Destruction: The Hacker and the Spirit

6: Freak-out time

I sat on my bed in the room that I had been given. The bed was soft but not too soft, the curtains were a lovely blue colour and the carpet was grey and woolly. All in all, it made me miss my bedroom at home. I pulled my legs up to my chest. I wondered what was happening back at home. Did my family know I was missing? What are they doing now? When can I go back? Will I die here?

Without me realising it, tears had begun to pour down my cheeks. My thoughts tumbled, going out of control. Was I ready for this? Was I capable enough? What if Herobrine had picked the wrong person? What if I failed and everyone died? If Entity and Null destroy Minecraft, will they come for our world next? My fears pressed in on me and I couldn't think. My breathing became rapid and uneven and I shook, lost in my own thoughts.

Strong arms suddenly engulfed me and strange but soothing words reached my ears. My fears grew quieter and quieter as the voice pulled me out of the hole I was stuck in. I put my head on the chest of the person, and I felt their other arm reach up and gently stroke my head. Finally, the words that had pulled me back became clear.

"It's okay Riley. It's okay. Calm down."

I closed my eyes and listened to the voice. The speaker's voice was soft and gentle, making me calmer than I've been in a long time. Finally, I opened my eyes and raised my head to look at the person who had pulled me out of my own head.

"How did you know I was crying?" I asked. "Did you hear it?"

"No," Herobrine answered. "But I was going to check on you anyway. I could tell that things were starting to get over your head."

I lowered my head, blushing. Normally, my emotions never got the better of me. "Was it that obvious?"

"No, I would be extremely surprised if anyone else noticed. I'm very sensitive to these things," he said.

I put my head on his shoulder and felt him put his head on mine. We were silent for a few minutes.

"What did you see in me? Why am I here?" I asked.

Herobrine knew what I meant. There were other people who could be in my place, other YouTubers and players who were much better at combat than I was. "I chose you because I saw something different. I don't know why, but I feel that you are very important."

I sighed. "But I'm not. I'm the bad girl, the one everybody could do without."

"What do you do that's bad?"

"I punch people, I yell at people, I'm rude, I do things wrong all the time, I lock myself in my room most weekends and after school. I'm probably the least important person," I told him.

"Why do you punch people?" Herobrine asked.

"Because they made fun of my friend or my brother."

"Why are you rude and why do you yell?"

"Because they were rude and yelled at my brother in the first place."

"Why do you lock yourself in your room?"

"Because.... because I'm not comfortable around people. I don't like talking very much. I'd much rather just be alone than be in a group," I said.

"So you punch people who hurt those you are close to, you get angry at people who are rude to those you are close with and yet you don't like people and would much rather be alone," Herobrine summed up. "That doesn't sound like you're bad. That sounds like you're protecting people you love."

"I guess," I answered hesitantly. Nobody had said it like that before. I didn't like talking about me, or about what I do or how I act. Herobrine must have sensed this because he changed topics.

"Tell me about your brother."

So I told him. I told him how my brother was born prematurely and the doctors weren't sure if he would survive the first year of his life. I told him how my brother had to have an operation when he was only 3 months old because his heart had a big hole in it as well as a smaller hole. I told him how we used to wash my brother in the laundry sink because he was so small. I told him how my brother was always smiling, despite the fact that he almost died 2 or 3 times when he was a baby. I talked about how my brother talks so much that he has to be reminded to eat his food.

I don't know how long I talked for, only that by then end of it my throat was sore and the setting sun was shining though the window. I yawned as I talked, my words starting to slur. I finished the story about how my brother had once banged his head on a doorpost and acted like nothing happened when my eyes started to droop. Herobrine rubbed my arm.

"Are you hungry?" he asked.

I nodded, half-asleep.

"I'll go get you some dinner," he said, going downstairs and leaving the door open behind him.

I was fast asleep when he came back.

For those who don't like romance, DON'T WORRY! There's gonna be none of that in this book. This is only a developing friendship.

Sorry to disappoint some of you. X)