The last time my parents threw me a birthday party, it was a disaster. They got into a big fight, and the next day they separated. Now they’re divorced, and my dad lives across town. So when my mom asked what I wanted to do for my birthday, I lied and said I had plans with my friends.
I mean, it wasn’t a complete lie. I am with a friend, my horse, Finesse, who was part of the reason for the divorce, but that’s a long story. The point is, I wanted to avoid a bunch of BS. My parents being in the same room always feels awkward and weird, and I have to watch them sit with stiff backs, stumbling over what to say to each other. My mother always looks like she’d rather be anywhere else in the world, and my dad is like a child who lost his puppy.
So I chose to skip the drama and spend the day with my horse, one of the few living beings in my life who has never let me down.
-Tambara
Sure, I could have actually spent my birthday with my so-called friends like I told my mom I’d be doing, but they’re not exactly dependable either. I went to prom with a boy named Enzo, who tried to take advantage of me in a photo booth of all places. I had to let him know, and now he’s basically ghosted me. His sister Kisha, who I considered a friend, took his side. Such clown behavior.
But not all my friends are trash. There’s Desi. She’s a sweetheart and definitely falls into the category of a reliable friend, but she’s still a teenager, so hanging out with her today would have been weird. As soon as she ages up though, it’s on. She’ll be the person I call at times like this.
But today, it’s just me and Finesse, strolling along the countryside in silence and pure bliss. Maybe it’ll have to be like this for a while. I can’t say that I mind.
(Tambara’s Aspiration: Championship Rider/High Metabolism Traits: Romantically Reserved, Cat Lover, Mean Reward Traits: High Self Esteem, Happy Toddler, Good Manners, Top Notch Infant, Responsible, Pack Animal Aspiration Traits: Cold Acclimation)
Lost in my thoughts and admiring the beauty of Chestnut Ridge, I don’t realize that Finesse is leading me somewhere. I snap out of it and reconnect to the present, suddenly hyper-aware that I have no idea where we are. Finesse runs through a small stream, kicking water up onto my boots before finally stopping at a dead end. We’re face to face with a cave, and yes, I want to see what’s inside. The hole looks big enough for Finesse to fit through, but I can’t risk her getting injured or stuck. If I want to explore it, I’ll have to leave her behind.
I climb down from the saddle and give her a few pats on the head. She’s calm under my touch and bows slightly.
Tambara: I’m going in. Don’t leave me, girl. Please be here when I return.
We’ve had cats and dogs in our house my entire life, and I swear they understand Simlish. Are horses the same? Finesse nods her head, and I take that as understanding.
It’s been said that bravery and foolishness go hand in hand. I’d claim the former, but something tells me this adventure is leaning toward the latter. Either way, I approach the cave without hesitation, knowing there could be anything inside. But then reason tries to take over. If the place were dangerous, someone would have boarded it up, right? Or at the very least, there would be a warning sign.
It’s not until I’ve stepped inside that I realize I’m out here in Chestnut Ridge alone, and my family has no idea where I am. The only person who even knows I’m in town is Mr. Xavier, who cares for Finesse when I’m not around. But even he won’t know that I threw caution to the wind and decided to enter a cave alone.
Oh well. It’s my birthday, and I don’t plan on dying today. I go in further.
The cave is chilly and surprisingly vast. The air is stuffy, and I find it hard to breathe. There’s a strong musty scent lingering around me. My footfalls echo in every direction, and if I can hear them, I’m sure anything that calls this place home can hear them too. I just hope the noise doesn’t wake anything I wouldn’t want to face.
But I soon realize this cave isn’t just a cave. It’s strange, almost amusement park-like in a weird way. I encounter an animal or two, and it feels unnatural, like I’m being tested. A bat wants to challenge me to see how long I can hang, and—is that a bear with boxing gloves? Am I tweaking? What kind of voodoo is this?
I go as far as I dare, until I reach a door and try to open it, but it’s a trap. That marks the end of my exploration, and I exit the cave running on the adrenaline of danger. I step out into the blinding sunlight, dazed and confused. I look around and feel like something’s missing. At first, I can’t figure out what it is. Then it hits me—Finesse is gone.
(Note: The pop-ups in this cave are wild! 🙃)
I almost can’t believe it. Did my horse just betray me? Et tu, Ness? How stupid of me to believe she’d still be here. Of course she ran away—she’s an animal, and she doesn’t understand what I was saying to her. But instead of panicking, I pull out my phone. I just need to call Mr. Xavier. He’ll know how to find me.
It’s a good idea, but when I pull out my phone, I realize there’s no reception—not even the dreaded LTE lite crap. I’m out here all alone with no way to call for help.
I look around – the same hills I admired on the way here suddenly look like mountains, too tall and menacing. I’m out here with no food or water. My only saving grace is that it isn’t hot. But now, it’s time to panic.
Tambara: *yells into the open air* F*&K, f%$kity, F#@K!
I’m lost, and no one is coming to rescue me.
Screaming and shouting isn’t doing anything but zapping my energy, especially since there’s no one here to hear it. But I still give myself two minutes to throw my tantrum. Now it’s time for action.
I do my best to ignore my cramped toes and head up the hill. But climbing isn’t easy, and after exploring that cave, my boots feel extra tight and my feet are tired. I have to tap into my reserves if I’m going to make it.
I’ll admit, I learned a few helpful things from my parents. My dad taught me the value of staying in shape, and I inherited good muscle structure from him. So if I have to walk all the way back to Mr. Xavier’s place, I can. And my mom, the yoga and meditation queen, taught me mindfulness. I take a few deep breaths and feel myself calm down. Now I can think. Maybe if I climb higher, the cell reception will pick up.
I run most of the way up the hill until I find a signboard. Surely there’s a map. Mr. Xavier lives close to the Equestrian Center. If I can locate it, I can find my way back. But then there’s the matter of the missing horse.
What do I say to him about that? I mean, yeah, the horse is mine. My dad bought her from Mr. Xavier, but she belonged to him first. Surely he’d feel some type of way if the horse is gone.
Tambara: *deep sigh* I’ll cross that bridge when it comes.
I can just pay him off, and all will be forgiven. Now there’s the matter of finding my way out of this mess—and the fact that my stomach is growling like I haven’t eaten in a year. I need my daddy. If he knew I was out here, he’d risk life and limb to come and rescue me. But no, I had to prove how adult I am by coming out here without telling anyone.
I’m on my own. The board isn’t very helpful, and my cell phone bars are still nonexistent. I climb higher up the hill.
I’m walking along, feeling dreary with my feet aching and my stomach shouting at me for food. Suddenly, my cell alerts me to a text, scaring the crap out of me. I mindlessly check it and see it’s from one of my favorite people in the world—my Pop-Pop, Kai. He’s wishing me a happy birthday and says a gift is on the way. I’m so busy wondering what the gift could be that I don’t immediately put two and two together.
But then it hits me. If I can receive a text, I finally have reception. I can call Mr. Xavier and get rescued. Sure enough, I check my phone and see three bars. Good enough. I dial his number, and he answers immediately.
Mr. Xavier: *on the phone* There you are, sweetheart! I was worried about you, yessir! When Nessie showed up here without ya, I didn’t know what ta think!
Tambara: Finesse is there? She disappeared, and I thought I lost her.
Mr. Xavier: Yeah, she showed up here ‘bout an hour ago. Lost! Nessie knows her way around here better than me. I wanted to send a Ranger out to ya, but didn’t know where ta send ‘em.
Tambara: I can still use some help if you can. I don’t know exactly where I am, but I passed a signboard and I’m up on a hill.
Mr. Xavier: I think I know where that is. I’ll send someone out right away. I remember when I first moved here, and I got—
I can tell this story is about to go on and on. I don’t need to hear an endless tale. I need rescue.
Tambara: I’m sorry, my reception is bad. Can you get that Ranger? Thanks, Mr. Xavier.
Thank the Watcher for the excuse of bad cell service. I end the call.
I’ve never been so happy to see someone in my life as when the Ranger comes trotting over on a horse. I climb up behind him, breathing through my mouth because he smells like sour milk, dust, and musty armpits—but I hold on tight to him just the same, with my head resting on his back and my eyes closed during the entire ride back to town.
Once we get to town, I have two choices. I could return to Mr. Xavier’s ranch and check on Finesse. But I’m starving, and I know he’ll insist on continuing his “getting lost” story, which would probably go on for hours. I’d die before he’s done.
So I go straight to the nearest restaurant instead. This mishap wasn’t a great way to start my young adulthood, but it’s still my birthday, and I want to celebrate with a good meal… not an old man’s rambling.
My food arrives, enough to serve a small banquet, and it doesn’t disappoint. But it’s the drink that stands out. It’s my first taste of nectar, and just a few sips make me feel like I’ve swallowed a warm blanket. It’s so good, and I can feel all the tension in my shoulders melting away.
I finish my meal, and I’m tempted to order another round of drinks, but I get a text from my dad. He wants me to stop by so we can discuss my birthday gift. I like the sound of that. Daddy isn’t cheap, and ‘discussing my gift’ sounds expensive.
I text him I’m on my way and start imagining what the gift could be. He bought Finesse for my last birthday. Surely, he’ll want to top that. Maybe he bought me a ranch out here in Chestnut Ridge. Or maybe a car. Whatever it is, I can’t wait to hear about it.
I just need to change out of my riding gear first. Because there’s no way I’m telling him where I’ve been.
(Generation 5 Chapter Summaries)
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