You hear three quick snaps. Your eyes don't quite open yet, but then a sudden slap on the face forces you to fully awaken.
"Taylor, you awake yet or do I need to get the ice bucket again?" Your friend, Cameron, is standing in front of you with a smirk on his face.
[["What're you doing here?"]]
[["Get the ice bucket. See what happens."]]"The chief has another interrogation lined up for you. If you don't wanna stay behind these bars forever, I'd accept it."
"And what makes you think I don't?"
"Because it'd make your old partner Cameron sad." Cameron puts his fingers on the corners of his mouth and forms a big frown, "And you're the best interrogator the force had."
[[Stand up and leave with Cameron]]"Calm down, my fingers are still a little crooked from last time." Cameron stared at his hand and frowned for a moment before returning to his signature smirk, "Anyway, the chief has another interrogation lined up for you."
"Why won't he leave me alone?"
"Well if you don't wanna spend the rest of your life behind these bars," Cameron begins tapping the bars of your jail cell, "you should do what he says. I'm starting to think I want you out of here more than you do."
[["That's because you do"]]
[["Why does he specifically want me?"]]You arrive in a building connected to the jail and approach a small isolated room with no windows.
"Alright, you know the deal," Cameron begins, "You have five minutes. No cameras but you've got a wire on you that'll record everything. Do whatever you need to do to make him talk, I won't be listening live."
"Whatever I need to, huh?"
"We can edit out the screams."
[["So who am I interrogating?"]]"'Boo-hoo, I'm Taylor and I'm too gloomy to accept a helping hand!'"
"I don't sound like that at all."
"You really do. Anyway, you were the best interrogator the police force had, so we really need you for this one."
You let out a large sigh, "Fine, if it'll make you shut up."
[[Stand up and leave with Cameron]] "Because you're the best interrogator the police force has... or had."
You let out a large sigh, "Fine, if it'll make you happy I'll go."
[[Stand up and leave with Cameron]] "We're mainly just trying to get a motive and the identity of his last victim."
"Why don't we have the identity of the last victim?"
"Oh, uhhh, it was left out of the records for some reason. Guess we just don't know." As you get ready to open the door, Cameron taps your shoulder, "Oh and one more thing, if you don't kill him, you'll be out of jail by next week. This is your only chance, so behave."
"C'mon Cameron, you know I'm always on my best behavior." You reply with a half-hearted grin.
"Here's his file, good luck."
[[Enter the room]]"They call this guy Kraven the Crusher. He kills people by squeezing them until they suffocate or he crushes their spine completely."
"What?! How is this guy even real? You always give me the nut jobs, don't you?"
"It wouldn't be any fun if we didn't."
[[Approach the room]]"Hohoho," As you sit down at the table across from Kraven, he begins to violently sniff around with a huge smile on his face, "you've got quite the smell to ya! Just like mine!"
He fidgets inside of his straitjacket as he waits for your reply.
[["Trust me, we do NOT smell the same. When was the last time you showered?"]]
[[Sit down]]"It's been abooooouuuutttt..." Kraven paused for a while and began to lick his moustache.
"Answer the que-"
"258 days and 3 hours!"
[[Sit down]]"You've got quite the record. 13 counts of murder, all women, and 13 counts of theft. Wonder if there's a connection between those?"
"Where's the proof officer? Or should I say former officer?"
You look in the back corner of the room and notice a crowbar that's looking awfully tempting right now.
[["Don't make this about me."]]
[["All the evidence is right here".]]
[[Torture->Threaten 1]]"But how could I not?! I know all about you!"
"Really, what do you know about me?"
"Well I know that you killed the last person you interrogated, I know that you got locked up for it and getting answers from me will get you out, and I know that the only person you've ever loved is your (if: $MotherDead is 1)[dead. Old. Mother] (else:)[mother]."
[["Don't talk about my mother."]]You slide the folder over to Kraven and he reads it slowly. After about a minute he looks up, "Wow you really can't identify the last victim? I sure did a good jo- eh I mean, I'm not responsible for any of this! I'm crazy you know! Ever since my mother was killed in that car accident I haven't been the same. Man, I loved her so much I could just..." Kraven began to fidget as if he was trying to squeeze something, but his straitjacket made it quite difficult.
"I'm not here to hear your sob story, I'm here to make you tell me what we need to know so Cameron can stop worrying about me."
"Oh but my sob story isn't too different from yours, dead mother and all."
[["But my mother's alive..."]]
[["Don't make this about me."]]
(set: $MotherDead to 1)"(if: $MotherDead is 1)[You rotten lunatics are all the same. ]To hell with this Reid technique shit, we're doing this my way!"
"Ooooo, haven't had an officer get feisty with me in a while!"
"Alright then, which one would you prefer to keep intact, your kneecaps or your fingernails?"
"Well, I just had my nails painted so I'd like you to leave those alone. Then again, you'll do the opposite of what I say won't you? Oh wait, can you start with my head?!"
[[Rip out a fingernail]]
[[Hit his knees]]
[[Hit his head]]"If you say so. You really loved her, didn't you? Even killed the last guy you interrogated and got locked up for it. That's true love if I've ever seen it."
You grit your teeth but ignore him and continue to do your job, "But you said you were crazy right? Then there's nothing you could've done. None of these murders are your fault, it's just your circumstances right?"
"Yeah! Yeah! That's what I've been saying!" Kraven was trying to jump around in excitement inside of his straightjacket that was obviously too big for him.
[["So then take me through why you committed all these crimes."]]"Oh you're right, I shouldn't. The guy you killed made that mistake, and I'm not one to talk bad about dead people."
"Let me rephrase this, don't talk about my mother like she's dead."
"Oh, but she is! And I killed her!"
You struggle to keep your composure. He's gotta be lying to get you riled up.
[["Well that means half of my job is done. Now why'd you do it?"->"So then take me through why you committed all these crimes."]]
[[Torture]]
(set: $MotherDead to 1)"Well it's simple really, I've always just wanted a hug. Mom never gave me one. Dad was never around. But you see, people aren't very open to just hugging a random guy on the street, now are they?" Kraven's smile disappeared.
"So what'd you do about that?"
"Money. You offer someone a little bit of cash and they'll do just about anything."
"Ahhh, so that's where the theft comes in, right?"
"Oh yeah, I'd offer them a couple hundred, maybe a couple thousand dollars that I stole and they'd come right into my arms. Issue is, I'm a bit of an... aggressive hugger. See, I just squeeze, and squeeze, and squeeze until I can't squeeze anymore, and then they're dead! The last one, your mother, lasted an especially long time though, really struggled a lot too!"
You break into a cold sweat but manage to ask one more question.
[["I gotta ask, how'd you know who my mother was?"]]
(set: $MotherDead to 2)"Oh it was all over the news, you must've missed it while you were in jail! Hahaha! Didn't you notice that she stopped visiting you?"
You freeze for a second and think about an answer. He was right, she stopped visiting recently, "She-she must've had a reason..." You mutter as you look away.
Before you can continue, Cameron knocks on the door, "Time's up, Tay."
As you get up out of your chair, it starts to sink in. Your mother is dead. And this man killed her.
[[Leave the room->Leave room]]
[[Torture]]
(set: $MotherVisit to 1)"Yeah, you'll hear it all on the recording..."
"Awesome! When you come home next week, we gotta celebrate!"
"I'm gonna have to pass on that." You begin to walk out of the door.
"Why, Tay?"
"Well, I would've wanted to celebrate with my mom."
//The End//You exit the room for a second and return with Cameron behind you. "(if: $MotherVisit is 1)[Cameras are watching Tay. You should be done by now."](else:)[Why do you need me in here?"]
"I have to take off his straitjacket. You're here to make sure he doesn't do anything funny while I'm taking doing that. You can leave once that's done, don't worry."
You take Kraven's straitjacket off as he giggles. (if: $MotherVisit is 1)[](else:)[As soon as Cameron leaves the room, you lay his hand on the table.] As you begin to rip out the nail of his index finger as slowly, yet forcefully as possible, you realize he's utterly silent.
(if: $MotherDead is 1)[
[["Why did you kill my mother?"]]
](if: $MotherVisit is 1)["One more thing Cameron. Don't try to stop me"
"Never have, never will."
[[Continue ripping out nails]]
] (else:)[(set: $Nail to 1)]
(if: $Clean is 1)[
[["Why did you kill all those people?"]]
[["Who was your last victim?"]]
]You pick up the crowbar in the corner and stand Kraven up against the wall, "You wanna tell me anything before I start?"
"(if: $MotherVisit is 1)[Do your best! Or should I say do your worst? Or should I sa-" before he can continue, you strike his right knee with the crowbar.](else:)[Do your best! Or should I say do your worst? Or should I sa-" before he can continue, you strike his right knee with the crowbar. (set: $Knee to 1)]
(if: $MotherVisit is 1)[As you continue to strike his knees, you hear the door open behind you, "I'm not gonna stop you. Didn't do it last time and I don't regret it. But remember what I told you, you either get to go home next week or you're staying behind those cold bars."](else:)[Without flinching, Kraven continues, "You know officer, you could've just asked nicely and I'd gladly answer any of your questions."]
(if: $MotherVisit is 1)[
[[Continue hitting him]]
]
(if: $MotherDead is 1)[
[["Why did you kill my mother?"]]
](if: $Clean is 1)[
[["Who was your last victim?"]]
[["Why did you kill all those people?"]]
]You slam his head into the table three times, "That should unscramble your brain a little, you ready to answer some questions?"
"I don't really feel like it officer."
[[Rip out a fingernail]]
[[Hit his knees]] "Well it's simple really, I've always just wanted a hug. Mom never gave me one. Dad was never around. But you see, people aren't very open to just hugging a random guy on the street, now are they?" Kraven's smile disappeared.
"So what'd you do about that?"
"Money. You offer someone a little bit of cash and they'll do just about anything."
"Ahhh, so that's where the theft comes in, right?"
"Oh yeah, I'd offer them a couple hundred, maybe a couple thousand dollars and they'd come right into my arms. Issue is, I'm a bit of an... aggressive hugger. See, I just squeeze, and squeeze, and squeeze until I can't squeeze anymore, and then they're dead! Your mother lasted an especially long time though, really struggled a lot too!"
You break into a cold sweat.
[["Who was your last victim?"]]
(set: $Kill to 1)After the fourth or fifth nail, you realize it's not working. You start punching him. You grab the crowbar in the corner and start hitting him with it. But there's no reaction. You look down at Kraven and his body is nearly unrecognizable. If he wasn't faintly breathing you could swear he's dead.
[[Leave the room->Leave Room 2]]
[[Kill Kraven-> Kill Kraven 2]]"Your mother of course!" You freeze completely, "Oh it was all over the news, you must've missed it while you were in jail! Hahaha! Didn't you notice that she stopped visiting you?"
He was right, she stopped visiting recently. "She-she must've had a reason..." You mutter as you look away.
After a minute you regain a grasp on the situation.
[[Leave the room]](if: $Kill is 1)[] (else:)[
[["Why did you kill my mother?"]]
](if: $Knee is 1)[
[[Continue hitting him->Continue hitting him 2]]
](if: $Nail is 1)[
[[Continue ripping out nails->Continue ripping out nails 2]]
]You keep hitting him in the knees, the head, the stomach, wherever you think will finally make him scream in pain. But there's no reaction. You look down at Kraven and his body is nearly unrecognizable. If he wasn't faintly breathing you could swear he's dead.
[[Leave the room->Leave Room 2]]
[[Kill Kraven-> Kill Kraven 2]]"Well it's simple really, I've always just wanted a hug. Mom never gave me one. Dad was never around. But you see, people aren't very open to just hugging a random guy on the street, now are they?" Kraven's smile disappeared.
"So what'd you do about that?"
"Money. You offer someone a little bit of cash and they'll do just about anything."
"Ahhh, so that's where the theft comes in, right?"
"Oh yeah, I'd offer them a couple hundred, maybe a couple thousand dollars and they'd come right into my arms. Issue is, I'm a bit of an aggressive hugger. See, I just squeeze, and squeeze, and squeeze until I can't squeeze anymore, and then they're dead! Your mother lasted an especially long time though, really struggled a lot too!"
You break into a cold sweat.
[[And how'd you know that was my mother?]]"To hell with this Reid technique shit, we're doing this my way!"
"Ooooo, haven't had an officer get feisty with me in a while!"
"Alright then, which one would you prefer to keep intact, your kneecaps or your fingernails?"
"Well, I just had my nails painted so I'd like you to leave those alone. Then again, you'll do the opposite of what I say won't you? Oh wait, can you start with my head?!"
[[Rip out a fingernail]]
[[Hit his knees]]
[[Hit his head]]
(set: $Clean to 1)"Your mother of course!" You freeze completely, "Oh it was all over the news, you must've missed it. Didn't you notice that she stopped visiting you?"
He was right, she stopped visiting recently. "She-she must've had a reason..." You mutter as you look away.
After a minute you regain a grasp on the situation and get ready to continue.
(if: $Knee is 1)[
[[Continue hitting him->Continue hitting him 2]]
](if: $Nails is 1)[
[[Continue ripping out nails->Continue ripping out nails 2]]
]You didn't want answers. You kept hitting him in the knees, the head, the stomach, wherever you thought would finally make him scream in pain. But there was no reaction. You look down at Kraven and his body is nearly unrecognizable. If he wasn't faintly breathing you'd swear he was dead.
Before you can think any further, Cameron knocks on the door. "Time's up, Tay."
[[Kill Kraven]]
[[Leave the room->Leave the room 3]]You continue to beat Kraven with the crowbar as Cameron watches. Once you're certain he's dead, you look up at Cameron. "He told you, didn't he." Cameron asked.
"About my mom? Yeah. Why didn't you tell me if you knew?"
"Because I was scared you'd kill him if I did."
"You act like you wanted me out of jail because you cared about me, but you were selfish enough to not trust me."
"Well, evidently you needed a friend who knew when not to trust you." Cameron began to laugh as tears rolled down his face, "If I'd trusted you, I'd be even more disappointed than I am now."
//The End//"Done early? You get the info we need?" Cameron asked.
"Yeah." You barely have the energy to reply.
"He told you, didn't he."
"About my mom? Yeah. Why didn't you tell me if you knew?"
"Because I was scared you'd kill him if I did."
"You act like you wanted me out of jail because you cared about me, but you were selfish enough to not trust me."
"Well, sometimes you need a friend who knows when to not trust you."
//The End//After the fourth or fifth nail, you realize it's not working. You start punching him. You grab the crowbar in the corner and start hitting him with it. But there was no reaction. You look down at Kraven and his body is nearly unrecognizable. If he wasn't faintly breathing you'd swear he was dead.
Before you can think any further, Cameron knocks on the door. "Time's up, Tay."
[[Kill Kraven]]
[[Leave the room->Leave the room 3]]"I'm surprised." Cameron states.
"Why's that?"
"I expected you'd kill him."
[["You knew didn't you?"]]
[["Well, I guess I'm full of surprises."]]You continue to beat Kraven with the crowbar as Cameron watches. Once you're certain he's dead, you look up at Cameron. "Why didn't you tell me if you knew?"
"Because I was scared you'd kill him if I did."
"You act like you wanted me out of jail because you cared about me, but you were selfish enough to not trust me."
"Well, evidently you needed a friend who knew when not to trust you." Cameron began to laugh as tears rolled down his face, "If I'd trusted you, I'd be even more disappointed than I am now."
//The End//"About your mom. Yeah."
Why didn't you tell me?"
"Because I was worried you'd kill him if I did."
"Well, you worry too much."
"Are you mad at me?"
"Nah, just trying to decide if you're a good friend or not."
"Well, sometimes you need a friend who knows when to not trust you."
"Yeah. Sometimes."
//The End//"You're not mad I didn't tell you?"
"Well I sure as hell wouldn't feel this shitty if you did."
"Yeah, guess I was wrong to not tell you."
"Hell yeah you were. But you were wrong because you were worried about me, and that's what makes you a good friend."
//The End//"You get the info we need?" Cameron asked.
"Yeah." You barely have the energy to reply.
"He told you, didn't he."
"About my mom? Yeah. Why didn't you tell me if you knew?"
"Because I was scared you'd kill him if I did."
"You act like you wanted me out of jail because you cared about me, but you were selfish enough to not trust me."
"Well, sometimes you need a friend who knows when to not trust you."
//The End//