Arise: A Sims 3 Story Blog: Arise: Chapter 7: At Your Feet

Chapter 7: At Your Feet

(Sylvia's POV)

I pull out the dirty laundry from my backpack. Jeez, thank god I escaped that jail. Literally, I was locked in a jail.

I need to turn a new leaf now.

I throw the clothes into the washer.

Sylvia Cahill is finally back, but new and improved.

In with the old, out with the new.

I just wish I knew where the 'old' were.

Someone walks through the silver doors I once did too, their feet trending against the scattered rugs and tiling.

I did the honourable thing, and introduced myself.

"Hi, I'm Sylvia. And you are?"

"Someone who has something that needs to be removed."

"Oh. I assume you've came to the right place. Here, you can wipe away it all."

"You amuse me. I can't 'wipe' her away that easy."

"It sounds like, this woman, is more to you than a simple cut or scab."

"She's a flesh wound. She's a pain in the throat. I let her go once, but now I need to wipe her clean."

I pull out the freshly washed clothes, still thinking about the man beside me.

What did this woman do to him that caused him so much grief?

"Sorry, uh-what was your name again-I have to put this on the line. You're welcome to join me."

This is me. I guess I look pretty simple and basic in these clothes, but my panda hat is drying.

He seemed to follow, and stood by the door, even though he had never used the washing machines.

"Sylvia, you seem like a lovely girl. You wouldn't know where the closest tavern is?"

"Oh, it's uh, just around the corner and two blocks or three blocks down."

I changed into my normal gear. Much better.

I need to find my friends.

(Kriss's POV)

"Oh my dear Kriss, why such a haste decision. Dearie, think it over, will you?"

"Plus, dearie, you'd love ravishing in red."

I was scared. Confused even. What would benefit me leaving the group? What would happen if I chose to run? How can I ever sit here without wanting to scream?

Carl was still beside me, mumbling.

"Keep calm Kriss. It'll be okay."

"Don't listen to that...traitor. He ruined my mission, you know. I had to pay for that. The boss's getting angry."

The boss.

She means herself right.

Does she?

Fear kept crawling in. Is there more to this all?

"Kriss, the boss is fed up. He's tired of waiting on one of you to sprout. He's furious, even."

"You either cooperate...or, you don't."

"Sit tight my pretty."

A million shockwaves pass through my body, aching at every turn.

My brain shuts down for a second, and the world around goes black.

I awake to the same room, expecting to on board an express train to 'the boss.'

I look around, and it's the same room.

Only that Talutah is ready to pin me against the wall.

(Sylvia's POV)

"This isn't much of a tavern? Sir, where are you leading me?

The room around me was well lit but dark red and black, the room covered in the two, not a single touch of a light colour around.

"Shush. This is just the place."

"Why'd you pull me along on the ride."

"This isn't just a battle between me and her. It's between your friends too."

We keep walking, towards a double door, heavy and blood-red.

"My...friends...but why would they...be here?"

"That question dear, will soon be answered."

"Isn't this place well decorated?" He smiled, pointing to the weaponry on the walls.

This was it. One door until we reached where he needed to be.

(Kriss's POV)

I was tied down. No escape, Kriss.

How life gives you so much sympathy.

"Oh, my sweet innocent Krissy. You think you can escape? Haha. Foolish."

"My friends will stop this. I can count on them. I know it."

At that moment, Carl ran down, screaming.

"Get your hands away from her! She said no!"

"You foolish boy. I don't take orders from a peasant. Get away!"

He stepped back, afraid.

The door clicked open. I couldn't see a thing, but Carl could.

An old man entered, his clothes homeless and rugged.

But, the next person to enter killed me.

Sylvia.

She was back. I missed her so much.

She looked fragile, nearly broken, but with a fresh set of clothes to cover the ruin.

The man's hair slopped over his shoulders, a loose piece stringing itself against his forehead. He wore black earings, and his skin was pale, yet not too light.

And he was walking towards us.

"I feel sick. What's going on in here?"

Sylvia's voice is mumbled, but I can still hear it clear enough.

"Talutah. Let her go, we need to talk."

The man scares her, forcing her to face him.

Angry as ever, I force myself to plea.

"Please, listen to him."

"How...could...you...return here...father!" Her voice is poison against his flesh, biting hard, ripping deep, a snake on attack.

"Mwhahaha, boss wins. Boss always wins."

"Sis, it's time we had a talk too."

"Uh, a little help here. I'm kinda still tied up."

Finally, they untie me.

"My dear daughter, how I've longed to end this all."

"Father, you dare reappear in my life, to ruin this? I'm sick of you, I'm sick of your petty act, and I'm sick of treading my feet around you."

"How dare you do that to your father? I raised you, you know, and this is what you do to me!"

"You did not raise anyone! I raised myself, you just threw down the laws! I'm glad I left you alone in that hole."

Her anger had arisen. She was furious. He had it coming.

He had it coming all along.

"Father, thank you for bringing in my pet, but I'm afraid that's all I need from you. Bye-bye, papa."

"You scared yet, papa? My teeth as frighting as in your nightmares?"

She turned cruel, nasty, her face morphing into a nightmarish beast, her teeth eager to rip flesh into shreds.

"Papa's scared is he? How does fresh flesh on a bed of ribs sound, sweeties? I say yes please."

"Are you scared? Oh you stupid wimp. I thought you said you could handle me."

He looked ready to faint. His face had turned even more pale, and tears were brewing in his eyes.

When she finally finished tormenting him, I thought that was it.

I was wrong.

"What should I do with you next? Why's your skin so...tanned...yet white...You're still a vampire, right father?"

His look was enough for her to know. He wasn't anymore.

"Get out before I do something I regret!"

I decided to check out the place, considering I couldn't bear being stuck in between a fight or two. The blood-red walls and floor continued for a while, ending at an abrupt haste.

Something was worth checking out, surely.

I passed her chair. Nothing too spectacular. A picture of a whole field of roses zoomed in. Hmm. Mirrors on each side. A dresser to the left.

Not much yet.

"Shut up, father! All you ever did was abuse me! You don't get a say in your fortune!"

From the distance I was, I just heard the raising of the palm. It scooped over to his face, and collision.

As you learn, no-one messes with Talutah, the queen.

No-one.

I saw her out of the corner of my eye.

Sylvia stood there, staring towards me.

Almost beckoning me.

She whispered, almost unnoticeable.

"Kriss, quick, we'll get out now."

I had to stop myself though. I couldn't just run out whenever I wanted.

She would spot me. I needed to plan this out.

Hiding was the first step. This mirror would have to work. It's all I had there.

"Have fun living your dream, my dear Talutah. Your name suits you now, you are blood-red. Blood-red and cold-hearted."

"Sis, I'm sorry I left you, but you betrayed me!"

"You betrayed me!"

"Quickly! Please."

"Sister, listen to me! I'm sorry, okay? Our parents died and I was scared."

Too much was happening.

I felt faint.

How could this go on?

I could... almost...fall...asleep...

"You disgust me. I'm disgraced to have you as a daughter. Ugh."

I decided to go for it. I couldn't take this.

I was at the feet of monsters, and I needed to escape.

Or else I never would.

"You are the worst sister! You left me in the hands of a blood-red queen. You sat at her feet as her footstool and left me in the ruin of our parents' lives. And here you are to tell me off!"

"I'm glad I ran off when I did. I hated working for her, and I hated being her minion. I hated her."

"But-"

But it was too late for them. Their bond was broken.

Cody was there now. Only Ayana and I to go.

Carl was busy, and he's find his way home. Surely.

Ayana soon joined them, and the wait for me began.

Who knows if I'd make it to them.

"Taluath, you're mother died. I killed her. She was a threat, I needed her out of the way. You were next. You had too much power."

"Do you even hear yourself sometimes?! You killed her because you were threatened?! What the hell is wrong with you?! I loved her..."

Yeah, what is his problem. But I can't worry about that now.

I have a blood-red hell hole to escape.

"I can't believe you killed my mother. I thought you loved her...I guess not."

"I did love her...until she threatened my power.."

"All this about power! Did you abuse me 'cause I had power too?!"

"Calm down, sis. I didn't mean to abandon you. I had to, though.

"You had to leave me to rot in the perilous edge of my doom! You're so ignorant!"

And he ran into her hand.

He ran into her hand ten times.

"Brother, I'm sick of this. We never did treat each other right."

Hope shone through.

Kinda.

I, however, was caught out.

"Kriss, you think you can escape dear? I'm finished with my father, onto the main course."

Oh no. This was it. Time to pay the price, I suppose.

"But first, to celebrate the almighty occasion, I'll go change...into something more...personal."

"Much better. Guards, fetch the other three! Lock them up in my cell!"

"Yes master."

They were taking my friends away.

Slowly, I'd be left with no-one.

Then, I'd pay the price.

My friends were gone, and all that was left was my slow-rotting body, ready to decay any second now.

I have fallen.

Fallen from a pernicious height.

And there is no spiral staircase in sight.

Their cries only worsen my case.

The more they cry, the more tears fall from my face.

"So, let me get this straight. You refuse to turn, try to escape, put your friends over there in danger, and now here you are, in front of me, smiling."

"I'm just laughing at you."

"You foolish girl."

The air became silent, the room almost empty in silence.

"Oh, look sweetie, my absolute favourite dresser!"

Random. Why shall I look at her dresser at times like this?

Nothing, as suspected.

I need to escape right now.

Or else I never will.

But in my attempt to turn, her glare creeps up against mine.

"Scared into turning yet?"

That's what this was about.

Her eyes pierce deeper into mine, the bright red pupils reflecting off the blue of mine. Her teeth sharpen, her lips pouted and angry.

"Giving you nightmares yet, love?"

I try to keep calm. I need to keep calm.

I can't be terrorised. I can't be scared.

I can't give in.

"What do I have to do to turn you in?"

Her voice sharpens, her anger rising, her spit like poison against my skin.

"Give up already, and I won't kill your little old pals."

Her eyes glow a bright red, and I can't keep it in.

I am afraid.

I am scared.

I have fallen.

"I'm scaring you, dear, aren't I?"

"Not over there dearie."

"Got ya. Ready to give in yet, Krissy?"

She finally stopped tormenting me. Finally.

Now it was my turn.

"You have been a nightmare! You have stolen my friends and me, and for what reason! You keep sending us messages, but why are you even here?! You are nothing but a pathetic excuse of a vampire queen who needs the power! What's making you need me?!"

Grief falls across her face.

A tear, the first in years, I assume, slips past her nose, leaving a trail behind it.

"I needed you. I know it's stupid now, but I made a deal with someone. He refuses to pay me without one of you. I need you. Or else he'll murder me off. I've had pain in my heart. I've been through hell. I know how you will feel. I know how your friends will feel. I've lost someone too."

Tears slip down her face.

"I've lost far too many people to lose another one."

I had to do it.

I had to help her.

I could tell she lost too much to lose herself.

"Please, go ahead." It's as I said those words I knew I should have pulled away.

"Why thank you, Kriss."

And she bit into my skin, slipping the blood into her tender mouth, suddenly losing the purity she could've ever possessed.

I could already envisage Sylvia's face, full of anger, tears flooding down her face.

I had to.

She forced me to change, and I have to admit, these clothes aren't that bad.

"You look ravishing. But I'm not even half done with you."

She stood in front of me, her ravenous black hair with the blood-red tips falling against her pale skin.

"Time for the changing."

Part of me refused, but I was under her spell.

I couldn't refuse.

Not now.

The changing would soon begin.

I would soon become one of her own.

I couldn't take the pressure.

I couldn't be one of them.

A tear slid past.

My friends.