Memories (The Pack)

Chapter 3

Preston and Lachlan nod in agreement. Although I can still see Preston is troubled by something. I flash him a questioning glance and he waves me off dismissively. I shrug and the three of us start back up the mine. Thanks to Preston, Lachlan and I don't have to use our torches seeing as his skin can easily light up the surrounding area. And in return for the lighting we work together to gather Preston a full set of iron tools. (Lachlan and I already have iron tools from mining). Eventually we reach the mouth of the cave and see that the time has cycled back into day. The remnants of mobs lay on the ground... A few bones, a carrot, and some rotten flesh. There also seems to be some string scattered here and there, and even some gunpowder.

     Strange... Creepers and spiders aren't supposed to burn in sunlight... So why is there gunpowder and string? While Lachlan excuses himself to the washroom and Preston dawdles about, I curiously inspect the items, picking them up after a second. And gazing further ahead I see a few more pieces of string.

"Hey guys, come here for a second." I call over my shoulder.

Lachlan, who has returned, comes up on one side of me and Preston on the opposite. I reach into my inventory and pull out the sting and gunpowder, holding them out.

"I just found these on the ground... But we all know that spiders and creepers don't burn in the daylight."
"So... That mean someone must have passed through here... Yeah?" Lachlan summarizes.
"Exactly."
"So I guess that means that's the direction we're heading next?" Preston inquires.
"I guess so." Lachlan confirms.

     So following the direction of loot, we keep our eyes peeled for any more signs of life. Well... Besides mobs and trees and stuff like that. Eventually the loot trail stops, leaving no clue as to which way this person could have gone. This must have been when it turned to day and mobs stopped spawning. And unfortunately the loot ends in the middle of a small field... Which means he or she could have gone in any direction. Especially if a mob was chasing them.

"The trail ends here..." I note, stopping my trek.

Preston and Lachlan join me in the middle of the field, and we all scan the surroundings in hopes of finding some more clues. But alas, there are none... Just a cow grazing in the field near the trees.

"What way should we go then?" Preston questions.
"Well... I don't know about you but I'm pretty hungry. Why don't we just walk a little bit more and then stop to eat?" Lachlan suggests.

Preston and I nod, so we all continue straight onwards, praying it's the right direction. And reaching the treeline, we're displeased to find no other tracks, so instead we find a relatively clear area to sit down and eat.

"I don't know if you guys got any food yet so take these..." I state, handing Preston and Lachlan each two pieces of cooked mutton.
    "Thanks Vikk." Lachlan smiles, before taking a bite.

     Preston, on the other hand, is already piling the meat into his mouth. He glances at me to say thanks, then continues eating. I chuckle rolling my eyes and sit down on a tree stump, pulling out my own piece of meat. Once we all finish eating, Lachlan has us all make a small circle on the ground. Probably for a mini meeting.

     "Alright guys, first things first. Let's see what everyone has. I have a full set of iron tools, minus the hoe, thirty-two blocks of iron ore, fifty-six coal ore, ten blocks of gold ore, a piece of cooked chicken, fifteen rotten flesh, seven string, three gunpowder, three arrows, and two bones." Lachlan lists off, naming each item as he scrolls through his inventory.
     "You wanna go Preston?" I question.
     "Sure dude. I've also got a full set of iron tools, minus the hoe, four pieces of coal ore, one piece of rotten flesh, and a couple seeds... I didn't make much progress when you guys found me." He adds on, chuckling.
     "And finally I guess I'll go. I have a full set of iron tools, minus the hoe of course, twenty blocks of iron ore, thirty-one coal ore, eleven blocks of gold ore, fifty pieces of redstone dust, three cooked steak, two cooked chicken, a carrot, fourteen rotten flesh, eight string, ten gunpowder, five arrows, two bones, a bed, two furnaces, a crafting table, two stacks of spruce wood planks, and two blocks of wool." I name.

     Lachlan whistles, "Well look at you go! And I thought I was doing good..."
     "So I guess now..." Preston continues, "Let's see what we can make with all of this stuff."

     Lachlan and I nod but before we can pull out our possessions we hear a rustle and a groan, staggering footsteps sounding just behind a nearby bush.

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