Apocalypse Tales Chapter Six: The Moonbeam Witch Hut

(Note: Last time we saw her, Blossom Moonbeam had graduated from college. She'd spent her entire college time with her friends, William Williamson and Klara Vonderstein, although toward the end she'd felt herself "above" them. She'd been accepted into the secret society and grabbed herself some "prizes" there, namely a grim reaper phone and her newest companion, Chompers.)

O.k., so what the heck is happening here? Why the cold weather in the middle of the desert? Why is this the only house available for me to buy? Where is everybody? I refuse to believe that those ridiculous secret society people with their conspiracy theories were right.

I planted my dear Chompers out in the back, with some other precious items of mine,

And hung my paintings in my one-room hut.

Here's what my place looks like. This was not what I'd been planning for myself after college.

I tried to call some friends, but found the phone doesn't work. This is crazy! How am I to get on with my life's plans, my destiny, in this horrible environment?

I did a little dancing to cheer myself up.

Then I noticed someone passing by and ran out to ask her what's going on.

She told me of the recent apocalyptic weather that had devastated the area. Just what those dopes at the secret society had predicted! At another question, she told me that there are others living in safe houses nearby. Must be that some of my friends from college managed to make it back here.

Then some more people passed by, including an interesting, attractive guy named Loki Beaker, who told me a lot more about recent history. I invited them all in.

I found the only thing I had to serve my guests was jello.

Oh well, most of them were boring and irritating anyway.

Some weird guy named Nervous congratulated me on getting a safe house. Most people, he told me, are wandering the streets getting eaten by zombies. (This is all just to bizarre to believe.)

I asked him what foods are available during these deprived times, and he laughed at my lack of knowledge.

This pissed me off so much that I felt this strange, overwhelming desire to get rid of him, entirely.

I quickly said good-bye to all my guests, before this desire took control of me.

Good thing too, because they all were getting to be a bit much.

I found my computer wasn't working either. Just a listing of a couple of jobs, but no games, no chat, nothing. This is getting very annoying.

Eyych, no showers, either.

I'd only gotten a disjointed picture of what's going on, so I decided to go out and consult my fountain, which gives me clear answers to my questions and predictions of the future.

I did not like its answer: that these apocalyptic conditions were here for quite a while, and my plans for my future would be difficult to fulfill.

I sat there into the night, quite overwhelmed by my dashed hopes.

Now what to do? I simply cannot give up my beautiful hopes, my strong, gripping desires.

I'd never felt quite so fearful and alone and helpless as that night. I have no idea how to go on with my life. But then I glanced over at Chompers and realized that I must figure out a way to get what I need from life. I must take hold of my destiny.

I finally pulled myself together, gave up my internal ranting and went to bed. I must find strength, I must become firm, resolute, and ruthlessly pursue what I want and need, no matter what are the conditions around me.

Next morning thing's began to look up a little. At least the phone was working.

I immediately called up my old professor, who in the past had fallen for me hard. Here was a good potential mate!

Oops, in my desperation, I moved a bit too fast. But hey, I need to go fast!

Time to make use of one of those gypsy potions!

Ooo, powerful!

I felt beautiful, magical, powerful, irresistible! And it worked...

The prof fell for my charms yet again.

Mmm, I licked my lips as I began to reel him in.

Come to me, my lover. I need you, all of you.

But suddenly, just as I felt that powerful desire to possess him, I realized that I need to be careful. What would it mean to "possess" this weak man? If I took in his essence, would I become weak? I need to think things through very carefully, plan meticulously. (Kind of too bad, though, because I'd reduced him to putty.)

I'd keep him on the string, but said good-bye for the moment.

As I took out the trash later that morning, I remembered my dear friend, Klara. How I missed her! I should give her a call while the phone is working.

The gypsy potion was still working, and it is so powerful I almost fell for Klara! Whoa! I quickly ran upstairs before I started flirting with her...

Meanwhile, she noticed my Chompers and the delicious cake he was offering.

I peered out my window and watched with pounding heart. I'd never witnessed this before. Would she really be foolish enough to take that cake?

I held my breath, all my body trembling.

Yes! Foolish girl.

Wow, Chomp indeed!

I walked out to my beloved plant.

Maybe I was still under the influence of the potion, but I could have kissed my dear Chompers!

I don't mind taking in a bit of "essence of Klara" as she'd always been very smart (except for going for that cake!) and fairly ruthless herself.

Ah, now I feel better! I'd needed this ever since moving in.

But I can't leave dear Klara dead. Time to try out this phone.

Klara, come back! 

What? I have to pay? I'm sorry, but I don't have much money. It's the apocalypse after all.

Huh, a lot of smoke and flame and stench...

Yuck! She's a zombie? Well, I guess that's what I get for being stingy.

She walked straight into my house and took a sponge bath. She was always so cleanly, I don't think she'll like being a zombie!

But hey, now that you're done with your bath, it's time for you to get busy, Klara. The reason I invited you here, anyway,

Is to clean! (While I take a nap.)

Nice! Next morning she got up and made the beds. This is definitely worth it.

Even if she does go around groaning and stinking.

Wash those dishes, my zombie... Well, I don't really want to call her my zombie slave. How about my zombie pet?

Such a good little worker, my zombie pet!

Our lives settled into a routine: eating jello,

Playing with Pinky,

Dancing when bored,

Until the end of the week, when I suddenly got a message that I had to pay some mob people in order to keep my possessions. What?! So, how are we going to manage this? Time for my pet to earn her keep.

Hey, Klara, how about if you get a job? I think you can manage that along with the cleaning.

Sure thing! I can manage that, she responded. See, isn't my little zombie pet such a sweet thing?

She got a job right away, a messy job as clam wrangler that will suit her situation well.

But even so, after paying the mob, we still had to get a cheaper bookshelf,

And lost our computer.

There's my slave, er pet, off to work!

Hmm, she's good. She actually rakes in the simoleons, even if she is a zombie.

Time to get busy realizing my plans. I wish I could improve my captivating skills!

But who should I captivate next? Randy sure was cute.

But I think he was snapped up by Stella. (I can't stand it when someone gets in my way like that!) And anyway, I have to keep in mind my ultimate goal. What would Randy's essential nature be anyway, cuteness?

And that witch Katerina snatched up Geoffrey. He's mine, I'd quite ensnared him back in college! How dare she step in? I may have to make a move here. Geoffrey would be worth capturing... But not yet.

So am I back to the prof? I'm not quite satisfied with him. He doesn't have what I need right now...

Namely power. Which Blair has, if I remember correctly. I believe he said he was mayor.

Next day, I hear from a friend that dear Geoffrey had made some breakthroughs in medicine and brought clean water to the area. Way to go, sweet Geoffrey! And more importantly, he'd lifted the sense of hopelessness that so many people had. (I myself had experienced it the first evening I'd moved here.) Now people are willing to move around more.

I hopped in my new truck to swing around and pick up Blair. Ok, Blair, I've chosen you! Come on down!

Ah, here he is. The one I've chosen.

Come to me. You're mine now.

Yes, he wants me!

Mmm, I can almost imagine how it will feel to possess him, how he will taste.

Marry me, Blair!

He immediately said yes, of course.

I invited him into my truck for a little fun, while Klara made some changes in our little home.

We spent quite a little while there, because I wanted to take everything he had to offer me, shall we say...

Including his extensive fortune! Here are some of the changes Klara made, using Blair's simoleons.

I'm pleased with the beautiful new decor!

And a new upstairs with bed for Blair and me.

We kept at it for a while, because this was my first time, and I wanted to be sure I'd thoroughly possessed him.

(While my zombie pet, who'd kept out of Blair's sight so as not to sway him from moving in, kept at her work.)

When I was sure I'd gotten what I needed,

I steeled myself, and made my sweet suggestion to Blair. Ruthlessness, remember.

Blair took a little walk outside, while I took a nap. I need my rest!

This time I didn't watch from the window, but still felt a little trembling of expectation.

I slept well.

The next morning, I felt so sick. Was this more weakness on my part? Well, I better get out there and take Blair's powerful essence.

Chompers had his gift ready.

Why, thank you my little pet! (She doesn't even need to be commanded, or "suggested," any more.)

Ah, finally! I can't wait to feel that rush of power. I wonder if this stuff is addictive?

Now I've had Blair inside me in every sense! Ha, ha, aren't I hilarious?

Ha, ha, ha!! (Feeling a little giddy, I think.)

Again I make a phone call.

Always the smoke and smell. Disgusting.

Sorry Blair, but you can't blame me. You're the one that took the piece of cake, and I really can't be throwing money around during the apocalypse. And besides, when you said you'd marry me, you agreed to give me everything you had. So I just took you up on the offer!

Whew, still so attractive, even as a zombie.

See what I mean?

But I have no need for another zombie slave, or for a smelly zombie lover. So, you need to move out to your own place. Bye Blair!

And believe me, I will always be grateful to you.

Another nap. I dream of my beautiful Blair.

At least as a zombie, I won't have to worry about him haunting me.

That evening, over a plate of jello,

I felt the stirrings of a baby within.  This is unexpected and unwanted. Yes, some day I'd like to have a family, but not right in the middle of realizing my life dream.

Quick, Klara. More redecorating, adding a third floor.

And baby furniture that we'll continually have to pay the mob for. Sigh. I know I should have expected this; I did major in biology. But, what can I say? I'm a bit naive, innocent. I never thought this would happen to me.

Klara must have felt a bit lonely, and took it upon herself to invite someone over.

But when I saw who it was, I couldn't help myself, and immediately took the next steps in my plan. And furthermore, dear Klara, enough of the independent thought! How about if you repair our broken radio, while I'm out flirting with your guest?

(I hadn't realized that she'd lost all her skills when she became a zombie.)

I greeted the guest, Klara's old professor. Much more attractive than my professor! I'm sure he has much better potential.

I talked with him for a long time, even in my pjs out in the cold.

Klara, more and more, has only one thing on her mind. But sorry, I can't have you wandering around preying on the locals. I need you to work for me, Klara! And I only have jello to offer, unfortunately.

Wow, she did it!

Good thing we have some jello left, otherwise she may have found the prof's or my brain tempting. Just imagine it's brains, dear.

Yes, Prof. Thomas is much more attractive than Prof. Miguel. I played chess with him all night. I'll have to think of what use he can be to me.

Whoof, I'm really getting uncomfortable. I wish this baby were born already.

Soon enough, it is.

Here's little Bud. (See, I'm Blossom and he's a Bud. Get it? I'm so hilarious, I know.)

I give him a little cuddle,

And a bottle,

But left the childcare to Klara. I don't know much about taking care of babies.

She's a natural at it. And she actually looks prettier as a zombie mother than she did before becoming a zombie.

She should be quite at home with smelly diapers!

And I spend my day planning my next step.