The Garden of Verging Paths
Quinn Spence
built-in hints first person gender-neutral protagonist slice of life surreal
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HELP.

You blink, confused.
A filtered sun has just woken you from a pleasant slumber. Judging by the strength of the light, it seems to be much later than you had intended on getting up. You recall that you've just spent the night at Grandma's house, before rolling out of bed. You notice that a few of your things seem to be missing, including your alarm clock.

A decently sized bedroom on the second floor of Grandma's house. The room is sparesly decorated, and you feel a dull carpet underfoot. A door leads out to the northwest.

You can see a full size bed, a sweater, and a side table (on which are a note and a surprisingly empty spot) here.
You examine the note
"I thought I'd let you sleep in today! When you're ready meet me outside on the patio - I need some help with the yard.
Love, Grandma"
About you
As good-looking as ever.
You look at the spot
You could have sworn that you left your glasses here last night, but now you aren't so sure. Did you even bring them to her house?
You examine the sweater
She's always trying to make you take her old things.

You hear the door reluctantly shift in place.
You look at the door
A stubborn wooden paneled door.
You take the sweater
Taken.

You can't see very well without your glasses…
Wear sweater
You pull the scratchy woolen jumper over your head.
Look around
A decently sized bedroom on the second floor of Grandma's house. The room is sparesly decorated, and you feel a dull carpet underfoot. A door leads out to the northwest.

You can see a full size bed and a side table (on which are a note and
a surprisingly empty spot) here.
You get the spot
Taken.
You examine the carpet
It must have been supple once, but the years have eroded this rug down to a thin floor covering.
You open door
You open the bedroom door.
You look at the table
It is lost in its own contentment, and doesn't notice you as it bobs from side to side, humming quietly.

On the side table is a note.
You ask the table about the glasses
You can only do that to something animate.
Go northwest
You are in a dimly lit hall, with an odd pale rectangle on the wall. A stairway leads down to the Foyer. There are exits to the north (her bedroom), west (the bathroom), and southeast (the guest room).
You go downwards
You are in a bright foyer. A stairway leads up and there are exits to the southwest (the living room) and south (the dining room). An ornate glass door leads out to the east.

The day has just begun but the table is already done with it. It drearily slumps in the corner.

On the accent table is a dustless space.
You look at the table
On the accent table is a dustless space.
You look at the space
You know that's where Grandma usually puts her keys when she's home, but now the spot is empty. She might have them with her, but if she's lost her keys all sorts of things could happen...
You look at the glass door
The door sighs at your arrival and wonders if you will ever smell that green grass again.
You go to the south
A claustrophobic formal dining room, made smaller by its lack of windows. There are exits to the north (the foyer), west (the living room), and southwest (the kitchen). A door leads out to the south.

In the darkness looms a strange form. Perhaps it's the table?

You can see a covered plate of food here.
You look at the form
Before your eyes the dark wood table lightens, the boards swell, and space grows between them.

A wide airy hall, filled with tables and benches made from wide pine boards. Grandma waits by your side, it looks like she wants to talk to you.

You can see tables and benches here.

It's been a long and fun week at camp, but now it's time
to go home.
You examine Grandma
An old, frail woman who always seems to bubble with an excitement that's far younger than she is.
You ask Grandma about the camp
"I love camp!" you exclaim.

"I'm so happy you had fun! It's just too bad you wont be able to come back next year."
You ask Grandma about the next year
"Of course I'll come back here."

"Oh, I'm sorry dear… your camp is closing down at the end of
this summer."
You ask Grandma about the closing
"…It's closing?"

"I know this must be a difficulty for you, but we'll find a
another camp for you to go to."
You ask Grandma about the time
"I want to go to camp forever."

"We can definitely find another camp for you to go to next
year."
You ask Grandma about the difficulty
"It's closing."

"That's right dear."

It's closing. It's closing. It's closing.
Everything softens. You feel fuzzy.

A claustrophobic formal dining room, made smaller by its lack of windows. There are exits to the north (the foyer), west (the living room), and southwest (the kitchen). A door leads out to the south. A familiar scuffed table stands, dignified, at the center of the room.

You can see a covered plate of food here.

Did you even bring your glasses here?
You look at the food
It appears to be a bagel.

Where could Grandma's keys be?
You examine table
Though scratched, the table retains its impressive presence.

You can't see very well without your glasses…
You take the plate
Taken.

Where could those glasses be?
Go south
(first opening the heavy wooden door)
The sable, paneled wood door is steadfast, adamant to follow protocol.

It seems to be locked.
You go southwest
Heaps of clutter cover both the counters and the floor and aged appliances are scattered upon every surface, though none appear very well used. A window to the west surveys the patio. There are exits to the north (the living room), northeast (the dining room) west (the sunroom). A plain door leads out to the east.

You can see an oven here.
You open the oven
The oven refuses to open, adamant that you have more important things to be doing.
You look at the clutter
Papers, dishes, and medicaion containers are scattered about the kitchen. You'd really love to organize it for her, but you'll need her permission first.

You're pretty worried about those glasses.

"What if there's something important in that clutter, and she
can't find it when she needs it?" you wonder.
Kitchen
Through the window, you see Grandma swaying in her chair, most likely singing as she waits on the Patio. You should hurry.
You go west
The most lived-in space in the house, the sunroom seems to have an
aura of comfort about it. The north and west walls are completely made of dirty glass, allowing tinted sunlight to fill the room. There is an exit to the east (the kitchen) and a windowed door leads out to the south.

A glorious sun-beached rug naps in the center of the room.

You need to keep in mind that Grandma might not want the clutter cleaned...
You look at the rug
The pattern appears to move and swirl, growing brighter as it spirals.

The north and west walls are comprised of crystal clear glass,
allowing sunlight to flood the room. A windowed door leads out to the south.

You can see Grandma, a tv, and your sister here.

You are sitting on the rug watching tv when you begin to smell something terrible. You're pretty sure that the source is your sister. You remember a joke from tv, maybe if you tell it
Grandma will laugh?
Examine tv
Grandma hasn't noticed the violent cartoon on the screen.

The tv is currently switched on.

You want to clean the mess, but that might ruin whatever system
she has.
You examine sister
She is several years younger than you, but looks older.
Smell
You take a deep breath and are struck by the smell of old people.
You ask Grandma about joke
"Did somebody just [     ] in here!?" you joke.

Grandma casts a glare at you.
You ask Grandma about the glare
"It was a joke! From tv!" you stammer.

"We don't joke about that in this house," says Grandma.

How will Grandma ever find the things she needs in that mess?
You ask Grandma about that
"Why?" you ask.

"It's something that we should all be taking with
seriousness," Grandma replies.

You abruptly snap back out of your thoughts.

The most lived-in space in the house, the sunroom seems to have an
aura of comfort about it. The north and west walls are completely made of dirty glass, allowing tinted sunlight to fill the room. There is an exit to the east (the kitchen) and a windowed door leads out to the south.
You examine the rug
You could get lost in the pattern that decorates the sleeping beast's back.

Did you even bring your glasses here?
You examine the pattern
You could get lost in the pattern that decorates the sleeping beast's back.
You go south
(first opening the front door)
"You know there's a story behind that pear tree. Go out and ask her about it, what are you waiting for?"

It seems to be locked.
North
You can see happy plastic furniture dotting the Patio. A particularly joyful chair is occupied by Grandma. She look up and waves at you.

What if Grandma gets locked out without her keys?
You examine the west window
Outside, a narrow patch of grass seperates the house from a row of trees. There is a stone birdbath plus an assortment of bird feeders.

You're concerned about those keys...
Go east
Heaps of clutter cover both the counters and the floor and aged appliances are scattered upon every surface, though none appear very well used. A window to the west surveys the patio. There are exits to the north (the living room), northeast (the dining room) west (the sunroom). A plain door leads out to the east.

You can see an oven here.

You need to keep in mind that Grandma might not want the clutter cleaned...
You go to the north
A solemn room intended for family gatherings. A window on the
southwest wall overlooks the patio. There are exits to the northeast (the foyer), east (the dining room) and south (the kitchen).

You can see a piano (on which is a pile of sheet music) here.

You can't see very well without your glasses…
You look at the piano
The piano is ancient and cluttered, but the sound is immaculate. Over the years she's taught you several songs that are older than she is. You suddenly realize that you can't recall how to play any of them.
You resolve to ask Grandma about them the next time you see her.

On the piano is a pile of sheet music.
You look at the music
Yellowed pages with indecipherable notes scrawled upon them.

remember them again?
You look at the window
You see Grandma's back as she lounges in a chair on the Patio, waiting for you. You shouldn't delay her much longer.
Play music
You can't play that!

How will Grandma ever find the things she needs in that mess?
You take the music
That's fixed in place.
You go to the northeast
You are in a bright foyer. A stairway leads up and there are exits to the southwest (the living room) and south (the dining room). An ornate glass door leads out to the east.

The day has just begun but the table is already done with it. It drearily slumps in the corner.

On the accent table is a dustless space.
Go upward
You are in a dimly lit hall, with an odd pale rectangle on the wall. A stairway leads down to the Foyer. There are exits to the north (her bedroom), west (the bathroom), and southeast (the guest room).
Go north
You are in a messy, darkened bedroom. A dull light source seethes in the corner.

You can see Grandma's bed and a technicolor here.
You examine the source
The lone incandescent huffs as you notice that the lamp is lacking the correct number of bulbs. If you don't restore them, Grandma will
likely continue living in the gloom until she stumbles over something. You don't think she even has any extra lightbulbs, but you should keep an eye out anyways.

You're pretty worried about those glasses.
You examine the bed
You remember how much she boasted when she got this proud mattress. "Both sides of the bed can feel different! It's controlled by a number!"

If you forget those songs, you might forget important memories
too.
You touch the bed
You feel nothing unexpected.

You can't see very well without your glasses…

Does Grandma have her keys?
You examine the technicolor
For something that is used daily, it has a surprisingly thick layer of dust coating the screen.

The technicolor is currently switched off.
You turn on the technicolor
You switch the technicolor on.
You look at it
about a missing person.

The technicolor is currently switched on.
You examine it
about a missing person.

The technicolor is currently switched on.

"Does Grandma even have extra lightbulbs?" you wonder.
You turn off the tv
You switch the technicolor off.
You go south
You are in a dimly lit hall, with an odd pale rectangle on the wall. A stairway leads down to the Foyer. There are exits to the north (her bedroom), west (the bathroom), and southeast (the guest room).
You go west
A dingy tiled bathroom with a sink and a commode. Next to the sink
sits a cup filled with jittery toothbrushes. On top of the commode is
a fidgeting powder box. There is an exit to the east (the hall).

Something about the tiles catches your gaze.

"Does Grandma even have extra lightbulbs?" you wonder.

"What if there's something important in that clutter, and she
can't find it when she needs it?" you wonder.
You look at the box
A hexagonal metal container with three lion's legs supporting it, possibly an antique. It shifts uncomfortably beneath your gaze.

You feel bad for the remaining bulb. It must be so lonely without
a friend...

hurt.
You open the box
You open the powder box.

Where could Grandma's keys be?

You can't forget to ask Grandma about those songs...

You want to clean the mess, but that might ruin whatever system
she has.
You look in the box
Inspecting the box, you see that some powder still remains caked at
the bottom.

If you forget those songs, you might forget important memories
too.
Search box
Inspecting the box, you see that some powder still remains caked at
the bottom.

Where could Grandma's keys be?
You look at the powder
Inspecting the box, you see that some powder still remains caked at
the bottom. It shifts uncomfortably beneath your gaze.

Does Grandma have her keys?
You move the powder
Nothing obvious happens.

It's not the songs that are imortant, it's the memories they
hold.
You examine the toothbrush
The toothbrushes buzz with excitement.
You examine sink
The counter has a white film over it and the basin is yellowed.
You examine the commode
It is old and worn-out.
You look at the tiles
You see the scuffed dark yellow bathroom tiles transform into tall dry grass.

Trimmed grass comes to a halt where the field rises to the south.

You can see Grandma here.

It's your birthday. You've spent the day playing with your dog, Griffin, who has had some sort of illness. After a short break
you've returned to the field, but now it's dark and you're having a hard time finding him. Grandma might know where he is, maybe
you should talk to her?
You ask Grandma about finding him
"Grandma, have you seen where Griffin went?"

"No, but you know how he is, sometimes he just lays down in the
field. Maybe you should try looking for him?"
You ask Grandma about looking
"Should I look anywhere else?"

"No dear, he won't have gone very far. Go south into the hay, and try to CALL for him as you look."

"Ask Grandma about those songs, ask Grandma about those songs,"
you remind yourself.
You go to the south
You are in a field of wildflowers, all alike. Tall dry grass
suffocates you to the east and west.

You can see a dense patch of grass here.
You call
Griffin?

How will Grandma ever find the things she needs in that mess?
You look at the grass
(the dense patch of grass)
You eagerly push aside the hay only to find nothing within.

You want to clean the mess, but that might ruin whatever system
she has.
Go west
You are in a field of wildflowers, all alike. Tall dry grass
suffocates you to the east and west.

You can see some soft earth and a pile of stones here.
You call
"Here, Griffin!"

You want to clean the mess, but that might ruin whatever system
she has.
You look at the stones
You peer behind the stones but only see more hay.
You examine the earth
You inspect the dirt for prints, but the ground is undisturbed.

Grandma fights her way through the grass with a tenacity like you've never known.
"There you are!" she says. "I just realized...I think I know where Giffin is, sweetie.
I think he's left us."

"But he wouldn't run away."

"That's...not what I meant."

The grass closes in. You feel it on every side of your body. Your
lungs breathe no air, only grass. You are drowning.

A dingy tiled bathroom with a sink and a commode. Next to the sink
sits a cup filled with jittery toothbrushes. On top of the commode is
a fidgeting powder box. There is an exit to the east (the hall).
Smell powder
You smell nothing unexpected.

If you forget those songs, you might forget important memories
too.
Inventory
You are carrying:
a covered plate of food
a note
a surprisingly empty spot
a sweater (being worn)
You examine the spot
You could have sworn that you left your glasses here last night, but now you aren't so sure. Did you even bring them to her house?

Where could those glasses be?

You've got to remember to look for some lightbulbs.
Go east
You are in a dimly lit hall, with an odd pale rectangle on the wall. A stairway leads down to the Foyer. There are exits to the north (her bedroom), west (the bathroom), and southeast (the guest room).

You want to clean the mess, but that might ruin whatever system
she has.
Go southeast
A decently sized bedroom on the second floor of Grandma's house. The room is sparesly decorated, and you feel a dull carpet underfoot. A door leads out to the northwest.

You can see a full size bed and a side table here.
You put the spot on the table
You put the surprisingly empty spot on the side table.
Go northwest
You are in a dimly lit hall, with an odd pale rectangle on the wall. A stairway leads down to the Foyer. There are exits to the north (her bedroom), west (the bathroom), and southeast (the guest room).

"Ask Grandma about those songs, ask Grandma about those songs,"
you remind yourself.
You go downwards
You are in a bright foyer. A stairway leads up and there are exits to the southwest (the living room) and south (the dining room). An ornate glass door leads out to the east.

The day has just begun but the table is already done with it. It drearily slumps in the corner.

On the accent table is a dustless space.
Go southwest
A solemn room intended for family gatherings. A window on the
southwest wall overlooks the patio. There are exits to the northeast (the foyer), east (the dining room) and south (the kitchen).

You can see a piano (on which is a pile of sheet music) here.

You've got to remember to look for some lightbulbs.
You go south
Heaps of clutter cover both the counters and the floor and aged appliances are scattered upon every surface, though none appear very well used. A window to the west surveys the patio. There are exits to the north (the living room), northeast (the dining room) west (the sunroom). A plain door leads out to the east.

You can see an oven here.
You go west
The most lived-in space in the house, the sunroom seems to have an
aura of comfort about it. The north and west walls are completely made of dirty glass, allowing tinted sunlight to fill the room. There is an exit to the east (the kitchen) and a windowed door leads out to the south.
You look at the west window
Outside, a narrow patch of grass seperates the house from a row of trees. There is a stone birdbath plus an assortment of bird feeders.

Where could those glasses be?
You look at the north window
You can see happy plastic furniture dotting the Patio. A particularly joyful chair is occupied by Grandma. She look up and waves at you.
You ask the north window about the songs
You can only do that to something animate.
You open the north window
It seems to be locked.

Did you even bring your glasses here?
You go to the north
(first opening the north wall)
It seems to be locked.
You open the plate
It isn't something you can open.

You're concerned about those keys...

You can't forget to ask Grandma about those songs...
You go northeast
You can't go that way.

You can't see very well without your glasses…
You go east
Heaps of clutter cover both the counters and the floor and aged appliances are scattered upon every surface, though none appear very well used. A window to the west surveys the patio. There are exits to the north (the living room), northeast (the dining room) west (the sunroom). A plain door leads out to the east.

You can see an oven here.

You're concerned about those keys...
You examine the appliances
They are in a state of decrepitness that makes you think they've been here since she bought the house 60 years ago (and they probably have).
You examine the plain door
It thinks about the vibrant poppies outside. "They're her favorite you know. If you could just get outside maybe you could bring her some."

Grandma's room that the other one would be much happier.
You look at the door
It thinks about the vibrant poppies outside. "They're her favorite you know. If you could just get outside maybe you could bring her some."
You open the oven
The oven refuses to open, adamant that you have more important things to be doing.

What if Grandma gets locked out without her keys?
Clean clutter
permission.
You go northeast
A claustrophobic formal dining room, made smaller by its lack of windows. There are exits to the north (the foyer), west (the living room), and southwest (the kitchen). A door leads out to the south. A familiar scuffed table stands, dignified, at the center of the room.
Search table
There is nothing on the dining table.

Where could those glasses be?

What if Grandma gets locked out without her keys?
You look at the table
Though scratched, the table retains its impressive presence.

You need to keep in mind that Grandma might not want the clutter cleaned...
You look under the table
You find nothing of interest.

What if Grandma gets locked out without her keys?

hurt.
You look at the door
The sable, paneled wood door is steadfast, adamant to follow protocol.

It's not the songs that are imortant, it's the memories they
hold.
You examine the door
The sable, paneled wood door is steadfast, adamant to follow protocol.
You look at the ornate door
The door sighs at your arrival and wonders if you will ever smell that green grass again.

You need to keep in mind that Grandma might not want the clutter cleaned...
You go to the east
(first opening the ornate glass door)
The door sighs at your arrival and wonders if you will ever smell that green grass again.

It seems to be locked.
Go east
(first opening the ornate glass door)

Excited by your breakthrough, you burst through the door and run through the yard. You remember all of the things you wanted to ask her about. You turn the corner -



But Grandma's chair is empty.
You go to the north
"That door is so headstrong! Give it some time and look around, it'll budge eventually!" calls Grandma.