I'm now two houses away from John's house. It does seem a little darker in this attic than the other one – there seems to be less light shining through the roof tiles.\nIf I'm correct, I am at the last house on the terrace. My only hope is that there is no one at home in this house.\n\n*** This is as far as you can go for now. Much more to come!!
The low light levels here make it difficult to see but it looks like there could be a [[wall|Attic Wall]] right in front of me. There is also another [[wall|Attic Wall2]] behind me. I need to be careful that I keep my feet on the rafters or I will fall through the plaster ceiling. And it would not be wise to make any noise.\n\n[[Steps Down|Climb Through The Window]]
I am carrying....\nMy clothes.\n<<if $knife is 1>>\s\nA knife. \n<<endif>>\s\n<<if $card is 2>>\s\nA business card for Walton's Garage.\n*** Walton's Garage\n*** Car Repairs, Tyres, Exhausts, Batteries, MOT's...etc\n*** Good Work – Cheap Prices\n*** 3 Wood Road\n*** Grunbridge\n*** 0414 444867\n<<endif>>\s\n<<if $memoryStick is 2>>\s\nA memory stick.\n<<endif>>\s\n<<if $atticKey is 3 or 5>>\s\nA key.\n<<endif>>\s\n<<if $envelope is 2>>\s\nAn envelope.\n<<endif>>\s\n<<if $narnia is 2>>\s\nA great big plate of turkish delight!!\n<<endif>>\s\n<<if $narnia is 3>>\s\nA strong smell of turkish delight!!\n<<endif>>\s\n\n<<display previous()>>
I get the feeling this isn't right...\nMaybe I should go back to the pub.\n\nLet's face it, it's Friday afternoon, I could be wasting my time, I've just been paid and I can always ring him later after I get home from the pub...\n\nI really was going to call John back but by the time I got home I forgot all about it. To be honest we ended up staying at the pub longer than I intended. Both Barry and myself tried talking to Pete about his problem. In fact, we all talked and talked until we were legless...\n\nMaybe I should have walked through the door and listened to what he had to say.\n[[Start again?|Pub]]
<<if visited() is 1>>\nI carefully turn round to place my hands on the wall. Although the bricks are cold and slightly damp, this is quite a solid wall. After getting my bearings, I realise that this must be the dividing wall between here and John's attic.\n<<else>>\s\nOnce again I turn around to check if this dividing wall is solid...it is! I cannot move ghostlike through a solid wall. But even if it wasn't solid, I would not want to go through into John's house. I need to get away from the police.\n<<endif>>\n<<display Attic 1>>
These pillows and the duvet are very soft.\n<<display John's Bedroom>>\n[[Take the bedding]]\n\n
<<if $kitchen is 1>>\nAs I open the door to John's kitchen, I get pushed over by someone rushing through. \nA large man wearing oil stained work clothes went running through and out of the main door.\nThe killer must have still been in the house.\n<<else>>\s\n<<print either ("I keep walking into the kitchen desperately hoping something obvious will spring into my mind. Truth is...I can't keep doing this. Any time now the police are going to come storming through the front door.","Once again I take a look into the kitchen.","Mmmm...the kitchen again","Errr....Now what did I walk into the kitchen again for?")>>\n<<endif>>\s\nJohn's kitchen is a tiny but neat room. There is everything you could want - cooker, fridge, washing machine...\nThere is a sink in front of a window which looks out onto a small garden.\n<<if $card is 1>>\nThere is a piece of paper lying on the floor.\n<<set $kitchen = 2>>\n[[Pick up paper|Card]]\n<<endif>>\s\n<<if $memoryStick is 2>>\s\n[[John's Living-room|John's Living-room 2]]\n[[I am carrying|Pockets]]\n<<else>>\s\n[[John's Living-room]]\n[[I am carrying|Pockets]]\n<<endif>>
I am at the lake. It seems quite peaceful down here. The water looks lovely and calm.\nAt the lakeside I can see a rowing boat.\n<<if $boat is 2>>\nAcross the water I can see the woods continue and seem to be more dense. One large oak tree stands very tall. They may just provide a good hiding place. I can also see a small island in the centre of the lake.\n<<else>>\nAcross the water I can see that the woods do not seem as dense. It looks like there is a path leading up to a joining of paths. I can also see a small island in the centre of the lake.\n<<endif>>\n<<if $boat is 2>>\n[[I could leave the lake and follow the path|The Right Path Woods]]\n<<else>>\s\n[[I could leave the lake and follow the path|Further into the woods]]\n<<endif>>\s\n[[Or I could get in the boat and row to the island. Or row to the other side of the lake|Boat]]
<<if $climbThroughTheWindow is 1>>\nI pull myself through with a gasp and a little struggle.\nIt was a hell of a job climbing up then through the window. I take a quick breather then quietly walk through the bedroom and out onto the landing.\n<<set $climbThroughTheWindow = 2>>\n<<endif>>\s\n<<if $atticKey is 5>>\nI can see various doors leading, I suppose to other bedrooms and possibly a bathroom. There is a [[stairway|Next-Door Down]] leading downstairs and a [[door|Unlock Attic Door]] which I believe could lead to the attic.\nI could of course, go back into the bedroom and [[climb back down the drainpipe.|Climb Back Down]]\n[[I am carrying|Pockets]]\n<<endif>>\s\n\n<<if $atticKey is 4>> \nI can see various doors leading, I suppose to other bedrooms and possibly a bathroom. There is a [[stairway|Next-Door Down]] leading downstairs and a [[door|Unlock Attic Door]] which I believe could lead to the attic. I can see a [[key|Dropped Key]] on the floor.\nI could of course, go back into the bedroom and [[climb back down the drainpipe.|Climb Back Down]]\n[[I am carrying|Pockets]] \n<<endif>>\s\n\n<<if $atticKey is 3>>\nI can see various doors leading, I suppose to other bedrooms and possibly a bathroom. There is a [[stairway|Next-Door Down]] leading downstairs and a [[door|Unlock Attic Door]] which I believe could lead to the attic.\nI could of course, go back into the bedroom and [[climb back down the drainpipe.|Climb Back Down]]\n[[I am carrying|Pockets]] \n<<endif>>\s\n\n<<if $atticKey < 3>>\nI can see various doors leading, I suppose to other bedrooms and possibly a bathroom. There is a [[stairway|Next-Door Down]] leading downstairs and a [[door|Locked Attic Door]] which I believe could lead to the attic.\nI could of course, go back into the bedroom and [[climb back down the drainpipe.|Climb Back Down]]\n[[I am carrying|Pockets]]\n<<endif>>\s\n\n\n
On The Run\n\nAn interactive story by Stew Crowther\n\nOn The Run could be seen as a game but...This is more of a story where you can be involved by just reading and clicking and no typing involved. Although a bit of scrolling may be involved.\nHave fun!\n<<nobr>>\n<<set $knife = 0>>\n<<set $johnsLivingroom = 1>>\n<<set $kitchen = 1>>\n<<set $card = 1>>\n<<set $memoryStick = 1>>\n<<set $bedroomWindow = 1>>\n<<set $bedding = 1>>\n<<set $garden = 1>>\n<<set $climbWall = 1>>\n<<set $climbThroughTheWindow = 1>>\n<<set $boat = 1>>\n<<set $boatShots = 1>>\n<<set $atticKey = 1>>\n<<set $climbCounter = 1>>\n<<set $envelope = 1>>\n<<set $narnia = 1>>\n<<endnobr>>\n\n\nClick Next to continue\n[[Next|Pub]]\n[[TEST RUN|Up In The Trees]]\n\n[[Stew's Story Website|http://stewcrowther.neocities.org]]\n[[Stew's Art Website|http://stewcrowther.weebly.com]]\n[[Stew's Art Blog|http://stewcrowther.wordpress.com]]
<<if $climbThroughTheWindow is 4>>\nWith the police at the door and the house occupied, I'm guessing going downstairs would not be the most intelligent decision I've ever made.\n<<endif>>\s\n<<if $climbThroughTheWindow is 3>>\nJust as I make my mind up to try to inch down and slip quietly out there is a knock on the door.\nI step back out of sight as someone goes to answer the door.\n'Hello Sir...'\n'It's the police Anne,' the man with his back to me said to his wife in the living-room.\n'Sorry for disturbing you – we just need to ask you a few questions...'\n\nIt's a good job I didn't get to the bottom of the stairs a little sooner. But now I will have to try a different way out.\n<<set $climbThroughTheWindow = 4>>\n<<endif>>\s\n<<if $climbThroughTheWindow is 2>>\n<<set $climbThroughTheWindow = 3>>\nJust as I quietly step towards the top of the stairs I can hear voices. There must be someone in the house. I must make sure the occupants do not hear me. The front door is just at the bottom of the stairs so maybe I could creep [[downstairs|Next-Door Down]] and be out of the door before I get noticed.\nWould that be possible?\nDo I have the nerve to try sneaking out unseen?\n<<endif>>\s\n<<display Climb Through The Window>>
<<if $bedroomWindow is 1>>\s\nI can't do that without smashing the window and that would alert the police.\n<<else>>\s\nFirst I pull the mattress off the bed and throw it out of the window. Then I gather the bundle of bedding up and throw it out of the window to land on top of the mattress.\nNow that should make a soft landing!\n<<set $garden = 2>>\s\n<<set $bedding = 3>>\s\n<<endif>>\n<<display John's Bedroom>>\n
The island pathway which is more of a dirt track really, leads to some trees. I walk through a small gathering of trees which eventually opens up to a clearing of grass. In the centre of the clearing there is a [[small shed.|Small Shed]]\n\n[[Back to the waters edge and the boat.|Island]]
I decide to walk down the path. I feel like I'm in the heart of the woods. Although it is darker in the woods there is still a fair bit of light. \n<<print either("I can hear birds singing.","Beams of sunlight show through the trees.","Sounds of the woods surround me.","Was that the sound of scurrying small animals?","As I walk I hear the cracking of tiny twigs.","I hear the sound of what I believe to be distant voices.")>>\nAhead I can see the path forks into a choice of [[left|The Left Path Woods]] or [[right|The Right Path Woods]]. Or I could go [[up|Woods]] to the wall. \n[[I am carrying|Pockets]]
** John a reporter at The News. I have worked with him loads of times. I must admit, most of the stories were the usual 'local paper' drama...Opening Of New Supermarket...Turning On The Christmas Lights...Weather To Get Worse...you know the type of thing.\n** But John was always looking for the 'big' story...looking but not finding much. \n<<display Phone Call>>
I push my hand through the gap where the missing brick used to be. This enables me to acquire a firm grasp of the brick.\nNow slowly and as quietly as I can, I pull at the brick – trying to make as little noise as possible.\nIt moves...just a small amount at first but after a little effort I get the brick out of the wall.\nAfter the first brick was pulled out it became easier to remove enough in time to make a sizeable hole.\n\n[[Climb Through The Hole|Attic 2]]
As I start to go up the stairs, I can hear something.\nIt's the sound of police cars screeching to a halt.\nI shouldn't panic but still, I rush up the stairs.\n\n[[John's Landing]]\n[[I am carrying|Pockets]]
I climb back into the rowing-boat and once again grab the oars.\nThe boat is quite rocky but I make it safely to the lakeside. Placing the oars back into the bottom of the boat I set back up the path.\n<<display The Right Path Woods>>
...Well this is silly. I had it, I know I did.\nOnce again I go through all of my pockets...No, I seem to have lost the key.\nDid I drop it somewhere?\n<<set $atticKey = 4>>\n<<display Climb Through The Window>>
I climb back into the rowing-boat and once again grab the oars.\nIt is not too hard to row as I make it safely to the lakeside. Placing the oars back into the bottom of the boat I set back up the path near the old camp-fire.\n<<display Further into the woods>>
I might as well try the door...\nMmm...it seems to be locked but maybe there is another way in.\n<<display Next Doors Garden>>
I shout, 'Hello...HELLO!' but there is no reply.\nMaybe I should just walk in...\n\nI wish I hadn't.\nI should have turned round and walked back to the pub.\n<<set $knife = 1>>\n\n[[Next|John's Living-room]]
I decided to answer my phone before getting the drinks, 'Hi [[John|John]]. Listen, I'm about to get a round in. We're at The Black Bull, just round the corner from your house. Do you want me to get you a pint?'\n'Forget that Dave - I need you to get round here quick.'\n'It's Friday afternoon John. You know what we do on a Friday.'\n'Forget that and get round to my house,' he was talking quickly, 'I have a story and I may need photographs.'\nJohn was a reporter at The News. I have worked with him on a lot of stories. I could tell he wasn't messing around.\n'OK...OK...I'm on my way. Get the kettle on or open some cans.'\n'No time for that,' he said. And then the phone went dead.\n\n[[Ignore everything John said and go to the bar|Stay At Pub]]\n[[Leave The Black Bull and go round to Johns house|Outside John's House]]\n[[I am carrying|Pockets]]\n\n
<<if $atticKey is 5>>\nThis time I place the key into the keyhole and turn the key...\n\nYes!! \nThe door unlocks. I open the door and walk through...\n<<display Attic Steps 1>>\n<<endif>>\s\n<<if $atticKey < 5>>\nI try the door handle but it is locked!\nHang on...I remember that I found a key in the shed that was on the island. It has to be worth a try...\nI search through my pockets. Mmmm...nothing!!\n\n[[Next|Unlock Attic Door2]]\n<<endif>>
I pick up the key. It's possible that Andy dropped this key. If not Andy...who else?\n<<set $atticKey = 3>>\n<<display Small Shed>>
--Let the player undo moves? (on / off)\n--In Sugarcane, this enables the browser's back button.\n--In Jonah, this lets the player click links in previous\n--passages.\n\nUndo: on\n\n--Let the player use bookmarks? (on / off)\n--This enables the Bookmark links in Jonah and Sugarcane\n--(If the player can't undo, bookmarks are always disabled.)\n\nBookmark: on\n\n--Obfuscate the story's HTML source to prevent possible\n--spoilers? (swap / off)\n\nObfuscate: off\n\n--String of letter pairs to use for swap-style obfuscation\n\nObfuscateKey: pighksfzuvljyqewrtdbxnacom\n\n--Include the jQuery script library? (on / off)\n--Individual scripts may force this on by\n--containing the text 'requires jQuery'.\n\njQuery: off\n\n--Include the Modernizr script library? (on / off)\n--Individual scripts/stylesheets may force this on by\n--containing the text 'requires Modernizr'.\n\nModernizr: off\n
I pick up the knife again. I must be really stupid. It is like I keep getting bad advice whispered into my ear.\n<<set $knife = 1>>\n<<if $memoryStick is 2>>\s\n<<display John's Living-room 2>>\n<<else>>\n<<display John's Living-room>> \n<<endif>>
I am at the top of the stairs on the landing.\n\n[[Downstairs]]\n[[John's Bedroom]]\n[[John's Bathroom]]\n[[John's Spare-room]]\n[[I am carrying|Pockets]]\n
The woods are really quite dense here.\n<<print either("I can hear birds singing.","Beams of sunlight show through the trees.","Sounds of the woods surround me.","Was that the sound of scurrying small animals?","As I walk I hear the cracking of tiny twigs.","I hear the sound of what I believe to be distant voices.")>>\n\n[[Further into the woods]]\n[[Where the paths meet|Follow path into the woods]]\n[[I am carrying|Pockets]]
Every Friday afternoon is the same; a kind of ritual – a tradition that no one could ever imagine breaking. The end of the working week session at The Black Bull.\nNot the prettiest public house in town but it certainly had the best pint. It helps that The Black Bull just happens to be right opposite The Grunbridge News – the paper I just happen to work for. I'm the only full-time photographer The News has working for them. Most of the other pictures arrive from freelancers.\nThe paper comes out every Friday morning and every Friday afternoon The Black Bull is full. Of course, I go along to keep the numbers up...team player, that's me.\n\n[[Next|Pub2]]\n[[I am carrying|Pockets]]
He seems to be holding a memory stick.\n\n[[Take the memory stick|John's Living-room 2]]\n[[Leave the memory stick in John's hand|John's Living-room]]
These steps must lead up to the attic. There may be somewhere to hide up there until the police go.\nI climb up the steps and into the attic.\n\n[[Up|Attic 1]]
<<if $climbWall is 3>>\s\nI try again and actually get to the top!\n\nBut just as I reach the top of the wall I hear what I believe is the police coming onto the pathway. I have no choice but to drop back down behind the wall before someone sees me.\nThe voices get fainter then disappear altogether. \nI scramble back up the wall and quickly over and down to the other side.\n<<display John's Pathway>>\n<<endif>>\s\n<<if $climbWall is 2>>\s\nI get my breath back then try once more but to no avail.\nMaybe I should try one more time.\nI must not have rested enough because I know I can do it..!\n<<set $climbWall = 3>>\s\n<<display Woods>>\n<<endif>>\s\n<<if $climbWall is 1>>\s\nI try to climb the wall to get out of the woods but it seems too high.\nI need to get my breath back. \nI could go further into the woods or try again.\nI still think I could get over that wall if I keep trying.\n<<set $climbWall = 2>>\s\n<<display Woods>>\n<<endif>>
On The Run
Pushing past the usual Friday afternoon drinkers, I reluctantly leave The Black Bull and start walking to John's house.\nIt only took a few minutes to get there as the house is just around the corner. I cannot help thinking this must be quite a big story – I can't remember the last time John refused a pint. \nAs I reach his house, I look at the front door, it's wide open. That's not like John but maybe he left the door open so I could just go straight in.\nWhat should I do?\n\n[[Walk into Johns house|John's Living-roomX]]\n[[Walk back to the pub|Black Bull]]\n[[I am carrying|Pockets]]
<<if $bedroomWindow is 1>>\s\nI can't do that without smashing the window and that would alert the police.\n<<display John's Bedroom>>\n[[I am carrying|Pockets]]\n<<endif>>\n<<if $bedroomWindow is 2 and $garden is 1>>\s\nIf I jump out of the window, I'll break my neck with that hard ground!!\n<<display John's Bedroom>>\n[[I am carrying|Pockets]]\n<<endif>>\n<<if $bedroomWindow is 2 and $garden is 2>>\s\nWell here goes nothing....!\nI climb up onto the window ledge.\nGULP!!\nI jump.... . .\n<<display Soft Landing>>\n<<endif>>
This is not a great idea. I can't go downstairs, the police are here. I need to find a way out.\n\n<<display John's Landing>>
<<if $card is 1>>\s\n<<set $card = 2>>\s\n** I pick up the small piece of paper. It's a card actually...a business card.\n*** Walton's Garage\n*** Car Repairs, Tyres, Exhausts, Batteries, MOT's...etc\n*** Good Work – Cheap Prices\n*** 3 Wood Road\n*** Grunbridge\n*** 0414 444867\n** I wonder if that guy could have dropped this card. \n<<endif>>\n<<display John's Kitchen>>
** Only joking!!\n\nThere just isn't enough room in the wardrobe to hide.\nMind you, they would find me in here. I need to get out of the house.\n<<set $narnia = 3>>\n\n[[John's Bedroom]]\n[[I am carrying|Pockets]]\n\n
In John's spare room there is an old computer.\nIt looks like John was sending an email to Lara Powers - The Grunbridge News editor.\n** Hi Lara,\n** I know you probably just got back home – sorry.\n** Those photos & film I told you about are now on a memory stick. I will come round in about 20 mins - I'm just waiting for Dave to get here.\nThe email never got sent. John must have been interrupted before he could send it. He must have heard the intruder downstairs.\nThe window in this room is locked.\n\n[[John's Landing]] \n[[I am carrying|Pockets]]
A small but nice bedroom. In one corner there is [[John's bed|John's Bed]]. Against another wall there is a [[wardrobe]]. There is a [[window|Bedroom Window]] on the back wall.\n\n<<if $bedding is 2>>\s\nOn the floor is a pile of bedding taken from John's bed.\n\n[[Throw the bedding out of the window|Throw Out Of Bedroom Window]]\n<<endif>>\s\n<<if $bedroomWindow is 2>>\s\n[[Jump out of window|Jump Out Of Bedroom Window]]\n<<endif>>\s\n[[John's Landing]]\n[[I am carrying|Pockets]]
I climb into the rowing boat and sit down. The boat stops rocking so I pick up the oars that were left in the bottom of the boat. \n<<nobr>>\n<<if $boat is 1>>\n<<set $boat = 2>>\n<<else>>\n<<set $boat = 1>>\n<<endif>>\n<<set $boatShots += 1>>\n<<endnobr>>\n\n[[Start rowing to the other side|Lake2]]\n[[Start rowing to the island|Island2]]
I realise I am holding the knife and throw it to the floor.\n<<set $knife = 2>>\n<<if $memoryStick is 2>>\s\n<<display John's Living-room 2>>\n<<else>>\n<<display John's Living-room>> \n<<endif>>\s\n
** Peat Peat, so called because he used to work in a garden centre (peat as in the stuff you buy from said garden centre). Pete could talk about gardening all day long and frequently did. No one would call Pete a bright bloke but he means well. He's the driver, gardener, cleaner and all round handyman for The News. Nice bloke but he had one weakness...gambling; horses mainly. Of course, his wife left him when he sold their kitchen table for gambling money to put on a horse. She may well have stayed but....he lost. \n\n<<display Pub2>>
I am in John's small garden. To one side there is a fence that divides John's garden from his neighbour's. By the side of the fence there is a row of flowers. There is a pathway leading towards the garden gate. Just under the window there is all the bedding I threw out of the window. \n\n[[Leave by the gate|John's Pathway]]\n[[I am carrying|Pockets]]
<<if $bedroomWindow is 1>>\s\nThe window is shut!\n[[Open the window|Bedroom Window Open]]\n<<else>>\s\nThe window is open!\n[[Shut the window|Bedroom Window Open]]\n<<endif>>\n<<if $bedding is 3>>\s\nAs I look out just under the window, I can see a pile of bedding outside.\n<<endif>>\s\n<<display John's Bedroom>>
** Big Barry isn't really that large. What happened was that there used to be two guys called Barry working at The News. It just so happened that Big Barry was bigger than Little Barry. Then Little Barry left The News (got a job selling carpets) and Big Barry went on a diet due to everyone calling him Big Barry.\n** Of course, everyone still calls him Big Barry.\n\n<<display Pub2>>
I reach out to touch the wall. It feels solid enough....\nCold, slightly damp and solid.\n\nHang on...there is a brick missing which would let me [[pull|Pull Brick]] at the brick next to the gap.\n<<display Attic 1>>
There are trees everywhere – I can't see very far. Although I can see a small lake in the distance. One tree, an oak, is especially large and tall. \n<<print either("I can hear birds singing.","Beams of sunlight show through the trees.","Sounds of the woods surround me.","Was that the sound of scurrying small animals?","As I walk I hear the cracking of tiny twigs.","I hear the sound of what I believe to be distant voices.")>>\nYes, I am sure I can hear someone coming closer.\n<<set $boat = 1>>\s\n\n[[I could hide up in the trees|Up In The Trees]]\n[[I could try to find where the noises are coming from|The Left Path Woods]]\n[[I could walk to the lake|Lake]]\n[[I am carrying|Pockets]]
I decide I could probably climb this wall...\nGasp...\nPhew...that was not as easy as I thought it would be.\nGasp...\nI sit on top of the wall for a second to catch my breath.\n\n[[Jump down to the woods on the other side|Woods]]\n[[Jump back down to the pathway|John's Pathway]]\n[[I am carrying|Pockets]]
<<if $boatShots is 2>>\nI start rowing...\nAs I get about half-way across, I hear gun shots. I duck down just as a bullet hits the gunwale - splinters of wood fly everywhere.\nThen almost as quick as it happened...all goes quiet....\nI decide to start rowing again and I row for my life.\nEventually, I get to the other side and jump out of the rowing boat.\nOne thing I know is that the gun shots were not from the police. \n<<endif>>\n<<if $boatShots is 3>>\nI start rowing again...\nOnce more I hear shots ring out. There are more near-misses with one shot skimming off one of my oars. Luckily, once more I am fine but all this proves someone wants rid of me. This cannot be the police. I really need to find Jimmy Walton – and so I really need to find his garage.\n<<endif>>\n<<display Lake>>
*** Welcome To Narnia\n** A witch waits for me with a great big plate of turkish delight!!\n<<set $narnia = 2>>\n\n[[Next|Out of the wardrobe]]\n[[I am carrying|Pockets]]
I open the wardrobe. It is full of clothes with shoes and boots at the bottom. There is a mirror on the inside of the door.\n\n<<choice [[Climb into the wardrobe]]>>\n[[Back into the bedroom|John's Bedroom]]\n[[I am carrying|Pockets]]
<<nobr>>\n<<if $envelope is 2>>\n\n*** A key drops out of the envelope onto the table!!\n<<set $atticKey = 2>>\n<<set $envelope = 3>>\n<<endif>>\n<<if $atticKey is 2>>\nInside the small shed it is quite empty. There are [[two chairs|Shed Chairs]] and [[a table|Shed Table]] with a [[key|Take The Key]] on it. There is not much else in here. A dirty [[window|Shed Window]] lets a little light into the hut.\n<<else>>\nInside the small shed it is quite empty. There are [[two chairs|Shed Chairs]] and [[a table|Shed Table]] but not much else. A dirty [[window|Shed Window]] lets a little light into the hut.\n<<endif>>\n<<endnobr>>\n\n<<if $atticKey is 2>>\n[[Pick up the key|Take The Key]]\n<<endif>>\s\n<<if $envelope is 4>>\n[[Pick up the envelope|Envelope]]\n<<endif>>\s\n[[Door leading back outside|Island Woods]]
<<if $bedding is 1>>\s\nJohn has a comfortable looking bed – although it probably wouldn't be quite as cosy without the [[bedding|Bedding]].\n<<else>>\s\nJohn would have a comfortable bed if it wasn't for the fact that it has no bedding on it.\n<<endif>>\n<<display John's Bedroom>>
<<set $bedding = 2>>\s\nI pull the bedding off the bed.\n\n<<display John's Bedroom>>
I decide not to go to John's house and instead get the drinks in. Let's face it, it's Friday afternoon, I'm in the pub, I've just been paid and I can always ring him back after I return from the bar...\n\nI really was going to call John back but by the time I got back to the table I forgot all about it.\nTo be honest we ended up staying at the pub longer than I intended. Both Barry and myself tried talking to Pete about his problem. In fact, we all talked and talked until we were legless...\n\nMaybe I should have taken that call.\n\n[[Start again?|Pub]]
I'm in a short pathway. At the end of the pathway there is a high wall. And further down from from John's gate there is a gate leading into John's neighbour's garden.\nAlthough the wall is high, I do believe I could climb it.\nI can hear <<print either ("the shouts and running around from the road at the bottom of the pathway.","shouts of 'He must be around here somewhere.'","'I thought I heard something up that pathway.'","'Give yourself up!'")>>\n\n[[John's gate|Garden]]\n[[Next-door's gate|Next Doors Garden]]\n[[Climb wall]]\n[[I am carrying|Pockets]]
I quietly walk back into the bedroom. Open the window which I had closed and climb out.\nLeaving the window open, I descend the drainpipe. Then through the garden gate and onto the pathway.\n<<set $climbThroughTheWindow = 1>>\n<<display John's Pathway>>
Looking through the dirty window I can see the clearing and then trees. Tiny gaps in-between the trees glimmer as light shines from the water of the lake. \nSomeone at some time, fitted some ill-fitting, shabby curtains.\n\n<<display Small Shed>>
I decide to pick up the envelope. \nThe envelope is crumpled up so I smooth it out. Inside there is a letter....\nOf course...I read it.\n** Give the money to Andy – he can be trusted. He works for me.\n** In fact, he is going to do the job for us.\n** He lives next-door to John.\n** As soon as he has delivered the money to me...the job gets done.\n** Jimmy\nAndy Mason...John's neighbour...working for Jimmy Walton???\nSo Andy killed John for Jimmy (and money I guess). Obviously Jimmy didn't want to get his hands dirty. But who is Jimmy working for?\n<<set $envelope = 2>>\s\n<<display Small Shed>>\n
Looking down on the floor is the key I lost. It must have fallen out of my pocket...!\nI feel stupid but at least I have it now. Of course, I pick it up.\n<<set $atticKey = 5>>\n<<display Climb Through The Window>>
I clamber up the old tree, reaching and struggling to get as far up as possible.\nFinding a secure branch – I wait, holding on for dear life...\n<<if visited() is 1>>\nFinding a secure branch – I wait, holding on for dear life...\nLooking down, not only do I hear people coming, I see two men approaching. They stop right under the very tree I am hiding in.\n'We've looked everywhere. I don't think he came into these woods.'\n'I think you're right but he must be somewhere. And we have to find him before the police do.'\n'Well yes, but I think these woods are a waste of time. Let's get out of here.'\n\nAs they walk away I just hear...\n\n'Well which of us is going to phone Jimmy back at the garage then?'\n'He's going to flip when he hears we lost him.'\n'And she is going to flip even more than Jimmy...'\n\nJimmy Walton - I need to get to his garage.\n<<else>>\s\nI sit there clinging to the branch listening to the sound of the woods. The birds merrily chirping away. If only I could sit up here and forget all my worries.\nBut I must find out what all this means.\nI can't stay up here all day. John is dead and the police think I did it.\nI pull out the card I found on the floor at John's house...\n\n*** Walton's Garage\n*** Car Repairs, Tyres, Exhausts, Batteries, MOT's...etc\n*** Good Work – Cheap Prices\n*** 3 Wood Road\n*** Grunbridge\n*** 0414 444867\n\nJimmy Walton – he has something to do with this. I need to get to his garage.\n<<endif>>\n[[Climb Back Down The Tree|Further into the woods]]
<<if $johnsLivingroom is 1>>\s\nThere...right there on the floor is John's body. Blood everywhere...on the carpet, walls even the ceiling.\nOn the floor there is a large knife. I know I shouldn't but I can't help myself...I bend down to pick up the knife.\nAnd right then...A scream behind me!\nI turn...standing there in the doorway is Edith – John's next-door neighbour.\n'Oh no!! You've killed him,' she said, 'Murderer! Murderer!'\nI step towards her, 'No! No! I..I..didn't...' as I point at John's body with the bloody knife.\nShe gasped in horror as she saw me holding the knife. Then she turned and started to run shouting, 'Murder...There's been a murder. Help me please! Someone call the police!'\n\nI just stand there...frozen. My God...someone has killed John.\nSomeone has killed John. I look down and see the knife still in my hand. Hell...that woman, Edith, she saw me with the knife. She will call the police. \nWhen she tells the police she saw me with the knife they are going to believe I did it...that I killed John. \n<<set $johnsLivingroom = 2>>\n<<if $knife is 1>>\s\nI am holding the knife. Am I crazy?\n\n[[Drop the knife|drop knife]]\n[[I am carrying|Pockets]]\n<<else>>\s\nI see the bloody knife on the floor. \n\n[[Pick up the knife][Pick up Knife]]\n<<endif>>\s\n<<else>>\s\nJohn's living-room used to be quite tastefully decorated before....\nWho could have done such a thing?\nAs I look down at John I notice something in his [[hand....|Hand]] \nThe police will be here any second now – what can I do?\n<<if $knife is 1>>\s\nI am holding the knife. Am I crazy?\n\n[[Drop the knife|drop knife]]\n<<else>>\s\nI can see the bloody knife on the floor. \n\n[[Pick up the knife][Pick up Knife]]\n<<endif>>\s\n[[John's Kitchen]]\n<<endif>>\s\n[[I am carrying|Pockets]]\n\n\n
Two old matching chairs stand next to the table. Along with the table, both chairs probably started life in someone’s home. Obviously, as they became old and unwanted, the owner thought they could still be used for this shed.\n\n<<display Small Shed>>
I decide not to answer the call and get the drinks in. I can always ring him back after I return from the bar...\n\nI really was going to call John back but by the time I got back to the table I forgot all about it.\nTo be honest we ended up staying at the pub longer than I intended. Both Barry and myself tried talking to Pete about his problem. In fact, we all talked and talked until we were legless...\n\nMaybe I should have taken that call.\n[[Start again?|Pub]]
I land softly onto the pillows, duvet and mattress.\nWell...that went better than I expected.\nGreat fun actually!\n<<display Garden>>
<<print either("I can hear birds singing.","Beams of sunlight show through the trees.","Sounds of the woods surround me.","Was that the sound of scurrying small animals?","As I walk I hear the cracking of tiny twigs.","I hear the sound of what I believe to be distant voices.")>>\nIt looks as if someone had been camping here quite recently. Just off to the side of the path I can see the remains of a camp-fire. But not much else is here.\nDeep through the woods there is a path that leads down to a small lake. The other way leads to a meeting of paths.\n<<set $boat = 2>>\s\n[[Follow the path down to the lake|Lake]]\n[[Where the paths meet|Follow path into the woods]]\n
<<if $envelope is 4>>\n<<set $envelope = 1>>\n<<endif>>\s\nA rickety old wooden table is in the centre of the shed. It has cuts, nicks and scratches all over the table, making it look like there used to be a lot of work done on it.\n<<if $envelope is 1>>\nOn the table there is a discarded envelope.\n<<set $envelope = 4>>\n<<endif>>\s\n<<if $atticKey is 2>>\nOn the table there is a key.\n[[Take the key|Take The Key]]\n<<endif>>\s\n<<display Small Shed>>
** That's me – David Jones, Dave, Jonesy.\n** Lot's of people keep making Welsh jokes but I'm not Welsh. I'm so un-Welsh you wouldn't believe it Boyo'. The only time I've even been to Wales was a weeks holiday, camping in Rhyl – and to be honest I only found out that was Wales on the last day...No, don't laugh, I was only six years old...well I may have been eight.\n** Anyway, the point is...I'm not Welsh.\n** I'm the photographer at the local paper. \n\n<<display Pub2>>
\t'Your round [[Jonesy|Jonesy]],' said [[Big Barry|Big Barry]].\n\t'I think you'll find that it's [[Peat Pete|Peat Pete]]'s round and mines another pint,' I said.\nPete looked down at his shoes then started whistling....\n\tBarry looked over at Pete, 'How the hell can you be skint already? We've only just got paid.'\nPeat Pete kept his head down and went quiet...\n\t'Not the horses again!'\nPete nodded but remained quite.\n\t'Will you never learn?'\nPeat Peat (he used to work in a garden centre) was a driver, gardener, cleaner and all round handyman for The News. Nice bloke but he had one weakness...gambling; horses mainly.\n\t'Don't worry, David Jones to the rescue,' I said, 'What will it be lads?'\n\nAs I walked over to the bar my phone rang – everyone started laughing at my ringtone.\n\t'Hey, there is nothing wrong with “Final Countdown”, Europe were a very underrated band.', which I did think but also the phone came with the tune on and I never did figure out how to remove it.\nJohn was calling...\nWhat should I do?\n\n[[Answer the phone|Phone Call]]\n[[Get the drinks in first|Get The Drinks]] \n[[I am carrying|Pockets]]\n
<<if visited() is 1>>\nI open the creaky garden gate then walk into the garden.\n<<else>>\s\nI push the creaky garden gate once again and walk back into the garden.\n<<endif>>\s\nThis small garden is pretty much like John's. A path leads to the [[garden gate|John's Pathway]]. I can see a [[drainpipe]] that goes all the way up to the roof. As I look up I can see an [[open window|drainpipe]] by the side of the [[drainpipe]]. The groundfloor windows are shut. The [[door|ShutDoor]] is closed.\n\n[[I am carrying|Pockets]]
I'm in the local woods by the side of the wall. Looking at the wall, I realise I could climb up from this side but it won't be easy. Looking opposite the wall there is an underused pathway leading into the thick of the trees. I can hear <<print either("shouts from the other side of the wall.","someone shouting, 'Could he have climbed that wall?'","'There is some woods at the other side of this wall but could he have climbed it?'")>>\n\n[[Climb wall|Climb Wall 2]]\n[[Follow path into the woods]]\n[[I am carrying|Pockets]]
This island is much larger than it appears to be from the lakeside.\n<<print either ("Even from this distance, I am sure I can hear voices calling.","Birds fly overhead, shrieking.","Rustling in the bushes, along with distant shouting make me nervous.")>>\nI can see a pathway leading into some trees. By the waters edge there is a rowing boat.\n\n[[Walk on the pathway, into the trees.|Island Woods]]\n[[Row back to the path where the camp-fire was.|The Right Path Woods2]]\n[[Row back to the path where the oak tree is.|Further into the woods2]]
<<print either ("There is no time to look around but I notice that the window is locked. I need to get out of this house without the police finding me.","I can hear the police outside...! There has to be a way out but I'm not sure it's not from this room","With the window locked, I can't get out from here.")>>\nI'm in John's bathroom. As expected, it's tiny but neat. There is a toilet, a bath, a sink and squeezed into one corner there is a shower cubical. On a shelf by the sink there is toothpaste, toothbrushes, shower gel, shampoo and hair conditioner. Above the sink there is a mirror. On the back of the door there is a towel rail holding a couple of blue towels.\n\n[[John's Landing]] \n[[I am carrying|Pockets]]
I try the door but it seems to be locked. There must be a key somewhere!\n\n<<display Climb Through The Window>>
[[Stew Crowther|http://stewcrowther.neocities.org]]
<<if $boatShots is 2>>\nI start rowing...\nAs I get about half-way across, I hear gun shots. I duck down just as a bullet hits the gunwale - splinters of wood fly everywhere.\nThen almost as quick as it happened...all goes quiet....\nI decide to start rowing again and I row for my life.\nEventually, I get to the other side and jump out of the rowing boat.\nOne thing I know is that the gun shots were not from the police. \n<<endif>>\n<<if $boatShots is 3>>\nI start rowing again...\nOnce more I hear shots ring out. There are more near-misses with one shot skimming of one of my oars. Luckily, once more I am fine but all this proves someone wants rid of me. This cannot be the police. I really need to find Jimmy Walton – and so I really need to find his garage.\n<<endif>>\n<<display Island>>
<<if $bedroomWindow is 1>>\s\n<<set $bedroomWindow = 2>>\s\n<<display John's Bedroom>>\s\n<<else>>\s\n<<set $bedroomWindow = 1>>\s\n<<display John's Bedroom>>\s\n<<endif>>
<<if $climbCounter > 3>>\nHere we go again!\nI lost count after the third time...\nRight then....Off we go...!\nI clamber up the drainpipe like a pro!! Like I've been doing this all my life (well it feels like it).\nI've finally got the hang of this. I get to the top where the window is.\n<<endif>>\s\n<<if $climbCounter is 3>>\nOh Crickey!! \nReally??? Again...???\nOh well. Third time lucky\nGrabbing hold of the pipe I start my drainpipe journey.\nSurely, at some point I will get to grips with this drainpipe climbing lark... \nStill I persevere and continue my climb until at last I reach the window.\n<<endif>>\s\n<<if $climbCounter is 2>>\nWhat again???\nFor a second time???\nI remember how slippery that pipe was last time.\nOh well...needs must.\nGrabbing hold of the pipe I once again set about my assent.\nI guess I should begin to feel more confident each time I do this but that confidence isn't coming through just yet.\nStill I persevere and continue my climb until at last I reach the window.\n<<endif>>\s\n<<if $climbCounter is 1>>\nI guess I could try to climb up the drainpipe.\nIt looks solid enough but it seems a long way up...Oh well.\nGrabbing hold of the pipe I start my assent. I get about halfway up before I realise just how slippery this thing is. If I loose my grip now..!\nStill I persevere and continue my climb until at last I reach the window.\n<<endif>>\n<<set $climbCounter += 1>>\n[[Climb Through The Window]]
<<if $memoryStick is 1>>\s\nYou take the memory stick out of John's hand.\n<<set $memoryStick = 2>>\s\n<<endif>>\s \n<<if $card is 2>>\s\nJohn's body is still lying there is a pool of blood.\nI have to do something.\n* The police are going to be here any second now. And it's going to be me they're looking for.\n* Should I leave the knife or take it with me? It could be useful.\n* I must get to that garage and quick. Until I find that guy, I'm the prime suspect.\n* I'm guessing that guy was looking for the memory stick. I need to keep hold of that.\n<<else>>\nJohn's body is still lying there is a pool of blood.\nI have to do something.\n* The police are going to be here any second now. And it's going to be me they're looking for.\n* Should I leave the knife or take it with me? It could be useful.\n<<endif>>\s\n<<if $knife is 1>>\s\nI am holding the knife. Am I crazy?\n\n[[Drop the knife|drop knife]]\n<<else>>\s\nI see the bloody knife on the floor. \n\n[[Pick up the knife|Pick up the knife]]\n<<endif>>\s\n[[John's Kitchen]]\n<<if $memoryStick is 2 and $card is 2>>\s\n[[Upstairs|Going Upstairs]]\n<<endif>>\n[[I am carrying|Pockets]]