The labyrinth of monsters (a Hermitcraft and third life AU fanfic)

Chapter 12 - Tango

(Earlier) 

I watch as my friend runs off into the maze, helpless. Nothing I do will bring him back. I've known him for long enough to know that he's won't return until Cub is dead. I have no idea why, but when Impulse gets an idea, he's sticking with it. 

'Tango?' Grian's next to me, and I look over to him.

'I'm fine. Just go back to bed, or do something else. I want to be alone.' 

My winged friend nods, before walking off. I glance back at him, making sure he's gone, before taking a deep breath and stepping into the maze. 

I quickly pick up the pace, not wanting to be caught. Impulse will listen to me more if I'm alone. When I turn the first corner, I break into a run, wanting to get to him before he does anything stupid. It's dark, and I don't know where I'm going, but I go there as quick as I can, realising I also need to go before any patrols see me. 

My breath quickens further as I hear footsteps behind, and someone telling me to wait. I don't, and run faster, round corners, until I reach a dead end. I turn, and see Grian, holding a map and a dagger.

'Pancakes... wait...' He pants. 'I'm... coming too...'

'Where?'

'To find Panic, of course!' I don't speak, wondering how he knew what I was doing. 'Come on, it was obvious. Why else would you run in here without a weapon? Alone?'

'I'm not alone any more, am I?' I push past Grian, walking off. He grabs my hand before I get out of reach, forcing me to face him. 

'You know you weren't going to get anywhere alone. Look, I stole a map and some food, and I have a knife in case we get caught by any of the people in here. You can't do this alone. No one's survived on their own before out here. Joel told me.'

'Fine.' There's no hope in arguing, so I do the only other thing I can. 'Come with me.'

'I'm pretty sure I know where he was going. It's... this way.' Grian points vaguely ahead of us. I frown back. 

'How?' 

'Well, Canada realised Cub was one the vex. You know, the ones that killed Skizz. So if Impulse is chasing him, then he must be heading towards where they always are. This way.' 

I let Grian and his superior knowledge take the lead, trudging behind. Inside, I know that he's my only hope, even though it's barely a week since he came here. 

How's it barely a week? It feels like he's always been here!

We walk in silence for a long time, until I'm finally useful and spot a figure ahead. Black t-shirt with a yellow face on the back. Brown hair. Impulse. 

He's staring at something in his hands, and it takes a moment for me to realise what it is. A knife. Pointed straight at his chest. 

I run forward.

'IMPULSE!' I scream his name as I barrel into him, knocking us both to the ground. I roll clumsily off his back, looking back to see him on his hands and knees, barely comprehending what happened. He's still holding the knife, and looks over at me. Our eyes met, before he blinks and stands up, the weapon raised again. I charge forward, grabbing for it, and Impulse swipes back at me. He punches me straight in the face and I fall against the wall, quickly getting to my feet and trying again. Red flashes across my vision as my friend swipes at me. Blood half-blinds me, and I try to wipe it away. 

'WHY ARE YOU HERE?!' He snarls back at me. 

'I knew you'd be in trouble! But I didn't imagine THIS!' I lunge for the knife again and Impulse holds it out of reach. I snatch desperately for it, shoving him into the opposite wall and wrestling it right out of his hand and throwing it as far away as I can. Finally weaponless, Impulse sinks to the ground. I pant heavily in front of him, crying from the adrenaline. Grian's staring at us both from behind. 

'Why would you DO this?' I interrogate furiously, tears and blood pouring down my face. 'Why would you KILL YOURSELF?!'

Impulse doesn't respond, staring at the ground. I crouch down in front of him. 

'TELL ME!'

'Tango...' I glance over at Grian, then back at Impulse, who's also in tears. I quickly sober, sitting down.

'I'm sorry.' There's no reply. I don't expect one. 'I shouldn't have attacked you. I wasn't thinking.' Impulse snuffles feebly, looking up. 

'There's nothing left to enjoy,' He tells me hoarsely. 'Anything would be better than this.' 

I move next to him, and put one arm around his shoulder, trying to stay strong enough to speak. 

'I wish I could help you.' I mutter back softly. 'I wish I could change your mind. But I think you're right.'

'I know I'm right. Skizz is dead, and now I have no idea who killed him. Everything that could've gone wrong has.'

'Do you want a hug?' I know it sounds weak, but Impulse smiles and nod back. So we cuddle, Grian still watching us both. 

'You do know we're still in a death maze, right?' He reminds us. 

'Yeah, I do.' I reply, refusing to move. 

'And any second now someone could attack us?'

'Yeah... but that's unlikely.' 

'How?'

'It just is. Don't worry about it.' 

'Don't jinx it,' 

I look between Grian and Impulse, who's still curled up next to me, silently crying. The former is still holding his knife, nervous. 

'I'm sure nothing's going to go wrong...' 

It's the last thing I say before I quickly eat my words as Bdubs and Zedaph sprint down the way we'd come, followed by Etho, who's bleeding and burnt severely. 

'GET OUT THE WAY!' The former of the three yells. I get to my feet, Impy following after, and see another one of the maze-people grinning at me from where they've come from, red eyes glowing.

'Hello, friends. Prepare to die.'

Phew... Just about hit a thousand words there...

Also, just your friendly reminder that I don't ship hermits.