I'm a little bummed that there hasn't been much reviews lately with the story, which I understand. People are busy and have family and friends and their own work, don't worry, I completely get it. But if you ever-even for a second-have time to leave a review, it's greatly appreciated. I don't allow flaming, hopefully you all know that, since that isn't a way someone can grow and develop as a writer.

I was hoping to post this at eleven at night yesterday, but I ended up posting it minutes before catching the bus to school...whoopsie.

"Sadie?" Alice called down the hallway, putting on her coat and fingerless gloves slowly.

Her little sister, thinking of happy thoughts and hanging out with her two favorite people in the world, whipped open her door and came running down the hallway, carrying two rag dolls in her arms excitedly.

But she was met with only her sister and the babysitter she used to have a lot, Denali. She liked Denali, and thought she looked a lot like one of those beautiful Indian models, but she didn't want Denali. She wanted Pitch. Where was he? He promised he would be here in the morning…

"Where is Pitch?" she asked, looking between Denali and her older sister.

Denali raised an elegant brow and looked at Alice, confused greatly. Sadie's sister meekly smiled and to the little girl, "I dunno, hun. Maybe he's away working, still. He said he would be back soon."

"Who's Pitch?" Denali asked, and Alice could tell the babysitter was getting slightly weirded out by the name.

"The Boogey-" Sadie started.

"Cousin. Erm, he's a distant cousin of ours that's uh...helping us get by." Alice quickly interrupted, saving Sadie's skin from Denali's habit of drilling kids that fantasies aren't real.

That was one thing Sadie didn't like about her babysitter. She was too into reality.

But even after three days passed, Pitch still didn't return. As each day passed, Sadie and her loving sister got sadder and sadder, feeling broken that he wasn't returning like he promised. But Sadie kept hope. She knew he would come back. Sometimes the little nine year old would stay up late with her big green flashlight and read into the night, occasionally observing the shadows to see if he would come out anytime soon.

But nothing happened. Sadie's sister was so close to giving up that he wouldn't return, but Sadie kept her believing he would.

"He promised us. Spirits can't break promises." Sadie said, cuddling closer to her sister one late night.

"...How do you know that?" Alice asked, fighting back the growing lump in her throat.

"Angels are spirits, right?" Sadie asked.

Her sister nodded slowly, afraid to vocally agree herself.

"So since they're spirits, they can't lie or break promises. That means neither can Pitch. I know he'll be back."

It wasn't until weeks later I found myself in their backyard, unable to move my feet away from the location. I didn't want this gaping hole inside me to get worse, but something was telling me that it was getting worse the more I kept my distance. I knew I didn't deserve their kindness and care, but I had nowhere else to go. What else was I supposed to do? I couldn't get them out of my mind. It was driving me insane!

It wasn't until I reached the window did I realize that I made an unintentional mistake.

I forgot that today was Sadie's birthday.

I saw her sitting at the kitchen table, a small, chocolate cake sitting in front of her surrounded by brownies with sprinkles, with white and yellow candles flickering in the light. Alice had a smile on her face, but something told me it wasn't a real one. I didn't know her as well as I wanted to, but I knew her enough to know that wasn't her real smile. Quickly, I fumbled to take out the stone beacon Sandy gave me and I allowed black sand to swirl around the edges and around my hand. When I tightened my fist and released, in it's place the sand formed into the bindings and chain of a necklace, ebony black but beautiful and elaborate nonetheless. Not sure if Sadie would like it, but it's well worth it. She liked this stone anyway.

Morphing through the shadows behind them into the kitchen, I heard Sadie's sister finish singing the traditional birthday song, rubbing Sadie's back comfortingly.

Sadie looked forlorn. She definitely wasn't happy at all, and she wasn't bothering to hide it. A pout was on her face, both childish and heartbreaking. It kind of actually hurt seeing that…

"Go ahead, Sadie," Alice said, "Make a wish."

"I want Pitch back." Sadie looked up at her, her lower lip wavering.

Her sister nodded gently, brushing back some hair from her face lovingly. "I know, sweetie, me too. But don't let that be a downer on this special day."

I think my heart was actually aching at this sight. It hurt yet it felt good. It felt good only because I heard them honestly say they wanted me around, and let me remind you very clearly, no one wanted me around in the beginning. Maybe I did deserve them, and I wasn't giving enough credit for it. They needed me, and I needed them. Though I felt unworthy of their acceptance, I'll agree to staying with them until they no longer have need of me.

Sadie blew out the candles, and her sister softly clapped at her success. But Sadie was quiet, which definitely wasn't a normal thing Sadie likes to do.

I found myself smiling as I stepped out of the shadows and said aloud, "You really didn't think I would miss this special day, did you?"

Immediately, the both girls jumped in surprise. Alice looked like the living daylights was scared out of her, but then relieved knowing it was me. Sadie screamed happily and jumped out of her chair, running over to me as fast as she could. I couldn't help but chuckle as I knelt down so she could hug me. Sadie bounced happily with a giant smile on her face, her light brown hair flying all around her like a halo.

I shyly smiled at her before holding out the necklace beacon, liking the sound of Alice's gasp and Sadie's wide eyes.

"Wow!" she said, beaming. Her fingers gently touched the light pink stone, warm to the touch.

"I made this for you, since you seemed to like the stone so much. You get to keep it," I said, gently putting the chain around her neck. Her eyes were glowing with glee, smiling at me like I was the father figure she's always wanted, "But remember!" I held up a finger, "if your sister comes to believe in more of the spirits, the color will change, and it may grow in warmth. Don't wear it when its hot out, okay?"

"Yes sir!" Sadie saluted, before bear hugging me again. I patted her back before she broke the hug, excitedly giggled and ran back to the table to finish her cake and brownie.

I looked up at Alice, unsure if I should say something or not. She had an expression on her face that I just couldn't place. Happy was certainly one of them, for she had a smile on her face...but very faint. Her eyes were happy as well, but her eyebrows were raised up as if from the bridge of her nose to her forehead was worried.

….Someone I knew from the past looked at me like that...someone important. Who was it? I can't help but feel it's very familiar.

Your wife.

My thoughts were not usually my own quite often, so it was startling to hear them so suddenly. I was so shaken up I didn't hear Alice's question as I stood in front of her.

"You came back?" she asked. I think she meant it as a statement and not a question, but it ended up being one.

"I could never permanently leave…" I said, looking down to the floor, "there's...there's no where else to go. And...you're all I have left in the world that sees me."

A hand touched my shoulder, a reassuring one. It was hers. Warm...loving...it was at that moment I came to love her hands. I was cold, freezing to the touch. If it were possible, steam would rise from our skin.

"You aren't invisible, Pitch. Is that why you left? You felt hopeless?" she gently asked, bading for my eyes to meet with hers.

I had to look at her or else she would think I'm a coward. Sadie watched us, her eyes unblinking and her mouth open in awe, showing chewed up brownie. The silence was ringing in my ears, and it hurt...never before has silence been so assaulting to my senses before. I used to love it. Now, I hate it.

"...Yes." I curtly said, about to look away from the effort of admitting something so embarrassing.

"Hey…" she said quietly as she touched my shoulder again to get my attention. When I caught her eyes she smiled brightly, "Glad you're back. And this time, stay with us. Can we talk outside later this evening? We still have a whole day for Sadie!"

"Yeah, we do!" Sadie shouted happily, fist pumping the air.

I couldn't help but smile at that. I knew Alice was doing me a favor. She didn't want pressure on me to talk in front of her little sister. She really does have a kind heart...and I knew people could have those, but never directed at me before.

I would never want to let her go.

The rest of the day was spent just how Sadie wanted it. She got me to read her a Harry Potter book, which I've never read before and I quite enjoy it myself now, and her sister cooked up her favorite lunch of bacon, lettuce and tomato sandwiches. I believe Sadie calls them BLT? I can never understand stuff like that. Probably because I always watch the centuries roll by without actually interfering and seeing the differences happen in the reality I dwelled in.

Sadie's sister brought us to the park to play near the pond and feed the geese, and she bought us all ice cream. At first I didn't want any at all. I don't exactly have a sweet tooth, or at least I thought I didn't. But french vanilla is quite delicious, so I had to submit. At least I didn't go crazy with toppings like Sadie. She literally had gummy bears, sprinkles, cherries and crushed oreos on her ice cream. As predicted, she was bouncing all over the park and having a blast on the swingset and the playground. Honestly, kids and their sugar.

Alice sat next to me on the park bench, the afternoon sun hiding behind the naked trees to give us privacy. Fall here in this little town was warm, but not warm enough for the leaves to stay green or the nights to become chilly. Alice was prepared, wearing a jacket and her beanie as she watched her little sister swing back and forth on the monkey bars.

"I just wanted to thank you for coming back. It really meant a lot to me-and Sadie. Sadie especially...do you know what she said when you were gone?"

I blinked at her slowly, watching her cheeks blush from the biting wind. Her beanie was already slipping off, letting her hair curl around her in the wind...she looked beautiful. She was beautiful.

"What did she say?" my voice sounded too breathless for my taste.

She didn't look away when she said this, which meant she honestly was telling the truth.

"She said that you were the closest thing to a father she's ever had since ours."

I was so flattered I honestly couldn't properly form words. My mouth was ready to say the words 'Thank you' or something that sounds like utter gratitude, but it was all so shocking. A child...said that I, the Nightmare King, was like a father figure to her? Even I can't believe it. Yet it's staring at me right in the face.

"Pitch...did you really leave because you felt like a monster?" she asked, touching my arm.

I did not want to answer that at all. No. She's not allowed to see inside me. I'm not see through like glass. I smirked and looked at her slyly, "You're touching me an awful lot today, princess."

She blushed and immediately retracted her hand, and she wasn't afraid to show that she was slightly irritated. Probably because I avoided the question.

"It's called comfort, Pitch. And don't change the subject, please," she resorted to that adorable face she made this morning, "I just want to know you. The real you."

I raised a brow, unconvinced. "The real me?" my voice sounded snarky. I didn't mean to.

She looked hurt, "Yes, of course! I care about you, Pitch. You're my friend. This is what friends do!"

Yikes. That was definitely an indication I crossed a line. I took a slow breath before apologizing. She still looked worried and hurt, probably because I wasn't telling her. Didn't I already in the beginning of the day?

...She knew that wasn't the real reasoning behind my disappearing.

I angrily sighed out air as I leaned against the back of the bench and folded my arms. "Fine. I left because I felt like a monster. I felt like I didn't belong because I prey on the weak and every time I am with you guys, that former powerful self of mine is breaking off piece by piece. Henceforth, I felt like a monster and I don't deserve you guys."

"You do, you know."

Again, her response made me look at her, surprised. She sadly smiled, showing the real and reliable care she glowed with for every person she talked to. I bit my tongue to keep me from staring at her too long. Call me a coward all you want...but it's quite challenging to keep eye contact with someone you're finding attractive and you're an open book. You try it next time and see how cowardly and nervous you feel.

"You do deserve us, because we know you do. We like you, Pitch," she said gently, taking my hand in hers, "there's no one in the world who could replace you or we would want besides you. Can't you see how happy you make Sadie and I?"

"...Yes."

Her grip on my hand tightened to prove her point, "Then you do deserve us. Do you think the same way we do about us?"

Without hesitation, I agreed. She seemed very pleased with that, and showed it kindly on her bright smile. That time I couldn't help but give a tiny smile back...one without malice or superiority. The chilly wind against the warm air didn't seem to bother us anymore… the only feelings of warmth I could actually sense was in my hand and my heart.

"I like holding your hand…" I complimented, grinning wider when she shyly smiled back.

"I like holding yours, too. It's cold." she said.

That wasn't a response I was hoping for. "Cold?"

"My hands are always so hot and sweaty, and yours are cooling it off." she laughed, which of course made me laugh.

"If it makes you feel any better, your hands are warm, and that's it."

"Ha!" she laughed again then teasingly winked, "Nothing else? No sparks?"

"Actually, now that you mention it, I've felt a few. But not like regular shocks you get from friction. But...they make my heart jump…" I said, looking at her curiously, "Is that healthy or normal?"

Goodness, she was really red in the face.

"Um...Yes, I guess so." she murmured, tucking hair behind her ear with her free hand.

"Have you felt it, too?" I asked, lowering my head so she could look at me. I missed those beautiful eyes of hers, even if it was only a second's worth of wait.

She smiled shyly once more, shrugging her shoulders. "Yeah...I guess...it's a nice feeling."

"I agree. We should hold hands more often." I winked at her, but that little joke caused her to unravel her hand from mine and gently slap my arm in a playful manner.

I like her...I think I finally know how to properly identify those sparks of warmth and her loving face that morning.

Affection.