Disclaimer: DreamWorks owns RotG, not me.
Later that night, after Emma had been put to bed, Jack tried to organize what he knew about the strange people, and what it could mean.
All four of them were exotic, from far-away places. They must be very close to leave their homelands and come somewhere as mundane as Burgess. That, or they had some incredibly important mission they were all committed to, something they believed in very strongly.
They all knew something. Even Aster had had the look in his eyes, a deep knowledge, a wonderful secret. Whatever the secret was, it was important. Jack had seen the group slip-up a few times. Whatever it was that Sandy had 'said', and Aster's nickname had been accidents, something Jack wasn't supposed to see or hear.
The dish Sandy had offered. What was the point? Had it been an excuse to talk? Was he trying to endear his group to Jack? Was he planning to put something in the food? The offer had bothered Jack, more than he hoped he had let show.
Tiana's violet eyes. They were unnatural, and Jack wondered if anyone else had noticed. Out of all the things Jack wondered about, this was the least alarming thing about the four of them. The color of her eyes, which Jack had never seen on a human being, gave him hope. The group might not be bad, if they all tolerated her, assuming she was... different, and assuming they all knew.
Jack shook his head, too many guesses, not as much to work with as he would've liked. Jack stood up from his place in one of the kitchen chairs and stretched. Mrs. Overland might have more ideas, but he didn't want to worry her more than she already was with the simple presence of the group.
Beginning to pace, he wondered if inviting them all over was a crazy idea. It probably was, but then Mrs. Overland would be able to make her own assessment of the group. Besides, Emma might ask them all over anyways, if Jack got to it first it would reduce suspicion, even better if the two of them asked together... maybe. Which would be the least suspicious, a girl who obviously adored and was fascinated by the four travellers asking them over, the older boy who was distant, or the two of them together? Probably Emma alone, Jack conceded with defeat, but she might have to be regulated. She had a tendency to talk a lot.
Jack decided to ask at breakfast tomorrow, and headed for the room he and Emma shared, walking quietly so as not to wake her when he entered.
There was nothing to be seen. Everything was blank. At first, it had seemed like snow, the blankness of a canvas, ready to be used. But the longer he was there, the less that seemed so.
The white had faded to a gray, and what could be done in the dull grayness that was everywhere? Nothing, no one to talk to, or even a mouth to talk with, or- hang on, not even a body to move around in this fading place.
Fading?
The gray all around was darkening, becoming more of a black. And suddenly, it was black, and the emptiness was worse than before. Pressing in, oppressive, and the temperature was dropping. It was cold, very cold, freezing, and if there had been a body in the vast, dark expanse, its breath would surely have been visible, if one could see, that is.
It was empty, and lonely, and dark, and the darkness was bearing down on him (Who? There was nobody there), and there were all manner of creatures lurking about, and an indescribable panic filling his insides (But there were no people and no creatures. What was there to be afraid of?).
The cold seemed as entrapping as the darkness, and they fit together so well, why wasn't he helping?
Helping? Why would he help? He didn't like this, this strange void filled with nothingness and fear and pain, the chill tugging at him, and maybe he did have a body after all, and the shadows were coming to get him, he had to move, they were engulfing him and the hurt was inside him, helphelphelp-
A light.
A figure, emitting the light, of a thin boy. A second, of a young girl. A third, a small floating figure. A fourth, a fifth, a strange bunny, a large man. A sixth, a seventh, an eighth, and old man, a bird-woman, a girl clutching a book. Faster, faster. More figures, too many, with smiles, and it wasn't that dark anymore, each person emitting something that wasn't quite light, but more a feeling of light.
For a brief second, he was at the lake, with the snow reflecting the moonlight, a clear picture of the moon in the frozen lake, but the moon was full, and that wasn't right, was it?
But the lake exploded, the water grabbing him and becoming the darkness, which tugged him under, back to the oppressive emptiness.
And the people had turned away, angry and hateful, and there would be no help this time.
Jack rubbed the sleep out of his eyes, and glanced over at Emma. She was still asleep, which made sense, considering the sun wasn't quite up yet. Jack slid quietly out of bed, and got dressed for the day, straying away from the shadows and trying to stay near the moonlight streaming through the window, which was thankfully close to his side of the room, had been near his face when he woke up (And why was that? Sunlight that came through the window always hit Emma's side, and usually moonlight too. Why was it being different tonight?).
Jack tip-toed towards the kitchen, stumbling a little, and filled his flask. A quick walk would be in order before breakfast, Jack decided. Clear the nightmare (And that's all it was, not even close to reality) from his head.
Tying his cloak on and slipping shoes on his feet, Jack exited the house. He hesitated when he reached the fork in the path, though. Head for the town, or for the lake?
Dark water, filling him with loneliness and fear and-
Jack let his feet carry him towards the town.
As he approached, the first rays of sun were touching the rooftops, and there were early-birds setting up market stalls in the best spots. Jack inhaled, letting the crisp winter air fill his chest as he watched the people set up. The chill reminded him of his nightmare. He exhaled quickly.
Not paying attention to his surroundings, Jack nearly bumped into a tall figure.
"Whoops." he muttered, and moved, meaning to go around the figure to see if Mrs. Bennett had set up her stall yet. It would be nice to see a friendly face.
He felt a hand catch him by his cloak. "Hold up there, mate."
Jack froze, then turned around slowly. Please don't be-
Aster glared at him, arms crossed over his odd jacket. "What're you doin' up so early, huh?" He squinted at Jack suspiciously.
Jack frowned. "Just out for a walk, clear my head before the day." He tried for an innocent grin. "What about you? I got the impression you liked to sleep in."
Aster snorted. "Nah, I like to get up and see the life in the morning, before people disturb all the critters too much." He grumbled, shuffling his feet. "Or I would, if not for this moon forsaken cold."
Moon forsaken?
Jack frowned on the inside at the jab directed towards the temperature, but kept the grin on his face. If the Overland's did invite the foreigners over, being friendly now would make the offer more genuine.
Aster grunted, and pulled his jacket closer to himself, trying to trap body heat inside, probably. "At least the sun looks nice against the snow," he said, looking skyward. "The one good thing about this season."
"Oh, I'm sure there are lots of good things about winter that you just haven't discovered yet!" Jack said brightly, before smirking at the tanned man. "Like shoving snow down people's backs." He bent down as though to scoop up some snow.
Aster quickly backed up, saying, "Ah, no mate. I have to..." he glanced around, searching for an escape. "Wake the others!" Aster ran off in the direction of the Inn, desperate to get away from the boy.
Jack laughed softly, then, realizing that he should head back if he didn't want to worry Emma and Mrs. Overland, turned and walked back down the path.
Mrs. Overland had been worried to wake up and find that Jack had been gone. She had started to get breakfast ready, concealing her worry when Emma entered the room. She had been vastly relieved when Jack had walked in, dusting snow off his cloak.
"Sorry," he said casually as he slipped his shoes off. "It looked nice out, so I went for a quick walk."
Mrs. Overland smiled at him. "No worries," she said, though she most definitely had been worried. "You're back now, just in time for breakfast."
The meal of toast was silent, as Emma, who normally did most of the talking, was still half-asleep. Jack tapped his fingers on the table as he ate, trying to figure out the best way to ask if the travellers could visit. Jack himself was still unsure of whether or not to ask, the potentially-dangerous strangers would know where he lived, who was close to him, and what sort of life he lived, just by coming to the house. He chewed his toast slowly; to ask, or not to ask.
Deciding getting Mrs. Overland's opinion on them was the most crucial, he cleared his throat. "I was wondering," he said, gaining the attention of Mrs. Overland and a waking-up Emma, "If we should invite that group that Emma and I had lunch with the other day over."
He looked up, noting the shock, and a hint of fear, on Mrs. Overland's face. "To pay them back for lunch, of course." He added hastily, making eye-contact with her, trying to convey his motive without Emma knowing. I want your opinion. How bad do you think it could get?
That jerked Emma into wakefulness. She clapped her hands, squeaking, "That would be fun! I want you to meet them, mom, please?"
Mrs. Overland looked between the two, Emma's pleading face, and Jack's strangely serious one. "Alright." She said out loud, her eyes telling Jack that she hoped he knew what he was doing.
Jack smiled reassuringly, more at ease knowing he wouldn't be so alone with the problem anymore.
A/N: So, I'm trying to make the chapters a little longer (tell me if you prefer them that way), but no promises that it'll be a regular thing. So, reviews!
Guest: Thanks, and here you go!
The purple hippocampus: Thanks for the reassurance, I hope this is less cliff-hanger-y. Secrets? Oh, I'm just getting warmed up ;) *suspenseful music plays*
Guest: (maybe use a name so you know which reply is for you, though I'm sure you'd know) Yes, well, Out of all of them, Jack and Sandy would be the best at keeping secrets, though Jack's a little too paranoid to try as hard as he should right now, and the others are giving Sandy's secrets away, the dummies.
I'd love to hear what you think, so drop a review and feel free to criticize, it helps me expand my abilities as a writer! (Keep the criticism constructive though, flames are too hot for Jack!)
Until next time!