Cruel but Gentle - Herobrine X Steve

Chapter 6

Steve awoke with a scream and Dusky was startled awake. Another nightmare. Dusky stared at Steve with a concerned expression. Steve patted her head softly.

"It was just a nightmare Dusky; don't worry about me." Dusky slowly rested her head on Steve's lap while Steve let out a long sigh. These nightmares were beginning to become annoying and even predictable. It was always the same so why did it still scare him? Was it just that Herobrine could be influencing his dreams? Or maybe because he was just a coward? Steve didn't know.

He was snapped out of his thoughts when a horrible sound reached his ears; the sound of Zombies and Skeletons burning to a crisp. Steve cringed. Wait; if Zombies and Skeletons were burning that meant it was day. Steve turned towards his bedroom window, which only confirmed that it was, indeed, day.

"It's time to go, Dusky." Steve cheered. Dusky hopped off the bed, wagging her tail slightly. Steve reached down to grab his iron sword and backpack but stopped suddenly. Where was his sword? He could have swore he put it with his backpack. "Dusky?" Steve asked. "Do you know where my sword is?" Steve turned to face Dusky, who looked just as confused. She sniffed the air then shook her head.

They began to look all over the house for it. Steve checked everywhere in his bedroom and his bathroom but no luck. Steve then walked downstairs and into the kitchen to find Dusky sniffing around. He then traveled back to his living room to find his sword, leaning against the front door.

"Was that there before?" Steve inquired to no one. He didn't see it when he walked downstairs. Steve shook his head. "Found it, Dusky!" He called.

Dusky suddenly sprinted upstairs, causing Steve to become confused. He peeked into the kitchen but nothing seemed out of place. Dusky then came downstairs, Steve's backpack in her jaws. Steve smiled and petted Dusky.

"Thank you, good girl." He praised. Dusky rubbed against Steve slightly. Steve swung his bag onto his back. Sword in hand, he opened the front door and walked out, Dusky by his side.

Steve opened the small side pocket on his bag and pulled out a rolled up piece of paper. Steve straitened it out to show a map. Notch's castle was about a days journey away. They would have to hurry to get there before night fell. Steve traced the route with his finger then rolled up the map again, placing it back in his bag.

"Come on, Dusky; it's this way!" Steve pointed North-East from his house. "Let's go!"

The start was in a slightly awkward silence, the only sound was the life around them and the crunch of the stray leaves on the green grass. Steve admired his surroundings. Autumn was definitely a beautiful sight. The leaves were varied from gorgeous shades of red, orange and yellow. The air around them was cool and refreshing. Steve smiled.

Dusky was tense. She could smell him near. Why was he so focused on hurting Steve? Steve was so kind to Dusky. Why would anyone wish to bring him pain? Humans are confusing creatures. Dusky acknowledged in her mind. She continued to sniff the air, careful not to alert Steve; Dusky didn't want him to be scared. Fear was bad. Dusky wasn't entirely sure why they were traveling, she only knew that it was to someone important. Why did they need to see this important person? Dusky was confused; she had so many questions and she wanted to understand. She wanted answers. Unfortunately, she was going to have to wait.

"Are you okay, Dusky?" Steve questioned, concern in his voice. Dusky seemed a bit tense. "Does your leg hurt? I could carry you or we could go see Notch another time." Dusky shook her head and gave Steve her best smile, for being a wolf. She forced her muscles to relax but still kept a weary eye out.

***

The sun was setting, the sky a mixture of beautiful colours. Steve and Dusky were running. They were almost there; almost at the village where Notch's castle resigned. Dusky was slower she normally was (her leg had only recently healed) but her top speed now matched Steve's.