Awakening
by Pete Gardner (2009)
Genres: Horror

Awakening on the ground next to an open grave, you have no recollection of how you came to be there. Do you investigate the nearby church and graveyard, or leave well enough alone?

action: %
response: An ear-shattering crash shocks you into wakefulness as a bolt of lightning splits the dark sky in two. The downpour begins abruptly, pelting exposed soil with enough force to create pockmarks resembling the surface of the moon. You realize that your eyes are open and the fat raindrops strike them relentlessly. Another searing bolt assaults your senses, followed again by the thunderclap, but less quickly now, as the center of the storm moves away from your location.

Something deep inside you begins to grow restless. Perhaps, at last, it is time to move. Your tongue slithers dryly in your mouth. You are thirsty.

Loose, muddy soil covers most of the ground and the air is heavy with the deep, fertile smell of freshly-turned earth. Nearby, a large hole gapes darkly, the depths of which are hidden in shadow.

A bleak churchyard stretches into darkness in all directions, the only recognizable exodus lying to the south, where a path winds down the slope of a hill.

(TIP: Type "help" to display the Help Menu.)
action: About yourself
response: You look down at yourself. Covered with moldy filth, it is hard to make out what part of you is flesh and what is caked earth. Even the downpour has not washed enough away to make a difference.
action: You examine the hole
response: It seems to descend into the earth rather deeply, more than the eye can address.
action: Go downwards
response: Although it would be simple to head off in any direction, you are hesitant. It is entirely possible you may become lost.
action: You get in the hole
response: The thought repels you.
action: You take the dirt
response: That's hardly portable.
action: You look at the dirt
response: It is scattered in loose heaps around the large hole by which you awoke.
action: You think
response: What a good idea.
action: Go south
response: An iron-wrought gate lies askew on rusted hinges, no longer able to prevent external access to the churchyard during late hours. The muddy path leading past them and southwards into the church grounds is being churned by the heavy rain, but not quite enough to completely obscure a faint impression therein.

Standing alone a little to the west is a small gatehouse, its narrow entrance and a pane-less window little more than dark smudges in the prevailing gloom.

After taking a few steps, you are overcome with nausea and drop to your knees in a dry retch. Your head spins for several fevered moments. You need to drink badly...
action: Drink rain
response: You throw your head back and allow the water pelting down on your face to enter your mouth. Once enough has gathered, you swallow desperately. Instead of satisfying your thirst, even minutely, your insides begin to boil and you are forced to bend over and spew it back out.
action: You go south
response: The gravel path you are on passes by a plot of manicured land upon which resides a small church building. It is fashioned of dark river stone, stained all the darker from the downpour. Its steeple rises suddenly into the gloom, so that the belfry up top is partially obscured. Through the barred windows a glimmer of yellow light issues, flickering like candlelight. The front entrance is to the east, while the path continues south.

Some unexplainable attraction pulls your attention to the old church building to the east...
action: You look at the steeple
response: It is run down and badly in need of repair. Like everything else about the church building.
action: You examine the windows
response: Marvelous works of stained glass, they depict several famous individuals from scripture, namely Adam and Eve, Noah, Moses, Joseph, Issac, Jacob, David, Solomon, Daniel and finally Christ Himself.
action: Go east
response: The heavy oaken doors of the church loom before you, presenting a sensation of disorientation that you did not experience from a distance. Great brass handles present you with a means of access to shelter from the torrential weather. There are curious inscriptions and bas-relief carvings worked into the wood.
action: You examine the carvings
response: They are a crude native rendering of something that appears to be a Kraken swallowing a dinghy. Or perhaps that is a larger vessel. It is difficult to tell.
action: You examine the handles
response: Massive and shaped from solid brass, they are sculpted into the shape of a lion's head.

Your throat feels as though it were on fire, so desperate is your need to find something to drink.
action: You open the door
response: They seem to be locked.
action: You knock on the door
response: You rap loudly on the church doors.
action: You pull the handles
response: Those are fixed in place.
action: Go west
response: The gravel path you are on passes by a plot of manicured land upon which resides a small church building. It is fashioned of dark river stone, stained all the darker from the downpour. Its steeple rises suddenly into the gloom, so that the belfry up top is partially obscured. Through the barred windows a glimmer of yellow light issues, flickering like candlelight. The front entrance is to the east, while the path continues south.
action: Go south
response: Here is where parishioners must have parked their vehicles, be they wagon or automobile, before proceeding north to the church building.
A gravel road leads north past the front of the church. To the south, a rain-slicked road leads off into the dark distance. East of here is a wooden coach house.
action: Go east
response: The coach house is quite old, and indeed once served to house a horse-driven coach. It has since been converted for use by automobiles. There are shelves lining the walls containing various items one would expect to find in a garage. Against the north wall is a rubber tire. Access to the driveway is to the west, through the main entrance, and a small exit leads east.
action: You take the tire
response: A lug wrench hidden behind the rubber tire is revealed.

The coach house is quite old, and indeed once served to house a horse-driven coach. It has since been converted for use by automobiles. There are shelves lining the walls containing various items one would expect to find in a garage. Access to the driveway is to the west, through the main entrance, and a small exit leads east.

You can see a lug wrench here.
action: You take wrench
response: Taken.
action: You examine the wrench
response: It is a cross-shaped tool for removing the lug bolts on an automobile tire. It is quite sturdy and heavy. Something about it makes you uneasy...
action: You check what you're carrying
response: You are carrying:
a lug wrench
a rubber tire
action: You look at the items
response: Useless.
action: You go to the east
response: Running between the coach house and a small shack to the east, this path is lined on both sides by tall brush and bracken, which block your view elsewhere.
action: You go to the east
response: A small shack rises out of the overgrowth in a clearing at the end of the winding path. It looks quite old, but has not fallen into disrepair, as has the coach house and the other small buildings on the church grounds. Along the front is a wooden door, and a small square window to its right, which flickers with a pale yellow light issuing from within.

You can see a wooden door here.

Something within the shack seems to call out to you and every fiber of your withered flesh cries back in reply. Somehow there is no doubt that relief to your torment lies within the little structure standing before you.
action: You examine the window
response: It looks rather cheery. All things being relative, that is.
action: You knock on the door
response: There is some shuffling behind the door. Its knob turns slowly and it opens a crack. A bloodshot eye peers at you, assessing you quietly. Then, the door opens a little further and framed there, his back to the crackling flames of a fire within the shack, stands an old man, probably the caretaker.
action: You talk to the caretaker
response: "You're a strange one," he says. "What is it you're wantin"?"
action: You bite yourself
response: Not here... Not like this. You feel as though you must first gain his trust.

You are momentarily overtaken by a coughing spell, your lungs rattling dryly deep inside your chest...
action: About yourself
response: You look down at yourself. Covered with moldy filth, it is hard to make out what part of you is flesh and what is caked earth. Even the downpour has not washed enough away to make a difference.
action: You talk to the man
response: "I don't know ye, sir. Perhaps it's best ye be on yer way."
action: You talk to man
response: "Do you have something for me?" he asks shakily. "Is this a delivery?"
action: You show him the the tire
response: The caretaker is unimpressed.
action: You follow you
response: The caretaker has better things to do.
action: You talk to the man
response: "If you've nothing to tell me, then I'll be telling you something. Good day!"

You stagger and drop to your knees, the strength fleeing your body. For several long moments, your body shudders in silent spasms before you are finally able to collect your wits and struggle back to your feet.
action: You talk to man
response: "If you've nothing to tell me, then I'll be telling you something. Good day!"
action: Bite man
response: Not here... Not like this. You feel as though you must first gain his trust.
action: You enter door
response: Somehow, you cannot bring yourself to enter the shack without the caretaker's invitation. It would be...impolite.
action: You check what you're carrying
response: You are carrying:
a lug wrench
a rubber tire
action: You show yourself to the man
response: (first taking yourself)
You are always self-possessed.
action: Look around
response: A small shack rises out of the overgrowth in a clearing at the end of the winding path. It looks quite old, but has not fallen into disrepair, as has the coach house and the other small buildings on the church grounds. Along the front is a wooden door, and a small square window to its right, which flickers with a pale yellow light issuing from within.

The caretaker is here, looking uncertain.

You can also see a wooden door here.
action: Go west
response: The caretaker nods and says, "Goodbye, then."
Winding Path
Running between the coach house and a small shack to the east, this path is lined on both sides by tall brush and bracken, which block your view elsewhere.
action: Go west
response: The coach house is quite old, and indeed once served to house a horse-driven coach. It has since been converted for use by automobiles. There are shelves lining the walls containing various items one would expect to find in a garage. Access to the driveway is to the west, through the main entrance, and a small exit leads east.
action: You examine the shelves
response: They are covered with years of grime and debris. The items on them are useless to you.
action: Go west
response: Here is where parishioners must have parked their vehicles, be they wagon or automobile, before proceeding north to the church building.
A gravel road leads north past the front of the church. To the south, a rain-slicked road leads off into the dark distance. East of here is a wooden coach house.
action: You go north
response: The gravel path you are on passes by a plot of manicured land upon which resides a small church building. It is fashioned of dark river stone, stained all the darker from the downpour. Its steeple rises suddenly into the gloom, so that the belfry up top is partially obscured. Through the barred windows a glimmer of yellow light issues, flickering like candlelight. The front entrance is to the east, while the path continues south.
action: You go to the north
response: An iron-wrought gate lies askew on rusted hinges, no longer able to prevent external access to the churchyard during late hours. The muddy path leading past them and southwards into the church grounds is being churned by the heavy rain, but not quite enough to completely obscure a faint impression therein.

Standing alone a little to the west is a small gatehouse, its narrow entrance and a pane-less window little more than dark smudges in the prevailing gloom.
action: You go west
response: There is just enough room in this tiny hut to sit and keep watch--were there still a chair upon which to sit. Presently, nothing remains but a cramped space to stand while one gains a moment's respite from the ceaseless downpour outside. The exit leads east to the gateway.

A shallow desk is built into the wall under the window.
action: You examine the desk
response: It must have been used by the attendant for whatever paperwork might have been required of him. Just what sort of paperwork that might be escapes you. And for that matter, the need for a cemetery attendant at all gives rise to question. There is a small drawer set into the desk, which appears locked.
action: You open it
response: The small drawer is thoroughly locked, however a determined tug on your part wrenches the locking mechanism completely free of the splintering wood. There is a brass key within.
action: You take the key
response: Taken.
action: You go east
response: An iron-wrought gate lies askew on rusted hinges, no longer able to prevent external access to the churchyard during late hours. The muddy path leading past them and southwards into the church grounds is being churned by the heavy rain, but not quite enough to completely obscure a faint impression therein.

Standing alone a little to the west is a small gatehouse, its narrow entrance and a pane-less window little more than dark smudges in the prevailing gloom.

You reach up to the back of your head and you scratch fiercely, trying to attend to a sudden and intense itch. As you bring your hand away, you discover a clump of dry, withered hair clenched in your claw-like fist. Shuddering inwardly, you cast it away, not wanting to look at it any longer.
action: Go south
response: The gravel path you are on passes by a plot of manicured land upon which resides a small church building. It is fashioned of dark river stone, stained all the darker from the downpour. Its steeple rises suddenly into the gloom, so that the belfry up top is partially obscured. Through the barred windows a glimmer of yellow light issues, flickering like candlelight. The front entrance is to the east, while the path continues south.
action: Go east
response: The heavy oaken doors of the church loom before you, presenting a sensation of disorientation that you did not experience from a distance. Great brass handles present you with a means of access to shelter from the torrential weather. There are curious inscriptions and bas-relief carvings worked into the wood.
action: You unlock the door with the key
response: You unlock the church doors.
action: You open the door
response: You open the church doors.
action: Go east
response: The entryway to the church leads north to the nave. You can see the entire ground floor of the church from here: North of the nave is the chancel and east of the nave is an alcove.

You are distracted by a maddening itch in your throat, your mouth, your tongue. This thirst...if only you could quench it...
action: Go north
response: The nave is where parishioners would gather to sit in the pews and hear the preached message. The walls are paneled with aged cedar and the high, vaulted ceiling fades away into darkness above. An altar stands at the front of the room, before a raised area called the chancel. Arched stained-glass windows line the east and west walls. Access to the chancel is north of the nave and south leads to the entryway. To the east is a small alcove containing an organ. A narrow doorway up by the chancel leads to the northwest.
action: You examine the organ
response: A heavily scaled-down version of the "Mighty Wurlitzer," circa 1924. Covered with dust, it has not seen active duty for a long time.
action: You examine the altar
response: It appears to be made of gopher wood.

You are thirsty...so very thirsty.
action: Go east
response: A small recess where the church organ is kept. It affords a clear view of the nave and the chancel. The nave is west of the alcove, and a small exit leads north.
action: You play the organ
response: You cautiously press Middle C. Nothing happens. Not surprising, really.
action: Go north
response: This tall, narrow hallway extends from the alcove and ends in a creaky set of steps leading upwards. The walls are painted white, and somewhat smudged. The floor is covered with a red carpet.
action: Go upward
response: This small area is rather featureless and dark. The bare floorboards creak under your weight. A set of stairs leads down to the narrow hallway and a white door leads north.

You can see a white door here.
action: You open it
response: That's already open.

Everything around you begins to blur as your eyesight fades. You are desperately thirsty and your flesh is crying out for replenishment. With a vicious shake of your head, you manage to coerce your vision to return.
action: Go north
response: A large desk standing against the west wall furnishes this otherwise empty room. The bare floor is in good condition, suggesting that this office was not used very often. A window in the north wall looks out into the wet darkness beyond. Above the desk against the western wall is a portrait.

You can see a white door here.
action: You examine the portrait
response: A rendition of an elderly man, perhaps the founder of this church. It is dusty and covered in cobwebs.

Your stomach begins to cramp badly and you are forced to pause as you double over in pain. After some time, the pain fades and you are able to move again.
action: You move portrait
response: It is fixed in place.
action: You open the door
response: That's already open.
action: Clean portrait
response: You achieve nothing by this.

You notice that you need to turn your head to look to the left or the right. It seems that your eyeballs will not turn in their sockets, as though they have been sealed in place due to a lack of moisture.
action: You close the door
response: You close the white door.
action: You look at the door
response: You see nothing special about the white door.

You are thirsty...so very thirsty.
action: You open it
response: You open the white door.

You reach up to the back of your head and you scratch fiercely, trying to attend to a sudden and intense itch. As you bring your hand away, you discover a clump of dry, withered hair clenched in your claw-like fist. Shuddering inwardly, you cast it away, not wanting to look at it any longer.
action: You examine the desk
response: Fashioned of rich cherry wood, it sports a broad desktop and a number of drawers. Where its legs meet the floor there appears to be a few scratch marks on the otherwise polished surface.
action: You open the drawers
response: There's no need to open the desk drawers. They are all sitting open, revealing their stark emptiness.

Your stomach begins to cramp badly and you are forced to pause as you double over in pain. After some time, the pain fades and you are able to move again.
action: Search drawers
response: The desk drawers are empty.
action: You examine the panel
response: Set flush into the surface of the wall, it has a small emblem in the shape of a griffin embossed onto its surface. Compared to the polished finish of the rest of the panel, the griffin seems a little dull.
action: You open the panel
response: That's not something you can open.

You are momentarily overtaken by a coughing spell, your lungs rattling dryly deep inside your chest...
action: Rub griffin
response: You achieve nothing by this.

A cold shudder runs up and down your back. Your insides feel as though they are curling inward upon themselves, crumbling and withering for lack of moisture.
action: You examine the griffin
response: It seems a little worn, as if through use.

You are distracted by a maddening itch in your throat, your mouth, your tongue. This thirst...if only you could quench it...
action: You look at safe
response: A standard gray metal faceplate with a numbered dial squarely in the center.
action: You check what you're carrying
response: You are carrying:
a brass key
a lug wrench
a rubber tire
action: You open safe
response: It seems to be locked.
action: You examine the dial
response: It is a standard combination lock. In order to open it you have to turn the dial to three different numbers: first to the right, then to the left, and then to the right again.
action: You examine the desk
response: Fashioned of rich cherry wood, it sports a broad desktop and a number of drawers. Where its legs meet the floor there appears to be a few scratch marks on the otherwise polished surface.
action: You look in drawers
response: Fashioned of rich cherry wood, it sports a broad desktop and a number of drawers. Where its legs meet the floor there appears to be a few scratch marks on the otherwise polished surface.

Your throat feels as though it were on fire, so desperate is your need to find something to drink.

The desk drawers are empty.

Everything around you begins to blur as your eyesight fades. You are desperately thirsty and your flesh is crying out for replenishment. With a vicious shake of your head, you manage to coerce your vision to return.
action: You examine floor
response: You see nothing special about the floor.

You stagger and drop to your knees, the strength fleeing your body. For several long moments, your body shudders in silent spasms before you are finally able to collect your wits and struggle back to your feet.
action: You look at the window
response: It looks down onto the cemetery. From here, during an occasional flash of lightning, you can see outlined in stark relief the open grave by which you awoke.
action: You look around
response: A large desk pushed into the northwest corner furnishes this otherwise empty room. The bare floor is in good condition, suggesting that this office was not used very often. A window in the north wall looks out into the wet darkness beyond. Above the desk against the western wall is a portrait.

A small wooden panel is fixed onto the west wall.

You can also see a safe (closed) and a white door here.
action: You go south
response: This small area is rather featureless and dark. The bare floorboards creak under your weight. A set of stairs leads down to the narrow hallway and a white door leads north.

You can see a white door here.
action: You jump
response: You jump on the spot, fruitlessly.
action: Go downwards
response: This tall, narrow hallway extends from the alcove and ends in a creaky set of steps leading upwards. The walls are painted white, and somewhat smudged. The floor is covered with a red carpet.
action: You examine the carpet
response: A faint, narrow strip of wear down its center shows that although this rug had been trodden often throughout its history, it has seen comparatively little wear next to the rest of the outfittings of this building.

A faint, narrow strip of wear down its center shows that although this rug had been trodden often throughout its history, it has seen comparatively little wear next to the rest of the outfittings of this building.
action: You move the carpet
response: It is fixed in place.
action: You remove the carpet
response: (first taking the red carpet)
That's hardly portable.

You stagger and drop to your knees, the strength fleeing your body. For several long moments, your body shudders in silent spasms before you are finally able to collect your wits and struggle back to your feet.
action: You go south
response: A small recess where the church organ is kept. It affords a clear view of the nave and the chancel. The nave is west of the alcove, and a small exit leads north.
action: Go west
response: The nave is where parishioners would gather to sit in the pews and hear the preached message. The walls are paneled with aged cedar and the high, vaulted ceiling fades away into darkness above. An altar stands at the front of the room, before a raised area called the chancel. Arched stained-glass windows line the east and west walls. Access to the chancel is north of the nave and south leads to the entryway. To the east is a small alcove containing an organ. A narrow doorway up by the chancel leads to the northwest.

Your stomach begins to cramp badly and you are forced to pause as you double over in pain. After some time, the pain fades and you are able to move again.
action: Go northwest
response: This spacious area still sports a richly woven carpet and a heavy mahogany desk installed against the north wall. The rest of the articles that may have decorated this room have been long since removed, as evidenced by the fade marks on the walls where portraits and other adornments once hung.

You can see a closet (closed) here.
action: You open the closet
response: You open the closet, revealing a tweed jacket.
action: You look at the jacket
response: In the tweed jacket is a faded slip of paper.
action: You take the jacket
response: Taken.
action: You wear it
response: You put on the tweed jacket.
action: You read it
action: You check your inventory
response: You are carrying:
a tweed jacket (being worn)
a faded slip of paper
a brass key
a lug wrench
a rubber tire
action: You look around
response: This spacious area still sports a richly woven carpet and a heavy mahogany desk installed against the north wall. The rest of the articles that may have decorated this room have been long since removed, as evidenced by the fade marks on the walls where portraits and other adornments once hung.

You can see a closet (empty) here.
action: You go southeast
response: The nave is where parishioners would gather to sit in the pews and hear the preached message. The walls are paneled with aged cedar and the high, vaulted ceiling fades away into darkness above. An altar stands at the front of the room, before a raised area called the chancel. Arched stained-glass windows line the east and west walls. Access to the chancel is north of the nave and south leads to the entryway. To the east is a small alcove containing an organ. A narrow doorway up by the chancel leads to the northwest.

You notice that you need to turn your head to look to the left or the right. It seems that your eyeballs will not turn in their sockets, as though they have been sealed in place due to a lack of moisture.
action: You examine the altar
response: It appears to be made of gopher wood.
action: You go north
response: A large desk pushed into the northwest corner furnishes this otherwise empty room. The bare floor is in good condition, suggesting that this office was not used very often. A window in the north wall looks out into the wet darkness beyond. Above the desk against the western wall is a portrait.

A small wooden panel is fixed onto the west wall.

You can also see a white door and a safe (closed) here.
action: You look at safe
response: A standard gray metal faceplate with a numbered dial squarely in the center.
action: You turn dial
response: You need to specify whether you are turning it to the left or the right, and also what number you are turning it to. For example: "turn dial left to 98".
action: You turn dial left to 78
response: You turn the numbered dial left to 78 and ... nothing happens.
action: You turn the dial right to 78
response: You turn the numbered dial right to 78 and hear a faint click of the tumblers deep within the lock.
action: Turn dial left to 29
response: You turn the numbered dial left to 29 and hear a faint click of the tumblers deep within the lock.
action: You turn the dial right to 47
response: You turn the numbered dial right to 47 and hear a faint click of the tumblers deep within the lock. With a faint creak, the safe swings open wide!
action: You look in safe
response: In the safe is a bottle of moonshine.
action: You take moonshine
response: Taken.

You are thirsty...so very thirsty.
action: You drink it
response: You pop the bottle open and bring it to your lips...but the overpowering fumes of its contents turns your stomach and you dare not continue.
action: You examine the moonshine
response: It is filled with an amber liquid and seems quite innocent. It is sealed with a cork.
action: You check what you're carrying
response: You are carrying:
a bottle of moonshine
a tweed jacket (being worn)
a faded slip of paper
a brass key
a lug wrench
a rubber tire
action: Go south
response: This small area is rather featureless and dark. The bare floorboards creak under your weight. A set of stairs leads down to the narrow hallway and a white door leads north.

You can see a white door here.

You are momentarily overtaken by a coughing spell, your lungs rattling dryly deep inside your chest...
action: You go to the south
response: A small recess where the church organ is kept. It affords a clear view of the nave and the chancel. The nave is west of the alcove, and a small exit leads north.

A cold shudder runs up and down your back. Your insides feel as though they are curling inward upon themselves, crumbling and withering for lack of moisture.
action: Go north
response: A raised area providing a clear, elevated view of all of the pews in the nave and the stained glass windows lining the walls. A threadbare rug covers part of the chancel floor.

A cruciform stands by the pulpit.

You cannot bear to be in close proximity to the cruciform. You desperately retreat from its presence.
Nave
The nave is where parishioners would gather to sit in the pews and hear the preached message. The walls are paneled with aged cedar and the high, vaulted ceiling fades away into darkness above. An altar stands at the front of the room, before a raised area called the chancel. Arched stained-glass windows line the east and west walls. Access to the chancel is north of the nave and south leads to the entryway. To the east is a small alcove containing an organ. A narrow doorway up by the chancel leads to the northwest.
action: You go south
response: The entryway to the church leads north to the nave. You can see the entire ground floor of the church from here: North of the nave is the chancel and east of the nave is an alcove.
action: You go west
response: The heavy oaken doors of the church loom before you, presenting a sensation of disorientation that you did not experience from a distance. Great brass handles present you with a means of access to shelter from the torrential weather. There are curious inscriptions and bas-relief carvings worked into the wood.
action: Go south
response: Who knows where that long road would take you? Best keep around here until you have a better idea of where you are.
action: You go to the east
response: The coach house is quite old, and indeed once served to house a horse-driven coach. It has since been converted for use by automobiles. There are shelves lining the walls containing various items one would expect to find in a garage. Access to the driveway is to the west, through the main entrance, and a small exit leads east.

Everything around you begins to blur as your eyesight fades. You are desperately thirsty and your flesh is crying out for replenishment. With a vicious shake of your head, you manage to coerce your vision to return.
action: You go east
response: A small shack rises out of the overgrowth in a clearing at the end of the winding path. It looks quite old, but has not fallen into disrepair, as has the coach house and the other small buildings on the church grounds. Along the front is a wooden door, and a small square window to its right, which flickers with a pale yellow light issuing from within.

You can see a wooden door here.
action: You knock on the door
response: After some more shuffling, the caretaker returns to the door and opens it.

"You again," he says.
action: You show the moonshine to the man
response: The caretaker's vacant eyes light up at the sight of the bottle.
action: You talk to man
response: "If you've nothing to tell me, then I'll be telling you something. Good day!"
action: You give the moonshine to the man
response: The caretaker's vacant eyes light up at the sight of the bottle. He accepts it eagerly from you. He glances at you again, and with a shrug of his shoulders, invites you into his home before disappearing inside himself.
action: You go to the east
response: The interior of the shack is plain, but orderly. It comprises a single front room and an adjoining bathroom. A fire crackles pleasantly in the earth of a fireplace built into the northern wall. On the other side of the room is a cot, a table and a single chair.

The caretaker is sitting in the chair with an open bottle in his lap. He looks up at you with rheumy eyes. Despite this, he looks absolutely beautiful to you: an oasis in a desert of ghastly torment.

You can also see a wooden door here.
action: You close the door
response: You close the wooden door.
action: You examine man
response: He looks to be about seventy, has sparse white hair hidden under a worn out cap, and his eyes are those of a man in desperate need--a need almost as severe as your own. His body virtually glows, so full of life it seems, in comparison with your own.

You reach up to the back of your head and you scratch fiercely, trying to attend to a sudden and intense itch. As you bring your hand away, you discover a clump of dry, withered hair clenched in your claw-like fist. Shuddering inwardly, you cast it away, not wanting to look at it any longer.
action: Bite man
response: Overcome by the maddening thirst, you bend towards the caretaker, ignoring the look of sudden shock in his red-rimmed eyes and the smell of hard liquor on his breath. You see the water of life surging through his flesh, casting a bright and glorious illumination so that his earthly body seems no more than a delicate weave of glowing veins and infinite blood vessels. You dive into that flow, and without thinking drink your fill....

...You feel the life surging back into your veins, renewing your withered flesh. Your eyes grow stronger...colors grow brighter, more vivid...the darkness is no longer so dark. And strength pulses through you now...your body flows with power...

Much later you rise and look down at the caretaker. Despite your ravenous need for life, you managed to refrain from draining him dry. Yes, he will live. And he will do your bidding, for he has become enslaved to you. Merely command him, and certainly he will do as he is told to the best of his ability.

The caretaker looks around blankly.
action: You examine table
response: A plain wooden table, showing signs of regular use.

The caretaker whimpers slightly.
action: You open the door
response: You open the wooden door.
action: You follow you
response: The caretaker says, "I will follow, master."

The caretaker staggers a little, but regains his balance.
action: Go west
response: A small shack rises out of the overgrowth in a clearing at the end of the winding path. It looks quite old, but has not fallen into disrepair, as has the coach house and the other small buildings on the church grounds. Along the front is a wooden door, and a small square window to its right, which flickers with a pale yellow light issuing from within.

You can see a wooden door here.

The caretaker arrives from the east.

The caretaker coughs halfheartedly.
action: You go west
response: Running between the coach house and a small shack to the east, this path is lined on both sides by tall brush and bracken, which block your view elsewhere.

The caretaker arrives from the east.

The caretaker giggles quietly.
action: You talk to the man
response: The caretaker watches you expectantly.

The caretaker gets distracted by a fly buzzing around his head.
action: Go west
response: The coach house is quite old, and indeed once served to house a horse-driven coach. It has since been converted for use by automobiles. There are shelves lining the walls containing various items one would expect to find in a garage. Access to the driveway is to the west, through the main entrance, and a small exit leads east.

The caretaker arrives from the east.
action: You go to the north
response: You can't go that way.

The caretaker grabs the buzzing fly out of the air and pops it into his mouth surreptitiously.
action: You go to the west
response: Here is where parishioners must have parked their vehicles, be they wagon or automobile, before proceeding north to the church building.
A gravel road leads north past the front of the church. To the south, a rain-slicked road leads off into the dark distance. East of here is a wooden coach house.

The caretaker arrives from the east.
action: You go north
response: The gravel path you are on passes by a plot of manicured land upon which resides a small church building. It is fashioned of dark river stone, stained all the darker from the downpour. Its steeple rises suddenly into the gloom, so that the belfry up top is partially obscured. Through the barred windows a glimmer of yellow light issues, flickering like candlelight. The front entrance is to the east, while the path continues south.

The caretaker arrives from the south.
action: Go east
response: The heavy oaken doors of the church loom before you, presenting a sensation of disorientation that you did not experience from a distance. Great brass handles present you with a means of access to shelter from the torrential weather. There are curious inscriptions and bas-relief carvings worked into the wood.

The caretaker arrives from the west.
action: You go east
response: The entryway to the church leads north to the nave. You can see the entire ground floor of the church from here: North of the nave is the chancel and east of the nave is an alcove.

The caretaker arrives from the west.

The caretaker looks like he is going to sneeze, but then it fades away.
action: Go north
response: The nave is where parishioners would gather to sit in the pews and hear the preached message. The walls are paneled with aged cedar and the high, vaulted ceiling fades away into darkness above. An altar stands at the front of the room, before a raised area called the chancel. Arched stained-glass windows line the east and west walls. Access to the chancel is north of the nave and south leads to the entryway. To the east is a small alcove containing an organ. A narrow doorway up by the chancel leads to the northwest.

The caretaker arrives from the south.
action: North
response: The caretaker stops following you.

The caretaker goes north.
action: You take the cruciform
response: The caretaker picks up the cruciform.
action: You ask Man,  to go to the south
response: The caretaker arrives from the north.

You cannot bear to be in close proximity to the cruciform. You desperately retreat from its presence.
Entryway
The entryway to the church leads north to the nave. You can see the entire ground floor of the church from here: North of the nave is the chancel and east of the nave is an alcove.
action: South
response: The caretaker arrives from the north.

You cannot bear to be in close proximity to the cruciform. You desperately retreat from its presence.
action: East
response: The caretaker is unable to do that.
action: North
response: The caretaker arrives from the south.

You cannot bear to be in close proximity to the cruciform. You desperately retreat from its presence.
Entryway
The entryway to the church leads north to the nave. You can see the entire ground floor of the church from here: North of the nave is the chancel and east of the nave is an alcove.
action: East
response: The caretaker arrives at the Alcove from the west.
action: Go north
response: A raised area providing a clear, elevated view of all of the pews in the nave and the stained glass windows lining the walls. A threadbare rug covers part of the chancel floor.
action: You examine the rug
response: It is faded and threadbare, having seen a lot of use. There was a pattern on it, but it is so faded now as to be indistinguishable.
action: You move the rug
response: You pick up the rug, revealing a trapdoor beneath!

A raised area providing a clear, elevated view of all of the pews in the nave and the stained glass windows lining the walls. In the absence of the threadbare rug, a trapdoor has been revealed in the chancel floor.
action: You open trapdoor
response: It seems to be locked.
action: You unlock the trapdoor with the key
response: You might want to try prying it with something, instead.
action: You open the trapdoor
response: You open the trapdoor.
action: You go downward
response: Illuminated only by the dim light issuing through the trapdoor, this unexpected chamber is bare, damp and cold. The walls and the floor are fashioned of black stone. Your ears detect the scratch and scurry of vermin hidden from sight in the dank and dingy corners of this place. In other words, you feel right at home.

Situated squarely in the center of the room, upon a moldering velvet rug, is a large, black coffin. The lid stands open and the silk interior beckons to you.
action: You enter coffin
response: You crawl slowly into the black coffin, feeling the silk interior against your skin. Yes, this will do. This is right. You can feel sleep tugging at you--blessed sleep.

The caretaker comes into view over you. He looks down, with mindless love in his red-rimmed eyes. "I will look after you while you sleep, Master. Please don't worry."

With that, he reaches for the lid and cautiously, respectfully, closes it over you. At last you feel a strange peace begin to settle in. Your mind begns to drift...questions arise as sleep takes you over. Why was this coffin here? Why even this dark chamber, for that matter? And more importantly, who are you? What is going on?

But those are questions to be answered at another time. You will sleep now. You will gather strength. This is not finished. In fact, it has only begun....