mad-dog

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{embed image: 'http://jolineblais.net/tributaries/wp-content/uploads/pexels-simon-robben-464664.jpg'} Your mother has now gone inside to make lunch, leaving you to acquaint yourself with {dogName}. You take a look at {dogName}. (He/she) seems like any ordinary dog. (He/she) looks at you with large eyes, and you can't see what would be dangerous about (him/her). If anything, {dogName} looks deeply sad. You figure either the story is just a myth, or if not, this is not the same dog. There's got to be more than one dog missing a toe. What do you want to do? > [[Approach the dog]] > [[Leave the dog alone and go inside]]

You bend down to pick up a stick lying on the ground beside you. Arching your arm back, you say, "{dogName}, fetch! You fling the stick towards the far side of the yard. {dogName} gets up and slowly trots in the direction the stick landed. (He/she) slowly trots back, without the stick. You make eye contact with the dog. (His/her) eyes look heavy. You decide to let {dogName} rest for a bit; (he/she) is already curled up in the grass. You step away and head back to the porch. When you go inside and sit down to eat, your mom seems to notice that you've had something on your mind. > [[Tell your mom about the story]] > [[Keep it to yourself]]

You gently promise {dogName} that you won't hurt (him/her), and slowly crouch by (his/her) side. You slowly extend your hand again as {dogName} stares straight ahead. You [[gently place your hand on (his/her) head]].

You slowly make your way towards {dogName}, attempting to introduce yourself by extending your hand for (him/her) to sniff. (He/she) sniffs gently, then turns away and plops down in the grass. Now what do you want to do? > [[Throw a stick for the dog]] > [[Try to pet the dog]] > [[Leave the dog alone and go inside]]

You ultimately decide that it would be best to give {dogName} a little space. You don't mind leaving {dogName} alone if it means you get to eat lunch - your stomach has been growling for a while now. You sit down at the table and eat while your mother does the dishes. As you eat, the story your friends told you pops back into your head. You turn to look at {dogName} through the sliding screen doors, who is peacefully sniffing the air as a light breeze blows (his/her) face. There's no way this can be the same dog from that local ghost story. But why can't you let it go? > [[Tell your mom about the story]] > [[Keep it to yourself]]

{embed image: 'http://jolineblais.net/tributaries/wp-content/uploads/pexels-karolina-grabowska-4197483.jpg'} As you reach to pet {dogName}, (he/she) flinches and whimpers. (He/she) moves away from you, but before (he/she) wanders off, you notice a strange little beep. When you head inside, your mom asks if everything is okay. > [[Tell your mom about the story]] > [[Keep it to yourself]]

You decide not to tell your mother. You figure she would just dismiss it anyway. You try to clear your head of the story and focus on your lunch. [[Later]]

You tell your mom about the story your friends told you. She assures you not to worry; it's probably made up, like an urban legend. Besides, the dog wouldn't have been up for adoption if it would threaten people's safety. This makes you feel a bit better. The dog seems pretty normal to you. Although the look in (his/her) eyes was sad, there wasn't anything about {dogName} that seemed dangerous to you. As (he/she) turns around and explores the yard, you figure that if the story is true, this probably isn't the same dog from the story. Maybe the missing toe is just a coincidence. [[Later]]

config.style.page.font: "PT Sans/sans-serif 18" config.style.page.color: "#FAD7A0 on #212F3C" config.style.page.link.font: "underline" config.style.page.link.color: "#CD6155" config.style.page.link.lineColor: "#CD6155" config.style.page.link.active.color: "#EDBB99 on #BA4A00" config.style.page.header.font: "16" config.style.page.header.link.font: "small caps" config.style.page.footer.font: "16" config.style.page.footer.link.font: "small caps" -- In the evening, you and your mother arrive home from your birthday party, struggling to juggle leftover pizza boxes and gifts from your friends. Your mother unlocks the door and you both stumble into the dark living room. While you were gone, you tried not to worry about {dogName} too much, but now that it's nighttime, you can't help but feel a bit nervous, despite attempting to convince yourself the story isn't true. You set down everything you've been carrying and find the light switch. [[Turn on the lights]]

You flip the light switch and look for {dogName}. Your eyes immediately go to {dogName} curled up on the rug in the middle of the room. You can't help but smile. {dogName} looks so peaceful. Your mother sets her stuff down and looks around for {dogName} as well. She lets out a small "aww" upon seeing {dogName}. "(He/she) looks so calm," she says softly, turning to you with a smile. You nod back. You slowly [[approach (him/her)]] and crouch by (his/her) side.

config.style.page.font: "PT Sans/sans-serif 18" config.style.page.color: "#FAD7A0 on #212F3C" config.style.page.link.font: "underline" config.style.page.link.color: "#CD6155" config.style.page.link.lineColor: "#CD6155" config.style.page.link.active.color: "#E53935 on #000000" config.style.page.header.font: "16" config.style.page.header.link.font: "small caps" config.style.page.footer.font: "16" config.style.page.footer.link.font: "small caps" -- Your smile widens as {dogName} looks at you with sleepy eyes. You carefully extend your hand for {dogName} to sniff. {dogName} sighs contently and closes (his/her) eyes. You let out a satisfied sigh of relief, and turn to your mother, who is smiling back at you. She tells you she is going to head up to bed, and you tell her good night. As you watch {dogName} slowly fall asleep, you remember something - in the story, the family was told to lock the dog in the bathroom at night. You now realize that you'll have to make that same decision yourself. Should you lock the dog in the bathroom? > [[Yes]] > [[No]]

lockBathroomDoor: true -- Although {dogName} is tired, you wake (him/her) up and gently usher (him/her) to the downstairs bathroom. You put {dogName}'s bed on the floor and (he/she) immediately curls up and closes (his/her) eyes. As much as you hate to admit it, you can't help but feel a bit scared. It is hard to convince yourself that something isn't real, especially when you're afraid. You don't feel guilty after seeing {dogName} gladly comply. After all, it's better safe than sorry. You close the door and lock it, then head upstairs. [[Go to bed]]

lockBathroomDoor: false -- You decide that it would be silly to lock {dogName} in the bathroom. It's not like you believe the story... maybe. Besides, {dogName} is already asleep and you wouldn't want to disturb (him/her). You quietly get up and make your way upstairs. What's the worst that could happen...? [[Go to bed]]

You change into your most comfortable PJs and climb under the plush covers of your bed. You sigh contently as you find a comfortable position. After a long but fun day, nothing feels better than being warm and cozy in bed. Feeling satisfied, you close your eyes and drift off to sleep. [[Fall asleep]]

config.style.page.font: "PT Sans/sans-serif 18" config.style.page.color: "#808B96 on #17202A" config.style.page.link.font: "underline" config.style.page.link.color: "#922B21" config.style.page.link.lineColor: "#922B21" config.style.page.link.active.color: "#E53935 on #000000" config.style.page.header.font: "16" config.style.page.header.link.font: "small caps" config.style.page.footer.font: "16" config.style.page.footer.link.font: "small caps" sound.ambient.music.url: 'http://jolineblais.net/nmd343/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/maddogwithmelody-online-audio-converter.com_.mp3' sound.ambient.forest.description: 'creepy music' -- {ambient sound: 'music'} *** [if lockBathroomDoor === 'true'] You slowly come to consciousness and shift onto your side. Your eyelids are heavy; you were fast asleep, and now you're suddenly awake. You contemplate what woke you up, and then you hear low, sing-songy mumbling coming from nearby. You continue to listen, and realize it's coming from the bathroom. After a moment, you realize that {dogName} is in there. What do you do? > [[Ignore the humming]] > [[Get up and unlock the bathroom]] [if lockBathroomDoor === 'false'] [after 5 seconds] *Bang* [after 8 seconds] *Clang* [after 11 seconds] *Thump* [continue] You stir awake at various sounds echoing in the house, presumably from downstairs. Did someone break in? You wonder. Just as you question it, you hear a low, hushed voice humming from downstairs. It's hard to tell whether the voice is saying anything, but you manage to pick up, in a sing-songy voice: *I'm in the kitchen with the kitchen knife* Your eyes widen in shock. Maybe someone did break into the house, after all! You hold on tightly to the covers and hold your breath with a million thoughts racing through your mind. What do you do now? > [[Stay in bed]] > [[Go downstairs and take a look]]

You groan and pull the covers back up to your neck. You probably just imagined the sounds, or at least, that's what you'd like to think. Until, you hear a sing-songy voice, chanting... *"I'm in the kitchen with the kitchen knife"* Your eyes widen. Did you hear that correctly? Is it safer to do something, or to wait it out? > [[Go get your mother]] > [[Continue to stay in bed]]

You turn over in bed to face away from the door and try to shut out the noise. It's probably nothing; it's probably just in your head. You locked {dogName} in the bathroom; there's no way (he/she) can get to you - not that (he/she) could do anything, anyway. You sigh and relax enough to drift back to sleep. *** You wake up from being half-asleep at the sound of your doorknob slowly turning, and you freeze in shock. Why didn't you think to lock your own door? You cover your mouth with your hand and try to stay as still and quiet as you can. Is there even anything you can do now? Is it hopeless? Footsteps slowly approach your bedside. No one will save you now. "Sweetie?" A familiar voice says. You slowly turn around to see... Your mother? "Mom?" You ask. "Someone broke into the house," she says. She tells you she heard the humming, as well as footsteps, so she called the police and they should be here any minute. The two of you are locked in your room waiting it out. *"I'm going up the stairs with the kitchen knife"* You both remain as quiet and calm as you can be. Then the sirens wail, the sound getting louder as it comes closer to your house. *** While the culprit throws a fit outside, a police officer explains to you that there was a tracking device in {dogName}'s collar. As your police officer discusses the situation with your mother, you think about the story once again and realize that this was the true danger of the dog - not the dog itself, but presumably the one tracking {dogName}'s location. If the story is true, this is probably what happened to the last family. You are relieved that you wound up with a different ending. (End)

You slip quietly into the hallway, slowly unlocking the door to the bathroom as the voice chants once more. You anxiously open the door to find the dog standing and staring at you. You stand still, trying to anticipate what it will do. You stumble backwards a bit as it begins to bark hysterically. It charges forward, and just as you think it's going to lunge at you, it pushes past you and growls. You turn around to see a man with a knife standing a few feet behind you with a scowl on his face. He tries to shake the dog off his pant leg, but the dog refuses to let go. It snarls and does its best to attack the man. The man grows increasingly irritated, and with a glint in his eye, he pulls out a kitchen knife. Your eyes widen in horror, and you cry, "no!" The man looks at you and scoffs. Just as he's about to swing the knife into the dog, the sound of police sirens come closer. The man stops in midair, panics for a moment, then scrambles to flee. You slowly crumple to the ground as the adrenaline crashes. You hear your mother's footsteps coming down the stairs. Thank goodness she heard everything. Before the man slides your back door open to escape, he says: "Next time." (End)

You nervously tiptoe downstairs and pause to listen. The sounds are definitely coming from the kitchen or the bathroom. Now that you're near, you hear humming, and then a sing-songy chant: *"I'm in the kitchen with the kitchen knife"* You freeze for a moment as thoughts race through your mind, but you can't stay here too long. > [[Get closer]] > [[Go back]]

Before you can lose your chance, you push through your fear and slip out your door and down the hall into your mother's room. You whisper to her and ask if she heard the voice, too. She tells you she did, and that she just hung up with the police. She pats the spot next to her, and you climb in next to her and wait. Not long after, sirens blare closer and closer to your house, and you hear crashes and bangs as the intruder panics. You and your mother breathe a small sigh of relief. Once the intruder is in custody, an officer comes to talk to the both of you. "We got him, you're safe now," he says. "I should also tell you that we found a tracking device in the dog's collar. We suspect the man used it to get here. We've taken care of that, too." Outside, you hear the man yelling and thrashing. You sigh and close your eyes, relieved to be safe again. Before you drift off to sleep, you can't help but think of the story. Maybe they had it wrong. Either way, you're glad that story isn't yours. (End)

config.style.page.font: "PT Sans/sans-serif 18" config.style.page.color: "#C0392B on #000000" config.style.page.link.font: "underline" config.style.page.link.color: "#922B21" config.style.page.link.lineColor: "#922B21" config.style.page.link.active.color: "#E53935 on #000000" config.style.page.header.font: "16" config.style.page.header.link.font: "small caps" config.style.page.footer.font: "16" config.style.page.footer.link.font: "small caps" -- Although you feel as though you shouldn't, you clutch your comforter and stay in bed. You're too scared and frozen to move. The most you can do is get up to lock the door. *"I'm in the kitchen with the kitchen knife"* You silently wince to yourself as you hear the voice again. As you panic, you wonder if your mother hears the voice. *"I'm in the living room with the kitchen knife"* You gasp as you realize the voice is getting closer. Now it's too late to get up; the staircase is in the living room, so you definitely wouldn't go unnoticed. Good thing you locked the door when you had the chance. *"I'm going up the stairs with the kitchen knife"* As a last resort, you pull the covers over your head, knowing they won't really protect you. You could find somewhere else in your room to hide, but that might be too risky if whoever this voice belongs to is now in earshot. You pray that your mom has heard everything and called the police by now. *"I'm in the hallway with the kitchen knife"* You hold your breath and squeeze your eyes shut, hoping the source of the voice isn't coming for your door. {embed image: 'http://jolineblais.net/tributaries/wp-content/uploads/pexels-donald-tong-143580.jpg'} *"I'm in your bedroom with the kitchen knife"* Your stomach drops. How is that even possible? You didn't hear the door open at all, and it was locked. You carefully peek out through a crack in the covers and see the dog sitting and staring at you. Is this why the man said to lock it in the bathroom in the story? You close your eyes again and brace yourself for the worst, but then you realize that your side is warm and wet. Something is trickling down your side. A sweep sounds from your comforter. You look up to see a pair of glinting human eyes peering into yours. "Gotcha, kid," the man whispers. You are too shocked to feel anything but pain. The man turns to the dog and says, "your turn~!" As your eyes flutter closed, you hear the dog howl in pain. Then the man says, "two down, several more to go!" Then it occurs to you... Maybe that ghost story was about you. (End)

config.style.page.font: "PT Sans/sans-serif 18" config.style.page.color: "#EAECEE on #566573" config.style.page.link.font: "underline" config.style.page.link.color: "#E53935" config.style.page.link.lineColor: "#E53935" config.style.page.link.active.color: "#E53935 on #000000" config.style.page.header.font: "16" config.style.page.header.link.font: "small caps" config.style.page.footer.font: "16" config.style.page.footer.link.font: "small caps" -- There's a local ghost story your friends have told you of a dog. It lived in a shelter for quite a while. It's said that when it finally got adopted, the man at the shelter told the family to lock it in the bathroom at night, which they brushed off as a strange joke. It was sent back to the shelter after an unspeakable tragedy happened with the first family it lived with. Now, it lives at the same shelter, but now it's missing a toe on its left paw. Today is your tenth birthday, and your mother beckons you to the yard. She has a surprise for you. "Well, sweetie, I know you've always wanted a pet..." She begins. She nods at the spot next to her as a medium-sized dog walks to stand beside her. While you are initially excited, your smile falters as you notice something strange about the dog. It's missing a toe, on its left paw. Just like in the story. You smile uneasily and feign excitement. You keep the story to yourself as you don't want to make your mother feel bad. What will you name your new dog? {text input for: 'dogName'} [[Continue]]

config.style.page.font: "PT Sans 18/sans-serif" config.style.page.color: "#D32F2F on #000000" config.style.page.link.font: "underline" config.style.page.link.color: "#D32F2F" config.style.page.link.lineColor: "#D32F2F " config.style.page.link.active.color: "#D32F2F on #E6B0AA" config.style.page.header.font: "16" config.style.page.header.link.font: "small caps" config.style.page.footer.font: "16" config.style.page.footer.link.font: "small caps" -- [align center] {embed image: 'http://jolineblais.net/tributaries/wp-content/uploads/pexels-laurie-gouley-53261.jpg'} Mad Dog *by Evangeline Soucy* [[Start]]