Hey there! New update. Hopefully everyone is enjoying this so far, despite there being one chapter (now two) to keep you occupied. Thank you to those viewing, favoriting, and adding this as an alert. I'm grateful in that respect. However, show some love! Don't be afraid to leave a review. I gotta know how I'm doing and if I'm doing it well. Anyways, enjoy!

Chapter 1: Январь Место соединения

Jack calculated that it had been ten years since his awakening. There was still confusion on his part and the question to the moon was always along the lines of 'why'. The moon, as gracious and majestic as it was, never had an answer for him. Apparently mum was the word with this guy. He didn't even have the decency to let someone know that he was completely invisible to other people. Jack tried countless times to get the attention of anyone, from children, to adults, to woodland creatures. It all ended the same. The stinging cold breeze that stalked Jack's very being nipped their exposed skin and that was the only acknowledgement that they ever gave him.

It was more or less a handicap, but it was still sort of fun to watch people react when a random snowball barreled into their unbeknownst faces. He would laugh and laugh until he could no longer find a reason to anymore. In those days, it was the only way to occupy himself with all things mischievous. Actually, any distraction was as good as the next. It kept Jack on his toes and less accustomed to sinking back into those terrible, lonely thoughts that plagued him at night when there was no one left awake to tease. During one particularly grueling night beneath the silent beams of the full moon, Jack decided it was time to ride the waves of the wind and travel somewhere new. The moon would always be there, in the sky, and that was all he really needed. Besides the obvious fact that the moon never answered him, Jack felt safe-guarded beneath its shining silver rays.

"What do you think? A little North, maybe East, or should I let the wind take me where it wills?" He stood tall on the branch of the tree he slept in, stretching his arms high above his head and rolling his neck until it cracked. "I'm thinking the latter is more my style."

Grabbing his staff, Jack managed his way to the highest point of the tree and felt the breeze. He always loved that he could command this all so simply and turn it into something more. All it took was one thought, one ounce of control to get things moving faster. The ripple of surging power in the air changed from a light breeze to a biting wind that howled through the branches and took Jack speeding away along its strength. Much like a snowflake, Jack spread his arms out to the side and whipped around, spiraling every now and then. He even took a mile or two to ride his staff like a balancing act. Steadying himself, he only let go once he believed that he could not fall or harm himself.

"Here goes nothing." Letting go of the staff, Jack focused on keeping his feet in their position along the shaft of his aged stick. When a wave came from the left, he followed it and continued to do so with each new gust that picked up on either side. The thrill of being so free filled Jack with overwhelming elation and his cries of joy he could not mistake for anyone else's but his own. This was because he was perpetually happy. Being alone did not matter, not when he could do amazing things on his own. However, there was still that dimly lit feeling in his gut that compelled him to think negatively.

How much did he desire to share his findings with someone? Anyone!

"I gotta stop thinking like that." He sighed, pushing off and diving back into the carrying arms of the wind. Jack caught the wooden piece before it could develop a mind of its own and cut a path straight for the water below.

Water? He wondered, watching his reflection as it iced over. Odd. It had not felt like more than five minutes of travelling. Where could he have possibly gone? And another thing, the sun was rising. He could have sworn that it was dark out just a few moments ago.

Straightening his composure, Jack picked up speed and flew forward into the new land he spotted across the vast length of the waves beneath him. In the distance, he saw the silhouettes of a large castle on top of a hill with little buildings surrounding it like a small village. Here, there was a small settling of snow and the closer he came to the village, the easier it was to see the people inside. A strange sort of anxiety was building up inside of him as his feet made contact with the ground. To him, the snow felt like nothing more than standing on clouds, but for these sickly looking people, snow was a completely different story. As cold as he was, plus the wind blowing harshly behind him, Jack had an idea that no matter how they bundled up, the cold was always going to bother them.

For a few hours after arriving, Jack wandered around aimlessly and peeked a glance at the market goods. Clothes, shoes, food, and plenty of livestock. Everyone bustled about minding their own business, the blacksmith was busy with his own work, the peddlers peddled, the merchants made their sales, and not a single person noticed Jack among the many. The uncomforting sense of loneliness settled back in like a slow knife twisting into his gut. If anyone, anyone at all could see him right now, he would be more than satisfied to call it a day.

"Papa, this way! We must hurry." A loud, pitchy voice threw Jack off his sad little rocker and brought him back to reality. He noticed that people around him also stopped what they were doing just to find out whose voice that was.

"I'm coming, Elisa! I'm coming."

Through the crowd, a young girl with a hood pulled over her head broke into the gaggle of shoppers with an older gentleman lagging behind. They were clearly headed somewhere. The girl carried two large baskets, covered over, but from the resulting smell in the air, Jack guessed it was freshly baked bread. She flew past him and mowed down anyone that happened to get in her way. Behind the girl, her father carried two chickens and a sack on his back. He muttered quick apologies to those who had been pushed and shoved aside by his rambunctious daughter. Some smiled, some waved it off, and others replied indecencies. Jack frowned.

Just accept the apology. Thought Jack, a bright idea forming in his mind. Opening the palm of his hand like he had many times before, Jack blew into the air and his puff of breath became a perfectly shaped snowball. He had to admit, this had become a popular occurrence among the children he often caused trouble towards. A snowball here, another there, and an all out war broke out between the youngsters. Unfortunately for the gentleman who had the most displeasing things to say, he fell to the ground on his buttocks once Jack released the snowball. That's not to say the force of his throw threw the gentleman off balance, but rather the sheet of ice that miraculously appeared beneath his feet seconds before. Like everyone else, Jack chuckled to himself.

"I think my work here is done." Jack nodded to himself, floating above the crowd to find the path the girl and her father had taken. By the looks of things, they had disappeared . Somewhat disappointed, Jack dropped back down to the ground and thought of ways to terrorize the people until it was time to retreat and find a perfectly nice tree to accommodate him that night. Perhaps tomorrow would be prove to be more promising, but he wasn't going to bet on it. Besides, a whole new crowd meant a whole new perspective on pranks. And with that, Jack set to work.

Author's note: Before I get a stream of questions about the title, that is a rough Russian translation that I put through a translator on Google so hopefully it's somewhat accurate. In any case, it says January Junction, which is the name of the town in the TV special on ABC. Why is it Russian? Well, the story does take place in a Russian village. Anyways, regarding this chapter alone, I'm extremely pleased with the way it came out. Let me know what you think! :)