AN: Hey guys here's chapter 10. Sorry it is a bit late; my schedule got a little wonky and it might be a bit before I get back on the Monday/Friday update schedule. School is kind of crazy right now. But I will continue to update this story as quickly as possible. I have it all plotted out, it is just a matter of actually writing the chapters. I am completely adamant about not abandoning this story, so rest assured this story will be completed come hell or high water.

So, this chapter again skips a bit in Jill's past, but I felt like this was necessary to get out of the way quickly as it will hold some weight on the plot. Also, Sandy is going to play a bit of an important role in the lives of Pitch and Jillian; at this point in the story, Pitch and Sandy are coexisting and get along at times, but they are still considered rivals. But as they are rather similar when it comes to what they do for (or to) the children, I figured they had to have had some sort of interaction, even if it was just Sandy showing up after a child's nightmare.

Last note here, I compare Pitch's behavior around Jill to that of the Guardians a few times in this chapter. I'm not saying that Pitch is a Guardian, but he does protect Jill in his own way. Also, this may be a good time to brush up on the concept of foreshadowing. *wink* Lol.

As always, all reviews are welcomed and appreciated and a special thank you to Anna and LoveWritingStories, who are my top reviewers so far. :) –Katheryn xoxo

Chapter Ten

It was raining. Somehow the cloud free skies had transformed into a dark and dreary blanket that seemingly covered all of Burgess village. There was a chill in the air and it seemed as though the very Earth itself was mourning the latest loss in the small village.

Jill sat at her window, clothed in a black gown and her chestnut hair pulled back from her face in a small bun. She fiddled with her fingers as she stared out into the drizzle, not truly seeing anything outside of her window.

It happened. It had actually happened. Jill simply couldn't believe it, refused to believe it. But today, today she could not ignore the truth. Her mother was dead. Just like Jack.

It was nearly time for the funeral. Jill's father sat in the other room with friends and family who had gathered at the house to give their condolences. Jill had stayed there for only about ten minutes before she retreated to her room, unable to handle everyone's grief and worries about what kind of young woman Jill would become without a mother to teach her how to be "a proper lady." They were already discussing her marriage prospects, even as her father pronounced that she was far too young to be eligible for marriage.

Jill felt a comforting presence at her back just before Pitch's arm wrapped around her. The ten year old relaxed slightly and closed her eyes, just taking in the security and calm Pitch provided.

The Nightmare King didn't say a word; he knew that no words would be able to take away Jill's pain. Instead, he wrapped his arms around her as she turned to hug him, comforting this child who understood him better than anyone else ever had. She had been there for him all these past two years and now it was his turn to return the favour. He owed her that much, as a thanks for believing in him and for talking to him like he was a person, not some monster who didn't deserve any sort of sympathy.

"Sandy sends his condolences, little one," Pitch finally spoke, remembering the message the Sandman had tracked him down to give the grieving girl. "He apologizes for being unable to be here for you but says that he'll come by and visit as soon as he can."

"That's nice of him," Jill responded, her face still buried in Pitch's robe. Her voice sounded so much more fragile than Pitch wanted to hear. Even at ten years old, Jill was one of the strongest people Pitch had ever met. "If you see him before I do, can you tell him I said 'thanks?'"

"Of course, sweetheart."

The two of them stood there in silence as Jill turned to once again face the window. She reached out a still slightly childlike hand and took hold of Pitch's. He squeezed slightly as Jill's father came in to fetch her. It was time.

The pair of friends exited the small bedroom and then the house as the procession of grieving relations headed toward the village cemetery. Jill and Pitch brought up the rear, the young girl still clutching the Nightmare King's hand.

Pitch stayed with Jill throughout the ceremony, a stalwart pillar of strength for the distraught girl. In a way, he was behaving like a Guardian; as much as he hated the comparison, he couldn't deny the fact that he would protect little Jill with his life. She was one of the very few who believed in him anymore, and he needed her as much as she needed him.

He dreaded the day when Jill would grow up, when she would stop believing in all of the "fairy stories" of her youth. She was ten years old; he's had two years with her and he was already running out of time with her, with his brave little princess, the only person he truly considered his friend. Sure, he and the Sandman had a somewhat friendly relationship at times, but Jill had been there unwaveringly since that fateful night just two weeks after her brother's death. Truly he didn't understand why she hadn't been frightened of him, why she had bothered trying to be friends with him, even now. She knew what he was, what he did to all of the other children who, somewhere inside, still feared the Boogeyman and his faithful nightmares. He had made it very clear that he wouldn't stop scaring the children just because he happened to be friends with one. Sandy had rolled his eyes, but then shrugged as if to say "Whatever."

Pitch looked down at Jill, a concern look on his face as she squeezed his hand once more. Her slowly taming chestnut hair was plastered to her face due to the unyielding drizzle of the rain. It still wasn't enough to hide the tears streaking down her face. She sniffled suddenly, a bit too forcefully to be just from the crying. Pitch frowned; she was going to catch a cold if the rain didn't let up.

That was another thing. These sudden bouts of almost parental concern. It was strange; Pitch did not recall ever having a child of his own and yet…. And yet his infrequent moments of concern felt natural to him, as if somewhere, at some time, he had needed to feel such fatherly concern. But Jill didn't feel like a daughter to him; just a rather young friend who at times seemed wise beyond her years. Perhaps it was just due to his almost Guardian-like state when it came to the ten year old, but he had never seen Sandy and his thrice-accursed comrades act in such a way. But then again, Pitch didn't think Man in Moon's precious Guardians actually took much time out of their days to interact with the children they swore to protect.

Finally it was time for Jill to say her last farewells to the most important woman in her life. She tightened her grasp on Pitch's hand, looking up at him subtly, eyes pleading with him to not make her go up there alone. Pitch nodded solemnly and they made their way over to the simple wooden coffin.

The rain had slowed some as Jill stared at her mother's final resting place and the coffin that would be her eternal bed. Her unoccupied hand placed a zinnia entwined with a cyclamen upon the coffin. Her hand rested on the wood as her tears increased in their intensity. Her brother was gone and now so was her mother. Jill just didn't understand why.

"Goodbye mother," she whispered softly. "I hope you find Jack. May the two of you find peace." And if there had been any believers at that funeral, they would have seen two Michaelmas Daisies appear, one made of black sand, the other of golden.

Ending Author's Note: I emphasized the flowers for their particular meanings. Here is a guide as to what each flower means:

Zinnia: I mourn your absence

Cylamen: Goodbye

Michaelmas Daisy: Farewell