In the Dark

INTRODUCTION: BOOKS AND PAGES

Why hello! It's good to see you again, back so soon, and if we're meeting for the first time then welcome! I hope you'll like the story we're about to tell and decide to stay. Well, not exactly the story we're about to tell. More so the story you're about to tell. You can think of me as a narrator, a curator, a guide, even a friend if you'd like but I'm here only to document your results. Nothing more, nothing less.

I've been known to bend the rules every once in a while though, so if you play your cards right you might receive the occasional hint as well.

Now, down to business. Our story this time is going to take us to Tressel Woods in North Carolina, where a group of 9 friends are going to stay the night at a rented lodge. Sounds simple enough. A fun night among friends. Far from it. Things take a turn for the worse and our protagonists find themselves having to fight to escape death, or a fate worse than it. There are many threats within the woods that you'll discover for yourself soon enough, each of which our characters will have to defend themselves against over the course of the night.

Each of which you'll have to help defend themselves against.

When I said this is your story, I meant it entirely. Throughout the story, you'll take control of each of the protagonists and make choices you find fit for them. Their fates will rest in your hands and the smallest of choices can dramatically change them.

I believe you're familiar with the concept of the butterfly effect but I'll go over it again just in case.

It's the principal that a tiny butterfly flapping its wings today could cause a devastating hurricane weeks from now. Each action, each decision has its consequences and changes your story. The smallest of choices can have the biggest effects. Make decisions wisely as the story you'll tell will become one of many possibilities.

I'll be recording your butterfly effects each on different pages. This story is one big book and the pages are made up of the choices you make. Again, be careful. Your good and bad outcomes will be noted exactly as they are and the characters will receive their results in full.

Throughout the chapters of this story, you'll be presented with choices each with their own options that'll affect the outcome in different ways. Simply comment which choice you prefer. I'd love to see your reasoning for choosing what you do so if you want to please feel free to let me know. If you don't feel comfortable commenting publicly for whatever reason, feel free to dm me. Majority vote'll decide which option will be taken.

Throughout the plot, you'll have opportunities to discover clues. These clues, hidden through the various locations the 9 will find themselves in, will work towards uncovering the secrets of Tressel woods and the surrounding areas.

And then there are the glass shards. Due to the lodge being right next to the sea, the beach is covered in broken glass from all manner of drinks guests have broken and left behind. Quite a few of them have managed to make their way into other parts of the nearby area as well. Finding and looking into these shards will grant you a look into the possible future, a prophecy. Different colours signify different prophecies:

-Green glass presents a possible future that is beneficial or fortunate.

-Brown glass presents a possible future that is dangerous or harmful.

-Blue glass presents a possible future in between the two. It's up to you to take what you will from these prophecies and decide if they're good or bad.

Additionally, after every chapter, I'll display each protagonist's stats in written form. I'll also display a list of shards, clues you've discovered, and pages (butterfly effects) in order to help you with your decisions.

That about covers it, though do let me know if you have any more questions. Now, go forth. You'll have to meet the characters of this story and receive some more information on Tressel Woods and the lodge before you'll be able to begin your story.

We split ways for now but don't worry. You'll be seeing me soon enough.

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A/N: Yes, hello and welcome to my new story! This has been in the works for quite a while now and I'm very happy to finally be able to share it with you. I hope everybody'll enjoy delving into the world of these characters and the horrors they'll face over the course of the night. 

There are a few more things I have to say though. First of all, this story was heavily influenced by Supermassive Games' The Quarry and Until Dawn and features many similar and even some same plot points as those games. Second of all, this is a horror story and as such will feature themes of violence, blood, death, explicit language and potentially more (Warnings will be added here if there are more.). Take this into consideration and only go through with reading this if you feel comfortable with it.

I think that's about it. Thank you so much for reading and I hope you enjoy!