On a Sunbeam

I don’t remember how we got here. How //I// got here. Walls of red rock loom above my head. Cold winds gust in from the opening at my back, a steep trek that had led us into the mouth of the giant cave I now linger in. I //was// following Sid, as I always do when she takes me out in the field with her because I’m not yet experienced enough to go off on my own. (Or so she insists.) She said she was only going to be a minute, to check that the path ahead was safe. [[But she hasn’t been back for half an hour.]]

The waiting is typical. But she should be back by now. She always told me that if anything ever happened I should look for help. Worry about my safety first. After all, what good am I to someone else if I can’t help myself? But I can’t just leave her. [[I can’t.]]

I check the provisions I brought with me. My gloves. My hat. My knife. A granola bar. First aid kit. Water. Flares. A flashlight. Rock climbing rope and cords. My cartographer’s kit. If I decide to search for her, these are the things I’ll have to use to find her. It’s not a lot— I’m carrying less than usual because it was supposed to be a short trip. [[But I think it’s enough to get by on for at least a few hours. |Start!]]

When I look up, the scene before me has shifted. Literally. I hear the whisper of the rock grinding across the ground, closing off a path that had previously been open. Sid taught me how to record such things on a map before. I take out a scroll of parchment and quickly jot it down. I look back up. Of the paths still open, I see three: a path to my left, stairs leading up, and stairs leading down. The first [[tastes of sulfur]], the second [[smells like apples]], and the third [[sounds like windchimes]]. (set: $visitedEdge to false) (set: $visitedForest to false) (set: $visitedCave to false) (set: $visitedEdgeTrueEnd to false) (set: $visitedForestTrueEnd to false) (set: $visitedCaveTrueEnd to false)

(set: $visitedEdge to true) I turn to my left through a thin tunnel that squeezes around my shoulders. The taste of sulfur strengthens as I go, constricting my throat. the wind whips at my back as I reach the top of the stairs. I tug my hat down on my head and pull on my gloves. The sudden change in temperature makes my hands itch and I shudder. Once I’m done climbing, my thighs are burning and I’ve warmed again. I suck in a breath that cuts through my teeth. The cave has fallen away, exposing a slab of land dropping into nothing but (text-colour:transparent)+(hover-style:(text-color:black))+(text-style: "bold")+ (text-colour: #4169e1)+(css:"cursor:pointer")[space.] (click: ?page)[==[[With careful steps, I approach the edge.]] (t8n:"fade")[<img src="https://imgur.com/0rkYLOo.png">]

(set: $visitedForest to true) I turn around and climb the stairs at my back. They’re steep and I slide my hand along the side wall for support. I’m heaving by the time I’ve reached the top. The winds blow harshly against my skin and I bring my kerchief up around my mouth to keep the dust out. It pummels my head and I pull my hat down over my ears. I’m on the surface now, the earth transitioning from deep red clay to sprouts of grass peppering the space beneath my feet. I feel too exposed and open like this. In the distance, though, I see trees. Around me is nothing but barren land. If Sid went anywhere, it would be to cover. [[I follow the grass to the treeline.]]

(set: $visitedCave to true) I prefer to avoid going any deeper into the Staircase as much as I can. It’s easy to get lost in the mazelike formations below, and with no natural light to help guide my way, I have to rely on torches or hope that there’s enough natural light seeping through or other natural source to keep the path lit. What I don’t want, though, is anything man-made. But I can’t help the potential of the footsteps I see ahead of me. I think I remember Sid going this way, too. [[So, with careful steps and held breath, I walk downstairs.]]

Sounds of life are a promising sign— at least when they’re birdcall and not the roar of a skein hound. The earth beneath my feet grows and changes from crust to grass. I walk under trees whose cover protects me from the wind buffering my back. Their leaves rustle as birds hop in and out of the foliage and the wind passes through the branches. I hear the trickle of water and follow it to a nearby river. Animals scatter at the sound of my approach and my hand goes to the sheath of my knife at my hip. When I reach the river, though, I’m (click: ?page)[==[[alone.]] (t8n:"fade")[<img src="https://imgur.com/il2F5wB.png">]

I sit down for a second to regain my breath. My bag hits the ground beside me with a thud. I pull my knees to my chest and bring out my canteen of water to take a sip. I look around, listening to the life moving around me. I’ve spent years learning to tell the difference between the safe sounds and the dangerous ones. Right now, though, I don’t hear anything that would put me on high alert. As I twist the cap shut on my canteen, I stare at the water in front of me. It trickles quietly over rocks and soil, weaving between river grasses that catch the light beautifully. [[Sid. I’m here to look for Sid.]]

I get back up, tuck the canteen into my backpack, and lug it onto my shoulders. The grass is full, not tamped down by footsteps like I'd expect if someone had come through. The wildlife is unbothered by my presence, deer drinking from the riverbank across from me. I smell apples and lift my head to search for them. The tree's branches stretch out wider than before, casting shadows across my face. The mild temperatures are nice but unfamiliar. We didn't come through this way before. But the Staircase is vast and winding and there’s no guarantee that the path I took to get here is even still around. I decide to… [[Turn back. | Choice Area]] [[Keep going.]]

Of the paths still unexplored, I see: (if: $visitedEdge is false)[A path to my left. It [[tastes of sulfur]].] (if: $visitedForest is false)[Stairs leading up. It [[smells like apples]].] (if: $visitedCave is false)[Stairs leading down. It [[sounds like windchimes]].] (if: $visitedCave is true and $visitedForest is true and $visitedEdge is true)[ (click: ?page)[==Nothing. I must be missing something. I've explored all the places I had access to and marked them on my map. But a map is only as useful as its map-maker and if I overlooked something, it's possible I didn't draw it into my outline. It's as I'm looking back over my things when I look up to the sound of rock grinding against rock. Almost magically, I watch the path unfold in front of me. The walls of red stone part, revealing a path that leads cleanly forward. I mark it on my map then approach. There’s a single pair of footprints leading inside. [[I follow.]] ]

I should at least collect a few apples before I go and search for some of the materials Sid had brought us here to look for. She was looking for flowers but also bark and leaves to be made into inks and pulp for handmade paper. I’m always careful not to take too much— I’m not looking for reasons for the nature to betray me. Because as much as some of those living in TS think that’s Sid being superstitious, I believe it. I believe the earth punishes those who abuse it and rewards those who treat it well. And I intend to be on its good side. I pluck one of the apples I had spotted before and reach for the knife at my hip to carve it into slices. [[I take a bite. | Bad End - Forest]] [[I hold onto it for later. | Good End - Forest]]

I’m not feeling particularly hungry and there’s still a granola bar in my bag that I can eat first. I don’t want to get complacent and think that just because I’ve found food, I’m safe. The apple can be a reward for later; I’ll share them with Sid when we meet again. I hum quietly to myself as I inspect the flowers at my feet and the trees overhead. I’ve definitely wandered deeper into the forest than I had intended, but when I look backward, I’m bolstered by the knowledge that the path behind me has stayed sturdy. [[Ahead of me, the dense brush breaks into a field. | Field-good]]

I don’t remember the last time I’ve eaten an apple. Ever since we moved underground, they’ve been scarce, especially since the land is so unpredictable. I take a bite, relishing in the feeling of the juice flooding into my mouth. These must be the juiciest apples I’ve ever tasted. I hum quietly to myself as I inspect the flowers at my feet and the trees overhead. I’ve definitely wandered deeper into the forest than I had intended, but when I look backward, I’m bolstered by the knowledge that the path behind me has stayed sturdy. [[Ahead of me, the dense brush thins into a field. | Field]]

I break into a trot as the field comes into fuller view. My eyes are assaulted by the bright pinks, yellows, purples, and greens of thousands of wildflowers peppering the ground like confetti. Light doesn’t reach the Staircase the same way it does other places. Our sun’s perpetually swallowed by thick rings of gases that create a toxic circle around it. It distorts the little light we receive from it, blocking most of its rays from reaching the people below. We make do with the little we get and harvest its energy using solar panels in the summer. The field before me feels like it’s bathed in //clean// sunlight. It’s probably because of something in the flowers— maybe a chemical that makes them glow, like bioluminescence. If I could harvest some of it, then maybe Sid could use them to make her maps easier to see at night! I kneel at the edge of the field and pluck a flower, watching the glowing juice ooze from its stem, just as I had expected. [[Then I pluck another.]]

And another, and another. The flowers smell acidic and stain my fingers til they’re glowing. I choose flowers of every color, from vibrant reds and yellows to rich violets and blues. I gather them into a small bundle and wrap a small section of my rope around them to keep them secure in my bag. Then I cut the used piece of rope from the rest of it and return everything to my backpack. As I stand, though, I’m hit with a dizzy spell that pulls me back to the ground. It’s then that I notice the tingling to my lips and suck in a quick breath. I can’t focus my eyes anymore. It was just one apple— I didn’t even //finish// it— My head grows heavy and I push myself onto my knees before I hit my head on something. I roll onto my stomach as my heart pounds out of my chest. I should reach for my flare, or my water, //anything//— —But my arms won’t move. [[My eyesight flickers and before I know it, I’ve lost consciousness.]]

I break into a trot as the field comes into fuller view. My eyes are assaulted by the bright pinks, yellows, purples, and greens of thousands of wildflowers peppering the ground like confetti. Light doesn’t reach the Staircase the same way it does other places. Our sun’s perpetually swallowed by thick rings of gases that create a toxic circle around it. It distorts the little light we receive from it, blocking most of its rays from reaching the people below. We make do with the little we get and harvest its energy using solar panels in the summer. The field before me feels like it’s bathed in clean sunlight. It’s probably because of something in the flowers— maybe a chemical that makes them glow, like bioluminescence. If I could harvest some of it, then maybe Sid could use them to make her maps easier to see at night! I kneel at the edge of the field and pluck a flower, watching the glowing juice ooze from its stem, just as I had expected. [[Then I pluck another. | Field-goodII]]

(set: $visitedForestTrueEnd to true) And another, and another. The flowers smell acidic and stain my fingers til they’re glowing. I choose flowers of every color, from vibrant reds and yellows to rich violets and blues. I gather them into a small bundle and wrap a small section of my rope around them to keep them secure in my bag. Then I cut the used piece of rope from the rest of it and return everything to my backpack. I stand and pull my backpack over my shoulders. I think I’ve strayed enough; I should get back to the cavern. I turn back toward the path I had come from and walk down it, pulling the compass from my pack to make sure I’m going the right way. [[Soon enough, formations begin to look familiar, and I return to the entrance into the cavern. | Choice Area]]

When I come to, I hear someone calling my name. I blink a few times, pushing through tears, and see the wide brim of Sid’s hat like a halo around her head. I see her eyes, nearly fit to bursting with tears of their own, and bite my lip. I pull her into a hug, swallowing her in it until I eclipse her worry with my relief. “I’m sorry,” I whimper, over and over. “I’m sorry, I’m sorry. I won’t ever stray again.” Then her arms close around me, and I feel safe. (live: 1s)[(t8n:"dissolve")[//Sleeping Poppy// Ending 1/7](stop:)] (live: 2s)[(transition-arrive:"fade")[[Restart?|Beginning]](stop:)] (live: 3s)[(transition-arrive:"fade")[[Resume at Choices|Start!]](stop:)]

I don’t let go of my breath until the room opens up and I hear the deep, low thrum of air flowing through the cave tunnels. I frequently throw my head back to check the path behind me as I trek up a small mound into the larger chamber. It’s dark. I hear the echo of water as it drips into a basin somewhere and squint through the dark to spot large rectangles rising out of the darkness toward the ceiling. Carefully I kneel on the path to bring out my flashlight and flick it on its lowest setting. I shine it toward the shadows and am almost immediately blinded by giant chunks of crystal. They loom over me, the light reflecting (click: ?page)[==bright yellows, pinks, and blues. I’ve heard of this rock before. This is the kind that can [[heal. |bright yellows, pinks, and blues.]] (t8n:"fade")[<img src="https://imgur.com/ZkqKTx0.png" style="height:100vh">]

I’m wary about keeping the light switched on for too long. I shine it across the water and at the path ahead, which starts to incline. I’m walking beside water but there don’t appear to be any loose rocks nearby, though the earth has been disturbed; I see footprints. I take a cautious step forward. There’s no wind here, so maybe the footsteps are old and have been preserved for a long time. I’ve followed behind Sid enough times now that I should be able to recall what her footprints look like in the dirt. But it’s still too dark to tell for sure, and the light casts deep shadows on them. [[Before I’ve had much time to think about it, I hear noise.]]

By reflex, I crouch, switch the light off, and press a hand against my mouth to stifle my breaths. My eyes are still adjusting to the dark when I hear a figure approaching, their footsteps scuffing the dirt underneath their boots. The problem with Sid’s outfit is it’s just as dark as any other person’s. The figure is roughly her height and wearing a hat, but beyond that, I can’t make out details. Something about the interaction gives me pause. I want… [[To hide.]] [[To leave.]]

I find a rock to hide behind and crouch as low to the ground as possible as the person walks down the path. They don’t turn on a light; maybe they also don’t want to be found. I squeeze the flashlight in my hand and focus my breathing. I’ll just wait until they’ve passed, then get up and leave. [[But how long will that take?]]

It’s too dangerous here. If it’s really Sid, then she’ll know that I’m waiting for her where we last met and she’ll come to meet me there. And if it’s not… Then I’ll feel even happier about my decision to leave. I keep my eyes trained on the figure in front of me as I back down the path. I quietly press the heels of my hands into the gravel beneath me to feel my way backward. [[The pressure in my chest is suffocating.]]

The person takes another step forward and I take another backward. I tighten my grip around my flashlight and risk a glance behind my shoulder. The path is open behind me, no rock to hide behind. I’m too exposed. My eyes have adjusted enough now to see the shape of the person’s face, deep shadows contouring their eye sockets, lips, and nose. I grab a rock at my feet and throw it as hard as I can to the other side of the cave. When the person turns their head toward the sound, I shoot to my legs and sprint toward the exit. I’ve almost made it when [[someone grabs my arm.]]

Without thinking, I swing my flashlight at them as hard as I can. It connects with their shoulder. The person shouts and to my horror, it’s not Sid’s voice. The casing on my flashlight bursts open and the batteries fly from it, rolling across the ground and plopping into the water. //Idiot!// The person still has hold of my arm and I pull out the knife at my hip to slash at them. I hear another cry and a cacophony of jingling as it connects with their arm then slices across their bag, letting loose the stash of crystals they had collected. But it’s enough for them to let go of my arm. [[Take a crystal and run.]] [[Run.]]

With blood pumping in my ears, I run as fast as I can. My arm pulses where it had been grabbed but in my haze of adrenaline, I can’t tell whether I’ve actually been hurt. I push myself til I’m coughing and panicked, standing at an unfamiliar crossroads. I can’t hear them behind me— I can’t hear much of anything aside from the chimes of the crystal in my ears. I should have known there were hunters! What was I //thinking?// The place has begun to look familiar to me again, the red stone a surprising comfort. I take a moment to regain my breath, take a sip from my canteen, and [[look at the places left available to me.| Choice Area]]

(set: $visitedCaveTrueEnd to true) I stoop down and take a chunk of fallen crystal. I stand before the hunter has recovered and with blood pumping in my ears, I run as fast as I can. My arm pulses where it had been grabbed but in my haze of adrenaline, I can’t tell whether I’ve actually been hurt. I push myself til I’m coughing and panicked, standing at an unfamiliar crossroads. I can’t hear them behind me— I can’t hear much of anything aside from the chimes of the crystal in my ears. I should have known there were hunters! What was I //thinking?// The place has begun to look familiar to me again, the red stone a surprising comfort. I take a moment to regain my breath, take a sip from my canteen, and [[look at the places left available to me.| Choice Area]]

Another person joins the other at their side and my heart sinks. This isn’t Sid. And their bags jingle with the sound of crystal. They’re //hunters//. I have to get out of here— Just as I’m turning my head, though, I feel [[a presence at my back.]]

A flashlight flicks on and blinds me. I reach for the knife at my hip and hold it in front of me. The person laughs. “Have we found a lost lamb?” My lips tremble as I think of a response. But nothing comes. They grab my arm and I jerk backward, slashing my knife toward their arm. The hunter curses and another grabs me by my arms, forcing me onto my knees. I should //scream//. [[But I can’t find my voice.]]

Their voices have gotten louder now, taunting me, talking about what they’re going to do to me. From the stories I’ve heard, I’m surprised they didn’t kill me on the spot. I close my eyes and choke back tears. I can’t keep my hands from shaking. I lower my head and listen as they walk around me, scuffing rock, making the crystal echo and reverberate with their voices. Then, something different: I hear the //thunk// of an arrow and a blood-curdling scream. “Get up!” Sid shouts, and I shoot to my feet, fighting lightheadedness, to join the shadow guarding the exit. Her hand slides over my shoulder once I make it to her side and she pushes me toward the mouth of the cave. I run, and run and run, feeling the weight of her gaze at my back. (live: 1s)[(t8n:"dissolve")[//Sid Rescue// Ending 2/7](stop:)] (live: 2s)[(transition-arrive:"fade")[[Restart?|Beginning]](stop:)] (live: 3s)[(transition-arrive:"fade")[[Resume at Choices|Start!]](stop:)]

Clouds of bright blue wrap around the sun hoisted in the center of space. Stars adorn the space around the sun like a halo, flickering and pulsing. Clouds below me roll over the earth like fog, hiding the jagged edges of the earth that had broken off. Places like these have becoming more and more common— chunks of land with pieces missing, sometimes parts floating off in the distance. This time, there’s nothing, no sign of where the other pieces went. It’s a cold place, one that feels like it shouldn’t exist. [[My breaths are heavy.]]

The stairs are practically disintegrating underneath my soles, droplets of them splitting apart and floating up toward the pulsing ring of clouds surrounding the sun. Space changes the makeup of these things, pulling them apart, crushing them into liquids. Sid uses the liquids sometimes on her maps. Unlike inkwells that have to be placed on flat surfaces, ink mixed with stardust is able to be used upside-down or even in self-contained blobs. Hunters have tried to harvest it before, but you need special containers for it. And I have such a container. [[But I’ve never collected any alone before.]]

I walk back to the bottom of the stairs to analyse my plan of attack if I were to try. The stairs aren’t sturdy— that much is obvious. And it’ll take time to do this. I can’t deny the surge or pride I would feel if I were able to get something for Sid to show that not only can I be trusted on my own, I can put that time to good use. But it’s not what I came for. And she could already be waiting for me back at our rendezvous point. [[Go back. | Choice Area]] [[I’ll collect just a little.]]

So long as I’m careful, I don’t think there’s any harm in at least trying to get some for Sid. I place my backpack on the ground and dig through it to pull out the cartographer’s kit and the vials. They’re little glass tubes, small enough to fit in the palm of my hand. Then I stand again and look over the clouds rolling slowly over the ground. I have two places to choose from in terms of collecting— I could grab from the top of the stairs or the clouds at my feet. I choose… [[the clouds.]] [[the stairs.]]

The clouds are thick and swirling. I think it’ll be easy to collect something from them, although it’s hard to get it into the vial when it’s not as condensed as what I’m expecting. The clouds closest to the ground are densest, so I kneel with the vial stretched forward. As I do, however, I feel the ground shift beneath me. It’s too late before I’ve realized that another piece is falling apart. It takes me with it, and I’m only able to act quickly enough to grab onto the edge. [[A hand grabs my wrist and pulls me up.]]

There’s fewer drops at the top of the stairs, but it’s easier to see where I’m going than standing with the clouds pooling at my feet. I scale the stairs again with a careful gait and squeeze the vial in my hand. When I reach the top, I realize the largest drops are the size of my thumb. I should get a few drops to at least make it worth it. To test my reach, I raise my arm. [[Cold space brushes my fingertips.]]

Reassured that I’ll be able to get at least a little, I uncork the vial and lift it up. I stretch and stretch, straining the muscles in my arms to reach the droplets. I didn’t think much about how I would get the liquid in. I had assumed that it would go in naturally, but with being in the vacuum of space, I have to push the container into the liquid to get it to fit. With a hop, I’m able to push the tube into the clouds of stardust. But now I have a new problem— I’m [[floating.]]

(set: $visitedEdgeTrueEnd to true) It isn’t the first time I’ve encountered a problem like this in the Staircase. I think it’s part of the hazards of living here— sometimes, you’re going to end up in space. There’s a worry about suffocating in it, though, so I have to be careful that I get back down. Whenever I was a kid, I would make a swimming sort of motion with my arms to get back down. I try that again now, and find some success in at least being able to grab onto pieces of the dilapidated staircase. With careful hands, I manage to ease myself back down. My heart’s thudding out of my chest as I grab my backpack again, tempted to carry the climber’s rope in my hand just for the safety of it. I think that’s enough for now. [[I should head back. | Choice Area]]

I fall onto my knees and suck in deep breaths. It tastes acidic, unnatural. I cough a few times and that clears my throat enough to breathe regularly again. I turn my eyes onto my savior and am met by a cold expression. It’s a face that’s familiar to me, though. One of the Hills. “What were you //doing//?” she shouts. “I— I only—” “You could have //died//.” She keeps talking and ranting and I feel the cold pit in my stomach expand until there’s [[nothing but guilt and regret.]]

//I’m sorry. It was foolish.// There’s things I want to say, but instead, I just grip the vial in my hand even tighter. She’s talking about the dangers and my foolishness and //don’t you understand the risks?// “Where’s Sid?” “I don’t know.” She sighs and I wince as I brace for more criticism. But I feel her hand pat my shoulder gently. “At least you’re safe.” (if: $visitedCave is false)[She leads me back toward the cavern. (live: 1s)[(t8n:"dissolve")[//Hill Capture// Ending 3/7](stop:)] (live: 2s)[(transition-arrive:"fade")[[Restart?|Beginning]](stop:)] (live: 3s)[(transition-arrive:"fade")[[Resume at Choices|Start!]](stop:)]] (if: $visitedCave is true)[[I tell her about the Hunters in the crystal cave.]]

“Don’t worry about that now. We’ll take care of it from here,” she says in a reassuring tone, “but thank you for telling me.” (live: 1s)[(t8n:"dissolve")[//Hill and Hunters Capture //Ending 4/7](stop:)] (live: 2s)[(transition-arrive:"fade")[[Restart?|Beginning]](stop:)] (live: 3s)[(transition-arrive:"fade")[[Resume at Choices|Start!]](stop:)]

Unlike the other places, there’s no paths or stairs here. There’s a decline, but it’s through rock and I keep a hand pressed against a wall to avid tripping. I don’t have my flashlight anymore to guide me, so I have to be careful. The path eventually levels out and opens up to more tunnels. Pillars of rock keep them from collapsing, stretching up into the high ceiling. Someone’s breathing in the chamber somewhere, the sounds echoing off the walls. [[The sound paralyzes me, and for a moment, I stand and just listen.]]

After a second passes, a voice speaks. “Who’s there?” It’s Sid, though her voice is edged with tension that makes the hairs on the back of my neck stand on-end. “It’s me,” I say. “Light a flare.” There’s urgency in her voice, so I pull the flare out of my bag. With slightly shaking hands, I pull off the cap and strike the flare against it. [[It bursts with sparks, flooding the room with bright red.]]

The light reveals Sid on the ground, her back against the wall farthest from me, her legs outstretched. I rush to her side and throw my arms around her in a hug. “I’m glad to see you, too,” she says, “but I need a first-aid kit.” (if: $visitedCaveTrueEnd is true)[“I have this,” I say, and pull the crystal from my pocket. Sid doesn’t ask any questions. She takes it from my hand and presses it against her thigh. The crystal glows softly and the pain on her face eases. “Thank you,” she says. She slips the crystal into her pocket as she stands and stretches out her legs. Then her hands are akimbo on her hips as she casts her eyes down to me. [[“What are you doing here?”]]](if: $visitedCaveTrueEnd is false)[I pull the first-aid kit from my bag. At first, we don’t talk. I’m shaking more than she is and she takes it from me to patch herself up. I wish I could be more help, but I think it’s enough that I was able to find her in the first place. She’s able to patch herself mostly on her own and then once she’s ready to stand, I lend her my shoulder. [[“What are you doing here?”]]]

“You didn’t come to get me, so I came to find you,” I said. She looks me over. “Are you hurt?” I shake my head. “You need to be more careful.” (if: $visitedCaveTrueEnd is true)[Sid bends down and pulls her bag back onto her shoulders.](else:)[Sid slowly rises on her leg and reaches out to my shoulder for support. She lugs her backpack onto her shoulders and gestures me toward the exit.] “Let’s go.” “Wait. [[Is everything okay?”]]

“There were hounds in this area earlier,” Sid says. “We have to go.” I nod, swallowing my trepidation, and stick close to her as we move up the path we came from. We exit into a small clearing where we’d left our mount. Sid fastens her bags onto the saddle as I watch. (if: $visitedEdgeTrueEnd is true or $visitedForestTrueEnd is true)[“Sid,” I say. “I have something for you.” She turns toward me with a curious look in her eyes. “What is it?”](else:)[I help her carefully mount our cat. Then I put my things away, too, and climb onto the seat in front of her. I crack the reins once, then set my determined gaze on the horizon ahead of us. (live: 1s)[(t8n:"dissolve")[//Found Sid// Ending 5/7](stop:)] (live: 2s)[(transition-arrive:"fade")[[Restart?|Beginning]](stop:)] (live: 3s)[(transition-arrive:"fade")[[Resume at Choices|Start!]](stop:)]] (if: $visitedEdgeTrueEnd is true)[[I show her the stardust.]] (if: $visitedForestTrueEnd is true)[[I show her the flowers.]]

(set: $showedFlowers to true) [I pull the collection of flowers from my bag and hand it to her. “I was just thinking of getting more of these,” she says with a bark of a laugh. She ruffles my hair and grins as she tucks them into her bag. “Good eye. Do you have anything else for me?”] (if: $showedStardust is true or $visitedEdgeTrueEnd is false)[ [[I shake my head.]]](else-if: $visitedEdgeTrueEnd is true)[ [[I show her the stardust.]]](else:)[ [[I shake my head.]]]

(set: $showedStardust to true) I bring out the small vial I had tucked away in my pocket. The stardust still glitters inside, floating like a lava lamp. “Where’d you even get this?” she asks, her eyes wide. “You’re amazing, El!” My cheeks warm and I smile. “Good work. I’m proud of you,” she says. “Do you have anything else for me?” (if: $showedFlowers is true or $visitedForestTrueEnd is false)[ [[I shake my head.]]](else-if: $visitedForestTrueEnd is true)[ [[I show her the flowers.]]](else:)[ [[I shake my head.]]]

(if: $showedFlowers is true and $showedStardust is true)["You found so many things for me," Sid says. She grins, and I feel warm inside. "You did an amazing job today, against all the circumstances." It's rare to hear such praise from her and my nose stings. I know she loves me, though to hear affection from her lips like this is so different. "Alright, alright, no crying." I feel her glove on my cheek, wiping away a tear I didn't know was there. "Get on up," she says. "It's time to go home." I help her mount the cat first, then climb up behind her. I take the front seat and grab the reins, cracking them once to get the cat moving. As we set off into the horizon, I can't help the smile on my lips. (live: 1s)[(t8n:"dissolve")[//True// Ending 7/7](stop:)] (live: 2s)[(transition-arrive:"fade")[[Restart?|Beginning]](stop:)] (live: 3s)[(transition-arrive:"fade")[[Resume at Choices|Start!]](stop:)]] (else:)[“Then let’s get going,” she says. I help her carefully mount our cat. Then I put my things away, too, and climb onto the seat in front of her. I crack the reins once, then set my determined gaze on the horizon ahead of us. (live: 1s)[(t8n:"dissolve")[//A Little Praise// Ending 6/7](stop:)] (live: 2s)[(transition-arrive:"fade")[[Restart?|Beginning]](stop:)] (live: 3s)[(transition-arrive:"fade")[[Resume at Choices|Start!]](stop:)]]