Free The Mystery of the Griefer's Mark by Winter Morgan

other things I could get away with,” Thomas confessed.
    Steve was infuriated by Thomas’s words. “You weren’t thinking of anyone else but yourself!”
    â€œI just wanted to see how much trouble I could cause because I thought it was fun. Then I’d leave the wool. I was waiting for you guys to figure out it was me. And I’m so sorry. I didn’t realize it would cause all this trouble. I regret that I took it too far.”
    â€œTook it too far?” Adam yelled. “That’s putting it mildly.”
    Steve knew the battle between Adam and Thomas could go on forever. Despite being upset, he said, “Thomas, what is done is done. You’re a griefer, but you don’t have to stay a griefer. What can you do to change?”
    â€œI gave back the sheep and the sword. I planted the seeds. Can I just say I’m sorry?”
    Kyra looked at her home in the distance that Thomas had destroyed. “No, that’s too easy,” she said.
    â€œI will help rebuild your house,” said Thomas.
    â€œI think there’s something more important than helping us rebuild,” said Adam. “You need to go into the village and tell everyone that you’re the griefer. Steve’s reputation was ruined and you need to clear his name.”
    As the group walked into the village, Thomas kept his head down. Steve could see Thomas felt embarrassed. It was a hard thing to admit to everyone, that you were the griefer.
    â€œI know this isn’t easy.” Steve told Thomas.
    Henry couldn’t believe Steve was being so kind to Thomas. He was a griefer and deserved punishment. “Why are you being so nice to him?”
    â€œIt’s hard to admit when you’re wrong and Thomas is trying to make things better,” said Steve.
    The group walked into Eliot the Blacksmith’s shop.
    Eliot was happy to see them. “Hi guys! Are you here to trade?”
    â€œNot today,” said Kyra.
    â€œThomas has something to tell you,” said Adam.
    Thomas bowed his head in shame. “Steve isn’t the griefer. I am.”
    â€œThomas, why would you do that?” asked Eliot. “And you lied about it, too!”
    â€œI didn’t want people thinking I was the griefer,” Thomas replied. He couldn’t look any of his friends in the eye, but he spoke with genuine regret and remorse.
    Thomas walked around the village and let everybody know he was the griefer and apologized. Steve’s name was cleared, but Thomas wasn’t cleared of his crimes.
    Night was beginning to fall, and the group walked back toward Adam’s house. Thomas walked at their pace but didn’t say a word.
    â€œHow do you intend to earn our trust back?” Adam asked Thomas.
    â€œI want to help each of you rebuild what I destroyed, and I will give back everything I stole.”
    â€œYou stole time away from my friends,” said Henry. “How are you going to repay me for that?”
    Thomas thought about Henry’s question carefully and then responded. “I promise to be the best friend you’ll ever have. If you’re ever in trouble, I will help you anywhere. If you find yourself stuck fighting the Ender dragon, I’ll create a portal in seconds and join you in battle.”
    â€œReally?” Henry was still suspicious.
    â€œThe one thing that bothered me while I was griefing was watching you guys work together as a team,” said Thomas, looking at the group.
    â€œBothered you?” Steve didn’t like the way Thomas phrased his apology.
    â€œYes, I liked seeing you guys stick together. And I saw how you really cared about each other. It made me feel very bad. I felt so alone.”
    â€œBut you said griefing was like a game,” said Adam.
    â€œGames aren’t as much fun when you play them alone. And they aren’t fun at all when they hurt other people,” said Thomas.
    The gang passed Kyra’s house and stopped