AN: Hey guys! Sorry it’s been so long. I’m reaching the end of my time at college and classes are getting intense!! I do plan on finishing out all 10 generation of the Belles but school starts back up next week so idk how often I’ll be able to post the next few months. My sims 3 has taken to crashing more than ever and generally just being a pain, so while I have most of the Belle story finished and written, taking pictures for once chapter takes me a few days. Anyway, enjoy the chapter! 🙂

Cool air rushes across the town, catching my curtains and making them dance. Autumn, fall, Harvest. Regardless of the name it means one thing; the dying of our great mother earth. It is Death’s season. His soft fingers reach out to touch everyone’s cheeks, to remind us that despite the life we see in spring and summer, Death comes for us all in the end.

Mogget rubs against me, purring like an engine. I smile down at him and scratch him between his ears. The family is glad that I’m back but most of them walk on eggshells around me. Because of this I’ve taken to shutting myself in my room even more than usual. School hasn’t been any better. No one will say it outright – on the surface they say they’re sorry – but I can see the fear and judgement in their eyes. It’s in their hushed whispers and their rushed avoidance. They know I killed him.

“Hey.” Alex whispers from behind me.

“Hey yourself.”

A smile forms on his face. “I’m glad you’re out of there.”

“Yea, me too. It was nice for a while, but I’ve got stuff to take care of.” I move to sit on the edge of my bed.

“Zo…you need to focus on finishing school and being a normal teenager. Everything else can wait.” His tone is serious.

“You’re kidding, right? Alex, I killed Jack because your bitch of a mistress wants me dead.” I sigh at his hurt look. “I know you’re not under her control willingly, but she still wants me dead, and Jack is dead because of that. I can’t be a normal teenager. I will never be a normal person. I’m going to finish school, I’m going to figure out where Evelyn is hiding, I’m going wipe her from existence, and I’m going to go somewhere that people don’t look at me like the broken Belle that got into an accident with her now dead boyfriend. I need a new start and I’m getting one after I graduate.”

Alex sighs and leans against my vanity. It makes me smile a bit since I know the wall doesn’t actually hold him up at all. “Zoey, you’re not at fault for Jacks death. You know that, don’t you?”

“If I hadn’t let him get close, he wouldn’t have been put in that situation. It was my power that killed him and Evelyn’s “accident” that tore my dress so he was able to touch my skin. We’re both at fault. Denying my role in his death isn’t going to make anything better.”

“Stop. Stop blaming yourself!” His voice raises to a yell and I flinch. I don’t think I’ve ever heard him yell before.

“It’s not blame if it actually is partly my fault. Why do you care anyways?”

“Because I-“ He takes a deep breath and lowers his voice, “Because I know how guilt can eat a person up inside. You’re only human, and humans get close to other humans. It’s just a part of life. Jack knew the ramifications for touching your skin. It was his choice. You can’t take part of the responsibility for his death.”

“It won’t eat me up inside. I promise, nothing about me is going to change. I’m going to finish school, kill Evelyn, and move on. I will. Can we just drop it? If you want me to finish school so bad, help me with this history project. I’m sure you were around the world somewhere while the First Supernatural War went down.”

“Fine.” He moves closer to me as I dig out my textbook. “That was the one with your ancestor Athena in it. I remember her and Keighlyn, the resistance. I was too deep under Evelyn’s grip to help them, but their resolve made me smile.”

I watch him, judging how to phrase my next question. “You saw them and saw them fight. Did you fight against them?”

“Yes. Evelyn was still alive, be she’s had her hands in Death long before Simerica was established. I’m not proud of what I’ve done under her control, but I’m glad it’s loosening.”

“Why is it loosening? Isn’t she stronger in death?”

“Yes.” He pauses and looks at me softly. “But some things are stronger than her power.”

For some reason I couldn’t quite place, I suddenly felt very shy and looked away. “Oh. Okay, well I guess we should get back to the assignment.”

Alex stays quiet for a moment, watching me. “Zoey, do you trust me?”

The question comes from left field, surprising me. “Yes. Why?”

“I have to go and I don’t know when I’ll be back. Whatever happens, remember me as me, as I am right here and right now. When I’m with you I am my true self. If you see me differently later, just remember me now.” He winces and for a second he seems to flicker.

“Alex? What’s wrong?” I drop the text book and move towards him right as he lets out a gasp and flickers again. When he looks up, his eyes are filled with fear.

“Don’t let her take me, again.” He gasps, reaching for me, and then disappears.