Biding his time. Yes, he was biding his time. Frigidity had fallen, and he could smell nothing in the flat winter air save his own wrath. And his oppression. Yet the time for vengeance would come. Vengeance against Jack. But for now he was biding his time; always biding his time.

0101010101001010101010

Stepping out of his small country home, Jack had to shield his eyes against the garish light of the sun against the snow. He surveyed the land for a moment, his eyes scanning the barn, the henhouse, the gently rolling field that lay under a blanket of snow. Everything seemed to be at peace. Good. Working during these tranquil mornings was like not working at all.

A broad smile crossed on the farmer's face as he tended to his livestock. His farm was his true passion in life. He had never known the wonders of good, solid labor with plants and animals until the day he arrived in Mineral Town. The bond of friendship formed with the earth and its creatures never ceased to amaze him... and among the people of Mineral town, he found someone to share a bond of love.

He fed the animals, brushed each sheep and milked each cow with care, as he did every day. Because winter had enveloped the land, there was no work to be done in the field. Though he enjoyed working with the crops, he was grateful to have less work. He had other errands to run on this particular day.

With his smile still lingering, Jack left his farm and began walking briskly down Main Street. His fist, stuffed deep into his jeans pocket, tightly clutched a thin, wispy object that had been there since he purchased it, so many months ago. Many months of waiting. Biding his time, you could say. He snickered to himself.

Her house was up ahead, nestled between the library and the Mayor's house. Smoke puffed diligently from the chimney, dark against a backdrop of white.

Knock knock. Some snow dropped from the roof as Jack knocked on the door.

"Just a moment!" came her voice, muffled.

After a moments wait the door creaked open. Jack was hit by a wave of warmth, from the warm sight of Elli's face and from the fire that blazed in the hearth behind her. "Jack!" her voice was pleased, almost relieved.

"Elli..." he took a jerky step towards her, fondness for her glowing like an ember in his heart. He loved her so much.

"I'm glad you're here." Her beautiful brown eyes were filled with worry. "Please, come in."

Concern flooded Jack's mind, pulling him away from his bliss. "Elli, what's wrong?"

She stepped aside to allow Jack to step inside, which he did, and paused. The house was stuffy and hot; uncomfortably so. Why didn't they open the shutters? The only light came from the fireplace, even though it was such a nice day outside. Then Jack saw why. Ellen, Elli's elderly grandmother, lay in bed, wrapped so tightly in blankets it seemed as if they were tying her in place.

"Oh my..." He rushed to her bedside and dropped to his knees to get a better look. The old woman's face was pulled into a tight frown, though her eyes were closed and she made no noise. Sweat covered her face in a glossy sheet. Ellen was deeply ill. "How long has she been like this?"

He could hear Elli move behind him. "The fever started last night." Her voice was high, near breaking point. "I called the doctor immediately. We treated her with all the medicines we had, but there's little we can do... the fever won't break." Jack looked up to see her eyes filled with tears, and then looked down at Ellen. What a horrible surprise.

Jack sat with Elli for much of the afternoon. Her younger brother, Stu, was away at Barley Ranch, where he could play with his friend May without worrying his young mind over his grandmother. Without his energetic ruckus and Ellen's jovial chatting, the house was unusually quiet. Jack and Elli spoke little, sitting in nervous silence near the fireplace. Elli periodically stirred; was Ellen too hot? Should she put another log on the fire? Should she boil some water for tea? What should she do?

As Elli worried for her grandmother, Jack couldn't help but worry for Elli. She looked weary. It was apparent that she had spent the previous night awake, fretting and flitting over Ellen. She needed a break.

"Elli, why don't you come outside for a minute?" Jack stood from his chair and looked at her. "You could use some fresh air."

Elli looked as if he had suggested she stab her grandmother there and then. "I can't leave her!"

"For a minute you can. You'll kill yourself if you keep working like this, and then who will take such good care of her?" He walked towards her and put a hand on her shoulder.

"A-alright. Just for a moment." She allowed him to guide her out the door and into the fresh air, where it was much easier to breath. The two leaned against the wall, and for a moment, just a moment, Elli breathed a smile. But it was only for a fleeting instant, and then her face returned to a look of deep consternation.

Jack watched her from the corner of his eye. In his pocket, he could feel the wispy object... the blue feather... he had intended to give her today. But now he knew he couldn't. Not for a while, anyway. Not until Ellen was healthy... or if that didn't happen, well... Not for a while. He would have to keep on waiting. Continue biding his time. He sighed.

After a moment Elli spoke. "Thank you. I really feel better now." By her fake smile, Jack could tell she didn't feel better at all. "I should really go back inside now. And I know you're busy, Jack. Why don't you head home? It's getting late, and I don't want to keep you."

"No, I don't mind, I'll stay with-"

"Really. It's okay." Did she want him to leave?

Jack looked unsure. "Well, if you think I should..."

"Thanks Jack. Truly." Well, she didn't appear to be angry with him... maybe she just wanted some privacy. "Oh, and could you tell Stu to come home on your way?"

"Of course."

"Thank you. I'll see you tomorrow."

"Yeah..."

With that, Jack turned and left, feeling dejected. It pained him to see Elli in such a state. It pained him to see Ellen in such a state. If only he could just zap their problem away.

0101010101001010101010010101010100101010101001010101010010101010100101010101001010101010

Hes pent the rest of the evening fishing on his farm, letting his mind fall into blankness as he watched the fishing line bob indolently on the water. His trusty dog, Chachi, wandered aimlessly around him. I wish I could be a dog, Jack thought. Free of all cares, all worries... no sick grandmothers, no thwarted marriage plans... For the millionth time that evening, he sighed.

When night fell he went to bed, leaving Chachi tucked cozily into his doghouse. Before he went to sleep, he muttered a silent prayer for Elli and Ellen. Hopefully this will all just blow over...

0101010101001010101010

The cold. The damned, wretched, omnipresent cold. It hurt him. It bit him. Just like the darkness. Damn it all. Damn Jack.But that was why he was biding his time. Always, always, always biding his time. But not for much longer. Not much longer indeed. And this thought made the cold melt away, if only for a moment.

0101010101001010101010

AN: Constructive criticism always appreciated, the harsher the better! Hope the story isn't too unclear.