Robert Frost's The Road Not Taken: The Game™

You have been walking down one path for several miles. Now the path forks... Which path do you take? [[east]] or [[west]] East is marked for advanced hikers; West is the family side of the trail

You keep walking down the eastward path. This path is steeper and suddenly you find yourself sliding downward--as this happens your water bottle comes loose in your backpack. (if: $Woman is true)[//It said challenging not deadly!//] [[grab a branch]] or [[reach for your water bottle]]

as you make your way down this path, you find yourself paying attention to the trees. You feel the wind at your back. Then, an acorn hits your head. You look up and see a squirrel. (if: $Man is true)[//It's always squirrels.//](if: $Woman is true)[//Dude, really?//](if: $Nonbinary is true)[//Why can't you just be cute?//] Do you [[retaliate]] or [[keep walking]]?

you manage to slow yourself, with only light scratches. but your water bottle is gone. do you look for [[the water bottle]] or [[keep on]] as you see a sign that says the exit is only 2 miles away?

You don't manage to grab your water bottle as you slide down but come to a hrd stop at the bottom of the hill and need to take minute to assess yourself. Only a few scrapes and scratches. *Phew* [[the water bottle]] is only a few feet away.

you make your way down the path without further issue, but you are very, very tired. [[the exit]] however is in sight.

You manage to pick up the water bottle. You have a sip. It helps. Now, you make your way to [[the exit]]

You have managed to make your way out of the trail alive and fairly unscathed. Congrats! If you would like feel free to go back to The [[Start]] or [[Character Creation Menu]] because that can make all the difference.

//I'll show you, asshole.// You find the acorn that hit your head, pick it up, and aim it at the squirrel. As you lean forward to throw it however, you find yourself slipping. (if: $Man or $Nonbinary is true)[Ohshitohshitohshit] Do you [[grab a branch]] on your way down keep [[reach for your water bottle]] and other loose items in your backpack?

You manage to ignore the creature without further incident, but you do notice as you make your way down that your backpack's water bottle holder now has a hole and no longer holds your bottle of water. Do you [[keep on]] or look for [[the water bottle]]?

(if: $Man is true)[Your legs hurt. Calf muscles strain. One of the hairs on your leg is caught and you feel the beginings of an ingrown hair.] You wipe sweat from your brow. It has been hours since you've started hiking.There is a rip starting in the armpit seam of your flannel shirt. Making your way [[to the summit]] is more diffcult than you initially thought. (if: $Woman or $Nonbinary is true)[The stretching from the parking lot helped, but it doesn't stop the creeping of what could end up being a charlie horse by the end of the day if you aren't careful.]

The height of the hill gets worse the longer you go on. Dirt kicks up with each step. You realize what the Columbia seller meant when they said your boots should be half a size up now. Swollen feet are a bitch. (if: $Man is true)[//I can do this//, you think to yourself.] Do you [[push on]] or do you [[take a rest]]?

You push on. There is no time to enjoy views. This all about the speed of your [[Walking]]. It's about pushing yourself. (if: $Man is true)[Fuck the pain. It //FEELS// good. You like a challenge.] (if: $breakup is true)[//I need to keep going. Distract myself from all of this.//]

You find a log to sit on for a few minutes. You finish most of your water. (if: $Woman or $Nonbinary is true)[The pain in your leg subsides. You needed this rest] Now it is time to press on to the [[view]] of the summit.

Who are you? [[Man]] [[Woman]] [[Non-Binary]]

[[Why Hiking?]] (set: $Man to true)

[[Why Hiking?]] (set: $Woman to true)

[[Why Hiking?]] (set: $Nonbinary to true)

[[I don't know->Start]] [[I needed to get away->Backstory: Parents]] [[For fun->Start]] [[I mean, I wasn't supposed to be going alone....->Backstory:Breakup]]

The summit is absolutely gorgeous. You can see for miles. Trees, winding roads, headlights like small ants. Rural to suburbia to the briefist glimpse of the city. You hold here for a long moment drinking it in. (if: $breakup is true)[You think of them. They said how beautiful it was up here. They were right . . . There is a new calm over you as you make your way back down.] (if: $parents is true)[You see your neighborhood from up here. It looks small. Almost as if what made you come here wasn't such a big deal.] You make your way to the fork with the markings [[east]] and [[west]]. West is the more leisurely path, but east will get you to your car quicker if getting a snack is a priority.

(set: $parents to true) They wouldn't get off your back. What's new? Sometimes it's easier to escape by driving an hour and having your phone shut off for you than replying. [[Start]]

(set: $breakup to true) You miss them. A hole in your heart and a memory of chipped-nail-polished fingers at your back in a hug. This hike was their idea. Now you do it to remember them and reflect on maybe where you went wrong, if anywhere [[Start]]