The Three Bears

You are a pretty, young girl. Your hair said to be a shade of blonde that shined like gold in the sun. Your locs were long and wavy, bound in twin braids majority of the days. Your frame is petite and slightly malnourished. Protein is hard to come by where you live and even then, the men of the house tended to gobble it all up before you could get any. You did most of the housework like cooking and cleaning. You know things like sewing and crochetting but only to mend the mens' ripped clothing and make them warm hats and scarves for the winter. It was not winter now though, but the middle of summer. Hot, humid air smothers the atmosphere around you, making most days feel suffocating. The swealtering air around you is only cooled slightly by the fans littered around the corners of the house. You unconciously feel the air grow warmer around you, signaling the start of the day. What will you do? [[Wake up]] [[Sleep In]]

You are a 10 year old girl named Marigold Bair. You live in the Appilachian mountains of North Carolina in a small house out in the boondocks, miles from the nearest town. You don't see many people around, just some neighbors and the three men you live with. Your father, Bill, owns the house. After your mom died a few years back, your uncle Randy moved in with your cousin Hunter. Randy was your father's younger brother by about five years and his son, Hunter, was 17. [[>>>->Choice 1]]

(enchant: ?Page, (css: "class: dark")) You decide to sleep in. The warmth of the room is starting to get uncofmfortable, but you choose to snuggle deeper into the stiff, old matress below you. You are awoken suddenly by the sound of your bedroom door slamming open. Heavy steps boom through your doorway to the space beside your bed. The thin blanket that covers you is ripped away violently as a deep, frustrated voice calls out. "Wake up you idiot girl! The sun has long since risen and yet there is no breakfast on our table," Your father yells. His voice vibrates off the walls starteling you awake. You feel a clawed hand grasp at your ankle, roughly dragging you from the bed onto the ground. As you thud to the floor, your eyes shift to an unassuming bookbag, sitting unused for a little over a year now since you stopped going to school. It was empty, but you think about filling it with some clothes and money. Maybe you could leave this place... [[Make Breakfast]]

The humidity of the room becomes too much to bare. The moisture sticks to your skin covering you in an uncomfortable sheen of sweat beneath the thin blanket you rest under. You decide to wake up. The room you sleep in is small, containing only a small twin sized mattress on a squeeky metal frame, a tv dinner tray used as a bedside table, and an old dresser. Your room has no toys through you wish it did. Not that you had much time to play anyways. You get ready for the day before anyone else in the house stirs. It's better this way to start preparing breakfast before they wake. As you rebraid your hair into its two twin braids your eyes drift to the corner of the room. There sat an unassuming bookbag, sitting unused for a little over a year now since you stopped going to school. It was empty, but you hope to fill it soon enough with some clothes and money. Maybe you could leave this place... [[Make Breakfast]]

You enter the small kitchen consisting of a fridge, an oven, a sink, and two counter tops. If you had to pick anything to like about the space, it was the window over the sink. Sometimes you could see people out there, other children like you. You father hardly let you go outside, only occasionally were you sent to the store and never alone, always acompanied by your cousin Hunter. You let your mind wander to the last trip you made to the grocery store. It usually took about a 10 minute drive in Hunters old pickup truck to get there. Even still, your mind latches onto the image of the bus stop that sat out front. You'd never taken a bus, never even seen the world beyond that grocery store. But sometimes when uncle Randy would watch tv, he'd be watching the news. You weren't allowed to stay and watch with him, but you'd heard of the town closest to you, the one the bus probably took you to. [[>>>]]

Even as you are lost in thought, you begin to make a pot of porridge for the men. You now have a good idea of what each of them like. Your father preferrs the biggest bowl, uncle Randy eats a little less but always accompanies his meal with a beer, Hunter eats a smaller bowl, and you always eat whatever is left. Once the porridge is done you begin the ladel it into each bowl. The three men sit around a circular table in the middle of the kitchen, waiting. You move to serve the first bowl. Who will you serve first? [[Serve Father]] [[Serve uncle Randy]] [[Serve Hunter]]

You grab the largest bowl first. The bowl feels heavy, your wrist shakes slightly as you grab it from the counter. As you place the bowl in front of your father he looks at you over the top of his newspaper. "Hope this is better than that slop you made last night," He mutters out coldly. The words sting but it is to be expected at this point. You can't remember a single time you've heard a 'Thank you' from the man. [[Next Person]]

You grab the medium bowl first. The size sits a little too large for your hands, but you manage to take it over to the table just fine. As you approach uncle Randy with his breakfast he cracks a smile. The smile doesn't ease any part of your tense body. You know that no shred of kindness from him comes without a price. The sudden feeling of his clawed hand coming to sit low on your back startles you. [[Oh no!]]

You decide to serve uncle Randy and Hunter at the same time. You knew you could hold Hunter's bowl in one hand and figured you could hold Randy's in the other. As you make your way over to stand in the space between the two men, you feel something suddenly block your next foot step. You stumble forward, looking down to see Hunters extended leg. [[Oh no!]]

You drop the bowl of hot porridge onto the floor, shattering the ceramic vessel. The hot sludge splatters against the ground and onto your legs not covered by your dress. You wince at the pain but don't pay attention to it for long. When your eyes look up from the ground you see three sets off eyes looking back at you. Your father looks at you with building rage, uncle randy looks at you with annoyance, and Hunter wears a knowing smirk on his face. What will you do? [[Apologize]] [[Cry]]

Next, you approach uncle Randy with his breakfast. As you near him he cracks a smile. The smile doesn't ease any part of your tense body. You know that no shred of kindness from him comes without a price. The sudden feeling of his clawed hand coming to sit low on your back startles you. [[Oh no!]]

Tears begin to sting at the corners of your eyes. You will them not to fall but a sob is already making its way out past your lips. Your burnt legs tremble as you make your way to the towel at the sink. "God damn it, girl! You've done it now, always cryin' because of your own dumb mistakes," Your father barks impatiently. You sob under your breath as you drop to your knees to clean up the mess. Other than your own gasped breaths, you can hear the faint snicker of your cousin. Dread fills your stomach as the realization sets in that you will now have to give up your portion of porridge to make up for your mistake. [[Start Your Chores]]

"I'm so sorry, I'm sorry, I'm s-sorry, I'm s-" You quickly start to apologize profusley. The burns ache against your shins as you scramble over to the kitchen sink to grab a towel. "God Damn it, girl! Look what you did, can't even put a damn bowl on the table," You father barks at you. You continue to mutter apologies quietly while cleaning the porridge off the floor. Dread fills your stomach as the realization sets in that you will now have to give up your portion of porridge to make up for your mistake. [[Start Your Chores]]

After you finish cleaning up the mess of porridge from the ground you decide to remove yourself from the kitchen to start your other chores for the day. You knew your father would be leaving soon for work. He'd leave to work for the railroad company just outside of town. Your uncle Randy was a carpenter, after breakfast he'd go outside to the shed to work on his projects. Most days you were left alone in the house with Hunter who mostly played video games in the living room. Sometimes even he would leave to hang out with his friends down by the creek. What chore will you do first? [[Clean up the living room]] [[Make the beds]] [[Wash Laundry]]

You decide it'd be best to clean the living room first. At the end of every night, the men all sit in their own respective spots. Your father sits in the recliner, uncle randy prefers to lay out across the couch, and Hunter sits in a beanbag chair on the opposite side of the cough from your father. Across from the couch sits a small tv with v-shaped antenna on top. Theres no space for you in this room. You long stopped asking for uncle Randy to share the couch. [[Pick up near father's chair]] [[Pick up near Randy's chair]] [[Pick up near Hunter's chair]]

You decide it's best to make the beds first. All of the men sleep in their own respective bedrooms. Your father had the biggest room with enough space for a queen bed in the middle, two bedside tables, and a dresser. Uncle Randy's room was a little smaller, only enough room for a queen bed in the far corner and a closet. Hunter's room was the second smallest, next to yours. His room held a twin sized bed and a small chest of clothes at the end. Whose bed will you make first? [[Make father's bed]] [[Make Randy's bed]] [[Make Hunter's bed]]

You decide to do the laundry first. As you swiftly place the damp clothes onto the clothesline in the backyard, you retrieve an already dried dress to tuck away in your bag. +Clothes What next? [[Make the beds ->Make the beds 2]] [[Clean the living room ->Clean living room 2]]

You start by picking up the clutter around your father's chair. While whiping crumbs off the seat of the recliner you feel a crunch of paper in one of the creases. + 10 dollars [[Pick up near Randy's chair ->Pick up near Randy's chair 2]] [[Pick up near Hunter's chair ->Pick up near Hunter's chair 2]]

You start by picking up the clutter around uncle Randy's spot. While sweeping around the couch you make a pile of empty beer cans. [[Pick up near father's chair ->Pick up near father's chair 2]] [[Pick up near Hunter's chair ->Pick up near Hunter's chair 4]]

You make your way over to Hunter's bean bag, throwing away the discarded snack wrappers litered around. [[Pick up near father's chair ->Pick up near father's chair 4]] [[Pick up near Randy's chair ->Pick up near Randy's chair 4]]

You choose the make father's bed first. It is hard to reach across the large mattress though not much is out of place. You finish swiftly. Who next? [[Make Randy's bed ->Make Randy's bed 2]] [[Make Hunter's bed ->Make Hunter's bed 2]]

You choose to make Unclue Randy's bed first. Uncle Randy always leaves his bed extra messy, with pillows beaten flat aginst the mattress and sheets halfway off the bed. You remember the times when he would jokingly invite you to sleep with him if your mattress was too uncomfortable. You try not to remember the things he says. When you finish tidying the bed you leave the room feeling grosser than when you walked in. [[Make Hunter's bed ->Make Hunter's bed 4]] [[Make father's bed ->Make father's bed 5]]

You dicide to get Hunter's room over with first. You are hit with a wave of teenage boy odor upon entering the room. The room is cluttered with collected action figures and rock band posters. You would clean the space, but Hunter has made it very clear he does not like you touching his things. After organizing the bedding you turn to leave the room, but from the corner of your eye you see something reflecting light from under the bed. [[Look under the bed ->Hunter's bed cutscene]]

You crouch down near the side of the bed, lifting the large comforter to get a better view of the floor beneath. There you see recognizable bottles of booze, some empty while others look to be half full. "What do you think your doing weirdo!" The sound of hunter's voice makes you jump. He yanks you up off the ground agressively by your arm, leaving a sharp ache. "What did I tell you about snooping through my stuff!" He yells as you now stand face to face with his fury. You flinch in anticipation but it doesn't lessen the blow against your cheek any more. You know if you stay here he wont stop, so you bolt out of the room, hearing the loud slam of his bedroom door behind you. [[Make father's bed ->Make father's bed 2]] [[Make Randy's bed ->Make Randy's bed 4]]

You start by picking up the clutter around uncle Randy's spot. While sweeping around the couch you make a pile of empty beer cans. [[Pick up near Hunter's chair ->Pick up near Hunter's chair 3]]

You make your way over to Hunter's bean bag, throwing away the discarded snack wrappers litered around. [[Pick up near Randy's chair ->Pick up near Randy's chair 3]]

You start by picking up the clutter around uncle Randy's spot. While sweeping around the couch you make a pile of empty beer cans. [[Next Chore]]

You make your way over to Hunter's bean bag, throwing away the discarded snack wrappers litered around. [[Next Chore]]

What's next? [[Make the beds ->Make the beds 2]] [[Wash laundry ->Wash laundry 2]]

You make your way over to Hunter's bean bag, throwing away the discarded snack wrappers litered around. [[Pick up near father's chair ->Pick up near father's chair 3]]

You make your way over to Hunter's bean bag, throwing away the discarded snack wrappers litered around. [[Next Chore]]

You start by picking up the clutter around your father's chair. While whiping crumbs off the seat of the recliner you feel a crunch of paper in one of the creases. + 10 dollars [[Next Chore]]

You start by picking up the clutter around uncle Randy's spot. While sweeping around the couch you make a pile of empty beer cans. [[Pick up near father's chair ->Pick up near fathers's chair 5]]

You start by picking up the clutter around uncle Randy's spot. While sweeping around the couch you make a pile of empty beer cans. [[Next Chore]]

You start by picking up the clutter around your father's chair. While whiping crumbs off the seat of the recliner you feel a crunch of paper in one of the creases. + 10 dollars [[Next Chore]]

You choose the make father's bed first. It is hard to reach across the large mattress though not much is out of place. You finish swiftly. Who next? [[Make Randy's bed ->Make Randy's bed 5]]

You choose the make father's bed first. It is hard to reach across the large mattress though not much is out of place. You finish swiftly. Who next? [[Next chore ->Next chore 2]]

You choose the make father's bed first. It is hard to reach across the large mattress though not much is out of place. You finish swiftly. Who next? [[Make Hunter's bed ->Make Hunter's bed 5]]

Next, You decide to make the beds. [[Make father's bed ->Father bed]] [[Make Randy's bed ->Randy bed ]] [[Make Hunter's bed ->Hunter bed]]

You choose the make father's bed first. It is hard to reach across the large mattress though not much is out of place. You finish swiftly. Who next? [[Make Randy's bed ->Randy bed 2]] [[Make Hunter's bed ->Hunter bed 3]]

You choose to make Unclue Randy's bed first. Uncle Randy always leaves his bed extra messy, with pillows beaten flat aginst the mattress and sheets halfway off the bed. You remember the times when he would jokingly invite you to sleep with him if your mattress was too uncomfortable. You try not to remember the things he says. When you finish tidying the bed you leave the room feeling grosser than when you walked in. [[Make Hunter's bed ->Hunter bed 4]] [[Make father's bed ->Father bed 2]]

You dicide to get Hunter's room over with. You are hit with a wave of teenage boy odor upon entering the room. The room is cluttered with collected action figures and rock band posters. You would clean the space, but Hunter has made it very clear he does not like you touching his things. After organizing the bedding you turn to leave the room, but from the corner of your eye you see something reflecting light from under the bed. [[Look under the bed ->Hunter bed cutscene 2]]

You choose the make father's bed first. It is hard to reach across the large mattress though not much is out of place. You finish swiftly. Who next? [[Make Hunter's bed ->Hunter bed 5]]

You crouch down near the side of the bed, lifting the large comforter to get a better view of the floor beneath. There you see recognizable bottles of booze, some empty while others look to be half full. "What do you think your doing weirdo!" The sound of hunter's voice makes you jump. He yanks you up off the ground agressively by your arm, leaving a sharp ache. "What did I tell you about snooping through my stuff!" He yells as you now stand face to face with his fury. You flinch in anticipation but it doesn't lessen the blow against your cheek any more. You know if you stay here he wont stop, so you bolt out of the room. Remebering what you grabbed earlier, you decide to run out the door as fast as you can. [[Run away! ->Ran out of time]]

What's next? [[Clean Living room ->Clean living room 2]] [[Wash laundry ->Wash Laundry 3]]

You crouch down near the side of the bed, lifting the large comforter to get a better view of the floor beneath. There you see recognizable bottles of booze, some empty while others look to be half full. "What do you think your doing weirdo!" The sound of hunter's voice makes you jump. He yanks you up off the ground agressively by your arm, leaving a sharp ache. "What did I tell you about snooping through my stuff!" He yells as you now stand face to face with his fury. You flinch in anticipation but it doesn't lessen the blow against your cheek any more. You know if you stay here he wont stop, so you bolt out of the room. Remebering what you grabbed earlier, you decide to run out the door as fast as you can. [[Run away! ->Ran out of time]]

You crouch down near the side of the bed, lifting the large comforter to get a better view of the floor beneath. There you see recognizable bottles of booze, some empty while others look to be half full. "What do you think your doing weirdo!" The sound of hunter's voice makes you jump. He yanks you up off the ground agressively by your arm, leaving a sharp ache. "What did I tell you about snooping through my stuff!" He yells as you now stand face to face with his fury. You flinch in anticipation but it doesn't lessen the blow against your cheek any more. You know if you stay here he wont stop, so you bolt out of the room. Remebering what you grabbed earlier, you decide to run out the door as fast as you can. [[Run Away! ->Ran out of time]]

You choose the make father's bed first. It is hard to reach across the large mattress though not much is out of place. You finish swiftly. Who next? [[Next chore ->Next chore 2]]

Even though you didn't gather as many resources as you wanted, you still swiftly decide to leave your lonely cabin forever. If you gathered the money: You have enough to pay for a bus ticket at the grocery store bus stop If you have the dress: You are able to exchange the dress for money with an old woman at the grocery store so you can buy a bus ticket medium ending

Next, You decide to pick up around the living room. [[Pick up near father's chair ->Father chair]] [[Pick up near Randy's chair ->Randy chair]] [[Pick up near Hunter's chair ->Hunter chair]]

You start by picking up the clutter around your father's chair. While whiping crumbs off the seat of the recliner you feel a crunch of paper in one of the creases. When pulling out the paper you discover a 10 dollar bill. You feel a leap of hope in your heart at the sight off the bill. In your excitment you don't recognize the opening of the front door. It is too late when your head snaps up to see your father staring angrily in front of you. [[Drop the money ->Father cutscene]]

You start by picking up the clutter around uncle Randy's spot. While sweeping around the couch you make a pile of empty beer cans. [[Pick up near father's chair ->Father chair 2]] [[Pick up near Hunter's chair ->Hunter chair 2]]

You make your way over to Hunter's bean bag, throwing away the discarded snack wrappers litered around. [[Pick up near father's chair ->Father chair 4]] [[Pick up near Randy's chair ->Randy chair 2]]

"What do you think you're doing, kid!" Your father yells as you slouch in fear. "Putting your hands on my money, and what would you even do with it," He continues, crowding into your space till you're backed against the recliner. With a swift hand he grabbed the money from beside you. "Go to your room! I don't want to see you for the rest of the night, you theiving dunce," He barks as you scury off to your room. [[Go to your room ->Ran out of time 2]]

You make your way over to Hunter's bean bag, throwing away the discarded snack wrappers litered around. [[Pick up near father's chair ->Father chair 3]]

You start by picking up the clutter around uncle Randy's spot. While sweeping around the couch you make a pile of empty beer cans. [[Pick up near father's chair ->Father chair 5]]

You unfortunatley don't get to keep the money you found and are locked in your room. You can't run to the store in the dark when everyone goes to sleep, it's too dangerous. You don't have any money for the bus anyway... bad ending

Next, You decide to do the laundry. As you swiftly place the damp clothes onto the clothesline in the backyard, you retrieve an already dried dress to tuck away in your bag back inside. + clothes [[Run away! ->Ran out of time 3]]

Once your bag is packed, you take a look back at your small room. As you think about all the mistreatment you've faced in this lonely cabin, you start to accept that there is no reason to stay. Instead, you choose to walk out the front door and start down the road in the only direction you've ever known, to the store, and to the bus stop. Your father is not yet home from work, and Uncle Randy and his son are none the wiser of your absence until it is too late. good ending

Next, You decide to do the laundry first. As you swiftly place the damp clothes onto the clothesline in the backyard, you sag when you discover there are no dry clothes on the line to take and your father would be returning soon. [[Give up ->Ran out of time 2]]

The Three Bears TW: Mentions of verbal abuse, physical abuse, harsh language [[Begin ->Introduction]]