Cruel but Gentle - Herobrine X Steve

Chapter 16

Both the canine and God were in the battle planning room. Dusky was finding it considerably difficult to explain to Notch why Steve wasn't here. As Notch didn't understand what she was saying, she had to rely on pointing out objects or body language. Unfortunately, that way of communicating had lots of limits.

"So, he's still alive?" Notch inquired, trying his best to figure out what the dog was trying to tell him. Dusky nodded excitedly. At least they were getting somewhere. "Is he in chains? Did you not manage to free him from them?" Dusky shook her head.

The both of them were interrupted when Elizabeth brought in some lunch for the both of them then left them alone again. They didn't eat at first.

"I do not understand, Dusky," Notch admitted after pushing his plate aside. "You wanted to get him back the most, if he wasn't restricted, why didn't you?" Dusky looked down. How was she going to explain that Steve decided to stay? She let out a whine.

Notch let out a stressful sigh. So much was going on. Why didn't Herobrine have Steve at least chained up? It all seemed so bizarre. Herobrine wasn't acting normal. First, he wasn't giving Steve hell in his dreams, second, Dusky wasn't killed or taken when Herobrine kidnapped the mortal, and third, Steve wasn't even in chains? Notch shook his head in disbelief of it all.

The pair eventually ate their lunch, a tense silence over them both. The dog's lunch consisted of a expensive wet food she had taken a liking too. Notch had a sandwich, lettuce, tomatoes and cheese inside.

Dusky couldn't stop thinking about what Steve had done. Why did he stay? Surely it couldn't just be because he wanted to protect Dusky, could it? If that was the case then it was Dusky's fault yet again. She was the reason Steve wasn't back home. Safe.

Notch just couldn't make sense of any of it. Sure, kidnapping was something Herobrine did every now and then but whenever Notch had tried to save them, they were always chained up. Notch was also always too late. They were always dead before they could be saved. What made this time so...different?

Dusky whimpered and looked down, still trying to think of a way that Notch could understand. It was frustrating that he couldn't. She licked her nose then let out a big yawn. Notch let out a gasp.

"Why didn't you tell me you were injured?" Dusky then remembered when she got cut by a sword. It wasn't a deep cut, definitely not fatal. She just forgot about it. "We need to get that patched up before it gets infected."

Notch teleported the both of them to the infirmary. There were soldiers from the battle that took place an hour ago. Luckily, it seemed no one was gravely injured. The worst wound Dusky could see was someone had got cut along the arm. Everyone else just seemed to be scratched every now and then. They all smelled clean, as if they'd just been washed, with only a hint of sweat.

"Good afternoon, Nathan." Notch greeted the doctor there. It was a different one and than the one that Dusky saw when she woke up a while back with injuries all over herself. Nathan bowed. He had blonde hair and was tall. Very tall. Taller than Notch. He wore a pleasant smile and blue eyes that seemed to grin along with his mouth.

"Lord Notch, I'm happy to report that none of the soldiers have any major injuries." Notch paused at his title before responding.

"Excellent news, have you treated all of the wounds already?" Nathan nodded.

"Yes, Lord Notch." Notch flinched. "Why? Is there something you need me for?"

"This dog has a cut on her side." Notch gestured to the wound on Dusky. "I ask you to clean and wrap it up."

"Right away, come here, doggy!" Dusky followed Nathan and Notch teleported away. Dusky presumed he had something to do.

They got to an empty bed and Nathan patted it, motioning for Dusky to jump up on it. The obedient dog did as told, positioning herself at an angle which would be easy for the doctor to work at.

It wasn't long before Dusky was all patched up. Nathan advised her not to leave, as Notch wouldn't know where she went off to and she could get lost. She doubted she'd get lost with her sense of smell to guide her way, however, she stayed until the God returned.

***

Notch sighed to himself as he sorted out the paperwork he was given. While still focusing on what he was doing, the beloved God tried his best to figure out a way to get Steven back. Why hadn't Dusky rescued him? As far as he was aware, the mortal he created wasn't bound to any chains.

Notch could only think of one explanation at the moment; Steven wanted to stay there. It seemed ridiculous, yet, it was a possibility. However, if that did turn out to be the case, why did he wish to stay? Blackmail, possibly? Perhaps Stockholm Syndrome? Maybe even just out of pure fear? All seemed likely. The situation was very stressful.