Created in Twine for a major game studio, this branching narrative depicts an interaction between the player and an unusual fellow prisoner. I enjoyed blurring the lines of horror and humor, integrating meaningful choices into a dialogue that feels both creepy and intriguing.
The PrisonersYou've been locked up in a holding cell by the city guards, who claim you match the description of a wanted fugitive sought in another part of the realm. Already in the cell is another prisoner, who expresses a strong interest in you. What unfolds next?
[[Next]]
''Gorb:'' Is that fresh meat Gorb smells? Sniffy sniffy, yummy yummy, yes yes yes!
''Narrator:'' A filthy creature limps from the shadows. Rags hang from its emaciated body; pus-filled boils protrude from its exposed skin. Beady eyes leer out between curtains of lank, greasy hair. Jagged teeth stretch into a horrifying grin.
0. [[Erm … hello?]]
0. [[What in the hells are you supposed to be?]]
0. [[//Remain silent.//->Remain silent.]]
''Gorb:'' Hurrah! Hooray! Joy of joys, a tasty new friend, end! What say you, stranger, be Gorb's mate, ate?
''Narrator:'' *The creature shuffles closer, licking its lips as it takes you in. A beetle skitters along its arm as it extends a bony hand in greeting. Its fingernails are black and caked with dirt.*
0. [[ //Take Gorb’s hand.// Well met, Gorb.->Take Gorb's hand.]]
0. [[//Wave at Gorb.// Hello Gorb! No need for touching!->Wave at Gorb.]]
0. [[//Move away from Gorb.//->Move away from Gorb.]]
''Gorb:'' Gorb is full of surprises. Lots of things and nothing. Alive but not living, here but not present, lonely but not alone.
0. [[Insane and not sane]]
0. [[Are you a prisoner? Or ... do you just live down here?->How did you get here?]]
0. [[That doesn't make any sense.]]''Narrator:'' You step around Gorb and walk briskly to the rear of your cell. As you stride away into the darkness, Gorb suddenly appears directly in your path, its face inches from your own. Its acrid breath feels hot against your skin as it itsses into your ear.
''Gorb:'' Nobody ignores Gorb, orb. We'll be friends, ends. I know all about you, ooh.
0. [[How did you move so fast?->What in the hells are you supposed to be?]]
0. [[You don't know anything about me.->Then you know I'm innocent, and I shouldn't be here.]]
0. [[I'll be your friend if you can get me out of here.->The Way Out]]''Narrator:'' Gorb's gaze follows your moving hand as you wave it back and forth.
''Gorb:'' Will you be eating all of those fingers, fingers, fingers?
0. [[This is my hand. It's not for eating.]]
0. [[Wasn't planning on it.]]
0. [[No, and neither will you. Do you know a way out of here?->->The Way Out]]
''Narrator:'' Quick as a flash, Gorb pulls your hand towards its mouth and takes a bite. The creature grins at you through bloody teeth as it chews on a lump of your flesh.
''Gorb:'' Tasty tasty, freshy fleshy! Could do with some salt, malt.
0. [[Ow! What did you do that for?]]
0. [[You'll pay for that, you little worm! //Hit Gorb.//->Hit Gorb.]]
0. [[Bite Gorb back.->Bite Gorb.]]
''Gorb:'' Pity, pity, pity. What else do you have for Gorb?
0. [[My eternal thanks for helping me to escape?]]
0. [[//Rummage in your pocket.// A small piece of red lint?->Red lint]]
0. [[How about the back of my hand?->Hit Gorb.]]''Gorb:'' Gorb is hungry, hungry. Never enough food, only bony rats and ratty bones, owns.
0. [[How long have you been down here?]]
0. [[Don't the guards give you food? Surely that's better than eating people's fingers.]]
0. [[If I let you eat a finger, can you help me to escape?]]''Narrator:'' You lunge forward and sink your teeth into Gorb's forearm. The creature's skin yields as though biting into spoiled fruit, and your stomach lurches as your mouth fills with the sickly tang of rotting meat.
You spit the acrid meat onto the floor and see several maggots wriggling against the stone. Searing pain rips through your core, forcing you to your knees. Gorb's high-pitched laughter reverberates around the cell wall as the room tilts, and you feel darkness closes in around you.
[[Continue.]]''Narrator:'' Gorb's frail flesh yields easily beneath your fist, and yet the creature stands firm. It steps close until its face is inches from yours, its acrid breath hot against your skin. Its teeth are bared, its pupils large and black as night.
''Gorb:'' It's rude to hit.
0. [[What are you? ->What in the hells are you supposed to be?]]
0. [[//Shake it off.// It's rude to bite. ->Ow! What did you do that for?]]
0. [[//Look for something you can use as a weapon.//->Attack Gorb.]]
''Narrator: ''You lurch back to consciousness. Something wet is pooling on your forehead. You open your eyes to see Gorb standing over you. A string of drool hangs from its mouth.
''Gorb:'' Gorb decided not to eat any more of you while you were sleeping.
0. [[Thanks ... I guess. You look like you've been down here for quite some time.->How long have you been down here?]]
0. [[I'm honored. Why would you bite someone in the first place?->Ow! What did you do that for?]]
0. [[What even //are// you?->What in the hells are you supposed to be?]]
''Narrator:'' Gorb thinks for a second. The creature seems confused by your question.
''Gorb:'' How long, ong? The length of the wind. The wail of a baby's cry. The echo of a song that you've long forgotten, en. As old as old as old is old.
0. [[How did you get here?]]
0. [[Do you know a way out?->The Way Out]]
''Narrator:'' Gorb cocks its head to one side as a grin spreads across its face.
''Gorb:'' Yes, yes, yes! Anything for fingies, ingies! Juicy, fleshy!
0. [[You've got yourself a deal. How do I escape?]]
0. [[On second thoughts, maybe not.->This is my hand. It's not for eating.]]''Narrator:'' Gorb shifts from one foot to another and plunges its bony hand into its ragged clothes. He roots around for a while, before triumphantly pulling out a key.
''Gorb:'' Gorb has a key, glee! But first, tasty fleshy finger for Gorb.
0. [[Fine. //Hold out a finger.//->Let Gorb eat one of your fingers.]]
0. [[Sorry, Gorb, but now I know about the key, I'm less inclined to give you one of my fingers. //Attack.//->Attack Gorb.]]
0. [[(LIE). Open the door first, and then I //promise// I'll let you eat one of my fingers.->(LIE). Open the door first, and then I promise I'll let you eat one of my fingers.]]
''Narrator: ''Blinding pain shoots up your arm as Gorb clamps its teeth around your index finger. It takes several agonizing minutes for the creature to gnaw through the bone and cartilage. Finally, triumphantly, Gorb raises its head. You see your own finger pointing back at you from its mouth.
[[//Steady yourself.// Let's get out of here.->Steady yourself. Let's get out of here.]]
''Narrator:'' You deperately scan the dark cell for something you can use as a weapon, and spy a loose, unlit sconce on the wall. In a single movement, you use the last of your remaining strength to yank it from the stone, and swing your arm to bring it down on Gorb's head. The impact makes a sickening crunch. Gorb drops to the floor with a thud. A thin line of blood trickles from its temple.
[[//Search Gorb.// ->Search Gorb]]
''Gorb:'' This key's not for the cell door, or. It's for Gorb's special things, ings.
''Narrator:'' You can still hear your finger crunching in Gorb's mouth as it retreats into a dark corner of the cell. Your hear the dull thud of Gorb's foot against stone, followed by the scraping sound as Gorb retreives something from the wall. Gorb gently places a small mahogany chest at your feet.
Gorb's face breaks into an expression of childlike wonder as it inserts the key into the lid. The box opens with a click. Inside, countless finger bones of all shapes and sizes are neatly stacked against the red velvet lining.
Gorb looks at you with a conspiratorial smile. It reaches into the box lid, and clicks a small latch with its grime-ridden fingertip. A secret compartment flicks open, and from it, Gorb produces a large, brass sketon key.
''Gorb:'' For you. ooh. A gift, ift.
0. [[Thank you, friend. Let's go. //Open the cell door and take Gorb with you.//->Escape with Gorb]]
0. [[Why don't you go ahead and open the door?]]
''Narrator:'' You feel the cold touch of metal against your skin, and your fingers grasp the familiar shape of a key in Gorb's pocket. You race to the cell door and insert the key – but it doesn't turn. It appears that this key is intended for a different lock.
Bile rises in the back of your throat as you frantically search for another way out, testing the cell bars, fumbling in the dirt. A shuffling sound at the back of the cell draws your attention. Somewhere in the dark, Gorb is beginning to stir. A guttural, predatory growl rises from the shadows.
0. [[End Scene.]]
0. [[Replay Scene|Start]]''Gorb:'' Gorb knows that you lie, eye. Gorb sees it, sit. Gorb doesn't want to help you escape, cape.
0. [[Let's not be hasty. I was just nervous. Here, have a finger, it's all yours. //Hold out a finger.//->Let Gorb eat one of your fingers.]]
0. [[I'm getting out of here, one way or another.->Attack Gorb.]]''Gorb:'' New, new, new, I see you! You can't hide ide from Gorb!
0. [[I'm actually just a figment of your imagination.]]
0. [[I'm not hiding. I just don't want to talk to you.]]
0. [[//Move away from the creature.//->Move away from Gorb.]]''Gorb:'' Nobody ignores Gorb, orb. We'll be friends, ends. I know all about you, ooh.
0. [[You don't know anything about me.->Then you know I'm innocent, and I shouldn't be here.]]
0. [[I'll be your friend if you can get me out of here.->The Way Out]]
0. [[Can it, weirdo. I need to figure out how to escape this hellhole before my brain ends up like yours.]]''Gorb: ''You are here by mistake, yes? Insane to some, sane to others.
0. [[How do you know that I'm here by mistake?->Then you know I'm innocent, and I shouldn't be here.]]
0. [[Exactly. That's why I need to get out of here. Can you help?->The Way Out]]
0. [[Gods, I actually understand what you're saying. This situation is more dire than I thought.->H-how can you possibly know all this?]]''Gorb: ''You are here by mistake, ake, yes? Nonsense to you, sense to others.
0. [[How do you know that I'm here by mistake?->Then you know I'm innocent, and I shouldn't be here.]]
0. [[You're creeping me out. Do you know a way out of here or not?->The Way Out]]
0. [[Gods, I actually understand what you're saying. This situation is more dire than I thought.->H-how can you possibly know all this?]]
''Gorb:'' Hmmm I think not, no no, not a dream. Gorb knows all about you.
0. [[Can it, weirdo. I need to figure out how to escape this hellhole before my brain ends up like yours.]]
0. [[You don't know anything about me.->Then you know I'm innocent, and I shouldn't be here.]]
0. [[Then you know I'm innocent, and I shouldn't be here.]]''Gorb: ''Gorb is not weird, eird, Gorb does not like being called names, aims. It makes Gorb angry, ee.
''Narrator: ''Gorb takes a step towards you and bares its jagged teeth. You feel the heat of its breath on your neck as its face curls into a snarl. Its pupils glimmer in the dark, black as night and hungry for blood.
0. [[Let's not be hasty. I think we just got off on the wrong foot. Why don't we work together to find a way out of here?->Erm … hello?]]
0. [[Get the hell away from me! //Attack Gorb.//->Attack Gorb.]]
0. [[Leave me alone you disgusting little freak. I've got places to be.->Gorb Attacks]]
''Narrator:'' Gorb touches a grimy finger to its forehead and stares directly into your eyes.
''Gorb:'' I know that you are here by mistake but you are far from innocent, ent. I can see your stepfather's face, ace. I smell the gunpow, ow, owder. He had it coming alright, isn't that what you said, aid? Your sister weeps, eeps, keeps for you, she thinks you're dead, ead.
0. [[H-how can you possibly know all this?]]
0. [[What else do you see?]]
0. [[Get away from me you creepy .. whatever the hell you are! //Hit Gorb.//->Hit Gorb.]]
''Narrator:'' Gorb's face lights up as it reaches towards your hand.
0. [[//Allow Gorb to take your hand.//->Take Gorb's hand.]]
0. [[That doesn't mean you can eat it.|This is my hand. It's not for eating.]]
0. [[//Snatch your hand away.// What in the hells are you? ->What in the hells are you supposed to be?]]''Gorb:'' What is so great about the outside world, orld? It is dangerous, and cruel, and full of monsters, sters?
0. [[You're not wrong. Is that why you're down here?->How did you get here?]]
0. [[That may be true. But there's also kindness, and beauty, love – and above all else – freedom.]]
0. [[Why don't you come and see for yourself?]]
''Narrator:'' The creature takes the lint between two fingers and holds it up in front of its face. It gazes at it with the kind of reference you might expect from a pilgrim witnessing a vision of its deity.
''Gorb:''This is the first gift Gorb has ever received, eaved.
0. [[Gods, that's tragic. How long have you been down here?->How long have you been down here?]]
0. [[And it's a very precious gift indeed! Now that we're friends, why don't you tell me what you know of this place, like, for example, if there are any escape routes?->The Way Out]]
0. [[It was barely a gift, and I wish I could offer something of value. But I could use your help, friend.->The Way Out]]
''Gorb:'' Gorb is scared, aired. People do not like Gorb because Gorb sees things they cannot, and they don't like the things that I see.
0. [[What kinds of things do you see?->Then you know I'm innocent, and I shouldn't be here.]]
0. [[If you get us out of here, I will protect you.->The Way Out]]
0. [[Have it your way. But I could still use your help.->The Way Out]]''Narrator:'' Gorb's face contorts as it tries to understand.
''Gorb: ''People will be kind, ind?
0. [[Yes, starting with me. Let's find a way out.->The Way Out]]
0. [[What happened to you that you have not known kindness?->How did you get here?]]
0. [[You'd probably need to stop biting their fingers off first, but theoretically, yes. Now, shall we get out of here?->The Way Out]]
''Gorb: ''Gorb sees things, Gorb knows things. Gorb listens and learns. Gorb sees you now, and seen you then, and will see you again.
0. [[Fascinating. And can Gorb see a way out of this cell?->The Way Out]]
0. [[How long have you been down here?->How long have you been down here?]]
0. [[Gorb, how about we leave this place, together? ->The Way Out]]Gorb lived on the surface, once, a long time ago, go, go. Gorb had a home and a roof and a sky and a sun, un. But Gorb saw things that people didn't want Gorb to see, hee, Gorb said things they didn't want to hear, ear.
0. [[What kinds of things do you see?->Then you know I'm innocent, and I shouldn't be here.]]
0. [[If you help me escape, you could come with me.->The Way Out]]''Gorb:'' Gorb does know a way, away. Gorb has a key. Gorb knows a way through the door, but not past the guards, hards. That's why Gorb stays safe, down here in the dark, ark.
0. [[You get the door open. I'll deal with the guards.]]
0. [[Wait. You had a key this entire time?]]
''Narrator:'' With an enthusiastic nod, Gorb scurries into a dark corner of the cell, its back turned to you. You hear a dull thud followed by the scraping of stone, as Gorb retrieves something from the wall. He returns with a small mahogany box, which looks to be full of finger bones. He rifles through its collection, and pulls out a skeleton key.
''Gorb:'' This will open the door, or. I know the way, ay. Follow me.
0. [[//Open the door and follow Gorb to freedom.//->Escape with Gorb]]
0. [[I can't take you with me, Gorb. I'm sorry. (PERSUADE)->Persuade Gorb to Stay]]
0. [[I can't take you with me, Gorb. (ATTACK)->Attack Gorb2]]''Gorb: ''Gorb keeps to the shadows, away from the guards, yards. The guards beat Gorb if they see me, ee.
0. [[There are surely better places than this. How about we go find one of them ... together?->My eternal thanks for helping me to escape?]]
0. [[How did you get down here in the first place? You don't seem like a 'breaking and entering' kind of gu– type?->How did you get here?]]
0. [[How long have you been down here?]]''Narrator:'' Before you know what's happening, Gorb is upon you. It sinks its teeth into your neck, tearing flesh from bone as you claw helplessly at the air. You begin to choke on your own blood as the thick stench of unwashed bodies suffocates your senses. Gorb's leering face swims above you like a feverish vision, blood dripping from its jaws. Somewhere in the distance, you hear the garbled cry of a dying beast. Darkness closes in before you recognize the sound as your own.
0. [[End Scene.]]
0. [[Replay Scene->Start]]''Narrator: ''Gorb hops from one foot to another in excitement. It rifles through the pockets of its grimy rags and produces a key.
''Gorb:'' Yes, yes, yes, a key for me, ee! Special key for special things.
''Narrator:'' Gorb scurries past you, momentarily distracted.
0. [[//Use this opportunity to attack Gorb and steal the key.//->Attack Gorb.]]
0. [[Can you open the door for me?->You get the door open. I'll deal with the guards.]]
''Narrator:'' You deperately scan the dark cell for something you can use as a weapon, and spy a loose, unlit sconce on the wall. In a single movement, you use the last of your remaining strength to yank it from the stone, and swing your arm to bring it down on Gorb's head. The impact makes a sickening crunch. Gorb drops to the floor with a thud. A thin line of blood trickles from its temple.
[[//Run.//->Run]]''Narrator:'' You stay light on your feet as you speed along the stone corridors of the city dungeon, keeping close to the shadows as you move. You slip past several guards playing a boisterous game of cards, oblivious to your presence, and finally find your exit – through an open window, down some vines, and out onto the sleeping streets below.
It's dawn by the time you feel safe enough to rest. As you drift into an uneasy sleep, Gorb's face leers in the darkness of your dreams, and its cackling laughter dances on the wind.
0. [[End Scene.]]
0. [[Replay Scene|Start]]''Narrator:'' Gorb leads you through the shadows, shuffling along the winding stone corridors of the city jail, and out through a grate into the sewers. The night patrol is mercifully sparse, and you need only take out three guards to secure your freedom.
As you wade through the fetid filth of the city, Gorb becomes more and more animated. It seems that this creature hasn't had anyone to talk to for a very long time. Once you're safely away from this place, far beyond the city limits, you're curious to find out what Gorb has to say.
0. [[End Scene.]]
0. [[Replay Scene|Start]]''Narrator:''Gorb grins with excitement and waddles to the cell door. It inserts the key and you hear the iron scrape of the latch.
0. [[Thank you, friend. Let's go. //Open the cell door and take Gorb with you.//->Escape with Gorb]]
0. [[I can't take you with me, Gorb. I'm sorry. (PERSUADE)->Persuade Gorb to Stay]]
0. [[//Attack Gorb while he's distracted.//->Attack Gorb2]]''Narrator: ''Gorb's body stills as the grin drops from the creature's face. Its eyes are wide with a mixture of hope and fear.
''Gorb:'' You're leaving Gorb, orb? Gorb doesn't want you to go, oh, no. Gorb thought we were friends, ends?
0. [[It's not safe out there for someone like you. I can't protect you.]]
0. [[Ah, to hell with it. Let's go.->Escape with Gorb]]
0. [[Unfortunately not. I'm going to have to kill you instead.//Attack Gorb.//->Attack Gorb2]]
''Narrator:'' Gorb bows its head and nods. Its shoulders stoop as it retreats into the shadowy edge of the cell.
''Gorb:'' It's okay, I stay, away. Gorb understands, ands, Gorb is lonely, only. Friends always end, end.
0. [[Ah, Gods, fine! You can come with me, but just – behave yourself.->Escape with Gorb]]
0. [[Goodbye, Gorb. Perhaps we'll see each other again. //Leave.//->Leave without Gorb]]''Narrator:'' You stay light on your feet as you speed along the stone corridors of the city dungeon, keeping close to the shadows as you move. You slip past several guards playing a boisterous game of cards, oblivious to your presence, and finally find your exit – through an open window, down some vines, and out onto the sleeping streets below.
It's dawn by the time you feel safe enough to rest. As you drift into an uneasy sleep, you think of Gorb, alone in your cell. You wonder, had you brought the creature with you, what it might have seen, and what it might have said.
0. [[End Scene.]]
0. [[Replay Scene|Start]]''Gorb:'' I see people, people, faces. I see blood, ood, I see you running. The guards, hards, brought you here but you weren't there, where they said, dead.
0. [[Fascinating. And can Gorb see a way out of this cell?->The Way Out]]
0. [[How long have you been down here?->How long have you been down here?]]
0. [[Gorb, how about we leave this place, together? ->The Way Out]]