staging: character-state-ch-20.md task=2ba928b1-e2cf-4cd7-9bff-62465462ec26

projects/whispers-in-the-dark/staging/character-state-ch-20.md

@@ -0,0 +1,61 @@
+# Character State: ch-20
+
+## Elias Thorne
+Location: Hospital transport (ambulance) / Oakhaven Perimeter  
+Physical: Barely stable; respiratory function returned; fractured ribs from resuscitation; severe inner ear damage  
+Emotional: Unconscious; intermittent seizure activity  
+Active obligations:  
+- Sarah Miller (survival) (Ch-19) -- PAID (pulled from wreckage)  
+Open loops:  
+- [Elias & Signal] Persistent neurological tether (Ch-19) -- UNRESOLVED  
+Known secrets:  
+- CARRIED (Ch-19--unresolved): knows Signal mimics voices of the dead via Archive sabotage mechanism -- Sarah/Curator  
+Arc: 110% -- Survived the "total purge" protocol; transitioned from Archive asset to a liability that must be hidden.  
+Permanent: YES
+
+## Sarah Miller
+Location: Ambulance interior (en route to private clinic)  
+Physical: Chemical burns on forearms; severe sleep deprivation; auditory migraines  
+Emotional: Hyper-vigilant; protective; grieving the loss of her career/rationality  
+Active obligations:  
+- Elias Thorne (Protection) (Ch-20) -- UNPAID  
+Open loops:  
+- [Sarah & Curator] Escape from facility jurisdiction (Ch-20) -- UNRESOLVED  
+Known secrets:  
+- CARRIED (Ch-19--unresolved): Internal sabotage of Archive security witness -- Archive Staff  
+- Signal's specific frequency for Elias -- Elias  
+Arc: 115% -- Fully abandoned her role as an Archive employee; became a fugitive to save Elias.  
+Permanent: YES
+
+## The Curator
+Location: Oakhaven Administrative Wing (Surface)  
+Physical: No injuries  
+Emotional: Calculating; frustrated  
+Active obligations:  
+- Board of Directors (Containment) (Ch-20) -- UNPAID  
+Open loops:  
+- [Curator & Elias/Sarah] Pursuit of the "records" (Ch-20) -- UNRESOLVED  
+Known secrets:  
+- The true nature of the purge protocol (it was intentional sabotage, not a failure) -- Sarah/Elias  
+Arc: 10% -- Shifted from passive administrator to active hunter of the survivors.  
+Permanent: NO
+
+## Mark -- DECEASED (ch-19)
+Established: Confirmed deceased in previous chapter's world-state during the Archive sub-level collapse.  
+Legacy: His death provided the distraction/security breach Sarah used to extract Elias.
+
+# World State: ch-20
+
+## NPC Memory
+- EMT Jenkins (Private Transport): NEUTRAL -- Assisted Sarah with Elias's stabilization -- Witnessed Sarah's frantic state but remains unaware of the Archive's true nature.
+
+## Faction Attitudes
+- The Archive (Oakhaven): TERMINAL/HOSTILE -- Pursuing total scrubbing of evidence; Sarah and Elias are now "extinct assets."
+
+## Active World Events
+- Oakhaven Archive Fire: Reported as a "gas leak and structural failure" to the public; emergency services blocked from Sub-Level 4.
+- The Silence: Post-purge, the Signal has gone quiet on standard frequencies, lingering only in Elias's subconscious.
+
+## Carried Secrets (World-Level)
+- [Signal Logic]: Mimicry of dead voices (Unexplained occult principle)  
+- [Whisper Cycle]: Duration and reactivation timeline unknown.