Prologue

Schizophrenia - a severe mental disorder characterized by some, but not necessarily all of the following features: emotional blunting, intellectual deterioration, social isolation, disorganized speech and behavior, delusions, and hallucinations.

2 years ago

"Jack?!"

Jamie stared in terror at the normally altruistic and kind-hearted guardian who was now sadistically smirking in the air, seemingly enjoying the sight of civilians screaming and dying. Never before had Jamie seen the crazed laughter or the maniacal glint that seemed to flash in the now cold eyes of his best friend. And as he was left to wonder what the hell was going on, he watched as the frigid ice rapidly spread across the ground onto the road where the cars skidded and slid on.

Horror unfurled in his chest as he observed the morbid curiosity blooming on Jack's face as the vehicles crashed into one another. Yells of panic and fright surrounded him as adults brushed past him, carrying their children away as fast as they could. The harsh arctic winds slapped and whipped him with blinding ferocity as he then hurriedly tried to make his way to the suddenly psychotic winter sprite, trying to make some sense out of the situation.

Jack grinned, an eerie hint of madness captured in his expression. He appeared to be actually having fun. Raising his staff, he called forth the wind, intensifying it to the point of creating a blizzard.

"Jack! What's going on? Snap out of it!"

Chuckling, Jack gave no outward signs of having heard Jamie; instead sending off massive showers of hail onto the town.

Jamie winced as he ran, the cold bits of ice biting his skin. Wiping off the snow that had stuck to his face, his eyes suddenly widened in fear as he watched a huge incoming projectile falling straight towards him. Adrenaline shooting up his veins, he leapt off to the side as an airborne motorcycle crashed onto the asphalt. Ducking down to a crouch, he then avoided a stray tin can from hitting his head as he checked to survey his surroundings, becoming more increasingly aware of the potential hazards around him. Looking up to the empowered floating figure surrounded by sparkling shards of ice, a sudden rush of desperation filled him. He just had to reach Jack!

And just as he was about to begin his sprint again, he caught a glimpse of blonde in his peripheral vision. With a sense of foreboding filling within him, he turned back and glanced toward his right where he saw his sister stumble over fallen debris.

"Sophie!"

Following his instincts, he immediately shoved her and tackled her to the ground; flinching as the loud thud of a collapsed roof resounded behind him. He breathed in relief, as he looked down at his unharmed sibling, glad that she was safe. However, taking in her messed up appearance from her tattered jeans to the smudges of dirt on her face, the feeling disappeared as fast as it came.

Concerned, he anxiously asked, "Sophie, what's going on with Jack?"

Sophie then stared at him straight in the eyes and whispered a soft reply.

"That's not Jack, Jamie."

A questioning glance was sent her way. What do you mean?

"That's Jokul Frosti."