Minecraft Hardcore

Chapter 22: The NPC

Ami tightened her grasp on the vines, desperate not to fall. She was trying to use her good arm, but with her luck it seemed she would have to use both. That thought was what frightened her the most. Slowly edging her way to the front door, Ami miraculously dragged herself up, her good arm now sore. Great, she thought sarcastically. As silently as she could be, Ami came close and looked through the doorway. Luke was nowhere to be seen, and neither was Rufus. Rather than make her feel comfort, this unsettled her. Ami took a deep breath, and with a leap of courage slowly creaked open the door.

She tiptoed across the floor, not daring to make a sound. If she had to fight her way out of this, that's just how it would have to be. Mind, she'd rather not, all injuries considered, but she knew she might. Ami checked the entire main room, found nothing, and climbed up the vines to the chest room. Still nothing. She should have expected this. If Rufus was to be anywhere, he may still be in the room she left him in. Ami stepped across the hallway, her heart pounding in her throat, as she drew open the doors to the final room.

Thankfully, Luke was nowhere to be seen. Ami felt her heart rejoice when she saw a familiar looking fur ball curled up in the corner. Rufus was alive! He was badly beaten up, but still alive nonetheless. Ami scooped the wolf in her arms, hearing him make a small noise. Whether it was pain or happiness she couldn't tell. Ami quickly ran on her toes out of the room, into the hallway, scampering down the vine ladder and outside into the crisp air. Using one arm to hold Rufus, Ami took her slightly good arm and slowly dropped down the giant vine ladder leading to the ground.

It was a miracle, she thought. How was Luke not there? Well, it didn't matter now, they were free! Ami's feet touched the chilly snow on the earth below her. Luckily her legs were still fairing well, so she put Rufus in her good arm and ran. She ran and dashed as fast as she could, sprinting away from the Sky House, her home. Well, it wasn't a home so long as Luke was there. Ami felt her stomach boil with anger. This was all his fault! If he could have just played it cool and not tried to kill her, she wouldn't be on the run! Her arm probably wouldn't be all gross, and Rufus wouldn't be so bruised and battered!

"I'll get him for this," Ami growled through her panting. She didn't know if there was a soul around to hear her, or if Rufus was even awake to hear such a comment, but it was more for her to remember. Luke would pay for this, that was for sure.

Fear. Unease. Paranoia. These things constantly shifted around in Ami's mind. The night was upon her, and though she had brought two brand new swords, the question was not if she had the equipment to save her, but if she had the ability. With a cut-up arm to fight with, she didn't stand much of a chance against a group of monsters. She could handle two, at best. Ami already had her sword drawn, and was doing rapid circles around and around to make sure she wasn't missing a grain of sand anywhere.

"Uhhh..." The sound of a Zombie snapped her attention. She hacked away at the creature with haste, quickly killing it and relishing in the award of watching it explode into dust.

"Skree!" The same happened with a spider. One at a time, one at a time. She could make it if they lined up single file. Of course, she knew all good things couldn't last. For when she heard the poof of something else in front of her, something she had never seen before that sent out a bright ball of energy that hit her squarely in the chest, that's when she knew she couldn't handle it. Ami got up, determined to fight. She struck the creature with her sword, sending it backwards, and grinned. Maybe she did have a shot. The creature took something out of its pocket. A vial. Full of a pink liquid.

"Oh, come on!" Ami yelled, angered as she watched the creature restore its health with a potion. She ran towards it again, ready to strike, and was knocked down by a blast of energy yet again. She got up, struggling to see. Swinging blindly. Forced to the ground. Her vision slowly fading, a dark figure jumping in front of her and making an unintelligible noise. Ami blacked out.