The whispers were slightly concerning. I couldn't hear any words in specific, so there was still time for me to explain them away as nothing more than a nuisance and snuggle deeper into the mountain of blankets on top of me. It occurred to me that this was another trick. However, I was thankful enough for it and wouldn't argue.
A cold hand against my forehead had my eyes reeling open like a frightened animal and I shot from beneath the covers of the massive bed. My only intention had been to get away from that hand, but I found myself surrounded. There were massive furred beasts peering at me with curiosity and small creatures that could hardly reach my knees dressed in pointed hats and bell-tipped shoes. And then there were them. Upon seeing the Guardians – who weren't exactly as I'd imagined them, but recognizable enough – I felt my throat clench.
I looked up to the ceiling, my eyes fighting back tears. "You're going to use childhood memories against me now, Pitch?" I shouted, my voice not as unwavering as I would have liked. My hands were curled into fists that trembled when I heard no dark laughter in response. Was his intention to make me feel comfortable once more before he stripped the kindness away? It was unbelievably cruel, but how could I expect anything less from him?
"Hey, it's okay," assured the white-haired boy from before. His blue eyes were a relief from the golden ones I was so used to seeing. A reassuring smile graced his face and I nearly scowled. Oh, Pitch was good. A stray thought, courtesy of my stubborn streak, came to mind. How mad could I make Pitch by telling him I would rather bask in the presence of a figment of my imagination for an eternity than spend another second with him?
"You're scaring the little sheila," said the rabbit, furred arms crossed over his chest while he looked at the others sternly.
While the big furry beasts shuffled away, I nearly growled. "I'm not afraid." Pitch had never used these tactics before. He would never outright tell me I was afraid. I would know. This nightmare – what else could it be? – was giving me a headache.
The little gold man hopped up and down for a moment to get everyone's attention before golden images flashed above his head at a rapid pace. Santa – I took to thinking of the large Russian as that – had a perplexed look on his face before shrugging after exchanging a look with the rabbit, feathered woman, and white-haired boy. Sandman took a deep breath before sand billowed from his ears as smoke would in cartoons I hadn't seen in too long.
The feathered woman stepped closer to the bed I was still standing on at the ready as if I truly could fight off nightmares. I tensed at her approach, but if she noticed, she gave no sign. "Alice, no one here means you harm. I'm the Tooth Fairy, but you can call me Tooth." As if the woman had reminded the others what it was to have manners, the introductions began. The small hummingbird flew up to my face, making me flinch away. I resisted the urge to smack her away from me, though I couldn't say why. Perhaps it was her smile or just the way her eyes didn't glimmer with malicious intent. "That's Baby Tooth," said the white-haired boy before he put a hand on his chest. "And I'm Jack Frost."
"I'm North. Welcome to the Pole," he invited with a broad grin. North looked right jolly when he wasn't swinging those swords around, I had to admit. I turned expectantly to where the rabbit had stood all surly like, but he was smiling now, too. "Bunnymund. Easter Bunny at your service."
How was Pitch expecting me to react to this? I couldn't even begin to fathom, but I was finding myself terrified of it being stripped away. So rather than embrace the growing warmth in my chest, I shut it down. Shut it out. Shut them out. If I let the slightest bit of warmth back into my heart, Pitch would strip it away and leave me emptier than before. Rather than face that, I lowered myself back down on the bed. My eyes fell down to my lap and I realized for the first time that I was wearing fresh new pajamas with dancing reindeer on them. It brought to mind my family and I felt a deep ache in my chest. Did Mom miss me? Did she remember me? The thought nearly had the tears I'd been holding back come to the surface. When I thought they might fall, I steeled myself. Forced a smile on my face. "It's nice to meet all of you," I said politely. "I'm really tired though."
"Yes, sweetheart, I'm sure you need to catch up on rest! We'll be right outside the door if you need anything, okay?" Tooth said. Already, I adored her. She was the closest thing I had to a mother in years. But she was just a dream. One I would be broken-hearted to wake from. Was this how my mind would protect itself? By giving me this one night of sweet dreams? I couldn't take any more of it it was stripped away, I would break. I nodded my head, not looking up.
I listened as they began to filter out of the room, not expecting the cool hand on my shoulder. Startled, I looked up at Jack. "It'll be okay. I promise." His smiled with such confidence that I couldn't help but smile in return. "'Kay," I responded in turn. My answer seemed to satisfy him enough, for he left the room as the others had with his staff in hand.