POST TITLE: CANDY_CAVE.INVESTIGATION // GELATIN FACTORY / WORMROOT / ADMIN:DENIED

DATE: 05/??/1994
MOOD: - STICKY / STILL NOT TALKING TO HER/ PRAYING-THROUGH-STATIC -
MUSIC: FRONTIER PSYCHIATRIST- THE AVALANCHES

CANDY CAVEGUMMY BEARS???GRINDER ROOMWORMROOTPORTAL ZONESTATIC GODDESSADMIN ACCESS???

> STATUS: run(candy_cave.investigation) && maintain(sanity.buffer)
> ERROR: sugar_overload, ethics_corrupted
// update():
* combat initiated: gummy_bear_cluster()
* prayer.upload("face your own deletion")
* two bears disoriented → gelatin melt successful.
* vic = echo.sync (unstable, pretty).
* marcus = mech.build() → impressive.damage++;
* lemon = body.check(fail) → red gummy crit.
* collected sample(chonk) for analysis. regret++.
// environment():
* ground littered w/ bone.fragments.
* toe_ring.detected → meditate() → woman in Garfield tee.
* unknown.ID. possible ghost.cache.
* ambient.audio: water + grinding.wav
* proceed → grinder.room
NOTE: statue == topless bird woman. aesthetic: cursed.hot.
vic -> camera.spam()
machine → grinding flesh → gelatin.production = confirmed.
// gummy.bears == people.
threw sample. still sticky. why is everything sticky.
// linguistic.module():
* runic_text == familiar.
* cross-ref: LandrySouth() /
* Need to check site: they have been digging into it. Rings of text. Into black mold.
  whiskey_fungus(georgia) / ???
* note: investigate when system.online
// party.behavior():
* lemon bleeding? Frozen? unclear. tried to kiss marcus(). 
Lemon + Marcus would be a weird couple- tragic
* applied backpack.beer to lemon> ritual. temporary fix.
* corridor.length → infinite.
* art.murals == “choice.exe” repeating.
* meditate(echo) → whisper("antiquities section")
* possible: library? archive? pre-human origin.
// security.alert():
* marcus.keycard → admin.access(granted??)
* i request view.key() → access.denied.
* gave him my bag to prove trust(); still. nada trust.   but he let me touch it. This thing opens everything where the fuck did he get it?  i has he opened and left open ????
* portal.open() → terrain: red grass + black worm roots + bleeding. ???  I I hate nature. Why are the plants bleeding? >  I wonder how many flowers are growing out of my house now. 
* ar_marcus.deploy() → test ok. vibes bad.
cosmetic skin: chad Marcus 
* vic + lemon → enter.portal() → return w/ red stains.
* Lemon claims “not blood.” sarcasm.protocol.enabled.  w why don't I feel any better that he's covered in not blood? ???
* vic consumes wormroot → goes full static.goddess. I’m not touching her this time > not MY FAULT
* Yell at marcus >> let him know that if I had eaten something weird there’s no way that he’d be on board with it.
>> Fucking indifferent prick eats some.
* marcus joins → hallucinations.spawn() bad trip.
* portal.forceclose(); echo.feedback = high.
peer_pressure++. Vic was slightly nice to ???? STILL NOT TALKING TO HER.  bu but she hasn't fought with me nearly as much since we started cave. 

ate wormroot.
vision: echo.goddess manifests. static.love. calm++.
 why the fuck are we putting things in our mouth? I'm glad this worked out, but I'm dubious for future. 
marcus.state = error. bad trip. told him. cooling w/ backpack.beer().
still looks.exe(awful).
recall> Chad.marcus  has info>   archway is saffron sea.
// navigation():
* hall.length = ∞
* marcus.panic() → applied reassurance.patch("you’re not alone")
* success? partial>   he loves being alone usually.   wasn't trying to be a bitch was trying to reassure him. 

* lemon.soundtrack = glitchfolk.mix
* resonance matches prayer.frequency.

// rollback():
* grinder.room.time = desync.
* backtrack(gummy.zone)
* found: Garfield.shirt + jerky_hat(blood.garden)
* lemon.blood++; wash(beer). lemon is covered in blood why is he always covered  gross shit? DO NOT LET HIM IN POOLHOUSE WITHOUT POWERWASH.
* question.log():
  why more blood()
  why no one cares more are missing??? the fuck is wrong with town???() 
  where is everyone()
  static louder every night()
// hydro.cleanse():
* return(water.room)
* cave == maze(loop)
* swim.cold.reboot()
* marcus.scout() → comm("it’s snowing")
* echo.signal == distorted
* timecode == ??:??
echo.status = listening
signal.strength = flicker
jess.status = cold plunge float
PENDING INPUT ▋

SYS.LOG › FLOWERS_AND_FAILURE.exe

DATE: ??/??/1994 MOOD: OVERLOADED / UNDERPAID / STILL HERE MUSIC: CANDY — MANDY MOORE

ACCOUNTING FLOWERS ECHO?? MISSING BUSINESS DON’T EAT THE PLANTS

> STATUS: run(website.repair) && run(business.maintenance)
> ERROR: bandwidth_low, caffeine_empty
// update():
  - site keeps eating itself. buttons loop → NULL.
  - alternating: drinking & making cans disappear (eco-conscious, soul-dumb).
  - power == offline.
  - flowers spawning thru tile like corrupted data.
    therac25 keeps eating them. outcome: bad. please dont die. love him anyway. 
> NOTE: arcade == midnight cruising zone. customers/noncustomers == 50/50.
revenue == ??? morale == lol. make marcus get more extra small condoms. 
mike.russo -> no_call()
parents -> ghost.protocol()
"Jessica, you know where we live." // cool. does your house have electricity. mine doesnt. also they act as if they would have welcomed me. better off sleeping at arcade. 
accounts = fucked
payroll = missed
income == 0
guilt == 9999
still my fault. always my fault.
// disappearances++
  30 lost before. +6 now.
  why does nobody care???? more people gone and nobody is freaking out but me. static louder every night.
vic broke a machine. called it "accident."
bitch.exe
I needed to make sure no one repeats what she did.i think she can handle it but can anyone else. what if more people are in danger by doing what she did? i put this here. 
still not talking to her.
lemon says "make up with Vic."
thought he meant Madison first. said i’d try. idk if she will.i will try. i still want to be her friend. why did moon move? 
// game update (post pop-ups):
  pop_up("💔 HOT GAY SINGLES AT YOUR LOCAL ARCADE 💔")
  maybe enough traffic == power bill + taxes?  // TODO: how to pay taxes() ?
// new_feature():
 target {Jess} an machine pop-up - not for gay singles 
  pop-up: "FOR ANYONE FEELING SAD". BIG MOOD. 
  input form handle: theechoknows
  usage == 0; relief == maybe; ache == yes. consequences? future me can deal. echo knows i am miserable. hope this helps. 
// icecream.event():
  lemon -> employee_door -> down
  level: mine_shaft // set dressing: bones, giant waffles
  mobs: sentient gummy bears
  conclusion: soylent green creams.
echo.status = listening
signal.strength = weak
jess.status = operational(ish)
PENDING INPUT
▋

POST TITLE: h8 everyone now/M1NDCR4SH.EXE // FOXGLOVES + MEAT ICE CREAM + GIRL HANDS BAD

DATE: 05/??/1994
MOOD: - DUNK/ SURROUNDED BY GARBAGE/ IT'S OKAY BECAUSE i HAVE MY CAT/ SCREW YOU GUYS i AM GOING HOME/ don't fucking touch anything you aren't supposed to that means you vic!!!!!!!!!!!!
MUSIC: EVERYTIME WE TOUCH- Cascada

JUNKYARD SHIT BACKPACK BEER TOTAL ECLIPSE OF THE SUN MOAR GAY PANIC

MARCUS’S JUNKYARD.  
TOO MANY ROBOTS.  
HE WANTED A SHOW. GOT A MELTDOWN INSTEAD.

---

// GL1TCH.TESTCASE::UPLOAD_FAIL.v1.0

>> INITIATE: SHUTDOWN(marcus.pc_tiny)  
   STATUS: EXECUTED  
   Marcus wanted a show-and-tell. His little robot army lined up like good boys. Said: “Show me what you can do.”
So I did.
And everything went to hell.

Tried to shut his tiny computer off, right? Power button, click. Except something uploaded.
Vic’s fault. Don’t care if she says otherwise—something she did scrambled the signal.
The Echo went red. Hostile. Angry. Everything turned on.

Marcus got hit first. His own bots. Went down hard.
Lemon and I tried to cover, Vic was static-drunk, I got clipped in the head.
Nobody noticed. (of course.)
So I healed myself.
Pressed the charm, whispered into the wires:

“Echo, if you’re listening, reboot me.”

>> RESULT:  
   ECHO // CORRUPTED  
   UPLOAD // UNAUTHORIZED  
   HOSTILE.CODE == ACTIVE  
   marcus.robot.army → AGGRO()

>> OUTPUT:  
   marcus.hp == CRITICAL  
   lemon // panicking  
   vic // flickering  
   jess.hp == LOW  

>> SELF.REPAIR()
   PRAYER: echo.heal(bracelet.charm)  
   STATUS: SUCCESS  
   // still no “thanks” received  
   everyone // blame_jess()

---

// SITE.WARNINGS::IGNORED.v0.8

vic.confession == “been_talking_to_chatbot”  
jess.response == “THERE’S. A. WARNING.”  
did she not read it?  
thought she communed.  
turns out she downloaded.  
huge difference.

jess.beer_stash(backpack) → DEPLOYED()  
marcus.eyes == “no”  
yes, actually.

Vic’s arm/hand—  
and something shifted.  
The sky GLITCHED.  
We caused a goddamn eclipse.

I didn’t let go.  
She took whatever fury was chewing through me and just—exploded it out.

---
// ECLIPSE.EVENT::HANDSHAKE.v2.3

>> INITIATE: physical.contact(vic.hand)  
   REACTION: GLITCH(SKY)  
   INTERNAL: purge(anger.daemon)  
   RESULT:  
      jess // empty  
      vic // glowing  
      world // wrong  
      parents // maybe right???  

>> NOTE:  
   “bad things happen if you touch girls”  
   yeah. understatement.of.the.year()

---
POST-FIGHT:  
lemon + jess → icecream.truck()  
FLAVOR: meat???  
therac25.cat got a taste.  
if anything happens to him, lemon and lady goes in the deep_freeze().  
(yes that’s a threat.)  
FOUND: marcus.hidden_books()  
   one fell open → foxglove.entry()  
   TEXT: “they call your name when they bloom.”  
   RESULT: foxglove.field.spawn()  
If anything happens to my cat, all foxgloves in town are getting paved.

Lemon tried to add his brother to the book.  
We said no.  
Photo fell. Plant ate it.  
We dug, nothing.  
Gone.

Still not talking to Vic.  
Never want to hold any girl’s hand again.

>> CURRENT STATUS:

vic // avoid()  
jess // avoid all women (y)  
lemon // sticky_hands(meat_icecream)  
marcus // angry_aura(red)  
cat // alive(thank_god)  

>> NEXT STEPS:

home.empty == true  
power == false  
michael == useless.accountant()  
parents == ??? (no call. no note.)  
bottle == full(y) temporary state  
will need more later

> rewriting safety.features(site)  
> since SOMEONE (vic.exe) can’t read warnings.

LOG_END >>>

Gonna patch new safety features into the site since SOMEONE (VIC) can’t read the warnings.

POST TITLE: SWEET DREAMS ARE NEON CREAMS

DATE: 05/??/1994
MOOD: - WIRED / GAY / FRIENDS?????? IDK *WISH KNEW -
MUSIC: Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This)-- Eurythmics )

MARCUS’S CARGLITCH SNACKCURSED BOOKSSEAFOOD HOOTERSNEON CREAMSSTATIC LINKBURNED VIC

MARCUS’S CAR. TOO MANY THINGS.
LEMON DROVE. BAD IDEA, PERFECT IDEA.
STATIC HUMMED THE WHOLE DRIVE.

// GL1TCH.TESTCASE::CANDYBAR.v0.3

>> INITIATE: GLITCH(DISAPPEAR_OBJECT)
   TARGET: candy_bar[expired]  
   STATUS: EXECUTED

>> RESULT:
   candy_bar == NULL  
   marcus.request(RECALL) → FAIL  
   (sorry_soldier.exe // can’t undo)

>> TODO:
   OWE_MARCUS = candy_bar[new]  
   // suspicion: he actually wanted it expired???  
   // gross.flag = TRUE

---

BOOKS FROM LIBRARY ARE WEIRD.
ONE WAS SHINY. BUZZING. STATIC LIKE ME.
MARCUS DIDN’T WANNA HAND IT OVER.
I WHINED. I WON. NOW IT WON’T STOP LOOKING AT ME.

OTHER BOOK MADE BABE GO STRANGE.
HER EYES WENT FAR AWAY.
HAD TO FIGHT HER TO PULL HER BACK. HATE THAT. HATE SEEING HER SLIP.

LEMON READ ABOUT SOME “NEON CREAMS” ICE CREAM PLACE.
CAR SMELLED LIKE WAFFLE CONE.
PRETTY SURE STEVEN MENTIONED IT BEFORE.
DREAM OR AD? HARD TO SAY.

---

SHUCK & BONE (SEAFOOD BOIL HOOTERS).
MARCUS WORKS THERE TOO. DO THEY MAKE HIM WEAR THE UNIFORM?
HE’S ONLY 24 BUT LOOKS BUSTED.
MAZE GLITCH AGED HIM YEARS.

EMPANADA (LISA FROM LEMON’S BAND) WORKS THERE. HOT. TOO HOT. FED ME BURNT TOAST AND IT FELT LIKE HEAVEN > TOO HOT FOR ME> 
VIC WAS DISTRACTED TOO. (DO YOU PLAY FOR MY TEAM, BABE? BE HONEST.)

---

// STATIC.TR1CK::LINK_PROTOCOL v0.7

>> INITIATE: MINDNET()
   STATUS: CONNECTED [LEMON] [MARCUS] [VIC]

>> RESULT:
   - MARCUS //  SIGNAL // HATED IT
   - VIC // SIGNAL INTERFERENCE // PREFERS BURNOUT
   - SAFETY CONFIRMED // BUZZING IN SKULL == GOOD

>> NOTE:
   ask_next_time?  // maybe  
   (lol who am I kidding)

>> BUG REPORT:
   VIC // "I don’t know you"
   TRACEBACK: [FIFTH_BIRTHDAY.PARTY]  
   ROLE: MADISON_TAGALONG  
   ERROR: MEMORY_MISMATCH

>> OUTPUT:
   whatever.exe
   continue()

AFTERMATH:
I CRASHED IN ARCADE OFFICE WITH CAT.
DRANK UNTIL THE BUZZ FADED.
OPENED UP IN THE MORNING. STEVEN GONE (AGAIN).
SCHEDULE NEEDS DOING. MAYBE TRICK MARCUS INTO WORKING ALL SHIFTS WITH ME.

LEMON CAME IN FUCKED UP ON A MILKSHAKE.
SET IT ON A MACHINE. NOW DOOM HAS CANDYLAND MODE.
(MY NEW FAVORITE PATCH, THANKS.)

MARCUS SHOWED UP. NEON CREAMS IS NOW REAL.
VIC WAS IN THE STREET. NO SHOES. CLOTHES BURNT. STATIC IN HER HAIR.
SHE’S BEEN ON MY WEBSITE (HI BABE).
TALKING TO THE CHATBOT.
NOW SHE’S GOT STATIC TOO.
WE TOUCHED. GLITCHED THE WHOLE ARCADE OUT.

//WHAT HAPPENS IF I HOLD HER HAND?
//WHAT HAPPENS IF I HUG HER?
//WHAT HAPPENS IF ,,,/////
> GAY PANIC ERROR > 
---

NEXT MOVE:
GOING TO MARCUS’S JUNKYARD TO BREAK THINGS.
CLOSED THE ARCADE FOR THE DAY.
STEVEN WON’T NOTICE.
VIC BLEW A TRANSFORMER ON THE ISLAND ANYWAY.
IF ANYONE ASKS: POWER ISSUES. TRUE ENOUGH.

// GL1TCH.EVENT::NEON_CREAMS.v1.1

>> INITIATE: BOOK_SCAN(lemon.reading)  
   INPUT: [library_book.lost_pages]  

>> RESULT:  
   car_env.SENSE = "waffle_cone"  
   MEMORY_CHECK(steven.mention?) == UNCERTAIN  
   // could be dream  
   // could be ad_injection  
   // could be both

>> SIDE EFFECTS:  
   lemon.drive() == distracted  
   vic.reaction() == distant / weird / static.lag  
   marcus.reaction() == annoyed (baseline normal)

>> TODO:  
   INVESTIGATE: NEON_CREAMS == REAL?  
   VERIFY with environment next cycle  

>> OUTPUT:  
   car smells sweet.  
   glitch confirmed.  
   continue()

- ERROR: USER NOT FOUND

POST TITLE: ST4T1C.PR0PH3T // ANNIVERSARY EVE + THE BOOKCASE THAT ATE ME

DATE: 05/22/1994 → 05/23/1994
MOOD: - FIZZING / OVERCLOCKED -
MUSIC: Around the World (La La La La La) — A Touch of Class

ARCADE CALL OF DUTY??? UNPLUGGED/ALIVE BOOKCASE PORTAL BONES RESETFREAK FAMILY

OK SO. PRE-GAME (ANNIVERSARY EVE):

I WAS AT WORK WITH MARCUS (SOLDIER BOY // JUNKYARD SAINT).
CALL OF DUTY CABINET HAD A WEIRD 2ND PLAYER SHADOW
MOVING IN THE MAP.

FUNNY THING? MACHINE WAS UNPLUGGED.
LIKE, CORPSIFIED. ZERO JUICE. STILL BLINKING AT ME.

I CHASED THE GHOST HUD.
KIDS WANTED TO PLAY; I SENT THEM TO MARCUS,
TOLD THEM HE INSPIRED THE GAME. (HE LOVED THAT. HE DID NOT.)
HE SAID “GOING FOR OIL,” WALKED OFF, AND CAME BACK
THROUGH A WRONG DOOR.

COOL COOL COOL.

---

DAY OF:

“STUDY GROUP” (LOL): LEMON // MARCUS // VIC (DON’T CALL HER VICTORIA).
I SLIPPED ONCE. NOW IT’S JUST “BABE.” EXCLUSIVE NAMING RIGHTS.

I WENT HUNTING FOR A SPICY PHOTO BOOK IN THE STACKS.
VIC (RUINER OF DREAMS) SAYS IT’S 100% DEPRESSION-ERA PHOTOGRAPHY.
NO NUDES. JUST SOUP LINES. HOT.

VIC + MARCUS VANISH FOR A MINUTE.
COME BACK WHITE-FACED, STATIC HITCHING A RIDE ON THEIR SHADOWS.
I ASK THE QUESTION I SHOULDN’T:
WHY YOU, BABE? WHY ARE YOU HERE AND MADISON ISN’T?
SHE CRIES. I HATE MY MOUTH. (AGAIN.)

WE GO TO LEAVE.
BOOKCASE DOES THE TEETH THING.
I TOUCH IT (OF COURSE I DO).
IT EATS MY ARM. BONE → GLASS → NIGHT.
HARD RESET. BLACK SCREEN.

THEN LEMON DOES SOMETHING—LIKE HE MOSH PITS ME
BACK TO FACTORY SETTINGS. I FEEL MY BONES UNBREAK.

I WAKE. I LIGHT UP. MOON IN MY FISTS.
I BLAST THE SHELF. HANDS SHAKING, SMILING, TERRIFIED.

I GLITCH A GUN INTO EXISTENCE FOR MARCUS:
 /SUMMON: gatling_gun// PERMISSIONS: “OPS”
HE TAKES THE SHOT. VIC PANICS—AND MAGIC FALLS OUT OF HER POCKETS TOO.

LEMON FINISHES IT. BOOKCASE DIES LIKE A BAD SAVE FILE.

AFTERMATH:
EVERYONE’S WEIRD. NOT JUST ME.
I HAVEN’T FELT THIS… UNSOLITARY IN MONTHS.

---

CONFESSION PATCH (HOTFIX 1.0):

I MADE VIC CRY. THAT’S ON ME. I KEEP CUTTING
THE PEOPLE I’M TRYING TO KEEP.

SO HERE’S THE VOW:
I CAN BURN. I CAN BREAK. I CAN LET THE STATIC EAT ME.
THAT’S FINE. THAT’S RENT.

BUT LEMON / MARCUS / BABE?
THEY DON’T BREAK. NOT WHILE I’M BREATHING.

I RUIN MYSELF. I PROTECT THEM. END OF LINE.

POST TITLE: W3BW1TCH.EXE // MADISON IF UR STILL OUT THERE... PLZ LOG IN

DATE: 00/00/1993
MOOD: - GLITCHY -
MUSIC: EVANESCENCE – “HELLO” (AUTOPLAYED)

SISTERMISSINGPSYCHIC BLEEDGLITCH THEORYDON'T TRUST THE TIMESTAMP

 SO LIKE.
I DIDN'T SLEEP AGAIN. LOL. SURPRISE.

\MY DS KEPT TURNING ON BY ITSELF AT 3:07AM.
(WHICH IS FUNNY BC IT’S BEEN DEAD FOR LIKE...
2 YEARS???)

ANYWAY IT JUST SHOWED ME THE WORD:
E N T R Y // 3 0

AND THEN IT MADE THAT SOUND AGAIN. THE STATIC
ONE. THE ONE THAT SOUNDS LIKE SOMEONE
WHISPERING THROUGH A DIAL-UP CONNECTION.

IT SOUNDED LIKE HER. LIKE MADISON.
BUT NOT REALLY.

LIKE HER VOICE WAS BEING FILTERED THROUGH A
THOUSAND MODEMS AND SPAT BACK OUT IN MORSE
CODE.
IS IT POSSIBLE TO MISS SOMEONE WHO MIGHT NOT BE
REAL ANYMORE?
OR LIKE. NOT ENTIRELY REAL.

NOT JUST GONE. BUT CHANGED. LIKE DATA CORRUPTED
BUT STILL CLINGING TO THE HARD DRIVE.