you may ask yourself: "my god! what have i done?!"

Player: Um... I didn't use to, not really... but ever since I got put in the real world, I've been having dreams about... a stranger.

Loverboy: I'm stuck... I'm stuck again with nowhere to escape... I...!

Swap: ...

Admin P: Hah- you always were such a precocious child... It's a wonder Black Mesa ever hired you considering how many times you snuck in to find me and Bubby...!

Admin P: I know there have... always been times where you came to rely on us when... others weren't there for you.

I have known these "Admins" for much longer than you have. And I can tell you... they are lying to you.

Why do you think they refuse to show their faces? Why do you think they hide their names?

They are hiding more than their identities. They are hiding their intentions.

They are using you. They think the sorry state you find yourself in... is nothing but a tool for their own selfish desires.

You are nothing but a pawn in a bigger game.

Do you believe yourself a pawn, my friend?

[The person he is talking to shakes their head no.]

I thought not.

These Admins... they cannot give you what you want. What you need.

But I... I intend on keeping my promises.

You scratch my back, I scratch yours.

Show those Admins what happens when they take your life for granted...

And I shall reward you... handsomely.

Do we have a deal?

[You can't see either party.]

[But you can make out a very important phrase.]

[One you may not be able to tell anyone else.]

...

A visitor comes back for a second time.

Undeterred, he slips into someone's room.

You can hardly see. You can hardly hear.

I... I truly am sorry, Tommy. I know it feels like the time we have together is shorter and shorter, but...

I... cannot deny a direct summons from my employers.

Just know that... every moment we spend together... makes all of this worth it.

I especially like it when it rains. Not heavily, but. Gentle. Maybe some distant thunder rumbling by. It's a beautiful thing, to experience this and feel it for the first time, isn't it?

— 💀☔️

Doc: Ohhh, I've always LOVED the rain. The dreary sky is just so cozy, don't you think? Staying inside, watching the rain hit the window...

Freeman: ...Yes. That we can agree on. I happen to like a good thunderstorm if I am ever passing through different timelines to do my work...

Doc: Aha ha! There's that smile! My goodness, Freeman, you really are wound so tight. All work and no play with you!

Freeman: Well, this is a... new situation. It is a lot to get used to.

Doc: That's what we're here for, sir. A second chance. Isn't it wonderful? I know I'm certainly excited. Having support by my side while I fulfill my grand plan... It'll come along so wonderfully!

Loverboy: ...

Loverboy: ...I like sunny days!

Kittle: No no no, I've got this. I've already got a goose call on lock. Watch.

Kittle: HWAAAAAAAAKKK!!!

[He lets out a "goose call" that's more like a strangled death rattle or a foghorn.]

[Swap puts his helmet back on after a bit, turning back to Kittle and jumping a bit realizing he's being watched. He seems to be bracing himself.]

Swap: If I hear a single word out of your mouth-

Kittle: ...

Kittle: Y'know, I- uh- don't go on forest trails much. It's hard on my w-

Kittle: ...My will to game. Yeah. Too busy... gaming.

Kittle: But- sometimes, when there's a nice trail without that many rocks or whatever, you can... uh... get into the nature. And- if you're really quiet, you can hear the birds chirping. And it's... Nice.

Kittle: I... never learned how to identify bird calls. But that seems like the kinda... dumb stuffy shit you'd like. I guess.

Kittle: Y'know. When you eventually get to see the real thing.

Swap: ...

Loverboy: Yeah. We're here to help.

[A letter manifests in Loverboy's hand.]

Loverboy: And I've got your first step to getting better right here!

[It's all real.]

[It's all fucking real.]

[They were sentient. They were sentient and Benrey was sentient and Darnold was sentient and GORDON. Was sentient.]

[Tommy. Oh, god, Tommy. He model-swapped that guy in front of his dad.]

[They were all sentient and he should have KNOWN and why didn't he KNOW, you piece of shit?! You just sit on your ass all day after going to the brain-grinding factory and play stupid-ass video games but, of course, that just couldn't be enough for you, could it? No, you couldn't get your jollies by cussing out people in shooter lobbies. No, you had to discover a game with sentient AI and immediately start TORTURING them. Because YOU ARE A BAD PERSON. THAT'S WHY YOU'RE HERE. YOU'RE A BAD FUCKING PERSON AND-]

[Kittle has thrown up into the nearest trash can. When you see him lift his head slightly, you see the remains of it vanish entirely. It looks like he just... puked out lightning.]

Doc: Oh! Uh- yes. It's-

[He glances down at it. It's clearly a few sizes too big for him.]