18

REWARDS

It was dawn and the group awoke in the desert temple.

“I think we should head home,” Steve told the group.

“Whose home?” Alex asked. “We don’t live on the wheat farm.”

“Would you like to come back to the wheat farm?” Steve asked Alex.

“I think it’s time for Will and me to go back to our home,” said Alex.

Steve looked at Adam and Thomas.

“It’s probably best if we stay away from the village for a bit longer. After everything I did to the village, I feel like we need to find another place to live.” Thomas looked at Adam as he spoke.

“I’d love to go back to the village, but Thomas is right, we should wait,” confirmed Adam.

“What about you guys?” Steve looked at Max, Lucy, Kyra, and Henry.

Steve was surprised at their response: the treasure hunters were exhausted and they wanted to spend sometime on the wheat farm to recharge.

“I want to see Jasmine,” confessed Lucy.

“I want to trade all of my emeralds and diamonds at Eliot the Blacksmith’s shop and craft a bunch of powerful swords at your house,” said Henry.

“I need to check on my house,” said Kyra.

“I want to relax and eat carrots and potatoes,” said Max.

The group said their goodbyes to their old friends Adam and Thomas and their new friends Alex and Will.

“I hope we’ll see you all again soon,” said Steve.

The new and old friends all said the same. Steve and his friends made their way back to the wheat farm.

Henry looked at the map and led the group toward the jungle. Steve looked at the green leaves that touched the sky. He knew the journey home wouldn’t be easy, but he had his friends with him.

The paths of the jungle were dense with trees. Steve thought he saw a rainbow griefer sprint past them, but was relieved to see it was only a wild ocelot. Henry held out some raw fish, ready to tame the cat.

There would be a new pet at the wheat farm.

The cat purred as it followed the gang home.