Saturday, December 24, 2011

Letter 3: Lost and found



My Dear Cynthia,

I believe my arrival here was a blessing in disguise.  I still do not know where I am or which way is home but I have discovered some very interesting things about this land.  The cave I discovered earlier led to a network of underground caverns.  As I carefully explored the depths of these dank grottos, I fashioned some torches using the coal I found in the rocks.  As I went deeper, I came across a few creatures but this time I was ready with a stone sword.  They are not as much of a threat as long as I can isolate and fight them one at a time.  I noticed one of the rocks was different than the others, as I looked closer I noticed several chunks of metal in the rock.  Using my stone pick-axe I was able to gather several pieces of what seemed to be iron which I could use to create better equipment.

I decided I had had enough for one day and decided to make my way home.  Unfortunately, I couldn't recall which way to go.  As I wandered through the cavern trying to find my way back, I heard the all too familiar hopping sound and froze.  I turned around and saw one of the exploding creatures standing next to me and my world went white.  I awoke in the middle of a crater created by the explosion.  Injured and exhausted, I managed to find my way out of this place and returned home to heal my wounds. 

The next day, I decided not to go back to the cave just yet.  I spent the day crafting an iron sword and pick-axe out of the metal I had found in the caves.  This time I vowed to be better prepared.  Once I deemed myself ready I decided to venture east into the forest.  I was confident that I can find my way back by searching the sky for my tower.  As I walked through the forest, cutting my way through vines and hunting pigs and chickens I realized it was almost sundown.  I looked to the sky in all directions but there was no sign of my tower.  Frantic and distraught, I decided I needed a higher vantage point and climbed up the highest hill.  I stood on the edge of a cliff and searched once more but I saw no recognizable landmarks.  If only I had paid more attention to where I was going, if only I had been more careful.  Just as I had resigned to my situation and thought it couldn't get worse, I slipped and plummeted to the ground below.  There was no surviving it this time, I thought.. I was doomed for sure. 

And then I awoke in my home.  I was flabbergasted and I still am.  I was sure I had died and yet here I was back home but empty-handed.  I didn't care anymore if it was night or day, I had to get back to where I was to see what had happened.  I dodged explosions and fled from giant spiders as I made my way into the forest.  I tried my best to retrace my steps from before and searched for the hill I had climbed.  As the sun came up I finally found it.  There was no body but all of my belongings were scattered across the ground as proof that I had not dreamed the incident.  I am at a loss for an explanation, but I could not stand there much longer for one of the exploding creatures stood right on top of my belongings.  He had not noticed me yet but I decided it was worth the risk to try and draw him away and attempt to recover my things.

Unfortunately, I miscalculated and as soon as I stepped closer he jumped at me and I once again awoke in my home.  There was no doubting it this time, this seems to be what happens when one dies in this place.  But I had no time to ponder the meaning of this, I decided to try one more time to recover my items, it was much easier to find the area in the daylight.  Thankfully, there were no more creatures and I picked up my weapons and equipment and made my way back home.  On my way home, however, I stumbled upon a pack of wolves.  Thankfully, they ignored me as I was in no condition for a battle.  A few of them seemed to be friendly towards me.  If only I could find a way to tame these creatures.

I must know more about this place, I cannot go home just yet.  This land is full of mysteries and you know I cannot turn my back on them.  Forgive me my dear, I must stay a while longer.

Eternally yours,
-Steve

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