Awrigt... me and my family will go somewhere, I don't even want to come but *sigh* So guys! Here it is another chapter. I LOVE JEF and JACK! hehe My/ your two boys ^_^ Hope you'll enjoy this one! Thanks for the reviews, follows, favourites and support! :) REALLY REALLY APPRECIATE IT! T-T

Chapter 21: Warm Heart

The moon was high up and the place was still calm as the wind. You've been searching for your son but couldn't find him anywhere. The forest was just too big and he could've walked around the place. You observed every corner and every tree but still no sign of Jef.

"Where did he go?" you rasped and cut one of the tree's thick branches. "He's a half-human boy… and there's a lot of deadly creatures out here." You added.

Suddenly, you noticed something from the bushes. You walked towards it and wallowed down as you touched the footprints resting in the snow.

"This might be Jef's…" you thought, "It's the same size as his." You added and looked afar.

You noticed another footprint followed by another one and another one. You harshly followed it and accidentally put your guard down. You stopped and saw a few dog-like footprints and pine acorns on the ground. You inspected the place and looked up. You saw something odd up there and you followed it.

A small red and golden dagger was stabbed on the tree trunk. You pulled it out and touched the dagger's blade.

"He must've climbed up here to avoid those wild dogs." You whispered and took a glimpse around. "But where is he?" you thought.

Jef and Jack arrived in the city and his son saw the bustling people of the crowded place. He can hear the vehicles' loud sounds and honks, people laughing, teenagers talking and children playing. He missed the place he once lived in and wished that all things will come back to normal as soon as possible.

Then he noticed that this was the place the town he's living in. He didn't expect it to be this way but he recognized some of the shops and street names.

"Hold on kiddo, I'm gonna put you down somewhere where no one can see you." Said the winter spirit.

Jef clung on Jack's shoulders and they swooped down. The young guardian landed both of them gently and stretched afterwards.

"So will you be alright on your own?" he asked and gazed at the young boy while he's leaning on his magical staff.

"Yeah, yeah…" said Jef full of doubts. He tapped his pocket and put his hands in. "Lucky!" exclaimed the boy, "For the first time I'm glad that Josh (the 12 year old bully) tried to steal my money yest… yesterday?"

Before Jef got into this situation, Josh tried to steal money from the young boy when the bully got embarrassed by him. Josh would pretend that he's Jef's friend to be able to get into his room. Fortunately, your smart son hid it in his other jacket, that was resting in his cabinet, and acted that he has no money left.

"Three hundred dollars… I think this will last about a week…" he murmured and put his money back in his pocket.

"Ok… I'll be back I promise." Said the winter spirit and brushed the boy's brown hair. "I'll find this girl you're talking about." He added and flew hurriedly.

"Jack!" yelled the kid but he's already gone. "She's not… really a… girl…" whispered the boy and added, "Nah… he'll figure it out…. Maybe…"

Jef started to take a stroll around the city and named all of the shops and other places he recognized. He put his hands in his pocket and searched for something to eat. Surprisingly, he saw a burger stand, the same stand that he used to go to.

"Nice…" he said and uttered a light chuckle.

Jef crossed the street and took out some of his money from his pocket. "Hey George!" he said blissfully and the seller glanced at him with his surprised eyes. "Oh… wait… I'm at the past… that means…" he whispered and started to count with his hands. "I'm not born yet! Maybe this was George's great grandfather or something…"

"Hey… kid?" responded the man.

"Oh… right…" whispered the boy then looked at the man. "You're just so famous around here. I'm kinda new but they've been hearing about your burger. So…"

The boy got interrupted when the stout man, wearing a brown baggy wool jacket, flat cap, black trousers and a pair of mittens while holding a spatula laughed.

"Really eh? Me famous?" he said and the young boy realized that the man's round face turned red. "So what's your name kid?" he added.

"I'm Jef." He said simply with a cheeky smile and added, "I'll buy one burger please."

George nodded cheerfully and talked with the boy while he's cooking his order. "So, what are they saying about my burger?"

"Geez… this will last forever…" muttered Jef and laughed. "They said that it's not greasy and salty unlike the others." Said the winter spirit's son.

The stout man laughed and gave the boy's order. "Here…" said George and handed got surprised and stared at the man with his curious eyes.

"Uhmmm…" he stammered and gazed at the fries, "I didn't-"

"Oh, just take it." He interjected and the young boy smiled.

"Thanks George!" responded the boy joyfully and walked away. "Is it my lucky day today? He thought and took a bite of his meal.

Suddenly, he heard someone behind the bush on his right side. Jef stopped and looked at the direction. He shrugged his shoulders and continued to walk.

After a few blocks , Jef was feeling a bit unsafe. He's still hearing the sound earlier. He turned left and right but it's still following him. He stopped and abruptly checked behind him.

"Who's there?" shouted the boy but no response. "I know you're following me." He added.

Suddenly, he saw something was moving behind the tall tree not far from him. He slowly walked towards it and he can hear someone breathing heavily behind it. He slowly rested his hand on the tree trunk and peeked.

"What are you doing here little guy?" asked Jef that made the boy hiding behind the tree jumped.

"I- I…" stammered the young boy.

"Are you the one following me?" asked the winter spirit's son sweetly and stared at him.

Jef noticed that the boy's wearing a torn up baggy brownish shirt and a thin jacket on top. He looked down and saw the boy's worn up black shoes and crumpled pants. He glanced at the poor boy with pity and grinned politely.

"I' I'm sorry…" whispered the boy. "I know it's impolite to follow someone without him or her knowing but…"

The boy's tummy grumbled and this reminded the young boy he felt earlier. He maybe a stray kid, thought Jef.

"Are you hungry?" asked the winter spirit's son and grinned. "I can buy you a burger. Wanna go back there?"

The boy then started to avoid Jef's eyes and kept making patterns with the tip of his old shoe. Your son chuckled and said, "Come on, let's go."

The boy didn't nod but he followed Jef behind. The winter spirit's son kept calling him but he refuses to walk beside Jef.

"Hey George!" shouted Jef and the stout man suddenly waved at him.

"Hey there Jef! Want some more of my famous burgers?" asked the stout man jokingly and laughed afterwards.

"Yeah sure, but I'm not the one who'll eat it. I'll give it to someone." He responded and George cooked one burger.

The bashful kid waited and Jef talked to him gently. "So, what's your name?" your son asked and it took the young boy a few seconds to respond.

"I'm… Dy- Dylan.." said the boy shyly and didn't gaze at Jef.

"How old are you Dylan?" added Jef. "I- I'm… five years old.." replied the boy.

"So… wanna ask you. Why are you following me lately?" asked the winter spirit's son with a smirk on his face.

"I… I don't recognized you be- before…" replied the boy.

Jef got surprised about the boy's answer. If he noticed that he's not from around here, he must've stayed in this city for a long time. The winter spirit's son stopped asking and he heard George's call. He stood up and took his order and sat back beside the boy.

"Here…" whispered Jef and handed out the food.

At first the boy denied it but after Jef's coaxing he accepted it. He noticed that the young boy finished the burger in seconds. Jef giggled and said, "Since when did you have your last meal?"

Dylan gulped and took a sip of his juice and said, "Three days ago…"

Jef widened his eyes and stared at the boy. He smiled and stood up and bought another burger. Dylan tried to stop him but he didn't listen. Jef handed the food and the kid shyly accepted it.

"Three days…" thought the winter spirit's son, "I can not even imagine not eating for three days…"

Dylan accidentally burped and blushed when Jef uttered a light laugh. Jef cleared his throat and glanced at Dylan and said, "Are you all alone?"

The young boy shook his head slowly and answered, "No… there's more kids like me living here in the city. We're working together but sometimes we're not very lucky." He explained.

"Oh…" murmured Jef and looked down.

Suddenly you heard a loud whistle and Dylan abruptly stood up like he's about to ran.; but before he did, he looked at JEf and said, "Thanks again for the meal… Sorry if-"

"Don't worry about that!" JEf said joyfully. "Wait… I want to give you something." He added and Dylan waited.

Jef quickly took of his jacket revealing his blue long sleeve shirt. He waved his hair and brushed it before he handed it to the boy. "Here take it. It's freezing cold out here and you're only wearing that."

Dylan backed away and shook his head with fear. "No, it- it's too much. You already bought me meal and- and.."

"And I want you to have this." disturbed Jef still handing his jacket. "I'll be fine trust me." He added.

Dylan slowly took the jacket and put it on. It's a bit big for him but he'll grow into it. Jef smiled cheekily and winked at the boy.

"See? Much warmer right?"

Dylan nodded bashfully and smiled. "Thanks Jef… Thank you." He said bashfully and left.

Jef followed a gaze at the boy until he can't see him. He grinned to himself and looked above, staring at the dark blue sky as he breathed deeply.

"Maybe being an orphan has its advantages…" he whispered and sighed.