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.
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      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

2.19 All out of luck

     It is often claimed that patience is a virtue. And perhaps it is at times. Atleast no one could say that Marco didn't have any, for he had waited for ages for something to move forward. Taking down corruption was a pain in the arse, and it could take lifetimes. Clearly this was to be his lifework, or ending.

    
     Marcos statement would be that patience was a flaw. If he hadn't listened to his boss and waited to begin with, maybe he would have been a bit better off now. So patience had to be a flaw. He didn't even know where the hell he was, even if he had suspicions. But he knew a few things for certain.

     He was a sucker for a pretty face

 

     

     Women were not to be trusted

 

     

     Dominic was smart

 

 

     Getting a beating hurt like bloody hell

     

     He'd run out of luck

 

     

     The worst thing was that he couldn't quite remember everything that had happened. He'd been on the usual "meeting" with Jonny. No one had killed the guy yet, so it was probably all good. He remembered that part atleast.

     No punching had been needed this time, which was good because he was dressed for a fancy date. Who says men can't multitask? He went to pick up his date at some shabby old place that seemed abandoned. He'd just assumed she was married or something. But that's when it went a bit blank.

     Now he could barely remember anything that had happened. Which could happen when one got beaten unconscious. So he'd been right about Jonny, but highly underestimated the syndicate. And he'd been plain out wrong about his date, who had to be involved in some way. He really was loosing his touch.
     Yet that wasn't the oddest thing.

     For some reason he was still alive and breathing. And they hadn't beaten him again since they moved him here. They fed him, and even kept him in a real room with all facilities, not a dungeon even if the place was insanely filthy. The door was locked obviously, and no windows were present.
     But why hadn't they killed him yet? Maybe they were setting an example? He could have tried getting out, but not only didn't he have any idea where he was, he also had no idea how many sims were present. Running blindly into that was a stupid idea even for him. Which was why he had all facilities present ofcourse, because that way no one had to walk him around. Even blindfolded it was always a chance to see something.

      

     Marco wondered where he was, not in Jericho that was for sure. He'd been moved around for days and days it seemed. In blinding darkness, the times he didn't get beaten. Some blackhaired, buttugly jerkoff and some fatarsed brunette. They probably gave his such a hard time, since he was hot and they ugly.     He was out of ideas to, so for now he was all nice and obedient just waiting for his time to shine. Hopefully it would come soon, as there was a very real chance he'd end up dead. How could he have been so incredibly reckless and stupid? It wasn't like him.... (what? It wasn't!)

     They were never far away, he often heard them outside the door. Now and then it was opened and something to eat was left. Nothing healty ofcourse, but for now he swallowed his pride and poisoned his body with saturated fat, sugar and empty carbs.
     And even if he never showed it, he was afraid. Afraid that they went after the rest of his family even if the chances were slim. He'd end up in jail if Dominic ratted him out to the department, but he'd rather take that over the uncertainty.

  
     A brutal sound of the door beeing unlocked screamed through his battered mind. But he wouldn't show it this time either. They never covered their faces, so he doubted they had any good plans for him. So he never looked up, and this time wasn't any different. But now he wasn't waiting for greasy food to be left, he could smell something very distinct. 

    
     He heard the ominous sound of clacking heels towards hard wooden floor. It wasn't that hag that tricked him... damn that pretty face... He also saw a pair of manshoes entering, a distictly different sound. And by the looks of it they were expensive, handmade in Monte Vista. Marco had always suspected someone high up in the hierarchy, working against the department. Ordinary sims didn't wear shoes like that, that was politicians shoes. 

   
     That scent of cigarettes were impossible to ignore, and sounds of another beeing lit was easy to hear.
     Remind me again why you're keeping him? Freezing like a fimbulwinter that voice irritated the hell out him. Through and through rotten to the very core. He still couldn't believe that snake was married to his sister. How could such a venomous rat, have such a sweet daughter?
To make matters worse, he recognized the other voice.
     Don't question me. So calm and powerful. Rowena and Bashir made a grisly couple. To the very last he'd hoped she wasn't involved in any way.

     
     It's easier just getting rid of him. Bashir smirked at his partner in crime. And he's been a royal pain if I might add. You know how hard I've been working stopping things, paying sims off, pulling strings. All because of that guy. He inhaled deeply, before blowing smoke out his nostrils. That guy really pissed him off: Get rid of him.

 
     Delightfully calm, Rowena snapped back at him: Mind your own business. She ended the sentence with a sweet smile. 

     Your partners aren't thrilled about it either.     If they have a problem with it, Rowena still smiled: They can come and talk to me themselves. Her smile said how it would end: As long as I rule the shop, my words stand.

     Bashir stood at a safe distance, smoking and looking down at him. Before Marco had gone on that stupid date, he's told Oriana that maybe he's been wrong about him. He hadn't been truthful. He was just so tired of always arguing about that eel, and as much as he'd hated admitting it that icyeyed bastard treated her well. Well, if he ignored the lying and abandonment that was.

     
     Rowena was very close to him though. It wasn't because she was stupid, but they both knew something Bashir probably didn't. If Marco by any chance had gotten a hold of her, using her as a hostage, her "friends" would kill them all. These criminals were dangerous, and there are no honour amongst them. It truly was the survival of the strongest. If Rowena showed herself to be weak, she died.

     Bashir! All smiles she turned to ratbreath: Go smoothtalk the MorcuCorps. Tell them things are on it's way, but to be a little more patient. Something, she gestured to Marco: got in the way. Make sure they keep up the work, and reassure them that we will keep our end of the bargain.
     He actually rolled his eyes at it, like a sassy little kid with a bad attitude.
     And Bashir? She said to his back: Try not to be a prick about it. 
     Where's the fun in that? he sighed with drama before leaving.

     Marco took it upon himself to stand up straight. Rowena looked like a scrawny little thing, but she was tough. She'd climbed the criminal ladder quickly, almost as quickly as he had gotten to the top.
     Maybe it meant they were similar in some ways, he hoped not. Damnit Dominic! Just rat me out already! Prison I can take, but if you leave me here with that icecold snake, I'll kill him with my bare hands! And if he killed Bashir, Oriana and Lucky would be sad... for some reason...
     He truly hoped he had some telepathic powers, like his sister once had believed she had. But he strongly doubted it. He only attracted freaks, he wasn't one.

    
     Expecting his cousin to mock him, to play tough; she instead did something he never could imagine. Whispering to herself with disbelieving joy: I knew it, I knew I wasn't alone. Then he felt her thin arms around him, the fingers sticking like needles into his back. Pulling back from him, her eyes were all shiny with tears, the lower lip shaking: Dad kept telling me you were a good kid, but I knew! I knew you were a bad seed, just like me! I knew I wasn't alone. 
 

     

     She was still holding his arms in a hard grip: When I heard you fed us information, I was thrilled. But Bashir kept saying not to trust you! And than that looser told about the drugmoney... She shrieked with joy this time: I knew! I always knew you were rotten, just like me! Looser, she meant Jonny. But what the hell was this all about? Why did he always attract freaks?!

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     Are you sure? The man, whos name turned out to something ordinary as Adam, still had a creepy face, all grinning and smiling all the time. Oriana thought he was a bit weird in addition, but as long as there was a chance he'd help, she didn't care.
    Absolutely, Adam answered. Despite appearing like someone caring, Oriana thought he seemed completely uncapable of any emotion at all.
     Adam claimed that Marco had been seen around the poorer districts before he dissapeared. More correctly; the most criminal parts of that district again. But he hadn't been on duty, so why would he be in such a place? No way he'd date anyone from that neighbourhood! Or would he? Why did she know so little about her own brother? 

     So could I offer you a drink perhaps? He asked her out of the blue for some odd reason.
     I'm not sure if my husband would approve, she pulled her most beautiful smile. Truth been told, Bashir wouldn't have cared, but she really didn't want to be more alone with that guy than she had to. The creepiness factor was to high.

    
     He looked dissapointed, but managed to keep his style: The good ones are always taken... Why isn't he helping searching for your brother? That was a good question, a good question indeed.
     A blushing Oriana thanked Adam for his information. He'd been quite helpful, even if she'd never got anywhere with his leads. Get a drink? Hm, not bad for a woman her age.

    
     Oriana once again decided not to involve the police. Her brothers co- workers was still looking for a corpse as far as she knew. Maybe she should mention it, but what if it was another dead end? That meant she'd waisted their time to. She hadn't quite decided if they were helpful, or if they weren't trying. Maybe she could tell Marcos partner? It was hard times beeing Oriana right now, but eventually she decided to look into it herself. It was probably better that way.

     
     To be sure she waited until nightfall, criminals always came out after nightfall, she'd seen that on tv. And tv was probably a good source for this stuff. Wonder why they came out after dark though?
     The area smelled like urine and old vomit, even with the relative chill in the air. And she thought she'd been in bad neighbourhoods before? She was scared beeing mugged, and really happy she drove an old simswagon, not some expensive car. She didn't exactely live in the nicest part of town, but this was redicilous. Why would Marco ever been here on his sparetime? Wasn't he a bit posh for this area?

 
     Scared of stepping in pee, or getting attacked with used syringes, Oriana swallowed her fear and stepped into another allyway. She'd been in several trying to look for something about her brother.
     Maybe it would be better telling the police, she had no idea what to look for. And she was to scared to ask anyone of anything in this place. The sims here looked really tough, and dirty, Besides there were a lot of hookers here. And lots of expensive cars slowing down, staring as they drove by.
     The creepers in the cars were by far the scariest ones.

     In the bad light Oriana nearly swallowed her own tongue. Was that sims in the end of the ally? They were going to rob her, no, beat her and then rob her. Or were they going to kill her!? Okay, that was it! She was going to tell the police, no way she would continue this! No way in bloody hell would she keep looking into this alone any longer.
     Doing her best trying to fumble after her phone without beeing to obvious about it. And she was to scared to turn around and walk away! What if it provoked them into attacking? Okay, she could look tough to!! No she couldn't!!

     One of them seemed a bit familiar though. Wait....
     Jonny? Maybe Oriana should have stayed quiet, but why was Jonny here? The other sim sure wasn't a hooker atleast. But what other reason was there for him to be there?
     And by the look of his face, he wasn't expecting her either.

     It took a long time before he even answered, hesistantly: Heeey..... Oriana. And then he slapped on the fakest smile she'd ever seen. Not the woman though, she kept the stoneface. Something about her reminded of a bodyguard of sort. Why would he need that? Jonny was a big, strong guy, and could probably take on most sims without any bigger problems.
     He really wasn't a sim she wanted to see, and still after all these years he made her skin crawl, but it was better than meeting someone she didn't know. Like the scary lady with him. She looked used to chewing stone instead of gum.

    
     Jonny really looked uncomfortable meeting her, and nervous about Stone- face. Oriana had no intention of asking him what he was doing, she wasn't that stupid. He wasn't a cop, and other than that, no sim with good in mind came down to this place. Other than her that was.
     She tried some common pleasantries: It's been a long time! How you been? And as many times before she could have bitten her own tongue off. Couldn't be that good since he was here.

    
     But he served a thin smile, and answered without even trying to sound sincere: Good, good.... You?
     Same old! The words flew out to quickly. Well, I mean Marco's gone missing! She nearly shouted the last part into his face, damn that guy gave her the creeps! Yeah, he was apparently seen in this area right before he dissapeared! 
     Really? Something in his dark eyes gave Oriana a bad feeling. She usually wasn't the most observant sim, but this was easy to see. A sensation of relief and wild panic clouded his gaze, and that short look he gave Stoneface wasn't exactely subtle either.

     Stoneface and him knew something, that was certain. But Oriana wasn't tough enough to ask him anything. Not that she had any respect for Jonny, but the woman was quite intimidating in all her silence. Women were just generally scarier than men.
     Hey, Oriana just wanted to get the hell out of this place. She could come back when it was light outside, or wait until dark and bring Meave. Why hadn't she brought her to begin with, she killed sims for a living for crying out loud: you want to go grab a coffe or something, catch up a bit? Your girlfriend here is welcome to ofcourse! Anything to get out of here!

     Stoneface for once almost cracked into a laughter: Eh.... maybe later! Jonny coughed awkwardly back at her, still with panic in his eyes.
     Oh Okay!!! Oriana gave out a low bark, quickly finishing the sentence: I should get going then! Give me a call later! She hurried out of the allyway without seeming like she was constantly waiting to get attacked.

   
     Finally out of the worst place, Oriana drew a deep breath trying to calm down. Screw taking Meave with her, she needed Mahdis in the worst of moods for this at the least. Now, what was the safest way to get out of this place and back to the parking lot?
     The dark alleyways weren't really that dark to be honest, or alleyways. But she was to scared of syringes and other shady characters to be realistic at the moment. Atleast she was way out of Jonny and Stonefaces way. She'd make sure to check her back when she'd rounded the first corner.

     Unfortuntaley they weren't the only characters in this place of town.
     Orianas heart nearly crawled out of her nose when a voice was heard from behind: Hey lady...
Poor Oriana decided to prepare for death by the hands of Stoneface. Just to be massively relieved:

     
     Incapable of seeing the young girls face properly, as she was hiding in the shadows, Oriana did her best beeing polite agains the kid. Barely out of her childyears, and clearly ridden with diseases and malenourished, the girl touched the older womans maternal instincts. Not to mention a huge wish to give the kid a proper bath. She smelled bad.....

     Yes? She was probably just going to beg, or kill her, or stab her with syringes! Oriana didn't like needles.
     You the one that's looking for the blond cop? 
     As she'd seen many detective series, Oriana used all her witts to get the girl to spill whatever she wanted to say: Yes!! Do you know where he is? She wished she could bite her tongue straight off...again. So much for playing it smoothly.

     The kid seemed to be thinking a bit before actually answering. Arms covering the body, looking around herself she finally talked again: No... Oriana nearly lost hope again but the girls childlike talking wasn't done just yet: But I think maybe I know somethin'. 
     That's great!! Oriana happily exclaimed a bit to loud as expected. The girl quickly and nervously sushed on her. Then she went: Him and his partner are kind of nice to us kids, she hugged herself whilst rocking a bit back and forth. Was she high or something?

     A clear sound of someone walking towards them with powerful stepps stopped the potential conversation dead. The girl looked at her, making it possible for Oriana to get a good look. The blond hair was clearly fake and seriously needed a comb. And soap, lots and lots of soap and water.
     You should leave, she said with calm voice: Meet me here tomorrow at the same time, I'll tell what I know. Come alone.
     Oriana didn't need to be asked twice, and did as the kid: Got out of there as soon as possible. She didn't want to see who was coming.
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poses by Dill, ohoh, Matheus Serafim, AG,

Come on, you all saw that coming ;)

The girl at the end there, is supposed to be the same as in chapter 2.16, but she dissapeared in the pc- meltdown. And a handful of sliders stopped working all of a sudden, so replicating has it's limitations. Just imagine that there's no difference.

And Rowena last appeared in 2.14, which is a looong time ago

Thanks for reading