"Tell me everything you saw, from the beginning." Pitch demanded blatantly. His two top henchmen, Edgar and Simon, both very large and stocky in stature, stood before his elegant looking mahogany desk. Their hands clasped behind their backs, the pair looked forward, respectfully avoiding Pitch's eye.
"From what we've seen sir, the grounds are completely secure. Guards are positioned around the circumference of the estate and at every entrance. The boy himself is hardly ever alone, except when he resides in his quarters." Edgar said. Pitch rested back in his leather chair, folding his hands over his stomach, lost in thought. His eyebrows creased in concern.
"Where are the boy's chambers located?" he questioned thoughtfully.
"On the third floor of the estate, far right. There are windows, but they are positioned in the guard's direct line of sight," Simon replied. Pitch looked at the two of them. These men were two of his finest assistants, and Pitch trusted their judgment when it came to breaking and entering. He had always preferred to keep the company of the intellectual in his midst, rather than those who were simply muscle and no brain. What use was a stupid henchman? But if what they told him was true, then this would be much harder than he originally anticipated. His usual breaking and entering would be completely out of the question, and any teleportation would be risky. Pitch could only teleport within the boundaries of shadows, and he never really knew where he would end up. Trying to get into the estate would be much too tricky for his liking. Pitch's mind whirled with this new information, attempting to compensate for it. It was expected that the estate would be heavily guarded, but not to such an extent.
"This will be no easy feat: that much I had gathered." He thought aloud.
"Sir? With all due respect, it appears to be damn near impossible to penetrate the defenses from the outside," Simon pointed out, "but once we're behind the security lines, it could easily be done."
"Is there any way we could maneuver above or below the estate without being detected?" Pitch asked, tapping a finger to his lips. "Perhaps we could create a tunnel or some sort, or use one of my various aircrafts?"
"More of a chance than trying to go through on foot, but still very risky. It would also take much more time to plan out."
Pitch considered this, and decided that the odds were against him. He did not like the idea of quitting, but the chances of him succeeding were slim. However, he was unwilling to rush into anything, or make any rash decisions. Patience, he thought to himself. There was always a way, he just needed time to discover it. Pitch placed two of his long fingers between his eyes in a tired manner, moving his other hand to rest on the desk.
"Have you any positive information that I could actually use to my advantage?" Pitch prompted. The two men looked at one another. Then, Edgar reached into his bag. He pulled forth a sheet of paper that crumpled slightly under the weight of his massive grip. Pitch delicately took the paper, and flipped it over. Quickly skimming the information on the sheet, Pitch's concerned expression slowly morphed into one of euphoria. He let out a quick, airy laugh before abruptly standing up in his chair, leaning forward with the paper in his grip.
"This is from the estate?" he asked eagerly. The two henchmen nodded.
"We discovered a few of them in the garbage outside the walls. Not sure why they were tossed out, but we thought it could be of some informational use." Edgar explained.
Pitch bared his teeth in a greedy smile, as he looked back down at the sheet. The delicate golden embroidery laced around the edges gave the paper an elegant look as he waved it around in the air excitedly.
"This is perfect. This is our way in!"
"Sir?" the Simon questioned, but Pitch was too far gone to answer, concocting his plan that very moment.
"If you could get past the barrier of security to a rendezvous point somewhere within the mansions perimeter, how soon could we obtain the boy?"
"Mere minutes, sir," said Edgar sternly.
"Then listen carefully," Pitch leered, drawing them in by their curiosity.
The Luck estate was a luxurious mansion that resided in the eastern hemisphere of the planet Mond Kniaso. It was considered one of the most prestigious bourgeoisie estates in the capitalist community. Lord and Lady Luck were kind, considerate people, who aided those less fortunate than them. They had four adopted children, all from various backgrounds: Jackson, Toothania, Nicholas, and Bunnymund. They were the heirs and heiresses of the estate, and one day, Lord and Lady Luck decided it was time to use their status to their advantage.
"The last thing I want is to get married!" Jack stated blatantly as he chucked a snowball at the trunk of the oak tree with a loud thwak! Snow particles scattered around the chipped bark, and some escaped into the air before settling back on the snowy ground.
"I know Jack, I know! And I wish I could convince mother and father otherwise, but there's no stopping them." Toothania pleaded with him, crossing her arms over her chest from the cold. Jack turned to face her, looking weary.
"It's just… I like my freedom! I'm happy! Marriage is a form of subjugation! I'd have to tie myself down and be… responsible," he complained, pulling himself into a pompous posture on the last words to prove his point. Then, he sighed and ran a hand through his hair. "I just… want things to stay the way that they are."
Tooth looked at him pitifully, which Jack hated. He didn't need comfort from others, but he still allowed her to hug him in consolation.
"I know Jack. And we all want you to be happy! We only want the best for our little brother! But desperate times call for desperate measures, and… well…" Tooth stammered, looking around nervously. Jack knew she did not want anyone to overhear, because she was indicating to the fact that they were broke. The family estate had gone completely bankrupt a few months back, and they needed money, fast. Lord and Lady Luck had been considering all the possible options, but the best one would be to obtain money through their children.
"I could do so much more than get married, though!" Jack argued in a hushed tone, praying that none of the guards were close enough to eavesdrop, "I mean… Bunny and North don't have to get married! I could inherit the estate, or go off and become a businessman of sorts…"
But as soon as Jack said the words, he realized he didn't want any of those futures either. Both sounded rather boring, and almost as bad as marriage. Tooth was shaking her head, her long brown hair falling into her eyes.
"No Jack, both you and I know that that's completely impossible. You're the youngest, so mother and father would never let you inherit the estate when they could give it to North. You're still too young to become a business man, and seeing as we have little time, you have limited options."
Jack dipped his hand back into the snow, cupping it perfectly in his hands, and began patting it down to make yet another snowball. He knew Tooth was right, but he didn't want to believe it.
"Anyway," Tooth continued, "I think we should be grateful. At least it's not completely arranged! There will be plenty of eligible suitors to choose from at the cotillion this evening."
"Yeah, I guess I should thank mum and dad for letting me pick the cage I'm going to be stuck in for the rest of my life," Jack mumbled. Tooth smacked his arm.
"Look wise guy, I'm not too fond of the idea either, but we have no choice. We might as well make the best of the situation at hand!" she snapped.
"Why?" Jack retorted persistently, "Just because I can't back out of this, doesn't mean I have to act like I enjoy it."
"Try. For mum and dad's sake." Tooth answered softly, "They've done so much for us Jack. Give them this one thing in return. They need us right now."
A hot air balloon of guilt swelled in Jack's chest, pressing on his stomach, and making him feel ill. He knew more than anyone that Lord and Lady Luck deserved his cooperation. Every one of their children was adopted, including Jack who had been mysteriously left on the estate's doorstep mere hours after he had been born. The Lord and Lady could have easily given him up to nearest orphanage, but the benign couple took him in as their own: fed him, clothed him, and spoiled him rotten. They both loved Jack, regardless of where he might've come from, even though Jack had a habit of getting himself into trouble.
When Jack didn't respond to Tooth's argument, she huffed the cold air out of her lungs impatiently.
"I'm going to go and see if mum needs any help. Do you want me to bring you your jacket? It's freezing out here."
"No thanks," Jack said softly. Oddly enough, he wasn't all that cold. He heard Tooth's soft footsteps in the snow as she moved back towards the house. When she had gone, Jack slid down the tree trunk in exasperation, his insides twisting with angst. Regardless of how hospitable his guardians had been, it didn't seem fair that he had to throw his life away so early in the game. He was still so young, with so much potential. There was so much he could do, if given the chance. The small snowflakes fell through the cracks between his fingers as he absentmindedly fondled the snow.
Suddenly, a loud snap could be heard from above. Jack froze, anticipation settling in. He immediately became hyperaware, and didn't dare move. Silence fell over the yard, and Jack could faintly here the creaking of branches from above him. Someone was in the tree, watching his every move. They had probably heard every word spoken between him and Toothania, which meant the family's secret of bankruptcy, was in jeopardy. Jack could feel beads of sweat gathering on his forehead. From above, he felt eyes piercing the skin on the back of his neck. He held his breath anxiously, not daring to call for help just yet, though security was plentiful. He slowly began to inch towards a stray branch that had fallen to the ground, in the hope of using it as a weapon.
"GOTCHA!" Screamed a voice as something heavy landed on top of Jack before he could reach out and grab the stick. Jack cried out in surprise when his face was unexpectedly slammed into the cold, wet snow. The person atop him laughed with delight as Jack looked up, shaking the white flakes from his hair.
"Jamie!" he cried out in pleasure and relief. The young boy, no older than Jack, had shaggy brown hair, dark eyes, and freckles scattered across his nose and cheeks. He sat on top of Jack casually, a large grin on his flushed face, breathing excitedly.
"Who else? What, did you think I was some kind of burglar?" he laughed, "Do you have any idea how long I was up there? My leg cramped up at least twice! Thought I would fall for sure!"
Jack rolled his eyes and tried to stand, but Jamie pressed down harder, denying him the privilege. Jack's smiled widened dangerously at the challenge. Without a moment's notice, he rolled over suddenly, and Jamie's body went flying out from under him. Jack then yanked his legs out, and threw a fistful of snow in Jamie's direction as he stood up. Jamie stuck his tongue out in defeat.
"Next time, you could just come in through the yard," Jack laughed, "No need to be so melodramatic."
Jamie gave him a sarcastic pout.
"But where's the fun in that?" he said sourly, before brushing the rest of the snow out of his eyes. "Anyways, I didn't come here to beat you at wrestling."
Jack smirked before he kicked Jamie in the thigh. He squealed defensively in response.
"Right, because you've got me completely beaten," Jack mocked, batting his big blue eyes a Jamie sarcastically.
"Shut it. What's this about you getting married?" Jamie exclaimed, rolling on his side curiously.
Jack helped him up, and explained to him what was going to happen that very night; though, he left out the part about the family being broke. It seems as if Jamie hadn't heard him and Tooth discussing it, which Jack was thankful for. Of course Jack could trust Jamie, they were best friends! However, he figured he'd better not risk it.
"Wow… so, basically, you're giving up your entire life, and you don't have any say in the matter?" Jamie exclaimed.
"Yeah," Jack shrugged somberly. Jamie, sensing his friend's malcontent, punched him lightly on the shoulder in a kindly gesture. Jack gave him a half-hearted smile, but in reality, he had never felt so helpless.
"You want to go throw some snowballs at the leprechauns? That'll make you feel better," Jamie suggested. Jack let out a dry laugh.
"Remember the last time we did that? We got in so much trouble!" He responded, recalling Lady Luck's wrath when she had discovered them torturing her beloved pets. Personally, Jack hated the little creatures. They caused nothing but mischief, and became very violent when one even mentioned gold.
"So… you want to or not?" Jamie said, raising his eyebrows in expectancy.
"Race you to the gardens!"