In this game, you are trapped within your own mind, exploring familiar memories accompanied by the omnipresent voice of an abuser. This script shows the narration that appears when you examine different things in each scene.
Back to the portfolio
Scene 1: The Apartment
A messy studio apartment, littered with garbage.
You’re finally awake!
Yep, this is your place. What a dump. You should really clean up.
Phone: You deleted all your contacts, remember?
You didn’t want to talk to them anyway.
Catnip mouse: No, you don’t have a cat.
You never had a cat.
Empty picture frame: You took all your pictures when you moved in with me, remember?
I still have them. I kept them safe.
Fridge: You’re not hungry. You just ate, remember?
Besides, you haven’t gotten anything done yet today.
Fridge (repeat): I told you, you’re not hungry.
Pastry (in fridge): Don’t eat that. It’s not healthy.
I’ll find you something better.
Pastry (repeat): What have you done to earn that?
Door: Not until you throw away all that trash.
After cleaning up: That’s better. Still not much, though.
No idea why you wanted to come back here.
Scene 2: The City
A vaguely surreal, abandoned city surrounded by a high wall.
Oh good, you’re getting some fresh air.
I thought you were going to stay cooped up in there forever.
Wall: You like the wall. It keeps you safe.
There are so many things out there that could hurt you.
Scene 3: The House
An suburban living room. Framed kids’ art on the walls. A phone and some paints on the coffee table.
There’s no one here, remember? Your parents moved.
It’s okay. They didn’t support you.
Parents’ phone: No, you don’t want to call them.
Remember how they said we should break up? They were always criticizing your choices.
Artworks: Cute! You’re much better now, though.
Actually these ones are kind of embarrassing.
Paints: Yes, you used to paint. But you stopped, remember?
You had to travel too much. All those art fairs and events. We never had any time together.
Scene 4: The Coffee Shop
A small independent coffee shop. An apron and a folded piece of paper on the counter. Some coffee cups, a sketchbook, and a paintbrush on one table.
The coffee shop!
This is where we met.
Paintbrush: You used to come here every day to sketch and paint people.
I loved watching you. It made me sad that you never painted me.
Apron: Oh, the barista? I got rid of her.
You didn’t like her. She was nosy.
Paper: Unfolds to reveal a note that says “If you need anything, call me.”
Oh no, you don’t. You don’t need her help.
You’re not a child. Besides, you have me.
The note crumples up.
Phone (after reading the note): No.
You’re not going to call her.
Phone (repeat): I said you’re not going to call her.
The phone breaks.
Scene 5: The Tower
At the south of the city, a tower looms over everything. In the distance, a bridge has been partially demolished to make way for the wall.
Bridge: There’s nothing over there but the old bridge.
It doesn’t go anywhere, anyway.
In the tower is a fancy apartment. A large TV on the wall. An in-progress board game on the table. The walls are covered with paintings.
You’re home! This is our place. All your favorite stuff is here.
Why did you want to leave?
Paintings: See? I told you I kept them.
The good ones, anyway. The ones you should be proud of.
Board game: Your favorite game.
If only you weren’t so competitive. You know it makes me sad when you beat me.
TV: We spent so many hours watching movies together.
Just the two of us.
Scene 6: The Bridge
The bridge is half demolished and surrounded by rubble. A small dark gap is visible under the bridge.
See? I told you. There’s nothing here.
Since we put in the wall, the bridge doesn’t go anywhere.
Gap: Why would you want to go in there?
It’s just a bunch of junk.
Gap (repeat): Well, don’t come *static* to me when *static*
Beneath the bridge, the narration goes silent and Debussy’s Chansons de Bilitis begins playing. Several easels are placed around a small cave and there’s some paper lying on the floor.
Using the brush and paints on the papers creates a series of paintings: Several decorative pieces, but then a painting of the wall with a gap broken through it, figure with wings flying through the sky, and finally, a tiny figure curled up, cupped between two large, menacing hands.
When the paintings are finished, the music cuts off and the narration resumes.
There you are. I was so worried when you disappeared.
What are these?
The paintings come up one at a time.
These are beautiful.
You need to show these.
The painting of the broken wall: Not this one. You don’t really mean that.
It’s not your best work anyway.
The painting of the flying figure: Not that one either.
The painting of the hands:
And what’s this one? It hurts that you would draw me like that.
I think you should rip this one up.
Go on.
I said rip it up!
The painting rips in half.
Scene 7: The Gallery
The house has been torn down and replaced with an art gallery. There’s a pile of rubble behind it.
I built you a gallery!
Now everyone will be able to see your art. Isn’t that wonderful?
Rubble: It’s okay.
You didn’t need anything from in there.
Inside the gallery, the paintings hang on the walls, covered in awards.
Look at all these awards you won! People love you when you do the right kind of art.
Let’s go back to our place and celebrate.
Scene 8: The Dinner
In the tower, the table has been set with a bottle of wine, two unlit candles, and a book of matches.
Isn’t this nice? I did it all for you.
I got you candles. I know you like candles.
Matches: Careful with those.
Using the matches on the first candle lights the candle. The second candle falls over and lights the tablecloth on fire.
Now look what you did!
Using the matches on other things in the scene also lights them on fire.
No! Stop it! You’re ruining everything!
I worked so hard!
Scene 9: The End
Outside, the tower is now on fire. It collapses, knocking a hole in the wall.
I don’t understand. I gave you everything you ever wanted.
You can be really mean sometimes. But I forgive you. I’m not angry.
The bridge now creates a stairway of rubble leading through the hole in the wall. Debussy begins playing again, quietly. Clicking on each step allows the player to climb the stairs one at a time. The music grows louder with each step, while the narration continues.
You’re making a mistake.
You don’t know what’s out there.
You’re safer here with me.
You’re happy here.
Don’t go.
Please?
From the top step, the player can exit into the blue sky. The scene fades to a black screen displaying the final line of narration:
Don’t you know I care about you?
The beginning and end of the line fade out, leaving only the words:
I care