I walked slowly along the hard rock, nothing remained aside from the occasional meteor or magma cube, what darkness could drive those lava slimes out of the Nether and into our world? I think I can relate. I wonder if they are scared. Because I was. Wasteland everywhere, I would think everyone would go insane. The inability to die is a heavy burden to bear, what the world has become I am sure that Notch would be reconsidering killing us. Nuclear war is not my preferred way to die. It was Duncan's. He often said to me: 'Hey Kim, I think Notch always playing around with us, so let's make a bet. Out of dying of Nuclear war or love-sickness, what would you choose?' At the time I just laughed and relied 'Love-sickness' And I think Notch got his sweet revenge. I wonder if anyone survived. Hmm. I doubt it. I say that, but I see a structure! Short in height but clearly made for use rather than decor. I am sure there are many levels below, maybe I can go check it out! I walk slowly to the squat building. It seems to be made out of factory blocks and ethereal glass. Spooky. What you call 'Hope' rises in my chest, maybe there are people in here! Sjin or Simon or Hannah or Rythian... I wouldn't mind anyone! I want to talk, to complain, about my feelings and the torture... If there's anybody here. Can I leave my hope in the baby trees that nestle in the ground? Can I leave my hope in the wood and cobblestone house? Can I leave my hope in the random bits of bone pick axe on the floor?

"Shame that Tornado dissipated, I was really enjoying that!"

My ears prick up.

"You won't be saying that when it comes back and rips apart our base."

Tears start to form.

"Mm hmm."

That was it. Just a mumbling. That is enough for my eyes to glimmer with liquid. I could recognise that voice from a thousand miles away. I hear the whoosh of an elevator as I stood, slightly bewildered, and joyful. Green goggles, purple on his face and chest. My love had come back. My mad scientist had returned.

"Duncan!!"I cry as I run over to him, through the glass and tackle him with a hug."I missed you so much! I thought you died!"

He remains a bit shocked and disentangles me from him.

But Notch above, what happens next thrusts thorns into my heart, pushes fire below my feet and pulverises my joy from the next three words he uttered.

"Who are you?"

***

I stared at him in disbelief. "I- it's Kim, Duncan you named me how could you forget?! You? Who are you? And what have you done with my Duncan?!"

"I-Look, lady, you can't just waltz in here and say you know me. I know there was a war, and that the world is toast. My only friends here are Sjin and Lewis and we're trying to blast off to get off this wretched planet."He looked at the Earth in disgust.

"Who are you?"I say in barely more than a whisper.

"I am Duncan Jones, of former Flux Buddies!"

A stab.

"Tell me Duncan,"I look at him tearfully."Who was your partner in Flux Buddies?"

"Isn't that obvious? Zoey!"

Another stab.

My body was mentally getting mutilated. Why does he remember Zoey as his companion? Does that mean that... He fell in love... With Zoey?

A spaceman. That I recognised to be Lewis, came up the elevator, takes one look at Duncan and I, and immediately says,

"Oh crap."