The Cycle - Michael Remorin

Before you could finish speaking, you notice that you're in a pitch black room now. As you regain your senses, you begin to hear a faint buzzing. You wake up to the sound of your alarm going off. [[Hit snooze.|hit snooze 1]] [[Get up.|get up 1]] (set: $workouts = 0) (set: $classes = 0) (set: $clean = 0) (set: $get_up = true) (set: $check_phone to false) (set: $open_blinds to false) (set: $clean_dumbell to false)

You decide to sleep again. 5 minutes pass... Your eyes are still closed shut, but you hear the alarm going off again. Should you get up? [[5 more minutes wouldn't hurt.|five more1]] [[Get up.|get up 1]]

You slowly start to wake up. It starts to sink in that you are in someone else's body. Someone else's room. [[Get out of bed.|get out of bed 1]]

"Do you think you can fix someone else's life?" [[I can.]] [[I don't think so.]]

"Confident in yourself, huh?" "You better not fail me." [[What are you talking ab-|alarm 1]]

"I don't think you can either..." "But at this point, I'm desperate." [[What are you talking ab-|alarm 1]]

You hit snooze one more time. ...Or at least, you thought you did. (link: "Get up.")[(set: $get_up to false)(go-to: "get up 1")]

You take look around. On the bed is your [[phone|phone 1]]. On one side of the room is a [[desk|desk 1]] with a [[computer|computer 1]] and [[workout equipment|workout equipment 1]] in the other. [[Cabinets|Cabinets 1]] are scattered around { (if: not $open_blinds)[The blinds are closed shut. (link: "Open the blinds.")[(go-to: "blinds 1")]] (if: $open_blinds)[You hear a knock on the door. (link: "Open the door."[(go-to: "doors 1")]] }

You check the phone. 0 notifications. (if: not $get_up)[It's 12 in the afternoon.] (if: $get_up)[It's 8 in the morning.] (set: $check_phone to true) [[Keep exploring the room.|get out of bed 1]]

You notice that the desk is very [[dirty|clean1]]. Lots of paper plates and soda cans are spread around everywhere. Bits of food are still on the desk. [[Go back.|get out of bed 1]] [[Check the computer out.|computer 1]]

You gently touch the mouse, and the screen flickers on. There are a few things that you notice. On the screen, there is a [[calendar|calendar 1]] open. Upon minimizing the calendar, you see that there are a bunch of [[games|games 1]] on your desktop. While looking at the taskbar, you realize that the [[clock|clock 1]] isn't working. [[Keep exploring the room.|get out of bed 1]]

There's a bunch of dumbells, ranging in different weights. There is also a barbell and extra weighted plates. The one thing you can tell is that none of the equipment has been used for a long time. There's dust everywhere. [[Pickup a dumbell.|dumbell 1]] [[Keep exploring the room.|get out of bed 1]]

The cabinet is just full of junk. It doesn't seem like there's anything useful. [[Go back.|get out of bed 1]]

You stand right next to the window. The blinds are [[closed|closed 1]].

You clean the heaviest dumbell on the ground. You try to pick it up, but you can tell that your current body is having a hard time. You decide that maybe now is not the time to workout. [[Go back.|get out of bed 1]]. (set: $clean_dumbell to true) (set: $workouts += 1)

You look closely at the calendar. It's January 18, 2021. Monday. There is only one long colored box on today's date. It seems to indicate that something's supposed to happen. Upon closer inspection, it seems as though there are two classes happening back to back, starting at 8AM. { (if: not $check_phone)[Because the clock on the computer isn't working, you don't know what time it is.] (if: $check_phone and not $get_up)[Because you slept in, you wont be able to go to class. You're too late.] (if: $check_phone and $get_up)[Because you checked the phone, you recall that it's currently 8 in the morning; right on time for class. (link: " Go to class?")[(go-to: "class 1")]]} [[Go back.|computer 1]]

There are a bunch of singleplayer and multiplayer games downloaded. [[Play some games.|play games 1]] [[Go back.|computer 1]]

For some reason, the clock isn't working. You've tried restarting the computer and reconnecting to the internet, but nothing seems to fix it. [[Go back.|computer 1]]

You decide to play some games. You begin to play a bit of Minecraft. After you died in lava you open up Genshin Impact. You can tell whoever this body belongs to has spent a little too much money on the game. You played a bunch of other random games all day. You begin to feel really sleepy. [[Go to bed.|go to bed 1]]

You decide to go back to bed, and you slowly close your eyes. You begin to ask yourself. "Who was that guy I was talking to before?" "Why am I in someone else's body?" "... What am I supposed to be doing?" These thoughts continuously swirl around your head, until you fall asleep. [[Continue.|alarm2]]

You wake up to the sound of your alarm going off. [[Hit snooze.|hitsnooze2]] [[Get up.|getup2]] (set: $get_up = true) (set: $check_phone to false) (set: $open_blinds to false)

In the colored box on the calendar, you notice a link. You click it, and you enter the virtual classroom. There are a bunch of squares with names on them, perhaps indicating that those are your 'classmates'. You listen to the professor speak, but it's quite boring to you. [[Stay in class.|takenotes1]] (link: "Keep exploring the room.")[(go-to: "get out of bed 1")]

With your better judgement, you decide to keep listening to the professor. Perhaps writing down notes will help you focus and not get bored. After the first class was over, you decide to listen to the next class and take notes as well. Once the second class is over, you take a glance at the calendar and there doesn't seem to be other things to do. [[Continue exploring the room.|get out of bed 1]] [[Go to bed.|go to bed 1]] (set: $classes += 1)

You open up the blinds. (if: not $get_up)[ You can hear are the sounds of cars driving by next to the highway. You notice that an angry couple is arguing on the side of the road. ] (if: $get_up)[ You hear birds chirping. There seems to be someone playing music in the next room.] [[Keep exploring the room.|get out of bed 1]] (set: $open_blinds = true)

You hear a knock on the door, and now you are standing right next to it. For some reason you feel nervous. You don't know who this could be. [[Open the door.|open the door 1]]

You slowly turn the knob. You feel your palms sweating. You open the door. ...a sigh of relief. It is a woman who seems to be in their late 40s. Most likely this body's mother. She walks in, and you begin to feel a bit embarassed. The room is a complete mess. She glances at your desk, full of unwashed dishes. She then averts your eyes at you, going from your toes to the top of your head. You can tell she's not happy. She looks at you with... sadness in her eyes. She does not say a single word. She leaves. "Why?" You think to yourself. [[Continue.|go to bed 1]]

You decide to sleep in for another 5 minutes. Your eyes are still closed shut, but you hear the alarm going off again. Should you get up? [[5 more minutes wouldn't hurt.|fivemore2]] [[Get up.|getup2]]

You slowly start to wake up. It feels as though you have been in this situation before, but you do not recall any specific memories from the days or weeks before. [[Get out of bed.|outofbed2]]

You take look around. On the bed is your [[phone|phone2]]. On one side of the room is a [[desk|desk2]] with a [[computer|computer2]] and [[workout equipment|workout2]] in the other. [[Cabinets|cabinets2]] are scattered around { (if: not $open_blinds)[The blinds are closed shut. (link: "Open the blinds.")[(go-to: "blinds2")]] (if: $open_blinds)[Today, it doesn't seem like anyone is knocking on the door, and you feel a little tired. (link: "Go to bed?")[(go-to: "gotobed2")]]}

You hit snooze one more time. ...Or at least, you thought you did. (set: $alarm_minutes += 5) (link: "Get up.")[(set: $get_up to false)(go-to: "getup2")]

You check your phone. { (if: $classes is 0)[1 new (link: "notification")[(goto: "notif2")]] (if: $classes is 1)[0 notifications.] } { (if: not $get_up)[It's 12 in the afternoon.] (if: $get_up)[It's 8 in the morning.]} [[Keep exploring the room.|outofbed2]] (set: $check_phone to true)

You notice that the desk is very [[dirty|clean2]]. Lots of paper plates and soda cans are spread around everywhere. Bits of food are still on the desk. [[Go back.|outofbed2]] [[Check the computer out.|computer2]]

You're starting to recall some memories more and more. You remember that you've used this computer before. You gently touch the mouse, and the screen flickers on. Sure enough, everything seems to be the same as last time. On the screen, there is a [[calendar|calendar2]] open. Upon minimizing the calendar, you see that there are a bunch of [[games|games2]] on your desktop. You check to make sure that the [[clock|clock2]] works, but its not. [[Keep exploring the room.|outofbed2]]

There's a bunch of dumbells, ranging in different weights. There is also a barbell and extra weighted plates. { (if: $clean_dumbell)[The weights seem to have been used very recently. Not a speck of dust whatsoever.(link:" Should I lift some weights?")[(goto: "dumbell2")]] (if: not $clean_dumbell)[You can tell these weights have not be used in a while, since they're covered in dust.] } [[Keep exploring the room.|outofbed2]]

One of the cabinets has a picture of three people. You can tell one of them is the body you're occupying. You seem much skinnier in this picture than how you are now. The other two, one male and one female, seem like they are in their late 40s. They seem really happy. [[Go back.|outofbed2]]

You stand right next to the window. The blinds are [[closed|closed2]].

You open up the blinds. (if: not $get_up)[ You can hear are the sounds of cars driving by next to the highway. You hear soft crying somewhere nearby, but you don't exactly know where. ] (if: $get_up)[ You hear birds chirping. You seem full of energy, ready for whatever comes next.] [[Keep exploring the room.|outofbed2]] (set: $open_blinds = true)

A blurry memory comes back to you. You remember picking up the heaviest dumbell and having trouble using it. You give it another shot. The dumbell is still difficult to use, but it seems lighter than it used to. You spend a couple minutes working out. [[Go back.|outofbed2]]. (set: $workouts += 1)

There are a bunch of singleplayer and multiplayer games downloaded. They seem pretty cool. [[Play some games.|playgames2]] [[Go back.|computer2]]

You decide to play some games. You play a couple of games of Valorant. You're really frustrated because you're terrible at the game. One of the enemy teams typed out "GG EZ" and you got pissed. You didn't feel like doing anything else after that. [[Go to bed.|gotobed2]]

You look closely at the calendar. It's January 25, 2021. Monday. There is only one long colored box on today's date. It seems to indicate that something's supposed to happen. Upon closer inspection, it seems as though there are two classes happening back to back, starting at 8AM. { (if: not $check_phone)[Because the clock on the computer isn't working, you don't know what time it is.] (if: $check_phone and not $get_up)[Because you slept in, you wont be able to go to class. You're too late.] (if: $check_phone and $get_up)[Because you checked the phone, you recall that it's currently 8 in the morning; right on time for class. (link: " Go to class?")[(go-to: "class2")]]} [[Go back.|computer2]]

{ (if: $classes is 1)[You remember going to online classes before in this body, so it's much easier to follow the professor.(link: " Continue")[(go-to: "takenotes2")]] (if: $classes is 0)[You click the link, but you don't really feel like paying attention.(link: " Instead, you decide to keep exploring.")[(goto: "outofbed2")]]}

You're starting to get the hang of taking notes in class. You seem to grasp the concepts a little faster now. [[Continue exploring the room.|outofbed2]] [[Go to bed.|gotobed2]] (set: $classes += 1)

Just like how it was previously, the clock still doesn't work, no matter what you do. Does this mean anything? [[Go back.|computer2]]

It is complete darkness. Just you and your thoughts. That is, until you're interrupted by the sound of an alarm. [[Hit snooze.|hitsnooze3]] [[Get up.|getup3]] (set: $get_up = true) (set: $check_phone to false) (set: $open_blinds to false)

You slowly start to wake up. Again. It feels as though you've been doing this over and over again. What is going on? How long is this going to keep occuring? [[Get out of bed.|outofbed3]]

You take look around. On the bed is your [[phone|phone3]]. On one side of the room is a [[desk|desk3]] with a [[computer|computer3]] and [[workout equipment|workout3]] in the other. [[Cabinets|cabinets3]] are scattered around ... This scene seems very familiar to you, but you can't quite understand why. {(if: not $open_blinds)[The blinds are closed. (link: "Open the blinds.")[(go-to: "blinds3")]] (if: $open_blinds)[You begin to feel a little tired. (link: "Go to bed?")[(go-to: "gotobed3")]]}

You slowly close your eyes. Take deep breaths. You fall asleep. [[Continue.|alarm3]]

You feel as though you have been in this situation before, though you're unsure why. Your eyes are still closed shut, but you hear the alarm going off again. Should you get up? [[5 more minutes wouldn't hurt.|fivemore3]] [[Get up.|getup3]]

You hit snooze one more time. ...Or at least, you thought you did. (link: "Get up.")[(set: $get_up to false)(go-to: "getup3")]

You check your phone. { (if: $classes is 0 or 1)[2 new (link: "notifications")[(goto: "notif3")]] (if: $classes is 2)[0 notifications.] } { (if: not $get_up)[It's 12 in the afternoon.] (if: $get_up)[It's 8 in the morning.]} [[Keep exploring the room.|outofbed3]] (set: $check_phone to true)

Yet again, the desk is [[dirty|clean3]]. You remember bits and pieces of previous memories, and you recall cleaning this before. Nonetheless, the desk is not going to clean itself. { (if: $workouts is 0 or 1)[Lots of paper plates and soda cans are spread around everywhere.] (if: $workouts is 2 or 3)[Lots of paper plates are spread around everywhere. This time, however, there seems to be a lot more water bottles than soda cans.]} [[Go back.|outofbed3]] [[Check the computer out.|computer3]]

You've been over this before. Using the computer comes naturally to you. The screen flickers on, and everything is the same. On the screen, there is a [[calendar|calendar3]] open. There are a bunch of games on the desktop, but they all seem dull to you. The clock is still not working. You give up trying to fix it. [[Keep exploring the room.|outofbed2]]

You remember looking at these before. There's a bunch of dumbells, ranging in different weights. There is also a barbell and extra weighted plates. There are also a couple of resistance bands now, which were not before. { (if: $clean_dumbell)[The weights seem used, seeing as though there is no dust on them.(link:" Should I lift some weights?")[(goto: "dumbell3")]] (if: not $clean_dumbell)[You can tell these weights have not be used in a while, since they're covered in dust.] } [[Keep exploring the room.|outofbed3]]

These dumbells seem much, much easier to handle now. It feels as if your body has consistently worked out using these weights. You workout for a whole hour. You feel really good about yourself. [[Keep exploring the room.|outofbed3]]. (set: $workouts += 1)

One of the cabinets has a really old letter. Out of pure curiosity, you read it. It's from your grandparents. They were really happy that you got good grades. Well, the body that you're occupying. They seem really happy. [[Go back.|outofbed3]]

You stand right next to the window. The blinds are [[closed|closed3]].

You open up the blinds. (if: not $get_up)[ You can hear are the sounds of cars driving by next to the highway. You feel a little heavy. Probably because you ate a lot of cake last night. ] (if: $get_up)[ You hear birds chirping. You're full of energy, ready for the rest of your day.] [[Keep exploring the room.|outofbed3]] (set: $open_blinds = true)

You look closely at the calendar. It's February 1, 2021. Monday. Like how it was before, there is a class happening at 8AM. It says here that there is homework due today too. { (if: not $check_phone)[Because the clock on the computer isn't working, you don't know what time it is, so you don't bother going to class.] (if: $check_phone and not $get_up)[Because you slept in, you wont be able to go to class. You're too late.] (if: $check_phone and $get_up)[Because you checked the phone, you recall that it's currently 8 in the morning; right on time for class. (link: " Go to class?")[(go-to: "class3")]]} [[Go back.|computer3]]

{ (if: $classes is 2)[Because you remember being in multiple of these online classes already, you're very eager to learn more about what th eprofessor is talking about.(link: " Continue")[(go-to: "takenotes3")]] (if: $classes is 0 or 1)[You click the link, but you don't really feel like paying attention.(link: " Instead, you decide to keep exploring.")[(goto: "outofbed3")]]}

You've honestly become a much better learner these past few weeks. You've been taking notes. You've been asking questions. You've been going to tutoring sessions. You've even been helping out other students when they have questions. [[Continue exploring the room.|outofbed3]] [[Go to bed.|gotobed3]] (set: $classes += 1)

You lay in bed and stare at the ceiling. You're all alone. No one to talk to, except for yourself and your thoughts. Where did it all go wrong. [[Go to sleep.|alarm5]]

Complete darkness. It's cold. You hear nothing. Only thoughts. You remember yesterday very vividly. Your heart hurts. You don't feel like moving. The alarm goes off again, but what's the point? [[Get up.|getup5]]

You don't feel like getting up. [[Get up.|nahbro1]]

You take look around, for one last time. You've already been in this situation before. The [[phone|phone5]] is cracked. The [[desk|desk5]] is dirty, like always. The [[computer|computer5]] is turned off. The [[workout equipment|workout5]] is covered in dust. The [[cabinets|cabinets5]] are in disarray. The [[blinds|blinds5]] are closed.

The phone is cracked, and it's not turning on. Now that you think about it, maybe it had something important to check. It doesn't really matter now though. [[Go back.|outofbed5]]

The desk is packed with plastic plates and soda cans again. What would have happened if you cleaned the desk? Well, no point in dwelling on it now. [[Go back.|outofbed5]]

The computer isn't turning on anymore. What if you missed something here? The clock was broken. Could you have found the time somewhere else? Maybe the calendar was important or something. Not like it matters. [[Go back.|outofbed5]]

The weights are dusty and even heavier than you thought. Maybe it could have just been a waste of time trying to workout. Maybe, however, could have helped you in the long run. [[Go back.|outofbed5]]

The cabinets have pictures in them. Since when has that been a thing? There is no point in looking at them now though. Nothing matters. [[Go back.|outofbed5]]

The blinds are closed, just like how they were the week before. And the week before that. [[... Open the blinds.|closed5]]

You open the blinds. There's nothing. Complete emptiness. No cars, no birds, nothing. You don't hear a single thing. [[Continue.|ending1]]

This passage should occur if the 'bad' ending variables have been hit. The goal of this part should be to make the player feel some sense of disappointment or sadness about what occurred.

You slowly close your eyes. Take deep breaths. You feel as though something significant is going to happen soon, but you can't quite put your finger on it. You fall asleep. [[Continue.|alarm4]]

Today, something's different. You wake up before the alarm even goes off. [[Get up.|getup5.5]]

No one needs to tell you what you need to do now. Everything seems so natural. You get out of bed. Your desk is spotless. You go to class, take notes, ask questions, and do the homework. You workout for a whole hour. Your mind feels great. Your body feels great. Everything just clicked. [[Continue.|theend2]]

This passage should occur if certain conditions are met, which lead to the good ending.

You check the notification on your phone. It appears to be an email from a professor. "Attendance is mandatory. Each class meeting is important, and not attending will result in you falling behind." [[Go back.|outofbed2]]

You pick up all of the plastic plates and soda cans and throw them away. You look at the scattered food on the desk in disgust. "How do you live like this?" You tell yourself. Luckily there is a vacuum in the back of the room, and you use it to clean up the rest of desk. It seems spotless, for now atleast. [[Go back.|get out of bed 1]] [[Check the computer out.|computer 1]] (set: $clean += 1)

... [[Get up.|nahbro2]]

... Where was this dedication in the beginning? If you were like this in the beginning, none of this would have happened. [[Get up.|nahbro3]]

Much to your dismay, you force your body to get up. Everything just... hurts. It probably doesn't help that you passed out on the floor. [[Continue.|outofbed5]]

What's the point in continuing? It's over. You failed. [[What was I supposed to do?|ending2]]

That's what I wanted you to find out. To free me from what I've done. To free me from what I've failed to do. But it seems as though you went on the same path as me. [[...|theend]]

(css: "color: red;")[**BAD ENDING**] You were unable to fix the life and the issues of the body you were occupying. If you want, you can [[retry.|variables]] There are a couple of [[hints|hintlist]] listed here if you want it, though there were hints spread around in the game itself. If this is your only playthrough, I wanted to say thank you. This is my very first game, and I hope it was enjoyable or relatable in some way. Hopefully you didn't mind how exaggerated it was or how unrealistic some aspects were.

General hints: [[Hint 1]] [[Hint 2]] Specific hints: [[Hint 3]] [[Hint 4]] Not enough for you? Feel free to check out the [[solution.]]

There are two endings. Since you got the bad ending and you want to retry, I'm assuming you want to get the good ending.

Each choice you make matters. If you decide on a choice, make sure to commit to it.

Perhaps getting up early is beneficial for you.

Checking the phone could be a good substitute for the computer's clock.

This game is programmed to give you the 'good' ending ONLY if certain variables are met. These variables include: *Going to class 3 times* *Working out 3 times* *Cleaning the desk 3 times* If these 3 variables are true, the good ending will be achieved. You know you've achieved it if your mom knocks on the door on the 4th loop and tell you good things Otherwise, you get the bad ending.

You pick up all of the plastic plates and soda cans and throw them away. You look at the scattered food on the desk in disgust. "How do you live like this?" You tell yourself. Right after you say that, you feel as though you've done this before. You recall that there is a vacuum in the back of the room. You find it, and use it to clean up the rest of desk. It seems spotless again, hopefully for the last time. { (if: $workouts is 0 or 1)[You pick up all of the plastic plates and soda cans and throw them away. "How much longer will I have to clean up this stupid mess?" You think to yourself.] (if: $workouts is 2 or 3)[As you clean up the mess, it feels as though there was much less than there used to be.]} [[Go back.|outofbed3]] [[Check the computer out.|computer3]] (set: $clean += 1)

The alarm blasts your ears, waking you up. Before doing anything, you hear a knock. You open the door. It's your mom. { (if: $workouts is 3 and $clean is 3 and $classes is 3)[She smiles. She tells you that she's proud that you were able to turn your life around. Working out, keeping everything clean, and pursuing a degree. Everything came together and led up to this point. You smile, knowing that you did something good.(link: " Continue.")[(goto: "gotobed4.5")]] (if: $workouts is not 3)[She looks at you, her eyes sunken, sad. She wonders why you let yourself go. You used to workout, you were fit. You played basketball. Now, you just stay home and play video games.] (if: $clean is not 3)[She looks at your desk. She is disgusted, wondering how on earth you can tolerate sitting on a desk full of messy plates and disgusting odors.] (if: $classes is not 3)[She looks back at you. She knows that you haven't been going to class, and tells you how you're useless.] } (if: $workouts is not 3 or $clean is not 3 or $classes is not 3)[Everything hurts. You disappointed your mom. You disappointed yourself. It may not be your body and none of this might be real, but your feelings are real and you feel like shit. She leaves, and you decide to stay in bed the rest of the day.(link: " Continue.")[(goto: "gotobed4")]]

You go back to bed, full of joy. You did something correct, and you made the right choices. A smile from ear to ear is on your face, until you fall asleep. [[Continue.|alarm5.5]]

(css: "color: green;")[**GOOD ENDING**] Nice, you made the right choices and you helped somebody out. If you want, you can [[retry.|variables]] If you want to get the bad ending, just act like a snob and don't do anything. If this is your only playthrough, I wanted to say thank you. This is my very first game, and I hope it was enjoyable or relatable in some way. Hopefully you didn't mind how exaggerated it was or how unrealistic some aspects were.

You check the notifications on your phone. One of them appears to be another email from the same professor. "You are a terrible student." Is all the email says... The other notification is just Snapchat telling you about their new update. You're not surprised. [[Go back.|outofbed3]]