forest

𖠰 DEMO (June 23rd) 𖠰 SOUNDTRACK 𖠰

18+ This interactive story includes graphic violence, sexual content, alcohol and drug use, profanity, grief, car accident(s), stalking, and heavy descriptions of blood.

River Point, Oregon, is anything but normal. Missing people is just another conversation over coffee, and car crashes are just something you don't pay attention to. You've lived your whole life like that, not paying attention to the news, the helicopters just becoming background noise to everyday life. However, everything changed for you and for your family when your older sibling died in one of those accidents.

You all try to move on, your parents stopped fighting, they actually stopped talking to each other in general. You're left to take care of your little sister, but that isn't before you go to college. A couple of months after you graduated you're called back to River Point to take care of your younger sister. The same hospital that took care of you when you were younger, called you, telling you that you're your younger sister emergency contact. Not your parents. You.

Now it's time to go back home, back to that town, back to that hospital, back to those people.

As mentioned before, your older sibling died in a car 'accident' when you were younger, and yes, you were in the car with them. You've never stopped blaming yourself. I think it's time to forgive yourself, no?

Choose who you are: gender, pronouns, what you look like, how you dress, what you like or don't like, and your personality.

Romanticize your life: Out of three RO's in the beginning, choose your relationship type: friends-to-lovers, enemies-to-lovers, soulmates, childhood friends-to-lovers, and many more to come. Or you can choose to be happily single as well ;)

Pick your therapy animal given to you: Choose a lovable golden retriever, a calming calico cat, or a gentle rabbit! (many more animals to come)

Your therapy journey: Choose to heal, fight back, or to never forget.

What's your majorrrr?: Are you a certified psychologist, or a sweet kindergarten teacher? Pick whichever major suits you! You have a wide range of careers to choose from, I promise it's not just those two!

Pick your humble abode: Do you live a cramped but cozy apartment? Maybe you live in a spacious townhouse. Or, do you live in that same old house you grew up in, with your older siblings untouched room that gathers dust behind the locked door. Wait—why is it locked?

Figure out what really happened to your sibling: Was it really just a freak accident? Or was it something else entirely.

PI 'Kris' Matthews (M/F/NB) — Kris has been there since the beginning. You've had your fair share of ups and downs with them, except for when your sibling died, and everything went into a downward spiral. You moved away for college and stopped speaking to them altogether, but now you're back, and that one sunshine of a friend has gone somewhere else. Maybe you can bring that person back.

Prof. Dae 'D' Baeck (M) — Ever since high school there's always been a sort of...tension...between the two of you. There wasn't any bad blood but, you knew how to push each others buttons. You seem to think it's because he was trying to distract you from the pain of what you experienced when you were young, he vehemently denies it. He was the only person who constantly made you feel human; Except for when you went away for college and they ghosted you, not the other way around. They ghosted you. Now it's time to feel all that pent up anger again.

Dr. Malik 'Mal' Balliol / Amal 'Mal' Balliol (M/F) — Your college roommate, probably the only person who was able to get you out of your dorm room. They always know how to cheer you up, and never let you shell yourself in. Anytime you tried to shut yourself in, or ghost them, they refused to let you shut them out. Your leaning stick, your comfort. But...they dropped out a month before you both were supposed to graduate, what happened? You don't know. Now it's time to find out what really happened.

DISCLAIMER: There are only three (3) RO's so I can make it easier on myself, after I finish the main chapters you, yes YOU get to decide who becomes a new RO from the supporting characters!

Liam Matthews 𖦏 he/him — Kris's older brother by 4 years, he would always tease you when you were younger. He's the complete opposite of Kris. While Kris was sunny and then turned cold, Liam was always stone-cold. He was the kind of cool guy who drove the one motorcycle in town, had the cool tattoos and piercings, and was always working out whenever you stopped over to see Kris for homework. Owns Matthews Mechanics, the local mechanic shop passed down from his father, Sean Matthews.

Dr. Moni Balliol 𖦏 she/her — An Anesthesiologist and...Mal's...MOM!? That's right, Dr. Balliol works in River Point...and works at River Point Medical? Wait. Isn't that the same hospital you were at, and...isn't that the same hospital your sister is currently at? Woahoho! Isn't this a small world. And, wait a minute, is that Mal working the front desk? Huh..?

??? 𖦏 ???/??? — Someone's been watching you since you got back from college, even though you can't see them, you know they're there. Your sister said that since she was in the hospital, someone has been watching her, and that they... they feel familiar, somehow. And now they're following you too. Where do you recognize this person? And why do they keep following you and your sister?

Becca 'Bec' Winters 𖦏 she/her — Your younger sister, the reason you're back in River Point. You are now her sole caretaker after your parents split town, no message, no note, no goodbye. It's now your turn to become the older sibling you needed. (STATUS: ALIVE)

Eden Winters 𖦏 (gender selectable) — Your older sibling who passed in the car wreck, the only person you could rely on, but now they're gone and it's all your fault, that's what you think anyway. They loom in your heart, your head, and your bones, sometimes you think you can still hear them. (STATUS: ???)

LATEST UPDATE 𝄃𝄂𝄂𝄀𝄁𝄃𝄂𝄂𝄃 Checking code — June 11th, 2026

Wait—was that cringy? Oh well.

Hey everyone, I'm alive! After that very long panic of mine, I'm here. It was... stressful. I missed a lot of things IRL, and it wasn't fun! Make sure all of your stuff is secure, y'all. Anyway, the demo is almost done! The release date hasn't changed, but I just went in to see if anything was out of place and to check for grammar issues, and as of right now, there aren't any! (Thank goodness...) But when the demo does inevitably release, please—and I say this with as much grace as I can give—let me know, LOL. I just misspell things; it's something that comes easily to me.

Anywayssssss...I'll pop in here and there, just to check in on things, and to answer asks (if I get anymore...please y'all...i beg).

For now, arrivederci!

— FILE THREE

NAME: Dr. Mal Balliol AGE: 25 HEIGHT: 6' / 182 cm (M) — 5'10" / 177 cm (F) OCCUPATION: Front Desk Receptionist FUN FACT: They were in the middle of medical school but lied to their mom about finishing.

Mal...Mal was your college roommate, you met during orientation and have been inseparable since. Well, that was until your last couple of months of your final year where they just...disappeared. Their side of the dorm room was vacant, all their things were gone, they didn't even text you that they were leaving. Why did they leave? And, why are they at the front desk of River Point Medical?

Now that you're back, and in the hospital for your sister, nows time to find out.

(Malik (M))

(Amal (F))

— FILE TWO

NAME: Dae 'D' Baeck AGE: 22 HEIGHT: 5'8" / 173 cm OCCUPATION: Professor of Neurological Science FUN FACT: They have an IQ of 252, and is proud to be smarter than Einstein, even if it's just 2 points.

Dae is your academic rival, or just a rival general. His hair is black, but not pitch black, just a dark enough black that makes you question how the hue got so dark. And his eyes, probably what makes him so attractive, and you hate how you understand the hype. They're a beautiful shade of light brown, and piercings you know his parents don't approve of. He was always an ass, but when you went away to college and tried to keep in touch with him, your number got blocked. Now that you're back, you can finally figure why he blocked you.

— FILE ONE

NAME: 'Kris' Matthews AGE: 24 HEIGHT: (Masculine) is 5'9" / 175 cm — Kris (Feminine) is 5'7" / 172 cm OCCUPATION: Private Investigator FUN FACT: Their favorite flavor + scent is apples!

Kris used to a small ball of sunshine, with their short light brown hair bouncing anytime they saw you. Their green eyes shone anytime they looked up at the sun. But now, 4 years later, they've changed. Their hair is longer, to their hips, that usual smile that was on their face when they were younger is now gone, and those life-changing green eyes are dull. They're smug, arrogant, cold. And what's worse, they pretend to not even recognize you.

What happened while you were away? And why did they become a Private Investigator? I guess you'll find out in due time.

(Kris face claim for every gender, their face is more slim if you choose a feminine Kris)

How many chapters will be in the demo?

how spicy can the/ is the game 1-10?

Hi hi!

As of right now I plan to have at least 13 chapters! (can you guess why? 😏)

And the game will be at least 7/10 on the spicy scale hehe, every “spicy” scene is going to optional though, so don’t worry to those who just want to play the game with no spice! There will be a majority of fluff scenes though, and some definite angst. (Angst is my favorite thing to write hehe)

Typical foods are very diverse.

We eat fish, salmon, trout, and cod especially.

Chinese and Mexican family diners are everywhere, and Thai. Most of these have 'American' meals as well.

Sea food restaurants are everyone, more so the closer you get to the beach.

Steakhouses. STEAKHOUSES EVERYWHEREEEEE. Literally ALLLL OVER THE PLACE. LIKE OMGGGG. I GET IT. WE PRODUCE BURGER.

Olive garden is the only italian place you can get to. Istg. I WANT GOOD alfredo. But noooo. Because the italians are SCARED of us OREGONIANS. We're not THAT scary. We look like lumberjacks and hippies and maybe people who do... substances. But, PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE GIVE ME ALFREDOOOO.

Meat. I know of ONE vegetarian/vegan. A singular one. But, he does just fine and we all work to accommodate him in our meals. Chicken, Pork. Beef especially. Fish. Crawdads are yummy too (To most. I can't eat seafood)

Also, hunting is a big thing too. Grouse, elk, deer, pheasant, quail, duck, pronghorn. Many school have trapshooting/skeet teams.

Honestly if you were raised on the docks or a boat you'll eat some wild things too. (My da said he ate a shark once. (That's illegal btw, but it was was back when))

Fast food joints suck here. It's everyones first job too. They aren't even fast and are so crummy. One time a dude just took a dump in the parking lot of one after being denied bathroom access since it was employees only. Broad daylight. Mind you, there was a gas station across the way. Also the local joints are faster than fast food joints.

Many people grow their own vegetables. And if you don't farmers markets or the local nonchain grocery store are the best places. Corn and watermelons are typically very fresh since they're some of our top exports.

Some of our top exports and things you'd see in fields are: Greenhouse items (Tulips, Christmas tree, flowers etc.), Wheat, rye etc. Corn. Sorghum, which is not a large export and mainly a weed. Maize, not corn. They're typically different meanings here. Mint. Hazelnuts. Melons, Watermelons especially. Potatoes. Near the potatoes are potatoes drying stations or whatever because the spray they use on them in toxic so the have to evaporate the spray before they're able to be used. It typically stinks.

Also, around the coast especially, there are blackberries, elderberries, salmonberries, and probably more. Blackberries, though delicious, are seen as weeds in Oregon and are very invasive to gardens, yards, and the wild life in general. Most if not all un maintained or mile long hiking trails have blackberries. Blackberry bushes are obnoxious and there are two type, the normal ones and crawling bushes. You have to be very careful when walking. Marionberries are also big parts of Oregon. But surprisingly for as long as I've lived here I haven't had one. Apple trees, cherry trees and plum trees thrive in coastal orchards.

Vineyards are everywhere. Grapes grow very easily.

Strawberries are often found near the wheatfield areas. And they grow rapidly. You can also find wild garlic, chives, oregano, rosemary, thyme, etc.

This is not food, We don't eat these. But, we do have herds of wild horses roaming about along with a very photogenic and popular stallion among said herd. Okay. I think that's it?? I would say like DM me for more but I'd prefer to stay anon because I'm giving out a specific location in which I've stayed and I'd like to stay unknown.

Please keep anonymity annon, you not doxing yourself is very important lol 🙏

Also, hunting is a big thing too. Grouse, elk, deer, pheasant, quail, duck, pronghorn. Many school have trapshooting/skeet teams.

GIF by tabloidgarden

This might possibly be in a future chapter, hehe...

During the great depression Oregon had a large influx of immigrants. Especially Scottish. Many small towns have Scottish traditions and celebrate our heritage through Summer festivals. Typically our events are spanned throughout the county. For example, it's the start of baseball or sports, the throw off party is gonna be a town over in the baseball field. Etc. (This might not be for everywhere my town is hardly on the map.)

2. You're gonna see every other car with bigfoot or 'I believe in bigfoot' stickers. And there's at LEAST one 'bigfoot hunter' in a crowd of 100. Like, it's wild down here. Also, our hippy population is high as well.

3. If you live by the coast or up in the mountains you're gonna be terrorized by jays. That's just a part of the life. (There's a flock of jays that make hawk noises to scare our chickens away from their food so they can eat it.)

4. It's country music, or rock. Only time I heard anything else was in Portland and it was Hot to go being blasted from a pink cybertruck. Also for some reason when traveling through the mountains the only FM stations you're gonna get are classical, 60s rock, or a political christian talk station.

5. Even the smallest towns have a rodeo grounds.

6. The county and state fairs are IT. Everyone goes at least once during the season. Either to show or to spend their money on overpriced rigged games.

7. There was this one time we were traveling in cali and someone asked about our accent??? I think oregonians got accents maybe??? Like I thought we sounded the same to them?? Idek. Maybe we have accents.

8. Many of the libraries are interconnected. The coast has all it's libraries in a system (tricounty system) and most counties are connected depending on its size. You typically just need to ask to get a book delivered. Also all cards work almost everywhere but they can just look up names in the system. Going to the library in the town over is easier though because the truck guy only works three days a week or smth.

9. Nessie is a real big thing here for some reason. Probably the scottish thing I talked about.

10. ALIENS. okay aliens are literally like second in line with big footsie here. We got festivals, celebrations, cults the whole pizazz. Also, researching PNW cults is literally so cool. You can go on days long rabbit holes istg. But aliens are a really big thing here. Cuz we got the cow mutilations, the unknown flying things, the missing peoples. The wholeee shabang.

11. It's mud or dust. One side of the hill could have Mother Earth cracked and crying for a sip of water and then the other could be flooded to your knees.

12. The weather is as bipolar as... idk. Bipolar disorder or something. It could be 80s F and sunny. then it's snowing three hours later. Spring time in the wheat fields is the best with our sunny showers. It can also be literally not cloudy at all and it'll be hailing/snowing. Also, our tap water probably isn't the safest to drink. Coastal water being high in copper and farmland water being high in arsenic. Some folks use plastic water bottles, others are rich enough and care enough for a reverse osmosis machine. Most of us don't care.

13. Summertime is the worst. And best. In oregon it's illegal to shoot off rocket fireworks but that won't stop nobody. Also, it's cottonwood season and every other person is allergic to cotton. Also, it's fire time and drought season. We got at LEAST 600,000 acres of land burnt a year according to ODFW. 2020 was a really bad year for many people, and many were displaced and distraught. Driving through those areas now, one things for sure that it'll never be the same again. Haybale fires are common, so are brushfires.

14. Native American culture is very prominent. Especially in casinos and the small towns. Our reservations are large and it impacts our culture as well.

15. Everyone has horses, if you don't have horses you know of people who do. Also, in small schools, bringing living things for show and tell is like the norm (I've brought my cat, ducks, chickens, and my rats and my moms dog).

16. Also, if you want to go mall shopping you're driving into another state or Portland, Oregon city, or Eugene. Some other towns have malls. We typically go to the state over. They're mainly strip malls, anyways. But the biggest ones are in the biggest cities of course.

17. Also for some reason there's a lot of dog thefts??? Idk why. It happened since covid and it's all over the state. Most dogs are found miles away on the sides of random interstates.

That's all I can think of ig. Just some stuff from my life here.

HOLY CRAP THIS HAS HELPED A LOT. Thank you so much annon, I can definitely see Mal driving around with a 'I believe in big foot', (might just add this to game ngl....) Everything you have told me helps so, so soooooooooooo, much. Almost everything you have told me has impacted the way I write, being able to gather this amount of research from people just wanting to chip in helps my heart, and writing.

YAY! I'm super excited for everyone to play! I'm going to be working on it tomorrow, and then tuesday! I honestly picked Oregon because it's based on my favorite game, LiS (Life is Strange), and I loved how to looked and how close knit it was.

1. How tall are the ros?

2. What's the ros style?

3. How old is everyone plus mc?

4. Can I play as a shy mc?

Hehe, thank you! (Also just realized how much I love going in chronological order...)

RO Heights:

Mal (M) is 6' / 182 cm

Mal (F) is 5'10" / 177 cm

Kris (Masculine) is 5'9" / 175 cm

Dae is 5'8" / 173 cm

Kris (Feminine) is 5'7" / 172 cm

2. RO's Style:

Mal — Couldn't find a distinct description on what this look is called, but this!

Kris — Androgynous + Lagenlook mix

Dae — I'd like to say that this is light academia, but please correct me if I'm wrong!

3. RO's Ages + MC Age:

Oldest to Youngest! (Literally goes down by one but I wanted to keep them in the same age-range lol)

Dae is 25

Kris is 24

Mal is 23

And MC is 22!

4. MC

You absolutely can play as a shy MC! In the demo you can choose some flavor text that decides what you can start off as, and will add up chapter by chapter!

THANK YOU FOR THE QUESTIONS! Keep them coming y'all!

OOO, okay, okay, y'all need to send me more questions like this!

Kris smells like stale coffee and how the pavement smells after it rains in the summer.

The smell that Dae emits is like old parchment paper and graphite, he also smells lavender incense!

Hi anon! My inspiration for literally everything in ttid, is Twin Peaks! I watched the show a while ago and it's been stuck in my head, I plan on rewatching it again for some more inspiration! Thank you for the ask!

I guess I forgot to put in the heights for them! Oopsie!

Mal (M) is 6' / 182 cm

Mal (F) is 5'10" / 177 cm

Kris (Masculine) is 5'9" / 175 cm

Dae is 5'8" / 173 cm

Kris (Feminine) is 5'7" / 172 cm

Everyone is going to be super surprised! I can't wait for you all to get attached to Eden! Probably one of my favorite characters to write so far, same with MC!

And thank you about wishing me luck with the coding lol!