Prologue

At ten years old, Dexter Freeman was abandoned on his grandparents doorstep. His father had abused him since he was a young child, and his mother drank herself stupid every night. When they started doing drugs, they decided they were better off without a dumb child tagging along with them or cramping their party life. His grandparents were up there in age so Dexter didn't get to do the stuff most children at his age got to do. His grandpa ran a strict house and Dexter had rules he had to follow or he would get the belt. He didn't mind this as much as his life with his parents, as at least his grandparents cared enough to discipline him when he needed it. 

Only a year into living with his grandparents, his grandmother passed away. His grandpa, grief stricken soon followed, leaving Dexter alone. The state came and put him into foster care with a family that already had too many children. Most of the time, Dexter was forgotten about and learned to fend for himself. There wasn't enough food for half the children the Smiths had let alone one more when Dexter was brought to them. Most nights Dexter went to bed hungry, his only source of food being the crumbs that the favored children had dropped on the floor.

One night, Dexter was starving. He hadn't had a real meal in 3 days and his stomach was protesting its emptiness. Lying in bed, Dexter listened to the sound of the television, something he wasn't allowed to watch, waiting for when it was turned off. Once he heard the silence of the house, he waited a bit longer and then quietly climbed out of bed. He couldn't take his stomach cramping anymore and needed to find something, anything to eat. Sneaking into the kitchen, Dexter checked around to see if anything was left out. The kitchen was clean, not a crumb to be found. Listening again for any sound of movement, Dexter then decided to get an apple from the fridge. He knew the apples were only meant for Mr. and Mrs. Smith, but he hadn't had one for so long, and he was so hungry, just the thought of one made his mouth water. He opened the fridge ever so slightly, just enough to put his arm in and grab out an apple. He didn't want to cast too much light around as he was afraid he'd get caught. With the apple in hand, he snuck back to his bunk. He listened for a few minutes to the soft breathing of the other kids in the room, and then as quietly as he could, bit into the moist delicious goodness.

From that night on, Dexter didn't starve. He'd wait till everyone was in bed sound asleep, and then sneak into the kitchen to find himself something to eat. This went on for months and Dexter only being 11 got too comfortable with the routine. One night he was in the kitchen finishing off a small piece of cake that was bought for the Smiths real daughter for her birthday. He was so engrossed in his eating, he didn't hear the sound of footsteps coming down the hall. When the light switched on he froze. Mr. Smith was standing behind him with such a look of anger on his face, Dexter actually flinched just looking at him. Mr. Smith, being a big guy, didn't take long to step over to Dexter and grab him by the back of his neck. He squeezed hard, causing Dexter to pass out. He woke up to the huge man standing over him. The look on his face was pure hatred. He kicked Dexter in the ribs and then picked him up again, tossing him into the counter. Dexter begged for the man to stop, but man didn't listen, he just kept hitting and kicking Dexter. It wasn't till Dexter heard a woman's voice screaming that the beating stopped, but by that time Dexter couldn't see, couldn't walk, and barely could breath.

Later, Dexter woke in the hospital, a lady was sitting in the corner of the room sleeping. When she heard him stir, she woke. She called the doctor in and the adults started talking about everything that had happened. Dexter heard Mr. Smith had been arrested and all the children in the care of the Smiths had been put into new foster homes. Dexter sighed with relief that at least no other children had to go through what he had.

Dexter was in the hospital for a week longer, when he was released, he was released into the custody of the lady that had been by his side the whole time. He found out her name was Janet, and she worked for the states child protective agency. She had a couple foster children of her own, and had asked that Dexter be released into her care.

Scared after the last foster home he belonged to, Dexter kept to himself. He ate when told, slept when told and did his chores and schoolwork before being asked. He didn't talk much after that horrible night, keeping to himself. Janet tried to get him involved with the other children but nothing seemed to work. She took him to therapy, he just sat there most of the time not saying anything. After months of trying, Janet gave up. She didn't know what else to do, and his health and mental state were deteriorating. The therapist suggested medication, this did nothing. She then suggested that he be evaluated by doctors that were more equipped to handle this sort of thing. It wasn't long after that, that Dexter was moved to a more suitable location for his needs. By this time Dexter was 12, and his mental state was so bad that Janet couldn't help him any longer.

Dexter stayed at the hospital for a many years, slowly learning to trust people again but never being the boy he once was. When he was 18, his doctors determined he was stable enough to leave the hospital. Upon release, Dexter didn't know where to go. He had no family, no money and no where to go. He wandered around town for awhile, looking at the happy families and smiling faces. He wanted that. It was then that he saw a billboard in the distance. It wasn't fancy but it made its message clear.

'Need a new start? Come to Twinbrooks! Nothing says home like this old rustic town. Make your move today!'

Twinbrooks? He'd never heard of it, but he knew he needed to have somewhere new to go. He looked at his city with displeasure, anywhere would be better than here. With that thought, he had a new determination on life. He was going to have that happy family, he was going to have that new life. He headed towards the edge of town, looking back only once. With no regrets and no sorrow he started the long walk to Twinbrooks, where hopefully he would find the happiness he craved so much.


* So this is my own little challenge I am trying out. If there is one out there like this, then I am sorry, I couldn't find it. The goal is to reach $1,000,000, with no jobs, ever. I started off on an empty lot, and reduced Dexter's funds to zero. He can mooch, steal, dumpster dive, collect, fish or find scrap. He cannot ever take a job (nor can anyone in the household), he can not take opportunities that give money as a reward, nor can he do odd jobs to make money. Anything he gets, he can sell if he needs too, like for food or bills ect. He can never buy anything from buy mode unless it is something he cannot steal. Same goes for build mode. I have not decided yet when he can get married, but he has to have a little house first, I'm debating between $5000 and $10,000. Once he is married, or if anyone moves in, their funds will be deleted from the household funds. This will prevent making this easy and just marrying a rich sim. The time portal and the uni kit were deleted using testingcheats so he did not get the money for those. He cannot buy a lottery ticket or anything else that would give him fast cash. He has to earn it the hard way. He can repair anything he salvages, as long as he has the money or it. If he does not get to 1,000,000 before his time is up, he has to have an heir to carry on. The challenge will end, when whatever generation becomes a millionaire.

I am debating if I am going to add a point system this this, this would be an amount of points you start with, and every time you buy something from buy mode, points are deducted. Right now though, I am just doing it without any points, I haven't used buy mode either at all. I am still working things out as I go, so I will be adding stuff as I go along. I will tell you when I add it at the bottom of the page. I think that is it for now though, it's the bases of the challenge.

Dexter's traits are: slob, hot headed, frugal, mooch and kleptomaniac. I gave him the Swimming in cash LTW so once he reaches $50,000 that will be completed.*