As the days got colder and the trees became barer, I got closer and closer to one of the worst days of my life.

Sam hadn't broken my heart. Nah, he was still coming by the beach and saying hello to me (I almost thought he was coming by more often these days), and my heart still beat new life into me each time. There wasn't anything to suggest he'd already gifted his heart to someone else, although it was still always possible.

Nobody had broken into the farmhouse, nor mugged me for my money or anything. In fact, I'd argue I was making more and more from the fish I was catching these days.

Stardew Valley was still the safe haven I'd hoped it to be.

The horror started with a call from my mother, at midnight, when I was returning home with a pack full of fish.

I answered it and said "Hello?"

I knew in the weight her voice had that there was something horribly wrong. I knew it from "Hi…" She also never called me. We always texted.

"Is… there something wrong?" I asked.

She didn't say anything for a few seconds, then said "Yeah. Joey…"

My heart dropped to the level of my stomach. Joey was my best friend for a long time. He was also one stallion of a tomcat; I was convinced that with some grooming, he could have starred in a movie.

"Joey got out of the house," said my mother. "He got in a fight with another cat and… got hurt really bad. I got him to the vet, but… it's not guaranteed he'll make it through the night, they said."

I could almost hear my heart fall out of me and hit the brick path I was standing on.

"O-Okay," I replied. "Should I… go over there?"

"You may want to," my mom answered.

"Alright," I said, starting to shake. "I'll be there ASAP."

…Wait, shit. I could have been over there for an indefinite amount of time.

I could put some food out for Laslow for the next day, but if it was going to take longer than that for Joey to either be okay or leave me…

If Joey was going to leave me, I wanted to be there to say my goodbyes, and thank him for everything. Slowly falling into a panic attack, I did all that I did next without really thinking.

I got a notebook and pencil out of my backpack, tore off a sheet, and wrote "Hi! It's me, Rachael… the new farmer. A family emergency has come up, and I need to leave immediately. I need someone to feed and check up on Laslow, my cat. I'll put enough food in his bowl to last him through tomorrow, maybe even the next day… but I don't know how long I'll be gone. I would really appreciate it if someone could keep an eye on my little buddy!"

I then dashed over to the bulletin area by Pierre's, found a tack, and put my note up.

Then, I ran home, burst my way into the house, and poured what was probably too much food into Laslow's bowl. I then ran right back out.

Soon enough, I found a bus, and was riding away from Stardew Valley.

Author's note: Hey, all, sorry for the hiatus! I literally just needed some time to figure out how I was going to go about these final chapters.