AN: So we're time skipping a bit again. Mostly because the good stuff in Jillian's past doesn't happen until she is about 14-15. Anyway, right now she is about 10; she and Pitch are still friends, but drama is beginning to encroach on their happy little bubble. Hold on tightly because this little baby is about to spiral into the land of death, heartbreak, and betrayals. Also, I have posted a picture of Jillian on my tumblr page. Just remove the spaces: fearandnightmares. tumblr post/ 38386918918 /updated-and-better-version-of-my-rotg-oc. Read and Review please. –Katheryn xoxo

Chapter Eight

Tears blurred Jill's vision as she ran through the woods. She tried to bat away the tree limbs, but some of the branches still managed to hit her in the face. Jill didn't feel the pain, not really, as she continued blindly through the woods.

It couldn't be true. Not so soon after Jack's death. Jill didn't believe it, would not believe it. Somewhere inside, she knew she was in denial, but she'd deal with that later. Right now, she just needed her best friend. She needed to find Pitch.

Jill had never asked Pitch where he lived during the day when there was too much light for him to be out and about. She figured that he lived somewhere in the woods, though; the forest was always plenty dark, no matter how brightly the sun was shining.

Unfortunately, Jill forgot that Pitch wasn't the only entity to be afraid of in these woods. A wolf's howl met Jill's ears, causing a chill to go down her spine. It sounded close, too close for Jill to be comfortable. She slowed down, listening with all of her might.

The howl sounded again, this time a lot closer and with more howls following it. It was a pack, out on the hunt. And the prey was Jill.

Jill began running again, as fast as her legs could go. She didn't even look to see where she was going, fear flooding her entire being. Oh she knew better! She knew that the wolves would be out, especially at this time of year. Stupid, stupid, stupid!

Jill's foot caught suddenly and she fell to the dirt. Gasping, she pushed herself up, or tried to at least. Her foot was stuck in a small hole in the ground, probably a groundhog den or a rabbit warren. Jill whimpered slightly, wiggling her ankle around to try and dislodge it from the hole.

The wolves were fast approaching; she could hear the twigs snap under their heavy paws. Jill tugged and tugged with all her might, desperate to get out. All that accomplished was making her ankle sear with pain and Jill bit back tears.

A warm breath hit her neck and Jill turned around to see a pair of bright yellow eyes staring at her. More breaths reached her from where she sat, stuck, stranded. The wolves had found her.

Jill clenched her hand around her locket as the lead wolf growled. He seemed to lean back as if to pounce upon the ten year old. Jill closed her eyes and screamed.

"PITCH!"

A mass of black and gray shadows filled the small forested area and a chilling growl, one more menacing than that of the lead wolf's, was let loose. The pack of wolves whimpered before scampering off, clearly not wishing to deal with this newest predator.

A hand fell upon Jill's shoulder, causing the young girl to open her eyes again. Standing before her was Pitch, and he didn't look happy. His gold eyes were clouded with anger and… was that a hint of worry? The boogeyman helped Jill to her feet and sat down on a nearby boulder, his eyes still slightly glaring at the girl.

"Thank you, Pitch," Jill said in a small voice. Her head was down; she had angered him. She didn't know how exactly he would react.

"What were you thinking?"

Jill looked up at his harsh tone. Pitch's hands were clenched upon the boulder and they appeared to be almost shaking.

"Do you understand what would have happened if I had been unable to reach you in time?" he continued. "Jill, I know that you know better than to go off into the woods alone at this time of year, at this time of night for pity's sake. Jill, those wolves would have torn you apart, regardless of the fact that you are a child. You would have died, Jill, do you understand?" By this point he had reached Jill and his hands were resting upon her shoulders. He had crouched down to reach her level and he was staring straight into her eyes.

A tear fell down Jill's face and she sniffled slightly. Pitch recoiled slightly before reaching out to wipe away the tear.

"I-I was lo-looking for you," Jill admitted in a shaky voice. "I-I was up-upset; I-I just wanted to talk to you!" she wailed, full out crying at this point.

"Jill, Jill," Pitch said, pulling her into his lap. "Don't cry, sweetie. I didn't mean to yell, but I was worried. You have to understand that. Please stop crying, sweetie."

"I-I'm not crying be-because you yelled," Jill corrected, still crying. "P-Pitch, m-my mom is sick. The- the doctors… they kee-keep saying…." She threw her arms around the Nightmare King and sobbed harder, burying her face into his robe.

"Pitch, they are saying that my mom is going to d-die."

Pitch tensed slightly before wrapping his arms tighter around the distraught girl. He hummed a lullaby into her ear as the moon shone down upon the two.