Under Covers

You are laying in bed. You have been here (link:"all night")[(link:"since 1 am")[too long]]. You are desperately (link:"running")[(link:"running and running")[(link:"running and running and running")[(link:"running and running and running and running")[running and running and running and running and running]]]] from (link:"memories")[(color:red)[your demons]]. [[Stay in bed -> stay]] [[Read a book -> book]] [[Get something to eat -> snack]]

You stay in bed. (live: 1s)[(stop:)You cannot get up.] (live:2s)[(stop:)There is no reason to move.] (live:5s)[(stop:)Nothing wants you.] (live:7s)[(stop:)The outside will only hurt you.] (live:9s)[(stop:)But you hurt yourself more.] (live:9.5s)[(stop:)You are trapped here.] (live:10s)[(stop:)(color:red)[There is no escaping yourself.]] (live:11s)[(stop:)[[Read a book -> book]] [[Get something to eat -> snack]]]

You get a book. Your body is (live:1s)[(stop:)[h ]](live:2s)[(stop:)[e ]](live:3s)[(stop:)[a ]](live:4s)[(stop:)[v ]](live:5s)[(stop:)[y.]] (live:6s)[(stop:)[The book is old. You have read it before. Tonight the words are (link:"ebmjlud")[jumbled]. The story tries to compete with your worries but it cannot hide so tightly that which slithers seemingly everywhere Oil seeping into every seam and crack You are tired. Your eyes are about to close just as you are about to fall asleep (link: "you remember") [ (color:red)[your demon is back]]. [[Stay in bed -> stay2]] [[Get a snack -> snack]] [[Wash up -> wash]] ]]

(set: $wait to "none")(set: $food to "none")You get up, slowly lurching towards the kitchen. Your legs are (live:1s)[(stop:)[s ]](live:1.5s)[(stop:)[l ]](live:2s)[(stop:)[o ]](live:2.5s)[(stop:)[w ]](live:3s)[(stop:)[.]] (live:3.5s)[(stop:)[ You keep your head down. Hiding. They could hurt you out here. (link:"Ask you questions.")[Ask you questions. You don't know how you're doing.] They could smile at you. With too many teeth. You are too tired to dawn the mask they require of you You quickly take your (link:"loot")[(set: $wait to "clicked")(dropdown: bind $food,"chips","chocolate","toast","nothing")]] and leave There is too much to cover outside You don't have the time to tend to every wrapping (link:"Bite")[(if: $food is "toast")[You bite into your toast and it feels crisp on your tongue. You try to let the sandpapered bread distract you. But it melts away too quickly. You are left wishing for something sour. Something to sting you. This is too calm. Pressing it under your fingers you feel it break apart. You are breaking crumbling under the weight of these silent spears [[Stay in bed -> stay2]] [[Read a book -> book]] [[Wash up -> wash]]] (elseif: $food is "chocolate")[You bite the chocolate and feel its smooth bittersweet taste it reminds you of an elegant ball except it is the impossible perfect kind where there is no need for masks the guests already perfect nothing to hide. they do not have demons like you the thought of joining them delicious but out of reach impossible these ghosts will never leave you they (color:red)[are] you. [[Stay in bed -> stay2]] [[Read a book -> book]] [[Wash up -> wash]]] (elseif: $food is "chips")[You bite a chip and it flakes into your mouth flaky lies circle you in long swoops you try to let the salty taste distract you. But it melts away too quickly. You are left wishing for something sharp. Something to sting you. This is too soft. Pressing a chip under your fingers you feel it break apart. You are breaking crumbling under the weight of these silent spears [[Stay in bed -> stay2]] [[Read a book -> book]] [[Wash up -> wash]]] (elseif: $food is "nothing")[You take nothing Finding nothing is the most suitable It is not ironic or funny to you that a void can feel so close, so fitting maybe it is home [[Stay in bed -> stay2]] [[Read a book -> book]] [[Wash up -> wash]]] ] ]

You are a rolling sea Restless as a shipwrecked storm There is no beauty in this battle No moonlight to turn this spiral of thoughts Into a whirpool You are a ship wrecked Already in pieces Being tossed in your swelling currents [[Try to sleep -> restless]] [[Summon forgetting -> pills]]

You go to the sink but the mirror reveals (link:"you")[(link:"you, looking weary, tried, and panicked")[the monster for who it is: you]]. Frantically you splash water in your face Soap is a sloppy after thought all it does was sting scars you have tried to hide tried to forget the bags under your eyes hold the baggage eyerolled over at parties with smug quieted voices you can hear their glances piercing you throwing darts dotting your lungs into panic attacks Another splash of water you are not at their parties full of daggers you are here, thrashing in your ripping ocean [[Go back to bed -> stay2]]

You try to sleep but the (color:red)[demon] is there with you Every shadow every turn every siren blair creak and rustle of the wind maliciously shapeshifting into remebering Scenes play out too vividly You are there you shutter. collapse. try to escape. the last of your enegry is gone you collapse into a frightened stop you have no strength they have won the fight so now you lay tied to fear in a weary sleep [[end -> credits]]

You know you will not be able to fight much longer They are chalky in your hands The water figid in your throat But as you lay down you know it had to be this way seconds after you wonder when it kicks in knocks you out into the void you have been wishing for a dreamless sleep your body will go on but for now your mind has stopped your head is empty, immoving, deactivated time does not pass your demon is not here you may rest [[end -> credits]]

Under Covers by chromatic destruction thank you for reading. [[Play Again ->Under Covers]]

Under Covers by chomatic destruction content warnings for themes of depression, trauma, PTSD, and self harm there is only strength in not reading. please take care of yourself [[Begin ->Under Covers]]