Chapter 20: Bad News

- Nya's POV -

*The Next Day*

Sleep didn't come easily last night. My mind was occupied with thoughts of glittering turquoise swords, menacing laughter and the bitter sense of betrayal.

Mackenzie had to be walked to her dorm room; she was wide-eyed, suspicious of any shadows that occupied the halls. We talked about happy things, like family and animals. I was able to hold it in until my head hit the pillow; crying in fear, in sadness that my friend was never really a friend at all.

Emerald woke me up that Saturday morning. I had bounced up and pulled her into a tight embrace, apologizing for getting mad at her and not believing her. She didn't seem to know what I was talking about, but she hugged back and thanked me. I felt a weighed sense of guilt every time I looked at her face, because I had portrayed her as a terrible, untrustworthy person. She treated me as normal, though, pestering me when I took too long in the bathroom and when I had accidentally put on her clothes instead of mine. I was thankful for that.

Clare was absent from our room; Emerald didn't seem to mind, and I had an immense feeling of relief which made the air easier to breathe. The first thing I did that morning was find Zach, and ask to meet him down by Florem Park. He had agreed, and his eyes gave away how much he was worried about me and my hushed, hissing tone.

So here I was, sitting on a wooden bench and watching the horses and their owners ride by. Aphrodite was grazing comfortably over in a large patch of lush grass, and my attention was focussed on a group of children playing 'Kill the Zombie' with wooden swords that had been enchanted so they couldn't cause pain if they were to strike a blow. The everyday lifestyle of the Bloquear civilians made me jealous; why couldn't I have an easy-going lifestyle like them? No danger, no pain, protected from anything that could harm. No one trying to kill them and hurt those they love. A life like that would be simple.

But simple didn't sound very appealing. As much as I wanted to have a normal life like the people walking down the crowded streets, a life without adventure would be... Dull. I mean, if it weren't for Herobrine and his crazy antics, I never would of met Zach. Or Harry. Or learn new things or be brave for once. I owed Herobrine for this life; yes, it had it's downsides (like a psycho killer trying to get revenge on me) but the good parts were more important. The happy memories me that the people around me had helped me create.

Whilst I was deep in thought, a heard a loud horse whiny from behind. I turned around to face a large coal black steed who licked me affectionately on the cheek.

"Ah! Aslan! Stop!" I said through giggles, pushing away the horse's nose. I looked up at Zach, who was saddled on Aslan's back.

He smiled as bright as a million stars. "Hey, Bow Brain."

I grinned widely. "You sure took your time, Sword Boy."

He jumped down from Aslan, his golden hair waving in the breeze. He made himself comfortable on the bench next to me, putting his arm around my shoulder. I leaned into him, enjoying the warmth and the fuzzy feeling in my chest. Then I remembered what I had to tell him about, and my heart sank.

"Zach, there's something I have to tell you. Bad news." I said solemnly. His eyes betrayed his concern.

"Uh-Oh. This can't be good." He said with faint humour, his arm still across my shoulder.

"That's why it's called bad news, idiot." I stated and smiled, despite the situation.

His eyes glowed with curiosity. Not good curiosity, as such, more as if he wanted to put his guessing mind at ease. His face was grim. "So, what is it you want to tell me so desperately?"

I heaved a breath. "It's a long story."

I explained everything to him: The nightmares, the apartment going down in flames, Mr Ranger and his freaky attack in the potions classroom, and of course, all about Clare. I could sense his anger through the clenching of his fists and the deadly glint in his eyes; anger I was afraid he was too rash to control. I finished speaking, my hands clammy and my lips parched and dry. He looked as spooked as I did.

"So, what you're saying is, this is all Clare's fault?" He said through gritted teeth, his voice wavering in a very un-Zach-like way.

"No," I corrected with intense clarity. "No, this isn't all Clare's fault. It's his. It's Herobrine's. Although," I added bitterly, "Clare's not exactly a sinless angel."

He took a deep breath and, to my surprise, turned his head away from mine. He was watching the scenery around us intently; the soft, forest-green grass and the bustling of the pedestrians just beyond it. He looked deep in thought, so I waited for him to come to.

"Remember," He started, "Last month? When I took you out on that disaster Valentine's date?"

My minded glowed at the memory. Zach had planned a fancy roof-top garden picnic, just the two of us, but Minecraftia being Minecraftia, it had started raining. Instead, we had eaten at a regular café, but honestly I hadn't cared because I was with him. I wondered why he brought it up.

The look on my face must of answered his question. "Yes, well, after the rain started falling all I could think about is how much of a failure I was. More than that, I was afraid you were going to hate me.

I choked on my breath, not because I had seen a ghost, but because the mere thought of me hating Zach was so bitterly impossible. "That was never true." I said, voicing my thoughts. He smiled.

"I know that now. But the point is, Nya, I kept faith that you would keep loving me like you always have, because I'm human, and humans make mistakes. It's in their DNA, something everyone does once in a while. You knew that, and you didn't waver one bit. So what I'm trying to say," He added at the sight of my blank face, "Is that everyone makes mistakes. Clare included. You just need to find out whether or not those mistakes deserve to be forgiven."

"Last time I checked, becoming a Wielder was her own choice." I mumbled disagreeably, but the light of Zach's argument was showing through.

"Yes, but you never know. Maybe she has a sense of regret. Maybe you can help bring it forward so she knows what she chose was wrong."

"So you're saying, forgive her?" I asked, raising my eyebrow. He was still facing ahead.

Then he turned and looked me straight in the eye, his gaze locking mine. "That's your decision, Nya. You're the one affected by her mistakes. Your the one who decides whether those mistakes can be forgiven."

You're the one who decides. Zach's statement echoed through my thoughts, and I could suddenly picture myself walking up to Clare and listening to her apologize for her misjudgements, and us becoming friends again. The idea seemed so real, as if the opportunity was as easily taken as medicine. But that wasn't the case. Clare was still evil; her mind was still focussed on the revenge against me, a revenge she thought was right. Herobrine had told her that I had betrayed him. All I needed to do was convince her that he was lying to her, using her. Then, maybe then, she'll come back.

"There's just one other thing." I inquired. "Something that's been bothering me for a while."

"Go ahead." He nodded his head at me, a gesture to go on.

"Well," I started, trying to find the words. "If Clare wanted to get her revenge on me, why hasn't she killed me already? Why aren't I dead? We live together, for Goodness' sake, she had every chance possible to slit my throat during the night. Why hasn't she?"

Zach's face was grim. "She's already told you. She hasn't finished her revenge just yet. There's still more pain to come."

---------------------------------------------

Bad chapter, I know. Sorry it took so long, but school's about to break for the year so :D

Guys, here's a little survery. I have three ideas for a possible (you heard me, possible) third book. Here are the options:

1. A kind of 'book of backstories'. So basically, stories of the characters before Minecraft: Herobrine's Legend. Characters like Zach, Harry, some of Nya's friends, Clare, and maybe even Herobrine. A prequel, like The Hobbit and Lord of the Rings.

2. Keep continuing with Zach and Nya's story. Likely, they'll be older, and (I won't give away the details but) maybe have a son/daughter who inherited Nya's powers. It will be much more complicated, and of course, and have a bad guy.

3. Both!!! (if I have time, and considering it's nearly summer holidays I probably will)

So there, and I know they're vague, but remember that you don't even know how M:LR is going to end ;)

And another question; which character do you guys like the most?

Thanks,

- Jazz