Chapter 16: Understanding this new life (Part 1)

Pete's sobs began to quiet as he heard a calm, gentle voice speak from behind him. "You look lost, brother. Can I offer you some help?"

Wiping his eyes with the back of his hand, Pete looked up to see a young man dressed in a clerical robe, his expression warm and understanding. Pete's heart sank further—this man was a stranger. Just like Doctor Trent, this person didn't exist in Flowerbud Village.

Pete stood shakily, brushing dirt off his knees, and asked, "I'm sorry. I know this will sound strange, but… who are you?"

The man offered a reassuring smile. "It's quite alright, Pete. I wouldn't expect you to know me, as I've noticed you don't ever come to church. I'm Pastor Carter. I run the church here in Mineral Town."

Pete's brow furrowed in confusion. "You're the pastor? What happened to Pastor Brown?"

Carter's smile faltered for a moment as he tilted his head in thought. "Pastor Brown?" he repeated, his tone puzzled. After a moment of silence, he shook his head. "I'm sorry, but I'm not familiar with anyone by that name. I've been the pastor here for some time now."

Pete's chest tightened. Yet another reminder that this Mineral Town was far from the place he once called home. His hands clenched at his sides as a wave of helplessness threatened to consume him again. How could so much be different, and why was he the only one who seemed to notice?

Pastor Carter's perceptive gaze lingered on Pete's tense posture, noting the way his hands clenched at his sides and his chest heaved with unspoken anxiety. Taking a step closer, Carter gently placed a hand on Pete's shoulder. "You seem troubled, brother. Why don't you come into the church? It's a quiet place where you can speak your heart freely. The Harvest Goddess is always listening."

Pete blinked, the words taking a moment to register. "The Harvest Goddess?" he repeated, his voice edged with disbelief. "You mean… not God?"

Carter gave him a kind, patient smile. "Yes, the Harvest Goddess. She is the one we revere here. You're welcome to share your worries with her. She listens to all who seek her guidance."

Pete staggered back a step, his eyes widening as a new layer of the strangeness around him unfolded. "But… but what about God?" His voice cracked, a desperate hope clinging to the idea that perhaps some things were still familiar.

Carter's face softened into an expression of gentle pity. "Pete, no one has believed in God for a very long time. The Harvest Goddess is who we look to for blessings and guidance now."

Pete's heart sank further. This was more than just a new town with old faces in different roles. It felt like reality itself had been rewritten, down to its very foundation. Even the faith and history he thought were universal seemed foreign here.

His thoughts spiraled as he tried to make sense of it all. This wasn't just a Mineral Town where Popuri, Elli, or Rick were different. It was a world where everything was different. Families, personalities, faith, and perhaps even time itself had been altered. It was as though he had been cast into another universe—one where fragments of Flowerbud Village and its people existed, yet utterly transformed beyond recognition.

Carter, noticing Pete's pale, bewildered expression, placed a hand on his arm. "Come inside," he urged. "The Harvest Goddess offers comfort to all, no matter how lost they may feel."

Pete hesitates for a long moment, but the warm, steady presence of Pastor Carter convinces him to take a leap of faith. If nothing else, maybe hearing the stories and beliefs of the people here could help him navigate this strange reality. He nods quietly and follows Carter into the church. The atmosphere is serene, the stained-glass windows casting colorful patterns on the floor.

Carter leads him to the confessional booth, its polished wood gleaming softly in the dim light. "Sit," the pastor says gently. Once Pete settles into the booth, Carter continues, his voice calm and reassuring. "This is a sacred space. Whatever you tell me here stays between you, me, and the Harvest Goddess. Now, Pete, tell me—what is troubling you?"

Pete takes a deep breath, the enormity of his situation pressing down on him. "I'm lost," he admits, his voice trembling. "I don't belong here in Mineral Town. Everything feels… wrong. Everyone I know is different. It's like I've been thrown into a world that isn't mine."

Pastor Carter listens intently, then shakes his head with a compassionate smile. "I understand why you feel that way, but I must tell you, you are not lost. The Harvest Goddess brought us all here for a reason, Pete. Even when we don't see it, her hand guides us."

He reaches for the holy book of the Harvest Goddess, its leather-bound cover worn with use. Flipping through its pages, he begins to read: "Oh ye Goddess of ye Harvest has made ye land fertile for the people to gather and become a family. In ye gathering of ye people, every person is given a goal that is blessed by ye Harvest Goddess."

Closing the book with care, Carter looks at Pete with unwavering conviction. "You see, Pete? The Harvest Goddess has a purpose for everyone. She brought you here because you have a role to play in this community. A goal only you can fulfill."

Pete frowns, the words offering little comfort against the chaos in his heart. "But how do I know what the Harvest Goddess has planned for me?" he asks, his voice tight with frustration and fear.

Carter leans forward, his tone both firm and kind. "The Goddess reveals her plans to us in time. Through the bonds we form with others, through the work we dedicate ourselves to, and through the challenges we overcome. Trust in her, Pete. You'll find your path."

Pete looks down, his hands trembling slightly. He isn't sure he believes in the Harvest Goddess—or anything in this world, for that matter. But Carter's words plant a tiny seed of hope in the storm of his confusion. Maybe blending in and learning more about this place was the only way forward. For now.

"Thank you," Pete said, forcing a small, grateful smile. "I feel better now."

Pastor Carter nodded, his expression warm. "I'm glad to hear that. But please, don't forget to leave a donation in the basket."

Pete hesitated briefly, then reached into his pocket and pulled out a few coins. He dropped them into the wooden basket near the confessional booth, the soft clink echoing faintly in the quiet church.

"Thank you," Carter said, clasping his hands together. "May the Harvest Goddess watch over you, Pete. Remember, you are always welcome here. Whenever you feel lost, the Harvest Goddess will always be here to guide you."

With that, Pete gave a polite nod and stepped out of the church. The sunlight hit his face as he took in the quiet bustle of Mineral Town. He paused for a moment on the church steps, glancing around at the familiar yet unfamiliar world he now found himself in.

Whether or not he wanted to be here didn't matter anymore. What mattered was that he was here, and for the foreseeable future, this was his reality. Until he could figure out how to return to his old life—or even if that was possible—he had to adapt. He had to learn about the people who were now his neighbors and find a way to blend in, all while keeping the memories of Flowerbud Village close to his heart.

Taking a deep breath, Pete stepped off the church steps and back onto the path, determined to face the challenges ahead. Returning to the farm, Pete set aside his swirling thoughts and focused on his work. He moved from one task to another, feeding the animals, cleaning their stalls, and tending to the crops in the field. Yet, even as he labored, his mind wandered. Who was he in this life? What kind of person had the "him" of Mineral Town been before whatever mysterious force had brought him here?

He knew a few things for sure—he was in a relationship with Elli, the once-familiar Popuri now saw him as a stranger, and he apparently never attended church. But beyond that? His history, his personality, his relationships with the townsfolk—all of it was a blank slate. He felt like a shadow of himself, wearing a life that didn't quite fit.

Finishing up for the evening, Pete leaned against the barn door, staring out at the setting sun. He knew he couldn't avoid the people of Mineral Town forever. Starting tomorrow, he would need to venture out, talk to his neighbors, and piece together the life he was now expected to lead. Only then could he figure out how to truly blend in—and maybe, just maybe, find a way to reclaim the life he'd left behind before anyone noticed the cracks in this façade.

With a deep breath, he headed back inside, determined to face whatever the next day had in store.