Intoxicated (Stardew Valley)

Chapter Seventeen

IN A MATTER of a few seconds I had gone from the town's most loved farmer to the most hated local of them all.

Just the day before on Feast of the Winterstar, the secret that had been haunting me ever since the day I left Zuzu City was revealed. Morris exposed mine and Shane's life to everyone and now they know the truth.

I was the cause of Shane's suffering and I still am.

I didn't know how to feel at this point, still recovering from yesterday's events. I was numb and couldn't find the will to move as I laid in bed with puddles of dried and wet tears surrounding me, encasing me like a cage.

Deep down, I knew that I couldn't keep up this ruse. I had prolonged the truth for so long, conjuring excuses to delay the inevitable. When I was finally ready to tell Shane everything, it all came crumbling down. I was too late.

I looked at a clock and saw that it was already the afternoon. I knew that I couldn't just lay in bed the whole day—I had to do something, to try to do anything for forgiveness. I wanted to believe that there was something I could do to redeem myself, but at this point I was only lying to myself.

"Mae," I breathed out, closing my eyes and taking a deep breath. "You can do it. Just go to town and act like nothing had happened. Everything will be okay."

I couldn't just act like "nothing had happened." In reality, everything happened. So many things said, so many things done.

This little pep talk worked and suddenly I found the motivation to get up and gather my belongings to head into the town square.

Walking into town, memories of yesterday's events was reeling into my mind. Fire burning everything to ruins. People screaming. The horrid look on Shane's face as he discovered the truth.

I pushed those thoughts away, not wanting to think about it.

The town itself was slowly recovering, but there was still a negative aura around it. Most of the shops and houses were not affected by the fire and most of the burnt decorations and furniture had been thrown out, but I could still see the marks and ashes on the ground.

"I did this," I whispered to myself, looking around. The once perfect town had been torn down, all because of my selfish and reckless decisions.

As I walked in front of Pierre's shop, I saw a few familiar faces. Marnie and Robin stood there, talking with solemn looks on their faces. These women were two of the most happiest people I've ever met, always smiling and having a great time, but now they were not. All because of me.

I passed by them and as soon as they saw me, all they did was frown sadly.

"Look—" I started to them, ready to defend myself.

Robin immediately raised her hand up and cut me off. There was anger in her eyes. "Your Grandpa wouldn't have wanted you to do this, Mae. How could you ever do that to Shane, let alone to our whole town?"

I looked down, ashamed, knowing I couldn't say anything.

"I saw potential in you when I first saw you at the bus stop," she said, and I had flashbacks as to when I first stepped into town. I was scared and running away from the city. I had no clue what to do and Robin was the first person I met. "I had high hopes that you could make this town better. But you lied to us and you only made it worse."

Robin turned to leave and gestured for Marnie to follow her. The latter, who still never said anything, gave me one last look before following.

"Marnie, wait—please," I called out, desperation in my voice. I was ready to burst into tears again, just by hearing Robin's words. She was absolutely right.