Storm of Decisions

It is friday late afternoon. The wind is blowing slightly, and the sky is a bright gray as you make your way home from the park. It smells like rain. Your phone rings. Do you... [[Pick it up]] [[Let it ring]]

You answer quickly. It's your mom. "Hey mom. Whats up?" "Hi sweetie. I just wanted to let you know I'll be working late. There's a really bad storm coming so don't dilly dally on your way home ok? I left you food in the fridge. Are you almost home?" She asks. "Okay mom. Yes, i'm going through the park now. I love you." "I love you too. Text me when you get home." You two say your goodbyes and you [[continue walking]].

You let your phone ring and [[continue walking]].

Raindrops begin to fall and a low thunder can be heard in the background. You can see your apartment building across the street so you pick up the pace. As you near the edge of the park you find a girl asleep on the bench. She looks around your age. As you get closer you recognize her from one of your classes. Do you... [[Try and wake her]] [[Leave her]]

You nudge her a couple times but she doesn't budge. The rain and wind start to pick up. A flash of lighting startles you. [[Leave her]] [[Try again]] [[Take her home with you]]

You decide to leave her on the bench. She chose to be out here while a storm was brewing so it's not really your problem. You make it home and decide to brew some hot chocolate and watch The Hangover. [[The Next Day]]

You try nudging her even harder but she still doesn't budge. A loud thunder echoes startling you. You have to make a decision fast. [[Leave her]] [[Take her home with you]]

You look around and see how dangerous the weather is becoming. You can't leave her out here. A flash of lightning and clash of thunder gets you to move quickly. You throw the girl over your shoulder and run [[home]].

You run downstairs to make some breakfast. Your mom is watching the news. She turns to you "Oh honey isn't this just terrible?" You go sit by her to see what she is talking about. You stand in shock as the picture of the girl you saw yesterday flashes on the screen. The news headline reads: Teen girl killed by a lightning strike in her sleep at Clearview park. Did you make the right choice? [[Yes]] [[No ->continue walking]]

Once you arrive inside you take the girl upstairs to your room. Do you... [[Lay her on your bed]] [[Sit her in your gaming chair]]

You scribble down a quick note on your desk explaining who you are and what happened. You make your way downstairs to grab her the water. While you’re downstairs you hear some noises from above you. You rush quickly back [[up]].

For some reason you think tying her up would be the best idea to keep her put. You scrounge up all the chords around your room and lightly tie her arms and legs to the chair. Once you've finished you run downstairs to get the water. When you make it back to your room you notice she hasn't woken up. You start to get worried. You go to shake her awake but your met with a strong headbutt to the face. Your vision goes a little blurry but you can see that she's managed to get one arm out of the light restraints you put on her. "Where am I?" She yells as she unties the other tie in her hand. [[Explain yourself]]

You don't think she'll wake up in that short time so you run down to get water. While you are downstairs you hear some shuffling from above. You rush upstairs with the water. When you open the door you see your window open and the girl is nowhere to be found. You stick your head out the window to look but it's still pouring so you can't really see anything. You close the window and use a tshirt to dry your hair. You sigh and head to bed. [[The next day]]

It's definitely not your fault. You did everything you could...right? You could't have predicted this. It's not your fault. [[Play again? ->Jay]]

You sit her in the gaming chair afraid that she might get the wrong idea if she wakes up in your bed. The girl begins to move around slightly in her sleep. You want to be a good host and get her some water but you don't want her to wake up and run away. Do you... [[Leave a note]] [[Tie her up]] [[Just go]]

You lay her down gently on her bed. You want her to be comfortable while she's here. After sitting and waiting for a little while you start to get bored. You want to get her some water but you don't want her to wake up and run away. Do you... [[Leave a note ->bed ending1]] [[Just leave]]

You scribble down a quick note explaining who you are and how she got there. You quickly rush [[downstairs]] to grab some water.

You dont think she is going to wake up anytime soon so you just rush downstairs to grab the water. While you're downstairs you hear some shuffling around upstairs so you finish getting the water and run back [[upstairs]]

While you're pouring the water you can't help but wonder how you're going to explain this to your mom. While deep in thought you hear some shuffling going on upstairs. You finish getting the water and make your [[way back -> NOTE]]

You get back to your room quickly, water in hand, but when you open the door you're met with a shoe to the face. You take a step back suprised. The girl stands in front of you with the other shoe aimed and ready to throw. "I read your note but I don't entirely belive it. Why am I in your bed of all places? Are you some kind of pervert?" She backs away a bit but keeps her aim on you. You stick your hands out ready to defend yourself. "No no. Just look outside! It's storming pretty bad I swear. I won't move. Just look." She slowly makes her way to the window not taking her eyes off of you. When she reaches the window she quicly opens the blinds to reveal heavy rain and a flash of lightning. She lowers the shoe and speaks again, "thank you for bringing me here. I don't fully trust you so i'd like it if you stayed on the opposite side of the room from me. Also.." She points to the water, "I'm not drinking that." You nod and set the water on the bedside table. You watch a movie with her. You're sitting on the floor by your closet while she sits in your gaming chair. As soon as the rain dies down she quickly thanks you once again and rushes out. [[THE END ->Jay]]

You have the water in your hand, preparing to explain everything to this random girl you brought home. When you open the door you get tackled to the ground. The glass of water goes flying. The girl holds your writs down and begins screaming, "YOU PERVERT. WHAT DID YOU DO TO ME?!" You try to get out of her grip but she is surprisingly strong. You go to speak but she knees you in the balls. "SICKO!" She screams and runs downstairs. As you curl into a ball of pain, you hear the front door slam. You crawl your way to the bed and get in without a second thought. [[The next day]]

You run downstairs to make some breakfast. Your mom is watching the news. She turns to you "Oh honey isn't this just terrible?" You go sit by her to see what she is talking about. You stand in shock as the picture of the girl you tried to rescue yesterday flashes on the screen. The news headline reads: Teen girl hit by a car while running through the rainstorm last night . Did you make the right choice? [[Yes]] [[No ->home]]

As you open the door you hear a shy “hello?” The girl is standing at your desk with the note in hand. “Hey. Sorry about all this. You were really knocked out.” You hand the water to her. She looks at you suspiciously but still takes it from you. She whispers, “thank you” and eyes it one more time before taking a sip. You say… [[“Why were you sleeping on a bench?”]] [[“You can wait out the storm here.”]]

“Why were you sleeping on a bench?” You ask. She looks at you with sad eyes, “I don’t really wanna talk about it.” Do you.. [[Keep pestering]] [[Leave it]]

“You can wait out the storm here if you want! I have movies and games if you want to do something instead of sitting here in awkward silence.” She laughs at that and nods. “Sure. Do you have the game Guess Who?” You nod. “I’ll go grab it!” You two spend the rest of the storm laughing, playing different games and getting to know each other. You learn that her name is Juniper and she's a senior just like you. You [[drive her home]] once the storm dies down.

“What are you like homeless or something?” You pry. Her eyes narrow at you. “Are you always this nosy?” You’re taken aback. You weren’t really expecting her to answer. You open your mouth to apologize but she cuts you off. “Save it. I said I don’t want to talk about it. Thank you for “rescuing me” but I don’t owe you an explanation. I’m gonna get an uber home.” And with that she walks out of your room. You leave her alone, not wanting to upset her any further. About ten minutes later you hear the front door open and close. She’s gone. [[A week later]]

“Oh yeah for sure. My bad.” You turn and gesture to your chair. “ You can wait out the storm here if you want. I can drive you wherever when it dies down.” She nods and says thank you again. You two sit together and watch tv until the storm dies down. Once it does you offer to drive her home but she insists on an uber. She thanks you once again and then she’s gone. [[THE END ->Jay]]

You run downstairs to make some breakfast. Your mom is watching the news. She turns to you "Oh honey isn't this just terrible?" You go sit by her to see what she is talking about. You stand in shock as the picture of the girl you tried to rescue last week flashes on the screen. The news headline reads: Teen girl MISSING. Parents say they haven't seen her since last Friday . Did you make the right choice? [[Yes]] [[No ->up]]

“Thank you for doing this. I had a really bad fight with my parents. I went to the park to clear my head and I must have fallen asleep. I hope after this we can be really good friends!” She hands you a piece of paper with her number on it and she gets out of the car. Do you… [[Let her go]] [[Hug her]] [[Kiss her]]

You watch to make sure she gets inside. And then you drive home having made a new friend. [[THE END ->Jay]]

You get out of the car and run up to give her a hug. At first she’s surprised but then she hugs back. You see a tear slip from her eye. She must’ve really needed this. “Don’t hesitate to call me if you need somewhere to clear your head again.” You say. She nods and wipes the tear away. “Thank you. I will.” “No more sleeping in the park. What if it was a weirdo and not me you know?” “You are a weirdo.” She laughs and punches you playfully. “You know what I mean.” “Yeah I know. I promise.” You both hug one more time and then she heads inside. Then you drive home with the biggest smile on your face because you've just met your new best friend. [[THE END ->Jay]]

You get out of the car and try to kiss her. She pulls away from you and puts her hand on your mouth. “I don’t know what impression I gave you my guy but I am very much in love with my girlfriend. I apologize if I led you on.” You stare at her in disbelief. She rolls her eyes and laughs making her way inside. You stand there for a second. You’re not sure what came over you. Then you drive home unsure if you’ve ruined your chances at making a new friend. [[THE END ->Jay]]

"Remember, leave a note if you're going to kidnap someone again. Don't just tie them up like some weirdo. And if you are gonna tie them up at least use tighter knots. Also put ice on that eye...it might bruise. Sorry about that." She leaves you her phone number. "See you around Mr. Kidnapper!" She yells as she gets out of the car. You wave and drive off. That had to be the weirdest friend you will ever make. [[THE END ->Jay]]

"Well my name is-" She cuts you off, "I didn't ask who you are, I asked where am I?" At this point she is full out of the restraints and holds you against the floor. "Are you deaf?" "Sorry. You're in my room. I brought you here because you were asleep on a bench and the storm was about to get bad." You explain. "Then why was I tied up?" "I didn't know when you'd wake up. I didn't want you to freak out while I went to get you water." You point to the now empty glass on the floor. She scoffs. "Why not just leave a note?" You think about it. Why didn't you just leave a note? "I- you're right. That was my dumbest idea yet. I'm sorry." She takes her hands off you and lets you get up. "At least you know." She sticks her hand out to help you up. "Sorry about that. Stranger danger you know?" You take her hand and get off the floor. "Do you want water?" "Do you have hot chocolate?" She smiles. You nod. "I'll take that!" You both excitedly make your way down the stairs. It's a little awkward at first but once that passes you guys start to get to know eachother. Once the storm passes you [[drive her home ->dhh]].

(align:"=><=")+(box:"====XXXXXXXXXXXXXXX======")[= Storm of Decisions By: Alaejha Thomas [[Play ->Jay]]