Chapter 8

(Pitch's P.O.V.)

Back From the Dead

"Ivy!" The Guardians cried at once as i lightly caught her limp form. Passed out from too much exertion most likely. Who knew it required that much power to create such a beast.

"It's alright, she just passed out. See, shes breathing." I pointed out as I cradled Ivy in my arms and showed her to the Guardians. I could hear there sighs of relief as they watched her chest rise and fall.

"We should probably let her get some rest." The fairy chimed in, stating the obvious as usual. "Pitch, would you mind getting her back to her dorm?"

I sneered a reply and fell into the shadows, once again making a trip to Ivy's dorm. Hopefully no one was naked this time... I swear, what in the cosmoses sake makes a girl think it's fine to walk around naked like it's no problem at all? I have no clue, and I don't think i'll find one either if I'm lucky.

No one was in her dorm. That ball of energy, Lauren, was still probably playing around with her friends. The room was pilled with stacks of books and homework from the past semester. Some being mine, some being the other fools who I had the displeasure of working with. There was still a jumbled pile of papers and pens sitting on the desk, a story half written.

I gently laid Lilly back on her bed, resisting with all my strength not to give her a nightmare. My, she was such a beautiful girl during a nightmare. Not that she isn't in general, i'd be lying to myself if I said otherwise. But oh! How her skin turns a deathly pale, and how she moans and groans from the petrifying dreams. Absolutely delicious. Seeing how she hasn't had any sleep for almost a week now though, it would be plain torment to make her suffer a nightmare now. So I brushed a dark strand of hair from her face and disappeared back into the shadows before anyone came barging in again.

But not even a couple seconds later, a delicious wave of fear came crashing out of nowhere. It was all too familiar though... it tasted a lot like Ivy's. yet, not hers exactly. It had a different feel... one I have felt before yet never really cared for. Could it be?

I turned my course from my lair to the source of the fear. A small tiny house on the edge of the woods where I had found Ivy at appeared in front of me. It was almost midnight in these parts, and the slightest screams came from inside. The fear had come and gone, and would start back up from time to time. But it was as if it was being drained from the persons body.

I walked into the shadows and stalked back out once I was inside the house. It looked like a complete wreck. A couch was on its side, a table smashed, blood on the walls from an unknown source. What the hell happened here?

I began to check the rooms to try and find the source of the fear, making sure they were still alive. In one room... two dead and mutilated body's lay hanging off the bed. Hmm, I have seen something like this before. But never quite this harsh and brutal. It had to of been Neo, surly. For what reason, I have no clue. He had no business with Ivy's parents, if that's who they are anyway.

The second room was untouched, but there was pictures of Ivy on the wall. It must have been hers at one point in time. The third and very last room... contained a girl almost Ivy's age yet younger. She was alive, or so I think.

I began to approach her, but she stood up and backed up against the wall. "Who are you, and what do you want?" The girl stammered.

"That depends my dear. Are you Ashley, sister of Ivy?" I replied with a smile.

The girl pursed her lips and nodded. "How do you now Ivy?" Ashley asked. "Shes been long since dead... your not the Grim Reaper are you?"

I let out a slight laugh. But something caught my eye. Ashley had blood dripping down from her abdomen, her face, and... her chest. Surly she was dead, or had died... The moon was bright over this particular house. That twit must have brought this poor girl back from the dead like her sister. Why doesn't he just let people die in peace?

"Ha, no. I am not the Grim reaper. But Ashley, your sister is not dead. She is safe and sound with the Guardians." I began to explain through a slight purr. "She is at Guardian Academy, a school where students who are brought back from the dead and or chosen, can learn to become a Guardian to. Or, if they wish they may pass on and live peacefully elsewhere. It seems you have been chosen worthy by the Man in the Moon as well. Which means you can see your sister again if you wish."

Ashley looked at me like I was insane, and yet a flicker of excitement showed in her eyes at the mentioning of her big sister. But Ashley shook her head. "No... as great as that might sound and all... I don't want to go to this 'Guardian Academy'. You just said I had a choice to be free... I remember how Ivy used to tell me story's about the Guardians, about the moon, and about ghost stories. I don't want to be one of them. And if i am guessing right that man killed me, and for some reason I am back-"

"What man?" I interrupted.

"Um... Well. He was the one that killed my sister in the forest, the one that nearly killed me to if it wasn't for her. But i don't think you know that story." Ashley explained. My usual smirk disappeared. Neo was back... but why did he do this?

"Do you now why he attacked your house?" I asked again.

"He wanted to find Ivy. But when we told him that she was dead, he accused us of lying and..." Ashley grew silent as tears pricked her eyes. But she blinked them back and shook her head. Tough girl, to see her parents get slaughtered and not freak out. Actually, to get any of this news and not freak out was quite surprising really. But I could tell she was still slightly afraid. Afraid of what might happen to her, afraid for her sister..., just purely afraid. She did well to hide it though.

But there was a bigger problem here than Ashley being brought back to life. It means Neo is personally looking for Ivy... and if he finds out. Shit. "Ashley, while I admire how strong you are. Your sister is in danger, and I need to make sure that she stays safe. But I will say this. She loves you more than anything, and she is constantly worrying about you. Will you not come back with me and see your sister? I know it all seems confusing right now, but everything will be explained shortly." I tried once more to convince her. I know how much Ivy misses Ashley, why I care I haven't a clue. But it wouldn't hurt to reunite the two.

"No. Look, I don't know who you are... or what you are exactly! But... I don't want to go. That's my final answer. I'm sorry... if you could give my sister my best regards, I would be grateful." Ashley answered with a sullen expression.

Ugh, persistent brat. Fine. If she doesn't want to go, then she can wonder off and do as she wishes. "Fine. I'll give her your regards. If you ever change your mind, just ask the shadows where to find me. Oh! And do be warned, that when the police arrive, they won't be able to see you." I smirked as i fell back into the shadows without another word.

Why does that damned man in the moon have to interfere with people's lives who deserve a peaceful end? The girl was practically bleeding to death! Why make her suffer anymore as a lonely spirit in this god forsaken world? Not that I really care, its none of my business. Just another helpless being I can turn into a nightmare. Eh, actually. If it wasn't for the fact that Ashley was Ivy's sister I might have just done that. She would have made a nice stubborn one too. But heaven forbid that if Ivy ever found out...

Not that she could really hurt me as far as I'm concerned. With her retched powers maybe. Of all things she had to have magic brighter than the sun itself! However, she could also make it darker than any blackness I have ever seen. It simply makes me grin at the thought that she has a power almost as dark as my own. Ha, oh if only I could ever persuade her to join me by my side. How those fools would jump out of their skin and tremble before us. Alas, I do not think that would happen though.

"Ah! There you are Pitch! Where have you been?" The frostling pipped as I sat down at the table for dinner. It was already too late to go back to my lair for a bit to spread fear while I could. The damned Guardians always made sure i barley had time to do that, but I needed to make sure Ivy wasn't still passed out and alive.

"I was going to do my job and give a couple of nightmares. But I got side tracked by some rather important information which I need to share with you guys after dinner is over." I replied as I grabbed a light portion of... of pasta? Ugh, alright then.

"What happened?" Jack asked with a worried expression.

"Something no one is going to like." I sighed.

I scanned the room for any sign of Ivy, and to my relief she was right where she and her friends always sit. She looked worn out as usual, but better than normal. She still wore her black tank top that showed off her luscious curves, and the tight ripped skinny jeans that exposed glimpses of her slightly pale legs. Simply beautiful to say the least. A smile graced her lips as our eyes met for a few seconds, but then she turned away. Lauren must have made some type of comment for a blush spread across her face and she slapped Lauren on the arm.

Heh, typical girls... Easily breakable and hurt, or easily amused. Something tells me that Ivy would probably be better off not knowing about her sister and her family. It would wreck her... completely. The fact that her sister refused to see her would hurt more than knowing her family was dead. No... she shouldn't know. Not now. Right now the main objective was to keep her safe from Neo, and prepare her for the worst. Until that is over with, then maybe she shall know. But for now, the girl should be happy.