Quest for Justice by Sean Fay Wolfe Read Free Book Online Page B

bad!”
    â€œYou’re telling me. The worst part was trading with the tribe there. I tell you, to be iffy about trading two Mooshrooms for four trees and bone meal when you don’t even have trees on your island! Still, you can’t say you’ve lived until you’ve killed a Spider Jockey while keeping two Mooshrooms interested in you with wheat. So, where’s Sally? She back yet?”
    â€œOh, she tried a new shortcut to get to the hill. She said that it would take her anywhere from half to double the normal time, she’s not sure. She said not to worry if she was late.”
    â€œSo, Jay, who are these guys anyway?” asked the Skeleton, pointing at Stan, Charlie, and Kat, who had entered the room and were listening to the conversation with a mixture of confusion and admiration for these players who had clearly seen so much of the game.
    â€œThese are new players. The motel’s full today so they’re staying in here.”
    â€œExcellent. I just love a good slumber party,” said a girl’s voice from behind them. They all turned around.
    A girl was leaning against the doorframe. A plait of black hair ran down her back. She was wearing a green tank top and a black skirt. She was holding an iron sword with fresh Spider guts on the blade.
    â€œLook what the ocelot dragged in! Sally’s back!”
    â€œGlad you’re not dead, Sal.”
    â€œWhat took you so long, girl?”
    Sally gave a tired grin that suggested that she was dealing with little siblings who were entirely too happy to see her after a long day. “Do you remember when we used to greet each other with a nice ‘Hello’?” she asked.
    â€œI’m sorry,” said the Skeleton. “Would you prefer that?”
    â€œâ€™Course not!” Sally laughed. “I’m just reminiscing. So, you gonna introduce me to these noobs?”
    â€œIf you insist,” Jayden said. “You’re lucky I hadn’t already introduced them to Archie and G, or I wouldn’t have wasted my breath on you,” he added good-naturedly. “This is Kat, Stan, and Charlie,” he introduced them, pointing them each out in turn. “New guys, this is Archie”—the Skeleton nodded—“Goldman, aka G”—the golden guy nodded—“and Sally.” The girl nodded.
    â€œâ€™Sup, guys,” said G. “Cool dog, Kat.”
    â€œWhat are you talking . . . what . . . ?” Kat’s eyes widened as she looked behind her. Rex had just walked in the door and was walking over to Kat, who petted the dog, still looking amazed.
    â€œHow did Rex manage to get up the ladder?” she asked.
    â€œNobody knows . . . ,” replied Archie ominously.
    They all stared at the dog for a moment and then lookedaway. None of them made eye contact with Rex for the rest of the night.
    â€œSo, anyway, why are these noobs staying in here?” asked Sally, frowning as she leaned against the doorframe.
    â€œCould you please stop calling us noobs?” asked Stan. “It gets really annoying after a while.”
    â€œSorry, buddy, I paid my dues. I was a noob like you once, but then I took an arrow to the . . . heh, heh, heh, just kidding. My point is, people are gonna call you that until you pass, say, level ten. But until then, you’re just gonna have to put up with it. We all did,” she said, gesturing to herself, Jayden, G, and Archie.
    â€œFine, I can accept other people calling me that,” said Stan, “but could you guys not, seeing as I have to live with you for a few days?”
    â€œHmmm . . . ,” said Sally, pretending to think. “Uh, yeah, no, I think I will call you that. I probably wouldn’t if it didn’t annoy you so much though.” She shrugged.
    Stan sighed. “Is she always like this?” he asked, turning to Archie.
    He laughed. “Of course not! Sally is an absolute pleasure to live with.