The Red Woods

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<<cacheaudio "forest-ambience" "audio/dobroide_forest.wav">> <<cacheaudio "flies" "audio/herbertboland__bunchofflies.wav">> <<cacheaudio "lowgrowl" "audio/himaeldoblomasy_lowgrowl.wav">> <<cacheaudio "bellow" "audio/werewolfroar.wav">> <<cacheaudio "axeandwhimper" "audio/axeandwhimper.wav">> <<cacheaudio "screamingladies" "audio/screamingladies.wav">> <<cacheaudio "screamingman" "audio/archeos_manscreaming.wav">> <<cacheaudio "doorknock" "audio/payattention_doorknock.wav">> <<cacheaudio "rockfall" "audio/adamgryu_rocks.wav">> <<cacheaudio "hum" "audio/nayruslove_ humming.wav">> <<cacheaudio "village" "audio/epiphanyx16__village.wav">> <<cacheaudio "fallscream" "audio/pablocandel__girl-scream.wav">>

To best experience this story, please listen with headphones; in each progression of the story, consider that your actions will have consequences and may need a moment of thought.. [[I'm ready]]. <<audio "village" volume 0 fadeto 0.9 loop>>

Why, hello there! Come, come closer. Do you recall a story about a young girl, sent on her way to visit a relative, who meets a wicked wolf that eventually eats herself and her grandmother? Luckily, the story ends happily ever after, with a village lumberjack saving them both and banishing the wolf for good. You must remember the story of Little Red Riding Hood, right? [[Yes, I remember that story...|Continue]]

Have you ever wondered, what would happen if Little Red chose a different path through the spooky forest? What if she was never approached by the wolf? What kind of problems might she run into then? Traditionally, these stories over the past century have been told with sanitized endings. Stories like Little Red Riding Hood were often before used to warn children and scare them into obedience. It is time to bring back these original endings. Gather around, and join us as we travel through the spooky Red Woods - and maybe, Little Red will live to tell the tale. [[Start the story]].

<img src="img/A.jpg"/> Once upon a time, in a land far away from here, there lived Little Red and her mother. After weeks of not seeing grandmother, Little Red was encouraged to bring some sweets and snacks to her. The only thing holding Little Red and grandmother apart was the haunting Red Woods. "Watch out in the forest, Little Red," said her mother, worriedly, "go straight to grandmother's house and don't stray". "Don't worry, mother!" assured Little Red, waving goodbye. [[Start your travels]] <<audio "village" volume 0.9 fadeto 0.2>> <<audio "forest-ambience" volume 0 fadeto 0.8 loop>> <<audio "bellow" stop>> <<audio "screamingman" stop>>

<img src="img/B1.jpg"/> Little Red approached the woods. She had to tuck her fear away as she had not seen grandmother in some time. The forest diverged into two paths, and Red had to decide whether to take the [[left path]], or the [[right path]]. <<audio "village" stop>>

<img src="img/C1.jpg" alt="Image of Red walking down the left path."/> Little Red choose the path to the left, and continued along her journey. Further into the distance, she saw something hidden in the forest's shadows. [["What's that up there?"]], thought Little Red.

<img src="img/C2.jpg"/> Little Red choose the path to the right, and continued along her journey. The woods seemed spookier on this side, even more so than when she first walked in. Red was starting to get scared silly. Often, at times like this, she would hum or sing to herself to make things less daunting. In this case, she wasn't sure if it was best to [[stay quiet]] or to [[hum a joyful song to herself to feel less alone]].

<img src="img/D1.jpg" alt="Red finds dead deer in middle of path."/> Little Red walked up to the hidden figure on the ground in the shadows. She was shocked to see a dead deer, right in the middle of the trail. As Red's mother's words rung in her head, to not stray from the forest path and to go straight to her grandmother's, Little Red didn't know whether or not to [[investigate the poor deer]], or to [[ignore it and keep walking]]. <<audio "flies" volume 0 fadeto 0.5 loop>>

<img src="img/D2.jpg"/> Red stayed quiet, making sure she was aware of her surroundings. In the distance, she saw a shadowy figure moving towards her. She began to feel the anxiety bubble up in her chest, and her fight and flight responses kicked in. Was it better to face her fears and [[walk towards the shadowy figure]] or [[follow her instincts and go home|the door is locked...]]?

<img src="img/D3.jpg"/> Red began to hum a tune to herself, feeling less alone in the Red Woods. Music was always comforting to her. In the distance, she saw a shadowy figure moving towards her. She began to feel the anxiety bubble up in her chest, and her fight and flight responses kicked in. Was it better to face her fears and [[walk towards the shadowy figure]] or [[follow her instincts and go home|the door is locked...]]? <<audio "hum" volume 0 fadeto 0.7 loop>>

<img src="img/E1.jpg" alt="Red investigates the dead deer"/> Little Red walked up to the poor deer, pitying it and wondering what had happened. She knew the Red Woods could be cruel to those who walked through it, but not this cruel. The deer was emaciated and seemed to be freshly killed. Behind her, Red heard something... [[Turn around]] <<audio "flies" volume 0.5 fadeto 0.8 loop>> <<audio "lowgrowl" volume 0 fadein loop>>

<img src="img/E2.jpg"/> Little Red did not have the time nor courage to investigate the dead deer. She walked further away from it into the rest of the Red Woods. Behind her, [[a soft growling sound emerged..]] <<audio "lowgrowl" volume 0 fadein loop>>

<img src="img/F1.jpg" alt="Red encounters wolf as she turns around."/> Suddenly, a large wolf jumped into view. Little Red didn't know what to do - was it smarter to [[stand her ground]]? Or to start [[running as fast as she could]]? <<audio "flies" stop>> <<audio "lowgrowl" stop>> <<audio "bellow" play loop>>

<img src="img/G1.jpg" alt="Wolf inches closer and closer to red."/> The wolf inched closer and closer to Little Red, appearing to have no intentions to stop until he gobbled her up whole. Little Red thought at that moment it was probably smartest to start [[running as fast as she could]].

<img src="img/H3G2.jpg"/> The wolf was close behind Little Red - she used every bit of energy she had to run even faster. Up ahead, a figure, this time moving, seemed to be calling her to safety. Was this a trap? What choice did she have but to [[run as hard as she could]]?

<img src="img/H1.jpg" alt="Red saved by the lumberjack"/> Little Red skidded to a halt once she reached the burly figure in plain view; it was the lumberjack. The wolf, once seeing the lumberjack's axe, promptly sulked back into the forest knowing if he were to move closer, he would be slaughtered at once. "Goodness gracious, young one. What are you doing out here in the woods alone?", asked the lumberjack. "I-I just have to deliver these sweets to my grandmother down the road not far from here. I thought I would be safe but I wasn't careful", weeped Little Red. The lumberjack looked sternly at Little Red. "You have to be careful out here. The woods aren't friendly for a young girl like you. Would you like me to escort you safely to your grandmother's?" Red had to think for a moment. On one hand, they were already so close to grandma's; they might as well [[keep walking there together]]. On the other hand, Red was so shaken from the previous ordeal that she just wanted to [[go back home|the door is locked...]]. <<audio "axeandwhimper" play>> <<audio "bellow" stop>>

<img src="img/I1.jpg" alt="Image of all the wanted posters along the trail to grandmother's."/> Little Red felt a lot safer with the lumberjack by her side. Along the way, Red noticed several wanted posters pinned to the trees in the area. She could not be bothered to look further at them, as hugging her grandmother in relief of being safe was the only thing she had on her mind. It was getting late, [[so they hurriedly went to grandmother's]].

Little Red returned back home from the Red Woods; it was too much for her fragile heart. She jiggled the doorknob to her house; it was locked. Red knocked the door. "Mother, are you there? Are you home?" There was no answer. Red began to sweat. She had no choice but to head back into the woods. [[head back into the woods|Start your travels]]

<img src="img/J1.jpg"/> The lumberjack and Little Red finally reached grandmother's house. Red's grandmother was elated to see her granddaughter, and incredibly thankful to the neighborhood lumberjack for escorting Red to her home. She invited him in for tea, and while Little Red and grandmother were preparing it in the kitchen, the lumberjack brandished his axe and grandmother's home turned from a place of welcome to a place of murder. [[TRY ANOTHER FATE|Start the story]] [[References]]. <<audio "screamingladies" play>>

<img src="img/F2.jpg"/> Suddenly, a large wolf blocked her way. Shaking in her boots, Little Red had no choice but to be courageous and put on a brave face. The wolf jeered at Red. "Where are you going, little girl? On a fine day like this, no less..." Little Red had to think, but fast. What could she do at this point? She could perhaps [[fake an address]] to throw the wolf off her trail, or turn around now and [[start running the other way|start running]]. <<audio "flies" stop>>

<img src="img/G3.jpg"/> Little Red thought for a moment. The only address that came to mind was that of the neighborhood lumberjack, who lived on the eastern side of the forest. "I'm just visiting m-my grandmother, she lives on the eastern side of the forest... my brother is already there with her, I'm just meeting with them before sundown..." said Little Red, hoping to throw the wolf off her trail. Red could tell the wolf was hungry. "Ah.. indeed, interesting.. well, be on your way then, girl... maybe I'll see you later..." Once the wolf sulked back into the shadows, Little Red [[made a run for it to her grandmother's]].

<img src="img/H2.jpg"/> Little Red ran as fast as she could to her grandmother's. She had to get there before the wolf did; even though she faked an address, he could have been following her just the same. Red knocked on her grandmother's house door hurriedly. There was no answer. [[She knocked again]], this time louder. <<audio "lowgrowl" stop>> <<audio "doorknock" volume 0.6 play>>

<img src="img/Ending2.jpg"/> Little Red knocked again, even louder than before. Maybe it was too late. Just as she had given up hope, her grandmother opened the door with open arms and a warm hug. "Where have you been darling! It's been so long since I've seen you. Come in, come!", exclaimed grandmother. "There's no time to waste grandmother, we have to lock all the doors and windows. The wolf might be coming to eat us", said Little Red, scaredly. Hours passed, and the wolf never showed up. After a few hours, Red and her grandmother finally let their guard down and began to cook dinner. Just after sundown, From the distant east side of the forest, shrieked the deathly cries of the lumberjack. [[TRY ANOTHER FATE|Start the story]] [[References]]. <<audio "bellow" volume 0.4 fadeto 0.5 loop>> <<audio "screamingman" volume 0.4 play>>

<img src="img/G4.jpg"/> Little Red chose to dash away from the wolf at top speed. "Sorry, I don't talk to strangers!", she whimpered. Though this was the truth, Red could hear the wolf begin to pick up a sprint behind her. She needed to [[run faster]].

<img src="img/E3.jpg"/> Little Red walked closer to the shadowy figure. The fog cleared, and to her relief, it was the neighborhood lumberjack. She remembered that he lived on the east side of the forest and probably spent a lot of time around these areas. "Little Red, what are you doing out here alone?", asked the lumberjack. "Haven't you heard it hasn't been exactly... safe.. in the Red Woods recently?" Little Red gulped. "No, I haven't heard. What exactly has been happening?" "People say there's been a murderer out here somewhere, and they haven't been caught yet. I'd suggest you save yourself and head back home, young lady", urged the lumberjack. Again, with this warning, Red was posed with two options. [[Ignore the warning and keep walking]]? Or [[heed the lumberjack's warning and go home|the door is locked...]]? <<audio "hum" stop>>

<img src="img/F3.jpg"/> Little Red ignored the lumberjack's warning. She said a quick goodbye to him and trudged further into the Red Woods. "You be careful now...", urged the lumberjack as he watched Red walk off the other way. Along the way, Red could not help but see constant reminders of the acclaimed local murderer. WANTED posters with the killer's silhouette plagued the trees, swaying along with the wind, their sounds a constant reminder of the possibility that Little Red was making a huge mistake trekking out by herself. She was close to her grandmother's house, but Red became increasingly on edge. Alas, she [[continued to walk down the trail|Continue walking down the trail]]. Red's conscience came through clearly, though. [[I'm getting the creeps... maybe it's time to turn back?|the door is locked...]].

<img src="img/H4.jpg"/> From afar, the house seemed bare, and empty. That's kind of weird, Red thought to herself. Usually grandmother is home. Red approached the door, and raised her hand [[to knock]]. <<audio "doorknock" volume 0.5 play>>

<img src="img/end4.jpg"/> Little Red knocked on the door. There was no answer. She knocked again. Again, there was no answer. Red raised her fist a third and final time to the door - A dark figure approached from behind and loomed over Little Red. Oh no. With a loud CRACK, Little Red was no longer. She never returned home. [[TRY ANOTHER FATE|Start the story]] [[References]].

<img src="img/H3G2.jpg"/> "BUT WAIT," yelled the wolf, "Tell me where you're going! I just want to help you!". The wolf was gaining close behind Little Red. She had no idea where she was running to, but if she slowed even a bit, she would be gobbled up in not time at all. Red looked back at the wolf, who looked starving, and [[ran even faster]]. <<audio "lowgrowl" stop>> <<audio "bellow" play loop>>

<img src="img/I3.jpg"/> With the wolf close behind, Red could not focus on what was in front of her. She ran through the woods, climbing in elevation bit by bit. In a split second, she had tripped on a few broken rocks, and went tumbling down off the edge of the Red Woods' notorious cliff. Was there even a point of [[yelling for help]]? Or should she just [[accept her fate]]? <<audio "rockfall" play>> <<audio "fallscream" play>> <<audio "bellow" volume 1 fadeto 0.1 loop>>

<img src="img/J3.jpg"/> "HELP!" yelled Red, "ANYONE, PLEASE!" as she fell down crevasse of darkness. No one was around. Little Red [[closed her eyes]], hoping for the best and thinking of her dear grandmother. I'm too young to die.. <<audio "fallscream" stop>> <<audio "rockfall" stop>> <<audio "bellow" stop>>

<img src="img/Ending3.jpg"/> At the bottom of the tall cliff, Little Red had fallen to her death. Maybe, if she had yelled for help, things would have been different. The wolf peered at Red's limp body from the top of the cliff, sighed, and walked back into the Red Woods. [[TRY ANOTHER FATE|Start the story]] [[References]]. <<audio "rockfall" stop>> <<audio "bellow" stop>>

<img src="img/K1.jpg"/> Little Red had prepared herself for death in the few seconds of falling off the cliff. But, to her surprise, she landed in a deep haystack with only a few bruises to show. Red thanked her lucky stars that her life was not cut short as she climbed out of the haystack. In the far distance, she noticed her grandmother's house. Red wondered what kind of angel was on her side to bring her this close to grandmother's house; without questioning further, she [[walked along the trail to grandmother's|Continue walking down the trail]].

<center> <img src="img/the-red-woods.png" /> <big><big>[[ENTER|Start]]</big></big> </center>

<img src="img/G5.jpg"/> Grandmother's house was in plain sight; at last, Red was at the end of her journey. Whatever uneasy feeling Red felt, it was too late now. After many weeks of not seeing her grandmother, she was excited to see her face again. Little Red held her breath as she walked up to the house to [[knock on the door]].

Sounds were sampled from FreeSound.org and Youtube.com. https://freesound.org/people/dobroide/sounds/421955/ https://freesound.org/people/HerbertBoland/sounds/75189/ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UrU4OY6W1qE https://freesound.org/people/Archeos/sounds/325548/ https://freesound.org/people/EagleClaw/sounds/245429/ https://freesound.org/people/LiamG_SFX/sounds/322170/ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zCK26MOr3yA https://freesound.org/people/14FPanskaSilovsky_Petr/sounds/419928/ https://freesound.org/people/tcrocker68/sounds/235591/ https://freesound.org/people/Archeos/sounds/261419/ https://freesound.org/people/adamgryu/sounds/336023/ https://freesound.org/people/nayruslove/sounds/69979/ https://freesound.org/people/epiphanyx16/sounds/66740/ https://freesound.org/people/pablocandel/sounds/219861/

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