Chapter 13

[simtopi]

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13: After hours

Note: If this is your first time reading this story, I would recommend at least reading Chapter 12 before this chapter. Of course, starting from the beginning is a very good suggestion too. ;-)

Warnings: coarse language, adult situations, violence, depiction of cruelty towards the undead. Did I mention violence?

By dark, the world changes. From offices to factories to campus, the light succumbs and desperation and motion gives way to acceptance and rest. The night falls and intentions are shifted.


They never thought they'd be together like this again, wrapped in a clumsy embrace against the counter of a dirty bathroom in the back of a college bar. Emotion and alcohol controlled them and nothing else existed as long as they were in eachother's arms.


Years lost seemed forgotten as every familiar touch brought them closer to what they needed. Their past and all sense of logic carelessly discarded as they pulled each other closer, impatient for the intimacy they both wanted.


After hours is when everything disappears to reset when the world awakens. Some are caught in thoughts of things that could have been, or what could be.


Uncertainty in what he was thinking and what he was feeling kept him up that night. His thoughts were mercurial, each one shifting from point to point, but all of them returning to her. All he had to do was ask her, but he was unsure of what the response would be. And if it should happen at all.


Another distance away, others were able to rest. The bed was familiar and though the sheets were laundered, they still felt and smelled the same as they had when she was a child. Her father watched over her, wondering at what point he started missing the years when he was the most important person in her life. And wondering when he'd lose her completely.


He hadn't changed a thing in her bedroom since the day she moved to college. The clutter on her desk remained unorganized and untouched. She still kept that old family picture there.


In pictures is when he'd ever see her mother. Like the night he learned she had betrayed him. This photograph, however, captured a point when his family was complete and happy. Strangely, this didn't upset him as it did before. He left the picture untouched as he whispered goodnight again to his daughter before he left her room.


Everything else began to close down and the street lights began to dim. The usually busy campus streets were empty save for the occasional urban critter trawling from trash can to trash can.


He might have had a few too many. Alcohol was notorious for affecting the senses. The walk home was short and brisk, and might not have done enough to sober him up. Maybe he wasn't seeing straight, or maybe it was a trick of the lighting. Maybe it was fireflies.


At 2AM everyone might as well be a stranger so he shouldn't be surprised. He had never seen this woman before, and if he had he'd think he'd remember her. Not a lot of women glowed like that. Why she was oddly standing outside his dorm, he wasn't quite sure of either. It was one of those things that maybe after hours, it probably should concern him.


Willow imagined everyone would be asleep by now. At this point, she desperately wanted to be back in her dorm, curled up under her warm bedsheets. She was dazed at first, unable to remember where she was or what she was doing here. Slowly, she recalled the accident. She remembered dimly Jasmine telling her she was going to find help. It can't have been that long ago.


Rationally she knew she should have stayed in the truck. But she didn't feel safe waiting. She called out but her voice only echoed against the old brick and nothing else answered her.


Willow: This is bad. Something bad is about to happen, I just know it.
She's had this feeling before.


Willow: Hello?


Willow: Jasmine? Is anyone here?




The area looked like an old warehouse district, and for the most part many of the buildings looked abandoned. Jasmine was surprised that there was a part of the city she's never been in before. Not like there would be any reason for her to be here. Mentally, she retraced her steps back to the truck. If she couldn't find a phone soon, she had to get back. She had to make sure Willow was alright.


Jasmine: Dead end. And there's nothing open.
She couldn't even find a public phone. Her earlier panic and sense of urgency somewhat diminished. She couldn't help but be annoyed with the situation. Willow better be alright.


She heard the shuffle of footsteps first. But Willow knew right away that whatever was behind her was not Jasmine.


It's breathing sounded like sandpaper against brick. The rot was so strong she could smell it from where she stood. She turned around slowly and saw it grinning toothlessly at her from behind a tattooed face. It's dead eyes glowed maniacally. It coughed up black blood as it's broken body struggled to deal with the injuries Jasmine's truck inflicted on it.


Willow stepped back slowly. It wasn't human. She knew this right away.


And it found it's victim.


It's intended target was standing right before it, frozen in place. When it began to run fearsomely towards her, Willow knew it was time to go.


She didn't know where she was going. Blind panic seized her as she heard whatever it was seemingly laugh as she began to run.


Wesley watched as the dead creature began it's pursuit with the girl who was supposed to have been his prey. This was Clara's doing, he thought. Why did she send it if she already sent him? Quickly he followed.


Jasmine pounded on the old doors as long and as loudly as she could. This building looked like the closest thing to a residence so she felt she had to give it a try. She couldn't see inside past the heavy curtains.


As loudly as she knocked, no one answered.


Screw this place, Jasmine thought. After having seen or heard no one in the few blocks Jasmine travelled, she was almost assured that Willow would be safe. But she had to get back.


It was the first sign of life Jasmine had seen all night in this area. Figures it would be a homeless person foraging in the garbage.


Jasmine: Excuse me... sorry to bother you but we've just been in an accident. Can you point me out to the nearest payphone?


It seemed surprised to have been disturbed. It raised it's head quickly out of the trash can and glared at her.


In the dim streetlight, Jasmine wasn't sure what she was looking at. It's breath was loud and raspy and it wheezed as it turned to face her.


Jasmine: I'm sorry, are you alright.... what the hell...???


It growled and the sound that it made froze her skin and sent a ripple of fear up her spine. It glared at her, lowering itself closer to the ground like an animal about to attack.


Jasmine: Okay, listen, I was just asking. You don't have to get pissed off, I'll just leave now. Mister, what are you doing?
Oh what the fuck... Jasmine thought as it began to run towards her. Okay, this isn't good.


It didn't slow down as it got closer. It growled again, it's hands outstretched like claws. Jasmine practically acted on instinct. Every judo maneuver she'd ever learned ran through her head in a second.




The coldness from it's skin was almost like an aura. She could feel it as she used the creature's momentum and threw it against the parked car. The sour smell of rotting flesh permeated the air.


She decided she didn't want to wait around to fight whatever it was more. This was one of those times she was perfectly fine with not engaging in a fight. Self defense did not exclude running away from a bad situation.


Jasmine: Willow? Okay I hope you're awake because we really gotta go now.


Jasmine: Willow?!


She isn't there. What the fuck.


The rasping growl alerted her.


The thing had followed her back to the truck. And Willow was nowhere to be seen.


For something as clumsy and stupid as it looked, it was surprisingly fast. It had lunged at Jasmine, threatening to tear into her skin with it's clawed hands.


Jasmine: Get the fuck away from me!!
Jasmine tried to react quick. She managed to pull away and land a kick against the side of his head.


The first thing she thought of were those old zombie movies she and Gabriel would used to sneak out and watch late at night. She didn't know why she thought of that. Zombies didn't exist. And this one for some reason, wanted to kill her. She was sure of it.




She slammed the chair into him as hard as she could.


It collapsed as she pulled away, landing face first.




Jasmine: You better stay down.
She only hesitated a moment, reminding herself that it tried to kill her. She slammed her heel down hard across it's skull.


She heard the dead crunch under her foot. It didn't move.


Find Willow and run. It repeated in her brain like a mantra now.


She heard the raspy wheeze and the shuffle of it's boots behind her. Fear and disbelief kept her where she was standing when she knew she had to move.


There was now no mistaking in her mind that Jasmine was not dealing with a normal sim.


She had not anticipated how fast it moved. Nor did she anticipate how strong it was.




She knew she hit the wall hard. She felt something crack inside her before her vision blurred and she began to fall into unconsciousness.




She moaned softly. She was vaguely aware before she blacked out completely of the creature standing over her, trying to breath as if it only remembered how to do so. If she didn't get up, she was sure she was going to die. At the hands of a half decayed homeless zombie, in a garbage pile. In a way, she couldn't think of a more dramatic ending for her.


Someone screamed a short distance away. Willow.


Jasmine couldn't help her. She tried as hard as she could to stay awake, but soon everything just went dark.


Willow couldn't see. She had ended up in a densely wooded lot where the street lights couldn't brighten. Pine needles tugged at her clothes and scratched her skin.


But she could smell it behind her; that scent of decay. She had to keep going.


She finally made it out of the trees and into a junk filled lot that looked like it had served as an illegal dumping ground for some time. The creature emerged behind her. It had never been that far away.






It struck her hard. She screamed as she fell back and landed, stunned.




She could hear her glasses fall not too far away. She tried to reach for them, but the creature was faster.


She scrambled to her feet as quick as she could. The creature stared at her simply it's lips contorted into a mockery of a grin. If she moved, it would flinch, but it didn't attack. He was toying with her, she thought, panicking. Like it was a sick game. Somewhere in it's decayed mind, it was remembering that it used to be a bastard, Willow thought.


With half the streetlights shut down or simply not working, and without her glasses, it was difficult enough for Willow to see where she was going. Walking backwards slowly, she summoned her wand trying to think desperately of any kind of spell she could use. But her mind was in a panic.


The creature paused as a giant bat swooped out of the trees above it. All Willow could see was the dark shadow as it flew above her.


And she knew it had turned into something else behind her.


She turned around quickly and for the first time since she was a child, she saw him again. He should be familiar, she thought. His hair, that old black sweater... his strange scarlet eyes... For a long moment, they both stared at one another incredulously.


Willow: Mr. Wesley?
Her voice was a drawn out whisper.


Only one person in his long life had ever called him that. This girl... the one that Clara wanted him to kill...
Wesley: Willow Marlen.


The Coven had tried to steal her away when she was a child. Clara's Coven. Kimberly Cordial called her "the Heir". She was important to them. And important enough that Clara would betray them to kill her.


That child was a grown woman now, but to him she had not changed. The eyes that looked at him with fear now were the same green eyes of a little girl who once called him her friend.

A glint of light in the discarded mirror distracted Willow. She glanced over, only to see her own reflection.


But not his.


Clara's pact be damned. It was superseded by another one he made a long time ago.


He swore he would keep Willow safe.








Willow stood frozen unable to look away as Wesley pulled the creature into the trees. She should run, she thought to herself. She should run right now. Miss Cordial had told her that her Mr. Wesley had been a figment of her imagination. He wasn't an imagined prince under a spell. He was here now... and he was something far different. Far more terrifying.


Yet, she couldn't run away.




The creature was already dead. In a former life, it was probably some idiot kid who had died by misadventure. Wesley would make sure it never came back to life again.




When Willow heard the snap of the creature's neck, it shocked her out of the daze she was in. She had watched as Wesley fought it and killed it. If it could be killed.... She had to get out of here. She had to find Jasmine ...


But as she turned, Wesley had reappeared again in her path. She stared at him dumbfounded.
Wesley: You're out late again.


Willow: You... you're a ...
She couldn't even say it. She couldn't believe any of this was happening. Her mind spun around as if in a perpetual state of shock.
Willow: No. You know what, none of this is happening. This has all got to be some crazy dream and I'm just out sleepwalking again. You are not a vampire, you didn't just kill a zombie, and this is all a figment of my imagination.


Willow: And that's definitely not another zombie behind you.
But her voice betrayed her very real fear.


The creature had heard her scream out, distracted away from his earlier victim. The blonde girl was not the one he needed. It was this one.


Wesley turned around, ready to face the second creature. This was why Clara sent them, he thought. She didn't trust Wesley. She didn't trust their pact. And she was right not to.


Willow thought quickly. Summoning her wand she remembered a spell...








The old refridgerator slammed into the creature with the force and speed of a moving train, pinning him against the abandoned car.


Wesley stared in disbelief. Underneath the refridgerator, the crushed creature twitched before its limbs sagged limply.


Slowly he turned to Willow.
Wesley: You're one of them.



Wesley: You're a witch! Here I thought you were completely defenseless...
Willow: And you're a vampire! I'm not sure if that makes us even.


Wesley: You have to leave here, Willow. There are probably more of those... things.. around. You're not safe.
Willow: I'm sorry, but I think I've already figured that out. My friend is out here somewhere and I have to find her.


Wesley: You don't understand. They mean to kill you. I'm not going to let that happen.
He held her gaze for a moment. It seemed like a long while before she spoke again, her eyes locked on his.
Willow: It really is you, isn't it?
Wesley: Willow, trust me.


Willow: Trust you? You've gotta be kidding me?! The most craziest things that have ever happened to me happened to me all in this one night. And I'm a witch, I should probably expect all this! Secret societies, sim-eating flora, zombies and then... you...??


Willow: This is completely ridiculous. I have to go back and find Jasmine.
Wesley called after her but she ignored him as she ran back in the direction of the crashed truck.


Wesley: If you stay out here, you will be found and you will get hurt. Why do you think I'm here? I was sent to kill you.
Willow: I thought you said you'd keep me safe.
Wesley: I will. You need to trust me though.




He drank until she fell unconscious. Before her legs buckled under her, he lifted her into his arms. Her skin was cold, but thankfully she was still breathing. He'll find somewhere to bring her, out of Clara's reach. If Clara hadn't already learned that Wesley had betrayed her, she soon will. He would have to deal with her then.

next » [ Chapter 14: Unrequited ]

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More notes!

*This chapter was envisioned way back when I first started planning out this story. Of course, some things evolved along the way, but this is how I imagined it for the most part. Personally, getting Willow and Wesley to finally be reunited was kind of a big deal for me.
*I mentioned in my last entry that this chapter was super long. And it is. (114 pics) I didn't exactly split it up, but some of it was moved to the next chapter.
* The zombie's names are Eddison Zombie (the bald guy) and Dox SkateZombie (the emo kid). I know, you guys really needed to know that. Well there you go.
* I really hope you guys enjoyed this chapter. It took a lot of freaking work and it's been months in the planning. Not even kidding. If you are reading this story at all, please leave a note to tell me what you think. Even if you tell me it sucks, it makes me feel all warm and fuzzy inside that you've read it! :D

Comments

[alena1989leciel.livejournal.com]

Hey, I love it, I've been following your story for a while and I can't believe how talented you must be to make stories like that, it must take so much work and skill! Are there lots more adventures to come?

[simtopi]

Thank you, it's definitely work and possibly stubbornness on my part. But I appreciate the comment. :) Yes, there are still quite a few chapters to go still. Lots of things need to happen before the end. :O

[simnovoris.livejournal.com]

Wow! I'm really impressed with the action posing, it seemed so natural and without effort. Which I know it probably wasn't. :) It flowed so nicely, though! How did you make the fridge hit the zombie?

I really like the Willow plot, and I can't wait to see what you've got planned for her.

[simtopi]

Thank you, and yes I've complained about this before but posing this chapter was a bitch. I'm glad it seemed to have worked out for the most part. For the fridge scene (and for pretty much everything else that looks like it's being tossed around), I used these OMSPs. They are abused all over the place in this story. The effects were just a judicious use of witch effects and moveobjects and just a teeny bit of photoshop.

[simnovoris.livejournal.com]

Oh, I didn't mean you've complained, I just know that posing complex scenes can be anything but simple. :)

Hmm, I have those OMSPs, I've just never really figured out how to use them. I'll play around with them now!

[leapsbarnes.livejournal.com]

This was by far my favourite chapter. It was so intense and action pact and I loved the way you told it. The beginning slides were great. And I loved when Gabrielle got back to the dorm and the other Cordial sister was standing there, waiting for Willow.

I especially loved the slide where Wesley and Willow look at each other for the first time. All the interactions between them were pretty perfect. And then he BIT her! Wow, that was awesome.

As for the posing, I'm sorry it was a bitch, but it was SO worth it. Everything just looks amazing :) Awesome job!

[simtopi]

Thanks! I'm glad you like it and i'm happy that Willow and Wesley meeting was effective. I stressed out too much about that. Don't be sorry about the posing. I might be masochistic in a way. :p

[ejanieey.livejournal.com]

Eep! Wesley! *claps*. It's AWSOME. And Wesley is back! You've outdone yourself this time. I can't wait for the next one! Squeee-eeee-eeee! *claps*.

[simtopi]

Haha, glad you liked! *joins in the happy bounce*

[kayleigh83.livejournal.com]

looove it, can't wait to see more of rowan and meadow's reunion :D

[simtopi]

Me too, lol! Yeah, I'm not done with those two yet. ;) I'm glad you liked it!

[hey-thur-aether.livejournal.com]

My gosh!! You do an excellent job at keeping me at the edge of my seat, I was chewing my fingernail the whole time!! Can I have the pleasure of friending you? I don't comment alot, but...

[simtopi]

Ooh thanks :D. Of course you can friend me, I don't mind that at all.

[dicaprioangel.livejournal.com]

I really, really enjoyed this chapter! Wow! It's absolutely amazing! :-) I can't wait for more!

[simtopi]

Thank you so much! I'm always happy you're enjoying it.

[selenaq13.livejournal.com]

OMG! This is so good! Wesley and Willow hmmm hot!

[simtopi]

Wesley and Willow eh? Hrmmmm.... :O She'll already have her hands full with Adrian and Gabriel, so at this point (no guarantees though) I'm not sure if I should connect her and Wesley that way. But I have thought about it and it is intriguing. :)

[simtopi]

This is incredibly nice of you to say. :) I'm really happy you enjoyed it... I'm always stoked to get new readers. I think the way you snap your pics around what you do in game is very entertaining, IMHO. It's still a story as far as I'm concerned and we all tell our sim stories in different way. I guess this story is my "challenge". :)

Jinzhou and pianos.

[(Anonymous)]

Hi, Simtopi! You don't know me, I found your site through Dustfinger's LiveJournal and I've been following your stories for a little while now. The Jinzhou legacy makes me laugh so hard. :P And this story is so amazing. I especially love the chapter where the piano was thrown. I've been sharing it with friends that don't even like The Sims, and they enjoy it! Keep up the good work! I can't wait to read more from you in the future!

//Elvekongjen@MTS2

Re: Jinzhou and pianos.

[simtopi]

Thank you, I really appreciate your comment. I'm happy you've been enjoying it and I'll try to entertain as long as I can. :)

[dark-dwellersim.livejournal.com]

OMG, this was amazing Mela!

I'm totally amazed with all the props you used and the magic, this chapter was just incredible for all the effort you put in, it was very realistic and had some definite drama going.

I still can't shake loose that the zombies remind me of Left 4 Dead. :P

[simtopi]

Haha, thank you. I love Left 4 Dead, so I take it as a compliment. I'm a fan of crazy apocalypse George Romero type zombies (like in L4D). Have you seen the Left 4 Dead Sims? LOL!

[sheerfreesia007.livejournal.com]

I just have to tell you that you are a wonderful story teller. I just read your whole story from generation one to this chapter and I just have to say you done wonderfully with this story. I loved how you used the Cordial sisters in your story so far as well. It's wonderful story I can't wait for the next chapter! Keep up the good work. :)

[simtopi]

Thank you so much for coming by and commenting. I never expect people to start from Generation 1 (understandably, it was crap, lol) so it's a nice surprise to find out someone's read that far back. And I love the Cordial sisters... i wish people would write more stories involving them. I haven't seen many. :( Thanks again!

[arithmeticdoll.livejournal.com]

This is so awesome XD I have a new pairing...Willow and Wesley ahahahahah... I LOVE YOU FOR POSTING THIS

[simtopi]

LOL, we'll have to see what happens to Wesley and Willow in the future. :D I LOVE YOU FOR READING! :D

[(Anonymous)]

I love how Wesley kicked ass and Willow was all like "it's my turn bitches!"

[simtopi]

Ha!

Totally Addicted :)

[(Anonymous)]

I am so totally addicted to SimTopi; You've done an excellent job with the story and the accompanying screenshots. I am almost embarassed by how frequently I check to see if you've added a new chapter - and the rush of giddy glee I have when there is one :) Thanks for all the enjoyment - tons of appreciation here for your ability!

Re: Totally Addicted :)

[simtopi]

I'm really flattered. Thanks, and you don't have to be embarassed. I do the same with some of my favourite stories/legacies. ;) I just wanted to share this story and I'm so happy people are enjoying it. :)

[medleymisty.livejournal.com]

It was wonderful! :) Very well written and staged and exciting. I loved it.

[simtopi]

Thank you, I'm glad you liked!

[simtopi]

Thank you! That's too kind of you to say. :D

[sepia-photo.livejournal.com]

I've just stumbled across this today, and I gotta say that how you did the fight scenes are phenomenal. You also have a very good writing style. :)

[simtopi]

Thank you. :) I did hope that they came through all right without looking too posed. I really appreciate the comment. :)

[collidingwithme.livejournal.com]

OMG MELA!!! I really wanna scream! This is an incredibly exciting-nervous-intense chapter! I was totally grabbing on to my seat as the zombies attacked! I was like 'eeeeeeew!' when Jasmine knocked into the first one and had a really bad feeling when Jasmine left Willow alone in the car. It reminded me of Jurassic Park when the dinosaurs were running after the people, lol. And I was all 'noooooo!' when Jasmine was down. D8

It's funny that you've been planning for Wesley to reunite with Willow. My evil speculation says that they have something going on. X)

Anyway, this is so awesome that I just feel like doing this: (*hugs*)

[simtopi]

Aww Ning you are too sweet! *hugs back*. It's great to see you enjoying the story. I have some ideas about Wesley and Willow, so it'll be interesting (to me too) where it goes. :D

Joining the crowd

[(Anonymous)]

I just wanted join in on the collective cheer here as well! Awesome chapter in a really awesome story! I just love how you began this chapter with the journey into the state of mind of those that were closest to Willow(and furthest from her when she really needed them )with what was possibly the worst situation of her whole life unfolding. And Wesley would be the only one at the right place and right time. Ah Wesley, such a tortured soul! *Loves* Such an excellent and thought provoking chapter! The action sequence was quite brilliant and I was in the same theater with the rest of them on the very edge of my seat too! I am a bit of a late comer to this journal so I am so pleased to have more to look forward to - onto the next chapter! Bravo!

Re: Joining the crowd

[simtopi]

Thank you for this comment! I'm always too happy to have new readers! :) I'm not quite sure this story is deserving of all that praise but I'm so glad you're enjoying it all the same. :)

[redfox-2.livejournal.com]

When Willow was saying something like "Some thing bad is about to happen" and we see the Zombie dude, It was like, "RUN Willow, RUN!" XD

[simlili.livejournal.com]

Like everybody else, I really like to read your LJ, this story is so good and technically perfect. Plus I'm happy to be a late reader so i don't have to wait, yay.
It's not too long either, IMHO, a good update is rather always too short :)

[naughtydolphin.livejournal.com]

Oh man, this entry ROCKED. I've been (finally!) making my way through, and wow, this story is fantastic. I was going to leave commenting until I was all caught up, but I love not only the story in this entry, but the work that went into getting those shots!

[genlisae.livejournal.com]

I know I said I was going to hold off on commenting until I was caught up, I had to comment on this one.

The intro to this chapter (the first dozen slides? I counted 11 but I may have miscounted) BRILLIANT! The mood, the pacing, little glimpses into what is going on in the world for the other characters really sets the tone wonderfully as the backdrop for the drama to play out against. Very well done.

The rest of the chapter as well. I am in awe. The fear and tension are palatable. You have a gift for pacing.

[simtopi]

Well thank you for reading! Please, definitely take your time and I hope you enjoy the rest. Don't fall asleep at your desk, it's not healthy. ;D

[raquelaroden.livejournal.com]

I've finally started reading your story after hearing about it for so long, and I'm loving it! I love love love the comic book feel to the staging of the shots and the dialogue is super snappy and fun. I can definitely see how this scene had to have been in your head all along when you were first planning the story, and I'm sure it was excruciating to have to wait so long to develop it and take the time to reveal it, but it was definitely worth the care. Lovely!

[simtopi]

Oooh, thank you so much! I'm glad you started reading and that you're enjoying it too. :D

I still have so many little scenes and plot points in my head that I'm dying to write and shoot but you know how it is when your muse tells you to follow the natural order of the plot line and not stray off course even if it'll take months to get through. And there's still so much a long the way that *I* have to figure out so that'll be even more of a challenge. Again, thanks for leaving a note!^_^

[fizzopop.livejournal.com]

BRILLIANT STORY!!