Chapter Six - Meeting The Neighbors

Dexter felt it was time to meet some of his fellow swamp dwellers. He'd met a few people in the actual city, but he'd wanted to keep his whereabouts unknown until he claimed the land with a house. The nearest house, the one that had been abandoned had a new resident in it, but they were not home when Dexter walked over. He decided to head to the house across the swamp instead. He hadn't realized though when he set out, there were no accessible roadways, he had to strip down to his underwear and wade through the water to get there.

When he arrived, he found out that someone had just had a baby, and everyone was celebrating.

Dexter walked to one of the guys and introduced himself. The man was in such a good mood after the baby was born he invited Dexter inside to celebrate with them. Dexter was offered a bunny treat and chose to eat on the back porch with his host. He didn't want the family to see just how starved he was so he turned around and scarfed his food down.

Everyone then went back outside and complained that the baby wouldn't stop crying. Dexter took this opportunity to swipe a few more items he needed for his new home. Things that the family wouldn't miss, like a toilet, they had two.

He headed upstairs as he needed a bathtub or shower next. He chose the sink instead.

Just as the family was coming back in and Dexter could hear someone coming up the stairs he swiped his last item for the night. He was going for the bathtub but in his haste he grabbed the other toilet instead, leaving the family with no toilets and him with two.

He still wasn't tired and needed a few more items that night, so he headed back outside and checked through his neighbors trash can. While he was out there he notice the family head inside and leave the baby outside on the ground. Dexter felt sorry for the screaming infant, but couldn't do anything about it.

Awhile later Dexter notice his gracious host come out and pick up the baby. He held him for a minute and then put him down walking back inside. Dexter left a little before dawn and the baby still lay outside in the damp swamp, cold, hungry and alone.

Chapter Five - Enough For A Shack

After Dexter broke the shower he looked around the firehouse and saw they were out on a call. He decided to take this opportunity to gather up a few more items for his house. Luck was in his favor tonight as he saw two vehicles he could swipe. He really needed to sell all these soon before he was caught.

He looked around and across the street he saw another vehicle just waiting for him to grab. He headed over there but was sidetracked by some really cute balloons he thought would go nicely with his decor. He also figured two cars was enough of a hassle to try to hide for the night, adding a third might be pushing it.

It took him half the night to stash the new cars. He had to drive out to the abandoned area where he was stashing the stolen cars, walk back to the firehouse and the drive back out there to take the other one. By the time he got done and back to the firehouse the firefighters were back and had already noticed the vehicles missing. Dexter stayed in the shadows not wanting to be seen to bring attention to himself. He still didn't want to go back to his lot empty handed, and he didn't really count the balloons as a good nights finds. Instead he decided to see what the firefighters had thrown out this week in the dumpster. He was surprised to find an old couch, a chair and a couple other items he could use. The worse part of his night was when a disgusting fly flew into his mouth. Dexter hated dumpster diving and living like this, but he knew it was the only way to find what he needed.

After hours in the dumpster and hearing the sirens of the fire trucks again turn on, Dexter knew the firehouse would be empty again so he could clean up. He needed to figure out how to make money on those stolen cars today and he didn't want to look or smell any worse than he did normally when trying to sell them. He headed back into the firehouse being quiet and careful just in case someone was left behind. He didn't see anyone or hear anything coming from any of the room as he headed back up to the third story to take a shower. He was glad he didn't break this shower after he used it this time.

He was exhausted after his nights work, and since the firehouse was still empty decide to try and get in a little nap before he was shoo'ed away. He slept hard and when he awoke he was well rested and famished!

He didn't want to waste food as he knew what it was like to be hungry and people around him just throwing away good food that someone could eat. There was a little left over on his plate from earlier and so he decided to finish it off, it was enough to fill him up till his next meal.

Well rested, full and ready for the day, Dexter headed out to figure out what to do with the cars. He walked the long way to the abandoned lot and looked the vehicles. He had swiped a bit of paper and a pen from the firehouse, and so he wrote down the make and model of each car. He had no idea of the years, but decided if someone was crooked enough to buy them, they wouldn't care what the years were. Next he started the long walk into the city, he had seen a sign not far from the abandoned lot that said 'Bridgeport 40 miles'. He wasn't looking forward to heading back into the city he'd hated so much, but he knew it was full of chop shops and people that would buy the cars with no questions asked.

Hours later he arrived in the bustling city. He knew where most of the shops were and headed to the one closest to him. Arriving he saw a man working on tearing a car apart and a few others moving cars around the lot. He walked up to the one working under the hood and cleared his throat. He guy looked up glaring at Dexter. He looked him up and down and turned his nose up at him, then turned back to the car and started working on it again. Dexter knew the reactions of most people when they saw him, so this rude behavior didn't bother him. He cleared his throat again and asked the guy where he could find the person in charge. The guy looked up again and snorted and pointed to a little at the back of the garage. Dexter walked back there and knocked on the door. Hearing a "Enter!" Dexter opened the door and introduced himself, of coarse only giving a fake name. He started to tell the guy he needed to sell some stolen vehicles but remembered he needed to word things correctly for these guys to buy anything. He told the boss that he had acquired a few vehicles and wanted to get rid of them as soon as possible. He gave the list to the guy and waited. The man didn't seemed phased at all, he went over to his computer, punched on the keys a little bit and then looked back at Dexter and offered him $5000 for the whole lot. Dexter, ecstatic that it was this easy, accepted the offer. The guy then got up, yelled for a couple of his men and told Dexter that he would give him the money once they looked at the cars in person.

The next several hours the guys worked on getting the cars back to the shop without being noticed. Dexter rode along the first time to show them where he stored them and to make sure he wasn't going to get ripped off by the men. They moved the cars back to the shop easily enough, having more than just one man to do the work. Once back at the shop, the men looked the cars over. Satisfied with the price he had quoted Dexter, the owner of the shop handed Dexter $5000 dollars. He also told Dexter if he acquired any more cars to let him know and he's keep paying him a nice sum for them.

With the money stashed in various places in his clothing, Dexter paid for a cab and headed back to Twinbrooks. He had enough now to build himself a small shack. It was perfect timing, as summer was coming to an end soon and he'd need some kind of shelter soon as get out of the elements.

The next day Dexter got to work. He went to the lumber yard and bought some wood and beams. He then bought a couple cheap windows and a door. He worked day and night building his little shack. He had to buy a few items he couldn't steal, a bed, a counter and a fridge. He decorated the rest with what he had stolen or found. He had to cover some of the swamp land with dirt in order to build the shack properly, he then dug himself a new fishing hole a little off to the side of his home. By the time he was done, he was happy with his work, it wasn't much, but it was his. He still had a little money left over, enough to bury and start saving so he could build something bigger as time went by.

He even found a spot for his balloons he had stolen. All in all, he was pretty happy with his new home, and it was all his.

*Note* I must not of wrote down exactly what he got for all the cars, but it was close to $5000 so I just used that number. You cannot steal large appliances or objects like a fridge, bed, counter ect. so those he had to buy. 

Also I totally spaced that I said he had to become a millionaire when I was starting this, and not $100,000 which would be easier to steal one good car and almost make it to. Stealing even the most expensive cars is only $100,000 and something each, which are the future cars. The ones that are not in the future I think the most expensive one is around $90,000 or something. I don't see a lot of them around and they probably won't start popping up left and right. So for now I have decide if he steals a car it is okay and I won't put a limit on it. He stole I believe 4 or 5 cars and only got about the $5000 for them all, so as long as it keeps going like that, I'll keep doing it like I am. A million is a long ways away!*

Chapter Four - Unintentional Damage

Well rested, Dexter wasn't ready to head back to his lot yet. All was still quiet in the little neighborhood, so Dexter decided to "borrow" one more item. He'd have to stash this one out with the other one he "borrowed" the night before.

He thought he'd get a few more items from the garbage cans around the neighborhood. He had found out long ago people were wasteful and threw out some of the best things.

As the sun rose, Dexter was on his third garbage can dive, when a familiar face behind him cleared his throat. He looked up to see the kids he'd gotten mad at for splashing him at the pool. Dexter wiped off his hands as the boy approached him.

Dexter stumbled over his words a little, but he was able to get an apology out like he has planned the next time he saw him. The kid felt sorry for Dexter and invited him inside for some breakfast. Little did Dexter know, but his new "friends" grandma wasn't so nice. Dexter ate breakfast fine, but then asked if he could use the bathroom. As he headed down the hall, he heard the yelling. He was just about to use the bathroom when an old lady came barging in. She was livid, yelling at Dexter that he was a no good homeless bum, and he needed to get out of her house. Dexter didn't know what to do, he stood there having to pee so badly he couldn't move.

As the lady left the room, Dexter just couldn't hold it in any longer. He hadn't had an accident since he was a kid, and he was so embarrassed. He was just glad the old woman hadn't seen him do this, giving her something more to yell at him about.

Now stinking like pee, Dexter made a quick decision. He needed to get cleaned up before he could leave the house. He started the bathtub, not turning it on all the way, hoping no one would hear him. Just as he got undressed and was stepping into the tub though, the old lady burst into the room and told him to get out.

Dexter was so embarrassed he didn't know what to do. All he could think to do was to sink into the bathtub a little more. She finally left and he started to get out, just then the water started spewing out of the faucet. He had broke the bathtub, he really needed to get out of this ladies house before she found out.

Still smelling like pee, Dexter wandered around looking for somewhere he could get clean and maybe some food. He walked down a side street and found the fire department. Maybe they wouldn't notice if he used their facilities? It was worth a try. As he headed to the door, he saw the lady that had been sleeping beside him at the scrap ladies house. He wanted to talk to her, but she looked in a hurry, he thought he'd try again some other time, maybe when she wasn't working.

No one seemed to be in the fire house, this pleased Dexter as he could wash his clothing in the sink and take a shower. He headed up to the highest rooms of the station and stripped down to nothing. Taking someones soap, he washed his clothes.  After hanging them to dry on the other shower, he jumped into a nice steaming one and just let the days embarrassments wash away.

Dexter's luck couldn't be that good though, as he got out of the shower, the water started spurting out of the faucet again. He had broken another item for the second time that day. He wanted to curl up in a ball and cry, the day was not going the way he'd wanted.

Beyond exhausted, Dexter found a bed and went to sleep. He'd worry about the consequences another time.

Chapter Three - Hard Work Pays Off

Dexter woke early the next morning to the sound of rustling in the bushes. He looked around but no one was there. He did notice however that lights were on in the little shack not far from his home. Did someone buy it and move in? He watched for awhile but saw no sign of life and figured maybe he just missed the lights before.

Needing some breakfast, Dexter decided to head back to the abandoned scrap yard and see if the bread was still good. He was hungry, so even if there was a little mold on it, he'd just pick it off and eat what was good. He had decided most of that day he would stay at the junk yard looking for anything salvageable.

He salvaged a bunch of scrap, but didn't find anything useful for his personal needs. Before he knew it the sun was setting and the day was almost over.

He headed into town after that looking for more items he could take back to his place. He didn't want to steal anything too huge that way people wouldn't miss it as easily. When he came upon an empty lot, Dexter saw the most beautiful car he had ever seen. He knew it was wrong, and he shouldn't do it, but something in him kept harping him to take the car. He listened to that inner voice, and before anyone could see him, he picked the locks and hot wired it. He didn't know what he was going to do with it, he just knew he had to have it.

He wasn't sure why, but he decided to take the cones next to the car also. He would really have to figure out what to do with this car, driving it would bring way too much attention. Selling it, well how does one sell a stolen car? He decided the best thing to do was to drive it out of Twinbrooks and stash it somewhere for the time being. He had came across a few places on his journey over that would make a great hiding place.

Back at home, Dexter heard the rustling again. This time he was able to see what was making all the noise. He ran after it but it was just too fast for him. The deer stood in the distance perfectly still for the longest time, Dexter too stood perfectly still, watching. He had never seen a deer in real life before, it was new and Dexter decided it was a beautiful animal.

The next day Dexter decided to try and make some money. He had loads of scrap in his possession now and needed to trade it in for cash. He didn't know where to start. He headed into town looking for someone to buy the scrap from him. He thought about the consignment shop, could you consign scrap metal? He honestly didn't know, but it couldn't hurt to find out. He walked into the sell n' swap thinking he'd get the same hospitality he'd been shown so far. The lady at the counter took one look at him and yelled for him to leave. She said they didn't let his kind in there and he needed to leave before she called the police. His kind? What did she mean by that?

Not letting the rude lady bother him, Dexter headed to the local grocery store. He still had the $2 Kat had given him, so he thought he'd get a small bite to eat before continuing on looking for someone to buy his scrap. As soon as he walked in, the store manager took one look at him and asked him to leave. Dexter didn't understand, he had a little money, why were these people being so mean to him? With his head bowed down and his self worth at an all time low, Dexter left the store without one word of protest.

As Dexter wandered the town, he finally saw what he was looking for. A sign on one of the light posts read 'Will buy your scrap. $2 per piece' with an address at the bottom. Dexter ran back into the grocery store and even with the manager giving him dirty looks, bought an ink pen. He then ran back to the sign, wrote down the address and headed there. By the time he got there it was late, he was hungry and tired and didn't know if he'd make it back to his lot before passing out. He had come so far though and needed to sell all his scrap so he could have a bit of money. He'd spent his little bit he had on a pen, that he was sure he lost on the way here. The house didn't look like a scrapper lived there, instead it was just a small little home amongst some of the bigger homes. Dexter looked again at the address on his arm, and then looked at the numbers on the house. It was the right one if he wrote them down right. Timidly he knocked on the door, hoping the person that answered was not as rude as the other people he'd met today.

It surprised Dexter when a young lady answered the door. He again looked at his arm and the address to verify he was in the right place. She smiled and asked him if he was here about her flyers for scrap. He told her he was, and she invited him inside. As he walked through the doorway he was pleased that she wasn't rude or turn up her nose at him. He showed her his scrap, and she paid him for what she wanted. They then talked for a little while and she offered him a cookie. As she worked on her laptop, he ate, it wasn't filling, but at least it was something. He realized he hadn't ate all day, he was hungrier than he thought.

When he was done with his cookie, Dexter waited while the lady tapped away at her keyboard. She never looked up, and it seemed she forgot he was there. He wasn't ready to leave yet, so he decided to explore the house a little. He walked up the stairs thinking the lady would stop him, she never looked up, the feeling of invisibility came back to Dexter like it had so many times. People either saw him for his dingy, smelly clothing, or not at all.

Hurt by the lady ignoring him, Dexter decided to do what he did best. Add to his lot. he wanted one of her beds, but didn't think he could sneak that past her no matter how oblivious she was. Instead he chose a lamp, chair and one curtain. He hauled them outside with the lady not looking up once.

Outside, Dexter spots a small garden. Still hungry after his cookie, he heads over and looks for ripe fruit and vegetables. Once his hunger is subsided, he heads back inside. He could hear the tapping of the keyboard so he knew his host was still working on her laptop. He headed back upstairs and decided to see if he could get a little nap in before she noticed. Before long he was sound asleep, he didn't hear the lady come up the stairs, or tell him he was being inappropriate. He just slept on. She never did wake him, and eventually left the room.

Dexter woke hours later. He didn't mean to sleep so long or take over the bed like he did, he just wanted to rest his eyes for just a minute. He was surprised that the lady hadn't kicked him out or at least woke him. When he turned, he saw someone sleeping in the bed beside him, he noticed it wasn't the lady he'd met earlier, instead it was another lady. He quietly got out of the bed as not to wake the sleeping person. Heading back downstairs he saw that the lady that had been his host earlier was sleeping on the couch. She hadn't woke him up, or yelled at him to get out, she'd let him sleep even putting herself out so he could be comfortable. He knew, even though she ignored him most of the night, he would have to repay her for her kindness someday.

*I had no idea how to work the scrap selling or the car stealing into the story. I had not planned on him stealing any cars, but he has a mind of his own, and since has stolen a couple. I have not sold them or done anything with them as of yet, they are sitting in his family inventory so not counting towards his money. I think I am going to make a limit on cars, because again, this would be an easy way to make a lot of money fast. So what I am thinking, if it is under $5000 he can keep or sell it. If it is one of the expensive cars, you'll have to do testingcheats to delete it from the lot, that way not counting the money it would bring in. Again, not sure on this, you guys let me know what you think. I don't want this too easy, and cars would make it super easy. Either that or I could make it where he could only steal a total of 5 cars or something, but again, if you steal the expensive ones, you'll be bringing your money up real quick.*

Chapter Two - A Friend When Needed

After finding his little treasures and hiding them in the brush to be picked up on his way home, Dexter headed further into the city. It was busting with activity, cars driving, people at the parks, businesses open with people coming and going. No one paid attention to the new ran down looking man that just came into town. He looked at all the happy couples and longed for a love of his own. Someday, someday. First he needed to worry about his next meal and a hot shower.

Thinking what would have a public shower, Dexter decided to look for a gym. He walked a bit and came across the community pool. He decided to see if they had a public shower instead as he would really love to go swimming if he could. There were a lot of people standing outside the building, but none paid any attention to Dexter. He walked into the pool with no problems, not one person stopped him and asked him who he was. Wandering around he finally found the men's room and was relieved that it was empty, it also contained two showers. He undressed cautiously but quickly, wanting to get done as soon as possible hoping no one would come in while he washed. Days of filth just washed away, along with the stress of his previous life. The hot water spraying in his face gave him hope, he knew things would be tough, but he was ready for it.

When Dexter was done with his shower, he put back on his filthy clothing, he'd have to figure out how to get some change to at least use the laundry mat. Heading back into the pool area, Dexter decided he could treat himself to a little fun and go for a dip. The pool was empty and it was just how Dexter liked it. He took off his clothes and stripped down to his underwear, he didn't own a swim suit so this would have to do. The kid side of him coming out, he ran and dived head first into the deep end. As he surfaced he saw a couple of people joining him around the pool, a couple teenagers and an older lady. She said something to the boys and then they both jumped in the pool not far from Dexter. Feeling self conscious, Dexter started to swim to the edge to get out. Right then though, one of the boys starts to splash him and laughs. Dexter, not knowing what to make of this gets angry and splashes the kid right back, then he gets out of the pool, grabs his clothes and leaves.

After he leaves he starts to feel regret, was the boy only playing? He'd never had someone to play with before and didn't know how to react to it. He'd hopefully see the boy again and apologize for being such an ass.

Dexter hung around town a while longer waiting for the streets to empty out. He needed more items for his new home, and since he didn't have any money to buy them, he'd need to "borrow" them from around town. He had thought about breaking into a couple vehicles, but those were so easily traced now a days he though he'd better wait till he was better at snatching the little things. A lamp was what he needed. How he was going to get it back to his lot, he had no idea, but he needed it none the less. He would definitely need to save up and buy a truck someday.

He also wanted something to sleep on, something besides the hard damp ground. He looked around and found a park bench at the local school. They had two, so he didn't think they would miss one of them.

Walking along, Dexter spots the guy he had met at the junk yard earlier that day. He was hungry and thought maybe this guy would have a small meal that Dexter could mooch off him. Boy was this guy loaded! Dexter couldn't believe his eyes when he saw the house, it was two stories and one of the biggest houses Dexter had ever seen. As he approached the house a different lady from earlier that day came out, and said something to the other guy. The man huffs a bit and then turns to leave. He see's Dexter, waves and then walks off, leaving Dexter to wonder what was going on. Did the guy not live there? His thoughts were interrupted by the lady of the house asking if she could help him. Help him, what did she mean? He stumbled over his words, mentioned something about being hungry and then stopped. He'd said to much and this lady was giving him a weird look. Just when he thought she was going to call the cops on him though, she invited him inside. He'd never been invited anywhere, he stood there for a minute baffled. She asked if he was coming, and then turned around and walked back into her house.

Dexter was amazed at the stuff she had, a television, a stereo, she even had a bar in the corner! It was beautiful, and he never wanted to leave.

The lady introduced herself as Kat Hunter, a wealthy heiress to the Hunter fortune, whatever that was. He listened for awhile until his stomach growling was louder than her words. She looked at him with surprise and then giggled. Heading into the kitchen she placed a piece of pie on the table and told him to eat. He was stunned at how nice the lady was being to him, no one but his grandparents and Janet had ever cared.

When he finished his pie, Kat invited him over to the bar to have a drink. He'd never had a drink before so wasn't sure what he liked. She again giggled and mixed him up her favorite, he took a sip and choked. She laughed again and asked his name. Dexter was shy and didn't know how much he should share with Kat, so he just told her his first name and then took another sip, this time it went down a little more smoothly. She asked more questions, he answered them politely leaving out as much detail as possible. She wasn't stupid by any means, and knew he was homeless, but this didn't seem to bother her. They talked till the early morning hours when finally she said she had to head to bed. She then surprised him by giving him a little bit of money, not much, just two dollars, but it was enough to buy him his next meal if needed. Before he left he asked if he could use her bathroom, she pointed in the general direction and then started to clean up the plate and glasses they had used. Dexter didn't really need to go to the bathroom, he just wanted to enjoy her house a little longer. He headed towards the door she pointed  at and then decided to try the door to the left of it. It was a small study with a couch to die for. He looked around to make sure Kat wasn't looking, slipped the window open and shoved the couch outside. He hated to do it, but the couch would be so much more comfortable than the bench he had stolen.

Not wanting to get caught, he quickly walked back into the living room, thanked Kat for her hospitality and left. He'd wait there till he saw all the lights go out, and then drag his new couch back to his place. The rest of the night, Dexter worked on getting all his new belongings back to the empty lot, it wasn't much, but it was a start. It was starting to feel like home.

 

 That night, under the stars with the frogs croaking and the water swishing, Dexter had his best night sleep he had ever had. 

* I wasn't planning when I first started this challenge into making it an actual story, but Dexter has grown on me and I started to think of his beginnings. I know a lot of the stuff he has stolen he wouldn't have been able to bring home on his own, but for the purposes of this story, since sims have endless back pockets, it will have to do. I cannot control what he steals, so when it is a bigger item, we'll just have to pretend on how he got it back to his lot. 

He has now stolen a park bench, a street light and a couch. He dumpster dived for the end table and rug. He had $20 worth of bills already and salvaged a bit of scrap to pay for them.*