A/N: Well, a lot of things have happened. It's a little fast. But you know, lots of things to say.
Also HOLY FREAKIN SHIT BROS. 6 reviews on the last chapter. I'm glad you like it! I know someone wanted some more Jack, so here you are my friend! Please continue to give me feedback!
(Did you expect what happened?)
XXX
Jack Frost
It had been a pretty reasonable several weeks, Jack thought to himself. Things were peaceful. Jamie was good, Beth hadn't hurt herself in over a month and it was getting close to Christmas. He knew what he was going to get Jamie from North and most of the kids at the Orphanage. He just didn't know what to get Beth. She seemed pretty happy getting anything at all but she was his first friend his age after all. Maybe something to do with stars? She seemed pretty fascinated by them.
He ran a few ideas over in his head, reclining in a tree. But nothing came to mind, although he had a few good ideas. Maybe he should just ask Sarah. Those two were glued at the hip anyway.
That's what I'll do.
Satisfied, Jack took stepped off the tree and let the wind carry him on the well-travelled path to their home. It was a quick flight – he'd just been coming back to see them after all. When he arrived, he noticed the light were on. Taking a quick glance in the window (maybe Beth wasn't paying attention again), he noticed that Beth, Sarah and Elliot were missing. The rest of the kids were playing a game that looked quite competitive between Catlin and Kevin. He was glad to see the decorations were still in good shape – Beth had invited him to take part after Jack helped Jamie with his. They were mostly homemade decorations, with pinecones and pine branches. Some of them were rather tattered but most looked extremely good. Nana's work, no doubt. Beth's guardian was good with her hands.
None of the kids noticed him and he didn't want to startle Nana so Jack turned to the woods. They liked to walk so he figured they couldn't have gone too far. It was only a little ways in when he caught the sound of someone shouting his name. He paused and looked down. Sarah stood on the trail below him. He smiled for a second and came down before he realized something was horribly wrong. Her face was streaked with icy tear tracks and she was visibly frightened.
"Sarah-"
"No time for that! Just follow me – Beth's hurt bad and she really needs help!" Sarah cut him off, grabbing his hand tight and yanking him. Jack's heart nearly stopped. Beth is- He didn't want to think about it. He dipped his hands around Sarah's knees and pulled her up. She didn't even question him about it, only clutched his sweatshirt as he flung them both into the air. She was obviously in deep shock, her hands and lips quivered but no new tears left her eyes as she pointed him towards a large gorge.
"She – she fell down there. She was tryin-trying to help Elliot." Sarah did her best to explain as he tried to keep his expression calm. That was a long fall down- he hoped she wasn't- no that wasn't possible. Jack spotted Elliot's blue blazer as the boy noticed him.
"Jack! Down here!" He shouted, waving his hands but looking too rattled to stand. What on earth had happened?! Jack set Sarah down by Elliot, who immediately went to put a comforting arm around her younger sibling. Jack immediately turned and leapt into the gorge. He didn't see Beth initially, only the steep cliffside and the pile of rubble that indicated someone had fallen recently. Jack was a spirit of winter but only now did he feel cold.
"Beth!" Sarah shouted from above him and then Jack heard a rustle to his left. He spotted a shoe and a pant leg from behind a rock. Relief flooded through him, although pretty unreasonable. She hadn't been killed but she could still be pretty hurt. He rounded the corner and expected any reaction but the one he got.
As soon as she caught sight of him, Beth scrambled backwards a few steps, fear in her eyes. Jack immediately stopped, confused and concerned. There was a trickle of blood running from one temple and then way she was standing just looked painful. Her eyes were wary and suspicious. Of him. Why would she be? Did she hit her head that hard? A part of Jack was terrified she'd… forgotten about him.
"Beth, it's okay. It's just me. It's Jack." He said, as placating as possible, holding a hand out to her. She watched him warily for a few moments but nothing in her expression said she didn't know who he was. She was just… suspicious of him. But why? "I'm not going to hurt you Beth, you know that."
Beth studied him for a few more moments, something unexplainable clouding her expression before it cleared. She visibly relaxed and Jack ran forward to catch her before she fell.
"Sorry Jack – I just…" Her voice croaked out and she winced as she talked, pressing a hand to her forehead. He let some snow gather in his hand and replaced hers' wordlessly. Beth closed her eyes in relief. "I don't know. I hit my head pretty hard on the way down."
"Looks that way." Jack replied, trying to sound light-hearted. But the way her face scrunched up in pain at every movement made his heart twist. He knew he wasn't supposed to really move someone with a head injury but she was conscious and at least somewhat lucid. She needed to get looked at as soon as possible. "Do you think I could carry you back to Nana?"
She hesitated for a moment before nodding slowly.
"Just… slowly please. We can't leave Sarah and Elliot either."
"Of course not."
Carefully, Jack reached a hand under her legs, the other arm around her lower back. Beth's jaw was tight but she looked determined not to flinch. He stirred the wind gently, urging it to slow down and be calm. It wasn't used to this kind of request from him but eventually it settled and allowed him to ride it to the top of the gorge. Elliot and Sarah instantly ran over to them. Sarah took Beth's hand tightly. He saw Beth squeeze it back, her expression soft.
"We should get her back to Nana." Jack said and Sarah nodded, taking Elliot's hand in hers, leading the trail back. As they walked, he noticed Beth's eyes drifting closed. Knowing that was the worst possible thing she could do, he tried to draw her into a conversation. "So are you going to tell me what happened now?"
Beth blinked owlishly for a few moments before answering.
"We went for a walk. It was pretty peaceful…"
"Until we got too close to the gorge." Sarah added, subdued as Elliot tightened his grip.
"Elliot fell, he was holding on to a branch." Beth said, not altogether too pleased with having to speak but pressed on anyway. Jack was chilled. Beth had stepped in to save Elliot and had nearly died herself. It was too close to what happened to him. His arms tightened slightly. "I had to do something. I managed to pull him out but then…"
She trailed off, frowning, her eyes looking clearer than before.
"Then?" Jack prompted. Beth sighed.
"I was standing on the cliff. I was certain it was solid soil but… Jack, this is going to sound crazy but I think the glimmer actually pushed me off."
Jack nearly stopped walking in his surprise. The glimmer again? They'd both passed it off as a weird coincidence or stress but if Beth was actually right… She might be in more danger than he thought. Had either of the two kids seen it? They were both looked at Beth in confusion.
"Did you two see anything?" He asked.
Sarah shook her head firmly but Elliot's brow furrowed.
"Elliot?"
"I… I thought I saw a flash of silver but it was after Beth fell off. It slowed her down." He said haltingly, as if he didn't quite believe it himself. Jack was getting more startled by the second. That was a long fall and it should've… He thought she'd just gotten lucky but maybe he was wrong. Something really weird was going on here. Jack hadn't told any of what happened here to the other guardians yet but he was beginning to think he should. It was abundantly clear that Beth was in trouble and he really wanted to help her somehow.
Clearly, Beth didn't know anything about a silver flash. She looked at Elliot, bemused, but said nothing. Elliot looked offended.
"It's true!" He protested. "It came from you too!"
Came from Beth? Jack's breath caught in his throat. The glimmers, the hot skin, the constant gazing at the sky, now a silver light? It was abundantly clear to Jack that Beth… wasn't who she said she was. But what would he even say to her? The last time he suggested it, THAT didn't turn out so well. He had to talk to the guardians. The sooner the better.
The rest of the trip was relatively silent as Jack carefully meandered towards the house. As soon as it was in sight, Sarah and Elliot tore off, running inside. There was a loud commotion, over which Nana's booming dismay became apparent. He settled Beth on the steps and she smiled tiredly at him. He returned it hesitantly. He was beginning to feel like he didn't know Beth at all, despite having been with her practically every day for two months.
"Thanks for helping me Jack. I owe you again." She murmured as Nana came running out the door. He didn't know what to say back and could only watch as Nana scooped Beth up and took her inside.
Jack needed to see North. Right now.
XXX
Beth Wilkerson
Beth barely remembered the flurry of action that took place as soon as Jack left. There was a pillow and a first aid kit and a lecture… Not exactly in that order either. All that was running through her head was a frantic tangle of thoughts.
She was certain of two things. Jack Frost had pushed her and the Jack Frost who'd come to save her was not the same Jack Frost. It sounded crazy, even to her. But as soon as the fright had worn off in the bottom of the gorge, she'd heard true honestly in Jack's voice.
"I'm not going to hurt you Beth, you know that."
She knew it. She didn't know how, or why, but she knew it. She knew he wouldn't hurt her. The Jack that had pushed her hadn't spoken at all. Was it a mirage? Was it just some concussion thing to conjure glimmers into her best friend that almost push her to her death? If that was true, she had a screwed up brain. So what in the far corners of the world had happened on the cliff's edge? Beth tried to focus, tried to think but it was doing more harm than good. Her head throbbed fiercely but she stayed awake because she heard Nana telling her too.
Finally, the ache in her head started to dull. She vaguely recognized the painkillers and Nana telling her that it was okay to sleep now. Then she let herself pass out. Her dreams were restless and disturbing until, at last, true deep rest claimed her.
xxx
Ah…. So warm… and… my head feels… good.
Those were the first thoughts that filtered through the black haze of sleep. She stretched languidly, keeping her eyes closed, as her muscles stretched in the warmth. They were a bit sore but it wasn't too bad. And her head! Her head was so blissfully silent – no awful buzzing or ringing or complaining. Those were some powerful painkillers Nana had given her. She wrung her arms until a gentle throat clearing caught her attention. Finally, and a little regretfully, Beth opened her eyes.
She was lying in the living room. The hearth was lively with flame beside her, which explained the warmth. Sunlight also filtered through the windows, continuing to heat the blankets covering her. The Christmas lights flickered cheerily above her and the scent of dried pine made her almost forget why she was lying down here in the first place. Then she looked at the green chair, and the person in it, and remembered all over again.
"Morning Nana." Beth said, as sheepishly as she could. Nana looked more serious than usual, which was saying something. But then again, she'd almost died.
"It be afternoon lass. Ye slept through most the day."
Afternoon huh… that would mean-
"Oh, the kids!" Beth sat up abruptly. The movement brought a little bit of pain and stiffness but it wasn't bad. "I gotta go pick them up! Let them know I'm okay."
She made to get up but a hand stopped her. Beth glanced at Nana in confusion as the older woman gestured that she sit back down. She slowly followed instructions and sat crossed-legged on the comforter.
"Th'kids'll be fine lass." Nana rumbled, her face surprisingly apprehensive. "Ye and I… we sheld speak."
Beth smiled a little, hoping to ward off another lecture she was sure was coming but listened quietly, preparing herself for the inevitable berating.
"…There's somethin' I needs t'tell yah." Nana said, fiddling with a box in her lap.
"Okay." Beth chirped, anxious to get this over with and go pick up the kids. She never seen Nana look so guilty about a lecture though. She hoped she hadn't really scared the old woman.
"Lass, I ain't one to mince words so I'll tell ye straight." Nana said and opened the box. Inside was an old photo that she dropped in Beth's lap. Beth picked up the old picture, wondering what this had to do with anything, when she saw Nana in it. The woman looked younger, not so many wrinkles around her eyes. With her… Beth blinked. That girl looked exactly like her! But… Beth flipped the photo over. It was taken over twenty-five years ago. Strange…
"Is… is this a picture of my mother?" Beth asked, bemused. She'd never met her parents but she assumed since she was in an orphanage, they either didn't want her or couldn't have her. She'd never really thought about them before – this was her home. So why was Nana showing her this?
"No Lass… that be you."
Beth froze, her brain scrambling. Her first reaction was to laugh nervously, thinking it was some kind of prank. Even though she knew, knew, Nana never made pranks like this, she just could accept the idea. Her? Twenty-five years ago? She looked exactly the same! That wasn't possible at all!
"Nana, I just fell off a cliff and woke up. This isn't funny."
Nana sighed and rubbed a hand over her face but she didn't laugh or tell her otherwise. Beth's smile fell as her heart dropped. What was going on? Was she still dreaming? Beth pinched herself to make sure. The pain bloomed but her surroundings remained unchanged.
"Aye, ye did. Ye fell from a cliff that should've killed ye but ye survived." Nana said, fixing Beth with black eyes. Beth could hardly breathe through whatever realization was threatening to overwhelm her. "And ye're already better."
"It was the first aid…I'm still sore…" Beth breathed, protesting the best she could. Her throat was completely sealed up now. She was feeling better but… no. No. Whatever Nana was suggesting wasn't possible. "This is insane!"
Beth jumped to her feet and made to walk away, thinking that maybe, just maybe, when she got back, this would just be a dream. A hallucination. She was Beth Wilkerson, she lived at this orphanage with the other kids. She was their big sister. There was no way-
"Beth, I believe yer a spirit."
That did it. Something snapped. She couldn't tell if it was the ragged remains of her sanity or her heart, that Nana thought this was funny. There was no way she was a spirit! Beth had no powers, no nothing! She was normal!
"I'm not a spirit! Why would you even think that?! You can see me can't you?! Adults can't see spirits so you're lying! I can't BELIEVE you Nana, why would you even say that!?" Beth wasn't really sure why she was shouting. The whole situation was surreal, like she was a stranger in her own skin. She HATED it. This was a dream, that's it. Yet she couldn't stop her feet from running to the door. The house felt suffocating. Was this all a lie?
"Beth-!" She heard Nana shout in concern but Beth didn't stop. Her legs carried her out the door and back into the woods, her bare feet sinking into cold snow that she didn't feel. This wasn't real.
This wasn't real.
This wasn't real.
But the tears that leaked out of her eyes and ran down her cheeks felt all too real.
xxx
Jack Frost
North's words rang in his ears as Jack made breakneck speed back towards the orphanage.
"Ya say her name is Beth, da?" North said, pacing in the hectic mess of his workshop. Jack felt a little bad for disturbing him with Christmas so close but he couldn't put Beth out of his mind.
"Yeah. Beth Wilkerson. She'd be on the nice list, for certain."
North searched his arm, tracing his fingers over names. An endless list of them. Jack fidgeted impatiently, feeling like every moment he spent away from his friend was dangerous. He tried to calm down as North searched his other arm, looking more and more baffled by the second.
"Are you certain Jack? I see nothing. Not a Beth Wilkerson in Senatchee. Perhaps you got wrong?" North asked him and Jack's heart sank. That meant Beth wasn't her real name if she didn't exist on North's list. "You got pale Jack. Everything okay? You can tell me."
"I…. I don't know North." Jack confessed and then explained everything – from the moment he met Beth to the moment he rescued her from the gorge. North sat in his armchair, listening to him so seriously. Jack had always been closer to him that anyone else. He doubted he would have told either of the others. When he was done, North gave a large sigh.
"Is problem." He agreed, standing again. Jack nodded in agreement. Then North clapped a hand over his shoulder. "But you are not alone Jack. Whoever this Beth is, we will help. Perhaps you bring her here for now. She'd be safe here, I guarantee."
He slapped his chest enthusiastically. Jack finally smiled for what felt like the first time in forever. He wasn't alone. Beth didn't have to be either.
"Thanks North. I'll go get her!"
That brought him here, to the Orphanage again. He landed in the snow, feeling as if everything was too quiet. Then a familiar voice broke the silence.
"Are you certain?"
Tooth? But what was she doing here? Jack realized the front door was open and he could see the faintest glimpse of colorful feathers. He slid in and his jaw practically dropped when Nana looked directly at him.
"There ye are Jack. I be wonderin' when ye be comin'. Ye and Beth are neigh inseparable these days." Nana said, directly to him. Tooth giggled at the expression he was certain was plastered across his face.
"Y-you can see me? Us?" Jack asked, utterly taken aback. First Beth and now an adult?! This town was the weirdest he'd ever been to. "H-how?!"
Tooth and Nana shared a smile, although Nana looked far older and worn out than Jack remembered. Then Tooth place a hand on the old woman's shoulder.
"Jack, let me reintroduce you. This is Nana. She's also known as Mother Goose."
Jack recognized the name, a little. She was a fairytale character… one who told stories. His brow furrowed.
"Are you a guardian then? A spirit?"
Nana shook her head slowly, sinking back into an armchair with Tooth's help.
"Nay, not quite. Part of me, aye, is like a spirit. If I be all spirit, no human could see me. So I be given long life by Man in Moon." Nana explained, gesturing out the window. "This way, when ye be weak and worn, I could tell stories of ya and ye'd be stronger. That's be how I knew Beth be spirit."
Jack was taken aback by the last phrase. Nana had known all along that Beth was a spirit… Speaking of which, where was she? Jack glanced around the house but Beth was nowhere in sight. Nana's sharp eyes seemed to realize what he was searching for.
"Aye Jack. I knew. That be why I ask ye a favor now."
Jack turned his attention back on her, surprised. He was still getting used to the idea that there had been not only one, but two others like him here. "What is it?"
"I told the lass, m'boy. She ran. I need ya to find her and take her with ya." Nana asked and Jack could not look away. "I fear she be in trouble – she knew naught of any past when I found her in these woods, five-and-twenty years ago. Nay, nor m'stories have inspired naught. She does not know who she is nor do I. Can ye do that for me?"
He was suddenly aware of just how much Nana did care for Beth. She had tried, ever since then, to get Beth to remember and when she didn't, gave her a home. And if Nana had told Beth than Beth must be out there somewhere, lost.
Just like me.
The eerie similarity made him swallow hard. He'd known that feeling all too well and he wouldn't wish it on anyone.
"Yes of course." Jack smiled, grinning broadly. Tooth gave a relieved smile and patted Nana's shoulder as he walked out the door. He heard her say, faintly:
"Don't you worry Nana, we'll find out where she goes."
Jack ran out the door and took off. He wasn't sure quite where Beth would go when she was scared – he'd never actually seen her scared before. Startled, maybe, but not scared. Then, between the bare boughs of the trees, he saw a trail of footprints. They were deeper than normal, their bottoms frozen over as if the snow had been melted underfoot. Beth did run hot. He kept his eyes on them, slipping through the tree trunks effortlessly. Their silvery trunks almost hid her completely from view when he caught a glimpse of her terracotta sweater. Not wanting to startle her into running again, Jack landed on the ground and walked carefully towards her.
She was sitting just beyond a frozen meadow, crouched behind on of the birches. Her face was in her hands and she looked like she was repeated something under her breath over and over again. The wind carried snatches of her words to his ears.
'…isn't real…. Isn't real.'
It was unbearably sad to him. He couldn't really figure out why he thought it was. It could be the obvious…. That her life was not what she thought it was. But some other part of him wondered if she really hated the idea of being like the Guardians. That couldn't be it. He took a couple of steps forward and then flinched when a stick cracked under his feet. Beth immediately whirled around, facing him with horrified eyes.
"What are you doing here?" She demanded, harsher than he'd ever heard. There were still tears in her eyes and her voice was distraught. He took another careful step forward. "Don't you move Jack Frost! You leave me alone!"
Jack stopped where he stood and then leaned down to place his staff on the ground. It instantly felt… wrong… to leave it lying there but he needed Beth to trust him.
"I know you're scared Beth. But I'm here to help, I promise." He waited until she glanced down before he got a little closer. She looked conflicted but let him.
"How?" She growled, taking a cautious step back when he took another nearer. He stopped there, only a few feet away.
"I'm a Guardian Beth, remember? The others and I… we can help you remember." Jack said patiently as she shifted uncomfortably. "They helped me. We'll find out who you are."
"What if I don't want to know? What if I'm not a spirit Jack? I'm just a girl for God's sake, this isn't real!" She shouted and he reached out to take her hand. Instead of calming her, Beth fought. When he didn't let go, fearing she would run again, Beth shouted again. "LET ME GO!"
Jack wasn't quite sure what happened next. There was a brilliant flash of light that practically blinded him and was thrown backwards by an invisible force. His back hit the ground hard but he was more dazed than hurt. Blinking to try and clear the black spots in his vision, he realized he'd been thrown nearly ten feet from her. He was all the way by his staff again! Amazed, Jack glanced at Beth only to find her staring at her hands as if she'd suddenly grown scales and claws.
"W-what…. What-?" She stuttered, visibly upset. She glanced at him, her eyes now terrified rather than angry. "I didn't mean to- I didn't hurt you did I?"
"Not at all." Jack said, bouncing to his feet easily. It more tingled than stung where the light had hit him. "But it's dangerous for you here Beth. Something's obviously got it out for you, something I can't see."
She continued to stare at her trembling fingers as Jack picked up his staff. She hardly noticed him walking over to her until he placed his hand over her. Beth jumped but didn't try to escape again. She seemed defeated and sad. Jack hoped she didn't keep that expression. She sighed quietly and he started when her head tapped his shoulder. Jack easily slung his arm around her shoulders and smiled.
"…It'll come after me right? It'll leave the kids alone?" Beth's muffled words barely got past the fabric of his shirt.
"Yeah, I think it will. I'll come back here often too, to check on them if you want." Jack offered as she leaned back. Beth finally offered him a tired smile, trying to wipe the tears from under her eyes.
"That would be for the best, I think." She murmured and Jack ruffled her hair. She made a soft indignant sound and slapped his hand away.
"Stop looking so depressed. It'll be okay. Once we get you all figured out, you can come back to see them right? I'd bet they'd be impressed by your little light trick."
Beth paused to think about it for a moment, trying to smooth her already hopelessly messy hair. Then her face brightened the slightest bit.
"Yeah, you're right." She said then looked at him quietly. "…Do you think, maybe, I could say goodbye first?"
"Of course." Jack laughed. The thought of leaving without saying goodbye had never even crossed his mind. He would have given anything to have gotten that chance all those years ago, there's no way he deprive anyone of a goodbye. He offered a hand to her and she took it. Her hand still shook but there was a stubborn determination in her eyes that he knew. Beth'd be okay.
xxx
Beth Wikerson (?)
Beth paced in front of the orphanage gates, trying desperately to think of something to tell the kids. She knew she had to go – after throwing Jack, she'd come to terms with the fact she wasn't human. And she really did not want to put them in danger if Jack thought something was after her.
If she hadn't already. A part of her wondered if Elliot's accident was really an accident. She couldn't let that happen again.
But she very well couldn't tell little Hayley that she was going away because some kind of psycho sparkles were trying to kill her. Neither could she outright lie to them. Beth sighed, putting a hand to her forehead. This was all happening so fast-! Groaning, she ruffled her own hair and crouched down. She guessed the only thing she could do was tell them she was going off for spirit training or whatever. Kevin'd probably think that was cool but Sarah? Sarah was going to be madder than an angry Tasmanian devil.
She didn't have much more time to think about before the kids rounded the corner. They stopped as soon as they saw her and she gave them a little wave.
"Beth!" They screamed and threw themselves at her. Haley was crying, so was Sam. She remembered that at the beginning of the day, they thought she'd been half dead. Then she just wrapped her arms around as many of them as she could and squished them all together. How was she going to leave this behind…?
"You're okay!" Elliot said, reaching up to touch her head. She smiled at him affectionately.
"Good as good!"
Then everyone started talking at once, demanding how she healed so fast or how she fell or was it cool. Beth gave up trying to answer and noticed Sarah wasn't among the crowd. Instead, she saw her standing apart, studying Beth with a frown.
"….You're going away aren't you?"
It went quiet. Beth was startled. How did Sarah even know that? The rest of the kids looked back and forth between them, lost. Haley gripped Beth's hand and she gripped back.
"Why would you think that?" She said, not quite ready to let go of this moment.
Sarah looked down, kicking the dirt.
"…I lied." She admitted and Beth tilted her head in question. "I saw the light too… when you fell off. You're… You're like Jack aren't you? That's why you have to go?"
Sarah's voice cracked at the end and Beth detangled herself to throw her arms around her. Sarah clung to her sweatshirt and Beth could feel her crying.
"Oh Sarah. I'm so sorry. I've just been scaring you left and right haven't I?" Beth murmured, pressing her cheek to the top of her head. "But you're right sweetie. I do have to go."
Cries of protest rang around as the all the kids ran up to her.
"But you can't just leave! Who's going to tell Kevin to shut up?" Catlin demanded. Kevin hardly noticed, being very quiet at the moment.
"What about princesses?"
"And snowball fights?"
"I don't want you to go!"
Overwhelmed, Beth turned to look at them all before Jack jumped out of a nearby tree. She'd asked him to stay there but obviously, he hadn't listened.
"She's not going away forever guys. I'll bring her back for Christmas and stuff. It's just for a little while." Jack said and they glanced at him that back up at Beth. She mouthed him a silent 'thank you'. He winked back.
"He's right you know. I'll be back for Christmas and you know what?" Beth whispered conspiratorially, kneeling amongst them. Even Sarah pulled back to look at her. Beth wiped the tears from her eyes as she finally said: "I'll even ask Santa Claus to come see you."
"Really?" Catlin squeaked, sadness dissipating. Santa had been her favorite story.
"Really really." Beth assured, turning to wipe the tears from Sam and Haley too. "I'll bring back lots of things for you. Just think of it as an extended shopping trip!"
"Alright." Sam said softly but then hugged her. "But I'll miss you."
"Me too!"
"Me three!"
Beth laughed as she hugged them one by one and shooed them back towards the house. They soon all gone, but for Sarah. She kneeled in front of the miserable girl.
"It's going to be okay Sarah. I promised you I wasn't going anywhere. I'm not. I'll check on you every day if I can." Beth said, brushing Sarah's short, unruly bangs from her face. Beth was beginning to fear she would never forgive her when finally, Sarah nodded.
"Okay. But you better bring me back something good."
"How about a new baseball bat?" Beth asked, hugging her close again. Sarah hugged her tight back.
"Deal."
When they finally let each other go, the afternoon was wearing late. Sarah stepped back to let Beth take Jack's hand. Used to flight now, Beth hardly flinched when they sprung into the air. Then Sarah's shout followed them into the sky.
"You better come back cooler than you are!"
"I heard that you brat!"
