105. Reunion

In the previous chapter, both Don and Martin embarked on a journey forced upon them by circumstances not of their own choosing. Don’s usual life as a womanizer no longer works for him, forcing him to embark on the adventure he has won for an award.
Martin has no personal desire to leave his familiar life. He does it solely for the woman he loves, no matter how meaningless it may feel.
In this chapter, both men will reach their destinations, but before we get there, I want to start somewhere completely different.

*****

Afternoon in StrangerVille

Since Allan found the mother plant in the ██████ Lab basement, the air has become increasingly toxic. It feels as though the sun has left StrangerVille Plaza forever.

If the small group of selected recruits is to have any hope of defeating this powerful creature, they must be protected. Allan has therefore called in help from a previously helpful ally in the form of the scientist Peter.

Peter is young and idealistic, and like any ambitious, up-and-coming scientist, he would love to see his name in the history books as the man who developed the antidote to the mother creature’s destructive rampage. We will leave it unsaid for the time being that it may later turn out his ambitions may not quite align with his abilities.

“Hi Peter, I apologize for taking up your time, but I need your help and expertise.”

“Let me know how I can help,” Peter replies kindly.

“The air filter you made for my Hazman suit was perfect for protecting me against toxic fumes… It meant I made it all the way down to the deepest basement in the ██████ Lab, and the creature I found there… I don’t know how to describe it… Is it a plant or an animal?… It had a very seductive voice. It was terrifying,” says Allan, clearly affected by his recollection.

“Well, when I worked at the Lab, we managed to create a sort of intelligent hybrid by cloning cells… Unfortunately, we were unable to control what we had created, so there is a reason for we sealed that place off. That seal should never have been broken… but it probably didn’t make any difference because unfortunately our seal couldn’t stop the mother plant from spreading its roots and sending out those hundreds of offshoots that can now be seen across the landscape,” Peter replies in a heavy voice.

Allan listens in bewilderment to Peter’s words… What kind of thinking human being would come up with the idea of ​​developing that sort of experiment just because it’s possible?

“I need to be able to protect my recruits effectively, so I need three Hazman suits with air filters. Can you get them for me?” Allan asks bluntly.

Unfortunately, I don’t have access to hazmat suits, but we are actually experimenting with developing an antidote right now. However, it probably requires a larger amount of plant spores than we have available.

“You can safely leave the collection of the plant spores to me. I have already collected dozens of them,” says Allan, handing Peter a package.

“Thanks, this is a big help in speeding up the process and moving us forward,” Peter replies gratefully.

Peter quickly moves on eager to get started right away.

Taylor sits down at the table and looks at Allan inquiringly.

“Excuse me for asking, but do you think they’ll succeed in developing the antidote?” he asks.

“I have to believe in it. The way I see it, it’s the only shot we’ve got,” Allan said, with a tired expression.

*****

Allan remains lost in thought after Taylor leaves the table. The perpetual darkness drains his energy and pushes him toward depression.

There is no prospect of this mission being completed anytime soon.

He would give anything to be able to walk through the door of his home again.

His time in this nightmare has taught him that he took what he had far too much for granted. He spent more time demanding obedience and maintaining a facade than truly connecting with the people around him.

He longs to see Alice’s beautiful smile again. Even though their relationship had improved in many ways, there is still so much he regrets and ought to say to her.

He longs to hold Andy in his arms. The little boy who has shown him that love is not about genes, but about trust and connection.

For the sake of his family, he has to believe that he can win this fight.

A sweet smell from the kitchen makes him stand up.

With quick, practiced movements, he removes the plant stems that repeatedly try to spread through their water pipes. It’s a fight he refuses to give up on.

In the next room, Ezra and Taylor are talking.

“Taylor, have you noticed that our superior has completely stopped shouting and barking out orders? Do you think we should be worried about his mental state?”

“This place changes us all, for better or worse, but nothing lasts,” Taylor replies, without answering the question.

*****

The Neighborhood Galloping Gulch in Chestnut Ridge

It is late afternoon when Martin arrives at Palomino Junction.

He knocks on the door three times with his knuckles and sees Mike’s familiar face approaching through a window in the door.

Mike gives him a hug to welcome him.

“It’s been a long time, Martin. You’ve been missed.”

The last time Martin visited Chestnut Ridge, he and Mike quickly found common ground. This became the foundation for a friendship that distance has prevented them from developing.

“What about Tusnelda? Will she join us later?” Mike asks.

“I don’t think you should count on that,” says Martin with a sad expression.

“Is something wrong?” asks Mike when he sees Martin’s expression.

“I don’t know how to explain it, but Tusnelda wanted us to split up so she could rethink her life. She says my presence makes her feel bad about herself… I mean, what kind of crazy explanation is that?” Martin says bitterly.

“Oh, my Watcher! … are the two of you getting a divorce?” asks Mike, clearly shocked.

“So far, she hasn’t wanted a divorce, but who knows what the future holds?” says Martin dejectedly.

“None of us know, but maybe it’s just that simple that she needs some time for self-reflection…I mean, I often use my rides to reflect on life,” says Mike encouragingly.

“Let’s go inside and sit down so you can tell me everything,” Mike suggests.

Martin walks with heavy steps toward the small bench in Mike’s living room.

They both sit in silence for a while, lost in their own thoughts.

Mike tries to process the news Martin has just shared. The last time he saw Martin and Tusnelda, they seemed deeply in love and inseparable.

“It’s a bit hard for me to understand what led to this. What happened?” asks Mike, breaking the silence.

“Since we last saw each other, Tusnelda has had a miscarriage. It was a devastating grief for both of us…”

“…I mean, we had been trying to conceive for so long, and we had both undergone all sorts of tests… and then one day, the miracle happened. It was an indescribable feeling of happiness,” says Martin, smiling at the memory….

“Unfortunately, it didn’t last long, as the fetus died,” he continues, while the smile fades from his face.

“That must have been really hard,” says Mike, looking seriously at Martin.

“It was extremely hard, but we managed to get through it with mutual help, but then….” says Martin, pausing briefly as he considers his words.

“We have been affiliated with a fertility clinic and the doctor there suggested hormone therapy and
In vitro fertilisation ….. Over time, Tusnelda seemed so eager and optimistic about it, but I shouldn’t have encouraged her… I really want a child and Tusnelda took it so hard that she couldn’t conceive…. Just the sight of me makes her feel like a failure,” says Martin with tears in his voice.

“It sounds like it’s been incredibly hard for both of you. To me, it sounds like Tusnelda is grieving, and grief is a very lonely process,” says Mike.

“I’m grieving too, and I still want to be there for her,” Martin replies in despair.

“Maybe you should just accept that this is something she needs to go through alone, and then focus on your own healing,” says Mike.

“Yeah, I sort of know that… I’ve been thinking that it isn’t all that important to me that we conceive the child ourselves. I’ve talked to her about adoption, but she seems unable to consider it,” says Martin.

“Well, which tells me that you are both speaking to each other from different perspectives. Adoption sounds like a good solution, but it requires some personal reflection.” says Mike

“Yeah, you might have a point there,” says Martin thoughtfully.

“Speaking of reflections… How about going for a ride with me? I am in the process of starting a young horse under saddle and I’m sure Horchata hasn’t forgotten about you and the sweet smell of apples in your pocket. Would you like doing that?” Mike says with an encouraging smile.

Martin gives him a grateful nod.

As Martin walks out toward the horses, he reflects on how grateful he is to have friends like Rasmus and Mike. They are both able to listen and share their honest thoughts with him, which helps him gain a broader perspective on what is happening in his life.

Without them, he might be stuck in self-pity and anger.

Mike finds Martin’s suitcase outside the door. He takes it down to the winery in the basement, where he has set up a place for Martin to sleep.
Since his cabin is quite small, Martin has to make do with what he can offer.

Horchata turns his ears toward the sound when he hears Martin running toward him.

A little later, Martin has saddled and harnessed him, and they are ready to ride out into the countryside.

“Well, Horchata, you’ve had an apple, and if you’re a good horse and start moving, you’ll get another one when the ride is over.”

*****

Afternoon in Selvadorada

In Selvadorada, a small plane can be seen circling above the treetops near Puerto Llamante Marketplace.

“Get ready to land, Don. There are no airports here, but near the museum there’s a small clearing we can use as a runway.”

Don gives Valentino a skeptical look. As far as he can see, there are trees everywhere.

However, upon closer inspection – deep down – there are some houses and what could look like a clearing.

The plane goes into a rapid dive, and finally, to his great relief, Don can spot solid ground.

The plane makes some small, awkward jumps on the spot during the landing, then it finally finds its footing and stands still on the ground, and Valentino turns off the engine.

*****

“Well, so far so good,” says Valentino with a sigh of relief, as if he had doubted things would go smoothly.

That makes Don even more relieved that he has survived the day so far.

He takes a few steps forward to try to get an impression of the landscape. He sees a clear blue sky and trees everywhere.

“It’s beautiful here, isn’t it?” says Valentino as he comes closer.

“Is this where I’m supposed to meet my expedition leader?” asks Don.

“Well, the meeting point is by appointment at the Puerto Llamante Marketplace. It’s just a short tree to four miles walk from here,” Valentino replies kindly.

Three to four miles in unfamiliar terrain strikes Don as a bit more than just a short walk, but before he can raise any objections, Valentino has already started walking.

Valentino picks up speed and puts distance between himself and Don.

“Hurry up, Don, if we’re going to reach our destination before dark,” he says cheerfully.

Soon, both of them will disappear over the horizon. We will see them again when they reach their destination.

*****

Afternoon in StrangerVille

Far from the blue skies of Selvadorada, there is a basement room bustling with activity.

The reader might recognize the scientist Peter, seen scrolling on his cellphone. At the chemical analyzer, another scientist is seen analyzing some plant spores.

There is a third scientist in the room. For reasons unstated, the names Huey, Dewey, and Louie suddenly popped into my mind at the sight of this little trio, but since they all already have names, we had better stick to those.

The man at the chemical analyzer is named John Dahl, and the man at the robot station is named Sofus Jensen.

John uses molecular biological methods to modify the gene involved in triggering the infection from the mother plant. Once he successfully propagates these genetically modified plant cells, they can be further developed into large quantities of antidote.

John turns to Peter….

“It looks really promising, Peter! Where and how did you manage to get hold of all these plant spores? … It can’t be easy, after the government ordered the military to confiscate all scanners,” he asks.

“Well, I have a contact who is a soldier, and he’s managed to get hold of a scanner despite the authorities’ security measures,” Peter replies.

“He has set out to eradicate this evil with the help of a small group of recruits and he has asked for help to protect his little troop… you could say he practically begged me.” Peter says in a solemn voice at the memory of his recent conversation with Allan.

“There is no doubt that if we succeed in creating an antidote, we will be able to help society as a whole, not just him,” says John with barely concealed enthusiasm.

You could say that here we have another aspiring scientist with philanthropic dreams aside from the dream of seeing his own name in the history books.

Both Peter and John’s fantasies of fame are interrupted by the sound of electric sparks, followed by a scream.

The scream turns into an eerie, rattling throat sound before the sparks die out and a deathly silence falls.

Sofus is still on his feet, with a glazed look and smoke swirling around his ears.

Fortunately, he seems to be surviving the massive electrical discharge that surged through his body and exited via his bald pate. One might suspect that this accident has happened before and that this is precisely the reason why he is bald.

Feeling slightly dazed, he decides to take a break and see what his two colleagues seem so excited about.

“Sofus, are you quite all right?” Peter asks.

“Yes, it was just a little slap on the fingers. Nothing special, but tell me what’s the reason for your excitement?” says Sofus, looking at Peter.

“John has just told me that he’s succeeded in modifying the genes in a plant spore. It’s a major breakthrough,” Peter replies enthusiastically.

“Yes, it is definitely a major step forward. But we still need to scale up production of the modified plant spores,” John interjects.

“Hey John, I’m wondering if I could maybe propagate these modified plant spores in a serum…I’m willing to give it a try,” Peter says eagerly.

“Yes, it’s definitely worth a try,” John says obligingly.

With that, the next part of the process is placed in Peter’s hands.

Peter immediately sets about developing a serum that will form the basis for the further development of the antidote.

*****

Late afternoon in Selvadorada

In the distance, Don and Valentino can be seen after their long walk along winding paths through the jungle.

Don seems tired and somewhat reluctant at the prospect of the unknown adventure he has embarked upon.

“In front of us lies one of the gates to the Puerto Llamante Marketplace,” says Valentino, giving Don a searching look.

“There is no reason to hesitate now, for here we find Cantina “El Árbol del Jaguar,” with a bar serving cold drinks. What do you say to that, Don? …last man buys a round,” says Valentino cheerfully.

I couldn’t say whether it’s the prospect of cold drinks or the fear of being stuck with the bill that makes Don pick up the pace noticeably.

Valentino stands back, chuckling at how he manages to tease Don once again. It seems almost too easy, given that Don has clearly lost his composure.

Don stops to take in the sight before him.

He sees a gate with a large bell. He therefore assumes it is the main entrance to the Puerto Llamante Marketplace. There is something that looks like a dried-up fountain that is now filled with brightly colored flowers and behind it a statue of a woman. To his left, there are some market stalls with no goods for sale.

He turns towards Valentino to ask him a question and discovers that he is far ahead of him.

He picks up speed again to catch up with him, while at the same time trying to get an overview of the place.

The intense heat and red soil seem familiar from Oasis Springs, but otherwise everything is much more lush and exotic.

Valentino waits patiently for him to be ready to continue.

Don looks up when he hears an annoying buzzing sound.

“Man, the mosquitoes are huge here,” says Don, swatting them away irritably.

“Well, if you say the mosquitoes are big, just wait until you see the spiders,” says Valentin.

“S-s-spiders!?” says Don in a trembling voice.

“Don’t tell me you’re afraid of spiders?” Valentino says, giving Don a disbelieving look.

“No, no, I’m not afraid… I’m just not a fan of them,” Don protests.

“What about snakes? Are you not a fan of those either?” Valentino asks with a mischievous expression.

“S-s-s-snakes,” Don stammers, fear in his eyes.

“Ah, don’t worry, snakes aren’t usually a problem; it’s worse with the fireflies and forest bees. They can suddenly attack you without warning and I’m telling you…their sting…oh man, they are painful,” Valentino continues.

“Gulp…!” Don groans, unable to speak for the moment.

“Please, Valentino… I don’t think this is for me. Won’t you fly me back right away?” pleads Don, who has now completely forgotten his fear of flying.

“Hey, come here, son. You’ll be fine. I’m just teasing you a little,” says Valentino, giving Don a hug.

“Please, Valentino, don’t do that. My nervous system can’t handle it,” says Don, hugging him back.

Once again, Valentino has called him his son, and he truly loves it when that happens. It hits a completely dry spot in his soul. A place he didn’t even know existed.

“Come on, Don! You’re buying the first round, and I suggest we order a local specialty: two shots of espuma agria. They’ll do you good,” says Valentino before disappearing into the cool sanctuary of El Árbol del Jaguar.

Don follows and stands just inside the door for a moment to adjust to the bar’s dim lighting.

He can see Valentino give the bartender a kiss on the cheek before ordering.

He wonders if that’s a local custom, too, or just Valentino in a nutshell.

Don sits at the bar, watching the bartender mix their drinks. They definitely contain something stronger than sparkling water, which doesn’t surprise him after he gets to know Valentino better.

He wouldn’t call him an alcoholic, but certainly a bon vivant—someone who enjoys life to the fullest.

“Well Don, now we can just relax and wait for your contact to show up,” Valentino says with a satisfied smile.

For a moment, Don had almost forgotten about his jungle expedition. He casts a skeptical glance back over his shoulder, where two locals are ordering their drinks.

They don’t seem to be paying him any attention, so it can’t be either of them.

For a brief moment, we will turn our gaze outside El Árbol del Jaguar to enjoy a truly enchanting sunset.

Unfortunately, Don is sitting with his back to the windows and thus misses out on the view.

Don quickly takes a sip of the strong drink. He is on leave from work and do not yet know his obligations here, so why not try to relax and go with the flow?

“This toast is for you Don, with the wish for a happy outcome to your big adventure. I wish for you to avoid curses and overcome all dangers in your hunt for the jungle’s hidden treasures,” Valentino says, raising his glass before draining it in one gulp.

Don gives him a skeptical look. What does he mean by curses? He hopes it’s just the ramblings of an old man.

Let us not dwell on uncertain omens for now and simply enjoy one last glimpse of the sunset before we turn our gaze elsewhere.

*****

Early evening in Chestnut Ridge

After some coaxing and persuasion, Mike has managed to saddle Hurricane. He is a son of Horchata and the mare Pecan, and was just a foal the last time Martin visited Chestnut Ridge.

It is not the first time Mike has ridden him, so things actually seem to be going smoothly. It is a different story for Martin; he has very little riding experience and soon falls far behind.

Horchata is in absolutely no rush and takes everything at a very leisurely pace, out of consideration for Martin, who is sitting very precariously in the saddle.

“Horchata, I think you should pick up the pace a bit if we’re going to catch up with Mike,” says Martin.

“I like you, and I love your apples, so I have no desire to break your bones. That isn’t going to happen,” the horse neighs in reply.

From far behind, Martin watches Hurricane and Mike turn a corner, and he tries once again to urge Horchata on, but without success.

Mike rides forward on Hurricane at a steady pace. Martin follows, watching the gap widen.

Martin tugs at the reins in vain, but Horchata remains unmoved. He is a clever, experienced horse, and he clearly senses that this rider is rather inexperienced.

At some point, Martin begins to catch up as Mike slows down.

They meet face-to-face as Mike turns his horse.

“Howdy Martin, I suggest we head back home now to start making our evening meal.”

Martin yanks the reins to the right and left to get the horse to turn.

“Calm down, buddy, I’ve got this under control,” Horchata grumbles.

Mike gives Hurricane all his attention and lets Horchata take care of Martin.

Once again, Martin falls far behind.

I couldn’t say whether this ride gives Martin much room for reflection. Probably not, but with a bit more practice, he’ll likely get the hang of it.

On his way home, Mike encounters a woman on a horse that bears a striking resemblance to Pecan. We will return to the explanation for this later.

*****

StrangerVille at Sunset

There isn’t much Allan and his small group can do right now, so to pass the time, they head to the 8 Bells Bar. By talking to the guests there, they might be able to pick up some news and a little gossip that could lead them to a breakthrough.

Allan stops and turns his gaze toward the cloud over the crater when he hears the boom of explosions.

He moves closer to see the full picture.

In the sunset, the cloud glows in shades of purple and pink. From its core, he can see pink lightning reaching toward the electrical installations at the bottom of the crater.

If the whole situation weren’t so devastating, one could almost call it a beautiful sight.

*****

Elsewhere in StrangerVille, a small group of scientists is still hard at work, despite the late hour. They are on an important mission.

No matter how risky it might seem, Sofus has just put the finishing touches on the cleaning robot. Fortunately, without any further shocks or injuries.

Now he is going to start on other tasks.

Peter is in the process of synthesizing a serum and behind him, you see John examining a sample of a bizarre fruit.

The imprint John sees does not remind him of any other plant imprint he has seen so far. It appears to have a pulse.

Peter adds some genetically modified plant spores to the liquid in the flask.

He doesn’t let himself be disturbed by John passing behind his back.

He mixes the spores and liquid by rotating the bottle with calm movements.

He looks at the liquid. There isn’t much to see… should he add a little juice from a bizarre fruit? Just to see if there’s a reaction?

It is worth remembering that the vast majority of scientific developments come about through experiments and repeated testing. This process unfolds over years, but our friends here seem to be in a bit of a rush.

He dips a finger into the liquid and carefully puts it in his mouth. There is no significant reaction, so the serum seems completely harmless.

In the next room, John is occupied with other experiments, so what is happening now might not have occurred if Peter had interrupted him and had taken the time to consult his colleagues.

After adding just two extra drops (maybe a little more) of juice from the bizarre fruit, the liquid changes color.

Peter cautiously sniffs it. It has a pleasant sweet scent…..almost seductive.

Nothing ventured, nothing gained, he thinks, and takes a small sip.

Immediately afterwards, he feels called upon to swallow the rest of the contents of the flask.

A pleasant warmth spreads through his throat….

…then comes the aftereffect. He fears his heart will stop beating.

His whole body writhes in spasms…

…then he loses consciousness of this world and sees the light….

Everything is beauty and magnificent colors.

*****

Voices in the adjoining room make John turn around.

He sees Peter standing with a sheepish expression and Sofus approaching with rapid strides.

“There is something seriously wrong with Peter… I think he has eaten a bizarre fruit,” says Sofus with a shaken expression.

“He has what!? …but that can’t be right. We all know it’ll drive us completely insane,” John wails.

“Nevertheless, that appears to be the case….This is a disaster! How are we going to explain ourselves to our management?” asks Sofus, throwing up his arms in a gesture of hopelessness.

“We have to come up with something…” John replies before being brutally interrupted.

At the next moment, there is a loud crash as Peter flings the door open with great force and stumbles through it.

“Peter, what have you done?” asks John, looking at him in confusion.

“I have found an antidote for everything,” says Peter with a dreamy high-falcate voice.

“You have more likely found yourself a ticket of admission to the insane asylum,” replies Sofus.

Peter sends Sofus an inviting smile, “Can you see the colors?”

This is bad, really bad, John thinks. They are really in big trouble now.

*****

Evening in Cantina “El Árbol del Jaguar”

It is very unlike Don to order another strong drink, but nothing in Don’s life is the way it used to be.

The espuma agria is a specialty of Selvadorada. It is sour and, above all, contains a good amount of vodka. Hopefully enough to keep Don’s nervous system sufficiently numbed.

He does not yet know that he will soon meet his expedition leader. She is currently on her way to the city gate of the Puerto Llamante Marketplace.

Don stands up restlessly. He is debating whether to order another drink when he spots a man at the bar. Is it a normal local custom to walk around wearing cat ears in Selvadorada?

He turns towards the entrance door when he hears someone come into the bar.

It is a woman wearing a red vest, khaki trousers, and a wide-brimmed green hat.

There is something familiar about her…

She steers straight towards him and only stops when she is standing right next to him.

“Hi Don, it’s been a long time,” she says, looking him straight in the eyes.

“Delphine!?” he exclaims when he recognizes her intense dark eyes.

He almost clings to her as he gives her a hug. How he has missed feeling her return his embrace.

They stand like that for a while without speaking to each other. Don can feel her heartbeat pounding wildly in time with his own.

He takes her hands and looks at her.

“Delphine, what are you doing here? ….I’m going on a jungle expedition, and I am here tonight waiting for my expedition leader to show up.. What a lucky coincidence that you showed up here right now, before we had moved on…” says Don.

“Does the name Deli Ohnelli sound familiar to you?” she asks.

“Is it you? Are you the jungle expedition leader?” Don asks in disbelief.

“I had sort of pictured an older man,” says Don, frowning.

“Well, I am a treasure hunter, and I’m certainly not an old man… Won’t you give me a kiss?” she replies.

Don doesn’t hesitate. He has dreamed of this reunion for so long.

*****

Evening in Chestnut Ridge

It has been a long time since Martin last saw Mike. Over the past hour, Hochaca has taken him on a long, winding ride through the countryside.

During the ride, Martin has grown more secure in the saddle. Now he just hopes Hochaca knows the way home.

It turns out the stallion has certainly not lost his sense of direction, for shortly afterwards Martin can see Mike’s small, modest cabin.

“Good boy, Hochaca!” he praises the horse.

“Don’t forget the apple,” Hochaca whinnies back in a friendly tone.

Martin is in the process of dismounting when he hears Hurricane come charging up and finish the ride by rearing and neighing loudly.

At some point on the way back, the young horse grew tired of carrying a rider and threw Mike off. He therefore has to make the rest of the journey home on foot.

Just afterwards, the mare Pecan arrives with the unknown woman on her back.

Martin is completely engrossed in grooming Horchata and doesn’t let a bump interrupt him.

Pecan has decided to help the female rider out of the saddle by rearing up high.

That must have really hurt.

The woman casts a disappointed look at the mare.

“That was not nice of you Pecan,” she grumbles.

Mike has finally arrived after his run home.

“Hey Ilse, I saw your fall from a distance, were you hurt?” he asks.

He gives Ilse a hug.

“Cheer up. These are the little setbacks you have to put up with when dealing with horses,” he says consolingly.

Pecan shoots Mike an offended look. Why does this human have to get all the attention?

Martin wonders a bit about who the woman is and her relationship with Mike. However, he doesn’t let it show while he cleans Hochata’s hooves.

Martin looks at Horchata with satisfaction after grooming the horse.

“Well, Horchata, since you’ve been such a well-behaved boy, you’ve certainly earned your apple now,” he says with a smile.

In the background, he can hear Mike and Ilse talking to each other.

“How about you fire up the grill, and I’ll take care of the horse?” asks Mike.

“That’s perfectly fine with me,” Ilse kindly replies .

Mike immediately sets about cleaning the mare’s hooves and grooming her.

“Well, Hurricane? If you’ll let me groom you, I have a treat hidden in my pocket,” Martin asks as he approaches the young horse.

Hurricane pricks up his ear attentively. Only a fool would say no to a treat.

In the meantime, Ilse is making a bison stew.

Even though Martin isn’t much of a rider, he enjoys grooming the horses and looking after their care.

That says something about his character. Caring for others comes naturally to him. This is noticeable in his relationship with Tusnelda and it also suggests that he could be a good father.

While Martin finishes cleaning Hurricane’s hooves, Ilse has finished preparing their dinner.

Mike crouches down to pet Snowflake before they gather around the table.

Ilse looks at Martin with curious interest.

“Hi, I’m Elisabeth, but you can just call me Ilse, everyone else does. What is your connection to Mike?” she asks bluntly.

“Hi Ilse. I’m Martin. I met Mike last year when my wife and I went on vacation to Chestnut Ridge. Tusnelda had a desire to learn to ride and an old guy in New Appaloosa suggested we ask Mike to teach us… That led to us becoming friends,” explains Martin.

“That sounds pretty accurate,” says Mike, giving Martin an appreciative nod.

“I guess it’s a bit of the same story with me. I’m originally from Windenburg and came to Chestnut Ridge for vacation,” says Ilse.

“Oh? I know Windenburg. It’s not that far from where I live in Brindleton Bay…Are you here for riding lessons too?” says Martin.

“Yes, as I said, it’s the same story,” Ilse replies.

Mike doesn’t really take part in their conversation, and a little later, having finished his meal, he gets up to tend to the animals and crops.

Both Ilse and Martin watch Mike as he gets up and leaves.

For a moment, the atmosphere between them becomes a little awkwardly quiet… though that awkward feeling likely belongs mostly to Martin, who is a loner by nature.

Ilse is anything but introverted, so she asks Martin why he is visiting without his wife.

“Oh, well she didn’t really have time to take a vacation now,” he says evasively.

“It’s not really my business, after all,” says Ilse, giving Martin a wink.

“It’s perfectly fine for you to ask,” says Martin as he feels a blush rising in his cheeks.

“To be honest, I assume we both need a time-out to recover from some tough challenges,” says Martin with an apologetic gesture.

“Then you’ve come to the right place. This place makes you feel alive and helps you get grounded… It’s kind of the same story for me,” Ilse says.

“You guys seem to get along well,” Mike says kindly.

“Yes, we were just talking about how this place makes you feel alive,” Ilse replies, looking Mike in the eye with a sweet smile.

Martin gets up to put the leftovers in the fridge and clear away the dishes. He gets the feeling that there might be something more than friendship between Mike and Ilse.

Mike doesn’t let anything show as he walks over to give the goat its evening meal.

It has become quite dark and late in the evening.

Ilse says goodnight before disappearing into Mike’s bedroom.

Perhaps there is something to Martin’s assumptions, or maybe they are simply two friends sharing a bed in all friendliness. There aren’t many spare sleeping spots in Mike’s small cabin.

Snowflake seeks out Mike once again for some cuddles.

Meanwhile, Ilse climbs into bed.

Not long after, Mike follows her.

He quickly undresses before crawling under the duvet next to Ilse. This action, along with a small picture of Ilse on the wall, proves that life here, too, has moved on since Martin’s last visit.

Martin has lit the bonfire and is standing there playing his guitar. In a way, this shows that some things remain the same.

He thinks of many such evenings with Tusnelda by his side. He wonders what she might be doing right now and he hopes she is okay.

*****

Late evening in Brindleton Bay

Tusnelda is on her way down to the beach.

Martin had already left when she got home from work this afternoon. She hopes he has arrived safely at Mike’s place.

She runs past the sandpipers on the beach. It is a cloudless, starry evening.

She sees the pier ahead of her. It has become one of her favorite places when she needs to reflect on life.

She slows down to find a bench. It is not impossible at this time of day, when everyone is settling down for the night.

He sits down and lets the calm fill her.

In front of her, she sees the lighthouse on Deadgrass Isle illuminated by the moonlight and the occasional glimmer from the lantern at the top of the tower.

Martin often speaks of this lighthouse, as it holds a special significance for him.

She is really strange. She asked Martin to move out to clear her head, and yet she hasn’t been able to think about anything but him all day.

She ought to feel some sort of relief now, shouldn’t she?

At the very least, she surely feels a sense of relief at no longer having to think about offspring. She dislikes the thought of there being something beyond her control.

She gets up to run back towards her home.

On her way away from the pier, she encounters a dog. It is large and smelly, probably a homeless stray. It looks at her with friendly, pleading eyes.

“Hi, poor baby. Do you want a treat?” she asks.

The dog eagerly gobbles up the small treats and gives her a grateful lick on the fingers.

Tusnelda loves dogs, and she really wishes she had one.

As she stands up, she sees a man approaching, and the dog quickly runs on.

She has seen him walking a dog on the beach before.

“Hi there, I was sort of hoping it was your dog, but apparently not,” she says.

“No, I have a dog, but she’s at home with my partner now. The beach always attracts a lot of dogs running loose, and quite a few of them don’t seem to have a home,” he says.

Tusnelda gives him an agreeing nod.

“Society ought to build a shelter, round them up, and find good homes for them. I always feel so sorry for them,” she says.

“Yes, I agree with that,” the man replies.

After their brief conversation, Tusnelda bids goodnight and walks on.

She can see the dog standing by a bush. It has probably picked up the scent of a squirrel.

She starts running again.

The clouds have started to gather over the sea.

Soon she is at the viaduct, and as she runs into it, she can see the fruit trees in the garden.

As the last task of the day, she makes sure the cats’ automatic feeders are filled.

Tomorrow, she will start writing her scientific thesis on the presence of oxygen on Sixam.

Later, when she goes to bed, she stares at the empty space in the bed. It feels strange that he isn’t there.

She wonders what he is doing now, but considering the time, he is probably already asleep.

She closes her eyes and quickly slips into the oblivion of sleep.

*****

Late Evening in Chestnut Ridge

At Mike’s place, Martin says goodnight to Horchata.

“I know you’d like another apple, but too many treats can give you digestive trouble,” Martin says, giving Horchata a gentle kiss on the muzzle.

Horchata grumbles a bit in protest but yields to Martin’s reasoning.

Martin finds the entrance to Mike’s winery behind the half-wall by the refrigerator.

He climbs down the ladder effortlessly. After all, he has had some practice moving vertically on the climbing wall at home.

He hangs a small picture of Tusnelda and himself on a small nail he finds on the wall. That way, he still has her close by when he sleeps and wakes up.

He changes into his sleepwear and quickly hops under the duvet in the guest bed.

He is very tired after the day’s many experiences and falls asleep within a few minutes.

*****

Late evening at Hillview Hideaway

It is very late when Delphine, Don and Valentino arrive at the small cabin that is their accommodation.

Don feels exhausted after the day’s many events and yawns loudly.

However, that won’t stop him from seeking out a private moment with the woman he has dreamed of for more than a year.

Kissing her is as sweet and tantalizing as he remembers.

They sit down on the bed, still kissing in an increasingly heated embrace.

She leans back onto the bed, and he follows her in a slow, soft movement, his lips still locked onto her sweet lips…

Then it happens again….

The fear and paralysis show their ugly face from a dark place in the depths.

He looks at her in shock as if she is a stranger.

“I’m really sorry, Delphine, but I can’t.”

Don sits on the edge of the bed, looking defeated.

Delphine sits down beside him and studies him closely. “What’s wrong, Don? Will you tell me what’s going on inside you?” she asks.

How can he tell her? Rasmus and Valentino have both convinced him that when he met the right woman all his problems would be solved and he was so sure it was her. She had appeared in his dreams so many times; he had been so convinced, yet apparently, he was wrong.

“I’m really sorry, Delphine,” he says.

She moves closer to him. “Hey Don, you must be exhausted after your journey. It’s okay… I can smell that Valentino has fired up the grill. Why don’t you go out and see what he’s up to while I find something more comfortable to wear?” she says.

He gratefully gives her a kiss. She is so sweet and understanding.

*****

As Delphine predicted, Valentino is grilling some chicken skewers.

I couldn’t say who advised Don to keep a record of his adventures, but now he sits with the notebook he brought along, reflecting on the day’s impressions.

Delphine is talking to Valentino by the grill while he turns the chicken skewers one last time.

She sits down at the table when the food is ready.

Don hides his face to conceal his emotions. He is devastated by his dashed expectations. He is such a pathetic wreck.

He continues to write everything down. Putting his embarrassing thoughts into words brings him a sense of relief.

Neither Valentino nor Delphin attempts to interrupt him, but each is occupied with their own thing.

Don packs the notebook into his waist bag and finds a plate of food.

“Won’t you sit down, Don?” Delphine asks, breaking the silence.

“Well, yeah, I suppose so,” says Don, before finding a seat opposite Delphine.

Delphine follows him with her eyes. She really wants to know what is wrong.

Don eats without speaking and Delphine suddenly finds the whole situation awkwardly distant.

She tries to soften the situation and blows him a kiss.

“A million for your thoughts, Don,” she says gently.

Don looks at her with a frightened expression. “I’m so sorry, Delphine. I think I have to withdraw,” he says.

It leaves her alone without answers.

*****

Half an hour later, the dishes have been washed and the leftovers put in the fridge.

Valentino rolls out his sleeping bag on the terrace and leaves the double bed to the young couple. He has no doubt that an intense emotional storm is raging between them. The air practically crackles with electrical discharges.

He is getting too old for this, and he would have preferred a larger cabin with a bed for everyone.

However, this cabin was made available to Delphine as part of a trade she struck with a jungle adventurer more than a year ago.

He snuggles deep into his sleeping bag and soon falls asleep.

Delphine is still awake and is still standing on the terrace, pondering her situation.

Don is not the only one who has dreamed of their reunion as a form of redemption. Since their brief, passionate encounter on Sulani over a year ago, Delphin has manipulated everything to ensure they would see each other again.

Her immediate disappointment that the magic failed to materialize is clearly written on her face.

She walks toward the small living room where Don is sleeping.

As the saying goes: You can lead a horse to water, but you can’t force it to drink. What the future holds is out of her hands.

She looks at the man she remembers as someone full of cocky self-confidence, with a sensitive, soft core. She is unsure about the man lying before her now. Something has changed… He has changed.

She undresses and looks hesitantly at the empty space in the bed.

She is tired, and there is nowhere else to sleep, so she quickly slips under the covers.

Soon, all three of them will be asleep.

Tomorrow, another day will dawn. Hopefully, the sun will cast its light upon them, but what will happen from here only their Watcher knows.

With this, it is time to leave the little cabin for now.

*****

Late Night in StrangerVille

There isn’t much for Allan’s group to do in StrangerVille once the day’s training is over and the dreadful plant stems have been cleared from the water pipes. Each tries to entertain themselves as best they can in their involuntary asylum while waiting for news about the antidote.

Taylor is following a soccer match on the computer. Ezra and Hallie have retreated to their room to do whatever it is they do when they’re in there together. It’s not something Taylor wants to witness.

The boundary between night and day has in many ways been abolished as the sun can hardly penetrate the constant darkness.

Allan begins his daily yoga routine, but tonight he feels restless and decides to go for a run.

The cloud over the crater is visible everywhere, and even now, as Allan turns his back on it, the deafening roars from the crater remind him that he is in the midst of a living hell.

He looks around at the landscape as he runs. Even the darkness has an unnatural color.

The light from a small mobile home he passes on his way makes everything glow green.

Some have hung fairy lights on a large tree to counteract the gloomy atmosphere. It creates an almost beautiful, picturesque sight.

****

Somewhere in Shady Acres, a man is running around in a state of euphoria.

Earlier in the day, he was a hopeful scientist, eager in his search for an antidote to the mother plant’s destructive ravages. Now that he has seen the light, that thought could not have been further from his mind.

No one knows what psychedelic color palettes he sees in his mind’s eye.

I will admit that I myself am quite seduced by the colors of the poisoned landscape in StrangerVille. I will therefore allow myself to end this chapter with another picturesque view, although I have to hope that it will not remain like this forever.

*****

Author’s note: I would very much appreciate comments on this chapter, and I am aware that there has been a glitch on my website causing them to disappear. I really hope I have found the cause of the error now, but just to be safe, please write a draft in Word or a text document first. Otherwise, it should be possible to post comments in the Reader comment section; perhaps they end up in the spam folder, from where I can then approve them. It is also possible to post comments on the SimsCreative forum. That requires membership (it’s a friendly place). Posting on The Sims 4 Creative Corner is another option.
I apologize for the inconvenience, and I sincerely hope that I have now found a solution to the problem causing this error ❤️

*****

The song I am sharing is performed by a now-deceased Danish troubadour and musician, Kim Larsen. He was, perhaps more than anyone, adept at interpreting the lives of the Danish people. He wrote very few songs in English, but this is one of them. I feel that, in many ways, it captures the mood of this chapter. Enjoy.

*****

Credit:

The Strangerville Laboratory room is built by CassidyCat19 . It can be found in the gallery.