Chapter 14
Jack woke to find himself in his cell again, and as usual; his staff was gone. Jack groaned, and sat up, only to notice that Pitch was there, on the other side of the bars, gazing at him. Man. Why does that guy have to keep staring like that? It was really starting to creep him out… He noticed through the crack in the ceiling, the orange glow of a setting sun.
'How long was I out?' Jack asked; his voice raspy.
'Most of today, and yesterday as well. You have been flying about trying to be everywhere at once for nearly two days, Jack, you need to care more about yourself.' Pitch said. His gaze was unwavering as he looked Jack over. 'Are you feeling better? Are you hurt?'
'Let's stop the questions about me right now…' Jack frowned. He sat back against the wall, knees to his chest, and leaned on his arms. He looked back at Pitch, not wanting to lose the staring match. 'What now? You keep me in here forever?'
Pitch ignored the question, but bent down lower. 'I want to make you a deal Jack'
Immediately, Jack was on alert. It was never a good sign that the Nightmare King was making deals. And it was never a guarantee… 'I'm not making any deals with you.' Jack replied indignant.
'I don't want you flying around and making yourself into a walking corpse, so let's compromise Jack' Pitch's eyes glinted in the shadows. 'I allow the Guardians, all of them, to roam free in this world, and do their duties and whatever annoying things they do on a daily basis. As long as they are not a threat to my interests…'
Jack was stunned, but his eyes narrowed. This was too good to be true. 'What's the catch?'
Pitch remained silent for a moment, staring at Jack, measuring his reaction. 'I want you to stay here with me forever.'
Jack's mouth slipped open in shock. 'What?'
'You are tiring yourself out, and not being so…presentable. So let's deal. I let them go, and you stay here. Be a good boy, eat three meals a day. Maybe play with my fearlings once in a while… Sound good?' Pitch said, his eyes calm, but inwardly he was unsettled. Behind his back, his fingers fidgeted with his robe, as he gazed at Jack coolly, who was staring in shock.
Jack was silent for a few minutes, deep in thought. Pitch had made a good deal. He already knew he would take it, why was he even thinking about it? If he had to sacrifice his soul to the Boogeyman to save his friends, what was so difficult about that? He had promised Baby Tooth, Phil and Jamie that he would find a way to save them. He would do anything.
He looked up at Pitch. 'Why are you making this deal with me Pitch? Why do you even care whether I look 'presentable'? What could you possibly gain from this?' Jack whispered, utterly perplexed.
Pitch was silent, and when it was clear he wasn't going to answer, Jack sighed. He looked down, his head tucked in his hood, his chin in his hands. He hated being in this cage, even for a while. Forever? Stuck here, with Pitch? Being a fearling chew toy? That didn't sound so bad… Not. But he did not want his friends trapped. Jamie and his friends would never be able to keep up Easter preparation forever, and the yetis and baby teeth were lost without their leader. Not to mention, children would go without dreams, and lose hope.
'What guarantee have I got that you will leave them alone? Mess with them again and start all this all over again?' Jack retorted, looking back at Pitch, who had been staring at him the entire time.
'I have already said, I have no intention of doing anything sinister or harm anyone. So naturally, I will not be a threat to the Guardians or their precious children.' Pitch replied.
Jack stared at Pitch, looking him in the eyes with his eyes narrowed. Finally, he sighed
'Alright…' He breathed, eyes turned downward in resignation. It killed him to say these next few words, but he had to. 'I will stay with you…forever.'