Turns out... Steve wasn't as trust worthy as I thought.

     Two days after arriving at his new house in the mountains, I was outside, above the clouds enjoying a once in a lifetime sunrise. Instead of the clouds stifling the light from trickling down onto the earth, the peachy color bounced over them like the other worldly sea of pillows they appeared to be. I always loved watching the sunrise, but this was something else! 

     I sat there with my eyes closed, enjoying the happy morning wind as it greeted me with such joy. My hair danced to the sounds of the morning calmly, tickling my face and neck as it did so. I sat with my feet dangling from Steve's front porch. In such the state of bliss that I was in...it never occured to me that anything could go wrong.

     "Hey..." Steve spoke up softly, appearing already dressed like I was. In one hand, he stirred a cup of warm cocoa and goat milk. Calmly, the man sat beside me, sighing as he too enjoyed the sunrise. "...So, you're a morning person too?" He chuckled, taking a sip of his morning drink. I huffed my faint laugh to him. Continuing, "Glad I finally have someone who can join me, then. When I was little, I was always annoyed when my brothers refused to get up early and play with me. Little did I know, they typically stayed up far past my bedtime..."

     "Who is older? You, or Herobrine?"

     "Herobrine, actually.. heh.. but he never let that get to my head when we were kids!" He laughed, though there was of course a hesitancy there. Like he was afraid to tell the whole story. I just listened, imagining Herobrine being the little one in the family. Oddly, knowing that alone made him feel more...human. "-Anyways! Since you are up so early, I was wondering if you wanted to come with me on a quick errand." Steve offered. I tilted my head a little.

     "Really? Where?! No offense, but there isn't much to do up here!" I snickered. As pretty as it was up here, not a tree was in sight. All of the plants up so high were small and a bit dry. Steve chuckled.

     "Heh, that's what the portal's for... Come with me." Smiling, Steve stood up. Curiosity chased you to your feet as well. Within no time you were entering after Steve into his house again. Like the last one, this one was small too. The biggest difference between this house and the other was that along an empty wall -- between the corners hosting the bed and the door -- was a dark curtain. At first you thought it was just another hidden window. Perhaps a big one. But, yesterday's inspection concluded that that was indeed not the case. Steve had asked you to not touch the curtain, so instead, you went outside to see for yourself what it was... Not a window. That's what.

      But the pondering was all but over with when Steve revealed what was behind the black curtains himself. A glorious sight.. A rim of glowing gold stone -- thin as a mirror -- encased a dark blue wall of what appeared to be water! Only...the liquid was much denser...not acting exactly like the H2O I had grown to loathe and love so much.

     "What is..-"

     "-A portal." Steve answered, smiling slightly as he stared up at it. Occasionally, he would glance my way to make sure I was doing the same. I was. The rim of the portal was not only glowing, but it was also detailed with beautiful engravings, one of which-.... Steve noticed my drop in enthusiasm right away, replaced with...something else. "...What's wrong?" He asked cautiously.

     "..This...symbol.... It leads to the Aether, doesn't it..?" Usually, I would be excited to visit the Aether. My mom took me there one time when I was really young to attend a parade I would never forget. But...Notch...also lived there...

     "Yeah. And?" Steve chuckled, chuckling away my obvious concerns. "The best database in the world is in there. We would be able to find out all kinds of things regarding your cat's whereabouts! A- a-"

     "-And Notch is there too..? No thanks... I'm not taking the chance." You frowned, turning to the man completely. You definitely felt like this was some kind of trap. But, deep down...you wanted to be able to trust Steve. Even if this was all a set up, you wished that Steve would see your reaction...and decide to call it off. You wanted him to take the hint... You were willing to forgive him if he came clean and simply stopped it, or even simply pretended it never happened!

     ...But he didn't.

    "It's going to be fine. Trust me." He said, judging you slightly towards the portal. Your gaze never left his.

     "Oh yeah...? And if it isn't..? Are you able to say one hundred percent, that if I step through this portal..that I won't have that trust betrayed..never to be forgiven again? Are you really willing to sacrifice my trust for your brother's gain? Because I r-eally have a hard time believing people in the first place.." My bottom lip quivered, eyes begging your supposed uncle not to do this. "This will be the last time I ever trust you if this is actually a trap!" I stamped my foot solidly on the stone floor. Steve flinched. Turning to the portal, I saw the deep thought in his eyes. The sudden hesitancy.... He said it all without even speaking.

     I just hoped he would change his mind...

     "...It's not a tr-ap.." His voice broke, spilling his truths. He placed his caring hand on my back, readying himself to push me through. But I saw his hidden intent and shoved myself away from him first. I stumbled past him further away into the house.

     "N- no! S-s-stay back! I know what I liar looks like, and you are one heck of a bad liar!"

    Steve lowered himself to my level, trying to speak calmly to combat my rising intensity. "Please... It is for your own good... Your dad will be looking for you now that he knows you are-"

     "Ughh! I already told you!! STOP calling him my dad! I don't even CARE about Herobrine! I just want to find Sparky and live my life peacefully! I was thinking about asking to be your apprentice or something, but clearly I can't TRUST you enough for that!"

     "Please- just hear me out!"

     "No!! I've had enough!" And then, I spun around and ran. Straight for the door! As far as I could as quickly as I could. Steve continued to shout after me in the doorway of his house. But after I had made it CLEAR I wasn't going back, Steve ran through the portal himself.

     I gasped for air. The high altitudes took a serious toll on my lungs. The prickly old bushes grasped for my feet and legs, as if trying to stop me. The slope too! I was drinking downhill, so I had to be at least a little careful when sprinting full speed down a mountain!

     The feeling of my feet stomping into sand caught my attention right away. The terrain was so rocky. Surely it wouldn't suddenly be at all similar to its direct opposite in soil! But, nevertheless, my feet began to struggle through the pocket of deep sand...which only grew thinner and thinner. By feet began to sink into it. Worse. In no time, there was nothing for my feet to even sink into! Finally, my eyes flashed down at my feet. My mouth gaped open, a scream rising from me as I fell into a pit which had suddenly materialized right underneath me!

     I was caught from my would-have-been harsh landing by soft flakes of dark grey powder. The familiar scent of ash loaded my nose. In a panic, I began rushing to climb out of the ten or so feet tall pit. The walls, however, were absolutely covered in the sooty material. And just like how difficult it is to climb out of a hole made up of loose dirt, so too was this! The ashes remaining in the air floated into my eyes making them tear up. The dark matter was quick to stain absolutely every single inch of me! Even my own face was covered in soot as I attempted to rub the ash from my eyes.

     As hopeless as my situation seemed, I was determined not to give up! Still, the desperation to just be a little stronger... Just a little faster, consumed every thought I possessed. Whatever had done this was clearly powerful! Whoever had done this was clearly miles above me in every possible way!... I wanted that... I hated this feeling... Being stuck chained to a fence as the neighbor dog is crawling nearer.

     Notch stood over the edge of the crater he had created, emotionlessly, two dark brown eyes staring down at my crawling form. He simply studied me. It wasn't long before I noticed him too, immediately shouting for Steve to help me. Even if this was his doing...perhaps he would swoop in in the end to save me...? My heart raced as I saw the almighty man standing there so judgingly, gloved hands tightly clasped behind his back. The king of the Aether was bald, a crown replacing his hair, and a thick black beard became the most demanding feature on his face.

     "STEVE!!! H-help me!" I cried out. As pathetic as I knew I looked shouting like that, desperately trying to crawl out of the pit, my useless hope drove me to at least try while I had the chance. At last, Steve came up jogging behind Notch. He stopped at the edge of the pit, panting slightly when he finally arrived. He physically flinched at the sound of his own name, but otherwise made no attempt to help you. Finally, one of Notch's gloved hands came to rest on his brother's shoulder.

     "I see you gave up a lot for this... Thank you..." Notch spoke calmly. Steve only lowered his head, turning away from his older brother slightly.

     "Just-... Don't hurt her...okay?" Steve asked, a lowly whisper. The question somewhat offended Notch, but he expressed this more through sadness than anything else.

     "Of course...brother. You are free to join me if-"

     "-No... Clearly, she won't want me near her anyways..." He sighed, now referring to me standing facing the two, shaking my fist at Steve specifically.

     "Steve, I'm gunna murder all of your goats if you don't-"

     "Now now..." Notch barged in. "Let us not toss threats now... Especially among family." He spoke cooly. Under his feet, the ground lowered a little. The entire pit began to slope some, making way for the man as he walked down. Steps formed under each foot, slowly spiraling down to my level. My brows dropped down to nearly cover my eyes. My bright eyes glowed a little brighter as the terrible frown was painstakingly etched into my face.

     "You..." I growled. Steve took a slight step back, already knowing what was going on. "We are not related! Not by blood! Not even by friendship!! The only reason the world thinks I am related to that DESPICABLE man is because of these blasted eyes! If not for them, I wouldn't even BE here!" I cried, letting the emotion out fresh and raw. That seemed to cut through some of the tall standing man's tough outer shell. He walked a little slower down towards me.

     "So...you are not on his side?"

     "Of course not! That man's killed innocent people!!"

     "I see..." Notch pondered silently. Then, when he was at last at my level, he stood taller than me still, firmly holding his hands behind his back again. "Then... What do you know about Herobrine..?"

     "I dunno.." I groaned, rolling my eyes. "That he, uhh, has powers, is evil, is your brother, has eyes like mine, apparently isn't a morning person.."

     "Mm... And do you know why I need you to come with me..?" He asked. I stiffened.

     "Tooo....uhhh... Kill me?... Use me as bait...? Experiment on me..?" I began listing the many terrifying things the unknown held for me.

     Annoyed, Notch spun around to look up at Steve with a slight scowl. "You couldn't have, I dunno, maybe dropped a few hints that I wasn't a complete Sociopath?!" He griped up at his younger brother, whose arms flailed in defense.

     "H- h- hey! I didn't know how much you wanted me to tell!"

     "Hhhhh...." A deep sigh spilled from the bearded man's lips as he slowly spun back to you, one black glove held to his forehead. "No." To you. "I'm no-h-t going to murder you!" He tried to laugh, which only felt terribly out of place. Your fists clamped tighter.

     "..Then why put a bounty on 'me?'"

     "I needed the help."

     "Mmhm, sure..."

     "Hey, I'm the king of the Aether, mind you!"

     "Oh yeah?~ Well you also claim to be my family too, which means I can shout at you however much I want!"

     "I don't think that is how families work-"

     "-Oh really?! Is that so?! I wouldn't know, because I never HAD ONE!"
   
     "Woah there, girly.. calm down there." Steve spoke up.

     "YOU CAN'T BOSS ME AROUND ANYMORE, STEVE! I CURRENTLY HATE YOU!"

     "Wait, 'girly?' What is your name, by the way..?" Notch suddenly asked.

     Crossing my arms. "That information is classified."

     "Yyeeahhhh, even when we were on good terms, she never told me what it was, so I just started calling her 'girly' as a nickname and stuff.." Steve admitted to his older brother, who found all of this rather curious. I honestly enjoyed messing with people that way. My name was stupid, anyways.

     After an odd pause, "We need to go. Herobrine could be right on our tails at this point." Notch turned to me all of a sudden, taking a large stride forward, attempting to grab my wrist. I pulled mine away before he could grab it.

     "Wh- what?! No! I'm not just going to follow YOU!" I shouted. I almost began trying to run out, but quickly realized how foolish that would be. Instead, intended to slowly make my way around toward the stairs. I did so by trying to actually seem engaged in the conversation for more reasons than just to shout.

     "I promise you, we won't harm you. As long as you stick with the rules and don't hurt anyone, you'll be fine."

     "Oh yeah? Well the day just started for me and already Steve's promise has completely shattered to pieces. What makes you possibly think I would suddenly trust yours?"

     "Because, girly-"

     "A-a-lright, enough with the nickname. It was fun while it lasted, bu-"

     "I don't intend to break mine."

     "Oh yeah? Prove it!" I spat. So cocky... So mindless.

     ".....Alrighty then.." Notch shrugged. He whistled briefly, and more people dressed in heavy armor showed up. I was near the stairs, so I began to book it before they could trickle down. But, suddenly the floor opened up under me, catching me in a me sized hole, too lean to kick my knees up out of. "Be careful with her." Notch ordered his men once they came into the pit with us. There were only a few, but that was all he needed.

     "Put your hands up." A lady's muffled voice half growled, obviously biased against my eyes. I hissed mockingly at her, making her obviously angrier. Wasn't long before my face was pressed into some soot and my wrists were cuffed tightly behind my back.

     "Heyy! I got a few bruises from that! See, Notch?! You broke your promise already! I win!" I complained however I could. Notch stood with his hands behind his back again, hardly caring that I was uncomfortable.

     "Take her to the Holding Room." He ordered again simply. As I was forced to my feet, I struggled a lot more. No way was I actually going to let this guy win!

     "Ay! No! Steve, tell them I didn't do anything wrong! Pleease!!" In my moment of fear, I forgot pleading wasn't my thing anymore.

     "I mean.. you did burn down half a village..." The man mumbled as I was pushed past him.

    "Yh- you said that was normal!"

     "And you actually believed me?!"

     "Well-.. no."

     "Exactly. But don't worry. This isn't supposed to be prison, or an excursion."

     "Mmhm, sure." Even though I wanted to believe Steve's optimistic words myself, I just couldn't bring myself to.

     After all... Nothing good ever happens to me, ESPECIALLY with this 'daughter of Herobrine' lable on me!"

.

.

.

=======================
I'd probably rate this chapter a meh out of ten, but hey, that's what editing is for, right..? Later. I need sleep. Is almost 4AM. XD