Chapter Nine:
Jack is having another fight with Issac. It's the fourth one this week. Wesley and I huddle together in the next room over. We've pretty much moved into the old building now so that's where we are. Ben is eating on the other side of the room.
"You guys need to relax. Especially you Wesley, I mean you know they fight all the time, it's nothing new," Ben crunches on a cheeto. "Eat something, it'll make you feel better," he encourages. We shake our heads. "Suite yourself," Ben shrugs and grabs another handful.
"Pig," Wesley whispers. I giggle. "Let's go explore," he suggests.
"We've already been all over this house," I point out.
"Aww, come on Elley," he begs. The shouts in the other room get louder and I flinch. "Please," Wesley gives me his best puppy dog eyes.
"Oaky, let's go," I take his hand and we leave the room. Wesley leads me away from his brother and Issac. The floor boards creek and a wind blows through the multiple holes in the walls. Winter is fast approaching and we've been pressured to take more clothes and blankets. So far no one has noticed how every time we leave a store, they're missing several items of importance.
"What's gonna happen if we get caught stealing stuff?" I ask.
"I suppose we'll get into trouble," Wesley shrugs. "We won't get caught though. Don't worry about it. Jack will look out for us." I glance behind us where I know they're still arguing. "Wait," Wesley grabs my arm and holds me back.
I freeze. My heart pounds and my palms sweat. I don't see anything out of the ordinary, but being on the street has taught me to be cautious.
"Did you hear that?" Wesley whispers. I shake my head, too scared to talk. "It can't be," he gasps. I'm really getting scared now. I wish I was back with Jack, arguing or not.
"What is it?" my voice comes out like a sob instead of a question. Wesley gives me a sideways glance. He grins and I feel myself relax just slightly.
"It's Jack Frost of course!" he exclaims.
"Who's that?" I ask still weary of this stranger.
"He's the spirit of winter. He's the one who makes it snow and get icy," Wesley explains. I gape at him.
"Really?" I ask. He nods earnestly.
"Yes! Without him it would always be summer." I accept everything he says without doubt. Nobody had explained it to me before now.
"That's so cool," I breath. "Is he here now?" I look around for the magical man that brings winter.
"I think I scared him off," Wesley says apologetically. I hide my disappointment with a shrug.
"Maybe next time, I mean it's not winter yet so he has to come back," I point out. Wesley nods.
"After him it's Santa Clause!" I look at him in confusion.
"Who's Santa Clause?" I ask. Wesley looks shocked that I don't know who Santa Clause is.
"You seriously don't know who Santa Clause is?" he raises his eyebrows in disbelief. His brown eyes are troubled. I nod feeling slightly embarrassed. "He's the one who brings us presents on Christmas," Wesley exclaims.
"What presents?" I wonder. Wesley just stars at me like I've grown another head. "I was just wondering," I mutter.
"You don't get presents on Christmas?"he gasps. I shake my head. "Didn't your parents give you any?"I shake my head again. "Nothing?" he doesn't seem to be able to comprehend that I've never gotten a Christmas present before. I'm not even sure what Christmas is to be honest.
"Nothing," I state.
"Woah," Wesley breaths. "What about the Easter Bunny?"
"Nope."
"Tooth Fairy?"
"Never."
"Do even know what fairies are?"
"Nuh huh," I shake my head yet again.
"Well we've got to fix that!" Wesley exclaims. He grabs my hand and drags me into one of the other rooms. It's even darker in here and the air is cold. We crouch in one of the corners and Wesley pulls out a flashlight and places it on the floor so the beam of light is facing us and casts our shadows on the wall.
"What are we doing?" I ask.
"I'm gonna educate you in fairy lore. I'll tell you all the fairy tales I know," Wesley says. Immediately he jumps into a fantastic tale about several different fairy tale characters. Jack Frost, Santa Clause, Red Riding Hood, Cinderella, the Tooth Fairy, Sandman, Rumplestiltskin, and Snow White were just a few of them. He moves his hands as he talks and makes shadow puppets on the wall behind us. I stare at him intently and take in everything he says. When I was with my parents they never took the time to tell me stories or explain things to me. This was completely new.
Wesley continues to talk until his words are interrupted by yawns. My eyes droop as he talks and soon I'm struggling to stay awake.
The door creeks open and we jump up in surprise. Luckily it's just Jack. "You guys still up?" he seems surprised.
"Wesley was telling me stories," I say excitedly. Jack smiles at us fondly. I run over and give him a hug. "Can we celebrate Christmas? I want to meet Santa!"
"Of course we can!" Jack exclaims. Wesley cheers and we hug each other. "Now it's off to bed. It's way past your bedtime," Jack shoes us up the stairs to our room.
*A Few Weeks Later*
"Elley wake up!" Wesley shakes my shoulders until I open my eyes. I blink the sleep from them and look around in confusion.
"What is it?" I yawn.
"It's Christmas!" Wesley exclaims. I'm instantly awake. We grin at each other, big wide smiles that showed off all of our teeth. We jump out of our beds and race out of the room we share. Issac and Ben are in the room next to us so we run in and jump on their beds.
"Wake up Ben," I cry in delight. His eyes open and he grumbles. "It's Christmas!" Ben sits up at this. His blonde hair is ruffled from sleep and he has bags under his eyes, but he's smiling.
"Let's go! Come on Issac," Ben throws a pillow and hits Issac in the head. He moans and turns over in his bed. Wesley jumps up and down on the end of his bed, but Issac ignores him. Ben rolls out of bed and walks over to him. He motions with his head for Wesley to get down and Wesley does.
Ben grips the end of the bed and heaves it into the air. "Earthquake," he shouts as he drops the bed. It lands with a loud thunk and Issac shoots up in the air.
"What the Hell was that for?" he glares at Ben.
"Come on dude. It's Christmas," Ben smiles. It takes a moment for Issac to comprehend what Ben said then he smiles and jumps out of bed.
"Let's get Jack," he leads the way out of the room. They walk in a single file line down the hall to Jack's bedroom. Issac leads, Wesley follows, I walk behind Wesley, and Ben brings up the rear.
We open the door as quietly as we can and peak in. Jack is curled up in his bed and snoring loudly. "On the count of three run and jump onto his bed," Issac whispers. We nod. Issac holds up one finger, then another. He glances at us before holding up his third finger. We race into the room like a couple of maniacs.
"Wake up Jack," we scream as we jump on the bed. Jack gasps and his eyes fly open. He smiles as we jump around on his bed and crawl over him. Even Issac and Ben are acting like little kids.
"Good morning to ya'll too," Jack laughs.
"It's Christmas!" I shout excitedly. It's the only thing I can think to say. It's actually the only thing I can think. It's Christmas!
"Where are the presents?" Wesley demands. Issac and Ben nod.
"Santa!" I squeal. Jack smiles at me.
"If you go downstairs I think you'll find some very interesting things. Santa has good taste," Jack smiles knowingly. Wesley and I exchange a look before charging towards the stairs. Issac and Ben are hot on our heels as we take them two at a time. Jack follows more slowly.
When we get downstairs we stop in shock. The whole bottom floor has been completely transformed. There's a tree in the living room. It's small and patchy, but I still think it's beautiful. It has lights and ornaments strung on it. Some of the ornaments are broken and the lights aren't on because there's no electricity, but they still twinkle in the morning light.
Banners and streams hang from the ceiling, all of them red and green. There are pictures of reindeer and snowmen on the walls. Cut out snowflakes hang on thin thread and spin as we pass them. It's like I've stepped into a new holiday world.
The house went from being old, ugly, and bare to being bright and lively. There are colors everywhere and all the holes have been patched up so it feels warm and cheery. Under the tree there's a pile of presents too!
Together Wesley and I dive for them. We divide them into five piles before opening them. Issac and Ben find their presents when they enter and Jack takes the last pile.
We open them together. Every once in a while we show off one our gifts so the others can ohh and awww, but then we go back to unwrapping more. Wesley proudly shows off a new race car and a dark brown sweater. Issac and Ben model dark camouflage jackets and then show their new playing cards. Jack is left speechless when he opens the new digital camera and photo album we had picked up for him.
"Now you have a way to remember all of our adventures," Wesley grins. Jack gives his little brother a hug that we all join.
I show off my new possessions when we pull away. A soft blue jacket with matching gloves, a fluffy stuffed bear, and, my personal favorite, a printed version of every fairytale Wesley had told me.
"This was the best Christmas ever!" I sigh.
"It's not over yet," Ben says. I raise my eyebrows in confusion. "Time for Christmas carols!"
Jack leans his head back and starts belting out "Jingle Bells." Ben joins in, but Issac and Wesley just roll their eyes. I laugh as Jack and Ben start dancing. The movements make them sound even more off key and Issac groans.
"Please stop," Wesley clamps his hands over his ears. Jack and Ben only sing louder and I even join in when I stop laughing. Begrudgingly Issac and Wesley join in.
Pretty soon we're all dancing and singing at the top of our lungs. When we can't breathe anymore we collapse in a bundle on the floor and struggle to regain our breath.
*Three Years Later*
It's warmer outside than it has been for months. The sun shines down on my back and warms me through my thick sweater and scarf. Wesley, Jack, and I are making a trip to the grocery store for much needed refreshments.
We always go to the grocery store on the poorer side of town. They're so focused on gangs that they don't notice when a few kids fill their pockets with food they haven't paid for.
The alleyways here are dark and foreboding. My hand grips Wesley's out of nerves. He gives my hand a squeeze and we keep walking. A door slams next to me and I gasp. Jack glances back to make sure we're okay then ushers us forward. I can tell Wesley is nervous too, but he's trying to hide it. None of us like coming here, but groceries are a necessity.
"Are we almost there?" I ask even though I know the store isn't for a few more blocks. I don't know why I asked, maybe I just want to hear another human's voice.
"Not yet," Jack answers. I sigh.
"Just imagine you're Red Riding Hood delivering food to your grandma. You have to walk through the dark forest to get to her house," Wesley whispers. I nod. The world around me transforms from the dark city to the dark forest.
Every building becomes a tree, every dumpster a bush. The hard sidewalk we travel over transforms into soft green grass. Instead of gripping Wesley's hand, I'm holding on to my basket of food. The imagined sights ease me at first. Then I see the wolf.
My little world is shattered and I'm brought back into reality. Unfortunately the wolf is brought back too. He's big. Like really big. He's got sun burnt skin and close cut hair with a cigar sticking out of his mouth.
The man is leaning up against the wall down an alley as we pass. His tiny, beetle-like eyes watch us as we walk by. I pray he'll stay there, but then I hear his footsteps behind us and know that he didn't. My hand grips Wesley's so hard I feel my fingernails cut into his skin. He winces and gives me a sideways glance. I flick my eyes behind us and he throws a look behind his shoulder.
"Um Jack," Wesley says. His voice is laced with nerves and my fingernails cut deeper. Jack glances back, his face full of curiosity. We nod our heads backwards and he glances behind us. Immediately his eyes go dark and he frowns.
"Just keep walking," he whispers. We obediently follow his lead. Still the man follows.
"Hey," the man's voice is rough and raspy. I feel the hair on the back of my neck prickle and I step closer to Wesley. Jack ignores the man and drags us forward with him. "Hey I'm talking to you!"
"Get in front of me," Jack orders. Wesley pulls me up in front of Jack with him. I'm struggling for air and my vision blurs. My heart beats frantically and my palms sweat into Wesley's hand.
"Oh come on. Don't be a few little cowards. I just wanna talk," the man calls.
"Don't look back, just keep going," Jack snaps. I bite my lip and focus in front of me to resist the urge to look back.
Suddenly something thuds next to me. I jump and stumble against Wesley. He catches me and helps me regain my balance. In that short pause the man reaches us.
"Hey guys," he smiles revealing yellow rotting teeth. Jack stands stiff next to us. Wesley squeezes my hand just as hard as I'm squeezing his.
"Leave us alone," Jack glares at him.
"Oh come on buddy. I just wanna know what's going on. Have you guys got any cash? Maybe some beer or coce?" he moves his arm to put it around Jack's shoulders. Jack catches his arm and pushes it away. The man narrows his eyes. "What's the matter bub?"
"Go home you two," Jack glances at us. Wesley starts to pull me around the man, but he steps in the way.
"Don't go yet. The party's just getting started. Let's go have some fun," he leans down towards us. The pungent smell of alcohol and smoke fill my nose and I just keep myself from gagging. Wesley and I back up but he moves forward.
"Stay awhile. The more the merrier!" His eyes are glazed and he sways dangerously as he waves his arms. "Specialy the purty little gurly," he reaches out one sweaty hand towards me and my blood freezes. I want to run, but I'm frozen. All I can do is continue to cut off the circulation to Wesley's hand.
Jack grabs his arm and jerks him away from me. "Don't you dare touch her," he exclaims. The man stumbles backwards and his face looks shocked. Wesley jerks me away while he's falling, out of distance of his arms. When he regains his balance he glares at Jack.
"You can't tell me what to do," he snaps.
"Just get out of the way," Jack glares right back at him.
"You can't tell me what to do," he repeats. Something flickers at the edge of my vision and I glance around. My throat goes dry. There are people all around us, hiding unnoticed in the shadows. They creep forward as the man grumbles and mumbles.
"Wesley," I choke. He glances around and his face goes pale.
"Jack. We need to go," he calls. Jack's eyes dart around in shock.
"If you let us go now, nobody will get hurt and we can just forget about the whole thing," Jack says stiffly. I notice a bead of sweat roll down his face. The man smiles.
"Too late now." He takes out his cigar and blows some smoke right into Jack's face. The fear fades away from Jack's face. It is replaced by a burning rage. The man laughs and glances at some of his friends that have gathered around him. While he's distracted Jack reels back his arm and punches him right in the face.
Wesley and I gasp and the other people freeze. The man falls backwards and lands on his butt. He looks confused for a moment. Blinking his eyes a look of understanding floods over his face.
"You little," he grumbles. Before he can get up Jack hits him again. "Help," the man gasps. His friends charge into the fight without hesitation.
Jack is surrounded by people. I watch in horror as one of them draws a knife. They lunge at him and Jack ducks under the blade and tackles their legs. They fall over just as the others join the fight. Jack is lost in a tangle of legs and arms.
"Jack," Wesley calls. He steps forward as if to join the fight, but I hold him back.
"Wesley," Jack's head appears. "Take Elizabeth back. Get home safely," he cries as he throws someone off of him and kicks another person's head. Wesley grits his teeth and hesitates to leave.
"Wesley," I whimper. I don't like this. The fight is brutal and I don't want to see Jack get hurt. Maybe if I leave I'll just forget about it and I can pass it off as my imagination. Maybe then Jack will be okay. Maybe.
Wesley looks back at me, then at his brother. He sighs. "Come on," he starts running. There are more people coming. One of them steps in front of us. Wesley kicks him in between the legs and the man goes down.
"We've got to get Ben and Issac," he says. "They'll help Jack." I don't say anything, I just run. I keep thinking of Jack going down beneath the men. He's only one boy against lots of older men. How could he win? I immediately regret dragging Wesley away from him. Jack needed help.
As we round a corner a gunshot rings through the air. We freeze. Wesley's hand goes cold in mine. "No," he breaths. Above us thunder rumbles as clouds begin to fill the sky. They creep over the sun and cast us in shadows. It reminds me of the fairytales Wesley tells me. Every time something bad happens it's storming. My stomach flips. Oh no.
I look at Wesley. His eyes are wide and filled with fear. "Jack," he turns to look at me. "I have to go back."
"I'm coming with you," I state. He doesn't argue. We turn around and race back the way we came.
People are disappearing inside the buildings to escape the rain that's starting to fall. It's cold and wet and lands with heavy plods that seem to echo in my head like the gunshot. Already the fight scene has been emptied by everyone, except one form strewn across the ground. We pause before approaching.
The rain runs cold fingers down my back, but that not why I'm shivering. Salty tears collide with raindrops and splash my cheeks. I can feel myself shaking. I want to be miles away, I want to be anywhere but here.
"W-Wesley," I stutter. He offers me no comfort. I can see the look in his eyes. He's just as scared as I am.
Together we walk forward and kneel next to the body. They're laying on their chest, but the blonde hair is unmistakably Jack's. Wesley lets go of my hand and pushes him over so that he's on his back.
Jack's eyes are open, but they see nothing. Blood is flowing from a wound on his chest. It stains his clothes and creates a small pool on the sidewalk. A little stream drips out of his mouth and paints his cheeks. He's perfectly still. No breath disturbs the air and no heart beat moves his chest.
For a moment we're still. Then I break loose. "Jack," I sob. I fall on his chest and bury my head in his jacket. "Jack," I scream, my voice muffled by the cloth. My hands grip at his clothes and my face rubs his chest.
His body is already cold from death and from rain. The chill seems to flow out of him and into my own body. I welcome it as a way to be closer to Jack.
"Elizabeth," Wesley's voice is calm. It's the first time he's used my full name and I manage to turn and look at him. No tears have fallen and his face is unreadable. "We need to go. It's not safe to stay in the streets." He starts to stand up but I put my head back down.
"I'm not leaving him," I sob.
"Elizabeth," his voice sounds irritated. Doesn't he care? This is his brother!
"No," I snap. He sighs.
"Have it your way." I can feel his arms around me and he starts to pull me away.
"No," I scream and grab at Jack's body. "Jack, Jack," I kick at Wesley and try to break free. Wesley holds me with a strength beyond his years. I can feel the strain in his arms as he drags me away.
I finally stop fighting after I lose sight of Jack's body. Wesley lets me walk on my own. He attempts to hold my hand again, but I don't let him.
*At the House*
"Jack's dead," Wesley's voice is cold and stiff when he tells Issac and Ben.
There's a moment's hesitation before they start to talk. "What?" Issac demands. His eyes are wide and he looks shocked. Ben just gapes at us.
"Jack's dead," Wesley repeats.
"How, when?" Ben asks. His voice comes out like bursts of wind through a hole in the wall. Wesley begins to tell them the story, but I don't want to listen. I turn and leave.
Without paying attention to where I'm going I wander down the halls. My feet take me to Jack's room and I enter without hesitation. It looks just how it did when we left this morning. His bed is made, there's a book on the nightstand along with a candle and an empty bottle of water, and the photo album is sitting on a small table in the corner.
I walk over and pick it up. Deciding not to sit on the bed I settle down on the floor and open it.
The first picture is of everyone, but Jack. Issac and Ben have Wesley and me on their backs and are standing in front of our first Christmas tree. We're each smiling and look genuinely happy.
Below that is a picture of Jack and Wesley. Jack is holding Wesley like a groom would hold his bride and they're both laughing. Next is a picture of Issac and Ben trying to act like tough guys.
After that comes a picture of Wesley and me. We're cheesin in front of a big jacked up truck in the parking lot of some store. Then it's just a picture of me doing a fishey face. Jack is in the background making some insane face.
A tear lands on the page and I gasp in surprise. Up until then I hadn't realized I was crying. Sure enough my cheeks are already stained with tears.
I continue to flip through the book. It's a picture of my snowman. I have my giant toboggan on in the background. I always hated that toboggan and I never wanted to wear it, but Jack always made me put it on so I wouldn't get cold.
"I'm sorry for arguing about it," I whisper as another tear stains the page.
"Are you okay?" the voice shocks me and I scream in surprise. It's only Wesley peaking through the door.
I'm tempted to just nod and send him away, but I stop. "No," I sniffle. Wesley walks in and hugs me. "Why did he have to die?" I cry into his hug.
"He was protecting us. He did what he had to," Wesley shrugs.
I pull away and look at him in disgust. "Don't you even care? He's your brother!" Wesley looks shocked.
"Of course I care! I loved Jack more than any of you all. But now I've got to be strong because now I've got to look after you," he states.
"What about Issac and Ben?" I ask.
"They left. They decided that they'd rather live on their own than have to look after two kids," Wesley explains. My breathing hitches. It couldn't be true. I thought I'd be safe if I joined their group. Jack would always look after me. Wesley would be my bestfriend. Issac and Ben would be the annoying, but sometimes fun big brothers. Now the world I had created with them was falling apart. They were leaving me.
"Are you okay?" Wesley asks. He must have noticed the horrified look on my face because he sounds worried.
"It's happening again. I'm being abandoned. It's my mother all over," I had meant to scream but it comes out a whisper. Wesley hugs me again.
"Don't worry Elley, I'll never leave you," he vows. I look him in the eye.
"Promise?" I ask.
"I promise I'll never leave you," he says.
A/N:
Not sure how this came out. I had planned on putting in more about how Jack was like a father/big brother role model for Elizabeth, but I couldn't decide what else to write besides the Christmas scene. Besides the swimming scene has some stuff about Jack being like an older brother. The next chapter is still her past. It's focused on her relationship with Wesley because this one was supposed to be her relationship with Jack. Kinda failed at it, but whatever. So I pretty much know what's gonna happen with this story up until the last episode. Peter Pan is Rumplestiltskin's father. Crap. I had my suspicions, but I hoped that wasn't true. He's gone from being a hunk to being a pedophile. I mean he's a grown man in a teenager's body that steals boys and now he's stolen a girl. Yikes. If ya'll don't mind I'm going to change that part up a bit. If you have to have him as Rumple's father then I can work with it, but I'd prefer for him to be an actual teen in this story. It's up to you! Thanks for reading and reviewing. Love you guys!
P.S. Who's seen Catching Fire? I saw it yesterday with some friends and it was AWESOME! I love those movies and books sooooo much. TEAM PEETA ALL THE WAYYYYYYYYY! I've had a crush on Josh Hutcherson since I was like very, very small. I love him 3 3 What team are ya'll on? Peeta, Gale, or Finnick?
P.P.S. I like Finnick too, but Peeta is my first choice. Gale's hot and all, but he's not as wonderful as them! Haha.