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(At Pitch's lair)
"Come on brother, you know we cannot survive on dreams alone."a tall young man told his older, shorter brother as they gathered firewood.
His brother simply shrugged and continued to create a picture in the snow. When he finished he motioned for the other boy to look.
The tall boy sighed and looked at the picture to humor his older brother. The picture before him brought a smile to his face despite his earlier comment. His older brother had drawn him riding a shark eating the village leader.
"You know, brother, for someone who lost their voice you sure know what to say."
The shorter boy gave a thumb up.
A man's yell echoed through the forest, the two boys shuddered as a large muscled man emerged from the trees. He glared at them, "What's taking you two so long! You still need to muck out the stables before watching the sheep tonight."
The taller boy looked shocked, "But sir…" the boy was knocked to the ground
"Don't question me Black! I'm the leader of this village, you're lucky I'm letting you and your siblings live here."
Black stared at the leader, hate in his eyes as the other boy helped him to his feet. He started to say something, when his sibling grabbed his arm and shook his head. Black sighed and lowered his face, "Sorry sir, it's just that Gwendolyn is expecting us home tonight. It's Christmas Eve and…"
"I don't care; you and your chubby brother can go home when you are finished with your chores. You know, it's hard to believe that Samuel's an orphan, looks like he hasn't missed too many meals."
Samuel smiled at the man and rubbed his belly as he shrugged. He tugged Black away from the smirking man. As soon as they were out of sight he let go of his brother's arm, who immediately punched a tree.
"Samuel, why do we let him treat us like this?"
His brother shrugged and continued to pick up sticks from the forest floor.
"I'm telling you brother, as soon as winter lets up we are leaving. I'm going to make sure you and Gwen have a better life than this. Mom and Dad wouldn't have wanted this for us; Dad would have decked the guy a long time ago."
Samuel's eyes widened and he shook his head. He quickly drew a picture in the snow.
Black sighed at the picture of him being thrown out of a house, "I know I'd be kicked out of the village. That's the only reason I haven't hit the man yet."
Samuel sighed in relief; he motioned for his brother to follow.
"Yeah, this should be enough wood for the night." Black said as they started back to the village, "Besides, I'd like to see Gwen before we have to go watch sheep all night."
The two brothers dropped their load of firewood at the woodshed and quickly made their way to a small house on the outskirts of the village. When they reached it a small girl about five raced out and jumped into Black's arms.
"Whoa Gwen, you little whirlwind."
The little girl smiled at her brother, her brown eyes glowing, "Are we going to get our gifts for Christmas now?" her voice was excited
"Hmmm, did you do what you were supposed to?"
The little girl nodded, her raven colored hair moving with her motion, "I did Black, I made my bed and picked up my toy and stayed in the house like you told me to."
"You think she deserves it Samuel? The other boy smiled and nodded, his blonde hair shining with the flame of the candle light.
"Ok, hold out your hand."
The little girl did as she was told, squinting her eyes tight in anticipation.
Black took a small object from his pocket and placed it in her hand, "Ok open your eyes."
The little girl squealed with excitement at the object in her hand, "It's a doll! You got me a doll!" she threw her arms around her brother's neck, "Thank you Black! This is the best Christmas ever!" Gwen then ran to the fireplace and sat down to play with her new toy.
"All right Samuel, time for your gift."
Samuel looked at his brother in confusion.
Black laughed at his face, "For your gift, I'll finish the rest of the chores so you can stay with Gwen tonight."
Samuel smiled at his brother; he hugged him and walked over to Gwen to play.
Black smiled at them, and then he left to go to the stables. When he reached them he breathed in the scent of horses. This was the one chore he didn't mind, horses were his favorite creature. So free, so wild, yet docile at the same time. Black smiled as he cleaned the stable and gave the horses' fresh hay and water. He came to the stall of a black stallion; he smiled as the stallion reared up, "Easy Nightmare, its ok. It's just me." He smiled as the stallion calmed and stuck it's snout out for him to rub. Black laughed as he rubbed the stallion, "You just want the sugar cube you monster." The stallion snorted, Black smiled as he pulled the wanted cube from his coat pocket, "Here you go you devil." He then left to the sheep fold, the only light to guide him given by the moon. He grabbed a stool and sat outside the pen; he rubbed his hands together and pulled his long coat closer to him as the wind blew hard against his thin frame.
Hours went by; Black was bored out of his mind, "I hate this village." he thought as he watched the sleeping village before him. Suddenly he squinted when something caught his eye; he panicked when he recognized what it was, "Gwen! What are you doing out here!" He stood to his feet and started toward her.
His sister waved at him and started to him faster, a sudden howl from the forest caused her to freeze.
"Oh, God. Gwen get back to the village!" Black cried as he ran toward her just as a pack of wolves burst from the tree line.
Gwen screamed at the sight, she dropped the cup of hot cocoa she had been carrying and ran toward Black.
"No! Run to the village!" Black panicked as his sister continued towards him. He scooped her up on the run, his momentum slowing was just enough for the lead wolf to grab his ankle with its powerful jaws.
Black screamed in pain as he stumbled but managed to keep his footing, he slammed his other foot into the wolf's eye. It yelped and let go. The moment it did Black was running again, his mind was racing along with his feet. He ran to the stables, Gwen protested as he stopped to catch his breath. Black knelt beside her, placing a hand on her shoulder, "Look at me Gwen, don't be afraid."
Gwen began crying as the wolves began forming a circle around them, "I just wanted to bring you a cup of cocoa, you seemed so cold."
Black smiled at her, "Thank you Gwen it means a lot to me. Now you be good ok?" she nodded as he picked her up. In a swift motion he slipped her into the stable through the small window.
"Black are you coming!" Gwen cried
Black smiled to himself, he knew the doors to the stable had been locked hours ago, "Not this time whirlwind."
"Don't leave me." her tiny voice broke his heart.
Black grabbed the nearest weapon he could find, an old scythe leaning against the stable. He began to sing as the wolves closed in, "Do not cry my little wind. You will be free again. Your fears I will chase, far from this place. Never again will the nightmares roam, for I will chase them far from home." He continued to sing even as he swung the scythe at the wolves. He continued to sing as they overwhelmed him. He continued, determined not to scream, singing as the darkness of death enveloped him.
Pitch woke in a cold sweat, immediately he jumped to his feet, glancing around the room. He placed his hands over his ears, "I can still hear her screams." he shook his head hoping to clear it. He frowned when the screaming continued; it was then that he realized it was coming from the direction of Jack's cell. Pitch frowned and made his way down the corridor.
Thank guys for reading this story. Hope you like this chapter. Please continue to review.
