Intoxicated (Stardew Valley)

Chapter Sixteen

AS SOON AS his malicious smile curved into a deeper grin, I knew that he was looking for trouble, and it was the kind I've always tried to run away from, the kind that didn't belong here in Pelican Town.

My first instinct was to run away and shut the door, to call out to Shane who was getting further and further away from the farm with each passing second. But I knew I couldn't risk it, not when Morris was analyzing my every movement. Behind his small glasses and evil smile, he was an intelligent man who knew how to play with opponents.

I gulped as I stared back at the man whose life I had ruined just a few weeks ago. By restoring the community centre, JojaMart had been abolished and Morris was forced out of town. Looking at his intent expression told me he came back for more.

I closed my eyes and took a deep breath, half-expecting it was all a dream and that Morris would be gone from sight. He was still there as I opened them, standing straight and tall in his suit and red bow tie.

"What do you want?" I asked calmly, glaring at his smiling face. He grinned with an expression as if he had just killed a man, and it brought shivers up my spine.

Morris took little steps forward until he was a few inches from me, and I was close enough to see his dark pupils. I didn't react, but cooly looked back at him. Seeing my calm reaction seemed to anger him, as if he expected me to cower in fear–which, to my defence, I was, but I succeeded in hiding it.

To my surprise, Morris pushed past me, knocking me off the side of the door frame, and into the ranch, looking around and noting every little detail. From the small art Grandpa had previously plastered on the wall, to the small kitchen that had yet to be upgraded, Morris sneered upon seeing a lifestyle not bound in luxury. He glanced at one of the recliners before sitting down on it, as if this were his home. Not knowing what to do, I walked toward him and watched his every move, standing along the side.

"After that turn of events, I was deeply devasted that the inhabitants of this town no longer wanted me here," he started to explain, and I saw genuine sadness in his tone. If this were a different situation and he wasn't an evil man, I would have truly felt bad for him. But I thought about what he's done and all remorse banished. Morris himself quickly recomposed and all signs of weakness disappeared.

"Of course they didn't want you. You're a corrupt man," I spat out, crossing my arms over my chest.

Morris glared at me and stood up, his tall figure towering over me. "But on that day, Ms. Mae," he rolled, and saying my name had made me shiver even more, "I swore that I would have my revenge and burn this town to the ground."

There was silence as I registered his words and my eyes widened upon realizing who this man truly was. He was not a corrupt business man, but one who would do anything if anyone or anything crossed his path.

Morris was a threat to town and it was only now that I realized his true danger.

I backed away slowly, but Morris took huge strides forward. He grinned in satisfaction, seeing how weak I was compared to him. At this point, I was shaking in terror, not knowing what he would do to me.

"I fled back to the city and returned to the main Joja branch. When I first saw you and your hatred for anything to do with Joja, I knew something was not right." I found myself backed up against a wall, trapped as Morris's huge body blocked me from any exit. "I did some research about you and found your old records at Joja Corporation."

I closed my eyes as I felt his cool hand stroke my right cheek. I was shaking uncontrollobly when I felt his face graze the side of my cheek and he whispered into my ear, "I know what you did back in the city, Mae. I know the truth you've been trying to run away from."