AN: Sorry this is a bit late guys. I had meant to have it done sooner, but stuff came up and then the new episode of "Once Upon a Time" broke my feels a bit. But here's the chapter, despite all the obstacles. I almost broke the pattern. I really wanted to post the chapter where Jillian, Pitch, and Jack all meet, but this chapter is back to the past again. Sorry guys. This chapter goes into Pitch's point of view a little bit, much like chapter ten did, so hope I got him mostly IC.
I would also just like to take this moment to thank all of you for your feedback. Seriously these are like the best reviews I have ever gotten. I appreciate every single review and I am grateful for every moment that you take out of your days to send me your thoughts. :) So, there was a little confusion about the whole "Sandy and Pitch being 'friends'" thing. Sandy and Pitch aren't exactly friends; it is more like they tolerate each other's presence in Jillian's life. Sandy knows what Pitch means to Jillian and Pitch understands that Sandy is one of her best friends and that he is just as important as Pitch is. As for why Pitch "killed" Sandy, that will be addressed in a couple of chapters. Let's just say "fallaces sunt rerum species." *wink* ~Katheryn xoxo
Chapter Twelve
Pitch arrived at Jill's home a bit later than usual. He'd been working though, so it there wasn't much he could've done about it. Even if the children couldn't see him (apart from his little Jill, of course), he was still fairly busy at this point in time, especially during this night, the night of Samhain, or as it was beginning to be called now "All Hallow's Eve." So the children's fears were ripe in the air, providing him the opportunity to give them whatever nightmares he could. After all, this was, in a way, a night for him to do his job properly without Sandy interfering too much.
On his way to Jill's, however, he had run into the true Spirit of Samhain. Sam didn't give him any trouble, though, since technically Pitch's nightmares kept Sam's holiday alive. Pitch shuddered slightly as he thought about the creepy little kid with the broken lollipop. Pitch enjoyed fear, no doubt about that, he was the King of Nightmares after all, but even he had to admit that Sam took his "holiday" a bit too far sometimes. Causing fear was one thing; irreparable trauma or even causing harm was another. Pitch had a feeling Man in Moon would end up taking extreme measures against Sam soon enough.
In a way, he already had. There had been rumours over the years of a new spirit possibly taking over Sam's holiday. Jakola Tern seemed to be much like Sam, but was intent on making All Hallow's Eve into something a bit more enjoyable for the children. Tricks and Treats were being given out and the children were starting to dress up in fun ways on the night of October 31st. Sam hated Jakola, but personally, Pitch preferred her over the slightly malicious child spirit.
Pitch crept through the shadows, sliding under the door of Jill's home before slinking his way over to her room. Her father was fast asleep and it seemed like Sandy had taken pity on the poor man. His dreams were simple, images of his family whole and hale once more, but it seemed like that was all the man really wanted anymore. Pitch left him alone; the man had enough stress in life and deserved a good dream every now and again.
The moment Pitch entered Jill's room, he could tell that something was wrong. Sandy was still there for one; usually the little golden man would be up in the sky, the best vantage point for sending pleasant dreams to the many children under his protection. Pitch's other indication was the fact that Jill was crying, not sobbing, but a slow river of tears was coursing down her cheeks.
Pitch's fist clenched at the sight. A boy from the village had been giving the brown-haired girl some trouble lately; if he had done anything to hurt Jill, he would suffer the worst nightmares imaginable.
"Jill, what happened?" Pitch asked lowly, moving over to her side. He nodded at Sandy, who was seated on her other side, a small hand resting lightly on one of Jill's. Pitch and Sandy's relationship was far from what it used to be, but Jill mended that gap just the tiniest bit. Both of them cared deeply for the brave little girl sitting between them and both would do whatever they could to keep her safe.
Jill moved her hand from Sandy's for a moment to wrap her arms around her dearest friend.
Golden dream sand began to form images above Sandy's head as he communicated with Pitch. Two forms identifying themselves as Pitch and Jill formed, and then it transformed into a picture of Jill and some random boy; he looked the one giving Jill all of that trouble. The boy was saying something and gesturing wildly before the figure of Jill grew visibly upset and ran off, the boy laughing all the while.
"Davy was picking on me again," Jill said, tearfully. "He kept saying that I was just looking for attention because of what happened to Jack and Mum. He said that I was an attention-hog and that Jack and Mum probably died because of me. And it's true! At least in Jack's case."
Pitch tensed. So this "Davy" was the reason his little Jill was so upset. Playing on her fears like that…. Normally Pitch would applaud the boy for such an act, but Jill was involved. The Boogeyman wasn't sure why, perhaps it was due to how much he cared for the eleven year old, but Jill's fear had begun to taste somehow sour to him. It was losing its original flavor and being replaced with a less than savoury tang.
"I don't understand children," Pitch said lowly. "You can be the best of friends and the worst of enemies depending on the day. If I remember correctly, you mentioned Davy used to idolize your brother. Why would he turn on you now?"
Jill ducked her head down, hiding her face behind her hair. She seemed almost embarrassed or ashamed. Pitch didn't like it.
"Sweetie, why are you hiding from me?" he asked her. "What is it? You can tell me anything, you know that."
Sandy reached over and squeezed the young girl's hand. Pitch had nearly forgotten the little golden man was still there. For some reason, it irked him that Jill could tell Sandy about whatever was bothering her, but hesitated to confide in him.
"Jill?"
"I told him about you."
Pitch froze. Jill had never told anyone about her "imaginary friend;" she knew that no one would believe it. The Boogeyman was a passing fancy, a childish fantasy long since forgotten by nearly all children.
"Why?"
"Because he kept making me mad, saying that my All Hallow's Eve costume was stupid. He said that only witches dressed the way I was, that maybe I was a witch in disguise and that was why Jack and Mama died. That I killed them because I was a nasty little brat who wanted to distract people from my witchcraft. So I snapped and I told him that I wasn't dressed like a witch. I was dressed like you, the fearsome Nightmare King with stallions of black sand who knew all of your deepest fears and hid in the darkest corners of your room in order to strike," she pounced on Pitch, who laughed slightly, "at just the right moment, as soon as you guard is at its weakest."
Pitch sighed as Jill finished her story. Internally, he was touched by Jill's idea for her costume. Truly none had ever thought to dress as him for such a frightful holiday, no matter how fitting it would have been. However, he was also concerned that Jill's display would cause more problems for her than just Davy tormenting her.
"Jill, thank you for such an honor; truly you didn't have to do something such a thing," Pitch started before brushing a piece of dark hair out of her face. "But you must be more careful; I don't want people to become suspicious of you; things are getting dangerous, especially for young girls dressed all in black." He hinted with a small smirk, ruffling her hair.
She squirmed away with a giggle before sobering and looking at Pitch with a serious expression.
"I just wanted them to believe in you again, Pitch." He froze again, eyes widening. "I mean, I know that you probably did some bad things before, but surely you deserve another chance. Sandy thinks there's still some good in you too, even if he won't admit it." She stuck her tongue out at the Dream Keeper, who responded just as childishly. "I wanted them to believe, Pitch. I thought maybe then you wouldn't be so sad."
He truly didn't deserve such a sweet girl as his friend. Truthfully, most would probably say he didn't deserve a friend at all, but Jill…. She was truly the kindest soul he'd ever met. He hugged her tightly, subtly sending off a cloud of nightmare dust in the direction of Davy's house. He wouldn't have a peaceful night's sleep for a while; by the end of the week, Davy would be begging Jill for forgiveness. Then it was up to her whether the boy would receive any sort of mercy from him.
