Running. He was running. His feet were flying beneath him, stumbling along as he tripped over himself. He felt he just had to run, something was chasing him and he didn't know what it was, but then again he wasn't sure he wanted to know what it was either. He was terrified, and he only mustered up enough courage to steal a glance over his shoulder, and in that moment all that courage left him, the moment he saw those glowing white eyes behind him. It was that man….

I have a name Steven, you should use it sometime.

His eyes widened as he turned back to what was ahead of him. God his voice sent chills through him. It was low and smooth and had a bit of a growl to it, and it was rather disturbing to hear, especially when he was running away from him. He huffed, trying desperately to fill his lungs with enough air, especially since they were burning from the exertion. His legs were beginning to ache, but he was running for his life, he couldn't stop… He just couldn't…

Who ever said I was trying to kill you Steven?

Steve growled weakly to himself, pushing himself harder, trying to run faster through the trees, avoiding them here and there, and then suddenly there was another body beside his, and he stole a glance over, it was to his left, and saw Hero… floating? He was floating beside him?! How in the Nether was he doing that?! And how was he keeping up?! A grin spread across Hero's face, showing off his sharp teeth.

And then he hit a tree.

He bolted up in his bed, gasping as he clutched at his chest, his breathing shaky. He glanced over, his eyes fixed on the planks that made his floor, and sighed in relief. He was in his home, and he was safe. He must've really been startled by what happened yesterday for him to have a nightmare like that… Especially over a children's tale. He sighed, noticing it was getting light outside, so he figured he would just get up now, he would be getting up soon anyways.

He grumbled softly as he got up, swinging his legs over the side of the bed, muttering to himself as he stood, walking over to the chest that held his clothes and dressing himself, trudging down the stairs. He decided he would go through his inventory bag, since he hadn't gotten a chance to last night, since… No, no it could not have been real. It was just much too absurd an idea. Herobrine was like the boogeyman, he kept children behaving, that was it…. Wasn't it?

"C'mon Steve, you're a grown ass man, it was just your imagination."

He mumbled to himself, more to affirm that everything would be okay. He had to assure himself, otherwise it would be on his mind all day. It would be anyways though, he was just that kind of person. He located his bag, having just tossed it into his storage room the night prior. He had been in a bit of a rush… He scooped it up, digging through and separating the ores from the stone, he had even been lucky enough to find a few pieces of lapis.

He set aside the stone in one chest, situating the lapis in a nearby chest that also held other precious resources like iron and gold. He put the iron ores into his furnace, and wandered from the room, bag dragging on the ground behind him as he set it outside of the doorway. He stretched carefully, wandering to the kitchen to get himself some food, needing to sit and think, and what better time than while he was eating. He got himself some milk, and an apple, sitting down and taking a bite of the fruit, chewing thoughtfully.

What had actually happened? And had he really seen Herobrine? He wasn't sure about either of those questions, but he had to think of a logical explanation… He must've just been extra tired… That had to have been it… The only problem was, he didn't really believe himself. So much for just convincing himself it was nothing… But the issue was, if it really had been Herobrine… Why was he bothering with him? Had he done something wrong? He hadn't disturbed any oddities while he was mining, leaving the rooms alone, at least the ones that looked too perfect to be natural.

That couldn't be it, it had to be something more in depth… Did Hero just want to kill him? He certainly hoped not… It would definitely be painful… He sighed heavily, his head slumping forwards, making a thud as his head hit the table, his arms stretched out in front of him. This was becoming a bother, especially since he was nervous to even go out to the village to get food and supplies. He layed there for a minute, just trying to collect his thoughts. So a crazy man was after him, one that killed people for no reason other than his own pleasure. He was the king of the Nether, and he was supposedly the brother of Notch.

Great.

Just great.

He groaned, lifting his head and setting his chin back down onto the table, staring at it as he thought deeply. If he took a sword he probably wouldn't be safe… But then again if he just stayed here all day he was a sitting duck... He decided that he would just pretend like it never happened. Maybe Hero hadn't meant to be seen, and he hoped just as much as himself that he hadn't been seen. He finished up his apple and milk, and pushed himself up out of his seat, gathering a few things to trade with and slipping them into his inventory bag.

He left them by the door, running back up the stairs to go grab his shoes, sliding them on before running back down and outside, tending to the cow as he had the previous morning, feeding her and milking her, giving her a gentle pat before going back inside to grab his inventory bag and head out. He walked down the path quietly, just admiring the clear air and the sound of the wind rustling the leaves in the trees. He loved the quiet that nature provided, even if it had its own noises, they were very soothing and welcome. He smiled to himself as he saw the village approaching, his walk turning into a gentle jog, slowing back down once he reached the village, smiling at the villagers and making polite conversation when it was started.

He made his way to the marketplace, humming softly as he browsed the stands, stopping at a few of them, bartering with the villagers that owned them, and ending up with some good stuff. He got some books about mobs, and some beetroot seeds to plant in his little farm. He also got some carrots, potatoes, and some rabbit, maybe he could make a stew or something for himself. Amongst a few other trivial supplies like string and slimeballs, he also got more bales of hay for his cow. He walked along, pausing as an old looking bookstore caught his eye.

He slowly made his way over, entering quietly, the door barely making a noise behind him. It was dimly lit, and smelled of paper and dust. He went to look amongst the shelves, everything looking old, and well used. He jumped as an older villager tapped him on the shoulder, turning to face him with a nervous smile, and an equally nervous laugh to accompany it.

"Can I help you with anything young man?"

The villager asked politely.

"Oh uh, no, thank you though!"

He replied with a little chuckle, pausing as the villager turned to go back to whatever he had been tending to previously.

"Uh, actually… I was wondering if you had any books on mobs? Or the Nether…"

The villager gave a kind smile and a nod, leading him around, giving him a few books, about five in the stack, Steve shifting a bit awkwardly.

"Would you happen to have any about... Herobrine?"

The villager paused briefly, looking to him a bit suspiciously.

"Aren't you a bit old to be reading children's stories?"

"Oh I'm not looking for kid's stories, I mean like… informational books… Are there any informational books about him?"

He asked, hopeful. He wanted to learn about what he was dealing with, in case it was more than just an accident. The villager gave a heavy sigh, leading him towards the back, some books that looked very, very old sitting on the shelf. He pulled out a few, setting them on top of the stack, looking to Steve with a very serious expression.

"I'm warning you, it's best not to get involved in things you shouldn't, or can't handle."

"I know, I'm just really curious."

He explained, smiling. The villager gave a little nod and led him to the counter, Steve glad that the books weren't expensive at all. He thanked the villager and stuffed the books into his bag, leaving just as quietly as he had come in. He began his walk home, excited to get into the books. He wanted, no, needed, to know more about this man. He hummed to himself the whole way home, pausing just before the path to his house, glancing towards the trees to his right. It felt like he was being watched…

No one was there though, not even amongst the fog, no white eyes anywhere, or any person at all in fact. He gave a little shrug and continued on, entering his house and shutting the door behind himself. He slid his shoes off at the door, putting everything he had gotten in its proper place, grumbling as he had to put his shoes back on to go and put the hay into the chest for the cow. He slid them back off when he got inside, gathering up his stack of books and heading up to his room, setting the books on the desk he had made for himself, which sat against the wall beside his bed, facing a window.

He got to reading, taking breaks only to use the bathroom and to get himself food, reading until his eyelids were heavy and he fell asleep atop the book he had been reading, snoring softly. A soft chuckle rang through the room, not loud enough to wake him.

"Oh Steven…"

A soft voice mumbled. The being took the blanket from the bed, gently draping it over Steve's shoulders, a small smile forming on the being's lips as he looked at the books on the desk, picking up one of the black covered ones, seeing the title and giving a soft laugh.

"So I see you've been doing your homework hmm? You've tired yourself out already…"

He stood there, glancing across his face, pausing as he noticed some notes alongside the book, a list in scribbled handwriting that was obviously Steve's.

Maybe he wants to kill me?

That could be perfectly possible but probably not.

He probably has better things to do.

Maybe he's lonely?

Nah, guys like him don't get lonely.

So being friends is probably out of the question…

Maybe he just wants to scare me…

Probably that…

He smirked a bit, humming softly.

"Oh Steven…"

He hummed softly, giving a small smile to the miner.

"You have no idea how wrong you are…"