stained glass
response: "Don't you enjoy your hobbies?" you ask curiously.

Another shrug. "It's better than stamps." He considers. "I suppose I have grown fond of some of the pieces."
action: You ask Galen about the stained glass
response: His collection sounds very pretty, and you'd love to hear more about it. But conversations like that are best had while sprawled on a couch, surrounded by the subject matter.
action: You ask Galen about the maps
response: His collection sounds very pretty, and you'd love to hear more about it. But conversations like that are best had while sprawled on a couch, surrounded by the subject matter.

A homeless lady with two full shopping bags wanders by.
action: You ask Galen about the love
response: The word "thank" is not necessary in this story.

You have a feeling that'd be an uncomfortable conversation for both of you at this point.

Galen rubs a spot under his eye.
action: You ask Galen about the hopes
response: He has nothing but silence to offer you.

Galen looks out the window. A dog races down the sidewalk, its leash trailing behind it. A shouting, grinning child chases after.
action: You ask Galen about the car
response: "So, how about this car," you murmur.

He glances at you. "I didn't catch that."

"Never mind," you say.
action: You take the cuff
response: You are already carrying the cuff.
action: You tell Galen about the car
response: You say thoughtfully, "I guess it's not a terrible car. It needs a wash, though."

He simply doesn't bother to answer that.
action: You wear the cuff
response: No way.
action: You examine the necklace
response: The pendant is a flat, seven-sided crystal, in which a tiny downy feather has been imprisoned. The chain melds organically to the pendant, the links narrowing to a tiny filigree as they intersect the pendant. Holding it in your hand, you can feel the quiet thrum of an alien power in the artifact.
action: You put the necklace on Galen
response: There's no good surface on Galen.

A pair of students with brightly colored hair wander by, arguing loudly.
action: Wear necklace
response: You slip the chain over your head.
action: Break cuff
response: Stomping on it won't work. And it'd be best if this sort of thing couldn't cage you ever again. So you decide to spend the time and focus yourself on the cuff, analyzing every aspect of it. When you're done, you tell the cuff to stop existing. With a puff of dust, it is gone.

A child carrying a pair of rollerblades marches past.
action: You ask Galen about the family
response: He's got siblings somewhere that he misses, but he's not going home yet. Hmm.
action: You ask Galen about Grandfather
response: You're certain, based on recent events, that he hates your grandfather as much as you do. Maybe even more.

Galen leans back in his seat.
action: You ask Galen about the destination
response: You're there now.

A man carrying a sign saying 'God Loves' wanders by.
action: You ask Galen about the future
response: He just shakes his head, very slightly.
action: You ask Galen about yourself
response: "So," you say. "You're not mad at me or anything, right?"

He gives you a quizzical look. "I'm very happy with you."

The sun peeks out from behind the clouds for just a moment.
action: Kiss galen
response: The mood has to be right...

Galen shifts in his seat.
action: You examine the sun
response: The sun's just behind that cloud.
action: You examine seat
response: (the front seat)
A comfortable bucket seat.
action: Recline seat
response: Thick, puffy clouds, so pale as to be white, almost cover the sky.

Galen throws an annoyed look up at the sky.

The word "recline" is not necessary in this story.
action: You go outside
response: (first opening the car door)
You open the door.
You slide out of the car.

There's comfortable scent of wet sidewalk and shattered ozone. Whirling autumn leaves race down the gutter as the late afternoon sky brightens overhead. To the south, there's a park, and beyond that, the embrace of the city awaits.
action: You go north
response: The car is large and comfortable, upholstered in sleek grey. The control panel on his side flashes discreet symbols you never learned to read, but in the center of the dashboard is the stereo, and above it hangs a mirror. The car has a back seat as well as a front; usually his kind comes in groups. There's only a plain black briefcase back there, though.

Galen is lounging inside the car.

The beautiful sonorous chords of cello music flood the car.
action: Go outside
response: You slide out of the car.

There's comfortable scent of wet sidewalk and shattered ozone. Whirling autumn leaves race down the gutter as the late afternoon sky brightens overhead. To the south, there's a park, and beyond that, the embrace of the city awaits.
action: Go east
response: You can't go that way. Obvious exits lead back to the north and south.
action: You examine the park
response: You can see a playground with a merry-go-round and swings, as well as a large field where some children are chasing a black dog across the wet grass.
action: You look at car
response: The car that took you so far... Man, it's dirty.

It's open.
action: Close car
response: Closed.
action: You open the car
response: Opened.
action: You go north
response: The car is large and comfortable, upholstered in sleek grey. The control panel on his side flashes discreet symbols you never learned to read, but in the center of the dashboard is the stereo, and above it hangs a mirror. The car has a back seat as well as a front; usually his kind comes in groups. There's only a plain black briefcase back there, though.

Galen is lounging inside the car.

The beautiful sonorous chords of cello music flood the car.

A pair of teenagers wander by, sharing a cigarette.
action: You give the necklace to Galen
response: (first taking the necklace off)
You offer the necklace back to him, dangling from your fingers.

"Keep it," he says. "I do not want it."
action: You give the shades to Galen
response: Galen considers the sunglasses, and then shrugs dismissively.
action: You give your sunglasses to Galen
response: Galen considers the sunglasses, and then shrugs dismissively.

A squirrel drags a little paper bag across the parking lot.
action: You hug Galen
response: You lean over and hug Galen. He seems to enjoy it, in a reserved and silent kind of way.
action: You hug you
response: Galen just shakes his head.