April 1

Who: Zania and Gavin
Where: Outside and Zania's Room
When: Evening

Gavin was standing in the "front yard" of the mansion, a cigarette tucked between his lips. It wasn't like the goddamn thing had a driveway or anything. He knew that Zania wasn't back yet, and it was just about tearing his guts to pieces. Horribly enough, most of that was guilt. After the time he'd spent with Janie ... god, he had no idea what he would do if she didn't come back at all. He wasn't about to admit it to anyone, but he'd already thrown up once or twice since the sun went down. Another dead girlfriend -- because she technically still was -- would not be a good thing for him. Or for her, for that matter. So he was outside, waiting for her. Hoping for her. And occasionally yelling her name at the four compass points of the house. Tossing his butt down and lighting up another, Gavin started to make another circuit. "Zania!" he yelled as hard as his hoarsening voice would allow.

"What?!" she screamed back, not recognizing his voice and in too poor a mood to be thrilled by the sight of the house. She was treading across the lawn slowly, a large stick in her hand, held like a baseball bat. A weapon. As the sun began to set, she'd decided she needed something to beat off the wolves if they came to find her. The worst part was when she could no longer see the compass in the dark and just had to trust she'd put herself on the right path. While she was glad she wouldn't be sleeping in the woods, she'd had far too much time to think. For one, she was ready to rip the balls off whatever scientist crossed her path. She didn't think she'd see one, but a guy in a lab coat would do. All she had to do was knock him over the head and go to work. Then there were the other thoughts, the things that she'd used to occupy her mind when she started to panic. These little things were only important if she made it back, but they got her there and that's what mattered.

Who: Zania
Where: Lost in the woods
When: Mid-day

It had been hours since she'd left the toy shop and Zania was still in the woods. Every direction she looked appeared the same, a vast number of trees and greenery, along with more mud than she'd ever had to deal with. Living on the streets had been a dirty experience, but there was never this much mud in the city. Or maybe there was and she just hadn't fallen in it like she did out here. The terrain was less than desirable and, though she was normally graceful on her feet, it seemed she was falling more often than usual. Again, it was the mud, slippery beneath her feet. Climbing up over the next little outcropping of rocks, she stopped to catch her breath and check the view from a higher vantage point.

There, through the trees to the North West, was the pretend little toy store. At least three hours of wandering and she was back where she'd started.

Who: Nic and Dan
Where: 3rd floor and upwards to their room
When: afternoon
Warning: NSFW

Dan was dirty, tired and fairly sure that he had a blister forming on his right heel. It hurt like hell anyway. As did his fingers. His falls during the journey had left him looking... interesting. His chin length blonde hair was ratty, streaked with mud and littered with bits of leaf and twigs. He'd tried to get the worst out, but, yeah. Hadn't totally worked. His skin and clothes weren't much better off. The seat of his jeans was the worst - just caked in mud. Slipping and falling down slopes when you couldn't put out your hands to break your fall because you already had broken fingers wasn't much fun. Luckily, he wasn't actually hurt, just muddy and generally miserable.

He'd never been so pleased to reach the house. It took him a while to strip off his books and outer layers, dumping his jacket and bag by the back door to come and collect later. Right now, all he wanted to do was get clean and find Nic - not necessarily in that order. He needed to know his boyfriend was okay.

Who: Nic and Hannah
Where: The Woods
When: Late Morning

The day just seemed to keep going on down hill. After waking up without Dan, Nic had found his clothes and shoes, the compass, the rations, and the sleeping bag, and he'd set off. Toting a sleeping bag with him didn't feel like a good sign, but he was determined to get back to the house before the sun went down. As a result, his footing was faster than it should have been, normally nimble toes catching in the mud and bringing him to the ground. And it just kept happening. An hour into his hike and he was filthy, but still in one piece, cussing under his breath as he picked himself up off the ground once more. Wet leaves and mud were apparently bad for hurrying along in.

Hannah's day wasn't a bucket of sunshine, either. On top of having no dog and no cane, the terrain was rough and she was tripping like a motherfucker. She was managing probably less than a half mile an hour, having learned a lesson on speed after the third tree she walked into. Plus she kept going off-course, which meant she was stopping to check her compass every few minutes. She was too angry to be scared, though she had a feeling that would come if night came and she still hadn't made it back. Her toe caught a rock just as she finished that thought, sending her sprawling on hands and knees. "Augh, fuck!" she shouted in pure frustration as she hit the ground.

Who: Nicodemus
Where: 'His room', aka the woods
When: Morning

Nic knew before he opened his eyes that something was wrong. He was cold. He hadn't been cold a single night since he'd started sleeping with Dan. Mornings were spent cuddling under the warmth of the covers, but the only heat generated in the bed was his own. Nic's fingers slid over the sheets, reaching, but all he found was an empty space. "Baby?" he called out sleepily. "Everything okay?" He couldn't imagine Dan crawling out of bed before him unless something was wrong.

But he hadn't imagined how bad it could be. When he finally opened his eyes, all he could do was stare. There was dresser, with the television sitting on top. The curtains were closed, though sun filtered through the slit onto well worn carpet. The cheap sort, that apartments used. His blanket was cotton, old and familiar, and the bed sagged in the middle, just like he remembered it. Nic's fingers twisted in the sheets as his eyes prickled with the first hint of tears that he refused to let fall. It wasn't real. It had never been real.

Who: Zania
Where: 'The Toy Shop'
When: Late Morning

There was really no reason to hurry out of bed. Zania had been up late the night before, lingering about the library long after talking to Dorian and searching for a new book. She kept coming back to Wonderland though, somehow relating to Alice's adventures more now than she ever had before. The last thing she remembered before she fell asleep was wondering what it might feel like to step through a mirror. Would it be cold, like glass or ice? Or would it be a smooth silk that passed over her like a waterfall? It was a feeling she wanted to capture, one she wanted to feel, and it was with that in mind that she'd drifted off.

Waking, though, was another ordeal entirely. Her bed had grown hard during the night, hard but familiar. The cover was too thin and she was cold. Zania curled tighter into a ball and rolled over onto the hard tile floor, opening her eyes in an instant. Staring up at the ceiling, her breathing became faster, hands shaking nervously. She knew this place. She knew the ceiling, the spiderweb in the corner. She knew the counter next to her and that on top of it would sit a cash register. She knew the smell, of dust and paint, of lace and sweat. It would be hot in the summer and they'd open the windows. Zania would bring in a small electric fan, but it wasn't summer yet.

She climbed to her knees, peering over the edge of the counter, her blanket curling down around her. There were teddy bears and toy cars, train sets and tea sets. There were fairy wings and princess crowns and fake swords. And then there were her dolls. Every one of them sat, peering down at her from their place on the shelves. She'd left them behind. All of them, but one. She'd left them, but there they were. A chill ran down Zania's spine as they stared back at her accusingly. Each little eye, carefully placed. Each little hand, modeled and placed. Zania was suddenly dizzy, her head light, and she realized that if she didn't start breathing right, she just might pass out. Slowly, she sunk back down behind the counter.

Weather Report: Skies are blue and the sun is shining – not a cloud in the sky! Temperatures are in the mid-sixties.

Events: Musical instruments have been returned. However, a great deal is missing now.

Torlin is alone. Every housemate and animal have been removed from the house, except for Torlin.

At least, that's how it looks. Torlin's bedroom aside, every other bedroom is completely empty. There is no computer message or explanation, but waiting on her desk is a single thick envelope.

But yesterday, there were 43 people in the house! So where did everybody go?

The rest of the 42 housemates are, yes, still in the experiment. But it might not look that way upon waking up. Each of them will wake up in a room completely identical to where they were staying before coming to the experiment. Upon leaving the room, they will each find that the room was built in the middle of the woods. There is a bench directly across from each door, all with identical packs, and a note attached to the top. The note reads:

The only exception to this is Hannah, who receives a recording rather than a note. Hannah and Cara do NOT have their service dogs with them. Mal is the only one on an actual trail, so that his wheelchair can handle the trip.

A general idea of locations can be found HERE. Locations are not exact, the map is only to give an idea of what direction each housemate needs to go in, and who they are close to. Housemates only have a chance of hearing or running into someone within two names. (Example: Nic is within range of Hannah and Erich, but not Natalie.) Additionally, everyone in the northeast corner will eventually have the decision of how to deal with the lake. There are several small row-boats and canoes, but they all appear to be in poor condition. It will be up to each housemate whether they try to cross the lake, or walk around it. Walking around will add hours to their trip.

It will take each person at least 5 - 6 hours to return to the house. Considering the terrain, no one is going to be able to just walk in a happy straight line. See the OOC for additional details.

Please note that continuing old threads and posts is still A-OK! Feel absolutely no rush to finish them because of the update. If you have something that you believe is notable enough to be featured in a time update, please contact a mod.