It has only been 3 years since the Communist Party took control of Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, and all of China.
The Struggle Sessions have begun. Those who defy the Communists are rounded up, one by one, and put on display to be mocked... ridiculed... beaten...
[[Begin->Title Screen]]"Zhang Wei, you need to get up. Your father and I need help in the fields. The Inspector is coming, and we need to hide our private garden from him."
Wiping the sleep from your eyes, you are immediately reminded of the life of poverty your family leads. The home is not much more than a single large room, whose dirt-stained white walls rattle in the wind and whose roof leaks with the usual summer rains. Despite this, it has always felt safe. It has always felt like [[Home->Home Description]].
But this year, like last year, the rains weren't as frequent or intense as usual. The ground has become baked, and the crop yield has gotten worse and worse every time.
[[next->Choice Prompt 1]]
Great Fall Forward
[[Start->The Start of Things]]After working the sun-bleached ground for what seems like an eternity, you hear the gentle yet firm voice of your father, calling for you from several meters away.
"Zhang Wei, someone needs to go into town and tell the merchants how the crop yield will be next week. Only one of us can go, there is still much work left to be done, and we cannot have any evidence left of our private garden."
[[I will go, Father.->Choice 1]]
[[You go, Father. I will tend the fields.->Choice 2]]The nearest town lies about 5 kilometers away, the grand city of Hangzhou. You start on your journey, down the long paved road. The sun beats harshly, and if not for the container of water on your waist, you have no doubt that you would faint before making it. About 2 kilometers from your home, you see the Communist Party Inspector and his entourage of soldiers heading towards you. The soldiers are armed without a doubt, and the Inspector seems to be carrying manicles. The steel of guns and chains stands in stark contrast to the flat, olive green uniforms they wear.
[[Hide from the Inspector?->Choice 1A]]
[[Continue to Hangzhou?->Choice 1B]]The sun beats down on you, making already-tiring work nearly torturous. The yield is clearly smaller, even than last week. An hour passes when you hear a voice from down the road, frantic and shrill.
"Zhang Wei! Run! Take your mother and run!"
The sound of a gunshot breaks your confusion, and you see your father fall to his knees as a horrific scream leaves his cracked lips. A pool of crimson liquid forms at his left knee, the ground too dry to soak it in.
[[Run away, and possibly leave Father to die?->Choice 2B]]
[[Run to Father's side, and try to carry him away?->Choice 2A]]You duck into some nearby bushes. The sharp, britle twigs poke and prod unceasingly, but knowing the Inspector and his harsh, arrogant ways, you dare not make a sound. In minutes, you hear the telltale sounds of footsteps, growing louder. The militaristic nature of marching sends a shiver down your spine.
Then you hear the effeminate-yet-authoritative voice of the Inspector. His voice carries a joyful note, but his sadistic nature brings with it a wave of nausea. This can't be good.
"Those disgusting farmers are the targets, men. Private farms cannot be allowed in my city, and those who dare withhold any of their harvest from the Party will pay the price. [[Show no mercy->Choice 11]]."You continue walking, careful not to get to close to the Inspector and his men, and avoiding eye contact. You haven't done anything wrong, and the elders have always said that it is best to act as though nothing is wrong when dealing with the authorities of this new Communist regime.
Just as you are walking past the Inspector, you hear an effeminate male voice.
"[[Stop->Choice 12]] there, farmer.""Father!"
A small crimson pool begins to form around his left knee. The garish, fleshy hole just above his knee slowly seeps blood. You hear shouting coming from just up the road. All you can see through the tears and rage is a blur of green.
"Father, we must run! Please, let's flee, it is our only choice!"
The weight of your father, whose injuries surely will make him unable to run quickly, is more than you can handle. The sounds of metallic clanging suddenly becomes very accute to you.
[[next->Choice 2A Part 2]]You obey what is surely your father's last wishes. Mother, too terrified to move on her own, follows limply as you pull her away. Her tears are warm and frequent as they land on your hand. Your eyes begin to well up, but you push them from your eyes as you look for a place to hide.
A [[patch of trees->Hiding Place 1]] is coming up quickly on the left, which seems to be a good place to hide and escape not only the soldiers who are surely chasing you, but the sun as well.
Beyond that, the land is flat and barren until you arrive at the [[neighbor's house->Hiding Place 2]], whom you have come to respect, and know would protect you and Mother from the Inspector.Poverty is not something you are unaccustomed to, but it has never really bothered you. Every morning, you have awakened to the crisp, fresh air of the fields around you, the gentle chrips and squawks of birds in the trees nearby, and the simplicity of a rural existence.
Standing in stark contrast is the city of Hangzhou, which more and more feels like the life has been sucked out of the buildings, the earth, and the people. Everything is washed in grey, and the people walk as if the weight of living is slowly crushing them.
It makes you appreciate the peace, serenity, and calm of home every time you return from your bi-weekly trip into town for supplies and to report the yield.
[[back->The Start of Things]]Your heart stops. Could they be talking about Mother and Father? How could he have known?
If you [[run->Choice 11B]] back now, there is a chance you could warn your parents, and possibly escape the Inspector's tortures, but you could be caught.
If you [[continue->Choice 11A]] to the city, surely you will be safe, but Mother and Father may not have had enough time to hide the evidence of the family's garden.You glance up, and feel the cold eyes of the Inspector bear down on you. His green uniform is pressed and sharp, and the red of the ribbons on his hat and shoulders stands in an extreme contrast to the rest of his clothes.
"Yes, sir?"
"Who are you? Where are you traveling from?"
[["I am Xang Lou, travelling back from checking the farmer's crops."->Choice 12B]]
[["I am Lu Wei. I am heading to town to get a new tool for my parents' farm."->Choice 12A]]Through your tears, you feel the cold, biting sting of steel and weight of what surely a pair of manicles. You hear an effeminate-yet-authoritative voice, one that could only belong to Inspector Li Jun.
"You filthy worms! Hiding a private plot from your fellow man is an afront on the principles of our Glorious Leader, Chairman Mao. You counter-revolutionaries will not live to see the People's Republic of China assend to greatness! To the [[Sessions->Death 1]] with you all!"As the world begins to come into focus, you cannot help but wince from the striking headache. You see a crowd has formed, though where you are you cannot tell. Everything is washed in grey, and the air around you is dusty, yet you see something striking. Each of the people to the left of you have a board, black, with white characters, hanging by a large chain around their necks. Some have collapsed and lie face down, small crimson pools, much like the one around your father's knee before, but now they reside around mouths, scalps, and chests. The names and supposed crimes of each person have been scrawled on the boards, though some have been concealed by the limp bodies of their owners.
You are led to a pedistool, and a board is placed around your neck. The weight of the chain and board are such that simply holding your head upright is painful and tiring. You hear a familiar voice on your [[left->Death 1-2]]. It is clear that Mother is there, crying.You decide that it would be better to give your parents enough time to cover the private garden. After all, it is not the first time they have dealt with the Inspector, and your involvement would only complicate the matter.
After a few minutes, you [[continue to town->Town 1]].You move, carefully, along the road, hoping to stay out of sight of the Inspector and his troops.
It seems that fate does not smile upon you, because by the time you arrive at the farm, you see Mother and Father on their knees in front of the soldiers. As you remain in hiding, the soldiers force your parents to their feet, and begin marching them to town.
It would be best to quietly follow the group [[into town->Town 1]]...As you attempt to move your head, you feel a firm, strong hand pull your head up. In front you you is the face of the Inspector, who dispite being classically handsome, has always been a cruel and vicious individual.
"You have turned your back on the People, the Party, and the Chairman. What do you have to say for yourself, traitorous dog?"
"I have turned my back on no one. It is the Party that has turned its back on us! If not for our garden, we would have starved a hundred times by now!"
"Silence, worm! Your filth will not be tolerated here! I sentence you to death, here and now!" The anger only seems to draw a line under the Inspector's words.
The Inspector draws a small handgun from the holster on this side. The glint of cold steel as it is pointed at your face is both mesmerizing and terrifying. Death is surely moments away.
"You you have any last words, traitor?"
"I will not appologize for survival! I am a human being, and I will not ask forgiveness!"
The gun cocks, and everything goes black.
[[End->Title Screen]]
You duck into the trees, with your mother's wrist tight in you grasp. The shade of the trees is a welcome reprieve from the sun's harsh light, as well as the soldiers that are surely behind you both.
"Mother, we will be safe here, but we must be quiet. Once the soldiers have passed, we will go to the neighbor's house and decide what to do." She nods, still vacant. Her dilated pupils are a clear sign that she is still in shock.
After what seems like an eternity, you see that the soldiers have come and gone, and you proceed continue to the [[neighbor's Farm->Choice 4]] just a few short minutes away.You decide not to take solice in the shade and protection the trees provide, and choose to carry on. The heat of the mid-afternoon sun bears down on you both, but you know that you cannot slow down, lest the troops that are surely only minutes behind you gain ground.
After what feels like an eternity of running the dirt road in front of you, you finally arrive at the [[Neighbor's Farm->Choice 4]]. Hurriedly, you knock on the flimsy wooden door, lightly at first, but with more and more force each time.
After a few moments of this, your neighbor appears."Very well. See to it that you get what you need and return to your farm quickly. The droughts have made supplies for the nation scarce, and everyone must provide all they can. Chairman Mao demands it."
"Thank you, sir. I shall do so with all the effort I can offer."
"See to it that you do. Move along, peasant."
It would seem that you have convinced the Inspector, as he turns away and begins to walk. It would be best to [[continue to town->Town 1]], before he has a chance to ask more questions."So you say, but your appearance does seem to fall in line with your words. Lie to me again, worm, and I will ensure that it is the last lie you ever tell."
"I swear to you, sir, I am no liar. If you require proof, you can accompany me into town, and I can provide it."
"Traitorous dog! You dare speak such untruths to a loyal follower of the Chairman?!?! You will be punished for this!"
Before you have a chance to react, a soldier steps in front of you. He swings the butt of his rifle at you, and suddenly the world turns black.
[[next->Death 1]]As you walk into town, you notice that it seems eerily quiet. On a telephone pole nearby, a flyer catches your eye. The faces on it look very close you that of your own and those of your parents. In bold, harsh letters at the top, the words "Wanted for Crimes Against the People" are printed.
As your read the flyer, you see that the captured are to be punished at the stadium at Zhejiang University. You begin heading towards the University.
As you arrive, you see that there is a small crowd forming at the main entrance. It might be possible to blend in with the crowd at the [[front entrance->Sym Choice 2]], or it might be possible to sneak into a [[side entrance->Stadium 2]], which is sure to have fewer guards.After thanking the neighbors for their help, your mother begins to gain a level of awareness.
"We need to go to your father. Zhang Wei, we must go see him."
"I understand, Mother, but it is dangerous for us both to do."
Tears begin to form in Mother's eyes. The brightness of her eyes seems dulled, but still reflect intensely in her tears.
[["It is dangerous for both of us to go, Mother. Stay here, I will return soon. I promise."->Town 1]] You leave, but you can feel your mother trying to follow. As you walk towards town, you hear her cries echo, reverberating in your heart.
[["I understand, Mother. Let's go."->Choice 4-2]] You turn to the neighbors, thank them for their hospitality, and depart, despite their protests.
The walk to town is silent. The weight of recent events seems to pull your shoulders forcefully to the ground, but in an effort to be strong for Mother, you willfully stand upright and continue into town.
As you arrive towards the edge of the city of Hangzhou, your mother begins to tug at your shirt.
"Zhang Wei, look. Those posters have our faces on them."
Upon further inspection, it seems that Father has been taken to Zhejiang University stadium to be punished, alongside many others.
You make your way to the stadium, and notice a crowd has formed near the [[front entrance->Sym Choice 1]], and think it may be possible to blend into the crowd and gain entrance.
You begin to think it may also be possible to sneak into a [[side entrance->Choice 5]], where guards are not as likely to be around. As you begin moving toward the front entrance to the stadium, the crowd begins murmuring and looking at both you and Mother. 2 young men appear, and swiftly grab your arm as well as Mother's arm.
"You! You are the counter-revolutionaries on the wanted posters! We will turn you in and be rewarded! Move it, traitor!"
The 2 young men appear to have come from a sheltered background, and weak. It may be possible to [[fight->Death 2]] them and escape with Mother, but it may be a wiser idea to [[run->Death 3]].You pull Mother away from the front entrance, towards the side of the stadium. As you make you way around the stadium, you find an entrance where the guards have wandered off, and sneak in.
As you make you way in, you find a place towards the back where you can see the entire infield and not have attention drawn to yourself or Mother.
As you scan the infield, crowded with prisoners, you hear your Mother begin to sob uncontrollably.
"Why? Why is he there? Why..." Mother's words are lost in a sea of tears as she begins forcing her way forward, towards the infield.
As you look at her, you see her reaching out in the direction of a body, lying crumpled on the dirt, a pool of blood durrounding the head and torso.
[["Father? Father! Mother, please, we need to go!"->End]]"Get your hands off me, weakling."
Your words have an unusual amount of venom to them, and for a split second, it seems you may be able to simply get them to back down. Just as you begin to relax, even slightly, you are struck from behind, a solid blow that sends you reeling forward.
As quickly as you are able to take measure of what is happening, a brawl has begun. As you look around, you see that Mother has been shoved to the ground and is crawling away.
Your vision begins to fade from the repeated blows to the side of your head. Before it fades entirely, you see the face of Mother, [[tears in her eyes...->Death 2-2]]
You turn and attempt to run, but as you begin to lengthen your strides to get away, you become accutely aware that you have lost your grip on Mother's wrist.
You turn to look back, and see that a soldier has taken custody of Mother and is leading her to the stadium infield, while the 2 young men whom had confronted you seconds earlier are giving chase.
After taking a series of twists and turns, down crowded thoroughfares and back alleys, you realize you have lost your followers.
You make your way back to the stadium, this time sneaking into a [[side entrance->Stadium 2]] to avoid detection.Your words fall on deaf ears. A soldier raises his rifle, and a shot rings out, causing everyone to become huddled lumps of flesh. Mother drops, motionless as she hits the ground. A pool of crimson forms around her.
Without thinking, you find yourself sprinting towards the body of your mother, vision blurred by red rage and tears. As you collapse on the ground next to her, you see that she is limp and not breathing.
"You heartless bastard! I'll kill you! I swear I'll kill-"
The sound of a second shot rings out, silencing you. The force of the blow stops you immediately. You look at your chest, and although you feel no pain, you see your shirt immediately flood with crimson liquid.
Your vision fades as you fall to the ground, which even in what is surely your final moments, feels as cold and unforgiving as the world around you.
[[Return to the Beginning->Title Screen]]As you approach the front entrance, you become acutely aware of the eyes of those you pass, each person looking at you closely. The further you make it towards the front gate, the murmurs of those around you grow louder. Faintly, you hear someone, a female, mention the words "wanted criminal".
Without warning, you are stopped by a pair of soldiers. One is carrying a wanted poster, much like the one you saw on the telephone pole.
You begin to struggle, but after moments, the world around you goes black...
[[captured->Death 1]]You decide that avoiding crowds is safer than attempting to blend in, and it pays off, as you see a side entrance whose guards seem to have wandered off. You sneak in, and find a spot close to the back of the cold, concrete bleachers.
As you look towards the infield, you see Mother, with a blackboard hung from her neck. Her name and a list of alleged crimes are scrawled on it. It would appear that her board is simply too heavy for her body, as her head hangs weakly under the strain of the chain that is drapped from her neck, which attatches to the board. You notice, despite the distance, that a few drops of blood have trickled from her throat and onto the dirt beneath her.
[[Next->Stadium 2-2]]You refuse to be embarassed in death the way Mother and Father were. If that means you must follow the rules set forth by the Communist regime, than so be it.
But eventually, the drought decides to try consuming more than just your crops. The rations given by the Inspector have become less and less, but you are steadfast in your refusal to betray the Party.
Weeks pass, and what you receive ceases to be enough. You eventually succumb to hunger, and collapse on the ground.
As life slips away from you, all you can feel is the pain of unceasing hunger.
[[Return to the Beginning->Title Screen]]The shock is too much to take. You leave, and thankfully nobody sees you or feels it necessary to stop you, despite the tears falling from your eyes.
As you walk home, come to the realization that you are alone in this world. You can either continue the tradition held by your family and maintain the [[private garden->Death 4]], living the life your parents seemed to have wanted for you, or you can [[fall in line->Bad End]] with the demands of the Communist Party. Either way, survival is but a slim hope now.You are able to maintain the farm and the private garden well enough, but a few weeks later, the Inspector returns with more soldiers and arrests you. Without the opportunity to speak, you are summarily executed.
[[Return to the Beginning->Title Screen]]As you look away in horror, you see a crumpled body on the ground next to her. A pool of blood has formed around the head and torso. The sheen of red means it is still fresh. The board that must have once been drapped around it's neck it barely ledgable, but after a moment, you can read it...
"Father..." you whisper, meekly.
The shock of the scene in front of you is almost too much to process.
Do you [[walk away->Walk Away]] and try to move on, despite the pain, or do you [[cry out->Leading to Death 1]] in horror?You awaken, and are immediately struck with the sense of an immense weight around the back of your neck. You feel faint, and as you open your eyes, you are greeted by a few small spots of blood on the dirt in front of you.
"Not only have you disrespected the edict of the great Chairman Mao, but you have assaulted those who are faithful to the will of the People. I, Inspector Li Jun, hereby sentence you to summary execution. Do you have any last words, traitor?"
You try to open your mouth to speak, but as your jaw opens, you feel an immense pain. Your jaw is clearly broken, rendering speech impossible.
"So be it."
As you lift your head to see the face of your executioner, you see a face in the crowd, cheeks stained with the tracks of tears. With your last breath, you mutter the word...
"Mother."
[[Return to the Beginning->Title Screen]]Without stopping for a single thought, you find yourself running, breathlessly, towards Father. About 10 feet from his body, you are stopped, forcefully, by a man in a green military uniform.
Before you can react, you are struck, viciously, in the back. Everything goes black [[almost immediately->Death 1]].