LAST CHAPTER: Jack tells Jane a story and shows her his magic. Jane's mother sees and throws him out of the house whilst calling him a monster.
TRIGGERS: Throwing up. Synopsis at the end.
Now the market isn't as crowded. Stealing will be a lot harder and I don't want to get caught. I debate holding off food for another day, but my stomach's incessant growling turns into sharp pains. Dark nausea bubbles in my stomach and crawls up my throat. I lurch forward; my hood falling against my neck as I vomit. The dirt soaks it up and I stand, my throat burning with the flames of stomach acid as I wipe my mouth with my sleeve. I cough, my stomach burns, and the world is spinning.
I shuffle my way into the market and toward the closest stall. The vendor is tending to another customer; one with money, by the looks of it. I begin to browse the various apples and my hand shakes as I pick up a Granny Smith and inspect it for bruises. My vision blurs, I drop the apple, and I fall against the wooden stand of the stall.
"Hey! Rack off!" the vendor scolds.
"S-Sorry, must be the uh... the hunger," I look up. The vendor's green eyes pierce through mine. The afternoon sun shines off his sweaty face. "How... uh, how much wo-would this be?"
He stares at me for a few silent seconds, looking me up and down with disgust.
"Nothin' ya can afford,"
I roll my eyes.
"Just tell me how much,"
"30 coins,' he holds his hand out. I just sigh and look at my shoes as he breathes out a laugh.
"Thought so,"
I stand there for a moment, debating my next move. I can't go another day without food; that much is clear. I pick the Granny Smith up from the dirt and wipe it clean with my cloak.
"Hey! What do ya think you're doin'?"
I look into his eyes and shrug.
"I'm sorry," I place my hand on the wooden table. "but I need to eat."
The frost spreads apple to apple, traveling toward the vendor. He goes to remove his hand from the surface, but too little too late; it's frozen to the table. He looks at me with fury festering in his forest-green eyes. I smile and turn away from him, walking back to my alley.
"Ya can't run!" I hear him scream. "We will find you,"
He doesn't need to say the last part. I know what he's thinking.
Monster.
My stomach grumbles as I toss the apple core away from me, watching it ricochet off of the dirty brick wall and land in a clump of sand. The sun begins to sink under the horizon and stars filter through the darkening sky. For a few silent seconds, it was peaceful.
"Frost,"
I lean my head against the wall behind me and sigh.
"Go away,"
His voice is sultry and dripping with darkness and his light accent stains my ears. I don't hear him approach, but his shadow looms ever closer. I finally move my eyes from the wall and meet his; his skin is gray with age and his eyes burn with the heat of his permanent smirk.
"After all these years," he looms over me as I get to my feet. "And not even a visit? Now is that how we repay our keeper?"
I stare at him in disbelief. I step around him and take my staff from its place against the wall.
"Don't hold yourself at such a respectable level, Kozmotis," I lean the staff over my shoulder and whirl around to glare at the tall man. He just laughs.
"There's that fire I love so much!" I go to retaliate. "Now... Frost, I've come with an offer."
"I don't want it."
"Why, you do not yet know what it is."
"Whatever you have to offer," I begin to leave the alley. "I do not want it."
I step into the street, trying my best to get away from him as quickly as I can. I hear quick hoofbeats in the back of my mind, but I don't pay any attention to it.
Cold arms slither around my torso and I'm lifted out of the street, roughly set down a few feet away, and I watch as a carriage trots past. I look down and see his withering arms around me; nausea claws up my throat but I just swallow it and try to disentangle myself from him.
"Get off of me!" he tightens his grip on me.
"I just saved your life, Frost," his breath is hot against my ear. "I think you owe me."
I stop struggling for a moment and I can practically feel his smug smirk. I place my pale hand on top of his gray one.
"Great! Now-" I frost his skin and stomp on his foot. His arms release me and I stumble away from him. I look back and see him blowing hot breath on his hand and shaking it; glaring at me with intense fire.
"I said no, Kozmotis." I turn from him and begin walking. My heart races with adrenaline and anxiety; my nerves running hot with relief. It's finally silent, and I take my time to enjoy the peace.
"I have food!"
I stop walking and turn slightly toward him. I know I shouldn't believe him; I know I shouldn't do this again. But my stomach roars with such fierce hunger, I can't ignore it.
"And shelter," he steps toward me and I ignore the dread that settles in my heart. "I just need something in return."
I close my eyes and hang my head for a moment. He stands there patiently; I can feel his dreadsome presence. I open my eyes and glance up at him.
"And what would that be, Pitch? What else is there that you haven't taken from me!?" my hands shake.
I feel his freezing, dead fingers embrace my chin and I flinch back. He tilts my head up and cradles my cheek. I open my eyes and stare into his with the most threatening force I could muster. My stomach grumbles with nausea but I just clench my fists and try my best to hold my ground.
"I need your frost, Jack," he smiles and I assume it's supposed to be reassuring; it's not. "And your ice."
"Oh, is that all?" I push him away from me and pick up my staff from the sand, where I dropped it when he saved my life; apparently.
"Oh, come on Frost!" I grit my teeth and step away from him, holding up my staff.
"Get away from me, Kozmotis!" I point it at him. He just laughs and holds up his hands.
"Are you forgetting something?" I furrow my eyebrows and falter for a second. "Who took you in when your parents abandoned you? Who took you in when everyone thought you were a monster? Hell, if you're pointing that... that thing at me, you must be a mons-"
"I'm not a monster!" I shout. Lightning bolts of frost jolt away from me and narrowly miss Kozmotis, hitting the brick wall behind him. Bricks clatter into the sand and I flinch when I see the smile on his face. He laughs.
"Hm... sure."
My eyes sting as I drop my staff.
"I'm... I'm not a monster," I whisper.
"Then prove it, Jack," he steps closer to me, leaning down to look into my eyes. "Help me."
I sigh in defeat, looking down at my boots.
"Fine."
SYNOPSIS: Jack goes back to the market and uses his frost to steal an apple from a vendor. Later on, he's sitting in his alley when an old friend makes an appearance. He offers Jack food and shelter if he can use Jack's frost and ice powers. Jack says no, but Kozmotis doesn't take no for an answer.
Thank you for reading, stay safe.