Isolated (Stardew Valley)

Chapter Four

THE DAY AFTER, I swore to myself I would never let Sam sway me ever again. With every profane word I could come up with, I cursed that blonde-haired boy and his charming smile.

I had woken up with a massive headache, one that seemed to intensify upon the glare of sunlight that poured on me. As much as I wanted to lay in bed the whole day, I knew I had work to get done.

Much to my surprise, the seeds I had planted days earlier were starting to sprout. Green leaves poked out of the ground, their colour so bright compared to the bleak colours of the pale ground. Parsnips, from what Mr. Lewis had given me.

I was shocked, of course. It was a simple tiny plant, but I created it. June, the person known to be ruining lives at Joja, suddenly flourishing in it.

If someone told me back then that I'd become a farmer one day, I'd have laughed and called them out for mockery. But looking at me now, well... I was starting to dislike the idea less.

Of course, I would never admit it to anyone. This displayed a weak spot, a flaw that could easily be exploited.

I suddenly longed to plant more seeds, feeling in my pockets for the spares I knew I had. But they were empty, save for the few gold coins I managed to save. I cursed loudly, only the winds to keep me company in the vast space.

Yoba... I realized with a growl. When I had passed out at the mines, I left a bunch of my belongings there. Seeds. Tools. Valuables.

I didn't want to go back to the mines, remembering the horrific creatures that lurked and pranced on prey like me.

But then I suddenly remembered a tiny cabin built near the area. It wasn't Robin's, no, but another one. It was a brown shaft tucked quietly near the cliffs, eerily dark and mysterious. The Adventurer's Guild. I had no doubt they stalked through the mines all the time. They had to have my belongings.

Deciding to work on the farm a bit, I chopped down trees and cut through tall grass. Sweat trailed down my forehead, crawling down my spine, soaking my green overalls. I'd have baffled at the sight of me drenched in sweat, but honestly? I didn't care.

Hours soon passed and the bright sun was starting to drift back to the horizon. Shades of pink and orange filled the sky, almost like a real-life canvas of beautifully blended colours. The heat slowly dimmed and cool wind followed, invisible specks dancing through the dusk.

I sighed in content, looking at the progress I made. A tiny section of the land was cleared, barren of any rocks or trees. My mind was already picturing the layout I'd set out. The crops I'd plant. A possible coop. Maybe even a pathway to walk on.

And well, that was only part of the work. Looking at the rest of the land that still needed fixing, I knew I had to put in more time into this.

There was still a part of me that wanted to go and fix everything at once. It's what I'd have done at the city. Working for hours on end, surviving on endless amounts of caffeine, doing so until body forced me to sleep.

This isn't the city, I tried to remind myself, focusing instead on the clouds that seemed to disappear.

After freshening up and eating some berries I had dug up earlier, I made my way towards the mountains, intent on retrieving my items. The sun still set, yet darkness would make its appearance soon.

The walk wasn't long as I followed the trail, my feet crunching along the paths. I resisted the urge to keep glancing behind me, feeling the sensation of being watched. I tried to shrug it off, deeming it was probably the animals that came out at this time.