My Creepers 😭

I still can't believe it. After 828 days of building and exploring in my Minecraft world, my Carl the Creeper is just… gone. It feels like losing a pet, even if he's just a bunch of pixels. For those who don't know, Carl wasn't just any creeper; he was my accidental companion, a mob I'd somehow managed to keep safe and sound for what felt like forever, adding a quirky, explosive charm to my base. I'm still reeling from the shock, trying to piece together what happened at coordinates -3950, 72, -2474 where I last saw him. The hardest part? It wasn't just Carl. All the invaluable items I was carrying, my trusty gear, also vanished. I was devastated to find out that my perfectly enchanted Netherite Chestplate (with Protection IV, Unbreaking III, and Mending) was gone. And my precious Diamond Axe, which I had meticulously enchanted with Fortune II, Sharpness III, Efficiency II, Silk Touch, and of course, Mending, was nowhere to be found. Even a stack of Firework Rockets and a block of TNT I was carrying for a project disappeared. It’s like a cruel joke from the game itself. "THEY'RE GONE" is all I could think as I stared at the empty spot. I've been racking my brain trying to figure out what could have led to such a catastrophic loss. Was it a chunk error? A rogue mob? Did I accidentally hit him with a stray arrow or, worse, a misfired TNT? I’m usually so careful around him. I’ve heard stories of creepers despawning, but after so long, it felt impossible. My world feels a little emptier without his quiet hiss and sudden appearance around corners. This incident has made me rethink how I secure my precious companions and items. From now on, I’m considering creating a dedicated, mob-proof enclosure for any future 'pets' and always keeping my most valuable enchanted gear like my Netherite Chestplate and Diamond Axe in an Ender Chest or a secure vault when not actively using them. Backing up my world more frequently is also a must. I never thought something like this would happen to me, especially after 828 days of peaceful coexistence. If anyone has experienced a similar mysterious disappearance of a long-term mob or valuable items, or has any theories, please share! I'm desperate to understand and hopefully prevent this heartbreak from happening again. Carl, you are missed!