It's been way too long. I've returned to the file this is based on and played around with the families more. Let's see if I can apply some of that to this story.

Don't expect updates to be fast, but know that until I leave an A/N or state in the summary the story is not dead. A slow update, for me, means a different story took priority or I'm taking a break.

Secrets Of Willow Creek

Chapter 3

Neither Brandon nor Reilly were anywhere to be found, and Mathias couldn't help but focus mostly on the former. A tinge of resentment for Andrea and Reilly's curiosity began to rise, though he tried to dismiss it. He hardly knew them, so he couldn't exactly judge their morals here. If he acted irrational, he was just worried about Brandon. Just Brandon.

The ghosts seemed to stop being active on the way back to Andrea. Mathias was so caught up in worry that he forgot to be afraid, and simply walked back as if in a trance. He eventually bumped into the famous author herself, and just a beam from the flashlight revealed wonder. Whoever she was talking to returned to the plane of existence they couldn't touch, she said. He was apparently a gentleman deeper into conversation, and had a theory about where Carol and Luna were put to rest. And finally... Concern wrinkled her brow as she must have finally noticed Mathias' expression.

"What happened to Reilly and Brandon?" She asked point blank, clearly having pieced it together.

"We should go to the police station as soon as we can!" Mathias' voice went frantic. "Sims don't just disappear into thin air! Help me think of a story when we get there; you're the writer!"

But even Andrea didn't know how to explain what happened. Mathias thought she looked very calm for someone whose husband could have been kidnapped by ghosts. Then again, he was a nervous wreck.

The Willow Creek police station was a small establishment with just four prison cells to be used. The remaining space was used for the offices of detectives, scientific equipment for evidence and the upstairs lounge/training area for those often on chases. This town never had a big outbreak of crime in its history, at least not that Mathias knew of. Low crime rate or not, services never hurt anyone.

Andrea made a fast-paced walk to the desk, while Mathias pretty much collapsed against it as he accidentally used his vampire speed. They were still trying to throw together explanations in their heads; there was no way the police would believe sims were abducted by ghosts so early in the morning like this.

The officer looked to be in his forties, starting to go grey with a constantly stern face. He looked straight at Andrea and Mathias, calmly asking what happened as Brandon's glasses were placed on the counter for evidence sake.

Mathias broke down. "You've got to help us! Help Brandon! Oh crap, I don't know if he's alive or dead but I don't want him to be dead! I don't want to meet him as a ghost! What does the afterlife possibly offer-" His rambling was cut off by the officer making a pained sound and rubbing his temples.

"You have to remain calm." The officer said through gritted teeth. "Let's try again: what happened?"

That was where Andrea stepped in, calm and composed. "We're reporting missing sims: Reilly and Brandon. You most likely have records on Brandon as he's lived here all his life. Reilly is my husband; we just moved in on..."

Mathias wandered from the front desk at that point. He could see other sims seated on a bench nearby, either waiting for more information or permission to visit a prisoner. No one seemed to pay him any attention; they were either tapping their phones or reading magazines. He would have sat down and attempted to compose himself, but there only two benches facing each other and both were full.

Any logic he tried to make about what happened to Brandon completely fell apart. Where could he have gone? Maybe ghosts took him somewhere. They had no motive, but hey, that was something. And... He did need to be scared for Reilly too; the man was too curious for his own good, and Mathias wouldn't be surprised if he made a pact with a malicious ghost to be possessed or something.

These were theories he couldn't imagine telling the officer over there. He wasn't crazy; being part of the supernatural just sucked most of the time. Actually, being a sim was never easy.

"Mathias!" A familiar woman's voice interrupted his thoughts.

Mathias turned to see Eliza Pancakes herself, jogging to him in her midnight blue cadet uniform. She looked flushed with excitement. He knew he charmed some sims, but he had a feeling she had someone else on the mind.

"Mathias, you've brought Andrea to me! I can't thank you enough!" Eliza squealed, shaking his hands. "When she sees me in my element- Oh you just know she'll want me to be a character of focus in her book! Not a tired, boring main character- No- The interesting side character with a deep backstory that slowly comes to light as she overcomes the toughest case of her career..."

Mathias forced a smile for her, didn't pull his hands back despite how he couldn't feel them anymore after Eliza's powerful grip. He wished she could see how much of a wreck he was, but maybe if he told her what happened she' would be understanding. So he readied himself, inhaling deeply through his nose as the words formed in his head.

"Andrea's probably not in the mood to talk about shout outs." Mathias told her as gently as he could, forcing his eyes to meet hers. "Her husband's gone missing. Brandon as well. We're trying to get in contact with the chief about this, but so far-" He was sent cringing back by Eliza's sharp gasp.

"A missing sim case?!"

"You sound like that's the first time you've ever heard of one."

Eliza stepped back, looking much more withdrawn. "Well, I've been in the... Lower ranks for a long time now. I'm only ever going to crime scenes where theft took place, even then I just dust for fingerprints and ask questions to witnesses."

The whole town was set up to be the kind of place where most people knew each other. They weren't all too close, but basic information was at least passed around. So how Mathias never heard Eliza was only a rookie where her career was concerned, even now, he didn't mean to stare at her in disbelief but her brows were already knitting as she definitely noticed his reaction.

"Look, I do my best." Eliza said a little more defensively. "If there's missing sims, this joke of a police station needs to get its act together. They can tell me I'm not ready for promotion until the day I retire, but I'll convince them to send the best teams to search even if it kills me."

"I won't say it would kill you, Pancakes." A suspiciously sweet female voice cut in.

The color drained from Eliza's face and she bolted as she made eye contact with the new sim. Mathias, however, turned to see the police chief herself and Andrea. The police chief was an older woman with a generic grandmotherly face, totally grey hair in a short and sleek style. But despite her age, it was clear from her muscular outline in her uniform she'd seen physical combat. If they needed to beat sims up, she would have Mathias' full support.

Andrea and Mathias went on to properly explain where Brandon and Reilly were last seen, the police chief nodding and urging them to go on when their words stalled. Of course, there was no mention of possible paranormal activity. They had to give descriptions of the missing sims despite Brandon at least being known about around here, and by the time it was all over Mathias was prepared to go home and raid the juice cabinet.

Of course, he was still aware of Eliza hiding behind one of the seats. Mathias felt safe with the police chief on duty, but seemingly being the only one aware Eliza might try to... Step in... Well, that unsettled him all over again.

It was too late in the night to look for the missing sims, so Mathias and Andrea parted ways. Before she took her leave she said she was going to be full of coffee as she searched her new house from top to bottom looking for anything that might help. Mathias was scared to ask, but somehow managed. Andrea just gave him a look like he was hopeless before insisting a place like that would have plenty of weapons left behind. Did she imply that she thought Carol and Luna had a torture room in there? Mathias quaked at the thought, remembering he only saw the first floor and aside from being old and haunted it could pass for the kind of place one could clean up and modernize.

The idea of having to use weapons wasn't much better. They would have to be very scientifically advanced to harm a ghost, right? That was the lore old movies about the subject laid out, so the world might as well follow it in Mathias' mind. Also, what if Carol and Luna did have weapons like that? How big were they as a threat? What was their goal? Did they even stand a chance?

Despite everything, Mathias couldn't bring himself to transform and fly home. His energy was low, and he was starting to tremble without his next dose of plasma but at least he'd done just enough vampire training to hold off the plasma craving. Brandon wouldn't leave his mind, then Brandon's somewhat chubby cat who was probably circling her food bowl and planning how to kill him when he finally decided to come home. Mathias managed a weak smile at the hopeful thought Brandon loved that cat, and at least knowing she was waiting would mean he would fight his captors and be the hero he was in his childish fantasies.

Brandon lived in one of the smaller homes of Willow Creek, unremarkable in the front but charming with its back porch Brandon would spend his weekends on. Of course the outside was a dull color scheme while the inside was brighter and with limited practical things... As long as he had room for a TV, video game console, movie shelf and kareoke machine Brandon had everything a sim needed to survive the apocalypse. In his mind. All Mathias was getting was reminders of him, and he swore he could almost hear his voice greet him as he shoved the key in the door and entered. Of course every light in the house seemed to be on, TV paused on what looked to be a police chase in a movie.

"Dragon Era! Let's go!" Brandon cheered, making a dive for the arm chair and staring adoringly at the game case in his hands.

Ever since Brandon found out this particular remastered game, well, Mathias couldn't help but feel like Brandon had a one track mind. He was almost glued to online forums, gathering any shred of info he could and kind of putting life outside on hold. He also spent time he wasn't sleeping beginning a new playthrough of the original game, this time on the hardest difficulty. When Mathias came over, he was living off energy drinks and was muttering about "getting out of the Shade". Some place in-game, Mathias gathered.

"Why do you need the remaster when you just beat the original last Tuesday?" Mathias innocently asked.

The question was drowned out by the roar of the on-screen dragon warping into the company logo.

Now the living room was just... Quiet and peaceful. Not as ominous as Mathias expected it to be. His first move was to turn off the TV, not even jumping when an unexpected tail wrapped around his leg.

"You must be hungry, Crystal." Mathias said, not expecting the demanding meow he received.

Crystal really was gaining a bit of weight. Mathias remembered when she first appeared on Brandon's doorstep as they were saying goodnight after a date. The cat just... Stared expectantly. They were confused, as she was on the skinny side but otherwise didn't look like a stray. She had the brightest blue eyes to stand out against her white fur, making her name come easy. It just sounded right. Like how Brandon being compelled by her hypnotizing gaze to provide some leftover chicken felt right.

The moment Mathias opened a food can, he jumped at the sound of his phone. He scrambled to answer the call, not bothering to acknowledge the red flag that was his battery being dead and logic being torn apart. He was barely aware of Crystal jumping up on the counter and eating from the can before a familiar voice hit his ears.

"Mathias! You have to help me!"

Mathias slumped into one of the chairs, throat constricting. "Brandon... Don't panic. Whatever's going on, if you panic then I'll just-" He was cut off by Brandon chuckling darkly. Fear instantly spiked.

"You've got a one track mind." This voice wavered between Brandon and an unfamiliar, deeper one of unknown gender. "Don't you think you should be concerned about the new buyers of the sisters' house? The other guy who went missing with your precious Brandon?"

Mathias voice completely failed him. He sank so far into the chair, feeling safer if his outline couldn't be seen from the outside window. But why? He wasn't in a horror movie, or anything. There was no ghost on the other line preparing to teleport inside his house and kill him with one of those ghost-summoning boards right to the face.

After a long time of no answers, the mystery voice sighed. "We can skip many steps if you just help me with one thing. No one has to die, okay? Would be a stupid cliché if everyone died..." The Brandon sound-alike was gone entirely.

"You're not an enemy?" Mathias was just hopeful at that point, not able to carefully choose his words.

"I could be an enemy if you provoke me." They said casually enough it made Mathias swallow a lump in his throat.

Mathias had no idea what this caller looked like. He tried to imagine something ridiculous; hot pink hair, an exaggerated face and random styles of clothing. He didn't want to be on edge. His visualization technique just wasn't working. Before he could try to force his dry mouth to talk again the voice spoke up.

"I know what happened to Brandon, and I believe you'll do anything to know as well. As for how I know, I have sources irrelevant to you." The voice explained. "If you hang up now or ignore what I say, I promise you won't see him again. His fate, however, isn't up to me."

"I've already seen so much creepy crap." Mathias said wearily. "You don't want to tell me who you are, but you know Brandon matters to me. I can't keep living a life of panic attacks."

"You swear you can blindly trust me?"

"I have no choice, do I? I just want this to be over!"

"It will end." The voice almost sounded sympathetic for a moment.

Mathias performed a double take, pulling the phone away from his ear as if the caller could see. He wasn't sure what was happening, but then again since Willow Creek's newest residents moved in his life had changed. For the worse at this point.

"I can't maintain this call much longer, so here's what you need to do for me... " The caller said, back to business. "There's three items I can't acquire myself: angelfish, death flower and youth potion. I know what you're going to say, so don't try it. 'I can't cook, so I can't make the dish'. Your father knows how to cook, doesn't he? Has he never tried to do a nice gesture for your mother by cooking for her?"

"What makes you think you know my family so well?" Mathias asked, unable to keep some wariness out of his voice.

"The connection's breaking!" The voice burst. "Remember: no ambrosia at the cemetery, no Brandon! It doesn't matter where you place it; just make sure the dish is on the lot!" With that, the other line fell silent.

Mathias stared at the phone, tears of fear welling in his eyes. A little gardening, fishing, alchemy and cooking wasn't unreasonable. He could probably convince various people around the neighborhood to pitch in with some white lies. He just didn't like dealing with a ghost. Especially if that ghost had more wicked intentions in mind. He had no proof, but...

He was involved in something he didn't want. Why did being a vampire mean he was supposed to be completely at ease with the supernatural? It was all terrifying to him. What would have happened if he was born a mermaid? While they were part of the supernatural world, well, he hadn't heard campfire tales of mermaids using their powers for evil. Maybe seducing fishermen.

Mathias dried the tears best he could before making his plans. He didn't like anything supernatural, but Brandon mattered. Even Reilly didn't deserve to be possibly held captive. He did know a way of getting life potion fairly easy, and Andrea might know something about fishing because of Reilly. The death flower and eventual cooking were going to be more troubling.

Crystal jumping down and brushing past Mathias' feet snapped him back to reality. In a way he was jealous of her; she didn't seem incredibly concerned Brandon was gone, but most likely cared enough if he walked through the door she'd greet him in an instant. If Mathias couldn't be a mortal, could he at least be an animal with limited worries? If he could maintain the bat transformation long enough, he would gladly let go of his life to do... Whatever bats did. Just because he took that form, that didn't mean he knew more than basic knowledge of the animal.

The content cat padded out of the room, presumably in search of a quiet sleep spot. Mathias hated to be left alone, but ultimately sat back down feeling any strength completely escape him. He didn't know how long he sat and just let his scared thoughts take over. Eventually his energy depleted, and his heavy eyelids closed.

The next thing he knew, there was knocking on the door. Mathias awoke with a jolt, freaking out Crystal who was previously curled up by his feet. He thought he only dozed off for a few minutes, but also felt a surge of restored vampire energy coursing.

"Be right there!" Mathias called to the visitor, bones creaking as well.

Before Mathias could get to the door, let alone open a window to see if there was morning sunlight, he could hear a surprised sound as the knocking silenced.

"Oh! Mathias!" It sounded like Bob Pancakes. Well, an especially awkward version of him. "Sorry to make so much noise this early! Let me just leave this-"

"Wait, Bob!" Mathias shrieked, scrambling to the door.

When the door flew open, of course a blast of sunlight burned Mathias' face. He didn't know how he didn't let out a pained sound, but it probably had something to do with his desperation to catch Bob. Luckily the glare of the sun was short-lived; Bob moving in front of it provided a shield. He gave him a mildly embarrassed look, rubbing the back of his neck.

"You didn't have to answer." Bob insisted. "I was young and free once; I know it's nice to... Sleep in especially in someone else's bed-"

Mathias told himself the next wave of heat in his face was leftover from that sun blast, but he still felt ridiculous frantically waving his arms either to land a plane or signal no one had fun last night.

"Brandon's missing!" Mathias finally managed to shout, emotions unfortunately loud and clear. "You don't care what happened last night, but- But hear me out: I'm sure Brandon was captured by a ghostly entity! And- And- We have to get him back! You know about cooking, don't you?!"

Bob looked overwhelmed, cringing away as he listened. He waited while Brandon caught his breath, fixed his posture and tore his hands from his hair. Mathias only knew about ambrosia because it was famous in the supernatural world, never mind it required great skill. He didn't know if Bob was on professional chef level; he just needed help wherever he could get it.

Bob didn't catch Mathias' cry for help, but he did follow him back into the house and guided him to the kitchen table to calm down. In an attempt to lighten the mood, he explained he borrowed Brandon's Density Effect copy a week ago for a test run... Half because he wasn't sure if he would like the game, half Eliza might scold him for purchasing it even on a digital sale. He shoved the game case into the missing section of his collection and returned to Mathias' side offering him a glass of water.

Mathias was sure he looked like a complete and utter mess as he stared up at Bob, pretending to enjoy the lukewarm water that felt like solid concrete with all the stress built up. He wanted to explain the situation better, and if possible... If he had just one ounce of luck... Maybe Bob would take him seriously.

Bob seated himself across the table, resting his chin on his knuckles. "Eliza says the worst mistake you can make is wait too long to report a missing sim."

"I know..." Mathias tried to say more, but his voice cracked and he was hiding behind strands of hair. He'd never survive a police interrogation, he knew for a fact.

At least Bob didn't have it in him to look grim. A concerned expression overtook his face, but nothing hopelessly grim. "Mathias, you're sure he was kidnapped... By a ghost?"

"I'm not drunk. I'm not stoned. My brain's as stable as it can be." Mathias whispered with great effort, burying his face in his hands.

"You know, Eliza reads a lot of books about the supernatural. I'll be the first sim to tell you that's BS, but just because I don't believe that- That doesn't mean I can't try to understand it."

"What does that even-"

Bob stood up suddenly. He stepped in front of Brandon's cabinets, looked over his shoulder as if for permission to go through them. It wasn't Mathias' say in what he did here, but he nodded anyhow. Soon he was scanning the contents, muttering to himself. He even went to the fridge and repeated.

"I've seen pictures of ambrosia. It's kind of like a block of cheese? Or... Pastry?" Bob said more to himself than Mathias, running a hand over the collection of silverware left out on the counter. "I don't like to cook elaborate dishes if I can help it, but let's say that's real. Let's say there's a way to bring back the dead. You and your dad don't eat at the house, so you'd need someone to help."

Mathias' head shot up, fear most likely flashing in his eyes. "Well, it's not that we don't eat-" His pathetic babbling was silenced by Bob accidentally dropping a fork as he was looking through the collection.

"It's not that we look at your garbage, or anything!" Bob insisted somehow more nervously with a shameful look. "We can't help it if we're late putting out our garbage and the truck's already- Oh! You get it!"

Honestly, Mathias would have felt more comfortable if Bob just called him a vampire right then and there. Secrecy didn't mean shit to him if there was some ghostly entity to worry about. He just kept his eyes on the table, chin on his arms while he heard Bob fumble with putting the utensil back.

"Mathias, I don't normally lend a hand unless I'm backed in a corner. But Willow Creek's my home, and I know everyone. We're a community, like it or not. So if someone's in danger, I couldn't live with myself if I parked myself in front of the TV and ignored what's going on outside." Bob sounded more serious than Mathias could dream.

"Are you volunteering to cook a dish you're not entirely sure exists?" Mathias asked just for the record.

Bob hesitated for a moment, definitely not as long as Mathias expected. Time was precious, so he just nodded because both of them were too awkward to make this any more fancy.

Mathias suddenly had a piece of worry falling off his shoulders. He wasn't entirely free, but he could fix his posture and almost pretend to have the dignity of a classic vampire minus his weary smile.

Crystal came into the room, apparently sizing Bob up as she planted herself near his feet and stared. Bob, himself, seemed a bit nervous by the judgmental cat enough so Mathias picked her up and tried to mimic how he'd seen Brandon hold her.

"We need to make a plan." Mathias said abruptly in hope of getting them back on track. "If you're going to prepare the dish, then we need to find the angelfish and death flower somewhere. I feel we can't just buy them at a stand."

"I wonder if there's enough time to cram at the library." Bob suggested, looking uncharacteristically deep in thought. "We won't have enough time to do the fishing or gardening ourselves, but books will help track down sims who might know a thing or two about it. Famous authors live closer than you think, well, that's what Eliza's been saying recently."

"I wonder if my father..." Mathias began to suggest, only to trail off and uncomfortably glance away as he realized what he was going to say.

"Your mother was a mermaid." Bob finished for him casually.

Mathias instantly regretted the suggestion. Mother died before she could teach him about mermaids, but even without that it felt like even joking about mermaids being captured by fishermen could be offensive. Unless he was over-thinking it. He doubted Father would be so eager to even talk about her, especially right after the date of her passing.

Seeing Mathias' troubled expression, Bob didn't say anything else about his mother. He just withdrew his phone and set it down, pulling up a notepad app. He began typing, though Mathias was more concerned with stroking a less than amused Crystal after holding her longer than a cat would normally tolerate.

The fact some sims were willing to help made Mathias feel a little better. This was probably a first in Willow Creek history, but as Mathias looked at Bob he almost caught himself thinking they had a chance.

TBC