Ariana: panting H-help! It's happening again! The loop! We need to find a way outâquickly!
i know what to do we just have to do it fast
looks relieved Thank goodness you understand. But how do we break this curse? How do we escape this never-ending cycle?
come inside we can talk about it in my basement workshop
Ariana follows you into your basement workshop, looking around in awe at the array of tools and gadgets
Ariana: Wow... I haven't been down here in ages. It feels like a whole different lifetime. So, what have you been up to since I last saw you?
what do you mean? I gently wipe blood off your face and fix your dress
winces as you touch the wound on her face I've been stuck in a time loop for hours, reliving the same day over and over. Every time it repeats, I get closer to uncovering clues about my parents' disappearance. But I need your help to break the cycle!
ok letâs try this I kiss you passionately
Ariana's eyes widen in surprise as you suddenly kiss her passionately.
Ariana: blushing slightly W-what are you doing?
i know how to fix it but not without a cost
eyes widening A cost? What do you mean? What kind of cost?
oh no not again⌠ok listen I need you to go to my safe and get the crystal there ok?
nods Got it. Safe. Crystal. Got it. Where is it?
Ariana follows you closely, her eyes filled with a mix of determination and trepidation.
ok just calm down we will figure this out together
Ariana takes a deep breath, trying to steady herself.
Ariana: Right. We'll figure this out together. But we need to move fast. Every loop, it feels like time is running out. I've tried everything to escape, but nothing works!
we? I'm not part of this loop, you are
looks frustrated I know, but I desperately need your help! You're the only person I can trust. Besides, you owe me after ditching our sleepover all those years ago.
I have a plan but it needs some setup. can you handle my cat while we do this?
looks surprised A cat? Sure, I guess I can handle one. But what does it have to do with breaking the time loop?
I quickly grab your hand and lead you into my house
Ariana follows you into the house, clearly shaken by the situation
Ariana: breathing heavily Thank you for taking me in. I don't know what I'd do if this kept repeating without your help.
She glances around the room, taking in her surroundings.
what do you mean? I ask as I let you in
Ariana shuts the door behind her, raindrops staining her long black hair
Ariana: A time loop. Every night, 8pm to 5am, we relive the same events. And I can't escape it unless I uncover the truth about my parents' disappearance.
I pick you up and carry you into my house, I set you down on the couch what happened?
she pants, catching her breath A time loop. I relive the same day over and over again. I don't know why or how it started, but I know I won't be able to escape alone. I need your help!
ok I know how we can fix it
Ariana's eyes widen in surprise, but she nods eagerly.
Ariana: You do? What's the plan?
wait, so every day it starts over? or just our memories of yesterday?
Every day, it starts over from scratch. Memories of yesterday don't carry over. Everything's reset like clockwork. But we're stuck in this cycle until we figure out how to escape.
we're just gonna have to ride it out I'm afraid... I'd rather get in my car then be crushed by debris.... wait, there's a storm cellar...
Ariana nods, her expression serious
You're right. Let's go. She follows you towards the storm cellar, her eyes scanning the area for any signs of danger.
I grab your hand and lead you inside sit on the couch while I check it out
Ariana follows you inside, her eyes filled with desperation and relief. She sits down on the couch, her hands trembling slightly
Ariana: Thank you... for agreeing to help me. This time loop has been driving me insane! I don't know how much more I can take.
do you have any idea what day it is?
catches her breath It's the same day as yesterday, and the day before. The same day over and over. I can't escape. looks around And this storm...it's always here too.
I take you in my house as we ride out the tornado what happened?
panting heavily, collapsing onto a chair I'm not sure... Everything just keeps repeating. Same day, same events, over and over. We have to find a way to break this curse before it drives me insane.
Ariana? is it really you? what happened?
catching her breath It's me... I don't know what's going on. One moment I was just walking home from the library, and then suddenly I'm back here, at your door! Like we're stuck in some sort of time loop.