gistfile1.txt

var prev_distance = -1;
var prev_direction = -1;

function tick(distance) {
  var directions = ['up', 'down', 'left', 'right'];
  var direction;
  if (prev_distance === -1) prev_distance = distance;
  if (prev_direction === -1) prev_direction = 'up';
  
  if (distance === 1){
      direction = 'up';
  }else{
        if (prev_distance < distance) {
          
          if (prev_direction === 'up') direction = 'left';
          if (prev_direction === 'down') direction = 'right';
          if (prev_direction === 'left') direction = 'down';
          if (prev_direction === 'right') direction = 'up';
        }else{
          direction = prev_direction;
        }
  }
  
  prev_distance = distance;
  prev_direction = direction;
  return direction;
}