No warnings for this chapter. Jack is starting to acknowledge things he knows from Jess's life. He'll be discovering and questioning different parts of the book we know. If anyone has ideas, don't be shy to share them. This story is set to be completely done by the end of April. It will probably have two chapters some weeks and one others, so if you only check in once a week, beware that you may have missed a chapter. Next chapter is longer and will be out Sunday.

Disclaimer: I do not own Bridge to Terabithia

Jack the Darkmiester

By Ancient Midnight

Chapter Two

A Child Lost

2011/05/06

"Uwwe, Jess' in trouble," His other daughter May Bella sang from the couch. Jack sank down in his chair preparing himself for telling his wife. She was going to cry, and if there was one thing Jack hated above all other things, it was seeing a girl uncomfortable. Crying was the second worst. Sitting back and watching the girl's watch tv, Jack realized he might have more than one crying girl on his hands.

Jack wasn't too sure about his daughter's relationship with their brother. Brenda constantly complained about him, his smell, his appearance, even the example he set at school. Ellie never spoke of him, and at times point blank refused to acknowledge her brother at all. May Belle, to Jack's knowledge, liked Jessie very much even if he did pick on her a lot. Jack was sure that each sister would be upset, but he could not gage how hurt any particular one of them might be. Therefore, Jack decided predicting their reactions was impossible.

"JACK!"

Jack nearly jumped through his own skin. His wife stood by the couch shocked, still whiping food off her hands and into her apron. Jack gestured to the couch, "Sit down honey."

"Why are you home from work? We can't afford for you to take a day off Jack!" She ran a frantic hand through her messy hair. "Wh-were you fired?" She paused a second, "Damnit Jess lost those-"

"No, no. I'm home for another reason. Girls, turn that TV off," Jack demanded, "There was an accident today in the ravine down the way."

His wife just looked confused, "What does that have to do with. . . "

"Jess' friend Leslie died. They don't know where Jess is." Jack watched his wife's confused face, she didn't seem to understand even as she sat down on the couch.

"You mean Jess was with her?" Ellie asked. Jack nodded to her.

"What, did he kill her or something?" Brenda cut in, sounding interested in the possible murder.

"No, Jess was with her. That's why I'm home."

His wife didn't get loud, something Jack was very grateful for. Instead she began crying into her hands. Jack was very gentle when he wrapped his arms around her. He heard one of his daughters give out a small sob.

"They're doing everything they can honey," Jack whispered to her.

"He could still be found, right, Jack? Tell me my boy can still be alive!" She pulled back to look right in his eyes.

"Even if he hasn't drowned. . . It's possible," Jack knew it was. If Jess could learn to swim in 30 seconds, or even just manage not to panic, he might be able to climb out of the river. It was highly unlikely he would have made it far downriver though.

"He's out with his teacher," May Belle spoke up.

"Honey, today is Saturday."

May Belle nodded, "Yeah, and his teacher called this morning! I answered the phone!"

"Are you sure?" May Belle nodded to her sister.

May Belle answered questions as she could. She had no idea where they had gone, so no one could check her story. She did not know when Jess had left, but he had permission to go. His wife blushed not remembering anything about being woken up. May Belle didn't know if he met Leslie before going, or if they were both supposed to go meet this teacher. The poor child didn't even know how long they were supposed to be gone. Every time they asked, May Belle told them the same story. Jack was quite sure that she was in denial, but his wife insisted it might be true.

The police had come by twice, pulling articles of clothing out for them to identify. Clothing found in the river. Jack didn't recognise anything, and neither did any of his daughters. Granted it was hard to recognise anything without colour. The clothing was all caked in mud and dirt and some of it was ripped up by the current.

Jack eventually called his boss to tell him the news. He told him Leslie was dead, and Jess was missing. When Jack called in, his boss was more than sympathetic and gave him the rest of the weekend and Monday off, with pay.

"Just call me if you get any news," was all the guy asked of him.

They had also found Leslie's dog, and had brought him safely home, to the wrong house first. They claimed that Jess was the one to pick him up from a fruit stand. For the life of him, Jack couldn't remember anything about his son picking up a dog or even mentionig one. Then again they didn't usually talk much. Jack used to try, but Jess wasn't interested in cars or football. It made for a boring, onesided conversation with a man who liked monosyllables.

Jack watched the rescuer go down the road. Already, the small thing was wrapping around his feet, tripping him up. The dog whined pitifully, trying to head back to his master. Or where his master last was, the ravine. Jack shut his house door quickly to avoid having four girls chase after the poor thing. The dog ran around frantically, obviously not used to being on a leash. Jack tripped over the leash three times before he picked the dog up under one arm and headed next door. The dog squirmed a little before settling itself in a known comfortable position, someone carried this dog a lot.

"Hello sir," One of the officers waived from his car. Jack nodded to him and headed onto the front porch. The front door was answered by another officer.

"Well. What have you got there?" Jack looked at the man with little patience. "Do you live here? Does he live here?" Jack met the officer's soft eyes with a glare.

"Ahem, well. Let's just take him in then. Thank you very much, sir." The man looked properly embarrassed, blushing all the way up to the top of his bald head. Jack waited until the man had the sense to pick the dog up and shut the door. No need to have the dog escape again.

Jack came back home to a mostly quiet house. The TV was off and all five girls were crying to themselves. Jack sat down in his chair rubbing his head. The quiet chattering of the girls faded as Jack thought to himself.

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