Here you all go! The beginning of Jack's Guardianship. Enjoy! And be sure to leave your comments!
It was eight o'clock at night when Jack made it to Flagstaff, Arizona. He located the one-story home he was searching for and found Krystall's room at the front of the house.
The girl was sleeping.
He wasn't too sure if it would wake her, he wasn't planning on doing so, but Jack wanted to leave her a sign that he got her letter and was there for her, even at this hour.
He created a snowflake that traveled through the closed window, floating over to the girl's nose and touching it, turning into a particle of magical swirls. Jack even decided to give her a little snow inside her bedroom.
Krystall stirred in her sleep and pulled her covers closer to her face.
Jack chuckled. "I just need you to know, kiddo," he said aloud to himself.
The girl turned, seemingly noticing it was cold instead of warm in her bedroom. The covers weren't doing her any favors.
She awoke, curious on the temperature change.
That's when she noticed the light snowfall right in her very own room. She smiled widely at that.
Jack knocked lightly on the window.
When she saw him, she was scared, but when he formed a snowflake in his hand, her smile returned.
He smiled back, then pointed to the lock on her window.
Krystall walked quickly and giddily to the window and unlatched it.
She wasn't strong or tall enough to completely open the window, so Jack pushed it upward himself. Once he was in, he reclosed the window.
"You can make snow," Krystall asked, excitedly?
"I sure can," he answered. Then with a sad face, said, "Santa showed me the letter you sent him."
He laid a reassuring hand on her shoulder, "I'm going to be your Guardian."
"My Guardian?"
His face returned to a positive look as he responded, "A Guardian is someone that watches over another and protects them. So I'm going to do more than just bring you snow to hide in."
"Are you going to tell daddy to stop being mean?"
He sighed, "I wish I could. But adults can't see me."
"How come?"
"They have to believe in me in order to see me."
"Oh, okay."
Jack could see that she was saddened by that, so he told her, "But don't worry, I'll protect you as best as I can. Okay?"
"Okay."
"Santa told me to stay with as long as you need me. But I would have to leave occasionally to run errands and such, so the other Guardians will watch over you until I return."
"Who are the other Guardians, and what's your name?"
"My name is Jack Frost," he said, pointing to himself and bowing his head slightly to the side in a greeting manner.
"There are four other Guardians. You have Santa," the mention of North's other given name got an ear to ear smile from Krystall, "You have the Easter Bunny, the Tooth Fairy, and Sandman."
"Who is Sandman," she asked, curiously?
"He's the bringer of sweet dreams."
"He's the reason I don't get that many nightmares?"
That concerned Jack, "He is the reason, but have you been having nightmares?"
"Yes."
"About what," he asked?
"About daddy hurting us and even killing mommy."
Jack was in shock and disbelief that she was having those types of nightmares. "I'm so sorry you have to be in the middle of your parents' fights and abuses.
"But I'm here now, and everything's going to be all right," he took her hand in reassurance. In his mind, though, he thought, I hope.
"Do you have trouble sleeping," he then asked?
"Sometimes," she answered softly, her face sad.
"What were your dreams like before I woke you?" Jack led Krystall back to her bed, tucking her in.
"They were good."
"That's a relief to hear." Ruffling up her hair then kneeling next to her bed, he asked, "You think you could have more of those good dreams tonight."
She nodded, then said, "It stopped snowing."
"Don't want the floor to get too wet. And I don't want you to catch a cold." He smiled a big smile as he added, "We can have a snow day tomorrow."
Krystall smiled that same smile, "Promise?"
He chuckled, forming an invisible X over his heart with his right index finger, "Promise."
Jack straightened up and began to walk toward her bedroom door as he told her, "I'll be right back. I'm just going to check up on your parents."
With a smile and pointing a finger, he said, "You better be asleep when I get back."
"Can I wait until you come back," she pleaded?
Jack walked back over to her, laying a hand atop her own, "I won't be long, I promise. Just try to get back to sleep. I'll still be here when you wake in the morning."
She nodded reluctantly, then asked, "where are you going to sleep?"
"On the floor," he responded, looking at what spot he can take up.
"I have a beanbag chair," she pointed to the wall opposite of her.
Looking in that direction, he saw the pink beanbag chair and said, "That'll work."
Jack turned back to Krystall, "Now, get some sleep." With that, he carefully opened the door. It creaked some, and he stopped, making sure no one heard, before stepping out into the hall.
Jack heard a low volume TV and went in the direction of the sound.
He got to the living room that curved to the right of the hallway.
No lights were on, so he had to step closer to see who was there.
It was the dad. He seemed to be engrossed in some fictional war show.
"Hm, so you like shows about people hurting people." He rolled his eyes, then sarcastically added, "Fits you."
Jack proceeded to check up on the mom.
He found that this was a two-bedroom home, so it made it easier to find the master bedroom. This room was on the other side of the house, away from Krystall's.
He opened the door, only slightly and peeked in, he saw the girl's mom sleeping form facing the door.
Though there wasn't much light, he was able to see a bandage on the left side of her forehead.
"Why don't you divorce and leave that monster? Don't you realize that you're not only putting your life endanger but putting your daughter's at risk as well by staying here?"
How he wished the woman could hear him and do the right thing by calling the police.
He closed the door and headed back to Krystall's room.
To his relief, the little girl was fast asleep.
Jack was feeling tired himself, and gently and quietly sat down on the beanbag chair for some much-needed rest.