Chapter 5 | The Mini Store

The birds chirped and the sunlight beamed onto a new day. It was morning and Jel and Steven were headed their way to apply for a faction.

"So, what should we name our faction?" Jel said to Steven as he jumps over a small log.

"Hmm, good question, well, I don't know!" Steven laughed.

"Well, I'm sure we'll find a good name on our way," Jel said assured. "We just need to be a bit more creative!"

Steven felt like having Jel around was a great feeling. He didn't feel lonely as he used to. He felt a bit more hopeful and determined with someone on his side. Which let him think if they were starting to become best friends.

"Hey, Jel." Steven stopped. "Yeah?" Jel stopped in his tracks turning around to face Steven. "We're partners now, right?" Steven asked. "Why of course we are." Jel smiled. "Right, I thought so too." Steven self-assured himself. Jel and Steven kept walking through the forest until they came to a halt. In front of them was a small lonely wooden Shak at the side of a river. Steven leaned closer to look at a sign on the roof of the Shak that read "Huddy's Fine Shop."

"Hey, Jel," Steven said pointing at the Shak. "That looks like a shop, right?"

"Yeah, it does, want to go see if someone is there?" Jel asked. "Maybe I can ask if they've seen my brother." Steven thought to himself.

"Alright let's go," Steven said "I hope they can give us some tips on registering for a faction."

The boys start walking towards the Shop on the side of the river. finally, they walk around the shop to the front. Inside the shop sleeps a guy in his early 20s with blonde hair a yellow and white T-shirt. He drools over the counter in a deep sleep.

"Ah, he's asleep?" Steven stated.

"I think so," Jel replied. "Should we wake him up?"

"Yeah," Steven said slowly pulling his cheek. "Hehe, look how far his cheeks can stretch!" Steven laughs.

The sleeping boy grumbles and lifts his head off the counter slowly opening his eyes, waking up. "What the heck are you two kids doing?" He mutters. "Wait, you've better not have stolen anything!" The guy said checking his boxes and crates.

"No Mister we haven't taken anything!" Steven innocently said.

"I'M A WOMAN YOU DUMB@$$!!!" She said kicking Steven in the genitals.

"I- I can't feel a thing..." Steven mutters dropping on his knees.

"F-FORGIVE MY FRIEND MISS," Jel said bowing down and apologizing profusely.

"Finally, a well-mannered Kid, what can I getcha pumpkin?" The Shopkeeper asks.

"Well, I and my friend were wondering if you have any advice on registering for a faction." Jel states.

"A faction ay? well, I'm not sure if you kids know what you're getting yourselves into." She warns.

"I know, but we're trying to make a change and stops hac-" "Shush, don't you dare say that name here." The shopkeeper cuts Jel off. "Talking about that faction's name causes a lot of trouble. And god have mercy if they're around."

"Well, could I ask one more thing?" Jel asked "Have you seen someone who looks like my friend? we're trying to find him."

"Now that you mention it, I did see someone pass by who looked exactly like your friend." The shopkeeper said.

"Great! Do you know where he was headed?" Jel asked.

"He said something about heading to the market just yesterday."

"Dang it, we were at the market yesterday and we didn't manage to find him," Jel said with a disappointed gesture. "Well thanks anyway for the help" Jel smiled

"No problem," The shopkeeper said. "Make sure not to get into any trouble, especially that friend of yours." The shopkeeper said shifting her gaze towards Steven still trembling on the grass.

"By the way, what's your name?" Jel asked the shopkeeper.

"It's Huddy," Huddy replied.

"Oh well thank you again, Huddy!" Jel said walking away and waving his arm.

Jel walked towards Steven who was still laying on the ground half dead from being kicked. "Come on Steven, we need to go register our faction!"

"J-Jelly seriously... I can't feel a thing." Steven said as Jelly lifted him from the ground.

"Well, let's get going, Steven. We're going to create a faction, defeat hacks, and then we'll find your brother!" Jel explained.

"Great..." Steven said with an ugly and pale face. The two then descended into the deep forest once again, leaving the lonely Shak behind.

"Wish they at least could've bought something." Huddy thought to herself. Then the wind blew, and the clouds covered the sun. For a moment it was like the world turned gray as a Man arose from the woods with three boys behind him.

"Who the hell are you?" Huddy asked feeling slightly suspicious of the sketchy men.

"Oh, don't worry, you'll surely know us after what we're going to do." The man in the front laughed. He snapped his fingers and the three henchmen behind him walked towards the shop holding lighters and axes.

"ST-STAY AWAY YOU MONSTERS!" Huddy yelled as she pulled out a shovel. "DON'T COME ANY CLOSER OR- OR ELSE!"

A flock of birds flew away from the trees in fear of the noise of destruction. Steven stopped and stared up at the gray sky feeling like something was wrong. The feeling of something sinister occurring without him knowing.