sorry, I haven't posted in a while guys (I've been really ill and in hospital) so sorry if this doesn't seem as detailed as the other chapters or more effort has been put into it. I promise I'll get back n track properly soon x Thanks for understanding

I watch as the boy runs after the children, under his age, engrossed in a game of tag. Their laughs and shrieks of close encounters of Jack, who is on, fill my ears as I shelter I the shadows. From what I've gathered of this game, through the years of seeing many children play this same game, a group of children run away from another child who is 'on'. If they're caught they are then on. Pointless game if you ask my opinion, but it kept the children happy and gave me an excuse to stare at Jack unoticed. Suddenly, Jack slips on the damp leaves and sticks that have, wettened by previous nights rain, on the area he passes over. I see him grimace in pain as he falls, but gets straight back up. I can tell instantly that he's hurt from his sudden change in facial expression. "Jack, are you ok?" Emma calls to him. He nods furiously, but restrains from saying anything. He's trying desperatly to hold back his pain and tears, but is struggling. "I think mother just called me. Continue playing and I'll be back soon." Jack promises, turning from the children and toward his home. His quick lie gives him a valid reason to leave the group, without them worrying about him, and head inside. I watch in worry as his face twists into pain and I catch him cradling his hand as he rushes past me. I follow in suit and incognito of the children to his home and watch as he shuts himself in his bedroom. I slip with the shadows under the door and fully appearing in his room. Siting on his bed, he examines his hand and bites his lip hard enough that the skin turns a paler colour. I quickly slink through the shadows and stand in front of him. He looks up and tears are pricking his eyes. He quickly looks away again, but I catch his chin with my hand. To prevent him from touching his injured hand anymore and assuring him that it's okay to let his feelings out about the pain he must be suffering, by placing my hand lightly on his uninjured one thats nursing the pain. "It's broken, but I can fix that." I tell him, turning his head back so his eyes are fixed with mine. I kneel down in front if him and work my way around his one good hand that's protecting his broken hand from me. Batting him away when he attempts to pull me off, I look at him seriously. I add a type of sterness to my look, but also keep it soft, to show him I'm on his side and won't hurt him. "Jack, trust me." I ask him. He pulls his hand away slowly and rests it on his leg. Sands begin circling my hand as I take his hand in mine. The black sinks into his skin and after a few seconds, I raise his hands to my lips and tenderly kiss. The humans seemed to believe that a kiss from someone helps against the pain by 'kissing it better'. Incorrect obviously, but I still can't seem to help it. Such a human thing for me to do, but it seemed to calm him and, maybe, it did help. "All done." I whisper, standing again. However, before I can fully stand, Jacks arms are wrapped around my neck and his lips have latched onto mine. He passionately kisses me, which I gladly return, and then pulls away. I look down at him. I don't mind the kiss, but the suddn desperation for lip contact forced me to question him. "Thank you." He breathes. I smile down at him and run my hand through his beautiful hazelnut hair. I am never really one to say thank you, or to give it our either, so this still seemed quite new to me. However, I dfinetly prefer the way Jack praises my work, rather than just the two words.

I return to the boy, same time, everyday for the next six months. I seem to find it harder and harder to resist conversation with him each night, for contact and a form of civilisation. We each enjoy each others company and our relationship grows stronger and have even started to hint and refer at being in a relationship with each other. I don't really have anyone to hint at it with, but Jack was different. Jack had everyone who asked him. If his mother would hint at a rather pretty girl located in the village, he would turn down the offer saying; "I'm already in a relationship." I never thought that a simple sentance would make me crumble in the palm of the boys hand, but it did, and I've become soft. At the moment, it's a peaceful night. Couples are quietly walking along the dust paths of the village and the children are playing. Jack and I have found a slightly isolated area together, so we can talk at ease. As he's talking, however, I notice the children getting in close proximity of the forest. I made a promise, not just for my self satisfaction, that I'll protect the children of this village as much as I can. "I'll be right back." I promise Jack, apologizing for my sudden interruption. I slip into the shadows and appear in front of the children. As they run closer to me, I raise my arms and go to grab the first child, to scare the rest into a safe distance from the tree line. Fear might not be the most pleasant solution, but it was certainly the most effective. Yet, I'm taken a back when he passes straight through me. No.. this can't be happening to me! As well as the second and finally Emma, all three laughing gleefully and running another circuit of the village as if nothing happened. I pull my arms to my chest and grip my robes. I scan the area around me... Those children.. Couldn't.. See me? I begin to hyperventilate. No one can see me?! No, I can't let my own advantages take a hold of my disadvantage. Fear was my area of expertise. I calm and bring myself to normal breathing and back into the shadows, eradicating the fear from my mind. But what if Jack can't see me anymore either? I panic even more and begin to make my way, frantically, toward Jacks room. I appear and loom of the teens bedside. I seemed to have spent longer avoid the public eye as the village has setteled and most of its residents have resorted to their home and are sleeping peacfully. My shadow casts over the teen in the moonlight. I marvel at his peaceful face. So calm and radiates colour. Suddenly, the sparkle of brown eyes passes me as his arms encase me, pulling me onto him, chest to chest. I relax on the mattress, thankful that he could still see me and I could feel his embrace. My hands slide up his back and come to rest on his shoulders, hugging him tightly. "Where did you go? What happened?" He breathes, "I thought I lost you." Just his voice soothed me, his warm breath touching the back of my neck and it sends shivers down my spine. "Your sister and those children, they don't believe in me anymore. When a child doesn't believe in a spirit any longer, it's like the being isn't there. Invisible. They can just pass through them like they're air and without any harm. Normally, at fourteen they stop believing. However, fear last a bit longer. Some fully grown adults can still see me." I explain to him, not letting go or loosening my grip once. "So... I'm more scared of things than my nine year old sister?!" Jack questions, embarrassed. "And I'm glad you are, otherwise we wouldn't be talking right now." I nod, smiling against him. There's a short silence between us before he breaks it. "I'm glad too." He breathes.