Everything that had happen just a small while ago, and already Jack, who was riding among the wind through the forests belonging to Corona, had one single thought in his mind: This is the best day I ever had!
Granted it was still in the afternoon, the sun was still going up, but the childish flyer cannot help but feel a Newfoundland level of happiness he had ever received. So much had happened in just this morning, and it might even continue to this day! Sailing through the wind, eyes wide and grinning in an ecstatic expression, Jack never felt such joy before, this must be how kids feel on christmas. He'll have to ask North if he sees him. Well, when Jack actually get the chance to finally meet him. No matter how many times he tried, the yetis foil the winter being of fun's every attempt to sneak in the workshop. In annoyance, Jack would often go and annoy Bunnymund for it, though the rabbit didn't do anything; it was fun to make the kangaroo's skin crawl with a shivering touch. Jack chuckled at this thought, almost failing to notice from his distance the sight of two people in the middle of a pathway cleared in the forest.
"And what do we have here...?" Jack said to himself, halting in the air, squinting to try and get a better look down. There was no mistaking what he saw, making him curious all the more: two people, not just in the middle of a pathway, but lying there, looking asleep. A smirk replaced his smile, he could spare some fun, and he told the air around him, "Wind, take me down."
The almighty force of air agreed with him, drifting Jack downwards to get a closer look. Landing on the brown path, Jack raised a brow at the sight before him: the two people, he noticed, were not adults but were children. All the more better. Jack was about to wake them up Frost-style, a snowball appearing in his hand, but stopped when he noticed the looks on the sleeping boys, and stepped closer. The children weren't looking like they were having a nice dream, more of a, he realized, bad one. Like they were both having nightmares at the same time. In the middle of the road. If they weren't careful, they could get stamped on by horses passing by. Jack cannot find it in his frozen heart to simply leave them there, and so decided to do what he one good person normally would: wake the kids up gently. But how? He didn't have time to dwell on that though when one of the kids eyes suddenly snapped and let out a scream, causing Jack clutch both his ears at the sound.
"AHHH!"
After a few moments, Jack didn't anything again and released his ears, staring at the woken up kid with a surprised look. What was that all about? he wondered. The dream must have been that bad to cause a scream like that. The entire forest must have heard him! What shocked Jack more, however, was the fact the other kid was still sleeping! How does that work?! The Man in the Moon would've heard that! In daytime! The woken up kid noticed this, after wildly searching around the area with his eyes, then crawled over to his friend, and shaking him by the shoulder.
"Hey, wake up." the kid said to the still sleeping one, grasping the shoulder and shaking it. Nothing for a moment. The boy tried again, and Jack thought it might not work, considering this sleeping kid somehow blocked out the sound of the earlier scream. He leaned against hi staff watching with narrowed eyes, then...
"AHHH!"
The scream from the second kid caused Jack to lost his balance and land on the floor, the second kid now waking up and screaming at the top of his voice. The first kid was covering his ears. Jack recovered quickly and mimicked the first kid. Finally, the screaming subsided, and the second kid shook his head around in confusion. The first boy placed his hand again on the shoulder of the second.
"Hey, you okay?"
They were both, Jack now realized as he sat more comfortably on the ground frowning, sweating profusely. "Yeah." the second kid said with a gulp and continued while trembling a little, "Just a bad dream..."
Jack's eyebrows both raised as he saw they were struggling to stand, and he tried to go and help them. Of course, after standing up and reahcing them, his pale free hand passed through them as he could only watch as they tried to stand themselves.
This was the price of being Jack Frost, usually: no one can ever hear, see or speak to you. Of course he can hear everyone else just fine, but so far, until today, no one believed in him. There was the Man in the Moon and the other spirits to consider, but they were more busy with their jobs than to even talk to Jack about anything. The most interactions he had were with the kangaroo, and he mostly got detested in return. Though he tried to hide it behind smirks and playfulness, the sadness of being alone and communicating positively with anyone never happening eat away at his core everyday, dampening whenever Jack had the fun of making snow days and watching people get excited by his work. Meeting Rapunzel, though, had suddenly picked away his sadness piece by piece. His first believer! It was still hard to think this is real. He can't wait to go back and see Rapunzel again, after dealing with whatever the wind wanted him for. Maybe it was for these kids, he realized, who could've been hurt lying in the road.
Speaking of the kids: they seemed fine. They were already up and walking, and Jack's eyes were downcast a little as one walked through him. Turning around, he watched as the children walked away, heading home.
"Let's go home."
"Right."
"Glad to know you're alright," Jack commented but got no reply.
They seemed to know where they're going, but Jack considered following them. After those screams they made, it would be pathetic of him to just leave them off on their own, regardless whether they see him or not. Jack began to follow, leaning his staff casually on his shoulder, whistling an old tune. Yeah, being a spirit for so many years, you learn a few things. He could do anything he wanted, but spent most of his time making snowballs for kids to enjoy with and ice for adults to slip on and laugh at their embarrassment. The kids never noticed him, and he decided to entertain himself by walking backwards next to one of them, then waving his staff in front of them, both failing to notice. Then, with a smirk, he dragged the end of his staff on the ground and made a single trace of ice follow the kids right behind them. They never saw this. Well, he thought while pushing away some of the bitterness of his next thoughts, at least there are some advantages to being invisible.
Jack didn't know how long time had passed now, but he was sure over an hour had passed since helping these kids return to there homes. Now Jack was debating whether to drop a snowball on one of them and see if it cheers them up. Then again, both the kids had just woken up, and it would be foolish of him to do as such while they were still drowsy. He didn't have to do anything now, anyway, but smile as two older women walked up to them, spotting their children, running up to the kids who smiled brightly, despite having nightmares earlier, and embracing them fiercely. Jack watched with a slight flinch as both kids were being reprimanded straight after by their mothers for leaving in the dark. The kids were explaining they only went out because they wanted adventure, which caused the mothers to only hug them both in worry, relief and happiness. Then they all proceeded to go home, Jack waving at them without them seeing this, happy at least they found their mothers, and quickly at that. The kids look about six-to-eight years old, and even as a winter fun spirit he considered it dangerous to be out in the forests at night at that age. With that over, maybe he can go and see Rapunzel again. The wind tugged in agreement with him, picking at his hood as Jack laughed at the hurry.
"Well, look what we have here."
A deep curious playful voice had the laughter abruptly stop and caused Jack to spin around at the voice, as though it were behind him. Confusion was shown on his features when he saw nothing nearby or afar.
"Over here, Jack Frost."
Eyes widened at the use of his name, the boy obeyed and spun in the direction of the forest, blue eyes meeting yellow sinister ones hiding in what little darkness in the woods not revealed by the light.
Jack was shocked someone else was addressing him, but find he couldn't ask about it as the yellow eyes seemed to be peering into his very soul. He gripped his staff tightly, as though whoever was hiding there was dangerous. Is this another spirit? A dark chuckle escaped the mysterious man hiding in the darkness, followed by, "No reason to be afraid, Jack Frost. I have no intention on hurting you. I just happen to be strolling by when I saw you following some children I had fun giving nightmares to." Nightmares? Was this man responsible for the screams. The man continued, as if he was reading Jack's mind, "Oh, what delicious screams they made! It feels good to be doing your job, you know." Jack's eyes narrowed before widening, realizing who this was. The kangaroo had mentioned him plenty of times, before cursing Jack for freezing some of the eggs: a giver of nightmares, the kind of fear, all children tremble in his wake, though Jack was sure the walking bunny was exaggerating on that one, it was...
"The Boogeyman."
The sound of his name from Jack's lips caused said man of fear to walk out of the shadows, revealing dark clothing covering everywhere but the hands and face, which were, Jack noticed, more paler than his own. Black pointy hair in all directions, looking like they were bent, sharp face and yellow eyes that looked menacing. The boogeyman held the stare stonily, unaffected by the defensive and yet curious glare Jack was giving, before smiling innocently it made the winter spirit raise both eyebrows.
"So you've heard of me. No doubt the other spirits mustn't have said good things about," he didn't seem to care about negative responses about him as such and bowed formally, "Yes, I am Pitch Black. The Boogeyman. The Nightmare King. Take your pick. And you," he pointed at Jack, "are Jack Frost. I've heard much about you."
He has? Since when did anyone ever talk about him? Sure the kangaroo might have: in a grudging way. But from he's heard: both Bunny and Pitch don't seem like they would have a civil conversation alone, much less talking about Jack. As though sensing his confusion, Pitch Black nodded, "Yes, I mean who hasn't? The winter child who brings snow and ice to the entire Earth, without sweating mind you! I admit: I never thought I would be running into you the first time today. I was just doing my job until I saw you fly by, landing next to the children I was giving nightmares to, and following them like some sort of..." Pitch paused to find the right word, "...protector."
Jack had a suspicion of the reason for that small halt: he knew about the Guardians, who spent most of their time defending children around the world. The kangaroo was one of them, but that didn't stop Jack from freezing his eggs sometimes. The other consisted of the Tooth Fairy, the fairy who takes children's teeth. North, known also as Santa Claus, who delivers toys for children every christmas. And the Sandman, who gives good dreams to children everywhere. Pitch must have though Jack had a dislike towards the Guardians. Not that he did: Jack was just indifferent to them. If they were protecting kids everywhere, hey who can complain? Though the impish spirit had an idea who could: standing right in front of them.
"Although I am curious," Pitch continued after Jack said nothing, eyeing the winter spirit as though he was the msot fascinating thing he has ever seen, "I thought you were done bringing snow here to this kingdom. I saw the work you did, fantastic by the way. May I ask: is there so much of the forest you still want to cover with frost?"
Jack shook his head, finding no flattery in the compliment to his job, slightly suspicious of the man before him but, since there is no apparent offence against him, replied casually, "I just decided to... stick around, you know? Winter can wait."
"...I see," Pitch said slowly, eyeing the winter spirit as though examining him, "Well, you seem to know what you're doing, Jack Frost. As do I: I was giving fear to this kingdom last night, and was on my way leaving."
Raising a brow, Jack smirked and pointed his staff lightly at the Nightmare King, "Riiight, and those kids were just having nightmares made by themselves."
The sarcasm was caught. "I cannot help my Nightmares sometimes, Jack, mind if I call you Jack? My job is not set in stone, nightmares and fear are eternal, after all," Pitch shrugged, unfazed by the accusation, "They like to play on lost prey. I wasn't my fault they were lost on their own like that, I was just simply having a little fun," his sharp yellow eyes glinted a little at that.
Unnerved a little by the slight smile, Jack frowned and gave a hesitant reply, "O-kay... well I gotta go: fun and all that," he flipped his staff over his shoulder to rest there again and proceeded to walk past the Boogeyman, who made no move to stop him, not even moving an inch.
"Oh, and Jack?" Pitch said behind him, causing a glance over the shoulder, "I was just wondering, perhaps, but you haven't seen a, by any chance, tower in this forest, have you?"
The question caused Jack to freeze on the inside, and he tried to answer coolly, "What if I have?" did Pitch knew Jack had visited the tower? That quickly? Did the boogieman watch him and Rapunzel play before?
"I am just curious," Pitch replied turning to face Jack, surprising concern on his narrow features, "And I advise you to be careful if you did. That place is guarded by a witch, Jack, a witch who can be rid of you or any of the rest of us if not careful." he made a peaceful gesture just as Jack was about to say something in retort, "I confess to watching you and that girl playing. And I must say, Jack, judging from your expressions there, she must be your first believer! Kudos to you! But that tower is still dangerous, and you should be careful if considering returning there to see that girl again."
Jack was silent for a moment, ignoring the congratulatory tone from Pitch and shocked that he had been watched without noticing, confused how Pitch asked that question before he just admitted he spied on him and Rapunzel playing (what game was Pitch playing here?) and suspicious of what Pitch was saying, "...A witch?" he asked slowly, as though the word was foreign to him. Hey, if spirits exist doing jobs around the world then surely witches would exist somewhere hiding in shady places and brewing cauldrons. But Rapunzel, a witch? Sure, appearances can be deceiving, but Rapunzel didn't attempt any spells to show or use against him. "And I find that you were watching us creepy. At least let me know when you're there next time."
"Your dear new friend is not the witch," the boogeyman replied as though he thought he was reassuring the impish spirit, smiling with white teeth revealed, "her mother is. And she is very dangerous. I advise you caution the next time you go."
"...Why are you telling me this?" Jack asked finally, wondering what would give the Nightmare King reason to warn Jack about something like this, considering they just met. He had heard about how sneaky and deceiving Pitch was, any mention of him from any spirit Jack had talked to always gave a negative view of the boogeyman. Cautious, the winter being of fun narrowed his eyes and looked for any traces of deceit on Pitch's face, who had put up an expression of honesty. Okay, Jack wasn't that good at reading people, Bunny had made fun of it from time to time. "For all I know, you could be playing tricks on me, the spirit of fun. And trust me: the would probably be one of the worst mistakes you'd ever make." Having no regard for personal space, Jack lightly tapped the Nightmare King in the shoulder with his staff.
Unfazed by the accusation, again, and ignoring the jab, literally, Pitch shrugged, "Think of it as one spirit looking out for another: we are all we have, you know."
Well, that did sound like sincerity in his words, but still, the spirit of winter could not help but feel a bit unnerved by it. "...Thanks." he said uncertainly, and when Pitch nodded, Jack ended the conversation with, "See you around then." and the wind took him upwards, heading back in the direction of the tower without looking back, questions still filling up his mind.
The Nightmare King watched him go with interest, no expression on his features. The he turned around and faced the sun, arms folded behind his back, confident his new plan will be completed. He will have to thank Jack later for this: this new friendship between the winter spirit and the child with golden hair opens a window of opportunity, one for Pitch to delightfully take and step through. He must say he finds the impish spirit of fun to be intriguing. From the five minutes they spoke Pitch had already determined the boy was cautious and playful, but cares for the safety of other children, as seen when Jack trailed after the kids like a guard dog and made sure nothing happened to them. He can use this as an advantage. Perhaps, with careful planning and timing, use this against the Guardians who have banished his deserving place of giving nightmares to all. Pitch wanted to sneer at the light being shone down at him, but his new plan sped across his mind he couldn't bother with making faces at the sun.
A smirk crept up on his face. "Let you know when I'm around, eh Jack Frost?" the boogeyman muttered to himself, spinning small sands of darkness in his hand lightly. "Now... where would the fun in that be?" he asked to no one in particular, a dark chuckle emitting from his pale sinister lips as the sand dissipating and the Nightmare King went on his way to develop his new plan.
"Honestly Rapunzel I don't where you get off with these silly ideas."
"But it's not made up! I saw him and we played in the snow he made!"
It was anything Rapunzel ever learned growing up: it was that her mother was hard to convince of anything. Her mother had arrived earlier in that dark red dress, with curly black hair graying a little and holding a basket that has Rapunzels lunch like always. It always brought high spirits to her day every time mother was around: she was usually the only company she had around here. But after today, when Jack arrived and said he would return, Rapunzel was more than excited about having another friend. Her mother was busy preparing their lunch, behind her her energetic daughter trying to convince that she saw the living, breathing Jack Frost! Pascal was hiding on top of a cupboard, watching the two and often casting looks of disdain at mother. Rapunzel knew the chameleon had some sort of grudge towards mother, but she could never place why. Pascal didn't do anything to try and hurt mother anyway, so she allowed this strange dislike to continue while pretended to be oblivious about it.
Right now she was trying to convince mother of what happened this morning.
"It's good you were occupying your time, my flower, but you don't have to make up stories to make it sound entertaining," mother let out a short pitched laugh that would, to Pascal, even cause the floor beneath them to cover its ears, and shook her head, washing some of the vegetables, "Jack Frost, of all things."
"But he's real!" the young excited girl tried again, though the chameleon hiding knew it was in vain, gesturing to the window, "He came in through the window you normally come as well in and made it snow in my room! It was fun!"
"Well I'm glad you had fun my dear." mother replied glancing over her shoulder with a smile, "But Jack Frost didn't come into this tower and made it snow. How would he have come in anyway? Now wash your hands and sit down: lunch will be ready soon."
It would be futile, but Rapunzel kept trying anyway. Obviously her mother's calmness would wane very soon and will dismiss the conversation with finality. That's how it usually goes anyway. Washing her hand as mother cut the food, Rapunzel barely attempted to wipe the smile of her face as she continued talking of how fun the snow, much to her mothers tolerance. The young girl never saw snow before this morning, and was describing how it felt like to her. Her mother summarized she was reading too many books and getting silly ideas in her head. Having sat down by the table, the "flower", as mother called her most of the time, continued reminiscing of events that only happened an hour ago. It would be a breath of fresh air to hear such exciting tales from an enthusiastic young girl, but the adult setting the food down was getting irritated.
"Rapunzel," mother began after they started eating, "I admire your creative mind in these stories of yours, but you must remember they're not real, and never will be. Jack Frost is simply that: a myth. He was created only to use as an excuse to children why snow and ice are around. And you should remember that."
The lecture didn't affect Rapunzel's mind, unfortunately, "But mother!" she said, flinching at the stern look said mother was giving her for raising her voice at the table and continued softly, "He is real. I saw him, I spoke to him, he spoke back, I touched him, he made it snow in my room. We had fun making a snowman, playing with snowballs and even making snow angels. The books may have been made by people, but I can show you in my room right now that he made it snow-"
"Dear," mother cut off, frowning now at her stubborn daughter, "I understand if you were bored enough to imagine these things, but I see I have to emphasize myself. Rapunzel: Jack Frost is not real. He is a make-believe character to satisfy children's minds, nothing more. Anyone else, even the outside world, can see that. All the bad people out there would be disgusted at this little ignorance of yours. Jack Frost has never existed, and never will. You will realize this or I will have to make you."
Rapunzel looked more downcast by every word, trying one last time meekly, "But-"
"No, Rapunzel!" mother exclaimed, slamming her fist holding the fork on the table, teeth suddenly showing, "He is not real! And he never will be! Get these ludicrous images out of your head! Or I will make them out of your head! I may have to take these books away from you if they're causing so much fantasies to convince you they're real. What will you believe in next, the boogieman?" she rolled her eye and glared at her daughter, softening when she saw the fearful and downcast look on her face, lowering her voice in attempt to comfort the misguided girl, "I know it's hard to believe: but he was here to be. Jack Frost has never existed. Pursuing this idea that he does is, well, more foolish than anything you'd even done before. He will never exist to you, much less play with you. Do you understand flower?"
A pause passed by. Rapunzel's saddened eyes averting her mother's inquiring ones and staring down at her own dress, hands resting on her lap. Finally there was a quiet reply from the little girl's mouth, her mother heard it, "Yes mother."
Mother nodded, appeased that her daughter listened and dismissing the ideas that are crazy to their own, "Now, eat your dinner. I have to go out soon, you will have to wash up for me, alright dear?"
Rapunzel nodded, still looking upset but eating her dinner anyway, albeit slowly. Mother mentally rolled her eyes, she'll get over it. Speaking of getting things over with, Gothel felt the age of her being catching up to her, signalling it is time to put the hair to use again. But first: she'll wait for Rapunzel to calm down a little. She usually does so quickly. At least the girl she raised did not whine a lot, but it did give the older woman headaches when she mentioned idealistic fantasies of hers, and the idea of her flower going outside, where they might find her. Getting rid of the thought, Gothel ate her dinner, satisfied the younger girl was no longer speaking of her supposed "events" this morning. Minutes passed without another word brought up, and the old girl was thankful for the silence.
Finishing her salad meal with a napkin wiping her lips, she set it down and looked at Rapunzel, who felt being watched and glanced up to meet mother's gaze, "I'm feeling a little tired, my flower, would you care to sing for me?"
Gothel gave a small smile, which Rapunzel returned with a forced one. There was no clarification needed for this: they both knew what she was talking about. Rapunzel nodded and set her fork down, she wasn't feeling that hungry anymore anyway, and stood up with her mother, heading to a small chair in the corner. Pascal was busy giving the older woman a look of disdain. It was clear he was unhappy about the conversation both women just had. He didn't know anything about Jack Frost, other than the stories he read with his friend, but even he knew no one deserves to be truly alone, spirit or not. When the old woman was gone, the chameleon will convince Rapunzel that Jack Frost is real, and will return to them. Speaking of which: the old witch had taken her seat, her "flower" resting on a smaller stool, Gothel resting some of Rapunzel's hair on her lap and produced a hair brush from the nearby desk.
At Gothel's encouraging nod, Rapunzel closed her eyes and began to sing softly, the small ting of sadness was there, ignored by the older woman who was brushing her flower's hair as she sang.
Flowers gleam and glow,
let your power shine.
Make the clock reverse,
bring back what once was mine.
What once was mine...
Rapunzel opened her eyes after her melody was done, still looking depressed. Pascal watched with disgust as Gothel had taken pleasure of retaining her youth yet again, a wide smile as she brushed her daughter's hair. The graying parts of her hair returning to pure black, her features softening and becoming younger. The chameleon did not enjoy this one bit: using someone else's gift to stay young for themselves. Rapunzel had always been born with this gift, it was never explained why she had it, even her mother didn't know, she claimed. Though Pascal had the suspicion that Gothel DID know the origin of this gift, and was not telling her daughter anything about it for some reason. Was she afraid Rapunzel will go outside to share her gift to the world? The chameleon suspected as much, as the older woman was clearly selfish in her own right.
Carefully placing her daughter's hair down from her lap, Gothel stood and walked over the hair to where her downcast daughter was, placing a hand on the young girl's chin. "Rapunzel, look at me." she commanded softly, which said flower obeyed. Green met blue, she continued, "Know that everything I do is to protect you: even from these fantasies. If you went outside and began telling people about these delusion, they will laugh at you before taking you for your hair and cut it and sell it for other selfish people. I'm simply minimizing the foolishness in you. I want you to be safe. Do you understand?"
At the returned nod, she let her daughter stand up and they embraced, the older woman stroking her hair. "I will be back soon," she said, smiling at the love her flower was giving her, "I love you, my dear."
"I love you more," Rapunzel mumbled sincerely, head buried in her mothers chest.
"I love you most," Gothel said and they broke apart, the older female proceeding to grab her basket and gestured to the open window, "Now, how about you help me get down, hmm?"
Her mother having left minutes ago, Rapunzel had returned to her room and was staring at the snowman she and Jack had made earlier. It stood there, un-melting even with the sun glowing into the room. She met its blank wide eyes, replaying the events that happened this morning and then with mother. Obviously her mothers words had affected her, and so was playing with Jack. Her mind was in conflict: upset that her mother would dampen her hopes like that, happy that Jack would play with her, confused why no one would believe in Jack Frost existence but her, convinced and determined he was real and her new friend would return soon, regardless what her mother had said. He had said he not be back until tomorrow or so, and he could rarely come back in the afternoon. But still: Rapunzel was convinced of his existence by the snowman in front of her, almost her size and implanted with a smile given by her finger earlier. She smiled a little, remembering the feeling of the cold soft solidified liquid.
"He's real, Pascal," she told her friend who sat on the floor beside her, staring at the snowman also. Pascal knew Jack Frost was real as well, the white stuff in the form of a person clearly showed that, and hoped he would return soon, to cheer his friend up and her hopes. They both knew her mother was wrong: Jack Frost was real, they were certain. The proof was right in front of them, smiling as though it was reassuring them. The sadness in her eyes betrayed the attempt to look happy at the creation she and Jack made. The thought earlier of making cookies for the impish spirit long forgotten, her mothers words replaying in her head like they were trying to dampen her hopes. It was a test of the mind versus the heart, and the heart gained the edge by the snowman before them.
Tentatively, she reached a hand and placed it on the smiling standing creation of white's cheek, shivering a little at the tough before releasing a sad smile. Convinced, she didn't look as Pascal glanced behind his shoulder, a surprised look on his face, almost making a squeak. She didn't notice at all, staring at the snowman as if transfixed to it... maybe she should give it a name. Right now she was thankful the sun wasn't allowing the snow to melt. She really needed this right now, to confirm of her new friend's existence, "I know he is..."
Pascal was now smiling as Rapunzel gasped as she felt something soft and cold land on the skin of her hand breaking her out of her stupor, glancing upwards with a shocked look and mouth hanging open as snow had, once again, began falling from the ceiling! White beautiful bits of freezing ice meeting her dress and skin as though reassuring her. Then, a smile broke out as an ecstatic gasp of wonder and happiness escaped her wide lips. It looked more beautiful than this morning, pulling her out of the deep doubtfulness and sadness she felt just earlier. She reached a hand up, snowflakes landing on her palm coolly and peacefully.
She gasped again this time when she heard a male deep voice behind her, the already familiar cockiness in the tone.
"Miss me Punzie?"
So what do you think? Decided to get this chapter done before the end of this month. Apologies for any of it that looks rushed.
I added a photo of a picture I drew in real life to be the cover of this story. Nothing grand, but I wanted to make this look unique, since it's my first attempt at a romantic story.
So yeah, the boogieman and Gothel have entered the picture. Who knows what might happen next. Well I do, but that's for the next chapter.
Dialogue is not my thing, but I hope the conversations in this chapter proved sufficient. Next time, reassurance on Rapunzels part, comfort on Jacks. :I hope you enjoyed this chapter and looking forward to the next. This is far from over, and I will be stretching out this story until it almost snaps, can't screw this up if I haven't already. Until then my dear fellow readers. :)
