Into the Mines
You got ready for a day of work, pulling on overalls and work boots. You tied your hair tightly behind you and had an iron resolve: I will not fall in love with anyone.
Sam, Sebastian, Elliot, Alex, Harvey, Shane, Abigail, Penny… Nope, not thinking about anyone, you decided.
You were busy watering plants. Today was a success, because you were able to make your first sprinkler. At least tomorrow there will be 6 plants I don’t have to water.
You had a newfound energy. You were going to be strong. You saw the iron sword that Marlon had given you, and picked it up. Today, you were going to the mines.
You walked there alone, and you were incredibly thankful not to cross paths with anyone. If you caught a glimpse of anyone, you might have felt yourself internally crumbling.
You came up to the mouth of the cave, and felt your insides turn as you looked into the darkness. You breathed deep, and moved to take your first step into the darkness. To your surprise, it looked somewhat inhabitable. There was a small minecart. You wiggled it on the track. Broken. But, still, it was a minecart. It gave a whisper of civilization. There was even an elevator that seemed to sense your presence, dinging in response to your entry.
You noticed a ladder heading deep into the mines. You placed your first foot on gingerly, testing it, to see if it would crumble. It didn’t. It held your weight, and felt sturdy. You climbed down.
There were stones blocking your path. You pulled out your pickaxe and destroyed a few. In the distance, you saw a little green slime that was bounding towards you. It was kind of cute, but you remembered hearing that slimes are dangerous, and poisonous. You clutched at the sword inside your knapsack, drawing it out fiercly.
You swung the sword. The moment your sword connected with the slime, it exploded into green goo, leaving a tiny piece of slime in the middle of where it once stood. You felt a rush of adrenaline. You picked up the slime piece and tucked it away in your backpack.
Another slime was in the distance. You swung your sword, this time testing swinging from the side, like your sword was a baseball bat. Your sword connected with the slime and it flew back a few feet, dissolving upon impact with the ground. Another rush of adrenaline. Your face broke out in a wide smile.
I don’t need therapy, you thought as you swung at yet another green slime. I just need to get my anger out this way. You thought of everyone that had wronged you. Your ex boyfriend, Elijah. Sebastian. You even drew out your anger for yourself, and how you seemed to latch on to whoever was in front of you. With every swing of your sword, every problem grew a little smaller.
You hit the fifth floor of the mine, the elevator dinging with your arrival. You felt exhausted. Your clothes were drenched with sweat, and your wrist was tired from flinging around the heavy sword. Your arms were aching.
You climbed into the elevator, and it took you back to floor zero. With a tired smile on your face, you headed to the Adventurer’s Guild.
“I did it.” You said, flinging open the door.
It was an odd little building. Trophies of various monsters were hung along the walls. There was a head of a weird monster that looked like an alien that hung over a crackling fireplace. There were various monster parts on plaques. Despite the murderous trophies, the cabin felt cozy.
Marlon smiled at you from behind a wooden counter. “Excellent. How many slimes did you kill.”
“I don’t know. 15?”
“Come here.” He gestured. He pulled out a long scroll from underneath the counter. “If you kill 99, well, that’s even better.” You looked at his long list of monsters. “Monsters are out of whack right now. There’s too many. I’m scared they may take over Pelican Town. From my research, if this number of each creature is eradicted, we’ll be in a better spot. Will you help us out?”
“Oh. Sure.”
“Keep track of what you kill.” He said, writing down ‘15’ under a row on his paper that said ‘slimes killed’.
“Will do.”
You walked home, a peace rising in your chest. It had become dusk before you even knew it. Your stomach growled with hunger.
Something like this is just what you needed. Your body felt sore from hard work and a job well done. It had some higher purpose of keeping Pelican Town safe. This is what you needed…
Sebastian. There he was, standing by the pond, smoking a cigarette. You kept your head down, and tried to walk past him. .
“You look terrible. What happened?” He said flatly.
“Leave me alone.” You said.
“Would if I could.”
“Sebastian.” You said harshly. “I mean it. You kind of remind me of…” You shook your head.
“Who?”
“I had this boyfriend… A bad one. Sometimes when you talk…”
“I sound like him?” He asked. You nodded in response. Sebastian’s eyes widened. He threw his cigaratte on the ground, and pushed it into the earth with his foot. “Fuck. I’m sorry. I didn’t…” He said. He sounded like he was caught off-guard.
“See you.” You rolled your eyes, and moved to walk past him.
“Y/n, wait.” He said, grabbing your arm. His grip wasn’t aggressive, but it was firm. He didn’t apply much pressure. You could definitely walk away if you wanted. Which you did. But something in his voice made him sound genuinely upset.
“What do you want from me?” You hissed.
“I want… Fuck, I just want to start this over. I was mean to you. I’m sorry. I really am. I feel like I just mess everything up, and this… this is something I really didn’t want to mess up.” He said, stammering between his words. He was acting out of his usual character.
You sighed, and shook off his grip. “If you’re really sorry, show me that.”
He nodded. “I will. No more fights. No more unwelcome kisses. Hand to God.” He said.
“I’ll believe it when I see it.” You said, finally walking away from him.
~
You went home, showered, and changed, and then headed to Gus’s for supper. You were too tired to cook.
He welcomed you as you came into the warmly lit building. Elliot and Leah waved at you from a booth in the corner. You waved back, and went to sit at the bar to talk to Gus.
“You look tired, y/n. How you doing?” He asked. “Can I get you water?”
“Water would be great. So would a burger.”
“Sounds good.” He nodded. He poured your water, and got started on your food.
“I just killed a bunch of slimes.” You said, proudly.
“Oh! You went into the mines. I’ve always been a little too scared for that. Not my scene…”
“It was awesome.” You smiled.
You spent the rest of your meal recounting your stories to Gus. Then, once you were done, he leaned in close to you. “Elliot has been asking about you. Why don’t you go join him and Leah for a drink?”
You nodded, your cheeks biting with a bit of flush. You walked over to Leah and Elliot and pulled a chair out from their table. “This seat taken?”
“By you.” Leah smiled.
Elliot gazed at you with his perfect sparkling green eyes. His caramel hair flowed effortlessly as always, landing at the top of his shoulders. Your throat tightened. You had flashbacks to dancing with him at the Flower Festival.
“I went into the mines today.” You said, suddenly giddy.
“What! So freaking cool.” Leah gushed.
“That’s dangerous.” Elliot said calmly. “Is this something you’re going to do often?”
“I think, yeah. It felt rewarding.” You said. You recounted the same stories from the day that you had told to Gus.
Elliot smiled. “I am even more impressed with you than I thought possible. But please, y/n, promise me you will be careful.”
His concern made your heart jump. “I promise.” You smiled.