The weight of the realization weighed Fable down like an anvil. Pitch had explained the method to her, how the terror went about consuming a child to the point where there could be nothing left but fear itself. The Boogeyman had described it as a painful process. Memories were wiped away, innocence was no more. Even the tiniest hint of what had once been, was consumed by darkness and the desire to spread terror, until the child was a child no more but the remains of what the little one had feared the most.

Eyes narrowed, Fable worked the controls, swinging the globe around until it froze, focusing in on a black speck which had fixed itself along the coast line of New England. The next words came out at a mutter "Just outside of Massachusetts, that's where he's hiding."

Jack stepped down from the globe. "What makes you think he'll be there?"

Fable glanced is way, but quickly averting her eyes. "It's where we met."

The winter spirit stared at her. "So this really is about what happened between you two?"

There was a sigh, and she looked at him dead on. "Yes, and this why the Guardians should not be involved, this is between me and the Nightmare King."

North was not the least bit pleased with this declaration "No! No, no, no. A child is in danger; it is duty to help protect her!"

The rabbit nodded fervently. "Yeah, this is what bein a Guardian is all about, we're supposed ta protect our believers!"

Fable was shaking her head. "Not this time, I go alone, Pitch only took her because of me, and this is my fight, not yours!"

She felt a delicate hand on her shoulder, turning; the knowledge spirit's eyes met the mothering gaze of the Tooth Fairy. "We're not just gonna let you do this yourself."

Her regard of the fairy softened. "Look, I know you want to protect Lydia; I understand that Man in the Moon has made it your duty. But Pitch, he's made his message clear, if you are with me, he will not hesitate to do the unthinkable. I deal with him alone, and that's final."

Jack was never sure if the harshness of Fable's word were part of her abilities as a storyteller or not. Still, the words were enough to push Tooth away, a look of hurt causing her posture to slacken, even though she was airborne.

That said, Fable shouldered her bag and looked to North. "Now, if you would be so kind as to lend me one of your snow globes…"

The Russian looked ready to deny her request, until Fable fixed him with a look that bordered along the line of desperation and fear, something he never thought he'd see in the eyes of his little wolf. "Please North, I ask for nothing else."

Despite the shaking of every Guardians' head, North reached into his pocket and extracted the requested item, and pressed it into the spirit's hands. "I have something ask of you malo volchitsy."

He took her into a hug. Pressing his lips against her forehead, his voice only low and meant for Fable's ears alone. The others only saw the reply, which was mere nod of the head. She pulled out of the hug and made for the window, the snow globe practically breaking under the grip of her hand. Suddenly, she looked to Frost, a word never passing her lips, but her expression spoke volumes, the look she gave swept across the room and to every Guardian, until it was fixed once again on Jack.

Bringing the globe to her lips, she gave it her location and threw it at the window, opening the portal. One last look over her shoulder, she spoke her farewell. "Don't follow me."

She stepped through the portal, and was swallowed by a whirlwind of light, which did not do her sad departure justice. Without a second thought, Jack snatched up his crook and went for the window, opening it, and perching on the windowsill. "Jack, where are you going?"

As if it was the most obvious thing in the world, the winter sprite stated. "I'm going after her."

Author's Notes:

As expected, Jack really is not one for listening, and it's gonna make things really difficult in the coming chapters. Can't wait till you guys read it!

So, I'm sure many of you will be happy to hear that I am actually starting work on my first novel. I'll be cruel and only tell you the title and the genera "The Side Show Apocalypse." It will probably fall into the science fiction genera, probably attract the mid 20's or early 20's age groups. If you must know more, then you'll have to convince me of your worthiness of knowing such things... ;)

Still looking for a job, job hunting is a huge pain in the ass!

Anyway, read, favorite, reveiw, message, etc, etc.