text: [Themes: fan fiction, true story, drama, serious, socially important, historical]
  
  This is a story about a boy named Long, who life will change with the coming of war.
  
  But first, let's focus on the Vietnam War itself.
  
  The Vietnam war happened after the French's failed attempt to gain control of the country. The United States then took over for them. In 1954, when the French left, Vietnam split into two after a conflict over who would control the country. It was the communist North, and the independent South. The United States sided with the South.
  
  [Author's Note: This is the story about a Vietnamese boy named Long, and his journey from living in Vietnam to becoming an American citizen. Based off the book "Escape from Saigon" by Andrea Warren. (This is a school project and is not intended to be played by any strangers. This is also in fact my very first storygame.) If you are a stranger and play this game, however, then please give me advice on how to improve my next, (if any) storygame.]
  
  > The Introduction
  The story you are about to read retells the entire story of the book 'Escape from Saigon; How a Vietnam War Orphan Became an American' by the author Andrea Warren. Some parts will be shortened and changed (Not Entirely) to fit the 'Choose your Story' style. This includes alternate endings and a little bit of more dramatic parts.
  
  Credit goes to everyone involved in making the book 'Escaping from Saigon' and anyone that I failed to mention.
  
  > Alright, let's start.
  Your name is simply 'Long', a Vietnamese name. Your mother is Vietnamese, and your Father is American, making you an 'Amerasian.' You currently live with your Mother and Stepfather, along with your stepbrother in an apartment near the Saigon River.
  
  It is late at night, Mother wakes you up from a long, peaceful sleep. Long, I know it's late, but we have to leave she says in a quiet, but uneasy voice. Your stepbrother is nearby across the room, fast asleep. You begin the remember the fun times you have, but those memories are overlapped with images of the violence of your stepfather. Thoughts come to mind, I love my stepbrother, but the more I stay, the more mother gets hurt...
  
  Mother looks like she's in a hurry, so you better choose quick.
  
  > listen to your mother and leave
  The strong love for your mother overwhelms the love for your stepbrother. You grab a tiny backpack from your bedroom closet and quickly put things inside your mother tells you to grab. When you're done, your mother lifts you onto the catwalk outside your bedroom window. The two of you climb down onto the street below. Your stepfather, still in his pajamas, walks onto the catwalk a few minutes after you and your mother do. Instead of chasing you, he yells at the top of his lungs, then walks back inside. You cold barely hear his voice, however, as heavy rain and thunder pour down onto the city street.
  
  You see a parked taxi around the corner of a market, it's headlights illuminate the gloominess of the pouring rain. The driver is fast asleep, laying in the backseat with a hat covering his face. Your mother knocks lightly on the window. The driver wakes up, surprisingly more quickly than you expected. May I help you? The driver says, tilting his hat towards you and your mother. My step-husband has treated me and my son with great abuse, so we have decided to flee his apartment complex down the street. Please, he might be coming here soon, can you take us somewhere safe?
  
  > find out what he has to say
  The taxi driver offers to take you to a small village outside of Saigon. Your mother quickly agrees, and she takes a small amount of money out of her pocket. The driver refuses, The money is important to you. Please, keep it. Your mother thanks the driver, and before you know it, the taxi drives off into the night sky.
  
  > Chapter Two: A New Life
  You wake up after a long night's rest. Your grandmother is seen cooking breakfast.
  
  A few years have gone by since you fled your stepfather's home. The taxi took you to a village that is near the place your mother used to live. You and your mother traveled by foot to get here.
  
  > Okay, What's next.
  You can hear jeeps rolling into the village, soldiers can be heard exiting the vehicles. Your grandmother walks into the bedroom, Long, your mother is working in the rice paddies. I've cooked a special treat for both of you. A man quietly opens the door. He is an American GI, who has the task of securing the houses for weapon supplies and hiding rebels. He smiles at you, then asks, What is your name? You quietly say, Long. The soldier then gives you a tiny chocolate bar. The brown wrapper covers half of it. 'Rshey' it says in grey letters. Thank, you. you quietly say. The soldier laughs, You're welcome, take it easy kid.
  
  A few hours go by, you can hear a little bit of commotion going on outside. Your curiosity excites you, what is going on?
  
  > open the door and walk outside
  You open the wooden door and walk outside.
  
  The GIs surround a building nearby, they are holding something in their hands that look like some sort of metallic object. One of them violently kicks the door open. This leads to a quick outburst of loud explosions and screaming. Another GI walks up to the door, he has some sort of hose with him, and a big metal backpack.
  
  The next thing you see is horrifying. The GI with the hose opens the door again.
  
  The hose shot out anything but water, it quickly spat out a stream of fire into the building. More screaming endures. You think to yourself, How could someone possess something so terrible? Your mother walks behind you, and covers your eyes.
  
  Long, this is why I want you inside while the GIs are here. You grab your mother by the leg, and you and her walk inside.
  
  > A few days later...
  You wake up from your bedroom. You can hear the rain outside lightly pouring down onto the dirt road.
  
  Long, I want you to shop with me today. your Mother says. How exciting! You've never been shopping with your mother yet. You and her take a long walk across the rice paddies and fields nearby. This takes you to a jungle path, where a white SUV waits there. A man and a woman stand in front of it. Your mother tells you to get into the SUV, and that she will be getting in after you.
  
  > get into the SUV
  Curiosity fills your brain, so you take a big step inside. After getting into the SUV, you look back at your mother. She raises her hand and waves at you, almost effortlessly.
  
  Bye. She quietly says.
  
  You suddenly try to exit the vehicle, but one of the adults already shut the door. The car starts moving away from your mother. Don't go Mom! You yell at the glass.
  
  Ten minutes go by. Mother is long gone. The car stops at a large house. It looks like some of the houses you've seen by your stepfather's apartment, near where the rich people live. The woman exits the front seat and opens the door on the right.
  
  Long, we will be your new Parents from now on. Me and my husband own this big house. We will have lots of toys for you to play with.
  
  Your mother would want you to live with us. Please listen to your mother. The man says from the driver's seat.
  
  > No! You want to go back!
  This is what your mother wanted Long! Please, stay with us!
  
  In a loud voice, you yell, NO! I WANT TO GO BACK!
  
  The woman looks at the man, then, with tears in her eyes, looks at you.
  
  Please...
  
  > Okay, you'll stay
  You think to yourself that doing what your mother wants is the best thing to do. After all, there was a reason why she told you to go inside the SUV.
  
  A few years go by
  
  You're raised in a rich family. Your parents have treated and educated you well. Sometimes you wonder what has happened to your old family.
  
  A few more years go by
  
  Your mother wakes you up. Long, we have to leave now. The bodyguards are at the entrance, when we're ready we'll head to our cruise ship to flee to the Philippines a few hours across the sea.
  
  I don't like this any more than you do Long, but we have no choice. Quang, we're all set. A man in a suit gently pushes you to the door, and into the white SUV. You drive to your private cruise ship sitting at the Saigon port. Armed soldiers and your bodyguards stand firm at the parking lot entrance. The big cruise ship is filled with people in suits and dresses, some greet your Father. Your hands lean against the railing of the cruise ship as it moves away from the city. You wonder where your mother is, but for the rest of your life that remains a mystery.
  
  This is what your mother wanted Long! Please, stay with us!
  
  In a loud voice, you yell, NO! I WANT TO GO BACK!
  
  The woman looks at the man, then, with tears in her eyes, looks at you.
  
  Please...
  
  > No! You want to go back!
  You refuse to stay. Your mother is the only thing you can think about right now. Suddenly, a man in a suit grabs you, hands around the side of your chest, and lifts you out of the car. You're carries you over his shoulder, like a sack. You try to break free by pushing against his grip, but it is hopeless. He brings you into an empty room with painted walls and toys, and he sets you down.
  
  The man and woman enter the room. He's ready for you sir. the man in the suit says over your head. But may I please inform you that this 'method' of yours is uncalled for? The man who entered the room looks down on you, then looks at him. I'm aware. But his mother told us to do it this way. Long, He looks down on you Your mother would want you to stay with us. Give us a few days, and we can make you feel welcome. You look at the man, and hesitate, Is this really what my mother wants? After thinking about it for a few minutes, you quietly say,
  
  > No.
  The couple tries to offer you toys and food, but you won't accept any of it. You wanted your mother, and you wanted her now.
  
  For several days you hide in your closet, crying and refusing to eat anything. The couple, beginning to concern your health, decide to bring you back to your mother.
  
  You take the same SUV that you took to get here. The man in the suit, standing by the door, quickly says something to you. I really hoped we could make it work. Sorry. You start to think about how kind the man was to you, but after you step out of the door, it quietly closes shut. The woman, holding your hand while walking to the car, quietly speaks to you No tricks this time, I hope you will have a better life with your mother. She helps you get into the car, and soon it moves away from the big house.
  
  > get to your mother's village
  The SUV parks in front of your house. The man gets out of the driver's seat and opens the door.
  
  You walk to your mother's house, alone. After opening the door, you see you mother. Emotionless, and frozen in place.
  
  You ask her why she tried to send you away, she does not respond. Long, your mother has not been well lately, You hear your grandmother say, eating at the dinner table. You join her shortly after.
  
  > Chapter 3: Holt Center
  A few months have passed since the incident. Your mother has not improved from her emotionless state. She sleeps often and barely shows any sign of the care she gave you before.
  
  You wake up from your bed. Your mother, sleeping in a bed next to yours, has not waken up yet.
  
  > wake Her Up
  You gently shake your mother's arm to wake her up. It has worked before so you figure you'd do it again.
  
  After trying to wake her up, she still doesn't move. Scared, you cry out for your grandmother.
  
  She runs into the room, slamming the door open. Panicking, she grabs you mother and tries to sit her up.
  
  Your mother doesn't move at all still.
  
  You and your grandmother run to the door, alerting the neighbors about what has happened to your mother.
  
  They crowd around the bedroom, trying to find different ways to wake her up.
  
  It is at this point where you all have come to the conclusion that she has died.
  
  > A Few Months Later
  It has been a while since your mother's death. Those days have included a lot of crying and anger. You don't know why your mother could just do something like that.
  
  Now you and your grandmother live in an apartment in Saigon. The house you lived in would be too much to pay for. Your grandmother works hard to earn the money you and her need to pay for rent and food.
  
  You can't afford school because it is too expensive, so your grandmother also has to put time out of her day to teach you.
  
  On one ordinary day, your grandmother asks you to walk with her to the store.
  
  > walk with your grandmother.
  You've never been outside a lot, so you figure it'll be fun to go shopping.
  
  The path you take to the store is unfamiliar to you.
  
  Your grandmother finally stops at a square, two story building. The sign above it says "Holt Center".
  
  You can hear children playing in the fence surrounding it. You think to yourself, What were they doing here? Why aren't we at the store yet?
  
  Your grandmother walks inside the building, you stay in front of the door. You can hear your grandmother talking, and doing some sort of negotiating.
  
  When your grandmother is done, she walks out, and two adults wearing identical blue shirts follow.
  
  Long...
  
  These people are going to take care of you from now on. You'll be safe with them, and meet many friends. Please listen to your grandmother.
  
  > Okay.
  You decide that it's time for your grandmother to rest. Since your grandmother is getting older, she doesn't deserve the task of supporting a family. Thank you... She quietly says.
  
  The adults take you inside the square shaped building. As you walk down a long, narrow hallway, children gather around. They quietly start talking amongst themselves, most of it you can't understand.
  
  Well, here we are! One of the adults next to you say. The room is stacked with bunk beds, night tables, and scattered toys. A window between two bunk beds show the street below.
  
  After looking through the window, you can see your grandmother walking down the sidewalk. You try waving to her, but she doesn't respond. She'll be fine. A woman says in a calm voice. She puts a hand on your shoulder, So, are you ready to meet your new friends? Or do you want to stay here?
  
  > stay here and rest
  It's been a long day for you, so some sleep would be wonderful. You ask where the shower room is, and an adult takes you there.
  
  After a long, warm shower, you put your pajamas on, and go to bed, thinking about your grandmother.
  
  > The next day
  On the next day, you get to know more children at the Holt Center. You begin to realize how fun the Holt Center is. School there is fun, and you get to play with your friends all day and the adults there help you with your needs.
  
  The next few months have been nothing special. Play with friends, learn new things. Life there couldn't be much better, but you still think of your grandmother...
  
  > Chapter 4: Your New Family
  On an ordinary day, an adult walks to you with good news. Long, you might get adopted soon. You've heard about adoption between the kids here, and you start to wonder, Who will take care of me? Will they be mean people?
  
  The adult continues Don't worry Long, you have two choices to choose from. Both families are in America, and they look like nice people.
  
  You're then shown the pictures of both families. One picture contains four men, with light colored skin as the adult with you, and hair that is shiny. A woman sits in the background, slightly above the men sitting down. Under this picture it says The Steiners. The other picture contains a picture of a man in a hat, sitting with a boy and a girl, with a woman standing on the far right. They look similar to the Steiners. They seem to be in some sort of wooden house, and a fireplace could be seen burning in the background. They all have wool sweaters on. Under the picture, it says, The Rogers. They all look like nice families, but you don't know which one to pick.
  
  > The Steinrs
  You choose the Steiners. It was a hard decision, but your gut told you the Steiners were the better choice.
  
  Alright, I'll let them know. But first, we need to take a picture. The man gives you a sign to hold, and he tells you to go to the balcony.
  
  You walk to the balcony, and hold up a sign. The Sign says Hello! My name is: Long. Perfect.The man says.
  
  You're really excited to meet your new family soon, but you hope that you can see your grandmother for one last time.
  
  > A few months later
  After playing with the chidren, the man you saw a few months ago when he showed you the Steiners asks to talk to you. We called back the Steiners, and they said they are prepared to adopt you still. We plan to get you to your new family soon. About a month from now. Your face lights up, and you're relieved that you'll get to move to America.
  
  You run back to the children, jumping around in excitement. I'm being adopted! I'm being adopted! The children get excited too, and start asking questions. After quickly answering them, you lie down on the floor, exhausted from your excitement. You still plan to say goodbye to your grandmother, eventually.
  
  > Chapter 5: The Flight to Freedom
  A few months go by, you are about to leave for the American airport in the Philipines.
  
  You and the children line up in front of the street.Two buses are parked by the sidewalk of the Holt Center. Alright kids! We're heading to the airport. It is a long way there so make sure you pick a good friend to sit next to you! Before you get on the bus, a person's had gently holds your shoulder. Long... You hear the soft sound of your grandmother's voice. You've grown so big! They must take good care of you. Your grandmother looks well. She isn't overly thin and has nice clothes on. One of the neighbors helped me get to a retirement home. I'm doing well Long, and I hope you will too in America. You jump off the bus steps to give your grandmother a long hug. I'll miss you Long... You quietly whisper. Me too.
  
  One of the adults slowly separates you two. It's time Long... You let go of your grandmother. You look at the two busses. Both of them have your friends sticking out the window. You're the last one left, so hurry and choose!
  
  > The Left Bus
  You take the left bus. As long as you all were going on the same plane it wouldn't really matter.
  
  As the bus drives down the road, you can see your grandmother waving goodbye. Bye grandma... You think to yourself.
  
  The airport in Saigon is surprisingly empty. To your surprise, an unfamiliar bus is parked in front of yours. The adults on your bus get off. They walk into the airport. Your friends are talking amongst themselves, wondering if they'll be able to get on a plane.
  
  > wait for a half hour
  You don't feel like getting in trouble, so you decide to just wait.
  
  During a long conversation with a kid sitting next to you, you can hear a big explosion. The kids in the bus start screaming. You close your ears from the loud noise. What has happened? You think to yourself.
  
  A man you've seen from the Holt Center walks on the bus. The schedule has changed, it's time to leave. The bus turns around. You ask the kids around you what they thought caused the explosion. They shake their heads.
  
  > The next day.
  You soon find out that a plane full off adopted children like you has crashed, causing the explosion. You and the other children are scared to leave now. But your fears go away when you see your grandmother at the entrance. You run up to her and give her a hug. Hello Long. She says to you. I've heard about what happened at the airport, so I wanted to see if you were okay. You respond. I'm fine grandma. You continue to hug her for a few more minutes, never thinking of letting go.
  
  > A few weeks later...
  The adults tell you to pack your bags again. Some kids refuse, and hide in the closet. While the adults try to get them to come out, you see your grandma again, waiting outside your bedroom. It's time Long. She helps you pack your bags. Grandma, when I leave, what will happen to you? She pauses, and after a few seconds, she replies. I'll be at the retirement home, of course. Resting. But don't worry about me, You haven't lived your life yet. I already have. Just, be sure to make the most of it. After you are finished packing, she gives you one last hug.
  
  One of the adults from the Holt Center walk inside. I'm sorry ma'am, but we are really in a hurry so if he's done he'll have to go right now. Your grandmother nods, and the adult grabs your hand. Goodbye Long. Your grandmother tells you.
  
  After getting one last glimpse of your grandmother, the doors close, and the adult helps you onto the bus.
  
  > get to your seat.
  You can see the adult you were with talk to the bus driver. Drive fast please. He tells the driver. I don't want anyone trying to get on. The driver nods, and the bus quickly starts to move.
  
  Outside, you can see adults holding children in their hands, begging for someone to take their child somewhere safe. You put your hand on the window, but they pass by quickly.
  
  After getting to the airport, the Holt Center adults quickly warn the children. Alright. We have to hurry, so let's go! The children all run off the bus in excitement. Outside, you can see a crowd of adults with children behind the airport fence. They look scared. As you are turned around, children behind you pushed you forward.
  
  Instead of going through the airport, you go through a small room which leads to the airport. You can see the big plane now. It is green, and has the logo U.S. Air Force with a star inside a circle. A hatch opens from the bottom of it. It is a ramp which has people in green sitting inside. You quickly recognize that they are American G.I.s, like the ones in your old village.
  
  You run up the ramp with your bags. Then a G.I. puts some sort of harness on you as you sit down.
  
  After the last kid and adult are on the plane, you can hear one of the G.I.s talking through some sort of radio. Baby-Carriage 3 is ready. Standing by for liftoff. Shortly after, the ramp raises, and the plane starts to move. You get excited.You're almost to America. But your excitement fades away with the thought of your grandmother. You start to cry, wishing you could bring her with you.
  
  > Chapter 6: America
  The plane lands at the U.S. air base in the Philippines. You say your final goodbyes to your friends, and get on a separate plane. It looks small than the one you were on earlier.
  
  Once your plane lands in America, an adult leads you to your new family, the Steiners.
  
  The Steiners we're excited for your arrival. They had balloons and a teddy bear for you. You find out your new name is Matt. You also find out that the three boys in the picture are now your brothers, and the older looking man in the picture is your Dad. In America, they teach you all about religion and what they do for a living. They also change your clothing and hairstyle. You wondered why Americans look so weird.
  
  Food was the hardest part to get used to. Instead of the fresh food you've eaten in Saigon, the food was precooked and it tasted gross. But you managed it.
  
  School was also hard. A lot of the kids called you rude names, mostly because of your race and the things you don't know as a foreigner.
  
  > Plenty of Years go by...
  After growing up and having a family, you decide it's time to go back to Vietnam.
  
  When your plane lands at the airport, you can see a big sign on the ceiling that says, Welcome to Ho Chi Minh City. Although you still hear the locals call the city Saigon. The guards at the exit examine your American passport. They glare at you slightly, but approve it anyway.
  
  You travel around Vietnam, visiting your mother's village, and then the Holt Center. And finally, to your grandmother's retirement home.
  
  After you got to America as a boy, you were able to call your grandmother. She told you what retirement home she stayed in, and the address in case you were to visit.
  
  You go to the front desk, and ask for documents about the location of your grandmother. After getting the papers, you find out where she is: in a small cemetery outside the city. After driving there you look for your grandmother's grave.
  
  > look on the left side
  You decide to look on the left side of the cemetery. You and your family go row by row, trying to find where your grandmother was buried.
  
  After an hour of searching, you still can't find it.
  
  It is almost getting late, and your family is tired of walking. After sitting down on a bench nearby, you think about what to do.
  
  > find a hotel to stay in
  You decide that it is time to rest. The hotel you find sits by the heart of the city.
  
  You and your family quickly fall asleep, you feel guilty for not finding your grandmother's grave.
  
  > The next day.
  You go back to the cemetery. Your grandmother's grave must be here somewhere.
  
  > check the right side.
  You decide to check the right side.
  
  Your family walks row by row, trying to find where your grandmother was buried.
  
  You still can't find your grandmother after checking all the rows of graves.
  
  But there's one grave, on top of the hill with a tree hanging above it. It interests you.
  
  > head to the grave on the hill
  After walking to the lone grave on top of the hill, you crouch down by it to read what it says.
  
  There was only one word on it that you cared about.
  
  Ba. The name of your grandmother.
  
  You stand before your grandmothers grave, looking down on it. Your family crowds behind you to look at it too.