I awoke with a start, an uncalled nightmare sneaked past my deep into the night. With a glance around, I knew Nightlight was long gone, though hopefully he would come back. It was early in the morning, most animals just now getting up. I stood and stretched a bit, a yawn escaping my lips as I began to wander the area. There were so many different animals, and trees, and plants. It was different. A weird forest, not just because of that, but just because of how it felt. Not exactly like home anymore, but welcoming.

I whistled for my horses which came over in a blink of an eye, and I set out back over to the town, but on the other side. Hopefully word did not spread about me and I could try to live a normal life.

As I exited the forest, I made my way around the town, glad no one could really see the Fearlings as the trudged along beside me. Before leaving my house, I collected what little belongings I had left and what small amount of money I could savage. I headed over to the shop and purchased a bit of food to take along with me on the trip. I had planned on heading to Russia, where there was this small forest. Though small, I heard it held great power, which I could use along the way.

With the money I also bought the cheapest set of clothes they had, a small backpack and a few bottles of water. The trip wouldn't take too long from where I was at, at the moment. I was just south of Russia, and the forest lies more towards the border of the two countries. I set all my things in the backpack, slung it over my shoulder and set off.

~*~
Three Days Later

I would've made it there faster, but this huge blizzard hit just as I was about to cross the border and I was forced to a nearby park. I set my things down and slunk against a tree, pulling my knees to my chest and hugged them close for warmth. The clothes that I bought where not meant for winter, so I had made a fool decision. Nor what was I wearing appropriate for the time either. I sat there, shaking as I rested my chin on my knees, closing my eyes. It was getting colder by the minute and was unbearable. I was never one meant for the cold of winter and snow, though it did feel good at first, I was miserable after a while.

I stood, grabbed my back and began to walk around the park to try and get warm once more. The park was broken down, old, hazardous and just completely useless. It had a few, broken down wooden benches around the area, old, rusted play equipment which included a jungle jim, slide, merry-go-round, and swings. The seats on the swings were tattered leather. I walked around the area, sighing softly as it brought back many memories. I used to play at this playground with my father when I was around five. Being gone all those years really changed everything.

I shook my head and set the emotions aside as I looked around for some warmth or shelter, though I saw nothing. Absolutely nothing, and no one either. It was just as abandoned as the next place. Though a fast moving object caught my eye. At first I thought it was Nightlight, so I was overjoyed, but then I noticed he was a bit slower and instead of completely floating he was jumping from building to building to power line to tree and so on. Though still fast, I could keep up with him and without a blink of an eye I had mounted my horse and set off after him much like I did Nightlight.

"Hey!" I called out to the person as I snapped the reigns, in which the horse moved faster through the sky in response. The boy looked back and stopped suddenly.

"What?" he asked, forming a snowball in his hand and aimed at me.

"Throw that and you're dead." I hissed in warning, shivering at the mere sight of the object.

"What? Don't know how to have fun?" he teased, moving closer in one big swoop.

My horses backed up a bit as he came closer, though I kept them there. I watched the boy curiously, tilting my head, "Who are you?" I asked, snapping the reigns lightly and the horse began to circle the boy.

His head moved so his eyes never left me, but his body stayed in one spot as he leaned against his staff.

His staff. He had a staff, just like Nightlight. They are so similar, and they look so similar.

"Why, I'm Jack Frost." he piped, taking me out of my memory.

I blinked a few times, a thoughtful look on my face as I tried to recall the myth about 'Jack Frost'. After a while, I finally spoke, "Jack Frost is real?" I asked in a disbelieving tone.

He slumped a bit against his staff, nodding slightly, "Yeah, actually... Though not many people believe in me, so.." he shrugged it off, his attention now focused on me, "Who're you, then?"

"I'm Artemis." I stated simply, smiling slightly, "Guess I believe in ya, then?"

He smiled a bit and began to laugh, nodding, "Well, I guess so then." he turned, as if to fly away and began to, though in front of himself he had formed a snowball and turned sharply, aiming it then fired. It landed right in the middle of my chest and I winced.

"Noooo thank you, Frostbite." I grumbled, not intentionally mean, but it was obvious I was cold.

He frowned a bit, "Sorry.." he landed softly beside me as I dismounted my horse, sitting beneath the tree, "Anything I could do to help?"

I shrugged the question away, shaking my head, "I'll be fine.." night had fallen already and I snuggled more towards the tree, wrapping my arms once more around my knees, holding them close as I curled into a ball. As my eyes shut, Jack landed near me and watched my surroundings much like Nightlight. Though, as I did fall into a sleep full of dreams, I knew Nightlight was with there with me as well.