2.21: It ain't heavy

 warning: language

     It's often claimed that silence can be felt. It holds a partial truth, as the silence that feels heaviest is the one that soon will be broken

 

     

     Oriana had told Meave that the dead girl was the one she was supposed to talk to. With a completely neutral face, her cousin simply suggest they stopped looking into Marcos disappearance.

     But he was still missing, and Oriana had to find him. Quitting was not an option.

    
     She had to shatter the silence. Joe was tip- toing around in all his own crazy silence, trying to avoid beeing the one breaking it. But on this Meave and her was on different ends.
     Oriana couldn't just stop. It was her brother, her own annoying helpless littlebrother and not Meaves. If she'd gone missing, Marco would have searched the entire simplanet to find her. She knew he would, and she owed it to him.

    
     The house had been so quiet after her loud brother dissapeared: Why? Oriana didn't understand why they should stop. Obviously the girls death was unfortunate, but it was a coincidence. Even the police said it: It happened a lot in that part of town.
     Because it's not worth it. Meaves nasal voice was used to ordering sims around. What a terrible thing to say, ofcourse it was worth looking for Marco.
     I have to find Marco. She had to. How was this even something to discuss?

    
     Meave answered; The police are already on it.
     But they only keep looking for a corpse.
     And now they found one! She spit it out almost before Oriana ended the sentence.
     Was Meave angry? By the swiftness Joe showed running out of the house with the kids, it seemed like it. Maybe she wasn't keeping her head cool as much as it seemed. Maybe Oriana was the only one keeping her witts about?! That was a scary thought.

     Without noticing it, Oriana rolled her eyes and sighed.
     Don't you roll your eyes at me! Another order from the armymember.
     This is my house!! It was! Meave didn't have anything to whine about here: It's sad that the girl died and everything, but those things happen. Oriana had barely slept that night as the sight haunted her mind. She wasn't used to seeing dead sims: I just need to go back and keep looking! If she knew something, someone else might know something to!

    
     Rubbing her temples, Meave eventually talked through clenched teeth: Why would someone kill that kid, if not to keep her from talking? It might be a coincidence, but there's a chance that it isn't! She drew a deep breath, looking like someone having a heavy headache: How did you even think about searching in that part of town? I can't quite imagine cousin Marco with his handmade shoes and white gold earrings hanging around that area on his sparetime.

     Platinum... It fell out of Orianas mouth without thinking: Marco wears platinum earrings... He claims they have a better shine to them.... Like Marco would wear something as cheap as white gold.
     Turning to Meave again, she said: Do you think he's been a victim of robbery? She hadn't thought about the potential of something that simple before. Marco looked like a million simoleons with that designer tux. Could that be the reason why the cops weren't looking more into it? Just a robbery gone wrong? She had to check the pawn- shop for his jewelry, even that weird bellybutton piercing.

      Not even her brother would survive a gunshot. Maybe his "date" was really a decoy to lure wealthy men into a trap!! Didn't explain the dead kid though, unless she'd been in on it some way!
     Don't be stupid Ori. Marco's a cop, smart criminals doesn't mess with police. That only works in movies. In simality, it's a sure way of getting caught.
     But what if it was a robbery? Maybe he really was dead? But that didn't mean she should stop looking into it. She needed to know. She had to figure it out. No matter what Meave said, she had to go back.

     Joe had been clever enough to run away from the house, when the women started discussing. He loved his wife, but she was seriously terrifying. Either that, or he was just a bit more sensitive than usual. Besides, the kids needed a little time- out from beeing worried about their missing familymember.

      The idea had been taking them to the playground. But they had ended up fleeing the pouring rain, thunder and lightning, taking refugee at the local bowlorama. The clerk didn't seem to happy having five children running around, laughing and talking loudly to eachother. But Joe really didn't care. He lived with them all the time, and letting them loose to be loud and annoy others was all good to him.
     If the guy started complaining, he'd personally strangle him with his long silky hair.

     Doing his best to keep a small eye on the kids, he used the opportunity to study his own son a bit. He wasn't crazy at all, and even if he looked more like him (poor boy), his personality was a lot more like his mothers. A typical go getter that didn't stop before things came out the way he wanted.
     And as long as he didn't join the army, or became a cop, Joe was fine with whatever the boy chose to do in life. He just didn't have the mental strength to sit and worry about another sim for years and years to come. Worrying about his wife and friend was difficult enough. Just the thought of ending up waiting for the phone about Effie beeing shot, or missing in action was almost enough to send him into madness again.

     It was pretty nice sitting at the bowlorama, just wathcing the kids enjoying themself for a change. Lucky was pretty much like normal. She'd found out they had chocolate- gnomes at this place and had bugged him for one until he caved and gave her the simoleons for it. Really? Wasn't there enough gnomes at their house already?
 

      You know there's bowlingballs for kids right? Jarl usually didn't talk to much with other sims around, but they were the only visitors at the moment.
     Odins voice was strained as he answered: It aint heavy... 
      It's your brother? Jarl quickly parried.
      ... I can carry it... What's the worst that can happen... Letting it down with a heavy thump the boys watched it slowly rolling towards the pins. Then down onto the side without ever reaching it's destination. Which meant that a slightly irritated clerk had to go and pick it up for them. Resulting in them both laughing, and trying again.

      For now Skuld had grabbed a book, with the childfriendly title "Headhunters". Joe just hoped it was a book about something else, but most likely it wasn't. The girl was quite a strange one. It wasn't like she couldn't play with other children... but... Maybe he was just imagining it.
     But there was little doubt the girl was clever, and the adults of the household wanted to test her IQ. Unfortunately they needed the parents permission, so with Marco gone and her mum not wanting anything to do with her it was an impossible task for now.

    
     Noticing someone sitting down at the table with him, Joe got a bit irritated. He wanted to be alone and think, not talk to some weird stranger. Unfortunately it was a bit worse than that.

     
     His older brother Rikard had showed up. Not that he was as bad guy in any way, but older siblings were a pain in the rear. Always knowing everything just a bit better. 
     Hello Joakim, the kids are doing well it seems. How are you holding up? That meant he wondered if he was crazy again.
     Joe forced a smile out, no really, Rikard was okay: Pretty good considering the circumstances. Which meant that he wasn't very crazy. This was bro- coded language and they both knew what it meant. 
     And when are you and your wife moving in together?
      Yep, he'd been waiting for that question to. Big brothers always acted like parents: We were looking for a house, but when this with Marco happened we decided to postpone it.
     Oddly enough his brother just nodded, and seemed to accept it. In addition he didn't ask when they were having more kids.

     Out of nowwhere Rikard went: How about I take the kids for you? I'm sure the adults could use some time for yourself to discuss the matter. And I'd love for your son to meet mine. Our family isn't that large after all. 
      Still looking at the children, Joe tried not looking sceptical. Not about Rikards offer, they were family and there wasn't anything suspicious about the offer in itself. But most of the kids weren't relatives, even if he was "uncle Joe" to them.

    
     I'm sure Effie would love to meet his cousin, but the other kids aren't related. Actually Jarl isn't related to any of us either. Honestly Effie probably wouldn't want to meet Rikards kid either, but sometimes adults lied to.
    I'd like for all the kids to come over. Rikard calmly answered: They are important to my nephew, and I'd like to help to help you out a bit.
     His older brother was an easy man to see through at times: Your wife made you do it, didn't she? He was married to Sunniva after all, and she still had a good eye for Marco for some reason. Joe had no idea how Rikard handled that, or seemed so okay with it. He was a better man than he was. Either that, or he just didn't know.
     Nodding Rikard admitted: Yes... And I know what Marco has done for you. I'd like to help if I can.

     
     Well he was a werewolf, so maybe he could sniff for Marco? Taking a short look at him, Joe quickly changed his mind. Rikard had always been a bit sensitive that their family was so weird. But before he could say anyhting, the older man interrupted. Older siblings always interrupted: And to be honest I'm a bit curious about that green boy, Jarl was it? It's not easy beeing a supernatural in the world of sims you know. I can invite Wolf and Merete, maybe Albert and Shing to... He was mainly talking to himself right now.
     I don' think Jarl counts as a supernatural, he's more of a genetic coincidence. 
     Well, Wolf is blue, Merete has wings, and Albert is a major nerd.. it would probably be good for him to see he's not the only different one out there. 
     How was beeing a nerd anything to look at anyway? The kids probably had nerds at school. But unlike him and Marco (and Rye) none of their kids beat them up!

     
     Rikard knew all to well how it was beeing butt- ugly. Having fur and glowing eyes on top of that was terrible. Joakim had always been the handsome one of the brothers. Just thinking you were a freak was bad enough for a kid, but beeing one was even worse. In addition both his brothers were crazy, wondered what had happened to them? 
     He'd always had a soft- spot for different looking children, maninly because it had been hard beeing him as a kid. And who knew, maybe seeing that supernatural sims grew up just as diverce as other sims could be good for the kid?

   
     Ofcourse Rikard had a good point, he sometimes did. This way the adults could meet without having to break up because the children argued, or walked in on them when they discussed their fears. And maybe it would be good for them to meet some supernaturals! Especially for Jarl, even if he wasn't one, he was still green.
     The kids already knew Biorn and Milo, but they were just two and still looked pretty normal. Joe doubted they had seen them in werewolf form: Thanks Rikard. It's a great idea. How about tomorrow? Does that sound okay with you? He'd have to ask the women first ofcourse.
     It's a date then, Rikard smiled.
     Now Joe just wondered how the kids would react to the idea.

     
     Marco didn't feel the smalles sensation of pride of the so- called accomplishment. He did not like beeing a freak! No wonder those damned gardengnomes kept stalking him. Maybe he could retire as the King of gnomes instead?
     It had to be a trick from Rowenas side, it had to be. What else could it be? There was no way he could violate a poor apple like that. Just because he liked fire... and redheads.... didn't mean he could start them on a whim. Not that he'd ever tried before either, but that was because he wasn't a freak! Rowena was trying to trick him, it had to be the case. Real fire burned stuff, this hadn't, so it had to be a trick.

     
     In addition she didn't shut up about it either: That was just.... wow!! To the rest of the gangs "joy" it was official; they were besties. He was besties with his way younger cousin, that clearly was insane and a criminal leader that had a crush on an imaginary guy. Not that it meant he was allowed to leave the room in anyway unfortunately. Marco also highly doubted that any of the other criminals believed her crazy story about him either.
     She even believed he was a dirty cop! He was the most honest one there was, always thinking about justice! His idea of it, but his idea was the right one and everyone else was wrong.
     Or maybe it wasn't Rowena that pissed him off, maybe it was...

     THAT guy. Marco felt the irritation even stronger just at the sight of that eel and his deathsticks. And he was married to his sister. That guy was his brother- in- law! He should have been keeping Oriana and Lucky happy, not hanging around with criminals! Rowenas thugs seemed to be hanging after him again, so it was doubtful they trusted him. Not that Marco had seen it, but he got the little hints that his new "bestfriend" kept dropping.

     It was clear that he was singing on his last note in this place. Bashir knew it to. He wasn't an easy man to read, but Marco knew where to look. Good riddance. Oriana wouldn't have trouble finding a new guy anyway.

     Where the hell did that gnome come from?! Get rid of it!! Rowena shrieked irritated at some gnome that had appeared out of nowwhere. Damn, he really was the king of gnomes. Maybe he could force it into attacking Bashir?

      Unfortunately some ten- year old boy with a donut beard came running in and fetched it before Marco could try. Rowenas thugs didn't look very thug-like, but the boy tried his best.

     Bet it's following blondie here... Bashir just didn't know when to be quiet, and even smirked just to be more irritating. And that constant smoking, didn't he get that it would age his skin? Why didn't it age him more than it already had? He probably used a fortune on dermathologists.... not that Marco noticed.

     Get rid of him. Bashir just never stopped talking did he?
     You are not in a position to decide that Bashir, Rowena spit out so loudly that Marco could actually hear the thugs outside his little cell jumping: Why don't you go do something useful for a change. Like figuring out how the cops started looking at Jonny to begin with?
     Why don't you ask your new girlfriend here? She's the cop isn't she? He smiled that politician- smile, flashing perfect white teeth that had to be bleached.

     Like calling Marco a woman would be insulting, he liked women. A lot! After all, his love for women had gotten him here to begin with. Oh wait... Damned women, and gnomes!

     Rowena seemed to be thinking things through. Sometimes it looked like she had long conversations inside her head. In most cases it wouldn't be unnerving, but she was close to loosing it. No wonder she was shrieking around. Something a bit more unpleasant was that she sometimes ended up looking at nothing, whispered somethings and then shock her head wondering what had happened. And what the hell was with this vampire- dreamguy? He remembered it scared his sister, but Rowena genuinly thought it was real.

     He himself had wanted them to think he was a bad seed, and the only reason they hadn't killed him earlier was because killing cops was a bad idea. Yet here he was, and Rowena claimed it had all been her idea.
     What a horrible idea it had been. How could he have been so damned stupid? What had he imagined was going to happen? That he was going to take out an entire organization on his own? He should have listened to his boss to begin with, and just waited. Information was the way to go; by getting them to give him information because they trusted him. Not by living with them! Idiot! He was such a fucking idiot!

    
     Tilting her head, Rowenas eyes glowed with that unstable anger he'd come to learn she had: So how did you find Jonny to begin with? 
     Marco casually raised his shoulders. Atleast this time he was beeing pretty honest: Because he's been watching to many gangsterfilms and doesn't know the meaning of the word "discreet". I just went for the second weakest link... With a short look at Bashir, he hoped she got who he deemed weakest. By the look Rowena shot the guy, she did. A feeling of deep guilt washed over him, Bashir was his nieces father after all. She was a sweet kid... great, now he started feeling sympathy towards the guy to...
     He's lying. They've got someone on the inside. And just as quickly all the sympathy was gone.

    
     FUCK!!!! He hated that guy!! Ofcourse it was an inside job! Not that he knew who, but that wasn't important. Yet he kept as cool as possible: Sorry duckface, but Jonny's that big of an idiot. We all know him after all. Why? Was it your idea to hire Jonny- turd?
     Rowena looked at Bashir: It was your fault he got that name to begin with wasn't it? She shrugged at him: You of all should know how useless he is. Standing protectivly close to him, she continued: Marco has been more useful to us in this short time, than you have at all! No he hadn't, but Rowena seemed intet on making this into a family business. Maybe she was just desperat for someone to trust?
     Bashir just lit another sigarette, inhaling deeply. He didn't even seem affected. No wonder he smoked a lot.

      Maybe it's time for Bashir to do something else with his life? Marco suggested with a smile. He'd always been keen on the idea of his brother-in-law beeing at the bottom of the ocean. He'd probably just get shot, even if he deserved dying a lot more brutally. Mainly because he was annoying.
     Bashir grinned at him behind a sigarette: Maybe it is. He hated that guy.

     Not that Marco had any idea what was going on this time either. He hadn't been allowed to get out of the room before. This time was the first time it had been unlocked. But now Rowena told him to get up and come with her and Bashir. If he was unhappy with it, he didn't show it.
      So either he was going to die now, or if he was lucky, he'd been able to see some of the buildings layout. He pushed away the small hope that snook into his mind. Hope was a bad thing, it was better to expect the worst.

    
     Rowena lowered her voice to a whisper, as they crossed the room: I'm going to introduce you to the Morcus, she said to him. She was going to have him take Bashirs place. First she would make sure he was accepted as "the new guy" whilst Bashir was still present. When that was done; his brother-in-law would be "relocated". Which was a nice way of telling someone they were getting killed off.
     Marco took the opportunity to take a quick look around. He saw the room going onward to the left, but unfortunately there's something called walls and corners; And crates, so many crates! Three of Rowenas thugs was present, but he doubted they were all of them. Fuck, this didn't give him anything!

     They're pissed at us, and have stopped working on reviving the vampire. By the look on Bashirs face, he thought it was a waste of time: They want us to keep our end of the bargain, which we have. For now, she told him; just sit still and look pretty. Whipping her head towards Bashir she hissed: That goes for you to you bastard! For once, just shut the fuck up!!    
     He smirked at her in that annoying manner, but kept his big mouth shut.

     Ripping the door open, Rowena didn't pretend to be calm or relaxed. She didn't have to either, this was her domain. But that meant that that company actually thought they believed this was worth it, and they were serious about gaining political power in the city.
      Marco didn't want that shitty company in his city. They had enough problems already!

     As they sat down, Rowena said: This is my cousin. He'll be working with us from now on. But he wasn't paying attention anymore. He saw a face he'd recognize anywhere, even if she was an ancient old crust now. Joe was crazy because of her, and here she sat worrying about making simoleons. His bestfriend sat at home and barely kept his head above water, and she was here. Alive and well, thinking about power and simoleons.

     She eventually degraded herself enough to look, giving him a very long stare. Marco sat down on his own hands just to avoid killing her. He had played her more than she'd ever realized, and he'd done it for his best friend. Why didn't she remember him? Was she that blatantly ignorant of what she'd done?

     After a way to long time, he finally saw the recognition in her old eyes: He's a cop!! You dragged a cop in here?! And you're related?!
     Really? That's what she remembered?
----------------------------------------------------------------------
poses: AG,ohoh, matheus serafim,

It's just decoy gnomes. Since there's gnomes everywhere, it suited having them all over the place. Fine, I like the gnomes.

And I'm sorry that's it's so poorly and choppy written. It takes quite some time to get into english and writing when it's been so long.

Thanks for reading

2.20 Pretty as Snow White

warning: blood/gore/language

     It felt good beeing able to smoke inside for a change. This place might be a shithole but atleast no one gave him the evil eye for taking another deep inhale, blowing smoke out his nostrils. It would have been silly by criminals and other criminals that wanted to pretend that they weren't, to complain about it. But he still saw they did their best not to wrinkle their fancy noses at the smell. He probably should have quit years ago, but what was the point? He wouldn't live long either way.

      Bashir couldn't believe those Morcu- corp dumbarses had agreed to come to this rundown shithole, or that Rowena allowed them to. But they were clearly sick of waiting and so was the syndicate. "Try not to be a prick about it". It was always the same command: Don't be a prick, try to be polite, don't be an arse, and so on.

     Strange to think about that the syndicate and MorcuCorp actually coopertated, and still hadn't tried to kill eachother off. Probably wouldn't last a lot longer.

     Not that he understood why he had to be here at all. He'd rather be home with his daughter and wife. And if he survived, which was unlikely, this would be his last contract. Which was why he was a bigger arse than usual. Took so damn long, couldn't they just kill him already and get it over with?
     Rowena had the same nasal voice as her sister, not that Bashir actually thought about it, but it was really annoying to listen to. For some reason a lot of sims found his own voice annoying to. Strange that; he hid a grin behind another deep inhale. He loved seeing sims getting irritated for just opening his mouth.

     The Morcucorps weren't any better than most of them. Extra funny was it that their old principal was a part of the company, and she didn't recognize neither him nor Rowena. But she hadn't said anything, and neither had he. Who could blame the old hag anyway, must be a lot more money in that then teaching?
     Try to listen to me this time, Rowena was agitated even if it wasn't easy to notice: It's going to take time turning the system in Jericho. 
     The Morcus would never had bothered using this much energy on a town, if the economic potential hadn't been so large: The bombing had an effect, the sims were unhappy with their leaders, and wants change. But it's not our problem that the representatives you paid off lost. 

     Bashir swallowed his lust for releasing a fitting insult, it was tough beeing him then.
     We paid your organization well to guarantee that they won. The morcu- man "what's his name" tried voicing his opinion.
     No! Rowena still kept her voice calm, even if those golden eyes was burning: You payed us to get rid of certain representatives, and getting others to look away. That you don't give us better names isn't our problem! 
     In the end he couldn't keep his big mouth shut: You need to get better informants. That wasn't so bad to say was it? He hid another satisfied grin behind his hand as he inhaled another time.

    
     The old ex- principal stared at him, still showing no sign of recognition. Not that she had any reason to, he'd barely been in her office anyway. Hey, maybe they should send that blond gorilla in, he'd practically lived there when they were in school.
     Our informants are more than adequate young man! She snapped at him, her voice as powerful as any young woman. The problem is this organization that hasn't done the job they were hired to! 
     Guess we can say the same about yours ma'am. Damn it, he was supposed to keep his huge mouth shut! Why was it always so difficult?

     And what is that supposed to mean? The mans voice wasn't exactely quiet either, Bashir was pleased with himself, two sims in one quick answer, he loved beeing irritating.
     It means, Rowena took over his spotlight: That your "scientists" haven't gotten any further either! The deal was that you helped us with that, and we helped you with your little thing. She made an insulting gesture with her hands: And, she was ready to attack someone by now: When we'd gotten there, we'd start the business together! We've made sure you got all the opportunities you need to take leadership in Jericho, and you've failed. That's not our problem! 

     Then I guess, the old principal said as she leaned back in the chair: We are at a standstill. As long as we don't hold power in Jericho, our scientists stops their research. And, she emphasised: might I add that they are very near a breakthrough!
     Rowena bit her jaws together. The business they were supposed to get into was her little love, not his: That is a goldmine, and you know that as well as I do. She leaned forward, that nasal voice so cold that it clearly showed why she was leading the criminals: And if you as much as dare keep that for yourself, you and that company won't live long enough to regret crossing me. 

    
     Bashir might be a dirtbag, but he vividly remembered the poor sods from Riverview attempting to stop Jerichos criminals from building themselves up again. A threat from Rowena was not to be taken lightly. Ofcourse they took him along, just in case he ever imagined selling them out. Not to mention that she didn't have any qualm taking out her own family. She'd already made that clear to him, very clear.
     Yet Marco still lived for some unknown reason. It sure wasn't for the goodness of her heart.
---------------------------------------------

      The spring chill never seemed to make up it's mind. Suddenly it was summerly warm, then it was chilly as winter. Perfect weather of getting a cold, so the smart sims made sure to dress themselves properly. And ofcourse whenever darkness or shadows came along, the cold crept through layers of clothes.
     Though for once, it wasn't something as simple as weather that made Oriana worried.

    
     Once again she found herself heading towards the deep dark slums of Jericho, looking for the girl. She just hoped she wouldn't run into Jonny or Stoneface again. So for the sake of her own safety and sanity...

     ...Meave was with her. Fine, she'd promised the kid to come alone. But she was kind of hoping that another womans company wouldn't seem to intimidating. It would have been better if she didn't march with that militant stride, but her cousin didn't want to listen on that ear.
     So where is it? Whatever nervousness Oriana felt, wasn't even remotely present in Meaves nasal voice. This was probably a walk in the park for her.
     Right over here... Hey, maybe you should stay a bit behind? Do you think that might be the best? She was nervous the girl wouldn't show up.

      Did it ever occur to you, that it might be a trap? That nasal voice still so calm.
     A trap? She hadn't even thought about that: Why haven't you mentioned anything about that earlier?!!! Oriana whisper- shrieked. What was wrong with that woman?!
     Because then you wouldn't want to meet up with this kid. So obvious.... Shees, relax Ori, I'm armed. You're safe with me. She even managed to pat her back in a butch manner.
     That was just great: You know civilians aren't allowed to be armed right? You can get arrested... Meave just casually raised her shoulders. Kind of made Oriana worry about how many other army- sims walked around armed. Which again made her realize that Meave wasn't technically a civilian either, she was just dressed like one.

     
     Meave was the first one to notice: What's that?
     Paying attention wasn't Orianas best asset: What's what? Her heart in her throat this time, blood dunking in her ears. She did her best stopping and turning the other way, but stupid Meave stopped her with a hard grab around the arm: Don't be such a coward Ori. Then she felt herself getting pulled towards whatever it was that her cousine saw. Unfortunately it didn't take long before Oriana recognized the lights either.

    
     Whomever made movies clearly had never set a foot in Jericho. No policecrossings were put up, no fancy technicians in ufo- costumes, no huge wall of uniformed cops and a complete lack of press. But atleast a few police had been decent enough to show up, so whatever had happened couldn't be very important. For some reason none of them were uniformed.
     Oriana thought it was a very strange coincident though. Unless the girl had decided to share the information with the police ofcourse.

     At some point in their lives, they'd pretty much all been in school together even if Oriana never knew them well. But she recognized Dominic and Anya, clearly she'd taken over Marcos spot in the force for now? The kneeling redhead was Linn, and the other woman looking around the area was Lori. Hadn't her brother dated her for a short while or something? On the other hand, what female in this city hadn't? Her brother was such a whore....

 
     Was someone dead? Oriana thought she saw parts of a body, either that or someone was dead- drunk. But then there wouldn't have been that many cops present would it? And it was a bit difficult seeing with all the sims standing around there.
     Meave seemed to be a bit more used to seeing potential dead sims. She also seemed to have forgotten about the cold, as she shamelessly tried looking over Anyas shoulder: Hey guys, what's going on? She didn't even pretend to be shocked.
      And Anya tried pretending she wasn't uneasy with Meaves obvious curiosity: We have a situation here, I'm going to ask you to step back. Atleast she kept it professional.

     Both of them did as they were told, but didn't step to far back. It had it's advantages knowing so many police. And as much as Oriana would like to pretend differently, she really was curious. The chilly nights made her believe that someone might have died of cold. That was kind if tragic, wonder why poor sims didn't seek refuge at the shelters?
     Keeping an eye at Lori and Linn, she tried to get a sneak peek at the corpse. It had to be a corpse, or they would have worked differently wouldn't they? The body wasn't covered in any way, but stupid Linn stopped insight together with the odd plants, that tended to find it's way through concrete. Loris and Dominics huge feet walking around, looking at stuff didn't help either. Stupid cops blocking her view.

    
     Instead Oriana took the opportunity to study her brothers partner. For some reason they had a lot of redheads in the force, either that or they just magically flocked around Marco. As usual the guy had quite a stoneface on him.
     Orianas slow mind just never got rid of the feeling of him keeping something to himself. She wanted to know what it was damnit!! Maybe she was just getting paranoid, but now it seemed like he tried so hard to look stonefaced, that he looked to stonefaced.... yes, that was a great way of explaining it! She was a master of words. She needed to ask him, even if he wouldn't answer:
  

     Dominic? Walking over to where her and Meaves stood, it was obvious he didn't want to. He was on duty after all, even if Oriana decided it was because he just didn't want to talk to her. As usual she chickened out before he even got close, he just looked so scary when he had his cop- face on: How's the search for Marco going? Anything new? She wished she hadn't chickened out.

     As we've informed you already, I will contact you when something new comes up. He told her again. In additon he countered her question with another one: Why? Have you found anything? Ofcourse the police knew she was looking into it herself, yet she hadn't expected him to ask.
     So she just lied, giving her best innocent look: No, I've tried asking around, but no one knows anything. Why was he looking at her like that? And technically it wasn't a lie, because Adam hadn't known anything anyway! She chose not to delve to deep into why she didn't want to tell Dominic anything. Atleast Meave didn't call her bluff.

     Oriana had completely forgotten that she really just wanted to stare at the dead body. But when Dominic moved Meave got a better look: What happened? She didn't really sound or look perticulary upset.
     Taking a short look over his shoulder, Dominic answered, even if he probably shouldn't have: Manslaughter. Happens a lot in this part or town. 
     Meave was still curiously looking: Kind of young isn't she? 
     Yeah, just one of the hookers here. Nice kid. He took a small pause: Now we just need to find out who she was, and inform the parents. 

      Hey Frenchie! Linn shouted at Dominic for something, who quickly excused himself, and went back to his job. That meant that she'd finally moved away so Oriana could get a good look at the corpse.
     She must have looked stranger than usual, as her ears barely caught Meaves voice: What? What is it?

     She'd seen that dirty bleached hair before, hadn't she? And that tiny body with scabs and diseases to? Whatever information the kid had, was gone now. Damnit! This was so typical!
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     Brickhouses always seemed to be chilly. Atleast Marco felt that raw humidity in the air with every breath. Either that or his body was in shock after the unhealthy food. He could live with the imprisonment but the so- called food would be his death. Personally he'd just call it poison.
    But for real, what the hell was going on?

    
     Rowena hung over him like som little kid who'd just gotten a new bestfriend, sharing thoughts that he barely understood anything of. Not to mention she got weirder by the second. But as long as she didn't drag Bashir with her, he'd probably survive for a few seconds more. Or maybe not....
     Lying on the unwashed floor, Rowena kept smiling up at him. They were not best friends.
     Why did he attract all the freaks in the universe? Why was their family so full of freaks to begin with?! Why was he the only normal one?? 

So, Rowenas voice was so alike her sisters as it made a small echo through the room: When did you realize you were different than others?
     What the hell.... Marco wasn't "different", he was perfectly normal thank you very much. Yet he still found himself lying as he tried a cop trick; befriending your enemy: I'm not sure. I think I've always known. Hiding the tiredness he sent the stick over to the cousin. It was better to get her to talk about herself: How about you?
     Innocently she took the bait as Marco could only hope it would work out somehow: Same as you really, she sighed and stretched out: I've always known. A normal, decent simlife just wasn't enough for me.

     Pausing and flicking at her nails a bit, Rowena talked again: But when that darkhaired man contacted me through my dreams.... another pause to let out a dreamy sigh: ...I knew I was special. And that I was the only one that could help him. 
     Marco nearly fell out of his chair as her words tugged his memory. Dream or not, some guy served that crap and she believed it? A competent woman like her?! That was childsplay! He was way better at charming women.  
     Short memories of Oriana waking him up in the middle of the night thumped into his brain. A young teenager having nightmares every time dad was out of the house. He'd kept insisting it was a fictional character from one of mums books: Man? You mean the one with the long, dark hair? The vampire? Did it sound as crazy to others as it did to him?

     Rowenas eyes started glittering, the joyful glow reminding more of gold than anything. She looked like a kid in a candystore, or a cat trapping a mouse in a corner. But atleast she seemed benevolent toward him at the moment.
     Sounding unnaturally happy, Marco suspected she had a crush on this imaginary man: Yes that's the one! She even sighed again: Your mum wrote about him in one of her books! Yet another deep sigh confirmed his suspicions: A criminal mastermind, brutally murdered by those bastards from Riverwiev. The golden glow quickly dissapeared changing to a glazed darkness, showing her instability: You should have seen the look on their faces when they realized who I was.....

    
     She was such a charming young woman.... but if the criminals of Riverwiev realized that her family had tried killing them off for generations. Hey, maybe there were horror stories going about them all through simnations underground organizations. That would be kind of funny.
     As happened once in a while, Marcos blond brain had one of it's sudden epiphanies: Rowena and him were a bit similar, she'd just inderictly confessed to multiple, gory murders, and the only thing he did was becoming amused. He was such a horrible sim! Criminals or not, they were lives. And all lives mattered!!
     Ah, who was he kidding. All lives didn't matter. Some sims didn't deserve to exist. 

      Rolling over on her stomach, Rowena still didn't seem to be afraid of getting tetanus from the floor: What did he say to you? She was all smiles again. Shit! What the hell would a man say to a guy to make him feel special? In a non- gay way? Fuck, men didn't say shit like that to eachother!
     Dragging on it a bit, Marco said: It's been so long Rowena. Something about not beeing good at hiding.... That was what Oriana had said wasn't it? It was always something about hiding. Wow, mum wrote really good books if she could get two young girls to believe a story was real. He wasn't an idiot ofcourse, he knew it was based on real events, but come on! The dead were dead.
     Giggling like a teenager, she answered: I remember it so well.... And just as quickly that coldness came over her again: You know we would have gotten a lot further if it hadn't been for you. 

     To my defence, I didn't know I was up against you. And here I've been gritting my teeth wondering who was clever enough to stop me every single time! Cousin or not, Rowena was still a woman. And Marco knew women- few things beat a compliment about witts.
     Immediately calming down, another soft smile covered her face: Yes, I'm very clever. It was said without arrogance, just a simple fact beeing pointed out.
     I was actually looking into city hall, Marco continued, making a fool out himself to make Rowena feel just a bit more superior: I was sure someone there was stopping it all. Everything to keep her in a good mood, and it was true that he'd been looking.  

     And he was straight infront of you all the time! Rowena laughed softly.
     As much as Marco despised Bashir and his perfect skin, he wasn't powerful enough to stop all the stuff that had happened on his own. There had to be more sims involved. Ofcourse there was no guarantee that his "charming" cousin told him everything, or Bashir was tricking her to. That guy was a two-faced bastard in more than one way.

     He promised me eternal life, she suddenly said. Clearly Bashir wasn't the subject this time, but imaginary- dreamguy. Who was real in her mind. Maybe she was just outright crazy, Joe sometimes thought things that wasn't there was real to: And I intend to get it. Rowena stubbornly declared: That's how MorcuCorp got involved, with their labs and all that shit. But they sure don't come cheap! 
      What the hell! Was she going to spill everything? He was never getting out of here alive.
     Rowena still kept talking: They kept on wanting to get power in Jericho. We built a bomb, thinking your co- workers would pin it on them. That way they could sue countyhall, and make the politicians stopping them go away. Smiling at him, she seemed to love hearing her own voice: But there you were, sniffing everything out... You know, Bashir offered help by getting you to loose focus, but damned well he failed there to! 
     Yeah, I hate that guy. Marco couldn't have agreed more, ratbreath was a bastard.

     Rowena looked knowingly at him: Everyone hates that guy, everyone! He can make a rock commit suicide, but he has his uses. Especially against those damned MorcuCorps. She pulled another angry-face before switching it out with that cold smile: I've made them believe that if we revive the vampire, he will be a source to eternal youth. And let's face it Marco, that would be a damned goldmine! But when they have, they won't know what happened to their precious company. Between us, him and a corrupt countyhall.. they don't stand a chance. She smiled a sincere smile, picking on the dirty old floor: And with the syndicate and MorcuCorp at my command, I'll practically rule all of simnation!


      No one could accuse her of not having ambitions. But Marco highly doubted one dead guy would make that big of a difference. Unless she thought he could do the same things his own dad had been able to. Like calming down that redglowing illtempered mum of his, reading minds, insane strength that not even he could match, learning incredibly fast.... oh okay. That would probably have made a difference.

     In his long life, Marco had never been this patient. Maybe sitting still wasn't so bad after all? Who was he kidding? He hated this, he wanted them all to die so he could go home. He wanted to see his kids one more time, and his sister. Hell, he even wanted to give Joe just one more manhug! But most of all, he wanted that crazy cousin of his to shut the hell up! She talked to much. 
     Stand up cousin, she said out of nowwhere. Was it his time now, it would be worth it just so he wouldn't have to listen to her anymore. Either way, Marco did as he was told.  Facing eachother, Rowena eyed him up and down, trying to figure out where she had him.

     You claim you've been contacted by the vampire....
     Crap, she'd called his bluff: Yeah.... Marco did his best seeming nonchalant.
     ...Yet, he only contacts those who can do more than other sims. Did you know that? Giving him a clever look, it seemed like Rowena had been telling everything because she was going to kill him.
     Marco still did his best to keep bluffing: Is that so? I thought I was the only one, so.... Casually dragging his shoulders up, hoping he looked unfazed. He wasn't a supernatural, but neither was Rowena. Was she trying to see through his bluff, by using her own bluff or did she actually believe she could do more than others? 

    
     Shouting for one of the thugs, one of them came into the room handing Rowena something. It wasn't one of the thugs that had giving him a beating, they seemed to have just vanished.
     Of all the things in the world one thug gives to another, it turned out to be an apple. Who was he, fucking SnowWhite? Marco was more than pretty enough, probably even prettier, but come on....
     Make it dissapear, she stuffed the apple into his hand.
     What? Was she kidding him? She looked serious...
     I can make small things evaporate. The vampire would never have been able to contact you, unless you're capable of something. Make it disappear, turn it into ice, do something to it. It was clear, she'd lost her mind. No way she could do that, and no way he was capable of it either.

    
     Great, he was going to die with an apple in his hand. Atleast it was a healthy alternative, maybe he could throw it in her face and make a run for it? This was redicilous, just because he attracted freaks didn't mean he was one. Marco didn't want to die in this place, he had a family to take care of. A big family that involved a rabid unicorn and a crazy mate, but it was a good family. The only family he wanted and needed.
     Well knowing that nothing was going to happen, Marco stared emotionless at his cousine.

She'd called his bluff. Really, he didn't want to die at all. And Rowena kept staring at him, looking just a tad crazied every second. Her mouth shaped his name, but he'd zoned her out. He'd learned zoning out voices after living with his sister.
     So intently watching for any movement from her, waiting for Rowena to pull out some weapon finishing his life, that Marco emptied his mind as he did when meditating. He wanted to live, he didn't want to die.
     He was even started sweating in the palm of his hand because of that damned apple. Sticky, gooey sweat started running through his fingers, out from the sides of his palm. The other hand didn't sweat at all.

     A sudden swoosh of sound crackled from somewhere, but Marco wasn't sure exactely where. He saw the flames, but they didn't hurt or burn him in anyway. The shock pulled him out from the meditation- zone, especially when he noticed Rowena jumping backwards with a loud shriek: Holy shit!! 

    
     Smoke still searing from his bruised fingers, Rowenas voice interrupted him from the floor. Clearly he wasn't the only one that was a bit surprised, as she kept whispering: shit..... that.... was.... amazing..... She repeated it several times.
     No wonder he attracted freaks.

    

     He was one.
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poses: simul8rreviews, spladoum, matheus serafim, ohoh, simsimi, k2m1too, AG, traelia,

1) the dead kid, is supposed to be the same as Oriana talked to in the last chapter.

2) No one probably remembers, but Marco has always had a thing for fire, from talking about it as a child, setting the junkyard on fire as a teen, lots of small hints etc etc... But it's a cheap trick from my side, I know.

3) Principal also disappeared, but she's actually quite near the original. But she's old, so maybe it's not that easy to notice.

Thanks for reading