Ah, I do love me some brain-deadness...if that's a word

oKAy To Walk NEXT FOR SURE

Vote, comment, and enjoy!!

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RECAP

          The being shook his head, forcing those thoughts of safety away. He should always be on alert. Even the kindest humans could turn on him, spelling their own deaths. He quickly teleported back to where the bowl had been left, gingerly set the wooden thing down, and reappeared back into the split branches. He wrapped his thin cape around his shivering form and leaned his head on a branch, allowing himself to drift into a light sleep, his eyes not closing.

          It was too dangerous to go deeper. Too dangerous, and frightening. He couldn't-wouldn't...face the nightmares again. And he couldn't let himself be caught unaware the next day.

          His breathing became even, and he fell into a light slumber, eyes still fixated on the house.

END RECAP

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Unseen Hero

          The warm, golden light of the sun had barely begun to peer over the mountain before the cabin when Jake woke Steve. They were ready to leave within the hour, Jake still slightly unsteady on his feet. Packs stuffed with food and some emergency supplies went on their backs, and Steve strapped on his sword for the journey, while Jake buckled on his ax. Steve grabbed a pile of furs Jake planned to sell, and some rawhide straps. He'd tie the furs down on the ice sled, wrapping the spare sled pieces in them. Jake also had an extra leather bag containing little carved figurines of animals he whittled occasionally; it would earn them some extra money.

          After eating, Steve and Jake went out to secure and check the ice, bringing the harness and furs so they could start as early as possible. As they would not be able to afford a room at the inn, they would have to make it back here before nightfall, or they would run into the prowling undead mobs of the tundra.

          "You're sure you can drag the sled there and back? It's nearly three hours of walking. Six in all, and half uphill."

          "Relax Jake, I dragged you, and this all the way from the volcano, I think I can get this to the town and back before sundown," Steve smirked, then his face fell into a slight frown, looking out towards the small clearing in front of Jake's house.

          Jake, confused, also looked out as Steve began to walk away, "What's wrong?" his breath misted before him in the sharp chill of the morning air, turning into tiny icicles on the fur of his hood and his scarf.

          Steve walked about ten blocks out, then knelt and grasped an empty wooden bowl. He smiled a little, then turned back to Jake, bringing the bowl back to the hunter, "I left some food out for the little guy that keeps following us around, look." He held out the bowl, eyes shining a little, "It's empty, a sign of trust. He didn't even take the bowl." Steve chuckled a little.

          Jake raised a brow, "It's like you're trying to tame a tundra fox." His face fell into a frown, "Let's hope he doesn't get caught in one of my traps, I bait them with dried meat and grasses."

          Steve's face paled a little, stuffing the bowl into his pack instead of bringing it back to the house, "Oh that would be horrid...I'll try and leave more food out when we get back so he won't go for those."

          Jake extended a hand, trying to calm Steve, "Relax, he's smart, I'll bet he's already robbed my traps bare. Speaking of the little devil..." Jake looked around, "Where is he?"

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          The being awoke to voices.

          They startled him. Usually, he could hear humans before they got this close, it seemed as if they were right next to his sleeping place! He shot up, mentally scolding himself for allowing his body to fall into a more restful sleep. He had been careless, and now it could cost him his life—

          His balance fled him, he teetered, slipping, arms shooting out to grab the branch he was on.

          He missed by a finger's breadth.

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          Crack-snap, poof!

          Steve and Jake jumped, startled, as a small blur of grey, cyan, and indigo suddenly fell out of an old spruce tree to the left of Jake's house, small, frozen branches snapping before it. It landed with a soft poof in the snow at the base, snow spraying a bit from the impact.

          Jake snorted, then covered his mouth, hiding a grin, muttering, "Guess we found him..."

          Steve offered Jake a weak glare, then began shuffling towards the little heap, "Hello? Are you hurt...?"

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          The being scrambled up, heart pounding in his thin chest, eye wide and flashing in fear. Half his cape was over his head, and he reached up, tearing it off, staring at the larger human, panting quietly. Again...how had this happened again? Had these men been dangerous, he could have been killed twice over.

          The larger human was a bit close for his liking, but his face bore no ill-will. In fact, he even seemed...concerned? No, he could not have been, but there was no vile intent in his face, which was open and relaxed. Standing behind him, the younger had a hand over his mouth, but his eyes were not angry. Good, he must be feeling better, he was not as shaky as yesterday.

          Then the being noticed the sword at the taller one's waist

          Why was he armed? Was he preparing to attack? He did not approach with his sword yesterday, what was he planning? The being stood, tense, preparing to gather energy to teleport once again, should the human's hand move anywhere near the weapon.

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          Steve was a good fifteen blocks away, and he raised his hands a little, a gesture of peace, "Hey, it's okay. You alright?" He gestured towards the little guy.

          As his hand reached out, the being shied away, shivering, then the particles appeared, and he vanished. Steve sighed, pressing his lips together, then turned to Jake, "Guess we should head out...sooner we get back, the sooner he can have his cloak."

          Jake nodded, taking his gloved hand away from his mouth, "He's been sleeping in a tree?"

          "Apparently. C'mon."

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         The two friends began their three-hour trek to the town, Steve strapped to the ice sled. They made good time, as the drifts were not too deep, and they did not have as many supplies as usual.

          Behind them, in another tree, the being was watching them with fright. Were they off to go and get more humans, to come back and hunt him down? Were they planning on hiring one person, as had happened before? One person was often scarier than an entire town, they were usually very powerful and cunning...skilled in elaborate traps he could barely evade.

          The being shuddered at the thought, the movement causing a bit of powder to fall from him. However, their goal could be different. They were taking that ice with them, perhaps they were taking it somewhere else? He warped into another tree silently, just above them. Their voices were calm and happy, laughter often escaping them. Perhaps their goals were not malicious after all.

          The two passed below him, the taller nudging the shorter in the shoulder and smiling. The being sighed a little, he should probably keep an eye on them. That way, he would know immediately if they were trying to gather together a force of humans. He could also protect them if their injuries flared up again.

          The two men had gotten farther away, so he gathered energy and appeared in another tree not far from them, gripping the ice-slicked bark to keep from slipping. The two still seemed oblivious to his presence, good. It was safer to remain undetected.

          After all, it had just barely kept him alive all these years.

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          "If you're feeling weak, I have the spare sled strapped onto the ice as well."

          "Steve, I'm fine, the town is just over that rise, okay? The streets are clearer there, I won't have to strain my legs as much."

          The two friends had made excellent time, stopping only once because Steve demanded Jake rest his legs. It was nearly noon, the sun almost overhead, forcing Steve and Jake to squint from the glare the snow threw up. Golden, moving patterns formed on the untouched snow as the sun shined down through the pines, and light blue shadows hovered beneath trees and behind jutting stone formations, collecting in footprints and drag marks strung out behind Steve and Jake. The forest was quiet, save for Steve's and Jake's breathing, and the shuffling of snow under their boots. Soft rustling from pine needles accompanied their noise occasionally as a breeze lifted and moved the spruces.

          They were traveling on a slight tilt, and Steve was having a difficult time pulling the sled, but he managed. There was no road from Jake's house to the town, as the town was the last settlement for miles around, the road leading to it unable to go through the mountains. There were villages and such on the other side of the mountain range, but the passes and peaks were far too difficult to navigate, and many chose to go around the cold mountains to get to the towns beyond.

          Sweat coated Steve's brow as he leaned forward, straining over the last rise. Jake looked back, concerned, "Need help?"

          Steve shook his head, took a deep breath, and threw himself forward, using his weight to scramble up and over the low peak, snow spraying at every step and shove. Before him, the ground fell away in a slight slope, opening to a large clearing and revealing roofs covered in snow. He could see forms moving about through the cluster of buildings, all heavily clothed against the cold. Steep peaks rose on all sides, hemming in the little town. A lake lay to the right, and behind it, the pass out of the mountains.

          Steve took another deep breath of freezing air, exhaling it in a white cloud that froze to the fur of his hood, "Ahhh...there it is. Arcton. Reckon your buyer is still here? We're a bit late."

          Jake looked back, shrugging and hitching his pack higher on his shoulders, "He should be. He's an old...acquaintance, he'd never leave without me delivering."

          Steve motioned him on, bringing gloved hands up to the thick straps around his shoulders, grunting as he started forward again, "Then let's not keep him waiting."

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          The being looked with wonder upon the town from his vantage point high in the branches of a spruce. He had stayed away from human gathering places for so long, he'd nearly forgotten the awe he felt when looking upon their buildings. Each fit so well into its own place, and every one had a purpose, to promote the wellbeing of the inhabitants. It was incredible to see what humans could do together.

          Of course, he would never have the luxury of interacting or learning from them...they were...complex creatures. The being saddened, then jumped at an exclamation below him. The taller had fallen flat on his face in the snow and was struggling up, laughing. The being frowned softly, hoping against hope that they would remain...tolerant...of him. He wanted so much to stay for at least a little longer, and not be driven away from yet another hiding place. The two neared the town, entering the large clearing covered in soft drifts of snow where he could not follow if he wished to remain hidden.

          He settled into the tree, making sure he was screened by thick branches, watching the two until they vanished behind the first building. He sighed, absently picking at a loose piece of leather in his falling-apart boots, hoping they would come back soon, and settled in for a long wait.

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          As Jake and Steve entered the town, they were greeted with familiar sights and smells. Steve had stopped by this town before going on to Jake's house and was only slightly familiar with the people living there. A group of four children, dressed in thick clothing trimmed with fur, ran through the streets, laughing. Barking dogs followed them, tongues hanging down from wide-open mouths as they panted, their breaths condensing along with the kids'. Two women exited a house, carrying baskets and conversing. On the porch of another house, a middle-aged man smoked a pipe in an oak chair, fixing a sled runner as a child stood by, watching. A man carrying a load of wood waved at Steve and continued on his way. Steve lifted his hand in greeting.

          The streets were relatively clear of snow, making it much easier for Steve and Jake to walk, though the white powder was mixed with dirt, giving the snow a muddy look. The smell of smoked meats drifted through the streets, making Steve hungry. He should have eaten more when they'd stopped for a break. Buildings and houses, large and small and all made of spruce wood, lined the streets, and smoke rose from every chimney, testifying to the warmth within made by crackling flames.

          Jake and Steve made their way steadily to the large building of the ice-seller. It was relatively near the town center and was rather large, built like a huge barn to house all the ice the seller would bring down to other towns in the summer to trade. The two rounded a bend in the street, and Jake grinned, pointing with a gloved hand at a massive spruce building, "There it is, the house is built into the side, see?"

          Steve nodded, wiping his brow, too tired to respond. A house was built off the left side of the building, and the windows were lit with warm yellow. A tall man, looking to be in his forties, stood on the porch, leaning on a support pillar casually, looking out into the street. He wasn't quite as tall as Steve, and his dark beard was short, contrasting his blue eyes. His hair was longish and fell over his forehead in jagged tufts, and shocks of grey were at his temples. He was well-built and solid, not lithe and wiry like Jake, more heavyset, but not lacking in muscle in the slightest. A dark, grey-blue coat with fur lining the hood wrapped about him along with a grey scarf and his broad hands were thrust into the pockets of his black pants.

          He was looking down the street, away from Steve and Jake. However, as they approached, his head turned, gaze alighting upon Jake's grinning face, and his eyes lit up. The man hurried down from his porch, coming up to Jake and gripping his hand, pumping it in a strong handshake, "Jake! By the immortals, it's good to see you again!" he released poor Jake's crushed hand, slapping him on the shoulder before turning to Steve, "I don't believe we've met before, my tall fellow!" He thrust out his hand, grabbing Steve's in a friendly gesture, but his eyes soon widened at the strength in the miner's arm, and he cut off the shake early, rubbing his hand, "My, and you've got the strength to match! Jake my boy, you haven't told us about this giant before!"

          Steve grinned a little, his breath frosting from his mouth as Jake rubbed the back of his head, looking down at the snow and shaking his sore hand, "Ahhah...yeah. Usually, he's off buying supplies for his trip home when I come to deliver my ice. He's usually here only to help me cut it." Jake smirked, "This is Steven Marks...he's far too shy to try and meet new people."

          The man threw back his head and laughed, his teeth white against his dark beard, "Oho is he now? Well, Steven, it is nice to finally meet one o' Jake's friends, I swear to Notch, it's like trying to crack open a stone when we ask him about his life up in those mountains." The man shook his head and smiled even bigger, "Well I'm Karl Orson, it's a real pleasure."

          Steve nodded, "The pleasure is all mine Mr. Orson, but please, call me Steve."

          "Only if you call me Karl, my boy. Ah, Jake! What a sorry load of ice you've brought me!" Karl was looking behind Steve at the single sled of ice the miner had hauled all the way from Jake's cabin.

          Jake pressed his lips together, coming around to Karl and Steve unhitched himself from the sled. The hunter sighed, breath misting in the air, "We had to cut the trip short due to some...unexpected events."

          Karl raised a dark, bushy brow, and Steve spoke up, "What he means is he fell into the lake we cut it from, and I barely fished him out in time."

          Karl's face paled a little, and the took a firm hold of Jake's shoulder, "Good Notch, son, that is dangerous. Are you sure you are well enough to be walkin' here?" His eyes ran down the lithe form, taking in the way Jake's legs shook slightly, how he favored one leg, "You didn't get frostbite, did you?"

          Jake shrugged the hand off, "Don't worry about me, I'm completely fine. Got some minor frostbite, and so did Steve, but we're handling it just fine."

          The seller let his hand fall, "Very well, I'm glad to see you two up and bright-eyed. Will you be joinin' us for the evening meal?" He bent to grab the sled's harness, not bothering to put it on but looping it over a shoulder to begin hauling the ice to the large storehouse.

          Jake mournfully shook his head, "As much as I wish, we have to make it back before nightfall. We won't be able to afford an inn tonight."

          Karl grunted, beginning to heave the ice away, and Steve began to push behind, "Ah, too bad. I would offer to let you stay at my place, but I'm afraid we just don't have the room, what with my dear wife's sister and her six kids all visitin'. It seems as if the very floorboards are livin' children, with my own four getting caught up in their mischief." He spoke in a rough tone, but his eyes twinkled as he talked of his children.

          Jake's brows arched in surprise, then he ran and hauled open the barn door to allow Karl inside, shaking his head, "Six you say?"

          Karl nodded his thanks, "Aye, and another soon to come! Her husband is up here helpin' me with business, but every time he comes, I find my house is getting smaller!"

          Jake laughed, following the two into the barn. It was lit with few lanterns hanging from huge beams near the roof, as too much could potentially melt the huge stacks of ice within together. Karl, Jake, and Steve quickly unloaded the ice into a smaller pile near a large stack. When Steve tried to stack them on a larger pile, Karl waved him off and told him that was his son's job, "I wonder where the lazy devil is, he should be out here helpin' his aging Pa." Karl chuckled and handed Steve the harness and Jake a bag of gold and silver nuggets as payment, "Well, you two should get goin', time is hurrying on and I don't want you getting caught out in the tundra at night."

          Steve belted on the harness, and Jake nodded his thanks as he shoved the money into his pack, accepting one last pat on the shoulder before they exited the barn and made their way to the town center, where the trading store was. Karl waved until they turned a corner and were lost from sight.

          A noisy group of kids ran past, chased by a barking dog, Steve having to sidestep them. He grinned at Jake, "Nice guy. I thought you said he was an acquaintance?"

          Jake shrugged, "He's definitely friendly, but I try not to get too attached. After all, I'm usually here only once or twice a year."

          Steve nodded, turning back to the narrower road, looking for the old, familiar store building. Two young ladies sat on a porch to a house, and one whispered something to the other as the two men passed. They giggled, one waving shyly at Jake. Jake winked back, smirking. Steve sped up a little, smiling a little, then dropping his gaze to the dirty snow churned up by his boots. Jake waved one last time, then hurried to catch up with his friend, "They seemed nice. What's up with you?"

          Steve offered a tight smile, shrugging, "I've just...never thought about getting into a relationship, or entertaining that idea even a little."

          Jake snorted, nudging Steve, "What? A handsome dog like you? Oh come on, ladies must be falling over each other trying to get your attention."

          Steve sighed, hitching his pack and the harness up a fraction, "Yeah..." He looked so downcast, Jake was about to apologize and tell him to forget what he'd said, but Steve spoke before Jake could say a word, "It's a rough story. An old friend of mine got married to the love of his life. They were so happy together, and he was hardly seen without her, everything he did was to bring her happiness. The same for her. They were so perfect...it was a tragedy when she died."

          Jake's breath caught, "Oh...how did she—?"

          A horse came down the road, snorting and pulling a large sled full of wood, leather harness squeaking, champing at its bit. Steve and Jake moved to allow it to pass before Steve replied, and the bay horse swept by with a spray of snow that just barely missed the two friends, "She started off late from a friend's house, alone, and was killed by undead." Jake winced, and Steve continued, "He...went insane. Just sat alone and stared or he'd rage about how it was all his fault. I tried to comfort him, I really did, but there was nothing I could do, nothing he would listen to. I had...just came back to visit after a long journey. It...hurt...to see him like that. Not a week after she died...he..."

          Jake saw the store coming up and noticed his friend's distressed face, "Hey, you don't have to tell me any more. I get it, it's fine not to want that, I won't bring it up again." He reached out and patted Steve's shoulder, and the miner smiled at him, "Here, the store's right up ahead. Let's trade my furs, get a cloak, and get out so we can get home before dark."

          "That's a lot of getting." Steve stopped in front of the store, unhitching the harness and letting it fall, following Jake up the steps to the door.

          Jake grinned, pushing open the spruce door open. Warmth enveloped the two as they stepped inside, the thumping of their boots on the wood joining the hinges' noise as they creaked and complained. Steve shut the door a bit too hard, causing someone they couldn't see to give a yelp of surprise. There was a dull thump, a curse, and then an older man stood up from behind a counter of sorts to their right, rubbing his head, dark eyes glaring at them. He was about Jake's height, and looked about fifty, as his once-black beard was streaked with grey, as was his dark hair. A thick leather apron was tied about him, layered over a white tunic, and reaching down to the knees of his steel-grey pants.

          Steve winced, "Ah, so sorry about that sir—"

          The man waved a calloused hand, "Don't mention it, a great polar bear such as yourself probably doesn't even know the full caliber of strength in that body." He huffed, lowering a hand from the top of his head and leaning on the counter with both hands, "What are you two fellas needin'?"

         Steve could see he was no frail old man. His forearms were thick and muscled, used to hauling great barrels and huge sacks of supplies into his small, one-room store. As Jake went to the counter to start asking prices, Steve looked about the store. Barrels of anything from ale to sugar stood about, and sacks of flour and even whole sleds were stacked on the shelves, crowded in the corners. Shelves behind the counter were packed with wares. He spied a stack of blankets and cloaks next to a rack that held coats, and made his way over to them, a picture of a cold, shivering, blank-eyed being forcing its way into his mind, replacing the earlier sad images of his dead friend.

           "I've got around twenty or thirty pelts outside, here, I'll grab them, and we can decide on their worth."

          Jake's voice snapped Steve out of his reverie, and the miner turned to see him heading for the door, "You want me to grab those?"

          The trapper waved him off with a gloved hand, pushing through the door and shutting it. Steve shrugged, then turned back to the cloaks. One dark grey one caught his eye. It was about Jake's size, and twice as thick, grey wolf fur making it heavy and soft. Steve picked it up, examining its quality.

           "One of the best cloaks I can offer, that 'un." The voice made Steve start a bit. He turned and smiled at the old store owner, who had been watching him carefully, "Bit small for you, don't ya think?"

          Steve shrugged, "It would be for...a friend." The miner turned and faced him fully, "How much?" He held up the cloak.

           The shopkeeper beckoned him over, taking the cloak as he neared and humming, "Hmmm...I'd say about twenty silver nuggets, aye?"

           Steve frowned, seeing the man raising a brow, "Seven."

           "You trying to rob me blind? Fifteen, no less."

          The door creaked open, Jake stumbled in, carrying a large stack of pelts. He nudged the door closed with a boot, turning an amused gaze on the two arguing men. He heaved the pelts onto a nearby barrel, counting quietly to make sure he hadn't dropped any.

           "Ten."

        "Twelve! That's a final offer."

          "Deal."

          Steve reached out a large hand to seal it, but the shopkeeper took one look at the massive fist and declined, "I don't want my hand crushed in that giant paw of yours, no sir! Here's the cloak and I'll tally it up with your other purchases."

          The miner chuckled and took his new cloak, bundling it up and stashing it inside the pack on his back, happy with the deal. This would to wonders for the little guy. Jake came up and nudged him aside to start getting the other things they needed, "Already spend your cut?"

         "You still owe me six gold and three silver."

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         In about an hour, the sled was loaded with their few purchases, and the two men were heading out of the town, both hurrying a little. Jake had checked the position of the sun and was a bit worried. They'd spent more time than he would have liked bargaining and examining wares and such. They would be cutting it very close even if they hurried on without stopping.

         The being sensed them coming, his face lighting up a little at their approach. Their ice was gone, and they were alone! They must have only wanted to deliver it here. The being warped a few trees ahead, waiting for them to catch up. They would have to hurry, or they would not make it to their shelter before nightfall.

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          Three hours later, both the being's and Jake's fears were confirmed. The sun was vanishing rapidly behind the eastern mountains, golden and pink skies quickly going a deep, velvety blue. The forest grew dark, and Steve and Jake grew quiet, only speaking when necessary, and even then, only in whispers. Jake had brought a lamp but was afraid to light it, lest it should attract unwanted attention. Cold soaked into their very bones, making them feel stiff, and the soft moonlight gave the forest a ghostly, eerie feel. The snow made soft crunching noises as they wove between trees, both their heads swiveling to watch out for undead and the even more feared Strays.

          In the mountains, not many undead lasted long, as they would freeze, become stiff and unable to move. Strays, however, had no such problem and were swift and deadly with their archery as they roamed their lands in the dark. They were also difficult to see, as their ragged clothing and pale bones made them virtually invisible and used arrows that would cause great weariness to befall any who were struck.

          A bit ahead of Steve, Jake suddenly halted. Steve did the same, freezing in place, "What's wrong?" He murmured lowly, blue eyes scanning the surrounding trees, threatening in the soft moonlight.

          Jake squinted, peering into the trees ahead. He could have sworn he'd seen something move. All was still, however, and Jake sighed, turning back to Steve, "I...just thought I saw—uuunhh!!!"

          A vicious hiss split the air, and Jake's leg collapsed from under him, a black arrow embedded in his right calf. Jake tumbled forward into the snow with a cry, and Steve gasped, throwing off the harness and pack and drawing his sword, rushing to Jake's side. Jake was struggling up, reaching for his ax as Steve skidded to a stop at his side, eyes focused on the trees ahead. The miner could just make out moonlight glinting off ice-slicked bones, and his heart fell.

          The bow flashed up and an arrow hissed. Steve whipped his sword up, deflecting the arrow into the snow, his sword ringing from the impact. Beside him, Jake grunted and stood, favoring a leg, ax in hand. Without taking his eyes off the Stray, who was carefully nocking an arrow and moving back and forth a bit, Steve spoke, "Are you okay?"

         Jake muttered, his words slurred, "Notch-cursed arrow...got'm in th' leg..."

          An arrow pinged off the sword again, and Steve gritted out, "I'll keep it distracted, can you try and get to the house? I'll—"

          Jake suddenly gasped, ramming his shoulder into Steve. An arrow split the air above his head, thudding into a tree. That had come from behind them! The miner struggled up, cursing. Their noise was attracting more! Engaged now on two fronts, Steve had to keep whipping his head back and forth, checking their bows—

          Another arrow hissed over his shoulder, and Steve ducked. Another, they were surrounded! Jake gave a weak moan where he lay, grasping at his thigh, dark red soaking the snow under his leg. Steve had to get him out of here, fast, and assess the damage.

          On some unknown instinct, Steve suddenly spun, swinging his sword around. An arrow pinged dully off his blade, and it vibrated in his hands, testifying to the uncanny strength of the Strays. Steve took a deep breath and took up a stance over Jake. He would defend Jake until those Strays had filled him with enough arrows to pack a quiver.

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          The being had warped ahead to inspect the path the two were taking, making sure it was mob-free. It was dangerous to be out in the dark, surely the two humans knew this. They were already weakened from falling into that lake, they wouldn't be fast or strong enough to resist or flee the dangers of the tundra—

          A cry caused him to freeze.

          Oh no.

          That had been the younger.

          The being focused again, trying to determine where the sounds came from, they shouldn't be too far, he hoped they weren't too badly hurt.

          There, a dim voice, muffled by the distance. The being focused deeply, sensing the terrain, feeling for a good spot to warp to. He quickly appeared behind a large spruce, landing up to his knees in cold, damp snow, his back hitting the rough bark. He could hear panting and dull, metallic ringing. He sensed three hostile non-human entities nearby, surrounding the humans.

          The smell of blood hit him, and his eyes widened, heartbeat increasing.

          He peeked out from behind the spruce, spotting the larger human, who was standing, back towards him, protectively over the smaller, who was down, blood pooling around his leg. The taller's sword flashed in the moonlight, smacking arrows out of the air, and he ducked, weaving around flying shafts. The being felt a pang of fear as the sight of a blade so near, but he quickly shook it off. The sword was not meant for him.

          The being sighted two hostiles, the other was hidden by a tree. He took a deep breath, he needed to hurry. The human was bound to miss a shaft at some point—

          A deep cry startled him, and he jerked his head up, seeing the human slumping, grasping his shoulder. He was hit.

          The being felt guilt and protectiveness surge within. The humans would have gotten away had they not fallen in that lake.

         This was his fault, he needed to fix this.

          He quickly teleported behind a hostile, his stiff, blue-tinged hands snapping forward, gripping the vulnerable spine just below the skull. Almost without him realizing it, the spine shattered with a dull crunch, and the hostile went limp, falling to the ground in a useless heap of bones. Before he could fully process it, he was behind the next, hands again crushing the spine without hesitation.

          The tall one cried out again and the being appeared behind the last before the second had hit the ground. His eyes flashed a little brighter as he destroyed it, the bones falling with dull clattering sounds into the deep snow.

          The being's head shot up at the sound of strained breathing, and he quickly warped to the top of a tree, looking down at the two, his eyes blending with the moonlight. The taller seemed baffled, his head whipping about in bewilderment. His hand was pressed to his right shoulder, and the being could see blood running from a glancing cut to his left thigh. The human was strong, he could probably carry the smaller up to the cabin.

          Again, thoughts of failure and guilt gnawed at him. He should have scanned the path more earnestly, should have stayed by them. He just wanted them to heal from his last mistake, and now here they were again, in pain.

          All because of him.

          At least he hadn't left early. Had he gone before this trip, had he given into his fears, the two would undoubtedly have died, alone, upon the mountain.

         The larger was saying something and stooping down to pick up the younger, who was groaning. They were near to their dwelling, but the being stayed with them the entire way, wincing as the human staggered and hissed from the pain from his wounds.

          At least he could stay a little longer to ensure they recovered yet again.

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            Steve felt the cut on his thigh throb, his leg trembling as he forced himself through the snow, abandoning the sled and supplies. His arm radiated pain as well, and he felt the venom the Strays used to slow their victims pumping through him, causing him to have to fight off feelings of weariness, and his eyelids felt heavy. At least the cuts weren't too bad. The miner gritted his teeth, hitching Jake up higher in his arms as he climbed another rise. Bloody tracks were strung out behind them and he prayed to Notch they wouldn't be scented by wolves.

          As he shuffled through the powder, he wondered how in the Overworld those Strays had let him and Jake leave. After hitting him twice, Steve figured they would close in and he and Jake would be finished. However, after a dull crunch and clattering, the forest had become still and quiet again.

          The miner had his suspicions who had helped them, but he was too focused on getting home to look for the being. He wondered how the little guy knew they were in trouble.

          Steve topped the rise and saw the cabin about forty blocks away. He breathed a sigh of relief, which condensed into a small cloud in the moonlight. He increased his pace, and soon reached the front door, which he shouldered open, again sweeping snow into the building. The fire had died down to glowing coals, but the house was a bit warmer than outside. Steve slammed the door closed with his back, quickly moving Jake to his bed, where he gently laid the younger down.

           The effects of the venom were beginning to wear off Jake, and he grunted weakly, wincing as his leg hit the mattress, "Steve...are y-you—"

           Steve cut him off gruffly, grimacing as he turned from the bed and knelt at a chest, opening it and reaching inside for bandages, "I'm...fine...Jake. I'll get you bandaged in a bit, hold on." Steve found the rolls of white in a corner of the chest, and quickly returned to Jake, who was staring at the ugly shaft buried in his leg, a slight frown on his face.

          Jake spoke up quietly, "This needs to come out...huh."

          Steve deposited the bandages on Jake's chest and pulled off his gloves, tossing them on his 'bed', pinching his lips together and nodding at the hunter. He took careful hold of the arrow, close to the flesh as he could manage, gripping the blood-slicked shaft tightly.

          Jake hissed and arched a little as the arrow moved slightly. He squeezed his eyes shut, sneering, "J-just do it, don't warn m-me."

          Steve clenched his teeth and, without allowing himself to think, jerked the arrow out. Jake threw back his head, a muffled scream leaving him as his hands shot forward, grabbing at his aching leg.

          "I'm sorry, I'm sorry..." Steve whispered as he tossed the bloody shaft to the floor, unraveled bandages, and applied pressure on the wound, causing Jake to writhe even more. Soon, the wound was wrapped, and Jake was covered in sweat, teeth chattering. Steve gently helped him out of his coat, and Jake almost instantly fell asleep, exhausted from the pain and the trip.

          Wearily, Steve checked him again for more wounds, bound up his own upper arm and thigh, and re-stocked the fire until it was bright and warm. As he was re-tightening the bandage on his arm, he happened to glance up at the window near Jake's bed.

          The little guy was standing outside, looking sadly at Jake's body, illuminated by the moon. His soft eyes were fastened on the bandages, red seeping through the middle. Steve smiled a little, they didn't even know the little fella, and yet he seemed so concerned with their health. He'd just showed up out of nowhere and just started helping save them from certain death. It was so strange. He wished the guy wasn't so skittish, or he'd invite the being inside. He always looked so cold. Steve suddenly remembered he needed to give the being that cloak tomorrow.

          The being's head suddenly flicked up, his glowing eyes locking with Steve's. The miner froze, then slowly dipped his head in a small nod, hoping he wasn't acting threatening. His arm gave a small twinge, and he winced, dropping his eyes to the bandage, tightening it again and tucking away a loose end. When he glanced up again, there were only purple particles swirling about and fading.

          Steve sighed, made his way over to his bed, and fell on the blankets, hissing as his injuries throbbed. He would have to get their supplies back tomorrow, hopefully, it wouldn't snow...

          He fell asleep within minutes, too tired to think any longer.

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          Up in his tree, the being watched the warm, yellow squares of golden light thrown from the windows of the cabin flicker and dance. His hands were numb, he couldn't feel the bruises from crushing the spines of those hostiles. His heart still felt oddly heavy, he hoped the humans would not suffer an infection. It would only prolong his stay and the possibility of them getting hurt again would only be greater.

          Rustling branches all around him lulled him into a sense of relaxation. He leaned against the rough trunk, letting his eyes drift closed. Hopefully, he would not fall out of the tree this time. He remembered the humans had to leave behind a few things. If they were unable to get them the next day, he could possibly help them...though it made him nervous to get too near any belongings of a human. He just didn't know how they would react.

           The quiet sounds of the snow-bound forest soon caused him to fall asleep entirely, still thinking of the humans' wellbeing.

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bAby yAS I will probs do a lot of To Walk from now on IDK WHAT SHOULD I DO

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