Shelter for the Night

This is a well-written and interesting story that was well worth reading.

Language is used very effectively and evocatively. The main character is very observant which greatly adds to the earlier pages, although during some of the action scenes his internal meta-commentary sometimes breaks the immersion a bit. I would expect that being jumped by a monster would put his mind, and therefore also the style of writing, in a more primal mode.

In terms of structure the story beats many on this site but one thing that put me slightly off is that it breaks basically into two parts and based on their choices readers may not find the second part at all. The first ending that I got lead to a relatively quick death, and with this ending it does not feel much like a story. Too many questions are left open. Perhaps already one page of aftermath events could have fixed this by providing some closure.

The story is much more powerful when you find the second part. But at least for me this required some degree of searching as I found one of the decision that needs to be made to get there was counter-intuitive. Furthermore, I felt a bit cheated because some decisions seem pretty pointless as they lead to the same quick demise (e.g. the rake). In retrospect it feels arbitrary which particular decisions lead to survival while others lead to death.

The flow of the story is good, there is isn't much time to catch your breath, which benefits the action, but then I would have appreciated a bit more time to be scared. For me what would have made this truly exceptional is if the parts would be tied together through foreshadowing, e.g. giving some pointers to the main action already in the introduction (admittedly, the bite marks are there), and maybe letting the guys from part 2 make an earlier appearance, even if only at a distance.

In summary, this is a nice story and I strongly recommend playing it. It is good to see this level of writing on this site.

Did I read that correctly? The images of the cabin were taken by you, Bill? I was going to comment that Shelter holds my favorite cover photo from all of your stories. It's even more impressive that they are original. I would encourage you to keep doing that as much as the story permits. It's noticeable from someone who's read most of your storygames (getting to Creatures next). The "Based on" comment is super spooky too, especially with a black backdrop.

The first page holds an excellent example of descriptive writing in the interactive format. Due to the interactive need and quick plot advances as a result, there isn't as much space for "pause and describing" in the storygame format. Here is a picture-perfect example of what that looks like, the short succinct descriptors pulling weight of a paragraph far more lengthy. Storygame writers should learn from this section:

"This is hardly some rustic old log cabin of the kind Abe Lincoln might call home, though: it is sided with evenly-cut lumber, painted a mineral shade of red, with square cinder blocks forming the chimney. It is a humble but otherwise modern structure, made with materials bought from a lumberyard."

There is a nice bit of backstory when you first arrive in the shelter. The entire time, Amy is being a typical woman, complaining, complaining, and complaining. Learning that your past extends more than a few years helps put things in perspective as well as creates a deeper bond. Yes, she's a tad annoying of late, but it wasn't always so. There's the hope of returning to that pre-bitch state. Still, it brings the question of *why* you're together. But I suppose that's not the point of the story.

Once Amy goes missing, the story speeds up in both plot advancement and entertainment. Plus, it's a solid break from all the nagging, the only cost being spreaded gear and a possible dead girlfriend. Running into the beast for the first time was movie-like. "You" were expecting someone else, certainly someone human, but the sudden appearance of something non-human (and the build-up) is jolting.

The ending in which this review is posted (as will show up on my score) had a nice little surprise, a warning that there is much more to discover in story. Neat trick. I wonder if that will raise the overall rating of the story. An experienced interactive reader will go back and read through branches. The common person passing through would have likely stopped there and possibly rated it lower. I like the idea, even if it's expressed in a slightly passive aggressive manner.

Since I'm posting the review here, I'll discuss this "ending" a bit. Amy is more affectionate now, speaking through her italicized voice than ever before. This makes me think her compulsive complaining attitude was a result of the beast within. It would be a nice explanation to the reason WHY she's changed so much in six years. Here at the end (one of them at least), her true self pokes through. It's right before she tears your body to pieces, but hey, it's something.

Now, I have more endings to find. And you, surveyor of story comments, have a thrilling story to read. 8/8.

P.S. I just discovered the image gallery at the end. My encouragement in the first paragraph still remains the same. I'd like to see more original photography. Blow Your House Down is another where this would have been extremely effective. Maybe a few of Dr. Bolt in Woban, too.

It's honestly very well written, the writing quality is better put together than most novels nowadays. It flows well, isn't painful for me to read and the dark background with the white letters sets up the mood pretty well.

The story and its themes kind of remind me of what many film reviewers have said about horror movies; that in any good story the monster of the story always has ties with a grounded fear we humans have, for example the slasher movies and the gnawing feeling of unrest and alienation in "safe" suburbia.

Then what does the monster in "the shelter of the night" represent?

Well, women, especially those who desire to live independently from men.

From the very beginning George laments for the fact that his girlfriend nags to him, always is grumpy, blames him for everything. It is apparent that their relationship is strained. One almost thinks that he utterly loathes her, but somehow he doesn't let her go, perhaps out of the hope that she will "come around".

Well, she is then turned into that grotesque furbeast monster. When she calls out to him, begging him for help, it is interesting that he immediately softens around her. It is as if he desires that she depends on him a little more just "like it used to be", forgoing her own independence.

Then in another part of the story we meet an old woman who was twice divorced and longs to turn into a beast herself. She tells George that the she-beasts will hunt together in a pack and it becomes quickly apparent that they, formerly human women, all loath men, literally wanting to devour the protagonist. Amy will soon fully become one of them...

George really faces two choices in that route; kill his beloved girlfriend in order to stop the beast from taking over, basically forcing her to not leave him by beating her to death or let her go to let her join her new female companions and be free. Constantly she says to flee from her, to escape, to never come back.

It might be a far stretch, but it somehow mirrors a broken relationship, an abusive one perhaps where one person will forcibly keep the other person in it for their sake. There was even a comment from George himself, that he might be an unreliable protagonist. Perhaps his relationship with Amy may be more toxic than it already appears...

I don't know if the message really hold up well in the 21st century, considering that the main fear of the story are women (Werecats in name only). I think that we have greater fears to be concerned with than our girlfriends or wives leaving our sorry ass haha or those neglible almost non-existent amount of Men-hating women.

Anyway, how this fear is represented and implemented is truly terrific. Most of the passages are nail biting to say the least, making good use of tension, sounds, smells etc. Due to the nature of the themes, it doesn't really speak to me all that much (me being not particularly interested or having experience in seeking or having a significant other and all), but I can easily see that this might be someone's favorite horror story of the site.

The fact that I could write a whole essay about the deeper underlying this story, just harkens back to the fact that this is a well-crafted story with a lot of thought put into it. You know, in a lot of other stories I'm complaining about the branching, the grammar, the sentence structure or the limited amount of choices, telling vs showing. "Shelter of the night" doesn't really need that, because it is already excellent in its writing craft.

Well, all in all this is the first story I have read from Ingersoll haha. Great work, it definitely earns my recommendation.

Fun. It took me 3 tries to finish.

Very intriguing game! Didn't get very far as I tried to play it realistically and focus on saving my fiancee rather than for self-preservation knowing that there were likely bad ends, but I'm very interested to try it again.

I had a fun time reading!

The two branches are essentially the same story told with different subgenres in mind. The first branch fits into supernatural horror, and the second feels more like science fiction. While the branches are independent stories, I feel like they support each other. The second branch doesn't eliminate a supernatural origin, and the first doesn't eliminate any conspiracy theories. My only complaint is that two choices lead to the first branch while only one leads to the second.

The backstory behind the cabin is mostly left up to the imagination. I would've liked a little more information about the cabin's history, but that isn't what this story is about.

The writing is descriptive enough to visualize what's happening without being over-descriptive. The color adjustment and grainy quality of the photos add to the sad and foreboding atmosphere of the setting. A little more tension build-up would've been nice, maybe play on the idea that George really is going crazy before giving the beast a proper introduction.

Paragraph spacing improves readability, but it's too much with paragraphs that take up one line. If the reader wants to take a break, the illuminated letters and larger font give clear stopping points and aren't overused. Numbered headers make it easier for the reader to keep track of the paths they've taken. The color of the headers and links clearly separate them from the body of the text without taking away from the tone.

Between the two main characters, Amy ended up being more interesting than George. In the beginning, it's clear their relationship has been souring for some time now. After her transformation, she turns into a completely different person. Her dialogue becomes monotone; this makes it hard to tell if she's genuinely trying to warn George or manipulate him. I'm convinced that George, however, is an idiot.

The earliest ending gets boring after finding it five times. I think the experience could've been better with at least one variation to split between the five choices.

Overall, the story is well written, and I would recommend reading both branches to experience the entire story.

As always with reviews, look at the rating number and read the story before spoiling a well-crafted piece with, well, spoilers, for this is one of them.

With the first warning out of the way, I want to start my ramble with my appreciation for the elegant presentation. The larger than usual pages supported by the custom font(-size), the bloodred choices, and the illuminated initials all showed great care went into the story before the first word was read. However, the medieval initials didn't find a home in this modern story as well as the other personal touches. Later on, this first favorable impression was supported by the clear effort that went into proofreading the horror; my reading wasn't disturbed by a single spelling error or faulty sentence.

The opening sequence was also very well done. Thus far, many entries into this contest, as well as into the genre tried to take the spotlight, outshining each other, in an arms race of bizarre settings and supernatural events. The peace and familiar quiet of an abandoned lakeside was a nice and much-welcomed contrast to the more popular hauntings and high-action settings. The abandoned cabin at dusk (which kid did not face his first fears in something alike when trying to impress his peers) and the incoming rainstorm only furthered the ambiance already established.

This setting was supported by wonderfully livid descriptions, courtesy of actually being in the physical location you're describing, and a nice back-and-forth between the two characters that formed the basis of something I often find often missing in horror, the subtle buildup of dread before the shit hits the fan. I enjoyed the disconnect between the reader and George, where we are primed and vigilant due to horror expectations and George is simply a bit too naive hiker more worried about his relationship. If anyone wants an example of well-implemented dramatic irony, this is the story to look out for.

As for the horror itself, the ingredients are all there. The first hint of snakes, a question I wish had been more implemented and answered further down the line, and the isolement and consequent abandonment of the only company you had, all served as a solid foundation. I further enjoyed how the danger was kept mysterious and unclear. This unknown I felt was the highlight of the story, as it kept me at the edge of my seat. Consequently, I enjoyed the paths where the reveal was put off for longer more than where I was confronted early by something I could only imagine coming out of the 2009 Cats movie.

Where the start was a perfect 8/8, from the reveal onwards was where this story started to crack a little. First, I thought the chasing scenes were a weird mix of philosophical rumbling, deep strategising, extreme observation, and finally the expected high-adrenaline running for your life.

Also upon rereading every path, I found most of them too alike, all of them safe for one looping back to the same generic ending. While it was clear the author deemed them all dead branches, I'd appreciate a little variation in how I met my end, either braving the beast in the wilds or cowering in the little shack I deemed my shelter.

There was also internal inconsistency, as the one path leading further didn’t differ from the others in the actions you undertook. Why didn’t the miasma affect you when hiding inside instead of venturing out in search of Amy? The two hunters also came out of nowhere, like a deus ex machina, and only in a single path. Their consequent arrival and comical conspiracy theories detracted from the careful mood set up in the first half, rather than adding to it. They felt more like a crutch saving the plot from growing inert than a crucial and supported piece.

All in all, I greatly enjoyed this piece and find it among the best in its category, wholly recommended for featuring.

A really well-written character story with a great character personality portrayal. Really well-done paragraphs and I love the professional style of the night mode and the chapter capital letter image.

My major criticism is the almost lack of interactivity in dialogues and the linear feel the overall story has.

Nice story. A bit on the linear side, with some clearly right and wrong paths, but it was very descriptive. I could really envision the location and scenery, even without the images at the end. Speaking of, the drawing is pretty adorable.

Not really a fan of the black on red headers and links because it kind of hurt my eyes, but it did indeed set the tone. It was used in the right places also, unlike some stories where the whole thing is like a storygame on the Virtual Boy.

All-in-all, nice story about how sometimes the truth is pretty abnormal. 6/8.