October

Jack sat on the top branch of the old tree in Jamie's front lawn, still savoring the taste of the candy lollipop in his mouth. Jamie had given it to him after he'd accompanied him, Sophie, and the other neighborhood friends of the siblings trick or treating. The red candy stained his lips a tint of red, vaguely noticeable. Jack liked this candy much more than the peanut butter and chocolate. Looking up at the sky, he realized that he could not see the glow of the moon. "That's odd...it's not new moon tonight is it?" Jack tried to think back to earlier in the night, searching his thoughts for the reassurance of the moon.

Yes. Yes, the Man in the Moon had been there.

But where was he now? It was too dark. It seemed like the world was simply too dark; the clouds in the sky were barely outlined, just thin lines against black slate. Something was wrong, and Jack knew it. He called the winds to carry him to the Pole.

Phil was the first to catch Jack at the Pole. Jack greeted the furry yeti with a smile as he entered the globe room and said, "Hey, Phil. Long time, no see?" Phil said something in yetish, and since Jack could decipher the language fluidly; speaking it however, was an entirely different means all together; Jack answered back, "Yeah, yeah, I know. Don't you think I know that you're busy?" Phil sighed, rolled his eyes and placed his great fists against his furry hips. Alright, since we're on the same page; what do you want?

"Wondering if the Moon said anything here?" Jack said, shrugging. Phil frowned. Actually, no. We haven't bothered to check. Unlike some people, we've been busy! Why do you ask? Have you heard something? Jack shouldered his staff. "No. That's the thing. The moon was out earlier, wasn't it?" Phil nodded. No worries. The clouds probably just covered him. Jack turned back and looked at the sky. It was still too dark for comfort. "I don't think those are clouds, buddy. What-what if something happened?" His cerulean eyes held a hidden terror in his eyes. Suddenly Phil's eyes lit up. Oh! The Man in the Moon did say something! I almost forgot, having to come look for you and all, the yeti cast the young spirit an annoyed glance, and I never found you to tell you. The Man warned that Pitch Black may resurface tonight. It's Halloween, after all.

Jack leaned on his staff. How could he have forgotten? It had only been a few months since he had seen the Nightmare King retreat. "Oh right. How did I not see that coming?"

Maybe it was because you were being a nomadic trickster and didn't notice it. Phil offered sarcastically. Jack gave him a sideways glance. Phil lifted his hands and shrugged. Just saying. "Yeah, well...I'll give it a glance. I'll check up on these 'maybe clouds' and then go look and see if the hole Pitch went down has reopened. Then we'll know if Pitch has already made it up, or if he's still too weak." Jack said. Phil gave him a look. It's Halloween. If Pitch feeds off of fear, do you honestly think he's too weak? Phil's eyes turned soft, sympathetic towards the youngest Guardian. At least take someone with you. I'm sure I can get North to accompany you. Just in case. He didn't want to see him hurt if he was wrong about Pitch's resurrection.

But Jack waved him off. "I'm not going to fight the guy. I'm just going to check out those 'clouds'. There's nothing wrong with that is there?" The winter spirit had flown out of the room, before the yeti could reply.

Jack flew higher into the air, ready to pierce the black clouds. It looked more like the bottom of a thunderhead just before a big storm. He hoped that was all it was... Flying through the mass of black, he lost sight of everything. His eyes were full of nothing, and for a moment, Jack feared that he had passed out from flying too high into the atmosphere. But the clouds-no.

Not clouds. Sand? Jack sputtered, coughed, tried to open his eyes to no avail. The stuff, whatever it was, was warm and...something about it wormed its way into Jack's head, made him panic. It was quiet, leaving him with his thoughts, which began whispering to him, ever quietly. And then there was screaming.

"We never should have trusted him!"

"How could you?"

Jack didn't know where the voices or thoughts came from. They were familiar, made him panicked, and he struggled to breathe. The black crammed itself down his throat, making him choke. He had to get out of here...he had to...

It felt like he'd done this before. The temperature dropped. The stuff was free flowing around his legs, cold, loose. Daring to open his eyes, he saw a thin sliver of what could be...light?

He was drowning.

Like in the lake...

There was one thought in Jack's head: "No...not again."

Jack thrust his pale arm out of the black, managing to pull his head out of the nonexistent water. He coughed, his stomach flipping, heart pounding against his ribs, making his chest squeeze. Hoisting himself out of the black substance, he laid on his side, trying to calm his heart, his breath shaky. The substance had left him so drained, and he was exhausted now. He could barely hear the screams now, but he knew they were still there in the back of his head. "You're nothing."

"But they don't believe in you, do they?"

"What have you done?"

Jack hugged his arms around his wiry frame. That...that was no cloud. That was horrible. Completely horrible. "I was going to die." Jack thought. He closed his eyes and tried to breathe again. "Well, well." A voice as dark and cold as the waters Jack had just fought his way out of sounded from behind the shaking boy. Jack rolled over weakly, still trying to collect himself. A tall gray man stood over him, arms clasped behind his back, a crooked smile on his face. "What an unexpected surprise. I didn't set this up thinking Jack Frost would suddenly appear on my doorstep." He said with a laugh. Jack's blue eyes widened.

"How'd you like my little show? I didn't intend it just for you personally, but it'll do in a pinch." Jack didn't answer the man. "Aw, come on, now Jack. What's a Guardian of Joy and Fun if he doesn't crack a few jokes and indulge once in a while? Where is your playful banter? No warm welcome?" The man leaned down, towering over Jack despite his closeness. He inspected the winter spirit's eyes. "Where's the cheery glimmer?" the man asked, regarding the weary cerulean blue eyes that stared back at him, wide.

"All I can see is fear."

-AC