Chapter 16

(Rapunzel's POV)

Corwin's brother led us down a narrow, deserted alley. None of us spoke, the silence save the sound of the soft pattering of our feet stretched. We went farther and farther in.

Suddenly, Abbadon stopped walking. Then he faced the greasy, dirty, red, wall.

Still, nobody spoke. We didn't have to because we could feel it; someone else's presence. Abbadon raised his hands and chanted in a language we couldn't understand.

But I could.

I don't know why, but I can sense his mind. Not his words exactly, but I feel what his words meant. I felt the darkness in his mind, the turmoil. Not only is he pure demon, there's something else.

He's broken.

Before I could sense some more, a huge hole appeared.

"HOLEY GUACOMOLE," Jack gasped, then added, "Haha get it? Holey because there's a hole?"

"Then what's the guacamole for?" Hiccup asked.

Jack glared at him. "Hey. Don't let a joke die twice."

Merida shushed them as we entered the mysteriously freaky hole.

I expected hell. I expected screaming and torture or fire. I expected death and ghosts. I expected the end of my poor and miserable life.

But ho ho what do I see?

A white hospital.

Everything here was white. The walls, the desk, the tv, the floor, even the weird looking thingy on top of the bed.

"Mom," Corwin said, rushing to the weird thingy's side.

Oh. It's his mother. I took a step to get a closer look at her.

She was beautiful, in a pale way. Her features were sharp and flawless. Her eyes looked purple and her slim form was hidden under a hospital gown.

When Corwin came closer, she immediately took his hand in hers.

"My son," her voice was hoarse. "I don't have much time and neither do you. You must bring the Four back to earth. Protect them," she coughed and a stream of blood rippled down the side of her mouth. She ignored it.

"Pitch does not plan to attack the parallel realm," she continued. "It was a distraction."

"What?" Corwin was taken back. "What are you saying? I don't under-"

"Please," she wheezed. "Listen; to destroy a swarm of bees, destroy the queen."

"Mom-" Corwin tried to interject.

However she took her last breath and passed away. Corwin sat there in shock.

Abbadon came and took Corwin away. He summoned another portal and we stepped out; we arrived in front of Jack's house.

When we arrived there, Jack immediately called his butler to prepare a room for all of us. I have no idea how, but somehow Stoick and the rest were already there. Ruffnut and Tiffnut came out of the large mansion and helped Corwin in. Abbadon followed.

Mrs. Frost emerged and hugged Jack. She had tears streaming down her face and she was muttering, "I thought I'd lost you. I'm so happy you're back home safe."

Jack simply hugged her back.

The rest of the afternoon rolled by quickly; each of us were trapped in his or her own thoughts.

Why? What? How? So many things have happened in less than 60 hours. I found my Source, an evil weirdo is after us, met two gods, had my first experience with I-will-murder-you jealousy, and it's about to be the end of the world.

Look on the bright side; we didn't run into any vampires at Paris.

After a very silent dinner I decided to go out for a stroll.

Despite all the things that are raging on right now, the moon was beautiful tonight. I looked at it as some sort of contrast with what I'm dealing with right now. The moon looked so bright and so peaceful, whereas I feel so dark and at war.

Oh yeah. And to add to that terrible list of things that happened to me, I met this incredibly handsome, annoying, jerky boy.

Ugh Jack can be so frustrating!

I know I've known him for less than a week, but I feel like it's been years.

That's because for the Four of you, time passes quickly, my Source chuckled.

"Sure, mom," I said. "Whatever you say."

It's true! She replied. Physically, day for an average human is like a year to you guys. Emotionally, a year for humans is like a day to you. So you've met Jack for about three days, yes? Then you've known him emotionally for three years.

Wow. I feel old. No wonder I have these feelings for him!

Each day that goes by I thought he actually cared for me. But ever since Kaira came here, well, obviously not. I think I'm falling for him but I know he'll never look at me the same.

I'm so mad. I'm mad at myself for ever showing weakness, and I'm mad at him for making things harder.

I sighed and kept on walking, absorbed in my own thoughts.

Suddenly, I smashed into a wall.

"Stupid-" I muttered and looked up to see a grinning Jack.

"Hey princess," he said. "Going for a romantic stroll?"

I rolled my eyes and tried to sidestep him and continue my ex-peaceful walk.

"Hey wait," he gently grabbed my arm. "What's wrong?" He pulled me back and looked in my eyes, concern etched in his cute features. His blue eyes searched mine and I hastily pulled away from him. His smile faded.

"Stay away from me," I gritted out and pushed against his chest. I don't know what's gotten into me. I'm usually very polite.

"What?" he looked confused. "Why are you like this?"

"Why am I like this?" I almost yelled. "Well, let's see. My whole life has been a lie and I step back and watch a boy I like make out with someone else!"

He frowned and I grimaced inwardly. I hate my big mouth.

"What are you talking about?" he frowned.

"You know what? Never mind," I said and walked away.

"No," he said firmly and stood in front of me. "Tell me what's bothering you."

"Why?" I looked up at him. "You won't understand. You're just a spoiled rich playboy who dates other girls and treat them like trash. You don't have a heart so, no, I will not tell you what's bothering me."

As soon as the words left my mouth I regretted them. His pained features told me I've hurt him. But I would not apologize. It was the truth after all.

"Is that what you really think about me?" he said, his voice laced with anger. "Do you really think so low of me enough to assume I've been treating girls 'like trash'?" He made air quotes.

"Well that's what you are!" I snapped at him. "That's why your father left you, right? Because you're a selfish, ignorant, idiot."

In a second is face was inches from mine. I could see his jaw clench as he spoke in a low voice. "You don't know my father. NEVER speak about him again."

Then he walked away.

"I liked you, you know!" I yelled after him. He froze.

"Ever since my parents left I've been yearning for someone to care for me," my voice cracked. Oh no. I never told anybody about this. Not even Merida.

"I've dated and dated, but none of them truly cared for me. They left me scarred, hurt, and I never trusted anyone since." I felt tears fall and still he kept his back to me.

"But then I met you," I continued. "You cared for me. I can sense it in your mind. I know you want to protect me and for that, I like you."

I was sobbing now, but I didn't care. "And just when I've made up my mind about you, you went ahead and slept with Kaira!"

"I never slept with Kaira," He said in a low voice, his back still at me.

I felt my heart soar a bit. "Y-you didn't?"

"No," he finally turned to face me. "She and Corwin are together."

"But her shirt-"

"Corwin and I had identical shirts." He explained, his voice cold.

I was speechless. And judging by his features, I know I've done a terrible mistake.

"Jack, I'm sorry I-"

"What?" he said. "You saw her shirt and immediately assumed that I would do such a thing?"

I shook my head. "No I didn't know. Please, Jack I'm so sorr-"

He waved me off. "Forget it," he started to walk off again then stopped. "You know, I liked you too. But that was before you judged me."

I stared helplessly at him as he disappeared from my sight. Then I fell to my knees, held my head between my hands, and cried.

(Jack's POV)

Since that night I have tried avoiding her. The notes she stuck under my door went to the trash bin unopened. I never looked at her.

I was still hurt by what she said. I don't treat them that way. And my father left for a reason. It's not because of me.

I sighed and sat down on my bed. I needed something to distract me from this. I'm in denial mode.

As if on cue, a knock sounded on the door and Sandy walked in.

School starts tomorrow and your first training right after that. The golden words formed above his head.

"When do you think the war will begin?" I asked him.

According to the Brothers, about… three months?

"We'll be ready."

Author's Note: Hey guys! So this is the end of the first book. The next book will be about Jack and Rapunzel's relationship, as well as their training in the next three months. The third book will be about Hiccup and Merida. And finally, the last book will be about the War.

So yeah that's a small heads-up on what you will be expecting!

Love you all,

Princess Outrageous

P.S, The second book is up! It's called, "Modern World II: Jack and Rapunzel" Be sure to check it out *wink*