CHAPTER 1-Start of a New Life-Fall 20, sometime in the early 20th century
Mineral Farm, Mineral Town
Many years ago when I was still a kid, my parents decided to take me to see the country. They thought it would be good for me to
get away from the general busyness of city life. Unfortunately, while we were traveling through a patch of woodlands, I was separated
from my parents. I wandered until I came to a farm, which is where I met the old man. I told him I was lost, and he was able to contact
my parents. When they arrived, he offered to let me stay at his house for a few days, seeing as he had no children of his own. Eager to
go sightseeing and not particularly interested in my well-being, my parents agreed to let me stay. In the time I spent there, I met his
young granddaughter, who had come for a visit as well. We played together until I had to leave with my family. I promised to write
letters to the old man to stay in touch. Each summer after my encounter, my parents and I would travel to the country, and I would play
at the farm. After a while, my parents became too involved with their lives in the city and we could no longer visit. However, I continued
to keep in touch with the old man. A few years after this, I stopped receiving letters. Today, concerned for my friend's well-being, I
personally came to the farm to see what the matter was.
I'm shocked to find the farm in disrepair. It must've been years since anyone had seen this place. More importantly, where is the old
man? I'm jarred from my thoughts as a short, fat, middle aged man in a gaudy red suit and top hat suddenly appears. His curly
mustache quivers as he barks, "HEY! This is private property! Get outta here!" His attempt at being menacing isn't working, and the
longer I stare at him, the more ridiculous he appears. Since I'm a nice person, I try not to laugh. Instead, I respond with, "where's the
old man?" The strange man's frown turns to a slight grin. "You know him?" he says, his tone changing considerably. "Yeah," I continue,
"so can you tell me why this place looks like-" He cuts me off. "You mean the owner of this farm? I'm sorry; he died not too long ago."
"Ah." I say sadly. I had figured as much. Before I have time to react, the strange guy speaks again. "What's your name, son?" "Um,
Pete..." I say. He extends his hand. "I'm Thomas, the mayor around these parts. It's nice to meet you." I shake the hand a bit
awkwardly. He quickly pulls out an important looking paper and clears his throat. "It says here, in the old man's final will and testament,
that you, Pete, will have the future of this farm in your hands. As of this moment, you, Pete, are officially appointed the position of
farmer, caretaker, and lawful owner of this farm." He clears his throat again, and puts the paper away. I wait a while for the obviously-
rehearsed words to sink in. ME? I'm the owner of the old man's farm? He really left me to care for it? Why? He didn't have any others in the
family that were willing to be a farmer, but...I just can't believe it. All this land is...MINE? The feeling of great honor stops as Thomas
interrupts my thoughts. "You certainly are spacey...are you sure you can handle this?"
I'm very sure I can. I'm tall, strong, and 19 years old. If I can hold my own home in the city, surely I can hold a farm. I'd also had
some experience with farm work from when I visited the old man's farm years ago. "I think I can manage it," I say. Thomas sighs. "I've
truthfully been waiting for someone to come and restore this farm to its former glory. It looks like you're the chosen one." Pointing to the
farmhouse, the mayor says, "the furniture is still in that little hut over there. It may need a little remodeling, but I assume you can live
with it until you earn enough to fix it up." I nod absentmindedly, turning in a circle and re-familiarizing myself with the setting. I already
know that outside the farm boundaries, there is a town to the north and a mountain and forest to the south. I take a long look at the
fields. Or, what used to be the fields. Instead of towering corn plants and plump tomatoes, all that's growing now is now a mass of
weeds, with some scattered stones and stumps. I turn to the north and see that there is still a barn, a chicken coop, and a stable with a
wood bin beside it. A slow-flowing river marks the southern boundary of the farm. Satisfied with my inspection, I glance at Thomas, who
looks lost in thought. I see him pull out another piece of paper. "Here," he says quietly. He hands me the paper and I open it. "This is a
map of..." I hesitate, noticing the name on the top of the paper. "...Mineral Town…" I say, looking up in time to see Thomas walking
away. He glances back.
"Good luck."
Shrugging, I head for the house. Upon inspection, I decide I can live in it, no problem. It's just a little dusty. The old man lived pretty
sparsely. The room only holds a small table and chairs, a bed, a large chest, a radio, and a bookshelf stocked with a few books. My
stomach rumbles, and I realize I haven't eaten anything all day. Suddenly, I wonder where I can find food. I scan the room again and
quickly locate a pantry, which is completely empty, so I pull out the map Thomas gave me. I decide to go to town and find some kind of
food at the supermarket.
My head is starting to spin a little. I don't know if I'm just hungry or if the prospect of owning a huge farm is finally setting in. As I
wander off the property, a feeling of familiarity washes over me as I see the town. Brown cobblestone road, no cars, just small buildings
with colorful roofs and shutters. I don't see anyone walking around, but that's not unusual. Mineral Town is generally quiet; vastly
different from the city I'm used to. I eventually come across what, according to my map, is the supermarket. I enter the small building,
grab a loaf of bread, and pay for it. The man behind the counter doesn't give me a second glance. I run back to the farm, eating as I go.
When I arrive back at the farmhouse, I realize I don't have any more money with me. I examine the bookshelf and select a book with
many items listed inside. I spot assorted vegetables, grasses, milk, and eggs, to name a few, as well as their prices. I flip to the
beginning of the book and read about something called a shipping bin. You collect whatever you want to sell, and put it in the bin. By
5:00 in the evening, a guy comes to collect it all and give you the payment. It seems simple enough. I consult the list of items to see
what grows here in autumn. Then I examine the map Thomas gave me. I think the forest will be my best bet to find something to sell.
The afternoon sun is dropping lower in the sky, so I decide to head out before it gets too late.
A FEW WEEKS LATER...
I'm beginning to enjoy my new life on this farm. It's surprisingly nice to be away from all the commotion of the city. It's already winter,
and I won't have another chance to grow anything in the fields until spring. Instead, I'm raising livestock and mining to earn a living. It's
a little boring, but I'll have to live it out until winter is over. I've had a chance to talk to most of the residents in town, mostly from my
trips to buy things. Nobody is especially talkative, but they seem friendly, and are happy that someone is finally restoring the farm. A lot
of the guys are my age, which is nice. I haven't really gotten around to talking to the girls yet, but believe me, I will. ;) Yes. Working isn't
the only thing on my mind right now...
Enough about me, though. The next chapter will be about someone different...
END OF CHAPTER 1