This chapter may seem a little ooc but oops. This isn't like a Dark Jack chapter. This is more Jack making stupid decisions because he is sad. He's not evil. And one more chapter before Rapunzel's situation is explained. Yay.

RoseKatnissWeasley7: Hey thats how I am too:) Angst is my favorite. If that wasn't obvious...haha

batfan94: no it can not

blueacrylicpaint: Yep. Basically. You don't even know what I'm going to do but you know he will need a straight jacket. Lol.

AliceCullen3: Thank you

"I don't trust you," I finally said, after the tension had finally crawled under my skin and irritated me beyond belief.

Pitch gave me a smug smirk, "I don't believe I ever asked for your trust."

There was a snarky response on the tip of my tongue. But I swallowed it and dropped my gaze to the liquid in my glass. It was wine, I think, but it was black as tar and smelled like death. I had no idea how Pitch could drink it, let alone savor every sip the way he seemed to be.

He sat regally on his black throne, with black spikes curling around him like a dark halo. I actually understood why he was called the Nightmare KING. But that didn't mean I want to sit at his feet like a mindless worshipper.

"So, tell me," he swirled his goblet, making the wine swish against the sides, "Why did you run off? Was the life of a Guardian not what you were hoping for?"

"I wasn't hoping for anything," I retorted. "I didn't want to be a guardian in the first place."

"Ah. Is that all it takes to make you leave behind that silly little girl?"

I froze. A bit of the wine sloshed over the side of my cup, so I set it down and tried to relax by flexing my fingers.

Pitch's gaze was burning into me, but I refused to glance up, not even when he asked, "What is it?"

"I would NEVER leave that 'silly little girl' behind," I snapped. "She's dead!"

He was silent.

Gritting my teeth, I threw the goblet to the side and winced at the clattering sound. A throbbing behind my forehead caused me to curl in on myself, clutching my hair and refusing to let myself cry in Pitch's presence.

"But...you do know she'll be back in a decade or two...right?" Pitch asked carefully. "That's what's so frustrating about you two."

I glared at him, "She's not coming back. I killed her and now she's gone forever."

My stomach twisted up at how easy it was for me to say it. Had I already accepted that I was a murderer?

Pitch's expression softened to a confused sadness, "I'm so sorry...I didn't know...she's really gone?"

Why was he reacting like he actually cared? He didn't care! He didn't love her! He's not allowed to be sad!

"Losing the one you love is terrible," his gaze fell back to his wine. It almost looked like he was fighting his own tears. "I am so sorry for your loss."

Shut up! I screamed in my head.

"Wait...was it when you were shooting at me? And it hit her?" he asked.

"Why did you do that? Why didn't you just...let her go?" I asked.

"The Dragon Boy and the Wisp Girl showed up," was his response. "If I gave up so easily they'd think something was up. I had to put on a show...I didn't think it'd lead to..."

After working up my courage, I asked, "Why'd you even attack me in the first place? You...you said you could help me...and I stupidly believed you...and then suddenly you were trying to kill me!"

Pitch sighed, "Tell me. Would you rather have Aster catch me attacking you? Or teaching you how to use nightmare power?"

"Oh."

My hatred of him slowly began to melt away. He did actually want to help... But if Aster had caught us he'd figure out something was wrong with me...

"I didn't think this would happen. I am so sorry... I wish I could do something..."

With a shrug, I created a snowflake and twirled it around my hand, "Maybe I could've been okay...eventually...but u kept hurting people."

"Maybe that's it," Pitch mused. "I'll teach you to stop hurting people. It's not as though we can be interrupted if you just stay here."

I looked at him, scanning his expression for any deceit, "You'd...do that?"

"Of course," Pitch nodded.

"Will you...will you also try to figure out WHY it's happening?" I asked.

"I can try," he shrugged. "No promises I'll be able to though."

I nodded slowly.

"Would you like time to think about it?" he asked. I stared as his wine class turned into nightmare sand and disappeared. All it took was a small nod from me and he replied, "Right then. I'll have a nightmare escort you to your possible room, and you can have privacy. In the mean time I'll go find that staff you discarded so carelessly."

I was pulled to my feet by a hand made of the black sand. It promptly turned into a night mare and began to gallop from the room.

"Thanks," I half waved before taking off after it.

The room Pitch meant was surprisingly bright compared to the rest of the lair. The walls were a light, washed out grey. The only furniture was a simple bed.

I stared at the neatly folded clothing on the bed. Hesitantly, I picked up the black hoodie and held it to my chest. It was the right size.

What do I have to lose? I asked myself.

No response.

I tugged off my blue hoodie and shirt and tossed them both to the side. The long sleeved gray shirt I pulled on to replace it was surprisingly comfortable.

After changing into long black pants and putting a black vest on, I turned around and saw that there was a simple mirror hanging there.

I stared at my reflection, slightly surprised. I hadn't expected to look so...natural. It was like I was always supposed to be here in Pitch's lair...wearing his palette and likely falling for one of his tricks.

Something was missing, I decided. I grabbed the black cloak and tied it around my neck.

"That's better," I told myself. Frost was already spiraling out and decorating the hems, which didn't surprise me. My hoodie had frosted over the minute I put it on.

I glanced at the rejected pile of clothing. Carefully, I folded it the way Rapunzel taught me and tucked it under my pillow.

That way I can go back, I assured myself.

When I turned back to look at my reflection, I jumped and leaned in closer. I widened my eyes to see the irises better. Silver was already flecking the blue, almost overpowering it even.

"Wow..." I half-smirked.

A sad chirping interrupted my thoughts.

I whirled around and saw Baby Tooth sitting on the bed and staring at me with her mismatched eyes.

"How'd you get in here?" I asked.

She didn't reply.

"You should go," I sighed. "Look...I don't know why you came but...Pitch was right about me. I make a mess of everything. I'm not a Guardian, and I can't go back."

She pointed at a golden box resting beside her.

I picked it up and saw it was my baby teeth. Attached was a note written in loopy handwriting: When someone needs to remember what's important...we help them. Please, Jack. Remember. Tooth

"Nothing's important," I scoffed, "Nothing about my past."

Baby Tooth chirped in protested.

I was so tempted...I wanted to look at my memories so badly...

Clenching my jaw, I took off in a run down the narrow hallway. Stumbling across the slanted bridges, I kept running until I reached an abyss.

I raised my arm and pulled it back. After mustering all of my courage I flung the golden box as far as I could. It crashed against the other side of the divide and smashed into pieces.

The gold flashed one last time in the light before disappearing forever.

"So I see you've made up your mind," Pitch said. I hadn't heard him even approach. But I did feel his hand clamp on my shoulder, "Welcome, Frost."