Generation 2-Chapter 6

Since my first night at my new home, I've been practicing on my guitar and painting skills. I figure, if I can't go out during daylight hours to hold down a regular job, at least I could sell my paintings and maybe get some nightly gigs to make some money. Because, honestly, this shack is too small. You can barely move in any direction. Don't get me wrong though; it's cute, but it could be a lot better. Plus it would be nice to not go outside every time I need to use the bathroom.

I've also been doing some research on my phone to try and see if there's any known cure of vampirism. I couldn't find much . . . at least nothing realistically about vampires. It seems they still keep to the shadows. Heh, heh, get it?

That night, I went out searching for possible places to play. Finally, I come to a local club. I heard the owner arguing with one of the band members, who refused to play any more that night. "Alright, Frank, but if you leave, don't you ever think about coming back!" the owner screamed as the band filed out of the club.  

This is my chance, I thought. Cautiously, I approached the man and poked him on the shoulder. "Sir," I murmered.

"What do you want?" he huffed.

"I'm sorry, sir, but I couldn't help but overhear your band leave. If it's okay with you, I'd be willing to pick up the slack," I said.

The man took a deep breath, fully listening to my offer. "I'll tell you what; you play tonight, and at the end we will determine how much it's worth, alright?"

I nodded, and turned around, taking in the large crowd watching me. It's okay, Layla. You can do this. I took a deep breath, and took my place on the stage. After what seemed like a whole minute of awkward silence, my fingers found their way to the strings. I closed my eyes for a few moments, finding my rhythm. I poured my heart and soul into what I was playing. It started off soft, full of despair, and the crowd was silent. Then, in the middle of everything, I picked it up. I got faster, louder, imagining my life as it had been and what I hoped it would be. The shift in my chords got easier and easier until, finally, I opened my eyes and smiled at the sight in front of me. The crowd loved it! Some were dancing, others clapping, others just sitting almost awe-struck. They fueled my spirit even further, and to be honest I dragged the song out simply because I was having so much fun! When I finished I put my guitar down and walked to the bar. I know, technically I'm too young to drink, but who's going to refuse a vampire who just rocked the stage?

"What would you like?" the bar tender asked, not really noticing my true age.

"Something.... fruity, with a lot of kick. Surprise me," I told him. To be honest, I had no clue what I wanted. I've never really drunk a lot before. Maybe a sip here and there when I could find it.

Soon after, the bar tender slid me my first real, alcoholic drink. It had what looked like sugar or salt around the rim of the glass, and even had a small umbrella in the mix. I blinked and looked up at the bar tender, who looked at me curiously. I've never seen anything like this before. I almost wasn't sure where to start. Should I lick off the salt/sugar first and then drink, should I mix it somehow? Not wanting to draw any more attention to myself, I put the drink to my lips and just drank. The salt ended up in the mix somehow, dancing on my tongue as I drank. It surprised me how the salt seemed to make the drink even sweeter! The bar tender looked pleased with my reaction, and hurried away to help other customers waving to him at the end of the bar.

"Hi, what's your name?" a voice interrupted my thoughts. I turned to face the man beside me, his yellowish eyes seeming to stare into my soul.

"Layla Cliffe," I muttered. "What's yours?"

"Andrew." I blushed and looked away. Gosh, Layla. You act like you've never talked to a boy before. "So," the man paused, "do you play a lot?"

I looked at him, almost shocked. "I'm sorry. What?"

With a chuckle, the man answered, "Do you play your guitar often . . like this?"

I was suddenly very aware of the bulging vein on the man's neck, calling me. Out of everyone in the entire room, his attracted me the most. It smelled almost.. sweet, but not in the sense of the alcohol. I swallowed hard, trying to push my desire down. I haven't fed since the night I attacked that poor sim. I just haven't felt the need. In fact, I've felt better than ever. It seems vampires don't need to feed every single day. I tried to focus on the man's eyes; his beautiful, intense eyes. But I couldn't, not with his heartbeat echoing in my ears! "No, no, this is my first time--"

"Really, wow!" the man said.

"Yeah, thanks," I said, rising from my seat, "but I really must go."

"Hey, where are y-" the man said as he started to get up.

"Sorry! It was nice meeting you!" I shouted back over the music as I rushed to the door.

Outside I was confronted by the owner. Oh, great. He hated it, I thought. "Hey, Kiddo, where ya goin'?" he asked.

"Oh, I was just heading home," I said, about to brush past him.

Suddenly the man reached for his wallet, handing me $1,000. "1,000?!" I squealed.

The man smiled. "Yeah, Kiddo, you've earned it. That's the most engaged I've seen my audience in a long time! I added a little extra. Kiddo, I want you in my club EVERY night. At least for a while. You think you can do that?"

"Oh, yes, sir! Thank you, sir!" I exclaimed.

"Alright, now. Off you go," he shooed me away.

Generation 2-Chapter 5

Note from author: I just wanted to say sorry to my readers in advance. I haven't posted any new chapters in FOREVER and the main reason to that is because I lost the save. I lost everything regarding The Cliffe Legacy; characters, houses, town, everything. But I don't want to start over because they have been my favorite family. (Sorry, Salline!) So the characters I use will look different. Please bare with me. Also if you have any tips or suggestions feel free to comment below!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Things took an unexpected turn after the night with the Celestial Shadow pianist. The first night was okay, other than the constant tears and feeling utterly worthless. It seemed things always seemed to go wrong for me, and it only got worse. What was wrong with me? Why was I always the pawn in life's cruel game? My sister always seemed to have it easy; no struggles. She was pretty, and had boys worshiping the floor she walked on. Why couldn't I be like that?

But it doesn't matter. Since that night, I have never been the same. My life has changed, and no matter how much I'd like things to go back to normal---mommy and daddy's sweet, innocent, little girl---they can't.

A few days after the attack, I began feeling really weird. I felt sick, and had an aversion to food. All food. I felt I couldn't tell a soul about the attack, so I kept it to myself. I kept trying to convince myself that my body was just in shock, and I would be okay in a few more days.

I couldn't have been any more wrong.

Eventually, my body transitioned. I tried to refuse it, by only eating human food. But even smelling my normal favorite foods made me nauseous. My family worried about me, constantly asking if I felt okay and if there was anything they could do to help me feel better. I told them I had just caught some kind of stomach bug, and would feel better soon. However, there's only so many lies you can tell when you're standing next to someone you love and you can hear their heart---their beautiful, blood-pumping, healthy, heart---just begging you to take a bite. I realized I had to escape. I knew if I stayed, this thirst would completely take over and I would do something I regretted. Each day, my thirst was getting stronger, and stronger, so I hatched a plan of escape.

I would wait until nightfall. When my parents and my sister had fallen asleep, I would grab everything of value I needed, and simply vanish. Cliche, I know, a teenager running away in the middle of the night . . . but for one, I would get caught during the day, and two, I wasn't sure how long this new body of mine could handle the heat of direct sunlight.

I planted a note on the kitchen counter telling my family just how much I love them, that they are the most important thing to me, but that I just couldn't stay any longer, that I had to get out to live my life and hoped to see them soon. The truth was, I wasn't sure if I would ever see them again. I didn't want to frighten them by telling them my condition, or how I was "protecting" them by leaving. They had to believe that I just wanted to leave; maybe they wouldn't try to find me.

With tears falling silently down my cheeks, I took one more look at our small, family home, and closed the door---possibly forever.

My next task was to find somewhere far away from my family to stay, just in case they did come looking for me. I figured a couple towns over, at least. I found solace in the town of Isla Paradiso. I found a small, abandoned shack, and decided to call it home.

It certainly was... interesting. But it was completely secluded. Although I would need to fix it up a little bit and do something to cover those windows. I had a long day ahead of me. The place needed some definite scrubbing. I felt like I couldn't sit down until I got all the dirt and grime off everything. In the end, I decided it would be much easier to just paint. I had found a couple cans of paint in the back of the house near the outhouse (gross!).

I don't think it looks too bad. Still not exactly to my tastes, but I don't exactly have much choice right now. Maybe later on I can extend it and actually have an inside bathroom!

When I finished, I finally sat down. My mind started wondering what my family was up to, and whether they had discovered my note yet. The sun had risen once I arrived here, so it would be about time they discovered it. I was so sad, but I had to accept this as my fate. I never should have went to that stupid club. I should have listened when my mother said no. She always knew best. I sighed and looked at my new bed. I sure was exhausted. 

It was dusk when I woke up. I decided to work on my painting on an old art easel I found outside. Halfway through the painting, however, I felt the full extent of my thirst hitting me. I couldn't take it anymore. I HAD to feed ... on something. My throat was burning with desire, and my sharp fangs throbbing. My first real meal since the transition, would be tonight. 

I felt this growing power inside of me. It was like it was almost completely consuming me, every single minute without drinking was dragging me further and further from humanity until ... I attacked the first sim I come to. She was helpless to stop me. I felt absolutely awful, and yet much better at the same time.

By the time I got back, it was much darker. I heard this loud yowling coming from the woods behind the house. Figuring I had nothing to lose, I followed the sound. Out crawled a cat! I must admit, I've always been a sucker for cats, and seeing as I had to leave mine at home ...er, my family's home, this company was much appreciated. "What's wrong, kitty cat? Where'd you come from?" I looked around the area, and found nothing. No collar, either. I looked down at the cat's sweet face. It was as though the cat was thanking me for rescuing it from the brambles.

I sat the cat down and began to brush it. Its fur was so matted and dirty, I hoped it would at least help that cat feel better. "It's okay, you can stay with me. It's okay if you don't want to, I would understand," I told the cat. The cat seemed to smile back up to me and began to purr as I brushed it. 

Great, Layla, now you're talking to cats. How crazy are you.

As dawn approached, I went to sleep again. It was time I changed my sleep schedule to fit this new vampiric life. But at least I felt a bit better, knowing a new friend was by my side.