File: bandit.png (62 KB, 717x581)

62 KB PNG

"Cool your jets, Campbell; you're bumming us out." Derek said. "You know we've only got tonight-- mellow out." he pulled out his own mixtape -this one had a naughty picture of Heather Locklear Scotch-taped on the case- and headed to the living room.

>https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uHbneqNR2pE

"Like, don't be late, you two; we're taking pictures!" Amber winked, skipping away after her boyfriend. Did she know something Stephanie didn't?

"Uh, Audrey.. *cough-cough* ...is this supposed to burn like that?" Spencer complained, looking into his cup as if he was expecting it to answer back with some hard liquor factoids.

"What's the matter, Lurch? Want me to get you some Vagisil?" Priscilla laughed, elbowing the lanky boy as she went by.

"Don't listen to her, cutie." Audrey smiled. "A couple more cups and you won't even be able to taste it. Now, let's go upstairs and get you out of that grody mascot suit."

At that point, a raccoon ran out of the living room and into the foyer, speeding past everyone on its way upstairs; making an accordion out of the carpet in the process.

"Like, how many times have I told you, guys?" Amber could be heard yelling. "Don't leave the windows open, dammit! Those furry bandits go straight for my laundry hamper, like, every time, for some reason! Ugh, gag me with a spoon! And who the hell took Buster off the wall?! Not cool, guys! Like, my dad's gonna kill me! Whoever did it-- bring him back, right now! This isn't f-"

But before she could finish, Mikey was by her side, punching at her thighs with his tiny fists, having sprinted down the stairs with tears in his eyes. "You broke it! You broke it! I hate you!" he screamed at her.

"Like, get off of me, you little creep! I didn't do anything!"

"Liar! I left my helmet on my bed to go to the bathroom, and now the voith boxth ith mithing! You broke it! You broke it!"

"Um, how about we go somewhere a little more private?" Miles placed a hand on Stephanie's shoulder.

"Sure, whatever." she sighed.

Tiffany looked at her friend the same way Sarge looked at her every time he knew he fucked up, for a split second, before turning away; fidgeting with her broken glasses as she stared at her shoes.
-----

>Apologize to Tiffany before you go.
>Fuck that noise, she lied to you!
>Toss her your Scotch Tape, but keep your mouth shut. Whatever you have to say to her right now, she's definitely not gonna like.
-----

>>5392511
>Toss her your Scotch Tape, but keep your mouth shut. Whatever you have to say to her right now, she's definitely not gonna like.

>>5392511
>Apologize to Tiffany before you go.
Nothing big, but don't leave her hanging. Also, welcome back, QM! Missed this shit

>>5392511
>>Fuck that noise, she lied to you!

>>5392511
>>Toss her your Scotch Tape, but keep your mouth shut. Whatever you have to say to her right now, she's definitely not gonna like.

>>5392555
>>5392572
>>5392583
>>5393444
>Toss her your Scotch Tape, but keep your mouth shut. Whatever you have to say to her right now, she's definitely not gonna like.
-----

Thanks for sticking around, boils and ghouls!

File: Make-Out Point.png (50 KB, 796x524)

50 KB PNG

Stephanie paused for a second as a wave of regret washed over her. Last time she lost her cool like that was when-- Well... when Ashley Langenkamp -the school's resident mean girl- purposely spiked the ball straight into Tiffany's face, during a particularly rough game of dodgeball back in middle school, breaking off a tooth and causing a pretty severe nosebleed. Ashley was laughing her ass off... until Stephanie got her slingshot. Then the laughter stopped. Langenkamp went back home with -count 'em- eighty-seven marble-shaped bruises all over her body and face, according to the nurse.

Still, she wasn't ready to forgive and forget, just yet. Instead, she rummaged through her backpack for those ever-present leftover school supplies, eventually pulling out half a roll of Scotch Tape.

"Here." she said, tossing it Tiffany's way. "For the..." she motioned toward her glasses.

Tiffany caught it and gave her a silent nod.
-----

It was a beautiful night. Crisp and serene, with just enough moonlight to illuminate their way. Stephanie and Miles walked down the front yard and out the main gate, taking the narrow path to the right, through the woods and up the hillside. She finally decided to let her guard down-- not like she had that much of a choice. Miles always had this quality-- this fun, warm, positive aura, like everything was going to be okay; she felt like she could be herself around him-- it was why she fell for him in the first place. They trekked through the night, laughing and catching up, until they got to what the gang had dubbed Make-Out Point; a small clearing with a killer view. They could see the mansion, the falls, the lake, the town-- their whole world. Further up ahead was Wacky Walter's cabin and the radio tower; the little red light at the top blinking the night away, like a faulty Rudolph's nose. They could hear KLLR's nightly jams in the distance; all music, no commercials, the way God intended.

>https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hr4n-Y2tpjc

"Wait, that's your master plan?" Stephanie chuckled. "Win me back at Make-Out Point?"

"Win you back? Campbell, I never lost you." Miles smiled, pushing a stray strand of hair behind her ear. "So... Wanna tell me why you've been avoiding me since graduation?"

"Miles, I-- I'm not going to Brown."

"You didn't get in?"

"No, I did, I just-- I don't wanna go. I love this town and I-- I don't wanna leave my dad behind. I'm staying here..."

"What, that's it? That's the super duper secret reason you've been ignoring my calls, all this time? Dammit, Campbell, you're dumber than you look."

"..."

"You wanna stay here? Fine, let's stay here!"

"See, this is why I didn't wanna tell you. You've been practically dreaming of going to Brown since you could talk, and I-- I didn't wanna hold you back... I didn't want you to wake up next to me five years from now and realize you've missed out on your dream and-- and resent me for it..."

"Resent you...? Jesus... Steph, this isn't some high school fling to me. When I look at you I see-- I see a white picket fence, and a station wagon, and three kids, and a dog, and Sunday barbeques, and road trips, and New Year's Eves, and-- Where you go, I go. You're my dream, Campbell. I'm planning forever with you. I... I love you."

Miles got down on one knee and pulled a little wooden box out of his pocket.

"Miles, what are you doing...?!"

"Dude, shut up. This is harder than it looks..."

"Oh my God..."

"Ahem-- Um... Stephanie Blake Campbell... will you marry me?"
-----

>Say yes.
>Say no.
-----

>>5393649
>>Say yes.
Saying no would ruin the mood for the rest of the stay so let's not! Damn the consequences

>>5393649
>>Say yes.

>>5393649
>Say yes.
WELL then! This definitely isn't a death flag, no sir!

>>5393649
>Say yes.
Get a room you guys

>>5393649
>>Say no.

>>5393649
>Say no.

>>5393649
>Say yes.

>>5393657
>>5393676
>>5393677
>>5394005
>>5394092
>>5394138
>>5394141
>Say yes.
-----
Update coming later on today.

>>5394151
Forgot trip.

Stephanie bit her lower lip and let out a cute yelp. And then she pounced, dropping Miles to the grass and climbing on top of him.

"Of course I'll marry you, you big idiot!" she kissed him all over the face.

"Wait, for real...?"

"Yes, for real." she took the ring off his hand and put it on.

"I've been saving up for quite a while. I know it's not much--"

"Shut up, it's perfect. You could've given me a Ring Pop, and I still would've said yes."

"Aw, man! There goes five hundred bucks down the drain!"

They spent some time rolling around on the grass, kissing and teasing and laughing and looking into each others' eyes; their faces ablaze with young love.

Then, a cold wind swept the clearing, and dark clouds crawled over the moon, covering the hill in a thick blanket of darkness.

"We better get back inside-- it's getting chilly out." Stephanie got up and dusted herself off.

"I've got just the thing." Miles pulled out a flask and took a swig. "Catch." he tossed it at her.

"Ew, gross. Smells like motor oil; no thanks." she chuckled. "I'm confiscating this, mister. See me after class." she started making her way down the hill.

>Got Flask
>Inventory:
>[Slinky], [Flashlight & Batteries], [Flask], [ ___ ]
>Passive Items:
>[Zippo], [Slingshot], [Marbles]

"Booo! Party pooper!" Miles complained. " he got up and raised his arms in the air, taking a step back. "Come on, Mrs. Brooks..." he took another step back. "It's just us..." and another. "Let's have some f--"

*KLANG!*

*CRUNCH!*

>https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fcdY5ogAp3E

"AAAH! OH, FUCK! OH, GOD! AAARRRGH! FUCK! FUCK! FUCK! ST-STEPH! STEEEPH! UUUNGGHH! H-HELP! HELP MEEE!" Miles screamed in agony, sending a bunch of crows flying away from the treetops.

"Miles!" Stephanie called, running to him; taking out her flashlight and stuffing its belly with batteries in the process.

"UUUNGHH! MY LUHHRRGH-- MY LEG! MY LERRRGHHAAAAH!"

"Oh my God-Oh my God-Oh my God!" she switched on her flashlight and pointed it at a fallen Miles.

A rusty bear trap had snapped shut right above his ankle, tearing through his jeans and shattering his bones; warm blood painting the grass red and seeping through the dirt.

A wolf howled in the distance.

"AAAAARGHH! D-- DO SOMETHINGRRRRGGHH!"

Stephanie took a deep breath and looked at the steel contraption. There was no release... almost like someone broke it off on purpose.
-----

>Find a stick to use as a lever and pry the bear trap open.
>Go back to the house and ask for help.
>Go ask Wacky Walter for help.
-----

>>5394325
>>Find a stick to use as a lever and pry the bear trap open.
Use the Flask to hold the trap open if we must, but we aren't leaving him.

>>5394325
>Find a stick to use as a lever and pry the bear trap open.
We should also give him some more sips from the flask (we need him to shut up before someone hears, hopefully it's not too late...). Also, look around to see if we can detach the trap

>>5394325
>Go back to the house and ask for help.
>Go ask Wacky Walter for help.
Whichever is closer.

>>5394325
Kiss him to get him to shut up while we try to get the trap open

>>5394346
>>5394360
>>5394392
>>5394959
>Find a stick to use as a lever and pry the bear trap open.
-----

Update coming soon™.

File: bear trap.png (24 KB, 582x510)

24 KB PNG

Stephanie followed the chain attached to the bear trap with her flashlight; the other end was pinned to a tree trunk, by what looked like a railroad spike. She planted her feet and tugged at the chain with both hands, but it wouldn't give.

"Darn it...! Okay-- okay... Think, Steph-- think..." she pulled her spare pair of socks out of her backpack and stuffed them in Miles' mouth. "Here, bite this."

"Eeez, onk eeve nee!" he complained, tugging at her sleeve.

"I'm not leaving you, honey." she leaned down, cupped his face in her hands and kissed him on the forehead. "I'm gonna find a way to pry this thing open. Stay strong for me, will ya?" she struggled to muster a smile.

"Mmmf..." he nodded; his face twisted in pain.

Stephanie used her toothbrush as a hairstick to tie her hair in a messy bun, and started looking around; the beam from her flashlight dancing in the darkness, like a lightsaber gone haywire. To her surprise, there was literally dozens of bear traps -each one with the release snapped off and its chain pinned to a tree- scattered all over the edges of the clearing. She turned her flashlight toward the path to Walter's, only to find out that it was blocked off by a sea of... razor wire?

"What the..."

She walked over to the side overlooking the town and placed her hands on the railing. Suddenly, the view didn't seem so majestic anymore; the falls sounded like a cacophony of white noise, the lake was black as tar, the town felt hostile and deserted, the mansion looked like the slaughter house from that one Stacey Kirk novel...

"What do I do? What do I do...?" she clenched her fist and punched at the wooden railing in frustration.

*crack*

"Wait, that's it!"

She looked for the biggest rock she could carry, and proceeded to attack the railing again and again, until part of it was reduced to a bunch of 2x4's. She picked out the sturdiest one she could find, and ran back over to Miles.

"I'm here, honey! I'm here!" she caressed his hair, before putting her flashlight on the ground and pointing it at the bear trap. "Brace yourself, this is probably gonna hurt..."

She placed a foot on the bear trap's axis to keep it in place, and inserted the piece of wood into its maw.

"On the count of three-- I pull, you get your leg out. Got it?"

Miles nodded.

"One..."

"Two..."

"Three! Go!"

Stephanie pulled with all here might. The springs moaned in protest, as the maw slowly opened wider and wider against its will.

Miles started slithering away on his elbows, trying to free his leg.

Suddenly, a lightning turned night into day for a split second, and Stephanie turned her gaze to the woods. A wolf stared back at her; its eyes burning with hunger.

>https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Es1Wr1S7hlw

"You have got to be kidding me..." she whispered to herself; a booming thunder rattling her insides.
-----

File: lightning.png (54 KB, 733x635)

54 KB PNG

Unfortunately, this momentary lapse of attention caused her to loosen he grip on the lever. The bear trap snapped shut once more, cutting off Miles' foot and splattering blood all over her face. The boy let out a painful scream; his eyes rolling back in his head as he fainted.

"Oh, no... Miles...? MILES!"

The boy was free, but bleeding out fast.

The wolf growled, sending chills down Stephanie's spine; its dark silhouette inching closer.

"Miles..." a tear rolled down her cheek as she fell to her knees; her mouth tasted like pennies.

No-- She couldn't afford to loose her cool. Not now. She stood up and steeled herself. She looked at the wolf and back at her husband-to-be.

"Okay-- okay..." Stephanie spit, wiping the tear off her face with the back of her hand.

She had to act quick. She pulled her pajama top out of her backpack and tore off a sleeve, tying up Miles' stump as tight as she could.

The wolf gracefully jumped over the bear traps and showed himself at he edge of the clearing.

Stephanie pulled out her slingshot. "Okay, you son of a b-"

*KRA-KHOW!*

Another lightning, another thunder.
-----

>Fashion a makeshift torch using the 2x4, the rest of your pajama top and the contents of the flask, and light it up to fend off the wolf as you fire at it with your slingshot.
>Get the wolf to follow you, stand in front of the razor wire, wait for it to pounce and get out of the way at the last second.
>Get the wolf to follow you, stand in front of the gap in the railing, wait for it to pounce and get out of the way at the last second.
-----

>>5395088
>>Fashion a makeshift torch using the 2x4, the rest of your pajama top and the contents of the flask, and light it up to fend off the wolf as you fire at it with your slingshot.

>>5395088
>>Get the wolf to follow you, stand in front of the razor wire, wait for it to pounce and get out of the way at the last second.
Great. We just lost our fiancée's leg.

>>5395088
>Fashion a makeshift torch using the 2x4, the rest of your pajama top and the contents of the flask, and light it up to fend off the wolf as you fire at it with your slingshot.
Easiest option

>>5395088
>>Fashion a makeshift torch using the 2x4, the rest of your pajama top and the contents of the flask, and light it up to fend off the wolf as you fire at it with your slingshot.

>>5395108
>>5395199
>>5395208
>>5395656
>Fashion a makeshift torch using the 2x4, the rest of your pajama top and the contents of the flask, and light it up to fend off the wolf as you fire at it with your slingshot.
-----

Next update coming tomorrow.

File: wolf.png (36 KB, 807x635)

36 KB PNG

Stephanie didn't lose any time. She kicked her flashlight around to face the wolf, and fired at it.

*THONK!*

The wolf let out a painful yelp and took a step back, as the marble landed between its eyes, before turning to look back at her with an angry growl; its fangs dripping.

"Uh-oh..." she snapped what was left of the 2x4 off the bear trap, wrapped her pajama top around one end with a tight knot, and doused it with a large amount of whatever was in Miles' flask.

The wolf started running toward her.

She pulled out Steve's Zippo and fired up her torch.

*WOOOSH!*

"There we go."

The wolf pounced at her just in time to get a snoutful of flame as she dodged.

"You're gonna have to find something else to dine on, tonight, pal..." she waved the torch around.

The wolf took a few steps back in frustration.

"Not so confident now, are we?" she fired at it again.

*THONK!*

*THONK!*

*THUD!*

One more marble between the eyes, another one in the teeth, a third one on the neck.

The wolf growled again.

"Dude, just leave!" she pleaded, waving around the torch like a maniac. "Wait, the bear traps..."

Her mind was screaming at her to get the fuck outta there; her heart was pounding. She pushed forward, against her instincts.

"That's it, buddy... Keep backing away... Just a few more steps..." she kept firing at the wolf with her trusty slingshot as she painted the darkness with strokes of flame, until finally...

*KLANG!*

The wolf let out a painful howl; one of its hind legs crushed between a bear trap's maw. The howl gave way to whimpering as Stephanie walked away, running over back to Miles.

"Oh, God... What have I done...?" she looked at the boy's stump and back to his pale face, placing a hand over her mouth as she broke down in tears.

"M-Miles? MILES!" she punched at his chest. "W-Wake up, you big idiot! You owe me three kids, r-remember?!" she pulled her socks out out of his mouth and tossed them aside, kissing him again an again. "MILES!"

Stephanie snatched the vanilla deodorant out of her backpack and painted a few strokes under the boy's nose. "MILES! W-WAKE UP!" she slapped at his face.

"RRRAAAAGH!" she tossed the deodorant stick away and collapsed face-first into his chest, sobbing in the darkness.

>Scotch Tape: Given away
>Socks: Discarded
>Toothbrush: Used
>Pajama top: Used
>Deodorant stick: Discarded
>Secret bonus inventory slot conditions: Met
>Inventory:
>[Slinky], [Flashlight], [Flask], [ ___ ], [ ___ ]
>Passive Items:
>[Zippo], [Slingshot], [Marbles]

"Campbell...? Why are you crying...? And why does it smell like your jammies...?"

>https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_yhEjzjh2Ns

"Miles...?! Oh, my God, you're awake!" she hugged him tight.

"Awake...? What hap--" he glanced at his stump. "Oh... So, it wasn't a dream. Dammit..."

"Oh, honey... I'm so sorry! I'm so sorry..."

"No worries...I'm a righty, anyway..." he smiled.

"How are you feeling?"

"I don't wanna alarm ya, but... I'm getting a little woozy, over here..."

"You've lost a lot of blood. Come on, we gotta get you back to the house and call an ambulance." she helped him up.

In a stroke of genius, Stephanie attempted a fireman's carry.

*THUD!*

She took half a step and collapsed to the grass.

"Ow. Sorry, I don't know why I thought this would work..." she crawled out from under him and helped him up again, holding his left arm over her shoulders and placing her right one around his waist.. "Darn it-- Looks so easy when dad does it... I'm afraid we're gonna have to walk."

"Lead the way, Mrs. Brooks..."

A drop of rain landed on Stephanie's cheek. Then a second one, and a third one.

"Great. Now it's raining..."

"Relax, Campbell, it's just a light summer drizzle."

*KRA-KHOW!*

A lightning struck somewhere nearby and a roll of thunder sent night critters looking for shelter, as the trapped wolf let out a sorrowful howl; it was raining cats and dogs in a matter of seconds.

"You were saying...?"

"Dammit... I was really looking forward to Nuke's burgers..."

"Yeah, 'cause that's what matters right now..." Stephanie rolled her eyes.

"Hey, he puts relish and garlic in the sauce-- they're fucking amazing..."

The both of them slowly started making their way back to Amber's, drenched and exhausted.
-----

I'm gonna need you guys to roll a d20. I'll be counting the best out of the first three rolls.

Rolled 15 (1d20)

>>5397327

Rolled 8 (1d20)

>>5397327

Rolled 14 (1d20)

>>5397327

Rolled 17 (1d20)

>>5397327

QM?

>>5402912
Still here! Just a little overworked, as usual. I'm definitely updating this weekend, but I'll try to post before then too, if I have the time. Maybe tomorrow, if -fingers crossed- I'm not flattened by a grand piano falling from the sky, or whatever.

>>5403135
Duly noted. Thanks for the update!

File: gate.png (75 KB, 753x641)

75 KB PNG

The sudden storm turned what was a five minute walk into a half hour odyssey. When they finally crossed the front gate, the boy looked like death; the gargoyles staring down at them like granite vultures.

"Steph..."

"What is it, honey?" her question was rhetorical. "Stay with me, Miles. Just a few more steps."

"I don't... I..." he shut his eyes and went limp.

"No-no-no! You're too heavy, I can't--" Stephanie tried to hold him but he slipped off her hands.

*THONK!*

*THUD!*

Miles collapsed on the porch steps, knocking his head against the railing on the way down.

"Darn it!" Stephanie leaned over him and placed a hand on his forehead. "Oh my God, he's burning up..."

>https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NrOemQaEJGU

"Guys, I need some help over here!" she banged her fist on the front door.

Nobody answered. The music was too loud and the pouring rain didn't help one bit; it felt like she was shouting in the void.

"Crap..."
-----

>Drag Miles inside.
>Go get one of the boys to do it while you call 911.
-----

>>5407773
>>Drag Miles inside.

>>5407773
>>Drag Miles inside.

>>5407773
>Drag Miles inside.

>>5407773
>Go get one of the boys to do it while you call 911.

Our jock buddy will have an easier time.

>>5407773
>>Go get one of the boys to do it while you call 911.

>>5407783
>>5407820
>>5407994
>>5408011
>>5408308
>Drag Miles inside.
-----
Update coming soon™.

>>5410850
>soon™

"So... Juilliard, huh?" Norman stoked the fire with an ornate poker as he adjusted his glasses; the storm might've ruined his backyard barbecue plans, but that didn't stop him from converting the fireplace into a grill. "I'd kill to see you shred your Superstrat in front of a bunch of stuffy old dudes in tweed jackets."

"Haha. Oh, they're definitely not ready for me." Priscilla took a drag off her joint.

"Double cheese?"

"Yessir."

The linebacker slapped two thick slices of cheddar on a patty and started prepping the buns.

"And how about you, dude? Princeton Tigers, right? It's gonna be gnarly." Priscilla took another drag and slid a thumb under the strap of her overalls.

"Um..." Norman took a look around to make sure nobody else was there. "Please don't tell anybody, but I-- I didn't get in..."

"What? But, the scholarship...?"

"Yeah... that kinda got revoked. Turns out, if you flunk as many classes as I have..."

"Bummer. I'm sorry, man. Have you told Derek, yet?"

"Oh, no. No. He's already making lists of what frats we should pledge and which local bars have the cheapest beer and stuff. It would break his heart..."

Suddenly, the music stopped.

The both of them turned to the Marantz, only to see Stephanie with her back against the wall; pale, wet, panting and covered in blood, as if someone had flicked a giant paintbrush dipped in gore at her.

"Holy fuck! What the hell happened to you, Campbell?!" Priscilla almost swallowed her joint getting up off her armchair; her baseball cap dropping to the floor.

"Jesus Christ... Steph, are you okay?! Are you hurt?!" Norman grabbed her by the shoulders and gave her a good shake.

"Oh, no..." Stephanie pushed him aside and ran over to the fireplace.

*HOARK!*

"Ab fide..." she wiped a couple pancake chunks off her chin with the back of her sleeve as the vomit sizzled over the patties that were never meant to be. "Miles... *huff* ...bear trap... *huff* ...wolf... *huff * ..." she pointed toward the foyer.

Norman dashed to the front door as Priscilla helped her sit down.

"FUCK!"

"That about sums it up..." Stephanie blurted.

"What are we gonna do?!" Norman rushed back to the living room with Miles over his shoulder.

"Put him on the couch and call 911. You could fry an egg on his forehead, which means the wound's infected-- we don't have much time."

"On it."

"Where's everyone...?" Stephanie turned to Priscilla, as Norman put Miles down and made a beeline to the den.

"Pudge and Spence are somewhere upstairs, bumping uglies..." subconsciously looking for some semblance of normalcy, Priscilla mechanically picked up her baseball cap and put it back on. "...and Hooters and Derek are also upstairs, bumping-- pretties...? Mikey locked himself in is room after his fight with Amber..."

"And Tiffany...?"

"Um..." Priscilla rubbed the back of her neck. "She kinda went out to look for you, guys."

"And you let her? In this weather?!"

File: Tiff.png (48 KB, 525x620)

48 KB PNG

"Don't blame me, dude, I was buzzed! She said something about making things right..."

"Crap..."

"Uh, girls..." Norman interrupted.

"What is it...?"

"Phone's dead."

"Dead? What do you mean it's dead?"

"It's dead-- it won't even dooot."

"I've got a bad feeling about this..." Stephanie jumped off her chair. "First Make-Out Point is full of bear traps and the path to Walter's is blocked off by razor wire, and now the phone's dead..."

"Well, maybe the storm fried the phone... And maybe Walter's getting, uh, more Walter-y... and he doesn't want any visitors...?" Priscilla tried to rationalize.

"Walter's just a little eccentric, he's not a psychopath. He would never put us in danger like that."

"Steph's right, Walter's a good dude. Something else is going on here..." Norman said.

"Okay, game plan." Stephanie twisted her toothbrush to tighten her bun. "You guys get everybody downstairs, and I'm gonna go look for Tiffany. Tell Amber to search her mom's stash for any painkillers and antibiotics she can find, and look for her dad's DynaTAC."

"You sure?" Priscilla asked.

"I'm not sure about anything right now, no." Stephanie readied her flashlight and turned to leave.

"I'm coming with you." Norman followed her to the foyer.

"No. Derek's gonna be all boner-hazed and Spencer's got trouble lifting his own books, most of he time. You gotta stay here and hold down the fort-- protect everybody. Just lock the door and wait for me."

Norman gave her a stern nod.

"Be careful out there."

Stephanie placed her hand on the doorknob.

"I'll try."

*CRASH!*

The front door swung open. Stephanie caught a faceful of oak and landed on her butt.

"HeLLo, StEphaNie."

>https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G_Dtn9V7SWQ

A lightning struck somewhere in the distance. The towering figure on the porch cast a terrible shadow all the way down the foyer, for a split second. Stephanie propped herself up on her elbow and pointed her flashlight at the visitor, regretting it instantly. He was almost seven feet tall, wearing a skin-tight baby blue tracksuit with hot pink details; thick veins running up and down his arm as he effortlessly twirled the giant fire axe glinting in his hand. He was a mountain of meat. The beam of the flashlight climbed higher and higher for what felt like hours; shaking in Stephanie's trembling hand as she instinctively started crawling backwards. When the light hit his face, she was met with Buster's nasty grin instead; Mayor Hughes' botched attempt at taxidermy had never looked more horrifying.

"LoOkiNg foR tHis?" the man brought his free hand into frame; his voice raspy, distorted, robotic.

Stephanie pointed her flashlight to the left.

Tiffany stared back at her. Her lifeless body was dangling in the air like a horrible wind chime, her insides crawling out of a hole in her stomach, slithering down the porch and painting it red; the look of fear forever branded on her face.

"NOOO!" Stephanie screamed, as the coppery scent of hot guts, coupled with what felt like an entire bottle of Charlie Blue hit her nostrils. She got up and took a few steps back. She was hyperventilating; bitter tears running down her cheeks.

Tiffany's glasses slipped off her face and fell to the floor, as if to punctuate the moment.

"JuSt so yOu kNow, I hAd NotHing aGaiNst hEr. I mEaN, tAlk abOut bEinG at tHe wRoNg pLaCe at ThE wrOng tiMe! HaR-hAr-HaR-hAr-HaAaR!"

"Wh-who are you?!" Stephanie mustered. "Wh-why are you doing this?!"

"StEphaNie, StEphaNie, StEphaNie... AlwaYs wiTh tHe QuEstioNs! LuCky foR yOu, tHerE's a siMple anSweR to bOth..." the man dropped Tiffany's corpse and walked inside.

He raised his axe in the air with both hands, and brought it down with enough force to fell a tree.

"VeNgeAnce!"

*CRASH!*

The blade missed Stephanie by half an inch before landing on the hardwood floor, sending splinters flying everywhere.

Priscilla came running to the foyer. "What the hell is g-- OH, FUCK!"

"YOU PICKED THE WRONG HOUSE, FREAK!" Norman screamed at the man; his face burning with rage. "YOU'RE GETTING NUKED!" he grabbed a plant stand and charged at him.

*THUD!*

*CRASH!*

The boy caught a kick to the chest, flew across the room and landed at the bottom of the stairs.

"NoT toNight, NoRmAn!" the man shook his index finger 'no'.

Norman rubbed his chest and shook his head in frustration; he wasn't used to being overpowered, and that big chunk of humble pie he just downed tasted like ass.

"I hOpe yOu hAd a biG brEakfaSt, kiDs... 'cAusE wE're goNna be rUnniNg LaPs all NiGht! HaR-hAr-HaR-hAr-HaAaR!"

Stephanie kept backing away as things started clicking inside her head; you could basically see all of her gears spinning at full throttle. That weird jasmine smell that had been following her around all day-- it wasn't jasmine at all, it was Charlie Blue. That man was at her house this afternoon, and then at Buck's-- she did pick up a hint of jasmine then, but it didn't really register because the stench of burnt rubber was too strong. It was him at Amber's back yard. He took Buster, he broke Mikey's helmet because he needed the voice box to mask his voice. But why? Who was he? How did he know their names? Why was he so obsessed with that darn perfume? And... was he wearing Coach Decker's tracksuit?

Stephanie rubbed her bruised forehead as a more urgent question kept gnawing at her: What now...?
-----

>Party time!
>You can choose one of your two friends present to join your party. You won't be able to switch to someone else unless whoever you chose dies.
>Choose Priscilla. [Priscilla can pick locks. Plus, as Amber's best friend, she knows the house inside out.]
>Choose Norman. [Norman can lift heavy stuff. Also, as witnessed, he can take a punch... or a kick.]
-----

>Run upstairs to warn the rest of the gang.
>Get to the car and head for the Sherriff's Department.
>Find someplace to hide.
>Run to the shed and get the chainsaw.
>Find a way to get to Walter's.
>Write-in.
-----

I'm also gonna need you guys to roll a d20. I'll be counting the best out of the first three rolls, as usual.
-----

Rolled 9 (1d20)

>>5420333
>Choose Priscilla. [Priscilla can pick locks. Plus, as Amber's best friend, she knows the house inside out.]
>Run upstairs to warn the rest of the gang

Welcome back, QM!

Rolled 7 (1d20)

>>5420333
>Choose Priscilla. [Priscilla can pick locks. Plus, as Amber's best friend, she knows the house inside out.]
>Run upstairs to warn the rest of the gang.
I know going upstairs goes against one of the cardinal rules of surviving a horror movie, but...
Also, welcome back, man! Missed you! <3

Rolled 17 (1d20)

>>5420333
>Choose Norman. [Norman can lift heavy stuff. Also, as witnessed, he can take a punch... or a kick.]
>Run to the shed and get the chainsaw.

>>5420333
>Choose Priscilla. [Priscilla can pick locks. Plus, as Amber's best friend, she knows the house inside out.]
>Run upstairs to warn the rest of the gang.

Welcome back.

>>5420333
>>Choose Priscilla. [Priscilla can pick locks. Plus, as Amber's best friend, she knows the house inside out.]
>>Run upstairs to warn the rest of the gang.

>>5420333
>Choose Norman. [Norman can lift heavy stuff. Also, as witnessed, he can take a punch... or a kick.]
>Run upstairs to warn the rest of the gang.

>>5420335
>>5420451
>>5420866
>>5421090
>>5421249
>>5421303
>Choose Priscilla. [Priscilla can pick locks. Plus, as Amber's best friend, she knows the house inside out.]
>Run upstairs to warn the rest of the gang.
>Rolled 17 (1d20)
-----
Good to see you, boils and ghouls. Update coming soon™.

>>5421664
soon™ indeed.

>>5421664
QM...............

>>5437305
It's been two and a half weeks. It's over.

>>5432429
>>5437305
>>5437543
It's not over! My sincerest apologies for the vanishing act, but I've been dealing with some personal stuff lately. Got my heart broken pretty bad, and I've been dealing with it the only way I know how; trying to set a world record for liver damage. These past few weeks have been a blur. I've been such a mess that I almost lost my job. I was in a very dark place and certainly in no position to write, much less do the characters justice. I opted for no updates instead of half-assed, low quality filler updates, because that would be unfair to you all. I appreciate your investment and I don't take you guys for granted. Without you, it's just a bunch of notes. You make this fun. Plus, I've put way too much effort and planning into this story and this world to let it die so unceremoniously. It's a trilogy. Part II is almost done and I'm already working on Part III. I plan to see it through, however long it takes. Even if there's a single player left. Thanks for reading my blog, boils and ghouls, and sorry for letting you down. I'm gonna archive this thread on this here cliffhanger, and start a new one first chance I get. Keep an eye out for Chapter III.

>>5439937
Shit, man, just glad you're doing okay enough to post--really cool of you to give us an update, all things considered. It's been a lot of fun so far, but no need to rush... just take 'er easy and put yourself back together for as long as it takes. Can't speak for everyone else, but I'll definitely be waiting for the next thread--this one's got some heart behind it and it's been great so far. Hope things get better on your end!

>>5439937
Ah jeez. I know that exact feel, bro. Get well soon, try to cut back on the sauce or drink socially where someone can keep an eye on you, and find your comfort where you can. I appreciate your writing, and await your return!

>>5439937
Good luck on your recovery man.
Take your time with the story.

Try to do low alcohol percentage drinks rather than going cold turkey immediately so that the backlash wont be as severe