Further thoughts on Shock

Shock is the initial encounter with Chaos. The bomb which destroys our perceived reality and our ability to understand the who, what, where, why of everything around us. The stage prior to this is Slumber - the state innocent and naive being where Chaos is a distant unknown. Alice is in Slumber (literally and metaphorically) the night of the fire. Before going to bed she had a family, a home, and was ensconced in a beautiful illusion. She wakes to Shock - the sound of her family screaming - the old reality shattered by Chaos and cracked open into a new and terrifying place where monsters rule. This is Bumby’s reality though Alice won’t understand that for many years to come.

To communicate Shock effectively we must strongly establish the tranquility of Slumber. The first section of the game probably takes place in and around Alice’s home prior to the fire. Alice and Lizzie outside, building a snowman, establishing place and mood via chat and play. Hints of something lurking in the shadow, of the presence of Dr. Bumby in their lives, etc.

Slumber -> Shock -> Asylum -> (remaining stages of trauma)