A/N: Hey everyone. Thanks for opening chapter 3! I really hope you enjoy this chapter, and I'm looking forward to seeing some new reviews.
Disclaimer: I don't own Harvest Moon.
Chapter Three
When Molly hung up the phone, without even turning around she could feel scared eyes set on her; sad, scared eyes. She swung around and stood in place.
"Dale thinks that it may be… safer for us to go to Garmon mines." Everyone was silent, most likely lost in thought. "He thinks he may know why this happened today." She gulped, some people starting to stand up.
"Why would it even matter to know how it happened, or who did it or whatever; it's all over!" Selena protested.
"Shut up Selena!" Gill groaned, putting his palms against his forehead. She sat back against the wall, surprised someone would ever be brave enough to talk back to she let out a sigh.
"What choice do we really have?" Ozzie coughed.
"He's right." Hayden nodded in agreement. "We don't know what's going to happen next, we need all the support and help we can get." After that, there was mumbles of agreement, and at different paces, people stood up.
"I'll get the animals, it's too dark out there; some can ride on the animals and will lead the group with lanterns," Molly suggested. She got her horse, two cows, and sheep, leading them outside with ropes. Then out of her backpack and took out matches, 3 candles, and a lantern.
"Smart girl," Hayden laughed, patting her playfully on the back. Then they left the house. Molly, Gale, Ozzie, and Hayden rode on the backs of the animals, leading the others. Hayden clutched the horse tightly, swinging from side to side.
Before they left, Molly stopped to see one thing- smoke was piling up over Harmonica town. Not from the explosion, though. New smoke. Fresh from a big boat's engine. She didn't say a word, as she was afraid of the reaction from the group. Everyone was already scared out of their mind, what good was it to make them worried as well? After small thoughts, she just caught up to the others.
No one spoke on the way there, the only sounds were crickets chirping and the water of the pond silently being pushed by the full moon.
As they went over the bridge, they went one by one. The stars glistened and glittered, and the cool breeze chilled the very souls of the survivors.
"Death is in the air." Ozzie mumbled, being elbowed by Hayden.
Gale constantly looked up at the sky, his eyes reflecting the shining stars above him, showing off their beauty and glow. By the time they got to the carpenters, everyone seemed to look defeated by fate.
Dale looked around quickly, then he shut the door behind them.
In the house was mostly everyone from Garmon mines: Julius, Mira, Chloe, Owen, Ramsey, Luke, and Bo. Barbra and Phoebe weren't there; they most likely had been visiting Simon when the explosion happened. Calvin also wasn't there; he must've been at the inn at the time. Everyone exchanged hello's.
"Run in'ta any trouble?" Dale asked, as their white dog rubbed up against Molly's leg, its tail wagging. Molly thought of the smoke she had seen puffing over Harmonica Town, and the reactions she would get if she spoke of it.
"No, sir." Molly said, shaking her head. Luke ran over, helping them with their animals, and hugging Molly and Selena tightly.
"Sit down everyone, I'll tell you what I've experienced in the past couple weeks. He looked up, as if praying to god, then his eyes were set on the crowd. The fire roared in the stone fireplace, and the lights where shut off. "A bit over a week ago, Mayor Hamilton had called me. I said "good mornin'" to be kind and all, and he told me he was needin' some new furniture." He took a pause, then kept talking. "I asked him the usual questions: What he needed, by when, what was the price he was willin' to offer. "He told me he wanted a new table, told me he wanted it in a week, and he was offering 10,000 g. 'Why not?', I thought."
"What does this have to do with an explosion?" Kathy asked curiously.
"Hush girly, I'm gettin' there." He looked at her, then kept talking. "I said thanks, and to be a gentleman, and all that crud, I asked him how his day was. He gave me a chuckle, his cheerful voice echoing. He told me he was just sittin' in his office, when some men came. He described 'em to me: they were wearin' suits and all, sunglasses, and kind of creepy lookin'. And he told me they offered money for the island."
No one spoke. Dale kept talking. "He told me that he refused right away, and laughed at 'em. He said they told him that they would use force if he didn't accept. Again he laughed, and they left. Then he laughed into the phone, and then said goodbye. I didn't laugh. I just said bye." He was silent, then continued. "Not more than two weeks later, an explosion happens in Harmonica town. I think they's after somethin' on the island. Somethin' precious, but I dunno what." He looked at Gale, then at Molly. "I was thinkin' maybe you two would know?"
"I think I do." Molly mumbled. She had to say it. For the sake of her friends, and the island. "They're after the Goddess tree."
A/N: Thanks for reading, please review, and I hope to get chapter four done soon. Thank you.