Erik was in the zone, singing his heart out when it happened. He was booked at the Rock N Roll Concert Hall here in Windenburg, not too far from Grayson Castle, which was good. The weather was up and down, schizophrenic, as far as he was concerned. Spring had arrived but it was still trying to find itself, torn between constant rainstorms with some thunder and lightning thrown in for good measure. Sometimes it was hot and other times still cold. No wonder the home thermostat was still on. As Erik finished the song, he glanced out at the audience … that seemed to have disappeared. Talk about a blow to his Ego. Had he lost his touch?
Then he became aware of the ruckus on the mezzanine level of the concert hall, near the bar. Who had overindulged in the juice? Leaving the stage, he slowly walked down the narrow corridor to have a better look. Aanya Kumar, the Mixologist on duty, wasn't tending the bar. Odd. He saw her there as he came in, earlier and greeted her in passing.
“Aanya, how’s it going?” Erik smiled.
“Fantastic, I just got a raise. The only thing that makes it better is knowing you’re playing here tonight. I’m so excited!”
“Thank you. You know you’re one of my most … devoted fans,” Erik said, carefully selecting his words. He almost suggested she was one of his biggest fans, but that would have been hurtful. Aanya was a big Sim. And he noted, sensitive to her weight issues.
That was the last thing he ever said to her. Now, staring down at her lifeless body, he was stunned. What had happened, he wondered. He was never aware of any health issues, not that they ever got close enough to divulge such private matters. True, she was an Elder, so perhaps … How was it possible to be fine one moment and gone the next? He certainly never heard any shots fired, so he quickly ruled out robbery.
Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Grimmie advancing. Oh, no, he thought. He was going to have to plead with the entity of death. Pleading never got him anywhere three times before. Instead, Erik drew the conclusion he was going to have to demand Aanya be spared this untimely fate. Walking beside the life form of doom, Erik could feel chills running up and down his spine. He always thought it was an Angel of Death that met people. This creature shook him to his core.
When the two stood over the body, Erik turned to the Thing, “I demand you spare Aanya Kumar. Her best day can’t be her last day. Let her go and restore her,” he said, wagging his finger at the Dark Being, to no avail. Sadly, barely holding back the tears, Erik turned and walked back to the stage. On his way he pulled out his cell phone and called the authorities, wondering what they would think of his being present at the loss of another Sims’ life.
Once again, he stood before the microphone. He still had the rest of the show to do, having only played for less than an hour. But, he just couldn't do it. Aanya was his friend. This was a tragedy. Erik deemed it disrespectful to carry on in a joyful way at this time. Tapping the microphone with his finger to make certain it was still on, he leaned into it and announced, “Due to the tragic incident, I’m calling the show off for tonight. Please forgive me. You can request a Rain Check from the ticketing service. Goodnight, Everybody and thank you for being here.”
With that he left the venue. By the time he got home again, he found his sister awaiting him just outside of the castle gates.
“Erik, how are you doing?” she asked hugging him hard.
Erik, knowing his sister had a Sense of things, refrained from the obvious question and just hugged her back. “I’m doing,” he murmured.
“I’m so sorry. I don’t know why this keeps happening to you.”
“I don’t know either. Do you suppose someone is trying to get my attention? Am I not living in a wholesome enough way?”
“Before you ask,” she deftly cut him off. “Yes, bad things happen to good Sims. But, the Deity can use such incidents to create good from the bad. You just have to know that, Erik.”
“Thanks, Sis. Deep down inside I do know that. But, it still hurts during the moment of bad. Goodnight. I’m suddenly very exhausted.”
“Erik,” the Paparazzi who had all but taken up residence at the cliff’s edge came forward, thrusting a photograph of Erik at him. “Sign, this, please.”
Erik shook his head, “Sorry, this just isn't the right time. A friend of mine has just passed away.”
“Oh, what friend? C’mon, you can’t just give a partial scoop …”
Erik nodded his head as he walked up the stone path to the front door. “Wanna bet?” he winked. “I believe, I just did.”
When Erik opened his eyes it was early afternoon. He pulled out of bed and made his way down those three long sets of stone steps to the kitchen.
“Hey, sleepyhead,” Kaitlyn said, “that must have been one long concert. When did you get in?”
“Fairly early, actually. Aanya Kumar died.”
“Aanya, where, when?”
“Right there at the concert hall, during one of my first sets.”
“Oh, how awful.”
“Yeah. Sims said she was busy making drinks one moment, and then stepped in front of the bar to get a better look at the stage and then keeled over.” Erik shuddered. “Must be my fault. I’m just too hot or something. Help me out, here.”
“That you are, but trust me, it’s not you, silly,” Kaitlyn stabbed at the omelet she was busy eating. “They said on the news there doesn't appear to be any foul play, so they've ruled out robbery. Nor are they convinced it was simply old age. The Coroner has called for an autopsy, but the local M.D. they had on the program suggested it was either a stroke or a massive heart-attack.”
“Wow.”
“You okay, you’re looking a bit peaked. I've never seen you look so pale. You did remember we’re going to my parents’ house this afternoon, right? Don’t you dare use this as an excuse to get out of it. They’re really very nice, I think you’ll like them.”
“Yeah, give me a minute. I’ll be ready. I’ll just go take a bath with soaks for a few …” Seeing the look on her face, he quickly said, “a bit. What time do we have to be there again?”
“We’re supposed to be there by three, but it’s all the way over in Brindleton Bay, so hurry.”
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