Chapter 33
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Chapter 33: Lullaby
Warnings: Coarse language, violence, people yelling (okay, its Rowan yelling, but it still counts. And no, that wasn't a real warning.)
She struggled in the dark, her mind feeling like it was swaddled in thick, heavy cloth. She felt aware of herself, and the need to simply open her eyes but her body didn't respond. Her eyes stayed shut and she felt a cry welling up inside her, but her lips wouldn't even part to release it. In that darkness, she could hear voices whispering different words, some coherent, some foreign. She tried to force them away, but the words kept swimming around her. She didn't know what it meant. She was frightened and alone in her own mind.
She's been here before. This used to be a place of comfort for her. She used to live here. She remembered enjoying being here. It was where she met Gabriel...
But why did everything look different? It was dark and destroyed. This place felt real, but she didn't. She could barely feel the charred wood floor beneath her. She sat up, questioning what had happened. She asked aloud but her voice didn't carry.
"Hello?" she tried again. She looked down at her feet at something she hadn't noticed before. In the darkness, against the char, soot and ruin, it sat there innocently, bright and pink.
She blinked, unable to understand what this meant. Then it spoke... or something did...
"Hello, Willow."
"Welcome home."
With tremendous willpower, Willow clenched her fists and jolted forward. Her eyes widened, and she released the tiny, hoarse cry... "Wesley???"
Her heart was beating fast. Her skin was cold and clammy. She looked around her, her eyes adjusting to the light in the room. As she regained focus, she could see she was in the strange room, by herself. Wesley was not with her. Daylight poured through the windows.
She could barely remember what had happened the night before. She felt tired and her head hurt, but at least now there was silence. She looked around the empty room. She was lying in this old bed where the springs creaked loudly. The sheets smelled funny. There didn't seem to be any heat.
She remembered walking through that dark corridor and reaching the door at the end of the hall. She remembered using the key that Wesley gave her to open the door and walk inside the room. In the darkness there was a mirror.
Everything turned strange after that. She vaguely remembered Wesley lifting her up in his arms. She wanted to escape. She wanted to be home.
But where ever this was was nothing close to being home
She walked around the house aimlessly. She was completely alone here but for some strange reason it felt familiar to her. Squatters or kids had broken in at a point and wrecked the place a bit. But she could tell by the faded wallpaper and the old carpet that the place was well cared for once. It could use some cleaning.
Some of the rooms definitely needed more care than others, it looked like.
She couldn't tell exactly where she was in relation to campus. She wasn't even sure this place was close to the city all. She walked outside and looked around. The house was definitely old, and completely covered in snow. The silence right now appealed to her though. There was an odd kind of comfort being here. She didn't feel as if she were in danger. Actually, she felt safe.
She didn't feel any rush to run out to find help. The place was cold, drafty and musty, and she wasn't sure where exactly she was, but she still felt as comfortable being here as any place she's lived.
Like every old house, this one had a cellar. Willow ignored every warning that sounded through her mind. She had never been too afraid of dark places. Always exploring where she shouldn't. This has gotten her in trouble in the past. But this genuinely didn't feel dangerous to her.
Oddly the cellar was completely empty except for the mirror. Nothing was stored down here. There were no rats, and not even any cobwebs. The place was the cleanest room in the house.
The old tarnished mirror looked familiar. And it was strange that it should be down here. There was something about it...
Cautiously she stepped forward until she could see herself in the dark glass. She didn't know what she was expecting to see, but nothing out of sorts happened this time. It was just her staring back at herself.
Ordinary Willow Marlen.
The sharpened tip of the cheap blade hovered dangerously close to Wesley's throat. He stood back, unintimidated and still as a statue, acknowledging that this was a less than ideal situation.
Rowan: Where the fuck is my sister?
Gabriel: Okay, I can't believe I actually have to tell someone this...
Gabriel: ... but Rowan, put the sword down.
Rowan ignored him, and still kept his gaze steady on the vampire.
Rowan: What did you do to her? Where is she?
Wesley didn't blink. He didn't like Rowan pointing this sword at his throat.
Wesley: Like I said, I'll take you to her. But what do you think pointing this thing at me will accomplish?
Rowan: It'll keep you the fuck away from me, that's for sure.
Wesley: I don't intend to harm you.
Gabriel: Listen, I don't know who that guy is, and I don't know what's going on, but he's right; being all stabby never gets anything done, Rowan. Come on, put the sword away before someone gets...
Gabriel: ... oh geez...
Rowan had lowered the sword briefly as Gabriel was talking. Wesley took the opportunity to move, which was when things started to happen. Much too quickly for Gabriel's comfort.
With swiftness no one expected, Wesley had pushed the blade of the sword swiftly away and in another second had disarmed Rowan completely, knocking him down.
Gabriel ran to Rowan's side, struggling to hold him back. It took all of Gabriel's strength to keep Rowan from jumping up at the other guy.
Wesley: I told you I'd bring you to Willow. I'm not going to do that with sharp objects pointed at me.
He tossed the sword away across the road, into the snow.
Wesley: You're just going to have to trust me.
Gabriel: Listen, whoever you are. Is Willow okay?
Wesley didn't answer him right away. He only turned back to look at him.
Gabriel: I've got my mom's car here, I didn't park that far...
Wesley: You won't need it. She's close.
Clive: Sorry about all the phone calls. Everything's going straight to voicemail from now on, I promise.
Clara: Well good. I was just about to start without you anyway.
Clive: I wouldn't blame you. Thanks for making dinner, Clara, it looks and smells delicious.
Clara: Cooking's a big hobby of mine. It's certainly my pleasure. And I am thrilled to get to know your girls a little better.
Cecilia was already tuning her out. Tucker had come sniffing around, eager for some table scraps. She knew she shouldn't encourage him, but couldn't resist giving him a piece of food before she dug in herself.
This was the first "family" dinner they've all had for a very long time. Jasmine stared across the table, unable to completely figure Clara out. She and her dad clearly had something and it didn't seem as casual as he had made it out to be. Having dinner all together was an obvious sign of that.
And in any case, she had way too many other things on her mind.
Jasmine couldn't let up on her opinion of Clara. Obviously she wasn't their mother, but it was more than that. There was something obnoxious about her. From the designer clothes to her perfectly coiffed hair. To her fake smile, that high pitched voice, and her annoying laughter. This was more about seeing her dad date someone again. He could have had any woman he wanted, so why this one? She didn't even seem like his type. Jasmine couldn't stop thinking that there was something vile about her
Clive: You're not eating, Jasmine.
Jasmine: Sorry too much on my mind.
Clive: I understand this was probably bad timing, with the fire at Gabriel and Willow's dorm last night, but Clara did go out of her way to make dinner for us.
Jasmine: And I'm sure it's delicious.
Clara: Oh honey, leave the girl be. She and her friends have obviously gone through a lot last night, I'm sure the last thing she's thinking of is being hospitable to her father's new girlfriend. Of course I completely understand that this can be strange and a little awkward.
That sugary sweet voice of hers made Jasmine want to punch her.
Clive: It doesn't excuse her from being rude...
Jasmine: Wait... I'm being rude? Coming from you...
Cecilia reached out under the table and put a hand on her sister's arm to try to calm her down. Jasmine held back the rest of what she wanted to say. The next few minutes went by with an awkward silence.
Jasmine: Sorry, but I'm just not hungry tonight. I'm going to find Gabe.
Cecilia: Um... I guess I should really go with her. Sorry, Dad.
Cecilia: You know, that was one of the least fun family dinners I've ever had.
Jasmine: Yeah well, since when was Clara family?
Cecilia: You have a point, but did you have to make it even more weird? Where are you going anyway?
Jasmine: What did I say at the table, Cecilia. I'm going to find Gabriel.
Cecilia: I thought you were making that up.
Jasmine: Haven't you noticed, he's been gone since this afternoon. I'm willing to bet he isn't at home with his mom either.
Cecilia: Don't you think Gabe can take care of himself?
Jasmine: After what I've seen last night, I sincerely doubt it.
Cecilia: Well okay, I'm going with you.
Jasmine: You really don't have to do that. I mean, you really don't.
Cecilia: Hey, you're not the only one who needs an excuse to not be around Dad and Clara tonight.
Jasmine was right. On their way to campus, Cecilia called their Aunt Lydia. Gabriel was home, but briefly to tell her what had happened and to borrow her car. He hadn't been home yet, and he was expected back at dinner.
They drove around campus until they did find Aunt Lydia's white SUV parked around the block from Gabriel's dorm. But he wasn't around.
Cecilia: Why do you think he'd be here?
Jasmine: I don't know, Cecilia. Maybe he found Willow.
Cecilia: I wish I knew what was up with her. You have weird friends, Jasmine.
Jasmine: I'd shut up about that now if I were you.
Cecilia: Whatever. God, everyone's so touchy lately.
Jasmine: Cecilia, for crying out loud, you really have no idea how serious this shit is, do you? It's not about your little ghosts screwing up your social life...
Cecilia: You could be a little less callous at least, Jasmine. It's really not cool being woken up all hours of the night by dead people.
Jasmine: Well at least they're not trying to kill you.
Cecilia: What is that even supposed to mean?
Jasmine: Never mind. Just... yeah just forget I said anything. I'm going in there.
Cecilia: It's freezing and I can guarantee Gabe or Willow's not in there.
Jasmine: I just have to be sure. When I let you come along, it didn't mean your opinion counts for anything here.
Jasmine: Look, I'm sorry, but I did have a really bad day. And night. Actually this last few weeks have been pretty fucked up.
Cecilia: It's okay. Mine too.
Jasmine: I'll only be a couple of minutes. You can stay in the truck if you want.
Cecilia: I think I'll do that. Jasmine... just be okay. Don't do anything stupid.
Jasmine: Too late for that. Now keep the doors locked, don't leave the truck for any reason and call me if you see anyone at all.
Cecilia: Got it!
Jasmine: Anyone, Cecilia. I mean it.
The front doors were obviously out of bounds. But the old building was built well and much of it wasn't damaged. Jasmine decided to take the side emergency entrance to get in.
Judging by the upper hallways, things didn't look so bad. Jasmine wandered around in the dark.
The grand stairway was burned out. The lower floor was destroyed beyond recognition. Debris and damp ash was everywhere. Jasmine was all too conscious of the distressed wood creaking below her feet. She hoped the floor was still strong enough to hold her.
Willow's room was empty as well when she finally found it. She had no idea if anyone had been here since last night. It looked ransacked, for some odd reason. Jasmine was sure that firefighters wouldn't do this. Otherwise, the place looked untouched by the fire.
She did find something behind the door.
It was Willow's message board. It had fallen behind some of her junk, but Jasmine noticed it right away. She had pictures of her family pinned up there, along with one of her and Jasmine from when they were teenagers. It suddenly hit Jasmine how long they've been friends for and how much Jasmine really appreciated having Willow around. Especially when she was having guy troubles. Willow always seemed happy to listen to her.
Where are you Willow? I could really use you around right now.
Carefully, she pulled the pins out of the corkboard and put the photos in her pocket. Willow would want these.
It was mostly being tired and stressed out which made Cecilia start dozing off. She was also bored and cold. Jasmine was taking too long. Maybe going with her tonight wasn't a good idea. She felt useless.
She was actually looking forward to another evening of uninterrupted sleep at home. At least she knew Brittany's ghost hadn't followed her there, yet.
"Wake up, sweetie. She's here."
Cecilia: What???
She woke up with a start. KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK
She let out a shriek of surprised when the policewoman seemed to suddenly appear beside her, banging on the window.
Cecilia's heart had nearly jumped out of her chest. Cautiously, she looked beside her. No one else was in the car with her. Why did she feel a need to be sure of that?
Policewoman: Now it's odd enough that you're asleep in a truck on the side of the road, but why here? This place is off limits.
Cecilia: I know, but I'm with my sister. She ... uh... she had to get something in there...
Policewoman: In this building? Do both of you know how dangerous that could be?
Cecilia: It's still standing, no one's going to be hurt. You're not going to ticket me are you...?
Jasmine walked up quietly and sighed.
Jasmine: Dammit, Cecilia.
Jasmine: I told you to call me if anyone showed up.
Cecilia: Well, she just kind of appeared.
Jasmine: What you didn't notice her driving that pretty obvious squad car and park right in front of you?
Cecilia: Okay I fell asleep. Anyway, it's not like anything is going to happen.
Policewoman: Your truck looks like it's taken quite a bit of a beating.
Jasmine: I take it off-roading a lot.
Policewoman: Uh huh. You sure you weren't running over zombies?
Jasmine: ... what?
Samantha: But I don't blame you. We do what we can in dangerous situations.
Cecilia shrieked again when the image of the policewoman faded in bright sparkles.
Cecilia: Holy crap... it's you!
Samantha: Sorry about that. It's sometimes just a lot easier to not be me.
As Wesley had said, the house wasn't very far away. It was off a little travelled side road up a hill and close to the edge of campus. It'd be hard to find it even on a map. After a short trek through the thick snow, they found where Willow was supposedly staying.
Gabriel expected something a little different. The place looked harmless enough. No imposing castle walls or moats or anything like that.
Gabriel: Hey... where are you going?
Wesley: Willow's safe now, that's all that important.
Gabriel: What, you're not going to stick around? Say hi... or whatever...?
He really didn't know what to say to this guy.
Wesley: I think I've done enough.
And Wesley knew he couldn't trust himself to keep her safe any more. At least if he stayed away, she'd have a chance, until he could find a way to break Clara's oath for good.
He transformed with a thick puff of smoke and disappeared through the trees.
Gabriel: I really don't like that guy.
Rowan had run ahead, fully intending on rescuing his sister from whatever was keeping her in this old house. But as they got closer, they realized soon that Willow was safe. She was standing on the porch waiting for them calmly. The cold didn't look like it was affecting her.
Willow: I'm okay Rowan.
Rowan: What the fuck, Willow? What are you even doing here?
She stepped down from the porch, smiling almost sublimely.
Willow: Hi Gabriel.
She did seem unhurt... but also unphased about having been missing. Gabriel should have felt glad that she was alright but there was something strange about this.
Gabriel: We've been looking for you all day. You just... I dunno, you just disappeared from the Landgrabb House last night. We were all worried sick.
Willow pulled him close and kissed him deeply. All of his worries and reservations disappeared for a moment as he kissed her back, holding her tightly. He never wanted to let her go.
Rowan: Okay already, keep it in your pants till we all get home.
Willow: I'm so happy you're here. I'm sorry that I worried you though... I guess I didn't think of it.
Gabriel: Well no one's hurt, so that's good. You can tell us all about your adventures on the way home, okay? You're with us now, so we'll get out of this okay.
Willow: I'm... I'm not going.
Gabriel: What?
Rowan: The hell you aren't. I don't know what the fuck is going on with you Willow, but you're coming with us right now.
Gabriel: Look... Rowan told me about you. Whatever being a witch is, I'm cool with it okay. But I'm not going to leave you alone here.
Willow: If Rowan did tell you about me, then you should know it's probably better for you to stay away.
Willow: Look, I know it sounds weird, but I have to ask you to trust me. I think I have to stay here. I think there's a reason why I came here and it has to do with me being a witch. I... I just need to know. I need you guys to understand that and let me figure this out on my own.
Gabriel: Does it have to be on your own?
Willow: I think it's the best way. I don't want to hurt anyone.
Gabriel: Come on Willow, this isn't like you. You can figure all this out away from here. Where you're safe.
Rowan: She doesn't have a choice. She isn't staying in this shithole. Willow is coming home with us whether she wants to or not.
Willow: Rowan...
Rowan: What the fuck are you going to do out here that you can't do at home? I don't care what you're trying to figure out, but you're not staying here. I'm not leaving you alone.
Willow: You're wrong, Rowan. I do have a choice. But you don't. I think it's time for you to go.
Rowan: The fuck if you think I'm leaving....
Rowan: Willow...!
Gabriel turned around to watch with horror as bright light surrounded Rowan before he disappeared completely.
Gabriel: What the hell? What did you just do to Rowan???
Willow: He's okay. I just had to send him away.
Gabriel: There's something really wrong about this, Willow. Rowan is right, you shouldn't be here. Just let me take you home.
Willow: Is he right? I don't know. But that's the weird thing... I don't think I'm wrong. I have to stay just so I know. I really am happy to see you, Gabriel.
Willow: But you should leave now too.
Jasmine: I was just in there. As you've already probably figured out, no one is here.
Samantha: I figured as much. We did the best we could given the situation.
Jasmine: Sorry have to ask... but what did you do?
Samantha: What we've been doing for centuries, Miss Baird. Protecting sims from aberrant supernatural events. Though last night was more about cleaning up and altering memories for everyone's safety. Though it was a little trickier.
Jasmine: Altering memories... are you serious? That's your idea of protecting everyone from all this craziness? What about Willow...?
Samantha: It doesn't help to broadcast all this to every one. Can you imagine the chaos that entails? Unfortunately altering memories was all we could do. I haven't been able to enter the premises thanks to a charm the Coven's placed around the place to protect Willow.
Samantha: As for Willow, I'm doing my best to find her. But she's a little difficult to find. She's gone from one protected place that we couldn't use our magic to find to another. She could be anywhere...
Cecilia didn't realize that she had zoned out as Samantha and Jasmine spoke. She wasn't sure if she was half dreaming or not, but she could distinctly hear someone speaking close to her. Without thinking, she began to mumble the words...
Samantha: Wait... what did you say?
Cecilia: I don't know. I just heard it.
Samantha: Who did you hear it from?
Cecilia: I was just thinking of something else. I don't know why I said that. You don't have to listen to me, maybe I'm making up words...
Samantha: Those words you were making up is an old Simlish spell. A counterspell for a customized protection charm actually... How would you know that?
Cecilia: I... don't know..?
Before Samantha was able to ask her any more questions, they were all distracted by a bright flash of light behind them.
Jasmine, Cecilia and Samantha stood back in astonishment as Rowan and Gabriel appeared out of nowhere.
Rowan: I fucking hate when she does that.
Next » [ Chapter 34: Sorceress ]
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Notes:
* the chapter title made sense when I first saw the chapter come together. But now that it's all done, it sort of doesn't. I think I'll leave it for now. I didn't want hold the release of this chapter back because I couldn't come up with a title.
* next few chapters will be fairly interesting. Quite a few flashbacks.
* has dinner scenes always been this ridiculous to compose? I thought it would be easy but sims don't want to freaking sit still. It was the hardest scene to put together in this chapter, surprisingly enough.
* some guest starring witches and warlocks in the next chapter (for those of you who have been patiently waiting to see your sims here ^_^)
* Thank you always for being here! (ooh Law and Order: Los Angeles is on...)
edit: *sigh* so many grammar edits after I published this chapter. >.< I shouldn't proofread while watching the s/o play zombie games. :p