I'm never really sure what to say, but I always see other authors putting a little note somewhere in each chapter. I just hope you're enjoying this so far and I can keep it interesting for you guys.

I hadn't meant to fall asleep again. Really, how much rest could a dreaming person need? My eyes tracked around the room, taking in the knick knacks and toys. The bed had enough padding that when I shifted my weight to put my feet on the floor, it was silent. I padded in bare feet across the cool tiles towards the dresser that held a plethora of toys. Each was beautifully crafted with care and I reached a hand out to brush them. I pulled back before my fingers could touch a single one, feeling like an intruder. This place was too kind.

Pitch's taunts echoed in my ears. 'You're not worthy…' I'd been told so many times, I believed that. Of everything I refused to believe, I believed that. I felt like an interloper who would taint such beauty. I didn't belong here. 'Your place is with me. Only me. You can't taint me.' True, I couldn't taint him. He was already a lost cause. But I would rather be alone than stay with him.

I stepped away from the dresser, my hands locking together as if to prevent myself from reaching out again. I moved over to the window and was mesmerized by the pristine beauty I saw. In the moonlight, the snow looked like a pale blue ocean. It had been so long that I'd felt something other than sand and stone that I realized I ached to touch it. I looked uneasily over my shoulder. Would the others come back? The fear of it curling in my belly was confusion. I knew I didn't fear them. So why was it the thought of them being close to me was frightening?

And then I realized why.

I'd taint them. Maybe I already had. I wasn't worthy, after all.

My fingers found the lip of the window and I pulled up with my meager strength. I still hadn't eaten in… I paused, realizing I'd lost my count on days. When had I last eaten? How long was I dreaming? Could I dream for days? No, Pitch had said I had until morning to decide. But it felt like far longer. I was ravenous and that headache from before was starting to come back.

I'd already made up my mind, however. I wouldn't impose on the purity here. I'd find my own way.

When the window finally gave and lifted up, the blast of freezing air had goose bumps racing across my skin and I shivered. I hadn't realized how warm the bed had kept me until it had been chased away by the wind. Still, my mind was already made up. I was going out that window. It was only a story up, I saw. With snow below to catch me, surely I wouldn't injure myself too much. I spared a glance at my bare feet. There was nothing for it. I could deal with a little cold, right?

Before I could talk myself out of it, I climbed out of the window and dropped into the snow below. Boy, I was wrong. Immediately, I wanted back into the warm room. The snow against the bare skin of my arms and feet was brutal and already I felt it melting against my back and started to soak my dancing reindeer shirt. I found the strength to stand, albeit unsteadily. My toes felt numb. The sensation sent me racing across the snow as if I could avoid the cold with each lengthening step I took.

When my foot found a patch of ice, I let out a squeal that the wind stole away and fell. As I'd been on a slope and the ice now seemed endless, I slid down fast, accelerating as I went. On my hands and knees, I held stiff as I rocketed down the hill. A flash of white and blue next to me had me startling – I seemed to be doing that a lot lately. I looked over to see Jack Frost flying at my side, a hand supporting his head as if he were lounging on the wind.

"Having fun, Alice?" he asked with a grin. "You know you're gonna make yourself sick coming out to play like that." Jack's voice had no real admonishment. In fact, he had a laugh on the verge of every word. He looked forward while I was still staring at him while I slid down this ever increasing incline. I watched as his eyes widened. My gaze turned to see what had caught his attention, only to have his shepherd-like staff hook around my middle and pull me out of the way of a towering spire of snow. He laughed while I tried to settle my belly and keep breathing. "Well, that was maybe a little too fun."

I nodded mutely, trying desperately to stop my momentum when the ice beneath me curved back around. The speed at which I was sliding helped carry me up the hills of ice Jack Frost formed with his staff. I heard more laughter from him as he started to skate in his own bare feet in front of me. I looked in front of him, feeling safe enough that he wouldn't let me get hurt, to notice that we were headed back for the workshop.

Why hadn't I looked back before? It was magnificent! Spiraling towers and beautiful architecture!

I would have gotten to admire the workmanship of the large double doors real close had Bunnymund not opened them and served as a pillow for my collision. The breath whooshed out of him as he fell back, arms instinctually cradling me until his back hit the floor. I felt woozy and practically melted in his arms from the strain of so much activity.

I heard North and Tooth join in with Jack's laughter while Baby Tooth flitted over my head. Bunny gave a groan before gently setting me on the floor and bounding to his feet. "Oh, rack off, Frostbite!" the rabbit demanded irritably. "Trying to freeze her to death?"

I shivered on the floor until Bunny's paws yanked me to my feet so quickly that I felt dizzy.

"Me?" Jack asked incredulously. "I'm the one who brought her back in! You didn't even notice she was gone."

Bunny had no argument with that.

"Friends, friends! She is back inside now, so all is well. Come now, you must be hungry. Elves, they prepare feast for you." North spread his arms to envelope me in a warm hug, though I held stiffly. He pulled back, meaty hands on my shoulders now while he peered down. "You're so chilled! First, new clothes. Then we shall eat." The prospect of eating seemed to suit him nicely.

With a snap of his fingers, one of the large furry beasts stepped forward with a set of dry clothes for me. It was another set of warm pajamas, though these ones had howling wolves with Christmas hats on them. Unable to help myself, I reached out to touch the soft flannel and felt that warmth I'd been avoiding spread. I looked up at the beast – Yeti, I'd heard Bunny refer to them as – and saw him smiling down warmly as if he knew what it meant to me. Uneasy with that thought, I accepted the clothes with a chattering thanks.

Tooth flew towards me, hovering with the same mothering personality she'd shown before. "This way," she chimed, Baby Tooth following as well. I looked back while Tooth started to babble about getting me dry and my teeth brushed to see the Guardians head towards what I could only assume was a dining room. Jack looked back, catching my gaze. He smiled and gave a wave before heading in. I couldn't interpret the expression, really. Rather than dwell on it, I gave my full attention to Tooth who had yet to quiet down. I didn't mind it, honestly. I'd been surrounded by silence for too long so her company was welcome.

However, I still felt wrong here; as if I was messing it up. This place was meant for wonderful things. I wasn't worthy. I would never be worthy.