Jack awoke from his nightmare in a cold sweat. He felt a little too hot. He heard someone grunting. He turned around and saw a man making his way down into the ditch. He had blonde hair that was combed back neatly. He wore a thin white workout shirt. His deep blue eyes scanned the area.

Jack turned back and sighed deeply, shuddering. He was glad they took the body. He might have had another fit if he had seen it again.

"Are you okay?"

Jack nearly jumped out of his skin. He jolted around and saw the man looking down at him, concern spreading across his face. Jack's icy blue eyes were wide as he stretched his foot and slowly brought his staff to his side. His eyes glowed momentarily. He turned back and whispered. "…Leave me alone…"

The man reached out and Jack jerked away. The man's blue eyes widened as his finger brushed against Jack's arm. He was freezing!

"Are… Are you okay? You're freezing!" He cautiously stepped closer.

Jack laughed dryly. "I'm supposed to be that way,"

"Then…" The man slowly moved his hand towards Jack and brushed against his forehead. "Is it bad that your forehead is hot?"

"I…" Jack pulled away. "I don't feel hot,"

"But you are,"

"I…"

"If I knew any better," He put a hand on Jack's shoulder. "I'd say you have a fever. Even though the rest of you is freezing,"

"I… Just… I said to leave me alone." Jack got up, avoiding putting pressure on his bad arm. "I'll be fine, I've been worse,"

"Like what?"

"…Suicidal attempts don't usually end well…"

The man's eyes widened but he soon went back to normal. "My names Steve. Steve Rogers."

Jack snickered. "Steve. How original. I'm Jack,"

"Hey," Steve smiled, finally reaching him. "It wasn't as looked down upon then as it is now."

"Pfft, you don't even know the half of it," Jack swayed slightly after his little joke.

"Hey… What happened?" Steve helped Jack as he steadied himself. "All I heard was a little girl fell into a steep ditch and died."

Tear prickled in Jack's eyes. "I… She… It was m-my fault…" Tears slipped down his cheeks.

"Hey, it's okay, it's not your fault," Steve pulled him into his arms and rocked the winter sprite gently.

"Y-yes, it is." He shook with sobs. "I m-made her s-slip… I couldn't h-help h-her… I sh-shouldn't have even st-stopped…"

"Hey, shh, it's okay, you couldn't do anything, it's not your fault…" Steve rocked him back and forth until he fell asleep in his arms.

That was when he noticed the small spot of blood on the boy's hoodie.

He pulled back Jack's sleeve and gasped at what he saw. There were still splinters from where the stick got stuck in. There was a green spot surrounding the wound, the start of an infection. It looked pretty bad already.

"Oh great…" He picked him up and ran towards his car.


ttyl ;- ]