Time flies by when you're having fun, people say, I believe that is true for the discussion of Jack and Jackson had been long forgotten. The kids and Jack had snowball fights, made snow mans and snow angles, and well… anything one could do with tons of snow and the winter embodiment itself. Oh, yes, they where having the best of times.
Oblivious to the world, Jackson watched silently behind a fat trunk; his eyes full of wonder at the scene. The laughing kids and smiling faces. For him, it was like a tangible illusion, for all he knew it could all despair in a swift second; before he'd know it he'd be back in the dark room, all alone and cowering in a corner.
Leaving aside the sight for a moment, he stared at the woods in awe, for the first time since he had come out had he finally notice his surroundings.
They where in the never ageing woods of Burgess. From the look of it many years had passed, more than he would like to admit, the village long gone was replaced with tall buildings and rushing machines. "Cars… I think they are called cars." he it seamed as the forest had frozen in time, he could still remember the icy nights as he walked alone trough the trees, they hadn't changed in the least.
They where beautiful, he could tell, just as he remembered them to be. He took a deep breath and smiled softly as he looked at the green leaves attached to the branches. When he looked again to the playing children he was almost surprised to catch Jack's glace over him, the white haired boy quickly shifting his eyes as to not being notice.
With a sigh Jackson looked at the 'city' as they called it. Everything had changed and seemed so foreign, he thought sadly as he stared at the unknown place. Never again would he feel right at this place, his only and everlasting sanctuary would be the woods and the lake… it was like being born all over again from the waters, knowing nothing and a deep feeling of emptiness resting in his belly. He still fell as alone as ever.
Even the wind had give him the silent treatment for when he tried to talk to it the wind would not acknowledge his voice; long ago there had been a time when the loneliness would make him cry and the wind would sing to him and rock him like a baby. Now it wouldn't even dare to ruffle his locks.
...
Playing with the kids like the child he was, Jack gave a tentative look at the woods, with the hopes of the translucent boy long banished. But when he looked and found the brunet still there, he couldn't get himself to stop watching; the boy looked at the tree tops and smelled the air as it was made of gold, his eyes where full of tranquillity and wonder.
As Jackson discovered him he turned to the kids, denying once again the existence of the other. But he couldn't help but wonder again "How is he here…?" He could feel once more the rushing memories of the years he longed to forget; with an angry frown he forced the memories to the back of his mind. He was content now… he was happy.
"Jack!" And the snowball hit him right in the face "Pay attention Jack!" Giggled Pippa happily, Jack laughing with her. The winter spirit returned the favour, blowing her hat with a powerful projectile.
"You won't escape me now Jaime Benett!" Shouted Monty as he tripped with everything on his pat but determinate to hit his friend with a sloppy snowball.
At the sight Jack opened his eyes with pure horror, they where heading near the edge of the woods… just to the spot where Jackson was hiding.
...
Hearing enthusiastic laughter coming near, Jackson turned his head, widening his eyes at the approaching children.
...
Jack begged for the brunet to look at him, to look at his pleading eyes and realize the message "Hide" But there wasn't enough time and Jackson was lost at the sight of the little fellas.
...
He knew something was terribly wrong with what was he doing (He just couldn't remember why and he didn't give a damn at the moment) he was taking some careful steps out of the tree. The children where so close… if he could just… if he could just prove it himself… if he could just prove that he was no longer invisible… that he had always been real.
"You can't catch me Monty!" Jaime Shouted happily.
In one second, Jackson was in front of the kid's pat.
...
"NO!" Shouted Jack with out meaning to after watching Overland step out completely, the little ones distracted of what was in front of them.
...
Bump.
The little brunet bumped into the taller one, tripping a few steps back.
"Oh!" He looked up "Sorry Sr." He said, the blond with glasses peaking form behind.
…
…
That's what he had expected… something amongst those lines… he had expected something, anything. But he had never expected what really happened.
That feeling… that dreadful feeling, of a deep emptiness in his stomach, of the hurt of the realisation...
He had never expected to be walked through. His heart just didn't want to face it again, not again, never again.
...
Every child stopped playing, Jack's roar had echoed deep in their ears.
He had seen it, the hope in Jackson's eyes, he had seen the desperate hope.
And he had seen the laughing kids running through him… and then… stopping.
Everyone looked at him.
"What's wrong Jack?" The twins asked concerned, their friends matching their expressions.
But he was looking at the lost eyes of the brunet: wide open, broken, staring at the ground. He hugged his stomach lightly, his gaze unbelieving as realisation stuck. And then icy blue and plain brown met.
"Jack…?" Said slowly his first believer "It's something wrong?" He asked worried.
Overland retreated to the depths of the woods clutching his stomach, never breaking eye contact as he gave Jack a silent message.
"Don't worry." He smiled wildly after snapping "I'm all right!" He assured grinning.
"Then…"
"Your mom is here;" He interrupted his friend after finding his escape ticket, catching a glimpse of the brunet woman "it's just that I didn't want it to end." He smiled softly.
With all the worry melting away the children complained dramatically.
"My ma 's here too." Said Cupcake sadly.
Everyone started to hug and say their goodbyes but Jack had Overland's look printed in his memory, he could still see the desperate gaze and hear the silent message. The words echoed in his mind like a drumming whisper.
"You were right… I am not real…"
Abril: BOOYAH! Or however it's fu*king written! What do ya' think hu! Isn't it trilling? Hehehe I'd love to see your faces xD
Isn't it great I didn't take so long? Hu? Hu?... Okay sorry -.- I'm just a bit exited hehe. I really hope you've all liked it! I put my heart on it (not really)! Please tell me what you think! I'd love to know!
Special thanks to: MoonAndIce, Sleepery and Midnight's Shining Star for reviewing in the last chapter and to all the readers and followers. I really, really appreciate it!