Hello and welcome to Chapter 7! You aren't getting a longer chapter this time, sorry. Anyways, on with the chapter!
To say the least, Jason was upset when he found out about the events leading up to Lily becoming a Guardian.
Actually, to be completely honest, he felt like hitting someone, especially if that someone was Jack. He had no right to keep Lily's memories from her! Nothing could justify what he had done! As he was about to state this, however, the aforementioned boy quickly cut him off.
"I know, I know, I was an idiot. You don't have to tell me that, the Kangaroo already did about a thousand times." Jack muttered.
"...Fine. But, how are we supposed to get her back?" Jason asked. He looked more worried that angry now, that was for sure.
"That...We aren't exactly sure of yet."
"Then how in the name of Davy Jones' Locker are we supposed to get Lil back?!"
Meanwhile, in Santoff Claussen, there were a few surprises from Lily that greeted The Guardians. She was, to all The Guardians' surprise, very good with children. The practically flocked to her, they would seek her out when they were scared. Not only that, but she was naturally comfortable around them, she loved helping them out and playing their games.
When confronted about this, she would suddenly become...nervous. Reluctant, even. The only answer that she would give was a mere,
"You can learn a thing or two if you're invisible for long enough."
This highly confused all of them. What did she mean, invisible?
A week after Lily's arrival in Santoff Claussen, it was evident that something horrid must have been plaguing her thoughts. She would constantly look over her shoulder, as if afraid that something was there. She would jump at the slightest sound. Nightlight seemed to know that something was up, but, if he did, he wasn't about to tell.
It was as if he was...protecting, something.
...A secret, perhaps...?
Lily sat in a tree, watching the children below her play with an almost sad look on her face. For the first time, she had turned down their offer to play, claiming that she was a little tired and would join in later.
She was silent for a long while, so, Nightlight's tap on her shoulder scared the hell out of her. She jumped so high she almost landed on the next branch, giving a loud yelp. Nightlight laughed his bell-like laugh, smiling at her.
She glared at him for a few moments, but sighed and chuckled.
"Alright, alright, ya' got me. Why're you not playing with the kids?"
Nightlight remained silent, as always. Then, Lily hears a voice in her head, and her eyes go wide. It was so otherworldly, so unreal...she couldn't believe that she was hearing it.
"...Can you hear me, Small One?"
Thinking that it was the most appropriate way of answering, she thought back,
"Y-Yeah..."
"...You are not like the other Small Ones. You know things that most would not. ...Tell me, Lily. What happened to you in the past?"
Nightlight asks. Lily bites her lip.
"You'll...You'll call me crazy..."
"No, I will not. There is something that haunts you. Something that scares you. We can help you. But, only if you let us." Lily scowls at him.
"I don't need your help. I can take care of myself. I have for years, it isn't exactly new to me."
Her eyes go wide a few seconds later, and she looked away from Nightlight, who was staring at her in what looked to be surprise.
Wait...did she mean...?
"...You don't have a family, do you?" Lily looks torn between ignoring him and answering. Finally, she sighs.
"...Yes...And no. It's...Complicated."
"...I understand if you do not wish to speak about it. But, we will find out soon enough. And it would be better if you told us yourself."
"...Alright...I-I'll tell you...But, you have to promise me that you won't tell the others. Please."
She whispered. Nightlight looked hesitant for a moment, before giving a firm nod. He needed to find out what exactly was haunting this Small One, before something bad happened.
