GRAY'S POV
"Gray." Nightmare called as he opened the door slightly, sensing the tension but also noticed that the cause thereof was more or less gone. I heavily sighed struggling to unwind the terrible stress built up in my gut as I turned to assist him out of his cramped hiding quarters.
"Here, Master Nightmare." I answered, offering my hand to help him out. He graciously took it and slipped out, barely able to support his own weight after hearing Jackie's absurd claims. Really now...I know I was out of line but did she really have to remove herself from the building? I guided him to his seat wrapped in my thoughts and doubts. She overreacted; I was in the right. She acted very selfishly, not even considering my faults and -
"She's very hurt you know." Nightmare suddenly spoke up as he sat down. My eyes widened before I hastily placed a veil over my mind. Tch; he knows I'm thinking about her.
"What do you mean? We gave her a place to stay in the duration of her time here in land of Clover and she tries to kick me in the head." I sourly noted organizing the papers before him. Enough small talk; get your work done Nightmare and -
"She lost everything, Gray. Her home - twice, one from her old world and now her home in the Amusement Park - her job, her money, her clothes, her precious wrench, her violin...everything. And here she is, struggling to make dues and find a new role in her emotionally wrecked state when hit with even more obstacles." I struggled to blot out his reasoning and numb the effects but it was no use.
Nightmare is right. In my rage I forgot all about that. No wonder she's been so emotional; she has no base, no foundation to rely on. She literally has nothing and no one to support her. And her way of calling me 'mama hen'...was that perhaps her desperate attempt, whether consciously or not, to gain a pillar in her cracking stability? My clock ached with the terrible realization of my own cruelty. And here I am, selfishly thinking about my own worries such as that of being hurt that I was willing to shatter her already crumpling defenses.
I need to make amends.
"Hurry, Gray. It seems that Ace has something up his sleeve." Nightmare warned glancing out the window. I immediately darted out the window leaping from window ceil to ceiling as I reached the ground, taking off where I thought I saw her last flee. Ace, that bubble headed idiot, has something up his sleeve? My clock ached as I flitted through the streets searching for any sign of him.
That worthless pile of **** better not hurt her!
JACKIE'S POV
I sighed painfully and hobbled down the path drawing a number of eyeless faces my way. Though they all saw my clearly upset demeanor they wisely avoided me. Gray is such an idiot! I don't get it. Why are so many people here in Wonderland such jerks? The second I get my vile I'll - my face immediately fell. Vile...crap. It's back at the Amusement park. Just like all of my other stuff. I let out an exasperated sigh as I collapsed on a nearby bench. Life sucks...
But putting all that aside I need to figure out where to at least spend the night. Putting up all my options there's Clover Tower, Hatter's Mansion, the Circus, and Heart Castle. Well, Clover tower is definitely out.
Maybe at the mansion with Elliot? That would be fun. I like Elliot and the twins. And then there's Blood and Alice who will probably be rocking the night away...ugh. Poor Elliot. He's mentioned in passing a few times that he's had to cover his ears in wax just to drown out the worst of it.
Then why not the circus? I sighed. Yeah right. And deal with those Jokers? Last time I was there I literally spent the entire day playing cards with White and then disproving Black's locks at night. Well, it's a potential at least. It's a better choice than the mansion right now. And then there's -
"Huh? Oh hey Jackie!" Ace's voice called euphorically. I tilted my head back further spying him emerge from the bushes.
"Lost again?" I sighed unenthusiastically.
"Nope! I'm just on my way to Heart Castle." He explained pointing towards the woods. I raised my one eyebrow and twisted around on the bench to face him.
"Really? Isn't Heart Castle back there?" I asked pointing to the territory that was in the opposite direction.
"Huh? But this is a short cut!" He joyfully grinned with a goofy smile plastered to his face.
"Your short cuts suck." I harshly teased without a smile. I heavily sighed and thumped my head against the back of the bench. What am I going to do? I jumped as Ace rubbed my back swinging around the bench.
"Is there something wrong Jackie?" He asked encouraging me to speak in his own special little way. I breathed out a poor excuse for a smile playfully shoving his shoulder.
"Kind of. I've got no place to live now." I sighed and leaned forward on my knees before quickly retreating. Ouch. My foot is killing me...
"Why? Aren't you staying with Mr. Lizard?" The mere mention of his name made my fists ball up and my mood to curdle sourly.
"We had a fight." I stated with a note hinting that I didn't want to explain any more than that. Ace remained silent as the gears in his heard jerked to life processing my words.
"Really? Then why don't you come and stay at Heart Castle?" He offered clapping his hand over my shoulder. I grimaced in pain as the force made me put pressure on my foot before hastily wiping it from my face. My foot hurts...
"I'm thinking about it." I admitted leaning back. I'm just glad he's not pushing for an explanation.
"Don't think about it then; if you come to Heart Castle then we can sleep together!" He chattered excitedly with a very happy smile.
"The Circus it is then." I decided playfully watching Ace's reaction.
"Awe~! Not the Circus -!" He childishly whined, "come stay at Heart Castle with me!" I chuckled at his reaction. Well, I guess I could. But then again there's Peter...he doesn't exactly like me since my comment on Alice.
"Sorry but Peter's not exactly a fan of mine." I said just imagining his reaction to me staying there. He'll have a cow if I decide to live there...
"That's ok! As a valiant knight I'll protect you." He grinned pulling me in for a one armed hug. I chuckled as he jostled me around a bit giving in to his pleading.
"Fine, fine! Just for tonight then. I'll decide tomorrow." I laughed at his pouting face which immediately turned into an excited smile.
"That's great!" He cried, hopping up and crouched down with his arms slightly back. I stared at the odd position unsure what he was planning.
"Ace? What are you doing?"
"Your foot's hurt isn't it?" He asked with a slyer than normal smile. I grimaced.
"You noticed?" Ah, I didn't hide it well enough.
"It's really swollen." He noted looking over the bloated area. I sighed. Great... I froze as a terrifying idea came to me. "Ace, let me lead."
"Huh? But there's a short cut -,"
"No short cuts. Let me direct you." I pushed. There's no way I'm letting him carry me to Heart Castle based on his awful sense of direction. He glanced over his shoulder with a smile reading my intentions clearly.
"Boo~ fine." He pouted gesturing to his back. I grinned, hopping on his back. "Alley oop!" He sang easily supporting my weight. I wrapped my arms around his shoulders pointing the way.
"That's the way there and -,"
"Of course it is but this way is how we'll get there!" He cried turning around and heading off in the opposite direction. My mouth gapped in shock as I twisted around gazing at my lingering hope.
"Ace, it's the other way -!"
"But this is a short cut there." He sang prancing along the unmarked path.
"No, the short cut to the place I was pointing would be the short cut!" I argued tightening my grip around his neck.
"Ah ha ha ha ha~ adventure, adventure!" He cried waltzing off into the woods despite my protests, ignoring my choke hold on him.
I'm screwed.
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"Ha ha ha~ you suck at giving directions!" He cried as I struggled to correct him for the thirtieth time this hour.
"You suck at following directions!" I angrily retorted unable to even put a seed of doubt in his confused head.
I can't even run away...this sucks. He once again adjusted me on his back keeping a firm grip on my legs as I leaned against his back. Ugh...it's been a long day. From waking up after that night in the basement to Gray nearly killing me and now being kidnapped by Ace...this is just a rough day. Ace sang terribly out of tune as he hopped through the woods pointing out every little thing he deemed interesting.
"Hey look! A twig!" He cried fascinated by the broken piece of life lying on the ground.
"Yeah, fantastic. Never seen anything like it." I sarcastically growled. I've given up on trying to correct him. He'll never listen. At this point I'm just trying to not pass out.
"Hey look! That's a pretty big paw print~," he sang pointing to one bigger than his entire foot.
"Yeah, just dandy." I sighed thumping my head against the useless idiot. At this point I'll take Gray over Ace anytime.
"Hey look! What a cute little cub~," he sang placing me down on a small boulder as he bounded into the bushes. I froze as he pulled up a baby furry bear from the bushes holding it in his hands with a stupid smile on his face. My face drained of color as he nuzzled his nose with the baby cubs who playfully pawed at his face.
"ACE PUT THAT DOWN RIGHT NOW!" I nearly shrieked casting my eyes over the woods as fear riddled my bones. The mother has to be very near right now -! I leapt to my feet, whimpering in pain. Ah, I wasn't able to get any medicine for it...and it's not even wrapped right now. I was such an idiot. In my defiance towards Gray I didn't even wrap it. Oh yeah, I showed him alright. Now my foot will probably take a month to heal because of my stupidity. Yeah, real smooth.
"Huh? Why? It's so cute though~," he sang giving the furry mammal a hug. My heart pounded as I carefully examined the woods unable to see even a sign of the mother. I know she's here somewhere. And if not she'll be here any second and happily gorge into us.
"Ace, put it down and let's go." I pressed gasping in my pain. I can't even apply a little bit of pressure to the stiffened limb. I should have iced it when I had the chance.
"Huh? Hi Mrs. Bear! Don't worry, I'm just playing~," Ace sang looking behind me. I spun around as my mouth gapped with horror, spying the nine foot tall bear on it's hind legs. I dove to the side and rolled out of its way as it barreled towards Ace screaming like an enraged mother. "Aw~ mama bear wants to play too!" Ace cried leaping up into the air and hopping off it's back, still carrying the baby in his arms. "Ah ha ha ha~."
"Ace! Put it down now! You're pissing her off!" I begged scrambling back towards the tree. I can't run; my foot won't allow it and Ace is busy fooling around so he can't help me.
I'm completely and utterly defenseless. I can't run. I can't fight. The only thing I can do is sit here and pray that it won't come after me, the weaker of the two. My heart trembled terrible as it constricted. Nothing...I can do absolutely nothing. Anything I so is futile. I scooted back meeting the unforgiving bark of a tree. I grappled against the side using it to support my weight. Ouch -!
"Huh? Hey Jackie, do you want to join too?" Ace cried cheerfully jumping right in front of me. "Come here mama bear~," he sang waving her cub in front of her. I struggled to move before my injured foot buckled dropping me right over the strained ligaments once again.
"Ouch-!" I painfully cried in a trilling voice struggling to bare with the seething pain enveloping my foot. It hurts so much -! Horror enveloped me as Ace darted off to the side letting the bear barrel right at me. I scrambled back unable to drag myself out of the way.
Thump thump thump
I shakily gapped, breathing hard as the bear skidded to a halt and spun around, roaring at Gray who drew out of the vegetation. His angry topaz eyes darted over me before settling on Ace with a seething rage I could barely comprehend.
"Ace! What is the meaning of this?!"
"Huh? We're only playing~," Ace sang cuddling with the little bear. The mother bear fiercely roared, asserting her dominance as she barreled right at the new intruder. My heart constricted as I struggled to get to my feet before dropping. Searing agony shot up my leg. That was it; that final drop probably tore some of my ligaments. My foot is going numb and it's not moving properly. All because I was being so childish -!
"Your irresponsibility nearly got her killed!" He harshly criticized leaping over the bear's charge and jumped off it's back. He hastily scooped me right up into his arms clutching me tightly as he ripped out the three knives in the tree. I wrapped my arms around his shoulders clinging for dear life.
"Aw~ but I knew you would come!" Ace sang, "because if you didn't mama bear would have taken your cub!" Gray sneered as he reared back throwing the three knives at Ace. Ace smiled and deflected the attacks with ease using his sword smiling at him with an excited grin. "Mr. Lizard...I love those eyes. Show them to me more, won't you?"
"Do not speak in my presence you filthy disgrace for a Role Holder!" Gray spat slipping out a small white pod. Huh? The second it hit the ground a white sheen of smoke enveloped the area blinding me as wind tore through my hair. Huh? We're moving?
"Gray - ,"
"Hush." He shushed kissing me on the forehead.
...huh? I remained silent as he flew through the trees following an invisible path carved out by his flickering topaz eyes. I gritted my teeth and clasped my hands together around his neck digging my nails into my hands. Each jerk he made sent a pained spasm shooting up my leg causing me to want to scream. I sunk my lips into my shoulder muffling my whimpers as my lungs shook with the desire to cry.
To cry because I've lost everything I've spent a life time saving.
To cry because no one needs me; I'm just an extra.
To cry because I was stupid enough to trust Ace.
To cry because I'm now relying on the man who treated me so much like a child before and the events now only prove his point.
I feel helpless.
I feel pathetic.
I feel like I can't do anything right.
I feel lost and scared and - and -! I gritted my teeth unable to bare the agony ripping my leg apart any longer.
"Gra-Gray, please stop!" My voice trilled drenched with my pains and pleads. I can only handle so much; I'm hitting my breaking point now. His body stiffened as I hid my embarrassment in his shoulder.
"Jackie?" He cried, startled at my agonized huffs for air. My throat is constricting so I can't breathe right. My chest feels so tight that it's about to rip in half. I'm going to start crying in front of a man who thinks I'm pathetic and weak. I can't cry; not in front of him at the very least. My showing weakness will only prove him right -! He slowed to a stop making my foot shriek. Gray hastily dropped to the ground waiting for me to loosen my hold but I refused, instead holding him tighter.
"Jackie, please tell me where you're hurting." He begged sounding pained himself. I weakly grappled at his back as he gently pushed me off lying me on the ground. Before he got a chance to see my face I hastily covered my eyes with the back of my hands. I don't want him to see my emotionally wrecked state right now. I hate to cry let alone in front of people -!
"F-F-F-Foot -!" I heaved out somehow struggling to deal with the painful heat and the stiffening surges ripping up my foot. It hurts so much...but that's not why I want to cry.
I'm frustrated.
I'm weak.
I'm pathetic.
I gritted my teeth, whimpering as he gently coddled my foot. He edged up my pants as I felt my sneaker smoothly glide off the affected foot. It really, really hurts. And now Gray has to deal with it and help me because of my own childish stupidity. He slipped the shoe back on loosening the laces to the point that it would slip off if anything knocked into it. He picked me up hurrying back at a much smoother pace than before. Gray...he's helping me even after my childish fit. Why? It's all my fault...
"I'm sorry...I'm sorry, I'm so sorry -!" I sobbed. I'm so sorry for being weak. I'm so sorry for hurting myself and burdening you because of my stupidity. I'm so, so sorry I can't do anything right. What's happening to me? I was so good before and now...and now I'm crumpling. I - I don't know what to do. I just don't know -! I sucked in a shaky breath as his hand gently glided over my head soothing my ruffled hair.
"It's alright, Jackie. Don't be sorry. If anyone should apologize it should be me." No, stop. Don't go and selfishly say that. It's only going to make me feel even more guilty. It's not your fault, it's mine.
"S-Stop...," I choked out in an incomprehensible sob. I'm crying too hard. I can't even speak right. A hiccup crawled out of my throat as I struggled to suffocate the pitiful sounds.
"Shh, all is well Jackie. Please don't be sad. I'm right here." He cooed rubbing my back in small circles. My heart thumped painfully, more so than my foot, as I clutched onto his jacket. Why is he comforting me? I was acting like a brat before. I don't deserve this! Despite my desire to push him away I held him closer, afraid to let him go. It hurt so much...both emotionally and physically. So much so I wouldn't mind keeling over and dying.
"It's alright Jackie...," he continued to mumble comforting words as we reached town, all the way up to the front gate. Why...
Why is he being so nice to me?
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Aw...poor Jackie is overwhelmed with emotions right now. What do you think? Let me know in a PM orREVIEW10 more like normal :3