Suddenly, a new fanfiction! I've decided to work on another story (this one is in a diary format) as well as "Herobrine Rising" so tell me what you think and if I should continue it.

Don't forget to leave a rating if you liked!

-Raven

Bad Omens

Day 1

I finally did it. After all the indecision, all the talks of "danger" and "hazards" and "extreme peril" I have managed to convince my parents to let me go. After all, we are not the most well off family, and could use the extra money. At last, I can follow in my father's footsteps and become a miner; no more hauling logs for hours on end, back aching, fingers worn down to the bone. It's more risky, sure, but the pay is so much more! I will be able to afford a better home, better armour, maybe even a diamond sword to replace my rusty old iron one. To be honest, I'm surprised it still works, the durability is so low.

I saw the mines for the first time today. The owner, Dale, is not much older than I am, and very successful at that. He has spiked, chocolate hair and amber eyes, and carries himself with the confidence and swagger that you'd expect from someone so effectual. But really, he's a nice guy at heart.

"Are you sure you want to work here?" He asked me, genuine worry creasing his features. We had been just about to take a tour of the main sites his group worked, and I was feeling extremely excited. "We don't usually take on someone so young. The mines are no joke, you could get yourself killed if you're not careful."

I sighed. "I appreciate your concern, but I have had plenty of time to think this over. Don't worry, I'm not stupid."

"Well, you seem to have made up your mind, uh…"

"Steven Minersson," I finished. "But everyone calls me Steve."

Dale and I chatted aimlessly on the way to the cave entrance, so I got to know him a little better. He enjoyed his work, that much was for sure, and enthusiastically described his delight at the discovery of a thick vein of diamond ore on level thirteen. To my surprise, he was to come with us on our expeditions; in fact, he liked to personally lead mining teams as much as possible. I wouldn't be accompanying him, though. Not until I had gained more experience.

"Well, here we are!" To be honest, the entrance wasn't much to look at - a run-down rudimentary piston door system smothered in clinging vines - but Dale was obviously very proud of it.

"We don't source anything from other sites," He explained, "All our redstone and building materials come from this here mine." I was impressed. I mean, mining redstone is dangerous work, so most companies just trade for it instead of collecting their own. Dale, it seemed, was determined to be entirely self-sufficient.

When the pistons slid open to grant us access, I'll admit I gasped. Dale's mine was larger than any I had seen on trips with my father - he would usually just dig fresh tunnels in the absence of natural caves - but this mine was based in an immense ravine, closed off at the top by only a few layers of dirt. I know now that I have passed over that spot many times, unaware of the cavernous space that lies below, of the soaring towers of rock propped up by a few weak wooden supports. Already, I could see coal and iron ore dotting the walls, and understood how Dale had become so rich so quickly - the place was a literal goldmine.

"You will start work on level one or two," The owner patiently explained. "There's not much to collect besides coal, but there's little risk of a flood or collapse." I nodded, aware that I would not be able to work in the deeper levels until I had gained more experience. Dale seemed to be worried, possibly expecting a complaint, so I smiled reassuringly.

"It's OK. I understand that it's too risky for me to mine close to bedrock as I have little training."

I noticed a subtle relaxation of Dale's features; clearly he had been concerned I'd protest. He grinned back at me, and offered to introduce me to the team I would be working with. As we walked, I noticed a few miners staring at me curiously as we passed. Surely a new worker wasn't that much of a big deal was it? Nevertheless, a few whispers broke out and not one of them took their eyes off me until Dale ordered them back to work. They all seem to respect him greatly, and instantly went back to mining without complaint, but I couldn't shake the feeling of being watched.

"Is it always this way for new workers?" I asked Dale, who glanced at me in confusion.

"What do you mean?"

"Well, everyone seems a little… On edge. Is it because of me?" Sighing, Dale pulled me aside and spoke quietly to me, ensuring we would not be overheard by the tense workers mining the ravine walls.

"I'm sure you are aware of 'Him', aren't you?" I was taken aback; This wasn't what I'd been expecting. I squinted in the murky half-light, trying to make out any trace of humour on my companion's face, but Dale was deadly serious.

"Of course, my mother told me those stories as a child."

"Then I presume you are aware of your… Uh… Resemblance to Him, surely?"

I have been told many times that my face and build is similar to the white-eyed man of legend, but I'd never thought anything of it, and I'd never have thought my appearance would spook a group of fully grown men so much. Confused, I nodded, and Dale continued.

"I suppose you have a right to know. The workers here are somewhat superstitious; They claim your arrival is a bad omen. I don't believe in the tales myself, but you're more well known than you realise, Steve. I had to try hard just to convince them you weren't going to bring about the destruction of this mine."

To be honest, this information shocked me. I couldn't believe that people I'd never even met before would judge and fear me based on my looks alone. It gave me a little hope to hear about the lengths Dale had gone to to get me (sort of) accepted though; I felt as if I could rely upon him a little more now.

"Anyway," Dale straightened, a forced brightness permeating his tone, "Why don't you come and meet the rest of your team!"

The miners I work with are actually quite nice; being skeptics themselves, they didn't have time for "silly superstitious nonsense". I believe their names are Aria, Zek, Ethan, Jackson, Ssundee and Deadlox.

Aria looks to be the one with the most experience out of all of us; She was assigned to our group to keep us newbies under control, and has no tolerance for messing around. Always carries a sword with her too, hanging from a thick, loose belt around her waist. She has quite a striking figure actually, all black, worn leather mottled with the traces of a thousand fights, her long crimson hair pulled back in a tight ponytail.

Zek and Ssundee, on the other hand, seem to be a lot more friendly, and I have quite warmed to them in the short time I have known them. Zek, with his unkempt jet-black hair and startling magenta eyes, seems quite the joker. Always playing pranks and laughing at his team-mates expressions, I found myself warming to him immediately. Deadlox, Zek and Ssundee are inseparable; they were best mates even before starting work in the mines, so I didn't expect anything less.

Ethan and Jackson are a couple. I know it. Sure, they try to hide it, but anyone paying the least bit of attention can spot the tells. I presume they have been mining together for a while, and agreed to join our team to pad out the numbers.

The side of the ravine where we work is very high off the ground. The only way up or down is over a series of rickety bridges and precarious ladders, making gaining access to the site tiresome and difficult. I suppose it doesn't help that I'm a little scared of heights. Zek noticed my hesitation, and smiled in an attempt to reassure me.

"You get used to it," He grinned, "Besides, it's completely safe."

Then we heard the scream.