Me: The poll is still going. Boy/Girl twins are still in the lead!

Jack: Let's get started already!
Me: Alright, alright. Calm down. Also, I'm sorry for any typos. My left thumb is injured so it's hard to type.

Jack: Author owns nothing but her OC's!

3rd Person POV

Jack quickly pulled Cynthia to his side again when the scene changed. They were looking up at a green hill with a few flowers sprouting. It was quiet and around them were trees so thick that it was a shock to them when two kids jumped down from the trees. One of them was a girl and her dark hair was in two braids that were in a loop. She was wearing a teal like top with puffy short sleeves, a black belt, a dark red skirt, and black boots. In her hand was a basket filled with books and food. The brown haired male was wearing a hat (A/N I honestly don't know what hats were called back then), blue stripped long-sleeved shirt, and suspendered pants. He was wearing boots as well.

Jack is nine in this memory Spirits and Guardians

"Ha! He said spirits first!" Mike exclaimed sticking his tongue out at the guardians.

"Is this the spot Frosty?" Cynthia asked.

"Frosty?" Bunny asked.

"Only Thia can call me that," Jack replied glaring at Bunnymund warningly.

"This is it," Jack replied, "And stop calling me Frosty, Thia!"

"Only if you stop calling me Thia."

"Yeah, that's not gonna happen."

Mary snorted, very unladylike.

"Mary!" Jessica scolded.

"Aw, come on Jess. It's the twenty-first century!"

Cynthia climbed to the top of the green hill and plopped down on the ground. She laid down staring at the sky, ignoring Jack's worried look.

"You okay Thia?" Jack asked sitting down next to her.

"I'm fine," She replied unconvincingly.

"Mel, she's doing this all for Mel," Jack said.

"That's so sweet!" Tooth cooed fluttering up high.

"Obviously," Jack snorted, "Come on Thia, it might work on everyone else, but I know you. There's obviously something wrong."

"And here comes the rant," Mike said but quickly cowered under Jack's glare.

Cynthia jerked upwards and glared at Jack, "Will you stop prying? Want to know why I'm doing this? For Mel! Imagine what it would be like for you if your ma died and your pa abused you. All the while Emily is confused and doesn't understand what your pa is doing. Then, next thing she knows you're coming home with bruises and cuts. You're trying to keep her safe and then one day your pa starts to hit Emily to. One thing leads to another and you get sent to live with your strict aunt and uncle while your pa goes to prison! This whole time you have to stay strong, knowing that if you don't Emily will get upset. You have to stay strong and do your best to act like nothing's wrong for Emily!" tears started to stream down the nine year olds face, "Nothing will be the same ever again."

Cynthia got up, "Now leave me alone!"
Everyone stared at the girl in surprise. Only Jack had ever seen her lose control like that.

Her evergreen eyes were flashing with a mixture of emotions so fast that Jack stood in shock. It took him a bit to realize that she had run off, into the woods, that were filled with different animals, all of which would attack her. Great, now I've got to find her aunt and uncle.

"Wait, you live with your aunt and uncle since you were eight," Bunny asked.

Cynthia nodded, "I was taught many lady-like things. Aunt Cat was very strict."

Jack got up and ran towards the village. He got slapped in the face with twigs and his shirt was torn. Somewhere along the way he lost his hat. Jack managed to dodge a lot of people but ended up running right into Sammy and Mike.

"One of the few times that you could find Mary and Mike separately," Jessica stated amused, "And that was only because Mary got in trouble at school by Mrs. Johnson, Cynthia's aunt, for hitting one of James goonies. Supposedly, Mark called Mike a scarecrow that couldn't do more than even scare a dung beetle."

Jack snickered but quickly sobered at Mary's warning look.

They fell to the ground, dazed, but Jack shook it off before getting up to run towards where Cynthia's aunt and uncle lived.

"Whoa!" Sammy exclaimed grabbing Jack's waist, "What's the rush kiddo?"

"Gotta find Mr. and Mrs. Johnson!" Jack replied trying to get free, "It almost dark!"

"Why do you need to find them?" Mike asked, "And where's little miss smarty-pants?"

"Mike and I never really got along," Cynthia said, "I think it's mostly because Mr. Burgess didn't approve of a girl getting better grades than his own son."

Mike blushed, "We matured as we got older, but I really didn't like her at nine."

"I never did understand that," Jack muttered amused.

"It's only because Mike had to sleep in the barn for a week since Cynthia won the Spellin' Bee," Mary replied, "Mikolas was very sour after that."

North shook his head and said, "Vat is noving vat you should ve sour avout."

Mike blushed and didn't reply.

"She ran off!" Jack exclaimed, "She ran the opposite way into the woods! I don't know where she went. We need to find her!"

Sammy cursed, causing Mike to glare at him and Jack to stare. The older boy got up quickly and pulled Jack towards his house, which was closest.

"You won't get to the Johnson's in time. We need John," Sammy explained walking in with Mike and Jack in tow.

"Oh no," Cynthia whispered understanding filling her golden brown eyes.

Jack nodded solemnly and Sandy put a golden hand on the Winter Spirits shoulder. Cynthia put her arms around his waist and gave him a tight hug.

"JOHN! MARIA!" Sammy exclaimed once in the living room.

"Shush," Maria said coming up behind Sammy her auburn hair in a bun, "I finally got Emily down."

John came in the room behind his wife and looked at Sammy with concern.

"What is it Samuel?" he asked.

"Cynthia, she ran off in the woods," Sammy explained, "It's getting dark and we need your help to find her."

John's face became completely serious and he took down the gun from the mantle and gave it to Sammy before grabbing a knife for himself. The two boys frowned at each other before going after the two older men.

"What can we do?" Jack asked.

"Stay here, in case Cynthia returns," John ordered.

"But-," Mike argued.

"Stay here," Sammy said tightly, "It's getting dark and we don't want to lose you two as well."

Cynthia turned towards Jack accusingly but he whistled innocently. The other Guardians sighed unhappily.

Jack pouted as his father grabbed the lite lantern and the two men went off.

"Why do I have a bad feeling?" Bunny asked and Jack wouldn't meet his eyes.

"We should go look for her," Mike decided.

"But Pa said-," Jack argued.

"They're not gonna find her Jackie Boy, you know which direction she ran off to and you're the best tracker I know!"

"Mike!" Mary exclaimed, "How could you?! I can't believe it!"

Mike tried to say something but Mary decisively ignored him. Jessica wouldn't look at Mike, who was looking at her with pleading eyes. No one would say anything. The Guardians because they had no clue what the girls were talking about and the nature spirits because Jack was starting to get depressed and Cynthia was trying to say something to make him feel better.

"Yeah, but-."

"Come on Jack, what's the worst that could happen?"

A lot Jack thought but let Mike drag him off.

"I'm sorry Jack," Mike said so softly that no one could hear him but Bunny, whose bad feeling was growing.

Jack managed to nab a sharp stick with a bunch of little branches that seemed to have been cut or snapped off. Mike went off with no type of weapon at all. There was no talking between the two. Both were to nervous and Jack kept thinking about what could be out there and he jumped at every sound. An owl hooted and Jack nearly jumped out of his skin. Mike gripped Jack's arm as a growl erupted from behind them.

Bunny cursed and everyone stiffened.

The two boys turned around slowly and made a sound between a yell and a sob. In front of them was a gigantic bear with brown fur. Jack whimpered and took a step back, only to step on a twig. It sounded like a gunshot in the quiet woods and above them the leaves rustled.

"Jack," Mike said softly as the bear took a step closer.

Everyone was holding their breath and Jack buried his face in Cynthia's shoulder.

"Yeah," Jack replied staring at the bear with wide eyes.

"Run?"

"No!" Bunny exclaimed.

Everyone jumped.

"Bunny," Mike said hesitantly, "Jack stopped me."

"No," Jack replied, "It will chase us."

"But," Mike objected.

Jack glared at the older boy and he went silent. The two stiffened when the bear came closer. A rustling came from a bush next to them and they saw a bobbing light.

"Pa," Jack whispered, whether in fear or relief it was unsure.

"HELP!" Mike shouted.

Bunny glared at Mike, who was unsure if anyone would forgive him.

The bear suddenly reared up and Jack threw the stick. It roared and tried to hit the boys but the two ran behind a tree. Jack found a branch that was sturdy enough and started to climb. Mike stared at him before following. He wasn't as nimble and sturdy on the branches as Jack was. Yet, it was safer. The sound of shouting came below and they watched as John came forward wielding his knife. It glinted in the faint light of the lantern. The bear hit John's head hard before scratching his arm. Blood poured into John's eyes, but he kept fighting. The bear managed to hit John hard in the chest and John went down. Jack cried out but Mike held him back from running towards his dad.

"MIM," Bunny breathed and Tooth gasped.

North and Sandy closed their eyes and both Mary and Jessica had tears streaming down their faces. Mike went off away from the others as far as he could and sank to the ground. Cynthia had her mask up while comforting Jack who wouldn't look up from her shoulder.

Three gunshots were heard and the bear fell to the ground. Sammy was holding his gun up with smoke coming up from the end. Next to them a figure came down and they recognized the glinting evergreen eyes. They were sparkling from unshed tears. Sammy looked up at them with a sharp glint in his eyes. Jack was never more afraid of Sammy then he was now.

"Get down here, now," Sammy's voice left no room for argument and they scrambled down quickly.

The three kids stood in front of Sammy. Jack wouldn't meet his eyes, afraid of the disappointment he would see there. Tears were streaming down Jack's face, he couldn't hold them back. Mike was looking anywhere but Sammy and Cynthia's face was impassive, though her eyes betrayed her. Sammy forced Jack's face upwards and looked him straight in the eye.

"Why did you come in here when we told you to stay behind?" Sammy asked his voice forced calm.

"Sammy I-," Jack started.

"I want the truth Jack," Sammy growled, "Nothing but the truth."

"Sammy's being a bit harsh," Tooth said frowning.

"Pa was the only thing close to a father," Jack replied his voice choked with sobs, "to Sammy. His own pa died when he was a little over four."

"He was really upset with Jack," Mike said.

Everyone ignored Mike and the boy sighed.

"I made him," Mike spoke up, "He didn't have a choice. We just wanted to help!"

"You would have been more helpful if you stayed home," Sammy snapped, "Now go home Mike."

Mike went to object but at Sammy's furious glare ran off. Cynthia looked down and poked her toe at the ground. The picnic basket from earlier was on the ground next to the tree. How Jack didn't notice that earlier, he didn't know.

"Cynthia," Sammy said his voice slightly softer, "Why don't you get back to your aunt and uncle's. Have your uncle come back here to get John's body."

Cynthia looked up quickly and then went off with the wicker basket. Sammy looked towards Jack with barely quelled anger. It wasn't clear if it was directed at him or not. When Sammy noticed Jack's face, he opened his arms up for a hug. Jack didn't move, having looked back at his Pa's mangled body. Sammy gently put his arms around Jack and moved the boy away. Jack started to sob into Sammy's chest and the older man rubbed Jack's back soothingly until the boy cried himself asleep.

The scene faded and everyone noticed that Jack had fallen asleep against Cynthia. She was holding him and gently rocking him back in forth. His face was streaked with tears, but he looked peaceful in his sleep. Jessica took one look at Jack before turning to the moon. It was glinting sadly, if possible, and she sent it a questioning look.
"Manny," Mike said, "Where should we put Jack?"

There was no response but the room flashed and they were all back in North's Workshop.

"Where's Jack's room, North?" Cynthia asked handing Jack to Bunny.

"Follow me," North said cheerily.

Mary held Mike back with Jessica. The three went in a secluded corner and the rest of the Guardians followed Bunny and North. After a few turned corners, they came across a hallway that read 'Guardians Rooms'. Each had a name on it and they went to the one that read 'Jacks Room' and went inside. The room was a light blue with some silver snowflakes on the wall. In the middle of the room was a bed that was completely made of un-melting ice and its cover was white. Bunny set Jack on the bed and everyone, but Cynthia, left the room. The dirty blonde haired girl kissed his forehead before sitting down on a light blue armchair next to Jack's bed.

Me: Well, the ending was sad.

Cynthia: No duh.

Me: When did you get so sarcastic? Never mind, I don't want to know. Hey North! Can you ask for reviews?

North: Vat? Okay. Please review vor us.