Chapter 52

                                        

                                              
Steve's Point of View
                              
"So, are you guys ready to live here the rest of your life?" Bill asked.
                              
The nine of them were standing in the center of the village again, Bill and Scullscan in front of them. Steve couldn't believe he had lost.
                              
"Why do we have to do this again?" Kirai asked. "What benefits will you get from us living here?"
                              
"Um...more emeralds!" Bill said.
                              
"We can't get emeralds if we live here," Jay said. "But I have an idea on how we can get you some."
                              
"Really? How?" Bill asked enthusiastically.
                              
"If you let us borrow your trucks, we will go to a very good mining spot, then bring you back some emeralds!" Jay suggested.
                              
"Hmmmm..." Bill thought about it.
                              
* * *
                              
Ten minutes later, the Resistance members were preparing the trucks.
                              
"We only need five," Steve said. "We can leave one for them."
                              
"Hey guys," Scullscan said. "I'm gonna come with you."
                              
"You don't have to," Steve said. "It's gonna be dangerous."
                              
"Danger is my thing," Scullscan replied. "I've always wanted to be an adventurer. That's why I ran away from my family, to go adventuring. I just stopped here in Leonardtown for awhile. They're not my real family."
                              
"Are you sure?" Steve asked.
                              
"Of course," Scullscan answered. "Besides, I need a little break from these guys." He gestured over to Bill and a couple of Villagers, who were trying to head a block of gravel like in soccer. They kept failing and falling into the dirt.
                              
"Yeah...okay," Steve replied. "You can ride with Godhand in one of the trucks. Lee and Dee, you take another one. Cupcake will go with Tommy. Kirai, you take Jay." Jay grinned. "And I'll take Todd," Steve finished.
                              
The ten of them saddled up and drove away. Bill and the Villagers waved goodbye.
                              
Tommy and Cupcake were in the lead truck, because they had insisted on being there. Tommy apparently was a great driver, while Cupcake apparently was a great navigator. 
                              
Scullscan and Godhand were behind them, then Steve and Todd, then Lee and Dee, and finally, Jay and Kirai.
                              
Steve was driving in their truck, with Todd in the shotgun. The trucks were all the same, pickup trucks with covers on them.
                              
Todd had somehow gotten his hands on a bow and arrow. He was aiming everywhere and pretending to shoot. He aimed at Steve.
                              
"Woah, point that thing somewhere else!" Steve shouted, swerving the vehicle.
                              
Todd laughed. "Okay, okay," he said.
                              
But then he let go of the arrow.
                              
It whizzed about an inch in front of Steve's face and flew out the open window. 
                              
"WHAT THE NETHER, MAN?" Steve yelled.
                              
Todd laughed again. "I am so sorry. I didn't mean to let go of it!" He didn't sound like he meant his apology.
                              
"You're trying to kill me!" Steve yelled again. "That's the second time! I knew you were a spy!"
                              
Todd stopped laughing. "Dude, how many times do I have to tell you, I'm not a spy."
                              
"Oh yeah? Then how did a fourteen year old like you just happen to get put in jail?!" Steve asked, very annoyed.
                              
"I don't wanna talk about it," Todd replied, suddenly seeming very closed.