Author's Note: Hello everyone and welcome back to "The Winter Child!" =D So today's the day I'm really diving into my original fantasy story for Camp NaNoWrimo (the planning that is XD). So don't expect to see super long author's notes from this point forward, since I'll be kind of rushing to get these chapters posted so I can gear my focus to my plotting. X)

Anyway, this part of "Drowning in Darkness" is pretty short...but I still think it's sweet. =D So I hope you guys enjoy it too!


~ LXVII ~

Drowning in Darkness, Part Eight

With the Fearlings gone

Jack was back to normal

But the damage remained

But right now

He was just glad

That he no longer had darkness resting within

...

Jack groaned; he had a pounding headache. His bones ached with pain, though he didn't recall doing anything strenuous. He wanted to fall back asleep, back to the comforts of unconsciousness, but there was a nagging feeling at the back of his head, urging him to open his eyes.

He had the feeling that something had happened, though he couldn't quite place what. Jack slowly opened his eyes, finding himself surrounded by none other than the Guardians of Childhood themselves. They looked even more winded than before but smiles spread across their faces upon seeing him awake.

"Oh, Jack, you're okay!" Tooth cried, reaching out to hug him, but then remembering his internal injuries. She pulled her hands back, but her feathers twitched with delight. "We thought it'd be a while longer until you'd wake up. We're so glad you're okay!"

"W-What….What happened?" Jack murmured. His eyes flicked to the window, where the afternoon light was pouring through. "And how long have I been out?"

"Five days," North replied. Jack was too tired to feel surprised. "We managed to get the Fearlings out, but we do not know where they went. After they fled, you passed out."

Jack could feel the absence of the two Fearlings, and he was beyond grateful for that. He rubbed his hand against his head, his headache becoming too uncomfortable for his liking. North handed him a cup of tea, and Jack sipped it, the warmth soothing his aching head.

Jack didn't remember much of what happened before, so the Guardians explained what had occurred when they tried to extract the first Fearling within him. When briefly remembered falling under the other's control when it also took hold, but after that, nothing came to memory. Jack squeezed the mug of tea as the Guardaisn told him what occurred. Many people were shocked when Jack suddenly attacked, and the snow sprite felt terrible that he destroyed some homes and buildings during his uncontrolled rampage. When North told him that the Fearlings were demanding for Ombric's spellbooks, Jack asked why.

"There are a lot of powerful spells in there that Pitch could use to take over the Tsardom," Aster said, crossing his arms. "He probably wanted to use 'em to his advantage."

"Or destroy them so no one could stop him," Tooth prompted.

Everyone had been shaken by the sudden attack, and some even voted to send the snow sprite away. They were looked down upon by society and were believed to be cold-hearted, callous beings. Jack's sudden attack only seemed to support the rumor. Upon seeing Jack's distressed look, the Guardians quickly reassured him that he was fine. The Guardians, Ombric, and even Katherine and Jamie explained what had happened, and though not all were convinced, no one was talking of sending Jack out of the village as much as they had before.

Once tings had been cleared up, rebuilding began to take place. There was still ice and snow on the roads that were being cleared, and broken buildings were being repaired. Scouts were keeping watch for any more Fearlings and Nightmares in the woods, and Ombric and North were in the middle of planning a new system of defense.

"We're going to make sure that something like this doesn't happen again, and we need to be careful," North said. He looked at Jack, his eyes stern. "Which means no running out on your own."

Jack's cheeks brightened and he looked down, rubbing his thumb against the mug. "Um…y-yeah…about that—"

North held up a hand. "We will discuss later." Jack let out a silent sigh of relief, knowing that North wouldn't scold him directly in front of the other Guardians. "Right now, I am just glad you are alright."

"Same goes for us," said Tooth. Aster and Sandy nodded their heads.

Jack let out a small sigh. "Yeah…me too. I just hope we're able to find Pitch and stop this craziness before it can escalate any further."

"We will," said Sandy, dreamland shimmering over his head. "No matter how long it takes."

Jack smiled weakly. "No matter how long it takes."


Author's Note: Happy Guardian Family equals happy little Moon. =3

Anyway, I hope you guys enjoyed this chapter, and I'll see you in the next one!

Until the next chapter!

~BeyondTheMoon1203