Singularitas

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<<set $aliceJournalPrologueRead = true>> <div class="file-view"> <div class="file-view__image"> [img[images/inventory/files/aliceJournalPrologue.png]] </div> <div class="file-view__text"> <div class="journal-entry"> <p><b>October 3rd, 1894</b></p> <p>The month has barely begun and I already find myself staring at the same miserable collection of bills upon my desk. I had only three cases in September... Three. Mrs. Whitmore hired me to find out whether her husband was keeping another mistress. Easy one... he was. At least the paid me promptly. Mr. Bellamy came up to me, convinced that there was someone entering his shop at night, and stealing from the register. I spent a few days talking to people around but nobody saw anything, so I kept watch across the street for four nights in a row. It turned out the mysterious burglar was his own son. Looks like he was getting money to buy opium for himself. I showed him all the evidence but he never believed me, so he refused to pay me. And finally, there was Mrs. Wilking's missing brooch, which cost me a week of my time, just for her to finally find it behind the drawer of her dressing table. She ended up paying me anyway. This is hardly the career I've imagined... I hoped that after a year, I would've made something of a name for myself, but instead, I'm having to calculate how little money I'll have left after paying the bills. Perhaps this month will be kinder.</p> </div> <div class="journal-entry"> <p><b>October 8th, 1894</b></p> <p>No new clients... It's already the 8th... and nothing. I've spent the morning reorganizing some old case files, although there was very little reason to do so... I guess I'm just looking for something to do at this point. In the afternoon, I walked to the Guild, just to see wether anything had been posted for the independent investigators. There there several assignments there, but two of them had already been claimed before I arrived. The other one required a trip to Paris, but I don't know how to speak French... and the other ones were paying so poorly that accepting it would probably cost me more than I'd earn. So I returned home empty-handed. I keep wondering if I made a mistake choosing this career... maybe I should have listened to my parents and go to the university and find a husband... but then again, I know I can do better than that. That's what makes all of this so frustrating. It's like a vicious circle... one one entrusts an important case to an unexperienced investigator. As a result of that, I can't get any experience... and as a result of that, I can't get any clients. An elegantly designed little trap.</p> </div> <div class="journal-entry"> <p><b>October 14th, 1894</b></p> <p>A client! My great investigation concerned a missing terrier named Arthur. I found him ner Convent Garden. The little beast led me through two alleys, then beneath a cart, and then directly into a puddle before I finally caught him... but the owner was delighted. I returned him to Ms. Hartmann, covered in mud. I've received my payment and went back home, smelling like a wet dog. I suppose this is better than nothing... right? I used the money to pay for some groceries. I've decided to stop complaining and just focus on doing my best.</p> </div> </div> </div> <<closeFile>>

<<set $verasLetterRead = true>> <div class="file-view"> <div class="file-view__image"> [img[images/inventory/files/verasLetter.png]] </div> <div class="file-view__text"> <div class="journal-entry"> <p> Miss Halden, </p> <p> I hope you will forgive an unexpected letter from a stranger. My name is Vera Vane, and I am writing to you, concerning my daughter, Maya. </p> <p> I found your advertisement in a The London Evening Chronicle issue from a few weeks ago, where you offered your services for private inquiries. I have written to others before you, but those who answered either asked for more than I can afford or showed little interested once they learned that the case would require them to travel all the way to Ravenswick. </p> <p> Maya, my twelve years old daughter disappeared from our home at 17 Veil Street, Ravenswick, on the evening of the 17th of September. She had been home all evening, however, shortly after nine, I went upstairs to call her for bed, and found her room empty. Her coat was still hanging downstairs and none of her belongings had been taken. Nothing seemed out of lace, and neither I nor our neighbors saw her leave the house. </p> <p> The constabulary searched for her, but found nothing. Now, they believe that Maya ran away, but I know my daughter enough to know that she wouldn't run away like this. </p> <p> More importantly, three nights after her disappearance, Maya came home. I awoke sometime after midnight and found her standing in our sitting room. I cannot explain how she entered, as I am certain that I locked the front door before retiring, and all the windows were closed. She was wearing the same clothes that she had word on the night of her disappearance, and even though she seemed unharmed, she was terribly pale. </p> <p> At first, I was simply grateful to see her alive, but them, I realized that something was wrong. Maya would not tell me where she had been. She hardly seemed to understand my questions... she kept wandering through the house, looking around like everything was somehow unfamiliar to her. I even tried to embrace her, but she stepped away. </p> <p> I stayed with her for the remainder of the night as I was afraid to lose her again if I left her alone, but eventually, exhaustion overcame me, and when I awoke, Maya was gone again. I returned to the constabulary immediately, but they refused to reopen the investigation. They believe that grief and lack of sleep caused me to imagine Maya's return... perhaps you will think the same, and I cannot blame you if you do. But I know what I saw. </p> <p> Since then, I have begun asking questions of my own... investigating whatever I can. It turns out that other people have been disappearing from Ravenswick over the years. Some were eventually declared dead, while other were assumed to have left town. </p> <p> I do not know what any of this means, but I know that somewhere in Ravenswick, there must be an answer to what happened to my daughter.\ </p> <p> I cannot offer you a great sum, but I can pay you for your services and your accommodation while you are here. I have enclosed a railway ticket from London to Ravenswick so that the journey itself will cost you nothing. Please keep it with you. If you decide to accept my request, come to 17 Veil Street on your best convenience. </p> <p> Please, Miss Halden, find my daughter. </p> <p> Yours sincerely, </p> <p> Vera Vane. </p> </div> </div> </div>

<<set $mayaSketchbookRead = true>> <div class="file-view"> <div class="file-view__image"> [img[images/inventory/files/mayaSketchbook.png]] </div> <div class="file-view__text"> <div class="sketchbook-entry"> <p>This is a sketchbook of Maya's drawings. There are a few torn pages, but the rest of the book is intact.</p> [img[images/inventory/files/mayaSketchbook/01.jpg]] [img[images/inventory/files/mayaSketchbook/02.jpg]] [img[images/inventory/files/mayaSketchbook/03.jpg]] [img[images/inventory/files/mayaSketchbook/04.jpg]] [img[images/inventory/files/mayaSketchbook/05.jpg]] [img[images/inventory/files/mayaSketchbook/06.jpg]] [img[images/inventory/files/mayaSketchbook/07.jpg]] [img[images/inventory/files/mayaSketchbook/08.jpg]] [img[images/inventory/files/mayaSketchbook/09.jpg]] </div> </div> </div>

<<set $itemBoxReturnPassage to previous()>> You open the wooden box. Its interior is larger than it has any right to be — deep enough to hold whatever you need to set aside for now. <div class="storage-chest item-box"> <p class="storage-chest__intro">Transfer items between your inventory and the box. The box has no limit, but you can only carry six things at a time.</p> <<include "ItemBoxPanels">> </div> <<storyAction "Return" `$itemBoxReturnPassage || "Chapter01_InnDorm"`>><</storyAction>>

<<nobr>> <div class="main-menu"> <div class="main-menu-hero"> <div class="main-menu-banner"> [img[images/main_menu/background.jpg]] </div> <div class="main-menu-content"> <div class="title-logo">[img[images/main_menu/logo.png]]</div> <div class="menu-links"> <<link "New Game" "Prologue01">> <<run setup.inventory.initNewGame()>> <<run setup.wardrobe.initNewGame()>> <</link>> <<link "Load Game">><<run UI.saves()>><</link>> <<link "Exit Game">><<script>>window.close();<</script>><</link>> </div> </div> </div> </div> <</nobr>>

[img[images/main_menu/logo.png]]

<<nobr>> <<set _outfitPath to setup.avatar.getOutfitPath($outfit)>> <div class="story-caption"> <div class="avatar-frame"> <<if $outfit>> <div class="avatar" id="story-avatar" @data-outfit="$outfit"> <img class="avatar-layer avatar-base" @src="setup.avatar.base" alt=""> <img class="avatar-layer avatar-outfit" @src="_outfitPath" alt=""> </div> <<else>> <div class="avatar" id="story-avatar"> <img class="avatar-layer avatar-base" @src="setup.avatar.base" alt=""> </div> <</if>> </div> </div> <</nobr>>

<<widget "inventoryGridInventory">> <<= setup.inventory.renderGridHTML(["inventory", "wide"])>> <</widget>> <<widget "inventoryGridStorage">> <<= setup.inventory.renderGridHTML(["storage", "wide"])>> <</widget>> <<widget "inventoryGridItemBox">> <<= setup.inventory.renderGridHTML(["itembox", "wide"])>> <</widget>> <<widget "wardrobeGrid">> <<= setup.wardrobe.renderGridHTML()>> <</widget>> <<widget "equippedWeapon">> <<= setup.inventory.renderEquippedHTML()>> <</widget>> <<widget "closeFile">> <<if $fileOpenedFromInventory>> <<storyActionRun "Back">> <<run setup.statusPanel.openPanel()>> <</storyActionRun>> <<else>> <<storyAction "Close" `$fileReturnPassage || "Start"`>><</storyAction>> <</if>> <</widget>> <<widget "statusCharacter">> <<= setup.statusPanel.renderCharacterHTML()>> <</widget>> <<widget "statusSelectedItem">> <<= setup.statusPanel.renderSelectedItemHTML()>> <</widget>> <<widget "statusInventoryGrid">> <<= setup.statusPanel.renderInventoryGridHTML()>> <</widget>>

<<set _inventoryTab to $inventoryTab || "inventory">> <div class="inventory-tabs" role="tablist" aria-label="Inventory panels"> <a class="inventory-tab" role="tab" href="javascript:void(0)" data-tab="inventory" @aria-selected="_inventoryTab === 'inventory' ? 'true' : 'false'">Inventory</a> <a class="inventory-tab" role="tab" href="javascript:void(0)" data-tab="files" @aria-selected="_inventoryTab === 'files' ? 'true' : 'false'">Files</a> </div> <<if _inventoryTab === "files">> <div class="inventory-tab-panel" data-tab-panel="files" role="tabpanel"> <div class="files-list-mount"></div> </div> <<else>> <div class="inventory-tab-panel" data-tab-panel="inventory" role="tabpanel"> <<inventoryGridInventory>> <<equippedWeapon>> </div> <</if>>

<<set _statusTab to $statusTab || "status">> <div class="status-panel-wrap"> <nav class="status-tabs" role="tablist" aria-label="Investigator panels"> <a class="status-tab" role="tab" href="javascript:void(0)" data-tab="status" @aria-selected="_statusTab === 'status' ? 'true' : 'false'">Status</a> <a class="status-tab" role="tab" href="javascript:void(0)" data-tab="files" @aria-selected="_statusTab === 'files' ? 'true' : 'false'">Files</a> <a class="status-tab" role="tab" href="javascript:void(0)" data-tab="map" @aria-selected="_statusTab === 'map' ? 'true' : 'false'">Map</a> <a class="status-tab status-tab--exit" role="tab" href="javascript:void(0)" data-tab="exit">Exit</a> </nav> <<if _statusTab === "files">> <div class="status-tab-panel status-tab-panel--files" role="tabpanel"> <div class="files-list-mount"></div> </div> <<elseif _statusTab === "map">> <div class="status-tab-panel status-tab-panel--map" role="tabpanel"> <p class="status-map-placeholder">No map available for this location.</p> </div> <<else>> <div class="status-tab-panel status-tab-panel--main" role="tabpanel"> <div class="status-panel"> <div class="status-panel__col status-panel__col--character"> <<statusCharacter>> </div> <div class="status-panel__col status-panel__col--item"> <<statusSelectedItem>> </div> <div class="status-panel__col status-panel__col--inventory"> <<statusInventoryGrid>> </div> </div> </div> <</if>> <footer class="status-panel__footer"> <span class="status-panel__footer-main">London Metropolitan Investigators Guild</span> <span class="status-panel__footer-sub">Property of Alice Halden</span> </footer> </div>

<div class="storage-chest__panels storage-chest__panels--storage"> <div class="storage-chest__panel"> <h4 class="storage-chest__heading">Inventory</h4> <<inventoryGridInventory>> </div> <div class="storage-chest__panel"> <h4 class="storage-chest__heading">Storage Chest</h4> <<inventoryGridStorage>> </div> </div>

<div class="storage-chest__panel"> <h4 class="storage-chest__heading">Inventory</h4> <<inventoryGridInventory>> </div> <div class="storage-chest__panel"> <h4 class="storage-chest__heading">Storage Chest</h4> <<inventoryGridStorage>> </div>

<div class="storage-chest__panels item-box__panels"> <div class="storage-chest__panel"> <h4 class="storage-chest__heading">Inventory</h4> <<inventoryGridInventory>> </div> <div class="storage-chest__panel"> <h4 class="storage-chest__heading">Item Box</h4> <<inventoryGridItemBox>> </div> </div>

<<wardrobeGrid>>

You're in your room. What do you want to do now? <<room "images/story/chapter1_intro/inn_room.jpg" 1535 1024>> <<roomObject "Files" "CP1_Intro_CaseFile" 162 704 234 138 "images/story/chapter1_intro/inn_room/case_file.png">> <<roomObject "Wardrobe" "Wardrobe" 734 70 385 602 "images/story/chapter1_intro/inn_room/wardrobe.png">> <<roomObject "Box" "ItemBox" 616 567 145 106 "images/story/chapter1_intro/inn_room/item_box.png">> <</room>> /*< <<nobr>> <<storyActionRun "Add Everyday Clothes to wardrobe">> <<addToWardrobe "original">> <</storyActionRun>> <<storyActionRun "Add Investigator to wardrobe">> <<addToWardrobe "investigator">> <</storyActionRun>> <<storyActionRun "Add Alternate Investigator to wardrobe">> <<addToWardrobe "alternate_investigator">> <</storyActionRun>> <<storyActionRun "Add Dark Victorian to wardrobe">> <<addToWardrobe "dark_victorian">> <</storyActionRun>> <<storyActionRun "Add Young Lady to wardrobe">> <<addToWardrobe "young_lady">> <</storyActionRun>> <<storyActionRun "Add Scoundrel to wardrobe">> <<addToWardrobe "scoundrel">> <</storyActionRun>> <<storyActionRun "Take dagger">> <<run setup.inventory.takeItemFromItemBox("dagger", 1, true)>> <</storyActionRun>> <</nobr>>*/

<<nobr>> <<set $storyContent = true>> <<run setup.inventory.initNewGame()>> <</nobr>> <<sceneIntro "Prologue02">> London, 1894 <</sceneIntro>>

It's just another night in London, not much different from any other since you moved here. It's late already, and the streets outside have been quiet for a while now, but you can still hear an occasional distant chatter, an occasional clatter of carriages and the distant sounds of the steamboats making their way along the Thames. The city stretches beneath a blanket of darkness and fog, watched by the full moon that fights against the dark clouds for some room to shine in the sky. It's a peaceful night. <div class="scene-intro"> [img[images/story/prologue/01.jpg]] </div> You're lying on your bed, looking at the ceiling. For some reason, sleep has been a hard thing to come by lately, and when it does come, you see yourself in the same vivid dream, where you're wandering through a labyrinth of twisted corridors, trying to find a way out, but every time you turn a corner, you find a strange shadowy figure standing right in front of you. You try to see its face but you always wake up before you can. You sit on your bed, grab one match from your nightstand and strike it. Then you bring the flaming tip to the kerosene lamp right next to you. The faint light of the lamp illuminates the room. <<storyAction "Look around you." "Prologue03">><</storyAction>>

The lamplight casts long shadows across your bedroom. Everything looks as it always does, and yet, on a night like this, even the familiar feels worth a second glance. <<room "images/story/prologue/02.jpg" 1536 1024>> <<roomObject "Window" "Prologue04" 432 54 570 554 "images/story/prologue/02/window.png">> <<roomObject "Desk Drawer" "Prologue05" 1080 654 50 72 "images/story/prologue/02/drawer.png">> <<roomObject "Newspaper" "Prologue6" 1047 573 271 71 "images/story/prologue/02/newspaper.png">> <<roomObject "Journal" "Prologue07" 414 876 390 146 "images/story/prologue/02/journal.png">> <</room>> /*<<storageChest>>*/ <<nobr>> <<if $lookedThroughWindow == true && $openedDrawer == true && $readJournal == true && $sawNewspaper == true>> <<if !$heardKnock>> <<audio "knock" play>> <<set $heardKnock to true>> <</if>> You hear someone knocking on the door. <<storyAction "Put on some clothes and answer the door" "Prologue08">> <<addToWardrobe "original">> <<setOutfit "original">> <</storyAction>> <</if>> <</nobr>>

<div class="scene-intro"> [img[images/story/prologue/04.jpg]]</div> You quietly look through the window and watch the dark skyline of London. The cloudy sky turns the city into an oppressive, looming presence, almost like a living entity. The smoke of the chimneys blends with the clouds above. Down on the street, there's not a soul in sight... only the lamp posts being reflected on the damp cobblestones. For some reason, the more you look at it, the more it feels like there's some kind of... presence looming above. <<storyAction "Return" "Prologue03">> <<set $lookedThroughWindow = true>> <</storyAction>>

<div class="scene-intro"> [img[images/story/prologue/03.jpg]]</div> You open your desk drawer and take a moment to look at the neatly organized contents. Above them all, there's your wallet with your investigator's license: <b>Name: </b>Alice Halden <b>Date of Birth: </b>06/06/1881 <b>License / ID No.: </b>IH-1893-2741 <b>Issuing Authority: </b>London Metropolitan Investigators Guild <b>Issue Date: </b>28/09/1893 <b>Validity: </b>28/09/1893 - 28/09/1898 <b>PHYSICAL MARKERS:</b> <b>Height: </b>1.60m <b>Weight: </b>52kg <b>Eye Color: </b>Green <b>Hair Color: </b>Auburn As you look at it, you still can't believe that it's been more than a year since you've been working as an investigator. Back then, you imagined that your life would be somewhat different by now... you feel a bit frustrated that you still haven't got the chance to work on any meaningful case. Instead, most work has involved small things, like a missing cat, or a wife wanting to know if her husband is cheating on her. You know it's honest work, but it's just not what you hoped for. You're thankful that your parents left you this small apartment in London and what you've been earning has been enough to cover your rent and expenses... barely. Sometimes you just wonder how much longer you can keep this up... and how much more you're gonna have to wait until someone finally walks through your door with a case that actually matters. <<storyAction "Return" "Prologue03">> <<set $openedDrawer = true>> <</storyAction>>

<div class="scene-intro"> [img[images/story/prologue/06.jpg]]</div> You take a look at your desk and see an old issue of The London Evening Chronicle. You're not even sure why you kept it in your office. Maybe you should throw it away tomorrow morning. <<storyAction "Return" "Prologue03">> <<set $sawNewspaper = true>> <</storyAction>>

You pick up your journal and open it to the last pages you wrote in. You're not sure why you keep writing a journal, but reading through your thoughts later on helps a bit to get some perspective on your life. <div class="scene-intro"> [img[images/story/prologue/05.jpg]]</div> <div class="journal-entry"> <p><b><i>October 3rd, 1894</i></b></p> <p><i>The month has barely begun and I already find myself staring at the same miserable collection of bills upon my desk. I had only three cases in September... Three. Mrs. Whitmore hired me to find out whether her husband was keeping another mistress. Easy one... he was. At least they paid me promptly. Mr. Bellamy came up to me, convinced that there was someone entering his shop at night, and stealing from the register. I spent a few days talking to people around but nobody saw anything, so I kept watch across the street for four nights in a row. It turned out the mysterious burglar was his own son. Looks like he was getting money to buy opium for himself. I showed him all the evidence but he never believed me, so he refused to pay me. And finally, there was Mrs. Wilking's missing brooch, which cost me a week of my time, just for her to finally find it behind the drawer of her dressing table. She ended up paying me anyway. This is hardly the career I've imagined... I hoped that after a year, I would've made something of a name for myself, but instead, I'm having to calculate how little money I'll have left after paying the bills. Perhaps this month will be kinder.</i></p> </div> <div class="journal-entry"> <p><b><i>October 8th, 1894</i></b></p> <p><i>No new clients... It's already the 8th... and nothing. I've spent the morning reorganizing some old case files, although there was very little reason to do so... I guess I'm just looking for something to do at this point. In the afternoon, I walked to the Guild, just to see whether anything had been posted for the independent investigators. There were several assignments there, but two of them had already been claimed before I arrived. The other one required a trip to Paris, but I don't know how to speak French... and the other ones were paying so poorly that accepting them would probably cost me more than I'd earn. So I returned home empty-handed. I keep wondering if I made a mistake choosing this career... maybe I should have listened to my parents and gone to the university and found a husband... but then again, I know I can do better than that. That's what makes all of this so frustrating. It's like a vicious circle... no one entrusts an important case to an inexperienced investigator. As a result of that, I can't get any experience... and as a result of that, I can't get any clients. An elegantly designed little trap.</i></p> </div> <div class="journal-entry"> <p><b><i>October 14th, 1894</i></b></p> <p><i>A client! My great investigation concerned a missing terrier named Arthur. I found him near Covent Garden. The little beast led me through two alleys, then beneath a cart, and then directly into a puddle before I finally caught him... but the owner was delighted. I returned him to Ms. Hartmann, covered in mud. I've received my payment and went back home, smelling like a wet dog. I suppose this is better than nothing... right? I used the money to pay for some groceries. I've decided to stop complaining and just focus on doing my best.</i></p> </div> <<storyAction "Return" "Prologue03">> <<set $readJournal = true>> <<addFile "alice_journal_prologue" "alert">> <</storyAction>>

<<alice>>Just a minute! I'm coming!<</alice>> You quickly put on the same set of clothes you wore the whole day. It takes only a few seconds for you to put them on. Then, you approach the door. <<alice>>Who is it?<</alice>> Silence. You wait for a few seconds, but there's no answer coming from the other side. <<alice>>Is anyone there?<</alice>> Still silence. You decide to open the door just a bit to see who's there. You turn the key and slowly reach for the doorknob, turning it until you hear a faint click. The door creaks open a bit and you look through the crack. There's no one there. You open it a bit more, but there's no one on the other side. You stay there, looking, and trying to understand. The hallway's silent. You can't even hear footsteps on the wooden floor... something you'd certainly hear if someone were to knock and leave. You're just about to close the door when you notice a small cream envelope lying on your doorstep. <div class="scene-intro"> [img[images/story/prologue/07.jpg]]</div> <<alice>>What's this?<</alice>> <<storyAction "Pick up the envelope" "Prologue09">> <</storyAction>>

You slowly crouch down and pick up the envelope. It's slightly heavier than it looks. It seems like there's more than one thing inside. You turn your back to your open door, while you slowly use your fingers to break the seal, which doesn't show much resistance. <div class="scene-intro"> [img[images/story/prologue/08.jpg]]</div> You open the envelope and inside you see a photograph of a little girl with the name "Maya Vane" written on its back. Along with it, you see a third class railway ticket from King's Cross to Ravenswick. Along with all of this, you see a neatly folded letter. You slowly unfold it and start reading its contents. <p><i> Miss Halden, I hope you will forgive an unexpected letter from a stranger. My name is Vera Vane, and I am writing to you, concerning my daughter, Maya. I found your advertisement in an issue of The London Evening Chronicle from a few weeks ago, where you offered your services for private inquiries. I have written to others before you, but those who answered either asked for more than I can afford or showed little interest once they learned that the case would require them to travel all the way to Ravenswick. Maya, my twelve-year-old daughter disappeared from our home at 17 Veil Street, Ravenswick, on the evening of the 17th of September. She had been home all evening, however, shortly after nine, I went upstairs to call her for bed, and found her room empty. Her coat was still hanging downstairs and none of her belongings had been taken. Nothing seemed out of place, and neither I nor our neighbors saw her leave the house. The constabulary searched for her, but found nothing. Now, they believe that Maya ran away, but I know my daughter enough to know that she wouldn't run away like this. More importantly, three nights after her disappearance, Maya came home. I awoke sometime after midnight and found her standing in our sitting room. I cannot explain how she entered, as I am certain that I locked the front door before retiring, and all the windows were closed. She was wearing the same clothes that she had worn on the night of her disappearance, and even though she seemed unharmed, she was terribly pale. At first, I was simply grateful to see her alive, but then, I realized that something was wrong. Maya would not tell me where she had been. She hardly seemed to understand my questions... she kept wandering through the house, looking around like everything was somehow unfamiliar to her. I even tried to embrace her, but she stepped away. I stayed with her for the remainder of the night as I was afraid to lose her again if I left her alone, but eventually, exhaustion overcame me, and when I awoke, Maya was gone again. I returned to the constabulary immediately, but they refused to reopen the investigation. They believe that grief and lack of sleep caused me to imagine Maya's return... perhaps you will think the same, and I cannot blame you if you do. But I know what I saw. Since then, I have begun asking questions of my own... investigating whatever I can. It turns out that other people have been disappearing from Ravenswick over the years. Some were eventually declared dead, while others were assumed to have left town. I do not know what any of this means, but I know that somewhere in Ravenswick, there must be an answer to what happened to my daughter. I cannot offer you a great sum, but I can pay you for your services and your accommodation while you are here. I have enclosed a railway ticket from London to Ravenswick so that the journey itself will cost you nothing. Please keep it with you. If you decide to accept my request, come to 17 Veil Street at your earliest convenience. Please, Miss Halden, find my daughter. Yours sincerely, Vera Vane. </i></p> You read the letter one more time, feeling a weird sense of unease with each word. You slowly close your apartment's front door, still thinking what to make of it. <<storyAction "Put the letter away" "Prologue10">> <<addFile "veras_letter" "alert">> <</storyAction>>

You place the letter, the photograph and the railway ticket back into the envelope and leave it on your desk. For a brief moment, you simply stand there, staring at it, without knowing what to do. <<alice>>Ravenswick...<</alice>> You've never heard of the place before... you have no idea where it is on the map, but judging by the ticket, it must be far enough from London, so that most investigators would consider the journey too inconvenient. You think of looking for it on your map, but maybe you should wait for the morning to do so. You glance at the envelope one last time before turning away, taking off your clothes again and climbing back into bed. The mattress creaks beneath you as you pull the covers over yourself. You close your eyes, and for several seconds, everything's quiet. Then, you open your eyes again, staring at the ceiling. Your mind keeps returning to the letter. Maya Vane, twelve years old, missing for three days and then returning home in the middle of the night, only to disappear again before morning... well, at least that's what her mother says... You turn onto your side, thinking of dozens of reasonable explanations for what might have happened to her... but none of them seem to make sense. Maybe the girl did run away... maybe Vera Vane was mistaken about what she saw that night. Grief can make people believe all sorts of things, especially after days without a proper night's sleep. Or maybe Maya really did return... maybe she was taken by someone... maybe she escaped and came home confused or frightened, only to be taken again... but you don't have enough information for now. You roll onto your other side, but you can feel the envelope still there, as if it was staring at you. You close your eyes again. Ravenswick... Going somewhere you've never even heard of because of a letter left outside your door in the middle of the night doesn't sound the most reasonable thing to do... then again... the ticket was already paid for and you wouldn't have to spend money on anything... and more importantly, this is a real case. As you stare into the darkness, you wonder how you'd be perceived by the Guild if you actually found Maya... Anxiety begins to take over your thoughts the more you think about it. You turn around again and look at the envelope again... almost lost into the darkness of your room. <<alice>>Oh, for God's sake...<</alice>> You turn away one more time and close your eyes. You breathe slowly, trying to empty your mind, and for a few moments, it seems to work, but then, you begin to think what Ravenswick might be like... what kind of town has people disappearing over the years without anyone worrying about it? You lose track of time as you keep thinking about it, and at some point, you notice that the distant noises of London begin to change. The occasional carriage becomes more frequent, voices on the street... and when you open your eyes, the sky has already started to lighten up. You slowly sit up and remain like this for a while. You then look at the envelope again, still on your desk... waiting for you. You already know what you're going to do, and perhaps you've known it for a while now... <<alice>>Fine...<</alice>> You push the covers away. <<alice>>Ravenswick it is.<</alice>> Saying it to yourself somehow makes everything easier. You wash your face and begin packing what you might need for the journey. You don't know how long you'll be away, so you decide to try to keep things practical. You think about writing a letter to your parents, telling them where you're off to, but you're afraid that this will only make them worry more than they already do. You carefully place Vera's envelope among your belongings, taking only the ticket and putting it in your coat's pocket. By the time you're done, London's already fully awake. You take a final look at your apartment before leaving it behind. <<storyAction "Go to the train station" "Prologue11">><</storyAction>>

London feels kinda different this morning, but you can't quite put your finger on it. Maybe it's just because you're leaving it. You walk among the carriages and pedestrians, carrying your luggage, now starting to feel the exhaustion of the sleepless night weighing on your body. Eventually, you arrive at King's Cross Station, already crowded with passengers moving across the platform in every direction. You make your way through the crowd until you find an attendant. <<kc_attendant>>Good morning, madam! How can I help you today?<</kc_attendant>> <<alice>>Good morning!<</alice>> You take out the ticket from your pocket and show it to him. <<alice>>I'm going to Ravenswick. Do you know by any chance where the platform is for that train?<</alice>> The attendant raises an eyebrow as he looks at the ticket. <<kc_attendant>>Ravenswick, eh? That's a bit of a journey, and not many people usually go there these days. The platform is number 12. You'll need to take the stairs down and walk until number 12. The next train departs at 10:00 AM.<</kc_attendant>> <<alice>>Thank you!<</alice>> You nod to him as you lift your luggage and start walking towards the platform. It doesn't take long for you to find it, and soon, you find yourself sitting on a bench with your luggage beside you. You look at the big clock on top of the platform and see that you have about forty minutes to wait, and so you do. At first you watch the people around you, but after a while, even that becomes difficult to focus on. Your eyelids feel heavier and you blink several times, struggling to keep yourself up. <div class="scene-intro"> [img[images/story/prologue/09.jpg]]</div> <<alice>>No...<</alice>> You adjust your posture and rub your eyes. You then get up and start walking slowly along the platform, and that helps. Several minutes later, you hear a distant whistle echoing through the station. You turn around and see the train approaching the platform through a cloud of steam. That's enough to make your tiredness momentarily disappear. The train stops and passengers begin boarding. You take a deep breath and step inside. You walk through the narrow corridor until you find a relatively quiet compartment at the back of the train. You place your luggage away and sit beside the window. A few minutes later, you feel the carriage shudder beneath you and the whistle blowing on the outside. You start moving slowly, and little by little, King's Cross slides past the window as the train begins to gather speed. You rest your head and stare at the buildings passing by the window. <div class="scene-intro"> [img[images/story/prologue/10.jpg]]</div> You wonder how long the journey will take... what Vera Vane will be like... what you'll find in Ravenswick... if Maya's still alive... The rhythm of the wheels against the tracks becomes strangely soothing, which makes your eyelids grow heavy again. This time you don't fight it as hard as you did before. You begin blinking slower and slower, each time keeping your eyes closed for a bit longer. Outside, the last buildings of London pass beyond the window, and then, they too disappear as the train continues its journey. Then finally, before you realize it, you close your eyes for one last time. <<storyAction "Sleep" "Prologue12">><</storyAction>>

<<sceneIntro "Prologue13">> Ravenswick, October 28. <</sceneIntro>>

A sudden jolt wakes you up and for a few seconds, you're not sure where you are. Your neck aches from the uncomfortable position you've been sleeping in and one side of your face feels cold from resting against the window. You blink several times. The train's quiet... too quiet. You quickly sit upright and as you look outside the window, you notice that the train stopped. The station on the other side of the window is nothing like King's Cross. There's a single covered platform, a few iron lamps and an old brick station building that looks considerably older than it probably is. Beyond it, you can see the dark silhouettes of buildings rising against the dark sky. Only then you notice an old sign with faded paint: <b>RAVENSWICK</b> <div class="scene-intro"> [img[images/story/prologue/11.jpg]]</div> You wonder how long you've been asleep... it's already dark outside. You step into the corridor, but it's silent. <<alice>>Hello?<</alice>> Nothing. You begin to walk towards the exit, but every compartment is empty. Apparently, they all got off somewhere along the way. The moment you step onto the platform, you shiver as a cold breeze brushes against your face. You instinctively pull your coat closer to your body. You take a deep breath and notice the air smells somewhat different here... like salt mixed with something weirdly metallic. You leave the platform and pass through the station building, but there's no one inside, except an elderly attendant behind the counter, who barely looks up from his newspaper as you approach. You push open the heavy doors and take in the city before you. <div class="scene-intro"> [img[images/story/prologue/12.jpg]]</div> The city's considerably larger than you expected, but it's a proper town... but something feels strange. You take a few steps away from the station until you notice what it is. There are hardly any people around. Instead, you can only see a handful of distant figures. Fortunately, there's a stagecoach waiting beside the station. The driver's sitting in front of it, smoking a cigarette. You quickly approach him. <<alice>>Excuse me?<</alice>> He takes one last drag and looks at you. <<stagecoach>>Yes?<</stagecoach>> <<alice>>I-I need to go to this address.<</alice>> You unfold Vera's letter and show it to him. He leans slightly forward and then something changes in his expression. It's subtle, but you notice it. <<alice>>Do you know where it is?<</alice>> <<stagecoach>>17 Veil Street? Yes, I do.<</stagecoach>> You smile, folding the letter and putting it away. The driver then slowly moves to the door and opens it for you. You hesitate before climbing in. <<alice>>How much?<</alice>> <<stagecoach>>Two shillings.<</stagecoach>> You pay him and hand him your luggage. He quickly secures it behind the carriage before returning to his seat. You climb inside, and the smell of leather and tobacco fills your nostrils. Shortly after, the stagecoach begins to move. You keep watching Ravenswick through the window, still bothered about how empty the streets are and how strange the town seems. Something makes you uncomfortable but you're not sure what. You try to talk to the coachman. <<alice>>Have you been to Veil Street before?<</alice>> He doesn't answer. <<alice>>Do you know the Vane family?<</alice>> Nothing. You consider saying something else but end up giving up. You just sit back and wait. For now, you just want to meet Vera and learn what you can about Maya's disappearance, and then find a place to sleep. After a while, the stagecoach slows down and comes to a stop. <<stagecoach>>17 Veil Street.<</stagecoach>> <<storyAction "Get off the stagecoach" "Prologue14">><</storyAction>>

Before getting off, you lean toward the window to get a better look at the house. It looks like a regular two story house with a small garden in front of it. The coach driver doesn't open the door for you, so you do it yourself. You get off and take your luggage with you. The coach driver quietly watches your efforts, and as soon as he sees that you took everything, he closes the door and drives away. You then turn to the house. <div class="scene-intro"> [img[images/story/prologue/13.jpg]]</div> For the first time since you left London, you notice how alone you really are right now, but you try not to pay much attention to it. Instead, you walk past the open metallic gate and get to the porch. You place your luggage on the ground beside you and knock three times on the door. Nothing happens at first, but shortly after, you hear movements inside. Then, the lock turns and the door opens. The woman on the other side seems to be in her late forties, with her hair tied behind her head and clear dark circles under her eyes. Something in her posture suggests that she's exhausted, but trying to hide it. <<vera>>Yes?<</vera>> <<alice>>Mrs. Vane?<</alice>> <<vera>>Yes. Who are you?<</vera>> You reach into your coat and grab your identification card, and her letter. <<alice>>Alice Halden. I believe you've sent me this letter?<</alice>> Her expression immediately changes as she widens her eyes. <<vera>>Miss Halden...<</vera>> She looks almost as if she's struggling to believe you actually came. <<vera>>You came... please, come inside.<</vera>> She steps aside. <<vera>>Please.<</vera>> You bend down to pick your luggage, but Vera beats you to it. <<alice>>Oh, you don't have to.<</alice>> <<vera>>Nonsense, you've traveled all the way from London because of me. Let me help you.<</vera>> You decide not to argue and step inside. She then closes the door behind you. Her house's warmer than you expected. You can hear a fire burning quietly in the living room's fireplace, which fills the air with that burned wood smell. Her furniture is modest but carefully arranged. This is actually the first place you've seen since you actually arrived in Ravenswick that seems to be actually lived in. <<vera>>You must be exhausted, dear. Would you like some tea? I can put the kettle on.<</vera>> Tea sounds tempting, but you don't want to get distracted, and want to get straight to the point. <<alice>>No, thank you!<</alice>> Vera nods. <<alice>>Actually, if you don't mind, I'd like to ask a few questions for you.<</alice>> <<vera>>Oh, of course. Please sit.<</vera>> She gestures toward the sitting room. You then walk to it and take a chair opposite to the couch. Vera sits down, folding her hands together in her lap and for a moment, a brief silence looms between you, but you can see that you have her attention. You then take out your journal. <<alice>>Well, I've read your letter a few times since I got it, but there are some things that I'd like to know in more detail. Let's start with the night before Maya's disappearance. Was there anything unusual about her?<</alice>> Vera looks down at her hands. <<vera>>Oh, I've thought of this every day since she vanished. At first, I told the constable there was nothing. Maya was Maya... she ate normally, played with her toys, and went to bed on time. Nothing out of the ordinary...<</vera>> <<alice>>But?<</alice>> Vera looks towards the staircase. <<vera>>Looking back... perhaps there were a few things that I didn't give much attention to...<</vera>> You begin writing. <<vera>>Well, the last couple of days before she disappeared... she became quieter... sometimes she wouldn't answer me until I called her name two or three times.<</vera>> <<alice>>Did you ask what was bothering her?<</alice>> <<vera>>Several times. She always said nothing was wrong.<</vera>> Vera thinks for a moment. <<vera>>She started taking walks by herself as well.<</vera>> You stop taking notes for a moment. <<alice>>Where?<</alice>> <<vera>>I-I don't know... She said she was only walking around town. I didn't think anything of it. Ravenswick isn't London, Miss Halden. Children here have always wandered around on their own.<</vera>> <<alice>>Was there anyone she had begun spending time with? A new friend, maybe?<</alice>> <<vera>>N-No... not that I know of...<</vera>> <<alice>>All right. Tell me about the night she disappeared.<</alice>> Vera takes a slow breath and then starts speaking again. <<vera>>We had supper earlier that night... then she went upstairs to her room... it was a bit after eight...<</vera>> <<alice>>Did you stay down there?<</alice>> <<vera>>Yeah, I was reading a book before going to bed... but I heard her upstairs for a while after that... nothing unusual.<</vera>> <<alice>>So you were certain that she was in her bedroom?<</alice>> <<vera>>As certain as I can be at this point...<</vera>> You keep taking notes. <<vera>>Then I went upstairs and found her room empty... doors and windows were all locked from the inside...<</vera>> You stop taking notes again, trying to imagine what must have happened. <<alice>>Anything missing?<</alice>> <<vera>>No... nothing.<</vera>> <<alice>>And nobody saw her leave?<</alice>> <<vera>>Nobody.<</vera>> You keep thinking about the possibilities, but no plausible one comes to mind. <<alice>>Is there any object that might have been important to her?<</alice>> Vera thinks for a moment and then stands up. <<vera>>Wait here. I'll be right back.<</vera>> She walks upstairs and after a couple of minutes, she returns carrying a small book. She hands it to you as she sits back down. It's a small sketchbook, a bit worn out, but still in good condition. <<vera>>This belonged to her.<</vera>> You carefully open it. The first pages look like ordinary sketches that would be expected from a little girl, but as you turn the pages, you notice they start to become increasingly unusual. You see intersecting circles, bizarre houses with humanoid shapes around them, almost merging into a single being. <<alice>>Did you see these before her disappearance?<</alice>> <<vera>>No. I found the book afterwards.<</vera>> You keep silent for a moment. <<alice>>Would you mind if I kept this for a while?<</alice>> Vera hesitates for a moment. <<vera>>Well, if you think it might help...<</vera>> <<alice>>Thank you. I can't promise anything, but I'll try my best.<</alice>> Vera nods. <<alice>>One last thing... tell me about the night she returned.<</alice>> Vera looks at the fireplace, and then starts speaking again, now in a softer tone. <<vera>>I was sleeping right here by the fireplace, and when I opened my eyes... it was just after midnight... and she was just standing... looking at me... right there....<</vera>> She points toward the doorway. <<vera>>She didn't say anything... and she was just like the night when she disappeared... same clothes... not one scratch on her... not a single mark... she was just... terribly pale.<</vera>> She stops speaking for a moment, as if she was reliving the moment, trying not to cry as she speaks. <<vera>>I-I just panicked. I ran upstairs to get my coat so I could take her to the doctor... but when I got downstairs, she was gone...<</vera>> <<alice>>Were there any signs of a break-in?<</alice>> <<vera>>No... nothing.<</vera>> You keep silent for a moment. <<alice>>All right.<</alice>> You close your journal and stand up. <<alice>>I think this gives me something to start...<</alice>> Vera looks at you expectantly. <<vera>>Do you believe me?<</vera>> The question catches you off guard and you hesitate for a moment, then decide to change the subject. <<alice>>I'm going to find out what happened to Maya, Ms. Vane.<</alice>> Vera looks down at her hands, and then looks at you. <<vera>>O-Okay...<</vera>> <<alice>>I'll start properly tomorrow morning. I'll take a look at Maya's sketchbook more carefully and ask around town.<</alice>> Vera rises as well. <<vera>>Of course.<</vera>> You grab your luggage. <<vera>>Miss Halden...<</vera>> You turn to her. <<vera>>There's an inn about one block from here. Just head east until you see it. Tell the innkeeper that you're my guest.<</vera>> <<alice>>Oh, you didn't have to do that!<</alice>> <<vera>>Nonsense, you've traveled all the way from London because of me, and I told you I'd cover your accommodations.<</vera>> She gives you a faint smile as she says it... maybe the first one you've seen coming from her the whole night. Vera walks forward and opens the door. <<alice>>Thank you, Mrs. Vane.<</alice>> <<vera>>No. Thank you Miss Halden.<</vera>> You step outside, shivering as the cold breeze brushes against your face. You walk to the street and hear Ms. Vane closing the door behind you. <<storyAction "Walk to the inn." "Prologue15">> <<addFile "maya_sketchbook" "alert">> <</storyAction>>

You pull your coat tighter around you, trying to protect yourself from the cold breeze. The streets are completely deserted at this time. The silence's almost deafening, but you try not to pay much attention to it. You walk east until you see the inn. It's a small, two-story building with a sign above the door. <div class="scene-intro"> [img[images/story/prologue/14.jpg]]</div> You slowly walk to it and push the heavy wooden door open. Thankfully, the inside's warmer, and you sigh in relief as you keep walking inside. You approach a young woman that was standing behind the counter, and she kept looking at you without saying a word. <<alice>>Umm... hi. Mrs. Vera Vane told me to come here. She said I'm her guest and that she'll cover my accommodations.<</alice>> The woman looks at you for a moment and then just nods as she starts walking and makes a sign with her hand, for you to follow her. You do as she says and she leads you to a room at the second floor. It's a small, cozy room with a bed, a table and a chair. There's a fire burning in the fireplace and the room's warm. You spend the next few hours unpacking and getting ready for bed. You don't understand how you still feel tired after sleeping for so long on the trip, but before crashing into bed, you take another look at the bedroom, just to check if everything's in order. <div class="scene-intro"> [img[images/story/prologue/15.jpg]] </div> <<storyAction "Go to sleep." "Chapter01_InnDorm">> <</storyAction>>

<<set $wardrobeReturnPassage to previous()>> You open the wardrobe. Coats, dresses, and work clothes hang in neat rows — everything you have kept here for the road ahead. <div class="storage-chest wardrobe"> <p class="storage-chest__intro">Select an outfit to wear. Only clothes stored in the wardrobe can be changed into.</p> <<include "WardrobePanels">> </div> <<storyAction "Return" `$wardrobeReturnPassage || "Chapter01_InnDorm"`>><</storyAction>>