The Atwood DITFT: Generation 3, Chapter 8
Author's Note: Hi everyone! First of all, thanks to everyone who helped me through my mini Photobucket rage earlier... lol. I figured out my issues and even made it better in my settings than it was before... so for now at least, I'm sticking to PB. You'll also be happy to hear that I have almost finished this generation in-game... I'm working on chapter 12, which will be the last one from Rue's perspective! (Though of course not the last one she appears in!) Anyway, for now enjoy Chapter 8 with the knowledge that generation 4 is in the not-too-distant future :D
The Atwood DITFT: Generation 3, Chapter 8
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Three months later
In the last few months I’ve been exploring the deeper recesses of some tombs, and I’ve encountered a LOT of sarcophaguses (sarcophagi?). I even found a whole graveyard! I was really hoping to find a mummy, but so far I had no luck.
That is until this guy popped out of a sarcophagus I’d just explored! I didn’t see him at first…
…Oh shit!
We started fighting, and I was way more scared than I thought I’d be! I hate to admit it but it was honestly so terrifying.
What’s worse is I must have lost because the next thing I knew I was lying on the cold floor of the tomb!
Don’t worry, I was fine! Just a little dazed. I’d heard stories of mummies laying curses on people, so even though I felt fine, I decided to keep a close eye out, just in case.
I later found this room, with a giant skull on the floor. I was happy to get out of there!
Unfortunately I hadn’t escaped the mummies just yet! There were two more guarding the treasure chest I needed to get to…
Luckily a floor switch nearby let me roast them both into oblivion!
Naturally I pillaged their sarcophaguses mercilessly once they were no longer a threat.
* * *
More things have happened! One, I explored this temple, called Abu Simbel. It was one of the trickiest tombs I’ve ever done. So tricky in fact that I didn’t take a single picture inside! Sorry about that.
To make it up to you, here’s me peeing on Queen Hatshepsut’s toilet. You’re welcome.
Another big thing is that I bought a little vacation home in downtown Al Simhara! I just love this place too much to put it out of my heart forever once I leave. So I figured it’d be nice to have a place to come back to anytime I want!
My favorite thing to do these days is enjoy a leisurely breakfast out on the little shaded table I have in my back garden. It’s the most peaceful place in the world! I’m getting a bit burnt out from all those tombs, so lately I’ve just been relaxing.
I love to go fishing at night. Everyone says Egypt is a dangerous place for a woman alone, but I’ve come to know so many of the locals here that I feel thoroughly safe. I’ve never had a problem! Besides, it’s waaay too hot to fish during the day!
* * *
I think my time in Egypt is coming to an end. I’ve been here two years now, and it just feels like time to leave.
Don’t get me wrong; it IS beautiful here.
In fact, I went for a swim the evening before I left, thinking about what it was like to leave China so long ago. I was so confused and scared back then; the future was entirely uncertain. Then again, it still is. I guess that fact just doesn’t bother me anymore.
* * *
Coming home was much less bittersweet this time. Rue felt great about her time in Egypt and equally great about arriving back in Hidden Springs.
As she decorated her house with the relics she had found, she couldn’t help wanting to return to China. It had been quite some time since she had thought about Shang Simla, or her martial arts training… or Ho Sung.
Oh, Ho Sung. What was a girl to do? Rue was sure now of her attraction to him. Yet there was no way she could tell him that-he was her mentor! But if she ignored it and went ahead with her training, it would certainly be a distraction. Ho Sung had clearly noticed the last time Rue allowed her feelings to control her mind during their sparring match. It would not go unnoticed this time, either.
So what do I do?
A few weeks later, Rue was out shopping in downtown Hidden Springs when she ran into Mildred, the woman she’d met in China almost three years ago.
“Oh, my God! Millie! Hi!” she exclaimed.
Mildred looked surprised and confused for a moment, then her eyes widened as she recognized her old friend. “Rue! Is that really you? Oh, my God! How have you been? What are you doing in Hidden Springs?”
The two women quickly agreed that a coffee date was necessary, and met up an hour later at one of Rue’s favorite coffeeshops, located high on one of Hidden Springs’ hills.
They chatted aimlessly for a while, discussing their respective adventures abroad. After that topic had been exhausted, they turned to more personal matters. Millie had heard about Rue’s troubles with James and her conflicted feelings for Ho Sung-the girls had been roommates in the hostel in China, after all-and was very curious to know the current state of affairs.
“So, what’s the story with James?” Millie finally asked. “I mean, I know it’s been years, and whatever, but… Well, how do you feel about it all?”
“I don’t really know,” Rue said sadly. “I mean, I told James it was for the best for us to break up, but if you want to know the truth, all I’ve thought about since graduating high school is that guy.”
“That’s so sweet,” Millie gushed. “But… what about Ho Sung?”
“Ugh, don’t even get me started,” Rue sighed. “I have no idea. He’s really attractive, yeah, and super good at martial arts and my idol and everything. But, well… I don’t think what I feel for him is anything like what I feel for James.”
“Do you think James is your soulmate?” Millie asked.
Rue thought about that. “How do you really know that kind of thing?” she finally said. “I mean, sure, we were great together… but there were also barriers in our relationship. We just want different things out of life. He’s happy at home… I’m not. Don’t get me wrong, I love my family, but I don’t want to live in the Plains my whole life. That’s why I’m here, I guess.”
“Do you really know that that’s what he wanted?” Millie asked. “Just because he didn’t want to go tomb-raiding in Egypt doesn’t necessarily mean he wants to live in Appaloosa Plains forever.”
“Well… I don’t know. It’s been a long time, Mil,” Rue said sadly. “He probably wouldn’t even recognize me anymore. He has probably long since gotten over me. It’s what I told him to do.”
“And did James usually take orders from you?” Millie said with a laugh. “Look, I’ve never even met him so I obviously don’t know the whole situation, but I think it might be good for you to see him. At the very least, for some closure. But maybe there’s hope for something a little different…”
* * *
The two women spent the rest of the day and night catching up and showing one another their favorite spots in Hidden Springs. They sang karaoke (much to the distaste of other patrons) and even found a club where they could dance their hearts out. Sure, no one else was on the floor, but that didn’t mean they couldn’t have fun!
* * *
Eventually, Rue worked up the courage to call James’ parents’ house in the Plains. I’ll just ask where he’s at right now, she promised herself. I won’t go searching the country for him or anything. I just want to know.
She kept her hopes very low; she was surprised when James’ mother remembered her. “Oh, Rue, dear, how are you?” Mrs. Beaumont exclaimed.
The women ended up catching up over the phone for a good 45 minutes before Rue even asked, “So what is James up to these days?”
“Oh, he’s living out in Hidden Springs now,” Mrs. Beaumont said nonchalantly. “Yes, he went to school there and has been there ever since. Is that near where you are? Maybe you could stop in and say hello. I’m sure he’d love to hear from you.”
“Y-you think so?”
“Oh, yes. You were always his best friend,” James’ mother said warmly. “He has changed a lot, you know, but I’m sure he will still love to see you.”
“I’ll… think about it,” Rue said hesitantly. “Thank you. So good to talk to you.”
* * *
I won’t go see him. I will not go visit James. I told him to move on; he probably did. I did, too. I’m over him now. Rue was very firm with herself for about a week after she talked to Mrs. Beaumont.
But soon the weekend rolled around, and with nothing better to do, Rue found herself looking up James’ address. I just want to know how close he is, she said. Not that I’m actually going to go there.
Her resolution lasted all of ten minutes after she discovered that James lived within walking distance of her house. How has he been living here longer than I have and I never saw him before? she wondered.
Promising herself that she would just say a quick hello, nothing more-she was over him, after all-Rue headed down her street.
She couldn’t figure out why her heart was beating so fast as she walked up James’ driveway. The house was small but seemed very nice. Out of habit, Rue checked to see how easily James would be able to get around in his wheelchair. It looked pretty manageable, she concluded. God, I hope he’s home. No, I hope he isn’t. No, that he is… Her thoughts raced in nervous circles as she went to ring the bell.
Please don’t be home. Please be home. Please don’t be home. She waited. Then she heard footsteps approaching the door. Here he comes…
Wait. Footsteps?
This had barely registered in Rue’s mind when the door opened to reveal a strikingly beautiful woman. She had long, blond hair, deep brown eyes, and a neat, pretty face. “Hello there…” she said curiously.
Rue was completely in shock. No words presented themselves to her mind, so she just stood and stared at this woman. Did James really-or was Rue just at the wrong house?
“I’m Kayla Andrews,” the woman supplied. “What’s your name?”
“Uh… Rue. Rue Atwood,” she said quickly.
Kayla’s eyes widened in recognition. “Rue… Wow. Are you here to see Jamey?”
So it wasn’t the wrong house, then. “Um… oh. Yes. Yes, I’m here to see… James.”
* * *
DUN DUN DUNNNNN. Cliffhangers... my favorite >:D
Well, my friends, I hope you've enjoyed this chapter! Please be sure to let me know in the comments ;) As always, thanks so much for reading and for being so patient with my unpredictable posting schedule! I hope to have another chapter out for you guys sooner than next month, especially since my spring break is in less than two weeks! Yay! For now, happy simming everyone! :D