And the day did not get any better. North guided the semi-conscious teenager into the house and sat him on the couch, where he proceeded to pass out. He put a blanket over the boy and went to the kitchen to get started on dinner.
Dinner filled the kitchen with a warm aroma after an hour and North set the table. He then went into the family room to rouse the sleeping Jack, only to find him missing from his spot, the blanket thrown on the floor. He must be prepping for dinner, North thought, then went to find Jack. As he passed his room, he noticed a movement from within. North opened the door to find his closet open and Jack standing just inside, holding something.
"Jack?" North asked, hesitating to move forward, in case he might startle the boy.
"Jack, what are you doing in my closet?" North quietly walked up behind the boy, worry rising quickly to the top of the list of what emotions he was feeling at the moment. Jack had yet to move from the position North had found him in, and this made North's worry rise even further.
"Jack, answer me. Why are you in here?"
"Why do you have this?" Jack whispered, so soft North nearly missed the question. "Why do you have this?!" Jack yelled, and North heard him hiccup before he turned around and showed North the Sheppard's Hook he was holding. Jack's cheeks were wet from the unwavering flow of tears coming from his eyes and he was shaking. North took a step forward, but was met with Jack taking a step back, away from the closet and North, hugging the hook like his life depended upon it.
"How-how long have you had this and not told me?" Jack whispered, his voice escaping him.
"Jack, it's not-"
"How long!" Jack yelled. North took another step forward, hand reaching out to Jack, but Jack just took another step back. "North, I was beginning to believe you. To believe this lie of a life you gave me. Well, I can see through your little game now."
"Jack, how did you find that?" North asked, trying his best to keep eye contact with the frantic boy in front of him.
"She told me. She told me it was here. She told me where to look and that everything here is a lie!"
"Jack, did your dreams tell you that?" North continued, inching closer to Jack, trying to make him calm down.
"Yes, North, my dreams told me. Well, they have told me a whole lot more truth than you have my entire life! Why did you do this?! Why did you make me a human! Why- don't come any closer!" Jack yelled as he finally noticed how little proximity was between himself and his supposed uncle. Jack pointed his hook at North, ready to fight with the powers he no longer possessed.
"Jack, calm down. Think about what you are saying-"
"No, North. I have done enough listening. I thought I could actually trust you, but this only proves that I was dead wrong."
"It is a gift, Jack! I was saving it for Christmas! I remember you said you used to have one, so I wanted to give to you, as present." North tried explaining, but his words fell on deaf ears.
"You're lying! I know you are!" Jack held his hands up to cover his ears and fell to his knees. North advanced, trying to cease the opportunity, but was held back by Jack swinging his staff in front of him, to ward off the other.
"Jack, please, put the hook back in the closet and-"
"Live a lie with you, North? Is that what you want? To live a crappy life with me in some stupid town, making me go to some ignorant school and learn nothing! Is that what you want?! Huh?! Well, I know I have better things in life than to be here. I have a season to create, and nothing you do will stop me." Jack threatened, then sprinted past North, just barely missing North's reach, and ran out the front door, North following close behind, but as North ran into the night, he could not see Jack in any direction. He could not have been that fast!
"Jack!" North yelled into the night, but there was no response, and he was not expecting one.
"Dammit Jack!" North cursed, then proceeded to call Aster. He was going to need help.