Generation 3: Prologue
I'm going to try something different for both my game and my neighbourhood legacy. Generation 3 will have a more solid plot line rather than having my game decide the story for me, as well I'm going to try to introduce the supernatural elements because I haven't really given myself a chance to play with those before. So far, I'm having a lot of fun with it. Hope you enjoy!
note: I will try to make Generation 3 it's own contained story so it's not necessary to catch up with the legacy except to get background on characters.
( Gen 2 stories and backgrounds )
Find any bugs?
Willow: No.. not yet... I think it's too cold for bugs.
Willow: That cricket got away.
That's too bad. Crickets are good luck.
Willow, come with me.
"Willow!"
Colin: Willow, what are you doing out there? It's dark, come inside.
Willow: 'kay Dad, coming!
Maybe you'll find some more bugs tomorrow.
Willow: Maybe.
Colin: Willow's inside now. Maybe it isn't such a great idea to let her run around after dark.
Elf: You're probably right. I guess I'm just used to that kind of freedom where I grew up.
Colin: She definitely likes to run around all right. But this isn't the countryside.
Elf: I know. I just want her to have fun. I'm a little worried that she doesn't have any friends. She doesn't really talk to anyone.
Colin: She has her brothers.
Elf: And they're teenagers now, not quite the same thing. I just don't want her to be lonely.
Elf: Goodnight, little dreamer.
She gave her daughter a kiss, shut the lights and quietly slipped out.
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The next morning went by as any Saturday morning for Elf and Colin's family. Everyone would wake to the sound of Colin cooking downstairs.
Elf: The pipes are at it again today. Taking cold showers in late fall is not fun.
Colin: I know. Doesn't help that the heat hasn't kicked in yet.
Elf: Ugh. I hate chasing down maintenance in this building.
Elf: Linden, I thought I heard Rowan up early this morning.
Linden: Um ... yeah.. he gets up early to go.. um... to work out. Running. Jogging, you know.
Elf: Really? I never thought Rowan would be the 'jogging' type. What got into him?
Linden gulped down his breakfast to try to suppress the obvious lie on his face.
Linden: You know how it is, Mom. A guy's gotta impress a girl.. or girls... or you know just people. People in general. People like athletic types. I read a study. It was online.
Elf: Rowan? You were out jogging this morning?
Rowan: What? Uh yeah, Mom. Gotta keep in shape and all that. I'm just gonna grab a shake and head to the library.
Colin : Jogging? The library? It must be serious.
Rowan: What are you talking about? What did Linden say?
Linden: Nothing. *ahem* I said nothing. Hey, where's Willow?
Rowan: I saw her reading in her room.
Elf: I'll call her down for breakfast. And don't think you're changing the conversation that easily, guys.
.......................................................................
Rowan: I was 'working out to impress a girl'? Are you kidding me? That's the stupidest cover I've ever heard.
Linden: Come on, I was on the spot. How was I suppose to know they heard you coming in.
Rowan: Just say nothing next time. You don't know nothing. You were sleeping. Whatever.
Linden: Not my fault you almost got caught. You're the one that went out all night.
Linden: One day you'll end up in jail. And it'll be funny. Wait, stand still. That face is perfect for a mugshot.
Rowan: You're not that funny jerkface...
Linden: Aaarrgh... stop...
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Willow: Mom, look I can fly!
Elf: I see you, honey. You're totally flying.
Willow: Look Mom, my toes can touch the top of that building.
Elf: Don't fly too high now. It'll be a long way down.
Willow: I'll be careful, Mom!
Elf: Oh Mr. Knight. Can I talk to you a minute?
Landlord: Not like I don't have a million things to do, but sure, what can I help you with, Mrs. Marlen?
Elf: Just call me Elf. You mentioned you'd be fixing the plumbing in our apartment last week. The pressure is still low and the drains still clog up.
Landlord: Are you sure it's the building and not your kids stuffing inappropriate objects down the pipes.
Elf: Oh come on.
Elf: I don't want to have to be rude, but the maintenance around here has gone downhill. No wonder people are leaving.
Landlord: Listen, Mrs. Marlen...
Elf: Please call me Elf.
Landlord: I'll deal with the pipes after I deal with Miss McCarthy's window that your boys cracked with a soccer ball. I need to get to it before the weather does.
Elf: How do you know it was my boys?
Landlord: There ain't that many kids in this building, lady.
Elf: So you automatically blame the teenagers? Isn't that a little ageist?
Landlord: Listen.. Elf... I'm not gonna get into it with you. You're lucky i'm not adding the cost of the window to your rent. I understand your predicament but like I said, I've got a full plate here. I'm taking care of pretty much everything. Cleaning. Plumbing. Carpentry. Landscaping. I'm just one guy.
Elf: Fine, then. Please come by when you find the time to do your job.
Elf: Asshole. Come on, Willow, let's get dinner.
Elf looked around. Except for her and the landlord calmly raking leaves in the other corner, the park seemed to be empty. She called out for Willow wondering if the girl was just hiding or around the corner.
When Elf was met with silence, she called Willow's name again. There was no answer.
Something tightened around Elf's stomach all of a sudden. She ran across the park and around the building wondering where Willow could have been playing. As she called her daughter's name, she wasn't aware that her voice was edging into a frantic tone.
Elf ran inside, hoping that Willow just went home.
Elf: Willow? Willow are you here?
Elf: Colin, did you see Willow? I can't find her.
Colin: No.. wasn't she outside with you?
Elf: She was playing on the playground... you didn't hear her come in...?
Elf ran upstairs and checked every room including the study.
Elf: Guys, did you see Willow? Seriously, guys stop what you're doing please. Did you see Willow?
Rowan and Linden could immediately sense the panic in Elf's voice.
Rowan: No, Mom... we were hanging out in here all afternoon.
Elf: She didn't come here at all?
Rowan numbly shook his head.
Elf ran into her daughter's room and found it empty, as it was the first time she checked. The panic that had been creeping into her throat seemed to grip her tightly this time. All she knew was that Willow wasn't in her room. Willow wasn't in the apartment. Willow wasn't in the yard playing.
She didn't know what to do.
Elf ran back outside hoping Willow was there. She called for her daughter frantically.
There was no answer and no sign of Willow. Just an awful silence.
"I lost her, Colin. Oh my God, I lost Willow."
Colin: Come on, Elf. Maybe she just wandered away. We'll look for her.
But the same sense of dread that had overcome his wife was closing in on him now, too.
Rowan: Mom? Dad... ?
The twins had never once in their lives seen their mother cry like this.
Colin: Boys, we're going to look for Willow around the neighbourhood. I know she likes to wander sometimes so maybe...
His voice faltered.
Colin: I want you to call the police. Tell them what happened. Give them my cell phone number. Then call your uncles. Neither of you leave the apartment.
Rowan: Yeah... sure Dad.
Hours passed by which seemed like ages for the family. By dark, Willow was still no where to be found.
Colin: Yes sir.... the constable just left... I appreciate your help Officer... we just want her home...
Kestrel and Peregrin both came by as soon as Rowan called. This wasn't the usual Marlen family get together. Both brothers were grim and silent and Elf couldn't stop crying.
Elf: How do you expect me to sit here and stay calm? I just want her home. I don't care if she wandered off or ran away.
Kestrel: Would she have run away?
Elf: I don't know. I don't know why she would have.
Elf: What if she's gone? What if someone took her???
Kestrel: Elf, you can't think like this right now. Police say there was no evidence of any non-resident on the premises and all the neighbours have been talked to.
Elf: But she's still not home, Kestrel.
Kestrel: We'll find her safe and sound. We're doing everything we can.
Kestrel: And If she's anything like you, she'll help us find her.
Peregrin: We're going to head out in a little bit and do our own search. I don't know, maybe we'll find something the cops don't. Our police force is a little on the pathetic side.
Colin: They're doing their best. But I'm glad you guys came by. Elf really needs you right now.
Peregrin: How about you? How are you holding up?
Colin: How do you think?
When the brothers left, Colin quietly shut himself in the study unable to finally break down in front of his wife and sons. Elf needed someone strong to lean on right now. But the idea of Willow coming to harm frightened him more than anything ever had in his life.
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Willow found herself alone, somewhere she's never been. She felt like she had just woken up. Sleep faded from her eyes, but she was standing, fully dressed. Her feet hurt a little. Her eyes were dry. It was dark and there was no one else around. All there was was a broken down little park covered in junk and dead shrubs.
Willow was cold. She didn't know how she got here.
"Just a little while longer, Willow. Don't worry you're almost there."
Willow gulped as she tried to keep tears from her eyes.
Willow: But i don't know where i am. And it's really dark here.
"Just be patient. Just wait a little."
Willow: What am I waiting for? Will Mom and Dad be mad at me?
"No, sweetheart. They will always love you."
Willow: I don't think I should be here.
"You're right," said a strange voice. "You really shouldn't be here. It's 2 in the morning, shouldn't you be at home?"
Willow: I don't know where home is.
"Hey, are you okay? Are you hurt?"
Willow shook her head, nervously.
"Let me take a look... what are you doing here so late?"
Willow's voice was barely a gasp as she looked at the strange man's face. "I don't know." she answered.
Fear finally taking it's toll, Willow began to cry.
Willow: I don't know why I'm here. I think I walked here. Mom and Dad will be mad at me. I have to go home now!
"Come on, stop crying. You're not alone now."
Her voice was choked with deep sobs.
Willow: but... I'm...not supposed ... to talk.. to strangers...
"Well they're right about that. How about I tell you my name. I'm Wesley. Do you need me to call the police?"
Willow: No, please don't! I don't want to go to jail.
Wesley chuckled softly.
Wesley: You're not going to get arrested.
Willow: I .. just want to go home now.
Wesley: Okay, how about I take you home then. What's your name?
Willow: My name is Willow. Willow Marlen.
Wesley: That's a pretty name.
Willow: Thank you, Mr. Wesley.
Wesley: Just Wesley.
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Kestrel: Come on, say something. Don't just stand there.
Peregrin: What do you want me to say? "Everything will be better soon, Willow's just around the corner?"
Kestrel: Well.. yeah.
Peregrin: Wait... who's that..?
Willow: Mr. Wesley, this is my building!
Willow: Uncle Per'grin! Uncle Kestrel!
Peregrin: Willow??!
Peregrin: Oh my god Willow it's so good to see you! Where have you been?
Willow: I got lost.. I think.. Mr. Wesley brought me home.
Peregrin: Mr. Wesley...?
Peregrin: Hey wait!
He called out after him as the strange man in black walked away without saying a word.
But as soon as he got further down the street, Peregrin found the place empty.
Mr. Wesley may as well have just vanished into thin air.
Elf couldn't believe her eyes when she saw Willow calmly standing with her brothers safe and unharmed.
Willow: I'm sorry I got lost, Mom.
Elf: Sweetie, I'm not mad at you. Are you hurt?
Willow: No. I was just walking I think.
Elf: Walking?! We couldn't find you for nearly half a day! Why did you go so far! Please don't ever do that again! We were all so worried.
Willow: I'm so sorry, Mom. I don't know why I went too far.
Elf: Are you sure you're okay. Did that man hurt you?
Willow: No, Mr. Wesley is alright. He helped me home.
Kestrel looked down the street, glaring. Peregrin knew what was on his brother's mind. If they found that guy again, he was going to answer some serious questions and he better hope that Willow's trust in him was not unfounded.
Right now, she was home safe. That's all that mattered.
"So that homely little girl is Willow Marlen?"
Wesley: Good evening, Clara.
Clara: I can't believe you just let her go.
Wesley: Whatever are you talking about?
Clara: Oh don't play stupid. You knew that the Coven did their damn best to pry that little girl away from home and it wasn't easy to do.
Wesley: Of course not. You can bring storm and hail and plagues of insects but kidnapping helpless children just isn't in your spell book, isn't it.
Clara: Well it would have worked if you didn't interfere! She had to come to us willingly and she was halfway there.
Wesley: I don't recall coercion...even magical coercion being "willing".
Clara: pssh. Semantics.
Wesley: And who said I interfered? I saw a little girl lost and I brought her home.
Clara: Did she really have to be your good deed for the day? You could have done anything else. You could have left her there.You could have handed her to me. You could have bled her dry!
Wesley: Shut up, Clara!
Clara: Did I hit a nerve? I didn't realize little wee children were off the menu.
Wesley: You're sick, you know.
Clara: You're one to talk. Poor you, you must be famished, skipping out on dinner like this.
Wesley: Whatever. Sorry I ruined your precious Coven's "plans" for that girl, as altruistic as they must have been. I hope they won't be too displeased with you.
His words were laced with sarcasm.
Clara: So that was it all along? There was nothing noble in what you just did. You ruined the Coven's chance to get their hands on her just so you could spite me. The Coven would have given you anything you wanted and you knew that.
Wesley: You're so full of yourself, it's unbelievable. But I guess annoying you might have been worth it. I'm leaving, Clara. I'm done for the night.
Clara: You know you are the worst vampire, ever.
Wesley: If I could take that to mean that I'm more human than you, then it's a compliment.
"Please don't follow me home tonight. "
next » [ Chapter One: "Happy Endings" ]