Chapter 23
Pitch was back in the courtroom and he was led to the front where he would face his master.
The guardians watched as the Man in the Moon appeared and stared at Pitch.
"Pitch Black," the god said in his mighty voice. "I have decided to have your sentence end today. As of now, you are a guardian."
The courtroom erupted in claps and cheers, but their master held up his hands to silence them and they hushed.
"You are the guardian of Halloween and nightmares. Every year on Halloween night, you are to make this one night alive with frights and fears. Also, you are to release your nightmares to children who have shown disrespect towards others every night when they go to sleep," the Man in the Moon informed Pitch. "But there is another duty you must do," the god added.
"Mora is still alive and she will do her best to haunt children's dreams with night terrors. Protect them and destroy the night terrors," he said.
"What about Grace?" Pitch asked. His master looked at him and he replies.
"Continue in your duty of protecting her, but I must tell you to limit your time with her," the god answered. Pitch's heart stopped beating for a minute; he had been given a certain amount of time to be with Grace.
"I have realized that you have grown quite close to her. I advise you to keep some distance from Grace. If Mora kidnaps Grace, again, Mora might kill her without another thought," the Man in the Moon said.
Pitch wanted to say something, but he was at a loss for words. He agreed with his master that Grace needed to be protected, but he did not want to stop visiting her.
Then, Erebos came beside Pitch and nudged at him.
"I have decided to let you have Erebos as a guide to your destinations. Take care of him and he will take care of you," the Man in the Moon said to Pitch and the guardians were dismissed.
Pitch was not sure how to explain to Grace that he could not see her as much, but he had to tell her.
He got on Erebos and they returned to Blackpool and headed to Grace's home.
The girl was still asleep and Pitch gently shook her awake. "Pitch, I had the most wonderful dream," she said, but she noticed the sad look on his face. "What's the matter?"
"I have been made guardian," Pitch replied and Grace congratulated him. "Unfortunately, my master told me that I can't see you as much as before," he added and Grace's face changed.
"But I like spending time with you," she said.
"I do, too, but my master fears that Mora will come back and kill you and that will be a horrible blow to my heart," Pitch replied. "But don't worry, I'll always be near," he added.
Grace put on the best smile, but she was upset that she won't see Pitch as much anymore. However, she wanted to know about what Pitch meant about the horrible blow to his heart if she were to be killed by Mora. He did say that he cared about her.
"I have to go, good night Grace," Pitch said and he left her room.
Grace did not say a word, but she had a feeling growing inside. She immediately realized that she really cared for him, too.