immersive storytelling

Chapter 1: A walk home Hope walked through the streets of Hilltop after a long day of begging and cutting purses. He had spend years moving up in the street to be able to provide for his little sister. [[Next->chapter 1-2]]

On his way home he moved past a church, he always hated walking past this part of town. Instinctively he put his hand on his amulet as if he could make it and his gift disappear. [[Next->chapter 1-3]]

The church of Chartus hunted the gifted, of which Hope was one. His amulet was both the thing that kept him save and put a target on his bag. His father had died to get it for him when he was just a small boy. His father had not been gifted but his grandfather had been. Hope clearly remembered the telltale glow from his grandfather and the tricks he would show Hope and his big brother. When the church of carthus took over in Hilltop Hope's grandfather would not hide his gift. It was not long before he was taken and Hope had never seen his grandfather again. Hope had decided that his gift was less of a gift and more of a curse, it didn’t give him anything but trouble and loss. [[Next->chapter 1-4]]

Hope was nearing his house now, although you could barely call it a house anymore. It was the size of a shed and was quite run down, but Hope had no money to repair anything. He barely had enough money to get enough food for his little sister and him. [[Next->chapter 1-5]]

He wasn’t the only one who was in this position though. Poverty had hit an all-time high in Hilltop ever since the war had begun between Selum and its neighboring country of Aden. [[Next->chapter 1-6]]

Hope's mother had died giving birth to his little sister so it had been Hope's big brother that took care of his two siblings. This lasted for some time but eventually there was so little money that Hope's big brother had no other choice than to join the army. It made perfect sense, he would earn money to give to his siblings and it would make one less mouth to feed. For a while this had worked out fine but after a year or 3 they had received news of their brothers passing in the war and with this the fact that they received no more money. From this point on Hope had to fend for him and his little sister on his own. [[Next->chapter 1-7]]

He was too young to join the army, and even than he wasn’t much of a soldier. This left him with little choice but to try and earn money on the street, it was a risky job but he saw no other choiche. He spend his days begging, cutting purses and doing odd jobs for clients all over the city. This gave him just enough money to provide food for his sister and him. [[Next->chapter 1-8]]

When he opened the door he was welcomed by the familiar smell of home. his little sister looked up from her sowing work. Hope had wished her to learn things like this so she might have a chance to get a job and so she could survive on her own when something happened to him. [[Next->chapter 1-9]]

big bro! "his sister said running to him and embracing him. "Hello Lyss" Hope said "have you behaved and done the work I told you?". "of course Ihave" Lyss said showing one of her heart melting smiles, "wanna see the scarf Imade?". Lyss ran of to get the scarf while Hope sat down putting the food he bought on the way to his house down on the table. "here it is" Lyss said. "Wow it looks great Lyss," Hope said, and he really meant it. The scarf was sown very well and the colors looked great. he had spend all his saved up money to get his sister the supplies needed for this and it was beginning to pay of. the scarf would have sold for a big amount of money but he could not do that to his little sister, she looked so proud and happy showing it off. "We can sell it," Lyss said. "No," Hope said "keep it,". Lyss was about to object but Hope interrupted her before she could."keep it lyss, Imean it. we can survive without the money" he grabbed the scarf and put it around Lyss's neck. he hoped he was right about this, they really needed the money. "nothing I can do about it anymore now," he thought and so he started to make diner for them. [[After dinner Hope goes to bed.->chapter 2-1]]

Chapter 2: A meeting with an old contact Hope woke up before the sun was up the next day and quickly stealthed out of the house to not wake up Lyss. Once on the street his day began in earnest. he had a meeting with one of his contacts. In the past this contact had given Hope good information and jobs and it always led to a nice amount of money for the both of them. He and the contact had elected to meet in a closed of warehouse where there was no chance of being overheard. [[Next->chapter 2-2]]

When Hope entered the warehouse the contact was already there. [[Next->chapter 2-3]]

"Hello Hope," he said. "You've come alone I take it,". Of course Hope had come alone, crossing this contact wasn't a smart move. He was known throughout the city as a ruthless bastard with plenty resources and some more than shady friends. [[Next->chapter 2-4.1]]

"I have" Hope said "now about that job,". The contact smiled crookedly "directly to the point eh?" he asked. "You got the job or not," Hope said. Meetings like this were like a battle, bend to much and you would get used for sure. [[Next->chapter 2-5]]

"Well then lets get to it," the contact said. "I have been informed by some 'friends' of mine that a wealthy merchant will come through this part of the city tomorrow," he said. [[Next->chapter 2-6]]

"Why would a merchant come through this part of the city?" Hope asked. there was nothing but danger in that. "Here's the kicker," the contact said. "The merchant sells amulets and other magical knickknacks,". Hope was already not liking where this went. [[Next->chapter 2-7]]

"That still doesn't explain why he would come through this part of the city," he said. "The merchant is to deliver his wares to the church" the contact said. His smile had disappeared now, he looked dead serious now, pissed even. The contact hated the church as much as Hope, though Hope had no idea why. Stories circulated about a gifted lover that was taken but Hope had trouble believing that. It was hard to imagine the contact loving someone. No, Hope had an idea that his hate stemmed more from an egoistic standpoint. Most likely the contact was gifted himself. [[Next->chapter 2-8]]

"Well, are you in?" he said, snapping Hope out of his thoughts. "You know how dangerous it is to try anything like this, especially when the church is involved," he said. The contact's smile returned to his face "Well here is the fun part," he said. "The merchant has no protection at all, he is trying to pass through without putting any attention to himself," he said. this was a big opportunity. Amulets and the like sold for fortunes when you found the right buyers, and without a guard there would be little risk in robbing the merchant. As long as he could keep his identity a secret everything would be fine, not even the merchant would have to be hurt to bad. After all Hope really needed the money. [[Next->chapter 2-9]]

"What's your cut?" Hope asked. "Like usual I will take half of the spoils," The contact said. It might have seemed like a big portion but Hope was in no real position to negotiate, he would have been nowhere without the contacts information and if he didn't want this the contact would simply move on to the next customer. "I'm in" Hope said. "I knew you would come around," the contact said. and like that they made their deal. [[the contact gave Hope all the information he needed and sent him on his way->chapter 3-1]]

Chapter 3: A stroll through the town The streets were empty, Hope walked them like he had every day. he knew every little twist and turn. Even in the almost complete darkness that fell over it at night. Hope wore a cloth over his face to make sure the merchant couldn’t tell his identity [[Next->chapter 3-2]]

He was almost at the place where he would ambush the merchant. "Just this one thing," he thought to himself "After this you can live an honest live,". [[Next->chapter 3-3]]

He was here now. The perfect spot for an ambush. One narrow alley with a small crevice to the right. The lights from the city didn’t reach here and nobody cared enough for this small alley to put up anything in the ways of light here. Almost nobody bothered to come here at all, which was perfect. [[Hope went to hide in his crevice and waited there->chapter 4-1]]

Chapter 4: A midnight heist Hope had been waiting for a long time. He beginning to wonder if the merchant would even show up, for all he knew the merchant didn’t even exist and he had been had by the contact. [[Next->chapter 4-2]]

Just as he was about to leave he heard someone coming. from his little crevice in the dark alley he coulndt see much. but the longer he waited the better he could hear it. footsteps. [[Next->chapter 4-3]]

They sounded hasty, as if the source wanted to get through this part as quick as possible. Too bad it was already too late for him. He could hear the steps very clear now. A shadow appeared in the small part he could see. [[It is now or never!->chapter 4-4]]

Hope jumped out of the crevice. [[This is a robbery!->chapter 4-5_1]] [[Keep your hand were I can see them!->chapter 4-5_2]]

The shadow turned around. His face looked awash with fear. "Please don’t harm me!" He said. [[Now Hope could get a good look on him it was clear this was the merchant.->chapter 4-6]]

The shadow turned around. "Slowly!" Hope said. When he could see the shadow face it was full of fear. The man slowly put his hands up in the air. [[Now Hope could get a good look on him it was clear this was the merchant.->chapter 4-6]]

The merchant looked as nondescript as he could manage. He wore bland worn clothes. The only thing he carried with him was a torn backpack. No doubt the place were the wares were kept. all with all he looked like he could fit right making for a great disguise. Except for one fatal flaw: the merchant was fat. Though many might miss it for Hope it was the telltale sign that betrayed the merchant. [["Give me what’s inside the backpack and you won't get hurt!"->chapter 4-7]]

The merchant looked like he had been punched in the face. No doubt losing his wares was a horror come true for the merchant, but he had enough money to survive. Hope had none. Hope also didn't have time, if someone happened to come through the alley he would be a goner. [[Hope pulled his knife.->chapter 4-8_1]] [[Hope punched the merchant in the face.->chapter 4-8_2]]

He hit the merchant hard. blood sipped out of a crack in his lip and his nose was twisted in a weird angle. The merchant started crying. "please," "I'll do anything!". "Give me the backpack and I won't" Hope said. The merchant looked like he was going to throw up. "Please no," The merchant sobbed."If you take it they will kill me,". Hope knew better than to be thrown off by a trick like this, though when he looked at the merchant he coulnd hellp but think he spoke the truth. or at least he thought he did. There was no time to worry about that though. [["Hand the backpack over now or I'll kill you,"->chapter 4-9_1]]

The merchant cringed backward, now fully overtaken by fear. "Please don’t kill me!" he said, beginning to sob. "I'll do anything,". "Give me the backpack and I won't" Hope said. The merchant looked like he was going to throw up. "Please no," The merchant sobbed."If you take it they will kill me,". Hope knew better than to be thrown off by a trick like this, though when he looked at the merchant he coulnd hellp but think he spoke the truth. or at least he thought he did. There was no time to worry about that though. [["Hand the backpack over now or I'll kill you,"->chapter 4-9_1]]

Reluctantly the merchant took the bag of. He seemed to hesitate for a moment but then he handed the backpack over. With the backpack now in his possession Hope knew he had no time to waste. He quickly ran away into the night [[Next->chapter 5-1]]

Double-click this passage to edit it.

Reluctantly the merchant took the bag of. He seemed to hesitate for a moment but then he handed the backpack over. When he went in to grab the backpack however. The worst happened, the cloth covering his face fell down. quickly he jumped backwards but he knew it was too late. the merchant had seen his face. Hope's stomach turned. What now!. He had two choiches: keep his morales and let the merchant live bringing danger to him and lyss but saving a piece of himself or kill the merchant and be save but have to live with it for the rest of his live. [[hope could not bring himself to kill the merchant-> chapter-alternate don’t kill]] [[Hope saw no other choiche, he had to kill the merchant.-> chapter-alternate kill]]

Chapter 5: The aftermath It had been some days since the robbery. Hope had sold the merchants wares at multiple locations so it would be almost impossible to tie it back to him. After his screwup during the robbery, he was trying to be as thorough as possible. [[Next->chapter 5-2]]

When he had come home with the money Lyss had been suspicious but she hadn't said anything. after all this money would mean proper meals and maybe even some extra money for knitting supplies. [[Next->chapter 5-3]]

It appeared as if all was back to normal. except of course the fact that Hope had enough money for the first time in his life. He didn't want to waste it on stupid things but he could not keep himself from spending some of it on less than essential things. He bought some new clothes for both him and Lyss, some supplies to make repairs to the house and one bottle of brandy for him to celebrate. In many ways the robbery was a new beginning for Hope. He could put the terrible things he had done to survive behind him and finally move forward. [[Next->chapter 5-4]]

Hope had even found a possible job. It was surprising how much easier it was getting a job when you looked somewhat presentable. he would meet with his possible new boss in one week time. [[Next->chapter 5-5]]

The days went on quite quickly. Hope and Lyss were living happily with the money. Finally there was light on the horizon and it looked like there was a real way out of the poverty and despair that had hung over them all their life like a veil. [[Next->chapter 5-6]]

It was one day now before the meeting with his hopefully new boss. Hope was almost certain that he wasn't compromised. Nothing pointed to the church or the guards knowing of his involvement in this crime. A wanted poster was put up but there was no information on it that pointed to him. There was however a big bounty tie to it. Almost enough for Hope to consider handing himself in. [[Next->chapter 5-7]]

On his way back home after some business in town Hope noticed something weird. He walked past a usually calm part of the city, now however there was a small crowd of people in front of a small alley to his right. three guard were tying to keep back the people, like they were protecting a corpse from a group of vultures. This all piqued Hope's curiosity and so he moved in closer. [[Next->chapter 5-8]]

As he came closer he saw that he was more right about the vulture thing than he would have liked. Behind the guards lay a body in a pool of its own blood. A knife stuck out of it's chest, something was stuck on the knife but he could not see what. The body looked familiar in a way. [[Hope moved in closer.->chapter 5-9]]

(set: $hurt to 0) Chapter 6: Gone without a trace When Hope came near his house he noticed something was off. There was light burning but he heard nothing. The door was slightly open and light seeped through it. this was not like Lyss she would never forget to close the door or dim the lights. That would be wasteful. [[Hope decided to through the front door.->Chapter 6-2_1]] [[Hope decided to go into the house through the back window.->Chapter 6-2_2]]

Hope slowly approached the door. He knew it might be a trap but he didn't care. He had to get in, he had to see if Lyss was safe. He put his hand on the doorknob. slowly he turned it. He looked in the house through the door. Everything appeared to be normal. [[There seemed to be no trap, Hope walked in the door.->Chapter 6-3_1]]

Hope stalked to the back of the house, careful not to make a single sound. When he was in front of the window he peeked inside. There was no sign of Lyss. When he had concluded that there was no one inside he carefuly opened the window and stepped in. [[Next->chapter 6-4]]

Inside the house Hope started looking around thoroughly. At first glance it looked like nothing was wrong, it was like Lyss had just disappeared without a trace. But after looking more careful he saw signs of things that were off. opening the chest that housed all of their meager belongings Hope notice some things had been moved around. It had been done by someone who knew what he was doing too because everything had been put back almost exactly the same way. [[Next->chapter 6-5]]

Hope also noticed one of the floorboards were bend slightly, putting money or belongings under the floor was a commonly used practice. All of the signs clearly pointed to someone searching for something. With his stomach in a knot Hope didn't have to guess what that was. He had been to late. And now his stupid mistake might have cost Lyss her life. [[Next->chapter 6-6]]

Hope noticed something on the bed. He walked to it and saw it was a piece of parchment. His heart was pounding as he picked it up from the bed and started reading it. [[Next->chapter 6-7]]

Now he was close enough to see the body. His stomach tied itself into a knot as a looming sense of terror dropped over him like a veil. It was the contact. Did the church now of his involvement, had the contact given him up? Hope wasn't about to find out, he would flee the country. He might have grown up here but he could always begin over somewhere else. He would flee to Aden, were the church couldn’t get to him and he would not have to hide his gift. but for now he had to get out before they found him. [[Hope ran to his house.->chapter 6-1]]

(set: $hurt +=1) As Hope walked into the house his foot got stuck on something. Dammit! He hadn't paid enough attention. On the bottom of the door from one side to another hung a wire. He had tripped over this. Attached to this wire was a knife. It flew towards Hope's leg, leaving behind a nasty cut in his calf. It hurt like hell, but the trap wasn't set to kill him. It was set to handicap him, clip his wings and make it harder to do anything. "How could I have been so careless?" Hope thought to himself. No point in worrying now though, the longer he waited the more likely something would happen to Lyss. [[Hope walked into the room.->chapter 6-4]]

"To the amulet thief, You have stolen something that belonged to us, and we would like it back. To this end we have taken the girl with us. Give us back all of the stolen goods and the girl lives. Fail to do so and she will end up like your contact. Meet us in front of the church in two days at midnight." [[Next->chapter 6-8]]

There wasn't much written in the letter but it was enough. Hope almost gave in to his despair. The church had taken Lyss. Hope had no idea what to do. He had sold all the amulets and there was no way to buy them back. There was no way he could fight the member on the church on their turf. Hope thought and thought and thought. [[In the end he saw only one way.->chapter 6-9]]

There was no way Lyss was being kept in the main church. He knew the building and there was no way. It had no rooms other than the main room and the popes room. The building was supposed to win over the people so dungeons or the like would not be smart. Though that doesn't mean they didn't have them. Throughout the city were places were the church practiced their less than holy endeavors. No doubt Lyss was helld in one of these places. Now Hope only had to find the right one and break her out. [[Next->chapter 6-10]]

There was only one way to do this though. Hope would have to use his gift. The gift his dad died to keep hidden. There was no other way. Hope took of his talisman and for the first time in years he felt energy gathering inside him. It felt like a weight had been lifted from his shoulders. He was determined now. [[He would save Lyss!-> chapter 7-1]]

Chapter 7: rescue mission Hope had tracked down the kidnappers to a building in one of the slums. (if: $hurt>0)[He had patched up his leg as wel as he could.](else: )[When leaving the house he had found a trap on the door no doubt meant to handicap him.] Afterwards he had flexed his magical muscles. He remembered a trick he was once thought by his grandfather. With this trick he could follow the trail of someone he cared about, which he used to track down Lyss to the building he was standing in front of now. [[Next->chapter 7-2]]

Now he had to find a way to get in, the question was how? Hope decided to begin by looking around. He walked around the building. The building appeared almost unguarded, some light was shining inside but there were no guards in front of the building. Most likely to keep the location hidden.He found 3 possible points of entry. [[The maindoor->chapter 7-maindoor]] [[A broken window higher up->chapter 7-window]] [[A backdoor->chapter 7-backdoor]]

The maindoor was a small solid steel door with a lock. He decided to put his ears against the door in the hope that he could hear something. He heard snoring on the other side. Hoping the guard would stay asleep he tried to look through the keyhole. In the limited light inside he could see a small hallway. There was a chair occupied by a sleeping man. He wore a black robe and looked like some common thug. If Hope decided to go through this door he would not be able to avoid waking the guard up and a fight would surely ensue. [[Hope decided to check the other entrances->chapter 7-2]] [[Hope decided to go through the door->chapter 7-maindoor-2]]

On the left to the maindoor was a broken window. It was quite high up.(if: $hurt>0)[Hope would not be able to get up there with his hurt leg, he would have to find another way in.](else:)[Hope decided to climb up and look through the window. He pulled himself up and looked through the window. There was little light but he could make out 3 small rooms to his right. There was a door next to them likely leading to a hallway. They looked like cells. Two of the cells were empty, but in the third he could see a figure lying on the stone floor. It was Lyss! Looking around the rest of the room he could see two guards. one was asleep on a bed to his left the other sad behind a desk directly bellow him. both were clothed fully in black. going in from here would be dangerous but there was a possibility to take one of the guards hostage.] [[Hope decided to check the other entrances->chapter 7-2]] (if: $hurt <1)[ [[Hope decided to through the window ->chapter 7-window-2]] ]

Hope walked to the back of the building. There was a small wooden door with a window. Looking through it he could see a large room with three cells to his left. There was a person in one of them, it was Lyss! Next to the cells was a door most likely leading to a hallway. on his right stood two beds against the wall. A guard lay sleeping on one off them. Opposite to him stood a desk with another guard working behind it. If he went through the backdoor he could sneak in and try to take out both guards. If he accidentally alerted one of them tough he would be in big trouble. [[Hope decided to check the other entrances->chapter 7-2]] [[Hope decided to go through the backdoor->chapter 7-backdoor-2]]

There was no way he was getting through the door without the key. It didn't matter tough. Hope had already given up on sneaking in. He made himself ready, in a minute he would blast the door down with another spell that his grandfather had taught him. After this he would need to move fast, take down any one in his path, get Lyss and get out of here. His heart started pounding in his chest. This was it, either he saved Lyss or they both died here. [[He took a deep breath and fired his spell->chapter 7-maindoor-3]]

Hope decided to go in through the window. This appeared to be the safest option and nobody would have to get hurt. The plan was simple, he would jump down, grab the guard behind the desk, put a knife on his throat, aim a spell at the sleeping guard and have him open up the cell to release Lyss. "Well it is now or never," he thought. [[He pulled himself up and jumped through the window->chapter 7-window-3]]

The plan was simple. Open the door making as little sound as he could, sneak to the guard behind the desk passing the sleeping guard and slitting his throat. Then he would sneak back to the sleeping man, finish him off and walk away with Lyss. If his plan succeeded they would be out of there before anyone else knew what had happened. [[Next->chapter 7-backdoor-3]]

The spell smashed against the door with a loud bang. It flew inwards. The guard flew up from his chair. There was no time to waste. Hope launched another spell and quickly took him out. He looked around hastily and saw a door to his left. No time for doubt, he ran through the door and quickly looked around the room. There were cells to his left, two beds stood opposite to him a shocked guard on top of one, further left stood a desk with another guard, sword already drawn. [[Next->chapter 7-maindoor-4]]

The guard near the desk rushed to him. Hope dodged his first slash and jumped backwards. He tried to cast his next spell but the guard interrupted him. These were churchmen, they were used to hunting gifted. Hope had to think of another way to take him out before the other guard could join in. He pulled a knife but kept it hidden. It was now or never, his next move might be his dead. [[Hope cast his next spell->chapter 7-maindoor-5]]

Like the last attempt the guard interrupted before he could finish the spell by slashing his sword towards him. Now! He ducked away like last time but this time he didn't jump back. He threw himself at the guard. Surprise appeared on the guards face. Before the guard could recover he plunged his knife in the guards heart. He had to move fast now. Get up, look for the other guard. He was just fast enough to see a sword slashing towards him. he jumped backwards and tripped over something. [[Next->chapter 7-maindoor-6]]

It was the dead guard! Hope fell on his back, his knife clattered on the floor and slit away. "Dammit!" The guard was walking to him, sword ready to kill him. "I've got you know cursed streetrat!" He practically shouted. "It's time to cleanse you of your sin,". Hope had to think fast or he would be a goner. He could not reach his knife and a spell took too long to cast. The guard stood over him now pulling back his sword to deliver the final blow. Now! [[Hope kicked the guard in his groin as hard as he could->chapter 7-maindoor-7]]

The guard doubled over from the pain. He dropped the sword to the ground. Hope took the chance and started casting a spell. Before the guard recover Hope unleashed his spell and the guard flew backwards, the guard was dead. There was no time to lose, he needed to find Lyss. The cells! He looked to the cells and saw Lyss sitting against the wall in one of them. She looked terrified with her hands over her face, she was shaking and shocking all over. As Hope walked towards his sister she started crying "Please don't hurt me, I've done nothing wrong,". [[Next->chapter 7-maindoor-8]]

"Lyss," Hope said. "It's me, Hope,". Lyss slowly took her hands of her face as if she didn't fully believe it was really him. "Is that really you Hope? " she asked shakely ."Yes, Lyss" Hope said. "I've come to save you, but we have to be fast okay?". Hope tried the door to her cell but it was locked. He looked around for a key. He searched the dead guards and found the keys. Quickly he opened the door and Lyss jumped to embrace him. She was crying "I fought they would kill you," she sobbed. "You are save now," Hope said. "But we have to go now, before people start investigating the noise." [[They quickly went through the backdoor onto the street.->finale 1]]

Hope knew he had no time to waste so he took the quickest route out of the city. It was risky but he would have to go through the front gate. The only thing he was carrying with him was a small pouch with money and Lyss's scarf. He had left everything else at home. He had also left his talisman, he didn't want to be afraid and ashamed to be who he was, he was proud of his gifted heritage. [[Quickly they ran through the night into an uncertain future->finale]]

<div>The end</div> <p>Thank you for reading. Do you want to see how the story could have been different? [[Read again->chapter 1-1]]</p>

He landed on the desk and immediately jumped to the guard. Using the guards suprise he quickly grabbed him and put his knife to the guards throat. The guard in the bed had shocked awake and now stood in fornt of Hope. Hope aimed a spell at him. "Stay back or you both die!" he said. The guard took a step backwards. Hope looked over to the cell Lyss was in, she stood against the door. "Hope..." she said softly. "You!" Hope said to the guard in front of him. "Release the girl!". [[Next->chapter 7-window-4]]

The guard looked like he was signing his own death warrant, which might be true considering he was failing the church. In the end though the guard decided he would take his chances with the church instead of with Hope. He slowly walked to the cells. "Open it!" Hope said. He had no time to waste. [[The guard opened the door->chapter 7-window-5]]

"Get over here Lyss," Hope said. Lyss walked over to Hope "Stand behind me," he said. They started walking to the backdoor. Just then the door next to the cells shot open. A guard stormed in. "what’s the racket about!" He said looking like he just woke up. When he saw Hope his eyes became big with shock. "What the helll are you doing here!". "Stay back!" Hope said, panic taking over. Hope switched his aim from guard to guard. The guard Hope was holding took advantage of Hopes panic. [[ He smashed his elbow into Hope's side and broke free->chapter 7-window-6]]

Dammit! Now Hope stood in front of three guard with nothing holding them back. "Run Lyss!" He screamed. Hope knew of only one more thing to do. As the guards rushed to him swords in hand, Hope launched a big flashy spell on the ground in front of them. The guards were launched backwards and fell to the ground looking dazzled. This was the only opening he was going to get! [[He ran out of the backdoor after Lyss.->finale 1]]

Hope very lightly tried the doorknob. It was not locked and gave way. "Guess they weren't expecting any visitors," he thought to himself. He sneaked past the sleeping tiptoeing being very careful not to make a single sound. When he was behind the guard sitting behind the desk he drew his knife, put his hand over his mouth and slashed his throat. He was careful not to get blood all over him and not to make a sound laying him down on the desk. [[He than stalked to the sleeping guard->chapter 7-backdoor-4]]

He was almost near the guard when he stood on a part of the floor that was slightly loose, the floor squeaked and Hope's heart skipped a beat. The guard shocked awake from the sound. Dammit! Hope had to move fast. [[He quickly stepped toward the guard and plunged the knife into his chest->chapter 7-backdoor-5]]

The guard looked at Hope as the light leaved his eyes with a shocked expression. "Everything for Lyss," Hope thought to himself. And he meant it, he would do anything to keep Lyss save. He looked over to the cells were Lyss was staring at him, a look of fear and relief on her face. He quickly ran over to her and tried the door. Locked. He looked around for a key. He searched the guards and found the key on the guard at the desk. [[He quickly went back and opened the door to Lyss's cell->chapter 7-backdoor-6]]

When the door was open Lyss rushed to embraced Hope. "You're save now he said," rustling her hair. "Let's go before more show up,". They quickly rushed to the backdoor [[Next->finale 1]]