(Cyndra's POV)
What feels like minutes later, I wake up and find a sleeping Jack, sitting in a chair not far from my bed. It seems that this is how I often wake up, huh? Him somewhere around me while I'm sleeping. It's kind of weird, in a good, cute, kind of way. It's like he's being my Guardian Angel and constantly watching over me.
He mumbles some intelligible words in his sleep while I watch him. This is the first time I've ever seen him asleep. He always watches me or wakes me up. I guess he really wasn't lying when he said that he didn't sleep much, but the past few days must have worn even him out. I was out for three days before I woke up to find myself in the North Pole, brought here by Jack, himself.
He makes a really good Guardian. I hope he knows that. He seems to care about the children AND the people around him.
He looks so sweet in his sleep. He isn't worrying about anything, and his dreams are all good. I wonder what he dreams about.
A string of mumbled, unintelligible, words cause me to come out of my day dreaming thoughts. I swear I heard my name in those words I couldn't make out. Oh, well. I can't do much anyway, but the medicine here in the North Pole seems to work like a charm. I must have imagined parts of my skin being black, because all of it is now a light red, as if the skin is just irritated. And the claw marks have healed into scabs, already forming new skin.
I look down at myself and find new clothing on me. I guess what I had on must have been bloody and burned. Well, at least I still have my new jacket at home, where my mother-
Oh my god, MY MOTHER! She's probably freaking out right now! She's probably worried out of her mind. I've never been gone from the house for two days without an explanation, now I've been gone four days! What am I gonna do? She can't see me like this, it would cause her to ask too many questions that would have answers that make me sound crazy. But, how in the world am I even going to tell her I'm alright without her seeing me? Ugh, what am I gonna do?
I let out a frustrated groan. Why is everything I do so difficult? Am I being tested or something, like by fate?
"You look worried." I jump in surprise at the closeness of the voice, immediately regretting it. Softly growling at Jack, I turn to find him right next to my bed, standing over me.
"Hey, I'm sorry, I forgot I can't do that yet. What are you worried about anyway?" Of coarse, subject of of him onto me. At least he sounds genuinely worried.
"Jack, what am I gonna do about my mother? She's probably worried sick about me, and going to see her isn't an option since it's winter where I live. I wouldn't be able to tell her why I'm red. What am I gonna do?" My voice is filled with worry, and not about me, but yet again, someone around me. Like when I woke up yesterday, worried about Jack blaming himself and being right. At least he'll never leave me by myself again. I was so worried about him leaving and going off somewhere where he would be alone. He doesn't deserve to be alone, he deserves to have someone by his side. He's a very special person, to save me. He deserves something really good.
Jack looks me in the eyes. "Cyndra, listen to me. Your mother is going to be fine. You don't need to worry. We left a note for your mother the first day you were here. We told her you would be staying with a friend for a while because your friend needed some comfort after a recent passing of someone in their family. We knew you would have to stay with us, so we covered for you. Everything will be fine." His voice was like silk, soft and comforting. He's honestly worried about me.
"Jack, what I'm I going to do? I'll have scars from her claws raking across my body. How will I ever explain that to anyone? I'll be stuck in between two worlds for a very long time, with no one who I could really trust, with no one I could rely on. Except you. I only trust you. The one person who risks everything to stay by my side. What am I gonna do? I-I-I-" My questions turn into sobs as begin to cry in my worried state. I wish I could worry about myself, but that's not how it works with me. I worry about everyone around me before I worry about myself. I'm scared that I'll be forced to leave behind people I love because I can't tell them all of the truth. I'm worried that they will be hurt by my deception. I don't want anyone hurt.
I feel Jack's arm wrap themselves around me as I lean into Jack's cold form.
"Shhhhh, shhh, Cyndra, everything will be alright. I promise. Everything will be fine. It's alright. You don't have to worry."
His words bring me comfort. I will always be able to rely on Jack. He'll always be there, as much as he can be.
I slowly feel my sobs die away until I only have tears streaming down my face.
Jack pulls away from me, taking a hand and moving a piece of my hair behind one of my ears.
"Cyndra, are you ready to eat? It's time that you actually eat something. It's not good for you to eat once in for days. I don't need you to starve while I'm around. Well, I don't need you to starve at all. So do you want to go outside your room to the others or eat here?" Again his voice is soft and caring. I wonder if anyone else sees this side of him. When I saw him with the others, he didn't sound the same. I don't sound the same either, though. My voice hardens to hide my emotions. I only feel comfortable with my emotions around Jack now. I hid them from my mother, I didn't see her often enough to worry her though. I have always hidden my emotions. Even from my friends. The first person to ever see me cry was Jack.
"Jack I have one more question. What about Sierra? Where is she? She's only a puppy" My voice was yet again filled with worry, but I am comforted at the fact that I am with Jack.
"Ummmm, about that. Sierra's here at the pole. Bunny found her at the pond the other day when he was looking for clues about what happened to you. He brought her with him, since she was a pup, but I recognised her immediately. I knew you would want her, so I convinced them to let her stay. She looked worried until I brought her into your room. Then she wouldn't leave until Bunny picked her up and made her stay in the Globe room. She's been in there ever since. Are you alright with her being here?" He was worried that I would be angry that she was at the pole, but I'm not. I'm sure they have taken good care of her.
"That's perfect. Now she can stay with me while I'm here. When can I go home?" My voice was light and filled with happiness. I was getting better after waking up yesterday, and maybe I can go home soon.
"Well, you could go home when you aren't red, but someone would constantly, well almost constantly, have to be watching you. You may have to stay here until we figure out the threat of the witch you talked about earlier. She sounds like someone we shouldn't ignore." His voice was once again filled with hatred at the shapeshifting witch. I guess the thought of me being hurt disturbs all of the guardians, by the look on their faces when I told them yesterday.
I hope they know that I am grateful for their help and kindness. Just in case, I will personally thank each and every one of them.
"Well, let's go eat, then. This seems like the perfect time to go see everyone, and get my dog." My voice is still filled with happiness, trying to hide the fact that I am still worried about Jack. Somehow, I've stopped fooling him on how I feel.
"Cyndra, I promise everything will be fine. I won't go and do something stupid, besides the fact that I promised never to leave your side now." His eyes look at me pleadingly. I guess he really doesn't want me worried about everyone but myself. I don't see why, they all have something wrong. Jack worries about me and his worry for me, makes me worry for him.
Feeling slightly less worried and slightly more content, I get out of my bed. Placing my feet on the ground, I immediately almost fall down. Seeing the oncoming floor I place my hands over my face, waiting for the impact that never comes. A pair of cold arms instead, wrap themselves around my waist, keeping me from falling.
"Are you sure you want to go out there? You could stay here." He's worried again.
"I'm fine, Jack. I just need some help with walking. I want to go and be with the others. They seemed worried and angry yesterday. I want to thank them myself, saving the best thank you for last." Not to mention that the last thank you goes to him. He deserves it more than the rest of them. I'd probably be dead if he hadn't have found me at the lake. I'm even more grateful for his always being there for me.
"Well, I can certainly help you with that if that is what you wish." A mischievous smirk creeps onto his face. Helping me stand back up, it's not even two seconds before I'm laying bridal style in his arms. Of course I don't get to walk out the door. I don't even get to take a step away from the bed. He steps away from the bed. I wrap my arms around him as I see him hover for a second before flying out the door, which I forgot to mention was wide open.
"Why do I even try to do things? I never get to. This is why I don't accept help, because then I don't get to do things that I want to do. Why, oh, why am I not allowed to walk to the Globe room?"
"Because I said so. And you had no choice to begin with. If you were going to come out of your room, I was going to take you. I already knew that you wouldn't be able to stand on your own yet, so I was ready when you fell."
Of course, that's the Jack I know. Constantly watching out for me, even when I think I don't need it. He's just as amazing as I always thought he was. Actually, he's even more amazing than that. Not to mention that he's kinda cute.
Landing in the Globe roob with the others, he gently sets me on my feet, holding onto my shoulders so that I don't fall.
Shakily taking a step forward, I almost fall again. Well, I guess walking really is out of the question, but I won't let that put a damper on my ways. I will try to walk, no matter what Jack says.
With Jack's help, I stand steady again, but before I can try any tricks I'm again in his arms. Stupid quick speed. I almost forgot about that.
I guess I'll just have to deal with getting carried around by Jack, for a while. At least until I can walk. Not that I don't enjoy it. I love the feeling of his arms being wrapped around me. It comforts me. He comforts me.
"Ahhh, Cyndra, you are awake. How are you?" North's voice calls out to me as he sees Jack and I.
"I would be walking, but I have a couple of things that won't let me. One, I can't even stand on my own two feet yet. Two, I'm apparently not allowed to walk on my own yet, anyway." My voice rings with a slight annoyance that is barely tangible.
"Oh, so it's my fault that you stood up and immediately fell down, twice." Jack laughs as he says this. I guess it really isn't his fault I can't even stand, though I don't know why I complain. It's not like I couldn't get used to it.
"Jack, did she really fall twice? Could she not stand?" Tooth's frantic voice sounds out in the room. I guess it could be from the fact that it always seems that she talks fast.
"Tooth, she's fine." Jack's reassuring voice. Of course. He was with me constantly anyway. He probably knows better than I do.
"Are you sure?" Ooooooooooooo, Easter Bunny is worried. He looks so tough, yet he's a big softie, ain't he?
"Bunny, he's absolutely sure. So am I." Back to my old self already. Timid, shy, and quiet. I can't wait to see what they say to that.
"Oh, so not being able to walk is perfectly fine. I want to see you walk, with help or not, across the room, to the globe." Dare devil Bunny wants to see me try. Great, I hope I don't fall flat on my face, that wouldn't be pretty.
Setting my down on my feet, Jack wraps an arm around my shoulders helping to support me. I tug his arm off of me, still standing, thankfully.
"Cyndra, are you sure?" Worried Jack. Always seeming to worry about me. I wonder why that is. Could it be...? No, not possible. He's immortal and could have anyone, he'd never want me.
Don't worry, Princess. We know that he doesn't. He'll never want a mortal girl like you. He would rather see you dead than be with you, but don't worry, Princess, he won't get the chance to before we have you both. Her evil laughter follows her statement. I guess my head really isn't safe anymore. I have to tell them.
I timidly take a step forward, only to have my foot not stick on the floor, and tumble over. Not even thinking about it, I catch myself and get back up. Starting to walk again, and managing to take a few steps without falling.
"Alright, little sheila, I see your point, now let us help you before you get hurt again. I don't think some of us would be very happy to see you get hurt twice without being able to do anything about it" He glances at Jack.
"Fine, but only Jack can help me. I don't know the rest of you well enough, yet. Whether or not I've heard and believed your stories." Kind of harsh, yes, but I really don't trust anyone but Jack.
I stay where I am, seeing shock register on all of their faces. I guess that they aren't used to not being trusted. Well, I don't trust people right away. I can't help it. Though I pretty much trusted Jack from the first second I saw him.
"Cyndra, are you sure about that? We all would like to help." Why does Jack even want to interfere with my thinking. He's the only one I trust as of yet. He spent two days with me, then he saved me at the lake, and stayed by my side for a very long time. I don't think he's left my side but once the entire time I've been here.
"I'm positive. I only want your help, until I trust the others enough to let them. Besides, you already know that I don't like a lot of help because it starts limiting what people let me do." That would sting if it had been said to me, but it's true.
"So the little sheila doesn't like help, does she?" Oh no, Bunny. I don't like the look on his now mischievous face. It reads of something that involves me getting help, no matter what I want.
Before I can say a single word, Bunny is right next to me, already picking me up. So much for my wishes.
"Oh, come on! Do I really not get a choice in anything?" I really don't want to be carried by the Easter Kangaroo. His new nickname from me. I hate it when I get treated like a small child. I don't get to do anything!
"Nope." Well, that's great, Jack has sided with Bunny in this argument. I'll never win, will I?
"Well, while I'm not getting away with anything, I think you should know not to tell me any of your plans. That witch is getting into my head. She's done it twice now. The first time I burst into tears. The second time, Jack was worried about me and a thought crossed my mind, with her words that followed trying to get me into tears again. I know my head isn't safe, so I'm telling you now." That's a lot to tell them at once. I just hope it's not too much, and I hope they don't completely hate me for having her in my head. It's not my fault she's there, is it?
I look up at Bunny and Jack's faces to find shock. Well, there is something I didn't expect.
"Well, that's a shocker. The witch has talked to her. I didn't think that she had so much danger following her around, but I guess I was wrong. She's got no choice but to stay with us now. We have to be able to protect her." There's that soft side to Bunny I saw earlier.
"Cyndra, what exactly has she told you?" Well, I guess I should have know not to tell Jack first, he worries too much.
"Ummm, You are never Safe. Not even in your own mind. Watch what happens the next time you see me, it may be your last. I think that's it." I am so not telling him about the other thing, not even if it could save my life. It's too embarrassing to even mention.
"Are you sure that's it? She said nothing else?" Well, Jack, she did, but I ain't telling you what. I don't care what the consequences are, but as long as you and the rest of the Guardians are safe, I'll be happy, no matter what.
"I'm absolutely sure." Well, I don't want to be this way with Jack, but Bunny is still here with us, and it would be even worse if I said it out loud to him. Stupid Easter Kangaroo. I wasn't lying when I said that this will be his new nickname from me.
"Well, let's go see what North says to this, and you know you can tell us anything right?" Jack's angelic and melodious voice helps me be a little less angry, but not much.
"I'm fine with that, so long as The Easter Kangaroo let's you carry me. I'm a bit perturbed at him at the moment."