Chapter 24
I gasped sitting up in my bed. Gasping for breath, I muttered "Did… anybody see that?"
Tooth was on the chair, staring blankly at the wall.
I quickly brought up plants and asked, "Are you… you?"
The Tooth Fairy immediately looked at me with the sudden rush of motion, and when she realized what the question was she smiled and nodded. She looked down at what I was holding – the golden capsule with my face on it. It was still slightly glowing, but I guess now that I knew who I was, it dimmed a little.
"Jack got that for you. He said it might help you somehow, like it did for him…" She didn't seem like her energetic happy self, but sad and quiet.
"We want you to know that we're really sorry that you've had to go through this…" She gulped, trying to shake off the tears.
I put my hand on Tooth's. "It's fine. What are friends for?" I smiled and we laughed together.
Looking around, I asked, "Where is everyone?"
Silence.
"Tooth?" I looked back at her, where she quietly looked down at the ground.
"North, Bunny, and Sandy are all trying to persuade Jack…" She trailed off, clearly upset about this.
"Trying to persuade Jack to do what?"
"No. It's not, "to do" it's what's "not to do." Pitch challenged Jack to a fight."
"Like a duel?" I asked trying to hide the panic. Tooth nodded. "And he accepted?" Tooth nodded again.
"Except… it's to death, or almost death."
I gasped. "W…well you guys are immortal right? Jack can't die can he?"
Tooth shook her head, tears flying out, "Not if it's another immortal that's the one killing him."
"Wh… Why would he accept it?!"
"If Jack agreed to fight him, Pitch would give you your memories back."
I gasped, my eyes widening and being clouded up by tears. I couldn't see anything, but now that I'm thinking about it, my weak legs probably didn't help in me walking correctly either. Either way, I stumbled out of
bed, not saying another word. I almost tripped on some plants that grew near me. It surprised me, since I didn't tell it to, but I guess like Jack, it follows me wherever I touch.
"Wh- where are you going?" Tooth asked, she followed me by flapping her wings quickly.
"I just found out who he is and who I am, I'm not going to just let him die!" I yelled out, the tears obviously ranging out in my voice.
Tooth's warm hand rested heavily on my shoulder. Even without words, I knew what she was going to say.
"You can't fight with him. It would be unfair. Jack started it. He has to finish it… Whether Pitch finishes him or not." She started crying. I hugged Tooth.
"I know. That's why, I'm going to take the place instead of him."
"Bu- But… You're still healing… and I'm not even sure if that's allowed… and it's dangerous… Pitch will kill you!" She sputtered. "Pitch probably won't even agree to it!"
"He tried to kill me once, but he captured me, like he did with you. He referred to me once, as a 'weapon.' He was originally going to keep me." I said, my jaw set, furious about him calling me that in the first place. "But, his plans changed, and I think now he's back to wanting me dead. I think he'll be more than happy to accept."
"As for my protection, my…." I sighed uncomfortably. "My mother will help me if I need it. Or my uncle. Or…" I looked down, not sure if Jack should be the first one to know, or if I can just tell her not to tell him, because I want to tell him myself. I gave in, "Or my brother, if he's safe." The words were warm, not at all uncomfortable, but heart felt.
"Who's your…." But she quickly gasped and said instead, "Is he Jack?" Tooth asked.
I nodded, smiling softly. "He… can't just ….die without him knowing." I looked down, putting my hand behind my back, hugging my other arm, standing stiffly.
Tooth nodded, understanding what's at stake.
"Go. You may not be able to take his place, but you can at least tell him."
I smiled and nodded, a tear sliding down my cheek.
I ran out, through North's countless halls, out the door, and into the snow-covered field where Tooth said they were fighting.
North, Bunny, and Sandy were all standing anxiously watching. They obviously were not used to the idea of "watching" a fight instead of being in one. Black sand, and ice spread thickly around the areas they were fighting or had fought.
"COME ON JACK!" North cried out.
Sandy fluttered some fast sand bubbles, and even Bunny cheered him on.
Jack froze the horses that Pitch had sent on him, but he couldn't dodge Pitch's black axe cutting him in the leg. I gasped, and North, Sandy, and Bunny gasped. Tooth fluttered up behind me, half hugging me. "You sure you'll be okay?" She whispered into my ear.
I nodded.
"You're the closest thing I've ever had to a sister. So please not hurt yourself, okay?"
"Me too, and I promise, Tooth." I hugged her tighter, before letting go.
Tooth nodded, and clenched her fists, trying to pull herself together.
I smiled, and nodded firmly as well, calling out, "See you later then!" with that I grew a vine, and latched onto it, before the others could persuade me otherwise.
Jack had somehow fallen on the ground, and Pitch, a couple yards away from him, was coming flying downwards, his axe in his hands, aiming at Jack's neck!
i'm hoping to finish chapter 30 before school starts on monday next week.
so. wish me luck XD
