Sandy sat in the chair next to Rose's bed and tried his best to stay awake. The others had all gone off to work extra hard at their jobs. Jack attempting to distract most of the world from the constant sun with snow and tricks, North making bigger, better presents and putting lights in random trees in the forests, and other wonderous things. Tooth was leaving twice or thrice the amount of coins she usually did, as well as telling her minions to let themselves be seen as much as possible and had a whole sector touching ever tooth case to release the happy memories inside. Aster was making the most beautiful flowers spring up all over, making sure that the trees budded bountifully wherever Jack wasnt able to flurry. They tried to convince Sandy that his dreams were needed, that his job would make the backlash from Rose's abscense lessen with every dream. But he couldnt bring himself to leave. Every time he tried to walk out the door, he imagined that he heard a soft sigh, a whisper; saw a stir as he glanced back. He couldnt bear the notion of her waking up alone, without him there to comfort her. The need to touch her ever few minutes was very real. He HAD to reassure himself that she was still alive, her chest barely moving with each breath, but still MOVING. So he waited, and watched, and hoped that the others efforts were enough. They would have to be enough.
Rose
She felt like she was lost, floating in a sea of inky blackness with no feeling, no light nor sound other than those of her own thoughts. When she tried to speak aloud to just to hear something, anything. Why was she like this? How is she supposed to break free? Her whole purpose was darkness, but her darkness was supposed to bring rest, rejuvenation, and relaxation. Cuddles and warm blankets and kisses goodnights as I love yous were freely shared. For her darkness meant the promise of dreams and endless possiblity on the morrow. This darkness was different, it wasnt even darkness, where colors were still distinguishable, just muted and deeper; this was pure blackness. Fear and nothingness surrounded her, cold and cloughing as it felt like it tried to suffocate her as she breathed it in. It filled her with fear was it spread through her, freezing her body as she was forced to ride the waves into the unknown, filled with suspense and the promise of nightmares instead of dreams...nightmares? Nightmares! She was stuck in a neverending nightmare! Who would...Pitch! Oh that dirty, rotten son of a...! Malevolent laughter seemed to come from nowhere and everywhere at once, wrapping around her like a vice.
"Took you long enough to figure it out" a raspy voice replaced the snicker. She felt breath on the back of her neck, shudders rippling through her like it was a stone in a pond.
"What do you want, Pitch?" she tried to speak, panic creeping in. She knew it was Pitch, there was no one else it could be.
"I want this. Darkness. Forever. And you're going to give it to me." Pitch breathed in her ear smugly.
Rose cringed away from the breath as much as she could. "I would NEVER!" she yelled in her mind definately, realizing her must be able to hear her.
"Oh you will, or your mother...well, let's just leave it at she wont be around to grow many flowers, though she would be pushing up daisies if you refuse" the dark chuckle ended his threat. Rose recognized what he meant, she knew the expression 'pushing up daisies' was akin to 'sleeping with the fishes'. Death. He was threathening to kill her mother. She scoffed.
"I wont be intimidated by minatory jests. You cant kill a spirit, they're already dead." she had a momentary sense of relief welling within her, he had no leg to stand on. She would die before he won.
"Oh, but you can" Pitch breathed out, his voice now floating to the other ear. "there are ways to banish the lingering life force that makes a spirit to the afterlife."
Rose now felt real fear. Panic seeped into her bones. She thought about her mom, beautiful amber hair, curled like hers, green eyes that matched the ivy the always twined around her arms or legs or her hair, soft, smiling face. She wouldnt want to be the cause of suffering, for humans or her beloved plants, both of whom needed the sun to thrive. She knew what her answer was. "It makes no difference. I WONT be apart of your plot. My mother would gladly give her spirit to save others!" she spoke with growing confidence.
Pitch practically growled with pleasure, this was going exactly as planned. "And what of Sandy?" he purred against her neck. She felt cold, wet lips brush her skin and she nearly hurled, the blood draining out of her face. No...not Sandy...she felt tears in her eyes, her heart heavy and breaking, but knowing it didnt change her mind. "He would be proud to sacrifice his life to protect those who can not protect themselves." she knew it was true, "he is honourable and brave, a true gentleman. Nothing like YOU, you disgusting worm!" she screamed with her thoughts.
Pitch roared with rage and she felt a strong hand grab and squeeze her neck. She struggled for air, wriggling in an attempt to get free when hot, humid, repulsing breath exploded in her face in a cruel whisper "I am coming for Rose, and I WILL have you. You can garuntee it" Just as she thought she would pass out (can you pass out when you are dreaming?) the hand shoved her backwards and she was falling.
Sandy
Sandy startled and jumped up as Rose jerked violently in the bed. He leaned over her as her bright blue eyes blinked slowly open, the shadows in the room allowing her to fully open them without pain. His worry swelled as he saw the fear swimming in their blue depths. "Rose? Rose, baby. Love?" his fingers gently caught her cheeks, stroking and cupping them as he turned her face to his. He closed his eyes, "Rose..."he whispered softly, brushing his lips against hers. Relief flooded through him, a tidal wave snuffing out a bonfire as he felt her body relax under his. When he opened his eyes they met hers; he watched as understanding replaced the blind fear and panic. Her breathing slowed. He smiled reassuringly at her. Elation grew at having her back. "Baby, oh darlin, you scared me. I have been so worried." He helped her to sit up, handing her a glass of water as he rattled on about sweet nothings until she shared his tentative smile around her sips of ice water. His face suddenly turned serious "Rose, I am aware you do not feel well, and your injuries, especially to your wings will make this undoubtly difficult, but the world is out of balance. There is no night anywhere on Earth. There hasnt been for 4 days. We have to get you up, you have to bring the dark baby." He pleaded with her. Her mouth dropped open in shock. "Four days?! What happened?!" She flung the covers off as she sprung out of bed, wobbling and falling against Sandy, looking up into his puzzled face. "Rose you crashed into North's workshop. You broke one wing and the other was stabbed clean through." How could she not remember? Did she hit her head as well? There were no apparent injuries...Sandy was flabbergasted. He debated taking her to a hospital to get checked out by a professional, but was too worried that, along with her blood, something would be different about her, and they would lock her away. He decided to scout around the other spirits, thinking that maybe one of them had to have been a doctor or medical personalle before their deaths. He held Rose close to him, his arms wrapped around her securely. He wanted to always keep her safe from harm, but there was no getting out of this. He conjured a sand cloud beneath them and swiftly carried them out into the frigid air, careful to keep to a route that minimized the amount of damaged that Rose could see. Once they were sufficently far enough away, Sandy tilted Rose's chin up, bringing her eyes to his. "My love, which side of the world is supposed to be nighttime right now?" he inquired gently. Rose's eyes widened impossibly, she had already forgotten the imperative situation they were in, having been safe and warm in Sandy's arms where no bad things seemed to penetrate.
"Oh Sandy, what have I done?" Rose's bottom lip trembled with sadness and shame, she couldnt really remember what had made her so scared as she flew into North's workshop, but in hindsight she shouldnt have flown so fast and recklessly. This was entirely her fault, and her father would be livid when he was able to contact Earth again. This alone almost made her hesitate. Almost.
Sandy had never seen a more heartwrenching expression on Rose's face. He pulled her flush against him for one final hug before the work got started. Then gently unwrapped their arms and took a small step back, letting her have space enough to think. Rose commanded the cloud to find her castle, which would be exactly at the position that she was supposed to start at, as it always did when she was alittle late, though never had she been behind enough for humans to notice, certainly not a day, or days, as she should say. The sand cloud, as if sensing the urgency of the predicament, sped off faster than it ever had before, rivalling her speed when dragging the night sky. Both Sandy and Rose had to lay down and hold on for dear life. When they stopped short in front of her palace, both were thrown off and landed with a puff of cloud into the sunset flower field. As the stood and turned towards the castle, both were shocked to see that the entire estate was an angry red, pulsing like a heart, with sirens blaring. Rose felt that shame push to the forefront of her psych again. Squashing it down she slowly released and tested her wings. Wincing she heard and felt the sharp pains as her left wing cracked, popping as she spread it further despite the insisent throbbing. The other, she was shocked to see, had a hole filled with golden sand. She touched it, and it turned black, matching the shade of her wings. Sandy tried not to compare that action to Pitch's nightmares, understanding that she couldnt have a yellow streak across the sky in the middle of the night. Rose shuddered with effort and, dreading the pain with a knot in the stomach after having so much trouble at just unfurling them, she lifted her massive wings and shot off into the blue sky.
