The Basement

You don't remember waking up exactly but you're here. The room looks oddly [[familiar]] <img src="https://i.imgur.com/WMDankp.png" width="700px" height="500px">

[[You check your phone]] [[You look at the clock]] [[You look out the window]]

You pull your phone out of your pocket. It looks... different [[text your friend]] [[play a game]] [[check the time]] [[You do something else, ->familiar]] <img src="https://i.imgur.com/kNmGvYA.png" width="700px" height="500px">

It doesn't seem to be working properly, it's stuck at 6:00. [[You do something else, ->familiar]] <img src="https://i.imgur.com/vTNmAtS.png" width="700px" height="500px">

You push make your way towards the glass sliding door to look outside. It feels wrong. [[the trees.]] [[the sound.]] [[you do something else, ->familiar]] <img src="https://i.imgur.com/iLl30QY.png" width="700px" height="500px">

the buttons hardly work. You're slow and the letters don't make sense. [[You check your phone]] <img src="https://i.imgur.com/aM7Q0mT.png" width="700px" height="500px">

There's no time for that! [[You check your phone]] <img src="https://i.imgur.com/u6G9ybZ.png" width="700px" height="500px">

it says 12:05. That time always stands out to you. You see it everywhere. [[You check your phone]] <img src="https://i.imgur.com/TCJ2kdH.png" width="700px" height="500px">

You look at the trees, they're unmoving. [[the sound.]]

There is no sound. no birds, no breeze. [[nothing.]]

A stack of papers appears on the table. [[read them.]]

you glance at the paper. You don't read the content but the information comes at you faster than if it was spoken. He's here. You feel [[nauseous.]] <img src="https://i.imgur.com/r0Qc0Us.png" width="700px" height="500px">

Your phone goes off [[answer]] [[don't answer]]

You hear breathing. They're coming. You feel an overwhelming sense of [[dread]]

You aren't one to ignore a phone call! That's rude! [[answer]]

You take another look around. [[The window]] [[The front door]] [[The bathroom]]

You see a figure bolt and hide. [[you take a look around. ->dread]] <img src="https://i.imgur.com/ZbP77Q1.png" width="700px" height="500px">

You look out the window of the front door. The coast is clear. You see a box on the steps. [[open the box]] [[fuck that.]] <img src="https://i.imgur.com/xJFov0s.png" width="700px" height="500px">

You take a look at yourself in the mirror. There are red marks and bruises on your neck and arms. You can't feel them. They must have occurred in your sleep. [[you take another look around. ->dread]] <img src="https://i.imgur.com/KZM4wjt.png" width="700px" height="500px">

You carefully open the cardboard box. You remove the wrappings. You notice a pattern that's eerily [[recognizable]]

Curiosity always gets the best of you. [[open the box]]

It's your sweater from [[that night.]] Nothing is making sense but that doesn't matter. <img src="https://i.imgur.com/SveEuxy.png" width="700px" height="500px">

You start to think about the December night when you wore this sweater. As you recount the blurry memory you hear a [[voice.]]

(text-rotate-x:13)+(text-rotate-y:17)+(text-rotate-z:20)+(text-style:"shudder")[RUN.] (after:2s)+(text-style:"shudder")[Hide.] [[The basement...]] <img src="https://i.imgur.com/03WabTd.png" width="700px" height="500px">

You open a door to what looks like a basement. You make your way down the steps when (text-style:"shudder")[SLAM] (after:3s)[They have entered the basement] (after:4s)[They know where you are] [[Closet]] [[Corner]] <img src="https://i.imgur.com/QQjCAVp.png" width="700px" height="500px">

You open the door and conceal yourself in the closet. You watch as a figure moves into view. He looks at the closet but moves away to continue his search. His scent flows through the room. You feel pressure in your chest. [[breathe.]] <img src="https://i.imgur.com/uRj6tOg.png" width="700px" height="500px">

You hide in the corner but know you can't possibly stay here without him finding you. You don't want to be in the small space but you take a deep breath and enter the [[Closet]]

(text-style:"bold","expand","rumble")[CAUGHT.] (after:2s)[He opens the door and lifts you up.] [[Punch him.]] [[kick him.]] <img src="https://i.imgur.com/vAOXgdZ.png" width="700px" height="500px">

You punch him once. It feels like you aren't even tapping him. Like you're punching through water. You punch again. He catches your punch this time and begins choking you. The feeling of his hand on your throat brings the faded memories back. The sinister look in his [[eyes]]

(text-style:"fidget")[You miss.] [[Punch him.]]

His eyes are portals to the expertly hidden trauma you've kept locked in the basement of your brain. He smiles as he realizes you know who he is [[kick him]] <img src="https://i.imgur.com/8qav9xs.png" width="700px" height="500px">

You run again. This feels useless as you can hear his footsteps constantly on your tail. You're surprisingly fast even though if feels like your running in slow motion. How did you get [[here?]] <img src="https://i.imgur.com/QQjCAVp.png" width="700px" height="500px">

You kick him. You miss. Or did you? He grunts and lets go of his choke on you. [[run]]

What does he [[want?]]

You feel arms wrap around you as you slam to the floor. (after:1s)[His legs grapple you.] He leans down and [[whispers]]

(text-style:"italic","expand","shudder")+(text-rotate-x:13)+(text-rotate-y:17)+(text-rotate-z:22)[I'M BACK.] [[WAKE UP.]]

#You wake up in your bed. The scent still sticks with you. The bruises still stick with you. Those eyes lurk in the depths of your [[memory]]

He lives with you. The days get better as the years go by but he never really leaves. You've created a place for him in your home. Deep in the basement, the subconscious, only to escape at [[night.]]

#The End [[Fall asleep?]] <img src="https://i.imgur.com/AOn8KPT.png" width="700px" height="500px">