I see you walking by

Your hair always hiding your face

A shadow shaped like a hand formed and blocked Rita from going the path she had tried. She screamed and ran out another way. She and Jack winced as their eyes met the sun, which was very bright and hot compared to what it had been in the forest.

The evil laughter from earlier finally showed his form. Pitch walked out of the forest holding a giant black scythe.

This, obviously, earned a quiet shriek from Rita.

"Oh, how adorable. I never did think you would fall for a mortal, Jack," Pitch smiled evilly.

Jack growled. "Shut up, Pitch!"

"I… Don't like this guy…" Rita backed away.

Neither do I. Jack thought omnisciently.

Pitch laughed, "I can sense fear in you, child. And guess what," He leaned in too close for comfort. "You're betraying your friends by fearing me,"

"Shut up, Pitch!" Jack practically jumped out of Rita's arms. "Rita, get me the staff,"

"What?"

"Just do it!"

"You're so demanding, Jack," Pitch smiled from the side. "She probably more scared of you then she is of me."

"That it not true," Rita handed Jack the staff.

He started floating up and grabbed her hand. She looked at him, terrified. "Y-you can f-fly?"

He smiled and nodded. "Are you afraid of heights?"

"A little bit…"

"Alright," He pulled her up and held her by the waist, "Just don't look down," He then darted in the direction of the town, being closely followed by Pitch.

"You okay, Rita?"

"Y-yeah…" She buried her head in his chest.

He laughed. "You sure?" She nodded.

"Rita, which one is your house?"

"Well, it's the one with a garden and a bunch of toys and boulders…"

"Okay, I think I see it,"

Jack landed in the back yard.

"Rita… I… I need you to do something for me…" He began as he set her down.

"What is it?..."

"I… I need you to take care of this…" He placed the staff into her hands. The moment his hands weren't touching the wood, the frosty, fern-like patterns were gone.

"B-but Jack…" She fiddled with it a bit.

"I thought you wanted it in the first place."

"Yeah, but…" She looked up at him with glassy eyes. "Why would you need me to have it? You're not going to give yourself to Pitch, are you!?"

"No, no, I would never do that… I just think… If Pitch does capture me—"

"No, he won't!"

"Calm down Rita, I said if he does, I just want it to be safe. He's broken it before…"

She hugged him, burying her head in his chest. "J-Jack…" She backed away and recomposed herself. "Okay. But I need you to come inside so I can help you get better." Jack nodded.

Jack opened the back sliding glass door and limped inside, followed by Rita. An audible gasp was heard from the hallway.

AN: So... Nothing else to say...

Except that I really have no idea where this is going...

ttyl ;- ]