LJFoxie's Sims Stories: The Shylife Halloween Special: Old & New!

Welcome to this Shylife Halloween Special focusing on the life of young Letha Von Strunkle! Sorry it's late but you know...life! So read on...

It was a crisp, windy but warm day in Roaring Heights. Autumn had just come upon the residents and Halloween was around the corner as a young man stood outside the local Undertakers nervously. The sun was setting in the sky and an eerie shadow was forming all around the property as he knocked on the door. A stern, deep voice grunted a "Come in" as he turned the doorknob with trepidation.

Once inside, the boy was startled by the lazy dog lying on the floor with the strangest markings he'd ever seen, almost skeletal! Coffins were displayed all over the floor, and despite being a teenage vampire, the boy did not feel comfortable around them. Seeing an older vampire lurking in the shadows, the boy finally spoke.

???: Are you Guthrie Storm sir?

???: I'm Gallifrey, Gal, you were expecting me?

Guthrie could hardly look at Gallifrey, but he nodded in acknowledgement.

GUTHRIE: Yes, you're late!

Was all he could reply.

GUTHRIE: Where are your things?

GAL: They're...on their way.

GUTHRIE: Very well, as I explained to your mother I have no spare rooms in the flat upstairs, nor do I have one here in the shop, but I do have two empty garages on either side. You may lodge in one of those.

GAL: Thank you! So what should I call you?

GUTHRIE: Mr Storm shall suffice! Follow me!

Gallifrey sighed sadly as he followed Guthrie outside.

GAL: As you wish...father!

GUTHRIE: You shall lodge in here. I'm afraid I have no spare bed either, have you ever slumbered on one of these?

GAL: No sir, can't say I ever have!

GUTHRIE: When I was a youth it was my bed of choice, can you levitate yet?

GAL: I don't know, never tried.

GUTHRIE: Well, make yourself at home. I do hope your things arrive promptly.

GAL: Thank you, I appreciate you putting me up.

GUTHRIE: As much as I wish it were not so, you are still of my loins. I have changed my mind, you may call me Guthrie...but not dad or father or...any of that nonsense. Are we understood?

GAL: Yes sir, yes we are.

It didn't take long for Gal's things to arrive, and when they did he made himself at home like his father had told him. Gal was a budding artist and photographer. He had been living with Guthrie for a while, hardly ever saw him as he kept strange hours, but he had met many people at his new school.

Unfortunately Gal was an odd young man and not many of his school mates wanted to be friends. That strange vampire boy who was always sketching or snapping with his old fashioned camera gave them all the creeps.

Gal's only friend was his father's Blood Hound with the weird markings like a skeleton, Otis! He had more time for Gal than any of the kids at his school!

If only they had got to know what a gentle, sweet boy he actually was!

One girl in particular had caught Gal's eye, and only because she always smiled at him and said hello. She gave him the time of day and made his heart flutter. Letha Von Strunkle had become somewhat of an obsession of Gal's!

They were never in each other's company, but she would always acknowledge that he was there! He went to sleep every night gazing up at her, photos he had taken of her. Gallifrey was in love!

It was the school prom that night, Letha was going to be there. Should he ask her to go with him? Surely she'd have a date already!

As the school bus honked outside, Gal's heart raced excitedly at the thought of seeing Letha!

He wanted so badly to ask her, but how could he? They'd never had a conversation, why would she go with him of all people?

FAITH: Hmm, it's the prom tonight! ANNNNNND it's Halloween!

Your point is?

FAITH: My point is fuuuuuuun!

Yes Faith Von Strunkle was enjoying her teenage years way more than her childhood! She still loved ballet, but dance in general was her thing.

She would often spend her days in the basement twirling away. At least she was company for daddy the basement lover! As she'd only just had a birthday with her younger sister, she and Mercy were off the hook for school as the other children piled on the bus.

Carly was out of her grave well into the late hours of the morning!

CARLY: I'm helping out, getting rid of the cake!

Riiiiiiight!

Quinn was feeling old, watching three of his grandchildren enter teenhood was enough for him to go check for grey hairs!

Miles was worried about Letha, she had become rather quiet. She seemed to spend her time either in the pool or in the bathroom. Little did he know that she was making sure Calvin was nowhere near her!

And Lillith was feeling immense pride over her family, how they were growing and how they were progressing. She'd just received a text from her sister Scarlette, now Mrs Tobias Love, she had recently gained her degree and was about to embark on the same career as Lillith! And she was expecting her first child! Yes, how proud she was!

Gal returned home from school that afternoon feeling down. As he looked next door at the Von Strunkle house, he felt annoyed with himself! Too many wasted opportunities that day, he could easily have asked Letha to the prom, but he bottled it! He wondered what she was doing right now, was she trying on her dress with her sister and getting all excited?

Gal was determined to go despite not having a date, he was going to go if only to see Letha! As he barged into his father's office, he was none too pleased.

GUTHRIE: Gallifrey, please be polite enough to knock!

GAL: I'm sorry, I...may I go to prom tonight?

GUTHRIE: This...is what you came in here and interrupted me for? A school prom?

GAL: Well...yeah!

GUTHRIE: Please do go, I have some cadavers arriving tonight so I'll be burning the midnight oil. Have a good time!

GAL: Thank you fa...Guthrie!

Gallifrey was so excited, he was going to see Letha again! Maybe sooner than he expected as he headed to the school.

Gal felt a pain in his heart as he approached her. How could he ever talk to her? But they were alone, maybe...but this was Letha! She always stopped to say hi or give him that pretty smile of hers! Before he could stop himself the words came tumbling out...

GAL: Hi! Are you not going to the prom?

Letha jumped and turned to fnd out who this voice she'd never heard before belonged to.

LETHA: Gallifrey Daintywing! So you do speak!

GAL: Y-y-y-yes! I...your dress is pretty...and pink!

LETHA: *giggle* Oh thank you, yes pink is my favourite colour so...

GAL: Are you...going to...p-p-p-prom?

LETHA: I...I didn't know you had a stutter!

GAL: I don't, I'm just a little...um...nerv....COLD! Yeah! I'm shivery!

LETHA: I don't want to go to the prom because Calvin might be there.

GAL: Who's Calvin?

LETHA: An old friend who...I don't want in my life anymore!

GAL: Oh, well why don't you...

GAL: Why don't you just come with me? And we can keep each other company?

LETHA: I'd like that, Gallifrey, thanks!

GAL: Please call me Gal!

Gallifrey was excited, nervous but excited! Imagine passing the Bloody Booth, his favourite place to hang and take pictures, and bumping into Letha?

Travelling in the limo with Letha's brother and sister was an experience. Beau looked like he wanted to punch him and Faith was whining about forgetting to change into her prom dress.

Rosalind Von Strunkle appeared in casual wear too!

Ace Von Strunkle sported a very interesting hair do!

There seemed to be a queue to get in. Once they did, Faith was prom queen and Beau was prom king! Letha and Gal danced together, they had fun!

Spotted leaving at the end of the night were Rosalind's twin Reagan!

Ava Von Strunkle!

And keeping up with the Von Strunkle tradition, Jordan went to prom as a hot dog!

Phoebe opted for an anonymous look!

Despite being prom queen, Faith was sad she wasn't able to show off her pretty dress! Running late while working out has it's drawbacks!

And speaking of drawbacks, as Letha said goodnight to Gal, the police caught up with her for breaking curfew...

...and hoping to sneak off unnoticed, Beau got caught too!

Faith arrived home without her siblings and was quick to tell her family that she was a good girl and wasn't late!

Using the alone time to see just how lovely her dress was...

...Faith changed and admired herself in the mirror!

Dress or no dress, she was still prom queen!

Letha and Beau faced the wrath of their father as they returned in a police car from prom. Letha was relieved to not be grounded!

She was meeting Gal the next day, sadly though the rain came down and she was not wearing her outerwear! She didn't care though!

It seemed she loved the rain!

Gal was running late, and when he got there...Letha had left!

Heartbroken, Gal returned home and painted his blues away!

As he continued with the painting he had started the day he arrived in Roaring Heights, Otis began to bark as there was a soft knock on his door.

GAL: Letha! I...I'm so sorry for being late!

LETHA: It's fine! I forgive you!

Having the proper trait, Gal bowed his head and blushed.

GAL: Oh forgive me again, I haven't invited you in!

LETHA: Gal, who's...that?

To Gal's horror, his father came striding towards them looking rather annoyed.

GUTHRIE: Gallifrey?

Although Letha's father, brother and sister were vampires this one scared her a little!

GAL: Is there a problem Guthrie?

GUTHRIE: No, I am going to be out of town overnight so you and your friend can have the leftover Carbonara in the fridge!

GAL: Yes Guthrie, thank you!

GUTHRIE: I suppose you are Letha Von Strunkle?

Letha nodded nervously, unable to speak.

GUTHRIE: I know your great uncle Vladimir! I'll be back tomorrow night, don't make a mess!

Gal invited Letha into his room as Guthrie disappeared into the night.

LETHA: Why do you call your father by his name?

GAL: Long story short, we're estranged. I lived with my mother up until recently and...

GAL: Well, here we are! Home sweet home for me.

Letha spotted the photos of her above where Gal slept, and his heart stopped!

LETHA: You have pictures of me?
GAL: Y-y-y-y-yes!

LETHA: Oh!
GAL: Are you mad? Letha?

GAL: Letha please! Don't go I cam explain!

GAL: Letha???

GAL: Wooooow! Does this mean you're...not mad?
LETHA: Why would I be mad Gal? They're very good photos! Now are you going to give me a tour of this spooky place or what?

Relieved, Gal agreed to show her around. She didn't think he was a weirdo freak like the others, even though he had a shrine of her above his bed!

After showing her Guthrie's shop and office, Gal took Letha upstairs.

LETHA: Wow, this is your dad's room?
GAL: Yep, creepy huh?
LETHA: Kinda cool!

LETHA: So are you going to tell me your long story now? Since we have all night, my parents think I'm at my cousin Phoebe's!

GAL: So, um my mother is a fairy! She has loads more kids, she seems to pop us out and then give us away. I stayed with my half brothers and their dad for a while them back to mum. Then she sent me here to be with Guthrie, who doesn't really know what to do with me. He's not the fatherly type, but he's been good to me.

GAL: And you, a famous Von Strunkle! Some of my half siblings have Von Strunkle blood! Freaky huh?
LETHA: Hmm, nothing really shocks me considering my family!

Gal put his arm around Letha and was surprised when she snuggled in.

GAL: Letha can I tell you something?
LETHA: Sure Gal!

GAL: I...I really like you! I've liked you ever since I got here and...oh Letha!

LETHA: Gal, I like you too! I've also liked you since you got here! But I have to tell you something, and you'll think I'm nuts!
GAL: Tell me, I won't!
LETHA: *sigh* I had a friend, Calvin, and he was...well only I could see him! He followed me around and he was kinda scary, the things he would say! But now I've grown up he's gone but...I keep thinking he's still around and it creeps me out! Please don't think I'm crazy!

GAL: I believe you, and if he comes back and annoys you? You just come and tell me and I'll sort him out okay?

LETHA: I will! I love being with you, you're so easy to talk to!
GAL: Ditto!

GAL: So what's your favourite scary movie?
LETHA: Ummmm, Scream!

LETHA: I should get going soon, Phoebe will probably rat on me, she's a goody two shoes sometimes!
GAL: *sigh* I know! It's been great having you here! Makes a change from being alone, well Otis is here but it's not the same as human companionship!

LETHA: So your dad goes away a lot?
GAL: Yeah, if only we'd made friends sooner, you could have stayed over and we could have watched some scary movies together!
LETHA: Gal? I think we both know we're more than just friends! I mean, I don't know about you but I don't kiss all my friends and I have kissed you TWICE since I got here last night!

LETHA: And the way we're touching right now? Not just friends!

GAL: Am I your first?
LETHA: My first boyfriend? Yes!
GAL: And your first...
LETHA: I think you know you were my first kiss so obviously I haven't partaken in woo hoo yet!
GAL: *blush* Right!

LETHA: But I would like to!
GAL: *gulp* I think you should head home, before your parents find out where you really are!
LETHA: Okay!

LETHA: I'll see you at school?
GAL: Yeah!

This time Gal kissed Letha, she had been right! They were more than just friends!

As Letha hurried home on that cold October morning, a voice called her name.

???: Letha Von Strunkle! Wow!

LETHA: I'm sorry, do we know each other?
???: Don't say you don't recognise your old imaginary friend???
LETHA: *Gasp* C-Calvin???

CALVIN: Hey there sweet cheeks! So I became a real boy, just to be with you my love!
LETHA: I see!

CALVIN: But I see you replaced me already! With a VAMPIRE??? What the heck?
LETHA: He's not a replacement, how can I replace what I never had in the first place? Gal is...

CALVIN: GAL??? Gal the vampire, how touching! Shame he won't see his next birthday when I burn him to death, throw him out into the sunlight!

LETHA: Very good Calvin, but he's a teenager? And they can go out in the sun? Nice try!

CALVIN: Fine! I'll set him on fire!
LETHA: CALVIN!!!

CALVIN: Finish with him Letha, or he's dead! You know I'll do it, I'd do anything for you!

LETHA: Please Calvin, don't hurt him!
CALVIN: Well that's up to you isn't it?

Gal was surprised to hear from Letha so soon, she'd only left him an hour before and she was wanting to meet him at the back of his house.

GAL: Letha? Are you okay?

Letha's silence frightened him, what was going on?

GAL: Letha! Talk to me!
LETHA: Gallifrey, I can't see you any more!

GAL: Please tell me this is a joke? What happened? An hour ago you said we were more than just friends and now...
LETHA: Please Gallifrey, it's over!

GAL: But...Letha I love you!

LETHA: And I you but this can't work! A witch and a vampire!
GAL: Letha your mother is a witch and your father is a vampire, don't gimme that! What's really going on here?
LETHA: Goodbye!

GAL: *whispers* Letha!

As Gal's heart was breaking, he heard a strange noise behind him, followed by an evil laugh.

CALVIN: Aww, that truly was touching!

GAL: Who are you?
CALVIN: I'm Letha's true love, her forever friend and companion!

GAL: Oh so you're slimy Calvin the imaginary friend!
CALVIN: Slimy? How dare you! We're soul mates!

GAL: She's SCARED of you! That's not friendship! What did you do to her to make her so scared? If you've hurt her...
CALVIN: I merely reminded her who her friends were!

GAL: YOU? Don't make me laugh, what have you ever done for Letha that didn't benefit you? You wouldn't know friendship if it bit you in the fluffy ass!

CALVIN: I grew up with her, she cradled me when she was a toddler, she played games with me when she was a child! She just got confused as a teenager that's all! But now it's different! Now I'm real and you all can see me now!

CALVIN: And now she'll come back to me! We can be together, I'm a man now and you're a blood sucking freak who isn't even scary!
GAL: Ohhh I'm not scary huh?

GAL: How about now felt face???

GAL: HUH???
CALVIN: STOOOOOOP!!!

GAL: You're no match for Letha, she's worth a million of you!

GAL: And I will protect her from you, whatever it takes!

CALVIN: Oh yeah?

GAL: Yeah!
LETHA: Gallifrey! Calvin!

GAL: You're no match for Letha, and you're no match for me!

GAL: Now beat it!

CALVIN: You're gonna regret this fang boy!

LETHA: Oh no, Gal your dad!

Guthrie arrived just before dawn to shoo away Calvin and order Letha and Gal inside.

Letha was so relieved to see Gal in one piece!

LETHA: Oh Gal!

GAL: Letha, I meant it when I said I love you!
LETHA: Me too!
GAL: Then why break up with me???

LETHA: Because I was scared he'd hurt you, and now I know you can more than look after yourself! And it was so sexy!

GAL: Letha, don't ever break up with me again! Please!

LETHA: I won't, Gal I love you too!

Letha called her parents to tell them she was going to school with Gal, she promised that they could meet him soon. Miles was not amused but Fiona told him that Letha would have fallen for a boy at some point down the line if not now.

Calvin was furious with Gal for stealing Letha!

And when he spotted them coming off the school bus together that afternoon, holding hands, he was livid!

GAL: Don't look now but your stuffed bear is back!
LETHA: Ohhhhh no!

CALVIN: Girlfriend thief!
GAL: Speak for yourself!
CALVIN: I'm going to kill you!

LETHA: Calvin!
CAL: I'm going to drown you in a vat of acid!
GAL: Try it!
CALVIN: I'm going to shoot you with silver bullets!
GAL: Not a werewolf Einstein!

LETHA: OKay Calvin, you asked for it!
CALVIN: Ohhh I hate you! I hate your face and your hair and everything about you!!! *SLAAAP*

LETHA: NO MORE!!!

GAL: Oh my, Letha what did you do???

GAL: HEY! Watch where you're wavin' that thing!
LETHA: Sorry!

LETHA: Well, he's a teddy bear now huh?
GAL: You've got some power girl!

GAL What are you going to do with him?
LETHA: Don't know yet!

LETHA: But for now, I really need to get home and explain to my dad that I've met a young vampire who is worthy of me!
GAL: Yeah I'm more scared of your dad than you are of mine!

And Gal was right to be! Miles had the ability to destroy anything or anyone who got in his way!

After blowing up Varg's Tavern, the rumours were rife around Roaring Heights that Miles Von Strunkle was a destructive little vampire!

Faith watched her sister return home from the Undertakers again, wondering what was so special about Gallifrey Daintywing! He hardly ever spoke or socialised!

Maybe she was jealous that Letha had fallen in love, and all Faith had was the start of a cold!

And also some very powerful mojo like her sister and mother!

Letha returned home to two very curious children!

CHASE: So is that your new teddy bear?
MERCY: What do you need a bear at your age for anyway Letha?

LETHA: This is Cally bear and he's not really mine he's...
CHASE: Can I have him?
LETHA: *gasp* NO! But you can say hello to him!
MERCY: Ugh he's not real???

LETHA: *silly voice* Hi Chasey I'm Cally!
MERCY: Puh-lease!

CHASE: You talk?

CHASE: WOOOOOW!
MERCY: Oh gosh call yourself a witch Chasey?

CHASE: Hi Cally!
MERCY: Letha you're just as bad for encouraging this!
LETHA: Aww Mercy have a little fun for a change!
MERCY: Fun was for toddler time, I'm a kid now! A grown ass kid!

CHASE: Are you sure I can't keep him?
LETHA: Absolutely positive! He belongs to someone else and he's going back soon!

CHASE: Okies I kiss goodbye!
MERCY: My god I have seen everything now!

Letha could never tell anyone that the bear was actually Calvin, her imaginary friend come to life and now in the body of a stuffed toy! She had no idea what she was going to do with him, but he would be safe on her dresser for now! She didn't even know if Calvin was really in there, if he was still alive!