text: [Themes: Religious, Historical, moral choice, Christianity, plague, horror]
  
  > describe your surroundings
  The smooth patch of snow at the base of the tower, formerly cut only by a single line of footsteps, is now a mash of dirt and blood. Steps lead northeast and up to the tower, and to the southwest is the cloister.
  
  Brother Matteo's corpse lies upon the ground, the blood freezing to his face.
  
  Drogo grins at you.
  
  > pray for Drogo
  You say a few hollow words. They dry and crumble in your mouth.
  
  > go southwest
  "Sweet dreams, father!" Drogo calls out to you as he disappears into the black.
  
  There will be no garden here come spring. It is hard to imagine the snow will ever melt.
  
  The colonnade is broken to the south by the exit to the hall and to the west by the entrance to the refectory. The brothers' dormitory lies to the east, between the calefactory in the southeast and the belltower in the northeast.
  
  The church squats to the north, Her spires clawing at the sky as She tries to climb away from the Earth.
  
  > About yourself
  You're not the man you were a few days ago. Your skin hangs as sallow drapes around your jaw: your hands are emaciated. Your frock billows about you; it is difficult to find any flesh within. A scratch lines your arm from wrist to elbow; it is only a strip of dried blood now.
  
  Running your hand across your neck, you find a small lump hidden within the folds of skin. It is tender.
  
  > look at the lump
  There is nothing you can do with it. It is a part of you.
  
  > Go northeast
  The smooth patch of snow at the base of the tower, formerly cut only by a single line of footsteps, is now a mash of dirt and blood. Steps lead northeast and up to the tower, and to the southwest is the cloister.
  
  Brother Matteo's corpse lies upon the ground, the blood freezing to his face.
  
  > Up
  Panting more than a little, you make your way up the stairs to the top.
  
  You are sure that other things exist, but for now all there is is Matteo lying on the ground below. From here, he could easily be alive. He smiles at you.
  
  No, not a smile: a sneer. He is laughing at you. Laughing because you are still trapped. He was always laughing.
  
  The bell sways in the breeze, its tongue almost, but never, touching the sides.
  
  > ring bell
  (the bell)
  The bell clangs and stings your ears.
  
  > look at the note
  Written in a slothful scrawl:
  
  I would normally write in my journal, but in my increasing paranoia, I have hidden it. Now, I kick myself as it seems so far away. Everything is so far away: such a burden. Lucca has been pestering me to tell him what I know, but I can't. It burdens me so; I cannot do that to someone so pure.
  
  I can take it no more. I don't care if I burn for eternity, I must leave this place. The Devil walks Saint Cuthbert's in the hearts and minds of my brothers: in me.
  
  I'm sorry, Lucca.
  
  > take the note
  You already have that.
  
  > Go southwest
  There will be no garden here come spring. It is hard to imagine the snow will ever melt.
  
  The colonnade is broken to the south by the exit to the hall and to the west by the entrance to the refectory. The brothers' dormitory lies to the east, between the calefactory in the southeast and the belltower in the northeast.
  
  The church squats to the north, Her spires clawing at the sky as She tries to climb away from the Earth.
  
  > go to the north
  Church (in the pews)
  Uncomfortable looking pews part before you, leading up to the chancel in the north. High above, dipping in and out of shadow, is the ceiling: the frescoes dance in the flicker of candlelight.
  
  Shrinking into the back of the chancel is a wooden cross. It does not tower, only sit.
  
  The Saints smile sadly at you from their glass houses.
  
  The font slouches towards the base of the chancel.
  
  > examine the font
  The bronze is dim: hints of green and grey creep from the water and slide to the base.
  
  > examine the cross
  The cross stands tall upon the chancel.
  
  > go north
  Church (on the chancel)
  You have spent many a solemn Mass up here, gazing out unto a sea of your brethren. Now, all you see is a sea of empty pews to the south.
  
  Shrinking into the back of the chancel is a wooden cross. It does not tower, only sit.
  
  The Saints smile sadly at you from their glass houses.
  
  A dry, dusty case holds Saint Cuthbert's corpse. The dust sticks to your damp skin, and the smell dries your nose.
  
  The lectern sits with the Bible atop it. The Bible sinks away from your eyes.
  
  > read Bible
  Ecclesiastes 9:3
  
  "This is an evil among all things that are done under the sun, that there is one event unto all: yea, also the heart of the sons of men is full of evil, and madness is in their heart while they live, and after that they go to the dead."
  
  > take Bible
  It is bolted, by chain, to the lectern.
  
  > look at the chain
  That holds little interest for you.
  
  > Go south
  Church (in the pews)
  Uncomfortable looking pews part before you, leading up to the chancel in the north. High above, dipping in and out of shadow, is the ceiling: the frescoes dance in the flicker of candlelight.
  
  Shrinking into the back of the chancel is a wooden cross. It does not tower, only sit.
  
  The Saints smile sadly at you from their glass houses.
  
  The font slouches towards the base of the chancel.
  
  > Go south
  There will be no garden here come spring. It is hard to imagine the snow will ever melt.
  
  The colonnade is broken to the south by the exit to the hall and to the west by the entrance to the refectory. The brothers' dormitory lies to the east, between the calefactory in the southeast and the belltower in the northeast.
  
  The church squats to the north, Her spires clawing at the sky as She tries to climb away from the Earth.
  
  > go east
  Dozens of openings line the hall, each leading to a separate cell, except for the west, which leads to the cloister. Although there are no doors, the entrances are positioned as such to afford as much privacy as possible. Brother Matteo's chamber is to the south, Ignatius's to the north, Drogo's newly appointed cell is to the northeast, Constantin's is to the southeast, and Lucca's to the southwest.
  
  > Go north
  Ignatius's room does not smell as strongly as the others. He has spent so much time in the infirmary of late, taking care of the sick. He is a braver man than you. A bed is pushed up against one wall, opposite the door to the south.
  
  Ignatius sits upon his bed, preparing to go to sleep.
  
  > talk to Ignatius
  "Do you believe that Lucca did it?" you ask.
  
  "I don't know," he replies calmly. "But it's best to be safe. I never would have thought Lucca could've had it in him, but these trying times make demons of us all." He glances at you pointedly.
  
  > show the note to Ignatius
  Better keep this to yourself.
  
  > ask Ignatius about the demons
  "I am busy right now, father." He replies abruptly.
  
  > talk to Ignatius
  "What do you mean?"
  
  He thinks for a moment, and looks to the ceiling. "It's just that in these times we can sometimes find ourselves doing things we never thought we had in us."
  
  > talk to Ignatius
  "Like what?"
  
  His shoulders tighten. "If it's all the same to you, father," he says, straightening out his bed. "I think I would like to get some sleep."
  
  > talk to Ignatius
  "If it's all the same to you, father," he says, straightening out his bed. "I think I would like to get some sleep."
  
  > go to the south
  Dozens of openings line the hall, each leading to a separate cell, except for the west, which leads to the cloister. Although there are no doors, the entrances are positioned as such to afford as much privacy as possible. Brother Matteo's chamber is to the south, Ignatius's to the north, Drogo's newly appointed cell is to the northeast, Constantin's is to the southeast, and Lucca's to the southwest.
  
  > go south
  It's not like you saw Matteo in here much; he was always in the tower. Still, it feels empty knowing he's gone. North leads out.
  
  One of the flagstones is tinted with blood.
  
  > examine the blood
  The stone looks the same as them all, except for the liberal amounts of blood drying in to the cracks.
  
  > Go north
  Dozens of openings line the hall, each leading to a separate cell, except for the west, which leads to the cloister. Although there are no doors, the entrances are positioned as such to afford as much privacy as possible. Brother Matteo's chamber is to the south, Ignatius's to the north, Drogo's newly appointed cell is to the northeast, Constantin's is to the southeast, and Lucca's to the southwest.
  
  An itch tickles beneath your skin.
  
  > go to the northeast
  He seems to have made himself right at home. The room smells of animals and sweat; scratches adorn the bed and lead out the door to the southwest.
  
  > go southeast
  Constantin is one of the few brothers with anything in his room besides a bed. A smell lingers here: a sour smell.
  
  Constantin goes about preparing himself for bed.
  
  A skinned rabbit sits on the floor, its muscles shimmering in the light.
  
  > examine the rabbit
  Sinews and muscles bound together in a shining lump.
  
  > talk to Constantin
  "Do you really believe that Lucca could have done it?" you ask.
  
  "Of course I do," he says angrily, the rage returning to his eyes. "We found him next to the body, mumbling 'I'm sorry, I'm sorry,' over and over again."
  
  > talk to Constantin
  "But it's Lucca," you retort.
  
  "I know that!" he snarls. "But he's different now. He must have snapped under all of this."
  
  > talk to Constantin
  "Get out, father," he growls, "I want to sleep."
  
  > talk to Constantin
  "Get out, father," he growls, "I want to sleep."
  
  Whispers dance in your ears. Growing. Fading.
  
  > go to the northwest
  Dozens of openings line the hall, each leading to a separate cell, except for the west, which leads to the cloister. Although there are no doors, the entrances are positioned as such to afford as much privacy as possible. Brother Matteo's chamber is to the south, Ignatius's to the north, Drogo's newly appointed cell is to the northeast, Constantin's is to the southeast, and Lucca's to the southwest.
  
  > go southwest
  This room is small: the same as all the others. A bed is pushed up against one wall, opposite the door to the northeast.
  
  > go to the south-east
  Perhaps this is the only place at Saint Cuthbert's that is a comfortable temperature. Heat blasts at you from the calefactory to the southeast, but it is countered by the chill from the cloister to the northwest. No, that isn't right. They do not cancel: their furies are incited by one another.
  
  You can hear Lucca gibber softly beyond the door.
  
  > talk to Lucca
  "About the murder, Lucca..." you ask.
  
  "What murder?"
  
  > talk to Lucca
  "You remember, Lucca; Matteo was thrown from the tower."
  
  "No he wasn't." Lucca responds, incredulous. "He must have jumped."
  
  > talk to Lucca
  "Why did Matteo jump?" You ask.
  
  A long, heavy silence. "Because he was smart."
  
  > talk to Lucca
  "Why was Matteo smart to jump?"
  
  "Because he knew what was happening here, at Saint Cuthbert's."
  
  > talk to Lucca
  "What did he know was happening?"
  
  Lucca chuckles. "Well if I knew that, I probably would have jumped too."
  
  A rather violent cough shakes your body. Mucus cakes your nose.
  
  > talk to Lucca
  "Please, father," he sighs. "I just want to be alone."
  
  > go to the southeast
  (opening the calefactory door)
  Constantin has put a lock on the door. It is sturdy.
  
  > go northwest
  There will be no garden here come spring. It is hard to imagine the snow will ever melt.
  
  The colonnade is broken to the south by the exit to the hall and to the west by the entrance to the refectory. The brothers' dormitory lies to the east, between the calefactory in the southeast and the belltower in the northeast.
  
  The church squats to the north, Her spires clawing at the sky as She tries to climb away from the Earth.
  
  An itch tickles beneath your skin.
  
  > Go west
  The only room at Saint Cuthbert's large enough to hold all the brothers, except for the church, the refectory seems immense. Normally, when you are in here the place is alive. Now, the only movement is that of drafts spinning between the tables and out to the cloister in the east. Row upon row of deserted seats stand testament to the damage inflicted by the plague. The kitchen lies to the south.
  
  > go south
  The dead don't eat, or so you've been told. Still, the kitchen is practically empty. Bare tables stand with no crumbs on them, and a hatch through the floor leads to the cellar. The refectory lies to the north.
  
  A cutlery rack sits on one of the tables.
  
  A bare cupboard sits up against the wall.
  
  A rather violent cough shakes your body. Mucus cakes your nose.
  
  > go to the west
  The locutory used to be alive with the bartering of merchants and the tales of visiting brothers, but since the gate was closed, no one has been in here but you. A small bed is pushed up against the wall for those visitors not permitted residency in the monastery, its tired frame supporting a light mattress.
  
  A small circle of warmth surrounds the fireplace near the door to the east.
  
  The girl sobs gently, head in her hands.
  
  > talk to the girl
  "How did you know that that would happen? Who are you? Why did you come?" The questions come faster than the words.
  
  "Calm down, father," she says, laying a hand on your wrist. It warms to the touch and spreads life and joy and peace through your body. "I am here to help. My name is Cecilia"
  
  > show the arm to the girl
  (first taking the cut)
  That seems to be a part of the (misc_shadow).
  
  > show note to the girl
  Better keep this to yourself.
  
  > talk to the girl
  "God sent me, but I am weak. My strength depends on the faithful, and your brethren have lost their way. Even now they conspire against you. And me." She casts a frightened glance towards the door.
  
  "Please pray to me, father, when you go to bed. I need your strength in the midst of this wickedness."
  
  A rather violent cough shakes your body. Mucus cakes your nose.
  
  > Fb20
  Enter saved game to store: Ok.
  
  > pray to Cecilia
  You can talk directly to her.
  
  > talk to the girl
  "Go now, father," she says, turning over in your blanket. "Sleep." She casts once last look at you before closing her eyes. "But be careful, there are many that intend you harm here."
  
  > Go east
  There is little to be seen here but the locutory door to the west and your room to the east. North and south both lead to the cold: north to the cloister and south to outside.
  
  The alms box hangs closed beside the door.
  
  A rather violent cough shakes your body. Mucus cakes your nose.
  
  > Go east
  The room is small; the same as all the others. But it seems smaller of late. The hall extends to the west.
  
  Pushed up against the wall on one side is the desk, its surface sagging slightly in the middle. The dampness is taking its toll.
  
  Your bed calls to you from the side of the room. Her song is sweet, but it sings of treachery.
  
  > Pray
  (to God)
  Nothing. You cannot feel him.
  
  > pray for the girl
  She isn't here: in body, at least.
  
  > pray to the girl
  The moment the words cross your lips, a soft glow spreads throughout the room.
  
  "I am here, father. Thank you for your strength; it helps me. But be careful, there are many who intend you harm here. Sleep wisely, father. We will speak in the morning."
  
  Her words drift off into the night, and you feel alone once more.
  
  > Sleep
  You lay your head down on the cold, hard bed and drift off to sleep faster than you expected.
  
  A few hours later, you are awoken by a strange scuffling sound outside.
  
  > open the door
  The moment you remove the desk's weight from the door, the door flies open, and a cowled figure leaps into the room. Although it is dark, you can see the glinting of the knife more clearly than anything you have ever seen. Fitting, as it is the last thing you do see before it slides across your throat.
  
  > listen
  It sounds as through someone is trying force your door open quietly. The desk holds them back.
  
  > hide under bed
  You hide beneath your bed, and pray to see morning's light.
  
  > listen
  Returning to your cold bed, you sleep until morning.
  
  You awake to the sound of a sharp pounding at your door.
  
  "Father!" Constantin's growl is clear. "Wake up, Lucca has escaped!"
  
  Morning light streams through the window, but it is a cold, heavy light.
  
  > open the door
  Constantin waits impatiently for you in the hall.
  
  "Hurry up, father!" Another knock.
  
  > examine Constantin
  He's in the hall.
  
  > go outside
  (opening the bedroom door)
  
  There is little to be seen here but the locutory door to the west and your room to the east. North and south both lead to the cold: north to the cloister and south to outside.
  
  Constantin stands impatiently, face flushed.
  
  Cecilia watches from her doorway.
  
  The alms box hangs closed beside the door.
  
  "It's about time. Come with me." He grumbles as he stomps off to the cloister.
  
  > talk to Cecilia
  "Lucca didn't escape," she whispers to you. Her breath is soft on your ear.
  
  Cold knives of pain cut through your skull. They ease off, leaving a dull throbbing behind your eyes.
  
  > talk to Cecilia
  "No, go with Constantin," she says, returning to the locutory. "I will tell you soon enough."
  
  > go north
  The sun shines in the east, but the cloister is dim. There was no snow last night, but it remains high. It is dirty and soaks up what little light makes it here.
  
  The colonnade is broken to the south by the exit to the hall and to the west by the entrance to the refectory. The brothers' dormitory lies to the east, between the calefactory in the southeast and the belltower in the northeast.
  
  The church cowers away from the sun. Her sins, like all sins, are revealed by the light of day.
  
  > Go southeast
  Perhaps this is the only place at Saint Cuthbert's that is a comfortable temperature. Heat blasts at you from the calefactory to the southeast, but it is countered by the chill from the cloister to the northwest. No, that isn't right. They do not cancel: their furies are incited by one another.
  
  "See," he shouts, pointing aggressively to a gaping hole where the lock used to be. "The bastard kicked it out from inside."
  
  > examine the hole
  The broken boards are smashed inwards and there are no splinters on this side. A slight hint of red sparkles on the wood.
  
  Constantin starts mumbling curses under his breath as he pulls some tools from his belt and begins repairing the door.
  
  > talk to Constantin about the hole
  "I'm trying to work," he growls.
  
  > talk to Constantin
  "What makes you think he escaped?" you ask, running your hand over the door.
  
  "Because the door's broken, you idiot!" he shouts, his face burning. "No one else would want that murderer walking Saint Cuthbert's."
  
  > talk to Constantin
  "But..." you try.
  
  "Just shut up, father, and leave me to my work."
  
  > examine the tools
  A hammer. Some nails. Constantin usually carries them everywhere.
  
  Cold knives of pain cut through your skull. They ease off, leaving a dull throbbing behind your eyes.
  
  > examine the door
  The broken boards are smashed inwards and there are no splinters on this side. A slight hint of red sparkles on the wood.
  
  Violent coughs spew from your lungs. You wipe a small spattering of blood from your mouth.
  
  > examine the blood
  The broken boards are smashed inwards and there are no splinters on this side. A slight hint of red sparkles on the wood.
  
  > open the door
  The door is jammed and broken now; it does not open.
  
  > examine the hammer
  A hammer. Some nails. Constantin usually carries them everywhere.
  
  > take the hammer
  Constantin strikes your hand, hard, with the hammer. "Touch them again, and it will be your head," he growls without even glancing towards you.
  
  > take the hammer
  Before you can react, Constantin slams the hammer into the side of your skull. A crack. A few stars. A gibbered apology and hot breath in your mouth.
  
  Then darkness.
  
  > look through the hole
  Looking through the hole, you can see little.