DISCLAIMER: charries = Chris Wooding's, not mine. Free them pls thank.

Whoop new chappie

Also, I got a couple very adamant requests that this be a Tall Jake x OC fic... I'm considering it... hmmm...

Please R&R!

I need to leave. Soon. I understand that the heat melted my hair and that my skin is no longer white, but...

My eyes are changing.

I don't want the others to know. I don't know why, I just... I don't want them to treat me like some kind of freak that they need to take home. I don't want them to worry. Or be scared. Or ask me a bunch of questions about what colour my eyes are gonna turn. Or call it beautiful. I find it terrifying.

Jordan already almost caught it.

We were curled up in an armchair. He was braiding my hair again. I turned to smile at him and he gave a start. "Your eyes..." he had said. "Are they... more green than they used to be?"

I convinced him that they weren't, but I know they are. I check every day. Where there was once pure blue there is a slight teal with a gold ring around the pupil.

I don't think he's buying it. He spends so much time staring into my eyes. I think he knows I lied. He doesn't treat me as he used to. My relationship with him now is similar to my relationship with Cat and Sam. The twins used to bug us about our relationship, but now that we haven't been talking as much they avoid the subject. And Jordan avoids me.

And I'm scared.

I can't leave if they're this way. But I can't stay if I'm this way.

It hurts.

My heart is aching again.

Then...

"Wynnie?" I hear a small voice behind me. Jordan.

"Jordy," I force out, turning to face him, looking down.

"Wynnie, why won't you look at us anymore?"

I shrug and stare furiously at my boots.

"Wynnie, please. I know you have to go soon, and I don't want you to leave like this."

I glance up at him quickly at his comment and he grabs my chin, holding my face up to his. I try to pull away and squeeze my eyes shut, but his arms find their way around my waist and he presses his forehead to mine. I whimper quietly and try to pull back.

"Please, Wynnie," he begs, holding me firmly but gently. "Please, please open your eyes. Please look at me."

I bite my lip as it trembles. I can't. I can't let them see. They'll flip.

"Wynnie, it's okay," he whispers. "I know. I already know."

I sigh, defeated, and look up at him. "I'm sorry."

Jordan shakes his head. "Don't apologize. I know that this was hurting you too. Don't be so hard on yourself."

I sniffle quietly, trying to hide my feelings. He notices anyway and wraps his arms around me tighter. He hasn't held me like this in days. I missed it.

"Don't cry, Wynnie. That's something I never want to see."

"Sorry, Jordan. I shouldn't have hid it from you. I should have known you wouldn't... toss me out or anything. Push me away. I don't know. I'm sorry."

I bury my face against his chest and he holds me tight.

"I'm gonna miss you so bad Wynnie."

"You too Jordy."

He pulls back a bit and kisses my forehead gently, playing with the ends of my hair. "Do you have to go?"

"You know I do, Jordan."

"I know. I was just hoping... nevermind. You can't."

"I know. I'm sorry. I'll visit, I swear."

Jordan smiles. "I will too."

"You mean we, don't you?" Cat says, her London accent sounding especially quirky.

"Unless you two'll be bangin' 'round the whole time, in which case no thanks," Sam adds, joining his sister.

Jordan groans. "Come on, you guys, is that really necessary."

I can't hide a small smile. I had missed this.

About a week later, snow has started melting. Trees are budding, and there are puddles all around.

I really need to go.

I tug at Jordan's sleeve gently. "Jordy," I say softly. "I need to go. Now."

He sighs and looks around, noticing all the signs of springtime around us. "Yeah. You do."

I put my forehead against his back. "I'm sorry. I wish I could stay. But I can't. And you can't come."

Jordan is still for a long time, then turns around quickly. "Why not? What if I did come with you? That could work, we could... We would make it work."

I shake my head slowly and stroke his cheek, admiring the way the shadows dance across his handsome face. His eyes look like they're glowing in this light. "I'd be going back to the Cube. Not only would you not survive there, you'd be unhappy. Anyway, Snowflayk is still there. She's probably still angry."

Jordan sighs and leans against my hand gently. "I know. I was just... I don't want you to leave."

I hug him tightly. "I don't wanna leave either."

He looks at me, holding me gently. "Should we head to the Looking Glass then?"

"Yeah," I say softly, playing with my hair gently.

He bites his lip and takes my hands, pushing something small into one of them. "Just a momento. I don't want you to forget."

I kiss his cheek and hug him tightly, the gift clasped in my fist. "I won't ever forget you, Jordy."

Jordan hugs me back, burying his face in my hair. "Me neither, Wynnie."

Later the same day, I am sitting in front of the Looking Glass, curled up in a ball.

The portal had disappeared.

I had tried going through it but I hadn't gotten anywhere.

I'm stuck.

Jordan is sitting next to me, biting his lip thoughtfully. I wonder what it is he's thinking. He hasn't spoken for a while. Suddenly, as if in response to my thoughts, he speaks.

"There's one other way... But I don't like it. I don't think you will either. But it's the only thing I can think of."

I look up at him slowly, wondering what he's going to say.

"The chant..."

I take a sharp breath and close my eyes. He's right, I don't like it, but it's the only other way I can think of. I put my head in my hands. "You're right," I say softly, and he stared at me.

"I'm sorry, Wynnie, I shouldn't even have suggested..."

"I said you're right, dummie," I say, cutting him off and looking up at him. "It's the only way left. If there were any white tickets around I could use that, but we don't have time to waste looking for one. That means I have to do the chant. I have to."

"I'll be with you," he said softly, taking my hand, but I shake my head.

"I have to do it alone, or you might get taken too."

He sighs. "Okay, but as soon as you're done I'm coming in and we're spending the night together."

I nod. "What if you wake up without me?"

He looks at me for a long time and says nothing, then slowly stands, offering a hand. "Come on," he says, without answering my question. "We've gotta get you ready."

How do you think this is going?

Any ideas or suggestions?

Don't forget to review! thank

~The Demons