Chapter 3
I take to the sky, sending one last longing look to the beach. Sometimes I wish I were alive again, but I know it's only a fools dream. For now, I go back to my task, bring love to the world and stop the spikes in hatred. If only it were that easy, I think back to the last two times, it had happened while I was distracted. I think back to Sophie, wondering if she was alright. I could reach out but I can't allow myself to get distracted now, I have to find the cause.
One Month Later
"Still nothing, all this time and it hasn't happened again. Was it all a fluke?" I mutter while pacing across the beach where Jack and I had talked a month prior. I had thought I would find a clue by now, but nothing. "What could I be missing?" I go over it again in my head, the first spike happened while I was focusing on Sophie, the second one was while I was sleeping. The cherubs have been on high alert, yet everything is fine, maybe it was just something bad in the human world, that can cause an onslaught of hate. I'll ask Jack about it when I see him next, for now, I'll forget it and go back to work.
There's something nice about watching someone you've helped, like right now: A young woman who married a man with kids couldn't express her feelings to the children, so I gave her the needed push. She is finally able to tell them she loves them and wants to adopt them. I hold back tears when they jump into her arms for a hug. Another happy family as should be. It takes awhile but I find Jack in Estonia, slinging snowballs at some children. "You never tire of that do you?" He jumps a bit but relaxes when he sees me.
"About as much as you tire of shooting people." He mocks firing an arrow at me, so I grab some snow and throw it at his face. "Hey, that's cheating!" I fly up as he slings snowballs at me. He follows suit and we have a short game of tag, ending when we reach the Pole. Both laughing we pay North a visit, he gives us coco and invites us to sit with him.
I finally remember why I was looking for jack and ask him what I had meant to earlier. "Did the kids mention something bad happening in the human world a month ago?" This takes him by surprise, Jack pauses to think, then shakes his head. "I cant think of any other reason for those spikes, they haven't happened since, and I haven't found any clues." I slump into my chair, feeling defeated.
North perks up, curiosity filling him to the brim. "Zis sounds lot like Erida, but she vas defeated long time ago." He stands and starts to pace speaking allowed, "It could be Pitch, but he vas also defeated. I'll zink on zis longer and let you know if I can remember anyone" North wonders back to his workshop, leaving Jack and me to talk.
I never heard of Erida before, that must have happened before my time, I ask Jack and he shrugs, not remembering anyone by that name. We talk about random things and just reminisce about the last hundred years, "Oh, how's Sophie? I haven't checked in on her yet."
"She's better, already has a new crush. Does love always bounce around that much?" he rolls his eyes in disbelief.
I can't help but laugh, "No, not real love. Teens tend to have fickle hearts, so while the love and the heartbreak feel real, they bounce back fast. She has yet to find true love, but I know she will. You will too, someday, I've seen it." I nudge his shoulder when he blushes.
"Have you seen who, or when? Not that I'm looking, but I mean it'd be nice to know." Jack's face turns a bright pink, contrasting his pale skin and hair. He refuses to look my way and I can't help but tease him.
"Well truthfully it's someone you know, you've known them for years." I can see him perk up "They're a good friend now and you enjoy spending time with them." He looks at me, eyebrows raised. "It's good to know he feels the same way as you. Jack and Bunnymund, the cutest couple of the century." I start laughing when Jack pulls a gagging face. "I'm kidding, I can't see who or when only that you will. Even if I could see I can't interfere, other then giving the little push needed to confess."
Jack huffs, "I knew that... So what about you, will you find true love?" I feel the happiness drift away at that thought.
"We'll see." I hope. The mood in the room becomes uneasy, neither of us sure what to say, luckily we don't have to because North comes back with a grim look. "What's wrong?"
North motions for us to follow him and we do, only to see the Guardian signal on. "Is not good. Something is wrong so I called for meeting. You should stay Cupid, zis could be connected to your problem." We wait in silence for the others to arrive, I want to ask what North found, but I hold my tongue. If North called the others something big must be happening, I hope this all works out.
Hope you enjoy!