Ha! I lied!
No, but in all seriousness, I thought I would let you have the next chapter. I'm a little impatient, and since I'm not done with this one like I am on Truth Uncovered, we have some wiggle room with the posts.
Thank you to all who've reviewed (that's you, Not-on-my-books!) and read the story so far!
Now, credit where credit is due (this is all of right now, sorry for anyone who favorites or reviews or follows after this post):
AngetianPrincess18
Ice Dragon of the West I
nGodIstilltrust
Not-on-my-books (First review on this story! Cookies to ya!)
Tina-Chan 0
maddy madhatter
. .head
Chapter two of Truth Uncovered will be up Wednesday!
I want to clear something up and make sure I have this right: Seraphina (Mother Nature) is Pitch's daughter, so the seasons (Amelia, Sasha, and Samuel) would technically be his grandchildren, right?
Remember that Seraphina had no part in creating Jack in this story! That was ALL the Moon's business.
Love you all,
Mini
Chapter Two
Jack flew, allowing North to take him where she wanted. Snow had been delivered to every country that'd been waiting, and they were both content with the cold, yet warm feeling in their hearts.
"Do you think we could break into the Pole again?"
They slipped up that once, she spoke, a soft, reassuring sound in his ears. I highly doubt that they'll be an open window like that again. And I mean that literally.
"It's been fifty years!" he let out exasperatedly, rolling his eyes. "North's probably forgotten."
It isn't North I'm worried about.
"Phil didn't—"
Just shut up, Jack. Just shut up.
They landed in a tree over his lake, the unthawing, strong, sturdy lake. Jack didn't know why he kept it that way, he just got the feeling that it simply should be.
"Do you have to go, North?" Jack whispered, overtaken by the sight of golden streamers filling the sky.
Yes, dear.
"Where do you go?"
My home. One much like yours.
"Do you know any other spirits?"
There was hesitation in the strong, womanly voice. Yes, but they're mainly busy.
"Are they like me?"
You're a one-of-a-kind, dear.
"Alright." He sighed. It was the same answer every night. "You can go now, if you want."
Goodbye, dear. She said, flowing through the air towards Transcendent Cove, brewing with anger. I never want to go, Jack. Not once in my time with you have I ever wanted to leave.
But he was asleep by the time she sent her message.
"Amelia? Can I come in?"
She sighed, placing her pencil down. Her journal was almost full, but that wouldn't stop her from writing. "Sam, the door's unlocked."
He walked in, brown suit and dress shoes shining in the lowlight. Her room was made entirely out of wood, no more than a bedroom and a bathroom. Both were decorated very specifically to her season.
"Samuel, what do you want?"
"Burgess is ready for the beginning of winter." He rubbed his neck, licking his lips. "But not quite done with autumn yet. I just thought…."
"I understand, Sam." She walked over and hugged her brother, handing him a shining silver sword. Flames licked the edges. "Happy birthday, Captain Oblivious."
"I completely forgot." He starred wide-eyed at the mystical object.
"And the day's pretty much over." Amelia laughed, gathering her bow and cloak. She pulled her scarf over her mouth, hood over her dark, curly red hair, grinning at his incredulous face.
He murmured, "So that's what Spring's bracelet was for."
"Idiot." Autumn mumbled, rolling her eyes and slipping through the door, shifting into a red hawk, talons glistening a golden color and wings spreading out, reflecting off the Moon's light.
She landed on a branch of the highest tree, cleaning her wings and scouting her surroundings. Samuel had been right—the trees were ready to be rid of their warm leaves. Her yellow eyes followed the golden sand, watching as it made its way to the many children of the poorly town.
There was a lone strand, though, that led to the edge of the forest.
The Unthawing Lake.
She took her time getting there, taking in the cool air that ruffled her wings. Everyone had heard of it—the lake stayed frozen through ever season, and no matter how hard they each tried, there was no "melting" the water.
Animals watched her, not daring to get close. She could peck the eyes out of a bear, eat the stray squirrel, even scare the alpha wolf. She had that power over them, and they knew it.
But she had no power over her emotions.
There was a sleeping boy in the trees, soundly snuggled up against the leaves of the redwood. His fingers were slender and worn, his hair white as the snow he created, and skin paler than hers when she was at her worst. His blue hoodie hung off him as if he were a ragdoll, the brown trousers skintight.
No shoes adorned his feet.
She landed gracefully on the thick branch, East ruffling around her. She transformed, gown blending in with the red and yellow leaves that fell around them.
Amelia noticed a staff clenched tightly in his left hand, covered with frosted spirals. Frost….
"Oh, my Moon." She whispered. "Jack?"
Before she could touch him, he was jerked away, ice blue eyes snapping open. The force was dark and dangerous, igniting fury within the pit of her stomach.
"Jack!" she flew forward, trying to get a grip on his hand. His eyes were filled with fear, but they furrowed in confusion.
"You can—" his voice was cut off by his groan as he was flung into a tree. Amelia could hear the crack that followed, but chose to ignore it. He crumpled to the ground, not moving a muscle.
Autumn looked up, disgust filling her expression as the man appeared. "Pitch."
"Oh, granddaughter, please," he chuckled. "I'm hurt. Surely you wouldn't talk to your own grandfather that way?"
"You are no family of mine." Her voice carried. "What do you want with Jack?"
"Oh, nothing, my dear. He just has the sweetest nightmares."
She hit him with her arrow, causing him to gasp. She cocked another one, aiming down at him. "Leave. Him. Alone."
"Amelia," he choked, backing away. "It's only been 66 years. You still have a promise to keep to my daughter, and breaking it would mean his life."
Just heal him, Amelia. She stared at his still form, contemplating. He's losing much blood!
She sprang into action, setting his broken leg (when did it break in the first place?) and his chest was fine, save for a few cracked ribs.
He'll heal fast, she thought as she tightened the bandage. He is a spirit, after all. Crap, he's waking up.
She quickly transformed, flying to the highest branch she could find. She watched as he groaned, squeezing his eyes shut in momentary pain, then opening the shattering blue orbs. He looked around, standing, and climbed her tree, staring her yellow eyes down.
She started prepping her wings, panicking. No, no, no, don't see me. Look away! But her thoughts were in vain—he had a grip on her, and there was no way he was letting her go.
Amelia flapped furiously, squawking and pecking at his hands. He didn't even flinch, his gaze a strange calm and determined one. "You're not a normal bird."
She froze, thinking about what his form may be. Shoot…. She bit his thumb, finally making him wince and set her down.
Backing away slowly, she transformed. The wonder and amazement could not be mistaken in his eyes when he looked up at her. The hood and scarf had fallen off long ago, showing her elven features that were even more pronounced than Jack's. Yellow eyes burned through the night and his soul, rivaling Sandy's any day.
"Hello, Jack."
"Hey," he rubbed his neck nervously. "Who…."
"Amelia Reneé Autumn."
"Autumn?"
She crouched down. "I'm not supposed to be here, Jack. And yes, I am your sister by creation. I am 9,789 years old—"
"You look twenty."
"Twenty-three," she corrected, holding a finger up for silence. "I want to spend time with you, but I can't. I'm extremely busy, and so are our brother and sister, so we need to be able to focus. When I have time, trust me, I will come and spend time with you, but you must get by on your own for now."
She became saddened with the fall of his face.
"But… I'm so alone." He whispered, looking at her. "And North… she's always telling me the same thing."
"Jack—"
"I know that this is all for some reason, but what will my isolation accomplish?" he stood, frowning. "Amelia, I'm glad you came. It's really nice to know that there's someone out there that cares about me."
"Jack, I don't mean any harm."
He shrugged. "And there's been none done. I just wish that I knew why no one will come near me."
Amelia Autumn blinked, taking in his speech and form. A black, blue-eyed wolf the size of herself bolted away, never glancing back. Claws shone silver, paws not laying a single footprint, steps not making a single sound.
A creature of the night.
"Oh, my Moon!" she screamed quietly, placing a hand over her mouth. "The Plan!"
She flew off, screeching angrily.
Mother sure had a lot of explaining to do.
Sorry if it was short!
