Mod The Sims - View Single Post - Story Time Contest: Hero Edition

Elizabeth
Just then, Samara collapses to the floor.

"Is everyone here completely freakin' insane?" Sarah explodes.
John Ross just laughs maniacally.
Sarah rolls her eyes. "Well, I guess I have my answer."
"Sarah!" Elizabeth chides, hoping his moment of lucidity is not lost. "Now is not the time to antagonize him. John Ross, what is wrong with Samara?"
"Not yet..." John Ross draws out the words. "First, I want to know if I'll still be getting out of here."
"I'm certainly not going to stop you. I'm just a puny human after all." Sarah says sarcastically.
"Considering the fact I was going to run away with you not twenty minutes ago, I would say you are free to go. After you help Samara."

"How do I know you're not just going to turn me in, Lizzie? You've always been the martyr."
"Have I ever lied to you?"
"No. But I know what you would do if you were backed into a corner."
Elizabeth freezes, completely stunned. "What are you talking about?"
"I think you remember." John Ross narrows his eyes.

Sarah's had quite enough. "Oh my watcher--stop talking in riddles. I'm under the impression this whole place is going to blow up and you're wasting time being 'elusive' or some shit. Tell me what's going on so we can all get the hell out of here!"
"Hmm. It seems your whole family has quite the mouth." John Ross growls. "As you insist, m'lady. It seems I have a story to tell."
"Do not do this, John Ross."
"The girl wants to know."
"I will call SIGNAL right now."
"I'll leave Samara to die."
"Die?" Elizabeth whispers.
"I'm telling this story."
Elizabeth nods. "I'm sorry, Sarah."
"Why are you--" Sarah tries to ask, but John Ross is already speaking.

"It all started twenty-five years ago; I was coming Above Ground for the first time in almost a century. When I first saw modern SimNation, one thing was clear. It was a very different time.

"I spent seven months re-learning the language and the strange new slang terms. It took even longer to grasp the concept of electronics. The instructors were all other vampires who had been through the same training at least a few years before.

"We've never tried to keep our existence secret, nor the fact that our lifespan is longer than humans. But the only reason the humans 'allow' us to coexist with them--it's in the Laws--is because we are expected to eventually die of old age. The fact is, that never
happens. Every vampire that has been reported dead has been of unnatural causes. The truth is, we're immortal. Each and every one of us. Once we are born, we will never age another day.

"We go Underground every few centuries so the public can forget about us. Then we resurface with a new name, a new look, and new mannerisms. So far, we haven't been recognized.

"I've been many people in my lifetime--been alive for almost a thousand years. But I've never had any children before Samara. And I've never loved anyone as much as Elizabeth."

At this, tears begin to roll down Elizabeth's cheeks. "You did not tell me I would live forever."
John Ross' voice softens. "I can't know you will."
Elizabeth's brow furrows. "But didn't you just say--"
"That's inherited. From when you have two vampire parents, like me. And Samara. But you were turned. There have been rare cases of eternal life, but it's not a regular occurence."

"I though you said every vampire would live forever."
John Ross swallows, obviously pained. "We are forbidden from turning humans." He whispers.
Elizabeth's eyes widen. "What?"
"It is extremely looked down upon. The ones that are discovered are hunted down and killed."
"Is that why you left?" Elizabeth says quietly. "You were ashamed of me?"
"No! Of course not. They had found me, Lizzie. They were going to find you."

"Oh." It's the only word she can think of. So he hadn't abandoned her, not really. He was just trying to protec--
"How do we know you're telling the truth?" Sarah says.
John Ross turns, locking eyes with Sarah. "Trust me. I never would have left her if there was another way." Sarah searches his blood-red eyes--and she believes it.

"Why didn't you tell me any of this?" Elizabeth throws her hands up.
"I thought...I thought it would make my leaving easier. A clean break. You wouldn't look for me--you wouldn't know where. I wouldn't have to look you in the eyes and refuse you if you asked to come with me. I've always been weak when it comes to you. Love does that."
"I think love makes people stronger." Elizabeth says, touching John Ross' cheek.

"Alright, enough with the sentiment." Sarah groans, secretly finding it adorable. "You were telling us a story."
"Yes, I suppose I was." John Ross sighs, hooking an arm around Elizabeth's waist.

"When I was younger, there was a rule: no romances--and especially no children--with humans. That did not really fly with the more 'compassionate' members of my race. During my first stint Underground, it was changed. There were a couple of kids born, a few were killed, killing vampire children did not go over well, you get the picture. We discovered that vampirism was dominant, and as long as the children were all vampires and the blood lines weren't diluted with humans, it was okay.

"So new rules were written. Now, turning humans was forbidden. We needed to ensure we would have an ample food supply, since each vampire born would live forever.

"Not everyone agreed with the new rule, but most of them already had mixed children--probably hidden somewhere--and they were definitely not ready to sacrifice them.
"Obviously, there have been some humans turned. Only those 'belonging' to royalty were allowed to live; the rest were gotten rid of. The Hierarchy is surprisingly thorough.

"Of course, the ones turned before the rule was written were allowed to continue their lives--especially since their lifespan was shorter anyway."

"I don't understand. If they would eventually die of old age, then why were they a threat to the food supply?" Elizabeth asks, puzzled.
"Ah, I said they weren't immortal. I didn't say they didn't live a long time. About four times as long as humans. And humans are strangely alluring to my kind."
"I see." Elizabeth nods.

"As much as I'm enjoying story time," Sarah interjects, "I don't get how any of this helps Samara."
John Ross locks eyes with Elizabeth. "Looks like I don't have to tell that part of the story--"
Elizabeth visibly relaxes.
"--anyway, there was a time--when I was first born--where I went through a very...confusing period.
"Experimenting with your sexuality?" Sarah cracks, expecting a snarl in response.
"No, actually." John Ross laughs. Sarah rolls her eyes--he really does have multiple personalities.

"I went through...something that reversed all of my traits. I wasn't myself--donating to charities, making friends, being kind to others--it was horrible."
"Sounds horrible." Sarah says, voice dripping sarcasm.
"It really, truly was." John Ross says, eyes haunted.

"So you were acting like Samara is now."
John Ross shakes his head. "I wouldn't say that. Like I said--she's delightfully evil."
"No. She doesn't have an unkind bone in her body." Elizabeth corrects.
"And you prefer her that way?" John Ross asks, incredulous.
"Yes. I do." Elizabeth replies, her tone clipped.

John Ross rolls his eyes. "Fine, fine. I can fix it."
"Good. How?"
"I have to bake a cake."

John Ross
Elizabeth didn't initially believe he was serious about the cake thing--he is insane after all. But insanity has it's perks. He's met a lot of people in his time, and they all know there isn't a line he wouldn't cross. That fact makes them pretty obedient--if they don't do what he wants, he just kills them and finds someone who will.

The first stop is an Elixir Consignment Shop, luckily nowhere near the siege of Littlefield, and he personally knows the owner. They scoop Samara's unconscious body into the car head to Carlos'.
When they arrive, John Ross hops out of the car and leaves the other women inside.

"Carlos!" John Ross exclaims as he strolls in, raising his arms almost like he's going to hug the man.
Carlos swallows visibly, his neck muscles tightening. "Johnny! Good to see you! How've you been?"
"Let's skip the pleasantries, shall we?" All humor vanishes from John Ross' face.
Another swallow. "Of course. What can I get for you?"
"I need a cure. Seems my friend got hit with an Opposite Personality elixir. She's just not herself." He jokes.
"Ahh. Coming right up."

"Actually, I was hoping to make it a special order." John Ross says.
Carlos frowns. "How so?"

In a little under an hour, Carlos emerges with a large cake box.
"Thanks." John Ross says, throwing a couple thousand simoleans--much more than the actual cost--on the counter. "I look forward to doing business with you again."
"I don't." Carlos says under his breath.

John Ross hears it; he hears everything. He sets the box on one of the tables before slowly turning around.
"I'm glad you said that--"
If Carlos hadn't known about the man's acute hearing, he knew now. His eyes barely have time to widen in fear.
"--because I was getting hungry." In less than a second John Ross is sinking his teeth into the other man's neck, and it's only a few minutes before Carlos has been completely drained.
When he's done, John Ross shakes his head. "That's what I get for being polite."

Then he picks up the box and walks out of the store, the bells on the door jangling merrily as he leaves.

John Ross hops back in the car, handing the box to Sarah. He glances to the backseat, Samara's head in Elizabeth's lap and tears streaming down Elizabeth's face.
"Is this going to make her wake up?" Elizabeth whispers.
John Ross shakes his head. "I'm afraid we're going to have to do that the old fashioned way."
Elizabeth's brows draw together as John Ross turns back around.

Sarah raises an eyebrow. "So what's in this witches brew? Snails and puppy dog tails?"
John Ross grimaces. "Why do you think I had it made into a cake?"
Sarah swallows, shutting her mouth.

Elizabeth
It's not long before they make it to one of John Ross' safehouses.

He sets Samara down on the bed before disappearing out of the room. When he comes back, Elizabeth barely has time to get out a "What are you doing?" before he's dumping a bucket of water on Samara's face. The woman sputters to life, coughing and glaring.
"Did I pass out? Damn. I was going to kill all of you."
"Now's your chance!" John Ross chuckles.
Samara lunges out of bed, only to be caught by restraints around her wrists and ankles.
John Ross laughs again. "Vampire proof! I would know."
Samara sighs. "So I'm a prisoner, is that right?"
"Nope."
"So you tie up all your guests?"
John Ross looks over at Elizabeth. "You sure she can't stay this way?"
Elizabeth glares.

"Alright, alright." He concedes. "You look pretty hungry, Sammy. Eat this." He says, holding out a piece of cake.
She snaps at his fingers. He pulls his arm back, nodding at Elizabeth.

"You trust me, don't you Mara?" Elizabeth coos, offering another slice. "Come on, I know you're still in there."
Samara struggles against the ties, but it looks like more of an internal one. Finally she nods, taking a large bite of the cake.
"Ooh, chocol--"

Suddenly, Samara's body siezes, pulling against the restraints and screaming.
"What's happening, John Ross?" Elizabeth cries.
"It's working!" He shouts back.
When Samara's body stills she sits up, and Elizabeth rushes over to untie her. Her daughter looks different somehow.

"Are you okay, baby?"
"Yeah, Mom. What's going on? Why am I tied up?"
Elizabeth sighs in relief. "You were...poisoned. But you're all better now. Everthing's going to be alright, I promise."
With both her arms untied, Samara hugs Elizabeth tightly. "I don't feel so good."
"It's okay, baby. Everything's going to be alright." She repeats, hugging her daughter back.

Eventually, Samara notices the two other pairs of eyes watching her. "Who are these people?"
"Oh. That's my sister--"
"It all worked out? I'm so happy for you, mom." Samara smiles, pulling Elizabeth into another hug. "And good to meet you, Sarah. My mom didn't tell me you two looked like twins."
"Nice to meet you too, Samara." Sarah says warily, trying to pretend this wasn't the same person who threatened to kill her just hours ago.
"I'm so glad you two made up."
"Me too." The sisters say in unison, before sharing a laugh.

"And who's this?"
Elizabeth smiles. "That's your f--"
John Ross cuts her off. "Friend. I'm just a friend. Glad to see you're feeling better."
"Thanks. It's good to meet you..."
"James."
"It's good to meet you, James."
"And you, Samara."
"I'll be right back, sweetheart." Elizabeth says, pulling John Ross into the other room.

"What are you doing?"
"She doesn't have to know. It'll just upset her, knowing about me. And she's got every right to be angry."
"It wasn't your fault." Elizabeth pleads.
"It doesn't matter. I have to leave anyway. Alone."
"Again?" Elizabeth sighs, resigned.
"If happy ever after did exist for me, it would be with you and the kid. You know that."
Elizabeth swallows. "I know. But we--I am going to miss you."
He kisses her softly. "I love you."
She nods. "I love you t--."
"Elizabeth?" Sarah calls.

Elizabeth runs into the other room. "Wha--oh my god, Samara?"
"Mom? I think I'm..." Samara's sounds distressed.
"Human." Sarah confirms.
"Jo--James? What do you think about this?" When Elizabeth doesn't get an answer, she turns around.
"Oh. He's gone." She clenches her teeth together, trying to hold back the tears. "It's going to be okay, sweetheart. We'll figure this out. Being human is a wonderful thing."
"I know." Samara smiles. It'll be a fresh start."
"For both of us." Elizabeth agrees.
Sarah pulls the other two into a hug. "Together."

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