Here it is! A new chapter! I'm actually really pleased with how this fic is turning out, and will be introducing 'Him' soon! Things could get interesting...

Take Him

Day 5

It was Ssundee who broke the news to me. I'd been left alone that entire day; even my team recognised that I needed some time to myself. Slowly, in my self-appointed isolation, I had managed to lose myself in the comforting rhythm of my pick striking rock. It reminded me of a time before the madness, a time where it was just the two of us working in silence. Me and my father. He wasn't one to force idle chat in an attempt to cover the peace, so we usually went long hours without speaking at all. In truth, that's the way I like it.

Focusing solely of work meant that I had a pretty nice stack of ores by the end of the day. Dale had let me work alone up by the very tip of the underground ravine, out of everyone's way. Not many people had actually excavated the area, as there was more riches to be found by the base of the cavern, so I accumulated nearly seven stacks of coal, three stacks of iron, and a few shards of lapis. The azure rocks are practically useless, so I always get to keep them. I use the porous stones to dye my garments quickly and easily, even if it means that I own multiple sets of identical clothes.

Anyway, I'm getting off track. At this point, I had managed to forget it all. The deaths. The hate. The undisguised hostility obvious on the other worker's faces whenever they caught a glimpse of me. I had managed to forget it all until he came. Ssundee approached me quietly in the chaotic hustle of the working mine, and spoke three simple words that brought me crashing back to reality.

"Deadlox is dead."

He didn't stand a chance, they told me. Zek and Ssundee had gone to visit him the night he left, to try and reason with him about quitting. He hadn't even made it back to his home; his mangled corpse was discovered in the middle of a gravel pathway, lit by a single redstone torch. He died the same way Lukas did, from three deep wounds right across his chest. And the rot. That's what they're calling it now, the rot. It's unlike anything the village doctors have ever seen, a strange, withering corruption of unknown origin. We're pretty sure it isn't contagious, but people are becoming spooked nonetheless. They demanded Deadlox's body be burnt, to destroy him utterly "before the pathogens spread", whatever that means.

Ssundee had to repeat the words twice more before the horrible realisation sunk in. I guess I was in shock - he had to literally shake me to get me to respond, and when I did, it wasn't with anything coherent.

"Deadlox is dead," He spoke again, with menace lurking in his tone. If I had been paying more attention, I would have noticed the dark, malevolent gleam in his eyes, but my focus was completely shot by the earth shattering news.

I was completely unprepared when his gentle hold evolved into a strong choke, one arm slipping round my throat.

"What… Wait!" I was powerless to break the suffocating grip, powerless to free myself from the man crushing the life out of me.

"Deadlox is dead because of you," Ssundee hissed in my ear as the world started to fade from view. I gasped desperately for air, digging my nails into his forearm in panic, but my friend was too far gone to care about the pain. "It's all your fault, Steve."

"Please…" Hazily, I made out another figure rushing up behind him, trying to pull the crazed Minecraftian off me. It was too late; my grip slackened, my eyes closed and I fell into a deep, dreamless sleep.

…

I didn't wake for a long time. The first thing I noticed having regained my senses was that I was no longer beside my small mine; I must have been carried down the steps while unconscious. Or dragged down, as my back was covered in deep, mottled bruises and felt like someone had taken a hammer to it. Instead, I was lying by the entrance to level thirteen, surrounded by people I barely recognised.

What the? No one looked too happy to see me alive and well; no one made a move to try and help me up. With a slight shock, I realised the rest of my team were with me, facing the mob as if to protect me from them. Aria, Zek, Ethan, Jackson, all of them putting their jobs - and possibly their lives - on the line. For me. I'd never felt so loved, and (catching a glimpse of the raging gang's faces) so hated at the same time.

"Stand aside! The man needs to die!" I didn't know who had spoken. They all looked the same to me. Scared. Angry. Needing someone to blame for their pain. I was just unfortunate that that someone was me.

"He has done nothing wrong and you know it," Aria barked straight back at him, holding her ground. "It's not Steve's fault you lot still believe in old fairytales." A missile sailed over the heads of the mob, striking her a glancing blow to the cheek. Aria barely even flinched, but Ethan cried out in shock at the careless, violent act.

"Leave her alone!" He leapt out in front of her as more projectiles took flight. "Stop this! Are you crazy?!" Ethan was brave, but no match for them. A fist slammed into the side of his face, and he dropped hard to the ground.

"No!" Jackson, with tears in her eyes, pushed past us to lean over his unmoving form. The faint rise and fall of his chest revealed that he was alive, but Aria still had to physically restrain Jackson as she struggled to launch herself at the horde.

I finally found the strength to speak. "Everyone stop," My voice sounded calm, but inside I was in turmoil. I finally knew what I had to do. "If you all really believe that this is my doing, then take it out on me, and me alone. Don't drag my friends into this." Glancing back at them, It came to my attention that someone was missing. Of course - Ssundee. He stood to one side, almost invisible in the gloom. The man had been forgotten, so it took everyone by surprise when he spoke for the first time.

"Let 'Him' have them."

The mob quietened, debating this new idea. I prayed to Notch that they would decide to go through with it.

Anything. Just stop hurting my friends.

Slowly, the grizzled miner at the head of the throng nodded.

"It's a long shot, but maybe… Maybe 'He' will leave us alone then."

No further words were needed. Faced with that one terrifying choice - to stand my ground and die, or to venture into the unknown - I backed away towards the entrance to level thirteen. To my surprise, the rest of my old team came with me. They seemed determined to follow; My abrupt protestations were cut short by Aria shooting me a warning glare.

The mob leader tossed me a small bag, and with a jolt I realised that this had all been planned. Even Ssundee, who had retreated back into the shadows in shame, had been part of it.

All because of me.

Not another word was said; Turning our backs on our ex-colleagues and friends, we ventured cautiously into the darkness.