Creepers And Zombies 🧟‍♂️🧟‍♀️🧟

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1:04They feel so soft, breathable, and ugh, just special. Upgrade your bedding with Quince, go to quince.com, slash short stories for free shipping, and 365 day returns. Now available in Canada too, that's q-u-i-n-c-e.com slash short stories for free shipping, and 365 day returns, quince.com slash short stories. Welcome back, friends, to short stories for kids. Creepers and Zombies, oh my! Charlie and James' dog Clover was missing. When did you last see her, ask their mom as they searched the backyard? They'd already turned the house upside down looking for her.

2:06This morning after breakfast, said Charlie. She was playing with her creeper. What's that? Ask mom. It's her plushie, explain James. It's in the shape of a Minecraft creeper. Oh, I know the one, nodded mom. Clover only had it a couple of days. Is this it? Shouted dad from beside a bush on the yard's edge. Yes, Yelp Charlie and he and James ran over. She must have been out here. James pulled apart the bush's branches to peer within. Clover, are you there? What is that? Ask dad, peering over James's head. Is that a picture frame? Whatever it was, it didn't belong in their yard. It was a rectangle with a thick black frame and a glowing green center. It looks like another portal, gas Charlie. But it's smaller and the color in the middle is wrong.

3:07Do you think Clover went through? Ask James. Is this like your game? Ask mom, sounding worried. Let's go and get her. Insisted Charlie eagerly. I don't know if that's a good idea, hesitated mom. And besides, dad and I are never going to fit through there. Charlie and I can do it, said James firmly. If this portal goes where we think it does, we know what to expect. We can get Clover back. Mom and dad weren't happy about it, but nobody had a better idea. Okay, said dad, but at the first sign of trouble, you haul yourselves back out. Yes dad, grin James as he began climbing through the bush. The portal was a tight fit, even for him, but he got through just fine. Charlie being younger had no trouble. They emerged on a familiar landscape, just like their favorite game, made up of blocks and ledges.

4:10This is so cool. Beam James as he looked around. There was a lake beside them, a castle beyond the trees, and snow-capped mountains in the distance. Can you see her? Ask dad, making them both jump. They hadn't expected him to follow, just his head was poking through. Dad, you look weird, pointed out Charlie. No weirder than normal, confirmed dad. Well, can you see Clover? There's a castle, said James. We could start there. Okay, but remember, any trouble and you come straight back here, understand? Dad said, we'll do, shouted James as the pair of them began running. We'll be right back. First though, they had to get through the trees. In the game, they had a crafting table and weapons and an inventory of items to help them, but right now, the pair of them had nothing.

5:10What if we run into a zombie or something, Fredded Charlie? We'll have to run, I guess, said James as they reached a split in the path. The main track went up and through the trees, but a narrower track went into a low narrow ravine. Maybe we should try down here and stay out of sight. The ravine really was narrow with steep rocky sides. It didn't look like anyone came this way often, but it at least appeared to be heading in the right direction. At one point, a landship had created a blockage, something that in the game they could clear with a pickaxe. Fortunately, the two of them were good climbers. It was only when they were down the other side that they noticed a thin gap in the rock wall. Does it go somewhere? Ask Charlie. I think so, said James, leaning forward. Let's take a quick look. They squeezed through, finding themselves in a small cavern at the center of which stood a chest.

6:13Yes, laugh James as they rushed forward to open it. They hauled out two netherite swords and two sets of enchanted netherite armor. We look so good, laugh Charlie, as he gave his sword some practice slashes. We don't need to worry about any bad guys now. And there's a pickaxe, grin James. That might come in handy. Come on, let's keep moving. We don't want mom and dad to think that we're lost too. They followed the ravine a little further, only to find that it ran right up to the castle's base. From the land above, the ravine made a deep chasm to help protect the castle walls and was crossed by a drawbridge. Looking up, the brothers could hear figure as marching back and forth on the drawbridge's surface. Those are creepers. Whispered Charlie. So how do we get past them, wondered James? Do we climb up and battle our way through them?

7:15No need, smiled Charlie as he lifted the pickaxe. We can make our own door. They steadily made a tunnel into the rock beneath the castle, angling it upwards. James was aiming to bring them out on the same level as the drawbridge, but they'd not gone far when they emerged into a flame-lit corridor. They must be in the dungeons, said Charlie quietly, as they headed beneath a blocky archway. Almost at once, they ran straight into a pair of zombies. It gave them quite a fright until they remembered their netherite swords and enchanted armor. The zombies didn't stand a chance. A quick check around the corner revealed that the coast was clear, although noises behind them suggested they were soon going to have more company. Let's keep moving, said James, pointing his sword. Head past those doors. A sudden, excited barking brought them both to an immediate halt.

8:16Behind the first door, they could hear Clover. These must be jail cells or something. Muttered Charlie crossly as James took his pickaxe to the door. Clover came rushing out, overjoyed to see them both. Well, that solves that mystery, said James. Now all we have to do is get out of here. And quick, Yelp Charlie as a hoard of creepers and zombies swept around the corner, attracted by Clover's noise. There are too many of them, worn James. And that was our way out, complained Charlie. Then we'll just have to try this way. Urge James as they turn to run. Pounding up stone steps, they soon arrived into daylight in a wide courtyard somewhere in the castle's center. More creepers ahead, James shouted. And zombies added Charlie as he lifted his sword. It looked like they were going to have to fight after all.

9:17They pushed forward through a sea of villainous baddies relying on their magnificent swords and magical armor to keep themselves and Clover safe. But for every creeper or zombie they dealt with, another seemed to be right behind it, making progress forward very slow. Aim for the big arch, shouted Charlie. I think it's the way out. They sliced and slashed with their Netherite swords, cutting a path through the enemy. Even Clover got in on the action, making one or two creepers wish they'd never met her. Keep going, urge James. I think we're nearly at the drawbridge. They were under the big arch at this stage and the bulk of the creepers and zombies were behind them. With a final push, they plowed through the attackers on the drawbridge, knocking a couple into the ravine below. With the way clear now, they sprinted along the forest path.

10:17They're following, shouted Charlie. Well, I'd like to see them catch us now. Left James as Clover raced at their heels. She was having a great time. They burst from the trees to see the wide lake. Somewhere near its edge was the portal. Although it was so small, it wasn't obvious where it was or where they should go. Which way do we go, Pinnah James? He chance to look behind him to see creepers and zombies pouring after them. Clover, can you take us home? Ask Charlie. Where's home Clover? The dogs sped off across the grass with Charlie and James following. Their dad saw them first. His head still poking through the small hole and began shouting to urge them on. Clover leapt through. But unfortunately, James and Charlie had a problem. In their armor, they were too large to fit. They tore it off, leaving it in a pile with the swords, then leapt through the portal as the baddies neared.

11:20The next thing they knew, their mom and dad were helping them through the tangled branches of the bush in their yard. James spun around, fearing a zombie arm reaching through the portal after them. But to their surprise and disappointment, the portal had vanished. You did it! Left their mom as she swept them both into a hug while dad made a big fuss over Clover. Did you mean to bring that back with you? Mom asked James. It was only then that he realized he was still holding the pickaxe.