I'm so sorry, I know I haven't updated this in a while, instead I've been working on other, new stories… hehe… Well, I'm back. Oh, and I remember I mentioned something a few chapters ago about my cover, and while I have a temporary one, I've been unable to put up my drawing meant for this, because it was on my dead computer. Good news though, it is almost fully recovered! My dad is a wonder with technology. Almost…
Anyways, sorry if this seems like a filler, 'cause it really is. But, it does help me transition from one part of the story to the next part, which is completely necessary.
Chapter 8: Recovery is for Chumps
I woke up with a start, sweat beading on my forehead. Footsteps startled me awake, and I tensed waiting for the deep chuckle and rough kick that always followed. Seconds, a whole minute it seemed, passed and nothing happened. Slowly, I pried my eyes open. The startling white background shocked me after the cold, dark, creepy stone. In fact, it scared me so bad I rolled off the bed.
Wait, I was in a bed?
Looking around more closely, I realized that I was in an infirmary of some sort. Somehow, I doubted the Flame-head put me here.
Heavy footsteps from outside made me freeze. As they got nearer, my body tensed, anxious for something to happen. My body screamed in protest as I cautiously moved myself into a defensive position.
The door slowly creaked open to reveal North and Bunny. Before any common sense whatsoever made an appearance, images of them with their blades at my throat flashed before me, and I jumped, scrambling away from them.
North took a step towards me, his mouth halfway open. Instinctively, I swiped a foot under him, sending the large Russian crashing down. I hissed in pain as my body screamed at me in agony for my sudden movements. My eyes threatened to roll back into my head as I took several shaky breaths. I pushed myself against the wall, clenching my teeth when searing pain shot up my spine.
"Shhh, it's okay Jack. We're not going to hurt you. You're safe now," a soothing voice washed over me, relaxing my nerves. I tried to focus on the floating figure in front of me, vaguely aware of the hand running comfortingly through my hair. I began to recognize the green feathers rubbing against my bandaged chest. Wait, that was bandaged? Man, my head hurt…
"You're safe here," she whispered again. Violet-pink eyes were focused on me intently. Violet eyes…
The images of the Guardians attacking me with red and black eyes washed over me again, but this time they were accompanied by the memory of me breaking the control over them with a snowball to the face. I clutched my head as it pounded in protest to the barrage of thoughts.
"Tooth…?" I whispered weakly.
She smiled and hugged. "Yes, Jack I'm here. We're all here."
I cringed despite of myself at Tooth's contact. The many burns I received felt like they were on fire, and they didn't seem to like being touched. Tooth immediately pulled back. "I'm so sorry…" she started.
I raised a shaky hand, which I realized was bandaged as well, to silence her. "It's okay," I assured her. I reached up to hold on to her as I slowly pulled myself to a standing position. My legs threatened to give out, but Tooth latched onto my arm and caught me, letting me lean on her for support.
A confused Bunny was helping up an even more confused North. "What was that for, Frostbite?" Bunny asked, pointing to Russian who was groaning slightly.
I reached up to scratch the back of my neck and laughed nervously, much to the disagreement of my ribs. Pain exploded from my chest. Great, my ribs must be broken… "Err, about that, I sorta forgot that you guys weren't going to attack me, so…" I trailed off, unable to find the correct words.
North raised a bushy white eyebrow. "Why would you believe such thing in first place? We are friends. Family," North questioned. So they didn't know… I bit my lip, knowing it would kill them to know that they were the ones who inflicted the first round of injuries on me.
"Um, you know, after being locked in a stone room with a mad man who tortured you, I sort of was in defensive mode. I, uh, didn't realize it was you guys…" I stuttered, mixing some truth in with my fat lie.
Gratefully, they accepted my excuse with no questions ask, though Bunny did raise an eyebrow (could you even call it that?) at me. "So, uh, where's Sandy?" I asked, changing the subject. I was actually curious though.
"He is giving dreams to children," North explained, "Do not worry, he will be back." I nodded, understanding completely. In fact, it meant less of a crowd…the ones here were already wigging me out a bit.
I reached out for the comfort of my staff…then remembered that it was broken in half somewhere. A violent shudder went down my spine as I felt its absence. "Hey, have you guys seen my staff?" I asked, hoping they picked it up from outside the workshop.
They all bit their lips and studied the floor guiltily. Did Heat toss my staff somewhere? Could they not find it? "You see Jack," Tooth started gently. Here it comes… I braced myself for the news. "it's…it's…broken," she finished, barely able to spit the last word out.
I laughed in spite of my broken ribs and bruised chest. "I knew that, but where are the pieces?"
Three pairs of eyes with incredulous looks locked onto to me, staring at me like my hair turned red and my skin turned purple. "But, it-you, can't use it, 'cause- it's- broken!" Bunny stuttered, at a complete loss for words. Slowly, he reached at the straps on his back and brought forth the two halves of my staff.
I snatched the pieces out of his paws, shuddering slightly at how dead they felt. Taking a deep breath, I fit the two pieces together. A blue light emitted from the wood and filled the room as the ice intertwined between the pieces. A flash temporarily blinded everyone, and once my eyes adjusted again, a whole staff was in my hands. I smiled in triumph, even though I already knew it would work.
North's and Bunny's jaws looked like they were going to hit the floor, and Tooth's eyes widened until I thought they were going to pop out. Suddenly though, a wave of dizziness crashed into me and I began to collapse, only to be caught by Bunny's strong, furry arms. "Easy, Frostbite," he whispered soothingly.
"You need rest," North ordered.
"I'm fine," I insisted, even though every square inch of my body ached and screamed. I didn't want to be treated like I was incapable just because I could barely stand! That came out wrong…
"Sleep," North commanded again as Bunny laid me back in the bed against my will.
"I'm fine!" I insisted again. Bunny chuckled softly at my arrogance.
"I'm sorry, Jack," North apologized, walking towards me.
"For wha-?" North stuck a needle in my arm. My eyes widened in realization.
Bunny chuckled again. I mustered a glare at him before I went under. "Evil…" I hiss jokingly right as the sedatives won. I slipped into a comforting oblivion. Maybe sleep wasn't that bad of an idea…
Tooth looked back at Jack's small form. Without his blue hoodie, he looked a lot smaller, and it unnerved her. Now, with all the white bandages covering his body and the dull gray sweatpants, he looked even more fragile.
She had a lot of questions, but they could wait. Now, Jack just had to heal.
The icy snow started to slush under the men's feet. They pack of hikers didn't think anything about it at first, but then one guy slipped and fell into a soggy puddle of water and mud. Their eyes widened in realization; the snow was melting
But why was it melting in northern Alaska?
I hope that made up for the wait. Probably not, but…umm…review?