Sorry for yet another long wait. Have a chapter. :)
Sorry if it confuses anyone. Short author's note is short.
Chapter 12: Picture Books
Alecvander's library was dusty and dark when the shadow slipped into its midst. Left untouched for many years now; each book haven't been read for at least a decade. They sat there as still as headstones in a graveyard, morbidly silent like those who gathered around the grave of a long-dead owner. The cold stone floor collected a thin sheet of dust, where thin and sharp footprints appeared softly, parting the delicate coat as they trailed slowly towards one of the tall bookcases. The darkness hovered around the unseen silhouette as he reached out a bony, cold hand that blended into the death-like atmosphere, and a finger rested of the back of one particular book.
Anguish, with numb, stiff fingers, slowly curled his hand around the hard book, head titled to the side as his thoughts wandered. Then, as if reluctant, he pulled the red book from the shelf, disturbing the built-up dust, that showered around him. But he wasn't bothered.
He didn't really breath, after all.
The murky dust covering the book stayed put, and he raised his other hand to wipe it away. He did not read the title, however, and instead opened it up to a bookmarked page.
Familiar, colourful figures appeared in the dullness of the library, printed in detail on the pages. Drawn and coloured with expert care, with all the adoration of a child who's hero had visited them. Between the guardians stood a girl with the very same book in hand; bright and alive as it had been all those years ago. Grey, more lively eyes than his own stared back at him through a fringe of auburn hair.
He shut the book stoutly, moving his eyes away from hers and returning the book to the shelf. Then, he stared around Alecvander's old library, his masked face hiding all but his sorrowful gaze that seemed to pull the darkness closer to him. Anguish's eyes dared to steal a look at the colourful book once more, but he knew he could no longer stand such light anymore. Soft fires and cosy places he could roam, but not in the places were shadows were dead and darkness was not there to be kept at bay.
He wondered if Alecvander kept these books shut away for the same reason.
Jo had to admit that Hal picked the perfect timing when it came to entrance. A second before he began to explain where he'd been (and more importantly, who he met) The flying boat burst into view from the clouds above Asia, whilst he and the Guardians (and Jack) had been about to jump to the task of Tooth Collecting.
North tugged sharply on the reins by instinct, moving slightly away from the spinning vessel as it came to fly by their side. Ayver gave Jack a smile, then hopped onto the boat, leaving the frost youth a little confused. Hal grinned crookedly at the Guardians, who all gave him rather different reactions.
Tooth and North simply gaped for the most part, Sandman looking a little surprised, and Bunnymund glaring at this with as much suspicion as an angered schoolmaster. "Ere. Who are you?"
"Hal o' the tricks it is, Fellow Candy-giver." Hal called over with a jubilant wave of his free arm, pumpkin cap slipping on his head a little, "Come to int-ra-duce myself. Jo here is a former passenger of mine!"
All eyes were on the silver-haired boy a second later, and he shrugged sheepishly. "I was just about to tell you..."
"Just...how many non-Guardians are there?" Jack questioned suddenly, his tone even but a frown barley suppressed. Jo shrugged and looked away from that stare.
"There's lots of us who bring other joys to the world, Jack." Tooth explained slowly from beside him, obviously picking up Jack's slight anger, "We didn't know that you weren't aware..."
"IS VERY GOOD!"
As if by a running gag, all of the Guardians and their guests jumped at the sound of North's thundering voice. He tugged on the reins and the sleigh swooped downwards with an almost inappropriate, joyful jingle of the bells. Hal followed suit in his flying boat, and it was that second that Jo realised.
Ducky was nowhere to be seen.
"We have more HELP!" North explained, looking over his shoulder. Bunnymund stuttered in protest, clutching the side of the sleigh with a terrified grip.
"Are ye bonkers?"
"Help fer whaaaat exact-ley?" Hal drawled almost cheekily, grinning from ear-to-ear. Jo couldn't help but regret having Hal here, as that grin spelt trouble maker with a couple of capital T's too many.
North didn't seem to catch on.
"We...are collecting TEETH!" Hal rose a brow, and after a second another grin snapped into view. Ayver grimaced nearby.
"Okie-Dokie, people. I'll go grab ya some teeth! Meet you...Whenever. BYE!"
He had jerked away through the air before Jo could ask about the whereabouts of Ducky, not to mention a few other questions.
Bunnymund had one of his own.
"Are we SERIOUSLY gonna let these gumbies help us? That Halloween loony?!"
"Of course, Bunny. You worry too much."
It should have felt like a fun time, Jo knew, as they dashed between buildings and laughed merrily like Children in the snow. The bright lights and comforting stars should have made the ominous presence around him leave, should have made that discomforting feeling of urgency fade just by a little.
But it didn't. Every time He snatched a Tooth from Jack's hand he couldn't help but remember...things. How long ago (or at least it felt so) he'd been this strange newcomer, eager to take part in the wonder, finding himself.
Jo's smile remained in place as Jack and his small rabbit friend, who he called 'Avie' darted past him, racing with Bunnymund through the chimney tops (all of which North spontaneously burst from like a jolly geyser) tossing taunts back and forth, but he couldn't really be part of the fun.
He'd held up his back of teeth a little stiffly along with the others, Hal dropping his load dangerously close to Jack's head.
As he raced back to the places he'd taken the teeth from with the intent of leaving treats, he couldn't help but scold himself. This is meant to be a good time, Jo. We're beating Pitch this way. Why can't you just lighting up?
Jo had never been one to lightning up when down. He hadn't delved into snowball fights or trick-or-treating in his earlier childhood. But that was the old him.
Maybe Ducky was another reason, he mused as he left little coins beneath pillows absently, moving like a robot. He still hadn't had the moment to bring her up, or talk about Hal...or anything else.
Pitch is first on the list. I need to deal with him before we get to acquaintances.
He realised a moment or two later that the group had moved on around the street to gather another tooth, the night almost done it seemed. The coldness of the town was familiar to Jo. This was the place Pitch had showed up.
Finding himself alone was something he didn't want, and he shuddered at the memory of those murky yellow pupils. He began leaping along the rooftops to join the others, searching the sky for any trace of Hal. His rabbit companion had rejoined Jack earlier, so he guess the trick-or-treater was alone as well.
He hopped quietly down to the street outside the house, the one that Tooth had entered just a second before. Jack had been with her. Jo's face fell as he stared around the neighbourhood, finding it vaguely familiar. He didn't know what stopped him from joining the others, as it seemed North and Bunnymund had found their way inside as well, perhaps even Sandy.
He stared up at the window for a few seconds, feeling awful aloof. Then, he forced his legs to bend, and he swept through the air and onto the windowsill. Sandman noticed him with a friendly smile, but at the same moment he arrived North had began his little victory dance- as evident with a duo of giant teeth bags at his feet. Jo couldn't help but laugh a little.
SNAP.
A flashlight flickered, and Jo felt as if he was re-living a memory. A brown-eyed boy around his size stared at the Guardians in hushed wonder, clutching an old flashlight tight in his hands.
"Santa Clause..."
His turned his flashlight to Bunnymund, his voice steadying, "The Easter Bunny?"
His eyes snapped to the winged figure in the air and he smile in joy "The Tooth Fairy! I knew you'd come!"
"Surprise! We came..." Tooth smiled back, unable not to in adoration, but she was uneasy at this violation of 'not-being seen' rule. The flashlight flickered onto Sandman, who waved back gently.
"Sandman..."
Jo remained where he was on the windowsill, away from the light. He was glad. He wasn't the one with the torchlight shining right past him.
Jack's face was enough to make Jo wish to slip away, and not be left with the racking guilt that plucked in his chest. Again, he didn't know why. Its wasn't his fault...
Doesn't mean you couldn't have done more.
"Psst, Guys!" Tooth's voice rescued him from damning thoughts, "He's still awake!"
"Sandy, knock 'im out!"
"..."
"With the dream sand, ya gumby!"
Jo wasn't so sure of what happened next. A dog had leapt from the side of the boy's bed and launched itself at the small grey rabbit, who had previously remained unnoticed beside Jack's ankle. Both of them dived to the side as Sandy gathered a ball of dream sand in hast, but a second later he was knocked off balance by Bunnymund. The pooka had leaped back as the greyhound lunched at him, snapping its jaws. The ball of sand bounced across the floor, colliding with Tooth and Ayver, then North, then Bunnymund and the greyhound. North collapsed on the bed, catapulting the child right into Sandman's arms. A single tap on the forehead sent him off to slumber land with the rest of them.
"Whoops."
Jo, who'd half-fallen out of the window, glared sourly at Jack, who sat on the dresser quiet happily, having avoided any fright. The frosty-haired spite nibbled at his nail, laughing quietly as he watched a gang of sand-carrots dancing above his rival's head.
"I really wish I had a camera right now..."
Sandman shook his head as he set the sleeping boy down on the bed, wiping his hands clean of any remained sleep-sand. Jo gave him a thumbs-up the best he could in his 'hanging onto the side of the window pane' position.
Jo's eyes travelled from Sandy to the wall opposite him as he tried to regain his position on the windowsill and perhaps finally enter the room, but his eyes caught something he'd rather not have seen.
A sharp, thin shadow stared back at him with hidden eyes. A second after an expression of horror dawned on his pale face, Jo felt something grab his hood from behind and jerk him back like a wind of a hurricane, his nails scraping fruitlessly on the side of the window. All he saw where Sandy and Jack's horrified faces as he was dragged in a blur through the air, whipping back and away in a gust as a distorted neigh of the nightmare echoed all around him.
Suspense.
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Poor Anguish.