Twin Island: Chapter 1

[simgaroop]

Once upon a time, there was a tiny island in the middle of no-where.

The island was called Twin Island, and on its center there was an even smaller town called Twin Town.

None of its inhabitants knew the reason behind such an odd name, for there was no other island like theirs in the whole Sim World.




Twin Island was blessed with a privileged climate and an extremely fertile soil, making it the perfect spot to develop a strong agricultural economy.

Several ships arrived to the island's port once a month, eager to buy the amazing fruits and vegetables harvested by the Twin Town's farmers.




Twin Island wasn't originally intended to be just an utopia for farming, though.

Due to its clean beaches and sunny climate, many companies invested large sums of money to turn the small Island in one of the world's most important touristic destinations.

Everything you can imagine was built: Nightclubs, shops, spas, huge hotels, exquisite restaurants, art galleries and a prestigious school for the rich families that would surely move to Twin Island once it became the most popular spot in Sim Earth.

As you can see, there was a very bright future planned for this idyllic place.




But someone else, perhaps Mother Nature, had other plans for Twin Island.

Just a few months after the gigantic resorts were opened, disaster stroke.

Huge whirlwinds were formed around the Island, turning the formerly calm waters into a death trap for anyone who dared approach the Island.

For years, several ships crashed and sunk, leaving no trace of their existence. Hundreds of people perished on the sea.

As the stories of Twin Island's new and deadly reputation were told around Sim Earth, the hopes of the investors who once believed in the island's prosperous future were banished.

They took their money to other, safer spots.

And the streets of Twin Island became empty. The resort area became a ghost town.
Nothing and no one arrived to the Island for years...




Well, almost no one.

There were still a few arrivals now and then.

And our story begins with a newcomer who first appeared on this small beach, fifteen years ago...

_________________________________________________












"I know you are happy in Riverblossom Hills, but this is an offer I just can't ignore. The land is extremely cheap and you won't believe the amazing climate and fertility of its soil. This is a lifetime opportunity for all of us..."








"Twin Island! Just like us! I can't wait to get there! Daddy even said our farm is right next to the beach! It's gonna be awesome!"








"The wind's too strong... we're losing control!"
"Daddy! What's going on?!"
"I- I really don't know Cherry... I'd never seen something like that!"
"Bread! Somebody help her! She fell to the ocean!"
"Don't worry Mommy, I'll save my sis!"
"Wait, Pumpkin! Don't jump! NOOOOOOOOO!"








"... can you hear me?"




"...M...Mommy...? It h-hurts..."




"I know. Don't worry, sweetheart, you're safe now..."




"Trust me... you're gonna be all right..."

______________________________

One Year Later
Twin Island: Year 2000








He'd shown up every day.
It didn't matter if it was Christmas or his birthday.
It didn't matter if he felt sick or if there was a huge party going on at home.
He still walked the 3 miles that separated the Jones Farm from the beach.
He had to be there in case they arrived.




It'd been twelve months, but Pumpkin Pudding still hoped that his parents and sisters would come for him.




The small resort, La Calita, hadn't had a new visitor since Pumpkin had washed up on the beach.
As soon as his wounds were healed, the boy became a frequent visitor.
The few people who still worked there, tending the locals that took a day off now and then to enjoy the sun and the sea, were now used to him.




"Here you go, little guy. My special Ramen... my treat, of course!"
"Thanks, Chef. So..."
"I'm sorry, Pumpkin. No new visitors today..."




As the months went by, Pumpkin's hope weakened.
Although he barely remembered it, he knew that the storm that destroyed his ship had been brutal.
Deep inside, he knew that his survival was a true miracle, as Miss Jones often said.




"Don't be sad, Pumpkin. There's always a chance your family will eventually show up here. Don't lose hope..."
"Yeah... I know that, Chef..."
"Then why the long face...? Oh! That's right! Today's the big exam, right?"




Pumpkin paled,
"Oh no! I completely forgot about it! Mahi's gonna kill me!"

_________________________________








*Pant* *Pant* S... sorry I'm late, Miss Jones! I... I was..."




"You forgot about the exam, didn't you, Pumpkin?"




"But we were just talking about it this morning, at breakfast!"




"Please go back to your test, Candence."- said an older woman as she approached Pumpkin- "We are gonna have a long talk about punctuality once he's done with the exam, right, Pumpkin?"
"Y... yeah, Miss Jones..."




"And you'd better hurry up, because you've already lost 30 minutes..."





Although her strict teaching methods made her look like a rigid person, Mahi Jones was actually the opposite.
And for the last year, she had been the closest thing Pumpkin had to a mother.




She was the one who found him in "La Calita"'s shore, barely conscious.




She took him to her house, where she took care of his wounds and made sure he had the rest he needed to heal after floating adrift in the sea and under the severe sun rays for who knows how many days.




She barely left the room during the two days he spent asleep.
Mahi was the first person Pumpkin saw when he finally woke up.




She was also the one who held him as he tried to explain her amid his sobbing what he last remembered about his family.
When Pumpkin's father, Butt Pudding, was offered the chance to start a new life at Twin Island, he didn't think it twice.
The family was barely able to pay the bills that generated from supporting both their small farm at Riverblossom Hills and the normal expenses that raising three kids implied.
So, when Butt found the chance to acquire a beautiful, huge farm in the middle of a tropical island with amazing climate and soil, and best of all, unbelievable cheap, he truly consider it a blessing. The other members of the Pudding family were excited too! Pumpkin and his twin sister Cherry, in particular, couldn't wait to see the blue sea for the first time in their lives.
After floating for almost a week in the middle of the ocean, Pumpkin didn't share that enthusiasm any more. He really had no idea how he was able to survive such severe conditions, especially after experiencing the horrible way that huge and frightening whirlwind had destroyed their boat.
The last thing he remembered was jumping from the boat after his little sister Bread had fallen from his mother's arms.
And then all became dark...




For the following months, Mahi did everything she could think of to make Pumpkin feel safe and loved.
She was almost sure that Pumpkin's family didn't survive the accident, but that didn't mean she'd let him lose all hopes at such a young age.
Since the day she found a baby boy at her doorstep, Mahi had worked hard to give all her pupils the childhood she thought they deserved.
Her home soon became Twin Island's unofficial Orphanage, and for almost twelve years she had embraced the mission of raising and supporting all the survivors from the awful accidents that had brought both terror and a dark reputation to the island.
By the time Pumpkin joined her "family", Mahi was currently in charge of six other children:




Candence, found as a toddler, was a hyperactive eight year old.
She had recently cut off her long blond locks as part of a dare, much to the horror of her "sisters".
Candence didn't mind, though.
Short hair was much more comfortable in her opinion.
It made the morning showers (which she hated) a lot quicker!




Brekke was one of the few kids who still remembered the names and ages of her two brothers and her sister.
She often made up stories featuring her siblings, and the exciting adventures they probably had at the other side of the ocean.
She claimed that one day Jaxor, Lessa and F'nor would build a boat and come to Twin Island to pick her up.
So, she often accompanied Pumpkin during his daily visits to the beach.




Eleven-year-old Owen was the oldest boy in the house.
He was an outspoken boy with an extremely strong personality.
He was the self-proclaimed "father figure", and was often scolding the other kids when they broke Mahi's rules.
He truly considered Mahi as his real mother, for he had never met his biological one.
Unlike his "siblings", he was born in Twin Island, and was abandonated at Mahi's doorstep when he was just a newborn.




Verdana was found in the beach one year before Pumpkin.
She was a very shy girl, who didn't speak unless it was necessary.
She was also gifted with an extremely high IQ, which often surprised her "siblings".
It seems she had been travelling around Sim Earth just before her ship crashed, for she often wrote down in her diary long tales and descriptions of the places she had visited with her real brothers when she was younger.




Ceallagh and Candence often bickering was heard around the house all day (and part of the night).
Despite Candence's claims that her "makeover" was her idea, most of the kids suspected that Ceallagh was the one who had cut off her hair as a prank.
Ceallagh loved music, and often said that he wanted to be a composer when he grew up.
Mahi was currently giving him piano lessons in the afternoons.




If there was someone who truly loved the Island's lush vegetation, it was six-year-old Lucas, the youngest boy at the Orphanage.
He was found a couple months before Verdana, and still remembered his life in the middle of the desert.
He barely talked about his family, though.
Pumpkin liked Lucas (he was his roommate too), but couldn't help it but think there was something... odd about his friend.




No matter their age, sex or place of birth, Mahi made sure all of her pupils were treated the same.




She homeschooled them in the mornings, and spent as much time as she could in the afternoons with them.




She made sure all of them got involved in activities and hobbies that would let them develop their creativity and curiosity.
In the weekends, she also taught them how to take care of their small vegetable garden, preparing them for the day in which they'd move out of the Orphanage to tend their own farms.
After all, in Twin Island, the only way to get fresh food in your plate everyday was to grow it yourself.




There was nothing Mahi wished more than to see her pupils grow up into strong and mature adults.
She already had lost her chance to have her own children... so she felt this was her opportunity to mend her past mistakes...




"Wow, Pumpkin!"- exclaimed Candence that afternoon, as the kids were busy playing or working on their extracurricular activities.-




"You sure are a lucky boy! How in the world did you manage to finish the exam so fast? I really thought you wouldn't make it past the first page!"
"I agree!"- said Brekke- "I barely finished it, and I spent the whole week studying with Owen. I didn't know you were a Math genius like Verdana."
"Yeah, why didn't you tell us?"




"Nah, I'm not really a genius. I already knew how to solve fractions. My Dad was a Math teacher at Riverblossom Hills' Elementary School, so he often taught my sis and I new stuff during the summer."




"Wow! Your Dad must be an amazing teacher! I like Miss Mahi, of course, but I often have trouble in Math, so I could use the extra help."
"Anyway, you sure got out of trouble today, Pumpkin! If you had flunked the test, I'm pretty sure Mahi wouldn't had let you go to the Town Fair next week."




"Yeah... I know..."




"I can't wait for the Fair! Owen told me there's gonna be a lot of competitions and games! And that Mrs. Bendett is trying out some new pie recipes she got from the Inturwub for the cooking contest."




"Pfft! As if anyone could beat her! She's won the contest for as long as I remember! I better start saving some simmoleons to try out those new pies next week."
"Ugh! Just do me a favor and don't get an indigestion as bad as last year's. I really don't wanna spend another night washing your vomit out of my hair."




"Oh, but that wasn't an indigestion, Brekke! I got ill from listening to Ceallagh during the Fair's Closing Concert..."




"Awww, don't be mean, Candence! He's actually pretty good at the piano..."
"You only say that because you LIKE him, Brekke!"
"That's not true!"
"It is! Brekke and Ceallagh sitting in a tree, K-I-S-S-I-N..."
"STOP IT!"




Pumpkin barely paid attention to the girls' discussion.
As soon as Brekke had mentioned the word "Inturwub"- or Internet- his mind started working on a plan.
He really was dumb! The kids (with the exception of Verdana, and perhaps Lucas) didn't know about the Internet. Because computers were a very rare (luxury in Twin Island, Pumpkin was sure there was no Internet either.
As he now realized his mistake... a new path to his dream of seeing his parents again was revealed.
The Puddings sold their farm at Riverblossom Hills before the trip to Twin Island, so it was now useless to send a letter back home.
But e-mail addresses never change, no matter where you go. And Pumpkin still remembered his parent's e-mails.
Maybe... maybe if he sent a message to his father, they'd read it and realize he was safe in Twin Island!
Perhaps they'd make it to the Island before the Town Fair! Cherry would surely love Mrs. Bendett's pies!




His plan was perfect, except for one tiny detail.
The only computer in the house was in Mahi's office, in the third floor.
And it was absolutely forbidden to enter that room.
Pumpkin could only imagine the punishment he'd get if he was caught there!
But he would use that computer, no matter what.
And that would happen that night!

______________________




According to their alarm clock, it was 2 in the morning.
Everyone in the house should be in their beds by then.
At least, that's what Pumpkin hoped.




He stood up and glanced at Lucas' bed, at the other side of the room.




Just as he expected, Lucas was deeply asleep.








As he slowly approached Mahi's office, Pumpkin made sure he didn't step on a lose wood tile or anything that would crunch or squeak.
He had to be as silent as one of Takemizu Island's ninjas.








Once he found himself in front of the computer, Pumpkin could barely control his excitement.
There were a lot of things he wanted to tell his parents, but decided instead to keep his message as short as possible.
There'd be plenty of time for stories later.




To Mom and Dad,
How are you?
I'm living in Twin Island.
Don't worry, I'm safe.




I miss you so much.
Tell Cherry and Bread I miss them too.




I live with Miss Mahi Jones and other kids.
Please come a visit m-
"Who's there?"




Pumpkin jumped from his seat when he heard Mahi's voice coming from the door.
He was in very serious trouble now!




"Why is the light on?"




"Open the door!"





"What the...?"





"Who's in there? Candence? Owen?"




"Pumpkin?"

____________________________________________
____________________________________________

Twin Island: Year 2015




*I'm in deep trouble! I'm in seriously DEEP trouble! She's gonna find me inside this closet and I'll spend the rest of my life in my room!*

"Check this out, Mine! With this game I can totally re-create Twin Island from scratch!"

*Huh? Who's there?*




"Why would you want to re-create Twin Island of all places, Bunker? Why not a big city... or even your home planet!"




"Nah, who cares about my home planet? Besides, this game lets you become the Mayor of your city! Imagine all the fun things I'd do if I were in charge of this place instead of Mr. Latrodectus!"
"Yeah, I can imagine it. The Island would become emptier than it was during the Whirlwind era once you managed to scare all the tourists away..."
"Awww, Mine!"








"Pumpkin? What were you doing inside the closet? Are you playing hide-n-seek?"

*Who are these kids? And what are they doing inside Mahi's office?!"*




"Just in time, Pumpkin! You're gonna love this game too!"

*What the...? That boy is...?!*

"You are GREEN!"




"Of course I am, Pumpkin! All Graslaxians are green, in case you haven't noticed by now!"
"What...? How do you know me? Uh... and what's wrong with my voice?!"
"Huh? Your voice sounds normal to me!"




"Hey, Pumpkin! Where are you going?"
*What's going on?! Where's the bathroom...? Where's the bath... Oh, there it is!*





"AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!"




"What happened to me? I... I grew up! But that's impossible!"




"This is a bad dream! I... I fell asleep in the closet! I-I just need to go back to my bed... and when I wake up everything will be back to nor...."




"What the...?!"




"Where did my room go?!"




"Oh, don't be silly! Of course, this is your room!"




"Yeah, we didn't spent the last weekend painting the walls for nothing, Pumpkin."




"No, it's not!
"It's too!"
"It's not!"
"It's too!"
"Oh, please stop, Charlie!"
"It's not my fault, Gracie! Pumpkin started it!"
"Man! Did you forget what Miss Mahi told us this morning? About Pumpkin acting really weird today?"
"Miss Mahi...?"




"Oh, that's right! That's why we were looking for you! Miss Mahi is waiting for you downstairs..."

___________________________________




"... stupid dream... stupid room.... I don't even like brown..."- muttered Pumpkin as he went down the stairs. Just as he reached the landing, an older and very familiar female voice called out from the living room.
"Pumpkin?"




"Oh Miss Mahi!"- he said as he entered the room- "I'm so glad to see... WHOA!"




"What the...? Who are...?"




"Lucas? Is that really you?!"




"Brekke?"




"Owen?"




"Candence?!"




"Ceallagh?"




"V... Verdana?"




"That's right, Pumpkin. It's us... and we've been waiting for you.
Please sit down.
We need to talk..."



________________________________________
Credits:

Sims that appeared or were mentioned in this chapter:

- Pumpkin Pudding: In-game born sim, whose father was created by dothesmustle for the first Founder Challenge at legacy_writers

- Mahi Jones: "Aubrey", Founder created by iliketoplaygod for legacy_writer.

- Verdana Dork: From the Dork Legacy and shared by katu_sims

- Candence Piper: From the Piper Legacy and shared by dothesmustle

- Owen Dorsey: From the Dorsey Legacy and shared by racetrackd

- Brekke Knight (and mentioned siblings F'nor, Jaxor and Lessa): From the Knight Legacy and shared by simsforaranya

- Ceallagh Latrodectus: From dragancaor

- Lucas Curious: From "To Fear the Dawn" and shared by cindyanne1

- Gracie Lutzen: From the Lutzen Legacy and shared by simfinite

- Mine Reenbog: From the Reenbog Rainbow Challenge and shared by scarred_id

- Charlie Picaso: From selzi 's Dreamville Sims.

- Bunker Terrano-Grunt: From Immortal Beloved by xel_squirgle_ox

- Eugenia Bendett (mentioned): From madame_ugly 's NoCheat.

Thanks for sharing this awesome sims, guys! ^^


Twin Island's lots by: Sirona Sims, Phaenoh (MTS2), The SimVille Neighborhood Project (at MTS2), Simscrossing, WolfSim68 (TSR) and "Casas, Cosas y Sims."

- See you next time!