This one was frightfully easy to write. Apparently Sandy and Jacklin get along so well it just comes out onto the page. Though we don't get much interaction between the two of them. We actually have some of Pitch's point of view! And some insight on what is going on in the "Other Side" as our Jacklin puts it.

Again, we have some descriptors of our Cold Lady's nightmares. So tread with caution. Shouldn't be as bad as the first one but still a heads up.

Can anyone guess where this going? I would love to see what you all think!

Hope you enjoy!

(Chapter 10)

Spinning a Sweet Dream Out of Sand

It wasn't often she have the shadows under her bed be still for long periods of time. So Jacklin was naturally wary about what her house mate was doing. Sitting at her spinning wheel she glanced at her bed and the shadows under it. Nothing yet, she knew that Pitch came and went as he pleased. But he had been rather off lately. It was only reasonable for her to be worried.

Sighing, she returned to her work. The wheel steadily turned under her hand and her foot moved up and down on the pedal at a firm pace. Not too slow and not too fast. The candle beside her illuminated only the corner of the room where she was. The night sky was dark with clouds and only on occasion would the light of the moon shine through the window.

Finishing the last of her wool, she stopped her wheel and removed the spindle. Putting it away for the morning, Jacklin rose and started getting ready for bed. Blowing out the candle she turned and draped the shawl from her shoulders onto the now empty chair. Her clothes were next to follow leaving her only in her chemise.

Sighing once more, she closed her tired eyes as she ran a hand through her short brown hair. She really didn't want to go to bed. No matter what, she never slept well. It might be because of the creature living under her bed, but nightmares always haunted her resting hours. No matter what time of day or night she was plagued with terrors which drain and frighten her every time she dosed off. Quite frankly she was exhausted and wanted nothing more than to not have any dreams ever again.

Just one night. That was all she wanted. Just one night of sleep without feeling even more tired when she woke up than when she went to bed. Was that too much to ask for?

Shaking her head, she opened her eyes. Slipping under the covers she buried her face into her pillow. Exhaustion quickly taking her into the land of sleep.

Clouds moved in the sky allowing the moon's light to shine through the window and let the small strand of golden sand to glow even more brightly as it slipped into the small room.

A dark shadow struck out and forced the sand away from its destination. The tall shadowy form glared at the sand as it vanished from his sight before yellow eyes turned to the moon outside the window and then to the woman sleeping on the bed.

A harsh grin spread across gray features as the woman's brow tightened and a look of agony crossed her face. No sweet dreams tonight. Really he didn't have to do much to provoke nightmares out of Jacklin's subconscious. It was only to be expected out of such a human. She bottled every little hurt, every little emotion that could cause her harm, away. Leaving him with such lovely tools to work with.

Of course he cared for her in his own way. No mortal had ever fought against him like she had. Never had anyone just accept that he was there and went on with their life. Though it was sweet that she took some comfort out of his presence. Poor little Jacklin. All alone with only the monsters in the night to comfort her.

The sound of shifting sand caught his attention. Turning he grinned at the small round man made of golden sand floating by the window.

"Well~. Isn't Sandman. I was wondering when you would come by."

Golden eyes narrowed as the Sandman crossed his arms across his chest. No symbols came up in the man's sand as the Guardian made his thoughts known.

It was like the crashing of waves against his thoughts. Harsh and yet soothing all the same time. Pitch hated it when Sandman communicated to him like this. He would rather play the guessing games that the rest of the Guardians had to than deal with the feeling of Sandman's presence in his head.

The little man was too much like the Man in the Moon for his liking after all. Firm and strong while being soothing and gentle all the same.

Yellow eyes glanced over the golden man to the crescent moon in the sky. It has been some time since anyone had heard or felt the Man in the Moon. The glowing orb in the sky more of a silent observer now than the leader that ruled over all spirits. No one knew what happened to make the Moon fall silent, but very few were truly complaining. The Spirit of the Moon was a strange one. Knowledgeable and old yet with the feeling of youth coming from their words. No one had ever seen them except at a distance. Robed in white and with a bundle of sticks on their back, they would walk on trails of light that no other being could touch.

Yellow eyes moved once more to meet glaring golden ones. Clasping his hands before him, Pitch leaned over and gave the Guardian a dark grin.

"Now just what do you want with Dear Little Jacklin~?"

The sharp and piercing feeling of sea ice invaded his being causing him to gasp and reach up to his chest. The onslaught of Sandman's presence continued. From sea ice to the drowning feeling of a tsunami crashing over him before moving away ominously leaving a feeling of dread within the Boogieman.

The two spirits glared at each other before Pitch sighed, stood up straight and turned slightly away from the smaller man.

"I guess it will only in my best interest for you to do as you will."

He glanced over his shoulder to the golden spirit.

"After all you are oddly protective of her for someone who has only now has come to check in."

Sand flew out the small man's ears in anger before the man gestured to the door. An order to just leave already.

Laughing the Boogieman vanished into the shadows and left the house. He had no clue what Sandman wanted with the little mortal, besides of course the obvious, so he would let the man do as he wanted. After all he had had his fun with Jacklin for the last few months.

Standing outside the Spirit of Fear looked up at the silent moon a grin spreading across thin lips.

"Nothing to say Old Man? One of your Guardians seems quite taken with a grown mortal. Are they not merely for the children of the world?"

Black robed arms spread as Pitch gestured around him.

"Or have you no ability to speak anymore?"

Silence was all he heard. No presence except the barest of traces of lunar energy which has always came from the moon.

Scowling he slipped into the shadows. He had better things to do than try to talk to an absent ancient spirit who did not want to talk back.

TE

Nothing but blood soaked yarn was coming from her spinning. Her hands were shaking and the sound of bones creaking came whenever she moved them. But yet she continued, she needed this done. There was so much to pay off. So much to do. Baskets of wool and rotting fruit surrounded her as she sat at her spinning wheel.

She could feel tears falling from her eyes. Yet, she did not know why she was crying. She didn't feel sad. In truth she didn't feel anything. So why was she crying?

A warmth, so strange and yet so familiar, wrapped around her. All the pain in her body melted away. Her hands no longer creaking nor bleeding. The baskets, every last one of them, were gone leaving her with her spinning wheel.

A smile crossed her face as bloodied yard started to change into golden thread. A soothing tune came from her throat as she began to hum as she worked. Soon a song came forth. Her voice flowing out in song like she never had done before. But yet she had done so before hadn't she.

Her spinning wheel moved with her song, such a joyful and soothing tune it was! Why wouldn't it dance to it?

A smile spread across her lips and she felt the warm feeling of sand move across her shoulders and into her hands. Laughing she began her spinning in new vigor.

Sand spun so easily into golden threads which flew around her before weaving together with a wave of her hand. Watching as a golden robe shimmering in her glow wove itself together before her eyes, she couldn't help but smile widely.

Reaching out she took the now finished garment and with a love filled look turned to the small man sitting at her table made of moonstone.

"Thank you Sandy."

A wide grin was her reply along with the feeling of soothing waves against her being.

No problem my friend.

TE

It was still dark out when Jacklin opened her eyes. The feeling of a good night's rest confused her. She hadn't had a dream like that in a long time.

Rolling onto her back she stared at the ceiling above her. Thinking back on her dream she laughed. A dancing spinning wheel! How fun! A part of her wanted to see her spinning wheel do that outside of dreams.

Light brown eyes closed for a moment before she forced herself out of bed. Looking around the room she couldn't help but look for something golden. She didn't know why but she could have sworn that there should be something there to tell her that her nightly visitor was there last night.

Blinking, she thought back on that. Nightly visitor? Wouldn't that be Pitch? But Pitch only causes nightmares and she had such a good dream.

Shaking her head she got up and got dressed. She had work to do and no time like now to begin.

As she moved about her small room, Jacklin failed to notice the glint of golden sand against her pillow where she slept.

Bye Pitch~! See you later! He will be coming back but Jacklin needs some time for proper rest and healing. Sandy isn't going to let her fall apart so soon.

Now I have the image of Pitch and Sandy fighting over Jacklin's sleeping head for the right to gives her dreams that night. *laughs* Oh well.

But really does anyone see where I am trying to take this? I almost feel like I have been a little to heavy handed with it. But, eh, I am the one writing it so it will be more obvious to me. (Mostly.)

Anyway! Up Next! The Cold Mistress of the Lakeside thaws out some and letters come in!

So Forward!