Cruel but Gentle - Herobrine X Steve

Chapter 7

Steve began to struggle under the god's grip. Herobrine chuckled darkly.

"Stop struggling, Stevie." Herobrine tutted. "Or I'll have to hurt you and we don't want that, do we?" Steve shook his head as best he could. He felt his heart beating rapidly in his chest. "Good boy." Herobrine grinned. His teeth looked sharp. Cruel chills ran through Steve's spine.

"W-What do you want?" Steve stuttered, his voice shaky from fear.

"Tomorrow, you're going to tell Notch that nothing happened this night." Herobrine explained, his voice harsh. "Tell him that you didn't dream of me and go home, Stevie."

"W-Why?" Steve mustered. Herobrine's grip tightened. Steve let out a squeak. He could no longer breathe.

"Because, if you don't, your mutt will pay the price." Herobrine threatened. Steve whimpered, struggling to get air into his screaming lungs. Herobrine loosened his grip, just enough for Steve to breathe. Steve was panting, his eyes filled with terror.

This was all too amusing for Herobrine. Steve was weak and easy to persuade. He was nothing. Or was he? Steve's fear made him...oddly adorable. He began to struggle again.

"L-Let me go!" Steve begged. "Please!" Herobrine growled. Steve shrunk back.

"The sun is rising, Stevie. I'll see you soon."

Steve awoke with a start. It was just a dream, thank Notch. He tried to slow his breathing. Dusky was still asleep, calm and peaceful. There was a knock at the door.

"Come in!" Steve called. The door opened to show Notch.

"Hello, Steven." Notch greeted "Did you sleep well?" Steve was about to answer that Herobrine had entered his dreams again when he stopped.

"Very well, thanks." Steve lied, keeping his voice down as not to wake Dusky. "There was no dreams about Herobrine this time." Notch raised an eyebrow.

"Are you sure?" Steve nodded.

"Positive."

"Okay then...I suspect you'll be leaving soon?"

"Yeah, just give me a minute." Notch closed the door. Steve gently pushed Dusky off of him and got out of bed, stretching his muscles. "I probably should have packed my pyjamas." Steve muttered to himself, feeling a bit sticky and miserable, having slept in his clothes.

Steve walked into the bathroom to freshen up. He began to wash his face in the sink, dusting away the morning cobwebs in his head. He stared at his reflection in the mirror, mentally laughing at his messy bed head.

"Good Stevie." Herobrine's voice whispered from behind him "You listened to me." Steve spun round and was met with air. He gulped but there was no one in the bathroom. Steve walked out, attempting to flatten his crazy hair.

"Dusky!" Steve nudged his sleeping canine. "Wake up; we're going home!" Dusky opened her eyes and licked Steve's face. He chuckled as she jumped off the bed. Steve put his bag on his back and grabbed his sword. "Let's go!"

After waving goodbye to Notch, Steve and Dusky began to travel back to their house. Steve was on edge. He could swear he was being watched. A twig snapped.

"Did you hear that Dusky?" Dusky had already pounced on a nearby bush and dragged a shocked tabby cat out by the scruff.

"Hey!" A woman's voice called. "Don't you dare hurt my cat!" Steve turned towards the voice to see the woman from the pet shop. Dusky let go of the cat, who ran up to the woman. The woman picked up the cat. "Keep your mutt under control next time!" The woman growled. "It could have killed Ace!"

"Dusky would never!" Steve argued back angrily. "We thought someone was stalking us and Dusky was trying to protect me!"

"Well Dusky nearly killed Ace in the process!" The woman snapped. "That was uncalled for!" Dusky let out a low growl, warning the woman to back off.

"Do you see any injuries on your cat?!" Steve yelled. "No. It's fine!" The woman examined her cat. She let out a long, frustrated sigh.

"Sorry, but Ace has almost died five times before and I was just worried." She apologised. "I'm Alex." Steve stood there surprised for a moment before answering.

"I'm, err, Steve." Dusky stopped growling and wagged her tail instead. "It's okay, it was just a misunderstanding."

"Where you off to then?"

"We're going home." Steve explained. "We were visiting Notch."

"Well, see you another time Steve!" Alex waved, Ace in her other arm as she walked off. "Again, I'm sorry for attacking you like that." She turned and walked away. Steve and Dusky continued back to their house.

The sun was at it's highest point in the sky when Dusky's stomach rumbled. She tried to ignore it but Steve was already taking his bag off.

"We should stop for lunch." Steve suggested as he sat down and pulled out some pork chops and a apple. He tossed the pork to Dusky, who was sitting next to him. She bit into it, scanning the surroundings. Steve ate his apple.

After that they continued to journey and made it inside the house, just as the sun was setting. Steve closed the door behind them, Dusky sniffed around.

"What took you so long, Stevie?"