"Is that everyone?" asked Justin as he closed the door, blocking out the swirling blizzard behind him.
"I think so," replied Talia as she handed out mugs of hot drinks and blankets. "I've never seen a storm like this."
Justin pulled his coat tighter, "I have. I'm heading back out."
"What? Are you nuts?"
"It's just Jack Frost, we're friends, he won't hurt me. But something's wrong, and I'm going to see if he needs my help."
"But what if he doesn't care?"
"He does. Listen, just make sure no one leaves the tavern. If I have to, I'll duck in one of the nearby buildings, just don't let anyone out until the blizzard's passed, alright?"
Talia nodded, "I will, you be safe."
"I will." Talia kissed him.
"I love you."
"I love you too." Justin pulled her in for another kiss before walking out the door, into the swirling, blinding snow. He walked a ways into the storm before calling out at the top of his lungs, "Jack! Jack, it's Justin! We need to talk!" When no answer came, Justin continued to walk further into the storm, pausing every now and then to call out to Jack. "Come on, Jack, talk to me! What's wrong? What happened?"
"Where is she?" came a voice through the storm.
"Where's who, Jack? Can you calm down the storm a bit?" The wind began to ease down, and Justin found himself practically in what looked like the eye of the storm. And before him, stood Jack Frost. "Jack! What's going on?"
"Rapunzel, she's, she's gone! I can't find her!"
"Do you have to do the blizzard?"
"If it's the only way to slow down her kidnapper's progress, then yes!"
Justin sighed, "Listen man, she's not here, someone would have seen her!"
"Oh no, that witch is a sly one."
"No, seriously, someone would have seen had she come through here. So, if she's not here, the witch could have given the town a wide berth!"
"Well, you don't know that hag like I do! Now, either you get out of my way, or I make you!"
"What? Don't you want my help? I know this town better than you do!"
"You, help? Ha! The only person you want to help is yourself!"
"Say what? Jack, what's gotten into you? You know that to be a true knight, I have to put others' needs before my own!"
"Oh really? If you had to choose between saving my girl or yours, who would you pick?"
"Say what?" Justin turned, he thought he heard his name. "Talia?"
"I knew it."
"No, wait Jack! That's not . . ."
"Nobody cares about me!" The wind began to pick up again.
"No, Jack, wait! Someone's still out there!"
"Then be the knight and save them! You put others before yourself, remember?"
"Jack, stop! This isn't like you! I know you're hurting, but you don't have to do this!"
"Yes I do! Now get out of my way!" Jack threw an icy wind at Justin, sending him flying into a barn. The momentum made Justin hit his head so hard, that he lost consciousness within seconds.
When he woke up, there was sunlight streaming through the windows and the cracks, and the wind had stopped. Justin jumped to his feet, worry and dread eating at his heart. Who went out into the storm? Who had called his name? He knew, somehow he knew, but he hoped and wished with all his heart that she hadn't gone out after him. He yanked open the barn door, and a pile of snow fell in on top of him. Grunting, he managed to climb onto the pile, and slid down to the other side. He glanced around at the blanket of snow covering the town, it seemed so soft and still now, so peaceful. Justin let out a huff, and saw his breath coming out in puffs, it was also very cold. He turned towards the tavern, longing to see her face opening the door for him, her smile welcoming him back. He paused as he noticed something lying in the snow just a few feet away from him. He stood still for only a minute before he was on top of it, digging in the snow to uncover the rest of it.
The stillness was shattered with his cries, "No! No! Talia! No! Come back, Talia! Jack Frost! You will pay for this!"