Pippa was tending her little garden outside her tiny cottage, when West Wind carried news to her in the form of a very disturbing voice. A voice the little girl knew well. A voice Jack had promised would never be aimed at her again.

"I know who you are, little Autumn. One day your dear brother will be mine, and then it's your turn. I'll beat you with his own staff and his arm too!"

Frightened, the little season rode West Wind to Jack's little cave near his lake, only to discover a small blood trail leading to a different, deeper cavern. When she found him, he sat up, a large gash on the side of his face and an even larger one on his leg.

"Jack!"

He embraced her, holding her tightly against him.

"Uncle Nigel...is back."

"Tell me what happened Jack!" she begged, her eyes filling with angry tears at his injuries.

"Well Pips..." he began.

Jack was just be minding his own business, and all of a sudden he got clocked on the side of the head with a branch.

"Jackson, my favorite toy! Come on, we are going to have FUN!"

The sprite looked at the ragged man with eyers full of horror. He knew that voice!

"Uncle Nigel? How...when...WHY?!"

SMACK

Jack was thrown to the ground, and tried to crawl away, but the branch crashed down again, this time on his leg. Fearful and somewhat angry, hei froze the attacking spirot and limped to his staff, wich had been knocked out of his grip. As soon as the wood was in his hand he flew off to his cave.

"I was too hurt, I had to crawl deeper, and then I passed out. You woke me up."

"Jack!" Pippa wimpered "Jack..."

He held her close "I know Pip...I know. But don't worry. I'll protect you. I promise!"

"You'll protect me. But who will protect you?"

He didn't have an answer for her. Who indeed would protect him from his switch-hungry Uncle?

"No one Jackson. Absolutely no one!"

He shrieked into the night, then ran, panting. Flying was out of the question. He was too injured to be tossed about right now. So, gathering Pippa in his arms, Jack fled to the one place he thought he would be safe.

The Bennett House.