Chapter 4 - A night full of dreams and reactions
Warning: slight abuse, injury descriptions.
Disclaimer: I do not own Rise of the Guardians or any of the characters, or the robin rhythm.
This is set before the Rise of the Guardians film and will contain spoilers if you haven't already seen the film.
Jack woke up to see a dark, sparkly blanket covering the sky. Thousands of stars littered the dark sky which shimmered onto the icy lake giving the clearing an eerie glow. The teenager glanced up at the full moon hanging over the dark sky. It was so beautiful and peaceful he wasn't sure what to make of it, for the only reason he was created was due to the man in the Moon. He constantly talked to the Moon, asked questions, asked to his opinion and most importantly questioned his existence. He was always uncertain and unsure why the man in the Moon created him; he had no purpose, no reason for being created. Nobody believed in him. He was just an invisible spectre. Lost and drifting in the wind. Bringing unexplained snow days to children was just a work of the weather and is nothing to do with a magical winter sprite created by the Moon.
Jack shifted slightly and pain shot through his hands. Looking down he saw the previously semi-clean bandages had become soaked in even more blood than before.
The winter sprite realised he had been sleeping and putting pressure on his wounded hands again. This would not then the first time this week. Meaning he would have to go out for more bandages. Jack felt icy drops fall onto his hands is and realised he had been crying again. He couldn't figure out why this happened to and who could do such a thing to another person. Looking at the man in the Moon he questioned.
"How could you let this happen? I didn't do anything wrong. Did I? Am I that bad person I need to be punished by one who cares for children?" White haired boy sighed. He never received an answer for the Moon and didn't expect to any time soon. Jack felt something soft and fluffy rubbing against his cheek. Frowning he looked over his shoulder to find the little robin from earlier curled up on his shoulder fast asleep. Reaching up he poked the little bird only to receive a little squeak of protest. Jack rolled his eyes at the little creature and slowly stood up making sure not to jostle him. Realising this was a work he once again poked the little bird only to have two black eyes glare at him. Jack laughed at the little bird who was trying to look as threatening as possible while in his half asleep state. Jack let out a small grin and whispered.
"You're going to have to wake up now Bell. I need to go into town for some more bandages" the little bird glare intensified before relaxed into more of a sleepy expression. Bell stumbled up into a semi-standing position only to fall off the hooded jumper. Jack quickly reacted and caught the little bird wincing as it caught his glass covered hands. Laughing at the bird confused expression Jack floated over to the nearest tree and delicately placed bird on one of the branches. Where the little robin curled up and carried on dosing.
Jack wandered over to the large rock through the snow and picked up his wooden shepherds staff in a light grasp so it would not injured his hands further. He then began to make his long trek through the snow into the village nearby.
Upon reaching the village he climbed up onto one of the outlining houses. Looking into the horizon he could see it was not as late as he had initially thought as the snow-covered town glittered and shone in the moonlight. He began walking over house roofs, across electricity wires and through gardens, freezing everything in his wake, trying to find some new material to bandages hands with. Jack was deep in thought with a yellow glow started surrounding the little town of Burgess.
Looking up he saw the Sandman descend from the sky on a glowing sun and cloud and begin to weave his magic. Strands of golden sand admitted from the cloud and travelled all through the town passing through windows of various houses, straight to children so they may dream peacefully throughout the night. Jack smiled at the site and was about to approach the Sandman when he glanced down at his hands remember the last time he'd encountered guardian. Realising it was better if he remained invisible he lifted his hood and leaned back against the chimney stack blending into the shadows for a quick snooze until the Sandman left.
Unfortunately for Jack as the night was nearing a close Sandman happened to glance down at the winter teen. Smiling happily the Sandman floated over and waved happily only to find no response from the sleeping boy. Sandman rolled his eyes and said little stream of magic dust over to the boys head so he could have a peaceful nights rest, from the looks of the dark circles under the winters sprite's eyes it looked like he hadn't slept peacefully in a long time.
The Sandman, also known as Sandy to his friends, was about to float away when the boy's virtual dream shone down highlighting the youths injured hands. Sandy saw the bandages and the blood seeping through realised something was not right. North had not reported that the youngest immortal had become injured, which was strange for it took a lot to injure an immortal, especially as bad as this seemed to look. Reaching out the Sandman carefully shook the teenagers shoulder only to be met by a violent reaction. Jack's ice blue eyes shot open and his face became a picture of terror. Jerking up violently he cried.
"I'm sorry. Please don't hurt me. I'm sorry North it was me. Please don't hurt me again" looking around with frighten eyes the youth realised he was still sitting upon the frosty rooftop. Taking a gulp of air he looked up to find the furious eyes of the Sandman staring at him. Sandy took hold of Jack's injured hands and carefully began to peel away the bandages. Once they were revealed Sandy looked down at the damaged hands in disbelief and realised what happened. However he did not wish to judge before knowing the full story but he was sure he had the right idea already. Frowning at the sight a sand made '?' appeared over his as head, causing Jack to look up from his hands.
"It's nothing, really. I just tripped last week at the North Pole" Sandy thought back to last week when he had received an urgent message from North claiming the winter spirit had destroyed half his toy store however both himself and Bunnymund had not believed him. It was usual for the youth to play pranks on games but he would never go as far to damage somebody's pride and joy. Even though Bunnymund claimed Jack had ruined the Easter of 68 Sandman knew it had been a mistake from the youngest immortal and the amount of snow that had been created was purely by accident. Jack had told him so a few years later and apologised to both Bunnymund and the Sandman for the trouble he caused. He had only meant to make a light frosting so the eggs vibrant colours would show up better and so the chocolate wouldn't melt on the unusually warm Easter day.
Scowling the Sandman began to link what had occurred last week at the North Pole rotating the boy's bruised hands he saw the glass protruding from the skin and all the infections setting in over the week. Taking hold of the boy's wrist he began to stride away from the chimney stack. Determined to take the boys somewhere safe so he could confront North. However Jack believed the Sandman was going to injure him further and that North had told him how he had destroyed the toys.
Yanking his arm away from the Sandman he took a few steps backwards out of harm's way. Sandy having no idea why the boy was scared straight forward again to grasp teen's wrist. Jack didn't want to be hurt again and at the sight of Sandy's angry face he turned and fled into the night, leaving a very confused, angry and worried Sandman on a snow-covered rooftop in the middle of Burgess.
PLEASE READ! Don't skip the authors note at the end like I usually do!
I apologise for the bad grammar. I'm quite badly dyslexic and struggle with my grammar and spelling despite my love for writing. So please no nasty reviews.
Thank you for all the reviews. I love reading them and they never fail to make me smile. Not as many as the first chapter but more than the second. Just remember the more reviews the more inspired I am to write!
I haven't started the next chapter yet. On holiday at the moment to this is a Christmas treat for you all. Still stuck on the whole Australian accent, any ideas?
Have a lovely Christmas everybody. Hope North visits and leaves some lovely prezzies!
GeorgieGirl999 x