CHAPTER 30: Mama, I’m Coming Home...

CHAPTER 30: Mama, I’m Coming Home...

While sharing a coffee and small beast meat breakfast, we spoke about optimizing builds and read our spells and skills to each other. We goofed around a bit while thinking of new game plans to incorporate Brenden and Arthur’s newest spells.

Arthur learned the spell, Vengeance. After reading the spell through the network I realized the smoke from his bites was actually burning damage, glad to know I wasn’t crazy.

Brenden hadn’t tried his newest spell yet since he learned it after the Mimic fight. It allowed him to imbue his thrown objects with Ice Mana for a higher cost.

After a quick heart to heart, Brenden was sure that he wanted to continue on with us, even after finding a safe zone. Although, I’m not sure if Arthur would even continue traveling with me at that point, the places I plan on going were likely to get me killed quickly.

Before leaving the barn Brenden doled out the last bit of Nectar and raised his mug.

“Aye, To good friends, good tidings and adventure.” He toasted in his usual flamboyant and excited way.

Arthur cheered, “Woof!”

“Here Here!” I joined in on the fun as we drank our shots then watched Arthur drink his up with one slap of the tongue.

“Arthur have you grown?” Brenden asked while reaching down to pet the pup’s head. His arm now bent nearly 90 degrees at the elbow.

“Right? He’s getting huge,” I said patting Arthur on the side while cleaning our mess, “Plus his fur’s getting longer for some reason. Not sure what that’s about. He’s starting to look poofy.”

“Woof woof!”

“Ah don’t be like that! It’s cute Buck. The ladies will love it.”

He cocked his head to the side then looked down at himself, surprising me with a new sound as he did. It was like the noise a narcissistic pretty boy would make while flexing in the mirror taking selfies, “Heurrrmm Woof!”

Brenden was appalled, “’Twas very off putting.”

“You’re not kidding.” I said breaking into laughter.

We set off on the last leg of our journey, Brenden finally shared the Nectar of Good Tidings recipe. Apparently, he created it from reading different items and experimenting with the limited descriptions and “basic plant knowledge”, his words.

Honestly, it sounded like he was doing the real life equivalent of what I used to do in certain RPGs with alchemy. Just mix shit together and see what happens.

To make more Nectar we need to find one rare ingredient, which happened to be a form of root that grew along side the trailer park.

I learned more about flowers in the 10 minutes of his rambling than I had my entire life.

He said the root is from a flower called, Penumbral Iris. The flowers grow in the shadows of Blush Trees. The flower has black petals and a white center sitting on top of a dark green stalk with glossy leaves like poison ivy.

Apparently, the Blush Trees are the larger version of the Maples that we’d seen around. They have vast amounts of bright green leaves with pink veins. I just called them Big Maples since I never managed to identify the name in passing. One side of the trailer park was lined with the trees but since leaving the park we’ve only seen them sporadically.

Whenever we walked, Brenden stopped at every new and old flower, weed, or whatever else. Each time he removed his cheap plastic 3 drawer storage bin covered in old Marvel stickers from his inventory, along with his notebook. He wrote down whatever the system was telling him, placed the plant and book into the bin, then stored it.

I asked him why he was writing down what he could see in front of his face, he said it helps him to remember what each plant is and where it goes. I guess he’s a pretty organized kid, although, I definitely thought differently when we first met in that mess of a trailer park. Whether it’s his training or alchemy, he put his mind to everything with the same seriousness.

“Keep going through the woods until we hit town?” I asked.

“Yes sirrr!”

“Woof!”

We stayed in the woods until reaching the outskirts of town. Luckily, I knew enough walking trails to get us within a block of my parents house without having to travel any roads.

We were on an old trail, cutting through a small clearing in the woods where someone made a bmx or maybe dirtbike track decades ago. I thought back to the days I would ride past them on my own bike. Even back then they were too overgrown to ride on and I would daydream about clearing “The Gap”.

While we walked through the nostalgic clearing Arthur signaled our first sign of trouble, something that smelled new to him based on the growl and his ducking to the ground.

Brenden and I dropped into crouch, following Arthur between the spine for cover. I turned on Scout Gaze and Manasight together, peeking over the top of the 6 foot quarter-pipe.

I looked for a minute, no movement, no unnatural Mana.

I returned to crouch, “Are you sure you smelled something out there?”

Arthur answered with a silent nod so I stood back up. He hasn’t led me wrong yet.

Not seeing anything, I thought back to the Tempest’s dungeon and the enemies who were invisible.

While trying to formulate a plan in my head, I slowly turned 360 degrees to make sure I didn’t miss anything.

“I don’t see anything, but when I was in the dungeon I fought some invisible undead, so I have an idea. Which direction do you sense them?” I asked Arthur.

He pointed his nose in 3 different directions, one on the left, the right and last in the center. Each aimed up in the trees as if they were waiting in ambush down the trail.

I went over my quick plan while loading a mixing bowl with bone dry dirt from the top of the jump, “Brenden get a big one ready, Ice. Let’s try to make this quick. As soon as you see ‘em, let it rip. Arthur on my other side. Slap me with your tail when we’re in range then duck behind B-rend. Good?”

“Grr.” Arthur answered with a growl and a nod, Brenden nodded along side him.

We continued down the trail. I left Manasight on as we walked keeping an eye out for anything that didn’t belong.

I’ve seen this trail a hundred times before, it’s so overgrown now... I guess that’s to be expected since not as many people rode bikes. This town used to be full of them. Me and my gang of delinquent friends led the charge as we egged houses, and sometimes people. Dick... We pedaled like hell, using these same trails to get away from angry home owners or police before they could catch us or kick the shit out of us.

I was really a huge prick sometimes, or a lot of times.

As I reminisced, lost in my head, I felt a tap on my leg and ignored it. Then another good slap.

“Shit.” I whispered, snapping out of it.

Not a great time to get all nostalgic bud.

I removed the bowl of dirt, tossing it into the air.

I shot Wind Mana through my arm as I uppercut the bowl in front of me, releasing a wide torrent of air.

The dirt flew out in a cone above and I watched as the little devilish shapes with wings prepared to dive bomb us.

To my right, Brenden tossed a light blue glowing rock at the center figure.

It was about to glide harmlessly past the fiends when, “BOOM SHA-KAHLA-KAH!” Brenden screamed.

Snap.

A violent nova of ice expanded over our heads. I turned to guard myself as it moved close. My back turned to ice. I turned around, frozen in place like the hunchback of Notre Dame. I called my spear and walked to the little frozen demons, poking them while they lie frozen on the ground.

“I’m very sorry sir!” Brenden called out, scared of retribution.

“It’s all good. But I don’t want to fall and shatter my back. Take this and go poke them before they unfreeze.” I tossed my Assegai to Brenden as I carefully maneuvered away from the icy ground.

I made it back to solid ground and took a seat on a downed tree.

I sat there, chillin’, trying not to scream from the immensely sharp bone-deep pangs blistering my back.

“When people told you to chill, this isn’t what they meant Brendo.” I joked as he and Arthur returned to my side.

“I am so sorry Good Sir!” He said stepping over the log and removing a health potion.

“I don’t think that’ll help. It only put the fire out because it’s a non-flammable liquid on fire. It may heal the damage to my back but I don’t think it will unfreeze it.” I said, gritting through the pain.

I noticed the new symbol in my vision next to my Health Bar. I tried to remember if I saw one while I was on fire, but I couldn’t really focus on anything other than screaming during that ordeal, and thinking about it just brought on more phantom pain. The symbol was a little Snowflake inside of a circle. The circle was full with a blue background when the spell hit, but when I brought my attention to it afterwards, only a sliver remained.

“Looks like I’m about to thaw out. Good job, but next time not so much power.” I said removing my own potion and laughing at the eclectic crew we had going on.

I drank my potion and stretched as the freeze ended, the symbol disappearing from my HUD, “You check what they were?” I asked Brenden standing to my feet.

“Yes my Good Sir Rick. They we—.”

I interrupted, “Don’t go back to the good sir bit again. Sir is bad enough. Shit happens. It was your first time using the spell. Just learn, do better next time and I will too. I spaced out so it was just as much my own fault.”

“Aye Sir Rick, they were Demonspawn called Scout Imps.” Brenden said, turning more pirate than medieval knight character.

“Demonspawn? Weren’t the last guys Hellspawn? The fuck is the difference?”

“I do not know my Good, I ah um, my Good Friend.” He responded, barely catching himself with the good sir shit again.

“It say what number hell or whatever?” I asked dismissively.

“The Fourth.”

“Shit. Okay... That’s where Maldrix was from. They don’t like me much.” I said, but Brenden already knew this as he asked about all of our escapades on the jog down, “They weren’t summons right?”

Arthur joined my side, “Woof Woof!”

“Alright good... It’s been really quiet for being in the middle of town, discounting those guys of course.” I pointed out.

“I was thinking the same thing before we ran into them. We fought almost every mile on our way into town but as soon as we get to the most populated area, ‘tis quiet. Even Manchester was more rambunctious.” Brenden said, stating my exact thoughts.

“By the way, it’s Boom, Shakalaka.” I said corrected.

“Yes that’s what I said, Boom Sha-kalah-kah.”

“No… Boom Shakalaka,” I reiterated.

“BOOM Shakah LiKAH!” He pronounced it differently now, each time stressing the wrong part and adding emphasis at the wrong time.

“Are you… Are you fuckin’ with me?”

“No sir, I got a title when we blew The Managers castle. Its called Boom Shaka Likah.” He answered.

“You gotta be fuckin’ with me. Show me.”

A moment later the notification popped up and I accepted.

Title Unlocked! Boom Shakalaka—Mana explosions of every flavor cause 15% more damage—The "Throw Stuff and Run Like Hell Bandit" strikes again! You destroyed one of Heavens management outposts in one big KABLOOEY! You are a certified suicidal maniac!

“What the fuck is this?! Why is it that sometimes this Network, System or the fuck ever talks like a robot, but other times it’s… This shit.” I said, pissed at the description.

“Yeah, I thought it had to do with how we feel about ourselves but I’m surely not suicidal. And while I have used Kablooey, I’ve never heard this... Boom ShaKa Lika.” Brenden seemed just as confused as myself.

“Next manager or fallen angel guy, we ask them, where is your mom, then Arthur’s question, then how this trashy system works. Make sure I stay on task next time and don’t hulk out… And it’s Boom Shakalaka!” I said the final part with my best 90’s basketball commentator voice.

Exiting the trail on a dead end road next to the high school, the town was still eerily quiet. This was the only difference from the other towns we’d encountered thus far. The cars and homes were still destroyed. Along with piles of clothes scattered along the sidewalks and outside homes.

Finally, we were able to see my childhood home.

In pieces.

My parents didn’t have much for electronics but they had a TV in the living room and bedroom. Dishwasher, electric oven in the kitchen, and other odds and ends through the house like any other couple not living off the grid. Plus my father had a hell of a gun collection, so the corner where his safe was located, was non-existent.

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I took a deep breath as we closed on the house. My racing heart sunk as my legs felt weak and strained for the first time since leaving Conviction. Arthur moved to my side, walking along as to hold me up in spirit.

“Just because the house is wrecked, doesn’t mean they aren’t okay sir.” Brenden correctly read my face and body language, deducing that the house my vision was locked on belongs to my parents.

“I know. I just held out hope that I would get here... My mom would pull out some cheese and crackers with some shitty diet sodas and we would all reunite and laugh together while watching my brothers children laugh and play. A fools dream.”

“There is nothing foolish about that sir. ‘Tis what we all wished for on this walk.”

Standing outside the 2 story house, built in the year 1933 according to my father, we stared at the porch. I spent so many spring, summer, and fall days relaxing or joking with friends and family on that porch. Where we sat on the full size swinging steel couch every evening to chat as we returned home after a long day of school or work.

The house behind was a shattered remnant of memories.

Windows blown out, the frame lie in pieces. My moms knickknacks saved from our vacations decimated and strewn about the floor, some blasted through the windows into the yard.

“Well, let’s go see if there are any clothes I can grab anyways.”

The inside door was in pieces but still latched somehow. I twisted the handle and pushed, gently trying to open the door and not cause anymore damage.

The door didn’t budge.

“God, Damn—Fuck!” I kicked the door off the hinges, sending it back through the hallway and into the kitchen.

I followed its trajectory into the house, seeing the destruction made me want to vomit.

This was my parents home.

The fridge that I broke the handle off while running away from my brother as he chased me to pummel me, gone. He got his revenge when I broke the handle, he knew I was in a world of trouble so he gave up.

The living room, where a multitude of heavy and sometimes drawn out family fights took place, but even more movie nights, Christmas parties, Birthday parties and where countless boring TV nights were held, was just gone. The walls fragmented, the floor completely obliterated showing the basement below.

Thousands of memories flashed through my mind all falling through the broken floor below as if it were the abyss.

I gazed across the opening into the dining room where the thick wooden table still stood, regardless of the missing leg. Seeing this somehow brought the facade of hope.

I moved faster with the burst of optimism. I ran upstairs like I used to when I was a child, skipping every step as I pounded up the old stairs. I searched the first room on the right, the bathroom.

The door was open, allowing easy entry. After a moment, I noticed clothes in the corner which wasn’t normal as my mother and father were very clean people. I dropped to the floor, grasping them in my hands. I lifted the pair of blue jeans to see a towel underneath and no other clothes.

My heart moved up into my throat, I couldn’t breathe from the anxiety of not knowing.

I ran across the hall, kicking the door in on my brothers old room that was now a guest room. Nothing out of the ordinary, the mess from the explosion created the illusion of my brother still living in the room.

I closed the door behind me, running to the end of the hallway into my old room that was remade into my mothers music room, I grabbed my fathers old acoustic and bowed to the old piano that was in ruins before turning around and entering my parents bedroom, the last room.

There were clothes strewn about but no complete outfits on the floor in the unique way, we’ve seen from the raptured.

I exhaled as if I held my breath for an hour. My nerves were finally simmering down as I searched for more clues to prove they were alive and well. I thought back on my walk through the house and knew my mother wouldn’t go anywhere without the toothbrushes.

Returning to the bathroom, the toothbrush holder was empty. I looked through bits of rubble to make sure they weren’t knocked to the floor. No brushes. I went back into their room and searched the dressers, I wasn’t sure what they had for clothes but there was quite a bit of empty space.

All signs pointed to them being alive and I finally let my mind calm.

I returned to the porch meeting Arthur and Brenden, “They’re not here, but it looks like they came by and took some supplies. I wouldn’t think much of missing clothes but I don’t think other survivors would take old toothbrushes.”

“I would have to agree with that assessment. What about pictures?” Brenden asked.

“I knew there was a reason I kept you around. Good thinking.”

I ran back into the house and scaled the stairs, at the top was an old hope chest that contained blankets and sheets but more importantly, my moms photo album. I opened the chest, storing all the blankets in my inventory and noticing the album was in fact missing.

Toothbrushes are whatever but no one would randomly take a giant photo album and leave all the blankets and clean linens.

I joined the others outside.

Brenden grinned in triumph seeing the color return to my face, “Well… What now monsieur?”

I rested the guitar against the siding, “To camp, Oui? I managed to get my parents to watch a few seasons of The Walking Dead, until Carl killed his Mom. I would joke about stealing their camp since it’s in the middle of nowhere and there would be less zombies and more wildlife, my mother would say ‘good luck getting it from me’. Makes sense in a Rapture, Alien, or whatever Apocalypse as well.”

“Indeed sir. Oui Oui!”

“Jesus… Come on in, see if you can find anything useful. Feel free to grab whatever. You too Buggy.” I said walking back into the house.

Brenden and Arthur went through separate rooms while I went into the basement. I knew my parents had some old totes full of childhood mementos and more importantly, clothes.

I tore through tote after tote, clearing the caved in flooring as I went. I stacked the floor boards and beams to the side in the very unlikely event that they move back to town. I was pretty sure the house was beyond repair but I couldn’t just toss stuff around.

I found what I was looking for after a little more effort. I opened the big blue plastic container to find a few old pairs of jeans, some old skate t-shirts, and a few hoodies. Luckily, I was a bit chubby in high school so the clothes fit for the most part, although the jeans were a bit short.

While changing I finally noticed my new body. I was never the guy with a 6 pack or even a flat stomach. Like I said, chubby high school kid. I got into shape by working hard physical jobs and jogging after work, but I never expected to see, this...

It’s not as if the high Strength made me some big muscle man or anything. Let’s say I was, tone. Tone as fuck. Muscles flexed in places I didn’t know they were meant to be as I lifted my pants. I ran a hand over a few new scars from my second fight with the Ba. My skin felt tight and held the clean smooth texture of youth again, everything felt young again.

I pulled the shirt over my head and hit the floor of the living room above, “I guess I also grew a couple inches.”

While walking upstairs I found a pair of my fathers old converse that were too big for him to wear.

They’ll have to do for now since the ugly green boots served their tour with dignity and ferocity.

I walked out to the porch to see Arthur and Brenden, with a visitor.

Laughter came from the familiar mans mouth who was pointing down the road with both arms, “Yeah, he really did! Then he ran like hell that way, and I came running around from the other side. We almost crashed into each other right in front of his mom.”

Josh Barnard.

An old high school friend was standing outside telling a story of the time we egged my neighbor around the corner and I didn’t see the guy standing on his porch when I threw the egg. Apparently, I hit the poor guy in the chest as Josh was trying to signal to abort. We both sprinted away running past my house at full speed, unaware that my mother was standing on the porch watching.

I hadn’t seen him in over a decade and from the sound of it, he hasn’t changed much. He was always a wiry kid, in trouble more than myself, which is saying something. He didn’t have the greatest life at home but his mother was always pleasant when I went over to visit or pick him up.

The fucker shaved my eyebrow one night which set me off pretty good.

Never trust people who fuck with you while you’re sleeping.

“There he is!” Josh shouted, looking over his shoulder with the same grin that always spelled trouble.

I reached my hand out to shake, “Hey, how are ya?”

“Well you know. The world went to Hell, but I’m actually doing great.” He answered, squeezing my hand to try to assert dominance.

“I guess so man, quite the grip ya got.” I said feigning injury and laughing.

I reached my left hand up to rub my cheek just below my eye. A signal to show Arthur and Brenden that we need to get away.

“How are your parents buddy? I always liked your mom, funny lady. I always thought it was wicked cool of her to let me stay after the egging incident.” He said forcing laughter.

“They’re alright we just came into town from my brothers house so I could look through some old shit. Running out of clothes fighting these monsters. Is there a stronghold around town where we could possibly trade supplies?” I tried to mislead him since I got a shady feeling from my old friend.

He forced laughter, “I see that! Still wearing that same Red and Black DC hoodie. Still have the hat?”

I removed the hat from my inventory and placed it on my head, semi-crooked facing the sky, how I used to wear my hats when I was a little shit head, “Yep.”

“Holy shit, you do! That’s hilarious. It is a sweet get up though. The only matching thing you ever wore.” He said laughing like an old high school bully now.

I shot back, “I did pretty well back then.”

“Yeah, I guess you did. I heard you got married, how’s that girl of yours? She was reeeal pretty.” He asked, the same shit eating grin shining on his soon to be destroyed face.

I had to imagine he knew exactly what happened if he was living in this town when the accident occurred. Things get around fast in small town social media. Plus, his use of the word ‘was’ clearly showed his intentions and knowledge.

“Grrrrr.” Arthur growled as I ignored the bait.

I put a hand on Arthur’s head to calm him, “Stronghold?”

“Woah! Big scary dog! Haha! Right. Yeah, there’s something like that. How do I know I can trust you?”

“You came here, I thought we were friends? We grew up together, I wouldn’t hurt you or your family. You know that.” I reassured him.

I didn’t want to hurt him, or any human for that matter.

“I’m just joshin ya! It’s up at the monument! Come on up with me. I’ll show ya ‘round.” He still used that stupid saying just because his name is in it…

I guess he was sort of the classic narcissist that Arthur was mocking earlier.

“Of course, the ole battle monument.” I said laughing at the ridiculous thought of the Bennington Battle Monument still standing.

It was a 300 foot tall obelisk that stood in the heart of the old district, and even though it has an elevator that rises to the top for tourists, it still stood. I guess with walls made of 2 foot wide dolomite slabs it would be hard to take down. Every townie took a field trip when they were kids and learned about it in elementary school.

“So you’re staying there yourself?”

Josh spaced out as if he were in a different universe.

“Huh? Oh… Yeah, me casa and all that. So ya coming?” He asked rushing the conversation along.

“Yeah, I’ll come visit but we need to get these supplies back first.” I said, trying to leave peacefully.

“Oh right, to your brothers house, yeah?” He asked even though he knew that’s what I said.

“Yeah. My new young friend here needs some rest and I’m sure Arthur wants to get off of his feet, right cowboy?” I said patting Arthur’s head and looking to Brenden.

“Ah yes my good sir, I am indeed tired.” Brenden said, not selling it well.

“Holy shit, this guy really sticks to it? The real deal medieval knight we’ve all been waiting for.” Josh said laughing at Brenden who stood still but I could see the pain of past bullies in his eyes.

“He’s a good kid who likes to have fun, regardless of what bullshit life throws his way. Can’t sweat him for that.”

“No I guess not, but I still will. ‘ELLO SIR!” He said mocking Brenden with an awful accent.

“Right well, see you later,” I said trying to walk away from the stewing confrontation.

“You sure?”

“Yeah... I’ll come visit the monument tomorrow morning.” I said steering Arthur and Brenden to leave.

“Alright, I’m gonna to hold you to it.” Josh shouted out, laughing as we walked away.

Once we were out of ear shot Brenden picked the conversation back up, “What was that? He came up speaking as if you were the best of friends?”

“Never were best friends but he stayed over a few times when we were 14, maybe 15. He was always, overwhelming. Looked to make a spectacle of himself everywhere he went. He was a fun kid to hang out with but doesn’t seem like he’s done much growing.”

“Indeed, I could sense that. He was just like the Boolies I dealt with in academy. Not someone I’d imagine you befriending Sir.”

“Yeah me neither, but I wasn’t the best kid. In trouble a lot, searching for something that never came. Still haven’t figured out what that was.” I answered honestly.

“I think we all were.” Brenden said his voice taking a somber tone.

I opened up to Brenden as we made our way out of town, “I know it’s fresh for you but don’t let that old shit stay inside. Get it out or it’ll eat you alive. I kept the hate and anger far too long. It made me do a lot of dumb shit before I met my wife. She steered me from that path. The moment I saw her I knew what I had to do, to even try to be good enough. So I did everything in my power to be a better person. She made me realize I didn’t just do it for her...” I trailed off.

She would want me to help guide him, and I want to.

“It wasn’t bad enough dealing with the kids at school, even when I was home, my step-father would ridicule me relentlessly. If I ever went on social media,” He spat the word, “I was the butt of whatever new joke or meme, the boys made fun of my cheap clothes while the girls called me ugly and weird. Both told me to kill myself. I want them all to feel like I did.” Brenden said tearing up, his face full of pain and anger.

This was the first time I heard Brenden speak in his normal voice for more than a few words without stuttering.

“My late high school years were at the beginning of the Myspace era, social media wasn’t as prevalent then. I can only imagine all of those little shit heads with keyboards… And a space free of their parents to talk shit, it must have been hell... But fuck them. You’re here and thriving. Plus, kids are just assholes dude.” I got a laugh out of him and lightened the mood.

“Indeed they are sirrr!” He said, accent in full bloom.

“If you ever need to talk, we’re here for ya,” I said patting Arthur’s head as he woofed his agreement, “Arthur’s a great sound board, he doesn’t mind listening... Wait... You don’t mind right? Because I’ve used you to sound off about bad days way more than once.”

He nodded left to right while his tail wagged along on our slow walk to the mountain.

“Thank you once again my companions. You are indeed the best friends a lowly squire such as myself could ask for.”

“Enough with the self-deprecation B-Rend. Without you we would have died in that manager building or I would have burned to death from that bus.” My mind flashed back to the melting muscles, the pain burnt into my mind. I shivered the feeling away, “You are a Grade-A bad ass. Soon to be S.”

“Bahh. Maybe this furry one here.” Brenden said vigorously rubbing Arthur’s face, “So, how far is this camp?”

“Eh, a few miles... Up that mountain.” I said pointing to the big mountain in the distance.

“You are trying to kill me with uphill walking, I swear it. By the old gods and the new.”

“Really Rail-Road Martin?” I asked.

“Rail Road?” Brenden said confused.

We didn’t run into trouble until we reached the outskirts of town.

Once passing the town line I received a glaring notification.

“Stop!” I yelled as I read it over.

Arthur and Brenden froze mid step.

Both looked to me with sideways heads, Brenden doing the speaking, “Why?”

“Check the notification.” I said.

“Ah, interesting... A DUN! JUUNN!” Brenden yelled as if he were about to burst from excitement.

“Not today. After we find them, mmmaybe. I don’t like the name of this one, the monsters could be incorporeal.” I said recognizing the name of the dungeon for what it was.

You are about to enter Dungeon Rift—“The Mystery of Glastenbury and the Bennington Triangle”— Find a different path if you do not wish to enter this Rift.

“How do you know that?” Brenden asked.

“Glastenbury is pretty popular, everyone in town knows about it. Those ghost hunter people would randomly show up asking for information. It’s known for being haunted.” I made air quotes around the word, “Apparently, some hikers went missing back in the 1940’s or 50’s, so the legend was stirred up... It’s just the woods. Nothing more.” I answered as we worked our way around the rift.

We had no idea how big the rift was, where it started or ended, so we walked a quarter mile and followed the river up the mountain.

“Looks like we’re clear. I’m sort of surprised no one has closed it yet. I know there aren’t many people left but you’d think someone capable would have stumbled through by now.” I thought aloud.

Brenden approached my side, “I agree, unless they knew of the tales and didn’t want to risk it?”

“Yeah, that makes sense. I mean, we just did the same. I was heated when I stumbled into the first one. I wasn’t paying attention. I doubt many people would be that dumb.”

“Woof!” Arthur chirped in agreement.

“Are you calling me dumb?”

“Woof!”

“You’re mean.”

“Woof!” His tail wagged as he ran ahead.

“What was that about?” Brenden whispered while approaching me.

“I don’t know, apparently my dog likes making jokes at my expense? That wasn’t the first time, but it was a bit more rude.”

“I see, I’ll have a talk with him sir, friend to furry friend.”

“Thanks. Last thing I want is my dog hating me or thinking I’m making all the wrong decisions. I think it’s just some sort of teenage attitude though. Here, let’s head back to the road so we don’t have to climb rocks the entire way.”

Arthur led the way, dog humming his songs with a smile...