Disclaimer: It's not mine I swear! It's uh, it's, it's a friends. I'm just uh, holding it for him. Yeah that's it. Hey, I told you it's not mine!
Rating: This one's a PG.(Gives a sympathetic look) Sorry psychotic and sadistic weirdo people that love gore, loads of cusswords, and violence.
Summary: Same as the first one. In this chapter Elf 17 begins to discover what a life beyond the Centre might actually feel like…
Feedback: [ShadowElf is in strange new land and there are tall buildings everywhere and lots of noise and confusion as Japanese people run around screaming in terror] Hey excuse me! Hey excu-- Whoa Slow down! Watch it buddy! Yeeesh. I come to tell a story and ask for feedback and I end up fighting my way through a throng of people. Man, and I though Tokyo would be a good place to beg for the feedback that keep me alive. Ah well. [hangs head and starts walking forward, bumps into something hard…and scaly] Hey watch where you're…[Godzilla roars and ShadowElf's face is drained of color] ( In fake Taco Bell Chihuahua accent) I think I need a bigger story.
*************************************ShadowElf***********************************
7:00 AM
Las Vegas, Nevada
Pot Of Gold Hotel
Room 717
Broots groaned and rolled over, trying to ignore the cheerful, wide-awake voice that was joyfully pulling him from slumber in a light and merry voice.
"Morning Broots! We only had lunch and dinner yesterday, so I thought we might try out this Hotel's complimentary breakfast. You won't believe it. There are these things called donuts right… " and she rambled on, oblivious to his obvious irritation at being woken up from his peaceful sleep.
Elf 17 was experiencing her second sugar rush in seven years. She had consumed over five double chocolate, chocolate crème filled, chocolate glazed donuts with chocolate icing. And it went downhill from there. She'd been raised on meat, various wheat grasses and soy mixtures, along with vegetables of every kind, and fat free milk and water, that and a vitamin once a day.
She had only tasted sugar once before. It had happened when Raines had had to leave their secret sim lab early and he'd left his coffee and its creams and sugar packets on the table. Out of childish curiosity, (she'd been seven at the time), she'd read the sugar packet's label and then swallowed all of it. By the time Raines had come back, half of the lab had been destroyed, and she had been sitting on top of the large plastic sim bubble, trying to swing back and forth on the ropes, giggling hysterically.
Raines had then become so frightened that he'd had her sedated. It had been on that day that Raines and the sweepers had found out she had ADHD. (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder). In other words, she could get really, really, really hyper, really, really, really easily. 24/7. Nonstop. It was also on that day that Raines vowed never ever to let her come within five feet of a sugar substance of any kind.
Unfortunately for Broots, the dear 'doctor' had forgotten about that once he'd sent her after Jarod.
Elf 17 had finished talking to the sleepy form of Broots and was now jumping up and down on her own bed. The room they'd rented was very nice. It had been expensive also and Elf 17 had worried about the cost, but Broots had told her that if she had the money, she should spend it. She'd even caught the barely coherent words he'd mumbled about the Centre owing it to them. Yeah right, like the Centre would ever owe them anything.
Elf 17 crouched on the bed and then sprung across the nine feet that separated the two beds and landed, not very softly mind you, on Broots' stomach.
His eyes shot open and he bit his lip to keep a very, un-Broots-like stream of cusswords from escaping his mouth.
Elf 17 rolled off of him, still on the bed, and began rocking back and forth on her back with her arms and legs positioned as a dog might have them when exposing its belly for a rub. Apparently the sugar-high affected her animal side as well.
She had her eyes closed for a few minutes and Broots took the opportunity to slip off of the bed and go change. He sure as heck wasn't going back to sleep now. With a teenage daughter of his own, Broots recognized the signs of a sugar rush. He also had no idea how dangerous one might be for a pretender and didn't want to find out. At least it seems that her wounds are healed. He thought grumpily.
When he'd emerged from the bathroom he'd changed in, fully dressed in a bright tropical shirt and kaki pants, he saw Elf 17 sitting and looking very civilized on the end of her bed.
"Wow." He said. " I never knew a sugar rush to dissipate so quickly."
She gave him a small grin. "I'm sorry Broots. Actually, ever since I had a little…episode with Mr. Raines and sugar, he's taught me ways to deal with it should I ever be exposed to it again."
Broots did something he never thought he'd do and silently thanked Mr. Raines.
He cleared his throat. "So. Umm, I'm guessing that because of all those donuts you told me about, you're not hungry?"
"I'm afraid not."
"Oh. Good. Because when you landed on my stomach I sort of lost my appetite for a big breakfast."
"Sorry."
"No, it's alright. I'll just go to the Quick Mart across the street and buy some Pop-Tarts."
Elf 17 stood up. "Pop-Tarts?"
Broots did a double take. "Wait, you mean you've never had," he slapped his forehead. "Well, duh! Of course you couldn't have had Pop-Tarts at the Centre." He looked at her curiously. Wait a minute. She probably has hardly done anything thanks to the Centre. Maybe I could…
"Hey, Elf 17?"
She turned from the large window she'd been looking out of. "Yeah?"
He gave her a goofy grin. "How would you like to see what Vegas is like?"
She raised an eyebrow.
8:39
AM
Las Vegas, Nevada
Make-over Mall
Cindy's Fashion Central
"Broots are you crazy?" Elf 17 asked, looking through the window of the large clothing store. He'd told her to get washed and they'd drove down to this huge strip mall about a mile away from the hotel. It was unlike anything Elf 17 had ever seen before. There were lots and lots of people, all different colors, shapes, and sizes, and they wore bright clothing, dark clothing, and some had on hardly any clothing at all. There were animals on leashes, and even a street show where some teens were break-dancing for money from the crowd. This place was wild. And, Elf 17 had to admit, she was enjoying herself. But when Broots had taken her to the clothing store and his intentions were made known, she had to stop him.
"Come on Broots, shopping? For clothes? Me?" this place was definitely expensive and the clothes inside were all so…so small. "I doubt I can even fit into these things. That shirt has a waist that even Ms. Parker would have to go on a diet for."
Broots laughed. "This store is only for teens. Debbie goes to a place like this all the time. You have to try and act your age for once. And believe me, you'll fit into them."
She sighed. "Okay. I'll try it."
They entered the store and were immediately accosted by a perky blonde in a halter-top, skirt and boots. The scary thing was that she looked like a miniature Bridgett.
"Morning!" she said cheerily. " And how can I help you two?" She looked at Elf 17 and saw her Centre clothing. "Oh I see." She said, shaking her head like a doctor when they've found out their patient has an illness. "I see indeed." She turned to the back of the store. "Hey, Sky!"
Elf 17's heart skipped a beat when she him. He was tall, with fair skin, a smooth chin, and predominant cheekbones, peroxide blond hair in short spikes, and icy blue eyes that seemed to bore into her soul. He wore a black jacket with a red shirt and black pants.
"Yeah?" he asked in a British accent.
"This girl needs some clothes, pronto," Cindy said, gesturing towards Elf 17. "Take her to the back and show her some things."
"Sure love."
Elf 17 followed him as though she were in a daze. She'd never felt his way before. Not ever. She felt like purring she was so content.
Broots noticed how she was acting and hoped that no animal instincts of her's would cause her to do anything foolish. But he also knew that she was a pretender, a thumping good one from what he'd seen, and she should be fine.
Sky talked to her and showed her different outfits, making jokes and beaming when she laughed at them. Damn, this girl's beautiful. He thought appraisingly as he looked at her emerald eyes, soft white skin and ebony black hair. Her rose red lips were practically begging to be kissed.
He sure has a nice smile. Elf 17 thought and flashed him one of her own. Her body yearned to hold him, to kiss him, but she also knew that part of that was her animal side. The other half was, well, the other half was a girl who hadn't seen a male human her age in ten years. Not since Raines had brought in the other kids for testing…. She shook her head, trying to steer her thoughts away from those memories. They weren't nice to remember.
Finally Sky had finished looking through some clothes when an image of her in a certain outfit mind his grin widen. He pulled out the clothes and handed them to her.
"Here, try these on."
"What?!" She laughed. "Are you sure it's legal to wear these in public?"
He laughed in response. "Oh come on, they're not that bad. Please love?"
She looked over at Broots and he just raised his hands helplessly.
She sighed and went in the dressing room to change into them.
She came out and bit her lip, expecting to be laughed at. Instead, all she received was an awed silence.
She wore a tight, black, low cut black shirt of leather, that exposed her thin, slightly muscular stomach and that was sleeveless. The pants she wore were also black and were hip huggers. She opened her eyes and the two men were taken back at how bright and alive her emerald eyes were when contrasted against the deep black clothes. They seemed to shine with radiance. Every flush of color on her beautiful face shone brilliantly and Broots was already digging out the money to pay for the outfit.
He handed the cash to Sky with a shaky hand, still unable to look away. "W-w-we'll t-take it." he stuttered. Sky gave a nod but still stared at her like a zombie.
After she and the man who Sky guessed to be her father had left, he sighed to himself. I wish I could have found out her name.
Cindy walked over to his side and looked out at the door he that he still hadn't taken his eyes off of.
"Hey, did you notice that that girl had elf ears?"
9:00 AM
Los Vegas, Nevada
Quickie Mart
Snack Food Aisle
Broots eagerly sucked in the intoxicating aroma of the coffee he'd filled over at the store's inside stand. He'd come in just for his Pop-Tarts and had been seduced by the smell of java. He'd originally planned on just buying Elf 17 a package of Pop-tarts to try out, but had then realized that, like
Jarod had when he'd first entered the real world, she'd have to find her own tastes.
And addictions. He chuckled softly to himself, reminded of Jarod's constant PEZ craving's.
He approached Elf 17 in the snack aisle and saw her quietly deliberating over the large array of chip bags in front of her.
She had read the ingredients of each one, and had given up on trying to pick one that had anything remotely healthy in it. Broots had told her earlier that when picking junk food, the point was not to find the healthiest thing, but the best-tasting thing. She couldn't understand though, how any of these, these chemically created, food-colored, artificially preserved, pathetic excuses for food could even be considered as edible. Let alone good tasting.
She heard Broots approaching and realized she had to make a choice. She scanned the shelf, her arms clasped quietly behind her back as she brooded in silence. Finally she grabbed the most colorful bag of chips and turned to hand it to Broots when he'd finally reached her.
"Made a selection?"
She nodded mutely and handed him the bag.
He took and read it aloud. "Puffy Cheetos." He raised an eyebrow at her, knowing what she probably thought of the ingredients she'd undoubtedly read. "My aren't you daring."
She gave him a smile and they checked out, trying to suppress the laughter that threatened to present itself when the clerk, a brown haired teen boy, stared at Elf 17 in unhidden yearning.
They left and got into the jeep, Broots diving into his package of Pop-tarts and sipping his coffee, and Elf 17 timidly opening the sealed bag of Cheetos.
She picked up one of the slightly curled snack pieces and gave it a small lick. Then her eyes brightened, and she stuffed the whole thing into her mouth and began to chew. Its flavor overwhelmed her. It was so cheesy, so deliciously crunchy. Her taste buds cried out in unhidden joy! She delved her hand into the bag and ate another, and another, each one even better tasting than the one before. Though the Cheetos were slightly sticking to her teeth and her fingertips were now yellow, she cared not. All she cared about was how fast another Cheeto could come from her hand into her waiting and watering mouth.
Broots looked over at Elf 17 and nearly spit out the coffee he was taking a drink from.
"Whoa! Take a moment to breathe at least!"
Elf 17 paused and looked over at him. She looked down at the half-empty bag. She looked at her yellow-stained hands. Her face turned beet red.
"Sorry," she mumbled while wiping off her mouth with some tissues that Broots had handed her. She rolled up the bag almost tenderly, as if not wanting to break in half a single Cheeto.
Broots could have laughed. Jarod and his PEZ obsession had just met their match.
1:00 PM
Las Vegas, Nevada
Lady Luck Casino
Waiting Lounge
Elf 17 was quietly reading a book that she'd picked up at a bookstore that they'd stopped at on her request. The book was called, Les Miserables and thought it would only tie her over for an hour or two, the book was enjoyable. She had so far only been reading it in parts though, as most of her attention had been on her own specially fashioned earpiece and mouthpiece, made from wires and such that they'd bought at a Radio Shack.
She had quickly discovered earlier that the hotel bill, the rental and a few of the other purchases she'd made with the Centre's money had rapidly depleted her spending funds and she'd need to get some more should they want to have somewhere to sleep and something to eat in Los Angelus. That's when Broots had told her what Las Vega was famous for, their casinos.
Obviously, Elf 17's pretender skills and enhanced senses, (such as her ability to see things moving at a fast speed) would make gaining money from the casino very easy. However, Elf 17 had at first refused.
"Why not?' Broots had asked, confused as to why such an easy plan wouldn't work.
"It seems…wrong. I'd be cheating."
"Yeah, but where else would we get it? I don't like bending the rules and Ms. Parker would probably be surprised that I'd even go so far as to suggest this. But we do need the money. "
Elf 17 had sighed. "Yeah, I guess you're right. But still, how would I be able to help? They do have an age limit."
"I don't know. Truthfully, I hadn't thought about how we'd actually do it." He scratched his head. "If you had a way to communicate with me maybe but…"
And that's when the idea of two-way communication had come up and they'd gotten the supplies at Radio Shack. Elf 17 had fashioned the earpiece and such easily, and Broots had gone into the casino they'd picked, Elf 17 deciding to stay in the lobby, because it was sweltering hot outside. Everyone who'd just entered had entered in shorts. Those who had come in this morning however, still had on pants and sweaters from when it had been chilly out, and they were now probably regretting their earlier choice.
She'd talked him through the Black Jack table, Baccarat, Poker, and even how to pull down the lever on the slot machine, with how much pressure and at what time, to increase the odds of getting all three icons in a row.
Broots was right now going to cash the considerable amount of chips the two had managed to get. Elf 17 estimated that they'd be leaving with about five thousand six hundred, seventy-two dollars and ninety-three cents. Give or take a few that was.
So Elf 17 was now patiently awaiting his return as she read and half-listened to the various conversations and corny music seeping through the speakers. She was turning her four-hundredth page when a spark of conversation caught her ear. She quietly put her book down and focused on what the man was saying.
The man was actually one of the casino guards. He was talking to another on his two-way radio.
"I swear I saw her come this way. She came in this morning and I tailed her on suspicion." He paused. "No, I know I saw her come in to the lobby. I was still following her after she grabbed the other lady's purse." He sighed at what he other voice was saying. "No I didn't get a clear view on her face. She was wearing a scarf! But--" He clenched his fists as he listened to the others voice. "I know that the person that came right by the fountain heading towards the lobby was her!" He paused again. "Yes chief. Fine, I'll go check the tables." He broke off the connection muttering to himself about pig-headed somebody's.
Elf 17 quietly watched him go and then set down her book. She stood up from her comfy seat on the long padded bench and after began scanning the large and spacious lobby. She looked around for about three minutes before she started to calmly walk forward to a woman who, apparently, had just walked through the door. Elf 17 waited until she'd fully entered the building before stopping right in front of her.
The woman was very tall, about 6"2 with short brown hair that was slightly mussed and a face fully done in makeup that looked like it had been painted on by an artist. She wore an angora sweater and fancy black slacks, and had on a purse that looked two sizes two small. The purse was very packed though, and looked like it could bust and at any moment.
The woman raised an eyebrow at Elf 17 when she stopped in front of her.
"Can I help you?" She asked in a slightly haughty tone.
"No." Elf 17 replied coolly. She raised her voice slightly for her next words, hoping that the security guards looking around in the casino would be able to hear her. "Not really. But I'm sure you could help out the woman you stole that purse from by giving it back."
The woman's eyes flared wide but she quickly narrowed them. Around her, people began to whisper. "I have absolutely no idea what you are talking about young lady. But I would appreciate it if you stepped out of my way."
Elf 17 shook her head. "Nope."
The woman growled angrily and walked over to the side of Elf 17, hoping to get around her. But Elf 17 quickly maneuvered herself and was in front of the lady once again.
This time the woman couldn't keep her temper down. "GET OUT OF MY WAY!" she shouted in fury.
Elf 17 gave her a sly grin. "No, sorry I can't do that."
While the woman clenched her hands into fists and seethed, two security guards, both different from the one Elf 17 had heard talking, came running forward.
They stopped. "Is something wrong ma'am?"
The woman pointed angrily at Elf 17. "This brat won't leave me alone!"
They turned and looked over at Elf 17. The security guards gave her a questioning look and she shrugged.
"I'd leave her alone if she would return the purse to the lady she stole it from." She told them, her voice never once rising from its steady, calm tone.
The two guards looked at each other. "Did you see this woman steal another woman's purse?"
"I did not see the crime committed officers, but she did steal it yes."
"I just came in! If you didn't see me steal it then on what grounds do you so wrongly accuse me of doing so?" The woman scoffed at Elf 17's answer.
"She does have a point young lady. If you didn't see it, how could you possibly think that she's stolen it?"
"First of all, she just lied to you. She hasn't just come in."
"Why do you say that?"
"Well, it's about ninety-two point four degrees Fahrenheit outside at this moment. This woman is wearing an angora sweater, and black pants and make-up. Besides that all being a very poor choice on what to wear in this heat, her make-up is still on and fine."
"What does my make-up have to do with anything?" The woman sneered at her.
"Had you really been out in this heat in that outfit, your body would have begun to sweat in an effort to cool you down. You have not sweat, and despite the heavy articles of clothing you wear, your face is not heated at all. That implies that you have been somewhere cool. Somewhere like an air-conditioned casino." She paused and one of the guards gave her a curious look.
"Go on.' He said.
Elf 17 nodded and continued. "Plus, despite the fact that your make-up is perfectly fine, your hair is rather messed up and you look winded. Both are an implication that you've been running. That would fit if you'd been running to lose the security guard that had been following you." The woman's eyes widened but only for a second. Elf 17 continued talking but did not miss the motion. "Lastly, you are a very tall woman. Yet, the purse you wear on your shoulder is clearly too small for you. I would have guessed that such a mistake would have been noticed if you'd bought the purse and you would have exchanged it for a larger one. That's why I know you stole it."
"That's crazy." The woman said, though her voice was shaking slightly. "If I had stole it, then why would I have come back in here?"
"That's an easy one. You didn't steal the money just to buy things, you stole the money so you could gamble with it."
The woman tried to turn and leave rather hastily out the door, but one of the guards grabbed her arm while the other talked on his radio.
A few minutes later, the security guard Elf 17 had heard and a rather bedraggled looking older woman came into the lobby. The older woman nearly jumped at seeing the other woman.
"That's my purse!" Despite her age she ran forward and snatched her purse. After pulling out a rather long scarf and throwing it onto the floor, she took out her wallet and counted the money. When she was through, she breathed a sigh of relief.
"Oh thank goodness! It's all here."
The security guard Elf 17 had heard had just finished talking with the other two guards who had told him of all the evidence Elf 17 brought up against the woman. The guard looked at the scarf on the floor and recognized it immediately. He told the other two to take her into a holding room until the cops could arrive.
The old woman thanked the guard many times and went off to play Black Jack. Elf 17 was about to leave when the guard stopped her.
"Hey, you were reading in the lobby weren't you?"
"Yes sir."
He laughed. "I guess you wanted to find the thief on your own."
Elf 17 gave a grin. "Yeah."
"Well, good job. But can I ask you a question?"
"Sure."
"How did you know that the woman would be coming back in? How did you know why she'd wanted the money?'
Elf 17 paused for a moment, then smiled like a Cheshire cat. "It's what I would have done." Then, spotting Broots, she walked off, leaving the guard to blink in stunned silence.
7:49 PM
Las Vegas, Nevada
On Road
In Jeep
"'It's what I would've done?'" Broots asked laughing.
"Well I couldn't say that I pretended to be her now could I?" Elf 17 returned, laughing jovially.
The two had had dinner to celebrate their replenished money supply, and Broots had laughed all through dinner as Elf 17 retold her "heroic efforts".
"Gosh you really surprise me Elf 17." Broots said, wishing he could have been there.
"Thanks."
They drove into the hotel and parked. Once they'd gotten to their room they'd taken turns going into the bathroom to brush teeth and change into nightclothes and such. Broots was in a two-piece pajama outfit. (If Ms. Parker had ever found out that they were Spiderman pajamas he'd never live it down though.) Elf 17 herself wore her Centre clothing to bed, not wanting to sleep in her new all black outfit. It was a very nice set, but it was too constricting to be sleeping in. Both, however, knew that the search for Jarod couldn't be put off any longer, and tomorrow they'd be in Los Angelus.
Broots turned out the light and everything was quiet.
Elf 17 silently crept to the sliding glass door of their hotel room balcony. She closed it quietly behind her and then leaped with amazing agility onto the wooden banister of their fourth floor hotel room balcony. She sat with her back against the wall in a half slouch. One foot was flat on the wood and she had her hands clasped loosely around the knee. Her other leg dangled carelessly over the edge, swinging back and forth slightly. Her head was turned and while her black hair blew recklessly in the wind, she surveyed the city and desert before her.
The night had cooled of the heat from the afternoon and Elf 17 felt its icy chillness every time she breathed in. The city was beautiful at night. All the flashing lights, and people walking about, along with the faint hints of melodies in the distance was awe-inspiring. And past the city was the desert, with rolling sand dunes and constantly active nightlife.
Elf 17 had seen what the real world was like today. She had walked about it and participated in it and she was…interested in what she had seen.
It was certainly nothing like the Centre.
She growled at herself for event thinking of that place and letting its horrors take away from the beauty of the scene she saw now.
Then she sighed. But, whether or not she let herself think about it, the truth was still there, hanging omnisciently in front of her.
She had to go back.
Sooner or later, she would have to return. There were many complicated reasons for it but the simpler ones that floated to the top of her mind was that she had of yet no true reason to leave, because even though it wasn't one of the best places she still hadn't been treated all that bad there. Though her treatment might change once she brought back Jarod.
The other thing was Broots. She hadn't told him yet, and she wasn't sure if she ever would, but she had not brought him to help with computers or because she'd been worried about the outside world, she brought him for one simple fact. She was lonely. She didn't want to have to go alone and had wanted a friend for the trip. She now really like him and if he were to return to the Centre without her, there was no telling in what ways he'd be tortured and killed. She couldn't do that to him, and she couldn't do that to his daughter.
The last thing that held her back, the thing she'd hoped she could turn a blind eye to, was the irritating and constant reminder that she was an orphan.
She had no home, she had no family. She'd been turned over to an orphanage when she was one year old. Her parents had given up on her and had abandoned her, whoever they were. If she left the Centre, she'd have no place to go and would end up like Jarod. Lost, alone, confused, and constantly hunted. Believe it or not, right now staying at the Centre was the better of the two options. Her life might even get better after Jarod was brought back. The Centre's focus would most likely be on him and not her. She wouldn't be doing as many sims and such, and she'd have a piece of mind.
Elf 17 once again let her eyes gaze over the city.
And yet, with all of the reasons staring her straight in the face, it was moments like these that made the second choice all the more alluring. She shook her head at her own foolishness, and jumped down from the banister onto the wood of the porch, turning her back on the beautiful city and its siren calls, to go slip into the safe and slightly confining comforts of her bed.
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Ah, such a sad note to end a chapter with. I hope you're all good with metaphors. ;)
Well, let's only hope and pray that by some miracle either Jarod can outwit her or she changes her decision.
Anyhow, I again ask the questions that only you can answer: Did you like it, love it, or hate it? Please tell me! I swear I'll keep it a secret! Look, I'm not crossing my fingers either!
------ShadowElfBard