Narrative Piece - Act 2 and Act 3 Synopsis

Synopsis

These are the two acts I didn't write up in my final piece, not least because they would most likely add another 10 or so thousand words to the thing!

Act 2:

Having been knocked unconscious, the main character awakens some hours later to find the train station is not only deserted, it has also become the lair of the crocodile-like creature (Bullsquid) that caused the people in the station to flee. The main character leaves, taking the route to the platform cautiously in case they run into another creature. Once outside the main character takes in their surroundings, the sun is low in the sky, and they see no people outside of the station. The main character no longer hears screaming, instead a chorus of alien wildlife calls mixes with that of the local animals to create an incredibly bizarre ambience. The main characters nausea subsides, they decide to go off in search of a nearby shop for food. The idea that the world ending means houses as food-sources escapes them... Knowing of a place near the station the main character heads there, finding it devoid of life yet with an ample supply of food for the taking. As the main character eats, enjoying a brief respite from the evening humidity by sitting on the edge of a refrigerated display unit, they meet a new, dog-like creature that is almost 'cute' in appearance (Houndeye) more houndeyes enter the shop and the main character is forced to flee from them, and in doing so running straight in front of an army convoy vehicle. The soldiers on board deal with the houndeyes as the main character is guided into a civilian truck.

                The Main character now finds them self part of an army convoy headed to a refugee camp in the city. As they travel, the main character hears someone talking about the creatures that engulf peoples heads (Headcrabs) and what happens to their victims, how the creatures seem to turn their victims into shambling, zombie-like things, they're compared to parasites. The main character finally faces what they have done, succumbing to guilt and remorse. The main character is distraught, though as is their way, they barely show it on the outside. Regardless, the lady sat in front of the main character somehow picks up on their distress, she tells them she's heard there is a way to reverse the process, a cure. The potential for a cure renews the main character with a sense of purpose, a chance for redemption. As the main character realises this the convoy is attacked by one of the huge flamethrower-wielding creatures (Gargantua) leading to the main character picking up a gun and using it to save them self from a Houndeye, before having to discard it and continuing to the city on foot, the main character is told where to go by one of the soldiers. Some time later, after traversing the suburban streets, the main character reaches the refugee camp and is so exhausted by their experience that they can only go to sleep.

Act 3:

When the main character wakes up, the first thing they do is find someone who can tell them if his mother has made it to the refugee camp, after all, they never saw whether she actually lost her struggle with the creature in the kitchen... Talking to the soldier keeping track of civilians in the refugee camp, the main character explains what happened to his mother, though without explaining that they did nothing to save her. The soldier calls over their superior officer who takes the main character and shows them a captive Headcrab Zombie, proving once and for all that there is no way of reversing the process.

                Despite this, the main character clings to the belief that there is a chance his mother survived, and wishes to leave the camp and return home to find out for himself. The superior officer explains that while they had been instructed to keep civilians inside refugee camps, they will be willing to help out, though they explain that the way they came has become overrun with alien wildlife. Heeding this warning, the main character asks what would be the safer routes to take? The officer give the main character some options and then sends them on their way. The main character makes this last journey (of the story) with a determination that gives them the confidence to overcome the majority of obstacles they face, culminating in a selfless act of heroism to save someone from a headcrab attack. Having done this, the main character makes their final journey to their home, finding it intact though slightly worn by the events of the last two days.

                Finally, the main character enters the house and finds their worst fears confirmed, the Headcrab Zombie that used to be the main characters mother is slumped against a cabinet, though it stirs when the main character see's it. At this point, the main character feels they can forgive them self by finally doing something good for their mother, and putting her out of her misery. They raise a gun to the side of the monsters head and pull the trigger. End.

Note: The storys gameplay mechanic will come into play and is the deciding factor in how the main character progresses through the story, culminating in a tally up of successfully performed acts of braveness that determine how the story ends.