Chapter 3: The Moon Is A Riddler
Since that very moment her eyes found his, Jack remained silent. It was the longest he had gone without opening his mouth, and it was torture. Other than getting the girl safely down to ground level, his experience with human contact was very, very limited. Here was a human girl who could see him just as clearly as he could see her. Moments ago, before she slipped into the icy water, the girl had been anything except aware of his presence. Now, like the tip of a hat, she was all out gawking at him. And how did he respond? He didn't. Jack shifted nervously from one foot to the other, his eye darting around nervously in his head and nothing but jumbled up thoughts to occupy his mind. What was he supposed to say? To do? Should he introduce himself?
How about you get her out of the cold before she catches ill, you numbskull! Jack, scolding himself for his idiocy, ignored the girl further and kicked her feet out from beneath. She fell right into his arms with a gasp and then they were off. It was much harder to fly when there was a passenger on board, he noticed. He focused, pushing away the muddle and making room for logical, clear thoughts. You should probably leave her somewhere on the outskirts. Close though, so she won't have far to walk.
With a deep breath, Jack braved a glance at the girl clutching his neck like a noose. She was half smiling, half panicking in her near-death stupor and watching in amazement as the scenery melted together as they flew by. He smirked. This was very obviously her first time being saved by a boy who could fly, and he was certainly an expert at it. In a matter of seconds, Jack made it to the forest line twenty yards from the beginning of town. He ducked into the brush and cleared away the snow to form a dry, narrowed path for her to walk through. Setting her down carefully, Jack was sure to avoid eye contact at all cost as he wrapped his old cape around her shoulders. She took it without argument.
"Thank you." She said breathlessly. Jack could feel her eyes watching him, but he fought the temptation. He wanted very badly to return the thanks, but confusion and uncertainty compelled him to the law of taciturn speech; which really meant no speaking at all. He kicked off the ground and took to the sky once again, searching for the outline of the moon in his speedy retreat.
Why could she see me? How could she see me? That must have been a dream. Maybe I've slipped into a serious unconscious state. Besides, it's not like she said my name or anything like that. Right? No, no one knows my name. Thoughts bounced around in Jack's mind as he found his tree again. The further he pondered, the angrier and more concerned he became. Was the girl all right? He hoped the cold would not cause her to fall ill. But then, if she was just a dream, and that's what he convinced himself of, then why would she fall ill? However, what if he was wrong? What if she was real and everything that transpired between them, actually happened? Jack threw his arms into the air and groaned loudly in frustration.
"How did that happen?! How can she see me?!" He cried out to his silent companion. The outline of the moon was barely visible, but when he heard the voice, or rather felt it, he gripped his chest.
Believe, Jack.
Regrettably, that was extremely unhelpful.
Author's Note: Sorry, short chapter, I know :/ Wanted to get something out there and thought this pretty much summed up what happens next. Stay tuned! I promise it gets better.
Special thanks to Jane Frost for her reviews, I appreciate them greatly! For everyone else out there, I'd love to hear what you have to say about the story, so don't be shy :)