Chapter Eight

'Let go of me you stupid horse!' Beth screamed, struggling to get out of the grasp of Pitch's nightmare. The horse was taking her somewhere, somewhere dark. Beth couldn't see anything apart from the horses glowing eyes. It seemed as though they were going through a corridor with no windows or doors, it smelled like dirt and Beth shivered at the thought of what waited at the end.

The horse stopped abruptly in mid air and dropped Beth. 'Ouch! What where you land people horse.' Beth said again, but the horse wasn't listening. It wasn't even remotely interested in her. The horse started galloping away, and so did the only light source. 'Hey! Where're you going! Stupid horse...' What would Beth do now? It was pitch black and she couldn't see a thing. She sat on the muddy ground and waited for anything. A sound? A voice? Jack's voice... but instead, Beth was greeted with an eerie laugh. 'Pitch?' She stood up carefully, not knowing how tall this space was.

'Oh, listen! She knows my name..' Someone replied... Pitch.

'Pitch! Let me out of here right now!'

'Well, why would I do that? We haven't even started the party yet!' he laughed again. Beth was scared. She needed Jack, she needed someone who could help her get out of here. 'Do I sense fear? No... really? The great Beth Blossom is afraid of me?'

'Since when am I afraid of you?' Beth replied in a confident voice. She didn't sound sacred, but her insides were squirming.

'Since I got into your mind. I always know people greatest fears Beth.'

'Oh, yeah right. Prove it then.' Beth regretted what she had just said.

'Well... for one thing I know that you're afraid that no one will believe in you.' Beth had tried so hard not to remember this fear because, yes. She still didn't have any believers. All the children did was walk straight through her in a cloud of blue smoke. 'Do you know who that fear reminds me of?' Pitch asked.

'Who then?'

'Your little friend Jack Frost. Or should I say 'brother'.' Pitch laughed again. The noise hurt Beth's ears.

'Shut up, Pitch!' Beth was fuming. How dare he find that memory.

'Oh, getting annoyed are we. Let's move on then.' Beth saw something smile in front of her. Pitch was standing directly in front of her. 'Do you really believe that you're not afraid of me?' He was still looking at Beth.

'Pitch I said it before.' Beth took a deep breath. 'IM NOT AFRAID OF YOU.'

'Oh really...' Then Pitch vanished. Beth was alone again. Suddenly, the pitch black, dirt corridor was light. Beth could see, so she started running, running as fast as her bare, muddy feet would carry her. She could hear something behind her, but she daren't look backwards. Tears were pouring down her cheeks again.

'Guardians.. Please help me.' Beth though and she pictured all the Guardians faces in her head. 'Ah!' Beth's face hit the floor on something. It was a piece of ice and her cheek was bleeding now. She brought her hand to her face and felt the scratch. Taking her hand away, she saw the blood, but she didn't care. Why was there ice? 'Jack?' She said out loud in a low whisper. Beth could see a light at the end of the tunnel. Abandoning the dirt, she headed towards it. As her journey continued, the air got colder. Beth's feet were freezing and her teeth chattered. Now she was sure Jack was close by. The ground was getting more slippery every step she took so she slowed to a steady walk.

Beth had entered a barren ice land. Everywhere she looked she saw snow and ice. The white light almost blinded her. 'Jack!' she shouted once more, but nothing replied. The wind was cold and icy. Tears were falling down Beth's cheeks again. She could no longer feel her numb feet. She was frozen and so were her chances of being found. Beth waved her hand over the snowy ground. Nothing happened. Flowers should have appeared, the snow should have disappeared. She was defenceless without her powers. This is what North meant. Pitch gets into your mind and fills it with sadness and fear, that's how he stops your abilities. Beth sat down in the fluffy snow and held her knees, thinking over and over again. 'I cant fly. I cant create Spring anymore. I'm never going to be rescued...'