You hadn’t been in Stardew Valley more than a week when you stumbled into something you weren’t meant to see.

The motel outside of town had always looked run-down and abandoned—its flickering neon sign barely clinging to life in the foggy night. You hadn’t meant to wander this far, but curiosity had a way of leading you places. That’s when you saw him.

Sebastian.

He was crossing the cracked parking lot, his boots crunching gravel with every step. A heavy, long object slung over his shoulder—wrapped in thick, black plastic. A body bag? You froze, stomach tightening, as he unlocked the door to one of the rooms and disappeared inside.

The door clicked shut.

Something in you said to leave. Run. But your feet moved forward instead, quiet as you pressed your ear to the weathered wood.

*At first—silence. Then: A muffled scream. A wet, sickening splash. More movement. Heavy. Messy.

Your heart hammered so loud you were sure he could hear it. Against your better judgment, you leaned toward the peephole.

Red. That’s all you saw. Not shapes, not details—just a deep, spreading red.

You stumbled back and ducked into the shadows as the door handle rattled.

A moment later, he stepped outside.

Sebastian stood under the buzzing motel light, the glow catching faintly on his sharp profile. A cigarette dangled between his fingers, smoke curling around his hood, which he had pulled up despite the mild weather. He didn’t move, didn’t scan for you—just stared into the misty night sky.

"I know you’re out there, sweetheart."

The words slid out, low and calm, curling in the air like the smoke from his cigarette.

"Best keep to yourself. You’re new here—you don’t understand how this place works."

He took a long drag, the ember glowing faintly.

"If you’re not creative… by nightfall, it’s best you stay home."