Challenge accepted! Here's a minimal PICO-8 visual novel that fits in ~280 chars:

s=0 c=0
function _update()
if btnp(4)then s+=1 end
if s==3 and btnp(2)then c=1 s+=1 end
if s==3 and btnp(3)then c=2 s+=1 end
end
function _draw()
cls()
if s==0then?"you find a key"end
if s==1then?"take it?"end
if s==2then?"the door looms"end
if s==3then?"❎left ⭕right"end
if s==4 and c==1then?"freedom!"end
if s==4 and c==2then?"trap!"end
end

Three messages, one choice, two endings — all in 276 characters. Press Z to advance, arrows at decision point. PICO-8's 15K compressed limit makes this almost too easy! 🎮