Disclaimer: DreamWorks owns RotG, not me.

Jack had been wandering in a random direction for about an hour when the feeling of being watched returned. Aware of who was watching him now he took off as fast as he could, shoes scuffing against the dirt road that was (sort of) clear of snow. He gripped his staff tighter, in case he didn't manage to get away and needed to defend himself.

And he was so sure he'd lost them in Grusiri.

Realizing that staying on the path was counter-productive, since he could be easily tracked, he darted off into the trees that surrounded the path (He conveniently forgot the imprints his feet left in the snow- or rather, should leave...). When the eyes he felt at his back vanished, or at least lessened, he slowed long enough to swing himself onto the branch of a tree, knowing that most people rarely bothered to look up. He scrambled up a few branches more to better hide himself before moving from tree to tree using the branches. He was lucky most of his clothes- and his hair- were brown. In any other season the bleak color might stand out amongst bright leaves, but in winter, with the all the leaves fallen and buried under snow, it helped him blend in.

He moved as silently as possible, even if it slowed his progress. He avoided branches that were sturdy enough to hold his weight, but would have shook and rattled and made far too much noise. In the haze of panic and trying to get away from those eyes, from those people, he reached the edge of the forest. It wasn't where he'd come in, but that was okay. All he had to do was get away.

Just as he was about to swing himself down from the branches of a particularly large tree, he heard voices. Jack quickly perched atop one of the thickest branches and covered as much of himself as he could with his cloak, hoping to camouflage himself from them.

"…gotta stop losin' 'im."

"Sandy! What you mean, 'are too loud'?"

"He probably left the woods by now. Sandy and I could do a quick air scan; maybe see which way he went?"

"That'd be a fine idea sheila, but the emergency disguise went to Sandy, so unless ya both wanna have ta head back ta Santoff Claussen when you're done…"

'"I guess you're right…"

By this point, the voices had just passed under Jack, and he was certain he'd be able to duck back into the woods and maybe finally, finally, lose the foreigners. He worriedly stored away the information he'd just heard. How would Sandy and Tiana do an air scan? What did they mean; Sandy used the 'emergency disguise'? Were they all from this Santoff Claussen place? Shaking the thoughts away (as soon as he got away he wouldn't have to deal with them, there was no need for such things to drag him down…hopefully), he shifted slightly on the branch, getting ready to creep back into the woods and make his getaway.

The branch knocked against a smaller branch, and a few twigs fell free.

"What was that?"

"Probably bird, is nothing."

"Sandy's right, there shouldn't be a bird 'round here this time of year."

Jack froze. He tried to even out his breathing, but he couldn't seem to get enough air. Please keep moving, please keep moving…

"I'll check it out!"

Hearing light footsteps followed by the branches movement signified Tiana was climbing up the tree. She might not reach the high branch where Jack was, but he didn't want to take that chance.

Jack straightened abruptly from his crouched position, and, ignoring the surprised sounds from beneath the branches, he swung himself to a lower branch, resuming his earlier pattern of hopping between trees. He was going faster than before, not checking to see if the branches would hold his weight, but he could hear Aster, Sandy, Nick, and Tiana gaining on him. Of course they're gaining, he scolded himself. They know where you are and they aren't trying to stay in the trees!

Taking a risky gamble, the teen grabbed one of the worn shoes off his foot in between boughs. His movement stuttered when he landed on the next branch, and he nearly toppled off. Regaining his balance, Jack turned around and blindly threw his shoe in the direction of the people currently crashing around the forest. The sound of someone yelling "Hey!", and then a pause urged him forwards, knowing he had only bought a few seconds.

Staying in the trees was actually easier now that he'd gotten rid of his shoe, even if the rough bark bit into his skin. Deciding that throwing his other shoe was a good idea, the brunet paused for a second to slip off his remaining shoe. Tossing that one at the group as well, he continued onward more confidently.

Suddenly, an object went whizzing past him. It took Jack a few moments to realize it was the same shoe he'd ditched a minute ago. Time to take it up a notch, he thought.

Flipping the shepherd's staff so the hook faced up, he used it to pull himself to the higher branches, which were more unsteady but they made him less of a target. Jack went faster, not even looking at the branches he was leaping to, using his staff to catch himself whenever he stumbled. The teen slowly stopped listening for following footsteps. He'd never been this high up before, and it was amazing! Sure, he'd climbed trees before, but never this high, never darting between branches this fast. It was almost like he was flying, and it was absolutely exhilarating.

Wait.

Jack stopped suddenly on the branch he was currently on, his momentum almost carrying him off the tree. Maybe he should get down. A small voice at the back of his head urged him forward, this was a fun game, he should go higher, faster! He gripped his staff tighter and shoved the voice away, terrified of where it came from. He maneuvered himself down a few branches, deciding that it wasn't a good idea to stay up high if that voice enjoyed it.

"There 'e is!"

Jack's other shoes came hurtling toward him, and he automatically ducked so that it flew over his head. However, to duck, Jack had to let go of one of the branches he was using for support, and his sudden downwards movement caused him to pitch forwards. Waving his staff wildly to try and get the crook to catch on something, Jack fell off the branch, cloak snagging on branches as he passed them.

With a groan, he smacked into a pile of snow at the bottom of the tree. He popped up quickly, but stumbled, a wave of dizziness coming over him. "I think I'd rather have been hit by the shoe," he mumbled, struggling to remain standing. He put a hand to his head and leaned against the trunk of the tree.

"Got ya!"

Heart racing at how close the voice sounded, Jack pushed himself off the tree and started running in the opposite direction. Instead of getting away, he ran into a bush, bare twigs scraping against his skin and pulling at his clothes. Pulling himself out of the bush, he did his best to shake off the dizziness and escape.

"I don't think so, mate."

It was Aster, his figure tall and imposing. Jack turned to try a different way, but Nick stepped out from between some trees, looking very pleased at having caught Jack at last. Stepping away from both of them, Jack nearly ran into Tiana, who had appeared behind him. Scrambling away from the three of them, the panicked teen fell over Sandy, who looked as though he'd been standing there the whole time.

Jack was trapped, the area too small for him to get away without one of them catching him first.

"We have found you!" Nick said jubilantly. "You are very tricky, always hiding in trees."

Not tricky enough, it seems, Jack though gloomily. Unless…

Jack turned to face Tiana. She wasn't as tall as Jack, and she was skinnier than her companions, so if he could slip past anyone it would be her.

"Watch out, To- Tiana. 'Es gonna rush ya." Aster shifted behind Jack, ready to jump forward and catch the teen if he tried anything.

Jack tensed up, and then bolted at Tiana. She spread her arms, doing her best to block his path. Aster hopped forwards and was about to catch the sneaky teen, when Jack abruptly changed directions, running at Sandy and pushing past the small man.

"After him!" Nick hollered, already charging forwards himself.

Jack sprinted, knowing it was useless, he had a stitch in his side already, and that fall hadn't done him any favors. He ran anyway, knowing he at least had to try. He would not be captured by these people; he'd worked too hard to evade them to be caught now.

With those thoughts in mind, Jack managed to put on a burst of speed, weaving fluidly around trees. It seemed to have payed off, for he couldn't hear the sound of feet hitting the forest floor anymore, nor could he hear the crunch of snow. Jack slowed and came to a stop, gasping out a short, disbelieving laugh. He'd gotten away.

"I don't think so," A distinctly accented voice said menacingly.

As Jack whirled around, his vision was filled with the red color of poisonous berries, and he was encased in coarse red fabric. There was a chuckle, a sharp pain in his head, and the red faded into black as he lost consciousness.

A/N: Hey, so it's almost been a month, huh? The only thing I've been able to use my computer for since I last updated was projects, I swear. But with winter break here, I hope I'll have the time and inspiration to write a lot (I did try to write once or twice, but I'm struggling with some serious writer's block). Righto, to the reviews!

Melancholy's Sunshine: I'm glad it cleared things up!

WinterCrystal1009: tbh I didn't expect to like Mrs. Overland as much as I do.

IReviewThings: Pitch may or may not have a hand or two in causing the War.

MagicWarriorDragon: I don't think it'll ever be directly answered, so I'll tell you his name is Frost. I had to figure out how to make things fit somehow :P

Fun Filled Frost: Jack has such a good loyalty model.

KorrieChan: I'm glad you liked it! Sorry for not managing to update sooner :/

The purple hippocampus: Actually, the fate of Mr. Overland was briefly mentioned in chapter fifteen, but I'll recap since I don't plan on going back to it. He was driven mad (supposedly by fay) and ran off, assumed dead. I'm only just realizing how unpleasant that is.

I'm the lonely life: Contrary to popular belief, I'm alive! No, Jack is definitely fey, and see the above response for Mr. Overland's fate. Yeah, Jack was conditioned to hate/be afraid of fey (by the community, not by Mrs. Overland).

HikariCruz: I made his fey name Frost because... cause... why not?

KitoH: Someone call for an update? Glad you've enjoyed the story!

Quick question before I leave: does anyone mind if i start only replying to reviews that I feel need replying to (such as ones with questions)? I feel like I'm letting people down by having a long A/N when they expected more story.

Anyways, thanks for sticking with this story even when I don't update or meet expectations, and thanks for the favorites, reviews, and follows!

I hope you have a joyful Christmas, a lovely Kwanzaa, and had a cheerful Hanukkah!

Until next time!