New World [Complete]

Chapter Fifteen: Aftermath

A/N: Sorry for the slow updates, guys :( I know I need to get back on track, but this might not be a very long chapter. If you see any spelling mistakes or anything, please make sure to inform me (as I'm writing this at 3 am). Again, I'm sorry.

Mystery POV

As soon as I was unfrozen, while the others were still marveling over their now mobile condition or panicking, I looked for Herobrine. It seemed like he had disappeared after fighting the sisters. I still couldn’t believe they’d survived.

I watched as Kitty’s wounds were tended to by a boy I didn’t recognize before turning my attention to Kitty’s sister, Raygel. She had suddenly collapsed, but now she was starting to recover. She stumbled to her feet, swaying dangerously. Another girl steadied her. Just then, our eyes met. I refused to look away, staying silent. This girl was dangerous. She’d just chased away Herobrine, of all people!

Finally, she looked away and went over to Kitty. I watched her facial reactions carefully, trying to gauge Kitty’s condition. A smile lit up her face and I allowed myself a sigh of relief. Kitty was going to be fine, I guessed, and she was reunited with her sister. I felt happy for her, but the thought also brought a twinge of sadness. Before, both of us had been outsiders and had become friends in a way. Now I was on my own. It’s not like it was my choice. I was friendly enough, but I just didn’t belong with the loud boys. I preferred my peace and quiet.

Shaking my head to clear my thoughts, I went to check on the boys. Jacob’s forehead wound had already scabbed over and he would be fine. They sat in a triangle, talking quietly. Not wanting to intrude, I stayed away.  I knew they had forgiven Raygel after she had refused to kill them in their weakest state. That was a good thing because they were our main fighting force, we couldn't have them sulking.

Thinking of our group made my thoughts wander back to Ian, Mitch, and Jerome. Were they worried? Had they come looking for us? I imagined our return. Jerome, loud and welcoming with bear hugs. Ian, a little more wary but still friendly. Mitch, enfolding me in a relieved hug before greeting our new friends.  My hopeful thinking made me smile a little bit.

“Are you alright?” The girl who had been helping Raygel approached me, startling me out of my thoughts. I looked up in surprise.

“Yeah,” I answered.

“My name’s Lizzie.” She introduced herself.

“Nice to meet you, Lizzie,” I smiled. She didn’t seem fazed by the fact that I didn’t introduce myself. Instead, she sighed and stared at Raygel and Kitty.

“You know, I’m happy for Raygel but…” She started, trailing off.

“I know,” I interrupted. “We’re left behind. We were helpless.” There was a slight note of bitterness in my voice. She nodded in understanding.

“I wanted to help. It was killing me to just watch them get hurt and try to protect us.” She confessed. “And I can’t even help clean up the aftermath. I’m no healer, I’m not even a fighter!”

I considered her words. I wasn’t a healer either and I was only a decent archer. I was better with malee weapons like my diamond sword or stealth attacks. During the battle, I’d felt frustratingly helpless. I wouldn’t have been able to help even if I could move. It was Herobrine, for goodness sake! I realized that I’d let a silence stretched out between us.

“I understand,” I agreed. “I not a healer either and I’m not very good at archery anyway.”

“But you threatened those boys successfully.” She pointed out.

“Yeah, just because I beat them in malee competitions all the time they assume I’m really good at archery as well.” I scoffed.

“Would you teach me?” Lizzie asked eagerly, looking up at me.

“What?” I exclaimed in confusion.

“Will you teach me how to be a better fighter?” She repeated, clearer this time. Not sure what to say, I let silence hang awkwardly in the air. Was she asking me, a complete stranger, for help? I wasn't sure how much I could help her, but something - maybe her friendly aura or innocent personality - made me want to protect her. Maybe I just felt like I could connect to her in some way.

Surprising myself, I spoke. “Sure,” I replied finally and smiled. She grinned happily, her eyes shining like an excited child's. That settled, she left to check on Kitty.

Raygel's POV

Two days after the fight with Heorbrine, I sat with Seto and Lizzie and tried to figure out what we should do next. Kitty was unconscious, still recovering. Kitty's companions - three boys and one girl - had decided to keep their distance and I chose not to push them. We were all living in my house now, with only a few extensions having needed to be added.

"We should get in touch with the others," Lizzie pointed out, meaning Sky, Ty, Seto, Ant, Jason, and Jordan.

"How?" I asked. "We can't just leave. Kitty is still recovering." She shrugged.

"Seto, how long should Kitty rest?" I questioned, turning to him.

"At least until the wound closes fully, so a few days at the very least, but then she shouldn't do anything straining." He explained thoughtfully.

"That would take too long, right? Don't you think they're looking for us?" Lizzie asked.

"I know, but... What should we do?" I sighed.

"We could send a messenger. Somebody they would trust and isn't needed around here." Lizzie suggested and I instantly caught her meaning.

"No, it's too dangerous for you to ride back on your own!" I objected.

"What else do you suggest?" She challenged.

"I don't know!" I exclaimed. The recent stress made my voice tense. With these new people and Herobrine's recent attack, I had more to worry about then ever before. In the past, I'd only been responsible for myself but now others had somehow made me their leader. Being an unwilling leader meant that I was responsible for the well-being of the people around me. "I don't know what I should do," I repeated quietly.

"You should be resting as well," Seto commented pointedly. He'd trying to get me to lie down for hours and was obviously annoyed by now, but I didn't have time for that. My body would recover in it's own and Seto's potions were enough to keep the pain away. Herobrine was oddly inactive in trying to hurt me. I rolled my eyes and ignored him.

A part of me wished that I could come up with some magical solution and fix all my problems, but the reality told me the truth. I couldn't fix anything. I even wished I would hear from Notch, who always seemed to have answers, but I'd heard nothing. Everything just seemed so frustrating, as if the world wanted me to lose. I didn't even know what I would lose. I couldn't figure out a solution and it seemed like no one else could either.

"Let's try to think of something else and meet again later." I finally said after a long silence. Without waiting for agreement, I stood. I could feel both Seto's and Lizzie's annoyance with me as I walked away. I decided that it was time to leave, to get some time by myself.

I walked outside into the crisp fresh air, breathing in the smell of nature. I pulled out an axe and wandered deep into the shaded forest. We needed wood anyway, there was no reason that I couldn't enjoy nature at the same time. Maybe in this quiet peacefulness, I could think clearly. The sun was high in the sky as I began my work. I chopped down a few trees, but in general I relaxed. I fully let my guard down, clearing my mind and reveling in the sensation of a lack of responsibility.

Not long after midday, I sat against an oak tree. A small river coming from the mountains bubbled somewhere nearby. A whisper of a breeze stirred the grass at my feet and the sun's rays warmed my face. I closed my eyes and laid my head back, a small smile playing on my lips. The sounds of animals like sheep and cows were somewhere nearby, but I wasn't worried about them. Their far off sounds eventually lulled me into a light restful sleep.

A/N: I know it's short, please no hate :(